We read a few tough reviews about this place but gave it a shot. Wanted to sit outside but couple in front of us got the last table. Got a nice table next to the windows upstairs and got to listen to live music! Food, drinks and service were all outstanding. I got the broiled haddock sandwich and it was definitely the best fish sandwich I've ever had. If you're on the fence, go! read more

Best meal of our trip through Maine. New building with a great atmosphere. Wonderful staff and prompt service. Highly recommend. read more

Pilot House Restaurant - Upstairs dining room. - Seafood Near Me - Kennebunk, Maine

We have walked by this place so many times through the years and finally decided to give it a try. Definitely has a more local feel about it and we loved that. The food was delicious and the prices were so reasonable and we did not leave with room to spare. Portions are great and we definitely plan to make this a regular spot to eat. Thank you for a great experience! read more

Pilot House Restaurant - Tater tot kegs - Seafood Near Me - Kennebunk, Maine

This is a 30% food 70% experience review. Food - we had the roast chicken sandwich and shrimp and grits. The roast chicken is a version of a wawa gobbler (IYKYK) and while taste wise I may prefer wawa the eating experience of this one/integrity of the sandwich reigned supreme. The shrimp and grits is very sausage heavy which I didn't hate but was surprised by, I personally would have liked one more scoop of grits and one less of sausage but I could see folks going either way. Plenty of tasty shrimp in it. Experience/ambiance - we are in Kennebunkport during the off season on a Wednesday night and this is clearly a regulars place. Not only was the wait staff so nice to me, my husband, and my 15 month old but the whole place felt like a family reunion where we showed up randomly but were warmly received and encouraged to grab a plate. We haven't gone too many places in this current weird time in history, especially with our toddler, and it was just emotionally heart warming in a good way to connect with strangers in the way we did. I don't know what our future travels entail but if we are ever back this way we will be back. read more

3.5 stars We came here on the Sunday night of Labor Day weekend and boy, was it crowded. We did find some parking in the back. The band they had playing in the tent was actually decent while we waited...when we put our name on the list, we were told it would be 30 min for inside and up to an hour outside. We said no preference, just whatever became first available. We happened to wait over an hour in the rain for an inside table. Inside, it was noisy and very crowded with people at the bar leaning on everyone's tables inside and outside (surely a covid spreader if I ever saw one). It took several minutes of servers walking by before being noticed ( I know everyone is short staffed lately, so I'm not knocking them for that). The food was very tasty and huge portions, however. We got the fried haddock sandwich for $13.95, one with potato salad and one with French fries and steaming on the inside. By the time we left, the crowd was already starting to think out. 2021 #72 read more

Pilot House Restaurant - Fried haddock sandwich w/ tatey salad - Seafood Near Me - Kennebunk, Maine

Didnt look like much for first impressions. But ended up having some of the best food in town. The fried haddock basket was great. Amazingly juicy fresh flakey haddock. The coleslaw was excellent. Exactly how we make it at home. Lobster roll was decent. Pieces not as crunchy little mushier. But fresh. Definitely tasted good. Just different texture to the meat when eating at the clam shack. read more

Pilot House Restaurant - Lobster Roll - Seafood Near Me - Kennebunk, Maine

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Not as good as it used to be. They are in a brand new space which is very nice, but the charm of the original building is missing. Service was good, we walked right in, no reservation and seated right away. We did have someone in our party with a dairy allergy and were basically told all of the food aside from the French fries had some kind of milk product in them, even the bun of and sandwich and batter for the fried fish. Seemed odd that you would choose to include dairy in virtually all aspects of your menu when food allergies are pretty common. Also it says something about being a scratch kitchen now, but that is obviously not the case, otherwise we would have been able to order more than just fries. Aside from the dairy allergy the rest of the food was your typical seafood restaurant. Good, not outstanding. read more

The Pilot House is the best surprise you'll find in the Kennebunk/Kennebunkport area for a great bite, a beer, and service. In the area, we're surrounded by dozens of great places to eat, but when you want someplace that feels authentic, welcoming, and down to earth, I think of the Pilot House. It's Christmas Prelude up here now, a two-week celebration of the season that is the most active, nightlife-wise, of the year. Last night we stopped in at the height of the madness before the tree lighting and fireworks. Sophie, the amazingly calm and together hostess, was able to get us a seat, a wonderful server, and a table, among a throng of partygoers. The service was quick, the wings and ahi excellent, the beer cold, and we were served within 20 minutes. It may not sound like much, but to have this kind of experience in a bar/restaurant hosting a holiday event with a live band and hundreds of patrons having a blast is nothing short of remarkable. When you get tired of the upscale or the touristy, I recommend you stop in. read more

love it - the new place is gorgeous and the same familiar faces are there. I had a fantastic meal, drinks and the music was great!

This restaurant was recommended to me by our local tour guide as a place the locals eat. The restaurant sits on the Kennebunk River with glass walls facing the water the view is beautiful! I ordered the clam chowder and fish and chips. The clam chowder was creamy and thick but it could have used more clams. The fish and chips were delicious, the haddock was tender and perfectly prepared - not over cooked! Service was great, the wait staff was quick and attentive. The meal was expensive, but what can you expect in Kennebunkport? read more

I have to say over the last month or so I've been to a lot of restaurants usually once if not twice a day for meals and this by far had to be the worst so far I don't even know where to begin from the weight getting in there then it started to rain we just didn't know what to do my food was sent back the chicken tacos look like something that didn't even resemble chicken and after it got sent back and came back again it was still terrible do not waste your money read more

Pilot House Restaurant - Supposed to be the chicken that was in the fried tacos. This was a bunch of ash that crumbled in my hand. - Seafood Near Me - Kennebunk, Maine

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drove back down to the kennebunks and revisited the PH It was great service food bartender's all excellent and did not have do deal with the summer crowds read more

Food: Amazing!! Service: Outstanding!! Ambience: The new Reno blew my mind!! It is gorgeous upstairs!! I highly recommend this restaurant...you will not be disappointed read more

Unless you enjoy a dish full of sodium, and half the shel still left on your lobster, do not go here! The food that is extremely overpriced and absolutely disgusting. Awful service truly tops it off. Only thing that saved the experience was the sub par drinks. read more

If you want an incredibly loud environment where you can't hear your table mates, food that takes 30m+ to arrive and be mid/subpar, and sodas that are $4 PER POUR (no refills), this is your place. Woof. read more

Great fresh fish and a awesome rum punch. Service was excellent from Jamie. This is a real deal place read more

Pilot House Restaurant - Whoopi's pue - Seafood Near Me - Kennebunk, Maine

Best bang for your buck, in KPT! We have tried almost all the places in the Kennebunks and pilot house is the winner. Their breading on te haddock is perfect, not too heavy, not too light. The amount of haddock you get on fish and chips or fish taco options is ridiculous!! The price is just right. The service has been good too. We went there just before everything closed down due to COVID and right after they opened up during COVID. Personally, we would love to just use takeouts but they do have outdoor seatings. I did order a beer too and it was reasonably priced. Their "chips" are the best and they can do the replacement in a heartbeat. Once we ordered extra buns to go with fish and chips and the server didn't add an extra charge to our bill. Sweet deal. It is a hole in the wall/casual place by the dock square but we will go back in a heartbeat. read more

Pilot House Restaurant - Look at the size of the fish!! - Seafood Near Me - Kennebunk, Maine

if you ARE black don't come here i was confronted for my "attitude" as the only women of color in the bar and LATER kicked out after never ordering one drink . i know this won't go far but please don't go here if you have any sense . As a nurse being called out for my pupils size is ridiculous. Mad old white women because they have no money didn't want us to be in there space is sad. PLEASE DO NOT GO HERE IF U HAVE ANY SENESE. read more

Always a favorite! Nothing fancy just friendly lively and lots of locals. The food is never a disappointment. Shrimp and Grits, great! Enough for two. Burgers, always a good choice. Prime Rib always a winner. Scallops are sweet and cooked to perfection. Barb the waitress is 10 stars. Wish the entire port was like this. read more

Great local spot! Great service and the the bartender was awesome. A lot of locals recommend the place.

Highly recommend the haddock. I had the haddock Rueben with sweet fries and a light beer. Husband loved the beans. Great service.

The Pilot House Restaurant is not only a fantastic place to get a bite to eat, but also a favorite of the locals. Every time we go, we spot many familiar faces. Although it may not look like much, this place serves up some of the best food in the area. Our go-to items include the Tater Kegs, bacon and cheese stuffed tater tots with salsa and sour cream, and the Fried Haddock Reuben. Want to enjoy a cocktail? The bartenders definitely don't skimp on their pours. After lunch, stop by and go on one of the many different boat tours they offer as well. read more

We had a great meal. The restaurant was clean and comfortable! We enjoyed the varied menu. The fall cocktails were amazing too!

Loved the old place, not a fan of the new space. Loud and too bright. If they are trying to be an upscale restaurant I can't see it. Prices are outrageous. 7 of us went in for lunch and our bill with tip was $390. Their famous haddock rueben which was once $12.00 is now $20.00. I guess we paid for part of their new addition. Probably won't go back. read more

Stopped in for a light lunch. I had the Asian salad which was excellent as was the Caesar salad. Reasonable priced local place and good service. We will be back read more

We were very much looking forward to dine at the new and improved Pilot House in the Port. Upon our arrival, the parking attendant completely ignored us....he was nose down in his cell phone and we could not get his attention. After 4 minutes, we drove into the lot and parked. We were not impressed with this welcome. Next we go into the restaurant asking to eat on the second floor only to be told there were no tables available. After insisting on the second floor, we were lead upstairs to table 75....which is right near the restrooms....no thank you. We were moved to another table, again with the reiterating of how full all the tables were. Vanessa waited on us and was fantastic. The food was good. I would be very reluctant to return due to the parking attendant and hostess claiming there were no tables available. I have attached a photo of the 'crowded' restaurant. We counted 8 open tables and a completely open bar. After dinner we took a walk out to the boat which smelled of Black mold...kitchen looked pretty dirty as well. My sister in law shared that they got the same 'no tables available' for the last 3 times she was there. Again, second floor was open. Food good, atmosphere pretty tho treatment of customers was bad....and yes, we are locals! read more

We went to lunch on Monday here in August. P House Punch was good. Nice float on top... I had the Tuna Melt and it was just OK. We ordered the Chicken Salad BLT. There was less than a tablespoon of chicken salad on either half of the sandwich. Here's the gross part... the B on the BLT was not cooked. Yup, Raw BACON ! It was awful. As if it had never seen a frying pan or oven. Not cooked at all. I hope this was just an off Monday in the kitchen. We didn't have time to wait for another sandwich so moved the pork fat aside and ate the L n T... very disappointed. read more

We just went for drinks upstairs. The place is beautiful. Then we went down to the tent in the parking lot had more drinks and they had an awesome being there. A lot of dancing pieces of eight amazing read more

Have not eaten at the new pilot house but have been there for drinks and karaoke. Beautiful renovation, friendly staff and love DJ Nate!!

Talk about some local charm, this place is SO back. The longest couple months waiting for this place to open back up, worth the wait. Siobhan, Amy and Vicky were wonderful behind the bar. This one is a repeat all summer long. read more

We had a great experience. We decided to eat her after a whale watch. Had the tater bombs as an appetizer and they were AMAZING. My boyfriend had a burger well done with the egg, and bacon on it and it was cooked perfectly. I had fried clams and they were fresh and delicious. We are already planing to go back for a meal when we go back to Maine in the winter! read more

Pilot House Restaurant - Tater bomb - Seafood Near Me - Kennebunk, Maine

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Best local place.... Good food, music and drinks. This is where the locals go.... I think that speaks for itself.

This place really feels like a eatery for locals. Everyone seemed to know one another. Staff and patrons were super friendly. The food was good enough. I was hungry and the pizza hit the spot. read more

The owner of this restaurant threatened my life and to, "run my car over with an excavator" after aggressively approaching my table where I was eating with my wife and toddler. Apparently I was blocking cars and they asked over the loud speaker for the car to be moved. The music was so loud we could not hear anything, and we were up and down to see the boats and music with our 2-year-old, we genuinely did not hear the announcement. He stated that I "ignored him and knew the car was parked in the wrong spot" and that he would, "kill me" if I didn't move my car. I did promptly move my car. He proceeded to shout at my wife and child that we had to leave or he would "call the cops." We got our food to-go, paid and tipped (out of pity for his employees). Please, do not support this establishment and I hope his employees have adequate support. I will take these concerns further. read more

When in Maine...Pilot House Restaurant is perhaps the type of place you envision when you think of a Coastal Maine restaurant. Located on the docks, opened windows letting the fresh ocean breeze flow through, and full of friendly staff and locals who are welcoming of tourists looking for a good meal. You might think that my next line is that I ordered the steamers or something else seafood related, but I was in the mood for a great burger. They did not disappoint! read more

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Great place and atmosphere. We always look for where the locals go and the Pilot House doesn't disappoint. Food is excellent and service is very good. Couple that with the best prices in town and you can't loose. read more

Good lunch! I had the salmon BLT - excellent - and the fries were delicious! Nice and crispy and well seasoned. My sister had the cup of chowder and mini lobstah roll - it was the perfect size and also delicious. read more

I think other Yelpers may have overhyped this place. As a vegetarian, I was really happy with the poke bowl option. My family however found their portions a little small (particularly the tuna) and overpriced. The service was also a little odd, dropping off the bill before we were finished eating. It felt a little rushed- maybe they were understaffed it was a Saturday night, but it just felt a bit odd. I would choose Allison's over this place personally. read more

Atmosphere was nice. Local place, friendly staff, food was ok. Haddock broiled- was just OK, but it was a good portion and reasonably priced. read more

All good here! They aren't serving whole lobster, but plenty of great foods! Had the stuff flounder! It was to die for! Lots of live music and cold beer. Great time!!!! read more