Blueberry beer, cocktail or mocktail? The Pilgrim's Inn has all of that. I write this with the luxury of having friends with a place on the island, but I'd imagine staying here to be magical. For the food... We were fortunate to be one of the first groups to enjoy the work of a new resident chef from Brooklyn, NY, Susan Kim. I did not ask where the The golden spaghetti with lobster and fish roe was solid. The halibut was stellar. The duck confit was probably the best dish at the table. We shared much of the items. Christine was our server and she was absolutely lovely. We were seated in the extended room (left of where you enter) and enjoyed the vibe. The air inside is fresh with the windows/doors open (with screens) on nice days. Most of them are in August! I've never sat in the old room by the fireplace but we also usually have a larger party. We came with 8 this time. Everyone agreed- best meal of the week! read more

The Ark - Golden Never enough lobster but would go with the primary golden pasta next time. - Seafood Near Me - Deer Isle, Maine

they have a rotating roster of chefs so the menu changes with the chef. So far all have been great. It is a little hard to park but otherwise a lovely location in the town of Deer Isle. I plan to return and see what a new chef can do read more

I stayed overnight at the Pilgrim's Inn at the beginning of August, choosing it for its gorgeously remote location on Deer Isle as well as for the tasting menu on option from Chef Ryan McCaskey, lauded for focusing on all the good fresh, seasonal ingredients Maine is known for. This was my splurge and treat night at the end of a vacation and it was absolutely worth it! First, the ambience: it's cozy and rustic inside, with a friendly staff; I arrived a few minutes early specifically to have a drink at the bar, which was staffed by fabulous bartender Abby who made me a perfect vodka martini. Chatted with a couple of other locals who apparently drop in from time to time. Once in the dining room I settled in for the tasting menu (I elected to add on the wine pairings as well--why not?). First up was cauliflower in a buttery roe sauce, paired with a French Chardonnay: this was either briefly roasted or pan-seared and there was something a delicately lemony about the butter sauce, a brightness you might not expect with cauliflower that was a really nice way to begin. Next up was celery soup, served inventively with a cute mini-terrarium with greens and spice which is then transformed when the soup is poured in--whatever seasoning this was provided the "dirt" in the garden and was delicious! After this was a deceptively simple dish (in a seriously gorgeous bowl, btw) of white beans dotted with caviar--this is one of those cases where simple = absolute perfection. And I wasn't finished with the appetizers yet, because following this was a kind of deconstructed lobster bake, with a little corn flan instead of the actual cob, rich bisque, and a flaky little biscuit. Talk about a party in a bowl! The meat course was melt-in-the-mouth short ribs with an onion purée--almost like a little stew, a rich, meaty harbinger of fall. I was having an amazing Pinot Noir with this (you could have fooled me and told me it was a Cotes du Rhone and I would have believed it). I'd elected to get the foie gras supplement and was pretty full by then, but it too was delicious! I was thankful for a bit of a palate cleanser after that, so to start off the desserts (yes plural) there was a beet and strawberry puree, followed by a chocolatey little thing and finally an upscale chocolate bar sprinkled with sea salt. You don't have to get the tasting menu; most of the main items were also available a la carte. And what I loved is that even with some of the more inventive touches, nothing at all was fussy or tried to meld strange flavors or was trying to make any kind of point other than how wonderful local, top-quality ingredients can shine. As if that's not enough, there's breakfast if you're a guest at the inn! So after rolling myself upstairs for a blissful night of sleep, I came down to homemade corned beef hash and eggs, probably the best I've ever had. And the same chef was hard at work in the a.m. too. Practicalities: if you're not staying overnight you'll need to be in Deer Isle or nearby Stonington, or close enough on the Blue Hill peninsula. There is plenty of room to park outside if you're driving. As noted it's a rustic vibe; think smart casual (though really it was pretty relaxed overall and one of the people I was with at the bar was wearing a fleece; I mean it's Maine). And solo diners, they'll treat you right--in fact I wasn't the only person there on my own--so if you're someone who likes to treat yourself every now and then, think about putting the restaurant at Pilgrim's Inn on your list for next season. read more

See all

Great staff, delicious food, lovely spot. We shared lobster Mac and cheese and mussels - both were great!

This is a great restaurant to go to if you aren't hungry. We had a 5:30 reservation, but we arrived about 20 minutes early. We were told that we couldn't be seated to have drinks, even though the dining room was mostly empty and only five tables were occupied, because they didn't want to over-burden the kitchen. Once seated, I ordered the lobster pot pie , which consisted of a few bites of lobster, a carrot, a small onion, and a nickel sized bite of pastry crust served in a very large bowl. This was topped with about 4 pea shots and then a bit of bisque which was poured into the bowl. My husband's order consisted of 4 scallops on a plate with various dabs of creams and sauces. Our meals arrived 40 minutes after we ordered. Neither dinner included a vegetable, a starch, or any bread, although rolls could be ordered for $7. Its took us about 5 minutes to eat this meal. The Whale's Rib used to be a great restaurant. While it has always been relatively expensive, it used to be that you were always assured of having a great meal. It was a terrific place to celebrate an occasion or meet friends for dinner. This summer, opinions on the island were mixed about this restaurant. It is easy to see why. The few bites of food we had were very tasty and it could have been a great meal. Instead, it functioned more as a very expensive appetizer. read more

This is a review of the bar. The service was amazing as was the food. I had the mussels and french fries, both done to perfection. My bar mates had the lobster grilled cheese, Brussels sprouts, burger, and the Bavarian pretzel. All were a hit. We all had the Maine blueberry cobbler was to die for. I'll definitely be back. read more

We have loved Whale's RIb at Pilgrim's Inn in Deer Isle in the past but they have opened this year(2023) with a Michelin chef at the helm in the kitchen and it is a treat that you would never expect to find on a small island in Maine. The Mushroom Toast is delightful! The chef's specialty, Lobster "Pot Pie" was almost an entire lobster with a rich lobster bisque. My favorite dessert was the Ice Cream Sunday. The wine selection was balanced and perfect for the food on the menu. Highly, highly recommend! read more

We stayed at Pilgrim's Inn and had dinner reservations here for our second night. See my review for the inn here: http://www.yelp.com/biz/pilgrims-inn-deer-isle#hrid:71GcFEyoPT7qYL4pE83TAw They had a limited menu for dinner because it was Monday night but what we had was very, very good: ~ seared halibut served on lobster risotto with asparagus and little dollops of something called romesco sauce (definitely had a nice roasted red pepper flavor) ~ quinoa & kale cakes with a grilled portobello mushroom cap, spicy mustard, olives & capers ~ chocolate pot de creme (thicker than mousse and not as silky as pudding and REALLY CHOCOLATE-Y - in the best way) We would love to try the restaurant another time when they are offering their full menu and it would be fun to see what the bar is like when it's open - it seemed to be closed both nights we were there (Sunday & Monday). Probably because those are off nights anyway and because mid-June is still early season for them. read more

The Ark - Pilgrim's Inn + Whale's Rib Tavern - Seafood Near Me - Deer Isle, Maine

I went here when I came to the island for my father's wedding. This is the best place on the island. The catch 22 is that it is small. That is nice because it makes the meal more intimate but on the other side of the coin, it fills up quickly. The bartender is witty and fun. She will always make sure conversation is as tasty as the drinks, if you want to talk of course. The food is quite lovely. I strongly recommend this place. read more

Wales Rib Tavern reopens this may. Looking forward to seeing you at the historic Inn & Tavern.

My wife and I have been coming to Deer Isle with our now grown kids for close to thirty years. There is always change from year to year, but the Pilgrim's Inn and restaurant has always maintained a standard of quality we've truly appreciated. Sadly, that has now also changed. Our dining experience there tonight was about as bad as could be: Lousy service and terrible food. What is going on? New ownership has not meant renewed energy in catering to returning loyal customers, or first time visitors. I can't imagine ever going back. read more

service was kind and abundant. sure lobster pot pie would have been good but it was cold

We had dinner here with a 6:30 reservation. After being seated and during the process of ordering our server informed us that she wasn't trying to rush us but that someone else had our table when they started their 8:15 seating. From that moment on the evening was a total failure basically amounting to hurry up order, eat and leave because we need your table. What's more perplexing is why they take reservations at all if they have two distinct seatings why not just say so and let their clientele know when each one starts and if there are tables available. My wife's seafood stew with half a lobster was quite good she said through clinched teeth. My crispy eggplant with fresh mozzarella was OK but got really boring after less than half of the oversized portion was eaten. Needless to say we didn't order desserts as we were out of time! The wait staff seemed overwhelmed and inefficient, running around frenetically trying to tend to their tables. There was very little grace or finesse exhibited which is needed to enable a relaxed, enjoyable dining experience, plus their outfits of polo shirts and cargo shorts (men and women) seemed really downscale in a high priced fine dining atmosphere. I wouldn't go back. read more

Happened on this place by accident and very happy that we did. Accommodated us in spite of us arriving before opening and looking like the informal tourists that we were. The setting is interesting and rustic located in a renovated farmhouse. The seafood was fabulous, both fresh, perfectly cooked and appropriately portioned. The service was prompt. Full on the weeknight that we visited so reservations would be best. Highly recommended. read more

We had dinner here while staying at Pilgrim Inn - per their website, best to make reservations, because it is very popular. The dining room is a cozy place - the gas fireplace was going while we were there. Service is friendly and efficient - wine list decent. For entrees, we all had the seared halibut with risotto, peas and romescu sauce. It was out of this world - the halibut was prepared perfectly, and practically melted in your mouth. For dessert we had the apple crisp which also was fantastic. Highly recommend - if you are on Deer Isle, this is the place to go! read more

Everything here was so positive and delightful. After five hours of kayaking we were famished. Come on over as soon as possible was the answer we when called for a table. We hopped in the rental car and hightailed it over to Pilgrim's Inn. Wow! The grounds are beautiful and what a charming place. The hostess and our server Blossom were friendly and charming. I swear I would have loved this place even if the food was bad. Luckily that was not the case. My fiancé was craving steak after too many lobster rolls. I had the halibut with lobster risotto. Everything was perfect with both are main dishes. I can't forget about that smoked fish chowder. It was our favorite of the trip. That's saying a lot. Being on vacation dessert was a must. We took turns with the blue berry pie and chocolate pot de creme. I can't say enough about this place, the incredible service and food. One of the most memorable meals of our New England vacation. read more

The Ark - Halibut with lobster risotto. - Seafood Near Me - Deer Isle, Maine

I don't live on Deer Isle, but my family has been vacationing there every year for the past two decades, so at this point I've come to know it pretty well, and one thing I can confidently state is that the island is something of a restaurant desert-- most establishments on the island are basically fried-seafood shacks that, although some are serviceable within that niche, one would never call "fine dining." So the Whale's Rib constitutes a local treasure, as one of a midget's handful of high-end restaurants on the island. The restaurant itself is charmingly rustic (and located on beautiful premises at the Pilgrim's Inn), the service is friendly, the menu is always interesting, and the food is delicious. I see a few of the previous reviewers have had complaints, but I've never been disappointed over a dozen or more meals, and indeed I fondly and distinctly remember many of the occasions (if not the details of the specific dishes I ate) I've been there. In comparison, I've had many underwhelming meals elsewhere on the island (see above restaurant desert comment). Although I don't know how I'd compare the Rib against high-end restaurants back on the mainland-- honestly, I've never felt inclined to do so, because one doesn't go to Deer Isle for mainland amenities-- if you happen to be on Deer Isle and are in the mood for a fine meal out, the Rib is your place. Just be sure to call ahead for a reservation, preferably by a few days if it's summer, because the Rib is basically the only game in town in its niche, and you'll be competing with many others who are equally eager to land a table there. read more

Very nice place and very relaxing atmosphere. Staff is friendly and menu/food is very nice. Deer Isle is a special place and this place is definitely part of that. Will definitely return. read more

We visit here each summer when we are in Maine. We love that they use local products and that their menu changes seasonally. Great atmosphere and wonderful food...this restaurant never disappoints!! A true gem! read more

The staff was friendly although our waitress rushed us. We had just ordered our drinks when she wanted to take our dinner orders we didn't have a chance to look at the menu. We split a salad but it came on one plate without an extra plate. I had the baked halibut with lobster risotto which was excellent. My husband had the shrimp halibut pasta which was okay. The shrimp were tough and a bit too creamy. The decor is rustic but comfortable. read more

We stayed at the adjoining Pilgrim's Inn for three nights, and ate at the Whale's Rib for all three dinners, if that tells you anything. The food was tasty, the portions massive, and the service and ambiance very comfortable. Over the course of our stay, we tried the Deer Isle steamed clams, the seafood stew, the clam chowder, the peekytoe crab cakes, the mixed fried basket, the duck, the cheeseburger, and the steak. You can consider those in descending order of awesomeness. Overall, a fine place to become a regular at. read more

In contrast with the Pilgrim's Inn, which was excellent, the restaurant was just ok. Mussels and a chocolate dessert were very good, but the pasta entree was a triumph of quantity over quality. Our server was nice but not well trained at all. She was in way over her head. Not ok at these prices. read more

Excellent food and accommodating kitchen. Great service. We haven't been to Maine in a couple of years and we still talk about the meals at Whale's rib read more

Excellent food, warm atmosphere, great service. Try the lobster spring rolls for an appetizer, and the halibut for an entry. The best food in the Stonington, Deer Isle area. read more

Dinner last night was amazing. Smoked Haddock and Clam Chowder, then the Halibut with Risotto. Both were perfect, but the best part was our waitress, Amy. I asked for the chowder recipe, she not only provided it, but gave me the contact for the smoked haddock ingredient. Stonington Seafood. Check out their website, it's the real deal. Can't wait to get back home and order some so we can enjoy a bit of Deer Isle in North Carolina. read more

Food is good. VERY overpriced. Understaffed. I was allergic to a side that came with an entree. They were only willing to substitute with an upcharge on an already very overpriced entree. Thankfully, there are other, good choices for dining out. read more

We stayed at the Pilgrim's Inn and made reservations for the Whale's Rib all three nights. I highly recommend reservations, as they were packed with diners each night we were there. The service was very friendly, quick, and helpful. The food was delicious, local, and there were a lot of great options. The only two reasons for four stars instead of five is that the burger isn't available in the restaurant and the bar closes early (9pm). All-in-all, I highly recommend dining at the Whale's Rib Tavern if you are in the Deer Isle area. There is no reason to go elsewhere if you're staying at the Inn - best food and drink around! read more

Menu changes seasonally. Fabulously fresh and innovative cuisine. Fabulous service and amazing views!

Yes this is the place for fresh lobster. Big Brute of a hard-shell thing was delivered to us with a triangular plate of potatoes skinned in the center only, unusual and edgy touch. Perfectly fresh. Lovely service even though Danielle did have to introduce herself by name...my usual gripe. Great place. Worth a detour as Guide Michelin would say. read more

My wife and I and another couple went there in 2008. Wives had seafood -- halibut -- guys had beef. Everyone was happy with their food. Full bar and wine list. Cozy atmosphere; locals and tourists. Good service, with a smile. Crowded, but not too much so. They have a deck and barbecue some nights, but we never made that. Desserts were disappointing. Friday and Saturday reservations recommended. Price: $$+ with bar tab. read more

So disappointing. We have been coming to WR several times each summer for years (previously the Pilgrim's Inn). The location is gorgeous, the interior/ambiance is wonderful. The service has always been good. But the food really comes up short this year. We ate there last night--party of 6. On the plus side, the homemade crackers and chicken liver paté were divine. But the appetizer crab cakes, although very pretty, were completely overwhelmed by the tastes of roasted corn and other seasonings--and they were mushy. The steamer clams as an appetizer were very good, but one of us ordered them instead of an entrée and they were barely warm. Ugh. The cod chowder was full of potatoes and almost no fish. The halibut (ordered by two people) was nicely plated but over cooked and dry. The lamb was also overcooked, even though both diners had ordered it medium rare. The chocolate/caramel dessert was quite good, but the strawberry-rhubarb crumble had no texture--no crisp at all. So all in all, very disappointing, and for $310 (before a generous tip--the service was first rate), we will not be returning or recommending to others this summer. The menu at Arborvine (in Blue Hill) is not as interesting, but the food preparation is a level of magnitude above that of Whale's Rib, for comparable prices. Such a shame. read more

In the middle of the tiny village of Deer Isle is the historic Pilgrim's Inn. Around behind the inn is the Whale's Rib Tavern. The tavern has several dining rooms, a lounge, and a bar all created from what looks to be former barns and shed space. The beams are rough. The walls are barn board and you can see daylight through them in places...but the menu is fine. The range is broader than pub food. They have interesting appetizers, salads, sandwiches, and full entrees. Seafood is prominent but there are also meat and vegetarian choices. They offer a good selection of craft beers and an extensive wine list. Service is casual but competent. On our first visit we had thin sliced rare grilled tuna on a cannellini bean salad with young asparagus and a broiled seafood pie with choice of two sides. The pie had big chunks of fish, scallops, shrimp and lobster under a light panko topping. Our dessert was fresh strawberry rhubarb crisp. We plan to go again soon. The restaurant is open daily 5-9 from May until November. read more