Back River Bistro — Restaurant in Wiscasset

Little bistro - a hidden gem!

Parking is limited, outside seating and small intimate dining inside.

This little bistro is for the folk who want that intimate, quiet and lovely dinner out. The atmosphere was just that! What a well put together bistro with lovely wait staff and menu.

My husband and I dined here last night for our anniversary, Cassidy was our waitress. She was helpful with describing drinks, to which was very accurate, all the way to making friendly conversation. We felt very at ease and comfortable here that we will most definitely be coming back!

I ordered the calamari, focaccia bread, duck and strawberry cobbler; this was followed by a white wine I was not familiar with but was tasty. The calamari was eatable, zero rubber texture like I've had the unfortunate experience of. It had red tomato sauce and herbs that accompanied it - very nice to start with. The focaccia bread was divine!! The duck was good but not the greatest. I have never eaten duck cooked that way before so maybe it was just me - I have always had it seared with smokey flavors. I am not sure how they cooked. The cobbler was sooo scrumptious... I felt like it was a slice of heaven!

My husband ordered the mushroom toast, marinated cucumber, braised beef and chocolate truffles followed by a whiskey sour. He said everything was top notch! He says the whiskey sour (actually made properly) and focaccia bread alone are worth coming for for a simple drink night and light finger food. He said his entire experience was amazing and even more because it was our anniversary.

I highly recommend coming here for a great...

If I could give Back River Bistro 10 stars, I would. 🌟 From start to finish, our dining experience was nothing short of exceptional.

The food is pure artistry—every dish layered with flavor and perfectly executed. The octopus was insanely good, tender yet beautifully charred; the mushroom toast was rich, gorgeous, and unexpectedly filling; and the oysters were as fresh as it gets. The Caesar salad completely redefined the classic—so inventive and utterly addictive—and the tomato salad with the mezcal add-on was a delightful, vibrant surprise.

Brigid’s cocktails were a highlight in themselves: balanced, nuanced, and absolutely delicious.

We loved our dinner so much that we couldn’t resist booking their Postcard Series exclusive dinner on Westport Island. That evening turned out to be one of the most magical dining experiences we’ve ever had—an enchanting outdoor meal on a stunning riverside property, with dishes that told a story of Maine’s land and water.

Back River Bistro isn’t just a restaurant; it’s an experience that lingers long after the last bite. Truly...

Let me put the cart before the horse and tell you this was one of the best, if not the best, experiences I have had at a restaurant. Corrinna was lovely. She took time to explain to this uninitiated wine consumer the differences between wines, glasses, and tasting, as well as pairing with foods.

Speaking of food, this was also splendid. We started with oysters, which was a first, calamari, pork belly, arancini, and focaccia that melted in your mouth. My main course was the Swordfish with sweet potato puree, fingerling, and swordfish "bacon" jam.

This is a silent gem that I selfishly stays quiet for my purposes, but Back River Bistro needs to be visited by anyone who loves a small curated dining experience. Much success to Matt & Corrinna. It is much deserved. EDIT: Google is being strange. I am trying to leave 5/5 on Food, Service, and Atmosphere but it will not keep it...