We had a terrific evening. The wine choice, the duck meatballs, the pasta limone, rib eye and the Salman were all delicious. Loved the chocolate cake and the blueberry lemon curd tort were yummy. Thanks. read more

It was a Tuesday evening at around 7pm and we didn't have a reservation so we expected a wait. Not so! They had tables outside and we were so blessed to get an amazing view. Service was superb and the meal exceptional. Thank you Nina June for a very relaxing and romantic dining experience! read more

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When I wrote my first review of Nina June I stated that I would plan another Midcoast visit for the sole purpose of eating here again, so I was delighted to have the chance to do just that on a brief mid-May jaunt from Portland! The lineup this time: razor clams (I rarely resist ordering razor clams if they're available and these were the perfect plump chewy bite, and the zesty mignonette with cilantro was amazing); poached asparagus with parmesan sorbet (yes for real; crazy good) and bacon crumbly things; mushroom risotto (because it's a cool rainy spring night and your great server says the chef got the mushrooms locally so of course); a chocolate dessert (a delectably rich sort of combo of gelato and sorbet). Shout-out to NJ for being fully welcoming (not just tolerant of) solo diners, too! This time I was on my own so I had a seat at the bar, which was fabulous: you can entertain yourself by watching all of the kitchen action, which I have to say was very relaxing despite it being a bustling full house. There's no crazy on display here, just people making and serving amazing food with the freshest local ingredients. Great chatting with various locals who come in on the regular too--confirming my view that Nina June isn't just a destination, but a cherished local institution too. Oh and yes, I ordered ALL of that : ) (risotto was grand left over) read more

Nina June - chocolate gelato - Italian Near Me - Rockport, Maine

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I'm still thinking -- and drooling -- about our recent dinner at Nina June in Rockport, Maine. What a lovely restaurant. One of the best views in all of Maine for dinner? Quite possibly. Incredible food, amazing service... Nina June gave us a night to remember. Our friend made a reservation for our party of three, and our table was ready as soon as we arrived. There's a parking lot right below the restaurant, which they seem to share with other businesses, and we were able to snag a spot easily. The moment I walked into the beautiful building where the restaurant is housed, I gasped -- it was just so stunning. Maybe it was the pink hue of the sky, or the smell from the kitchen, or the ambiance? Either way, all of my senses were lit up before we even sat down. We started with cocktails on the balcony to soak up the sunset (highly recommend -- shoutout to the sommelier for the idea, and for offering to take our group photo!). The Sidecar Veneziana (cognac, pear grappa, lemon, dry curaçao) was to die for, and my friends loved their drinks too. After admiring the view (seriously... WHAT a view), we ordered pretty much everything on the menu... it all looked that good. Every dish delivered. We left dinner totally full; honestly, we struggled to finish some plates, and I went in expecting smaller portions. Not complaining! The mussels were some of the best I've ever had, soaked in a dark beer and fennel sauce and they tasted like butter. The little gem lettuce salad was a hit; even my blue cheese-hating husband loved it... and don't get me started on those chunks of bacon it came with. And the pastas... I could write a whole separate review on the pastas alone. We all ordered different ones, and I'm still debating which was my favorite, but I think it was my friend's: the pasta al limone with Maine crab. Absolute perfection. We finished things off with gelato and pavlova ( we somehow made room???). Special shoutout to the staff -- they were incredible. I asked what time the kitchen closed (we were the last ones there), and they told us not to worry or rush. The restaurant closed at 9 PM and we didn't leave until 10:20, but we never felt pushed out. They were incredibly thoughtful and gracious from start to finish. We can't wait to go back, and next time, I'm definitely snagging one of those patio tables! read more

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Nina June restaurant is magical! Such a great atmosphere to share my birthday with our family! Every bite was full of flavor! The service was outstanding. A special shout out to Chip the Sommelier for a great recommendation that complimented our dinner. We will be back! read more

We had the most amazing meal at Nina June. The staff were helpful and so kind. The food, and we sampled so many different things, was amazing. So many flavors, and fresh! I cannot wait for my next visit! read more

It's hard to have a better meal in Midcoast Maine, with the freshest ingredients cooked to perfection and to-die-for cocktails. Views over the harbor and excellent service make it a regular and a destination. read more

I am still coming down from my very expensive non palatable evening. The best thing was their focaccia and gelato Everything else- mediocre to just not pleasant. Oxtail had flavor if there was any meat. I literally had to pick up the bone and eat around the crevice to get any meat. Gnawed on the bone at the table. Though I did share, so maybe I got the non meaty pieces. Steak salad?? Yes the minuscule beef was flavorful, but oh my, disappointing. Cabbage salad with warm bacon was tasty. Large and sloppy. Wine paring recommended literally was not on par. Too light and too acidic for the meal. I tried, but gave up. Ambiance was nice, server was very attentive. But a birthday meal for 2 at $220? No- not worth it. I had to tip 20% on the meal, not the $70 bottle of wine. Not going back. No thank you read more

Food and wine offerings are well selected and prepared. Service however was a disappointment. We waited a good hour between salads and actual dinner. No apologies or acknowledgment of any kind from restaurant management. In fact their reaction to the mere suggestion that service was lagging, was both hostile and highly defensive. Would love to give them a second chance but it is hard to overlook the arrogance of this place. read more

A visit to Nina June is always a treat. Service is impeccable, fast and friendly. The bartender/sommelier is especially smart and creative. We always order a couple of his innovative concoctions and trust him to advise us on wine pairings. On our last visit, I started with the grilled fava beans--spectacular!--and my husband had the kale salad. Then he moved on to the steak, while I had the swordfish. It could not have been fresher. For dessert: a thimble-full of the house-made citrus liqueur. A perfect meal. Seating on the deck, with a gorgeous harbor view, is highly recommended. (Get there early, you cannot reserve the deck.) read more

We loved the ambience and open kitchen at Nina June and wanted to be blown away. And while some of the dishes were very good, we were left disappointed by inattentive service and the very high price we paid - almost $400 for 4 people, with only 3 drinks. We were quite surprised to have 28% added to our check - a 25% tip, and 3% service fee. I understand service fees and generally tolerate them, but to then add a 25% tip that was not advertised feels very aggressive. I don't know if it was because we were in a larger group, but 28% added to our bill was way too high for the experience we had. We waited over 20 minutes for our drinks to arrive - they came several minutes after our appetizers/salads landed which is frustrating. I then had to flag down our waitress to get a glass of wine - and she had very little knowledge of the wines by the glass - and there was just no initiative shown in coming by to inquire about a second drink. Also, we had higher hopes for some of the salads we ordered, and they just missed the mark. They also were out of the one dessert we really wanted, which was a bummer. read more

The food was bland and overpriced. A lovely space, and an exciting menu on the page, but the kitchen just didn't come through. We spent $300 on a meal for 3 people (with only 1 alcoholic drink--a watery and disappointing cocktail), and none of us really enjoyed our food. read more

A lovely restaurant with just as lovely food! The interior was warm and inviting and there was an outdoor patio (raining when we went so we did not get to sit outside). All of the servers were attentive and checked in on us often. We started with the bread service. The bread was soft but I felt the olive oil and herbs were a bit bitter. Next up we're the oysters which were extremely fresh and briny. The mignonette had chili pepper but this was not spicy at all. The crudo was presentation was cute - in little lettuce cups. However, the crudo bites itself tasty very fishy which was not ideal. The fried zucchini was awesome! Fried on the outside and the sauce was a little spicy. The tagliatelle was great. I don't normally enjoy rabbit but the meat was soft and the noodles were tender and cooked perfectly Al dente. read more

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I've never had a meal here that I didn't absolutely love! Excellent cocktails too! The best seats in the house are at the bar where you have a full view of the open kitchen. Friendly and knowledgeable staff - definitely recommend! read more

I've been twice, the first time was for my best friends birthday and it was a total flop, rude waitress, inflexibility on where they allowed us to sit, sub par food. The only redeeming factor was our drink server Allison. It was because of her kindness that I decided to give it another try with my husband. The second time around was much better. Allison was still there over a year later (they are lucky to have her) and she was fantastic. The food was excellent, the service sublime, the wine delicious, and the fresh off the Italian farm olive oil brought me back to my olive picking days in Italy. Fabulous all around. read more

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The servers were friendly, attentive and knowledgeable. The salad was fresh and tasty and our main courses of duck breast and blue fish were delicious and perfectly cooked. The atmosphere was vibrant and fun and we plan to return because it is the best dining experience we have had in this area. read more

While visiting Rockport, ME this week we had our anniversary dinner at Nina June. Fantastic food, service and ambiance. Located in an old brick building overlooking the harbor, the ambiance is very Mediterranean with an open kitchen. There are a limited number of tables inside and some seating outside on a deck with a great view. The menu changes weekly, taking advantage of seasonal options. Our host helped us select the perfect wine. Before serving the wine she surprised us with a glass of champagne in honor of the occasion. We started with salad and oysters, following with ravioli and risotto - both were outstanding. We finished the meal with double espressos. We will be going again, next time we are in the area. read more

Food service and ambiance were all amazing. Menu changes with the season. Have eaten here on several occasions.

We live in Camden and Nina June in Rockport is one of our favorite restaurants. A super cozy and beautiful spot... The food is always amazing, unique and flavorful. BTW...the antipasto board is top notch. The drinks are always great and the service is consistently friendly and attentive. Oh, and dessert is always a must! Homemade gelato... yes please! We always enjoy our time there and look forward to bringing our family and friends, when they visit us here in Maine. read more

Nina June - Time for dessert! - Italian Near Me - Rockport, Maine

A wonderful place. Great food, great view if you can get one of the outdoor tables, and excellent unhurried but vigilant service.

One of the best meals we have had in a long time. The swordfish was amazing. The blueberry crumble fantastic. Great service and we never felt rushed to turn the table over despite an early reservation. read more

I'd really like to give more stars because the ambiance and the service was so nice, but..... My husband and I arrived on time for our reservation to a half full restaurant and were taken to the 2 remaining seats at the end of a long table of a family gathering (with a baby). Really? Why? We asked to sit somewhere else and were easily accommodated. We both ordered the porchetta and both found it to be pure fat. No meat. Just fat. For $40. Bad. We did not complain, but should have. We shared a small local tomato appetizer which was okay for $20. The olive oil cake for dessert was dry and needed more whipped cream (which we got). The best part of the meal were the cocktails and the bread. Well, at least there was that! read more

Ambience great. Carpaccio great. Downhill from there. My wife ordered the escarole salad, which was a mound of escrow, radicchio, apples, and cheese buried somewhere in the mix along with scattered walnuts. Very ordinary. No distinguishing dressing or sharp flavors to elevate it. I ordered the roasted cauliflower which was barely roasted in a punch sauce that smacked heavily of orange. my wife ordered the special pasta of the day which was a handkerchief ravioli filled with smoked mackerel and smoked eel. She did not anticipate that this would be served in a broth. it really tasted like very fishy wonton soup. It was not appealing. I ordered the duck breast which was in a plum sauce. You could've fooled me. The breast I guess was cooked well, but the sauce was to be tasteless with a smattering of polenta underneath. I will say the wine was nice and the wines were good. dessert was good with delicious caramel gelato, and the goat cheesecake was very good. Unfortunately, the disappointing salads and mains did not allow us to celebrate that these were excellent house made desserts All this being said, we really enjoyed the look of the place, the spirit of the place, and the staff was excellent. read more

Nina June is an extraordinary restaurant- great ambiance, superb food and highly efficient/ friendly service. Everything we ate was wonderful- locally sourced and prepared with finesse. The oysters from a few miles away were nothing short of superb. The corn sofrito and mussels were excellent. We had the pappardelle with veal and the Tuna entree. Only slight miss of the evening was the pasta was not hot enough. However the tour de force- the tuna entree, amongst the finest tuna I have eaten and that's saying something. They have an unusual wine list with a number of hard to find wines at reasonable mark ups. The Sommelier was very nice. Overall one of the best places in mid- coast Maine. read more

Delicious! We got a reservation pretty easily and really enjoyed our meal. Portions were great and our server was so sweet and helpful. Can't wait to come back! read more

Nina June - Italian Near Me - Rockport, Maine

We enjoyed an evening with good friends, chuckling about the ambiance of being seated next to a tower of cardboard Cava cartons. Nevertheless, we appreciated the salads, with fresh greens and quartered pansies, but for the size and limited variation (two pea pods), felt they were overpriced. Moreover, $10.00 for two slices of fresh bread (cut in half) made us burst out laughing. We enjoyed the rose from the Basque region, most highly recommended, but a house rose or other house option under $12,00 a glass would have been appreciated. We ordered ravioli but were served spaghetti, which we didn't return because staff were busy and we are generally agreeable people. Desserts were average, with highest marks for two scoops of lemon gelato ($12.00). Overall, the prices are high for their taste and portions. We had a a nice evening because we made it so with our own company. Next time, we might pack a picnic. read more

100000% recommend! Had an absolutely incredible dinner here tonight. The ambiance is gorgeous, the food is delicious and the service was top notch. Jeff was our server and he was kind, attentive, funny and so nice when we stayed a bit after closing to finish dessert. 1. The house made bread is delicious, moist and well baked. Tasted great dipped in the olive oil and the Greek yogurty tasting mix with the spices in there was quite good 2. Fennel salad with grapefruit was good, would be great on a hot summers day. It was cold and refreshing and everything tasted fresh 3. The charred kale salad with tahini was DELICIOUS. It was warm and rich and unbelievably good with the tahini sauce underneath. Highly recommend 4. The Cavatelli with lamb ragu was INCREDIBLE. Such a delicious and flavorful rich meat sauce, licked the plate clean. Highly recommend 5. The spaghetti with smoked roe and breadcrumbs was ALSO INCREDIBLE!! It was flavorful and an amazingly delicious combo of the salty roe and perfectly seasoned breadcrumbs. Highly recommend 6. The cheese board was 100% worth getting. It was more of that delicious bread with scrumptious choices of 3 delicious cheeses that paired BEAUTIFULLY with the almonds, figs/dates and cranberry sauce. I was in heaven TOTALLY COME HERE AND ORDER ANY OF THIS STUFF AND YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!! The wine was delicious too especially the desert wine. Jeff was an amazing server. Really just a top notch place read more

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Went to fix price menu last Saturday. Worst meal I've had in memory! Three hundred dollars and I left hungry! Two oysters ok,salad a joke, worst risotto ever! Like thick oatmeal. Lamb was small balls of fat with horrible side? Halibut was so small two bites no flavor. Paid for wine pairing. I know this was a tasting but two sips with my lamb?This meal could have not cost Nina $25.00. I have eaten at great restaurants around the world. Not my first rodeo. Love mid coast restaurants but this was overpriced and underserved. So disappointed! read more

Nina June - Italian Near Me - Rockport, Maine

We visited this restaurant on a Sunday evening and unfortunately I left feeling pretty let down after a $350 dinner. After arriving for a 6:45 reservation we were offered a table off in the corner away from the nice part of the restaurant- near the empty deli fridge. I asked if there was anything else in the back or on deck/ she said no but shortly afterwards changed her mind (perhaps she saw the crestfallen look on my face) and offered us a communal table in the back. What struck me was that although she originally told me that there were no tables open back there, there were in fact 3 other 2 tops and the long table where we were seated communally, completely open. I don't get why she originally withheld when there were plenty of options open. Why? Felt like a snub. Or a game. I didn't like that vibe. The server was just ok- not very friendly, but decent. The drinks took a long time to arrive- they were pretty, but underwhelming for $18 each. The thing that really got me was the cost of the kids' food- a small bowl of spaghetti with red sauce that was bland and sad- for TWENTY dollars each. I felt really ripped off. I believe in supporting small businesses and will happily spend money on great, inventive food- but this place felt unfriendly and overrated/overpriced from start to finish. Really too bad bc I was so excited about the menu and the story of this place. read more

We were seated at the bar which feels like you are in the kitchen. The staff was friendly and accommodating, we felt very welcome. The oysters we sampled were super fresh and tasty, locally sourced. Every crumb of the house made bread with labneh and EVOO was happily eaten. Soft shell crab was lightly fried to perfection, and the parpadelle with goose ragu excellent. Very good wine list. Although the menu is limited, there was a lot we wanted to try. What was prepared for us was outstanding. read more

Good quality is not worth their prices. My wife's lamb was as tough as shoe leather. She couldn't eat it. Fortunately they comped her dish. Hamburger was good but nowhere near great for $27. Waitress was excellent! read more

Nina June is an extraordinary restaurant with extraordinary and authentic Italian food from remarkable Sara Jenkins, in possibly the most gorgeous spot in Maine, overlooking Rockport Harbor. (A lot of adjectives, all of them accurate.) I've been there at this point probably 30 times since it opened and it is consistently incredible. The service is fabulous--sit at the bar for a more laid-back experience, on the deck, or in the dining room, and you'll have an unforgettable time. (More adjectives!) Sara's pasta, which is homemade, is phenomenal but literally everything I've eaten here over the years is mind-blowing. If you're in Midcoast, GO. read more

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We just had an unforgettable meal at this quaint place in the little town of Rockport. My wife has been following them since they took over the location from renown "Salt Water Farm" owner/chief/cooking teacher, Ann Marie Ahearn. The new owner (Sara Jenkins) has set the bar even higher. Quite simply, this place is just fabulous. The atmosphere reminds me of innovative East Village restaurants in New York, but in a beautiful setting overlooking the harbor. But it isn't; just the atmosphere and service ... its the food. Here is what we had: 1) heirloom tomato salad .. perfect, beautiful multicolored ripe heirloom tomatoes with fresh herbs, fresh greens, and pistachios. So delicious, so flavorful, so creative. 2) crusty fresh bread with olive oil dip ... I suspect Ann Marie knows a thing or two about olive oil. Best I've ever had. 3) duck breast, roasted crispy with apples, and tender inside ... It's very hard to cook duck breast crispy on the outside, while keeping the meat tender. It was perfect and wonderful. 4) risotto made with roasted sweet corn and shrimp... how did they get this creaminess and sweetness while delivering an underlying "kiss of the sea" flavor from the underlaying shellfish broth? Wish I knew how to do this myself. Along the way, we also had some wonderful cocktails. In particular, I enjoyed a "Red Hook," which seems to be a perfect replica of Gramercy Tavern's "Man about Town." This is a delicious Manhattan variation, which I was so happy to find in Maine. I was surprised and delighted! Also had an espresso martini for desert, which was smooth, soothing, delicious, and boozy. Glad I wasn't driving! There are several great Maine restaurants in Portland, Camden, and even my own little town (Harpswell). I advise visitors to enjoy our traditional New England seafood ... lobster, oysters, crab, haddock dishes, etc. We love it all! But perhaps also have a gourmet night out .. there is no place better than Nina Junes, even in Boston. read more

The restaurant is quite small with almost half of the space devoted to an open kitchen. We did not experience the degree of service issues mentioned by many reviewers nor did we receive the quality of service one would expect given the menu pricing. We decided to share an appetizer of black mussels (mussels, beer, roasted tomatillos, cilantro and grilled bread) that proved to be quite good. For an entree, my wife chose La Parmigiana (roasted eggplant and cherry tomatoes that were baked in a cast iron skillet and topped with cheese and basil) while I requested pasta al limone (thin house made herb noodles topped with Maine crab meat, and lemon butter). Hers was very good though overpriced while mine proved to be a disappointment due to the overwhelming flavor of lemon and minimal quantity of crab. read more

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An incredible place made complete by amazing people. From start to finish, our time at Nina June was ridiculously delightful.

Came here two nights in a row on our vacation because it was SO good. The setting is perfect, service is amazing, and the dishes were elaborate and tasteful. Would definitely dine there again!! read more

I come here every chance I get. The food is spectacular! I'd come here just for the olive oil and sourdough bread to sop it up! At my waiter's suggestion, I had the cod, beets, and chicory - wow!! The service is engaged, informative, and absolutely professional. The vibe is cozy and personal - reminds me of Italy (where the resaurant has roots). Dinner here is bangarang every time!!! read more

The cooking is first class, but they need to find a better way to deal with the high summer rush. We had made reservations two weeks in advance and upon arrival, were told there wasn't a table available and that we would have to sit outside. The small table was wobbly, inadequately sized and surrounded by potted trees that made it difficult to be seated and to get up. It was a hot August night, so eating outside was a little uncomfortable and the noisy traffic made the experience less than pleasant. That the hostess could not tell us how long the wait was for a table also was disconcerting, since we had reservations. The food was very good, but my tagliatelle was $38 and was supposed to have sausage in it. It was very good, but had none. It should have been at least $10 less. We had been there a few years back at around the same time of the year and it was a far better experience. This experience has us both thinking we won;t be returning any time soon. Shame, really as we support local businesses, the farm to table concept and excellent chefs. Everything about this place is great except for this one bad experience that has lost them two customers. read more

Stumbled upon this gem after attempting to go to the oyster bar next door (closed for the season, wha.. waa:( But, happy accidents do happen, as Bob Ross would say. Nina June was our weekend away happy accident. Mussels steamed with white wine, chili, garlic, parsley, saffron, and grilled bread $14 Beets served with dill, red onion, toasted pine nuts, and marinated feta $12 Two perfect glasses of white wine for $10 each. The atmosphere was just right for watching the enormous snowflakes fall into the harbor. The exposed beams and hardwood floors made for a romantic, yet comfortable atmosphere. I would come to Nina June again, but this time, on purpose, with a reservation for a summer evening! read more

Nina June - Italian Near Me - Rockport, Maine

Love this place. Atmosphere is great. Liked it so much I left my credit card there (by accident.) really good food and drinks. We will be back. read more