What happened to this place? We've been going for years and always loved how they put such importance on supporting local farms and fishermen. The meat is no longer locally sourced and the prices have gotten so high! We always felt like this was a place for the community and visitors alike. Now it just seems like it's pandering to tourists. While our service was wonderful the energy in the place has changed. It's becoming another basic restaurant with flashy dishes that are just ok. They have an amazing wood fired grill but the food had barely any hint of what that provides to the flavor. Plus our oysters were dry, like they'd been shucked hours before. Unacceptable being a stones throw from the source. I don't know if it's new ownership not knowing how special it was but it's no longer the River House we came to love. read more

Outstanding service on a busy night!! Cheeseburger seriously one of the most ambitious ones in the state -- sichuan peppercorn aioli, chile crisp, a juicy marinade, and charred greens with fondant potatoes, a perfect pairing. Hearing about one with a sichuan pesto made me want to reverse engineer it. Flawless peach cobbler cheesecake special with a perfect perfect cinnamon bite, and a really special cocktail program. Killer date night spot and amazing tunes and murals. read more

River House Restaurant - American Near Me - Damariscotta, Maine

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We were looking for a perfect spot to celebrate our 25th anniversary with our children on a rainy day. River House was perfect! We were seated quickly at a table with fabulous views, and were made to feel very welcome. The food was amazing, and the chef even sent us tasting of a polenta dish with whipped goat cheese. Delicious! Our starters of oysters were fresh and local, mushroom ragout was full of flavor, and our mains were perfectly cooked and beautifully plated. Desserts (tiramisu, blueberry sorbet) were the perfect ending. We never told the staff it was our anniversary but we were treated like they knew. Highly recommend and we will definitely be back! read more

We had a great dinner here last night. The service was stupendous, the food presentation lovely, and most importantly the food was absolutely delicious. Highly recommend! read more

I did not know they are under new ownership since last fall, had dinner last night and it was decadent. Nice and warm and cozy with the open kitchen. read more

The River House is uniformly very satisfying. I find their menu to be blasé at times, but none of it is ill suited for their apparent mission, and all of it is pretty good. The venue itself is very pleasant , small with many intimate spaces, and several tables that offer a glimpse of the busy kitchen , which I always enjoy. Service is also very good. Their pricing, like all good restaurants in Maine is almost eye popping high. But then when you operate with a business model based on 5-6 months of operation , I suppose that is impossible to avoid. A dinner for myself and three guests with a nominal bottle of wine and a few drinks was $450. I never felt like I hadn't gotten my moneys worth , but the sticker shock of Maine dining continues to sting. Make a reservation and take someone you really love here for a meal. They will appreciate your efforts, and so will you. read more

Simply the best Great service, great food, great drinks. Friendly, accommodating, wonderful. read more

River House Restaurant - Smash burger with a beet salad - American Near Me - Damariscotta, Maine

This restaurant is a gem that needs to be tried. Prices are reasonable for the quality and quantity of food you get. We started with the biib salad which had a blue cheese, garlic dressing. Delicious We also had roasted tomatoes with a biscuit and carmilised onions. Both dishes will leave you speechless they were so good. The tomatoes and biscuit were served in a small cast iron pan and to us it reminded us of Thanksgiving. So good. For our mains. I had the goat shwarma with a side of veggies. The meat was flavorful and tender. Do not be fearful that its goat. It was not gamey at all. The side veggies of quash and beets were excellent. My wife had the muscles which came in a garlic and herb broth which was exceptional. The finaley was a lime, whip cream, and a short bread crumble. It was basically a deconstructed key lime pie.. You have to try this place and tell your friends. Worth a drive. read more

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I heard a lot of good things about this place, and was very excited to go in and have a try at their restaurant in the "Napa valley of oysters" in Maine! And believe it or not... this place was GREAT!! WHAT I HAD: corn on the cob, burger, their in house special mackerel dish, and the chicken!!! Of course we had the dessert as well... OVERALL: I loved everything about this place and it definitely was a good relax... chill... and enjoy the vibes type of restaurant. The servers were very polite and attended to us frequently! There was one server who helped us set up the fire outside because we were cold, and that just made the meal a more pleasant experience. My favorite dish was the corn!!! Honestly everything was so good but the corn stood out to me because they managed to elevate a simple ingredient like corn to a dish worth its value. I loved the creamy-Ness of the outside layer, and the corn was not a sweet corn but a chewy and less sweet corn (not sure what the same is called), but it all worked out!! Super delicious!! Don't worry if you are sitting outside, there's also room for adjustment with this restaurant!! Definitely check it out if you are at Damariscotta! read more

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Had an amazing dinner here tonight, The Artemis cocktail is amazing. Everyone loved what they ordered. Best restaurant in town and best meal and experience we have had in awhile. Highly recommend. read more

What a fantastic spot! This cute farm to table restaurant is located right on the water with both indoor and outdoor seating. Fresh, creative cocktails as well as extremely well executed food. I very much enjoyed the scallops, oysters and mussels paired with their twist on a gimlet. Everything was beautifully presented and the service was excellent! We finished our meal with chocolate mousse and a rhubarb crumble. Perfection! I highly recommend this place! One of the best meals I have ever had! read more

Watch your receipt! Our server decided to add to the tip that I signed for. If she is doing it to us, how many other tables is she doing it to? read more

A picturesque dining experience right on the Damariscotta River. The burger was excellent, as were the mussels and salad. An intensely local and romantic restaurant with friendly service and great views. read more

So lovely!! A small limited menu, but thank goodness because it means that each dish is very thoughtful, seasonal and intentional. Nearly all indoor tables have a river view. Setting is very cozy and welcoming and the front street patio looks very fun for summer. It's a special place for a date or with friends. Really look forward to returning! read more

River House Restaurant - River view from our table. - American Near Me - Damariscotta, Maine

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Walk through the door and you will be greeted by a welcoming staff. Say hello to the chefs and take a table by the river, an estuary really, and it is an ever changing show.They put the "K" in Kraft cocktails, which are fresh, creative, thirst quenching. We only had time for an appetizer: dark rum beverages, bread and butter and local oysters, delicious. We will be back for dinner. And River House, your attention to creating a great experience was appreciated by us and well done, superlative actually. Keep up the good work. Hope to be back soon. read more

Amazing dining experience and exceptional food! We'll be back during our next visit to this lovely town!

Owner John, was incredibly hospitable and knowledgeable about his food and artisan cocktails. We enjoyed our oysters and beverages immensely! Coming from San Francisco, River House impressed us and we felt welcomed and comfortable! read more

River House Restaurant - View from table. - American Near Me - Damariscotta, Maine

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Went last night to celebrate our anniversary. An hour drive in the rain soured my mood but the payoff was spectacular. Food was ridiculously good, service amazing. The swordfish was the best I have ever tasted and I am old! Not one thing was overlooked, everything was perfect. Appetizer of mussels was truly fabulous and different from the usual. I say go as soon as possible!!!! read more

Don't waste your money! In a nutshell - the place considers itself to be "high end" but the only thing that is high end here is the pricing. Portions are very small, and the food looked and tasted like a third grader had played in the kitchen. Upon entering, we were not even greeted, but immediately shamed by the host (?) because we did not have a reservation and that we had entered the restaurant 10 minutes prior to their opening for the evening (hint: keep your doors locked until you want patrons to enter). Wife had the chicken (there are only 4 items on the dinner main course menu). I had the arctic char, which was undercooked (mushy on the inside), disgusting. Even a dog would probably have turned its snoot sideways. There were some vegetables as part of the presentation, but it was all a greasy mess with way too much salt and seasoning on it. They char their vegetables at this establishment, which is very archaic considering what we know today about esophageal cancer and charred food. Anyway, the bill came to $92 - complete waste of money. We won't be back! read more

Stunning dinner for two! We had a roasted game hen, monk fish, mussels and cauliflower sun choke bisque for dinner. Amazing flavors! The chef uses a wood fired grill to cook many things and the added wood smoke flavor is spectacular. We also tried their chocolate crema dessert with a salted whisky caramel sauce, delish! The menu changes often keeping it exciting and different. We're very excited to have found this place, we're looking forward to many more meals here. read more

Very nice location and the food was amazing and beautifully presented. Both my mom and I really enjoyed the dishes we ordered. I would highly recommend this restaurant for a nice dinner if you're in Damariscotta. read more

Delicious, extremely well considered dining in a beautiful but casual, easy-going environment. The chef has created a tight menu consisting of elevated basics - flatbreads, burgers, chicken, even a bratwurst "hot dog" (amazing!) - that would compete with any meal in any restaurant. The fact that this little gem sits right on the Damariscotta River, and features local ingredients - including oysters prepared with balsam fir olive oil (surprisingly smokey and delicious), adds mightily to the appeal. The side vegetables are remarkable combinations - make sure you try both the potatoes carrots and peas, and the zucchini, beets and cauliflower... they sound like simple combinations, but they make you think about how important it is to simply have great ingredients cooked perfectly. The staff are friendly, warm, and welcoming. The chef is humble and relaxed while putting out incredible meals all cooked over a wood burning oven. If you like to eat well, and are in the area, THIS is the one place you need to visit. read more

River House Restaurant - SPRINGDALE VEAL BRATWURST - house mustard, onions & mushrooms, with the side of cauliflower, zucchini and beets. - American Near Me - Damariscotta, Maine

Remarkable, wonderful restaurant on the water in Damariscotta. I showed up on a busy Thursday night in August and the hostess found a nice spot for me at the bar. The bartender Brett was fun, attentive, and conversational, and the food was superb -- broiled dayboat fish, fruit crumble and ice cream dessert, interesting cocktails. I'll go back. read more

We loved this restaurant a few years ago. Alas. They are trying to do tapas, but most of the dishes aren't tapas -- e.g. soup or a hamburger. Food was very slow and came out one at a time, so the soup was 45 minutes before the chicken. None of the food was warm. Service was so-so, I hope they pull their act together because the setting is lovely and the food once was so good. read more

One of the best farm to table spots in Maine. The food,cocktails & desert are unique and amazing. Very unassuming and small kitchen that will wow your tastebuds. read more

What a wonderful place to dine! The views of the river are amazing and outdoor seating options are a wonderful way to get a curbside view of daily life in Damarascotta. Ambience aside, the food was incredible and served expertly by the kitchen and wait staff. The menu is focused with a handful of 1st plates and an equal number of entrees, along with a daily special for each. This is largely due to their sourcing locally which keeps the menu seasonal and fresh. I highly recommend River House if you're visiting Damarascotta or simply passing through - it's worth the stop. read more

Had dinner there while vacation in the Damariscotta area at the end of July - wish we were staying in the area longer, as I'd go back to the River House again and again! The food was excellent, and the service was terrific - timed just right so we didn't have to wait long between courses, but never felt rushed. Wait staff was friendly, took time to talk with us, and very attentive to our needs. Highly recommend it. read more

Very good food but a bit overpriced. Very limited menu. Inattentive waitstaff never checked back and could not order 2nd glass of wine. Took forever to find someone to ask for check. read more

Every. Thing. Lovely, very special, elegant yet relaxed and easy. Service perfect. Best piece of salmon i have ever eaten. Even the tables were gorgeous. read more

Everything was absolutely fantastic and really artfully done. Will definitely come here again!

This gem is one of our favorites! The food is beyond fabulous--always inventive, delicious and all based on local fresh foods. The service is wonderful, the atmosphere is lovely (we especially love dining outdoors under their awning). Jon is a master in the kitchen and the entire staff is friendly, courteous and professional. We missed dining here in person during the lockdown but they did curbside takeout and the wood grilled flavor of many of their dishes can't be described--just out of this world delicious. Happy to be back to dining here in person. You MUST try this spot, it will become a Go To, trust me. read more

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Such an amazing little restaurant! I could not recommend them enough. It's great to see a higher-end spot open up in Damariscotta. The farm-to-table aspect is great. Each dish is clearly prepared with a high attention to detail. Outstanding. read more

We absolutely Love going to the River House when we are lucky enough to be in Damariscotta. Jonathan, the chef, is incredibly talented and puts his heart and soul into the delightful bites he creates - simple, elegant, delicious, and beautiful. He knows the time and effort it takes to grow the ingredients and honors them with the preparation. And the bread too. Delicious! We can't wait to return! Sending our best vibes to this wonderful restaurant! read more

Best meal i had in town. Food was beautifully presented, wait staff was awesome. All 3 courses we had were top notch, All ready planning on snagging the outside table when we visit next year. read more

Had a WONDERFUL experience at River House tonight. The venue is lovely, with terrific views of the river and the boats there. It is small, with an open kitchen and prominent bar. Our server, Eloise, was attentive and lovely. She had great recommendations, though you can't go wrong with any of the dishes we had. The staters were wonderful. I especially enjoyed the farmer's salad with a local cheese I hadn't heard of. The Damariscotta oysters, were perfect, of course, with a nice, light cucumber mignette. Our entrees included a whole sea bass and a monkfish skewer. Both were cooked perfectly, very fresh, moist and well flavored. It far exceeded our expectations for such a young restaurant. The sides! Oh my gosh, the sides! Fresh corn, seasoned and coated with ricotta crumbles was my favourite. The purple potatoes, that were somehow crisp and mashed at the same time were also really good. These were served family style. Jeff, at the bar, helped us choose a really great wine to accompany these, and shared fun stories with.us. For dessert, we had a warm blueberry and cream dish with a nice cobbler. I have a couple of take-aways: first, the menu is small, but everything is so fresh and perfectly prepared that it works. Second, the experience overall was on par with some of the best restaurants I've been to in much larger cities. The staff was attentive and very personable. The owner's presence and energy spread across the 30 or so seats so that we all felt special. The chef and bartender have thought of little details like fresh, edible flowers frozen into the large block ice over which a great bourbon rye was served to conclude the meal. And those sides... I know it's weird, but I passed up the blueberries and cream that my wife enjoyed and instead I ordered another helping of that corn! Don't tell anyone I did that, but I have no regrets! read more

Amazing food with an incredible view. They've really invested in improving seating options during the pandemic, and the atmosphere is great. Certainly worthwhile; the owners and everyone who works there are lovely. read more

We were vacationing in the area and happened to stumble upon River House. Walked in and sat right at the bar. Food and drinks were both excellent. HIGHLY recommend! read more

Wonderful food every time we dine at River House. The Manhattan's are classic, oyster appetizers delicious and choice of (limited menu) entrees suit almost any taste. We are fortunate to have such a fine dining experience (albeit casual) in Mid coast Maine. read more

Had a second wonderful meal here tonight. Everything was amazing again! The proteins were cooked to perfection, the sides are amazing, the starters were wonderful. It's a small restaurant so reservations are highly recommended but it means that the kitchen can't get overloaded so the food is consistently fantastic. Well done to the owners. read more

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Truly transcendent experience. One of the best meals we have ever had ever, anywhere. Ingredients unbelievably fresh, all locally sourced. If you are ever within 100 miles of Damariscotta, Maine, have dinner at this restaurant -- it is a really special place. read more