Bell the Cat — Restaurant in Belfast

Bell the Cat is hands down one of the most delightful restaurant experiences I’ve ever had! From the moment you step inside, you’re greeted by a warm and inviting atmosphere, but what truly sets this place apart are the amazing employees. They are incredibly kind, attentive, and maintain such a positive attitude, even during the busiest hours when the place is packed to the brim. It’s rare to find a team that works so seamlessly together under pressure, but at Bell the Cat, they make it look effortless. Their dedication to service shines through in everything they do, and it elevates the entire dining experience.

Now, let’s talk about the food, starting with my absolute favorite: the sweet tea. As someone who loves Southern-style sweet tea, I can confidently say that Bell the Cat’s sweet tea is the closest thing to the real deal that I’ve ever tasted. It’s perfectly brewed with just the right amount of sweetness, not too overpowering, but still satisfying in every sip. In fact, I’m so hooked on it that I order one to-go almost every day—it’s that good! It’s become a staple in my daily routine, and I can’t imagine going anywhere else for my sweet tea fix.

The cinnamon rolls, though—wow. These aren’t your average pastries. They are house-made, and you can taste the love and craftsmanship that goes into every single roll. The dough is soft and pillowy, the cinnamon filling is rich and perfectly spiced, and the icing drizzled on top is just the right balance of sweet without being too heavy. Every bite feels like a hug from the kitchen, and I wouldn’t dream of leaving Bell the Cat without indulging in one. They’re a treat you simply can’t miss.

Overall, Bell the Cat is more than just a restaurant—it’s an experience. Whether you’re stopping in for a quick meal, ordering to-go, or sitting down to enjoy a leisurely bite with friends, the exceptional service and incredible food make every visit special. The fact that they keep their cool and deliver top-notch service even when the place is packed speaks volumes about the team’s dedication. I can’t recommend Bell the Cat enough. It’s a gem, and I’m so glad it’s part of...

I don't normally post negative reviews. Generally speaking I think a lot of places are trying their best and I want to give them the benefit of the doubt. However, I had such a truly terrible experience at Bell the Cat that I feel compelled to share my experience as a warning to others.

Simply put, I ended up paying $80 for a brunch for two that wasn't worth $40.

The good: The mimosa was good. Was it worth $10? Maybe. The salmon bagel (which I ordered as take out along with brunch) was excellent. Lots of smoked salmon and well worth the $13.

The bad: The poached eggs I had with my red flannel hash were rock solid. I might as well have had two hard boiled eggs. The toast was cold, and the fried chicken served with the chicken and waffles was so salty it was inedible.

The ugly: Being charged $3 for substituting maple syrup with the chicken and waffles, only to have a bottle of syrup brought with all the condiments. Paying a $1 upcharge for veggies on the salmon bagel. At no point was either charge mentioned by the cashier.

I also want to take a moment to call out Bell the Cat's business model. I have no qualms with paying a premium for good service, but Bell the Cat is effectively a sandwich shop with pretensions of being a high-end full service restaurant. By collecting payment first there is zero accountability (aside from angry reviews like this one). Not a single staff person asked me about the quality of the food, and since I did not have an actual server there was no easy way to express my frustration or even find out where to get water (because you have to do that for yourself too).

I will not be going back, and I strongly encourage others to spend their money...

This is a decent quick stop if you are traveling with your RV. There is plenty of room to pull your rig in off to the right back side of the building. And they have Wifi which is important in this area of Maine, with limited cellular service (especially if you are hopping between campgrounds) - see pic

Food: Large menu with many choices of salads and sandwiches. They also had quite a few soups to choose from. We got the cup of soup and half sandwich option. We both had tuna sandwiches. I had a chicken and rice Thai curry soup (non-dairy) which was decent, creamy and thick and just a bit spicy. My husband had the clam chowder which he says was good. The tuna sandwiches were big and had a lot of tuna, without it was somewhat bland. Taste wise, the food was decent for what it was, kind of what you'd get from a cracker barrel, but nothing to write home about. For $13 you get big portions. But the food is expensive here.

Atmosphere: Seems to be a senior citizen hangout, not sure why, but it reminds me a little of those "cafeteria" style places. You order at the register counter, they give you a number for your table, and they bring out your food. B there is a nice large patio with outdoor seating which is dog friendly.

One particular negative is that the bathrooms were kind of gross and dirty. These were unisex individual bathrooms. The floor around the toilet in my room wet, like someone had missed the toilet, the seat was up and had to be wiped. Maybe it was the unisex issue (maybe men are more sloppy than women?). Anyways yuck, I...