When I was 8 years old, my family, along with our close family friends, The Nardecchias, embarked on a two-week camping road trip from Ohio to Bar Harbor, Maine. Of all our family vacations growing up, this was my absolute favorite – full of nature, adventure, and of course, lobster. Too bad I wasn’t the most adventurous eater at the time and opted for salt & vinegar chips and Snickers Ice Cream bars over fresh lobster rolls.
Fast forward 30 years (almost to the date), Alex and I made our way back to Mount Desert Island, home to Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor, Maine. This time, I made up for my childhood culinary misadventure by eating our way through town.
Several of you have asked for recommendations, so I thought I’d share the highlights from our week and some tips we found helpful while planning our trip. Enjoy, and let me know if you have any questions!
WHERE WE STAYED
We booked a lovely room at Queen Anne’s Revenge and would highly recommend it. To be honest, small bed and breakfasts with shared bathrooms and communal breakfast tables aren’t my thing. Luckily, this wasn’t the vibe at all and felt more like a boutique hotel. The historic cottage (apparently that’s what they call mansions in Bar Harbor) has been beautifully renovated while retaining much of its original charm and character. And the staff was incredibly friendly and welcoming.
Our room was small but comfy and loved that it had a jacuzzi bath and fireplace. The inn has a a decent parking lot, so you don’t have to worry about paying for street parking. I loved that it’s tucked away on a quiet street, but you can easily walk to everything you’d like to do in downtown Bar Harbor.
While a continental breakfast was available, we chose to explore the local breakfast spots to truly taste the town.
WHERE WE ATE + DRANK
The Garden Bar at Ivy Manor Inn
194 Main Street, Bar Harbor, ME
207.288.2138
After arriving on Friday evening, we had some time to kill before our dinner reservation. We almost stopped at several bars before stumbling upon this gem! Nestled in front of the picturesque Ivy Manor Inn, the garden bar is the perfect spot for a pre-dinner drink. It offers an ideal setting to soak in the warm summer air, people-watch, or relax by the fire rings. With a sip of an Old Fashioned and a few minutes in this charming environment, we quickly settled into vacation mode.
Reservations: First-come, first-serve
Havana
318 Main St, Bar Harbor, ME
207.288.2822
I had to try the restaurant renowned for its notable visitors, including Martha Stewart (who owns a summer house nearby and stops by regularly), Barack Obama, and Martin Scorsese! We had a phenomenal meal here and can understand why it’s so popular. Despite the name, don’t expect a ton of Cuban options—it’s closer to American cuisine with Latin influences. If you visit, I’d recommend skipping the specialty cocktails and opting for a glass of wine. They have some exceptional selections.
Reservations: Available via OpenTable
Favorite Dishes:
- Empanadas – Ground lamb, spring green peas, red pepper, and goat cheese filling with chipotle aioli
- Pollo – Roasted Peruvian chicken served with potato puree, herb mustard jus, and grilled asparagus with cilantro crema
Cafe This Way
14 1/2 Mt. Desert St., Bar Harbor, ME
207.288.4483
We stopped here for a quick muffin and a double espresso before starting our day in Acadia National Park. They recommended cutting the blueberry muffin in half, slathering it with butter, and griddling it, which is truly the best way to enjoy a muffin. The crispy, buttery exterior combined with the warm, fluffy inside was heaven. While we didn’t try much else, we’ve heard the blueberry pancakes are a must!
Reservations: Walk-in only
Favorite Dishes:
- Blueberry Muffin, buttered and griddled
Abel’s Lobster
13 Abels Ln, Mt Desert, ME
207.276.8221
After attempting to eat at the Jordan Pond House restaurant and passing on the 1.5-hour wait and long line to get popovers to-go, we decided to head to Abel’s. I am unbelievably glad we did. While Jordan Pond felt a bit chaotic, Abel’s was the perfect antidote.Despite the less-than-ideal weather, Abel’s was a dream spot to enjoy a delicious lobster roll by the water – I’m sure even better on a sunny day. It was a quintessential Maine experience. The cozy atmosphere and friendly staff added to the charm, and we can’t wait to return.
Reservations: Walk-in only
Favorite Dishes:
- Maine Lobster Roll
- Crispy Fish Sandwich
Udder Heaven – Ice Cream Retreat
369 State Highway 3 Bar Harbor ME
207.288.2233
Bar Harbor boasts numerous ice cream parlors, with about one for every 500 residents, and it’s hard to go wrong with any of them. However, we especially enjoyed Udder Heaven—not just for the fun name but also for the plethora of delicious options.
Reservations: Walk-in only
Favorite Dishes:
- Peanut Butter Ice Cream
- Heard the blueberry is great
The Terrace Grille
1 Newport Dr, Bar Harbor, ME
207.288.3351
We made reservations at The Reading Room, a renowned venue known for its gorgeous views of the harbor. Arriving early, we decided to head to the bar for a drink but quickly realized the atmosphere was a bit stuffy for our tastes. As the clouds cleared and the sun began to peek through, we noticed the outdoor terrace below had some available seating and opted to eat there – it was the best decision we made.
The food and drinks were phenomenal, and the outdoor seating allowed us to enjoy the fresh air and beautiful setting at sunset. It turned out to be a magical last night of our trip, with stunning views and a relaxed ambiance that perfectly capped off our visit.
Reservations: Walk-in only
Favorite Dishes:
- Lobster Bisque
- Bar Harbor Lobster Cobb
- Haddock Tacos
- Maine Blueberry Pie
A Slice of Eden
59 Cottage St Bar Harbor, ME
207.801.9232
Sunday morning greeted us with thick fog, so we strolled over to A Slice of Eden for Americanos and pastries. One standout was the Raspberry Crumble Cake, which we absolutely loved.
Reservations: Walk-in only
Favorite Dishes:
- Raspberry Crumble Cake
Airline Brewing Company
173 Main St, Ellsworth, ME
207.412.0045
We drove out to the Bass Harbor Lighthouse, intending to visit Peter Trout’s afterward. While the lighthouse was great, unfortunately Peter Trout’s was unexpectedly closed. So, we hit the road early and made a stop in Ellsworth, just about 20 minutes from Mount Desert Island. The rainy day had us craving comfort food, and this cozy little pub turned out to be just what we needed.
Reservations: Walk-in only
Favorite Dishes:
- Reuben Quesadilla
- Drunken Cottage Pie
Other Restaurants that were recommended but we didn’t make it do
- The Parilla
- Geddy’s – recommended for Happy Hour
- Cottage Street Pub
- Side Street Cafe
- Brasserie LeBrun
WHAT WE DID
The weather in Bar Harbor wasn’t exactly ideal during our visit—foggy one day and rainy the next. However, one of the charming aspects of Maine is that a foggy summer day in a seaside town might be just what you need. The misty atmosphere adds a serene quality to the surroundings, inviting you to slow down and embrace the tranquil ambiance. It’s one of those locations—like a rainy day in Paris or a foggy day in the Scottish Highlands—where dreary weather can actually enhance your experience. The soft blanket of fog creates a peaceful retreat from the usual busyness that often accompanies a summer day in a Maine seaside town. But that didn’t mean we sat around and did nothing while we were there.
Here are a few important things to know before you go:
- You’ll need to purchase a $35 car pass to enter Acadia National Park. You can buy it here.
- If you want to visit the top of Cadillac Mountain (which is highly recommended), you’ll need to buy a separate $6 ticket with a timed entry. 30% of these tickets are available 90 days in advance, while the remaining 70% are released two days prior at 10 am EST.
- We visited in June during a foggy, rainy weekend, and some of the sights were still packed. High season starts in July, so be prepared for even larger crowds.
HIGHLIGHTS?
- Sandy Beach – The parking lot was packed, but the actual beach was quite peaceful and relaxing. I highly recommend it. We also walked the path above the beach and enjoyed some great views.
- Thunder Hole – The unfortunately named site was a bit of a bust. Timing and conditions are everything when it comes to this sight. When we visited, it was packed with people staring at nothing, making it a very hit-or-miss attraction.
- Jordan Pond – The surroundings are gorgeous, and we would have likely hiked if the weather had been nicer. There was a 1.5-hour wait for lunch without a reservation. I’ve heard it’s better to skip the meal and grab popovers to go from upstairs. Seeing the long line, we decided to drive to Abel’s instead, which was a good choice.
- Land Bridge – At low tide, downtown Bar Harbor is connected to Bar Island, allowing you to easily walk across. It’s a unique experience worth checking out.
- Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse – Located on the other side of Mount Desert Island, this postcard worthy spot is worth the drive.
More Best of Maine here.
