18 Central Oyster Bar & Grill in Rockport

18 Central Oyster Bar & Grill in Rockport was founded on two clear goals: to bring a raw bar to the Midcoast and to become the kind of place where locals feel at home. Six years later, co-owners Jessica and Patrick Duffy have succeeded on both fronts.

Jessica, who runs the front of house, and Patrick, the chef, moved back to Maine after years in Massachusetts. When the space that once held Shepherd's Pie became available, they jumped at the opportunity. Patrick had previously worked in the building and knew how well it suited the concept they envisioned. Today, 18 Central serves more than 100 guests on a summer night, with a seasonal deck overlooking Rockport Harbor and a lively, welcoming indoor dining room.

The restaurant is best known for oysters, sourced from nearby farms and served with rotating house-made sauces. Jessica says they go through up to 1,800 oysters a week in summer, with some guests ordering three or four dozen at a time. Other favorites include the steak frites, fried chicken, creamy mussels, and scallops—all of which reflect Patrick's knack for combining comfort food with elegant, consistent execution. The vegetarian plate, though technically a side, is often praised as one of the best things on the menu.

From the smoked haddock Caesar to the house-made burger buns repurposed into croutons and bread pudding, Patrick's attention to detail and whole-animal cooking background inform the menu. Meanwhile, Jessica emphasizes a warm, familial front-of-house atmosphere. "People can tell the staff here like each other," she says. "It changes the energy. You hear laughter. You feel welcome."

That commitment to community extends to the restaurant's pricing and off-season specials. "We could probably charge more," Jessica admits, "but we don’t want to price ourselves out of the local market." In winter, 18 Central offers half-price oysters and other incentives to keep things accessible for year-round residents. "It's not about making money. It's about doing something for the people who live here."

Though the restaurant doesn’t take reservations for its outdoor tables, the covered cocktail deck is a favorite pre-dinner hangout in summer. Inside, the 12-seat bar is a draw for locals and visitors alike. “We wanted to create a place that feels like your neighborhood spot,” Jessica says. “A little buzzy, a little special—but still familiar.”

FAMOUS FOR:
Fresh oysters with rotating house-made sauces, steak frites, fried chicken, creamy mussels, and inventive vegetarian plates.

ADDRESS:
18 Central St in Rockport, ME

WEBSITE:
18central.com

photos by Peter Logue