The food, service, and ambiance were excellent. We stayed in the Inn upstairs and ate in the restaurant all 3 nights of our stay. Couldn't have asked for a better experience. read more

First, can we talk about the amazing host and servers? They made our meal that much more terrific. Unlike many places in the area, this felt like a true sit-down restaurant with a mix of local flavors and things from the chef's travels around the world while the restaurant is closed (evidently they are built on top of granite and cannot stay open year round as the granite freezes). My son had the strawberry-rhubarb lemonade (yum), my husband had a cider, nd I had tea! To start, we shared the gluten free calamari. After that, I had the cataplana (very tasty and filling), my husband the halibut (sooo good), and my son the steak. For dessert, my son had the blueberry cheesecake, because when in Maine, why not. They also had a chocolate gluten-free cake. Everything was scrumptious, but it really was the server who made the meal extra special. read more

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Food and atmosphere are very good, though the small oysters with no lemons or cocktail sauce were below average. Our entrees were good.. seafood fresh... tasty... still, no alcohol, one appetizer and two entrees over a hunny before tip... it's alot. Quality should be higher for this kind of tab. Servers are very good. read more

We stopped in a little late and weren't sure if we would get service. However the waitress was great, very friendly. We had a great dinner. My wife had the Arctic Char and I had the Mussels. Everything tasted fresh and delicious. The mussels were literally out of this world. I have to say there were the best I've had they tasted great the broth was fantastic the fries had a crisp on them that was spectacular. All in all a great meal. And it's right on the road if you are traversing the two sides of Acadia NP. read more

Iron Bound Inn - The mussels. - New American Near Me - Hancock, Maine

This is a must stop destination in Maine, only 25-30 minute drive to Bar harbor. Give yourself the gift of dining on delicious oysters, creative food while you dine in the garden or cozy dining area with multiple types of seating areas, the bar. Staff is attentive, efficient and personable. Food presentation is done with non pretentious care and is delicious. We loved the oysters, seafood cataplana (ask for more bread to soak up all the beautiful broth) coconut veggie curry, watermelon salad and maple butter cornbread is a must. Be sure to treat yourself to brunch. Start with the muffin basket and go from there on the menu. There are no wrong choices! read more

One of the nicest restaurants we visited on our nine day trip of Maine. The chowder was on point. The entrées were on point. I love the compass theme. Such a cool calm atmosphere well worth the money spent. You have to make sure you check them out and be mindful. They're only open Thursday, Friday and Saturday. read more

This was a good dinner- we had reservations and were seated by the owner. We shared calamari which has the spicy peppers in it and the aioli which was deliciously cooked perfectly. The steak was cooked perfectly and we both enjoyed the meals! Will be back next year! read more

I will echo the sentiments of Ross T. about the great service from Penelope who was our server on a recent visit to Iron Bound. Our party of four enjoyed selections from across the menu as well as two delectable deserts to complete our dining experience. Everyone was very satisfied with thier choices and the quantity (not too much) and the quality of the offerings. Some of our party are locals but this was my first visit, hope to be back when returning to Hancock and have the timing to work for some of the local oysters read more

This was our first visit to Ironbound despite living in the area. We were welcomed warmly by staff and found the indoor dining area to be cozy, comfortable, and relaxing. The fresh oysters were superb, and Meg, the bartender, was spot on with our cocktails. Thanks to our server, we narrowed down our choices and went with the pistachio-encrusted sea bass special. It was perfectly prepared and exceeded our expectations. Honestly, it rivaled the seafood entree I had at Street & Co in Portland, ME the month before. We finished off our delicious meal with the San Sebastian cheesecake. We are looking forward to our next visit. read more

We had the best dinner following some strenuous hikes at Acadia. Going from the Beehive Trail to dinner served by Penelope Moon was the best experience. The oysters were the freshest that we've ever had. We had such a fun time with our server, Penelope Moon. We can't wait to come back for her knowledge and antics. read more

Iron Bound Inn - New American Near Me - Hancock, Maine

We're locals. We've been here before & the meals were ok. The service was ok. Last night though... the tomatoes on our burgers& fish sandwich were the end cuts (don't those get tossed?), the peppers on the burger were all end cuts too (pieces that should not be served) & the salad had wilting lettuce. No substitutions for fries (although they have veggies on the menu as sides for other dishes). We live here & hit many of our local establishments quite often throughout the year. We don't complain about the prices - we know we live in Vacationland - but we do expect meals that are fresh & not from the discard pile. read more

Iron Bound Inn is located in Hancock and offers both indoor and outdoor seating. The menu is easy to read and provides your typical Maine food options. I've eaten here twice and recommend trying if you're in the area. Otherwise, I wouldn't recommend going out of your way to come here if it's not already part of your route to or from your destination. A plus is that they have EV charging in case you drive an electric car. read more

This was by far our favorite dining experience on our trip to Maine! Not only was the food amazing (the oysters are out of this world- so unique), but Leslie and all of the staff were so friendly and welcoming. We may have been visiting from New York, but they made us feel right at home. We ended the night by getting recommendations from our server for places to watch the sunrise. Can't wait to come back here on our next visit!!! read more

I'm telling you the service was amazing, and the mood cosy lighting was perfect. And the veggie smash burger one of the best, or even the best veggie burger i've ever had! read more

Delicious food. The oysters were amazing and don't pass on the cornbread!! Service was also perfect! read more

Iron Bound is a gem. Whether you are flying solo and seated at the bar or filling the largest table with the entire extended family in tow - the experience promises to be delicious. The house cocktail never disappoints and the menu is so thoughtful that you always want to get the wonderful thing you had last time AND try everything else. It's also hard to decide between the indoor and outdoor cozy spaces. I appreciate that there are ample choices for everyone in my fam despite needing to navigate multiple food allergies and diet preferences without sacrificing taste and creativity. The best part - the owners are committed to supporting the regional food system, so many ingredients are locally sourced. If Hancock wasn't on your Down East itinerary, treat yourself to a spontaneous detour. read more

The food was fantastic! I ordered one of the specials (artic char with maple glaze and Vietnamese noodles/veggies). It was very delicious. The sauce was incredible and the fish had a great crust and flavour. The noodles, which normally I am not a fan of Vietnamese noodles, were really well done. The service was quite good too. Overall just really great place for dinner! I'll likely be back for breakfast and lunch at some point! read more

The food is very good and it's a quaint place. The bartender was very kind and stayed on top of a very busy demand

The best food we had in Maine! This place was such a gem, next time we come to Maine we will definitely be returning! The food was out of this world, you could taste that almost everything was homemade, which we confirmed with our waitress! The restaurant itself is beautiful, we sat in the back outside and it was amazing. 10/10, I recommend to everyone. read more

I give this restaurant five stars. The food and service are AMAZING and wonderful. They list a variety of gluten free options, which was great for me. We tried the GF Calamari...it was perfectly cooked, tender and delicious . They had a seasonal salad that was interesting and filling with chicken, black beans, corn and finely grated cheese added ( to beautiful, newly picked lettuces) .....It would have been enough for the main course if my husband and I hadn't shared it. Then finally, our "favorite" for the main dish...the GF mussels and frites. Again... perfectly cooked, delicious broth and seasonings.We weren't quite sure if the crispy toast ( two small thin slices sticking up in the mussel dish) were actually gluten free. Except for this small curiosity, the meal was spectacular. We would definitely visit again ...next time we journey Down East. read more

The food was delicious. The maple cornbread was great. My boyfriend loved the oysters. We both got fish tacos & I wish I could eat these everyday they were so good. The drinks were good. Service was great too! The inn & restaurant were lovely - very cozy! I thought prices were fair for great food from a small business, I wish I lived close by so I could come here more often. Looking forward to it again! read more

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Amazing food and staff! Loved being able to sit in the backyard it felts so cute and quaint. Will recommend everyone I know to visit here

We went back to this place 2x in 1 week. The food is amazing. The oysters are the best we ever had. Very clean and fresh tasting. We also had the fried artichoke appetizer and a lovely fresh salad with poached pears. The halibut melted in your mouth. Their seasonings and sauces are spot on. The staff and owner are very friendly and helpful. The inside is cozy and very New England. I would highly recommend this place. read more

Very friendly and welcoming ambience. A bar at the front entrance as well as seating to the right. Outdoor tables available as well. Very flavorful food, cooked to perfection. Service was was professional, kind, and quick- always checking on us. Worth the drive and one of the best dinner locations in Hancock. read more

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We enjoyed dinner for two on a weeknight at this local spot. The ambiance is country cozy but upscale. The service was excellent. We were delighted to find a Sancerre on the short wine list. It was a great pairing for seafood. We tried the scallion and lobster pancake for appetizer and it came out hot, with a tangy soy sauce. The cornbread is à la carte, and on the sweeter end. Our seasonal salad (easily split into two portions) was very fresh and included some tangy cherry tomatoes. For mains we had the lobster ravioli, smothered in a red cream sauce. Very yummy. And also the seared halibut, which was a very generous portion and cooked perfectly. Dessert was the pistachio cake, beautifully presented. All in all this is an out of the way gem that's worth the trip. We understand that the outdoor biergarten is something of a local hangout, but we'll have to come back to try it. read more

We were recommended to try Iron Bound by the B&B we were staying at, as the best restaurant in the area for dinner. When we arrived, they had just opened for dinner service, and were greeted with a hearty hello and seated immediately. I was struck by the genuine friendliness of everyone we talked to on staff here, as well as the welcoming friendliness of many of the patrons as well. Quite the wonderful surprise. Our waitress took a lot of time to really explain all the nuances of the menu items, and was warm and helpful. To start, we ordered the salad special, a local tomato and panzanella salad which was absolutely packed with flavor. Our entrees were the smoked fish pie and the ricotta gnocchi, both of which were super interesting and different than what we were expecting. Hubby said the smoked fish pie was one of the best things he ate all trip! I had a great glass of wine with my meal, and we opted for dessert elsewhere. Service is excellent, dining options are varied, and parking is plentiful and free in their private lot. Prices were equitable for the portions and quality, but the real stunner was the presentation which was lovely. I would definitely return here if we came back to this area, no doubt. read more

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We stopped in without reservations, it's not as causal as some ME places, but after waiting a few they sorted us out and sat us even though it was late. The food was fantastic as were the cocktails. Good menu. Good wine list. Not as heavy on seafood as you might want but a very good menu. Some gluten free options. Not inexpensive. read more

This is a fantastic place to eat relax and enjoy beautiful Maine. Cute place with great selection and service. We called and made reservations so might be a good thing to do. I just left a message and let them know. If there was a problem they would call you back. Different but she did call and ask if we could come 15 minutes later. No biggie. My haddock was fantastic. Drinks made great. Enjoy. read more

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Excellent food and service Nice atmosphere but a bit on the noisy side On the more expensive side would recommend Parking can be problematic if busy read more

Horrible. Over 1 hour waited for table. Walk in -forced to wait outside even though there were a bunch of open tables. Unless you have a reservation or know someone you don't appear to be treated well . It's like we were a hassle? . Finally Ordered after sitting for another 15 minutes waiting for waitress. then we were told several things were sold out 15 minutes after we ordered . . Yea right. Some things are Not really gluten free although menu says so. 3 hours of my life I won't get back. We were Very patient because we were starving at that point . Food was just ok diner quality at best. No apologies or care from the establishment. Waitress was pleasant but that didn't help situation. Will never go back. Worst experience in many restaurants in the area over a week. . read more

The Iron Bound Inn is an amazing place to dine. The menu had many excellent choices and the specials were great. The food was amazing and affordable. But more importantly to me, the employees were also superb. Very knowledgeable about their menu, extremely kind, and the owner was super friendly. The Iron Bound Inn is now going to be one of our go to places every Summer!!!! read more

Went here our last night in Maine. We would have spent the week eating here if we knew about it sooner. Everything was delicious and beautiful. The staff was super kind and even had a wonderfully inspiring chat with our waitress. 10 out of 10. Gorgeous inside, loved the esthetic, everything was plated beautifully and the atmosphere was welcoming. Loved! read more

Iron Bound Inn - Caesar salad with Salmon. - New American Near Me - Hancock, Maine

Been coming to the area every summer for over 30 years and this was my first time stopping by Iron Bound since friends were in town. The staff seemed annoyed that our group of 5 showed up without a reservation and made it pretty known that we were an inconvenience - with crass side comments about how we were the walk-ins. Having worked with some of the top restaurants and chefs in the country for many years, I understand how a walk-in can be a lot but it's no reason for rudeness. After seating us, they went through the specials and when we ordered almost everything my party wanted from the menu suddenly wasn't available- so it was back to the drawing board and we wish the unavailable dishes were shared in advance. Tofu Reuben - nothing to write home about. The tofu size was small compared to the bread and the kimchi tasted off. Served with a side of potato chips it wasn't worth the price. Roasted Chicken sandwich - ordered thinking it would be a good hunk of chicken for the price. It came out a thin layer of chicken salad between bread served with potato chips. Flavor was bland and it reminded us of school lunches. Lobster Mac & Cheese - this was the dish we were most excited about but it had zero flavor and was wet/runny. It reminded us of a frozen Mac and cheese but with lobster tossed on top. For the $34ish price tag it was the biggest disappointment. Halibut - the only dish we had that actually was good! Overpriced but good. Seltzers/club sodas were 4-6oz pours and $4 each. Ridiculous. The staff seemed cold, rude, and like we were an annoyance in their evening even though we were nothing but kind and thankful. We didn't feel welcomed upon arrival or during our entire dining experience. The staff avoided our table and we had to flag servers to even make an order -- nevermind the rude stares from them as they passed, making it even more uncomfortable. The restaurant is perfect if you're over 65 and think even salt and pepper is too much seasoning -- and if you want to spend way too much money on very lackluster food. In the end my party and I left a hefty tip and were able to have a good laugh about how terrible the entire experience was, but I wouldn't recommend it and have no intention of returning next time I'm in the area. read more

If i could give this place a zero i would The entire staff my group had contact with was extremely rude to us the entire time. We came in as a group of 5 without a reservation and we were happy to wait. The hostess kept referring to us "walk ins" in a derogatory tone. We all come from the NYC area, and never have been treated this way at any top restaurants in the tristate area. The waitress was rude, didn't disclose that items were sold out until after we had ordered (at least 30 min after we were seat). Everyone's food was terrible except the Halibut. The lobster Mac and cheese tasted like Stouffers but worse, watery and flavorless. The mock tails were $12. The chicken sandwich was chicken SALAD. This place was so over priced, we should have gone to Taco Bell. read more

This is my favorite place to go when I am in the Hancock Maine area. Food is always consistent and the oysters are the best I've ever ever had. read more

Our family is very happy with foods & service tonight. Highly recomment to make reservation before you visit. Everything we eat is very delicious. Inside the restaurant is very clean & welcoming. We would come back next time we visit Maine. read more

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We stayed at the Iron Bound Inn with our dog in room 1. Very cozy quaint ambiance. It feels almost like home. We were there on a Thursday (which I highly recommend if you can) they had fantastic live music out back from 6-8. I can't say enough about Leslie the owner and her responsiveness and wonderful hospitality. We were getting into town before her arrival to the In. so she reached out to me and gave me the details we needed to let ourselves in. They have a beautiful beer garden and outdoor seating which is dog friendly. We were able to have our pooch with us at dinner. For appetizers we had the locally harvested (that day) oysters which were the best I have ever had and the charcuterie board. The smoked eel on it was amazing! For dinner we had the chefs cut (NY strip) EXCELLENT! Cooked to perfection at medium rare. We did deferred the mushroom glaze. We also had the halibut. WOW another delicious dish! We had to leave early the next day and we were so pleasantly surprised. Hot coffee and homemade blueberry muffins were waiting for us at the bottom of the stairs! We were able to grab and go. I can't say enough about this place. If your looking for a great meal, a nice and clean, comfortable, moderately priced room this is your place! read more

Loved this restaurant. The wait staff was brisk and friendly. Service was timely. Food was great!

First, I want to say that the ambiance was cozy, the food was good, BUT the prices were way out of line. One of the specials the night we were there in August 2023 was ravioli. I got 3 big ravioli for $38.00!!!! My husband's two fish tacos were $23, our nephew's halibut was $42. These came in a little bigger than cereal sized bowls. No sides included. When we came home from vacation, and I had to enter this receipt on Quicken, I became so angry with myself for not raising a fuss when the ravioli dish was placed in front of me. Live and learn, but the old adage applies... if you have to ask the price and the serving amount... you can't afford it. Inflation is here to stay, but some things are just not worth what they are asking. Ironbound Restaurant is in that category. Bill for 3 adults, 5 beers, 1 dessert shared...$252.72 including 20% tip. Prepared at home, this meal would have been under $50. Jacquie K read more

Fantastic restaurant! The ambiance, service and food was incredible! You must give the Iron Bound Inn a chance. Be sure to make your reservation. This place is special! read more