Pilots Cove Cafe

A very unique spot right on the border of the Sanford Airport. There's literally plane parking and an entrance from the airfield. The drinks are refreshing, the food is exquisite, and their outdoor venue with an additional bar hosts a variety of musical acts throughout the summer. If you're a music fan OR A PERFORMER, the Runaway at Pilots Cove is one of the best summer venues around.

We went to Sanford to the Bowlarama, but we wanted to eat lunch. First we chose pilots Cove just out of the blue with nine of us. Six adults three children. The food was excellent. The service was excellent. We were very very happy with everything. Thank you to our waitress that wore my son sticker on her shirt for a little bit and laughed about it, she was great!

My wife and I decided to go on an adventure, we used a coin and flipped it at each stop sign or light for exactly an hour. When the alarm went off we pulled over and looked up restaurants within 5 miles pilots cove was one. We each wrote 2 restaurants put it in a hat and I pulled that one. I have lived in or around Sanford since 2011 and never ate there. The least I can say was I was pleasantly surprised. I had lobster Mac and cheese and it was perfection. My wife had chicken broccoli Alfredo delicious. They tasted good the next day as well. I HIGHLY recommend pilots cove cafe. 10 out of 10!

Great experience eating out with my cousin… we split the lobster roll and chef’s burger- both were terrific. Fun to be at the airport runway too!

My friend and I flew in from New Hampshire for breakfast. We were immediately greeted and seated oh, our host was wonderful. I went with the lobster Benedict and the home fries but in hindsight I wish I went with beans because I love beans. And a short time we had our meal in front of us and the lobster Benedict was fantastic! Home prices are very good as well, the meal was very filling and I certainly left there satiated! I had both water and coffee for a beverage and the coffee was pretty much bottomless. It was quite busy when we arrived around 9:30 oh, perhaps a ride in closer to opening would guarantee a seat. If I'm in the area I'm definitely stopping back in for breakfast!

We love their brunch, that's where they really shine in my eyes. Amazing eggs Benedicts, homemade velvet hash(made with beets!) Bottomless mimosas, and spicy bloody Marys.

Breakfast with a great view of the runway. Watch the planes land and the pilots come in for a meal. Enjoy watching helicopter lessons take place.

Inside and outside seating available. Full bar, and friendly staff.

Check out their Facebook etc. They have events going on here throughout the year.

Loved this hidden gem of a diner. We ate outside with a great view of the small runway. The owner and his well trained staff are just wonderful. Highly recommend this place if you're on your way up to check out the foliage. The Chicken strips were the favorite for my ten year old.

Wonderful cafe situated at Sanford Airport with unobstructed views of the flightline and runway to take-in aircraft coming and going while enjoying a hearty breakfast, lunch, or delicious dinner! Don't miss their live music and other fun events on the patio... and rumor has it a beer garden may be in the works!!

You wouldn’t think that one of the best places to eat in Sanford was right on the tarmac, but it is! Placed large orders for takeout two days in a row and the food was fantastic. They have the most options for salads of any place in town as well as some delicious cheesesteaks, burgers, chicken tenders and more hearty fare. Staff is friendly and welcoming with a casual vibe that makes you feel like family. Owner is great too. Indoor and outdoor seating available. My one critique would be that the farm salad was a little under-dressed for my taste, and so I’d suggest ordering some dressing to go on the side.

Amazing food, amazing experience, amazing staff. Whether you are there for a party, private event, or one of the amazing bands they bring in, you're in for a great experience!

Awesome view of the air field. Great food. I recommend the Avocado on Italian Toast w Eggs breakfast 👌

Great little breakfast-lunch diner. The family stopped in for some breakfast on our way to Wells Beach. Very good coffee and the cheese steak omelette was excellent.

Great local place to have food and drinks with an amazing view of the runways at the airport. I love coming here and sitting outside. I’ve been able to meet a few pilots and have even been offered rides, people are so friendly here, especially the staff! The Halloween event for kids was a great time for the kids and the live music was awesome. I highly recommend coming here if you’re in the area!

A cozy, comfortable place for pilots to dine with like-minded individuals. Friendly staff and service await your landing when you come here. (Note: The cafe is connected to the Sanford FBO from the main entrance/hallway)

I really enjoyed the menu selection here. I had the parmesan garlic fries and the House Chili and both were wonderful -- even better than expected! The staff was friendly and courteous. There are bathrooms available in the hall of the shared building just outside the restaurant entrance. Would definitely eat here again and can't wait to try more of the menu!

Kendra and Carly were great. Fast service, very respectful and personable. Great place 110% recommend.

This is a unique restaurant located right on the tarmac of a small airport. It was very busy when we were there and rightfully so. The food was great and the service was very personable. I'll typically get eggs benedict for breakfast and this one was very good, I enjoyed it a lot. Not much atmosphere, really, but they have large windows that look out on the tarmac and the runway so it's fun to watch the activity. There were several families with young children, and I'm sure that they enjoyed watching the small planes as they taxied around and then took off and landed.

Excellent food, super helpful waitstaff ( I have food allergies) and quick service! Lots of choices!

My spicy, garlic tofu veggie dish w/rice was delicious. My husband loved his meatloaf & gravy w/zucchini. Ken the waiter couldn’t have been more attentive. Place was clean, neat & you can sit inside or outside (watch the planes!). Will go back for breakfast sometime, the muffins behind the counter looked delicious.

Hidden gem! This place was so fun! We went for brunch and got a table inside by the window. They have nice outdoor seating as well as a separate beer garden area that is open in the evenings. Our server was super attentive and sold us on the bottomless mimosas ($20) and kept them full. I think a regular mimosa is $10 so don't go for the bottomless if you won't be drinking more than 2. I loved the Eggs Florentine. The best part was getting to watch the planes and helicopters take off and land!!