Dining/Lodging
Bar Harbor Inn
Over 150 years ago, Thoreau wrote about “a stroll upon the beach, as near the ocean’s edge as one can go.” This describes the dining experience available at the Bar Harbor Inn, the town’s first hotel following its fateful fire of 1947. Riding your launch to shore, look to your left. Up there on a slight incline, on Newport Drive, you’ll see an inviting terrace with yellow awnings, a place to lunch and dine while observing an active commercial harbor. Many of the vessels in the harbor are lobster boats, and the menu includes the lobsters they deliver.
Chef Lou Kiefer, with over 20 years experience in Maine’s coastal kitchens, considers his menu proof that the Bar Harbor Inn is the place for lobster. Try a traditional Maine lobster bake, or lobsters in a creamy bisque, pie, seafood stew or mixed grill, or with sirloin steak or veal. Other tempting offerings including grilled salmon fillet smoked over an apple wood fire, steak, lamb, or chicken dishes, and a dessert menu almost too sinful to mention. Whether you’re in the mood for a delightful mid-day pause, or an early dinner within sight of your cruise ship, let Chef Kiefer and his staff of 35 culinary professionals pamper you. 288-3351.
www.barharborinn.com
Bar Harbor Club
Breathtaking oceanfront elegance awaits you each time you dine at the historic Bar Harbor Club. Originally built in the 1800’s the Bar Harbor Club has enjoyed a long, storied history of entertaining the luminaries of it’s time. Today, it has been restored to its former grandeur offering a classic New England feel with old world club charm. Let the talented culinary crew prepare a sumptuous array of signature entrees featuring innovative and seasonally inspired interpretations of classic New England cuisine.
The Bar Harbor Club Spa’s staff are accomplished seasoned technicians dedicated to providing each guest with an extensive array of therapies and treatments to facilitate the total relaxation, tranquil environment and thorough restoration of self. Located at 111 West Street. 288-5033
www.barharborclub.com
The Fish House Grill
The Fish House Grill offers great seafood at affordable family prices, and all with spectacular views of Frenchman’s Bay. Located at One West Street the The Lounge and Grill offers an Oyster Bar, fresh seafood, an extensive family-oriented menu and outdoor seating which provides breathtaking views of the busy downeast, working harbor, Bar Island and the surrounding Porcupine Islands. The famous Fish House Grill Lobsterbake is available all day. Open for lunch and dinner beginning at 11:00 daily. 288-3070
www.fishhouse-grill.com
Galyn’s
Established in 1986, Galyn’s offers a cozy, comfortable and relaxed ambiance. Located in a restored 1890s boarding house, Galyn’s provide a homey charm yet with a touch of elegance - —a rare combination these days. The restaurant has a wood finished décor throughout, the intimate lounge featuring an antique mahogany bar. As you enjoy your meal admire the fine artwork from local artists that adorns the restaurant’s walls.
Galyn’s offers consistently good food and attentive service. The menu includes fresh fish and seafood, pasta and their specialty: prime rib. Homemade desserts and an extensive wine list complete the evening.
Reservations are recommended but with several unique and individual dining rooms there is seldom a wait. Located at 17 Main Street, just half a block from the town pier, Galyn’s should be one of your first stops as you work your way into town from the harbor. 288-9706
www.galynsbarharbor.com
Harborside Hotel
The Harborside Hotel, Spa & Marina is the premier resort facility in Bar Harbor, Maine. Nestled in downtown Bar Harbor, and just moments away from Acadia National Park, Harborside offers breathtaking views of Frenchman Bay and the ocean beyond. With the finest guest accommodations and unsurpassed hospitality, Harborside is the perfect destination for family vacations, romantic getaways, weddings, and business conferences. Guests may enjoy the Dining & Spa amenities of the adjacent Bar Harbor Club. Conveniently located at 55 West Street. 288-5033
www.theharborsidehotel.com
Morning Glory Bakery
The Morning Glory Bakery, at 39 Rodick Street, offers a wide variety of freshly baked pasteries, bagels, breads and cakes. Try a blueberry danish, jam spot or coffee cake to start off your morning—stop back in later and let them pack you a box lunch. Procuitto, fresh mozzerella, curried chicken or just plain turkey sandwiches served on one of their great homemade breads (sourdough, onion walnut, anadama, french, wheat, oatmeal, three-seed, rye or pumpernickel,) is perfect for taking with you on your tour of scenic Bar Harbor.
The Morning Glory also offers smoothies, espresso based drinks, milk shakes, giant cookies, frosted brownies and don’t even think about leaving Bar Harbor without trying their famous sticky buns! For savory tastes or the sweet tooth in your group, the Morning Glory has something for everyone. 288-3041
www.morningglorybakery.com
Mount Desert Island Ice Cream
Mount Desert Island Ice Cream makes small batch, hand-made gourmet ice cream, sorbets, and cocktail mixes. What makes their products different? They use the finest ingredients: if they make a chocolate, they use Callebaut Chocolate from Belgium, if they make vanilla, they scrape the beans, if they make a sorbet, they use real fruit. MDI ice cream has less air than most ice creams, making it a denser product. Plus a high butterfat content gives it a rich creamy texture.
Come visit Mount Desert Island Ice Cream at 7 Firefly Lane (just off of Main Street, right across from the Village Green, next to the municipal bathrooms and the fire station.) They also have a new location on 325 Main Street. 288-0999
www.mdiic.com
Rupununi
Yes. Rupununi has lobster. Yes. They have other food besides lobster. Rupununi is in the middle of it all with an exciting dining patio on Main Street in downtown Bar Harbor. Whether dining outside or in, enjoy fresh Maine seafood, delicious salads, creative pastas, great burgers and choice steaks. They take care to support the local economy, and serve local and organic goods whenever possible. Rupununi presents you with selections prepared with care from the harvests of Maine’s beautiful lands and waters.
Even though they have all of the accoutrements of a highbrow restaurant, Rupununi welcomes families and has a large children’s menu. For the grown-ups, they have the best selection of single malt scotch, hard-to-get cigars and microbrews – over 80 varieties of beer, including tons of Maine beers and an extensive wine list!
Rupununi has something for everyone. Serving lunch, dinner and a late-night menu from 11 am to Midnight, 7 days a week. 119 Main Street, Bar Harbor. 288-2886
www.rupununi.com
Spot Grill
No trip to Maine is complete without experiencing the local flavors of fresh Maine lobster, clams and crab. Spot Grill, located at 33 Cottage Street in downtown Bar Harbor (directly across from Rite Aid) specializes in the flavors of fresh Maine seafood done right. Let them make you a fresh lobster or crab roll stuffed to the max with fresh, hand picked, local Maine lobster or crab. All rolls are baked fresh daily and prepared in an authentic coastal Maine manner. Spot Grill also offers fried clam baskets overflowing with local whole belly clams and fresh cut Coney Island style French fries.
If seafood is not your preference there are many other options at the Spot Grill; from gyros, falafel and mega salads to subs, pizza, hot dogs and burgers. There is definitely something for everyone. Come let the Spot Grill satisfy your taste buds and welcome to Maine! Open daily, eat in or take out. 288-1233
Testa’s
The Testa credo, “Pines in the summer, palms in the winter,”” symbolizes more than 100 years of family history in the restaurant business. Located at 53 Main Street, and also approachable from Cottage Street through the Bayside Landing, the northern Testa’s opened in downtown Bar Harbor in 1934. The family spends each summer here before returning to their Palm Beach, Florida local for the winter months.
Still delicious, after all these years, Testa’s provides visitors with friendly, efficient service, and the best strawberry pie you’ll ever taste. The menu includes innovative dishes with an Italian flair, fresh seafood, and dessert choices that won’t leave anyone hungry. Testa’s also serves local beers in addition to national favorites, and has a full bar and wine list. Stop into Testa’s for some amazing food, and become a part of Bar Harbor history. 288-3024
www.testasrestaurants.com