Guidebook for Bar Harbor
Food Scene
We love the owners, the food is great and very consistent, the staff is fantastic, and the vibe is happening and fun. Indoor and outdoor seating, lovely gardens. Its our go-to for breakfast or dinner.
65 locals recommend
Cafe This Way
14 Mt Desert StWe love the owners, the food is great and very consistent, the staff is fantastic, and the vibe is happening and fun. Indoor and outdoor seating, lovely gardens. Its our go-to for breakfast or dinner.
The best dinner on the island, hands down. The impressive menu is mostly seafood, the freshest possible, and nearly all produce is locally sourced, including from their own gardens. A 5 minute drive from our studio, it is located in nearby Otter Creek. I worked here when I was in my twenties and can't say enough about the owners' integrity and passion for beautiful, simple yet creative menus and tasteful food. The staff are extremely knowledgable about food and wine. If you are inspired by the likes of Alice Waters, you will be equally inspired by your meal here.
28 locals recommend
Burning Tree Restaurant
69 Otter Creek DrThe best dinner on the island, hands down. The impressive menu is mostly seafood, the freshest possible, and nearly all produce is locally sourced, including from their own gardens. A 5 minute drive from our studio, it is located in nearby Otter Creek. I worked here when I was in my twenties and can't say enough about the owners' integrity and passion for beautiful, simple yet creative menus and tasteful food. The staff are extremely knowledgable about food and wine. If you are inspired by the likes of Alice Waters, you will be equally inspired by your meal here.
The best burritos and wraps in the state. (And also the owners and their little boy are dear friends of ours.) Stop here on your way to or from MDI, you won't regret it!
57 locals recommend
86 This
125 Main StThe best burritos and wraps in the state. (And also the owners and their little boy are dear friends of ours.) Stop here on your way to or from MDI, you won't regret it!
Gourmet dinner with a french bistro/local food focus on the outskirts of town- located on lower Main St, towards the ball field.
8 locals recommend
Mache Bistro
321 Main StGourmet dinner with a french bistro/local food focus on the outskirts of town- located on lower Main St, towards the ball field.
Quirky creative pub food with a local flair, this mainstay of the Bar Harbor food and brewery scene continues to be our favorite place to have a drink, meal, or listen to live music. Indoor or outdoor terrace seating with Bocci court. We personally recommend this over the very busy Side St during the summer, simply because there is rarely a wait for a table, it has a much more local vibe, and the food is awesome.
16 locals recommend
Lompoc Cafe
36 Rodick St Quirky creative pub food with a local flair, this mainstay of the Bar Harbor food and brewery scene continues to be our favorite place to have a drink, meal, or listen to live music. Indoor or outdoor terrace seating with Bocci court. We personally recommend this over the very busy Side St during the summer, simply because there is rarely a wait for a table, it has a much more local vibe, and the food is awesome.
Eliza won't disappoint with her mouthwatering pastries, yummy deli style take home food, and hip hearty sandwiches. The only place I eat in Northeast Harbor. (late breakfast and lunch, plus deli items to take home and reheat for dinner.)
10 locals recommend
Milk and Honey Kitchen
3 Old Firehouse LnEliza won't disappoint with her mouthwatering pastries, yummy deli style take home food, and hip hearty sandwiches. The only place I eat in Northeast Harbor. (late breakfast and lunch, plus deli items to take home and reheat for dinner.)
Morning Glory Bakery
39 Rodick StPeekytoe Provisions
244 Main Stgreat lunch spot for the freshest seafood and deli.
go here for the freshest steamed and fried seafood and to check out a real working lobster pier.
71 locals recommend
Beal's Lobster Pier
182 Clark Point Rdgo here for the freshest steamed and fried seafood and to check out a real working lobster pier.
Local's favorite, pub with a classic New England feel. Great fried food and burgers, open year round.
52 locals recommend
The Thirsty Whale Tavern
40 Cottage StLocal's favorite, pub with a classic New England feel. Great fried food and burgers, open year round.
Great little bakery and lunch spot on the west end of town. Limited seating but delicious pastries bagels soups and sandwiches.
17 locals recommend
Mount Dessert Bakery
122 Cottage StGreat little bakery and lunch spot on the west end of town. Limited seating but delicious pastries bagels soups and sandwiches.
Arts & Culture
Abbe Museum
26 Mt Desert StLocal artists' cooperative of printmakers, potters, sculptors natural fiber artists, and more.
Island Artisans
99 Main StLocal artists' cooperative of printmakers, potters, sculptors natural fiber artists, and more.
Local jeweler and close friend of ours. Check out her website heathermurray-jeweler.com! She also teaches prana flow yoga twice a week and offers private lessons at her gorgeous home studio.
Heather Murray - Jeweler
138 Norway DrLocal jeweler and close friend of ours. Check out her website heathermurray-jeweler.com! She also teaches prana flow yoga twice a week and offers private lessons at her gorgeous home studio.
Shopping
Funky, sweet, and charming, locally and otherwise handmade gifts and art for children and adults.
14 locals recommend
Spruce & Gussy
12 Mt Desert StFunky, sweet, and charming, locally and otherwise handmade gifts and art for children and adults.
Sporting goods store- everything you need to fully enjoy any adventure in Acadia!
8 locals recommend
Cadillac Mountain Sports
26 Cottage StSporting goods store- everything you need to fully enjoy any adventure in Acadia!
Tasteful home goods store- beautiful selection of pottery, table linens, baskets and gardening items.
16 locals recommend
Window Panes
166 Main StTasteful home goods store- beautiful selection of pottery, table linens, baskets and gardening items.
Entertainment & Activities
Enjoy a local brew and the best pizza in town (with an impressive topping menu!) while you watch one of the latest flicks- both popular new releases and more artistic films
showings every night.
75 locals recommend
Reel Pizza Cinerama
33 Kennebec Pl Enjoy a local brew and the best pizza in town (with an impressive topping menu!) while you watch one of the latest flicks- both popular new releases and more artistic films
showings every night.
Super friendly and knowledgable guides- Rock climbing in Acadia is a must-have experience for the more adventurous!
Atlantic Climbing School
67 Main StSuper friendly and knowledgable guides- Rock climbing in Acadia is a must-have experience for the more adventurous!
Bar Harbor Bicycle Shop
141 Cottage StBike rentals.
Getting Around
Donations appreciated. Car-free access to all of Mount Desert Island's towns and Acadia National Park.
43 locals recommend
Island Explorer
19 Firefly LnDonations appreciated. Car-free access to all of Mount Desert Island's towns and Acadia National Park.
Essentials
Hannaford Supermarket
86 Cottage StOrganic and local produce groceries and healthcare products, smoothies juices and baked goods, fresh coffee.
21 locals recommend
A&B Naturals
101 Cottage StOrganic and local produce groceries and healthcare products, smoothies juices and baked goods, fresh coffee.
Sightseeing
Tour downtown Bar Harbor by horse-drawn carriage! My father's wife's family business, you won't want to miss a chance to meet her beautiful hardworking pure bred Shire draft horses.
Wild Iris Farm In Bar Harbor Me
2 Lakewood Farm RdTour downtown Bar Harbor by horse-drawn carriage! My father's wife's family business, you won't want to miss a chance to meet her beautiful hardworking pure bred Shire draft horses.
Humpbacks, finbacks, porpoise, dolphins and seals, galore! My mom is a whale researcher- her tips: watch the forecast before booking, and call the company to hear list of recent sightings- if they are not seeing a lot of whales, maybe take a trip on the Nature Cruise boat instead!
83 locals recommend
Bark Harbor
150 Main StHumpbacks, finbacks, porpoise, dolphins and seals, galore! My mom is a whale researcher- her tips: watch the forecast before booking, and call the company to hear list of recent sightings- if they are not seeing a lot of whales, maybe take a trip on the Nature Cruise boat instead!