I know it seems rough to give three and a half stars, but rounding up to four doesn't seem quite accurate. I think the problem is that it's been given a pass for so long that now it's reputation is untouchable, and this unfortunately is going to be a humbling post. It was highly recommended to us by our hotel during our stay in Rockland, and we went the first night, of which they were booked out but no problem at all, it smelled so good we decided to make reservations for the subsequent night. So we did. Mind you, let me caveat and say it's also always a challenge to eat at Italian restaurants, because it means that someone has to make a sauce that's better than you can make it home, and that's normally not the case, save a few exceptions. So we came back, excited, and ready to be blown away, because of the house made pasta, because of the amazing aroma, and because of the beautiful ambience. However, all of our meals fell short. Spaghetti & meatballs, the meatballs were quite dry and somewhat crumbly, and the sauce while yes fresh still had no flavor. The pasta, which was probably most of the excitement for eating there did not taste as delightful as you know fresh noodles should taste. Pizzas were just ok, and although the eggplant Parmesan was cooked well, again the same sauce was used to flavor it and was still non descript. Our server was phenomenal in good news, checking In repeatedly, saw the uneaten meatballs, and asked if there was a problem, which I just replied they weren't quite what I expected. Also, the vibe in the restaurant was amazing. So if anything I would go for that, but food would not recommend. read more

We came here on a whim while visiting and it did not disappoint. Our server Hyatt was so attentive and so kind, it was lovely. The food was really great as well. We had the carbonara and the margherita pizza. Both were quite delicious. The carbonara was genuinely one of the best I've had in some time. The pizza was light and not overtly heavy or dense. Definitely great for sharing. I do recommend either getting a reservation or preparing for a wait as they were quite busy the entire time we were there. Overall though the vibe was great and I would definitely go back when in town read more

See all

I really wanted to love this place. It was our first time visiting the area, and after enjoying lobster for a couple of days, we were looking forward to trying something different. Unfortunately, it ended up being one of the most disappointing meals of our trip. The experience started with slow service and only got worse from there. We were seated at a table in the back next to the server station where dishes were constantly being cleared. The loud clanging of plates and staff conversations made it difficult to hear each other and created an unpleasant dining atmosphere. For appetizers, we ordered the meatballs and olives. The meatballs were dry, crumbly, and completely lacking in flavor. The olives were unripe and unpleasant to eat. For my entrée, I ordered the Chicken Parm. While ordering, I was surprised to learn it didn't come with pasta--you have to pay an additional $9 if you want it. When my meal arrived, I could tell immediately it wasn't going to be good. The chicken was very thin, there was barely any sauce, and it was just as tasteless as it looked. I mentioned it to our server and asked for extra sauce. She did bring more and offered to replace my meal, but by then my husband had almost finished eating, so I declined to wait for another meal. My husband ordered the summer ravioli, which was equally disappointing. The ravioli were small, underfilled, cooked al dente to the point of being unpleasant, and had very little flavor. The service itself was ok but between the lack of ambiance, the noisy seating, the extra charge for a basic side of pasta, and the bland food, this was not a meal we'd recommend if you're looking for good Italian food. We left wishing we had chosen another restaurant. read more

10/10 recommend. Forgot to take before photos so you get the scrapped plates We did the off The Sharing Menu option with choice select salad, pasta, pizza and dessert 2 people for 65$ Highly recommend this option so you can enjoy more of the menu! read more

Ada's Kitchen - Pizza Near Me - Rockland, Maine

From out of town, we were struggling to find somewhere to eat. We found this on Main Street, and even though it was busy and there was a long wait, they were able to accommodate us at the bar. Not only was the food fantastic, but the two tending bar were great. It was just a nice night out. read more

Their gnocchi was delicious. Tender and savory, but Chicken Parmesan with a pasta up charge was the worst version I've ever had. Prices were on the higher end and service was underwhelming. Perhaps we weren't their preferred demographic read more

Ada's is a warm and welcoming presence on Main St, Rockland. There is a nice bar and well spaced tables, though it can get a bit loud in there. The menu has a nice selection of appetizers, salads, pastas, and mains. Many choose an appetizer or a salad and apizza to share--a wise choice. We started with a salad with salami and cheese--nicely dressed and proportioned for two to share. Pizzas are thin-crust and come in two sizes, the large was perfect for two with a couple of slices left over. Though dessert choices were tempting, we were quite satisfied with our meal, and will try them on the next visit. Solid four-star establishment. read more

we went on June 22. it was busy and boistrous. i like the atmosphere. hostess was sweet and seated us promptly. our waiter was not great. i ordered a "0% alcohol wine" from the menu. it was NOT 0%. Being an alcoholic is was bummed! the waiter served it without opening it (not twist off!) and did not come back until later. most was alright. i got ravioli which was delicious until i found plastic in it! The waiter never came to check on our dinners until we were finished. We had to ask another waitress for water. I was NOT impressed. Having been a waiter for 30 years, he needs training!!! PLASTIC IN MY DINNER is not okay and a waiter that was never attentive read more

We visit every Summer and Ada's is a favorite go to! The staff is friendly and engaging. Won't take off for the hostess who seemed confused with our reservations. Apparently they had a slight renovation and the high tops had moved. Food is always delicious and served hot. Meatballs were a hit with the table. Mussels were delicious. Pizza was perfection- pipping hot, thin crust - just the way we like it! As always, the bartender did an amazing job with the drinks. Until next year!! read more

See all

Best gluten free pizza I ever had! Ada's was hoppin' busy on a Friday night and we waited for a table for about 10 minutes. Servers were super busy but Rain, our server, made sure we were well taken care of. We enjoyed the Prosciutto and Margherita GF pizzas so much we ate the whole pans! The caramelized onions and garlic gave the prosciutto pie the most delectable taste. Mussels in white wine sauce were also truly the best ever - the sauce was perfectly garlicky and delicious. Parking out back may get a little crowded but Ada's is worth a walk to park! read more

See all

pleasant servers, fantastic food - i'm a sucker for a chicken parm and theirs is amazing, and huge, and it is not a bar nor a restaurant - perfect mix of the two depending on what you are into read more

We had such a nice night our last time here. Not so much tonight. Rude staff. Busy because it was gallery night in Rockland, but that's no excuse, be nice to your customers. Walked out after our drinks. I am probably done here. read more

Ada's Kitchen - Bad picture of good Carbonara! - Pizza Near Me - Rockland, Maine

See all

Such cool vibe! Spaghetti and meatballs was fantastic! As well as warm olives and Italian Wedding Soup.

Genuinely my favorite restaurant in Maine oh my god every single thing I have had here was amazing and something I literally think about for days... the ambiance is perfect the lighting is so cute it has this purple orange hue. If you want Italian food and amazing people to serve you please go here I literally would empty my bank account here and when I eat here I don't get sick and I'm usually gluten intolerant but their pasta doesn't make me sick ?? I don't get it but woah read more

Ada's Kitchen - Pesto pasta cacio e Pepe (I forget how to spell it) - Pizza Near Me - Rockland, Maine

The food was absolutely breathtaking, the authenticity, the smell, the exquisite menu. I was so impressed and so hungry by the time we sat I forgot to take pictures, we did small plates and the olives were absolutely unforgettable. I had the mussels that absolutely blew me away, the bartender cheered for me as a picked up the bowl to drink the broth, so epic. Everyone was so kind, attentive and fun! Can't wait to come back! read more

Ada's Kitchen is definitely a must experience restaurant. It captures all three important aspects of a good restaurant. Good quality of food, service and vibe. We ordered the Margarita and pepperoni pizzas. They both were excellent in the freshness of ingredients as well as the tasteful thin toasted crust texture. Coupled with one of varieties of beer options on draft, one can't go wrong! We also had the chopped salad as an appetizer. Only area of improvement is the value for the size of the chopped salad (too small for the price). read more

Ada's Kitchen - Margarita and pepperoni pizza - Pizza Near Me - Rockland, Maine

I want to first say, the staff at Ada are wonderful! I had a lovely waitress Anna who was so sweet and very attentive. I came to Ada on a night, by accident, that they had a private event, but they sat me outside. During the day this would have been great, but it was a bit chilly! Still so grateful they sat me! I had a Pinot Grigio and ordered the cauliflower to start. It was a bit undercooked, but the flavor was really wonderful. The meal came alive with the speck sandwich - which was served on a ciabatta that was crispy and perfect. It also had a pesto aioli that I want to have again...soon! Overall a good experience and will be back if we're in Rockland! read more

Ada's Kitchen - Cauliflower - Pizza Near Me - Rockland, Maine

See all

My soon to be wife, and I come here every year in the summer time, as tradition for the last four years. Each year never disappoints. Friendly staff, delicious fresh made pasta, with a clean and enjoyable atmosphere. read more

See all

We stumbled upon Ada's kitchen a few months ago and were immediately smitten by the vibe, the service, the menu selections and quality of the food. So pleased, that during our meal we purchased a gift certificate for our son. We shared cocktails and a salad with Ada's Board, and had a really lovely evening. Returning last weekend I was wondering if the experience would be as good. It was better! Another Ada's Board for my husband and a bowl of the freshest mussels I can recall tasting anywhere in the world. Fun live music, and a packed house! Can't wait to go back! read more

See all

Overall, this is one of the nicest restaurants open on a Sunday evening in Rockland! Traditional mix of Italian dishes, fresh pasta and apps, but a bit pricey for the quality. We had a nice corner window, but we were tucked away which meant service was somewhat sporadic. If it was another Sunday in Rockland, I'd try it again, but there are other places to go in the area for a more satisfying experience. read more

Ada's Kitchen is a favorite of good friends who live in nearby Cushing, so my husband and I were excited to dine there. The advance buzz lived up to the hype. The space is gorgeous, the service is stellar - great with help navigating the menu and offering delicious suggestions. Portions are on the larger side, so come hungry or be prepared to leave with leftovers. I started with a La Rosa Spritz, from their "Spritz and Negroni" menu, an elegantly delightful start to the meal. Mussels and olives followed as appetizers, both good in their own right, but the main courses simply stole the show. Ada's offers both GF pasta and GF pizza crust, and when asked to choose, our helpful server enthusiastically recommended the pizza. I was torn between the funghi and sausage or the cacio e pepe, and again our server was there with a "why not both?" So I had the cacio e pepe with mushrooms and sausage on top. Amazingly good, and gluten free. Other raves from our table included the chicken parmesan, the chicken Milanese, and the carbonara pasta. A beautiful bottle of red accompanied our most excellent repast. read more

See all

From start to finish, our meal was excellent. Wait staff was very friendly and attentive, and the salads were fantastic. We highly recommend this local eatery. read more

Delicious, great service, fun vibe; catchy playlist that transitioned to live music. Even the building was cool to look at, and a trip to the bathroom downstairs was interesting if only to see the basements brick foundation and get a peek to the bustling kitchen. A real treat to be able to just pop in when many of the downtown spots are fussy with reservations. Nice simple wine list and beer selection too. read more

Ada's Kitchen - Entryway - Pizza Near Me - Rockland, Maine

Excellent pizza, calzones, and Italian dishes. Great happy hour and bar scene, especially on live music nights. Stacy and Radu make KILLER cocktails and keep us all coming back! read more

Great vibe; not too super crowded on a Saturday evening. Drinks came quickly and food was delicious with generous portions. Highly recommend

We have been to Ada's several times and it's been average at best but last night was abysmal. We had a reservation at 8 at a high top in the bar and were promptly seated but the service went down hill from there. Any time we needed something we had to hunt down our server. We ordered the peach buratta salad, broccolini and a pizza. The salad was over priced and uninspired. We waited a long time after the after appetizers and had to again hunt down the waitress to find out where our pizza was .... We firmly believe she never ordered it and when questioned she said they burnt it .... Needless to say we never got the pizza and left hungry and totally dissatisfied. Wont be back here for a long time. read more

The food was absolutely delicious. Our waitress Rachael was so sweet and attentive. The manager Nate made our experience over the top. We would absolutely come back and order the spegetti and meatballs and Ragu with a pizza all over again. THANK YOU THANK YOU. For such a great experience and delicious food.we also want to thank Stacy for the delicious drinks and for coming to our table and trying to help us with out order! Adas will forever be one of our favorites read more

Ada's Kitchen - a woman taking a picture of a bar - Pizza Near Me - Rockland, Maine

I noticed Ada's was close to my bed and breakfast and wanted to check it out on the way back from the lobster fest with my daughter. When I approached the host desk, an older woman who was very kind asked if we had a reservation and said she wouldn't be able to serve us tonight unless we sat outside. It was 7pm so I thought that crazy since they didn't close til 9pm but they did look fairly small so I said ok we will sit outside. Immediately pretty much the server came out and he was prompt I put in the summer crostini which was perfect I would highly recommend. It did need more thyme since it wasn't consistent thru the whole crostini but was still very much enjoyable. I had a blueberry cozmo and since I had basically a full drink I decided to order the Caprese sandwich. My waiter said it comes with no sides. Ok fine. Food runner brought me my sandwich. I ate a couple bites but it was so boring... Caprese is my absolute fav and I was very disappointed since the appetizer was amazing I was expecting the sandwich to be wayyyyy better than it was. Finally after sitting for about 15/20 mins my server comes out and asks if I need a box. I say yes and was about to order another drink but he ran away. Then I waited another 10/15 mins outside for my check before I went back inside and had to pay at the host desk and it was not the same kind older woman but a young rude blonde lady who seemed bothered and unhappy. As a waitress myself the service was disappointing and they were clearly understaffed which is pretty unreasonable since it's the lobster festival (unless they are always short staffed, fine). Anyways probably will never be back. Bummer. read more

Ada's Kitchen - Summer crostini 11/10 and I should have left it at that. - Pizza Near Me - Rockland, Maine

See all

Ada's has a great atmosphere, friendly staff. Their food is always fresh and delicious. I love that they make sure u always have water in front of you. I have eaten there 4 times at different visits and the consistency of the food and freshness is amazing. I always stop for the tsiramasu. read more

Last Friday night my wife and I went to Ada's Kitchen on advice of the crew of the windjammer we were sailing on. They were crazy busy and we came without reservations (not a good plan). But the hostess worked things out and found us a small two seat table within five minutes. Our waitress was super friendly and helpful which is great because my wife cannot deal with most cheese. The solution was creating a dish from the mussels in wine sauce with plain spaghetti which was yummy. I had the spaghetti carbonara (first time for me). The pasta was perfect, the sauce very rich. We had so much to eat we had to skip dessert but maybe next time! As busy as they were the restaurant still has a homey feel. Worth the trip! read more

See all

A very nice, but laid back, modern restaurant with classic menus. Full and lively bar service with lots of options. Service was very good, and on Friday night, parking was not an issue. Loved the experience. Excellent gluten free pasta. read more

We hadn't been since 2020 since we were avoiding inside dining. First, we came in thinking we had a reservation for 6 people at 7 pm but I hadn't fully completed the process on line, so there wasn't a record of it, but the host seated us swiftly at a high top. Our serverAlex was just "a beast" at his job, handling the whole floor with only one other server, with speed, accuracy and friendliness. The apps, pastas, pizza and desserts were all magnificent...surpassing our memories and expectations. My adult kids loved the meal so much they gave me a gift card for my birthday the next day to ensure I came back! Do not sleep on the fresh pasta...all our dishes were fabulous, as was the pizza, which we've always ordered in the past. Well-done Ada's!!! Plus the atmosphere is lovely and fun. read more

Delicious food and nice ambiance was totally ruined by the snob who seated us in an empty restaurant in the worst table in the place. It was literally behind a partition in a hallway that servers used to bring drinks and food to other tables as they gradually filled up. Our server did an adequate job but didn't seem very enthused. Or perhaps the restaurant is promoting a vibe that everyone working there just had to be too cool for words. I won't go back. read more

We didn't have the best experience. The service and food quality was not great. The server seemed annoyed to be there. The bread pales in comparison to the homemade offerings we've been spoiled by at other restaurants. The spaghetti noodles were a highlight; but otherwise, it was so far our least favorite meal of the weekend. We had such high hopes. read more

Food was so flavorful but the wait once seated is quite a bit. Just be patient. My husband says the mussels were the best he has ever had!!! There is parking around back and great drink menu read more

See all

So the staff were great, service was prompt. The drinks were really good. Had a Long Island and blueberry martini. Food however was a different story. Prices were adequate to a dinner from Primo, presentation and flavor were in another galaxy. Pork chop wasn't overcooked, rice was undercooked, really zero flavor. Bologna pasta was bland and pasta was "meh". I can judge because I make my own. No offense but everybody agreed it couldn't even compare to mine. Sadly I would recommend going for drinks, but wished I went to Applebee's for the food. That's saying something because I only go there as last resort, and you really are desperate and don't want to cook. Sadly for the price and quality/taste won't be an option in the future Drinks yes, food...no read more

Restaurant is conveniently in the main part of town. The vibe is casual and they play good music. The food is delicious, and they offer a good selection of beers and ciders. I would come again read more

Ada's Kitchen - Carbonara and mushroom pizza - Pizza Near Me - Rockland, Maine

Overall the food was very good. My husband and I were disappointed to see that there menu online did not match the menu in the restaurant. My husband was also disappointed that his carbonara was not served with a poached duck egg. The food itself was delicious. The focaccia was so freshly baked. We did feel that there was a lack of color in the plating. That is just us though. Our waiter Jacob was wonderful, he was on top of everything and had great attention to detail. When asked he gave his opinion which I appreciate. read more

Ada's Kitchen - Ada's platter - Pizza Near Me - Rockland, Maine

We had the sausage and mushroom and the margarita pizza. Both were equally delicious. This place had a great vibe to it. Highly recommend this place! Service was excellent! read more

Ada's Kitchen - Sausage and mushroom and margarita pizza - Pizza Near Me - Rockland, Maine

A must go when you visit Rockland! modern, inviting, fun and, most importantly, good food and excellent service. I had the peach caprese salad, highly recommended. read more

Ada's Kitchen - Waiting our table seated next to the bar area. Wonderful night, good food, excellent service. - Pizza Near Me - Rockland, Maine