Dining Guide
Where to Eat Near Acadia
From the Jordan Pond House popovers to a working lobster dock on the quiet side of MDI. A curated guide to eating well in Bar Harbor and around the island.
Practical note:
Bar Harbor restaurants fill by 6:30pm in summer. Eat early (before 5:30pm), late (after 8:30pm), or book a reservation before you arrive on MDI. Hannaford supermarket in Ellsworth (30 min away) is the best option for groceries and picnic supplies if you haven’t stocked up.
In the Park
Jordan Pond House
Lunch · Afternoon Tea · Jordan Pond, Park Loop Road
A must-do. The lawn seating looks directly over Jordan Pond to The Bubbles — one of the great lunch views in New England. The popovers (served with strawberry jam) are genuinely good, not just historically notable. Reservations are essential and open weeks in advance in summer. Dinner service is also available.
Tip: Book as soon as you know your dates. Lunch reservations go faster than dinner.
Bar Harbor
Café This Way
Breakfast · Brunch · Mount Desert Street, Bar Harbor
The best breakfast in Bar Harbor, consistently. Eggs Benedict variations, house-made baked goods, and a relaxed pace that most Bar Harbor spots lack. Small space — arrive early or expect a wait on summer mornings.
Tip: Opens at 7am. Get there early or wait outside.
MDI Lobster
Seafood · Takeout · Bar Harbor waterfront
No-frills lobster market and takeout on the Bar Harbor waterfront. Steamed lobster, clams, and lobster rolls at market price. Eat on the dock. This is the less theatrical version of the lobster experience — which is the better version.
Tip: Cash-friendly. Check the day's market price before you order.
Side Street Café
Casual Dinner · Cottage Street, Bar Harbor
Reliable, unpretentious Bar Harbor dinner. Lobster rolls, chowder, and reliable mains in a casual room. Popular enough that reservations are advisable in summer — but less precious than some of the fancier options.
Tip: Reservations recommended for dinner. Walk-in at lunch is usually fine.
Mache Bistro
Fine Dining · Rodick Street, Bar Harbor
The best dinner restaurant in Bar Harbor. Small, serious, locally sourced. The menu changes frequently with what's available from Maine farms and the ocean. Reserve well in advance.
Tip: Book online 2–3 weeks out for summer weekend dinners.
Southwest Harbor
Beal's Lobster Pier
Lobster Dock · Clark Point Road, Southwest Harbor
A working lobster dock with tables outside and a menu that starts and ends with lobster. The tourist-to-local ratio here is the inverse of Bar Harbor. Steamed whole lobster by weight, lobster rolls, and fried clams. Open seasonally — confirm hours before driving.
Tip: This is the classic Maine lobster experience. Worth the 30-minute drive from Bar Harbor.
Northeast Harbor
Pine Tree Market
Grocery · Deli · Main Street, Northeast Harbor
A small, well-stocked market with a good deli counter. Excellent for assembling a picnic or buying provisions for a carriage road bike day. Better cheese selection than anything in Bar Harbor.
Tip: Stock up here for picnic provisions on your way to the Jordan Pond or carriage road trailheads.
Winter Harbor (Schoodic)
Mama's Boy Bakery
Bakery · Café · Newman Street, Winter Harbor
A small local bakery that serves the Winter Harbor / Schoodic Peninsula community. Good coffee, house-baked pastries, and a genuine small-town Maine feel. Worth a stop if you're doing the Schoodic loop.
Tip: Limited hours and days — check before making a special trip.
Cranberry Islands
Islesford Dock Restaurant
Lunch · Little Cranberry Island (ferry access only)
A lunch-only restaurant on Little Cranberry Island, accessible by ferry from Northeast Harbor or Southwest Harbor. Lobster rolls and chowder on a dock overlooking the harbor. The ferry ride is part of the experience — plan a half-day.
Tip: Check the ferry schedule and restaurant hours in advance. Seasonal operation; closed in winter.
A note on accuracy
Restaurants on MDI open, close, and change seasonally. All recommendations above were verified as of our last update — but always confirm hours and current operation before making a special trip, especially for spots on the islands or in smaller villages.