Views of Frenchman Bay
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Reading Room Restaurant

4.6
·491k reviews·,

An elegant seaside dining experience at the Bar Harbor Inn, offering stunning ocean vistas, live piano music, and classic American cuisine.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

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Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

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Views of Frenchman Bay

Reading Room Restaurant

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

An elegant seaside dining experience at the Bar Harbor Inn, offering stunning ocean vistas, live piano music, and classic American cuisine.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"Breathtaking views and impeccable service make this a perfect spot for a memorable celebration."

TIP

Book Ahead for Views

Reserve tables in advance, especially for sunset views, to ensure a magical dining experience.

Communicate Service Issues

If service is slow or there's an order issue, speak directly to staff or the bartender for prompt help.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Open·Closes 9:30PM

Cuisine

American, Seafood

Price

$$$

Phone

(207) 288-3351

Address

1 Newport Dr, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Breathtaking Ocean Views

Breathtaking Ocean Views

Dine with stunning panoramic views of Frenchman Bay and the Porcupine Islands. Perfect for sunsets!

TikTok+1
Maine Lobster & Seafood

Maine Lobster & Seafood

Savor the freshest Maine oysters and perfectly cooked lobster dishes, a true taste of the coast.

Google Review+1
Decadent Blueberry Pie

Decadent Blueberry Pie

Indulge in their famous blueberry pie, a flaky, sweet, and locally inspired dessert.

25th Wedding Anv. to Bar Harbor/Acadia National ParkGoogle Review
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

#barharborinn #readingroom #barharbor #Maine
@kewtiful
39 likes • 1.1K views

Book Ahead for Views

Reserve tables in advance, especially for sunset views, to ensure a magical dining experience.

Communicate Service Issues

If service is slow or there's an order issue, speak directly to staff or the bartender for prompt help.

#BarHarbor #Maine #USA #ReadingRoom #Restaurant #Travel #Sunset #Sailboats #Ocean #Views #Summer #Beautiful #Landscape #Explore #Clouds #Getaway #Tree
@mike_valentino
111 likes • 6.7K views
The Bar Harbor Inn will always be my favorite place to dine. You can not beat this view. #barharbormaine#barharborinn#acadianationalpark
@nschaefer34
26 likes • 451 views

Try Signature Dishes

Don't miss out on local flavors like Lobster Eggs Benedict and the classic Blueberry Pie.

Best for Special Occasions

Known for making celebrations memorable with personalized touches and a lovely atmosphere.

📍The Reading Room Once a peaceful retreat for readers in 1835, the beautifully restored Reading Room has been transformed into a stunning cafe with sea views along Brighton’s seafront. The cafe serves a cosy space where locals can connect and enjoy thoughtfully crafted dishes. Please note: The menu is not halal but offers a wide selection of vegetarian options Black Rock, Madeira Drive, Brighton, ...
@thehalalguide_
2.6K likes • 58.8K views

Tips

from all over the internet

Book Ahead for Views

Reserve tables in advance, especially for sunset views, to ensure a magical dining experience.

Communicate Service Issues

If service is slow or there's an order issue, speak directly to staff or the bartender for prompt help.

Try Signature Dishes

Don't miss out on local flavors like Lobster Eggs Benedict and the classic Blueberry Pie.

Best for Special Occasions

Known for making celebrations memorable with personalized touches and a lovely atmosphere.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

The Reading Room Restaurant is celebrated for its breathtaking ocean views and attentive service, making it a top choice for special occasions. Diners rave about fresh seafood, especially lobster, and the iconic blueberry pie. While the atmosphere and views are consistently praised, some guests have noted that the food quality doesn't always meet expectations for the price point, and service can occasionally be slow or unclear.

"The Reading Room at the Bar Harbor Inn was an unforgettable dining experience! The elegant yet cozy atmosphere set the perfect tone for a special evening. The lobster was a standout—perfectly cooked, tender, and bursting with fresh, coastal flavor. The blueberry pie was an absolute highlight, with a flaky crust and vibrant Maine blueberries that made every bite pure bliss. The service was impeccable, attentive, and warm, adding to the charm of this iconic spot. Paired with their expertly crafted cocktails, the meal felt like a celebration of Bar Harbor’s culinary best. Highly recommend The Reading Room for anyone looking for a refined, memorable meal! We can’t wait to return."

Atish Gandhi

"We love fine dining and made reservations at the Reading Room in hopes of a really fantastic experience. Reviews seemed good, but overall it didn't live up to the hype. Food was okay at best. The best part was the bread and blueberry butter and the blueberry sorbet. I order the prosciutto wrapped cod - it had a very hard outer shell and basically came out cold. I pick out the cod and ate it despite the temperature and left the prosciutto. The green beans were good and seasoned well.

We had a 6:30 reservation and waited probably 20 minutes to be seated. There was a reservation that was over 20 minutes late for their reservation that got seated before we did - they should have had to wait since they were so late. Just my opinion. When finally seated - we were in the back corner of the restaurant next to the window. Glad to be next to the window, but not a great table. My husband basically had a view of the door next to the hostess stand.

We also found it difficult to understand our server. He was pleasant enough, but it definitely altered our experience because my husband couldn't understand a word he said and I was understanding about 70%.

Overall, not a place that I would book again, though I might try their terrace next time. Disappointing for what I expected to be an exceptional experience."

Angela Mulligan

"Amazing! Made reservations ahead of time and was blown away with the view! Simply stunning with the boats coming in and the gorgeous sunset. Our dinner highlights were the oysters, scallop dinner & blueberry pie dessert - also pianist kept the mood fun & enjoyable! Highly recommend for both adults & kids."

Sarah Rosen

What People Like

Stunning harbor and sunset views
Fresh Maine seafood and lobster
Attentive service and special occasion touches

What People Dislike

Food quality sometimes inconsistent with price
Occasional service delays or communication issues

Frequently Asked Questions

The restaurant is described as upscale-casual, suggesting smart attire. It's best to err on the side of dressed up for a more refined experience.

Yes, reservations are highly recommended, especially to secure a table with ocean views, particularly during sunset.

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Diners frequently praise the Maine oysters, lobster dishes, and the famous blueberry pie. Signature cocktails are also popular.

15+ Best Restaurants in Bar Harbor MaineGoogle Review

Absolutely! The restaurant is frequently chosen for anniversaries and birthdays, with staff often providing special touches.

Google Review+1

Yes, the restaurant is known for its stunning panoramic views of Frenchman Bay and the surrounding islands, especially from window tables.

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Expect an elegant yet cozy atmosphere, often enhanced by live piano music, making it ideal for a refined dining experience.

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It was ok and about like most of the reviews I read had said it would be. Blueberry pie was pretty good there.

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The property began as the Oasis Club completed construction of their new clubhouse called the “Mount Desert Reading Room” with a grand celebration on August 3rd, 1887. The avowed purpose of The Oasis Club was to promote “literary and social culture.” The handsome new cedar shingled structure, designed by architect William Randolph Emerson, became the center of social activities in Bar Harbor during the summers before World War I. President William Howard Taft was given a grand reception at the Mount Desert Reading Room on his visit to Bar Harbor in 1910 and the club flourished through the years of World War I. After, with the Great Depression, the property served a number of functions and later became a beach club for locals for a time. When the terrible fire of 1947 raged throughout Bar Harbor, burning the mansions that lined the shoreline and most of the town to the ground, the American Red Cross used the building to give assistance to many who were burned out.

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Different from the restaurants above, Reading Room Restaurant that I am about to talk about is one of the restaurants in Acadia National Park that is among the top luxury and high-end. Reading Rooms is the perfect beachfront choice for larger weddings in Bar Harbor, accommodating up to 125 guests. Housed in the historic Main Inn building, Reading Rooms’ elegant charm includes stunning crystal chandeliers adorning the dance floor and stunning panoramic views of Frenchman Bay and the Porcupine Islands.

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The Reading Room Restaurant offers a unique dining experience with an emphasis on local, seasonal ingredients. Their signature dishes include the lobster risotto, made with Maine lobster, arborio rice, and parmesan cheese, and the wild mushroom toast, featuring foraged mushrooms, ricotta, and truffle oil. Diners can also choose from a variety of seafood, steak, and vegetarian options, all prepared with care by the talented culinary team.

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1 Newport Dr, Bar Harbor, ME 04609 Reading Room Restaurant is the perfect restaurant to take a date. The ambiance is serene and upscale, and patrons enjoy breathtaking views of Frenchman Bay while noshing on an exquisite fine dining menu. For breakfast, visitors rave about the Reading Room Eggs Benedict, which is crafted with prosciutto and citrus hollandaise, brulee banana waffles, and wild blueberry pancakes.

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1 Newport … don henegar obituary https://www.opalcollection.com/blog/the-couples-guide-to-bar-harbor/ WebLocation: 35 West St, Bar Harbor, ME 04609. Hours: Open for Lunch and Dinner from 11 am – 9:30/10 pm (Memorial Day- End of October) Recommendations: Lobster Experience: lobster, corn, clam chowder, mussels, and blueberry pie. Things to Note: Outdoor seating with views, on the pricey side, large portions.

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Located in the Bar Harbor Inn, a luxury hotel with stunning views of Frenchman Bay, the Reading Room Restaurant offers great food and a fine dining experience in Bar Harbor. Known for their creamy Maine Lobster Bisque and Frenchman Bay Seafood Cioppino, it’s the perfect place to grab a bite, drink Maine Blueberry Sangria, and watch the fishing boats. Fresh Blueberry Pie via The Reading Room Restaurant

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1 Newport Dr, Bar Harbor, Maine | American, Seafood, Vegetarian Friendly | $4 – $18 | Monday to Sunday 7:00 am – 10:30 am and 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Since 1998, executive chef Louis Kiefer has been in charge of The Reading Room Restaurant, a casual beachside eatery at the magnificent Bar Harbor Inn. We recently dined here for lunch during the week, and it was an excellent meal.

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1 Newport Drive Bar Harbor, Maine 04609Breakfast 7am-10:30am, Dinner 5pm-9pm, April 7 – November 6. If you’ve checked out casual pubs for lunch and are looking for a Bar Harbor fine dining experience for dinner, the Reading Room Restaurant is the perfect spot!. It’s one of the best restaurants in Bar Harbor Maine on the water, offering an upscale dining experience.

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The Reading Room Restaurant has been operating since 1998 under the direction of executive chef Louis Kiefer. The restaurant offers a beautiful ambiance with views of Frenchmans Bay and serves daily dishes primarily sourced from Downeast Maine for breakfast. Address: 1 Newport Dr, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, United States

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Reading Room Restaurant offers an elegant, sophisticated dining experience with breathtaking harbor views. The menu features a range of seafood and steak options, all expertly prepared and beautifully presented. The large windows offer panoramic views of the bay, enhancing the overall dining experience.

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Reading Room seems the safest choice and they have swordfish, lamb, and duck (Some of our favorites). But cocktails seem very basic and reviews seem to be somewhat hit or miss. Plus apparently if you aren't staying at their lodging you'll get bland subpar seating not close to the windows or views.

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The Reading Room Restaurant and the Terrace Grille at the Bar Harbor Inn provide harbor views with your meal. Geddy's is a casual lively seafood restaurant on Main Street with its own basement gift shop. Gaylin's serves seafood, steak, vegetarian and gluten-free dining next door to Geddy's.

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The Reading Room Restaurant at Bar Harbor Inn offers elegant dining with stunning views of Frenchman Bay. Known for its exquisite lobster tail, this restaurant delivers a refined culinary experience. Diners can enjoy a slice of Maine blueberry pie while taking in the picturesque scenery.

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The Reading Room – The primary dining room for the Bar Harbor Inn where I stayed, The Reading Room has a bit more traditional vibe. Their clam chowder bread bowl is solid, and you can treat yourself to a blueberry martini or blueberry cobbler. Yes, it’s possible to max out on blueberry!

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If you are looking for fine dining in exquisite surroundings, you must try the Reading Room at the Bar Harbor Inn. This intimate restaurant is perfect for a romantic dinner or a family celebration. The waterfront setting offers spectacular panoramic views overlooking Frenchman Bay.

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Part of the Bar Harbor Inn, the Reading Room is your fine dining option in town. Refined pleasures await you in the Reading Room Restaurant. You will enjoy a dining experience where the delicious cuisine and attentive service are surpassed only by the breathtaking ocean view.

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1 Newport Dr, Bar Harbor, ME 04609 | https://barharborinn.com/dining/. Located in the Historic Bar Harbor Inn dating back to 1887, overlooking the beautiful ocean this is a fine dining experience. If you are looking for a more elevated breakfast this is your place.

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Reading Room – we had reservations here, it’s the swank restaurant at the Bar Harbor Inn and we got all dressed up for dinner. I had mixed feelings about this dinner but ultimately I’m recommending a pass. The absolute best part of dinner were the views.

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The Reading Room offers fine dining with beautiful views of Frenchman Bay and is open for breakfast and dinner daily. Guests enjoy early access to make reservations and are encouraged to book at least 72 hours prior to arriving at the Inn.

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Make dinner reservations at the Reading Room for sunset you won’t regret it!. This was the best lobster I ever had, also it was a no work lobster so even more amazing. The views are perfect and the staff was great.

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The Reading Room: Fine Dining on Bar Harbor's Scenic Waterfront. Harborside is the perfect destination for family vacations, weddings, business conferences, and romantic getaways in Maine.

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BLUENOSE INN: This year renowned pianist Bill Trowell plays his 18th season at the inn’s popular Great Room lounge with its cozy fireplace and hand-crafted cherry wood bar.

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