The Public House, West Branch Farms, Machias
Public House Restaurant, West Branch Farms
180 W Kennebec Rd, Machias, ME 04654
(207) 259-0989
https://westbranchfarmsmachias.com/the-public-house-wbf
It was a rather dreary, chilly, rainy day when the team arrived at the Public House after visiting Roque Bluffs State Park in late April 2025, so it was lovely to see this new, beautiful, warm, and welcoming restaurant on the premises of the West Branch Farms.
As mentioned, the Public House restaurant is part of the new West Branch Farms, which was started in the late 1990s by Chris and Sue Meroff when they moved to Machias and realized that there was not much to do in the area. “Our farm is a haven where you can gather, relax, indulge in delicious farm-to-table cuisine, shop for unique treasures, and connect with nature through hands-on activities.” https://westbranchfarmsmachias.com/
The first thing we noticed was the airy, lovely new interior.
You may know that one of the challenges of the real “DownEast” Maine is that there are not many restaurants, lodging, or information on where and how to explore this beautiful area. Thus, we were pleasantly surprised to find this hidden gem.
The menu was interesting and reasonable, with a good selection of different plates, some using a local farm-to-table approach. Here is part of the lunch menu to give you an idea.
We had the hamburger and fish and chips plates, and decadently even tried some of their desserts… all delicious!
As mentioned, it was a relaxed, warm, inviting atmosphere with good food and friendly service, all at a price that was reasonable for the quality. We felt comfortable and enjoyed our meal without feeling rushed or overly formal. The large windows overlooking the beautiful farm added a sense of peace and tranquility
The gift shop was also fun to visit, with some local products. Unfortunately, we did not have the time to explore the farm, but it provides unique local farm experiences as well as lovely cottages if you are looking to get away for a few days. https://westbranchfarmsmachias.com/
If you are planning an “explore” of DownEast Maine, be sure to put this on your itinerary as a wonderful place to eat, refresh, and relax!