Project Social Kitchen & Bar — Restaurant in Bar Harbor

I wanted this to be 5 stars. I was excited for this dinner. We started off on a great note. Very enjoyable hostess with a great sense of humor. We waited a little bit (~20 min) for a table next to the heat lamp which I didn’t mind. The outdoor patio is quite charming with great ambiance. I was exited to order a classic whiskey sour (which is my favorite drink) as you can’t find many places that make it with egg white. I would say the drink was good overall. We ordered a variety of food as we were pretty hungry after a day hiking in Acadia. The food overall was great, but the service was unfortunately lacking. We ordered a charcuterie tray, soups, and 4 small plates. They brought my husbands soup out but completely forgot mine. It wasn’t until he was already done with his soup that they remembered to bring mine. They then began to bring out the small plates. I had to ask one of the expediters (the hostess who was helping) about our meat and cheese tray. She went to check on it and they clearly forgot that as well. They continued to bring out the small plate dishes. The carrots and potatoes were both delicious with great flavors. We did finally get the meat and cheese tray which was at a weird point in the dinner but overall tasty. The scallops and pork belly were good. Once we finished up our food, I was excited to order our dessert which was one of the main reasons I chose the restaurant. The waitress told us the kitchen was closed. No warning. We had not been told we needed to hurry or order ahead. Just nope sorry. Shortly after the table next to us had their dessert served to them and it looked quite tasty. The other waiter sat and enjoyed food with friends at a nearby table. Overall, the food was good, the drinks were ok, the atmosphere was great, the service was lacking. It ruined what I was hoping would be a fantastic dinner experience. I doubt we...

I've traveled the world and dined everywhere from hidden gems in Athens to Michelin-starred kitchens in Paris — and Project Social Kitchen & Bar in Bar Harbor belongs in the top 1% of all those experiences. This spot is an absolute standout.

Cocktails: Next-Level Mixology Their cocktail game is elite. We sampled:

Blue My Mind – A flavor bomb with blueberry and lavender that was somehow both bold and smooth.

Social Contract Martini – Sophisticated, herbal, and perfectly balanced.

Red Kryptonite – Powerful and unforgettable. One of the best cocktails I’ve ever had, full stop.

Each one was expertly crafted and worthy of any NYC or Paris bar scene.

Dishes That Deliver The food? A culinary joyride. Every plate was as beautiful as it was flavorful:

Beef Skewers: Tender, smoky, with a peanutty chili sauce and sesame hit — perfectly charred.

Butternut Squash Soup: Velvet texture, deep flavor, garnished with edible petals — art in a bowl.

Root Veggie Platter: Roasted to perfection and plated like fine art.

Carnitas Tacos: Bright, bold, with just the right kick.

Pork Belly: The coup de grâce — melt-in-your-mouth richness atop crispy polenta cornbread, swimming in a sticky glaze that was absolutely addictive.

Sweet Ending We capped it all off with an Affogato — the perfect contrast of hot and cold, bitter and sweet. A smooth finale to a phenomenal meal.

Ambience & Vibe Rustic-chic meets cozy cocktail lounge w/ Black Rabbit (IFYKYK) subtle vibes. The vintage china, creative plating, and welcoming staff bring it all together in a way that feels both upscale and unpretentious.

Final Verdict: If you're in Bar Harbor and skip this place, you're missing out. Project Social isn’t just a meal — it’s an experience. Easily one of the best dinners I’ve...

This place is the reason to go to a restaurant. This was our best dinner during our weekly stay in Maine.

The restaurant's beautiful garden setting, service and, most importantly, food - all were just SUBLIME. Every single dish was prepared with a meticulous attention to the taste, ingredients and presentation. We have tried.. The Seafood Chowder - rich not because of cream, but of the seafood content that you can actually taste; Bruschetta - perfectly toasted but moist baguette, freshest tomatoes, and again, we could taste every single ingredient. Bravas Potatoes - roasted fingerlings with spicy aioli and crumbled feta. Duck Tacos (2) - tender braised duck, perfectly complemented by pickled radish, red onions, and salsa verde, with a slight anchiote kick - yum! Scallops(3) - just spectacular, the highlight of our dinner. Tender, with crispy golden tops, presented Haut Cuisine-style atop of cauliflower - celery puree, tiny slices of red and yellow oranges, tobico caviar and greens - just see the photos. The last, but definitely not least - dessert Pot De Creme - a very nice hazelnut - chocolate - cognac Creme with [sadly] sweetened whipped cream. We savored every spoon of it! Thank you very much, the Chef - for your flavors and impeccable preparation and presentation; and our server Justin - for your friendly, caring and attentive persona, very good menu knowledge and your...