Tia’s Topside

Kennebunk, United States

4.4

20 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards

Contacts

QR code, vCard

Telephone:
+1 207-967-8821
Website:
www.tiastopside.com
Address:
12 Western Ave, Kennebunk, ME, 04043
Categories:
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Bussiness info

Takes Reservations
Yes
Delivery
No
Take-out
Yes
Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Accepts Bitcoin
No
Good For
Lunch
Parking
Street
Bike Parking
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes
Good for Kids
Yes
Good for Groups
Yes
Attire
Casual
Ambience
Touristy
Noise Level
Average
Good For Dancing
No
Alcohol
Full Bar
Happy Hour
Yes
Best Nights
Mon, Tue, Sat
Coat Check
No
Smoking
No
Outdoor Seating
Yes
Wi-Fi
No
Has TV
Yes
Dogs Allowed
Yes
Waiter Service
Yes
Caters
No
Has Pool Table
No

Today

Today –
Local time (Kennebunk) 09:21 Sunday, 15 June 2025

Business hours

Monday –
Tuesday –
Wednesday –
Thursday –
Friday –
Saturday –
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

Delicious seafood with a modern twist; water views with outdoor seating overlooking fire pit. «New nautical» décor that blends a touch of romance and foot tapping fun. Bar with TV’s, 2 porches, indoor dining room with fireplace. Friendly service staff there to make your experience memorable. Voted Best Clam Chowder and Lobster Mac ‘n Cheese in Maine…

History

Established in 2011.

Lori Lilly owned and operated Tia’s Restaurant on Boston’s waterfront for 32 years. When she visited Kennebunk and saw this location she fell in love with it. She convinced her chef, Alex Fuentes, to partner with her to create this exciting restaurant. There is a patio with a fire pit and rocking chairs, along with two outdoor porches with spectacular views of the Kennebunk River, and Lower Village. This «new nautical» spot is designed as the perfect setting to show their friendly service, and delicious New American cuisine, which has an emphasis on lobster and local seafood.

Meet the Business Owner

Lori L.

Business Owner

Lori Lilly built and successfully operated Tia’s Restaurant on Boston’s waterfront for 32 years. She sold that business last October to the Cronin Group from Boston. Three years ago she visited the Kennebunk area, saw the Tia’s Topside location and fell in love with it. She partnered with her chef, Alex Fuentes, who had worked with her in the Boston location for over 17 years, to create Tia’s Topside.

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20 reviews of Tia’s Topside

No registration required
Place rating: 4
Las Vegas, NV
We sat outside and had a nice view of Kennebunk. I eat lobster every time I’m in Maine and this was probably one of the freshest tasting lobster tails I’ve had. Service was good, view is elevated, food was great. I would recommend stopping by if you’re in the area.
Place rating: 5
San Francisco, CA
Never judge a book by its cover! Initially, we passed over Tia’s because it looked more tourist-​y rather than a local spot, but we decided to give this place a try nonetheless. Thank goodness we did, because this was one of the best seafood lunches we had in Kennenbunkport!
First off, the lobster jalapeño tater tots were to die for. Plenty of lobster, and the jalapeño packed a good kick without being too spicy. Fried food is usually too heavy, but Tia’s fried it just right without being too oily. My only regret is that we didn’t order two servings!
I ordered the lobster roll (I may or may not have made it a mission to eat only lobster rolls all weekend in Maine, ha), while the bf ordered the swordfish tacos. Both of us were more than satisfied with our orders, and my lobster roll was the best I had all weekend. Most lobster rolls we tried were slightly underwhelming in one way or another, but Tia’s had good flavor, light on the dressing, and served on a toasted roll.
Highly recommended, reasonable pricing, and they have a great outdoor fire pit when it’s warm enough to do a little people watching on the Main Street.
Place rating: 4
Vienna, WV
I give it a 4.5 for the happy hour which is the only time we’ve been there.
Happy hour goes 3:00 — 5:00 on weekdays which means $ 1.00 oysters and ½ price drinks except wine. I would consider it casual dining.
Patron margaritas were $ 6.25 which is pretty good for Kennebunkport. The view is great, the deck is nice which they have protected with well maintained clear plastic on cold days. They also have heat lamps on the deck.
$ 1.00 oysters are small but clean and cold. The service is friendly and the food comes out on time.
The lobster rolls which they call a lobster salad roll is as good as I’ve had. We’ve eaten at places with big reputations for their rolls but they don’t compare. The lobster literally doesn’t fit in the bun; most places don’t butter and toast the bun but they do.
They come with good fries or clam chowder.
The table bread was toasted and the lobster and shrimp scampi was great, combine the two and you’ve got the entrée version of chocolate meets peanut butter.
Place rating: 3
Somerville, MA
We went Friday for early dinner. Right on the main rd. in Kennebunkport. We sat outside on a covered porch. The restaurant overlooks the road. I got some oysters. They were very good. My GF got the burger. Then I got the Mussels in a spicy creamy chorizo sauce. Mussels were very small. Most times Mussels come with bread for the sauce. But I got none. Luckily my lovely GF gave up her top bun of her burger. The sauce was very good.
Place rating: 5
River Edge, NJ
Awesome happy hour! Half-​off drinks and the best oysters I’ve had on my weeklong trip to Maine.
Place rating: 4
Hudson, MA
Great lunch for family of 4. Enjoyed the blackened chicken Cesar salad with cup of chowdah while my wife and kids loved the mac and cheese. Sat right out front under nice umbrella and was provided with good service. We will come back for dinner next summer.
Place rating: 5
Boston, MA
We had our rehearsal dinner at Tia’s. Lori was wonderful to work with, making sure that everything was just the way that we wanted. We had to make some last minute changes and have some specialized meals and Lori was so flexible with everything. Our guests raved about the food– we did steak tips and lobster mac and cheese. We even went back with about 20 of our guests the day after our wedding for $ 1 oysters and more lobster mac and cheese. Tia’s will definitely be a place we go back to anytime we’re in Kennebunk.
Place rating: 3
Somerville, MA
Great food small amount of seafood had the red dragon three my friends had cod was suprised how small amount of seafood that arrived lobster bisque was okay chunks inside but for 14 a bit steal overall good okay view good waiter
Place rating: 5
Fort Lauderdale, FL
This is a great spot to sit and overlook downtown Kennebunkport. We went a few times in the 4 days we were there because it was always so wonderful. The staff is by far the best in town. Management was fantastic as well. They let us sit on the patio with our dog on the 4th and never rushed us. Our waitress, Shawna was perfect! We enjoyed the oysters, chowder, swordfish tacos, steamers and calamari over our visits. Everything was flavorful and great proportions. Look forward to visiting again later in the Summer!
Place rating: 4
Montreal, Canada
We will definitely return! I ordered the raw oysters — they were as fresh as can be and SO delicious. And I ordered the lobster mac n’ cheese — by far the best lobster mac n’ cheese I have ever had. We all ordered the clam chowder and it was served piping hot and was the best clam chowder we had in Maine. It has a smokiness from bacon which is a nice touch. Someone I was with ordered the fish and chips — he wasn’t impressed. The fish pieces are more like fish bites so it wasn’t what he was expecting. We ordered the pineapple mint mojitos which were tart and tasty — perfect for me because I don’t like anything too sweet to drink. Over wall, a very pleasant experience! Great service! Clean establishment.
Place rating: 5
TriBeCa, Manhattan, NY
Ahhhhhhhh! Real. Modern. Bold and flavorful seafood! We ate at so many «seafood» joints while in kennebunk and we’re time-​after-​time disappointed. Then we stumbled upon this tiny, awesome, clean and amazing eatery.
Wish we knew about this place in the beginning of the week, but happy and relieved we found it at the end.
If you go to one place to eat while in kennebunk, GO HERE.
Thank you Tia!!!
Place rating: 4
Basking Ridge, NJ
Excellent food, classy atmosphere, and friendly staff, especially our personable waitress Gina. Only downside was slow service.
Although the shrimp scampi was slightly above average, the twin lobster and the lobster mac n’ cheese definitely showcased the best of Kennebunkport’s seafood pallet. If you find yourself around the area, we definitely recommend you give Tia’s a try.
Place rating: 5
Dedham, MA
Best lobster mac and cheese I’ve ever had! Very quaint restaurant that had seating options inside or outside. It was a beautiful night so we ate outside. I ordered the Lobster mac and cheese and it was to die for. Very good/​fast service and a great place to take a date!
Place rating: 5
Near North Side, Chicago, IL
We just spent 8 days in kennebunk and spent a lot of time at Tia’s! Incredible service and great atmosphere. Don’t miss $ 1 oysters and happy hour! Our server Ryan was awesome all week! This place is not to miss! Great patio and outdoor space right on the water. Can’t wait to come back!
Place rating: 4
Belmont, MA
Great spot. Went during happy hour and had a couple of beers and half priced sangria which was delish (not too sweet). Really nice waitress, clean bathrooms and $ 1.00 oysters were delish. Definitely will be coming back.
Place rating: 5
Quincy, MA
Had a GREAT lunch at Tia’s this week, we have an infant and three yr old and they were very accommodating including being sensitive to our child’s allergy.
The décor of the restaurant is fantastic, the high attention to detail from the light fixtures to the bathroom mirrors is noticeable, I’d call it «nautical-​chic» …
Food was excellent, I got the swordfish fish tacos (comes with 2), we had Maine oysters and sushi. Lots of choices on the childrens menu and not the usual kid slop, the grilled cheese was on sourdough, no skimp on the cheese, overall we were very pleased.
Great service and friendly ownership makes Tia’s a must. (Not to mention the great view from the hill!!!)
Place rating: 5
Haverhill, MA
Wife and I had our wedding rehearsal dinner at Tia’s last summer and went back this past weekend for our 1 year anniversary. Lori was once again great to deal with and we had an awesome dinner! If you like spicy the Caribbean Calamari with cherry peppers is out of this world.
Place rating: 4
Cambridge, MA
Just had a great meal at Tia’s! The clam chowder was thick and full of potatoes and clams! The lobster roll was nicely seasoned without too much mayo! I couldn’t decide what to have, so many good choices, so my waitress Katie was knowledgable and pleasant to talk to! Mango margarita was out of this world! Would definitely come here again!
Place rating: 5
Palm Beach, FL
I must say I enjoy everything about this establishment. I am a seasonal resident and am very familiar with the food options in town. I am also lucky enough to know which places are GOOD and which places capitalize on tourists. Tias Topside is a wonderful place that aims to provide excellent food and service. Every time I frequent them it is always a wonderful meal.
They have — the BEST SUSHI around.
The best onion rings
The best salads (topsider salad is my solid go to)
Wonderful burgers. And great seafood options.
This is my favorite restaurant because– It serves as a great location with quality food but in an atmosphere that is comfortable and relaxing. I feel at home here. Everyone I send feels the same. And here is a big shocker. THE OWNER ACTUALLY RUNS THE PLACE. Lori Lilly is a true pleasure and is a hands on owner. I can’t tell you how many times I see businesses around here that have owners that are not hands on. I am a true endorser of Tias Topside. And a loyal support of any venture the owner dives into. Please try
Place rating: 3
Montclair, NJ
We thought the food was great. (I highly recommend the Lobster and Sweet Corn Flatbread.) However, we waited about 45 minutes for food, and then our waitress told us the ticket had been lost. The manager offered to comp the kids’ meals (a total of only $ 11), but at that point it would have been nice to have some appetizer or something else brought over. In the end, the meals weren’t taken off anyway — but our waitress fixed it (even though it went to her tip — she was really great about the whole thing).
It was definitely a busy day, and I do understand that tickets get lost. But considering that the manager knew about it, I would have expected a little more attention. It’s not like it’s a roadside stand.