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Dine at The Best of Bar Harbor's Eateries - 11 Local Joints
Dine at The Best of Bar Harbor's Eateries - 11 Local Joints
Lobster boats at the town docks in Bar Harbor, Maine. Photo by Michael Schaffler on Unsplash.
Are you longing for a trip to Downeast Maine’s rocky coastline? Dying to get away from the
summer heat and enjoy the brisk salt air and cool evergreen forests? Craving fresh-caught
lobsters and cheerful bed and breakfasts? Sounds like Bar Harbor, Maine is the perfect spot for
your weekend — or week-long — getaway. Located near Acadia National Park on Mount Desert
Island, the small town of Bar Harbor is a lively New England hub popular with summer
vacationers. For such a small town, there are a ton of restaurants to choose from! Here’s a list
of 11 of Bar Harbor’s best restaurants for any occasion, ranging from casual picnic lunch to
fabulous date night delight.
Quick Breakfast
If you’re looking for a quick and tasty breakfast, drop by Slice of Eden on Main Street. This
small bakery has limited seating, so grab a table or take it to go. They offer delectable pastries
(try their bearclaws!), bagels, coffee, sandwiches, soups, and more. Their smoked salmon bagel
sandwich with cream cheese, capers, and red onion is breakfast bliss. Everything they make is
top quality, from-scratch cooking. Visit their Facebook page to read their customers’ rave
reviews.
Picnic Lunch
There is truly no better place in Bar Harbor to get an amazing sandwich with all the fixings than
Downeast Deli, located right on Main Street. They offer a wide variety of sandwiches, so there’s
sure to be one to please even the pickiest of eaters. Try their Italian sandwich for a classic sub
you can’t beat. If you’re craving something warm and comforting look no further than the
Thanksgiving Day After sandwich. This masterpiece features thick-sliced turkey, cranberry
sauce, stuffing, cheddar cheese, and mayo. If you’re hankering for a lobster roll, this is one of
the best places to get one. The price is reasonable and they offer a few simple flavors that don’t
overpower the succulent lobster. Other must-try items: lobster stew and homemade brownies.
Enjoy a picnic lunch at Agamont Park, or pack it to go for your hike in Acadia National Park.
View their full menu at downeastdeli.com.
Afternoon Coffee
If you need an afternoon pick-me-up, head over to Choco-Latte Cafe on Main Street. It’s a
cozy, vaguely hipster joint with plenty of comfortable seating and interesting artwork by local
artists. Their baristas prepare your drink beautifully and the vibe is always super friendly. Try
one of their “Cafe de la Casa” drinks. For a warming spiced mocha, go for their signature
Choco-Latte. Their sandwiches and pastries are also top-notch. Check out their website at
choco-lattecafe.com.
Healthy Lunch
Craving a fresh and healthy lunch? The perfect spot is Thrive Juice Bar and Kitchen on
Rodick Street. Their juice blends are so refreshing, you’ll feel instantly rejuvenated after drinking
one. Try their “Soothe” blend with kale, cucumber, green apple, mint, and pineapple. Their
smoothies and smoothie bowls are also amazing. For lunch, order one of their wraps, salads, or
warm bowls. Order their nutritious “Egg and Greens Bowl,” with farro, wilted greens, grilled
portabello, roasted sweet potatoes, fried egg, scallions, hemp seeds, roasted tomato aioli, and
local olive oil. You’ll love how wholesome and tasty their food is. Go to thrivebarharbor.com for
more info.
Pub Night
Looking for a good pub to enjoy dinner and some drinks? Leary’s Landing on Main Street is a
great option, popular with visitors and locals alike. Comfortable and unfussy, Leary’s has a full
menu with plenty of classic staples. Their homemade fish chowder is exactly everything fish
chowder should be, and their fried calamari with banana peppers is a perfect appetizer to
munch while sipping a cold beer. For a main, try their Prime Rib Sandwich (it’s incredible) or
their Blackened Haddock Sandwich. Try some of the local Maine breweries they have on tap or
go for one of their cocktails, which are equally delicious! “The Fuzzy” is a refreshing concoction
of cucumber vodka, St. Germain, mint, and lavender prosecco. Visit learyslanding.com for the
full menu.
Casual Dinner
If you’re looking for a casual dinner close to the waterfront, stop by Geddy’s on Main Street.
This is a fun family restaurant, with a broad menu including plenty of seafood as well as many
options for the non-seafood lover in your group. To share, get an order of Crispy Calamari with
Sweet Chili Sauce, Fried Maine Clams, or local Steamer Clams. Their solid menu has plenty of
mains to choose from. If you’re craving something light and enjoy raw tuna, go for the fresh and
cool Ahi Tuna Poke Salad. They also have a complete drink menu! Check out more at
geddys.com.
Tapas Dinner
Have a fun tapas-style dinner with your crew at Ciao on Cottage Street. Their menu features
plenty of hip, fresh, and upscale selections. Their Small Plates menu is jam-packed with unique
and delightful dishes. Some favorites include: Fried Cauliflower with Herbed Yogurt Sauce,
Grilled Quail with Fig Jam and Spiced Honey, and Spanish Shrimp with Chorizo, Harissa, and
Tomato. The dessert recommendation is The Lulu: Vanilla pot de creme, caramelized bananas,
sweet whipped cream, and nilla wafer. The vibe at Ciao is chic and fun, a little more upscale but
still casual. Go to ciaobarharbor.com for more information.
Date night
For a fine dining experience, try the fun Latin-American restaurant Havana on Main Street.
Their seasonal menus are carefully prepared with fresh, local, quality ingredients. Suggestions
from their Winter 2020 menu are the Seafood Paella (“Lobster, mussels, shrimp, scallops,
chorizo, tomatoes, peppers, and smoked chicken, cooked in saffron rice, and topped with a
traditional socarret”) and Lobster Moqueca (“Fresh picked lobster meat simmered in a savory
coconut broth with haddock, red peppers and onions, served over cinnamon infused basmati
rice, garnished with grilled pineapple”). The food is exceptional and won’t disappoint. Their
dessert menu has many classics like tres leches cake, flan, and chocolate flourless torte. The
wine list is extensive, so there’s sure to be something for everyone, from the casual wine drinker
to the learned sommelier. If you’re looking for a casual late-night hangout, enjoy their new
Parilla, or outside tapas bar. The Parilla has a separate menu with a variety of Latin tapas to
share. View more at havanamaine.com.
Classic New England Fare
Top pick for classic New England cooking is the reliably delicious Testa’s on Main Street.
They’ve been around since 1921 and have become a stalwart fixture offering classics like
Oysters Rockefeller, Haddock Almandine, Seafood Shepherd’s Pie, Seafood Newburg, and
Shrimp Scampi Piccatta (to name only a few!). Looking for the quintessential lobster dinner?
They’ve got you covered. If you’re feeling indulgent get the “Twin Lobster Tails” which comes
with corn on the cob and roasted red potatoes. Testa’s is the type of place you could take
anyone — even your hard-to-please grandma who knows good cooking — and they’ll find
something to love. They also have a drink menu with plenty of choices for mixed drinks, as well
as beer and wine. Their website testasbarharbor.com has all the details.
If you’re out late in Bar Harbor and need a bite to eat, Blaze on Maine Street is a great choice.
They’re open late and their fusion-style food is always tasty and well-prepared. They have a
range of different options, including burgers, brick oven pizza, tacos, and ramen. Their drink
selection has plenty to offer as well. Craft beer enthusiasts will love trying their specialty beers.
Order their fresh and spicy Lobster Laksa for a different take on a lobster dish. If you’re feeling
less adventuresome, their Neapolitan-style pizzas are excellent. No matter what you’re craving,
this menu will surely have a dish to satisfy you. Head to their Facebook page for menus and
more information.
The food at Side Street Cafe on Rodick Street is always a reliable choice. Popular with locals
and tourists alike, this restaurant is almost always busy, so plan on a wait during peak dining
times. There’s a variety of seating indoors at tables or the bar, as well as outside. A favorite
from their menu is the Bangin’ Shrimp. Tender shrimp in a sweet and spicy chili sauce with
plenty of grilled baguette slices to mop up the sauce. Their menu includes plenty of delicious
starters, so pick a few to share. The Broiled Haddock Sandwich is a great choice for lunch. They
also have an indulgent Lobster Mac and Cheese that’s hard to resist. Keep an eye out for
seasonal specials. Check out their full menu at sidestreetbarharbor.com.