Every Day Is Mother's Day at Clay Hill Farm

Cape Neddick, Maine —
At Clay Hill Farm, Mother's Day has been part of the story for nearly 40 years. But it's not just something that shows up on the calendar once a year.

On any given night, the restaurant has as many as five mother-and-child pairs working together. Some are long-time staff. Others are the next generation stepping into roles their parents once held. It's not something planned or promoted—it's simply how things have evolved over time.

"We don't just celebrate Mother's Day," says co-owner Jennifer Lewis. "We live it every day."

That dynamic carries into the guest experience. Many long-time team members have been there for decades, raising their families within the Clay Hill family and working side by side through life's milestones and challenges. Over time, those relationships extend to guests as well—who often ask about staff members' families, just as staff ask about theirs.

Clay Hill Farm is an authentic family business that has, over time, expanded the idea of family to include long-term staff and returning guests alike. "They say friends are the family you choose," says Lewis. "Enjoying good food, good music, and the beauty of nature with friends—that's a perfect dining experience to us."

Set on 10 acres just outside Ogunquit, Clay Hill Farm is also one of the first restaurants in the country to be designated as a certified wildlife habitat and bird sanctuary.

Each spring, around Mother's Day, the Baltimore Orioles return to the property. Their arrival has become a familiar signal that the season is changing.

"The Orioles return, the flowers begin to bloom, and families gather here again—it feels like Mother Nature herself is celebrating right alongside us."

For many guests, that overlap of family, timing, and place is what makes the day feel special year after year.

Mother's Day dining at Clay Hill Farm will be offered from 12 to 5 p.m. Reservations are recommended.