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The Riverside Café

3.7 (175 reviews)
ModerateAmerican
Open • 7:00 am - 2:00 pm

The Riverside Café American Restaurant Photos

THE RIVERSIDE CAFÉ ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Good for groups
Good for kids

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Recommended Reviews - The Riverside Café

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Bacon, eggs and home fries.
Ross S.

We were driving through Ellsworth and looking for breakfast and happened upon this very nice location in Main Street. We were seated quickly and our waitress did a great job. My eggs were just a tad overcooked but everything else was fine. My wife had an omelet and was pleased with it. Coffee was kept full and the restaurant had a nice local feel.

Entrance
Catherine P.

Nice little locals diner on the main street. Good, diverse menu, and the diner is in an older building with lots of character. I ordered a short stack of the blueberry buckwheat pancakes with a side of bacon, and my mother ordered the Cobb salad. Both were more than enough for us. The waitress was friendly and attentive.

Jim W.

Nice sized 'diner' type cafe. All your standard breakfast options. We went with tomato juice to start. Pancakes, bacon, scrambled eggs and French toast with blueberries. Food was good, service was okay.

Beth E.

I loved this old building as it has lots of character. Our server was friendly and efficient. The menu is extensive, but I truly dislike being nickled and dimed for extras. Maple syrup, sour cream, sour dough bread, salsa, etc were all charges of an extra $1 or more. I settled on a western omelet, although they called it something else. I liked that I had the ability to make it a 2 egg instead of 3 egg. The omelet came with potatoes and toast. Food arrived timely and was nice and hot. The toast was buttered perfectly and the potatoes were tasty. The omelet had very little cheese and the onions were raw. Not my favorite omelet.

Tuna melt with Cole slaw
Diane H.

One of my favorite places in Ellsworth for breakfast or lunch! Today it was a solo lunch, seated at the bar. Tuna melt with cheddar cheese and a side of coleslaw. Loved that it was made with toast versus grilled. A healthier version I wasn't expecting but enjoyed. My server was also very solicitous, despite having lots of people to serve.

Liz G.

First I was overlooked to be seated, which shouldn't be difficult since there was just another couple and I. The waitress did give a heartfelt apology. Once I was seated it took no time for her to take my order. I got the vegetable eggs benedict. The hollandaise sauce was split not very appetizing to look at. The egg was cooked perfectly, it would have been a 4 star if the sauce wasn't split. Home fries were ok, I have had better. I should have gotten the pumpkin pancakes that were on the specials board. I'll be back and try this place again.

Omelette with potatoes - wished the toppings were precooked
Ashley M.

Very busy when we went, but the staff was friendly and worked quickly to get us seated. I ordered the crab quiche which came with potatoes and fruit. The quiche did not skimp on the crab at all, could have used a little more flavor and extra cheese on top - but maybe that's just me. The potatoes were well seasoned but a little over cooked. And the fruit was so fresh and such a treat. I also got a side of hollandaise to try. Don't waste your time on that one. It didn't taste like hollandaise at all, very citrusy but not from lemon, maybe orange? And the sauce was broken and watered down. My partner ordered an omelette which was a huge portion and also came with potatoes. The omelette looked beautiful! But he complained because the veggies inside were not precooked, so he was left with undercooked vegetables that water logged the omelette. Why on letters and pizzas don't precook veggies beforehand is a constant question we struggle to find the answer for. Of note, we saw many table around us order pancakes and the portion is gigantic! Not a single table finished the order, so consider sharing if ordering. You will most likely have food to go, we both did even going in super hungry. Again, the staff was very quick and friendly, place was open, inviting and clean.

Entrance
Clau R.

My sister, 2 of our friends, and I checked out Riverside Café last Saturday morning before starting the next leg of our road trip. It was around 10am and pretty busy, with almost all tables being full. We just wanted coffee, so we asked the host if we could get 4 to go and she quickly served us. We waited a few minutes while the coffees were being made, and off we went! They have an espresso machine, so we ordered 2 cappuccino's and 2 latte's. The coffee was good, and the interior of the restaurant looked aesthetic and cute! I can't speak to the quality of the food, but looked like a lot of people were ordering eggs benedict, so perhaps that is one of the fav items on the menu. The only reason I am knocking off a star is because we felt that the service could have been a little better in the end. First, when they handed us our coffee's, 2 of the lids were clearly broken and would have caused the scalding hot coffee to spill all over us, had we not asked to replace them. The lids had split open right underneath the opening where you drink from, meaning that the second we would have tilted the coffee cup to drink, the liquid would have spilled out of the lid and onto us. Second, the coffee was scalding hot (which is not a bad thing and definitely better than the alternative). However, they did not give us coffee cup sleeves, and we tried to find them but couldn't see any. We ended up having to gingerly hold the cups via one finger on the rim of the bottom of the cup and another on the lid. This is certainly not the end of the world by any means, but it did make a lasting impression for better or for worse. Either way, thank you for the coffee and quick service!

Homemade Cinnamon Roll
Chi L.

My boyfriend and I vacationed in Maine and had the opportunity to stumble upon this cute town with this awesome all day breakfast cafe. We stopped by here to grab breakfast before going to Acadia National Park. Such a simple and cute breakfast place. It was rather busy when we arrived but was lucky enough to get a table with no problem. The pricing for the menu items is inexpensive and large portion. I got French toast, which they also offered me real maple syrup for a slight up charge. We also got one of their homemade cinnamon roll, which was warm, soft and sweet tooth craving goodness. Would definitely come here again for breakfast if we are ever back in the area.

Victoria K.

The food was delicious and totally reasonably priced. We have basically been doing a foodie tour of the northeast on this vacation and this is my favorite breakfast yet! My husband got the eggs plate and I got the Lox Eggs Benedict and it was absolutely delicious. I'm just sad I didn't have a refrigerator to bring it back to because it was more than I could eat. The hollandaise sauce was so good and they were very generous with the Lox. Really pleased! Sorry for the cropped picture I couldn't help myself but to dig in before I took the photo. So so good.

Blueberries buttermilk pancakes, $5.50. Real maple syrup, $$1.00.
Thomas S.

After shopping at L.L.Bean, the family decided to eat breakfast for lunch at this popular downtown diner. During the 15 minutes wait for a table, we noticed most of the customers were local. We went with corn beef hash, home fries, fresh fruits, blueberries pancakes, and some type of meat quiches. We also got fresh squeezed orange juice. Everything tasted delicious with the blueberries pancakes being the best of the bunch. Each pancake was stuffed with insane amount of blueberries. For some reason, maple syrup cost $1 extra. Another funny thing was that the orange juice cost more than our large side of corn beef hash. The corn beef hash and home fried potatoes were salty, substantial, and satisfying. The quiches were light and puffy. Table service was diner vibe friendly. We had an enjoyable lunch.

Crab Benedict with Fresh Maine Crab and The Bridge Hill

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No pics, cuz I ate it too fast. But, the sausage gravy biscuits was good and definitely and definitely country.

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3 years ago

Mediocre at best. Not a lot of flavor, my last experience with the staff wasn't the best. Seemed very rushed.

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Ask the Community - The Riverside Café

What time do they stop serving breakfast during the week?

All day!! They close at 2!

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Black Moon Public House - Mezza plate

Black Moon Public House

4.6(13 reviews)
0.0 mi

We had a great time at Black Moon. The night we were there, they had live music. It is a very…read morewelcoming cocktail bar and restaurant. We were standing near the bar, and one of the bartenders invited us to sit and moved chairs around for us. Service was excellent and very friendly. We had the roasted tomato burrata sandwich and flatbread. Each were great. This is such a cool place, there is a vinyl store within the restaurant, but it was closed when we there. There also was an area they sell guitars, all so random, but fit so well together. A very cool, comfy place to enjoy drinks, food and music.

This pub has great ambience. We had come from Acadia National Park and needed some good food and…read morebeverages and the Black Moon Pub did not disappoint. The historic building has a tin roof and a wooden bar that eeks history. Our waitress was so welcoming and made us feel right at home. I enjoyed the roasted tomato burrata baguette sandwich and it was toasted and tasty. Several of my dining partners also had the same sandwich. Another had the Warm Roasted Root Vegetable Salad that she said was wonderful. We finished the meal with generous portions of carrot cake topped with delicious cream cheese frosting. There is a store inside the Black Moon (that happened to be closed on a Saturday night). In the corner they sell vinyl records and CDs and there is also a selection of guitars. There was also a musician playing live music near the front of the pub that really added to the atmosphere. It was a truly great find right on Main Street in Ellsworth.

Photos
Black Moon Public House - Bar area

Bar area

Black Moon Public House - Dogfish Pale Ale Buffalo Trace bourbon  Artisian Flatbread with addition of chorizo.

Dogfish Pale Ale Buffalo Trace bourbon Artisian Flatbread with addition of chorizo.

Black Moon Public House - The other view of the Bahhh!

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The other view of the Bahhh!

Fogtown Brewing Company - Outside Stage / Live Music

Fogtown Brewing Company

4.4(75 reviews)
0.2 mi
•$

Five stars for the pizza! Recommended by a friend, so I decided to check it out. I chose a…read moremargherita pie this time. Fantastic pizza! Now I will recommend it to others. Cool little spot, almost a backyard feel. Employees were kind and helpful.

Wow wow wow! I think this was the overall best brewery we visited while in Maine! The beer and the…read morefood were incredible! Add in the ambiance and you get this gem in Ellsworth. We walked over from the main strip of downtown and loved the vibe as soon as we arrived. Walking down the stairs to get to the brewery versus the glass blowing shop was so cute. With apples on the ground from the apple trees, it couldn't be more "Maine". When walking in, you order at the bar for both food and drink and then there is a booth/trailer out back where the food comes out. The inside is set up for open mic night and then outside they have a full stage where they host live music. There is plenty of seating outside at the picnic tables as well. We ordered a couple beers, the Margherita pizza, the potato chips, and the Carrot Top salad. I cannot tell you howwwwwwwww amazing the salad was!! I have never had a salad like this and I ate every last bite. The roasted carrots were so good, combined with the crispy onions and the dressing; it was heaven. The chips were incredible and the dip that comes with it just elevates it that much more. I believe it was a pickle dip of some sort? I can't remember specifically, just that I needed a vat of it. Then the pizza?! We couldn't finish it but man did we want to! Add all this tasty food to a beautiful backdrop and we were the happiest little foodies in Maine. Hands down best stop in Ellsworth!

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Fogtown Brewing Company - Little huts to sit in

Little huts to sit in

Fogtown Brewing Company
Fogtown Brewing Company - Inside beer sales to go

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Inside beer sales to go

Finn's Irish Pub - Haddock Sando

Finn's Irish Pub

4.2(306 reviews)
0.0 mi
•$$

Ok. I'm not going to lie. When I first looked at the menu I actually headed next door to…read moreMargarita's to eat instead. Boy do I regret that decision! We came back the following night for a REAL treat... First of all, Tony was our server. What an absolute sweetheart!! He had nothing but fantastic recommendations for us. He was definitely not your standard "waiter". He spoke to us like we were regulars, which we appreciated, considering we were from Massachusetts. We ordered three of his suggestions: wings, fish and chips and the spicy margarita. Outside of what was recommended we also got the beer cheese and GIANT soft pretzel, bangers and mash and the creme brûlée. First off- this was my first time trying beer cheese, so I was beyond excited. I hate pretzels, however. Guess what?? They were BOTH SOOO GOOD!! The pretzel was the size of my giant head and was so soft & salty. It really paired well with the creamy beer cheese. I'd come back just for this appetizer every time. The wings too, actually! I was a little hesitant because I read the word "dill" on the menu but they really tasted more like Buffalo wings with a note of dill at the very end. I think I might be in love.... On to the main event! The Smithwick's beer battered fish and chips... WOW. It was a little different than I'm used to (which was a great thing in this case). The batter was thick and crispy (I'm used to thinner) and the haddock was super moist. Very fresh! I order this meal wherever I go and this is definitely in my top 3 (out of probably 50 others). I was hoping I could switch out the chips for fries because, well, I've never had traditional chips before! I must say I was pleasantly impressed though! They were the BEST and completed the dish perfectly. My fiancé had the bangers and mashed. He said it was good and very traditional. I did not indulge, so I can't relay that in my review. Last, we ended the meal with a MUST try....the creme brûlée. LEAVE ROOM FOR THIS DESSERT! The top was a hard sugar coating while the rest was truly a creamy dream. I might have to stop back in JUST for this before I head back home! 5 stars. Definitely. 6 stars for service!!

Nice lunch atmosphere. I had a nice Scotch Egg with a beer n water (sidecar shot of Jameson). I…read morewas offered the special which was a nice homemade Mac n' cheese with chilli. I opted for the two grilled hotdogs dressed with kraut, chilli and yellow mustard alongside a bowl of the Mac and a pickle spear. Shannon took great care of me! Drinks filled, no waiting for service. She offered social talk along with a nice Irish girl moral compass. I truly appreciate your candor and amazing service! Cheers Shannon! Shane!

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Finn's Irish Pub - Inside

Inside

Finn's Irish Pub - Pumpkin Spice Martini

Pumpkin Spice Martini

Finn's Irish Pub

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Union River Lobster Pot - Crab Cakes with Remoulade Sauce

Union River Lobster Pot

4.3(345 reviews)
0.2 mi
•$$

Went here pretty late and the wait was still 45min-1hr. You can sit outside by the area that cooks…read morethe lobsters/crab etc. the cook outside was great and everyone was peacefully taking in the action and getting their pictures etc. Once sat inside the server was nice and prompt. We knew what we wanted because we looked while we waited. Things we ordered: clam chowder, lobster pot and crab pot. Clam chowder - this is the best clam Chowder I have ever had in my life. I still think about it. The most fresh and flavorful clam chowder ever. 5/5 stars Lobster pot - comes with steamers, corn and potatoes. It's what you expect. If you are expecting a west coast seafood boil that comes in a bag this is not it. It's simple and delicious Crab pot - 1 whole corn on the cob and a couple of potatoes and a couple of smaller clusters of crab. Again it's simple and delicious. I would come back here every single time to get the clam chowder. This place is a must for that alone.

This was our first time visiting Maine and the first place we stopped immediately after exiting the…read moreairport and it truly set the tone for our trip! My mom and I came for lunch because they have a cute little set up to enjoy "lobster on the lawn" while overlooking the river. We ordered a hot lobster roll with butter and a cold lobster roll with mayo; they were both fantastic. I could have sat there all day since there is ample seating so you don't feel rushed. We were even lucky enough to see a seal pop its head up! The service is friendly and quick so it's a perfect spot to just relax and enjoy a yummy lobster roll. Would definitely visit again and recommend to anyone planning a trip to Maine.

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Union River Lobster Pot - Inside

Inside

Union River Lobster Pot - Mussel Pot

Mussel Pot

Union River Lobster Pot

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The Riverside Café - tradamerican - Updated May 2026

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