The food was really good, but for me, not outstanding. the pie was better. They are one of the few restaurants in the area, so with that in mind it speaks to why people speak highly. They were busy when I was there and I had to sit in the bar. Everyone was friendly and very accommodating. read more

I was in town for work. I've heard great things about this place- all true. I wasn't super hungry so I got an appetizer and I wanted room for pie. Sticky fingers are chicken tenders in a sweet and spicy sauce. Amazing. Now for the pie. I got the Strawberry pie. It was perfection. I wanted to try their world famous blueberry so I took a whole pie home to share with my family. It didn't disappoint. My mother hates blueberries and she asked for a second helping. My only problem is it's so far away. If you're in the area please check this place out. read more

We had the fish chowder, It was delicious. My husband is from Maine the soup tasted like what his mom used to make. The steamers were plentiful , fresh and delicious.For dessert we had the blueberry pieOur server was excellent and friendly. This place is clean and they have a bakery. read more

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Generous portions of familiar foods. Friendly and attentive wait staff. Blueberry pie and coconut cream pie are outstanding.

We visited Machias for the Margharetta festival and happened upon Helen's (across from the park). We wanted Maine Lobster. The ambiance was amazing, Staff was so nice. Huge portions. Lobster stew was amazing, husband loved his lobster, and Chocolate crème pie was amazing. Tasted like Godiva chocolate. We couldn't have asked for a better experience. read more

Great crab meat quiche. Super cute with a little class than your average diner right on the water I as an adult love the wiki sticks.

Service And Food exceptional! We were here for a school outreach to Maine. This place had a beautiful decor. Breakfast was so delicious. Options were yogurt, with granola topping, chocolate croissant, egg sandwich with egg, bacon or cheese. Coffee was very good too. Will be back for dinner. Don't forget the blueberry jam and honey mustard. read more

Sadness they were out of potions. The halibut special was amazing, the lobster stew amazing. The Alfredo amazing.... Service didn't miss a beat and they were crazy busy. I wanted to try the strawberry pie but they ran out. read more

A darn shame what's happened to Helen's. For DECADES they were known for THE BEST BLUEBERRY PANCAKES on the planet, but today they no longer serve breakfast - and are not too much different from other lunch/dinner places. Furthermore, they're just not as attentive to customers as they used to be. Not the same experience in any way. Helen must be spinnin'... read more

Helen's is a great towny restaurant. Atmosphere is nice. Staff are extremely friendly and attentive. Parking is super easy. But the blueberry salmon is to die for!! Who knew a blueberry compote is what salmon needed??? Helen's did! That is the only thing I'm ever ordering besides a slice of pie to go!! read more

Great service and food! Reserve your pie before ordering dinner. Fish chowder delicious.

Oh wow! This is it. Stop here. Eat whatever you like. It's amazing! If you come by in the summer, ask for Suzanne to be your server. She's amazing! Fantastic chowder!! Best lobster roll I've had in Maine and best blueberry pie I've had in Maine. Amazing! They rebuilt 10 years ago after the fire and the place is gorgeous! Come and enjoy Helen's. It's divine! read more

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The food was amazing, the desserts are just as good. The view on the way in or if you sit outside is sweet as well. Highly recommend, we got the fish and shrimp. My wife is gluten free and they have solid options for those with the same needs. read more

My dinner was nice, and the service was amazing. Absolutely no complaints on that end. I got a slice of raspberry pie to go after finishing my meal and there was a long hair in it. I won't lie, for a $7 slice of pie, that really put me off. The pie was good before I found the hair, but I threw it out afterwards. Not worth the headache. read more

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Great service delicious comfort foods. Wonderful pies! Nice view of the river and immaculate rooms.

PIE! Get the pie! We got strawberry and chocolate silk pie and OMG..... So. Frikkin. Good. Period! We got the mozzarella sticks, "petit" size Mac and cheese. Seriously sharp cheese but so good! We also got the chicken Alfredo, meatloaf sandwich.... With the unreal marinara sauce and the chicken tenders. The service was great and we got sat in a booth with a perfect view of the water! Such a cute place and super delicious!!! read more

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We stopped here for lunch twice on our way to and from our weekend in Bar Harbor. Wonderful staff that provided excellent service. The Chili Lime Shrimp were fabulous! The restaurant was very busy both times we stopped in and our food was delivered quickly and correctly and everything was delicious. Great Pie Selection too! read more

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I am a local and have eaten at Helen's for 25 years. I have never had a questionable meal there. It is always exceptional food and service. My favorites are Haddock Dinner, Haddock Chowder, Sticky Fingers, And dont forget the Pies! Helen's no longer makes breakfast but their bakers do make some wicked good donuts! Helen's forever! read more

The best haddock chowder and mock- tails. Death by pie! The cheeseburger with goat cheese and blueberries is another favorite! Great service, excellent customer service and pie! read more

Helen's Restaurant - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Machias, Maine

Food: I order or The Goat cheese Salad super delicious. Waitress really was kind and helpful to add chicken and it was not over cooked. perfect combo do recommend this place asap read more

This Down East restaurant is a long time favorite...BUT if you value your health you DON'T ORDER ANYTHING FRIED!!! They have started USING COW FAT in their fryers! YES, COW FAT. VEGETARIANS AND ALLERGY SUFFERERS BEWARE, as the warnings are in tiny print. For 40 years, vegetable oil has been the norm... for many good reasons. Beyond the clogged arteries connection, think of take out meals that will have no warnings attached! ... and the legal liabilities when somebody DIES with a systemic allergic reaction to food that never should have been contaminated with beef!!! read more

Stopped in at Helen's when making a trip Downeast. No more breakfast and limited hours for takeout and open only 4 days a week. Food is still quite good. Fish chowder was full of fish but could have had a bit more seasoning. Excellent scallops and clam bellies. If you don't stop for anything else, stop for the pie. read more

Helen's Restaurant - Scallops with mashed potatoes and pickled beets - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Machias, Maine

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The fried fish is delicious. Nice big side salad. Fabulous assortment of pies. Great service. Lovely restaurant.

During our visit to Machiasport, we ate at Helen's every night because that's how consistently good the food and service were. We also love the ambiance and decor of the establishment...it got updated since we were here last which was over a decade ago. The highlights: Say yes, to the homemade warm rolls- fresh out of the oven! The salads: fresh, cold and very clean with homemade dressing. The chicken tenders: lightly breaded with delicious seasoning and the chicken is tender and these don't leave your fingers horribly greasy. The quiche: absolutely the best! Fluffy but rich consistency in a homemade pie shell. The fried clams and shrimp: again lightly breaded and not too greasy...very fresh seafood! The french fries & onion rings: NOT frozen, but fresh homemade batter dipped onions! Fries were perfect. Every night we ate in, we had a different wait staff who were all super friendly and attentive! The one night we ordered out, the gal who took out was super and just as kind! What an amazing group! And just to wrap up...Helen's definitely has the best pies ever...I ate blueberry pie every night during our vacation here and the only regret I have, is that I will never be able to have blueberry pie again without comparing it to the best (Helen's )! HIGHLY RECOMMEND Helen's Restaurant in Machias!! read more

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Went to Helen's Restaurant in Machias Maine while driving up the coast as they had gluten free options. The restaurant was clean and had plenty of windows so it was easy to have a good view! Our server was quick, knowledgeable and friendly. He checked on us multiple times. I Ordered the fried haddock and onion rings with pickled beets. Also had fish chowder as an appetizer. The onion rings were delightful as it has been years since I was able to have any! The fish was perfectly cooked and served with 2 sauces, a classic tarter and a pink sauce that had horse radish in it. The pink one was my favorite! The fish chowder was warm and tasty with potatoes in a creamy broth! We were very pleased with our visit! read more

Helen's Restaurant - Fish chowder! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Machias, Maine

Helen's revived us! After a 2.5 hr hike to Western Head Preserve we lucked upon Helen's!! (It's a good sign when the pking lot is full of local plates.) To our out of town tastes, nothing could compare to a heaping plate of local scallops and whole belly clams. Ever so lightly fried with a smidgen of homemade tartar sauce on the side. They tickled our weary bones back to life. Tasty and satisfying, with leftovers! My partner also chose well. The overstuffed lobster roll with warm butter hit perfectly and that hot plate of made-in- house Mac n cheese, covered in crunchy crackers, mmm mmm! However, these bumbling first-timers ordered desert AFTER our late lunch order (unlike the seasoned couple next to us who had the sense to dive into their pie BEFORE ordering lunch!!) We'll know better next time. Go ahead and splurge on the a la mode compliment! Melting over a warm slice of wild blueberry pie is the only way to wash down ~200 tiny blue morsels of yum. Also, we were seated immediately & served masterfully by one of several congenial waitresses. Thanks Helen's!! 10/10 read more

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Amazing food and service. Best Mac & cheese I've ever had. Made with Cabot cheddar. Very good chicken tenders and crab cakes. Blueberry cheesecake was amazing. Also had a specialty blueberry gin drink which was very good. read more

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Great pie and lobster roll. Good taco salad too, huge! Friendly waitress. Pricey but nice treat read more

Helen's Restaurant - Lobster roll and sweet potato fries - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Machias, Maine

Excellent restaurant, food and service were top notch. Anything fried can be done gluten free, my wife got gluten free onion rings and crab cakes which she loved. I got one of the best burgers I have ever had with goat cheese, bacon and blueberry preserves. I highly recommend Helen's if you find your way to the Downeast Maine area. read more

I have eaten here a few times while traveling for work and I have never had a bad dish. They have a wide open area with tables and a small bar and big windows over looking the water. They also have a few outside seats. The service has always been quick and friendly. This time I got the fish chowder which they are know for. It was delicious. They have all the fresh seafood options. They also have the best pie with fresh ingredients. If you are in the area I would suggest going here! read more

Helen's Restaurant - Fish Chowder. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Machias, Maine

Stopped into Helen's en route to Lubec ME. Ordered the special: crabmeat quiche. I ate it so fast, no picture was taken, but it was light, fluffy and delicious! Our server was exceptional and we chatted about the area. You can't leave without trying any of the myriad of mile-high pies. And wear elastic pants. read more

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Goat cheese blueberry burger is insane. Blueberry pie alamode worth the calories. Just do it!!!! read more

Helen's Restaurant - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Machias, Maine

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My husband and I had dinner at Helen's. The hostess recommended the haddock burger which I got and thought was great. I upgraded my side to onion rings which were really great. read more

Came here with a party of 4, before heading to Lubec and was not disappointed. Friendly and prompt service. Excellent haddock chowder. Everyone enjoyed their burgers and I had the steamers, sweet and price was cheap. I'd definitely come back! read more

Helen's Restaurant - Haddock chowder - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Machias, Maine

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This is one of only a couple of restaurants in Machias Maine. It happened to be right next door to the Machias River Inn where we stayed while in town. This restaurant, although now in a different location in town than it used to be some years ago, is a place my husband, his siblings and his parents used to go to back in the 1960s when they traveled to Machias in the summer from Connecticut where they lived. Tom has pleasant childhood memories of coming here and he was not disappointed this go round...nor was I. The indoor space is large and yet inviting. There is a wide door leading to an outdoor deck facing the water. The view is most pleasant from indoors or out. We opted to eat inside as it was a bit too windy the afternoon we were there. We were led to a comfortable booth. The inside has high ceilings and a somewhat industrial vibe. There is a small bar inside the restaurant with a few stools. Since there is no bar or cocktail lounge of any kind in Machias, if you just wanted to go out for a glass of wine, a mixed drink or a beer I think this is your only option in town although I would love to be corrected on that. Helen's is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner however they don't open until 10:30am which for us would be a late breakfast. We aren't sure why they open so relatively late in the morning. Either they can't find enough help or they don't have enough early morning business. The restaurant also closes by 7:30pm. The sidewalks, (if there were any in Machias), roll up early. We arrived after 3pm which is when we got to town and so this was a late lunch. The menu has lots of mostly American options and includes the usual array of burgers, sandwiches and wraps, but also has a nice selection of seafood options and other hot entrees including pasta dishes. Tom went for the scallops which come either sautéed or fried, with french fries and cole slaw. I had the haddock fish and chips. We each had water and a beer. My fish and chips were fresh and delicious and Tom throughly enjoyed his plump sea scallops. Local fish is always the best fish! Lobster is king in Maine and probably among the best you can find anywhere in the world. If it's lobster you want, Helen's has it including a lobster roll which a number of people around us had ordered. The restaurant also serves steamers (clams) which we considered ordering but we didn't feel hungry enough to have those as well as our entrees. It's always hard for me to pass up steamers though. Helen's is apparently well known for their pies and there is an extensive list of options including a most beautiful looking blueberry pie (we saw several pieces go by for other customers). We were so full however that sadly, we didn't partake. In addition to lobster, Maine is also known for its blueberries. Maine blueberries are much smaller in size than "regular" blueberries but are full of flavor and are said to be better nutritionally than "regular" blueberries. (If you're interested in the Maine blueberry and can't get them fresh where you live, you might enjoy trying Wyman's brand frozen Maine blueberries which you can find in the freezer section at Whole Foods. I buy them all the time to use in smoothies at home). Thank goodness this place is here in an area with a dearth of restaurants, but more importantly thank goodness the food is delicious and the service quite good. read more

We stayed Nextdoor and this restaurant was recommended. Arrived at 5:45 and there was already a wait but rightfully so for this small town and they close at 8pm which based on all of our Maine visits they will decline people 30 minutes prior most likely. Service was good, fried clams are the best we've had anywhere (we're from south FL and travel everywhere for seafood), lightly battered and perfectly cooked! The shrimp Alfredo seemed like Ragú sauce and although the salmon was cooked ok it was served on bland mashed potatoes and raw spinach. I suggest a blueberry balsamic over the blueberry mustard, lightly sauté the spinach, and give some flavor to the starch. The fresh made pies look amazing and I recommend ordering in advance because they go quick. We ended up with the banana split which was good but we wanted that toasted coconut chocolate. Cute restaurant with outdoor seating, we sat inside based on availability. Sorry didn't take photos...presentation was good, but flavor could use some modifications on the entrees. read more

Well , I drove an hour across Maine to the coast to find this great spot. We are staying in this village. It is The most eastern point of the USA. Now we have been to the farthest western point of Europe in Portugal and this. Cool. But here was dinner. Fried clams and fries and pot roast beef and mashed. Both were fab. Very noisy where we sat but it was the best view of the harbor. Excellent service. Took home special pie cut for desert. Yum read more

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I've always heard about Helen's restaurant. I was able to visit the restaurant twice this week for lunch and once for dinner. The wait staff were amazingly prompt and although the restaurant was quite busy both times we receded within a few minutes of entering the restaurant. On both days our wait staff were friendly and thorough. We were able to try the lobster dinner, fried clams, and fried haddock. Every entrée was served hot, fresh, and with all the accompanying five including coleslaw, and tartar sauce. Both meals were delicious and of high quality. This is definitely some of the best seafood we've had in Maine. Will definitely recommend this to all my friends and family. read more

Helen's might just be the best hidden gem of all the restaurants in Maine! In the coastal town of Machias, with a mere population of 2,000, you'll find a riverside restaurant bustling with diners on a summer evening. The rural locale far up the Maine coast does not deter business, and it's definitely the place to be if you're on the Atlantic Coast anywhere north of Saint Thomaston all the way up to the Canadian border. The interior is wonderfully modern and sleek, as if you're dining in a major city, but the view of the Maine countryside and the small-town charm and friendly staff definitely remind you that you're far from urbanity. The dinner rolls are yeasty and chewy, and I probably could have eaten a dozen of them! The fried seafood is definitely the star of the show, with impeccable fried clams, pretty decent tiny shrimp and good fried haddock. The fried scallops are also very fresh and delicious! The french fries are okay, the mashed potatoes are alright, but that's not why you come here. If you like the flavor of blueberries, you must try the blueberry soda manufactured by Maine Root. I've never seen this product anywhere else during our travels to all 50 states, and it's very good! This is such a refreshing stop along Highway 1 that we took from the top of Maine to the bottom of the Florida Keys, and I would highly recommend it! I only wish we had stayed in Machias one more night to sample Helen's highly-touted onion rings and raspberry pie! read more

Helen's Restaurant - Maine Root blueberry soda - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Machias, Maine

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There aren't too many restaurants open during the offseason and we were pleased to find Helen's busy. But it's not busy because there isn't much else. It's busy because it's GOOD. Home style cooking, served by a friendly waitress and delicious food. Great view outside on the deck if you're here when it's warmer than 30 degrees. Inside, toasty in the dining room where the tables are socially distant and everyone's wearing masks except when eating. Good to see. Our waitress was friendly and efficient, refreshing drinks and offering some local sightseeing recommendations once she learned that we were from out of town. I chose the meatloaf. A good portion with a rich brown sauce. I did double cole slaw instead of potatoes (hooray keto diet) and the slaw was okay. The meatloaf was spicy and flavorful. My brother, who is not on a keto and has a stronger metabolism than me, chose the spaghetti and meatballs. He said that they were some of the best meatballs he's ever had. We fought the urge to have dessert because that strawberry pie in the case looked amazing. Good meal and great service. [Review 14871 overall, 373 of 2021, number 54 in Maine.] read more

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