
Project Social Kitchen & Bar
A charming Bar Harbor spot offering creative tapas and craft cocktails in a magical garden setting with enchanting waterfalls and fairy lights.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

Project Social Kitchen & Bar

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A charming Bar Harbor spot offering creative tapas and craft cocktails in a magical garden setting with enchanting waterfalls and fairy lights.
"The best meal we had in Bar Harbor by FAR!! Incredible food, cocktails, and atmosphere."
Reservations Recommended
While not always accepted, calling ahead can help determine table availability, especially for outdoor seating.
Dress for the Evening
The outdoor seating area offers heaters and blankets, but it's wise to bring a sweater as evenings can be cool.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
American, Tapas
Price
$$$
Address
278 Main St, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA
Website
socialbarharbor.com/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Enchanting Garden Ambiance
Dine amidst a magical outdoor setting with mossy waterfalls, fairy lights, and antique decor, creating a romantic paradise.

Creative Tapas and Cocktails
Savor inventive small plates like oxtail toast and duck tacos, perfectly paired with fresh, artisanal craft cocktails.

Exceptional Seafood
Indulge in rave-worthy crab cakes and plump oysters, celebrated as some of the best diners have ever tasted.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Reservations Recommended
While not always accepted, calling ahead can help determine table availability, especially for outdoor seating.
Dress for the Evening
The outdoor seating area offers heaters and blankets, but it's wise to bring a sweater as evenings can be cool.
Explore Signature Dishes
Don't miss highly praised items like the oxtail toast, duck tacos, or the decadent lobster crepe.
Consider Happy Hour
Check out their happy hour deals for off-peak enjoyment of drinks and small plates.
Tips
from all over the internet
Reservations Recommended
While not always accepted, calling ahead can help determine table availability, especially for outdoor seating.
Dress for the Evening
The outdoor seating area offers heaters and blankets, but it's wise to bring a sweater as evenings can be cool.
Explore Signature Dishes
Don't miss highly praised items like the oxtail toast, duck tacos, or the decadent lobster crepe.
Consider Happy Hour
Check out their happy hour deals for off-peak enjoyment of drinks and small plates.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Project Social Kitchen & Bar is praised for its enchanting garden ambiance, creative tapas, and impressive craft cocktails. Many diners rave about the exceptional quality of seafood dishes like crab cakes and oysters. However, some find the prices to be on the higher side for the portion sizes, and service can be inconsistent, particularly in the bar area.
"We found this restaurant kind of randomly on our vacation, and it was the best meal we had in Bar Harbor by FAR!! Friendly staff that immediately offered us blankets and heaters on a cold night, whimsical garden atmosphere, delicious cocktails in beautiful glassware, and incredible food in a variety of cuisines. The plating and presentation was gorgeous, backed up by mouth watering tapas that kept us wanting more! The servers/kitchen did a great job coursing everything out so we had the perfect rotation of flowing food for the entire hour we were there. And they got us out on time so we could make it to our next activity! Highly recommend and can’t wait to return someday."
Lyndsey McCormick
"Project Social had fantastic food; they served us creative dishes that still felt cohesive. The standouts were the crab cakes, lobster crepe, and the pork belly. The crab cakes were probably the best I've ever had - so crabby and packed with sweet seafood flavor. The lobster crepe was great as well, since it turns out that lobster, pancetta, and butternut squash go great together. The pork belly was fork tender and served over a crispy polenta cake.
The other dishes were amazing too! I will say that to get full at this spot you'll be dropping a good amount of money. In my eyes it's money well spent though
edit: 30 minutes after posting the above glowing review from my experience last night, I went back again for some light eats and had a pretty horrible experience. The food was still good, but we were seated on the left side of the restaurant, the "bar" area. This area is completely unattended with absolutely zero service - we never got even a water. We went up to the window to order and the bartenders were so busy that I stood there for about 10 minutes before being spoken to - and that was the first and last time I spoke to a staff member tonight.
Considering the price of the food, this area really should have the attention of at least one server - even if it's intended to be more "bar" style. It really left a bad impression on me and I'm not sure I'll be coming back any time soon."
Havin Leung
"We LOVED this place for cocktails and appetizers! Great outdoor patio area and amazing food and drinks! The lamb dish was probably our favorite, but we loved them all!"
Michelle Dahlberg
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
The restaurant boasts a magical garden ambiance with outdoor seating, complete with mossy waterfalls, fairy lights, and antique decor, creating a romantic and unique dining experience.
Diners highly recommend the crab cakes, oysters, oxtail toast, duck tacos, and the lobster crepe. The seafood chowder is also a popular choice.
Reservations may not always be accepted, but it's recommended to call ahead to inquire about table availability, especially for outdoor seating.
Yes, Project Social Kitchen & Bar offers dog-friendly seating in its beautiful garden setting.
The restaurant is considered upscale, with some reviewers noting that it can be a bit pricey, particularly for the portion sizes.
They are known for their craft cocktails, featuring unique infusions like grilled pineapple mezcal and strawberry-basil gin, as well as classic options.
Visiting during early August is suggested for pleasant indoor and outdoor seating. Happy hour offers good deals.
Mentioned in
Featured in these publications
The 6 Best Restaurants Near Acadia National Park 2024 - Bar Harbor
Project Social Kitchen might not have a view of the water, but its patio still feels like a natural paradise complete with mossy waterfalls and overhead fairy lights. It’s easy to spend an entire evening snacking on plates of miso-dressed kale and brussels while sipping fruity cocktails and chatting with the friendly staff—they’ll even bring you a heavy woven blanket if you get chilly after the sun goes down. Make sure to order the duck tacos dabbed in green apple salsa verde and topped with crunchy slices of watermelon radish.
Things to Do in Bar Harbor, Maine: 8 Reasons to Make the Drive
For something a tad more posh, Project Social Kitchen & Bar clearly knows how to mix up a harmony of flavors, with creative cocktails spiked with infusions like grilled pineapple mezcal and strawberry-basil gin. Go for a cocktail or two and you may be tempted to try their similarly boundary-pushing dinner menu.
Mount Desert Island in 48 Hours
After resting at the inn, return to Bar Harbor for the town’s extensive dinner options. The original cocktails and small plates shine at Project Social Kitchen and Bar, which has dog-friendly seating in a beautiful garden setting. For libations, try the smoky Pineapple Express with grilled pineapple–infused mezcal, cayenne simple syrup, and vanilla bean foam or the refreshing Strawberry Fields with strawberry and basil–infused gin, Domaine De Canton, and lemon.
15 Best Bar Harbor Lobster Rolls
This seasonal bistro features cozy indoor and outdoor nooks, all with a magical feel—perfect for enjoying a cold beer or cocktail with your lobster roll. Their signature creation is of the non-traditional variety, dressed with smoked paprika-roasted tomato aioli and piled onto a toasted roll with fresh greens, served cold. Location: 278 Main St, Bar Harbor, ME 04609Website:Project Social Kitchen & Bar
15+ Best Restaurants in Bar Harbor Maine
Project Social Kitchen & Bar is a modern restaurant and cocktail bar located in downtown Bar Harbor, Maine. Known for its small plates and happy hour, this restaurant is the perfect place to stop by after a hike in Acadia National Park!. Featuring bright and colorful decor, Project Social Kitchen offers its patrons various outdoor dining spaces to enjoy their food!
The 20+ TOP Restaurants In Bar Harbor, Maine
278 Main St Bar Harbor, Maine | American, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options | $6 – $128 | Monday to Saturday 3:00 pm – 10:00 pm, Sunday 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. Project Social is a contemporary restaurant and bar in downtown Bar Harbor. Crafting high-end cocktails, delectable small plates, and sweet & savory crepes using fresh ingredients is key to their concept.
Toast To These 11 Bars In Bar Harbor!
A post shared by Project Social Kitchen & Bar (@projectsocialbarharbor). 📍 278 Main St | Bar Harbor | socialbarharbor.com. Let’s talk about the concept, specifically Project Social Kitchen & Bar’s concept, which is “using fresh ingredients in creating Craft Cocktails, delicious Smapp Plates, and Sweet & Savory Crepes.” which sounds like an excellent concept.
Eat Your Way Through Bar Harbor At These 13 Restaurants
278 Main St, Bar Harbor, ME 04609A modern restaurant and cocktail bar, Project Social Kitchen & Bar is a charming experience with outdoor gardens, ponds, and open-air seating. It’s a great place to meet with a few friends or bring a date for a cozy meal. The menu is designed for sharing, and two to three plates per person are recommended.
Your Guide To Bar Harbor & Acadia: The Northeast’s "Maine" Attractions
Just down the street, Project Social Kitchen & Bar is a cozy, fun, and flavorful spot for inventive cocktails with a menu designed for snacking and sharing. Not only does Project Social offer a must-try lobster roll, but for a twist on the traditional Maine favorite, the indoor/outdoor bar also makes a savory lobster crepe.
Fred Bollaci's Presents Top Picks for Dining in Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Island, Maine!
Project Social is a new restaurant and cocktail bar in downtown Bar Harbor near the Village Green. The focus is on utilizing fresh ingredients and innovative techniques in creating great craft cocktails, delicious small plates, and crepes. Open for lunch and dinner in a cozy setting with open air dining deck.
12 Best Restaurants in Bar Harbor, ME | Blog
Project Social Kitchen & Bar offers a modern and trendy dining experience in Bar Harbor. The menu features a variety of small plates, perfect for sharing, and a selection of larger entrees. The bar offers a wide range of craft cocktails, beers, and wines, making it a great spot for dinner and drinks.
12 Best Restaurants in Bar Harbor Maine 2023
If you want a different dining experience, try Project Social in downtown Bar Harbor. From the cozy, hip indoor bar, the open-air dining on a covered deck area, or the garden with a stream and pond, you will enjoy the ambiance created by the owners. The food offering is something else, though.
Experiencing East Coast Nature in Bar Harbor, Maine
For dinner, we tried to go to Project Social Kitchen & Bar, but it was closed, so we walked up the street to Side Street Café and got some delicious build your own mac and cheese and blueberry pie for dessert.
Top 12 Gluten-Free Dinner Spots to Enjoy in Bar Harbor
The vibe is relaxed, service attentive, and the food was creative and delicious. Was easy to accommodate gluten free and dairy free, too. I’ll plan to come back next time I’m in Bar Harbor 😊
Bar Harbor Maine
Project Social: This was the most expensive meal we ate in Bar Harbor, but it was wonderful. The restaurant is truly farm to table. They even have freshly foraged truffles on the menu.
The Beauty of Bar Harbor
Drinks at the hip local brewery Atlantic Brewing Co., a swank dinner at Project Social, a healthy lunch at Thrive Juice Bar and Kitchen, and breakfast at the infamous 2 Cats Cafe.
Our Recommended Sights & Eats in Maine
This restaurant is new to the Bar Harbor scene; they have a rotating menu of excellent tapas and a beautiful outdoor garden to eat in.
Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Island
For a fun dinner or even just pre-dinner drinks and snacks, it’s hard to beat Project Social Kitchen & Bar.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit