Local Flavor: Gelato, cinnamon buns, chicken sandwiches and raspberry lime rickeys

We’re getting closer to summer, and I’ve got some more seasonal openings to announce.

Dolce Crema Caf, 1 East Grand Ave., Old Orchard Beach, opens for the 2026 season at 8 a.m. Saturday. Dolce has a wide selection of gelato, coffee drinks and breakfast and lunch items. Pro Tip: If you’re down at the beach and looking for a sugar-free treat, Dolce has great sugar-free gelato.

The Sunset Bar and Grill, 4 Fernald St., Old Orchard Beach is open for the season. Current hours are 4 p.m. to close Thursday and Friday and 11:30 a.m. to close Saturday and Sunday. The bar and restaurant has a new item on its menu – the Sunset Fried Chicken Sandwich with grilled pineapple, avocado puree and Island Siracha aioli.

Ocean Park Sub and Grocery, 69 Seaside Ave., in the Ocean Park section of Old Orchard Beach, opened today for the season. Spring hours are 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. every day. Time to stock up on their famous cinnamon buns.

Just around the corner from Ocean Park Sub and Grocery is the iconic Ocean Park Soda Fountain and Variety Store at 12 Temple Ave. The Variety Store will be open this weekend, and the owner hopes to open the Soda Fountain this weekend, according to post on the Ocean Park Association Facebook page. Hours will be weekends until Father’s Day, when daily summers hours start. The raspberry lime rickey is a local favorite at the soda fountain.

Liz Gotthelf is the publisher of Saco Bay News. She also loves to eat – and support local businesses. If you have any local restaurant or food news, she’d love to hear from you. Send her an email at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.