Stopped in last night for our First Meal on our 2026 Maine vacation. Union River Lobster Pot has…read moreset the bar high, everything was excellent. My wife had a cup of the Lobster stew and I went with a cup of the Clam chowder -- both were outstanding, but we felt the chowder was the better. Still, the Lobster stew was loaded with claw meat. For our meals, my wife had the Lobster roll, I had Blue Hill Bay Herb Butter Mussels, and my Mother In Law went with Three Beef Burger (she doesn't eat seafood). All our meals were superb, they really hit the spot after a 6 hour drive up from Connecticut. My mussels seemed to have a smoky flavor to them, and the white wine sauce complemented the dish well. My wife's Lobster roll was meaty, she enjoyed it. To finish it all off, we shared a slice of homemade raspberry pie a la mode -- that was certainly one of the best pieces of pie we've all ever had. The crust was buttery with a hint of sweetness, it was just simply delicious. Service was also stellar, Dennis was very personable & attentive. We definitely would come back to the Union River Lobster Pot in Ellsworth, we are even thinking about doing so on our current vacation, it was that good. An Easy 5 Star review, well deserved.

Lobsters and chowder were very good. Casual ambience. The back yard area is quaint and the ducks…read moreare cute. My blueberry sangria was also awesome. And everyone raved over the blueberry pie. So good we went back a second time during our week stay. Service was so friendly.

Loved the interior as soon as we walked in. A nod to the feel of an old speakeasy, rich wood tones…read moreand a faux brick ceiling, it was fun and right out of a movie. I loved how all of the bartenders and servers seemed to pitch in and help out. There was never the feeling like anyone was focused on just their job. They were all focused on making sure the patrons had what they needed. I was here on a Tuesday evening with my husband and 2 kids, 6 and 10. They don't print a kids menu but readily offer options of burgers, grilled cheese, mac and cheese, pasta with marinara, and pasta with butter and parmesan. My kids had mac and cheese and buttered pasta, which with homemade rigatoni noodles, we packed the leftovers. For cocktails, we had The Balcony is Closed, a delightful gin and lemon cocktail but the honey beer syrup balances it and the chili oil gives it a kick of a finish. I have gin cocktails wherever I go, and I've traveled and eaten far and wide. This is one of my top 3 most memorable gin drinks. We also tried The Assault Continues, smoky and earthy; not my favorite but for my smoky scotch loving husband, it hit the spot. Of course, we had to try the tuna nachos. I feel like so many restaurants try to do tuna nachos and it's been there, done that. But you haven't had THESE tuna nachos. They're spectacular. The ingredients on the menu speak for themselves but they finally got the ratio and presentation just right. It's a work of art. The caprese was also delicious, the stracciatella and pistachios playing nicely off each other. Dinners were rigatoni with short rib, and the halibut. The rigatoni was delicious. The halibut was out of this world. Perfect sear, perfectly cooked halibut in a corn cream sauce or nage, the summer succotash, fresh corn, crisp bacon, salty caviar. I really proverbially licked the plate with my fork. It was special and incredibly well executed. Not to mention the blueberry pie bar and carrot cake were also delicious. Both disappeared in a matter of seconds. We didn't have to fight for or pay through the nose for parking in downtown Bar Harbor for this wonderful dinner. Get the free parking in several lots in town. The city hall parking lot is directly behind the restaurant building. If you like to eat on a budget, this spot may not be for you, but if you enjoy great food and cocktails, I really think the prices are comparable to what you'd pay in other more populated areas. The food is a diamond in the rough.

The appetizers were excellent!…read more We ordered mussels which were tasty and generous, could have been is own meal. If it was served with crusty bread instead of a thick slice of toasted bread, it would have been perfect. The nachos were unique and delicious with generous toppings and ahi tuna... also could have been a meal by itself... chef's kiss to those two items! Our entrees were a dish called Gnudi- which if you don't know what they are(we didn't and when we looked it up, it said it is similar to gnocchi- IT ISN'T!!!) ask before you order, if you've never had it, it's very unique and we didn't care for it at all... there was no recourse given by the restaurant... make sure you know what it is!! Our other entree was rigatoni that was topped with ricotta and short rib sauce, shredded cheese... it was tasty, but very pricey for a bowl of pasta... To make a reservation, you need to give a credit card and if you don't show up, your card is charged $25 per person. The service was friendly until we didn't like the Gnudi... then it was a little weird... It was fine, but not exceptional... Cold bottles of water are given to the table and refreshed as necessary. The restroom is not kept up, could use shine attention, a little elbow grease to clean it. They are on Facebook and offer specials on their burgers.

Ellsworth's best known little brew pub is also a friendly little place to get the best beer in…read moretown. The food is above average (I recommend the baked potatoes!). Flights of beer in a small cozy setting. Oatmeal stout among the best I've had. Famous for their Red Ale. You really can't find better beer In Ellsworth!

They have traditional Cornish pasties, which my husband says are the best thing he's ever eaten. He…read morealso loves the Steak and Ale Pie. I like the Blackened Haddock Tacos and the pretzel sticks. Pro Tip: get BOTH the "beer cheese" and the "beer mustard" and get extra of both. You might have extra, but you can use the extra on sandwiches tomorrow. The extra mustard is also great with cheese and crackers as a snack. The blueberry cobbler is fantastic! The peanut butter pretzel pie did not impress my husband; he said the pretzels themselves tasted cheap, like grocery store pretzels. I have been trying to get them to add a vegetarian pasty to the menu. They have almost nothing vegetarian in there, and a Greggs style cheese and onion pasty would also be extremely traditional and surely wildly popular. PLEASE ADD A VEGETARIAN PASTY!! And/or a fish pasty, which would also be very traditional. Oooh, what about a Stargazy Pasty with leeks and cream? Now, THAT would be traditional and would certainly get some media attention. I will raise my rating to 5 stars as soon as this place adds a good vegetarian or fish Signature Entree (preferably a pasty!!). That is literally the only reason they're not getting 5 stars, that it's way too oriented towards meat eaters. (They do have a grilled cheese toasty and a vegan garden burger, so I would still go there if you are vegetarian or vegan, but keep your expectations low when it comes to selection.)

This is a wonderful option for breakfast - we loved that they opened early enough for us to stop in…read moreon the way to Acadia in the morning, they have a delicious veggie sunrise breakfast sandwich, and they make basic coffee offerings well (especially macchiatos and flat whites). The staff is laid back and it's a no frills spot, but lots of seating and they also have some local art for sale!

I went to Flexit Cafe about three years ago and was pretty weirded out at how unfriendly the staff…read morewas. So much so that I didn't go back in until today. They're in a new location. It's been a while. I figured there would be new, and hopefully friendlier, staff. I was half right. There was new staff, but unfortunately, they were as unwelcoming as the last batch. This place has no prices on any of the premade sandwiches or pastries in their cases (why??), so we asked "Hey there, how much are your pies and cookies?". The employee was in the lobby sweeping and said "I'm not sure. Somewhere between $3- $5. Maybe more". She doesn't look up. Doesn't offer more clarity. She just shrugged this non-answer to us and carried on. It was awkward. So my husband, trying to make light of it, says "Sounds like it's up for debate so how about I give you $2.50" and this girl gives us a dour look and snaps "Well, I'm not behind the cash register so I can't look at the prices, can I?". So, we have now learned our lesson with this place twice. Not sure what it is about the culture there that results in such bad service years apart and by different people. We won't be returning.

This is not too much to look at in the outside, dont be afraid. Sylvia is in a strip mall. As…read moresoon as you walk past a window you KNOW its going to be good. We were seated quickly and our waitress came just as quickly for our drinks. We noticed this is certainly a local place, and we all know locals know where to eat! We both had Sylvias Special Turkey BLT turkey. They were delicious. Really roasted turkey and the cranberry mayo, CHEFS KISS! Great tasting French fries. Service was spot on.

They have good Cheese burgers There . Service was great the…read morefirst time I was there . And just ok today. Seem like it's mostly locals in there which is always what make you want to try those places.

Was in the mood for just some basic food after being on the road 2 weeks and eating lots of rich…read morefoods. The roasted turkey, dressing and mashed potatoes fit the bill. Although I did send the green beans back- very tough, no flavor. Got a salad, which was ok but didn't go with my food. Super nice and helpful staff, clean restaurant and bathroom. Have a nice looking dessert selection but wasn't in the mood to try any. Decent place to eat.

Our waiter was fantastic and so great to talk to. The mozzarella sticks were a highlight of our…read moreweek trip in Maine! The peanut butter pie was to die for but it's enough for two or three to share. The haddock sandwich and stew were very delicious!! The cute little train that circles the room was such a fun atmosphere addition. We almost went back for another meal on our Ellsworth trip but tried something new.

the best cheesecake i have had…read more It was recommended to me by an old friend that lives in Maine. She definitely was spot on! The place is self serve, but it very well organized with walk in freezers and instructions to pay by check, cash or venmo. The cheesecake is a a classic new york style with the graham cracker crust that is perfect. The toppings are superb: i tried blueberry and cherry, as those two flavors are the standard for cheesecake flavors. There is a guest book where you can sign your name, and also a post it wall to ahow comments. Very unique. The workers come out and are very friendly. The maple walnut fudge was the best fudge i have ever had. It's easy to see why so many from out of town come here from out of state. A real culinary treat.

We stopped here on our way home to CT yesterday! I had seen Momo's bakery on TV I believe on CBS…read moreearlier in the year and I was like, I have to visit this spot when I visit Maine! I was actually reminded by a nice girl who worked at the Primrose Inn in Bar Harbor, her name is Elle, that we must add to our Maine bucket list to stop by this cheesecake spot that her and her friends drive all the way to when they get out of work at night! I was so glad she reminded me. We did not have a cooler, and with a 7 hour drive I knew I could only pick one slice. It was a very, very tough decision to make. I had to go with the tradition slice! I am so glad I did. I have had so many meh cheesecakes that I guess I just never had a good one! So creamy and thick and just OMG. I wish I got 3 more slices. This was the most amazing cheesecake I have ever had. I will be dreaming of this until I can visit Maine again next summer. Momo, you do an amazing job. Keep doing what you're doing. Your product is absolutely out of this world!

Dinner for 6, seated at a corner table in the back of the restaurant with a nice view of a…read moremanicured lawn. Service was attentive and prompt (including a check-in from Josie herself!) Three salads (burrata and ahi) were delicious and so pleasing to the eye in their presentation. Some pretty serious knife skills for the salad chef! Steak, fish and chips and a wrap served the rest of this, and it all was good as plates were clean when done! Truffle fries for an appetizer and many raved about the dipping sauce too! The checkout out front easily accommodated 4 separate checks too! Highly recommend ~ an extensive menu, great staff and good ambiance!

Breakfast burrito was a surprise when brought to the table as it was more of a hay roll in size…read more However, it was very, very tasty. The crispy outside gives an initial flavor of an eggroll but then it lets the breakfast mix inside take over. Every ingredient in the inside complements each other. Breakfast platter was also good with tasty sausages but not comparable to the burrito. Seating is on a porch area behind and around the country store, so you just go through the front and wait to be seated by the cooking area where they have the menus on a table. It can be a bit confusing. Oh, and diner style, when you are done you pay at the front register. Very nice find!

This place has the best food and kindest and most engaging service of anyone in the area. Please…read morejust respect their rules around outside beverages. As a fellow restaurant / bar owner - we CAN NOT allow outside drink containers to be brought in - ITS THE LAW

Great place! Great people! Great food! This is one of my always go to's. You will not be sorry when…read moreyou go here!!

A delicious hometown treat! The hard serve was rich and creamy with the perfect amount of flavor…read more Perfect for a hot summer stroll through downtown Ellsworth. Be sure to get the homemade waffle cone! Can't wait to go back and try a milkshake.

We are campers who travel across the country - Morton's Moo has the best ice cream we've tasted…read more They make their own and the many flavors are delicious. If you're near Ellsworth, Maine, Morton's Moo is well worth the visit!