FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

Everything you need to know about visiting The Alna Store in Alna, ME
Can't find your answer? Call us at 207-586-5515

WHAT ARE YOUR HOURS?

We’re open for dinner Thursday - Saturday from 4 pm-8:30 pm, and serve Brunch on Sunday from 10:00 am - 2:30 pm

Join us in the evening for an inspired, seasonal dinner service featuring incredible, balanced cocktails, minimal-intervention wines, delightful housemade breads, desserts, and candlelight. Come back on Sunday for an elevated, crave-able, casual brunch. Reservations are highly recommended in peak season. Feel free to call us and check availability if you’re feeling more spontaneous.

DO YOU TAKE RESERVATIONS?

Yes! We partner with Resy, a global dining network that we feel provides the most streamlined experience for our guests. Reservations for indoor tables can easily be made online here, and we’re also more than happy to make a reservation for you if you need assistance or would like to reserve a patio table. Just come in or give us a call at 207-586-5515.

DO YOU HAVE PARKING?

We do. Our parking lot is small, so carpooling is encouraged. If parking is overflowing onto the roads, please park along Dock Road, not Route 218, and be mindful of ‘no parking’ signs near the intersection.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN BUSINESS?

We opened our doors quietly in December 2022. In 2023, we were named Maine’s Best New Restaurant by The Portland Press Herald. In 2024, we were one of 30 James Beard Semi-finalists for ‘Best New Restaurant’ in the nation, and honored to be included on the NYT 50 Best Restaurants in America right now. We continue to grow and evolve with principles of sustainability - for our farm partners, wine makers, spirit producers, and the folks who make it all possible - our beautiful and talented staff.

IS EVERYTHING LOCAL AND ORGANIC?

We operate with a tiered ordering system; we always prioritize local and organic ingredients first, and base our menu almost entirely on availability from our incredible local farm partners, fishermen, and the forageable bounty of Maine. We source ingredients regionally and organic second, and conventional products only as a last resort. Some ingredients, such as olive oil and citrus, are obviously sourced from afar, but we always prioritize quality, excellence, and human-scale production. While not everything on our menu is organic, almost everything is - including our citrus, the milk and half and half we use in our coffee program, the flours and sugars we use in our bakery, and certainly the produce, fruit, and proteins we highlight in seasonal dishes on our menu.

IS EVERYTHING LOCAL AND ORGANIC?

We operate with a tiered ordering system; we always prioritize local and organic ingredients first, and base our menu almost entirely on availability from our incredible local farm partners, fishermen, and the forageable bounty of Maine. We source ingredients regionally and organic second, and conventional products only as a last resort. Some ingredients, such as olive oil and citrus, are obviously sourced from afar, but we always prioritize quality, excellence, and human-scale production. While not everything on our menu is organic, almost everything is - including our citrus, the milk and half and half we use in our coffee program, the flours and sugars we use in our bakery, and certainly the produce, fruit, and proteins we highlight in seasonal dishes on our menu.

IS EVERYTHING LOCAL AND ORGANIC?

We operate with a tiered ordering system; we always prioritize local and organic ingredients first, and base our menu almost entirely on availability from our incredible local farm partners, fishermen, and the forageable bounty of Maine. We source ingredients regionally and organic second, and conventional products only as a last resort. Some ingredients, such as olive oil and citrus, are obviously sourced from afar, but we always prioritize quality, excellence, and human-scale production. While not everything on our menu is organic, almost everything is - including our citrus, the milk and half and half we use in our coffee program, the flours and sugars we use in our bakery, and certainly the produce, fruit, and proteins we highlight in seasonal dishes on our menu.

IS EVERYTHING LOCAL AND ORGANIC?

DO YOU HAVE VEGAN OR VEGETARIAN OFFERINGS?

We do! For both Brunch and Dinner, our offerings are always inclusive. We don’t use fake meats or highly processed foods, but we have a beautiful and innovative approach to working with vegetables, fruits, locally grown mushrooms, locally produced tofu, and grains to ensure there is a variety of satisfying food and drink available

IS EVERYTHING LOCAL AND ORGANIC?

DO YOU HAVE GLUTEN FREE OFFERINGS?

Absolutely, feel free to take a look at our menus here. Prioritizing local vegetables and proteins often yields a menu that is mostly gluten free.

IS EVERYTHING LOCAL AND ORGANIC?

DO YOU SERVE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES?

Absolutely…. We focus on sourcing thoughtfully produced spirits and creating beautiful, seasonally inspired cocktails.

IS EVERYTHING LOCAL AND ORGANIC?

IS YOUR WINE NATURAL OR ORGANIC?

Yes, 100%. Our wine program is specifically a celebration of producers working in harmony with the land, often without the use of machinery, and always without the use of chemicals, pesticides, and insecticides.
I often like to describe our wine program as ‘human scale’, as many of the winemakers we adore are hand-harvesting and working small, multi-generational plots of land. These families have an intrinsic and elemental connection to the land and the vines. They are farmers, real people whose livelihood is rooted in the pursuit of excellence and integrity.

Don’t worry, we don’t like flawed wines either… We take care to serve wines that are beautiful and refined examples of terroir and dedicated winemaking. Biodynamic, Demeter certified, minimal or no S02.

IS EVERYTHING LOCAL AND ORGANIC?

CAN I BRING MY OWN BOTTLE OF WINE?

Yes, you may. We encourage you to experience our curation, of course, but absolutely allow folks to bring in wine and have a corkage fee of $25

IS EVERYTHING LOCAL AND ORGANIC?

CAN I BRING MY OWN CAKE?

We’d greatly appreciate it if you could try our desserts, or, if you’d like an occasion cake, please inquire about ordering it from us! If there is a compelling reason you would like to bring your own cake, please notify us in advance. We have a cutting fee of $25

IS EVERYTHING LOCAL AND ORGANIC?

DO YOU HAVE A KIDS' MENU?

We do not have a kids' specific menu, but we do our best to creatively accommodate the younger and discerning guests who dine with us. If you have a party with children who are particularly vocal or want to run around, we’d encourage calling to make a patio reservation on our deck (nicely shaded for happy hour ;)

IS EVERYTHING LOCAL AND ORGANIC?

ARE YOU PET-FRIENDLY?

Yes, we LOVE well-behaved dogs on our deck. Per health department regulations, only service dogs are allowed inside, but our front porch is a perennial favorite for folks who don’t want to leave their best friends at home.

IS EVERYTHING LOCAL AND ORGANIC?

DO YOU HAVE PATIO HEATERS?

We do. For the limited time of year that they're needed ;)

IS EVERYTHING LOCAL AND ORGANIC?

HOW DO I ORDER TAKEOUT?

We don’t do a lot of takeout - most of our food is really best enjoyed in the embrace of our curated ambiance. That said, if you’re in the area and you’d like to grab something to go, you can give us a call to inquire

IS EVERYTHING LOCAL AND ORGANIC?

DO YOU OFFER DELIVERY?

There are currently no delivery services available in Alna or in this part of MidCoast Maine. We like it that way.

IS EVERYTHING LOCAL AND ORGANIC?

DO YOU OFFER SPECIAL ORDERS THROUGH YOUR BAKERY?

We can accommodate some special order requests. If you’d like to make a request, email us at bakery@thealnastore.com - no guarantees, but always worth a shot ;)

IS EVERYTHING LOCAL AND ORGANIC?

DO YOU HAVE PRIVATE DINING ROOMS?

We do not have any private dining rooms.

IS EVERYTHING LOCAL AND ORGANIC?

IS YOUR KITCHEN CELIAC SAFE?

Yes. We are not a dedicated gluten-free kitchen, so it is imperative that you notify your server of any allergies.

We will then take all of the necessary steps to accommodate you and keep you safe.