Buttermilk Kitchen at Marriners - Camden, ME
- Ali Farrell
- Jan 31
- 3 min read
A Coastal Gem with Southern Soul and Harbor Views
One of the highlights of Munchies, in our opinion, is our ability to introduce you to unique places, dishes, or experiences that inspire you to explore for yourself. We believe we’ve discovered a spot that deserves your attention: Buttermilk Kitchen at Marriners.
Located at 35 Main Street, this establishment perfectly blends a warm, traditional Maine greeting with a contemporary, upscale Southern breakfast experience. They provide seating options inside at the bar or a booth, as well as outdoor deck seating overlooking Camden Harbor.
The Story: From Buckhead to the Midcoast
The magic behind Buttermilk Kitchen belongs to Chef Suzanne Vizethann, a Chopped champion and Food Network veteran (seen on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and Beat Bobby Flay).
Suzanne built a culinary empire in the Buckhead neighborhood of Atlanta, Georgia, where her original Buttermilk Kitchen has been a cult favorite since 2012. Craving a simpler life, Suzanne and her husband Ryan moved to the Midcoast permanently in 2024. But they didn't just open a restaurant; they rescued a piece of local history.
The Heritage: The Legacy of Marriner's
Before Buttermilk, this space was home to Marriner’s Restaurant, a Camden institution that served the community for 82 years. For over four decades, it was operated by Dan and Becki Gabriele.
When the Gabrieles retired, Suzanne took the reins, painstakingly renovating the space while keeping its "mariner" charm. She even kept "Dan's Corned Beef Hash" on the menu—a classy tip of the hat to the building's legacy.
The Experience: Happy staff and Coastal Vibes
We’ve visited a few times, but our most recent trip was sparked by a run-in with a local who was talking up Buttermilk. When we lamented the lack of mimosas—a staple for any serious MM breakfast review— they let us in on a secret - they thought Buttermilk had started a BYOB offering. If we bring the prosecco, they could supply the fresh squeeze OJ.
Two days later, we showed up with a bottle of Prosecco from French & Brawn Marketplace in hand. Our friendly and attentive server, Abbott, laughed when we whipped out our bottle, and brought us fresh OJ "STAT." Since we were the only ones rocking booze in the place, we asked Abbott “So, how often are people poppin’ bottles in here?” He smirked and said "Well, you are the first ever!" We felt a little special and also a bit mischievous, but the nautical, bright, and happy atmosphere made it feel like a celebration.
Before hitting the "post" button, we had a chat with the GM and found out the owners are still brewing over the BYOB idea. It's not ready to pop just yet, but stay tuned—it may be bubbling for the future! Oops! Better to ask for forgiveness?
The Offerings: Scratch-Made Classics
Everything at Buttermilk Kitchen is intentional. They even sell their own Blueberry-Basil Jam and OG Pancake Mix, so you can take the experience home. They also sell Chip's Provisions hot sauce- one of our favorite locally made hot sauces which can sometimes be hard to find! Score.
Market Scramble:
Bill's market scramble was a culinary masterpiece—eggs, cheese, and fresh veggies in perfect harmony! scrambled egg with greens, caramelized onion, roasted squash, and goat cheese, with a biscuit or toast and breakfast potatoes. The biscuit was a soft, flavorful cloud, especially when crowned with their homemade blueberry jam. You could taste the chef’s love and care in every bite. And that squash to scramble ratio? Absolute perfection!
Choc Chip Pancake with Bacon:
Ali went for a solo pancake and a side of bacon, possibly due to a pre-breakfast rendezvous (though whispers of prosecco and MM's future lured her in!). The pancake? A giant masterpiece, with chocolate chunks strategically placed for a cocoa explosion in nearly every bite! The side of bacon.... Well you can never go wrong with bacon.
Southern Staples:
Don't sleep on the Chicken Biscuit (sweet tea brined with red pepper jelly) or the Pimento Cheese Grits.
Local Legends:
They honor the NE coast with a Fried Haddock Roll and a Lobster Roll (served on toasted "Brazen" buns).
We absolutely adored our visit and hope the secret’s out: These scrumptious southern, from-scratch eats is exactly what Camden needed in a breakfast spot.
Hornitos: No
Booths: Yes, in a beautiful, nautical blue color!
Take out and online ordering: YES!
Alcohol Policy: Not BYOB yet, but hopes for the future! Oops!
Location: 35 Main St, Camden, ME
Current Hours: Wednesday through Monday, 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Closed Tuesdays).
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