The food is sooo good! Reminds me of the food in Montreal! We had poutine, deviled eggs, and duck rillette. I highly recommend all 3. The only downside is that the place is really small. So if you are claustrophobic, this place is not for you. read more

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Super comfortable atmosphere, friendly/laidback/attentive/engaged staff.... and absolutely fantastic food. Nice low lighting, great tune selection. This place rules read more

I can't say enough about the Black Birch Restaurant. The food is superb and prepared expertly and arrives piping hot. The menu is eclectic and features something for everyone. I particularly enjoyed the poutine, a Canadian dish featuring French fries smothered with gravy and cheese curds. In addition, a large dollop of duck confit sat on top. The dish was enough as a main course, but served as a table appetizer. I then ordered shrimp fra diavolo a tasty zesty dish with sautéed shrimp seasoned perfectly with pomodoro sauce on top of al dente pasta. Described as a small dish on their menu,it's true to the description. My companions had Mac and cheese, scrumptious and corn Chowder. The service was prompt and friendly with the waitress providing us with knowledgeable ingredients and recommendations. The bar features non-famous drinks which turn out surprisingly delicious and robust. The prices are not exorbitant and you leave totally satisfied. The beers are local and I was provided comparisons and descriptions based on my preferences with better known beers. I was even provided a small taste sample. Great touch! Well done Black Birch! This establishment is a winner and I can't wait until my next visit. I hope very soon THE PLACE IS NOW CLOSED read more

This place is awesome! Tiny hole in the wall restaurant with no sign (yet). There is a 'comfy at-home' atmosphere. The bar is the place to sit. There is a great variety of beers that are constantly changing. Sitting at the bar, you can spend your evening guessing which beers are on tap. All the tap handles are homemade - hammer, gun, wood carvings; very original. Going out to dinner, I like a little of this and a little of that. The Black Birch's menu is perfect for pickers like me! We started off with deviled eggs. These were no ordinary eggs...these included celery with hot sauce, beets with horseradish, and clams with bacon. YUM. I could have ordered about ten more. We also had the beet salad. This was dressed up with golden beets. (I think they have a slightly milder flavor). Delish. I'm not huge on beer, but my boyfriend was impressed. The servers allowed him to half pint everything. I stuck with good ole vodka. Everything was handmade. I'm talking fresh lemon zest, muddled fruit. I saw it all. All the guys working were into their work. Records were being played, everything was classic. We ordered our 'main meal' off the small plate menu. I went with the duck confit poutine while Dave opted for deep fried short ribs. Seriously fantastic. Everything was well seasoned and literally cooked to perfection. Dessert? Obviously. How about fresh made mini doughnuts rolled in lemon sugar with a raspberry coulis? Beyond tasty. All in all I was impressed. Everything was super fresh and an original play on comfort food. Oh, to top it all off, no computers. Yep, everything was hand tallied. Great food for a more than reasonable price. Downside? Everything was excellent, but if you're looking for a 'quick' meal you won't be in and out (but then again, why would you want to be?) read more

Seriously great restaurant - took a while to get a seat...but it was so worth it! After reading the reviews here I tried some of their deviled eggs (even though I am NOT a fan of deviled eggs usually), but zomg they were sooooo goooooood! You have GOT to try them!! I also got the chicken liver mousse (pretty good!) and the short ribs (another zomg sooo goooooooooooooooooood). Service was pretty good, not stellar, but decent (but it was way crowded the night we went...). But seriously the food was great and just the deviled eggs alone deserve 5 stars...especially at this price point! Would eagerly go there again. read more

This out of the way location is a MUST visit if you are even remotely within driving distance. The building is fairly non-descript however it is simply defined and perfectly outfitted with a refined urban rustic feel. The service lets you know that this restraunt is a family and treat you like you are their special guest or better yet part of what makes this place special. The food was simply spectacular. I ordered the duck breast with sweet potatoe mash. This is the best duck dish I have ever had in my life. The meal was cooked, executed, and delivered with perfection. I am pretty sure that it melted my face. My wife ordered a simple pulled pork with coleslaw served on top with a side of potatoe salad and baked beens. The meal was simple and normal however the taste were spectacular and done perfectly. Drinks were served by two great bartenders who led us through the ample choices of beer selections and knowledgable to serve any cocktail. The host Ben... makes me hungry for fried chicken..... unbeknownest to me they have a great waffle and chicken item that hits the menu from time to time. Too satisfied with my meal I skipped dessert. The feel was eclectic, local, and spectacularly friendly. Be prepared to share in conversation with your neighbors as the seating can be a bit tight but one bite of your food and you will end up in a world of your own. read more

The Black Birch - Record player....Awesome! - New American Near Me - Kittery, Maine

Great little casual place to have a drink at and enjoy a menu that is an extravagant take on comfort food. The mixed drinks are pricey, but the food is well worth every cent. I had the risotto which they made omitting the breaded asparagus as per my request. I enjoyed it with gusto and hope to return at some point. The service is friendly and quick. The waiter had a good knowledge of which items I should avoid due to gluten sensitivity, and was attentive. The music is played on a turntable and adds an eclectic ambiance to the place, and it is not so loud that a conversation can't be had. The ambiance is cozy and at ease. This is definitely a place where I would take someone on a date and not regret the experience. read more

Best. Restaurant. Ever. My advice for first timers...eat a snack before you go because you will wait for a table, they are always busy! No stress though...Al will happily pour you a beer or craft an amazing cocktail for you while you wait. Once you're seated, order the deviled eggs. The chef changes them up all the time and they're always uniquely delicious. Despite their amazing menu choices...I always end up ordering the Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup. It's made on ciabatta bread with a perfect blend of herbs and cheese. The soup is delicious, a perfect accompaniment to the sandwich. My husband suggests the brick chicken, but get there early because they run out occasionally. This is one of our favorite restaurants in the area. The people are fantastic, the drinks are awesome, and the food is killer. Enjoy! read more

In town for business after a crappy day of travel with delayed flights and rainy weather. Found this place and took a chance mainly because it didn't seem boring. It was not. The beer selection was great run through of local (New England) craft beers. Maybe a tad heavy on New England IPAs but come on we are in Maine after all. The food choices spanned good old comfort items like grilled cheese and tomato soup to fancier items. I went with the double cheeseburger. It was delicious and paired well the the Tributary Oyster Stout. I will definitely be back. read more

Not only is the new outdoor seating fantastic, but this is consistently the best restaurant I've been to in Maine/NH. I currently live in Boston and have made the trip to Kittery just to say hi to the staff and enjoy a fantastic meal. The menu changes fairly frequently and the drinks are always top notch. Highly, highly recommended. read more

My boyfriend and I went to kittery about a month ago an this was the 1st place we ate at on our trip. I was hard to find at first because the sign is not visible (especially in the dark). But to our surprise despite the sketchy neighborhood they restaurant was very modern inside. It had a very upscale feel to it and I was really a fan of the color scheme. My boyfriend really enjoyed the disco like music they played lol. According to the waiter the cooks make some of the dishes different every night which I thought was cool but I was not brave enough to trust them so I stuck with something more simple. I was not that hungry so I ordered the Mac and cheese and my boyfriend ordered the Reuben which looked very good and he said it tasted good but did have a little after taste. Be tried the Allagash beer which is native to Maine I think and he enjoyed that. They had a decent choice of alcoholic beverages however the menu was very limited which I didn't like. But overall it was a very nice experience Sidenote: we wanted more drinks at a lower price so we stopped by the whole in the wall bar directly across the street.... Had an AMAZING time hanging with the locals who were very friendly and the drinks were super cheap. Nice way to start the weekend! read more

The Black Birch - Reuben - New American Near Me - Kittery, Maine

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We checked Yelp and found all the glowing reviews for this restaurant. We decided to check it out as our dinner stop during an evening of shopping in Kittery. The only problem with this was the place was hard to find. We got there at 6pm on a Saturday night and waited a full hour before being seated. Once seated, we were there for another hour an a half. So, not a quick stop, BUT the food was well worth it! The servers were super nice, as well. As we waited for our table, they checked in regularly about drinks and even offered us delicious day-old brownies as snacks. They were very attentive at the table, as well. We ordered both small plates and large plates and shared amongst three people. Every single item was SO. GOOD. Simple dishes like deviled eggs, grilled cheese and tomato soup, mac and cheese and fish and chips all were creatively prepared and presented. The fish and chips took a ridiculously long time to prepare, but WOW, was it good! So, if you have a lot of time on your hands and want to experience taste bud delights in a small Maine town, this place is for you! read more

Glad that I finally made it to this place; we ended up going twice in one week it was so good! Very rich comfort food: pork shnitzel (sp?) - my FAVE, and a must try. Brown buttery goodness. Caesar salad with fried oysters, blue cheese baked inside a pear, bacon and bleu mac and cheese, are you drooling? Everything that goes by your table smells great and looks interesting and delicious. The dinner portions are, in my opinion, the perfect size. If you order an app and dessert you will be just full enough. I'd like to try more cocktails off their drink menu; I've only tried one. it was made of a few different types of Vermouth, and the flavor just wasn't for me. Their cocktails have a lot of ingredients in them that I'm not familiar with; it's difficult to pick out a drink when you have no idea what you're ordering. However, they make a good cosmo and a great dirty martini. I've only gone on weeknights and had to wait up to an hour; they seem to always have a busy bar. Worth the wait, and I'd recommend going early. If you are seated later than expected and are in a rush, let your server know. Our waitress put our order in with an "on the fly" request, and the pork and fish and chips were on our table within 10 minutes; great attentive service. Be prepared to sit very close to...everyone else there :) read more

WOW! This place is amazing! I wish I lived closer so I could come on a more frequent basis! My husband and I visited last weekend to kick-start our wedding anniversary weekend! The overall atmosphere is cozy, yet modern. They have an extensive drink menu list and a great dinner list. Some items are perfect for sharing or you can order your own menu. The menu is somewhat small, but each and everything on there that we had was delicious! I would highly recommend this to anyone who loves great food, atmosphere and a good drink! I look forward to coming back! read more

If you're going to have a night out, this is the place to go. The food is amazing and different, the cocktails are always fun to try, and the service is incredibly friendly and prompt. The only bummer is that it's usually a pretty lengthy wait, but even then they'll take drink orders for ou while you wait! Pricing is more than reasonable given the entire experience. My boyfriend and I usually spend about $70 (dinner with a few drinks). Can't recommend it enough! read more

Always a wait BUT... so worth it! DO NOT LET THE WAIT DETER YOU! On a weekend between 5-8 pm you are looking at 1-2 hours of hanging out with your friends before dinner. Luckily guests are welcomed inside and immediately offered a beverage. The attached art gallery is a great place to hang while waiting. We enjoyed an assortment of appetizers such as Poutine (highly recommend), mixed olives, fois gras mousse with grape jelly. Dinners were all fabulous though I only tasted the chicken and fish & chips. I would eat either of them again. The brussels sprouts were out of this world. Only one person attempted the dessert but she said the cheesecake was delicious. Excellent service from beginning to end. This restaurant is on the top of my list! read more

So good. Totally unexpected flavors. Get the grilled cheese and tomato soup and the deviled eggs. Seven months later and still amazing. Worth the wait. Get the deviled eggs - the combinations sound crazy but are consistently amazing. read more

Really quaint little place with excellent specialty drinks. The short rib was layered with flavor and the Brussels sprouts were tasty. The scallops were OK .... The molasses donuts were amazing! served warm & delicious perfect way to end our meal. read more

The rumors are true: This place ROCKS! From the incredible beer selection to the delicious food to the hopping atmosphere to the great service, this place is a 5++++ for me. My BF & I went there for my birthday dinner last night and had the best time. For dinner we shared the marinated olives, the Cuban sandwich and sake-steamed mussels. For dessert, we got the donuts. All of the food was to die for. My only wish is that we could have had some french fries to munch on... Oh, and we also LOVED the music! It was so great listening to vinyl with good beer, good eats & good friends! A few suggestions (since this place is so busy & well-liked & doesn't take reservations): 1. If you want to go on a weekend night, get to the restaurant before 5! We did this last night, and the bar was already packed. We chose to sit at a table, and by the time we got our entrees & 2nd beers, the place was already filled to capacity! 2. Try to sit at the bar! Although we were perfectly happy sitting at one of the small tables, a seat at the bar seems like the place to be. However, by sitting at the small tables & after having a few beers, my BF & I had the most unexpected and wonderful time chatting it up with the couple next to us. There is also this high-rise communal table in the middle of the restaurant that could be fun if you had a bunch of friends with you... I've also heard that in the spring & summer, they'll be opening up a back patio garden. I hope this is true because that would be wonderful! read more

Very cool (and very popular) spot in Kittery. We visited on a Wednesday evening in October, it was packed, fortunately got 3 seats at one of the high tables without much of a wait. Enjoyed Mac n Cheese and a few other small plates, along with beer and cocktails. If I lived in the area would be a regular! Parking was a bit challenging but not too bad. Service was very good. I loved the turntable behind the bar, now that I have trashed all my old stereo equipment and vinyl, it's coming back, always the way, right? read more

Amazing experience! The long wait was shortened by yummy drink. We ordered our desert first and just loved the skillet cookie. Our short rib entree was a "fall off the bone" piece of heaven! Can't wait go back! read more

We had been wanting to try The Black Birch for a while, but typically every time we are in Kittery, it's over lunch and therefore they've not been open. Finally, the stars aligned and we arrived in time for a late lunch/early supper. I am so delighted we finally made it here - what a completely fantastic spot. We arrived around 4pm on a Friday holiday weekend, the place was busy but not completely packed. I think we timed it right, because by the time we left (after 5pm), there was a longish line of people waiting to be seated. Honestly, we just loved everything about our visit - the atmosphere, staff, food and drinks were exceptional and our only regret is that we hadn't tried it out sooner. Their beer list is truly magnificent, and they were very patient letting my husband try different beers since many were unfamiliar. The bartender also made me a really fantastic mocktail - I appreciated this very much because so often the options if you're not drinking are so limited and disappointing. Since it was early, they were doing a slightly more limited menu, but still with plenty of delicious options. We ordered fried pork skins, pork pate de campagne, and duck poutine - all were absolutely delicious. The poutine was really exceptional, and in fact we preferred it to the raved-about poutine at Duckfat in Portland. We will definitely be back to sample more of their delicious food and drinks. read more

I don't understand the hype of this place The menu is minimal and they never have many specials The food is average at best Also have they ever heard of a concept called reservations. It's what restaurants do when they are busy These clowns make you stand outside for 45 minutes and don't even offer a bench or anything to sit down on In addition they take your drink order while standing in the doorway . How tacky is that . Yeh I want to drink a 12$ martini standing in a crowded doorway waiting to sit down read more

I really thought I was going to love this place based on the menu and reviews. I agree the deviled eggs were fabulous, but everything else I tried tasted like pepper. Four of us split a bunch of appetizers including Mac & cheese, carbonara, pork belly, ribs, cheese plate, and a few others. The only thing I would get again are the eggs. There seemed to be air conditioning, but it was very hot in the restaurant. They need to find a way to compensate for the open kitchen. The service left a lot to be desired as well. Not only was it uncomfortably hot, but we had to wait a while for our drinks. Whenever we needed something the staff was nowhere to be found which was odd for such a small place. read more

Me and my girlfriend were going to go out to a nice dinner in Portsmouth but it was a busy Saturday afternoon and we could not find anywhere to park my truck. Opened up the old yelp to see what around may be good to try, I'm so glad this restaurant came up, the food was great and the drink selection was amazing. When the bill came I was expecting it to be expensive with how nice the restaurant was and how elegantly the food was served but to my surprise it was far less than I had expected! The staff was very friendly and the whole place has a very warm and inviting style to it. Definitely worth a trip ! read more

Former post office with Amazing food. Get here early and do not leave without eating the carrot cake donut if they have it. Would love to be back read more

The poutine was savory and smoky (with the perfect combination of curd and duck gravy) and the Cool Jets cocktail was deliciously refreshing (a wonderful balance of sweet and tangy)! The waitstaff was friendly and knowledgable, giving me a great cocktail recommendation. The design is cozy yet upbeat, making it the perfect place for a group of friends or a romantic date. This is the first time my boyfriend and I have dined here, but we will definitely be coming back and recommend it highly! read more

My husband and I love this place!! The atmosphere is great and the food is spectacular! My husband's go to meal here is the fish and chips. He has tried other restaurants' fish and chips but the Black Birch's is hands down his favorite! I love the grilled cheese and tomato soup. I can say, with no hesitation, that their grilled cheese is the best grilled cheese I have ever had! Be warned though, the grilled cheese takes 25 mins to make (something with the cooking process). But it is totally worth the wait! While you're waiting order a few appetizers! You can't go wrong with any of them!!! As other reviews have stated, the deviled eggs are delectable! If you happen to visit on a day when the weather is nice, I suggest being seated out on the patio. It is beautiful and almost peaceful. Especially compared to how busy it is inside! read more

Cannot be any more perfect. Black Birch is the gem of New England. I love the food, the drinks, the ambience, the people running the place, the music, the gallery next door! I just moved out of New England, and I'm writing this out of nostalgia and as a thank you to Gavin, Ben, and Jake (who I actually never really met, since he was always in the kitchen making the good stuff). Favorites: their salads, deviled eggs, chicken liver mousse, mussels, pork belly+cracklin, fish and chips, and so much more (their specials are always very much so (special)) Cocktails never fail to disappoint (always changing, too! so keep going back and never get bored!) Beer list is fantastic. I know I am just another raver among many, but here's to you, Black Birch! I miss you. read more

It wasn't for me. The food was good, but the menu is very limited and the portions are tiny and pricey. I liked the small restaurant atmosphere, but I felt like I was surrounded by a bunch of snoody, elitist dbags. Maybe it was just the night that I was there. On the bright side, they do have a great selection of beer. read more

Our first time to Maine and first time to this restaurant. Food was great!!!! All made from scratch. Service was awesome too!

WOW. Has to be the busiest place in Kittery Foreside. Try it very good stuff that won't totally drain your wallet

This place is so killer. The smoked trout was off the hook :) My drinks are always perfect. My favorite place to go.

Duck Poutine, Glorious! Scallops over popover, wonderful! Short ribs, Delicious! Banana cream donut, mind blown...where am I?...Amazing! Best and most consistently tasty meal. Go there! read more

My wife and I are from New York, so we naturally went to yelp to help guide us to our destination. It was nearing 10pm and our choices were limited, we just wanted somewhere where there was A/C and yelp thankfully brought us to The Black Birch. Parking was plenitiful plus they have a lot to the side of the building. When I first walked in, I was quite pleasantly reminded of downtown Brooklyn. The vibe was casual and the floors were clean. TWO HUGE points I always look for in a dining establishment. The first thing that caught my attention (it was also at the top of the menu) was the deviled eggs. I love restaurants that are ballsy enough to sell boiled eggs w/ whipped yolk on their menu. They are basically telling you, yes, you will like it, yes you will pay me money for it. #Truth They were delishhhhhhhh. The duck rillet and chicken liver mousse were tasty and for $11 (both) who can complain. It's not blue ribbon sushi chicken liver mousse but hey, for you NY yelpers... you know what Im referring to. Wife had the Pasta Cabonara... delicious. Every bite made you want to finish as fast as possible so you can stuff your face again with another. I had the brick chicken... I rarely order chicken on a menu, but this was calling my name. I am glad I did. The chicken was moist and not over cooked... the sauce, yum, and what put it over the top.... the super crispy skin. All the fat has been rendered so dont worry abt the fat, and if you do, you should never read my reviews. Being gluttons, we ordered a grilled cheese and tomato soup to go. Perfect way to start the next morning. The BEST restaurant we been to so far in this NE area. Portsmouth brewery = 3 stars Jumping Jays Fish Cafe = 2 stars, Golden Egg = 3.5 stars read more

so excited to have this option, especially since i live in kittery and it's currently harder to drink good beer at portsmouth brewery and then stumble back across the bridge. in fact, i hope i never try to do that, since there is no bridge across which to stumble, and the current is way too strong to try to swim across after drinking the beers. aaaanyway. i have been here twice, eaten many foods including poutine, all of which were completely satisfying (although it was too long ago now to say anything too enlightening - i have been lax on my yelping and am playing catch up). the beer menu is a star attraction here. the descriptions are just long enough to give me a sense of what i'm getting, but not so long that it seems overwhelming to get all the way through. the rotation seems to change fairly regularly so that there are new things to try, including sours, which are the boy's favorite. friend the fb page to keep up to date with the selections on tap. read more

I have never had anything other than absolutely fabulous food and great beer. This is not a touristy place, but one that is full of Kittery and other local residents every night. The deviled eggs, anything pasta, and lamb sweetbreads lead the list of outrageously fresh and carefully prepared food. read more

Never been disappointed at the birch, great food and cocktails. Place gets busy for a good reason. Ensure you get there early, and ensure you order multiple things off the menu. read more

We drove around the block twice looking for the restaurant (we are also from out of town). Finally found it and was NOT disappointed. The food was amazing!!!!! Flavorful. Unique. And just plain delicious. The atmosphere was relaxed and inviting. The service was also amazing. Literally can't say enough about how good this place is. From appetizers to dessert, this place did not disappoint us. Definitely one of our new favorites!!!! Highly highly recommend!!! read more

I don't know what I can tell you about the Black Birch that isn't already stated in the many other wonderful reviews, except that I like it so much that if someone were to tell me they didn't like it, I would be very suspicious of this person. What everyone else says is true: the food is fantastic, creative, and reasonable, the beer and cocktail selection is also a thing of beauty and also reasonably priced. We opted to have the various meals and appetizers come out as they were cooked, which can make for some slightly awkward timing (i.e. one person eating a grilled cheese by themselves), but it seemed like they would be willing to work with you on this, if it were to be a problem. That being said, there is no doubt this is a very well run operation. They don't take reservations, but when we arrived the host (gentleman with glasses, pictured on their website, otherwise known as the man who seemed to be everywhere at once) casually took our name and offered to get us a beverage or take our phone number. We ended up opting for both, walking around for 30 minutes and then coming back and having a cocktail while we waited another 10 minutes or so. There is a small area where you can wait, and because they're very busy it can be a bit packed in here (hence our initial walkabout). If there was one thing I could change, it would be more lounge space, or more room to have a drink while you're waiting. However, unlike so many places that leave you to your own crafty maneuvers to get a beer from the bar while you wait, our friendly host took your drink order as he took your name, and delivered the drink to where you were standing and waiting. Can't tell you how nice that is compared to the alternative. I had been actually plotting where the hell I was going to stand at the bar to try to order before he took care of us, and very quickly. We were given the option of a quicker sit-down to sit with some other people, or wait it out. We happily sat down with some other folks, and they didn't put us right on top of them or anything, just sort of at the same, long table. I guess this could be weird for some, but we had a great time talking to the other people. I saw some reviews say something about "rude", but they must have been from a different time, or the previously mentioned people who are not to be trusted. This particular night, not only were they packed as usual, but they had to close the patio due to thunderstorms and re-seat all of these people inside. From our host to the waiter and anyone else who dropped off food at some point, everyone was cool, calm and collected. We've all probably been to a super busy restaurant and the host or waiter is frazzled and stressed, but the Black Birch had this down to a science. My advice is be a little patient and you will be rewarded. read more