The thirsty whale staff was very friendly. It's a small place but very busy. There is no kids menu but our girls shared a regular entree (chicken tenders) and was perfect for the two of them. My husband and I both got burgers and they were cooked well. Food came out quickly even though they were busy. read more

Thirsty Whale - Nice dinner with the family - American Near Me - Bar Harbor, Maine

I don't even remotely got their review. The lobster roll was meh, I didn't even finish it. Lobster was over cooked and rubbery. I ordered pasta "salad" - it was try colored pasta swimming in Italian dressing - nothing else. Person I was with had chicken strips - one of the strips was not even chicken - it was brown on the inside. Service was okay. Clam Chowder was good. But save your time and money - don't eat here. It was mediocre at very best. read more

There's a disclaimer inside the menu saying that there aren't Golden Arches above this restaurant and so it takes time for the food to be made - funny and clever way of telling people to patient. However, we were in there for close to 2 hours and ordered simple things like fried seafood and a broiled haddock sandwich, so they really are slow. Was the wait worth it? Everything tasted pretty good. I shared the fisherman's platter with my brother, which included fried clams, baby shrimp, haddock nuggets, and scallops. Everything was fresh and flavorful. I wish there were more scallops (I think we counted four small sea scallops), because those were by far the best part. They were so sweet and rich. I tried some of the clam chowder, which was also good: rich, creamy, and good clam flavor, without being too heavy. The sweet potato waffle fries I ordered on the side were fine: crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, but nothing too special. I don't think anything we got there was bad. It was pretty good and I'd be back (assuming I have time to spare). read more

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Kevin the bartender was pleasant and answered menu questions politely, haddock sandwiches tasted like fish was swimming this morning. Beer selection covered all the bases read more

This place is fantastic! Good lobster rolls, chowder and fried clams. Prices aren't too bad considering it's Bar Harbor. Good ambiance, nice beer selection. read more

Nice food overall. with a long bar and good amount of tables/seating. The fried blackened haddock sandwich is delicious

Simple informal restaurant in the center of Bar Harbor. Nice variety of local fish (mostly fried haddock). Great burgers and really good clam chowder. Very friendly atmosphere and reasonable prices. read more

Bar food. The muscles weren't great in the seafood sampler and it was mainly muscles. Shrimp were tiny. Good drinks dive bar. Wouldn't eat there read more

Service isn't great, the lobster roll is flat out pathetic, the fried sampler was good, the mozzarella sticks were cold, prices were okay, and the Gimlet was drinkable. Not a lot of shops were open, so perhaps they were overwhelmed, none the less, not a great first impression. read more

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Classic little bar. Very popular. Food and atmosphere are great. Probably the best price for lobster rolls in Bar Harbor - and they are stuffed full of lobster. read more

highly recommend the thirsty whale! we went twice during our trip. the mozz sticks, fish & chips, and drinks are EXCEPTIONAL! definitely stop by if you're in bar harbor. read more

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Super yummy! Good portions. We did not make a dinner reservation so had to wait 50 minutes - 1 hour to get seated, but we spent that time shopping nearby. Definitely recommend making a reservation. read more

Thirsty Whale - Blackened Fried Haddock Sandwich - American Near Me - Bar Harbor, Maine

The Thirsty Whale was one of the few places open on a Monday during leaf peeping season. There was a pretty long waitlist to get in, but it ended up only being 15-20 minutes for a seat at the bar. The hostess and bartender were very hospitable and kind even with the crazy crowd! I ended up ordering my first Maine lobster roll here. I wasn't a fan. It was plain tasting and fatty and was pretty pricy at $25. I get it--it's Maine, it's lobster, it's also the tourist town right outside of a National Park--still a bit of a let down. This meal did the trick of filling me up before my star gazing adventure with the park rangers at Acadia, but I probably would not come here again. read more

Good eats and reasonably priced. The fish and chips were great as was the half pound burger.

We strolled into this place without knowing anything about it. This is the first day they have been open after their 6 week break, still in off season. Wow were we pleasantly surprised! Excellent service, food, and ambiance! read more

The ambiance of the bar is great, drinks are good, however our single gripe comes from the bartender Matt. The bar service he provided was abysmal at best, filled with attitude when giving him an order, he was drinking his own drinks with the patrons which we don't necessarily mind however he got drunk and belligerent. On a tab with 7 beers and two mixed drinks we tipped $13 in total which is standard for a bar (1$ for beers/seltzers, 20% for mixed drinks), once our friend behind the counter saw our signed receipt, then screamed "cheap ****'s " to our faces which confused us. When we went up to him to confront him he ran to the other side of the bar and did not elaborate any further. Up to this moment we loved the bar but because of his terrible service and belligerency we are begrudgingly leaving a bad review. read more

After a long day traveling and touring around Bar harbor we decided to grab a lobster roll and chowder's with cranberry vodka cocktails and was very happy with our meal. There was a generous portion of fresh lobster with light mayo and crispy buns. The chowder was also very good. Friendly fast service and fun atmosphere. read more

Thirsty Whale - Lobster rolls and clam chowder - American Near Me - Bar Harbor, Maine

We went on a Monday for early dinner in May. The restaurant was buzzing- the prices were market prices if not cheaper. The hostess that receives people at the door is an older lady and kinda blunt but that just probably her New England accent that sounds like it to my southern hospitality soft self. Food was good, we had the lobster roll and clam chowder as well as the chicken Cesar salad. Highly recommend read more

Amazing clam chowder and fried clams. Cozy outdoor ambiance and great service. Will return again when in Maine.

We came to Maine out of season, which means most everywhere is closed. But the Thirsty Whale was still open and busy! We were seated quickly and our drink order was taken immediately. We didn't wait very long for our food either. My partner got the Fisherman's Platter (I think that's what it was called) and I had the grilled chicken pesto sandwich with fries Everything was absolutely delicious! We highly recommend them! read more

Solid food experience. Staff was friendly and our server did an amazing job. The Lobster Bisque was very good after a long day on the road. read more

Thirsty Whale - Lobster Bisque and Blackened Fish Sandwich. - American Near Me - Bar Harbor, Maine

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Wife and I visited Bar Harbor for 3 nights. Our first evening's dinner was at the Thirsty Whale, it was enjoyable. On evening #2 we walked around town, looked in on places that we had read about or had been recommended, and - we went back to the Thirsty Whale. Food was excellent - lobster bisque, lobster roll, freuben, fried clams, can't remember the others. The vibe was chill casual, the staff was friendly. We were tourists, but the place did not feel touristy. Special shout out to Kevin behind the counter. We highly recommend Thirsty Whale. read more

This place was packed and chaotic, so my partner and I were seated at the bar. We both got a haddock sandwich, which was tasty and fresh! However, the atmosphere wasn't my thing, which is honestly my fault for not investigating it more. This is to say: You're probably good if you like the crowded, loud, and warm/ stuffy bar atmosphere. If that is not your thing, then maybe try to go when it's a little less busy. Overall, 4/5 stars. read more

A spot recommended by the hotel we were staying at and it was very good! Our main focus was some good Maine lobstah and this restaurant was perfect for what we wanted. It was walking distance from our hotel and had a nice atmosphere inside. We arrived around 730 pm and the place was already packed. Ther were some spots at the bar where we could have been seated right away but there were a lot of tables so we decided to wait for a table instead. We came just in time because after us a few more parties of people came in. We also didn't have to wait too long for a table. Maybe 10 minutes. I ordered the lobster roll and clam chowder combo for $18. My husband ordered the fish n chips for $9. The food took awhile to come out of the kitchen but it was worth the wait! The roll was amazing as was the clam chowder. The fish n chips were good too, they weren't heavily battered like other fish n chips. You could tell they were also good quality haddock. Would be happy to visit this restaurant again or try another one in the area! read more

Thirsty Whale - Lobsta roll and fish n chips! - American Near Me - Bar Harbor, Maine

The spicy haddock sandwich was delicious. The burger was good. The buns are delicious. The bartender was cool our server not so much. read more

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Amazing Place. Looks like a hole in the wall. Go inside and nicely renovated. The BEST fried seafood platter, EVER! Coast to coast I have never had such a perfect light breading on the freshest seafood .... Atlantic shrimp, local Clams and sweet Scallops plus Haddock. I was So impressed. Servers were great! Plus a great variety of cocktails and beers brewed in Maine. read more

AVOID unless you come during off season and have no other option -- I called to ask if they do take out. The kind server offered to take my order and pack it up on my behalf. I will state here that THIS is why one must not rely on yelp stars for touristy sites as this. (Most who are on their vacation budget tend to be more lenient when the family is having a grand time, yet the food is subpar. And nowadays, we are more sympathetic towards struggling restaurants mid pandemic, for good reason) Clam Chowder: thick and inedibly salty, very little clam pieces if any, essentially, I had to dilute at home with whole milk as to not discard it. And it was still too salty. 2 Lobster Rolls (one with slaw. one with fries) It was a $23 dish that was worth $13. Overcooked flavorless meat, quantity of lobster made you wonder if the portion for take outs differ from in person. Greasy (not crispy buttered) hotdog roll. 1/2 cup of slaw. Soggy (not fresh) fries. Total: $68 Supposedly, I was informed that there is a 15% auto gratuity for takeout. I added tip to the server for her kindness. I called the owner re. the 15% that I was unaware of and she snapped at me for being rude to her staff and that I was not allowed to return, as if that was even a consideration on my part. I guess common courtesy expectations do not go both ways. I do realize that Im still on city/work-mode when vacationing at times and can come off as very direct. But rude enough to be banned is amusing to say the least. (esp for those who know me) My guess is that it was the combination of my firm approach, the owner's skills lacking in conflict management, and a fear culture of micromanagement to the point where employees need to exaggerate details in order to protect themselves. Though I do appreciate that she takes the word of her staff completely over the customer's which shows potential loyalty as an employer. But perhaps both sides could be considered next time to build overall customer loyalty as well. Read a few of the 1 & 2 star reviews. You'll start to see a pattern. Of course, all incidents are two sided, but there is a clear problem with the reactive management here void of any ownership or humility. read more

Highly recommend this place! The wait was about 45 minutes on a Friday night and we'll worth it. We did the broiled feta for an appetizer and was a highlight. The brisket sandwich was to die for! We also tried the clam chowder which we both loved and the lobster bisque was alright too. Our waitress seemed a bit busy but she did the best she could with how busy she was. The place was clean. All the locals recommended it. read more

Thirsty Whale - Brisket sandwich - American Near Me - Bar Harbor, Maine

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Bohemian place bordering on a dive bar - but was pretty good. Cudos for having Anchor Steam beer, and haddock Reuben was nice ... and decent chowder Overall good service and worthy of a visit read more

Had to wait an hour to get in so heads up on that, but once you're in, this place isn't to be missed. Service was some of the best I've had in years, the food is excellent, lots of space, and just a really solid meal. read more

We discovered Thirsty Whale on the recommendation of a local when we were looking for good food at the end of the season. It was definitely crowded but that added to the ambiance. My husband and I sat at the bar and enjoyed some local beers along with a New England cranberry gin & tonic. I ordered the haddock sandwich, which was right up there with the best fish sandwich I have ever tasted. I opted to upgrade to a side Whale salad for my side. It was fresh with great veggies and a homemade dressing. Highly recommend. read more

One would think in the bustling business of Bar Harbor in the summer, you'd have some feelings of getting pushed through a meal to make room for the next tourist. Not at the Thirsty Whale. We had welcoming service from the start to finish, and we all enjoyed perfectly prepared haddock sandwiches and fried whole belly clams. Their clams are the best in the area, and I've tried a number. Don't miss a pleasant lunch amidst in the bustle! They had a nice selection of local beers too! read more

I really enjoyed our lunch and my very first lobster roll! Our waiter was attentive and very helpful in directing us to the best Bar Harbor has to offer -including other restaurants! Great atmosphere, food, and service! read more

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I visited the Thirsty Whale on my recent trip to Bar Harbor and enjoyed my time there. It was the first lobster roll I had in Maine, as well as the first bowl of clam chowder that I had too, and they both were a good example of both of those New England staples. The service was good. My waitress was attentive and friendly, and the food came out quick. Out of all the places I've visited in Bar Harbor, this is the one that has been recommended by the locals. I would definitely recommend stopping in. read more

Food was great, service was excellent and very friendly! I had the short rib sandwich with Brie and my husband had the clam chowder and blackened haddock with the whale salad. All of it was excellent. Large portions, good price. The clam chowder was fantastic! read more

Had some takeout... Got a burger and it was cooked perfectly and tasted great! Check them out if you want a great burger. Salad was generous and tasty. read more

While visiting this dreamy coastal, harbor town, I executed my typical Yelp search for 4+ stars when it was time for lunch. Sadly, I think a lot of Yelpers are uncharacteristically wrong about this place. Our party of four was completely underwhelmed. I had the fried whole belly clams because apparently it's quite the Maine thing. My husband had the fried shrimp. We enjoy fried but it was wayyyyy too much batter and grease. Also, the shrimp was almost hard to find because the pieces were so tiny. Our cole slaw and fries was mediocrity and nothing more. The worst part about our visit? We were seated near the middle of the galley-style room on a very cold day. The servers kept opening--often holding open--the side door while they smoked, until we finally asked them to close it. Nothing really changed, except that our server (I'll give her a break and not name her) replied, "We're in the middle of a global pandemic and we need to keep the air circulating." Excuse me? If it's ventilation that is needed, it doesn't have to be at 30 degrees. Really, we should have asked for the manager, yet we had lost all interest in being there. We wouldn't do this to guests in our own home; as guests in a restaurant, I think people deserve the same. read more

Terrible from start to finish!! The wait staff was terribly inattentive. It took us over 20 minutes just someone to the table to ask for water and then we had to ask the hostess to get the water for us after waiting another 15 minutes. Three of our four meals came out wrong. My seafood sampler had sand in it and was undercooked. My son's chicken fingers were old, quick thawed from frozen and fried to rubber that could not be bit into! My other son ordered a burger. They brought just a burger with no bun of toppings on a plate, then reheated it to melt some cheese on top and threw it on a bun, but the burger was dry and cold. The entire experience lasted well over two hours and we had to ask twice for our check. They said they wouldn't charge us for the burger, but they did anyhow. We were not the only table who had complaints. The table beside us wasn't Ted over an hour for food and had to take it to go by the time it arrived at the table. read more

Absolutely delicious!! The service was really good and food was fast considering how busy it was! Came back a second time when visiting the area for a week. Highly recommend to anyone that wants delicious blackened fried fish!! read more

Thirsty Whale - American Near Me - Bar Harbor, Maine

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Middle of the road restaurant. I had a blackened haddock sandwich that was OK, but had clam chowder which was good. My wife had crab cake sandwich which had a lot of crab but was bland read more