Good morning, everyone! As promised, here is my follow-up to my previous post, Adventures in Bar Harbor, Maine (Part 1). Previously, I talked about where to park and stay in Bar Harbor; in this post, I will be talking about some of the great places to eat in Bar Harbor!
Let’s talk about food! Bar Harbor is the place of seafood lovers’ dreams. If you love lobster, crab, shellfish, oysters, etc. then you have definitely come to the right place! There are so many great restaurant options in Bar Harbor, but a few that I tried really stand out. Here are my favorite Bar Harbor restaurant spots:
This restaurant was the best dining experience that I had tried during my trip. It was wonderfully out-of-the-way (hence the name, Side Street Cafe), the food was outstanding, and the service I received from the staff was impeccable. I really loved this restaurant because they guarantee that their seafood is caught that day, and they serve it very simply so that you can enjoy its natural flavor. I went during off hours, around 2:00 p.m., and found that there was no wait. I have heard, however, that during prime lunch hours (11 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.) wait times are much longer, so be sure to plan your schedule accordingly. Although this was one of the pricier restaurants I visited, I thought the cost was well worth the excellent quality of food that you receive.
This is the best place to go for an authentic lobster meal experience. And no, it’s not just a meal; it really is an experience! Unlike other restaurants that serve you a pretty lobster tail with fancy side dishes with a fancy price to match, at Thurston’s you will pick out your lobster at the cash register (and hold it if you want!), and it will be served to you whole, on a platter, with a half-cob of corn and some great coleslaw. You will also be given a bib, some wet wipes and a shell-cracker to help you get out as much of the delicious lobster meat as you can. Although this is the messiest way to eat lobster, there really is no comparison as to the freshness and incredible taste of meat that you dig out yourself. Finish off your meal with a slice of blueberry cake, take the last swig of your blueberry beer, and you will have officially enjoyed a truly authentic Maine meal. **Thurston’s is also one of the many stops scheduled by the Island Explorer tram.** You will encounter large crowds during the summer, so get there as close to opening time as you can!
The Jordan Pond House in a must-visit, especially if you plan to go to Acadia National Park, because the JPH is the only restaurant in the park! This Acadia classic is known for it’s delicious tea and popovers, served with house-made strawberry jam. I discovered the JPH when my tour bus stopped there during our visit to Acadia, and I loved it so much that I went back again on my own the next day! Now, I know I have talked about long waiting times and large crowds before, but the crowd that gathers for their popovers here is like no other. The Jordan Pond House opens at around 11 a.m., but plan to get there at least a half hour early. No joke. There will already be a line forming at around 10:30! But honestly, it will all be worth it when you sink your teeth into a buttery, sweet popover and enjoy the view of Jordan Pond and the Bubble Mountains from your table in their beautiful yard. **This is also a regular stop for the Island Explorer Tram!**
I hope you all enjoyed this post, and be sure to check out my next post, Adventures in Bar Harbor (Part 3)!
journeying solo 