Pepper’s Landing - Old Town, ME
- Ali Farrell
- Feb 3
- 3 min read
A Winter Oasis at Pepper’s Landing
We trekked it and hour and 30 minutes to Old Town on a bitterly cold January day for a basketball tournament. As we were looking for a place to thaw out before the tourney, we stubbled upon Pepper’s Landing. SO. GLAD. WE. DID.
The Atmosphere & Decor
The first thing you notice is how much thought and love went into the "bones" of this place. The decor is clean, nautical, and hyper-specialized. It’s not just generic sea-shack kitsch; every detail feels intentional from the food to the feel.
Seating: They have massive booths that easily accommodate a crew of six—perfect for families or teams traveling together.
The View: A stunning wall of windows floods the space with light and offers a front-row seat to the Penobscot River.
The Surprise: My favorite detail was actually in the restroom. They have this gorgeous custom lobster wallpaper that looks like high-end art, but when you lean in, you realize it’s actually their logo.
Summer Potential: While the large outdoor deck was off-limits in the snow, you can tell it’s the place to be once the Maine summer finally arrives.
The Main Event: The Food
We ordered a spread, but the Meatball Sub stole the show. I’m going to go out on a limb and say it’s possibly the best meatball sub I’ve ever had. The sauce was balanced, and the buns were toasted to absolute perfection.
We also dove into:
Fish and Chips: A classic. While it’s a staple everywhere, Pepper’s does it right with impressively large servings.
Buffalo Chicken Dip: This was an "interesting" take—not quite like the standard versions you find elsewhere, but delicious nonetheless. The best part? It served with both tortilla chips and nicely toasted bread, giving you the best of both worlds.
The Drink Round
The service was friendly and efficient—the staff really seemed to work as a cohesive unit. As for the drinks:
The Basics: A "Ho Ho and Soda" (obviously) and a chocolate milk for my son (which I naturally "tested" while he was away).
The Old Fashioned: This is the litmus test for any bartender- a staple that sets the standard. It started a bit rough—it hadn’t been mixed yet, so the first sip was a concentrated "slap in the face" of bitters and syrup. However, once we gave it a good stir, (never shaken) we were back in the game.
History & Heritage
Pepper’s Landing is deeply rooted in the local community. The restaurant is named after "Pepper" Martin, a legendary figure in the Maine seafood industry and a bubbly guy who was happy, adventurous, and loved meeting new people.
The building itself sits on land rich with history. Old Town is famously the home of the Penobscot Nation. Their reservation, Indian Island, is located right in the Penobscot River, just a stone's throw from the restaurant. The Penobscot people have called this area home for thousands of years, and the river remains a sacred and vital part of their culture and heritage.
Final Verdict: Whether you’re a local or just passing through for a tournament, Pepper's Landing offers a high-end feel with the comfort of a neighborhood haunt.
Hornitos: YES
Booths: HUUUGE ones!
Other Locations: Brunswick, Ogunquit
Hours: M-F 11-8:30pm, Sat-Sun 11-9pm
Location: 170 Main Street, Old Town, ME
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