There are so many things that go into making a restaurant great. Delicious food is of the utmost importance, but aspects such as location, service, atmosphere, and affordability all play a part in a restaurant’s ultimate success. In Kennebunk, Maine, there is an Italian-inspired eatery that has all of these qualities. In addition, it has a fascinating backstory taken from the pages of local history. Wandby Landing is a fantastic coastal Maine restaurant that is definitely worth a visit.

Wandby Landing may only be a few years old, but the inspiration for the restaurant dates back over a century. The story goes like this. On a foggy night in 1921, a British cargo ship named the SS Wandby ran into the rocks near Kennebunk and became shipwrecked. The crew found themselves unharmed but stranded in an unfamiliar territory. Local Maine residents welcomed the foreigners and provided them with food, entertainment, and hospitality until they were able to return home.

While the landscape of Kennebunk has changed a bit since 1921, the sense of warmth and local kind-heartedness is still present in the area and can be found in abundance at Wandby Landing. The restaurant is housed in a restored 19th-century farmhouse and is located just half a mile from the original SS Wandby’s shipwreck site. The eatery sits on three acres of scenic land near the Kennebunk River. 

Wandby Landing specializes in delicious Italian-inspired cuisine. Favorite dishes include handmade pasta, such as spaghetti nero, cappellacci, and cannelloni verdi.  And then there are the wood-fired pizzas! These are incredible. I don’t know if I should go with the classic margherita or be bold and choose the elaborate fall pie loaded with roasted pumpkin, Brussels sprouts, bacon, and maple syrup. The restaurant also serves an array of delicious fish and meat dishes and has an extensive wine and cocktail list.

Wandby Landing is also a beautiful spot for private events and wedding receptions. Recently married couples rave about the attentiveness of the waitstaff and the natural beauty of the restaurant grounds. 

Whatever your reason for visiting Wandby Landing, you are sure to receive a fantastic meal and some of the best hospitality around. Have you dined at Wandby Landing? If so, please let us know all about your experience. More information about the incredible restaurant named after a shipwreck can be found on the Wandby Landing website and the Wandby Landing Facebook page. For more history in the Kennebunk area, be sure to visit the unique Wedding Cake House and stay the night at the Captain Lord Mansion, both in nearby Kennebunkport. And if you are like me and are interested in the history of local shipwrecks, you will definitely want to read the book, "Great Shipwrecks of the Maine Coast" by Jeremy D'Entremont.