Fish House Grill — Restaurant in Bar Harbor

For reference: I am traveling via a cruiseline and arrived to the restaurant on foot; opinions based off my normal experiences in SC and I cannot provide info on parking

I'm surprised that this place doesn't have higher reviews, and some of the 1 star reviews seem unnecessarily harsh. The food was absolutely amazing and a highlight of our day. We got the clam chowder, lobster bisque, chicken tenders (buffalo style), meat sandwich (kind of like a Philly Cheese Steak), and the blueberry pie. Honestly, this place helped me realize my love for clam chowder and I was told by my father that the lobster bisque was some of the best he'd ever had. My fiancé loved the sandwich (I stole a few bites and was impressed) as the meat wasn't dry, though, I would've liked a little more cheese or maybe some mayo. The fries were also very good. The best part for my group was the blueberry pie (I'm not big into sweets) with the blueberry icecream. Pricing was pretty on-par with the area, I think. We had a poor experience with lobster at a different restaurant the previous stop (also Maine) so we avoided ordering similar food. I will say that my only complaint was the staff, as they weren't necessarily friendly nor unfriendly, just sort of bland. But I suppose you go out to eat for the food, not the staff. The location was perfect, too - right next to the seaport to get back on our ship. Overall, if we visit again we'll...

It was my first time to visit at Bar Harbor and your restaurant was the highlight of my day trip. I had a sad experience at the restaurant across from you (SLP) and walked out, but that is not important anymore, as your restaurant was much more wonderful anyway and made up for the prior heartbreaking experience! I am so happy we moved here to eat! You have great staff, kind and attentive and non discriminating workers, wonderful food and fast service, patient and hard working people. The food is amazing and you all know how to take care of your customers . As a person myself who works in the hospitality field, it was so nice to be treated kindly and asked if we were happy and your staff guaranteed our satisfaction and I saw all other customers and other tables happy. None of you even knew what me and my boyfriend went through at the other place. You all had genuine good people who were attentive and sweet and I thank you all for making an almost sad day become the best day and my best experience at Bar Harbor. When we return, it is you who we will always come back to and I have told everyone of your great atmosphere and service! Like what the great Maya Angelou said: "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made...

While service and the view of the water was great, food was mediocre and overpriced for the lack of quality. This place probably does well in volume from the cruise ships that dock nearby which I suppose makes the bland food acceptable for business. Fish tacos were overly Americanized/meh with too much pre-shredded cheese and almost none of the  mango salsa or lettuce they were supposed to come with. I love good cheese, but don't want the average stuff overpowering the plate to the point it's the only thing I taste. Cilantro wasn't offered and the jalapenos were picked from a can rather than fresh in the salsa. I sincerely doubt the chef has ever had a good taco or fish taco to know better. The rice was also bland and somewhat mushy like it sat in a steam table pan with too much liquid for several hours. Clam chowder was OK, but nothing special, could not taste the difference between canned other than the clams were maybe a little better sized, but there was still more potato than clams. The other items ordered were also just OK, but nothing special. Having paid less for much better tasting food (including mainland seafood restaurants) and more for much better quality, this restaurant is just not a great value for the...