The Ovens Restaurant — Restaurant in Bar Harbor

I recently visited The Ovens Restaurant , and while I truly wanted to love the entire experience, it turned out to be a bit of a mixed bag.

First, the positives: the ambiance is absolutely beautiful — warm lighting, tasteful decor, and a calm, inviting vibe that makes you want to settle in for a long meal. Whether you’re there for a casual dinner or a special occasion, the setting really elevates the mood. Another positive was the service. I was fortunate to have Andrei as my server and he was in fact attentive, friendly, and genuinely seemed to care about making our evening enjoyable. Water glasses were never empty, and we never had to flag someone down.

Unfortunately, the food didn’t quite live up to the setting. While everything looked great on the plate, the flavors were underwhelming. My main course was the NY strip and it was almost perfect, the seasoning was fine but a little chewy. I do know that the other plates lacked seasoning, and the texture was off — almost like it had been sitting too long before being served. The chicken parm resembled almost like a patty, not actually breaded in the restaurant, and the sauce had a funny after taste. The appetizer was passable, but nothing memorable.

Under the circumstances of it being a 2 month new restaurant, It’s a bit disappointing when a restaurant nails so many things but stumbles on what should be the main event. That said, I’d still consider coming back — maybe to try a different menu item in case it was an off night in the kitchen or when the restaurant has finally settled in an is a little more established.

Overall great vibe and top-tier service, but the food needs a little more heart to match the rest of...

We had a fantastic dinner at The Ovens - a new restaurant tucked into The Pathmaker Hotel - and would absolutely return if we had another night in town.

Our server, Emily, was warm, friendly, and genuinely accommodating from start to finish. We started with the Mediterranean Muse flatbread, which was beautifully presented (see photo) and packed with flavor - tangy, cheesy, and fresh with a drizzle of balsamic. Our entrées were equally impressive. The Tuscan Garden Salad was crisp and well-balanced, while the Pasta Primavera was vibrant and flavorful, with the kind of freshness that makes you pause between bites to appreciate the ingredients.

We each enjoyed a glass of Italian wine - one Barbera and one Pinot Grigio - which paired nicely with the meal.

A lovely surprise came at the end: a petite chocolate mousse in a shot glass, described by Emily as their playful twist on an Andes mint. It was a light and airy final note that really showed the kitchen’s attention to detail.

Speaking of detail, it’s clear that care went into every part of the experience - from the plating to the pacing to the overall ambiance. The vibe was relaxed but refined, and everything felt intentional.

We only wish we had more time in Bar Harbor to return. This place is a gem and I...

we went here with reservations for a party of 4 at 7:30 pm on a friday night. we were seated almost immediately upon arrival and emily took our drink orders right away. we ordered calamari as an appetizer and it took almost 20 minutes to come. the portions were lacking for how expensive it was. we ordered 2 entrees to share, as we have at almost every other restaurant in bar harbor, and when the plates came (which were both over 30 dollars and took upwards of half an hour to arrive) they looked like they contained enough food to satisfy one adult. the shrimp scampi was delicious despite the disappointing portions. the ciopino also just not as good as expected. one of us ordered a mocktail that was described as a alcohol free champagne with white peach and lemon juice. the peach flavor was absent, and it was very bitter. shirley temple was too syrupy. sauvignon blanc was impressive as was the staycation and the aperol. after dinner the restaurant is supposed to offer a complimentary mint chocolate mousse, which they did, however they only brought us 2 because they "ran out". there were MAYBE 4 other tables occupied in the entire restaurant. just a pretty disappointing experience overall except for the delicious shrimp scampi and classy...