4 Best Restaurants in Deer Isle, Blue Hill Peninsula and Deer Isle

This place offers excellent (and equitably sourced) coffee and invites you to take a minute to have a conversation while you wait for your slow-pour brew to flow through a colorful, custom-built wooden drip bar. Grab a pastry supplied by a variety of local bakers—if there are any left when you arrive.

Executive chef and proprietor Devin Finigan has created memorable magic in this location with endless views of East Penobscot Bay and food that speaks to the prowess of this region’s fishermen and farmers. Whether you're experiencing the chef’s tasting menu—think scallops with sorrel and whey, Wagyu with ramps and new potato, and rhubarb with lemon and shortbread—or you're sitting on the stunning deck on Sunday for an à la carte brunch (which is seasonal) or you're here to dive into the convivial summer happy hour (where even the casual bites are exemplary), you’re in for a superb meal. If you want a truly over-the-top fine dining moment, book far ahead to eat in one of the private greenhouse dining spaces, each of which has jaw-dropping views of Goose Cove.

Known until recently as The Whale's Rib Tavern, the tavern and outdoor space are a smart and charming place to stop for a pint of one of the many Maine craft beers on tap, and a pub snack or two. But, it's the recently renovated adjacent dining room that's become an ambitious dinner spot with a menu from celebrated and Michelin star–awarded chef Ryan McCaskey that includes dishes like local halibut with leeks and foraged mushrooms or scallops with saffron chili butter.

Whether you're stopping by on your way to Little Deer Island or on your way off it, the Maine lobster rolls and freshly fried seafood baskets are worth the detour (there is an additional fee for takeout). Enhanced by the view of the Deer Isle Bridge over Eggemoggin Reach, don't miss the daily specials, delicious milk shakes (worth the calories), or non-seafood items (like beef and veggie burgers).