Thirsty Whale Photos
Business Info
Thirsty Whale Popular Dishes
THIRSTY WHALE ATMOSPHERE
You might also consider
More like Thirsty Whale
Recommended Reviews - Thirsty Whale
Start your review...
Reviews With Photos
The Thirsty Whale has a fun atmosphere and a classic New England Bar Harbor vibe, but it definitely leans toward being a tourist spot. The waitress was very busy, we had to remind her of some of the drinks we ordered! No big deal especially considering the busyness at lunch time. The fried pickles were a bit too greasy for my taste, though still decent. The sweet potato fries were the highlight, crispy and flavorful. The mozzarella sticks were very tasty, but again on the greasy side. Fish taco was average at best, Reuben sandwich was also average but good! The garden burger tasted good! Overall, a good stop if your on the area, however the parking during lunch time was the worst for sure! Took me around 15 minutes to park, about 7 minutes away, parking at a supermarket parking and walking here! The prices are a bit expensive but understandable since all the out of town, tourists in the area here to spend money just don't expect anything extraordinary.
I had the New England Clam Chowder and it was just what I would expect. Excellent. We also had a large lobster roll and cheeseburger. The burger is 2nd best in bar harbor. Service was excellent. Atmosphere was very nice. Irish pub.
This place was decent for quick seafood in a very busy Bar Harbor. Our service was great and I appreciated the ability to swap to a GF bun. My food was good, but not the best seafood I had during my time in this region.
The Thirsty Whale is essentially an average joint in an above-average city. We stopped by based on high ratings on Yelp, as well as recommendations from local retailers and our hotel staff, so I was expecting something pretty, pretty good. The portions were generous, but the food itself was pretty mid. We ordered the fish & chips with a Caesar salad, along with a cup of clam chowder and bread. The chowder certainly wasn't the best in town, and the fish & chips fell short. We left feeling pretty underwhelmed by the meal. The service was wonderful, friendly, and attentive. We were seated quickly, and our staff was super nice and helpful. To top it off, our food arrived in just 10-15 minutes despite how busy and lively the place was. Laid-back vibe. It has that classic old-pub feel, though it could probably use a bit of a refresh. It was definitely buzzing with people while we were there. Outstanding staff and prompt service, but the kitchen didn't live up to the local hype. I wouldn't recommend eating here. Might be a solid spot to grab a couple of drinks and watch a game.
Went for a later first night dinner and the fish and chips were delicious . All the food was good and the service was cool and casual, and don't forget to pick up some blueberry hot sauce!
Great name!! After a full day of hiking around Acadia we were really hungry and made the short drive over to Bar Harbor for dinner. We noticed Thirsty Whale on YELP and decided to try it out. The restaurant is relatively small and pretty much all the tables were full, but service was wonderful and friendly. My wife and I both had the HUGE fish sandwich which we could have easily split one. It was perfectly fried and delicious. We will be back to the area and will visit the Thirsty Whale on our next trip.
The Thirsty Whale has good food and service with a convenient location. If you eat here ask for the back outdoor area.
Staff was really nice, attentive and helpful. The wings were ok. Small and come with a breading that has it's own flavor. I had a couple issues with them as there were a couple wings that had something wrong with them that I don't think they may not necessarily seen in advance. For $13, the quality of the wings were subpar. The Fisherman's platter was a HUGE surprise. You pay extra if you want fries. We didn't want fries so we didn't have leftovers. The amount of fish, shrimp, whole belly clams and scallops was HUGE! The cole slaw is delicious. There was so much seafood that we still had to take some back with us. We live in Maine and have NEVER seen this much fried seafood without or without fries. Impressive and worth the money.
Open late!! Friendly staff, generous portions, laid back vibe with the Red Sox on! Try the lobster bisque
Let me tell - this place is such a cozy, New England vibe. Great spot for food, especially if you are arriving late into town. The staff are friendly, the service is excellent, people are seated pretty quickly. My girlfriends and I arrived into Bar Harbor after driving up from Boston. The food was so delicious and robust in flavor. I enjoyed trying some local beer of the area. I would highly recommend this eatery if you are visiting Acadia! Great vegetarian options!
The Thirsty Whale was such a good lunch spot I found. The ambiance is very dive-bar-ish in the best way, but the food is SO good. It was the perfect place to sit down and have a good meal after a day at Acadia National Park, and they had so many options for everyone in the group. They also had great gluten-free options, which is really important for me. Indoor and outdoor seating too. We'll definitely be back because everyone enjoyed it.
Came to this little spot for some grub before calling it a night! Cute little spot in town, the host/server Anna, was such a sweet person! She greeted us quickly, found a table for us and brought us out some waters. As we perused the menu, she got our drink orders, and we started off with a round of oysters! We all decided to share a bowl of clam chowder, which I'm glad we did, because a bowl on my own would've had me full. It was good, it had more potato than I typically prefer, but it was good for a cozy cold night. I ordered the blacked fried cod with fries. I have never had blacked fried anything, so that was nice to have a little flava flave to change up the typical cod experience. My friend had the regular, and I liked that one too. Needed a bit of salt, but other than that, no complaints. My friend also ordered the jumbo shrimp, delicious! And another ordered the fried shrimp on the appetizer menu, and those were great as well, had great crisp, yet light and airy, and flavored perfect! Was a great little local stop!
Came here with some friends while visiting the area. When we arrived the other business were pretty much closed up and down the entire steet. The street was dead silent. I guess it's the only restaurant open later, but it wasn't that late, maybe 6pm? But I understand small towns have shorter hours. Parking- street parking was very open, no issue there. Service- was great, we came in with no resy and were seated immediately. Ann our server and the other staff that ran food and made sure we had what we needed, were pretty diligent. The place had a homey neighborhood type charm. Not fancy, very casual. Drinks- one of my friends ordered the Wicked Blue beer $9, which they liked. And my other friends ordered the Supernova $13 & Blueberry Margarita $13. I only ordered hot tea $3, but it only came out warm and not pipping hot like I needed on that cold night. Not there fault though. Food- the group got a couple of apps. 1/2 dozen oysters $18, which I didn't try but they really liked. The fried shrimp $18, which I imagine were frozen shrimp due to the size and taste, which is fine. And the shrimp cocktail $12, which was fine. For my entree I got the lobster roll 4oz and soup combo for $37. They ran out of lobster bisque, so I ordered what they did have available, the mushroom soup. The mushroom soup def grew on my as the more I ate it, the more flavor I found, which I liked. The lobster roll (mayo version not butter) def needed seasoning and flavor. Perhaps the restaurants philosophy is let the lobster alone speak for itself. But it needed more for me, like dill or tarragon, or something. But thats only my preference. While the price didn't match the taste for me, I appreciate the towny vibes, and at least getting to try some Maine Lobster.
2 years ago
It's a bit dark on entering and has a true bar feel to it. Maybe tavern is a better description. Our waitress was prompt to the table to take drink orders and help with menu selections. We ordered the mozzarella sticks to start. Didn't like them. Heavily bread, most likely frozen. I would avoid them. I ordered the blackened haddock sandwich and a bowl of clam chowder. My wife had the Reuben and a garden salad. The fish sandwich was very good but the chowder was excellent. My wife liked her Reuben with the salad being just ok. The chowder is worth a return. read more
3 years ago
A nice sports bar with friendly service. While we weren't fans of the cocktails we ordered, the lobster roll was tasty and served on a toasted garlicky bun. Also notable, was the side of garlic bread that could be ordered with stew/bisque. The lobster bisque on the other hand, was more creamy than lobstery and seemed to be puréed rather than include larger chunks of lobster. read more
This was our favorite local spot when my friend and I were visiting Bar Harbor. The prices are fairly reasonable in comparison to a lot of the places serving lobster dishes in town. My friend got the clam chowder, which was good, but not the best. My Caesar salad was also good, but not great. The service was a little slow and the table felt a little sticky when we sat down. I had a good experience here but it could have been better. read more
We were between a handful of restaurants for dinner and do NOT regret picking the Thirsty Whale. Their back patio is super cute and our waitress was efficient. The clam chowder was great, the burger was great, the pasta salad was fantastic in a creamy Italian. I mainly came for the unique freuben and wasn't disappointed! We would definitely return read more
1 year ago
A nice casual tavern with a long bar and good amount of tables/seating. The waiter advised to get the seafood options here and it didn't disappoint. The Clam chowder was delicious as expected in New England and the lobster roll was excellent. A lot of lobster meat with a perfect amount of mayo. This place has a little bit of everything so even if you do not like seafood you will have a lot of other options but I can't vouch for those non-seafood options read more
After a long day of hiking in Acadia, we were looking for a place that was open late for dinner. We came across the Thirsty Whale and they were able to seat us after about 10 minutes. We were sat on the back patio which was a super cute and cozy atmosphere. They were pretty busy so service was a little slow, but our waitress was great. To start, we got some beers and the hummus appetizer which was pretty good. For dinner, we all got the fish and chips which were so delicious!! They were hot and seasoned well. Overall, solid dinner spot in Bar Harbor. read more
10 months ago
Massive portion sizes here, and lovely food as well! Everyone enjoyed. Southwest Burger; Good amount of bacon, perfectly cooked patty, and just a great burger overall. Chipotle Mayo on the side was delicious Beef Short Rib Sandwich - Lovely! Really large chunks of the beef(and 2 slabs!) and they were cooked perfectly. My dad's usually picky about food, and he definitely appreciated this sandwich. Ciabatta was fresh too and large! Needed a bit of spice, and that was fixed easily with hot honey. Blackened Chicken Sandwich - Even this had 2 chicken breast pieces! Really good portion size. Well cooked chicken and good char on it too. Sweet potato fried were very subpar; Not crispy and quite thin. Regular fries were delicious! Thick and crisp and perfect. Coleslaw was just okay. It was missing that little kick; Probably some salt and pepper? It felt too plain but I ate it to avoid wasting food. read more
1 year ago
Amazing clam chowder!! Enjoyed all of my food and the experience overall, but especially the chowder :) Quick service for how busy it was read more
Last time we were here, the TW was closed for improvements. Planning on not missing it this time, we made sure to stop in for lunch in the second day in BH. The service was exceptional and plates were bussed as soon as we finished with the dish. Our server came several times to check on us during the meal and provided us with all the extras we required. Lobster bisque, broiled haddock sandwiches, cheese sticks, garden salad and shrimp cocktail paired with a Pinot Grigio rounded out our table's lunch. Price was spot on with what we ordered. Glad we got to check this staple off our BH bucket list. read more
If you like fried seafood and clam chowder this is a solid choice for food in Bar Harbor. Prices are good and the food is delicious. My partner & I split the fisherman's platter ($28), which comes with fried haddock, scallops, whole clams, and local shrimp as well as fries. It was too much for us to finish. The clam chowder ($7) was really good. Fresh, soft clams and a lot of flavor. Recommended! read more
2 years ago
It was raining and the person in the front told us that we could eat in the back open space and not to worry because it was covered. Since it was crowded and we didn't want to wait, we agreed. The waiter seemed to have this space to herself, even had her own playlist (which I loved) playing. Made the ambiance inviting! I had the lobster roll and clam chowder. During my time in Maine I think I probably had the same dish every night at each place we went too and this one was it!!!! It was just perfect! The bread was soft and fresh. The lobster was plenty and delicious and the clam chowder actually had claims!!!!! Unfortunately, the reason for my 4 stars instead of 5 was my partner's dish. He had pesto chicken sandwich which he said had no flavor at all. He was super disappointed because my dish was awesome and his a complete fail. read more
1 year ago
Stopped in for a couple beers and sat at the bar. Ended up ordering lobster bisque and clam chowder and both were incredible and served quickly. Would recommend! read more
1 year ago
The food was so good. The vibes were awesome and the staff were so fun and entertaining! Highly recommend! read more
3 years ago
After several Acadia hikes - my husband and I were looking for some lunch before hitting more trails in the afternoon. Thankfully, Thirsty Whale was open (we were there slightly before the normal season) and serving! Both my husband and I got a cider and tried their lobster roll with clam chowder. YUM. I don't know if it was because of all the physical activity or what - but I think this was one of my favorite meals in Bar Harbor. read more
Warm, inviting atmosphere! One of the only places open late in Bar Harbor on an off-season week night (we were there in mid-April). We got their fried seafood platter and it was the perfect late night snack. Solid portion size, fried well, delicious! read more
1 year ago
Great place for a late night stop in Bar Harbor! We came here after seeing the sunset at Bass Head and were very glad to have a place to get to for dinner! They have a back patio for outdoor dining which was nice in the weather. We all ordered the same thing, 3 of the blueberry ale, 3 fish and chips, and hummus and pita to share. They also have really fun t shirts which I took home with me as a souvenir! read more
1 year ago
No frills bar sharing up hearty sandwiches and entrees. A good choice as they serve food later than most places in town. The short rib grilled cheese and Freuben were interesting options but execution came up short... We fixed this ourselves with some Dijon mustard or vinegar. The blackened fish sandwich came with a hearty portion of fish and is what you would expect. read more
1 year ago
Delicious food. Friendly staff. Cozy atmosphere. Would recommend for a great place to grab dinner! I tried the Beef Short Rib Sandwich with Brie cheese and caramelized onions on a ciabatta roll and it was amazing. Would recommend the fries over the pasta salad. read more
5 months ago
Food was nice and filling after a long day of hiking at Acadia. I'd recommend the blackened fish! It's flavorful and not too spicy, so added a nice touch. The lobster roll comes out cold and lightly tossed in mayo. The servers were very friendly and the overall ambiance was casual. read more
11 months ago
Stopped by this place for a quick dinner during our Fall trip to New England. This place is popular and had an hour long wait. We put in out names and hung out at a brewery near by. It took us around 40 mins to get our table and we wasted no time and ordered their famous clam chowder & blackened haddock sandwich. I am not a chowder person but I did really like their chowder. Their blackened haddock sandwich was delicious too. The fish was perfectly charred and seasoned imparting amazing flavors to the sandwich. Service was quick in spite of the restaurant being busy. Parking can be a pain though during busy fall season but we managed to find a spot near by. Overall be prepared for a long wait (during busy season) but the food is really good. read more
11 months ago
1 year ago
1 year ago
4 years ago
We always saw a huge line outside of this place so we were curious what made this place so special. Eating around Bar Harbor can be quite pricey especially because most places specialize in seafood. However Thirsty Whale has some great non-seafood options and the portions are gigantic! We got the fried clams as an appetizer, which was definitely interesting. Worth trying but probably wouldn't get it again because it just tasted like I was eating fried batter after a certain point. I got the beef short rib sandwich and was surprised by how much short rib was actually in the sandwich! Don't let the crowd outside deter you. You can put your name on the waitlist and leave your number, and they'll text/call you when your table is ready so you can use that time to explore Bar Harbor and some of the neighboring stores. read more
1 year ago
Great fresh food! Ordered the lobster roll and the fish and chips. Very fresh! The lemon on the side is perfect! read more
1 year ago
We stopped by for a beer and an appetizer. It was after lunch and before dinner so the place had a bunch of seats, we opted to sit at the bar. The bartender brought a menu quickly and when I wasn't sure on which beer to order she offered a taste. We ordered beer and fried seafood sampler and it was terrific, as was the beer. I can't speak to the entrees or table service, but the bartender was great as was the food and beer. read more
1 year ago
They were so accommodating with my large group of 11 people, and fit us all in the restaurant quickly! I loved my blackened salmon sandwich, it was perfectly seasoned and filling. Their chowder also hits the spot. This place gets crowded during the peak season at Acadia (as expected) but we didn't have to wait too long to get seated. Also had a good selection of local beers! read more
Came here on a Saturday night and sat at the bar because some people just left. It is a small narrow place, so there's not a lot of seating. The blackened fried fish & chips was okay. The haddock was a bit dry inside (overcooked?) but had decent flavor from the spices and seasoning. The waitress was very nice and service was a little slower but not her fault at all because it was very busy. read more
9 months ago
4 years ago
Bottom: Casual pub and grill, friendly staff and good food. My husband and I were looking for a casual place for a late-ish dinner and Thirsty Whale was the perfect pick. On our late May visit we were seated immediately and our server was super friendly and attentive. My husband and I both enjoyed their lobster roll. Of the seven lobster rolls we had during our trip to Maine we thought Thirsty Whale's was middle of the pack - it was satisfying's but not our most favorite. My husband had his lobster roll with their yummy pasta salad and I had mine with a cup of clam chowder. After a long day we appreciated the quick service. read more
More info about Thirsty Whale
40 Cottage St
Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Directions
(207) 288-9335
Call Now
Visit Website
https://www.thirstywhaletavern.com
Full menu
Hours
Payment methods
Food & Alcohol
Indoor Amenities
Outdoor Amenities
Other Amenities
From the Business
More Info
Health Score
Thirsty Whale Reviews in Other Languages
Ask the Community - Thirsty Whale
Do they have Happy Hour?
I am not seeing a Happy Hour but their website mentions $20 daily menu specials on Sunday-Thursday starting at 4pm. This ranges from lobster rolls, steak, fish fry, and more.
Yelp has you opened every day. We came by on Tuesday, you were not open. Please change your Hours on yelp?
If your available to work in the front of the house or the back of the house or a manager who doesn't need sleep they might be open on Tuesdays or a make an update in the zero free time they have on yelp. The effects of Covid on normal life /…
You might also consider
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
42 reviews that are not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
14 years ago
4 months ago
16 years ago
7 years ago
8 years ago
10 years ago
1 year ago
7 years ago
9 years ago
10 years ago
9 years ago
10 years ago
10 years ago
9 years ago
10 years ago
1 year ago
4 years ago
6 years ago
Thirsty Whale - tradamerican - Updated September 2026
Best of Bar Harbor
People found Thirsty Whale by searching for…
Clam Chowder in Bar Harbor, ME
Late Night Food in Bar Harbor, ME
All You Can Eat Lobster Buffet in Bar Harbor, ME
Kid Friendly Restaurant in Bar Harbor, ME
Family Friendly Restaurants in Bar Harbor, ME
Lobster Tail in Bar Harbor, ME
Diners Drive Ins and Dives in Bar Harbor, ME
Restaurants for Large Groups in Bar Harbor, ME
Clam Chowder Bread Bowl in Bar Harbor, ME
Fish Sandwich in Bar Harbor, ME
Vegan Friendly in Bar Harbor, ME
Chicken Tenders in Bar Harbor, ME
Fried Shrimp in Bar Harbor, ME
Veggie Burger in Bar Harbor, ME
Grilled Cheese in Bar Harbor, ME
Cheap Dinner in Bar Harbor, ME
Trending Searches in Bar Harbor, ME
American Food near Thirsty Whale
Biscuits And Gravy near Thirsty Whale
Breakfast Sandwich near Thirsty Whale
Cheap Breakfast near Thirsty Whale
Chinese Buffet near Thirsty Whale
Cinnamon Roll near Thirsty Whale
Coffee & Cafes near Thirsty Whale
Comfort Food near Thirsty Whale
Drinks And Appetizers near Thirsty Whale
Espresso Martini near Thirsty Whale
Farm To Table Restaurants near Thirsty Whale
Indian Grocery Store near Thirsty Whale
Korean Restaurant near Thirsty Whale
Lobster Roll near Thirsty Whale
Outdoor Bar near Thirsty Whale
Singles Scene near Thirsty Whale
Smoked Fish near Thirsty Whale
Steakhouses near Thirsty Whale
Browse Articles
Browse Nearby
BEST of Bar Harbor, Maine Restaurants near Thirsty Whale
BEST of Bar Harbor, Maine Things to Do near Thirsty Whale
BEST of Bar Harbor, Maine Coffee near Thirsty Whale
BEST of Bar Harbor, Maine Parking near Thirsty Whale
BEST of Bar Harbor, Maine Breakfast near Thirsty Whale
BEST of Bar Harbor, Maine Desserts near Thirsty Whale
BEST of Bar Harbor, Maine Cocktail Bars near Thirsty Whale
BEST of Bar Harbor, Maine Brunch near Thirsty Whale
Browse Brands
Related Searches in Bar Harbor, ME
Best Appetizers to Enjoy Around Bar Harbor, Maine
Best Bagels Available in Bar Harbor, Maine
Best Bar Food and Snacks Served in Bar Harbor, Maine
Best Bar and Grill Experiences in Bar Harbor, Maine
Best Chicken and Waffles Available in Bar Harbor, Maine
Best Clam Chowder Options in Bar Harbor, Maine
Best Donuts to Try in Bar Harbor, Maine Near You
Best Fish & Chips Restaurants Near Bar Harbor, Maine
Best Fish Restaurants to Try in Bar Harbor, Maine
Best Fish Tacos Served in Bar Harbor, Maine
Best Mac and Cheese Dishes Available in Bar Harbor, Maine
Best Places for Brunch in Bar Harbor, Maine
Best Places for Chicken Tenders Near Bar Harbor, Maine
Best Places for French Toast in Bar Harbor, Maine
Best Places for Fries in Bar Harbor, Maine
Best Places for Margaritas in Bar Harbor, Maine
Best Places for Poke in Bar Harbor, Maine
Best Rooftop Restaurant Experiences in Bar Harbor, Maine
Best Vegan Restaurants to Try in Bar Harbor, Maine
Browse Popular Seafood Markets in Bar Harbor, Maine
Check Out the Hottest Restaurants in Bar Harbor, Maine
Classic Diner Experiences in Bar Harbor, Maine
Crispy Fried Chicken Favorites in Bar Harbor, Maine
Delicious Soup Spots to Try in Bar Harbor, Maine
Delicious Vegan Breakfast Served in Bar Harbor, Maine
Discover Authentic French Restaurants in Bar Harbor, Maine
Discover Authentic Indian Food in Bar Harbor, Maine
Discover Authentic Italian in Bar Harbor, Maine
Discover Great Seafood Boil Spots in Bar Harbor, Maine
Discover Hip New Restaurants to Try in Bar Harbor, Maine
Discover Korean Cuisine and Culture in Bar Harbor, Maine
Discover New American in Bar Harbor, Maine for Great Dining
Discover Popular Sports Bars in Bar Harbor, Maine
Discover the Best Breweries in Bar Harbor, Maine Today
Discover the Best Craft Beer in Bar Harbor, Maine
Discover the Best Ribs in Bar Harbor, Maine
Discover the Best Romantic Restaurant Options in Bar Harbor, Maine
Discover the Best Sushi Spots in Bar Harbor, Maine
Enjoy Casual Dining Options in Bar Harbor, Maine
Enjoy Classic Hamburger Options in Bar Harbor, Maine
Enjoy Delicious Hot Dogs in Bar Harbor, Maine
Enjoy Dinner and Drinks Deals in Bar Harbor, Maine
Enjoy Fast Food Favorites Across Bar Harbor, Maine
Enjoy Fried Fish Specialties in Bar Harbor, Maine
Enjoy Patio Dining Options in Bar Harbor, Maine
Enjoy Prime Rib Specialties in Bar Harbor, Maine
Enjoy a Great Outdoor Bar Experience in Bar Harbor, Maine
Enjoy the Best Cocktails in Bar Harbor, Maine
