Where to Eat in Acadia: Restaurants in the Park and Nearby

By David Sanchez · Data: National Park Service · ← Complete guide Acadia

The short answer: Jordan Pond House is the only full-service restaurant inside the park. A few seasonal kiosks round out the in-park options. For the real restaurant selection, head to Bar Harbor, the main gateway town, just minutes from the park entrances.

Acadia National Park, on Mount Desert Island in Maine, isn't designed as a resort. The in-park dining options are deliberately limited. The good news is that Bar Harbor, tucked between the sea and the park's rounded mountains, has a serious seafood scene. The arrangement is simple: eat in the park for the experience and the views, then eat in town for the selection and value.

Eating in the Park: Lodges, Restaurants, and Cafeterias

Jordan Pond House

This is the institution. Jordan Pond House is the only full-service restaurant inside Acadia. The dining room's panoramic windows, and especially the lawn terrace, look straight out over the calm waters of Jordan Pond, with the two rounded hills everyone calls “The Bubbles” on the horizon. I remember having tea there late one afternoon, with the low light and almost perfect silence. It's hard to imagine a better setting.

The menu revolves around lobster stew, clam chowder, and a few generously sized sandwiches. But the house specialty is the popover, a small airy roll served warm with homemade strawberry jam. The tradition dates back to the late 19th century.

Reservations are essential in July and August. Without one, the wait often tops 45 minutes at lunchtime. Book your time online as soon as your dates are set.

Hours: Seasonal, generally open from late May through mid-October. Check the current hours on the official NPS website before you leave.

Seasonal Kiosks and Food Stands

Several snack stands open in summer near the park's main access points. The selection is basic: packaged sandwiches, drinks, and energy bars. It's enough to get you through a trail, but not a real meal. If you're heading out for a long day of hiking, pack your picnic the night before.

Groceries and Picnics in the Park

Acadia was made for eating outdoors. The park has well-placed picnic areas along the coast at Seawall, in pullouts along Park Loop Road, and around Bass Harbor. You don't need an official picnic table to set down a sandwich facing the Atlantic.

Buy your groceries before entering the park. In Bar Harbor, the Hannaford supermarket on Cottage Street is the practical go-to. If you're coming from the mainland, Ellsworth, about 19 miles before the island, offers a wider selection at often lower prices.

Here's one rule you shouldn't ignore: black bears live in Acadia. Always store your food in your car's trunk or in an airtight container. Never leave it in a tent or unattended. The park signs are explicit about this.

Where to Eat Nearby: Gateway Towns

Bar Harbor: The Main Dining Scene

Bar Harbor is Acadia's essential gateway town. The waterfront and Main Street are home to about 20 restaurants, from a fish-and-chips counter to fine dining. Seafood rightly dominates the menus: lobster, scallops, Atlantic oysters, mussels, and fried clams.

During peak season in July and August, Bar Harbor is at its busiest. Arrive early for lunch, before 12:30 p.m., or make a dinner reservation. The town runs out of open tables quickly in the evening.

Southwest Harbor and Northeast Harbor

Southwest Harbor, on the island's southwest side and about 12 miles from Bar Harbor, is quieter and less touristy. You'll find a few good seafood restaurants and two or three decent cafés. It's a good choice if you're camping near Seawall or visiting Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse.

Northeast Harbor, on the east side, has a different feel. It's an old-established residential village with fewer options but a distinctive atmosphere. The few restaurants there are generally solid, and prices are often a notch below Bar Harbor.

Ellsworth: Logistics Before the Park

Ellsworth, Maine, on the mainland before the bridge to Mount Desert Island, is the main logistical stop. You'll find fast-food chains, well-stocked supermarkets, and gas stations. If you arrive late in the day and want a quick meal before reaching your lodging, this is where you'll find it.

Our Picks for Every Craving

For a quick bite in the park: Pack a picnic the night before and eat it on the rocks facing the ocean near Otter Cliff or along Sand Beach. It's free, memorable, and there's no line.

For families: Try Bar Harbor's seafood shacks, with shrimp platters, baskets of fries, and generous, no-fuss portions. No dress code and no pressure.

For a view: Jordan Pond House, without question. Reserve the late-afternoon tea service to catch the golden light on The Bubbles.

For a historic table: Jordan Pond House again. Its service tradition dates back to the late 1800s, making it the most storied address in a park steeped in history.

The Acadia Specialty to Try

Acadia is Maine, and Maine means lobster. The lobster roll is the dish you'll eat at least once, and probably twice. It comes in two versions: hot, topped with melted butter, Connecticut-style; or cold, dressed with a light mayonnaise, New England-style. Both are legitimate. Expect to pay between $22 and $30, depending on the restaurant and the size of the serving.

The second specialty you shouldn't miss is Maine wild blueberries. They're small, intensely flavored, and radically different from cultivated varieties. In season, from August through September, they show up in muffins, jams, and sometimes desserts at Jordan Pond House. Save room.

On foggy Atlantic mornings, a bowl of New England clam chowder, made with a thick cream base and fresh clams, hits the spot, especially when it's served in a hollowed-out rye bread bowl.

Practical Tips: Hours, Reservations, Budget, and Season

Hours. Jordan Pond House is open roughly from late May through mid-October. The in-park kiosks have even shorter seasons, often limited to July and August. In the off-season, the park is beautiful but almost entirely without in-park dining.

Reservations. Reservations are required at Jordan Pond House during peak season. In Bar Harbor, booking the day before is usually enough for dinner, except on summer Fridays and Saturdays. Seafood shacks don't take reservations.

Budget. Plan on $20 to $35 per person for a sit-down meal with a drink in Bar Harbor. A lobster roll alone runs $22 to $30. A picnic is still the most affordable option. For information about entrance fees and passes, see the National Parks Fees and Passes page.

Food in the park. Yes, you can bring your own food. It's actually recommended for full days of hiking. Follow the food-storage rules and use the designated areas.

Season. In-park dining is almost nonexistent from November through May. Bar Harbor stays active through late October, then most restaurants close for the winter. If you're planning an off-season visit, the Acadia weather guide can help you identify the best windows.

In Brief: Where to Eat by Area

Frequently Asked Questions