Mount Desert Island Ice Cream — Restaurant in Bar Harbor

First time leaving an ice-cream parlour with such a bitter experience. Came here right after dinner due to the high-ratings but wished I never did. Was ordering a double scoop when I asked if there was a "smaller baby scoop" size as I had a heavy dinner. The guy serving us said yes, and I pointed to the menu and asked if he's sure, to which he said - "yes, it just isn't on the menu". I confidentantly proceeded and reiterated my order - "two flavours, in a single waffle cone, baby scoop size". He confirmed that he understood but then proceeded to scoop two flavours into two cones. Fortunately I was able to stop him halfway and reiterate what I had ordered a few seconds ago. I then headed over to the cashier to pay where I was attended to by a young lady with attitude. She asked me what I ordered and I said exactly - "two flavours in a single cone, baby scoop size, waffle cone". She then punched in 2 x kids scoop (2 x $6.80-ish) + ($1.50 for the waffle cone), which came up to about $15+. I then explained and tried clarifying with her that I am getting less ice cream but am paying more? She adamently said that is how it is priced. So I asked her, is 2x kids scoop a smaller portion than a double standard scoop (priced at $8.50), to which she answered yes. My second question to her - "I am essentially getting less ice cream but paying more?", she somehow understood how illogical that was but she adamently said yes and reiterated adamently with attitude that that is how it is priced in the system. I then told her that if that was the case, the gent who scooped the ice cream should have informed me, especially since he said "it wasn't on the menu", and logic would dictate that a kid's sized portion would be less than a standard sized portion. She then rolled her eyes and said - "next time just don't do this again". Well girl, with your attitude, there definitely will not be a next time. So much inflexibility, so much attitude, all over just some overpriced ice cream that tasted mediocre. Also, you don't get to sample the flavours - how...

Mount Desert Island Ice Cream — where creativity meets creaminess and your wallet meets its match. The ice cream itself? Excellent. 4.5 stars. Rich, smooth, and packed with inventive flavors you won’t find anywhere else. This is where your inner foodie and your inner child join hands and agree on something.

Now, let’s address the (frozen) elephant in the room: the service was a little chilly — and not just because of the freezers. The staff (mostly Eastern European students working for the summer) were polite but not exactly radiating joy. And the no-sample policy? Bold move. They’ve got a long explanation for it, but when a single scoop runs about $9, you kinda wish you could confirm that “Basil” isn’t just a prank flavor.

Speaking of which — I took the risk, and it paid off big time. The basil ice cream was fresh, creamy, and shockingly delicious. I loved it so much I went back the next day, proving that apparently, I’m now someone who craves herbs in dessert form.

The shop itself has a cool, minimalist vibe — clean lines with just enough whimsy to remind you you’re on vacation.

Bottom line: pricey, a little pretentious, but worth it for the creativity. You’ll roll your eyes at the rules… and then roll back the next day for...

This was quite the find for me as an ice cream lover. Not only was the ice cream smooth, creamy, and delicious, but there were so many unique flavors! I had to get a triple in order to try multiple flavors. I also tried the flavors that my wife and kids got. My favorite was Brigadeiro. It was so good that after driving up to the summit of Cadillac Mountain we went back for more ice cream, and I got another triple! Of the 9 flavors that we tried, there was only one that none of us liked—honey baked apple. It tasted like frozen apple sauce and was not at all smooth and creamy like the rest. I wish that we were in the area longer than one day so that I could go back and try all the other flavors! Next time I’m in Bar Harbor this will be my first stop! Let’s see if I can remember the flavors that we got (and I tried all of them): Maine Sea Salt Caramel, Lemon Berry Jam (my wife’s favorite), Brigadeiro (my favorite), Fresh Mint (favorite of one of my kids), Fresh Basil, Honey Baked Apple, Chocolate (favorite of one of my kids), Indian Pudding (never had anything like it before!), and Caramelized White Chocolate...