Each year Bon Appétit Magazine goes looking for the 10 Best New Restaurants in America.  This year two Maine restaurants have made it into the 50 finalist list and one is very close by in Rockport just below Camden.

The restaurant that Bon Appétit considers to be possibly one of the best new restaurants in the US is called the ‘Nina June’ and is owned by New York City and Maine restaurateur and chef Sara Jenkins. Sara was born in Camden but was brought up in Italy, Spain and Lebanon and has a passion for Mediterranean flavors and dishes. Before returning to Maine Sara ran an acclaimed restaurant in New York City.

Bon Appétit described Nina June as the

“Fantasy vacationland restaurant where Maine meets the Mediterranean.”

Nina June’s webpage offers:

  • mingle over a glass of wine on the porch or a cocktail at the bar
  •  leisurely full-service dinner with a menu that changes daily depending on what’s fresh and in season.
  • happy hour on the back porch at 4 pm, dinner from 5:30 pm every night
  • Tuesday through Saturday, plus Saturday brunch and a copious Italian-style lunch every Sunday.

Located at 24 Central Street in Rockport they are open Tue –Thur 5:30 -9 Fri – Sat 5:30 – 9:30 and Sun for lunch 11:30 – 2  Phone  236-8880

Click here to see all of Sara’s competition from across the country. The Bon Appetit Hot 10 winners will be announced Aug. 15.

Here are more things to see in Rockport.

More From WWMJ Ellsworth Maine