Side Street Cafe — Restaurant in Bar Harbor

Good atmosphere and service but food was just okay. There was a very long wait that does not proportionately match the taste of the food. I do have to say the system they have in place is great, where you leave a number and they give you a site to check what place you are online. This is during covid but inside the restaurant did not feel like a lot of space between people especially given it is indoors. Unfortunately I was disappointed by the food.

I do not recommend the burgers. The hometown burger tasted very bland and the bun was not good. I don't they they mentioned anywhere on the menu about what kind of bread the bun is but please look at the pictures and decide for yourself...this was not the gluten free option, not sure how that is. The only good food was the clan chowder which I recommend upgrading to with your meal, you still get the chips as well (there weren't many chips that came with the burgers). My friend got the Nomad burger and agreed that the burger did not have much flavor or seasoning, and also didn't like the buns. The avocado on the burger didn't seem the right amount of ripe either. Nothing exactly tasted bad it just didn't taste good. Not sure what kind of burgers others who love it have had before but I guess everyone has their tastes.

The lobster roll was expensive but they do give you a LOT of lobster. They also give you a lot more chips, I guess to make you feel better about the price. The bun wasn't made that well, have had better in other places in maine.

Another friend got the lobster mac and cheese, which I expected more from given how many reviews rave about it. The shell pasta tasted plain but it did have several pieces of lobster on it. Would not get it again though. Got it with the lobster stew. That tasted great. Very buttery and had pieces of lobster.

All in all everything else was good but the food was just okay, not worth the wait...

We were very much looking forward to our meal here as we had only snacked while hiking all day and were very hungry when we arrived. We had seen online that they run a happy hour special for the bar area and planned to order some of those appetizers before our meal. There were several parties in front of us when we arrived and they were seated somewhere else, but we were taken to an area that appeared to be part of the bar area. When we asked to order the skewers we had seen online the server quickly changed her attitude and shut down and said those are only available in the bar. We told her that we thought we were in the bar area. She was very short with us after that and said we would have to be re-seated if we wanted to order from the happy hour menu. She never apologized for the misunderstanding, but made us feel like it was our fault for doing something wrong. The situation was more complicated because she had already brought us drinks. When we asked the hostess about being re-seated in the bar, I was treated as an inconvenience. There were no available seats in the bar, so we decided to stay where we had originally been seated and forego the skewers we really wanted. Our server seemed to ignore our table for awhile and we struggled to get her attention to let her know we were going to stay seated. The entire rest of the interaction was uncomfortable and awkward, we only stayed because we were very hungry and had already been served a drink.

The food was just okay. My burger and fries were burned and our server did take it back to be replaced, which was kind of her.

We will not be back the next time we visit Bar Harbor and advise others to clarify where they are seated if they plan to order from the...

Side Street Cafe in Bar Harbor, Maine, is a delightful gem that combines a cozy atmosphere with a delectable menu, making it a must-visit for anyone in the area. Nestled off the beaten path, this cafe offers a warm and inviting ambiance, perfect for a casual meal or a relaxing break from exploring the town.

The menu at Side Street Cafe features a variety of delicious options, but the standout is undoubtedly their blueberry pie. Known for its fresh, local ingredients, the blueberry pie is a slice of Maine's culinary heritage. The crust is perfectly flaky, providing a delightful contrast to the succulent, sweet, and slightly tart blueberries. Each bite bursts with the natural flavor of the berries, enhanced by just the right amount of sweetness and a hint of spice.

The presentation of the pie is simple yet elegant, often served with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream, adding a creamy richness that complements the fruity filling. The portion size is generous, ensuring a satisfying end to any meal.

The staff at Side Street Cafe are friendly and attentive, adding to the overall positive dining experience. Their commitment to using local ingredients and creating a welcoming environment shines through in both the food and the service.

In summary, Side Street Cafe in Bar Harbor offers not only a great place to enjoy a meal but also a chance to savor one of the best blueberry pies around. It’s a culinary experience that captures the essence of Maine’s charm and...