🔒Friday Food Insider: New bakeries bring a French twist to Maine

A French bakery trend is taking hold in Maine. In the past year, three cafes have opened their doors, serving up handcrafted baked goods from pastries to crepes.

Cafe opens in Falmouth

Last summer, Mornings in Paris opened in Falmouth at 240 U.S. Route 1. It's the bakery's fourth location. Mornings in Paris has other cafes in Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Ogunquit.

The new Falmouth location is situated alongside competitors — including Starbucks and Dunkin. The cafe features house-roasted coffee, tea, artisan pastries, macarons, crepes and sandwiches. It is open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Croissant maker in Hallowell

Mainebiz senior writer Laurie Schreiber reported this week in the Real Estate Insider that there's a new French bakery in Hallowell. Belle Boulangerie is located in a 4,500-square-foot mixed-use building at 156 Water St. Owner Galyna Syrota told Mainebiz she uses recipes learned at Le Cordon Bleu, importing ingredients from New Zealand, Italy, Canada and Belgium, although ingredients are sourced locally when possible. The menu includes breads, brioche, cream puffs, Madeleines, babka, cruffins, croissant and Danishes, made daily by hand.

Creperie in Freeport

Crepe Elizabeth, founded as a mobile bakery in 2022, opened its first brick-and-mortar location recently in downtown Freeport. The shop debuted on Feb. 1 in the Mallet Building, at 7 Mills St.

The store offers its signature crepe selections, as well as coffee, cookies, chips and protein bites from local businesses. Owners Dawn and Ryan Miller said on social media that they plan to continue operating the food truck, which serves the Portland area, with a focus on local breweries, festivals and public events.

Reader feedback

What new restaurants in other parts of the state should be on our radar? The Mainebiz Food Insider wants to hear from you. Contact Alexis Wells at awells@mainebiz.biz.