A,A delightful surprise. Many small cozy rooms Serving both exotic African stews and European choices such as Coq au Vin. All are nicely spiced and flavored. Four course dinners are the norm all with unique choices. Jordan, the owner, teaches drumming at Colby College and often is the only person working at the restaurant He is the host. The chef. The bar tender, the bus boy, and the waiter. He even sits in with the band to play the African drums. This makes for some slow service. I hope he decides to hire some help, but meanwhile, he is the entire show, and what a show it is. Oh, there often is a 2 - or 3-piece band to play a little jazz while you eat So long as you are not in a hurry, this is a great place for dinner read more

Wow!! AMAZING, authentic food. The owner is the chef and your waiter and bus person! He also teaches cooking classes locally and teaches African music at Colby College. So multi-talented!! The food is so incredibly good and has such unique spices. You get a four course meal for $40 per person. A MUST TRY for anyone visiting the Rockland area! read more

Me Lon Togo - Full menu - African Near Me - Rockland, Maine

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One of the best meals have had in my life. Service was good, the owner greeted us at our table and was very nice. The place is cozy and makes you feel at home. Above all was the food: exceptionally delicious and interesting. I wish I lived closer so that I could visit all the time, but it was one of the highlights of our trip to Maine! read more

From the very first moment we arrived, Chef Jordan made us feel like we were at his home in West Africa. Fantastic specialty cocktails like the Gbe Ve Ve ( rum, mint, lemon cello, champagne & lime juice ) to the most unique and incredible entrees .... chicken, beef, snapper, lamb, all cooked with unique African spices, and nothing like I've ever experienced. Definitely the go to place when you're in this area of the country. Of course, I'll leave the amazing lemongrass, tapioca pudding dessert as a surprise for you to experience! read more

Me Lon Togo - Beautiful dinner - African Near Me - Rockland, Maine

This was an exceptionally lovely dinner in a very special place. Our host, who was also the chef, expertly orchestrated this evening, serving twenty guests at a leisurely pace (for us). The four course dinner was one taste treat after another, introducing us to the fine West African cuisine. I will be reminiscing the delicious blend of spices in each dish until our next visit. It's particularly wonderful if you enjoy the company you're with as this is not a fast food event! read more

Me Lon Togo - Dining area - African Near Me - Rockland, Maine

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We passed through Rockland on a trip up to Acadia and enjoyed such a delicious meal here. The dishes has deep, complex and bright flavors. The decor was quaint and we felt at home. The service was wonderful. We'd highly recommend stopping in. read more

This place is a local hidden gem. The ambience is quaint and homey. Tucked away in Rockland you wouldn't even know this place is here unless you were looking for it. Jordan, the chef and proprietor, is also a professor of West African Music and Dance. We had the pleasure of taking a cooking class from him a few years ago before the pandemic. So we were thrilled to see his restaurant was still in business and he had a location in Rockland. The menu is prix fixe, meaning that there are four courses at a set price of $40 per person. We had a choice of appetizers and entrees and the salad and dessert had only one option. Everything we ate was very well seasoned, the lamb was fall-off-the bone tender and my partner's red snapper was flaky and tender. Jordan was an attentive host and the service was excellent. We look forward to visiting again on a night when there is also live music. read more

We had a great experience at Mé Lon Togo! As others have said, the space is quiet and cozy and the food is absolutely delicious and very flavorful. I'm a vegetarian who is used to boring, bland restaurant dishes, so I was happily surprised by the flavor and variety of my four courses. Chef Jordan handles everything on his own which is quite an impressive feat. My partner and I came on a slow evening so we were in and out in under 2 hours. We enjoyed it and will definitely recommend it to friends and family! read more

Me Lon Togo - Inside decor - African Near Me - Rockland, Maine

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What a hidden gem! Had one of my nicest dinners in recent recollection. A 4-course prix fixe dinner that blew my socks off! My main course was the lamb stew, which featured a fall-off-the-bone chop in a luscious, deeply seasoned sauce with traditional vegetables. I chose the flavorful GARU FOTU appetizer - Manioc grits, smoked ground shrimp, and fried egg cooked in reduced tomato sauce and a west african blend of herbs and spices. The chef/owner does it all! And the entree offerings are extensive, varied, and lovingly prepared. Don't miss this place!!! read more

Deeeeeeelicious food. The appetizers were so flavorful and the spices so interesting right off the bat that we knew it was going to be a good meal! Relaxed, quiet, comfortable atmosphere, right down to the lovely depression-glass-type plates and bowls on which everything is served. Lots of entree choices, too, so we definitely need to go back. Jordan is single-handedly doing a stellar job as owner, chef, and server!! read more

Jordan gave our family a night of the most delicious flavorful dishes and provided Jim a spectacular guitarist (comic) whose playlist was a sing a long every song! Jordan joined him in the bongos and wowowowowowow!!!! It was a night of laughter fun and a night I will never forget. Our adult children loved every minute of the evening as well! Jordan you are a talented cook and amazing human!!!! Thank you! read more

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This is an _incredible* place. The space is unique; spacious and cozy at the same time (even during COVID). The cuisine perfectly melds well-honed italian and french traditions with west african spices and ingredients. Pictured with this review is Monkfish Osso Bucco (with shrimp) and it was *perfect*. The custom cocktails are delicious and the chef is as friendly as he is talented. We will be making many trips from Berwick over the coming months to ensure we get a taste of everything. read more

Me Lon Togo - Monkfish Osso Bucco - African Near Me - Rockland, Maine

I don't usually write reviews, but this place deserves all the hype. The food was fantastic. Each dish was so flavorful. I'd never had West African cuisine before. And I highly recommend that everyone head over and try Chef Jordan's food. His love for cooking and desire to share these dishes are most admirable. I hope to come back the next time I visit town. read more

Unexpected stop on our drive home from bar harbor. This was our favorite meal of our whole vacation. Every dish was made with love and so much flavor. The staff was so kind and it was like dining with family. Highly recommend taking the time to dine here. We cannot wait to come back. Cheers to Jordan the chef and owner- he runs a five star restaurant. read more

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Me Lon Togo is such a special place. My husband and I had dinner here while visiting Rockland for the weekend. Yes the food was amazing, but the experience was one of a kind. The restaurant itself is beautiful - so cozy and full of charm. Jordan made us feel like family - playing music, sharing stories, and even giving us a phone call afterwards to thank us. If you're in Rockland, or even in the state of Maine, this place is a must try. read more

Best meal that I have had in years - so different from the expected flavors. Chef Jordan did an outstanding job managing 4 courses and drinks in a relaxed, no hurry way. Such a pleasure to take time to enjoy the food and not be rushed out the door. read more

Best dining experience in midcoast maine! My girlfriend and I went on a date here and had the most fabulous experience. If you are looking for something different from most every restaurant in the area, check this place out. Food is exceptional, dining experience is intimate. The owner is also the chef and waiter, so be patient. Worth the minimal wait, I promise. He even came out to play drums with the guitarist/vocalist who was performing that night (who was also great!) I was blown away by the food. A wide variety of entres that accommodate dietary restrictions (I'm a pescatarian and my girlfriend is gluten free vegetarian). The seafood dish was the most creative application of Maine lobster I have ever had, and Ive eaten a lot of lobster. $40 for four courses (app, salad, entre, dessert) so it was a little more than I usually pay on a night out, but well worth it for the quality and quantity. I think this is gonna be our new spot we keep returning to! read more

Diamond in the Rough! Don't let the outside deter you. This is one of the best restaurants you will go to anywhere in the US!!! The mix of African spices, French influence, and a chef/owner who cares puts this place over the top. Deciding which dish will your biggest challenge! read more

This is the restaurant that made me want to be a local during my trip to Camden, Maine. To say that the chef cooks from the heart is an understatement. And who would have imagined finding an authentic West African restaurant in coastal Maine. And for the wary, they have traditional European dishes as well. But be daring, you won't be disappointed. My first course, the Garu Fotu, was amazing, and the salad that followed had a dressing that had me lifting my plate so I could lick up the last bit. My choice for the main course was the Me Lon Togo Stew which had such depth of flavor I barely noticed that it was all vegetables. To end the meal, a West African tapioca pudding cooked in lemongrass broth topped with chocolate ice cream that was comforting and delicious. Now don't just take my word for it - throughout the meal, from EVERY table, all I could hear were people passing along compliments to the chef (who, by the way, personally visited each table). THAT is how you elevate dining. If I could add more stars, I would. read more

***This review is for the new location, in Camden.*** (There isn't a yelp page yet.) I loved this meal. The chicken azi dessi was rich and flavorful. It was perfect with the masala chai rum cocktail which was boozy, complex and still refreshing. We were seated around closing time and the chef/owner was friendly and chatted with us. Will definitely return the next time I am in the area. Also, the tables were large, spaced far apart and we felt comfortable eating here! read more

Me Lon Togo - Chicken Azi Dessi, Masala Chai cocktail - African Near Me - Rockland, Maine

Fantastic gem of a place. It is a BISTRO, not a full scale restaurant, and if you take the time to read Chef Jordan's story on his site, you will understand the atmosphere. The food is very well made, the aromatics are on point and each dish is seriously bursting with flavor. Getting a well made four course meal for $40 is an absolute steal. The bistro is in a house with small rooms and not too much seating, but it feeds into the cozy, home style feeling. Jordan is also very talented as a musician as well as a chef (he does EVERYTHING himself, from being the host to bussing tables) and it's nice to see him play live music from time to time. My partner and I enjoyed the great beer/drinks menu and live music from Jim Gibson. All in all, this is somewhere I will come back to and recommend to anyone in the area if you have time for a beautiful 3 hr experience! read more

MUST GO! My wife and I are just visiting from NYC so we're not knowledgeable on all of the best restaurants around mid-coast Maine. We've been to Fresh & Co, Nautilus, and a few others. After many nights of having lots of awesome new england seafood we were surprised to find a restaurant serving Togolese cuisine! I don't think we have that in NYC! We made 8pm reservations and showed up. Their $40 prix fixe menu was a no-brainer. The food was so good and plentiful that we needed takeout boxes! Mé Lon Togo is hands down in our top 5 restaurants in the Northeast US. Our server Matt and Jordan (owner) were very hospitable. I'll be back. read more

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This was, hands down, our BEST meal in Maine. Such a treat to have delicious and flavorful West African food in small-town Maine. My partner and I both had the four-course prix fixe (tho you can also order a la carte) and we were NOT disappointed! The apps and salad were simple yet flavorful and the perfect portion size before our hearty entrées. The dessert was so different from anything we'd ever had and we both ate them so quickly because they were so delicious. The owner and chef, Jordan, came out after our meal to chat and was so kind. You can tell that all of his meals are infused with love, for Togo and for his restaurant guests. If you are in the area, GO TO ME LON TOGO! Heck, even if you're not in the area, I highly recommend a road trip out here to have some delicious Togolese cuisine in a warm and comfortable atmosphere. PS They have live music--check their Facebook to see when! We missed it but drove by when they had it and it was bumping:) read more

Atrocious. It's a pre-fixe menu. Each dinner costs $40 and comes with an appetizer, a salad, an entree and a dessert. The beer menu might be the worst one I have seen in New England, but that's not a good enough reason to give 1 star, but the following is: To start, it is easily the most awfully decorated restaurant I've eaten in. And I am the type of person to like dives. It's cheap, tacky and thoughtless. Oversized tables, cheap painted floors with cheaper rugs on them and some Home Goods quality African art illuminated by the awkward, uneven lighting. Think of that frat dude you knew who fancied himself a purveyor of African art and you get an idea of the decor. The wine glass rack was screwed to the roof with galvanized steel hanging strap. In a gritty/retro urbane setting, sure, but here it screams lazy. Charmless and depressing. Then we get to the waiters. They were all polite and nice, but they were spectacularly inept. That was also because there was no manager to guide them and their system of operations was unsensibly awkward. After clearing the used silverware from the appetizers, our waitress dropped a fork about 10 feet away from our table. It was still there when we left. So now we come to the food. Generally, it tasted like something your uncle who is an okay cook yet tends to use too much salt and oil. Like really oily, banal, yet pricey mess. The sweet potato appetizer might have been the most interesting dish, but the serving was so miserly that it couldn't be enjoyed. The "salad", which was basically a boiled egg, canned veggies and (wait for it) oil was served on a single tiny plate, to be split by the two of us, though we both agreed neither of us could eat more anyhow. For entree, I got the Duck en Provencal. Cheap duck, served over a mushy mass of frozen veggies (oh yes, those perfect carrot cubes are a dead-giveaway). First time in my life I ever left duck on my plate. Wife got the Ciopelli(sp), which had a fair amount of seafood, but execution was generally poor, especially when comparing to what is found nearby. I would, under no circumstances, ever recommend this place to anyone. read more

Great food. Nothing else like it.Portions are very generous and very tasty. Diverse menu allows vegans to partake in a wonderful dining experience. Highly recommend this restaurant. read more

Incredibly delicious food. Wonderful environment. My only regret is that i couldn't try each and every dish on my visit. We will definitely be back. read more

We are a family from Philadelphia who has frequented the area for over two decades. While we had some greet eats on our trip, including Long Grain in Camden, we all agreed that this was the most unique meal we've had in the area in as long as we can remember. The menu features a mixture of West African dishes and familiar French and Italian classics--There is something for everyone on their very large entree list. The place is also a surprisingly good value. While the entry price may seem high, we left pleasantly full. Super enthusiastic service. We also went on a Friday night, which I believe is their live music night, which added to the ambiance. Jordan, the owner/chef even played the drums for several songs, in between cooking our meal and chatting with us. The Duck de Provence and the Tajine were particular standouts. This was a highlight of our trip. Will be back! read more

Me Lon Togo - Tajine - African Near Me - Rockland, Maine

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We had a fantastic dinner here last night - everything was delicious and packed with different flavors. The menu is really eclectic and it was so hard to choose! They just moved to this new location and it's super casual and relaxing. I highly recommend you check this place out if you are interested in having a truly unique meal. Definitely a taste sensation! The tagine chicken is incredible. read more

Walking in, I really dug the vibe. Some African art combined with mismatched and old-school dishwear made for a interesting combo. We were seated quickly and offered drinks. One thing to not is the drink selection seems to be limited (dont look for a coke) We had two of the mixed drinks and were very pleased. Tasty and potent. Quite quickly, we were given our appetizer and salad. I had a yam and sweet potato dish that was tasty, but teeny. The salad was served family style and was overwhelmingly eggy and chock full of peas. YMMV. We then waited 90 minute for our entree. In that time our server checked in on us one time (we did get another round of drinks) Our entrees were delicious. I had the Moroccan chicken, which was tasty but only a single thigh with some fluff. Dessert.... oh boy. I'll post a picture but it was tapioca pudding with ice cream. I'd say I got about 3-4 tablespoons of very nice vanilla ice cream with an equal amount of tapioca pudding. I guess you either like that stuff or not, as it reminded me of warm mucous. To wrap it up, I think this place could be a home run. Make the portions a little more filling (I seriously contemplated stopping at McDonalds on the way home as I was still hungry) and work on the service. read more

Me Lon Togo - African Near Me - Rockland, Maine

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Wonderful anniversary dinner here! Who would've thought you could get authentic West African food... in Maine? But here we are and we're loving it! read more

Jordan is an incredible host and the food is so good! We came with a large group and everything we ordered was delicious. He runs the kitchen and serves the entire restaurant by himself and still made time to play the drums! I can't recommend this place enough. read more

This unique West African restaurant, in Chef Jordan's home, is a treat for the senses. My husband and I tried both appetizer offerings and we each had a different entree. Our selections were unique and delicious. We drove 90 mins. from and back to Portland and would do it again! read more

If one wants the full West African restaurant immersive experience, Me Lon Togo in Rockland is the place to head. And it's popular too...we were turned away from a full house one Sunday evening and had to make advance reservations for a Friday during peak Lobster Fest. Chef-owner Jordan Benissan (from Togo) is a one man show; host, cook, waiter, dishwasher and occasional musician ( W African drums). Having lived and traveled extensively in W Africa we came admittedly with high standards. And every bar was cleared. The slower service with just one person, the sparse African decorations and the mixed tableware all but shouted Lomé to us. This would not a fine dining experience make alone, but the chef's food was spot on. The salads, stews, side dishes, the spices and cooking style were genuine and sumptuous. The beer on offer included African brands. We left belly full and not hungry (nor angry ) read more

Fantastic four course meal. Something for all tastes and appetities with a selection of 15 entrees. A great detour from the well worn path. So glad we found Jordan and his talent. read more

This is an excellent restaurant, and Jordan is a gracious host. The food is unique, fresh, and made with love, and the ambiance is very special. Our entire party of 8 was happy with their meals. Everything is freshly made by Jordan himself, so be ready to relax and enjoy. The wine list is excellent as well. Thank you, Jordan! read more

We ate an incredible dinner there last night. The setting is funky- with mismatched vintage dining tables and chairs, depression era glassware, drum front and center. The wine selection is quite extensive. We sipped a delicious Pinot as we waited for our meal. The menu is prix fixe, a good value and worth the wait. It isn't a place to go if you're rushed, nor would it do the flavors justice. Jordan worked the floor and the kitchen in a gracious dance of hospitality. This restaurant deserves any foodie's attention. read more

Don't miss this gem in the midcoast, and don't be afraid of the prix fixe!! It's a perfect amount of food for a super reasonable price. As we told our friends when we texted them at the end of our meal, "we'd show you pictures, but we couldn't stop eating long enough to take any!" Beyond the utter deliciousness of the food, Jordan is a warm and delightful host. We've already made our reservation for next weekend, and are bringing 4 friends along with us. read more

Unique experience, with next level attention to spices, flavors and dishes. This is not your typical restuarant experience, Chef/owner/server Jordan is from the West African country of Togo, and has a 4 course menu reflecting his home dishes w/ some colonial French influences. You'll pick course 1 app and course 3 entree, course 2 salad and course 4 dessert are set. Be patient, because when we went Chef Jordan was also the only server but still brought dishes out in a typical 4 course time frame. The dishes are incredibly flavorful, perfectly blended mix of spices, we wished we lived closer and could try every thing on the menu! Highly recommend the Azi Dessi and the Deku Dessi. This was a surprising find in coastal Maine and Rockland is lucky to have such a creative and passionate chef in their midst! read more

Wonderful unique experience. The food was delicious, the environment was charming. Jordon was a welcome host. The dinner was and experience to remember. Highly recommend. read more

Had a delightful dinner here last night with friends, Jordan runs an incredible restaurant! We enjoyed the food and cocktails were delicious. We loved talking to Jordan and hearing his story, and hope to come back another night to hear the music. It felt like eating dinner at a friends home, we never wanted to leave! read more