We were so lucky to get a reservation just a few weeks before our visit to the quiet side of Bar Harbor and the evening did not disappoint! First, you need to secure a water taxi since Cranberry Island can only be accessed via boat. I suggest you make friends because the taxi is one price for up to 6 passengers. Once we arrived (short 10 minute trip) I fell in love with the vibe of the restaurant and the island. We started with delicious oysters and perfectly made cocktails. I opted for the appetizer shrimp scampi with a side of seasoned fries, which were even better dipped in the garlic butter! My husband had the scallops and while I don't typically like the texture of scallops, his were buttery and delicious. I'm so glad we were able to visit this iconic place during our trip to Maine! We will definitely be back next time we return to hike Acadia. read more

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Haven't been here in a few years and decided to take the boat over last Sunday afternoon. The ride was terrific with pleasing temperatures and calm seas and beautiful views of Bear and Sutton Islands. The overall view of MDI is breathtaking when the clouds and sun are "just right". Arrived about a half hour or so before Islesford's scheduled 3 p.m. opening and enjoyed walking around a few places on the island as well as our always enjoyable stop at Islesford Pottery, as well as the adjacent art gallery. We sat at the bar. The cool breeze through the windows, coming off the water, was magnificent. The mussels were delicious (we ordered fries to go with these) and the beet salad as well as the spicy tuna salad were terrific. The Margo-rita was reportedly awesome and I tried the Dark 'n Stormy which was quite tasty. The service was fantastic. Could not have been better. Despite being on an island, accessible only by boat or air, if staffing shortages are an issue, no such issues were noted. The entire dining experience was pleasant, enjoyable, and the service was terrific! read more

Excellent I wanted to eat the view too !!! Great service and the ferry out and back was fun too ! The mussels were divine and the toasted beet salad excellent ! read more

I ordered the fish of the day and it took 45 minutes to come out. When it came out, it was a greasy mess. The fish, the potatoes, and the green beans were all completely soaked in oil that I literally had to wipe each thing before I ate it. I eventually just gave up. When the waitress saw my uneaten plate of food, she didn't even say anything and acted like everything was normal. I look around mr and everyone had ordered the burger. No one had finished it, so I'm guessing it was pretty bad as well. The only redeeming quality of this restaurant is the view and there is a lot of fish in the fish and chips. Otherwise it's overpriced and the food is atrocious. read more

We went to Islesford Dock last night - we had a steamed lobster (1 1/2 instead of the 2 lb) and the lobster fried rice. The lobster didn't disappoint- it was sweet and succulent - the lobster fried rice was equally as delicious However, save room for the fruit crumble with vanilla ice cream - it was one of the best deserts I've had in a long time. read more

Family of four, we had a great time at Islesford Dock. I wish we had more time. Took the ferry (read: mail boat) from Northeast Harbor for dinner. With a storm approaching the staff did everything to make us comfortable. Food was delicious - lobster, oysters, fish and chips, and burgers for the land lovers. Shrimp appetizer was the only thing I would not recommend. Bonus features: restaurant is also an art gallery, with beautiful paintings and photography, and features a pottery studio to explore local artisans. read more

Islesford Dock Restaurant - Approaching Islesford Dock Restaurant from the mailboat (from Northeast Harbor) - Art Galleries Near Me - Islesford, Maine

Great place for lunch. Outside tables are dog friendly. Food great. 13 ft boat ride from NE Harbor was enjoyable on a nice day. Dock service was helpful. Lots of fun. Oysters delicious. read more

One of the best Har Harbor experiences is a restaurant perched on a coastal Maine island. This destination restaurant is everything you want and need it to be. The food and wine are fantastic as were the views. Is it expensive? No more than your usual better restaurant, but this one will feed you positive summer memories for years to come. Get a boat or hire the water taxi either way this is one adventure you do not want to miss! read more

Islesford Dock Restaurant - Beautiful view - Art Galleries Near Me - Islesford, Maine

We came here based on a recommendation. It was cool to take to boat out to Little Cranberry. The food and service were inconsistent. The Good: the local oysters, the crab cakes had good flavor but three of us found shell in the crab cake. The herbed fries were delicious. The not so good: the bottom bun on the burger was hard as a rock. It didn't seem burnt so I'm assuming stale. The lobster roll had way too much mayo. Our server was adequate. Again, it was a fun side trip but I wouldn't eat here again. read more

My husband and I took the Beal and Bunker mail boat out to Islesford (a/k/a Little Cranberry). We went to Islesford Pottery and Island Artisans and then had lunch at Islesford Dock Restaurant. It's a surprisingly good restaurant. We were seated with a great view of the water and loved the food. We both had the fish & chips. The beer-battered haddock was outstanding. The coating was nice and crunchy and very tasty, and the fish was fantastic. The herb fries with fresh herbs were great. I definitely recommend. read more

Awesome...one of the best dining experiences we enjoyed in all of Acadia/Bar Harbor. A must try if you are in the area! Getting here is a true adventure...you can only reach it by boat or ferry. They take credit cards, have a full bar and the chef rocks...one of our favorite restaurants in Maine, and rivals any of the best restaurants we have ever dined in. Located on Cranberry Island, this place is a local gem...with adjacent art gallerys and amazing views! We tried many plates...in particular we loved: heirloom tomato salad, scallop crudo, 2lb lobster meal, and a great kids menu. Almost everything on the menu is local or home grown. This is a hard to get to place but it is worth every ounce of effort and the sunsets are spectacular. A great 5-star experience! read more

If you are up this far in Maine and looking for an adventure, this is the place for you. First of all, you can only reach it by boat or ferry that leave from Southwest Harbor. They take credit cards, have a full bar and the chef knows how to cook on the level of many fine restaurants here in Boston. Directly adjacent to the restaurant is the Islesford Lobster Co-Op, owned and operated by the 15 or so lobstermen that call Islesford, aka Little Cranberry Island, their home port. Any lobster you order was caught that day and most likely with in the last couple of hours. The Rib appetizer is amazing and nearly enough for an entree, I am willing to bet you could order it as an entree if desired. The ribs are not about bbq necesarily, they are more Asian style with a honey glaze and cilantro. The Maine Lobster and Artisanal Burrata cheese was unlike anything I have ever had before - highly recommended. Warm lobster with a warm home made cheese excellent combination. The country pork ragu was so unexpected that I ordered it. The pasta is house made and when the server suggested it, I ordered. It was delicious. I later learned as my brother and I sat at the bar drinking that this was the dish that anybody that was ordering take out was ordering - for good reason. Islesford Dock Restaurant does an excellent job of having a seasonally adjusted ingredient list and almost everything on the menu is local or home grown. This is a hard to get to place but it is worth every ounce of effort and the sunsets are spectacular. read more

I wanna start off by saying that I have been coming the islesford dock for over 10 years. They had my favorite burger and some of the best fish and chips anywhere on the coast. That being said my last experience left a lot to be desired. First off I ordered a dozen oysters. They came in a tray with a little bit of seaweed and no ice. They were room temperature which is very concerning. Luckily we did not get sick. Also the mignonette sauce was almost tasteless. For our main course we ordered the fish and chips and the Boykin burger. As the waitress was bringing the food out I could see that the fish was over cooked and so was the burger which was ordered medium. When I say the burger was over cook I mean that is was this side of shoe leather. On top of that it seamed to be a preformed patty unlike I have experienced in the last 10+ years. Had a hard time even cutting through it. We Sent the burger back and within a couple minutes a new one arrived. No way they could cook one in that amount of time. It was pink in the middle but had no trace of moisture like the chef had pressed every ounce of liquid out of this pre made maybe even frozen burger. The fish and chips besides being over cooked only contained 2 small pieces of fish and a small amount of fries on a large plate. Looked very out of place on that size plate. Previously it had been a large fillet on top of fries which covered the plate. We were extremely disappointed with our food and felt that in no way warranted the almost $200 bill for the 2 of us with drinks. The only redeeming part of our meal was the drinks. The beer was cold and the cocktails were delicious. I will be back but I hope that their standards will return to what they once were. The picture I shared is of what the Boykin burger use to look like and the reason I come back year after year. Far from what I experienced on my most recent visit. read more

Islesford Dock Restaurant - Boykin burger and herb fries 2019 far from what it is now. - Art Galleries Near Me - Islesford, Maine

Only had the clam chowder... But on a chilly July day in thick fog, it was the best clam chowder I've ever had. It's probably darn good under any weather conditions! The Restaurant is built right on the pier, surrounded by the local lobster fishing fleet. This is as authentic as it gets... Well worth the voyage! read more

Islesford Dock Restaurant - The restaurant is at the far end of the pier, artists shops and studios also occupy the pier. - Art Galleries Near Me - Islesford, Maine

We returned to the Isleford Dock to give it another chance. That was a mistake. It's gotten worse. This place used to be sublime. But today the salmon was middling, the Asian ribs were way too sweet and the flounder special was so spicy that I fear for the morrow. Anyway, we're not going back. Sad! read more

Good food but lacked in some areas, such as the clam chowder. It should have plenty of clam meat but I had mostly potatoes. The clam chowder broth was tasty. My wife's oysters had too much sand. The crabcakes were so small compared to Maryland crabcakes that have set the bar high for usually. Lastly, the beets lack flavor. The servers were great and the location is unique but they need to step it up on the details of the food. read more

I've been to the dock on many occasions in the past six years and have never been disappointed. During a recent visit I had a great dinner with friends. We started with the gallimaufry, a mixed pot of local sea food, to share followed by the house made sausage with burratta cheese. This is definitely one of my favorite small plate items. For my main course I had the local halibut. It was delicious and crispy with a perfect fennel accompaniment. Two of my friends shared the steak for two, which was cooked to a perfect medium rare. They both loved the feta and watermelon salad but wished the potatoes had just a little more seasoning. Our fourth friend had the organic chicken and adored it. Cooked perfectly, not too dry, and served with savory creamed corn it was really great comfort food. At the suggestion of our server we shared a bottle of the martin codex with our app and bottle of the st. Innocent pinot nior with our entrees and loved both. The ricotta with rubarb sauce and the raspberry crisp made perfect sharing desserts. Overall I'd give the Dock a double thumbs up for a great night out. The service was a little hectic but genuinely attentive and caring, Also I definitely suggest the lobster roll or dock burger at lunch! read more

Islesford Dock Restaurant - Art Galleries Near Me - Islesford, Maine

My family and I followed the recommendations, and the thought of adventure with taking a boat ride to this restaurant was instrumental in our decision making. We were not disappointed. Such a beautiful setting, good food, great building and overall experience made our night and provided us years of future storytelling. We celebrated my wife's birthday with lobster and oysters, wine and dessert. With a quaint walk around the piled high lobster pots and art in the restaurant building while we waited, the build up was romantic. On reflection the quality of the food and service was not a consideration, but the magical overall experience was. read more

Never have I ever had a better lobster than the one at Islesford. The seafood (especially the lobster) is always the freshest and the views of MDI and Acadia simply cannot be beat. The clam chowder is a menu standout, too. The Islesford Dock Restaurant boasts a truly one-of-a-kind dining experience, from the boat ride out to the delicious seafood. read more

Great place try to enjoy the sunset during an off peak period for the most relaxing time.

A must stop place for anyone visiting MDI. A short boat ride and you arrive at a classic dockside spot with cold beers, a full bar and a view of the Cranberry Island Lobster Co-Op and Acadia's beautiful mountains. Enjoy a nice lunch or dinner and take a stroll on the island. I have been coming here for 45 years and I never tire of the DOCK! Lobster rolls are huge too! Staff is professional and very friendly and knowledgable about food & wine! read more

The Dock used to be a weekly staple for our family, we loved this place, but in recent years, it has slipped many notches. Salads are boring with crunchy white romaine lettuce. Herb fries were ok, not great. The stuffed pepper was undercooked and flavorless and the filling was mostly rice and over salted. The ribs were fine, but not nearly what they used to be. The grilled corn, was water logged and mushy. Topped it all off with berry crisp, which looked good, but was made with frozen fruit and non-Maine blueberries. Don't waste your time or boat gas to come here, it's not what it used to be. read more

Yesterdays lunch was yet another fiasco. Waiters with no knowledge of what is on the menu, stressed and disconnected and random service. Overstressed hostess. Bad vibe and bad energies of a team that seems that they do not really want to be in the restaurant business. Agree with other reviews that the Dock has seen better days- as perhaps the concept and original purpose of the restaurant has lost its focus. Trip and location are superb but that does not justify the poor service, and bad mood of the staff and restaurant. Would recommend those who chose to go to embark in the spirit of a gamble, you never quite know what you will get: good food or bad food, bad service or good service......and maintain low expectations and be pleasantly surprised if it is better.... read more

Find a way to get to this restaurant! Take your own boat and dock easily or take a ferry. Best food you'll find on the central coast. We'll be back. read more

Wonderful lunch today! Lobster was great in the lobster roll. Lemonade was freshly made. Fish & chips was full of flavor. Their French fries were good! read more

Don't linger or else! To be clear, this is based on an experience we had 2 summers ago and haven't been back. We had been coming to this restaurant for almost 20 years and had enjoyed going there. We have recommended this place to numerous people. The experience of getting to Ilsford on the Mail boat is amazing and the food is also very good, but the experience was tainted by bad customer service. We booked a table for 8 to celebrate our daughters engagement. The meal was good and maybe we lingered a little longer than usual. I was shocked when our young server came over to our table and said in an annoyed tone "I guess we can't make you leave" . Chalking the rudeness up to an inexperienced server we quickly got up to leave and was shocked when on the way out one of the owners unpleasantly and annoyedly eheoed the statement. We had just paid a bill for over $500! Maybe we lingered a bit longer than the usual turn over time, but a polite whisper that people were waiting for the table would have been sufficient to get us moving. Instead they embarrassed all of our guests and particularly me because I recommend the restaurant. It unnecessecerily tainted what would have been a wonderful experience. I won't say avoid the restaurant, but I would think twice about bringing large parties. read more

Easily the best dining experience over the course of one week we spent in Bar Harbor. Easily. Excellent, excellent food in an amazing place. Moss growing on the deck and walls outside, topped by lichens. From the beginning I loved this place. Food and service did not disappoint. Salted cod sliders were outstanding. The island is as cool as can be and this restaurant is an added bonus. A very very special treat. One of my top 5 restaurants ever. If you are this area and like venturing out a bit, this is a must. read more

We have been coming here for years and always love it. We had feared that it would have changed with the sale BUT .. it was actually even better than we remembered. The ribs were delicious - the chowder magnificent / the fried perfect - and the crab cakes perfectly done. Moreover, the staff could not have been nicer - more accommodating - or knowledgeable. Perhaps the most perfect restaurant ...with moorings ...on the planet. read more

Very rarely does a place deserve 5*s ... this is one of them. We stumbled upon it at the end of the dock during a trip to see the islands. The food was fantastic and it has quite a location. The mail boat leaves about an hour after it opens or you can arrange for your own transport there and back. We knew it was good when we learned that the majority of people make their way here via their own boat. Take the trip, its worth the effort. read more

Good food, cool location, but limited hours that interface well with B&B Mailboat operating hours.

Seafood is spectacular! But red meat dishes are a little under seasoned. Great place to eat though!

I went here with a large group, and we had an amazing experience! Most of the fun was actually getting to the restaurant and back, as you can only get there by boat. I had the great hill blue cheese salad which was one the best salads i have ever had. other people mostly ordered burgers and said they were amazing. then we explored the rest of the tiny island which was interesting.. i cannot imagine living in such a small and isolated place! read more

I loved the location and food. We shared the vegetarian dish which was outstanding. Call before you go and verify the options. They frequently have band nights with a limited menu. read more

Really enjoyed it. Food was great. Only reason not 5 stars is we waited a really long time for the food and my kids were melting down.

We loved the place. Charming location and people. Great food made it a perfect place for a relaxing, yet, great meal.

The location is magical. The food is superb. The service is excellent. Go here. You won't regret it.

No doubt..our favorite restaurant in Acadia area. Wonderful,people, exquisite setting, simple good food. Do not order the blt.... Terrible terrible, soggy, limp, barely cooked bacon. A shame really... As everything else is superb... ESP the clam chowder and dock burger. Also wish they would buy ice.. The salty taste to water is not nice. Worth the effort to get there on ferries from NEH and SWH. Reservations for sure read more

2017: Food is salty, lobster roll is wet and soggy (gave it 3 chances this year)...so disappointing I had to rate it only 1 star this year - never thought that would happen... miss the last owners... read more

A perfect place for a birthday lunch! We had burgers, lobster rolls, and fries. Everything was delicious and the setting is beautiful. We will return again and again. read more

Our wonderful friend took us for brunch to celebrate our recent birthdays! The food was delish, the staff warm and friendly and the view is wonderful! Farm fresh eggs, homefries, bacon and grilled toast for us and the Dock burger that our friend had looked terrific. Was fun to see the improvements that the new owners did keeping all the original charm that we hope to be back to enjoy real soon! Sherry and Mike G. read more