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The dining guide Eat Drink Lucky has released its 2026 Must Eat list, and this year the focus has shifted away from restaurants and onto specific dishes, giving diners in Maine and across New England a new reason to explore their favorite kitchens.

Unlike traditional best-of compilations that rank establishments as a whole, the Must Eat list zeroes in on individual plates that have captured the attention of editors and contributors. The idea is simple: skip the preamble and get straight to the food worth driving across town for.

Among the dishes earning a spot on the list is the meatloaf at David's, a fixture in Portland's dining scene. The restaurant, known for serving elevated comfort food in a warm, unpretentious setting, has built a loyal following over the years, and its meatloaf has long been a topic of conversation among regulars and first-time visitors alike. Its inclusion on the 2026 list is likely to send both curious newcomers and devoted fans through David's doors in the coming months.

The shift toward highlighting singular dishes reflects a broader conversation happening in food media, where writers and diners alike have grown interested in the specific creations that define a restaurant's identity rather than the experience as a whole. A standout plate, the thinking goes, can tell you more about a kitchen's personality than a star rating ever could.

For Maine diners, the list offers a starting point for culinary exploration across the state and beyond. Portland's restaurant scene has continued to evolve, with chefs blending regional ingredients and technique in ways that draw national attention, and lists like Must Eat help surface the dishes that locals might take for granted but visitors rarely hear about.

Eat Drink Lucky, the publication behind the list, has built its reputation on thorough, boots-on-the-ground reporting, and the annual Must Eat compilation has become a trusted resource for travelers and residents planning their next meal out. The 2026 edition, with its dish-first approach, is expected to generate plenty of conversation in the weeks ahead.

David's has not yet commented publicly on the recognition, but the kitchen is presumably doing what it does best: serving the meatloaf that just earned it a place on a list hungry readers will be poring over all year.