5 Old Orchard Beach restaurants worth trekking through tourist traffic for, according to the locals

 Joseph's By the Sea in Old Orchard Beach is a beloved spot, according to locals who responded to our social media callout. (Derek Davis/Staff Photographer) It’s tourist season in southern Maine, and charming oceanfront towns like Old Orchard Beach are crawling with visitors taking in the sun, surf and sand.  Tourism is essential to Maine’s economy, and the locals appreciate it — as a Kennebunk native who spent her teenage summers working in local cafes, believe me, I know.  But while many of us happily accept, accommodate and even depend on tourism in our coastal Maine communities, it’s not always easy to hand over our towns to visitors during the summer months. Parking is scant, the beaches are crowded and dining reservations fill up fast.  Still, there are those gems of a restaurant that keep the locals coming back, even in the busy season. We asked Old Orchard Beach residents to share the spots they’re willing to fight through tourist crowds to get to. Here’s what they said. **The Local OOB** _23 Washington Ave., [the-localoob.com](https://www.the-localoob.com)_ [](https://w2pcms.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/43678081_20260630_oobrestaurants_5.jpg) The Local OOB in Old Orchard Beach. (Derek Davis/Staff Photographer) [Purchase this image](https://dev.mainetodaymedia.com/smugmug/upload.php?data=%7B%22src%22%3A%22https%3A%5C%2F%5C%2Fwww.pressherald.com%5C%2Fwp-content%5C%2Fuploads%5C%2Fsites%5C%2F4%5C%2F2026%5C%2F07%5C%2F43678081_20260630_oobrestaurants_5.jpg%22%2C%22caption%22%3A%22The%20Local%20OOB%20in%20Old%20Orchard%20Beach.%20%28Derek%20Davis%5C%2FStaff%20Photographer%29%22%7D) For a cozy, community-focused vibe, The Local OOB is where, well, the locals like to go. Advertisement Rooted in the heart of Old Orchard Beach, The Local offers an extensive menu with a mix of classic pub food like wings and pizza, New England staples like clam chowder and fried haddock sandwiches, and more exotic flavors like Thai mussels and a New Zealand rack of lamb. “The Local OOB is great for year-round,” Biddeford resident Abigail Woods responded to our social media callout. **Grill 65** _65 Wild Dunes Way, [dunegrass.com/restaurant](https://www.dunegrass.com/restaurant)_ Old Orchard Beach residents also praised Grill 65 at Dunegrass Golf Club, a “go-to modernized sports bar” with an elevated pub menu, live music and trivia nights. [](https://w2pcms.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/43678081_20260630_oobrestaurants_8.jpg) The bar area at Grill 65, located at Dunegrass Golf Club in Old Orchard Beach. (Derek Davis/Staff Photographer) [Purchase this image](https://dev.mainetodaymedia.com/smugmug/upload.php?data=%7B%22src%22%3A%22https%3A%5C%2F%5C%2Fwww.pressherald.com%5C%2Fwp-content%5C%2Fuploads%5C%2Fsites%5C%2F4%5C%2F2026%5C%2F07%5C%2F43678081_20260630_oobrestaurants_8.jpg%22%2C%22caption%22%3A%22The%20bar%20area%20at%20Grill%2065%2C%20located%20at%20Dunegrass%20Golf%20Club%20in%20Old%20Orchard%20Beach.%20%28Derek%20Davis%5C%2FStaff%20Photographer%29%22%7D) The menu features unique shareables like crab rangoon dip and falafel crudité, sandwiches like a classic burger and fish tacos, and fancier dinner options like a prime filet and crab stuffed haddock. Overlooking the golf course, Grill 65 is where golfers chat at the bar after a round and locals go for date night. Advertisement **Joseph’s By the Sea** _55 W. Grand Ave., [josephsbythesea.com](http://www.josephsbythesea.com)_ Sitting right above the ocean, Joseph’s By the Sea has been an Old Orchard Beach institution for almost 60 years. Opened in 1968 by Joseph and Marietta Dussalt, the restaurant was handed down through generations of the Dussalt family. Now owned by lifelong Mainers Scott and Barbara McCrum, Joseph’s is still one of OOB locals’ favorite spots for a special night out. “They do a nice job,” Old Orchard Beach resident Kathleen Donnellon said. [](https://w2pcms.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/43678081_20260630_oobrestaurants_4.jpg) Joseph’s By the Sea in Old Orchard Beach showcases historic photographs on the walls in the dining area. (Derek Davis/Staff Photographer) [Purchase this image](https://dev.mainetodaymedia.com/smugmug/upload.php?data=%7B%22src%22%3A%22https%3A%5C%2F%5C%2Fwww.pressherald.com%5C%2Fwp-content%5C%2Fuploads%5C%2Fsites%5C%2F4%5C%2F2026%5C%2F07%5C%2F43678081_20260630_oobrestaurants_4.jpg%22%2C%22caption%22%3A%22Joseph%27s%20By%20the%20Sea%20in%20Old%20Orchard%20Beach%20showcases%20historic%20photographs%20on%20the%20walls%20in%20the%20dining%20area.%20%28Derek%20Davis%5C%2FStaff%20Photographer%29%22%7D) The menu is seafood-forward and dotted with lobster dishes in every category, including lobster bisque, lobster tacos, lobster rolls and classic steamed lobster. Mussels, haddock, salmon and shrimp also make an appearance, with meat options sprinkled throughout. “Joseph’s By the Sea is 100% the best,” Kennebunkport resident Cyndi Smith said. Advertisement **Pier French Fries** _12 Old Orchard St., [pierfrenchfries.com](https://www.pierfrenchfries.com)_ It wouldn’t be a guide to Old Orchard Beach restaurants without mentioning at least one spot on the pier. For locals, that spot is Pier French Fries. [](https://w2pcms.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/43678081_20260630_oobrestaurants_1.jpg) Pier French Fries in Old Orchard Beach is a classic spot for beachgoers, whether local or visiting. (Derek Davis/Staff Photographer) [Purchase this image](https://dev.mainetodaymedia.com/smugmug/upload.php?data=%7B%22src%22%3A%22https%3A%5C%2F%5C%2Fwww.pressherald.com%5C%2Fwp-content%5C%2Fuploads%5C%2Fsites%5C%2F4%5C%2F2026%5C%2F07%5C%2F43678081_20260630_oobrestaurants_1.jpg%22%2C%22caption%22%3A%22Pier%20French%20Fries%20in%20Old%20Orchard%20Beach%20is%20a%20classic%20spot%20for%20beachgoers%2C%20whether%20local%20or%20visiting.%20%28Derek%20Davis%5C%2FStaff%20Photographer%29%22%7D) Since 1932, locals and tourists alike have been munching on Pier French Fries’ famous crinkle-cut fries, poutine and hot dogs. For many, a day at the beach is synonymous with a basket of hot, hand-cut fries. “No trip to Old Orchard Beach is complete without Pier Fries,” Donnellon said. “My family insists on this. My heart says there always needs to be Pier Fries in Old Orchard Beach.” **Beach Vibes Bistro** _198 E. Grand Ave., [beachvibesbistro.com](https://beachvibesbistro.com)_ “People are telling me they love Beach Vibes,” Old Orchard Beach resident Diane Jewett replied to our social media callout. Advertisement “SO GOOD,” Erin Dupee wrote back to her. Billed as “the place to gather,” Beach Vibes, located in the Grand Beach Inn, not only offers lunch and dinner but also serves breakfast Wednesday through Sunday. The menu is classic with a few twists, like buffalo chicken wontons and surf ‘n’ turf loaded waffle fries. It leans simple but unique, with extensive sandwich, salad and pizza options — and the locals are into it. “I’ve been happy with everything I’ve tried,” Sharon Doyle Picard said. Copy the Story Link Tagged: [food](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/food/), [Guides](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/guides/), [maine restaurant](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/maine-restaurant/), [maine restaurants](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/maine-restaurants/), [Restaurants](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/restaurants/) [](https://www.pressherald.com/author/sydney-richelieu) [Sydney RichelieuStaff Writer](https://www.pressherald.com/author/sydney-richelieu) Sydney is a community reporter for Biddeford, Saco, Old Orchard Beach, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Arundel and previously reporter for the Courier and Post. Sydney grew up in Kennebunk and is a graduate. [More by Sydney Richelieu](https://www.pressherald.com/author/sydney-richelieu)