Mmm. I would love to like the place. What not to like. They have very nice interior, good service and nice selection. Unfortunately the food is subpar. I ordered filet minion special. What I've got was nicely challenging cooked and presented, but completely lacked any flavor. They added some sauce, which did not fix the situation. The meat itself was not that great and they did not add any seasoning to open up the flavor. Their "lobster stew" which goes for $14+ and has pretty nice description in reality is very overpriced cup of thin lobster bisque.
(3)
Jen D.
Wonderful garden-like atmosphere, quaint ambiance. Live music which was wonderful. Very knowledgeable and helpful servers. The menu looks a bit different and more progressive then the rest of bar harbor but the execution was poor. Great concept, kitchen needs to work on consistency.
(3)
Tim B.
I can only review this as a pub, as we didn't eat there on our one visit. It says it's a public house on the sign, so fair game. So, for starters, the bar is tiny. Maybe ten places at the bar and not much room otherwise. That would be fine if the barman wasn't also the barman for the entire restaurant side of the house. With the garden (very pretty and ideal for a romantic à deux) still open and the indoors portion busy, this meant an inordinate wait for orders to be filled by the overworked guy behind the bar. Indeed, we probably had two less drinks over the evening simply because it took so long to be served. Which is a shame, because the martins were excellent and the local beers, including one served via a beer pump, a treat.
(3)
Kym K.
Having vacationed in Bar Harbor for 30 years, this restaurant is my current favorite place to eat and relax on the island. Check out the photos of the garden seating area; that's one thing that sets this restaurant apart from all the others. The space is surrounded by fragrant flowers and bold blooms. If there is a chill in the air, the heaters warm the space and provide a mellow glow. Most restaurants ignore vegetarian customers, but the current menu has three options: Portobello Piccata, Stuffed Poblanos, and Mushroom Sacchetti pasta. I have had all three and can swear that each dish is tasty and fulfilling. The Portobello Piccata has been on the menu for several years and it has remained consistent. It includes lightly fried, earthy mushrooms, whipped potatoes, and a lemony caper sauce over the top. The variations of textures and flavors would leave even a meat-eater satisfied. Our server was attentive, warm and friendly, and the owner, Brian, greeted customers at the garden's edge as if they were old friends. In fact, many customers are his friends, since locals love this place, also. I always make this the first place I eat in Bar Harbor when I arrive, and the last place I eat before I leave.
(5)
Krista M.
Great food and amazing staff. Everyone friendly, accommodating and wanting to make sure our visit was warm and welcoming. Fresh, local oysters; delicious Italian cheese plate, great entrees and amazing desserts. The fresh blueberry pie finished off a great night. A+++
(5)
Brian V.
We had a great meal at McKays. They took reservations and were very close about seating us at the time and the owner(i think) was very apologetic even thought they were within 5-10 minutes. We sat outside which was very nice and they had heat lamps that were very much needed. Our waitress Theresa was fantastic! She was the best waitress we had during our trip...Thank you! We started with the Chowder which was good. My wife and I shared the Lobster Mac which was delicious and had a lot of lobster chunks. We also had the Lamb Burger which had great flavor. When I return, I will be back
(4)
Rick L.
We go to this place 2-3X/year and it never fails to be a good choice among the several million restaurants in Bar Harbor during the summer season. Tonight was shepherd's pie, two orders of fish and chips, and one burger...all from the pub side of the menu. All were terrific, and especially the shepherd's pie which comes in a skillet...outstanding! The fish and chips come with a little too much batter for me but is used to a good end...quite a moist fish and the batter does have great flavor. For those wanting more upscale dinners, the menu is varied...typically a seafood special, duck, steaks, etc and including the lobster mac and cheese that others rave about. Seating is inside (cozy, several different rooms) or outside in a festive dining area, replete w/guitarist throughout the evening. What's also nice is that they are open through the year for folks lucky enough to live here or visit often.
Went to McKay's one evening on our honeymoon while wanting something pub-like but without the nastiness of some pubs. This place perfectly fit the bill! We were immediately seated, and thankfully it was just warm enough to enjoy the great outdoor seating area with a live finger style guitarist. While it's far from the fanciest dish available, my wife and I both got Fish & Chips (though many other options were tempting), and we were not disappointed! The batter was perfectly flaky and the fries delicious! The service was pretty quick, and our waitress was hilarious. This ended up being one of our favorite restaurant experiences in Bar Harbor. It was just a great mix of atmosphere, food, and service! I would definitely recommend it and will definitely be back should we end up in town again.
(5)
F M.
Beetle in soup tonight. (Photo added.) Manager downplayed it. Maine Dept. of Health and Human Services notified.
(1)
Ana M.
Super cute place. Had the seafood risotto, which was just ok; it was over cooked. The lobster mac and cheese is so darn good. It's definitely a must try. For dessert try the whiskey ice cream with bacon and the toffee pudding.
(4)
Kevin R.
The wine and beer list is pretty good here but you might want to stick to the menu standards listed in other reviews. We had a Caesar salad to start, which was good but not great. After that we went with the daily specials, halibut for me and filet mignon for my wife. The waiter had recommended the halibut as one of the stars of the menu but it was well over cooked and dry. The preparation was also highly touted but it wasn't sufficient to moisten or cover up the very dry fish. My wife's filet mignon was, like the salad, just adequate, not at all what I would hope for at $30 per plate. I would recommend other restaurants in bar harbor instead.
(2)
Russell Q.
Chris the bartender was great. He not only worked the bar but helped with the others in the restaurant. He facilitated our seats for our 10th anniversary without even asking for a prime window seat. Great risotto. Great oysters . Thanks again Chris!!!! The manager was helpful but seemed a bit inebriago at times!
(4)
Quay A.
I would eat here in a second... I actually can't recall all the dishes S and I ordered but so good, so good! Think of this as a 4.5 - Yelp why do you not heed our requests for half stars!!! We sat out on the patio and it got a little cool but it was so nice with the garden area we didn't mind. I had the lobster mac and cheese, even if you aren't a fan of mac and cheese you should enjoy this unless you don't like cheese LOL Positives Food is fresh and excellent quality - I can't stress this enough Food was excellently crafted So many great menu choices Service was very good Good election of beers Negatives Nothing comes to mind :) Funny thing was that when one of the waitresses that served us was actually our server at breakfast at another restaurant.
(4)
Pau S.
Nice ambiance. Food was okay but not that great. The lobster mac and cheese was a bit bland and seemed to have too little lobster (not one and a quarter pounder as the menu says). Lobster could also be fresher.
(3)
Irene K.
I was really excited to try this place based on the reviews, but was pretty disappointed. The people were nice and accommodated our requests to switch tables pretty quickly (shout out to the super sweet manager who actually apologized for moving us, not knowing it was our request) but it just couldn't make up for the lackluster food. We ordered the mussels to start, which had some good seasoning and then ordered the portabella mushroom, seafood risotto, lobster mac and cheese, and a salad. All were fine and I would normally give this a 3 but subtracted another star for portion size/price. I don't know if this restaurant is on par (or even better) than surrounding restaurants, but I am much more inclined to try other places when I go back to Bar Harbor.
(2)
Daniel M.
We went on a night that it was obvious that the restaurant was busier than usual. You could strongly tell this by the inefficient and poor service from the server. The bartender was better, had a sense he was more used to being able to handle the quicker atmosphere. It is a shame though because the food was great. The service really took away from the experience. We had the baked Brie, fish and chips, and a pasta dish. All were very good. Despite the service we received, I would recommend the restaurant as I felt it was due to the heavy crowd and the food really did not disappoint.
(4)
Amanda M.
I had the dark and stormy pork short rib which is described as slow braised pork short with a rum and ginger glaze accompanied with dark rum sweet potatoes and local vegetables. The pork was tender and flavorful, but could have benefited from being marinated longer. That's the only reason I didn't give it 5 stars. The sweet potatoes were delish and the broccoli was crisp and tasty. My fiance got the shepherd's pie which was flavorful also, but on the dry side. There were several other menu items I'd love to go back and try like the lobster Mac and cheese or the duck meatloaf. There is plenty of outdoor/porch seating and heat lamps for cooler evenings. Great ambiance for a memorable time.
(5)
Brent L.
Stopped in late for a quick bite. We asked to sit outside which was a nice setting with many white lights and warming heaters for the cool night. We were told nothing was available and then taken to a poorly lit table in the corner of a tiny room. I was seated in front of a window air cnditioner with a curtain hiding it and next to the kitchen. Surely something else must have been available. My fault for accepting the seat as offered. I ordered the clam chowder and fish and chips. The chowder was fine, but the fish and chips were below standard. It tasted like the fry oil hadn't been changed as frequently as needed to keep a fresh taste. Everthing tasted like burnt oil. The fish itself, seemed very fresh. The beer was allagash saison that was moderately cold at best and seemed like the co2 tank for the keg system needed a refresh as well. Overall ...not impressed . Simplest of meals to come up short on.
(2)
Stephanie B.
I have visited McKays twice now. It is quite possibly my favorite restaurant in Acadia. Great service, beautiful spot for outdoor dining. The restaurant itself is so cozy and intimate. Great servers, and creative dishes. A total foodie find at a reasonable price.
(5)
Kelly C.
The food here is consistently good. We look forward to visiting a couple times per year on vacation. Good selection of beers on tap. Dark & stormy pork short rib is a favorite. Lobster Mac & cheese is very good as well.
(4)
Robert C.
Great atmosphere. Food was very good. Shared the lobster and portobello crostini appetizer. Delicious. Local oysters. Not bad. My wife had the burger, she loved it. I had the dark and stormy short rib. Very good. Sweet potatoes were really good too.
(4)
Devonshire B.
Very friendly wait staff. The food was pretty good, especially the lobster mac-n-cheese, as well as the duck. Not to mention that their muddled blueberry cocktail was refreshingly tasty. A lot of flavour, decent portions, and reasonable prices. That's basically the holy trinity of restaurant expectations, right? Right.
(4)
Mitchell M.
I was hoping for a different vibe here. It was a bit more restaurant, than charming pub. All in all a good visit. My only real issue is that our server snatched a MacCallan 12 off the table with a good sized sip left. She was left before I could utter a word. She was super friendly though, so I almost feel bad faulting her for the early clear. The menu offers an extensive variety of local favorites (lobstahhhh), pub-like dishes, and other American dishes. I had the burger which was great. We also had the beet salad, crab cakes and clam chowder. The chowder was thin, but tasted house made. The crab cakes had good flavor, but I was hoping for more lumps...maybe there is a difference between the way a Maine crab cake and Maryland crab cake are served? The beet salad was fantastic. They offer decent selection of local beers, as well as a full bar and wine menu. My wife said the blueberry, crumble pie was the best we had while in Bar Harbor. Of course, I feel obligated to tell you that my wife is a sucker for a "crumble." We didn't have it, but the lobster mac n cheese seemed to a favorite among diners around us, and the woman at the adjacent table her short rib. The duck meatloaf also peaked my interest, but I was all about a burger that night. Great outdoor garden and the porch was pretty intimate and romantic.
(3)
Andrea S.
From the outside this place looks nice. The food wasnt as good as I thought it could be. I had the fish and chips and my boyfriend had their burger, It filled my stomach but next time ill go somewhere else to eat. Also our waitress wasnt taking care of us at all, I had to stand up and get to-go boxes my self and I also had to get the check myself. I have to be honest, I dont think I will be going here anymore.
(2)
Kyle M.
It's a bit surprising to me that this place has garnered such high reviews. It's definitely one of the better dinner places on the island, though I found that most places here are better at breakfast than dinner. The Ambiance is phenomenal. In summer, at night, sitting outside here is as good as it gets, nice for a romantic date with the girlfriend or for a pleasant evening with the family. I'd give the Ambiance a 5/5. The service adds to the atmosphere, it was pretty good. 4/5 The food is where the disappointment lies. It's not bad, it's just not great, especially for the price. The portions are somewhat small, if the quality was excellent this wouldn't be a problem, but I would say the quality was simply alright. I wouldn't complain as much but it just didn't seem like a great value, while the price wasn't mind boggling, it was overpriced for mediocre food in modest portions. 2.5/5 My girlfriend and I both thought we would finish off an excellent day of hiking with a great meal here. Frankly we were pumped up for it, in the end we left disappointed. Like I said one of the better dinner places on the island, just don't go in expecting a great meal.
(3)
Westie W.
We started off the evening at McKay's in the bar for happy hour. The two bartenders were busily engaged in making drinks, but were very personable. Many of the drinks featured fresh fruit including watermelon that was being sliced and pureed. My wife and I both ordered Blue Hill martinis (blueberry vodka, lemonade, fresh blueberries and a splash of soda). The drinks sounded far better than they tasted so we stopped at one and made a dinner reservation for the patio. After taking a short stroll, we returned and were seated on the patio which was near capacity. We each ordered the shepherd's pie (slow cooked braised lamb in an herbed demi glace topped with roasted vegetables then layered with whipped potatoes). Unlike the drinks, this dish tasted better than it sounded. The lamb almost melted in my mouth and was generously proportioned. The vegetables were a canned corn/carrot mix, but the potatoes were obviously home made and delicious. Overall we felt we made an excellent choice that we will seek out on our next visit to MDI.
(4)
Jerry H.
The food was top notch. Great seafood risotto. Once again, it's the same problem that plagues the restaurant industry. Yelp gives them great ratings and then they can't handle the volume. The staff was inept. 15 minutes until we we're acknowledged. Another 15 min, when I inquired about my drink order told it was not available, then she left. Finally, they committed the ultimate cardinal sin, appetizer not out before the main course. Probably a great place before 6 and in the slow season.
(2)
Raisa S.
This place was great! We were seated right away for dinner, got lucky enough to sit outside in their wonderful garden seating area and got to listen to a man playing instrumentals! Created a perfect ambiance for a dinner. We started with the wings (recommended by our waitress) which were DELISH. Definitely spicy but cooked perfectly with tons of flavor. I got an alcoholic ginger beer to start, and Joe got (another recommended) beverage with fresh mint leaves and cucumbers. For our entrees I got the steak dish (not the special) which came with potatoes and vegetables. Joe got the seafood risotto. The seafood risotto was OUT of this world. I don't really eat fish, just shrimp and I had a few bites of his and it was really cooked to perfection, and a large portion. My potatoes and vegetables were great, the steak was cooked perfectly BUT it was really lacking flavor. It was a thick cut and I give them credit for cooking it so well, but it could definitely use some type of rub or a more flavorful sauce to put on it, that was really my only complaint. Service was good, fast, and the waitress was friendly and very attentive!
(4)
Tee A.
Great food! Clam chowder was great! Hubby had steak tips and I had burger. The burger was delicious! Great atmosphere!
(5)
Kim D.
When we arrived at McKays, the manager informed us there would be an hour wait. That was fine, as we had some time to kill downtown. We returned after about 45 minutes and were seated right away. Two in our party ordered the lobster Mac and cheese, based on Yelp recommendations. The sauce was light, not too greasy or heavy. There was a nice amount of lobster in it. I had the seafood risotto, which was fabulous (I'd highly recommend that dish if you enjoy risotto). We thought the prices were reasonable given the quality of the food and the service we received. Portions aren't huge, but we all had jut the right amount to eat. We ate outside, and even though it was a bit chilly the heat lamps made it perfectly comfortable. There was even a guitar player at the wine shop next door to add to the ambiance. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone traveling to Bar Harbor.
(5)
John H.
Everything was ok except my Duck Meatloaf. Dry, over salted (and I love salt), and overpowered by black pepper as well. Shepard pie was soso. Bread, clam chowder, and salad were good. Nice ambience. When we ate here two years ago the entrees were better. I don't think we will be back.
(2)
Donald E.
I been to Bar Harbor many times and have eaten at many places there. My wife found the highly rated McKays Public House online and wanted to try it. I must say ... The food was not good "it was GREAT!!!". We choose to eat outside and were entertained by Bob Bowman who was playing acoustic guitar. Look, him up on the internet he is known as one the best acoustic guitar players in America. The service, outdoor lighting and music made for a perfect atmosphere. We had the duck spring rolls and they were the best I have ever eaten. My wife had the lobster mac and cheese, which had a light white cheese sauce with peas. The lobster was fresh and the cheese did not overwhelm the dish. I had tender lightly seasoned pork perfectly cooked with sweet potatoes and a side of green beans. I could actually taste the pork! The funny part of this experience is that I did not want to eat at McKay's but I will for now on each time we visit Bar Harbor!
(5)
Darren S.
We had a light dinner at the bar which has a nice homey atmosphere with a great range of local brews on tap. Crab cakes app was excellent and the seafood risotto was also fantastic but maybe could have used a little something. Friendly service and the manager was fun and willing to share some unique beer samples. A great spot in bar harbor.
(4)
Ellen S.
The ability to sit outside and listen to some great music was lovely. However the over an hour wait from ordering to seeing our meals was ridiculous and unacceptable. I had to stop our server to at least ask for the meal for our 1 year old. We were told there was a big party inside...I don't care!! First and last time there!
(2)
Food Jerk X.
The seafood risotto everyone raves about was rather mucky and pasty. Scallops therein were gooey and gummy. I know it's setting the bar too high, but we just had some regal scallops the night before at Fore Street in Portland--perfectly seared. These were totally without char or flavor. Mussels creole style had the opposite problem: overdone and WAY too much flavor. Props to linking Cajun to its Aca'jun forefathers, but mussels are subtle and completely overpowered. Also, a near majority of shells wouldn't open or the mussels shredded = some combo of dead and overcooked. Sauvignon blanc had no flavor. Atlantic Real Ale, howe'er, proved five-star. Think "an improved Sam Smith Nut Brown," or light years ahead of Newcastle. Rare find, as most American brewers fixate on IPAs or hefeweizens. Mac and cheese off the kids menu was the best dish: adult-tasting cheese with moist yet well-grilled chicken. Service was shy. Unconventional choices brought us here: would have loved to try the seared duck special, but they were out, despite the fact that we ate relatively early.
(2)
Lindsay G.
The drinks were good and the ambience is wonderful, but the entrees (seafood risotto and the fish and chips) were unnecessarily heavy and rich. The duck wonton app was amazing though- go for that and drinks.
(3)
Juanita H.
Sat outside by the porch and enjoyed the scenery. Very good waitress. We had the fish and chips and crab cakes with salads. Overall a very good experience. Would go back again.
(4)
Debbie B.
Mixed greens salad was larger than I expected. Plenty of greens, shaved carrot, just a little tomato. Clam chowder delicious. Bits of clan, not too heavy and thick. Crab cake appetizer very nice. Salad and crab cakes a good amt of food for a light eater. Rack of lamb delicious, tender, perfectly prepared medium as requested. The guitarist was perfect. Nice background music but not loud, no problem carrying on conversation. Sat outside on a cool eve. Very pretty with the decorative lights and propane warmers. No problem getting a table on a Sunday night around 8pm on Sept 7. No wait.
(4)
Heather S.
Bananas how great this place is! Amazing local caught oysters. Insane scallop risotto. The staff and service has always been stellar. It is always a highlight of our Maine trip!
(5)
Victoria B.
I never write reviews and my husband told me not to write this one so we could keep this place a secret. This place is completely underrated. The atmosphere is so perfect, there was a guy playing acoustic guitar, that coupled with the outdoor lighting and hum of the dinner guests pulled us in. We enjoyed a drink on some outdoor seating while waiting for our table. The owner was absolutely charming, as was the staff. Our server was lovely as well. We tried the duck spring rolls, liver pate and a few oysters and all were delicious. I had the salmon and my husband the steak, both were perfectly cooked. We finished with the brownie Sunday. We have eaten at many places this trip and this was by far the best place we tried. Truly the whole package, food, service and atmosphere are all top notch!
(5)
Sam T.
Probably deserves 3 stars, but wanted to bring down the rating a bit because we had suchhh terrible service. Food and outdoor seating were beautiful. We were seated late - restaurant was pretty full but past rush hour. We sat with no drinks and no service for 10 minutes. Waiter was not personable and spent minutes rambling about specials but neglected to mention that a menu item was out, which two of us were going to order. So took the drink and food orders at the same time. Forgot about the drink orders. We reminded a different waiter 10-15 minutes later. He came back, said that he was busy and didn't remember what we'd ordered, but never apologized. The beer and wine took 5 minutes from that time, and the waiter brought out red instead of white. Pretty pathetic. In relative terms, the food came out in okay time, but it was only a couple minutes after the drinks at that point. The server was just not on this planet. Great, appealing menu at very fair prices. Food was fantastic - seafood risotto, vegetable curry, lamb burger, salad with scallops were all 5/5. Duck wontons appetizer was kinda weird and not worth the price.
(2)
Adk M.
Ok, if you can get a seat in the garden, maybe the mediocre food is worth the expense. Otherwise, turn around and seek out better food anywhere in a five-block radius. Can't complain about the service - prompt and gracious. But the dark, non-air-conditioned interior of the house was uninspired and depressing - as well as a bit stifling. Salads were overdressed and the Caesar not edible (really - how hard is it to make a Caesar salad?) The main courses were less than memorable. You can do better and should.
(2)
Megan B.
We came during our Maine vacation, looking for a dog friendly restaurant. We got seated quickly and very friendly. The bread was very good and the butter had a nice flavor. As a table we got the duck wontons appetizer was vey good. I got the ahi appetizer as my meal the portion was small but I wasn't expecting a big portion. It was very good I especially the seaweed salad that came with it.
(4)
Ari K.
We ordered the clam chowder, farm house salad and the seafood risotto. This restaurant is excellent. The chowder was more broth based than creamy and my wife thought it was the best chowder she ever had. The farmhouse salad had fresh greens with a very tasty dressing. The seafood risotto was memorable. The wine pairing with the recommended Bordeaux added to the experience. They also had organic burger for my son which was a nice touch. The atmosphere is park like with live music, heat lamps and nice lighting. Thank you for a great dining experience.
(5)
Roger H.
Great beer selection of Maine drafts. GREAT food. Had a Cioppino that was wonderful and a good portion. Melissa's fish and chips was to die for. Awesome cut of haddock. Service was a little icey and pretentious. Nice restaurant and great outdoor space. A little fancy for a public house but generally took us dirty after a long day of canoeing so aok too.
(4)
Renard S.
We had a Sunday evening dinner over a holiday weekend at McKay's, when it was recommended by the innkeepers where we were staying. The menu looked quite inviting and had a wide range of options. In the end, however, this seemed to be to the restaurant's detriment; McKay's isn't quite sure what it is (upscale, casual, inventing, etc.). Cocktails from the main menu (a manhattan and a ciao bella) were mediocre. A bit watery, and seemingly too much citrus in both). We ordered the mussels appetizer, which turned out to be a mistake. It arrived with spicy kielbasa, peppers and onions (of the sort you get at the ballpark with your Italian sausage) and wet french fries. Don't get me wrong, I love kielbasa, but it completely overwhelmed the taste of the mussels. Main courses were boiled lobster and seafood risotto. The risotto was a bad miss, to the point the that the waitress (unprompted) asked if it was overcooked, noting that previous patrons had complained. She (again unprompted), removed it from our bill. The lobster was appropriately cooked and nicely presented, however the sides were bland and poorly organized -- by the time one could finish even half the lobster, the sides of a broiled green beans and mashed potatoes were guaranteed to be quite cold. The service was decent, though the appetizer and entrees were served within three to five minutes of each other. We noticed this also happened at the table next to us. When in Bar Harbor, I'd recommend skipping this and instead going to a nearby lobster pound (we went to Trenton Bridge) for seafood, or another establishment in town (Fathom, Sidestreet Cafe, etc.) if you're in the mood for something else.
(2)
Leigh E.
Excellent selection of eclectic wines, friendly and helpful staff, and a deliciously expansive selection of dinner choices. We went two nights in a row and loved it!
(5)
Steve P.
This is a great place to grab a little high class fare in an approachable atmosphere. My wife and I chose to eat here based on Yelp recommendations. If not for Yelp, we would probably just continued with some of our other favorite dinner spots in town, skipping McKay's entirely. Thankfully, we read up before going out! I had a tough time deciding between the halibut special (served over purple sushi rice) and the Portobello Picatta. I went with the portobello, again based on the Yelp recommendation. I'm glad I did! The preparation is odd on the surface (almonds, coarse bread crumbs, capers, and more), but all of the pieces work together to make for a great texture and phenomenal taste. It was served over whipped potatoes and swiss chard in a creamy (but not too creamy) sauce. My mouth is still watering as I write this review. My wife had the filet mignon. She thought it was a high quality cut of meat, but perhaps could have been seasoned a little more. It was served with pancetta, whipped potatoes, and swiss chard. She probably would not get it again, as we have plenty of good steakhouses near our home that really know how to do it right. She classifies this steak as above Outback, but well below Sullivan's. A notable fact about McKay's that helped to set it above other places we've eaten is the children's menu. They offered some healthy options, rather than just the standard chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, etc. Our son had the grilled chicken with whipped potatoes and swiss chard (see a pattern here?). The chard was probably too much for his little palate, so my wife and I happily shared it instead. The chicken was perfectly cooked and he ate all of his potatoes. We still have a healthy portion of the chicken for leftovers, as it was a bit much for a 10-month-old. The atmosphere was friendly. We ate in the outside dining area, which was very comfortable and surrounded by foliage. It got a bit chilly, so the wait staff lit the propane burners for us. That was nice! The service was competent, but they still left my wife with an empty beer glass for more than half the meal. The service lapse and underseasoned meat are all that kept this meal from getting a full 5 stars. We do plan to go back and will update this posting with any new information. I can't wait to try the purple rice!
(4)
An L.
Lobster mac and cheese was good, but not incredible. I think this was somewhat overrated. Seafood risotto was also good; again not outstanding. Blueberry pie was delicious - you've got to try this. Waittress was extremely nice. Guiness also excellent. Great atmosphere. Beautiful locale.
(4)
Jen G.
Had a nice dinner here. We sat on the porch which was nice despite the crazy people sitting next to us having a frightening conversation. Had the spinach dip and a mushroom dish. Both were very good. I'll definitely come back when we visit Bar Harbor again.
(4)
Andrew H.
Is a cool house. Very good food but limited options. Tried to get a free drink for my 30th birthday but our waiter would not give me one, weak.
(3)
Jordan V.
if you sit at the bar at mckay's you will get that old timey feeling when people went out and actually had an extraordinarily pleasant time talking to the other people inhabiting the same public space. in our case, that was a pharmaceutical researcher, a man i'm pretty sure was a CIA agent, and a dude who, randomly, went to the same high school as me (uh, in dana point, california) and was travelling the states in an rv with his girlfriend. many months later, it is this conversation at this place that i remember most about our trip. go here, drink craft beer, eat delicious and comforting food and most importantly, talk to others!
(4)
Brian C.
Awesome lobster mac and cheese. The torrontes went great with it, too. Salad was creative, and featured candied apricots and goat cheese. Great ambiance in the restaurant, and excellent service.
(4)
david g.
Best nice meal we had in bar harbor, hands down. Very romantic atmosphere, but good for casual and families too. (I know that sounds odd, but it's actually true!) Great mussels, and the picata portobello was to die for!
(5)
Rob L.
Great place. My wife and I both had the lobster mac and cheese and were not disappointed. We loved the building and the service lived up to reviews. We called ahead as we were bringing our 6 month old and they had a table and high chair ready to go upon arrival. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking for dinner in Bar Harbor.
(4)
Dee H.
We had a very pleasant dinner here recently. The pretty outdoor setting drew us in, however we were seated inside without having to wait. I had the hake over turnips with a small side of zucchini and summer squash, accompanied by a very good pinot grigio. (They were out of sangria, but this is an excellent replacement.) I'm a fool for chocolate cake, so for dessert I had a little chocolate torte with a very healthy serving of coffee. It was a perfect meal I had with the girls, and both the hostess and our server Augusta took care of us very well.
(4)
Tim B.
I've eaten here a few times. It's a very pleasant place, reliable and consistent, with some real inventiveness here and there on the menu. Definitely one of the better places to eat in Bar Harbor.
(4)
Dave T.
The outdoor seating was good and the atmosphere is good. The lobster Mac lacked a solid portion of lobster but had good flavor. The rack of lamb was done to order. My friends lamb was way under cooked and they fixed it and comped her meal. Good but not great.
(3)
Dave W.
We arrived as a party of 17 including 8 children and one of our party in a wheelchair. The host actually convinced the already-seated party in the first floor dining area to move upstairs to allow our wheelchair into the first floor dining room. The server was an excellent sport in handling our drink and dinner orders (including many glasses of milk). The food for both kids and adults was quite good. We had beet salads, Porterhouses, rack of lambs and it tasted excellent.
(5)
GoldieGir L.
Baked Brie and feta appetizers were wonderful, as was the portabella piccata. Lobster Mac & cheese was tasty but overpriced. Island burger was cooked to order (med) but dry - probably just too lean. Portion sizes were rather skimpy, except for the island burger, which was huge. Bread and herbed butter was delicious. Good service, nice outdoor seating
(3)
Bill B.
I had read the reviews here on Yelp before we decided to go and I will say that the food, drink, and staff here was excellent. The staff at the inn we stayed at also recommended McKays. Delicious!
(5)
Tracy M.
Great ambiance! Sat outside in the patio section, the dishes were awesome, especially the seafood risotto, t-bone was cooked to perfection, service was pretty slow, but it was pretty busy for a Friday night in the summer time. Definitely recommend!!
(5)
Leah M.
This is the best meal we've had so far in Bar Harbor, and my meal (the sachetti pasta) was one of the best I've ever had anywhere. The prices are resort town in Maine reasonable. The location and interior are lovely, and the porch and front are beautifully landscaped with flowers. There is a children's menu, which is very reasonably priced. I'd definitely go back.
(4)
Rob E.
We stopped here for our first meal in Bar Harbor back in August. We sat outside and had a very nice dinner off of their 'early bird' menu. I had a delicious fish and chips and a wonderful IPA from Sebago Brewery. My girlfriend had some portabello mushroom dish which was also excellent. I think this is a great choice for a moderately-priced pub/restaurant in Bar Harbor.
(4)
Evelyn C.
Recommended to us by our kayaking tour guide, we decided to come here for dinner. There was a fundraising event going on that night with live music from a 14 year old fiddler accompanied by a guitarist. We sat a couple tables down from the live music in the upstairs dining area. She was very talented and I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would. As for the food: Mussels- omg amazing. I know they were traditionally prepared, with leek, garlic, and butter and wine....but the broth was just so delicious. The best thing was the chunk of grilled bread that accompanied the mussels. I wish I could have picked up the bowl with whatever juices remained with another chunk of bread...I would have been satisfied. Seafood Etouffee- the hubby reported that it had great flavor, but the jasmine rice that was supposed to be served with was the consistency of congee (Chinese rice porridge). Luckily we are used to rice of that mushy nature so he ate it without complaints. Seafood risotto- nice light, delicate flavor with plump scallops and the infamously puny Maine shrimp. The peas and the tomato added enough freshness to prevent the dish from being super dense. Dessert- I couldn't help myself, but I couldn't leave Maine without having some form of blueberry pie. So when I saw blueberry RHUBARB pie on the menu, I had to try it. It was great with a little bit of tang in the filling and a flaky crust. The two scoops of vanilla ice cream certainly didn't hurt either.
(4)
Terrence S.
The place covers it all in a converted Victorian home just a short distance from the town center of Bar Harbor. The front lawn is a very nicely landscaped walk and patio. You can dine inside or outside during the warm summer days. During the fall the staff like to work indoors. The food covers a large range. Nearly everything is organic or locally raised. They have fish, beef, pork, lamb and lots of vegetable dishes. The size of the dishes is generous until you get to the entre. Then they are just right. Which is the right way to do things. Appetizers should be large enough to share with others and the dinners should be small enough to not make a pig of yourself. The desert selection was diverse covering the creme brulee to ice cream to some very nice fruit pies. The bartender really needs to learn how to make an Old Fashion. The place did not have a bottle of brandy at all. Not even a well bottle. They tried their best to emulate the drink. But really messed up. We had to make substitutions to get the cocktail even close. Oh well. The food was great and fresh. The close proximity to the fire place was a treat. Try to remember that during the high season, This place needs a reservation. You can walk in and get a seat at the bar most any time. However, you only get to order off the bar selections.
(5)
Rob M.
The best. Garden and indoor seating. Street parking in front if you lucky in the summer. In busy downtown Bar Harbor. Food is excellent and martini's are perfect. Have a lot of seasonal micro brews. Candle lit at night on two floors. Sit upstairs with a big for more privacy. Call ahead for reservations on weekends or when the cruise ships are in.
(5)
Alison H.
Atmosphere was nice- very romantic. Service was terrible... We had to beg another waitress for water after we waited for 20 minutes with empty glasses and no success trying to melt ice cubes with the candle. My husband's Clam chowder was okay, but very small portion and nowhere near as good as others we had on our trip. His lobster Mac and cheese was, again, okay, but not as good as side street cafe. I had the beet salad and added scallops. The scallops were cooked perfectly, but the salad was nothing special. We also had their "new" white sangria, which was terrible and had a weird aftertaste. The fruit in it was nowhere near ripe, so that may have been the cause. We were underwhelmed and annoyed by our lack of water.
(3)
Missy G.
At Mckay's I got the steak. We had to wait for a while but it was very good.
(5)
noodlebean d.
Truly delicious food, attentive (but not annoying) service, New Englandy atmosphere (in a great way)... loved it. The chowder especially seemed really good, though I'm no connoisseur, but I loved it.
(4)
Michelle M.
Fresh ingredients, well seasoned, wide variety of items on menu, and a nice atmosphere outside. Portobella Piccata we well worth repeating, and every bit as good as said in the previous reviews. Salad with chive oil, heirloom tomatoes, and feta was delicious, and tuna two ways for our appetizer was excellent. Good value and very good service and good wine. What more do you need for an excellent dinner.
(5)
Maura H.
We have eaten at McKays twice since October and had a great experience both times. The atmosphere at McKays is perfect - an old house turned into a restaurant so each room has just a few tables. Both times we were seated by the fireplace so it was warm and cozy. They even have a small bar wich was quite busy last night as it was New Year's Eve. The menu has great options for both meat lovers, seafood lovers and vegetarians. We started out with raw oysters from Taunton Bay which were very sweet. For the next course I had a smoked mussel confetti salad which was excellent. My main course - seafood risotto - was not so great but in all fairness we ordered at the end of a very busy night. I have no complaints though because the owner, Brian Smith, was very apologetic and gracious and didn't charge me for the meal or its replacement. He even served our table complimentary sparkling wine at the end of the meal. Brian was very attentive throughout our meal and helped us with our wine selection offering us tastings of several different wines. Great place - highly recommend it.
(4)
Tracy H.
Love this place! The pub fondue was amazing, lobster risotto was coked perfectly as was the chicken. Beer list always has some interesting features! Definitely not a "tourist" kind of place, just a comfortable, well staffed and overall great place to eat!
(5)
Lifan Y.
Great food. Somewhat pricey though. No space in the garden for big group.
(4)
Natalie W.
It was a crisp, cool evening in Bar Harbor...We had a reservation at McKay's Public House for dinner. When we arrived, the porch was nicely heated and my dining partner desired to be seated there and give up our nice warm table inside. Well, that's our fault, not McKay's! My lobster mac-n-cheese was delightful. My husbands steak was not as good as the one he ate at Mache the night before. Would return, but not for steak!
(4)
Matt G.
The food was solid. Had seafood risotto and thoroughly enjoyed. Also had the shrimp ceviche which was very tasty. Other meals at our table we very good. Very interesting decor in an old houseand downside! Our waitress needed a happy pill. Maybe she forgot this is a service business. I would try again and likely would enjoy if not for the service.
(4)
Jen. R.
Not impressed. The main dish came out while we were still eating the appetizers. I found a hair in the Lobster Mac and Cheese, which also tasted like it was made from a box. The server seemed in a huge hurry to get rid of us, even though the restaurant was less than half full. I wish we had gone elsewhere.
(1)
Alaina B.
My boyfriend wanted to try this place since he read the reviews on here, so after an evening of whale watching the two of us along with his father and brother walked up from the boat and right on toward McKays. They were pretty busy and we didn't have reservations, but they told us to come back in twenty minutes (after taking our names) to see if something opened up. The smell emanating from inside was amazing, and the outdoor patio looked so lovely. We started to walk back through the town, but nowhere looked (or smelled) as good as McKay's so his dad suggested we just try our luck and go back. Lo and behold another family had just showed up and were about to be given a table when the people realized we had been there ten minutes before and were already on the list (the other family was not). It seems two tables had opened up while we walked away, so they quickly seated us upstairs by the window. The decor inside really made you feel like you were in someones home, and the waiter we had was very friendly and attentive. The drink menu was great, and we got to have some of our old favorites that were hard to find. The waiter told us about one of their specials of the evening which was a garlic and herb borscht that my boyfriend and I ended up splitting. The rest of our party thought it sounded bizarre and were shocked when they also tried it and found out how amazing it was. I'm usually not too crazy about borscht but I would have gladly had that as my entire meal. Based on reviews here, I did try the McKays burger and it was everything it was said to be. So juicy and flavorful, the only thing that wasn't the best was the pickle! The nice thing is they leave the tomato, lettuce and onion on the side so you can decide how much you want on or if you want to eat them separate (if at all). The mustard they provided was also very good, and I wished I wrote down what brand it was because it was delicious and really complemented the meat. However, it really didn't need much and I could have eaten it without even a bun or anything else on it. Everyone else enjoyed their meals thoroughly (clam chowder, beet salad, Maine Etouffe, pork ribs, and steak) and we had a great time to boot! I highly recommend McKays to anyone visiting the area.
(4)
Joe S.
We had dinner twice here. The first time was by chance after coming across it on our way back from a shore walk. The second time was by choice. The food and service were solid. The restaurant offers inexpensive pub fare, as well as a more traditional but still reasonable American cuisine. I actually was pleasantly surprised with the portobello picatta - an interesting vegetarian reinterpretation of a classic. I was however somewhat disappointed with their creme brulee. The wait staff frequently asked how we enjoyed dinner, in a very authentic way. They were very attentive, and kid friendly. There is indoor and outdoor seating, with gas heaters in the outdoor patio for cool evenings. Overall, this probably was one of the better restaurants in our Bar Harbor stay. I would recommend to those traveling with and without families. There is also a nice wine shop next door to pick up a bottle for an after dinner drink at the hotel.
(4)
William B.
We returned to McKay's for the Lobster Mac and Cheese. What a disappointment! Three tiny morsels of lobster in the dish for $25. This is a town that is swimming in lobster, where a heaping lobster roll sells for $12. Come on, McKay's, you can do better than this!
(2)
Nick M.
A good Public House has an excellent selection of beers, good food and a nice dark, but welcoming pub atmosphere. McKay's has it all. A converted Victorian, the place is quite large with elegant features like the carved wooden molding, ornately detailed dark cast iron radiators, elegant staircases, etc. that make this a pub feel unmistakably like you're in New England. The service was OK, not the fastest and definitely not the worst. Beer menu was decent, not huge but classy. I had a Maine local favorite: Gritty's 21 IPA, which was served a bit too cold for my liking but I warmed it up with my hands. The bar was hopping at times, then dead. I saw lots of wine being poured. The maître d' even shared in some cocktail of some sort at the bar. The menu was classic pub food of burgers, with seafood and a bit of steak. A special of the night was lobster in a cream sauce with homemade pasta for $25. I believe there was a shrimp and scallop risotto with lemon truffle oil, but I didn't want a lemon bomb for dinner. There was a ribeye steak, topped with Gorgonzola cheese and served with a wine reduction. I figured any place trying to doctor up my steak with anything more than salt and pepper is risky, so I went instead with the Ahi Tuna with Carrot and Ginger sauce, which sounded safe. Nope. It was a generous cut of tuna, served with purple sticky rice and zucchini with summer squash. I ordered the tuna "as rare as possible" as I like it almost like sashimi, barely seared on each side on a red hot pan. Tuna steak was a quality cut of fish, which I found to be slightly overcooked for my liking. One piece of tuna was extremely oversalted, which detracted from the meal. The rice was OK, the vegetables were a bit salty because they were plated with the tuna. And the carrot ginger I didn't really get. I tasted the sweetness of the carrot, no ginger flavor at all. It didn't really go with the tuna and seemed more like an afterthought. For this I was a bit confused and wished they just salted and peppered my tuna. The meat itself had a nice flavor at first, but almost a metallic finish towards the end. I'm not sure if it was the cookware, but the tuna didn't taste right with the aftertaste.You're in Bar Harbor and don't know how to serve seafood? WTF?! My girlfriend ordered a burger and fries. Very large burger, one of the best I've tried in awhile. Excellent and for $10 I'd say it was worth it. With all the seafood, you need a Public House in Bar Harbor. We also ordered an appetizer of Spinach and Artichoke dip, which came served in a bread bowl with "dippers" which were like a fluffy tortilla of sorts. Canned artichoke and frozen spinach, but good bread bowl that hit the spot and made a good 1st impression. Overall, 3 stars for this place because it tries too hard to be something it is not. Great burgers, decent beer selection and fancier, classier fare if you dare. I would have rated 4 stars if my tuna (come up guys, you're in Bar Harbor and can't prepare seafood) was better seasoned. I read a Yelp review that says the food is orgasmic around the 5pm dinner rush, but I definitely didn't put any O-face on. We went around 9:30pm and I wouldn't recommend the tuna to anyone, not for $25 anyways. One final comment: I really enjoyed the jazz music. Don't change it. It works with the place very well. Located in Historic Downtown Bar Harbor, I recommend this restaurant for basic pub food in a relaxed New England setting. Avoid the fancier meals and stick with the excellent burgers instead and you can't go wrong.
(3)
Millhouse R.
McKay's is a pretty nice place. I admit that right now I'm a bit peeved they ran out of rib eye steak and JW beer when I arrived for dinner past 8pm, however, like Mr. Spock I'm gonna keep my emotions in check. The decor itself is worth heading over if you just want to relax with a beer or some top shelf. Very easy lighting and relaxing music set up for a nice mood and night. You are warmly greeted and treated very well by the maitre 'd and any other staff you run in to.When I asked for reading material the lady of the house said there weren't any papers around but that she'd look anyway. A few minutes later she came with a three day old local paper, and I did appreciate the gesture. I did like the food, what was left on the menu. I ordered mussels in white wine to start and decided to go with a ground lamb burger in lieu of my extinct ribeye. Now, usually no matter where I order mussels in white wine or any other sauce the chef hasn't a clue how to make them and you wind up tasting the lousy sauce rather than the mussels. McKay's, thank heaven, does them right. The wine and garlic butter reduction was a bit salty but the mussels were fully flavored and devoid of any sand. I wish I had a big bowl of these rather than the plate. My lamb burger was a mixed bag. The meat itself was pretty good. Strong, juicy and cooked exactly how I wanted (medium rare) my only complaint was the huge amount of whipped feta cheese on top. I understand what the chef was going for but he/she needs to put it on the side rather than plotzed on top. It's regular Greek feta, you know the very salty kind, and it overwhelms the lamb. No biggie I scrapped it off. If sheep feta or even Bulgarian or Israeli feta is used, all of which have stronger flavor but less salt then it would work. Saying all this I really did like my lamb burger and the skin on french fries were some of the best I've had. Skip the complimentary bread. It's cold and soggy, you're not missing anything. My only advice is to get there early so you can get whatever specials they're offering. Actually, I'll say this for all the restaurants in Bar Harbor. They don't cater to us city slickers where we can have dinner up to 12am. Ah the life in the country.
I love burgers, bbq burgers, dream about burgers, etc. The burger at McKay's was in top 3 burgers I have ever had. It was done perfectly with feta cheese and really nice french fries. That in combo with Bar Harbor Brewing Co beer was outstanding. Also, great atmosphere, friendly staff and extensive menu.
(5)
Sarah M.
We didn't have reservations, but called ahead to see what the wait was. We were told they would make it happen - and they did. We were seated immediately at a table indoors. The restaurant is located in an old home that has a lot of character. The food was decent, we ordered the lobster mac and a duck dish. The lobster mac was fabulous and included a large portion. We ended up with leftovers, but they were quickly eaten the next day. The duck had an interesting preparation of duck sausage and duck breast - both were excellent. The service was good, not exceptionally good or bad - just average. We would definitely return.
(4)
Margaret T.
We were in a rush so took the indoor seats. Big mistake. I began to sweat within a few minutes of being seated indoors. The room was dark, cramped and a window a/c unit was nestled nearby along with a handful of winged insects. The patio seating we walked by looked lovely with white lights and live music. No one at the tables we walked by was sweating. I was in steerage for the evening. The food! Everything that was brought to the table was amazing. The lobster mac and cheese was succulent and buttery. It was the best meal in the worst building.
As many other reviewers have said: lobster mac and cheese. That's all you need to know. But actually McKay's is more than just that; they have a lovely garden seating area and also on the porch, where we sat (and where the maitre d kindly moved us after being concerned about being caught in the rain). They also just overall have a terrific menu. In addition to the proverbial lobster mac and cheese, I really enjoyed the tuna steak with the summer squash chilled soup and polenta cake; tuna was cooked perfectly (order it medium rare). We also started with the spinach and artichoke dip, which was delicious, but the highlight were the chips, which were hand made, and had lots of salt which made them really tasty. McKay's is also good because it can appeal to everyone: groups, families, couples.
(4)
Lindsay S.
Pleasant hostess sat us after a 10 minute wait and we arrived at our table outside. Waited 15 minutes and then asked for our waitress to then have our waitress come over 10-15 minutes later without much of a reason. The entrees we ordered arrived incorrectly and by that point we had waited an hour. Beyond unacceptable. The new waitress we got was nice, but very hard to overcome the first hour. Our food came cold with the steak overlooked and the veggies undercooked. Worst dinner and service I have had ever!
(1)
Cassie S.
Just had the lobster Mac and cheese and the portion was a perfect size and tasted delicious . The staff was very courteous and the atmosphere was lovely! Highly recommend dining here.
(5)
Deb M.
The food at McKay's was awesome. My husband said the boiled lobster was one of the top 3 lobsters he has ever eaten, and he has eaten a lot of lobster. I had the special Duck Duo -- duck sausage and duck breast with blueberry sauce. I had it cooked medium rare -- chef recommended -- and it was so tender and juicy it melted in my mouth. The meal was so good we made reservations on our way out for tomorrow night!
(5)
Matthew S.
Five stars, dollar for dollar, all the way around.
(5)
Andy L.
Above average. Was surprised by this find. Excellent beer selection. Walked up without a reservation at 700pm on a weekday at the end of July and was seated right away. Had mussels and a salad. Wife had lobster Mac and cheese. Both meals were very good. Service was smooth and efficient. Would recommend. Had many items on the menu that looked worth trying. Maybe we will go back before leaving.
(4)
Tiffany C.
Food so good that I had to write this review while we're still here. The lobster mac and cheese is heavenly. It's like a lobster and truffle decided to make love in my mouth and splooge everywhere. I live in NYC and must say this is the best mac and cheese I've had in my life. Oh and everything else is great as well.
(5)
Matthew T.
Okay these people have low standards. The environment is nice, the staff is nice and accommodating. However the portions and quality of food leave much to be desired! For $30 dollars you can get filet mignon, with a scoop of mashed potatoes, and a scoop of spinach. For $18 you can get shepherds pie that looks nothing like it does in the pictures you get that McKays has posted on yelp and Google. In fact it's in a tiny skillet and tastes like dog food. The bill was $100 and we left hungry! And picked up chinese on the way home. Don't waste your money here on these tiny portions. $100 goes further in over priced connecticut and new york city and you'll actually get portions that'll fill you up.
(1)
Tim F.
This gastropub serves delicious food, fine drinks, is kid friendly and has a very nice atmosphere. IMO probably some of the best food we ate in Bar Harbor. Sat out on the porch, with a nice space heater in case it got a bit chilly. Our server was very friendly; made some good cider and crafted beer suggestions; and was very attentive. Started off with Homemade Pretzel and Welsh Rarebit. It was not a pretzel in the typical sense, but more akin to mini baked loaves of bread....however once you get past that, dipping it in the delicious Welsh Rarebit makes any concerns about the bread's description go away. Yum! Next onto the asparagus soup, which was also delicious, not too salty and the consistency and perfect for a cool night. The main course for me was a duck meatloaf wrapped in bacon with green peppercorns with mashed potatoes and whisky cream. My wife had the lobster macaroni. We would order either one of these dishes again. For desert, I went for the warm blueberry cobbler with ice cream. This was good, but not OMG, as I felt it was not blueberry enough, if that makes sense. Regardless, we had a terrific time and for those parents that have kids, this place is great. They give the kids some sticky sticks to play with and have a kids menu. For those that don't have kids, don't worry there is enough room in this place that you can find that corner, so you don't feel like you're in Disney World.
(5)
Dana P.
Great restaurant - food was excellent, wine recommendations were stellar (they were out of what we ordered, but made great recommendations), and the setting was perfect. We were there for a fall weekend getaway and would highly recommend.
(5)
Kristen R.
We read some fabulous reviews about McKays and were not disappointed! It was busy on a weekday night and we took the last table...it was quaint and comfortable. We ordered the smoked haddock dip as our starter and realized we were in for a culinary treat. It actually tasted like smoked haddock compared to the mayo-style we all know and say "eh, it's ok". This app was excellent. We then enjoyed the lobster mac & cheese and the special farmhand salad. The mac and cheese lived up to its reputation - great cheese, yummy lumps of lobster (and enough of it) and fresh peas with pasta. The salad was arugula, a lemony vinaigrette, smoked mussels, cabbage...a fine combination to accent the flavorful mussels. The one con? We were convinced to try the jalapeno beer and, sure it was tasty, but not at all spicy as advertised. If it's going to be jalapeno, we want it to taste like it! :)
(4)
Megan R.
Jeff and I stopped into McKays Public House after Jeff did a YELP search for some of the top rated spots in Bar Harbor. I understand why McKays was near the top of the list. A short walk from the bustling part of downtown Bar Harbor, McKays was set behind a beautiful front patio which was laid out between trees and greenery, with white lights floating in the leaves. The tables were spacious and private, and made me feel like I was eating in a magic little garden. Jeff and I opted for sharing plates and a drink, we thought we might continue to bar-harbor-hop around. Our server was amicable and knowledgable, and took our order as soon as we were ready. I started with a Garden Party cocktail, a fresh and lemon-y mixture of gin, Lemoncello, and fresh muddled basil (YUM!!) and Jeff went for a microbrew beer. We were sharing the Duck Confit Spring Rolls (2 on the appetizer order, smaller size) which were crispy, hot, and stuffed with that beautiful rich duck meat. We also shared the Fish and Chips, which came out looking like they took the whole haddock, fresh from the boat, skinned and filleted, and thrown in the fryer. (In other words, it was the entire fillet fried to crispy fresh perfection.) We did not bother with the french fries, because, who would when everything else is so tasty? On the Wednesday night we were there, a local musician was playing beautiful acoustic guitar on a little porch nearby, which made the night even lovelier. Thank you for a great night at the Public House!!
(4)
Stuart G.
Excellent ambiance, and it doesn't feel like a tourist trap. There was a 20 minute wait before a table opened up, which my date and I had no problem with. Even though we were just sitting patiently, the manager went out of his way to get us drinks while we waited, and they weren't even on the bill at the end of the meal! That's right, free beer! We had the mussels for an appetizer, which were served in a delicious broth and was the perfect portion for two. I followed this with the duck meatloaf, which is a dish I've never even seen anywhere else. It was absolutely fantastic, wrapped in prosciutto ham and cooked to juicy perfection. Duck can be really hit-or-miss, so I was thoroughly impressed. To cap it all off, there was a man sitting on the porch next door playing some relaxing acoustic guitar tunes throughout our entire meal! That, combined with the excellent patio seating outdoors in the evening really made for the best ambiance we could have hoped for. Will definitely be returning next time I'm in town.
(5)
Tater T.
It was OK. Halibut special was a little sweet, severed on a bed of sweet potatoes. Lobster mac exceeded expectations, nicely cheesy not just covered in a cream sauce. Nice beer selection and happy hour specials.
(3)
Jon S.
Excellent food & service. More upscale dining option in Bar Harbor. We opted for the following: spinach dip, beet salad, macaroni and lobster, and fish & chips. All were of quality and fresh ingredients. That's code of course for portions being smaller, but you can counter by ordering any of the heavier meals. For example, the fish & chips (a 6oz piece of haddock fried) was plenty for the hungry belly, especially with fries. Two seating options here: inside (a old renovated guest home) or in the courtyard patio. Both are nice, but your call (usually based on the weather). Service is pretty good. This place is seasonal and fills up after 7pm, especially on the weekends. Make the call for reservations if in this timeframe.
(4)
Paula K.
Wow, it is a really good thing that we have been travelling the past two weeks and virtually electronic-free or I would have written a very different review two weeks ago. Every couple of years we come to Maine and while visiting our family offers to watch our kids so we can go to Bar Harbor for an evening. The first night we were there we chose to have dinner at McKays. It was a Thursday night and we didn't have reservations but they were able to acommodate us at one of the tall tables. We ordered drinks several minutes after arriving. My husband ordered the sampler paddle which he loved (great selection) and I ordered a glass of wine...which arrived ten minutes after my husbands beer. Okay. The waitress seemed extremely busy so we thought that might have something to do with it (that and the fact that for some reason all of the wait staff was mixing and pouring their own drinks upstairs, what??) We started with the crab cakes and the sweet fries. I ordered the sweet fries because I love horseradish sauce. The problem is that we have NO idea what we were served. It was definitely coconut, no horseradish flavor whatsoever, and if we had to venture a guess it tasted like straight coconut milk. It wasn't the horseradish sauce that I had hoped for but it wasn't a bad combo. When I asked the waitress what the susbtitution was (nicely, weren't complaining, said it was still good) she said it was impossible that it could be anything with cocounut b/c they don't use coconut anywhere in the kitchen. Okay, but it was cocounut. That we were certain about. The crab cakes were good. Very big and full of crab. Next, our food came and my husband enjoyed his lobster mac and cheese. I enjoyed my petite burger and beet salad. I asked for medium rare and it was well done (still good) and a beet salad (where the heck were the pumpkin seeds that were advertised on the salad?) Despite all of the mistakes the food was good even if we felt like the waitress who clearly was trying to be friendly but way too busy to be attentive fell short. But all of the mistakes left a really bad impression. I would have asked for things things to be set straight but after the non-response to the coconut mllk mistake and a busy waitress...sometimes you just have to let things go. Fast-forward to the following week. On our way out of town we took our kids to Bar Harbor. Around 6:30 we were faced with a tired, cold, HANGRY preschooler who was only settling for Mac and Cheese (which we realized if you want lobster-free is not an easy thing to find in Bar Barbor). While walking around and falling short we ran into McKay's again and low and behold the menu said, "Mac and Cheese". Needing to address the Hangry Preschooler's needs we looked at each other, "should we try again?" and we did. Hangry is bad. Total night and day experience. The waiter was attentive. The fries came with horseradish sauce. My burger was medium rare and there were pumpkin seeds on my salad. We also got all of our drinks at the same time, not a ten minute wait watching my husband drink all of his before mine was served, yay. Based on the last experience I would have gone with a 4 1/2 or 5 but inconsistency and a poor first experience knocks it back to a three. Maybe next year we'll give it another try and see how they do on a 2 out of 3.
(3)
Joy W.
DELICIOUS!!! We had dinner at McKay's and started off with the oysters and a round of margaritas! Both excellent-being from the midwest and only trying oysters once, I became a huge fan of oysters after having them at McKay's! My spouse had the seafood risotto which was 5stars:Local scallops and sautèed Maine shrimp over a lemon truffle risotto tossed with fresh peas, Parmesan, a touch of cream and diced tomatoes. I had the Lobster Mac and Cheese which also was 5stars: Fresh picked local lobster meat in a truffled cream sauce over cavatappi noodles & spring pea. Everything from start to finish was delicious and the outdoor seating area is perfect for a nice romantic evening! The only downside is that we didn't eat here sooner in our stay at Bar Harbor so that we could have had dinner here every night!!
(5)
Karen L.
On vacation with a party of ten we scheduled reservations for 8pm on a Wednesday night. Our table was not ready and we had to wait 40 minutes for the party using it to leave. The food after all of that, was terrible. Shepard's pie was burnt to a crisp because they ran out of potatoes. Meatloaf was burnt. The manager offered a free round of drinks which did not overcompensate for our wait, and disappointing meal.
(1)
Christina G.
The courtyard is pretty; but it was packed on the weekend, and we didn't have time to wait for a seat, so we got a table indoors. It channels pub well, with heavily curtained windows and deep hues. For me, though, all that kind of puts a damper on cool coastal breezes and sunshiney weather right outside. About 5 Maine beers on draft (though surprisingly nothing from Bar Harbor-local Atlantic Brewing). We got three dishes and shared everything. Clam Chowder: I'd been wanting to try a Northeast version of this, but hubs' opinion... "Tastes like something you can get from a can." Not wholly untrue regarding the broth. Though I will say the clam was at least plentiful! Crab Cakes: Good crab-to-breading ratio. Solid. Lobster Mac n Cheese: Not enough lobster, especially given the price. The mac was pretty good -- definitely cheesy -- but just a little lacking. Maybe a breadcrumb topping, or some herbs would jazz it up, and make it seem more of a cohesive dish, and less of a pasta with lobster sprinkled on top. All in all, average. Especially when the price is not far off from some of the fine dining experiences you can have in the area.
(3)
Michelle K.
I was here with my husband, the food and service was just awful. We sat outside , which was a very nice patio area, our table and seats were wet and there was a slug on the table. O they didn't place us on the patio, we sat in a walkway . The food was so gross, I order the falafel burger, it was hard as a rock with no taste at all. My husband ordered the curry with chicken, said it was okay, but we were over charged. we did not notice the overcharge until we got back to our hotel. Warning do not go to this place, many many other good places to eat in Bar Harbor...
(1)
Cheska R.
5 stars all around! Whenever we take a family vacation in Bar Harbor, we try to eat in here at least once. Great ambiance, service, food and drinks. It was probably a mistake dining here first on our trip, because all the cafes and restaurants we ate at after just didn't quite make it, like McKays did. It is an expensive place, but well worth the splurge. I loved the seafood risotto! It was garlicky, cheesy, and just plain comforting. Their beer selection is also quite good! I look forward to eating here every time we are in the area.
(5)
Connie C.
Awesome find! Lobster Mac and cheese, duck wontons, clam chowder, snapper special all very good. Good service, good beer selection
(5)
Dave B.
Not real impressed. I had the fish and chips and couldn't get past the deep fryer taste in the batter of the fish. The grilled cheese was extremely bland. The fries or "chips" were way overcooked. The atmosphere was very cool.
(2)
Leta D.
We went there at the beginning of the season, overall the service and food was good but ... We ordered lamb on the rack, was big mistake. Lamb was slightly cooked, we ordered it medium, it came rare, seriously rare. Asked waitress to take back to cook some more, again it came slightly cook . Other than that lamb the rest of the meal was good, better than the other places .
(3)
Erin C.
We had dinner here after going through the excellent reviews on this site, and their food was no short of excellent! I had the Jamaican Chicken Jerk which was probably the best chicken I ever had, it came with sweet potato mash which was unfortunately cold.
(4)
Jackie Z.
After a long day of hiking and eating at a few "tourist traps" we were looking for something real and good to eat. This was it. It exceeded above and beyond my expectations. The food was amazing, we had the tuna with organic veggies which was a special and the burger, one of the best burgers I've ever had. Spinach and artichoke dip is a must try. The only problem is deciding what to eat, everything on the menu looks so amazing. Service was great. Sitting outside in the garden is beautiful, however the inside is also lovely with great decor and a little more of a quiet atmosphere. Wish we knew about it sooner we would have had dinner here every night. Can't wait to come back next year!
(5)
Holly W.
We dined here both nights we were in town as we enjoyed the cozy outdoor seating (porch and patio), the low key live classical guitar music, and the elevated casual menu. We were lucky to get a solid waiter the first night, who made a great impression, but our waitress on the 2nd night was awful. The oysters were fresh and delicious. The smoked fish spread appetizer was ok. I had a juicy burger with a beet salad the first night - nothing special but well prepared and satisfying. My husband was unimpressed with the fish & chips. The 2nd night I tried the seafood risotto and my husband tried the lobster mac & cheese - both were good, not great, and had a similar preparation of sauces and garnishes. Solid beer selection.
(4)
Lisa G.
We loved this place. They had a fabulous wine special and the bottle of wine we selected was amazing and fairly priced. The service was just right. Pleasant but professional and not overbearing. We had the mussels (fabulous), stuffed flounder, (decent), duck duo (outstanding) and the kids meals of steak and hamburger were perfect (just the right portions and fantastic). There was a musician playing which was fun.
(5)
Dan K.
Really enjoyable meal. Fun and warm atmosphere! Our 14 month old loved the mac and cheese with peas!
(4)
Rebecca C.
Nice restaurant. They have beautiful outdoor seating (provide heaters in the cool, coastal air) and it's quite the atmosphere with live music playing. There's a 30 something and up kind of crowd so it's a more of a toned down vibe which is fine for a relaxing evening. The service is good as are the drinks (full bar and huge, fancy beer selection.) The food was very good and we both enjoyed our meals although the only gluten free beer they had was in a can and my husband felt it was off putting for a place of this caliber that specializes in beer. All in all it was a nice, relaxing evening.
(4)
Barbara T.
Had a poor experience here this evening. Waitress was distracted, patronizing and impatient; took a long time to get even drinks ordered (she didn't even offer us the option of a drink before she took our food order), and generally seemed to be in a huge hurry to get rid of us. I had the seafood risotto, which was very good. My husband's surf and turfy was mostly cold and the meat undercooked. He could have sent it back, but we were seated in an awful spot (wait staff constantly running by to the kitchen) that we just wanted to get out of there as soon as possible. The place is very busy and people seem to want to eat there-- the ambiance on the patio is indeed very nice-- but you can get food that is just as good or better at many other places in Bar Harbor
(2)
Kiki K.
The Sebago red ale has shown me the light at the end of the beer tunnel, and started an obsession w/red ales. Tofu w/purple sushi rice was correct. Why does every restaurant look like someone's house? We were afraid to go in at first.
(3)
Mark B.
My top pick in Bar Harbor itself. Great menu and great atmosphere. We ate on the late side and they offered us our own private room. Unexpected surprise. I had the Asian Pork Spare Ribs which were very tasty. Wife and daughter had the Lobster Mac & Cheese, which they gave rave reviews. This is different than just throwing some lobster on top of mac & cheese, they infuse the mac & cheese with lobster flavor, likley using broth. Tasty stuff. Bar menu was fantastic. My wife had a gin & tonic. Server suggested trying an organic tonic rather than the Schweppes in a bottle that most use. Nice flavors, original and refreshing.
(5)
Michael C.
I liked this place. The Salmon was delicious. So was the Seafood Risotto. Well worth it. Cheers!
(5)
David X.
Spectacular. I ordered the Portobello Picatta since it was a vegan dish I had never seen anywhere before. It was amazing. Surprising. Completely unexpected. The portobello is fried with an almond crust, and then served with mashed potatoes, a delicate lemon sauce, capers, spinach, tiny grapes and almonds. Each bite was divine. It sounded like a strange combination that would never work, but it does. Clearly someone has put a lot of thought into the preparation. My partner got organic roasted chicken, which sounded to me really safe and boring. And his reaction was this, and I quote: "Chicken is one of those items that is really easy to prepare adequately, but takes extraordinary talent to make it shine. This chicken shines. The best prepared chicken I think I've ever had." Now, for the negatives. The outdoor dining area is surrounded (and hidden by flower bushes and vines) and the night we ate, there were swarms of bees everywhere. I didn't get stung, but there were several bees within a foot of us for the entire evening, so it was a bit difficult to relax. The outdoor dining area is romantic and looks appealing, but I think I'd either go after sunset or choose indoors. Their indoor area is really nice too. We did go back a second time because the first time was so amazing. The second time everything was good - four stars - but definitely not orgasmic like the first time. The first time we ate at 5pm, the second time at 9pm, so maybe it has to do with time of night, when the staff is getting tired. They were out of a number of dishes as well at 9pm. Also, be forewarned you will wait atleast 45 minutes if you don't have a reservation so definitely make them unless you want to eat early or late. (also, not sure why 2 people wrote the place had no alcohol. It's a PUB!)
(5)
Allen Y.
We went to Acadia Nation Park for camping and stopped by Bar Harbor for dinner. Saw the good reviews on Yelp for McKays and decided to go there. We had a party of 10 people and 4 people ordered the Lobster and said that was good. However the other 6 we ordered the Lobster Mac and Cheese, Seafood Risotto and the Entofee. These dishes were the worse dishes I have ever tasted!! The Lobster Mac and Cheese which can recommended by another yelper was horrible. The lobster meat was good, however the mac and cheese was inedible. The cheese really overwhelmed the taste buds and made you sick to your stomach. Same thing with the Risotto. The Entofee was not much better. The only saving grace was that when we complained to the waiter he was nice enough to take it off the bill. He still got a BIG tip in the end. But not the best experience, so bad that it prompted me to write this review.
(2)
Lorie L.
Great find in the midst of Bar Harbor,! Lovely courtyard, fabulous food. I had the appetizer of fried green tomatoes with crab salad. YUM. If you are looking for a lovely place with high quality food at a reasonable price and lovely setting--not super touristy, not a "family" place--this place is perfect. The McKay salad was vinegary, but everything else was great.
(5)
Brian K.
I am shocked by some of the reviews on Yelp about this place. We loved this place. We had excellent service, and beyond amazing food for a pub. I highly recommend this place to anyone who goes through Bar Harbor. If you miss it, you're missing out.
(5)
E. Alicia P.
We were a bit late for our reservation so they sat us immediately and we started ordering...that is we started ordering practically everything on the menu. It's difficult trying to decide between this and that when so many things sounded AMAZING. We started with the duck confit spring rolls with hoisin dipping sauce on a recommendation from our friend, which were pretty good - a tad too salty for my taste but then again hoisin is pretty damn salty. The next appetizer was the cold plate special on a recommendation from our server - a lovely and attentive girl, whose name I can't remember...sorry, but you were great! This cold plate was easily one of my favorites from the meal. Housemade gravlax (cured salmon) and beef carpaccio sliced nice and thin. The meats were served with even more little tasty housemade items such as whipped lemon creme fraiche and crostini with a few slices of cucumber to round it out. So simple, soooooo good. My boyfriend asked for more crostini which were promptly brought to us. Our last app - we went all out - were the mussels in a white wine sauce with bacon and bleu cheese and fresh brioche to soak up the leftover sauce. Let it be known, I do not like bleu cheese but whatever kind they used must have been sent straight from Mount Olympus, Zeus himself because I couldn't get enough of it! They were smaller sized mussels which I enjoy more as they're not all big and chewy, cooked just right and with that sauce, I mean - well people you know where I'm going with this... At last onto the entrees, but not w/o a bottle of Malbec from Argentina first! I wish I remembered the name, our friend picked it out for us and it went down pretty damn smoothly with dinner. We 3 got our entrees knowing that we'd share everything to make it a bit more like a tasting menu and more fun. I had planned on eating a whole lobster since we're in Maine but that got lost in translation with the server who thought I meant the lobster special - mac and cheese. A bummer at first but holy lord that put all other mac and cheeses to shame. Big ol' chunks of lobster with fresh cellentani pasta, tasty melted cheese all finished with truffle oil. Not what I'd wanted but no complaints here! The other entrees were the seafood risotto and i believe a seafood gumbo special. Both equally as delicious as the lobster mac. The owner Brian came to speak with us a few times to make sure all was well and just to chat too. A younger guy with a great vision of how a truly successful restaurant should be run, he was funny and very gracious too. We ended up having a beer with him in the front patio area after our dinner since we could barely move from all the food we'd eaten. Also I guess Susan Sarandon is a big fan of McKay's as we saw both her and Tim Robbins dining here too!
(5)
John K.
There aren't enough stars for some of the restaurants in Bar Harbor, ME. McKay's provided a great selection of offerings. I selected a New York Strip steak ( I was getting burned out on seafood). The steak was cooked to perfection and nicely spiced. The side order of horseradish mashed potatoes was worthy of asking for seconds. I was part of a group of seven, everyone with totally thrilled with their meals.
(5)
Andy G.
Simone and I went to McKays Public House on a cool fall Sunday night and arrived just after 5pm. We were greeted by an older gentlemen playing strum guitar on the porch for the dinner entertainment. It was a nice welcome to the place and we quickly decided to sit on the patio which was decorated romantically with candles on the tables and white lights along the fencing. The space heaters were on which made the whole experience very warm, cozy and comfortable. We started off with a couple of Hard Ciders and some decent but slightly cold sliced focaccia bread with herbed butter. For our entrees Simone decided on braised short ribs, unfortunately our waiter was told by the kitchen that they were not ready to be served yet so she had to change her choice. Although it was nice that the ribs didn't come out undercooked, it would have been even better if the kitchen had started them at an earlier time so that they were ready if someone ordered them. So instead Simone decided to just get a simple Duck Con fit Spring Roll appetizer and also split my Pork Taco appetizer. I felt the Duck Spring Roll was tasty but I didn't think it was any better then most Duck Spring Rolls I have had else were. Crispy on the outside and shredded duck on the inside it was moist and sweet when dipped in the Hoisin Sauce it was drizzled with. It was good but not very memorable. The Pork Tacos were much better, The Pork was braised perfectly. It was tender and well seasoned and the Cabbage Slaw that topped it was very fresh and crunchy with just a light dressing. The crumbled Conjita Cheese added just the right amount of tanginess. The Corn Tortillas were also moist and slightly sweet and mealy. They tasted like they were freshly made in the kitchen. The Pork was my favorite dish of the meal. My entree was also good but didn't knock my socks off. It was a Martini Lamb Burger with a garlicky and salty olive and sweet vermouth tapenade. I ordered my lamb medium well and it was cooked as I ordered. It had great flavor from the char broiler and tapenade but that was about it. The bun it was served on was very good with a nice buttery flavor and a soft pillow like interior. It held up well under the burger juices. The French fries on the side were okay but just your average frozen variety. We finished the meal up by splitting two desserts. One was a really good moist and warm Gingerbread cake with butterscotch, the other a brownie Sundae topped with Jack Daniels Ice Cream. The brownie in the sundae was overcooked and hard, but the Ice cream was delicious and we used the ice cream on top of the gingerbread instead. Overall some parts of the meal were very good but some were forgettable, so it probably is worth a second visit. The ambiance was also great so overall I am going to go with three stars for McKays Public House.
(3)
T P.
our last stop in bar harbor may have been the best. The seafood risotto was creamy and had tons of scallops and shrimp. The clam chowder was flavorful and well balanced. The rib eye was cooked perfectly. The atmosphere both inside and out was relaxed and inviting. And we probably had the best service of anywhere we'd been in the area - Therisa was attentive, full of great recommendations, a hit with the kids, and really cared about our experience. All around winner.
(5)
Charles H.
Will be guaranteed a great meal in a friendly atmosphere, good service. Even French fried chicken livers, my favorite, sometimes on the menu.
(5)
H. Deborah S.
My least favorite of the dining options in Bar Harbor. The oft mentioned Lobster Mac and Cheese was more like an alfredo. It was tasty, but not the knock your socks off dish I was expecting. Lamb Shepard's Pie was watery and under seasoned. After some additional seasoning at the table it was edible, but not memorable. I think the peas were garden fresh, but the carrots seemed like they ran out of fresh and used frozen which created way too much liquid in the dish. It was just watery, not saucy. The Farm Stand salad was a disaster. What a waste of good local ingredients. The squash was so bad it was all pushed aside. The dressing was tasty, but the spinach was lifeless. So many people recommended this place to us. I am wondering if we hit it on a bad night. I did like the cake on the Upside down Apple Cake. It was the tastiest thing all night. Blue Berry pie was microwaved. Why, oh why do they nuke berry pies. It just kills the crust. Disappointing.
(2)
Tree T.
Loved it. Beautiful patio with charming tables and lights. We came twice and got lots of vegan options - they have this fantastic mushroom/spinach/potato dish, a great falafel burger and a vegan curry dish.
(5)
Ashley S.
We have been here all week and heard wonderful things about McKays. It was the worst food and by far the worst service we have had here. We were seated quickly with then about a 5 minute wait before drinks were ordered. After they were, it was at least another 8-10 before 3 waters and 1 wine were brought. Dinner didn't take too horribly long (hubby got Lobster Mac and said it was good, kids had mac and noodles-they were very bland, and I had petite burger and beet salad-salad was great, burger was yuck-no flavor at all). We had finished dinner with no drink refills or checks and were waiting on a surprise cake for a birthday celebration. 15 minutes after we finished she came to check on us but some whiney children made it impossible to stay longer. We left without the dessert. I don't know if we went on an unusually busy night or what, but we won't be going back.
(1)
Alex D.
Muscles were good but the fries were undercooked. The bartender was great and made us feel at home. I would return and would consider the other options on the menu as all the food that passed by us smelled great. Location is great.
(3)
W D.
Our first meal here was good. Second visit not so much. Staff is friendly, but could not makeup for the inconsistent kitchen. Sit outside if you can, gets stuffy and loud inside.
(3)
Joanna W.
First of all, the restaurant itself is fantastic - a whole house was converted to two-level, indoor/outdoor seating and it's gorgeous and elegant inside. Food is fantastic - my table ordered Bangers and Mash, Duck Meatloaf and the Salmon. Only complaint was that the pickled cucumbers and onions on the salmon were reeeeeally acidic and distracted from the fish, but otherwise delectable, comfortable pub food. Ended dinner with the Lemon Tart, which is topped with local Maine blueberries and delicious. Would definitely come back if I ever found myself in Bar Harbor again
(4)
Katie F.
This place is soo charming. I definitely expected more of a pub vibe from this place but instead it was very warm and cozy and relatively upscale. My boyfriend and I came here late on a Friday night and were seated in upstairs off in a private one-table room which was very romantic and quiet. We started off with the Brie baked in phyllo dough appetizer which was amazing. I loved the garlic flavors (instead of fruit compotes I often see with Brie). I also had the Roast Chicken special with corn bread stuffing and pancetta -- it was just ok...but I think I just expected "wow" which I probably should have known better when ordering chicken. As other reviewers said, the blueberry pie was very good. I was a little disappointed it isn't made in house while some of the other desserts were. Overall I'd say this place gets 3.5 stars from me. I rounded it up because I think the food and environment really is perfect for Bar Habor in autumn.
(4)
L K.
Old victorian house turned into a restaurant, this makes for great ambience. Al Fresco dining in a nice garden atmosphere. Service is professional and the food ingredients fresh with an interesting menu. Fair value. Will go here again when in BH.
(4)
Sally B.
Disappointing evening at Mckays on Tuesday night. It was my recommendation as I've had good experiences here, I know it's favored by the locals and generally the food has been pretty good on earlier visits. I brought two of my colleagues here, one of whom had never been to Bar Harbor. I ordered the clam chowder and the wings, one of my colleagues had the lobster Mac and cheese, and my other colleague had the wild mushroom crostini. She found a hair....a long hair in her crostini. Yah, no problem. This sometimes happens. It's bound to. But how the server reacts is going to be important. We told him....he was...not dismissive, but almost nonchalant or awkward as to how to react. He said..."oh" and took the dish. He replaced it with what I hoped very much was a new dish, but absolutely no apology. And he didn't comp anything at all. This is bad business in my book. Had he apologized, comped her dish or our drinks, I would not be writing this review.
(2)
Denise M.
Much more upscale than the description of "pub food" would suggest. The potato leek soup was fantastic, as were our entrees of lobster Mac n' cheese and seafood risotto. The herbed bread with herbed butter served while we waited was also very very good.
(5)
Matthew H.
It took twice as long to be seated as promised. Service was pleasant but horribly slow. Good selection is mediocre and much like an upgraded TGIF. Compared to other restaurants on MDI, this one is better left untouched.
(2)
Kylie D.
The best thing about McKays is that most undiscerning tourists will overlook it. I admit that I never recommend it to casual travelers or people who won't really appreciate it. Gotta keep that riff raff away! If you are riff raff and you're reading this (you know who you are: sandals and socks, hawaiian shirt, camera around your neck, asking why it's called Mt. Desert) please go to the Thirsty Whale. Sitting outside in the summer is absolutely glorious. You're far enough away from the Green to enjoy some privacy and they even have heat lamps when evenings get a bit chillier. The entire inside space is warm, dimly lit and inviting. The bar area is small, but friendly. I always end up meeting nice people - whether from away or local - at McKays' bar. The food isn't knock-your-socks-off spectacular, but if you stick to the basics and specials, it won't disappoint. There are some great, reasonably priced entrees, a good beer and spirits selection and good service. The last time I was there I enjoyed a salad made with great local produce. I wanted to like the shepard's pie, but I just couldn't. The seafood risotto was delicious. This is also a great place to just go and have a few drinks, so do it!
(4)
Geula F.
Check Tim F.'s review for the full scoop! This place is amazing! Great with kids, fantastic food and service. The lobster mac and cheese is unreal, actually had it twice. Just ask them to leave out those peas....
(5)
Lisa L.
Wow, what a nice place. Even after having read the reviews, I expected this to be just a nice gastropub. But it's really a delightful garden restaurant with a small indoor pub and restaurant attached. The menu is full of fresh and innovative choices. I had trouble deciding, but our server did his best to help. I ended up with pasta pockets (I forget the name) filled with mushrooms and served with a creamy sauce with peas and cherries. Yes, cherries. A bit of sweet with the salty that was delish. My caesar salad was good and fresh. Husband's "regular" salad was great, as was his petit filet. Oh wow, I nearly forgot about the blueberry pie - fresh, homemade and delicious. The garden atmosphere was gorgeous, and the guitar player added a nice touch. Prices were reasonable, especially for what we got. Highly recommended for date night, even if your date is lasting the week like ours!
(5)
sarah r.
My husband and I ate here after we went to Acadia and I'm glad we did. It's really charming inside and the food is great. I had the lobster mac and cheese which was awesome and loaded with lobster and my husband had braised short ribs which were also delicious. They also have a great beer menu with local beers :) I would definitely come back here
(4)
Laura K.
The atmosphere is amazing . Very warm and cozy in an old Victorian house . Great beer selection . Food average - It is upscale pub food. I ordered the crab cakes which were way to salted but my husband had a great meal
(3)
Victoria M.
We got into Bar Harbor a little later than planned so there were few places to choose from for dinner. Fortunately, I had already looked up McKay's so we headed that way. Late on a weekday it was pretty slow so we got seated right away. The restaurant looked like house with a nice outdoor seating area. It was a little chilly, so we opted for inside. Service was nice and pleasant. Decor was pretty traditional, but relatively cozy. The food was pretty good, but nothing that would have you talking about it the next day. Duck confit wontons - a pretty stack of crispy fried wontons with duck confit, pickled cabbage, scallion cream, and hoisin. Duck was tender, wontons crispy, cabbage tangy, hoisin sweet, scallion cream... creamy :) Lobster mac n cheese - not really what I was thinking I was getting. More like, lobster and cavitappi in a light cheese sauce. Didn't have any of that crazy artery clogging creamy thick sauce that I was thinking about... that I kinda wanted. Still, it was quite good. Pasta had nice texture, lobster was cooked well, and the truffle was not overpowering. Grilled rack of lamb - a good rack of lamb, but otherwise pretty non-descript. We got a pumpkin chocolate pie of some sort for dessert. The pumpkin part was good, but the chocolate was way too much for us. McKay's is a good place to go later in the evening in the area, especially since it seems the rest of that part of the street shuts down pretty early. Nothing wrong with anything here, but just not memorable enough to be a destination on it's own.
(3)
Bruce B.
What a great interior we went for New Years Eve and they had the space decorated well without being overwhelming. When we walked in (without a reservation) we were quickly seated by the host who wasn't sure if the table he was seating us at would be available. Food was pretty average. Salads, fillet of sole and short ribs. Nothing to rock your socks off. Good drink selections. Service was pretty solid.
Local seafood creatively prepared with generous portions. My halibut was huge but cooked to perfection. My wife had the fish (single, more than 10 inch piece) and chips which was not greasy. Absolutely a must to return to but alas we are already home.
(5)
Grace P.
We made reservations in advance at home (Maryland) because we saw great reviews on Yelp and we really wanted to come here when we visited Bar Harbor for a family vacation. The food was unimpressive and the service was really disappointing. My dad had a bad lobster and when he let our waitress know--she blamed it on the lobster being "soft-shelled", when in fact it was simply a bad lobster. Later on she admitted, after my dad complained that soft-shelled lobsters should not have weird consistency of meat, that MAYBE the lobster was undercooked. If she had just admitted that the lobster was indeed bad, my dad wouldn't have been upset. But instead she was trying to make him out to be a fool. Also, my risotto was undercooked. The food is edible. They take reservations. That's it. We're never coming back here.
(2)
Cristina G.
Stopped here for a quick drink and ended up eating a small dinner after a late lunch. Great wine selection at the bar. We had the clam chowder (or course) and a nice blue cheese salad that did us in for the rest of the evening. Everything was quite tasty but nothing to scream home about. The decor.....there are two levels to this restaurant with a bar on each level. We chose the upstairs bar since it was a bit more quiet. McKay's has a great outdoor seating area what if the weather was a tad warmer, we would have enjoyed. All in all, a good place to stop.
(3)
Brian G.
Solid food selection. Beer selection is stellar... especially if you like it hoppy. Ambiance is great, a good variety of settings both inside and out. Outside was done well with the lighting. Our crab cakes were very fresh. Everything tasted good, salad presentation was lacking .
(4)
Johnny G.
This was my favorite place of the places we had dinner in Bar Harbor (The others were Gaylan's and Poor Boy's). From the host and hostesses to the server, everyone was genuinely friendly. The beer list was populated with local choices and the food was quite good. We had the lobster mac n cheese and a special of flank steak and sausage for our entrees. The highlight of the meal was our appetizer, which is in no way a know on the entrees. I always see soft pretzels on pub menus and give it a try as a nod to childhood baseball games or because of some other deep-seeded psychological bs. McKays is the first and only pub to ever get these pretzels right. They were soft, chewy, and buttery. The only knock on the dish would be that we had to ration the beer cheese sause so we did not run out. Give this place a chance next time you are in Bar Harbor.
(4)
Sean M.
This place is awesome. They have a beer selection that a beer nerd can appreciate, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming and their menu is absolutely mmmmmmm. You can order anything, it will be amazing, close your eyes and point and pray you don't land on a $50 special. The staff and manager take their jobs very seriously, but have a fun time doing it. You should however expect to spend a bit more as this place is generally pricey, and in exchange you will see zero sacrifice in quality.
(5)
Sarah C.
Excellent food, service and atmosphere. Sit outside if you can, the heaters take the Maine chill away and let you experience the fresh air. I'll be back soon!
(5)
Jacqueline L.
I was up in Maine for a long weekend and was staying in Bar Harbor. The hotel I stayed in gave me a card for 10% off at McKays which happened to be directly next to the hotel, so the boyfriend and I decided to give it a try for dinner. Bar Harbor is pretty relaxed during the beginning of May, not truly picking up until Memorial Day as most beach towns do. We had a great dinner though! The place has a very homey feel, a bit dark, but it fit the atmosphere great. We had an arugula salad which was on special. Nothing crazy, just arugula, carrots, and a few other veggies, but they threw a chipotle dressing on top so it was great. Plus I love arugula so it was a win! I had the lobster mac and cheese for dinner and my boyfriend had the seafood chowder and mussels. Everything was great. The mac and cheese had a whole lobster in it, and the whole dish was so creamy and delicious I was a happy camper! The service was great, I had a great wine recommended to me to go with my meal and it blended very well. Definitely recommend this spot for people travelling to Bar Harbor!
(4)
John M.
Reasonably priced, well prepared quality food with attentive service. Stopped for an early dinner for four - the cheese platter appetizer was spectacular, and the pretzels were a close second. Our entrees and desserts were also quite good. On a nice day, be sure to eat outside!
(4)
Michelle F.
I had high expectations given 4 star reviews on yelp. Waitress says everything is delicious.... Not. I had Atlantic salmon, dry and inedible. Informed them, and they just said oh, sorry, still charged me and then wanted me to order dessert ... Not on them. Companion had braised short ribs... Slow cooked. Also dry and barely edible. Seriously, don't go here. They are lucky I gave two stars. I am not that picky either, so spend your money elsewhere. No where close to four stars, even cold bread and butter.
(2)
Sue S.
The garden and music are lovely. But that was the extent of the positive exerience. Our server was charmless and barely had time to stop at our table. The crab cakes were heavily fried and bready, the Caesar salad had no dressing, and the mashed potatoes were obviously from a box. Blech. Can't believe we spent $70 on this meal. Go somewhere else!
(1)
Clint W.
Been here two times with two completely different experiences. First time was amazing service and even more amazing food. Second time was a complete train wreck of waitress neglect and cold food. Definitely one of the better places in Bar Harbor.
(3)
Roger S.
Unexpected find with great results. We tried a couple other places in the area and found McKays to be a great find. Warm dark wood interior upstairs and very inviting staff. The traditional shepherd's pie with lamb in an iron skillet was fantastic. Wine and dessert choices were excellent as well. When back in the vacation area, we look forward to returning!
(4)
Anna S.
Really great place. It's very cute and the food is great. We sat outside, which was warm and had lights strung all over, as well as a musician playing good music. Definitely my favorite restaurant in Bar Harbor so far.
(5)
Kayla B.
The boyfriend and I spent the weekend in Acadia National Park and popped into Bar Harbor on Saturday evening for dinner. We ended up at McKays thanks to the Yelp app. The place was super busy. We got there at 6 and were told they wouldn't have a table until 8. The proprietor, Brian, seemed a bit overwhelmed, but he was nice and friendly. We wandered around the shops nearby until our table was ready. We were promptly seated at 8 pm at a small table upstairs. The restaurant is very cute, as its actually a converted house (that seems to be a thing in Bar Harbor that I haven't experienced elsewhere). We started out with the local cider that McKays offers (has on tap?). The boyfriend thought it was a little bitter, but I like bitter cider, so I thought it was fantastic. We then followed with soup. Boyfriend got the clam chowder, which was of thinner consistency than he expected, but had huge chunks of clam in it. He was quite happy. I got the soup of the day, a parsnip and fennel bisque. This bisque is what rounded McKays up to a five star rating. It is, hands down, the best soup I've ever tasted. Part of me wanted to ask them if they'd sell me a whole pot to take back to Boston. I could have eaten this peppery bowl of deliciousness for every meal and never gotten tired of it. If you like soup and you like peppery flavors, get this soup. Just trust me. For dinner the boyfriend got fish and chips and I got the macaroni skillet. He said the fish was good, a bit tough, but mused that it was probably because it was "real fish" and so it was less rubbery. The chips were a standard good restaurant french fry (I can attest to this because I ate half of them). The macaroni skillet, which included a variety of vegetables, was good. It wasn't mind blowing, but I'm a mac n cheese snob and I enjoyed it. The sauce was very creamy and it was an enjoyable dish. Our waiter (whose name escapes me) was nice and attentive all evening, and the hostess was lovely as well. Nothing but praise for the service at McKays. Also, the price was very reasonable; two drinks, two appetizers, and two entrees came out to $55 after tax. At a restaurant like McKays in Boston, the two entrees would be more than that. TLDR; Delicious meal in a nice atmosphere at a great price. If I'm ever up in that area again I'll be sure to stop at McKays.
(5)
Melissa R.
Excellent fish n chips and seafood risotto. Great beer selection and priced fairly. My one grievance was the taco appetizer (pulled pork & shrimp) - the pulled pork needed more oomph and I was not a fan of the corn tortillas - they were dry and did not really work with the flavors.
(4)
C L.
Great food, excellent service - what a treat!
(5)
Shaggy L.
Not a place to be when you are hungry. Service is bad and food is below average.
(2)
Thomas K.
Love this place! Lobster Mac!!!
(5)
Jeremy W.
Lobster Mac was good, lots of meat in it. Nice place for a date night. They are ok with the pup tagging along, but do them a favor and leave them at home.
(3)
Joey M.
Had the pub fare and a good draft! Highly recommend the bangers and mash or the fish and chips. Sit on the porch!!! Top notch!
(5)
Michael S.
The staff at Moron's Moo in Ellsworth suggested McKays for a great meal and it did not disappoint! Two of us decided to have the house salad with local kale, greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers and added lobster on top - home run! Two others had two of the other salads...also with lobster. We shared a half/appetizer potion of the lobster mac-and-cheese. It was rich and creamy with lobster, aged parmesan and hint of truffle oil. it was the perfect end to a wonderful meal! (You CAN easily get it as a 1/2 portion instead of dinner). And the wines were varied, well stocked and a good value. Between July 4 and Labor Day, you must make reservations (at least the day of, if not earlier).
(4)
Steve L.
Great lobster dinner, portabello piccata, marinated beet salad and Maine stoudt beer. Our server did a great job with lobster cracking training too and we heard some great fingerstyle guitar stylings from Bob Bowman!
(5)
Dan D.
Mckays committed three restaurant sins last night. Apart from the drearily long wait time (which seems to be the norm in New England), McKays served bangers and mash that our party guest described as the least flavorful version she's ever had, two pub burgers ordered medium and medium rare were served raw in the center and blue (seared on the outside raw inside) respectively, and finally, in attempt to mend their sins, the one burger, which was so underdone as to make it a public health hazard, was sent back where the chef cooked the hell out of it (already cut in half), and delivered the same burger back on the same plate only instead of being underdone, this one was now cheeseless, dry as a bone, and lacking any semblance of flavor. Perhaps this atrocity would have been forgiven if the management had apologized or comped one of the dinner items, but they didn't which is why McKay's gets a 1 star review from us. If you have a hankering for E. coli, check this place out!
(1)
Ian M.
We spent the night at Bar Harbor on our way to Acadia, and picked McKays on the strength of the Yelp reviews. Absolutely fantastic meal; pleasant atmosphere (a repurposed victorian-ish home), friendly staff, good wine list, great menu - literally everything on both the normal and the daily menus sounded great. Crabcake appetizer was more interesting than I expected - a good amount of spicy came from the ancho chilies, and the pink goop underneath (red pepper aioli, maybe?) was a nice contrast. I had the lobster mac and cheese (gruyere, peas, lots of lobster) and my wife had the fresh halibut special. The halibut deserves it's own paragraph- it was far and away the best part of the meal. Three good sized and perfectly-cooked steaks, served on a bed of mashed potatoes (flavored, I think, with beer!) and topped with a fruit salsa (strawberries, mandarin oranges, chili pepper, cilantro) that was fantastic. The front-of-house guy came by during the meal, and proudly showed us a picture of the fisherman holding a 5-foot-long halibut, caught this morning, from which my wife's meal was ostensibly taken. Eat here.
(5)
Steve M.
I love this place. They have classy comfort food that is always unique and fresh. I also love their beer menu. It isn't huge but you can see that it was carefully crafted. To top it off McKays has great outdoor seating and cosy indoor seating. All this at a pretty reasonably price.
(5)
Rob L.
My wife and I ate here on the second night of our trip to MDI, and we liked it quite a bit. They had a good wine list and selection of local beers on tap while we sat in the bar waiting for our table (only about a 20 minute wait around 8pm on a Tuesday night in late July). We had a salad and the mussels appetizer, which was really good. It had bleu cheese in the wine broth, which created an interesting flavor dimension. I was kind of boring and got the pub burger, but she got the lobster mac & cheese, and it was as good as advertised. It's more of a cream sauce than a real cheese sauce, but wow... I stole quite a few bites, and it's not normally the kind of dish I would get. If we go back I would probably get it myself.
(4)
Laura O.
McKays has reliably good food at reasonable prices. We ate there again on a recent trip to BH and had very good service and a nice meal. I tried the shepherds pie this time and really enjoyed it. My husband's duck, however, was quite tough or I would have given a higher rating. Good beer selection.
(3)
Scott D.
Excellent service, and very well prepared food, we had the pork short rib, bistro steak and the pub burger all very tasty, only miscue, the sauce on the short rib was soy heavy and it ran over to the rice and made it salty, the un soy-Ed rice was really subtle and delicious. We also had the beet salad, also quite good, but it was really a baby spinach salad with some beets.
(4)
Lisa M. K.
McKays was one of those places that just has my name written all over it. Cool pub in a pleasantly refurbished house, cozy feeling, nice location and yummy menu with many items I swore were tailor-made to my tastes. There was a solid wine/beer selection and I ordered some perfect prosecco and was on my way. You know a place is up your alley when you are agonizing over whether to get one of the two perfectly delicious sounding soups of the day or the appetizer special (I went with the appetizer special and was not in the least bit disappointed - tuna tartare with avocado in a sriracha based sauce. I could have eaten two of them, they were so good). Everyone really enjoyed their entres - the fish and chips were a tremendous portion and was quite tasty. Others at the table had the shrimp tacos which they said were good too. I got the portobello picatta which was... perplexing. I understand that it was their "take" on picatta but wasn't quite picatta to me. The encrusted mushroom tasted great but, except for some capers, it didn't taste like picatta at all. I could not taste any lemon and it was in more of a creamy parsley sauce. It was good just not what I was expecting (which was, um, picatta). Service was excellent all evening. Despite my curious entre, we had a great meal there and I'd definitely return next time I am in Bar Harbor. Next time I'll try the Sacchetti pasta. And I hope that tuna special is on the menu again... (drool!)
(4)
Heather D.
We experienced very poor, slow service! Had to ask 2 other servers for our check! Pork and steak were overcooked. Our least favorite place to eat!
(2)
Robert F.
Lovely setting but service was dreadfully slow on a recent busy Friday night. Seriously detracted from what would otherwise have been a nice dinner.
(2)
Michael Y.
One of the best dinner we had in BH. Lovely patio seating. Grilled avocado salad was excellent. Mussels were delicious. Had the duck -- tender and juicy. Wife had seafood risotto which she said was a bit heavy. Not your typical hot dog, burger kids menu. Our younger one had the petite steak which he liked. Older one ordered bangers and mash off regular menu and polished off more than half. Would go again next time we visit BH.
(4)
Sean H.
We decided on this restaurant which is really more high brow than a typical pub. I had the LOBSTER MAC AND CHEESE and was BLOWN AWAY. Loved it! It was more like an Alfredo than a mac and cheese. Either way it was delicious and not overly rich. I still dream about it. My bf had the seafood etoufee and while it was mild in spice it was full of fresh and delicious seafood. The drinks were hit or miss. I had the cucumber martini which was meh. My bf had the Maine blueberry spritzer which was blueberry vodka, Grown Up Soda [GUS], finished with fresh blueberries. It was awesome. I had to order one of those. It was that good. The service was excellent and un-intrusive. We dined outside and had a great table. The inside of the restaurant was interesting and very Victorian and worth a look see. I highly recommend this restaurant if you're ever in the Bar Harbor / Acadia area.
(5)
Marc B.
We had the duck and Cornish Game Hen. Both were cooked to perfection. The sauce on the duck was just a touch watery, but we got there just at opening at the sauce may not have firmed up completely. The duck was on the daily specials, so it may not be there everyday, but the food was excellent, the bar stocked a good selection of wine and local beers. Look for great service and if the weather is nice, sit in the patio for a wonderful experience.
(4)
Jen S.
I'm in it for the food, so complaints about bad service rarely deter me. Let my advice deter you, though; these people are rude and generally nutty. Although this is an upscale pub, it's really not nice enough to account for the snootiness we got from the hostess, who acted like this was some sort of an invite-only situation and that we were so unworthy that it was unclear if there'd ever be a free table. So we took a seat at the bar, upon our own suggestion. Then the bartender was equally bizarre, bad-mouthing another server behind her back, in plain earshot of at least two-dozen customers, being passive-aggressive with waitresses trying to get change and then carrying on about some patrons who had wanted to carry their tab to their table. Then when we were seated (by the woman who was bad-mouthed), I started to sympathize with the bartender because this chic was in fact worthy of the unkind words that had been uttered behind the bar. She was so annoying, I can't even tell you. Nice, but totally ridiculous, attempting to tell jokes about how she was going to stalk us (you don't get it? Neither do we), and she would not relent, interrupting us in mid-conversation, over, and over, and over. The food wasn't bad, but it wasn't very good either. Nothing too memorable beyond the awful cast of characters they've got working there.
(1)
Gary H.
I saw good reviews on YELP.com and decided to give McKay's a try for dinner on a Friday night. The place was full at 7pm so my wife & I had to sit on the porch. We were assured the heater in the cover porch kept it warm. The waitress was overly optimistic in her responses to us. After awhile my wife was ready to punch her perkyness, it was way over done. Appetisers & drinks came reasonably timely. The brie was good, my side of vegetables was small, under cooked & the maple glaze was non-existent. The meal was extremely slow in coming. So slow I ordered a second drink, one is my usual limit but my little buss was wearing off. I was starting to wonder if the kitchen had forgotten our order. When the food finally did come I was starting to loose feeling in my toes from the cold. My wife's brased short ribs were charred black with minimal baked beans as the side. My seafood bouillabaisse was good but by that time my disappointment in the service tainted any pleasure I could get from the food. I am extremely disappointed in the sevice and food we received at McKay's Public House. I would say try a different restaurant in Bar Harbor but the charm has worn off. It is a town where the cruise ships dock, tourist flock (I am one of them) and they are trying to cram 10 pounds of crap in a 5 pound bag. Too much demand and not enough supply. The customers suffer. If you are thinking of coming to Maine I suggest going to Booth Bay Harbor, it has great food and still has some Maine small town charm.
We picked McKays for a party of six based on the Yelp reviews. When we arrived, they had just seated to large parties and had told members of our party that it might be an hour, but let them see what they could do. Within 10 minutes they were back, having rearranged some tables upstairs for us to fit us in. The staff was lovely and the food was good. The Maine Shrimp tacos were just different enough to satisfy my taste, while my MIL raved about her steak. The Jamaican Jerk Chicken and even the burgers also got good reviews from the rest of the party. Overall, a nice dining experience with a wide-range of priced options. Something for everyone in our party!
(4)
Erica C.
My family went went here a few nights ago and had an amazing dinner. We have been taking long weekend trips to Bar Harbor since I was about 10 (I'm now 28) and were in a restaurant rut, so I found this place on yelp. We loved everything. Awesome service, friendly staff, excellent food, excellent wine and beer list. They had a German beer I just had in Munich and haven't been able to find anywhere, which made me super excited (Shneider Weiss). My dad, a wine snob, was very happy with their decently priced, well selected menu. He even told the waiter. The decor inside is very cozy and the outdoor patio area is also beautiful. We split a special scallop appetizer as well as the mussels and both were tasty and cooked to perfection. I split the seafood risotto and lobster mac and cheese with my husband and both were to die for. So creamy and well flavored. Looking forward to going back next year!
(5)
Kim Z.
It was a nice place to get a meal late in the evening. Bartender was great while we waited. Had small plates as it was late. Food was good. Service good. Would go back!
(4)
Laurie C.
Stopped in for some light pub fare, atmosphere is very nice....outdoor dining under twinkling lights, food was good but the service was awful! Others have posted slow service but our waitress was downright rude! Not worth a return trip...go to cherrystones instead...comparable food and atmosphere but service is much better
(2)
Sara P.
My husband and I went here based on a recommendation from a friend. It was delicious! We split the pork tacos and the seafood risotto and really liked both of the dishes. The wine list was good and they had one wine as a special that was excellent. The service was great and we loved the live music and overall ambiance. A great first night in Bar Harbor!
(4)
Ryan V.
Loved. It. Hands down the best meal we had on vacation in Bar Harbor. The Asian Pork Spare Ribs were amazing, especially with the sesame bacon (yes, it's as good as it sounds). The risotto was great as well, if a little wet. Our server was always around for questions or suggestions, but never pushy or rushed. The restaurant itself is dark and full of great spaces. You're never crammed in a large room, feeling like you're dining with a dozen other people. The beer and wine selections are small but well chosen and the staff are happy to suggest a choice based on your tastes or meal. Highly recommend dining with McKay's.
(5)
Zinnia X.
My friends and I were in town for Labor Day weekend. We had a large party of 8, but were able to put our name down and return in half an hour. Very timely. The service was great! I ended up sharing the seafood risotto, lobster "mac'n'cheese" and clam chowder. The seafood risotto was amazing!! Highly recommend. The scallops were done very well and it was delicious. The lobster mac and cheese was good but less cheesy than I usually like my mac and cheeses to be. The clam chowder was also good, very creamy, but could have used a little more flavor. Overall a great experience. Would definitely go back. This time we sat inside because we had such a large party, but it would be great to come back and sit outside. The patio is so nice with lights hung up everywhere.
(4)
Katie M.
EXCELLENT!!! We sat outside and the atmosphere was pretty quiet (you don't even notice you're along the street) and the food was absolutely delicious! Staff was very friendly, waitress even taught one of the members of our party how to crack the lobster! (Our first time) if you're looking for a more casual experience, I recommend the inside over outside, though they have the same menu both places. The only downside to this place is the bathrooms :) We made a reservation, so I'm not sure how long the wait usually is.
(5)
Nina H.
You have to get their lobster mac n cheese. It is amazing! The truffle oil adds a really nice touch, and it doesn't feel overly heavy at all. We came here two nights in a row, and I really should've just gone with my gut and order the mac n cheese again because the halibut was too tough. Service is decent, and the restaurant itself isn't super great or anything, but the seafood is really good. Their seafood risotto was great too!
(5)
Kimberly Y.
My hotel and Yelp recommended a bunch of pricier restaurants for Bar Harbor, but I'm glad I went with McKays! I definitely got the bang for my buck. There's some street parking out in front, and McKays is basically a decently-sized house with outdoor seating in the "front yard" so of course there's a homey ambience to the place. They have a bar when you walk in, but also tables that are amply distanced from each other for a more private feel, which I love! Too bad our candle was out, haha. My boyfriend and I were definitely eager to try some of that Maine lobster, but also didn't want to eat lobster on lobster on lobster the entire meal. So we ended up getting the lobster of the day, a bistro steak, and sweet potato fries with this awesome horseradish suace. The food came out extremely slowly -- the slow service is definitely my main issue with McKays, but we did come on a summer Saturday, so what can you expect? We had to flag our waitress down a few times, but she was super sweet each time, especially when we realized we didn't know how to eat a lobster! If only my steak (albeit only $19) had been as delicious as the lobster... Learned our lesson: just get seafood in Maine!
(4)
Ulysses L.
My girlfriend and I ended a busy August Thursday in Bar Harbor at McKays after walking past many other restaurants and finding ourselves unimpressed by the menus (and/or mobs of customers) on offer. But McKays' menu looked intriguing, and the wait was relatively short, so we rolled the dice. (A note re the short wait: I put this down to the fact that MDI and Bar Harbor seem to draw predominantly families on vacation with children. This means the majority of restaurants in Bar Harbor cater to family clientele and receive heavy traffic of that sort, whereas high-end fine dining places like McKays are not suitable for families with children, and are accordingly easier to get into-- perfect for couples and small groups without children.) We were not disappointed. The elegant outdoor garden area is the perfect setting for a relaxing, romantic meal. (McKays is at the far end of Main Street from downtown, so the noise from the street is minimal to none.) The drinks menu was vast, with numerous beer, wine, and cocktail options, including specials-- these folks clearly take their alcohol seriously. The food was the only aspect that was not perfect-- the brie and poached pears appetizer we had skewed a bit more towards quantity than quality (though it was by no means bad), and my GF's halibut was, in her words, "a bit too healthy-tasting." But the bone-in pork loin I had was AMAZING-- so perfectly cooked and rich that I almost wept when there was no more-- and the sides (mashed gingered sweet potatoes and roasted asparagus) and the blueberry pie we had for dessert were delicious as well. (Alas, the pork loin was a special of the day, or I'd probably make it a point to come here every summer...) Although the food quality was less consistently excellent than other aspects of the experience, overall this was one of the finest dining excursions we've had in a long time. Admittedly ambiance is a huge part of it-- would you prefer McKays' charming garden, or the mobbed lobster + fried fish shacks on the main drag that make up the rest of the Bar Harbor dining scene?-- so if you are interested solely in food and don't care about drinks or ambiance, I wouldn't recommend it so readily, but for those who seek "the big picture" when they dine out, this is a great destination. PS-- One thing I almost forgot: the night we were there, there was a live instrumental guitarist as well. I can't recall whether we found him to be a net asset or liability to the experience-- only that he played a number of vaguely familiar tunes that did distract us a bit while we tried to figure out what precisely they were (e.g. Simon and Garfunkel, "Anji"). But I have no idea whether the live entertainment is a regular feature or not.
(5)
Terence S.
Upstairs table, crab or lobster pieces still on table. Bad smell too, old seafood? Dirty rag to wipe the tabke? Very off putting. Had a pinot noir, undrinkable, old? don't sell much wine maybe? House red tempranillo was ok, good price, $4 during happy hour. Had lobster Rangoon appetizer, don't get it, $12 and just crusty wonton, barely any lobster. Dinner was actually quite good. I had the halibut, small piece but done properly. Wife had burger and salad said it was good. Beer selection looked good, many Maine local brews on tap.
(3)
Sara A.
I went to this place twice on my recent trip to Bar Harbor. The first time was excellent: Delicious shephard's pie, decadent duck spring rolls, and a friendly waitress. What more could you ask for? The interior of the restaurant is charming and truly has an old pub feel. The second visit left a lot of things to be desired. The service was pretty bad. The waiter brought our appetizer out right with the meal. His excuse was "he thought we wanted it that way," which I thought was silly. Everything went downhill from there. I found a giant bone in the duck spring rolls that had been so delicious the first time. My meal was a horrorshow. I couldn't even eat it. Never order the mixed-BBQ thing. I can't even remember what it was called, but it was an amalgam of bizarre meats that clashed with each other. It was like someone blindly picked a bunch of sauces from the back of the refrigerator and slathered it over badly cooked meat. It was the strangest meal I attempted to eat in a long time. The waiter didn't pay much attention to us. He was too busy trying to suck up to the wealthy couple behind us to get a big tip. This place seems pretty inconsistent. I'm giving it 3 stars because I loved it the first time, but the second time it was awful. Try it, maybe you'll get lucky.
(3)
Peter M.
We like McKays and try to get there at least once whenever in Bar Harbor. Prefer to sit outside in the lovely garden, but for different reasons (booked too late, part too big 6+infant) we have sat inside on the first floor the past two visits, which is dark. Food is generally good all around, though there are some inconsistencies (fries are well-seasoned, but dark and rather limp; last visit, the pretzels were pale and unappetizing). Excellent, though small, tap beer selection. This, and the garden are probably really what keep us coming back.
(4)
Teresa T.
Hostess was rude. There were empty tables in the garden but she refused to sit us there. Instead, she chose to sit us at a table next to the rest room. As the smell from the rest room was overwhelming, we decided to try some other place. We headed out and was stopped by a gentleman who looked like the manager. He told us to wait and he would see what he could do. So we lingered at the hostess stand while he figured things out. The hostess came back, looked us up and down, ask the waiter what's going on and basically told him to tell us there's a 30 min wait.
(1)
Karen F.
Ambience is nice--there is indoor seating and garden type seating. We sat in the garden. Very nice Celtic garden dinner music which added to the ambience. However food and service were fair. Staff seems overworked, rushed and harried -- a larger more attentive staff would make a difference. Food was spotty. The fresh halibut was excellent but the portobello dish was fried.
(3)
Sara R.
I got a blackberry mojito. My friend got a fancy mule cocktail. The atmosphere was beautiful. The prices seemed a little high, but if I get a chance to go back with the parents I would definitely do so :)
(4)
J S.
Beautiful outdoor dining area. Very welcoming with our dog - shifted the table so she could sit away from the walkway. Haddock special was delicious. Veal chop was okay - came out undercooked and they apologetically replaced it (with a new chop which took some time). Would return.
(4)
Julia F.
Went here last night. The atmosphere is lovely. We sat outside on the patio. The white lights and garden was a nice touch and there even was a guitar player. Overall though, they seemed low on staff and kind of all over the place. For the amount of restaurants in bar Harbor the food here was just okay. There were three of us and each meal was a hit or miss.
(3)
Jeremia F.
Best meal I had in Bar Harbor. We came here on Memorial Day weekend, which is apparently the "soft" opening for all of Bar Harbor.From the food and drinks to the mostly on point service. A few minor things needed to be worked out on the service side of things but overall really good.
(4)
Ashley D.
Lobster Mac & Cheese and seafood risotto are so great here! Caesar salad with lobster is also delicious! Sitting outside is nice, but kind of chilly at night.
(5)
Alika T.
This place is magic. Live music played by very nice man, the green garden and smell of flowers make this restaurant special. The building is old and a bit stinky so it is better to seat in the garden. Service is very professional and amusing, waiters are very kind and helpful. Food is good but not amazing. I have ordered a steak and a fish from the specialities.
(4)
Livia L.
Food was mediocre. We had the salmon, and duck breast. Our friend liked his bistro steak but our other friend was really disappointed with her lazy style lobster. She said it was mushy and sour.
(3)
Judy P.
Good food and great service. The setting outside on a Summer night is lovely, and there are heaters and umbrellas at some tables, in case of rain. Many tempting menu selections and excellent bar. Popular - make a reservation.
(4)
Jeanmarie M.
Nice and quaint. Great story about house - be sure to ask. The lobster mac and cheese was delicious Loved the local brewery on tap - Acadia brewing real ale. Elijah was a great waiter. Very entertaining with a stories about local life in Bar Harbor.
(4)
Debbie F.
The food..the ambience...the service..true perfection!!! We sat down outside enjoyed an incredible bottle of Molly Dooker...our dog was served a fresh bowl of water...we dined on incredible oysters haddock..ceviche...loved loved lived...wish we lived here would definitely be a weekly...destination
(5)
Josh M.
Nice location in an old house right on Main St. but a little past the craziness closer to the harbor. Jerk Chicken was excellent, if a little lacking in the heat (spicy hot) department. The Shepherd's Pie was made with lamb, which was a bonus, but the lack of corn was a slight disappointment. On food alone I'd give a 3 star review, but our service was excellent. By far the best we received during our week in Bar Harbor.
(4)
Alicia T.
My boyfriend and I went there for dinner. From start to finish we were pleased with the food. The bread and butter they give you was very tasty. We shared the farm stand salad and the mussel appetizer. The tomatoes were juicy and fresh, and we both agreed the mussels were the best we have ever had. They were cooked perfectly with sausage and fries. Make sure you save some bread to dip in the broth. I had the lobster mac and cheese and he had the seafood risotto. Both were delicious. We picked this restaurant because of the good reviews and I'm glad we did. We both left with full stomachs.
(5)
Douglas D.
Started with the pretzels that were very good. Then I had the fish and chips. The portions were a good size and the fish was good as well. The french fries were of the shoe string variety and I expected a steak fries. The cole slaw was good. Overall it was a good experience and I would recommend it to others.
(4)
Kristy W.
Our time here at McKays ended up being a second meal that day where we intended to eat, but instead had a dip and a beer before moseying on our way. I think there was a wait for the table we sat at, but we headed up to the bar and snagged a table up there. We later figured out that those were seated tables, but our waitress was friendly and grabbed us menus despite our faux-pas. Pretty decent beer list, but nothing epically different. We started with the Haddock Dip, which was good. A nice fish flavor (note: different than "fishy" flavor, which is not good), and a good texture. We were about to order dinner when we asked the gentleman next to us what he was having. It was the duck meatloaf, which my husband was planning on ordering. The scowl on his face and the way he pushed the food around with his fork told us all we needed to know. His female companion had the same look and the same attitude towards her food--it didn't really inspire us with confidence. We chose to finish our beers and call it a day, so I can't review the entrees for myself. The food we ate was good, but I might think twice about coming here again, just because of the attitude the other customers had towards their food.
(3)
Wesley B.
The BEST FOOD EVER! This place was awesome romantic outside seating, there was a guy that was very quietly fingering the guitar. It was amazing. The service was a little slow but food was to die for. Crab Cakes: Best we have ever had. Chowdah: Great. Hot and Fresh LOBSTER Mac & Cheese it was just awesome. Large quantity of Lobster(very good) and heart portion. Portobello Picatta: Very nicely done.Hot, fresh, and hearty portion (Great for vegetarians or carnivores) Very nice wine selection.
(5)
Stephanie Y.
I really liked McKay's. I don't think I would have liked it as much if I didn't sit outside, but I did and it's so damn cute out there. In addition to the lovely outdoor seating, there was a bad ass guitarist out there playing some tunes, muy romantico. Shall we get to the food? Duck meatloaf wrapped in bacon was a great dish. My guy couldn't stop talking about it throughout the trip. First of all, so unique and second of all it was damn tasty and priced so reasonably. I had a boring order of a baby burger and side salad and the burger really was a baby burger. I wasn't too hungry so it was fine. I read a great tip from Chris M from Jersey City to get the blueberry crumble and no joke, get it. Wowza. Maybe best dessert of the trip. Bonus: cocktail list was actually really nice. I went with a delicious alcoholic Scottish ginger beer with a Scotch floater. Hey yooooo. Overall this spot is a nice gastropub with affordable prices and really good food. Not the most "Mainey" of menus, read: doesn't have a lot of lobster/seafood options, but I definitely recommend!
(4)
Greg F.
Did it twice. Awesome. Bryan is the owner. Great food. Great atmosphere. It was much better than Havana. Mussels, beet salad, lobster mac was grear. So were the cabernets.
(5)
Michael N.
Despite the slow serve (it was really busy for the off season), I really loved this place. The restaurant is basically a converted victorian house with seating littered throughout the house and the front yard. The inside has a very cool vibe with the dark lighting and dark hard woods. Thanks to the advice of all these yelp reviews we went with the lobster mac and cheese and the steak special. The mac & cheese was out of this world (without the lobster) and adding the lobster just added to the greatness of this dish. Yes, it is expensive, but worth every penny. The steak was not the best I've ever had, but it was good for the price and pretty large. As for the drinks, they had an awesome selection of local Maine brews and some unique craft beers from New England. As for the service, our server was friendly, but it appeared she was stretched too thin. Generally I would have given a 4 based on the slowness of the food and drinks, but I'll let it slide as the lobster mac and cheese was that good.
(5)
Allan C.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Bar Harbor I have probably come here 6 or 7 times over the years and have never been disappointed. They have some great beer selections and some nice wines as well as for really good food I really like the portobello piccata and the meatloaf is excellent and could feed 2 people. Very nice outdoor seating, restaurant is clean and wait staff is alway good this is one of the few year round restaurants.
(3)
LuRee A.
We had dinner with friends that enjoy this restaurant and invited us to join. The atmosphere and food was superb. One person had the risotto and was the best I have ever tasted. The lobster mac and cheese was great . Next year we will be back from Texas.
(5)
Mike B.
A solid 4 star restaurant with a 2-3 $ menu. Atmosphere and appearance are 5 stars. Was there on a Saturday and they had a guitarist performing for the dinner crowd. Nice wine menu that was also reasonably priced (most wines were priced only $20 over store price) and had a dozen draft craft beer that were out of the ordinary. The food is what made this place a 4. While still good food, it did not live up to what a 5 star restaurant would need, especially in a town with a wide selection of restaurants. Had the lobster mac n cheese (a lot of lobster!!!), though major problem was the sauce was more of a cream sauce than cheesy. Had the Italian appetizer plate, which the honey and garlic were delicious. The chili soup was filling, but lacked any spice. Overall nice place and would definitely go back...maybe after trying another place or two.
(4)
Jason M.
We had a wonderful meal at McKays the other night. We were sitting in their lovely outdoor area with plants around and acoustic guitar music. I had the delicious lobster mac & cheese; my wife had the equally delicious seafood risotto, and our daughter had the special duck in maple miso glaze, which was also very good, if not quite as good as the other two. Food, ambiance and service were all excellent. I hope we'll make it back again this week.
(5)
Joe M.
Horribly disappointed. Should have known when a person who worked at a business very close to the restaurant suggested to another visitor that they may want to try elsewhere. To give them the benefit of the doubt, it may have just been the server, but I still can't recommend this restaurant to others. With a party of 9 things can get tough but waited an hour and a half for food. While waiting, we constantly needed to ask the server for refills on our beer and wines (isn't this how they make money by keeping everyone lubricated?). When dinner came they brought 7 of 9 meals and they all seemed dried out like they were sitting under a heat lamp. The last two came 20 minutes later - how awkward for all of us. No one wants to eat when the whole group doesn't have food. Not recommended for a big group.
(1)
J P.
Traditional pub menu. great beers and cocktails. Friendly service.
(4)
Becky L.
This was absolutely fabulous. I had the halibut special, with green beans and potatoes. I had the Atlantic Real Ale with it and the chocolate torte for dessert. The place was super busy, but it was just me so I was quickly seated at the bar. I will definitely be going back here whenever I am in Bar Harbor.
(5)
Caitlyn M.
Loved it here! I'm from NYC and it's easy to tell that this was some of the best food in Bar Harbor. We ate a couple other places and they were still good, but the quality of the scallops & pork belly and crab cakes made it clear that McKay's was true quality. Went with my mom and we also enjoyed the pretzels and beer cheese, clam chowder, and fish and chips, along with several great local beers. We were so impressed that we visited came twice for dinner out of our three nights.
(5)
Brian H.
Food was awesome. The brownie sundae may have been the best dessert I've ever had. 'Nough said
(5)
Cohen J.
Great food. They had fiddlehead a for an appetizer!!!! When do you ever see such good and diverse food. A little pricey but food was very good.
(4)
Jay K.
Slow service. Good food,but everything has mushrooms in it, and my wife is allergic.
(2)
Marisa C.
The meatloaf was delicious and so was the bread and pretzels with beer cheese. The only downside was the wait for the food and the service was slightly lacking.
(4)
Tina D.
Service is o.k, food was o.k. Has the lobster Mac and cheese, it was good, not awesome. Nice atmosphere.
(3)
Kyle B.
Absolutely top notch food, atmosphere, and drink offerrings. The staff was extremely friendly. We had a short wait, during which we got drinks at the bar. When our table was ready, the manager politely came and found us personally to escort us to our table. The food was off the charts good - lobster, haddock, cheese plate, and best of all - Fresh maine blueberry pie for dessert. This place will not disappoint.
(5)
K L.
Food was okay and service was okay. It took them a little while to get us seated, but all is said and done we enjoyed our experience.
(3)
Jen L.
Best meal of our trip, and perhaps the best vegetarian dish I've ever had (Portobello Piccata). As a meat lover, I hesitated before I ordered it, but WOW!!! SOOOO good. My friends meals were also pretty great, and our server was friendly. Sitting outside on a cool Bar Harbor evening was a real treat.
(5)
Dixi S.
The place is nice. But, the food was only okay. I had the arctic char which was on the daily specials list. The fish was pan seared and came with potatoes and sprouts. The veggies were fried (or "pan seared"). Everything on my plate was just a bit greasy.
(3)
John B.
Great beer selection. I had roasted avocado salad in was very good. We ate outside beautiful patio
(4)
Andrew H.
We were seated outside in the garden seating area which is beautiful. There was a very talented guy playing jazz on acoustic guitar which only added to the ambiance. Good beer selection with some stuff you usually don't find in tourist havens. Appetizers were average - nothing to note. My main course was terrible. I got the ettoufee (sp?). Watery sauce with some shrimp and clams thrown in and no vegetables. It looked and tasted very sad. Everybody that got bar food was happy so I'd stick with the other reviewers and go that route. Service was very slow. Had to chase the waiter for our check. Would definitely go back for a burger.....
(3)
Scott B.
Went to McKay's on a busy Labor Day Sunday. Didn't have a reservation but was seated on the porch by the friendly hostess. Had the spinach and artichoke dip on a tip from a fellow Yelper. It was fantastic and definitely house made, just like the fresh and wonderful chips. I had the jerk chicken for dinner. Juicy, perfectly cooked, spicy but not too much. My daughter had the half rack of lamb and the portion was perfect. All in all, a wonderful meal, great service, and a nice setting. Definitely recommended!
(5)
Meg M.
LOVE! great little place of the path! went on Saturday during 4th of July weekend in the mid-afternoon and sat at the bar. they have happy hour which was priced great and apps were priced happy-hour style as well!!! The bartender was great as well! I would recommend this place as a must stop! Service and food was great!
(5)
Shaun-Mathieu S.
After an evening of axe throwing and lumberjacking (and yes, I mean that literally - feel free to ask me privately), my female companions and I were ravenous with a hunger that only freshly sawed wood can conjure. Our reservations that night were at McKays. As my party entered the quaint house, we were led up the polished balustrade to the second floor. A large, spacious upstairs dining room was set aside just for us revelers. Here's what I had: Bosler Pinot Noir - I usually detest wines from Chile, but this Pinot was perfectly subtle and rich. I was only going to have one glass, but I got two. Like liquid organza, it flowed down one's throat with a luxurious stealth. Fish and Chips - A large piece of fluffy haddock, surrounded by his French Fry parishoners. Beer battered, and much more filling than it looks. Highly appetizing, it came with a very palatable tartar sauce. They open daily at 4:30 in the afternoon, and provide entertainment on certain evenings. Our server took care of us expertly, and considering we were a party of eighteen, that deserves an applause. Would love to come back here and try their Bistro Steak.
(4)
Bill M.
Good for what it is... but like a lot of things (people) in Bar Harbor - this place thinks it's something it's not. A bit snooty in decor and attitude for a place that does decent bar food. Stick with the basics and you will be fine... but if you venture into the "gourmet" side of the menu you will be disappointed. I had a pretty good $9 burger - wife had a very lack luster lobster mac and cheese that should have been so much more at $25... don't mind paying that price if it's worth it... this was just pasta with cheese and lobster meat mixed in. No crispy top, no exciting pasta and creamy sauce... just Kraft with bits of lobster... blurg...
(3)
Mike K.
Had dinner here last night...cool setting, two story house with porch and outdoor seating. Bars on the first and second floor with a good selection of beers. McKays salad was very good as was the lobster Mac and cheese. The Asian pork short rib was average. Overall not a bad spot.
(3)
C D.
Dined there last Friday night and I usually expect restaurants at this price range to bring their A game, especially on a weekend night. We have dined here before and usually find it satisfactory. We have not yet enjoyed the momentous entrees that justifies a 4 or 5-star rating, as some reviewers have suggested, but the food is usually a positive experience. As you may have guessed, tonight was not an A-game evening. The food was generally uninspiring. My daughter ordered the shrimp tacos, but later confessed that she ate the first out of hunger, but after this primal urge had subsided, the second taco did not cultivate any further appetite. My wife ordered some short-rib sliders that she seemed to enjoy, but without any fanfare. The big fail appeared to be in the food preparation. My daughter's chowder arrived cold. Not to beat a dead horse, but it was also not very tasty and devoid of clam flavor. My wife and daughter felt it had a chicken broth flavor; my impression was that it tasted cheesy. We all agreed on cold though. Although the cold chowder might be blamed on the waitress or the kitchen, the issue was clarified by my lamb shank entree. Lamb shanks take some time to prepare, so I was not surprised (and ultimately grateful) that the lamb was precooked. I was surprised, however, that reheating it fully was considered optional. The surface temperature was warm(ish), however, when I sliced to the deeper muscle, it was clearly refrigerator cold. Fortunately, it was thoroughly cooked, so the experience was not unlike eating a midnight snack at home by refrigerator light. I will note that we passed on the generous invitations to heat our food, which I guess wasn't a sufficiently clear expectation when we ordered it. In the case of the chowder, it frankly wasn't good enough to reheat. By the time I needed to point out the cold lamb shank, I was feeling wary about sending my food back to the kitchen on the heels of multiple complaints. To be fair, and perhaps I'm missing the point; since McKays promotes itself as pub food, perhaps this was an authentic take on the low-rent backstreet genre, complete with unheated food. When I asked if there was an issue in the kitchen, the waitress replied "Let's not go there." Maybe this was advice we should have been given before we chose McKays. We also overheard her telling an adjacent table that they were working out some issues in the kitchen and a suggestion that the issue was some new kitchen staff. Perhaps...but at these prices, trainees should be restricted from prime time and confined to the lunch shift.
(2)
Jeremy J.
YUM. We stopped by McKays our first night in town, and it was definitely one of the highlights. I had one of the specials - an organic pork chop with a black cherry reduction - and my wife had the rack of lamb. Both were absolutely delicious, and we're picky eaters. It came out to around $100 for the two of us with a decent bottle of wine. We tried a different restaurant every meal while we were there, but every night it was a struggle to make ourselves try something unknown when we knew there was such a great meal waiting for us at McKays. Definitely one of the top two restaurants we visited there.
(5)
Hilga J.
Yes. This is where we ended up after walking out of Chowdahs. So so so happy we did. We didn't have reservations, but the hostess gladly offered us seats upstairs. The lighting in that place is awesome; it totally put me at ease. Our waiter was warm AND professional. Clam chowder was the best we've had on the island ($7). It was mostly heavy cream, potatoes, and clams. Husband had the maple shortribs special ($22) which were awesome, but his "sauteed greens" turned out to be ONE (1) small leaf of Swiss chard. I had to laugh, but honestly, that's why my 4.5 stars got rounded down and not up. I had the fish and chips ($12) off the "Pub Fare" section of the menu, which included their less-adventurous, less-expensive options. It was fish and chips: a pile of probably previously frozen fries and a huge haddock fillet in a very light and crispy batter. Good tartar sauce. Overall, they have an ideal menu: interesting, unusual specials, fairly-priced standard fare, and badass chowder.
(4)
Joe D.
I felt the lobster Mac and cheese was ok. I preferred the lobster roll at Side Street Cafe.
(3)
Robin B.
Really enjoyed the meal, we dined on duck breast and game hen. However, I would have thickened the orange sauce into a demi-glaze for the duck so that it could be enjoyed with every bite. The service and atmosphere were very nice as well we sat on the patio :).
(4)
Brian R.
Better for lunch than dinner. Good beer selection, casual atmosphere.
(3)
Renee M.
We chose McKays based on reviews. We arrived just after 7 pm and were seated promptly by a polite host. It was all down hill from there. We waited about 10 minutes for our server, who 'welcomed' us by telling us how busy he was. We ordered our wine and meal... Then sat for the next hour. I spotted the host and asked for another glass of wine, since we could not find our waiter. Our waiter delivered my wine- set it down on the table w out saying a word. Over the hour wait, the table to our left had to send back a salad bc of quality and table to the right sent back a main dish because it was cold. We finally received our meals, I was hoping the food would make up for the rest of the experience. It didn't. The meals were just ok- it's a good thing we didn't need anything because the waiter didn't check back once. Finally got our bill, no apology, acknowledgment, nothing. Not from our waiter, manager, host. I can understand being busy, but completely ignoring tables w no explanation, apology, or thanking us for coming is unacceptable. A Terrible experience.
(1)
Charles P.
We went here on our last day and wish we had tried it sooner. The wish you were here chicken was a worth the switch from all the seafood we had over the last 4 days. Wife stayed seafood with ahi tuna which was great. Awesome presentation of the food
(5)
Lindsay B.
We ordered the Brie for an appitizer but the bread that came with it was waaaayyy to hard and didn't taste very good with brie flavor. The complimentary bread worked way better. I loved their Lobster Mac and Cheese. The portions are quite large so be prepared.
(3)
Zinnia X.
My friends and I were in town for Labor Day weekend. We had a large party of 8, but were able to put our name down and return in half an hour. Very timely. The service was great! I ended up sharing the seafood risotto, lobster "mac'n'cheese" and clam chowder. The seafood risotto was amazing!! Highly recommend. The scallops were done very well and it was delicious. The lobster mac and cheese was good but less cheesy than I usually like my mac and cheeses to be. The clam chowder was also good, very creamy, but could have used a little more flavor. Overall a great experience. Would definitely go back. This time we sat inside because we had such a large party, but it would be great to come back and sit outside. The patio is so nice with lights hung up everywhere.
(4)
Katie M.
EXCELLENT!!! We sat outside and the atmosphere was pretty quiet (you don't even notice you're along the street) and the food was absolutely delicious! Staff was very friendly, waitress even taught one of the members of our party how to crack the lobster! (Our first time) if you're looking for a more casual experience, I recommend the inside over outside, though they have the same menu both places. The only downside to this place is the bathrooms :) We made a reservation, so I'm not sure how long the wait usually is.
(5)
Ulysses L.
My girlfriend and I ended a busy August Thursday in Bar Harbor at McKays after walking past many other restaurants and finding ourselves unimpressed by the menus (and/or mobs of customers) on offer. But McKays' menu looked intriguing, and the wait was relatively short, so we rolled the dice. (A note re the short wait: I put this down to the fact that MDI and Bar Harbor seem to draw predominantly families on vacation with children. This means the majority of restaurants in Bar Harbor cater to family clientele and receive heavy traffic of that sort, whereas high-end fine dining places like McKays are not suitable for families with children, and are accordingly easier to get into-- perfect for couples and small groups without children.) We were not disappointed. The elegant outdoor garden area is the perfect setting for a relaxing, romantic meal. (McKays is at the far end of Main Street from downtown, so the noise from the street is minimal to none.) The drinks menu was vast, with numerous beer, wine, and cocktail options, including specials-- these folks clearly take their alcohol seriously. The food was the only aspect that was not perfect-- the brie and poached pears appetizer we had skewed a bit more towards quantity than quality (though it was by no means bad), and my GF's halibut was, in her words, "a bit too healthy-tasting." But the bone-in pork loin I had was AMAZING-- so perfectly cooked and rich that I almost wept when there was no more-- and the sides (mashed gingered sweet potatoes and roasted asparagus) and the blueberry pie we had for dessert were delicious as well. (Alas, the pork loin was a special of the day, or I'd probably make it a point to come here every summer...) Although the food quality was less consistently excellent than other aspects of the experience, overall this was one of the finest dining excursions we've had in a long time. Admittedly ambiance is a huge part of it-- would you prefer McKays' charming garden, or the mobbed lobster + fried fish shacks on the main drag that make up the rest of the Bar Harbor dining scene?-- so if you are interested solely in food and don't care about drinks or ambiance, I wouldn't recommend it so readily, but for those who seek "the big picture" when they dine out, this is a great destination. PS-- One thing I almost forgot: the night we were there, there was a live instrumental guitarist as well. I can't recall whether we found him to be a net asset or liability to the experience-- only that he played a number of vaguely familiar tunes that did distract us a bit while we tried to figure out what precisely they were (e.g. Simon and Garfunkel, "Anji"). But I have no idea whether the live entertainment is a regular feature or not.
(5)
Terence S.
Upstairs table, crab or lobster pieces still on table. Bad smell too, old seafood? Dirty rag to wipe the tabke? Very off putting. Had a pinot noir, undrinkable, old? don't sell much wine maybe? House red tempranillo was ok, good price, $4 during happy hour. Had lobster Rangoon appetizer, don't get it, $12 and just crusty wonton, barely any lobster. Dinner was actually quite good. I had the halibut, small piece but done properly. Wife had burger and salad said it was good. Beer selection looked good, many Maine local brews on tap.
(3)
Nina H.
You have to get their lobster mac n cheese. It is amazing! The truffle oil adds a really nice touch, and it doesn't feel overly heavy at all. We came here two nights in a row, and I really should've just gone with my gut and order the mac n cheese again because the halibut was too tough. Service is decent, and the restaurant itself isn't super great or anything, but the seafood is really good. Their seafood risotto was great too!
(5)
Kimberly Y.
My hotel and Yelp recommended a bunch of pricier restaurants for Bar Harbor, but I'm glad I went with McKays! I definitely got the bang for my buck. There's some street parking out in front, and McKays is basically a decently-sized house with outdoor seating in the "front yard" so of course there's a homey ambience to the place. They have a bar when you walk in, but also tables that are amply distanced from each other for a more private feel, which I love! Too bad our candle was out, haha. My boyfriend and I were definitely eager to try some of that Maine lobster, but also didn't want to eat lobster on lobster on lobster the entire meal. So we ended up getting the lobster of the day, a bistro steak, and sweet potato fries with this awesome horseradish suace. The food came out extremely slowly -- the slow service is definitely my main issue with McKays, but we did come on a summer Saturday, so what can you expect? We had to flag our waitress down a few times, but she was super sweet each time, especially when we realized we didn't know how to eat a lobster! If only my steak (albeit only $19) had been as delicious as the lobster... Learned our lesson: just get seafood in Maine!
(4)
Sara A.
I went to this place twice on my recent trip to Bar Harbor. The first time was excellent: Delicious shephard's pie, decadent duck spring rolls, and a friendly waitress. What more could you ask for? The interior of the restaurant is charming and truly has an old pub feel. The second visit left a lot of things to be desired. The service was pretty bad. The waiter brought our appetizer out right with the meal. His excuse was "he thought we wanted it that way," which I thought was silly. Everything went downhill from there. I found a giant bone in the duck spring rolls that had been so delicious the first time. My meal was a horrorshow. I couldn't even eat it. Never order the mixed-BBQ thing. I can't even remember what it was called, but it was an amalgam of bizarre meats that clashed with each other. It was like someone blindly picked a bunch of sauces from the back of the refrigerator and slathered it over badly cooked meat. It was the strangest meal I attempted to eat in a long time. The waiter didn't pay much attention to us. He was too busy trying to suck up to the wealthy couple behind us to get a big tip. This place seems pretty inconsistent. I'm giving it 3 stars because I loved it the first time, but the second time it was awful. Try it, maybe you'll get lucky.
(3)
Peter M.
We like McKays and try to get there at least once whenever in Bar Harbor. Prefer to sit outside in the lovely garden, but for different reasons (booked too late, part too big 6+infant) we have sat inside on the first floor the past two visits, which is dark. Food is generally good all around, though there are some inconsistencies (fries are well-seasoned, but dark and rather limp; last visit, the pretzels were pale and unappetizing). Excellent, though small, tap beer selection. This, and the garden are probably really what keep us coming back.
(4)
Teresa T.
Hostess was rude. There were empty tables in the garden but she refused to sit us there. Instead, she chose to sit us at a table next to the rest room. As the smell from the rest room was overwhelming, we decided to try some other place. We headed out and was stopped by a gentleman who looked like the manager. He told us to wait and he would see what he could do. So we lingered at the hostess stand while he figured things out. The hostess came back, looked us up and down, ask the waiter what's going on and basically told him to tell us there's a 30 min wait.
(1)
Karen F.
Ambience is nice--there is indoor seating and garden type seating. We sat in the garden. Very nice Celtic garden dinner music which added to the ambience. However food and service were fair. Staff seems overworked, rushed and harried -- a larger more attentive staff would make a difference. Food was spotty. The fresh halibut was excellent but the portobello dish was fried.
(3)
Sara R.
I got a blackberry mojito. My friend got a fancy mule cocktail. The atmosphere was beautiful. The prices seemed a little high, but if I get a chance to go back with the parents I would definitely do so :)
(4)
J S.
Beautiful outdoor dining area. Very welcoming with our dog - shifted the table so she could sit away from the walkway. Haddock special was delicious. Veal chop was okay - came out undercooked and they apologetically replaced it (with a new chop which took some time). Would return.
(4)
Julia F.
Went here last night. The atmosphere is lovely. We sat outside on the patio. The white lights and garden was a nice touch and there even was a guitar player. Overall though, they seemed low on staff and kind of all over the place. For the amount of restaurants in bar Harbor the food here was just okay. There were three of us and each meal was a hit or miss.
(3)
Jeremia F.
Best meal I had in Bar Harbor. We came here on Memorial Day weekend, which is apparently the "soft" opening for all of Bar Harbor.From the food and drinks to the mostly on point service. A few minor things needed to be worked out on the service side of things but overall really good.
(4)
Ashley D.
Lobster Mac & Cheese and seafood risotto are so great here! Caesar salad with lobster is also delicious! Sitting outside is nice, but kind of chilly at night.
(5)
Alika T.
This place is magic. Live music played by very nice man, the green garden and smell of flowers make this restaurant special. The building is old and a bit stinky so it is better to seat in the garden. Service is very professional and amusing, waiters are very kind and helpful. Food is good but not amazing. I have ordered a steak and a fish from the specialities.
(4)
Livia L.
Food was mediocre. We had the salmon, and duck breast. Our friend liked his bistro steak but our other friend was really disappointed with her lazy style lobster. She said it was mushy and sour.
(3)
Judy P.
Good food and great service. The setting outside on a Summer night is lovely, and there are heaters and umbrellas at some tables, in case of rain. Many tempting menu selections and excellent bar. Popular - make a reservation.
(4)
Jeanmarie M.
Nice and quaint. Great story about house - be sure to ask. The lobster mac and cheese was delicious Loved the local brewery on tap - Acadia brewing real ale. Elijah was a great waiter. Very entertaining with a stories about local life in Bar Harbor.
(4)
Debbie F.
The food..the ambience...the service..true perfection!!! We sat down outside enjoyed an incredible bottle of Molly Dooker...our dog was served a fresh bowl of water...we dined on incredible oysters haddock..ceviche...loved loved lived...wish we lived here would definitely be a weekly...destination
(5)
Josh M.
Nice location in an old house right on Main St. but a little past the craziness closer to the harbor. Jerk Chicken was excellent, if a little lacking in the heat (spicy hot) department. The Shepherd's Pie was made with lamb, which was a bonus, but the lack of corn was a slight disappointment. On food alone I'd give a 3 star review, but our service was excellent. By far the best we received during our week in Bar Harbor.
(4)
Alicia T.
My boyfriend and I went there for dinner. From start to finish we were pleased with the food. The bread and butter they give you was very tasty. We shared the farm stand salad and the mussel appetizer. The tomatoes were juicy and fresh, and we both agreed the mussels were the best we have ever had. They were cooked perfectly with sausage and fries. Make sure you save some bread to dip in the broth. I had the lobster mac and cheese and he had the seafood risotto. Both were delicious. We picked this restaurant because of the good reviews and I'm glad we did. We both left with full stomachs.
(5)
Douglas D.
Started with the pretzels that were very good. Then I had the fish and chips. The portions were a good size and the fish was good as well. The french fries were of the shoe string variety and I expected a steak fries. The cole slaw was good. Overall it was a good experience and I would recommend it to others.
(4)
Kristy W.
Our time here at McKays ended up being a second meal that day where we intended to eat, but instead had a dip and a beer before moseying on our way. I think there was a wait for the table we sat at, but we headed up to the bar and snagged a table up there. We later figured out that those were seated tables, but our waitress was friendly and grabbed us menus despite our faux-pas. Pretty decent beer list, but nothing epically different. We started with the Haddock Dip, which was good. A nice fish flavor (note: different than "fishy" flavor, which is not good), and a good texture. We were about to order dinner when we asked the gentleman next to us what he was having. It was the duck meatloaf, which my husband was planning on ordering. The scowl on his face and the way he pushed the food around with his fork told us all we needed to know. His female companion had the same look and the same attitude towards her food--it didn't really inspire us with confidence. We chose to finish our beers and call it a day, so I can't review the entrees for myself. The food we ate was good, but I might think twice about coming here again, just because of the attitude the other customers had towards their food.
(3)
Wesley B.
The BEST FOOD EVER! This place was awesome romantic outside seating, there was a guy that was very quietly fingering the guitar. It was amazing. The service was a little slow but food was to die for. Crab Cakes: Best we have ever had. Chowdah: Great. Hot and Fresh LOBSTER Mac & Cheese it was just awesome. Large quantity of Lobster(very good) and heart portion. Portobello Picatta: Very nicely done.Hot, fresh, and hearty portion (Great for vegetarians or carnivores) Very nice wine selection.
(5)
Stephanie Y.
I really liked McKay's. I don't think I would have liked it as much if I didn't sit outside, but I did and it's so damn cute out there. In addition to the lovely outdoor seating, there was a bad ass guitarist out there playing some tunes, muy romantico. Shall we get to the food? Duck meatloaf wrapped in bacon was a great dish. My guy couldn't stop talking about it throughout the trip. First of all, so unique and second of all it was damn tasty and priced so reasonably. I had a boring order of a baby burger and side salad and the burger really was a baby burger. I wasn't too hungry so it was fine. I read a great tip from Chris M from Jersey City to get the blueberry crumble and no joke, get it. Wowza. Maybe best dessert of the trip. Bonus: cocktail list was actually really nice. I went with a delicious alcoholic Scottish ginger beer with a Scotch floater. Hey yooooo. Overall this spot is a nice gastropub with affordable prices and really good food. Not the most "Mainey" of menus, read: doesn't have a lot of lobster/seafood options, but I definitely recommend!
(4)
Greg F.
Did it twice. Awesome. Bryan is the owner. Great food. Great atmosphere. It was much better than Havana. Mussels, beet salad, lobster mac was grear. So were the cabernets.
(5)
Michael N.
Despite the slow serve (it was really busy for the off season), I really loved this place. The restaurant is basically a converted victorian house with seating littered throughout the house and the front yard. The inside has a very cool vibe with the dark lighting and dark hard woods. Thanks to the advice of all these yelp reviews we went with the lobster mac and cheese and the steak special. The mac & cheese was out of this world (without the lobster) and adding the lobster just added to the greatness of this dish. Yes, it is expensive, but worth every penny. The steak was not the best I've ever had, but it was good for the price and pretty large. As for the drinks, they had an awesome selection of local Maine brews and some unique craft beers from New England. As for the service, our server was friendly, but it appeared she was stretched too thin. Generally I would have given a 4 based on the slowness of the food and drinks, but I'll let it slide as the lobster mac and cheese was that good.
(5)
Allan C.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Bar Harbor I have probably come here 6 or 7 times over the years and have never been disappointed. They have some great beer selections and some nice wines as well as for really good food I really like the portobello piccata and the meatloaf is excellent and could feed 2 people. Very nice outdoor seating, restaurant is clean and wait staff is alway good this is one of the few year round restaurants.
(3)
LuRee A.
We had dinner with friends that enjoy this restaurant and invited us to join. The atmosphere and food was superb. One person had the risotto and was the best I have ever tasted. The lobster mac and cheese was great . Next year we will be back from Texas.
(5)
Mike B.
A solid 4 star restaurant with a 2-3 $ menu. Atmosphere and appearance are 5 stars. Was there on a Saturday and they had a guitarist performing for the dinner crowd. Nice wine menu that was also reasonably priced (most wines were priced only $20 over store price) and had a dozen draft craft beer that were out of the ordinary. The food is what made this place a 4. While still good food, it did not live up to what a 5 star restaurant would need, especially in a town with a wide selection of restaurants. Had the lobster mac n cheese (a lot of lobster!!!), though major problem was the sauce was more of a cream sauce than cheesy. Had the Italian appetizer plate, which the honey and garlic were delicious. The chili soup was filling, but lacked any spice. Overall nice place and would definitely go back...maybe after trying another place or two.
(4)
Jason M.
We had a wonderful meal at McKays the other night. We were sitting in their lovely outdoor area with plants around and acoustic guitar music. I had the delicious lobster mac & cheese; my wife had the equally delicious seafood risotto, and our daughter had the special duck in maple miso glaze, which was also very good, if not quite as good as the other two. Food, ambiance and service were all excellent. I hope we'll make it back again this week.
(5)
Joe M.
Horribly disappointed. Should have known when a person who worked at a business very close to the restaurant suggested to another visitor that they may want to try elsewhere. To give them the benefit of the doubt, it may have just been the server, but I still can't recommend this restaurant to others. With a party of 9 things can get tough but waited an hour and a half for food. While waiting, we constantly needed to ask the server for refills on our beer and wines (isn't this how they make money by keeping everyone lubricated?). When dinner came they brought 7 of 9 meals and they all seemed dried out like they were sitting under a heat lamp. The last two came 20 minutes later - how awkward for all of us. No one wants to eat when the whole group doesn't have food. Not recommended for a big group.
(1)
J P.
Traditional pub menu. great beers and cocktails. Friendly service.
(4)
Becky L.
This was absolutely fabulous. I had the halibut special, with green beans and potatoes. I had the Atlantic Real Ale with it and the chocolate torte for dessert. The place was super busy, but it was just me so I was quickly seated at the bar. I will definitely be going back here whenever I am in Bar Harbor.
(5)
Caitlyn M.
Loved it here! I'm from NYC and it's easy to tell that this was some of the best food in Bar Harbor. We ate a couple other places and they were still good, but the quality of the scallops & pork belly and crab cakes made it clear that McKay's was true quality. Went with my mom and we also enjoyed the pretzels and beer cheese, clam chowder, and fish and chips, along with several great local beers. We were so impressed that we visited came twice for dinner out of our three nights.
(5)
Brian H.
Food was awesome. The brownie sundae may have been the best dessert I've ever had. 'Nough said
(5)
Cohen J.
Great food. They had fiddlehead a for an appetizer!!!! When do you ever see such good and diverse food. A little pricey but food was very good.
(4)
Jay K.
Slow service. Good food,but everything has mushrooms in it, and my wife is allergic.
(2)
Marisa C.
The meatloaf was delicious and so was the bread and pretzels with beer cheese. The only downside was the wait for the food and the service was slightly lacking.
(4)
Uncle J.
Mmm. I would love to like the place. What not to like. They have very nice interior, good service and nice selection. Unfortunately the food is subpar. I ordered filet minion special. What I've got was nicely challenging cooked and presented, but completely lacked any flavor. They added some sauce, which did not fix the situation. The meat itself was not that great and they did not add any seasoning to open up the flavor. Their "lobster stew" which goes for $14+ and has pretty nice description in reality is very overpriced cup of thin lobster bisque.
(3)
Jen D.
Wonderful garden-like atmosphere, quaint ambiance. Live music which was wonderful. Very knowledgeable and helpful servers. The menu looks a bit different and more progressive then the rest of bar harbor but the execution was poor. Great concept, kitchen needs to work on consistency.
(3)
Tim B.
I can only review this as a pub, as we didn't eat there on our one visit. It says it's a public house on the sign, so fair game. So, for starters, the bar is tiny. Maybe ten places at the bar and not much room otherwise. That would be fine if the barman wasn't also the barman for the entire restaurant side of the house. With the garden (very pretty and ideal for a romantic à deux) still open and the indoors portion busy, this meant an inordinate wait for orders to be filled by the overworked guy behind the bar. Indeed, we probably had two less drinks over the evening simply because it took so long to be served. Which is a shame, because the martins were excellent and the local beers, including one served via a beer pump, a treat.
(3)
Kym K.
Having vacationed in Bar Harbor for 30 years, this restaurant is my current favorite place to eat and relax on the island. Check out the photos of the garden seating area; that's one thing that sets this restaurant apart from all the others. The space is surrounded by fragrant flowers and bold blooms. If there is a chill in the air, the heaters warm the space and provide a mellow glow. Most restaurants ignore vegetarian customers, but the current menu has three options: Portobello Piccata, Stuffed Poblanos, and Mushroom Sacchetti pasta. I have had all three and can swear that each dish is tasty and fulfilling. The Portobello Piccata has been on the menu for several years and it has remained consistent. It includes lightly fried, earthy mushrooms, whipped potatoes, and a lemony caper sauce over the top. The variations of textures and flavors would leave even a meat-eater satisfied. Our server was attentive, warm and friendly, and the owner, Brian, greeted customers at the garden's edge as if they were old friends. In fact, many customers are his friends, since locals love this place, also. I always make this the first place I eat in Bar Harbor when I arrive, and the last place I eat before I leave.
(5)
Krista M.
Great food and amazing staff. Everyone friendly, accommodating and wanting to make sure our visit was warm and welcoming. Fresh, local oysters; delicious Italian cheese plate, great entrees and amazing desserts. The fresh blueberry pie finished off a great night. A+++
(5)
Brian V.
We had a great meal at McKays. They took reservations and were very close about seating us at the time and the owner(i think) was very apologetic even thought they were within 5-10 minutes. We sat outside which was very nice and they had heat lamps that were very much needed. Our waitress Theresa was fantastic! She was the best waitress we had during our trip...Thank you! We started with the Chowder which was good. My wife and I shared the Lobster Mac which was delicious and had a lot of lobster chunks. We also had the Lamb Burger which had great flavor. When I return, I will be back
(4)
Rick L.
We go to this place 2-3X/year and it never fails to be a good choice among the several million restaurants in Bar Harbor during the summer season. Tonight was shepherd's pie, two orders of fish and chips, and one burger...all from the pub side of the menu. All were terrific, and especially the shepherd's pie which comes in a skillet...outstanding! The fish and chips come with a little too much batter for me but is used to a good end...quite a moist fish and the batter does have great flavor. For those wanting more upscale dinners, the menu is varied...typically a seafood special, duck, steaks, etc and including the lobster mac and cheese that others rave about. Seating is inside (cozy, several different rooms) or outside in a festive dining area, replete w/guitarist throughout the evening. What's also nice is that they are open through the year for folks lucky enough to live here or visit often.
Went to McKay's one evening on our honeymoon while wanting something pub-like but without the nastiness of some pubs. This place perfectly fit the bill! We were immediately seated, and thankfully it was just warm enough to enjoy the great outdoor seating area with a live finger style guitarist. While it's far from the fanciest dish available, my wife and I both got Fish & Chips (though many other options were tempting), and we were not disappointed! The batter was perfectly flaky and the fries delicious! The service was pretty quick, and our waitress was hilarious. This ended up being one of our favorite restaurant experiences in Bar Harbor. It was just a great mix of atmosphere, food, and service! I would definitely recommend it and will definitely be back should we end up in town again.
(5)
F M.
Beetle in soup tonight. (Photo added.) Manager downplayed it. Maine Dept. of Health and Human Services notified.
(1)
Ana M.
Super cute place. Had the seafood risotto, which was just ok; it was over cooked. The lobster mac and cheese is so darn good. It's definitely a must try. For dessert try the whiskey ice cream with bacon and the toffee pudding.
(4)
Kevin R.
The wine and beer list is pretty good here but you might want to stick to the menu standards listed in other reviews. We had a Caesar salad to start, which was good but not great. After that we went with the daily specials, halibut for me and filet mignon for my wife. The waiter had recommended the halibut as one of the stars of the menu but it was well over cooked and dry. The preparation was also highly touted but it wasn't sufficient to moisten or cover up the very dry fish. My wife's filet mignon was, like the salad, just adequate, not at all what I would hope for at $30 per plate. I would recommend other restaurants in bar harbor instead.
(2)
Russell Q.
Chris the bartender was great. He not only worked the bar but helped with the others in the restaurant. He facilitated our seats for our 10th anniversary without even asking for a prime window seat. Great risotto. Great oysters . Thanks again Chris!!!! The manager was helpful but seemed a bit inebriago at times!
(4)
Quay A.
I would eat here in a second... I actually can't recall all the dishes S and I ordered but so good, so good! Think of this as a 4.5 - Yelp why do you not heed our requests for half stars!!! We sat out on the patio and it got a little cool but it was so nice with the garden area we didn't mind. I had the lobster mac and cheese, even if you aren't a fan of mac and cheese you should enjoy this unless you don't like cheese LOL Positives Food is fresh and excellent quality - I can't stress this enough Food was excellently crafted So many great menu choices Service was very good Good election of beers Negatives Nothing comes to mind :) Funny thing was that when one of the waitresses that served us was actually our server at breakfast at another restaurant.
(4)
Pau S.
Nice ambiance. Food was okay but not that great. The lobster mac and cheese was a bit bland and seemed to have too little lobster (not one and a quarter pounder as the menu says). Lobster could also be fresher.
(3)
Irene K.
I was really excited to try this place based on the reviews, but was pretty disappointed. The people were nice and accommodated our requests to switch tables pretty quickly (shout out to the super sweet manager who actually apologized for moving us, not knowing it was our request) but it just couldn't make up for the lackluster food. We ordered the mussels to start, which had some good seasoning and then ordered the portabella mushroom, seafood risotto, lobster mac and cheese, and a salad. All were fine and I would normally give this a 3 but subtracted another star for portion size/price. I don't know if this restaurant is on par (or even better) than surrounding restaurants, but I am much more inclined to try other places when I go back to Bar Harbor.
(2)
Daniel M.
We went on a night that it was obvious that the restaurant was busier than usual. You could strongly tell this by the inefficient and poor service from the server. The bartender was better, had a sense he was more used to being able to handle the quicker atmosphere. It is a shame though because the food was great. The service really took away from the experience. We had the baked Brie, fish and chips, and a pasta dish. All were very good. Despite the service we received, I would recommend the restaurant as I felt it was due to the heavy crowd and the food really did not disappoint.
(4)
Amanda M.
I had the dark and stormy pork short rib which is described as slow braised pork short with a rum and ginger glaze accompanied with dark rum sweet potatoes and local vegetables. The pork was tender and flavorful, but could have benefited from being marinated longer. That's the only reason I didn't give it 5 stars. The sweet potatoes were delish and the broccoli was crisp and tasty. My fiance got the shepherd's pie which was flavorful also, but on the dry side. There were several other menu items I'd love to go back and try like the lobster Mac and cheese or the duck meatloaf. There is plenty of outdoor/porch seating and heat lamps for cooler evenings. Great ambiance for a memorable time.
(5)
Brent L.
Stopped in late for a quick bite. We asked to sit outside which was a nice setting with many white lights and warming heaters for the cool night. We were told nothing was available and then taken to a poorly lit table in the corner of a tiny room. I was seated in front of a window air cnditioner with a curtain hiding it and next to the kitchen. Surely something else must have been available. My fault for accepting the seat as offered. I ordered the clam chowder and fish and chips. The chowder was fine, but the fish and chips were below standard. It tasted like the fry oil hadn't been changed as frequently as needed to keep a fresh taste. Everthing tasted like burnt oil. The fish itself, seemed very fresh. The beer was allagash saison that was moderately cold at best and seemed like the co2 tank for the keg system needed a refresh as well. Overall ...not impressed . Simplest of meals to come up short on.
(2)
Stephanie B.
I have visited McKays twice now. It is quite possibly my favorite restaurant in Acadia. Great service, beautiful spot for outdoor dining. The restaurant itself is so cozy and intimate. Great servers, and creative dishes. A total foodie find at a reasonable price.
(5)
Kelly C.
The food here is consistently good. We look forward to visiting a couple times per year on vacation. Good selection of beers on tap. Dark & stormy pork short rib is a favorite. Lobster Mac & cheese is very good as well.
(4)
Robert C.
Great atmosphere. Food was very good. Shared the lobster and portobello crostini appetizer. Delicious. Local oysters. Not bad. My wife had the burger, she loved it. I had the dark and stormy short rib. Very good. Sweet potatoes were really good too.
(4)
Devonshire B.
Very friendly wait staff. The food was pretty good, especially the lobster mac-n-cheese, as well as the duck. Not to mention that their muddled blueberry cocktail was refreshingly tasty. A lot of flavour, decent portions, and reasonable prices. That's basically the holy trinity of restaurant expectations, right? Right.
(4)
Mitchell M.
I was hoping for a different vibe here. It was a bit more restaurant, than charming pub. All in all a good visit. My only real issue is that our server snatched a MacCallan 12 off the table with a good sized sip left. She was left before I could utter a word. She was super friendly though, so I almost feel bad faulting her for the early clear. The menu offers an extensive variety of local favorites (lobstahhhh), pub-like dishes, and other American dishes. I had the burger which was great. We also had the beet salad, crab cakes and clam chowder. The chowder was thin, but tasted house made. The crab cakes had good flavor, but I was hoping for more lumps...maybe there is a difference between the way a Maine crab cake and Maryland crab cake are served? The beet salad was fantastic. They offer decent selection of local beers, as well as a full bar and wine menu. My wife said the blueberry, crumble pie was the best we had while in Bar Harbor. Of course, I feel obligated to tell you that my wife is a sucker for a "crumble." We didn't have it, but the lobster mac n cheese seemed to a favorite among diners around us, and the woman at the adjacent table her short rib. The duck meatloaf also peaked my interest, but I was all about a burger that night. Great outdoor garden and the porch was pretty intimate and romantic.
(3)
Andrea S.
From the outside this place looks nice. The food wasnt as good as I thought it could be. I had the fish and chips and my boyfriend had their burger, It filled my stomach but next time ill go somewhere else to eat. Also our waitress wasnt taking care of us at all, I had to stand up and get to-go boxes my self and I also had to get the check myself. I have to be honest, I dont think I will be going here anymore.
(2)
Kyle M.
It's a bit surprising to me that this place has garnered such high reviews. It's definitely one of the better dinner places on the island, though I found that most places here are better at breakfast than dinner. The Ambiance is phenomenal. In summer, at night, sitting outside here is as good as it gets, nice for a romantic date with the girlfriend or for a pleasant evening with the family. I'd give the Ambiance a 5/5. The service adds to the atmosphere, it was pretty good. 4/5 The food is where the disappointment lies. It's not bad, it's just not great, especially for the price. The portions are somewhat small, if the quality was excellent this wouldn't be a problem, but I would say the quality was simply alright. I wouldn't complain as much but it just didn't seem like a great value, while the price wasn't mind boggling, it was overpriced for mediocre food in modest portions. 2.5/5 My girlfriend and I both thought we would finish off an excellent day of hiking with a great meal here. Frankly we were pumped up for it, in the end we left disappointed. Like I said one of the better dinner places on the island, just don't go in expecting a great meal.
(3)
Westie W.
We started off the evening at McKay's in the bar for happy hour. The two bartenders were busily engaged in making drinks, but were very personable. Many of the drinks featured fresh fruit including watermelon that was being sliced and pureed. My wife and I both ordered Blue Hill martinis (blueberry vodka, lemonade, fresh blueberries and a splash of soda). The drinks sounded far better than they tasted so we stopped at one and made a dinner reservation for the patio. After taking a short stroll, we returned and were seated on the patio which was near capacity. We each ordered the shepherd's pie (slow cooked braised lamb in an herbed demi glace topped with roasted vegetables then layered with whipped potatoes). Unlike the drinks, this dish tasted better than it sounded. The lamb almost melted in my mouth and was generously proportioned. The vegetables were a canned corn/carrot mix, but the potatoes were obviously home made and delicious. Overall we felt we made an excellent choice that we will seek out on our next visit to MDI.
(4)
Jerry H.
The food was top notch. Great seafood risotto. Once again, it's the same problem that plagues the restaurant industry. Yelp gives them great ratings and then they can't handle the volume. The staff was inept. 15 minutes until we we're acknowledged. Another 15 min, when I inquired about my drink order told it was not available, then she left. Finally, they committed the ultimate cardinal sin, appetizer not out before the main course. Probably a great place before 6 and in the slow season.
(2)
Raisa S.
This place was great! We were seated right away for dinner, got lucky enough to sit outside in their wonderful garden seating area and got to listen to a man playing instrumentals! Created a perfect ambiance for a dinner. We started with the wings (recommended by our waitress) which were DELISH. Definitely spicy but cooked perfectly with tons of flavor. I got an alcoholic ginger beer to start, and Joe got (another recommended) beverage with fresh mint leaves and cucumbers. For our entrees I got the steak dish (not the special) which came with potatoes and vegetables. Joe got the seafood risotto. The seafood risotto was OUT of this world. I don't really eat fish, just shrimp and I had a few bites of his and it was really cooked to perfection, and a large portion. My potatoes and vegetables were great, the steak was cooked perfectly BUT it was really lacking flavor. It was a thick cut and I give them credit for cooking it so well, but it could definitely use some type of rub or a more flavorful sauce to put on it, that was really my only complaint. Service was good, fast, and the waitress was friendly and very attentive!
(4)
Tee A.
Great food! Clam chowder was great! Hubby had steak tips and I had burger. The burger was delicious! Great atmosphere!
(5)
Kim D.
When we arrived at McKays, the manager informed us there would be an hour wait. That was fine, as we had some time to kill downtown. We returned after about 45 minutes and were seated right away. Two in our party ordered the lobster Mac and cheese, based on Yelp recommendations. The sauce was light, not too greasy or heavy. There was a nice amount of lobster in it. I had the seafood risotto, which was fabulous (I'd highly recommend that dish if you enjoy risotto). We thought the prices were reasonable given the quality of the food and the service we received. Portions aren't huge, but we all had jut the right amount to eat. We ate outside, and even though it was a bit chilly the heat lamps made it perfectly comfortable. There was even a guitar player at the wine shop next door to add to the ambiance. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone traveling to Bar Harbor.
(5)
John H.
Everything was ok except my Duck Meatloaf. Dry, over salted (and I love salt), and overpowered by black pepper as well. Shepard pie was soso. Bread, clam chowder, and salad were good. Nice ambience. When we ate here two years ago the entrees were better. I don't think we will be back.
(2)
Donald E.
I been to Bar Harbor many times and have eaten at many places there. My wife found the highly rated McKays Public House online and wanted to try it. I must say ... The food was not good "it was GREAT!!!". We choose to eat outside and were entertained by Bob Bowman who was playing acoustic guitar. Look, him up on the internet he is known as one the best acoustic guitar players in America. The service, outdoor lighting and music made for a perfect atmosphere. We had the duck spring rolls and they were the best I have ever eaten. My wife had the lobster mac and cheese, which had a light white cheese sauce with peas. The lobster was fresh and the cheese did not overwhelm the dish. I had tender lightly seasoned pork perfectly cooked with sweet potatoes and a side of green beans. I could actually taste the pork! The funny part of this experience is that I did not want to eat at McKay's but I will for now on each time we visit Bar Harbor!
(5)
Darren S.
We had a light dinner at the bar which has a nice homey atmosphere with a great range of local brews on tap. Crab cakes app was excellent and the seafood risotto was also fantastic but maybe could have used a little something. Friendly service and the manager was fun and willing to share some unique beer samples. A great spot in bar harbor.
(4)
Roger H.
Great beer selection of Maine drafts. GREAT food. Had a Cioppino that was wonderful and a good portion. Melissa's fish and chips was to die for. Awesome cut of haddock. Service was a little icey and pretentious. Nice restaurant and great outdoor space. A little fancy for a public house but generally took us dirty after a long day of canoeing so aok too.
(4)
Food Jerk X.
The seafood risotto everyone raves about was rather mucky and pasty. Scallops therein were gooey and gummy. I know it's setting the bar too high, but we just had some regal scallops the night before at Fore Street in Portland--perfectly seared. These were totally without char or flavor. Mussels creole style had the opposite problem: overdone and WAY too much flavor. Props to linking Cajun to its Aca'jun forefathers, but mussels are subtle and completely overpowered. Also, a near majority of shells wouldn't open or the mussels shredded = some combo of dead and overcooked. Sauvignon blanc had no flavor. Atlantic Real Ale, howe'er, proved five-star. Think "an improved Sam Smith Nut Brown," or light years ahead of Newcastle. Rare find, as most American brewers fixate on IPAs or hefeweizens. Mac and cheese off the kids menu was the best dish: adult-tasting cheese with moist yet well-grilled chicken. Service was shy. Unconventional choices brought us here: would have loved to try the seared duck special, but they were out, despite the fact that we ate relatively early.
(2)
Lindsay G.
The drinks were good and the ambience is wonderful, but the entrees (seafood risotto and the fish and chips) were unnecessarily heavy and rich. The duck wonton app was amazing though- go for that and drinks.
(3)
Juanita H.
Sat outside by the porch and enjoyed the scenery. Very good waitress. We had the fish and chips and crab cakes with salads. Overall a very good experience. Would go back again.
(4)
Debbie B.
Mixed greens salad was larger than I expected. Plenty of greens, shaved carrot, just a little tomato. Clam chowder delicious. Bits of clan, not too heavy and thick. Crab cake appetizer very nice. Salad and crab cakes a good amt of food for a light eater. Rack of lamb delicious, tender, perfectly prepared medium as requested. The guitarist was perfect. Nice background music but not loud, no problem carrying on conversation. Sat outside on a cool eve. Very pretty with the decorative lights and propane warmers. No problem getting a table on a Sunday night around 8pm on Sept 7. No wait.
(4)
Heather S.
Bananas how great this place is! Amazing local caught oysters. Insane scallop risotto. The staff and service has always been stellar. It is always a highlight of our Maine trip!
(5)
Victoria B.
I never write reviews and my husband told me not to write this one so we could keep this place a secret. This place is completely underrated. The atmosphere is so perfect, there was a guy playing acoustic guitar, that coupled with the outdoor lighting and hum of the dinner guests pulled us in. We enjoyed a drink on some outdoor seating while waiting for our table. The owner was absolutely charming, as was the staff. Our server was lovely as well. We tried the duck spring rolls, liver pate and a few oysters and all were delicious. I had the salmon and my husband the steak, both were perfectly cooked. We finished with the brownie Sunday. We have eaten at many places this trip and this was by far the best place we tried. Truly the whole package, food, service and atmosphere are all top notch!
(5)
Sam T.
Probably deserves 3 stars, but wanted to bring down the rating a bit because we had suchhh terrible service. Food and outdoor seating were beautiful. We were seated late - restaurant was pretty full but past rush hour. We sat with no drinks and no service for 10 minutes. Waiter was not personable and spent minutes rambling about specials but neglected to mention that a menu item was out, which two of us were going to order. So took the drink and food orders at the same time. Forgot about the drink orders. We reminded a different waiter 10-15 minutes later. He came back, said that he was busy and didn't remember what we'd ordered, but never apologized. The beer and wine took 5 minutes from that time, and the waiter brought out red instead of white. Pretty pathetic. In relative terms, the food came out in okay time, but it was only a couple minutes after the drinks at that point. The server was just not on this planet. Great, appealing menu at very fair prices. Food was fantastic - seafood risotto, vegetable curry, lamb burger, salad with scallops were all 5/5. Duck wontons appetizer was kinda weird and not worth the price.
(2)
Adk M.
Ok, if you can get a seat in the garden, maybe the mediocre food is worth the expense. Otherwise, turn around and seek out better food anywhere in a five-block radius. Can't complain about the service - prompt and gracious. But the dark, non-air-conditioned interior of the house was uninspired and depressing - as well as a bit stifling. Salads were overdressed and the Caesar not edible (really - how hard is it to make a Caesar salad?) The main courses were less than memorable. You can do better and should.
(2)
Megan B.
We came during our Maine vacation, looking for a dog friendly restaurant. We got seated quickly and very friendly. The bread was very good and the butter had a nice flavor. As a table we got the duck wontons appetizer was vey good. I got the ahi appetizer as my meal the portion was small but I wasn't expecting a big portion. It was very good I especially the seaweed salad that came with it.
(4)
Ellen S.
The ability to sit outside and listen to some great music was lovely. However the over an hour wait from ordering to seeing our meals was ridiculous and unacceptable. I had to stop our server to at least ask for the meal for our 1 year old. We were told there was a big party inside...I don't care!! First and last time there!
(2)
Matthew T.
Okay these people have low standards. The environment is nice, the staff is nice and accommodating. However the portions and quality of food leave much to be desired! For $30 dollars you can get filet mignon, with a scoop of mashed potatoes, and a scoop of spinach. For $18 you can get shepherds pie that looks nothing like it does in the pictures you get that McKays has posted on yelp and Google. In fact it's in a tiny skillet and tastes like dog food. The bill was $100 and we left hungry! And picked up chinese on the way home. Don't waste your money here on these tiny portions. $100 goes further in over priced connecticut and new york city and you'll actually get portions that'll fill you up.
(1)
Renard S.
We had a Sunday evening dinner over a holiday weekend at McKay's, when it was recommended by the innkeepers where we were staying. The menu looked quite inviting and had a wide range of options. In the end, however, this seemed to be to the restaurant's detriment; McKay's isn't quite sure what it is (upscale, casual, inventing, etc.). Cocktails from the main menu (a manhattan and a ciao bella) were mediocre. A bit watery, and seemingly too much citrus in both). We ordered the mussels appetizer, which turned out to be a mistake. It arrived with spicy kielbasa, peppers and onions (of the sort you get at the ballpark with your Italian sausage) and wet french fries. Don't get me wrong, I love kielbasa, but it completely overwhelmed the taste of the mussels. Main courses were boiled lobster and seafood risotto. The risotto was a bad miss, to the point the that the waitress (unprompted) asked if it was overcooked, noting that previous patrons had complained. She (again unprompted), removed it from our bill. The lobster was appropriately cooked and nicely presented, however the sides were bland and poorly organized -- by the time one could finish even half the lobster, the sides of a broiled green beans and mashed potatoes were guaranteed to be quite cold. The service was decent, though the appetizer and entrees were served within three to five minutes of each other. We noticed this also happened at the table next to us. When in Bar Harbor, I'd recommend skipping this and instead going to a nearby lobster pound (we went to Trenton Bridge) for seafood, or another establishment in town (Fathom, Sidestreet Cafe, etc.) if you're in the mood for something else.
(2)
Leigh E.
Excellent selection of eclectic wines, friendly and helpful staff, and a deliciously expansive selection of dinner choices. We went two nights in a row and loved it!
(5)
Sarah M.
We didn't have reservations, but called ahead to see what the wait was. We were told they would make it happen - and they did. We were seated immediately at a table indoors. The restaurant is located in an old home that has a lot of character. The food was decent, we ordered the lobster mac and a duck dish. The lobster mac was fabulous and included a large portion. We ended up with leftovers, but they were quickly eaten the next day. The duck had an interesting preparation of duck sausage and duck breast - both were excellent. The service was good, not exceptionally good or bad - just average. We would definitely return.
(4)
Margaret T.
We were in a rush so took the indoor seats. Big mistake. I began to sweat within a few minutes of being seated indoors. The room was dark, cramped and a window a/c unit was nestled nearby along with a handful of winged insects. The patio seating we walked by looked lovely with white lights and live music. No one at the tables we walked by was sweating. I was in steerage for the evening. The food! Everything that was brought to the table was amazing. The lobster mac and cheese was succulent and buttery. It was the best meal in the worst building.
As many other reviewers have said: lobster mac and cheese. That's all you need to know. But actually McKay's is more than just that; they have a lovely garden seating area and also on the porch, where we sat (and where the maitre d kindly moved us after being concerned about being caught in the rain). They also just overall have a terrific menu. In addition to the proverbial lobster mac and cheese, I really enjoyed the tuna steak with the summer squash chilled soup and polenta cake; tuna was cooked perfectly (order it medium rare). We also started with the spinach and artichoke dip, which was delicious, but the highlight were the chips, which were hand made, and had lots of salt which made them really tasty. McKay's is also good because it can appeal to everyone: groups, families, couples.
(4)
Lindsay S.
Pleasant hostess sat us after a 10 minute wait and we arrived at our table outside. Waited 15 minutes and then asked for our waitress to then have our waitress come over 10-15 minutes later without much of a reason. The entrees we ordered arrived incorrectly and by that point we had waited an hour. Beyond unacceptable. The new waitress we got was nice, but very hard to overcome the first hour. Our food came cold with the steak overlooked and the veggies undercooked. Worst dinner and service I have had ever!
(1)
Cassie S.
Just had the lobster Mac and cheese and the portion was a perfect size and tasted delicious . The staff was very courteous and the atmosphere was lovely! Highly recommend dining here.
(5)
Deb M.
The food at McKay's was awesome. My husband said the boiled lobster was one of the top 3 lobsters he has ever eaten, and he has eaten a lot of lobster. I had the special Duck Duo -- duck sausage and duck breast with blueberry sauce. I had it cooked medium rare -- chef recommended -- and it was so tender and juicy it melted in my mouth. The meal was so good we made reservations on our way out for tomorrow night!
(5)
Matthew S.
Five stars, dollar for dollar, all the way around.
(5)
Andy L.
Above average. Was surprised by this find. Excellent beer selection. Walked up without a reservation at 700pm on a weekday at the end of July and was seated right away. Had mussels and a salad. Wife had lobster Mac and cheese. Both meals were very good. Service was smooth and efficient. Would recommend. Had many items on the menu that looked worth trying. Maybe we will go back before leaving.
(4)
Tiffany C.
Food so good that I had to write this review while we're still here. The lobster mac and cheese is heavenly. It's like a lobster and truffle decided to make love in my mouth and splooge everywhere. I live in NYC and must say this is the best mac and cheese I've had in my life. Oh and everything else is great as well.
(5)
Tim F.
This gastropub serves delicious food, fine drinks, is kid friendly and has a very nice atmosphere. IMO probably some of the best food we ate in Bar Harbor. Sat out on the porch, with a nice space heater in case it got a bit chilly. Our server was very friendly; made some good cider and crafted beer suggestions; and was very attentive. Started off with Homemade Pretzel and Welsh Rarebit. It was not a pretzel in the typical sense, but more akin to mini baked loaves of bread....however once you get past that, dipping it in the delicious Welsh Rarebit makes any concerns about the bread's description go away. Yum! Next onto the asparagus soup, which was also delicious, not too salty and the consistency and perfect for a cool night. The main course for me was a duck meatloaf wrapped in bacon with green peppercorns with mashed potatoes and whisky cream. My wife had the lobster macaroni. We would order either one of these dishes again. For desert, I went for the warm blueberry cobbler with ice cream. This was good, but not OMG, as I felt it was not blueberry enough, if that makes sense. Regardless, we had a terrific time and for those parents that have kids, this place is great. They give the kids some sticky sticks to play with and have a kids menu. For those that don't have kids, don't worry there is enough room in this place that you can find that corner, so you don't feel like you're in Disney World.
(5)
Megan R.
Jeff and I stopped into McKays Public House after Jeff did a YELP search for some of the top rated spots in Bar Harbor. I understand why McKays was near the top of the list. A short walk from the bustling part of downtown Bar Harbor, McKays was set behind a beautiful front patio which was laid out between trees and greenery, with white lights floating in the leaves. The tables were spacious and private, and made me feel like I was eating in a magic little garden. Jeff and I opted for sharing plates and a drink, we thought we might continue to bar-harbor-hop around. Our server was amicable and knowledgable, and took our order as soon as we were ready. I started with a Garden Party cocktail, a fresh and lemon-y mixture of gin, Lemoncello, and fresh muddled basil (YUM!!) and Jeff went for a microbrew beer. We were sharing the Duck Confit Spring Rolls (2 on the appetizer order, smaller size) which were crispy, hot, and stuffed with that beautiful rich duck meat. We also shared the Fish and Chips, which came out looking like they took the whole haddock, fresh from the boat, skinned and filleted, and thrown in the fryer. (In other words, it was the entire fillet fried to crispy fresh perfection.) We did not bother with the french fries, because, who would when everything else is so tasty? On the Wednesday night we were there, a local musician was playing beautiful acoustic guitar on a little porch nearby, which made the night even lovelier. Thank you for a great night at the Public House!!
(4)
Ari K.
We ordered the clam chowder, farm house salad and the seafood risotto. This restaurant is excellent. The chowder was more broth based than creamy and my wife thought it was the best chowder she ever had. The farmhouse salad had fresh greens with a very tasty dressing. The seafood risotto was memorable. The wine pairing with the recommended Bordeaux added to the experience. They also had organic burger for my son which was a nice touch. The atmosphere is park like with live music, heat lamps and nice lighting. Thank you for a great dining experience.
(5)
Stuart G.
Excellent ambiance, and it doesn't feel like a tourist trap. There was a 20 minute wait before a table opened up, which my date and I had no problem with. Even though we were just sitting patiently, the manager went out of his way to get us drinks while we waited, and they weren't even on the bill at the end of the meal! That's right, free beer! We had the mussels for an appetizer, which were served in a delicious broth and was the perfect portion for two. I followed this with the duck meatloaf, which is a dish I've never even seen anywhere else. It was absolutely fantastic, wrapped in prosciutto ham and cooked to juicy perfection. Duck can be really hit-or-miss, so I was thoroughly impressed. To cap it all off, there was a man sitting on the porch next door playing some relaxing acoustic guitar tunes throughout our entire meal! That, combined with the excellent patio seating outdoors in the evening really made for the best ambiance we could have hoped for. Will definitely be returning next time I'm in town.
(5)
Tater T.
It was OK. Halibut special was a little sweet, severed on a bed of sweet potatoes. Lobster mac exceeded expectations, nicely cheesy not just covered in a cream sauce. Nice beer selection and happy hour specials.
(3)
Jon S.
Excellent food & service. More upscale dining option in Bar Harbor. We opted for the following: spinach dip, beet salad, macaroni and lobster, and fish & chips. All were of quality and fresh ingredients. That's code of course for portions being smaller, but you can counter by ordering any of the heavier meals. For example, the fish & chips (a 6oz piece of haddock fried) was plenty for the hungry belly, especially with fries. Two seating options here: inside (a old renovated guest home) or in the courtyard patio. Both are nice, but your call (usually based on the weather). Service is pretty good. This place is seasonal and fills up after 7pm, especially on the weekends. Make the call for reservations if in this timeframe.
(4)
Dana P.
Great restaurant - food was excellent, wine recommendations were stellar (they were out of what we ordered, but made great recommendations), and the setting was perfect. We were there for a fall weekend getaway and would highly recommend.
(5)
Kristen R.
We read some fabulous reviews about McKays and were not disappointed! It was busy on a weekday night and we took the last table...it was quaint and comfortable. We ordered the smoked haddock dip as our starter and realized we were in for a culinary treat. It actually tasted like smoked haddock compared to the mayo-style we all know and say "eh, it's ok". This app was excellent. We then enjoyed the lobster mac & cheese and the special farmhand salad. The mac and cheese lived up to its reputation - great cheese, yummy lumps of lobster (and enough of it) and fresh peas with pasta. The salad was arugula, a lemony vinaigrette, smoked mussels, cabbage...a fine combination to accent the flavorful mussels. The one con? We were convinced to try the jalapeno beer and, sure it was tasty, but not at all spicy as advertised. If it's going to be jalapeno, we want it to taste like it! :)
(4)
Paula K.
Wow, it is a really good thing that we have been travelling the past two weeks and virtually electronic-free or I would have written a very different review two weeks ago. Every couple of years we come to Maine and while visiting our family offers to watch our kids so we can go to Bar Harbor for an evening. The first night we were there we chose to have dinner at McKays. It was a Thursday night and we didn't have reservations but they were able to acommodate us at one of the tall tables. We ordered drinks several minutes after arriving. My husband ordered the sampler paddle which he loved (great selection) and I ordered a glass of wine...which arrived ten minutes after my husbands beer. Okay. The waitress seemed extremely busy so we thought that might have something to do with it (that and the fact that for some reason all of the wait staff was mixing and pouring their own drinks upstairs, what??) We started with the crab cakes and the sweet fries. I ordered the sweet fries because I love horseradish sauce. The problem is that we have NO idea what we were served. It was definitely coconut, no horseradish flavor whatsoever, and if we had to venture a guess it tasted like straight coconut milk. It wasn't the horseradish sauce that I had hoped for but it wasn't a bad combo. When I asked the waitress what the susbtitution was (nicely, weren't complaining, said it was still good) she said it was impossible that it could be anything with cocounut b/c they don't use coconut anywhere in the kitchen. Okay, but it was cocounut. That we were certain about. The crab cakes were good. Very big and full of crab. Next, our food came and my husband enjoyed his lobster mac and cheese. I enjoyed my petite burger and beet salad. I asked for medium rare and it was well done (still good) and a beet salad (where the heck were the pumpkin seeds that were advertised on the salad?) Despite all of the mistakes the food was good even if we felt like the waitress who clearly was trying to be friendly but way too busy to be attentive fell short. But all of the mistakes left a really bad impression. I would have asked for things things to be set straight but after the non-response to the coconut mllk mistake and a busy waitress...sometimes you just have to let things go. Fast-forward to the following week. On our way out of town we took our kids to Bar Harbor. Around 6:30 we were faced with a tired, cold, HANGRY preschooler who was only settling for Mac and Cheese (which we realized if you want lobster-free is not an easy thing to find in Bar Barbor). While walking around and falling short we ran into McKay's again and low and behold the menu said, "Mac and Cheese". Needing to address the Hangry Preschooler's needs we looked at each other, "should we try again?" and we did. Hangry is bad. Total night and day experience. The waiter was attentive. The fries came with horseradish sauce. My burger was medium rare and there were pumpkin seeds on my salad. We also got all of our drinks at the same time, not a ten minute wait watching my husband drink all of his before mine was served, yay. Based on the last experience I would have gone with a 4 1/2 or 5 but inconsistency and a poor first experience knocks it back to a three. Maybe next year we'll give it another try and see how they do on a 2 out of 3.
(3)
Joy W.
DELICIOUS!!! We had dinner at McKay's and started off with the oysters and a round of margaritas! Both excellent-being from the midwest and only trying oysters once, I became a huge fan of oysters after having them at McKay's! My spouse had the seafood risotto which was 5stars:Local scallops and sautèed Maine shrimp over a lemon truffle risotto tossed with fresh peas, Parmesan, a touch of cream and diced tomatoes. I had the Lobster Mac and Cheese which also was 5stars: Fresh picked local lobster meat in a truffled cream sauce over cavatappi noodles & spring pea. Everything from start to finish was delicious and the outdoor seating area is perfect for a nice romantic evening! The only downside is that we didn't eat here sooner in our stay at Bar Harbor so that we could have had dinner here every night!!
(5)
Karen L.
On vacation with a party of ten we scheduled reservations for 8pm on a Wednesday night. Our table was not ready and we had to wait 40 minutes for the party using it to leave. The food after all of that, was terrible. Shepard's pie was burnt to a crisp because they ran out of potatoes. Meatloaf was burnt. The manager offered a free round of drinks which did not overcompensate for our wait, and disappointing meal.
(1)
Christina G.
The courtyard is pretty; but it was packed on the weekend, and we didn't have time to wait for a seat, so we got a table indoors. It channels pub well, with heavily curtained windows and deep hues. For me, though, all that kind of puts a damper on cool coastal breezes and sunshiney weather right outside. About 5 Maine beers on draft (though surprisingly nothing from Bar Harbor-local Atlantic Brewing). We got three dishes and shared everything. Clam Chowder: I'd been wanting to try a Northeast version of this, but hubs' opinion... "Tastes like something you can get from a can." Not wholly untrue regarding the broth. Though I will say the clam was at least plentiful! Crab Cakes: Good crab-to-breading ratio. Solid. Lobster Mac n Cheese: Not enough lobster, especially given the price. The mac was pretty good -- definitely cheesy -- but just a little lacking. Maybe a breadcrumb topping, or some herbs would jazz it up, and make it seem more of a cohesive dish, and less of a pasta with lobster sprinkled on top. All in all, average. Especially when the price is not far off from some of the fine dining experiences you can have in the area.
(3)
Michelle K.
I was here with my husband, the food and service was just awful. We sat outside , which was a very nice patio area, our table and seats were wet and there was a slug on the table. O they didn't place us on the patio, we sat in a walkway . The food was so gross, I order the falafel burger, it was hard as a rock with no taste at all. My husband ordered the curry with chicken, said it was okay, but we were over charged. we did not notice the overcharge until we got back to our hotel. Warning do not go to this place, many many other good places to eat in Bar Harbor...
(1)
Cheska R.
5 stars all around! Whenever we take a family vacation in Bar Harbor, we try to eat in here at least once. Great ambiance, service, food and drinks. It was probably a mistake dining here first on our trip, because all the cafes and restaurants we ate at after just didn't quite make it, like McKays did. It is an expensive place, but well worth the splurge. I loved the seafood risotto! It was garlicky, cheesy, and just plain comforting. Their beer selection is also quite good! I look forward to eating here every time we are in the area.
(5)
Connie C.
Awesome find! Lobster Mac and cheese, duck wontons, clam chowder, snapper special all very good. Good service, good beer selection
(5)
Dave B.
Not real impressed. I had the fish and chips and couldn't get past the deep fryer taste in the batter of the fish. The grilled cheese was extremely bland. The fries or "chips" were way overcooked. The atmosphere was very cool.
(2)
Leta D.
We went there at the beginning of the season, overall the service and food was good but ... We ordered lamb on the rack, was big mistake. Lamb was slightly cooked, we ordered it medium, it came rare, seriously rare. Asked waitress to take back to cook some more, again it came slightly cook . Other than that lamb the rest of the meal was good, better than the other places .
(3)
Erin C.
We had dinner here after going through the excellent reviews on this site, and their food was no short of excellent! I had the Jamaican Chicken Jerk which was probably the best chicken I ever had, it came with sweet potato mash which was unfortunately cold.
(4)
Jackie Z.
After a long day of hiking and eating at a few "tourist traps" we were looking for something real and good to eat. This was it. It exceeded above and beyond my expectations. The food was amazing, we had the tuna with organic veggies which was a special and the burger, one of the best burgers I've ever had. Spinach and artichoke dip is a must try. The only problem is deciding what to eat, everything on the menu looks so amazing. Service was great. Sitting outside in the garden is beautiful, however the inside is also lovely with great decor and a little more of a quiet atmosphere. Wish we knew about it sooner we would have had dinner here every night. Can't wait to come back next year!
(5)
Holly W.
We dined here both nights we were in town as we enjoyed the cozy outdoor seating (porch and patio), the low key live classical guitar music, and the elevated casual menu. We were lucky to get a solid waiter the first night, who made a great impression, but our waitress on the 2nd night was awful. The oysters were fresh and delicious. The smoked fish spread appetizer was ok. I had a juicy burger with a beet salad the first night - nothing special but well prepared and satisfying. My husband was unimpressed with the fish & chips. The 2nd night I tried the seafood risotto and my husband tried the lobster mac & cheese - both were good, not great, and had a similar preparation of sauces and garnishes. Solid beer selection.
(4)
Lisa G.
We loved this place. They had a fabulous wine special and the bottle of wine we selected was amazing and fairly priced. The service was just right. Pleasant but professional and not overbearing. We had the mussels (fabulous), stuffed flounder, (decent), duck duo (outstanding) and the kids meals of steak and hamburger were perfect (just the right portions and fantastic). There was a musician playing which was fun.
(5)
Dan K.
Really enjoyable meal. Fun and warm atmosphere! Our 14 month old loved the mac and cheese with peas!
(4)
Rebecca C.
Nice restaurant. They have beautiful outdoor seating (provide heaters in the cool, coastal air) and it's quite the atmosphere with live music playing. There's a 30 something and up kind of crowd so it's a more of a toned down vibe which is fine for a relaxing evening. The service is good as are the drinks (full bar and huge, fancy beer selection.) The food was very good and we both enjoyed our meals although the only gluten free beer they had was in a can and my husband felt it was off putting for a place of this caliber that specializes in beer. All in all it was a nice, relaxing evening.
(4)
Barbara T.
Had a poor experience here this evening. Waitress was distracted, patronizing and impatient; took a long time to get even drinks ordered (she didn't even offer us the option of a drink before she took our food order), and generally seemed to be in a huge hurry to get rid of us. I had the seafood risotto, which was very good. My husband's surf and turfy was mostly cold and the meat undercooked. He could have sent it back, but we were seated in an awful spot (wait staff constantly running by to the kitchen) that we just wanted to get out of there as soon as possible. The place is very busy and people seem to want to eat there-- the ambiance on the patio is indeed very nice-- but you can get food that is just as good or better at many other places in Bar Harbor
(2)
Joanna W.
First of all, the restaurant itself is fantastic - a whole house was converted to two-level, indoor/outdoor seating and it's gorgeous and elegant inside. Food is fantastic - my table ordered Bangers and Mash, Duck Meatloaf and the Salmon. Only complaint was that the pickled cucumbers and onions on the salmon were reeeeeally acidic and distracted from the fish, but otherwise delectable, comfortable pub food. Ended dinner with the Lemon Tart, which is topped with local Maine blueberries and delicious. Would definitely come back if I ever found myself in Bar Harbor again
(4)
Kiki K.
The Sebago red ale has shown me the light at the end of the beer tunnel, and started an obsession w/red ales. Tofu w/purple sushi rice was correct. Why does every restaurant look like someone's house? We were afraid to go in at first.
(3)
Andy G.
Simone and I went to McKays Public House on a cool fall Sunday night and arrived just after 5pm. We were greeted by an older gentlemen playing strum guitar on the porch for the dinner entertainment. It was a nice welcome to the place and we quickly decided to sit on the patio which was decorated romantically with candles on the tables and white lights along the fencing. The space heaters were on which made the whole experience very warm, cozy and comfortable. We started off with a couple of Hard Ciders and some decent but slightly cold sliced focaccia bread with herbed butter. For our entrees Simone decided on braised short ribs, unfortunately our waiter was told by the kitchen that they were not ready to be served yet so she had to change her choice. Although it was nice that the ribs didn't come out undercooked, it would have been even better if the kitchen had started them at an earlier time so that they were ready if someone ordered them. So instead Simone decided to just get a simple Duck Con fit Spring Roll appetizer and also split my Pork Taco appetizer. I felt the Duck Spring Roll was tasty but I didn't think it was any better then most Duck Spring Rolls I have had else were. Crispy on the outside and shredded duck on the inside it was moist and sweet when dipped in the Hoisin Sauce it was drizzled with. It was good but not very memorable. The Pork Tacos were much better, The Pork was braised perfectly. It was tender and well seasoned and the Cabbage Slaw that topped it was very fresh and crunchy with just a light dressing. The crumbled Conjita Cheese added just the right amount of tanginess. The Corn Tortillas were also moist and slightly sweet and mealy. They tasted like they were freshly made in the kitchen. The Pork was my favorite dish of the meal. My entree was also good but didn't knock my socks off. It was a Martini Lamb Burger with a garlicky and salty olive and sweet vermouth tapenade. I ordered my lamb medium well and it was cooked as I ordered. It had great flavor from the char broiler and tapenade but that was about it. The bun it was served on was very good with a nice buttery flavor and a soft pillow like interior. It held up well under the burger juices. The French fries on the side were okay but just your average frozen variety. We finished the meal up by splitting two desserts. One was a really good moist and warm Gingerbread cake with butterscotch, the other a brownie Sundae topped with Jack Daniels Ice Cream. The brownie in the sundae was overcooked and hard, but the Ice cream was delicious and we used the ice cream on top of the gingerbread instead. Overall some parts of the meal were very good but some were forgettable, so it probably is worth a second visit. The ambiance was also great so overall I am going to go with three stars for McKays Public House.
(3)
T P.
our last stop in bar harbor may have been the best. The seafood risotto was creamy and had tons of scallops and shrimp. The clam chowder was flavorful and well balanced. The rib eye was cooked perfectly. The atmosphere both inside and out was relaxed and inviting. And we probably had the best service of anywhere we'd been in the area - Therisa was attentive, full of great recommendations, a hit with the kids, and really cared about our experience. All around winner.
(5)
Charles H.
Will be guaranteed a great meal in a friendly atmosphere, good service. Even French fried chicken livers, my favorite, sometimes on the menu.
(5)
H. Deborah S.
My least favorite of the dining options in Bar Harbor. The oft mentioned Lobster Mac and Cheese was more like an alfredo. It was tasty, but not the knock your socks off dish I was expecting. Lamb Shepard's Pie was watery and under seasoned. After some additional seasoning at the table it was edible, but not memorable. I think the peas were garden fresh, but the carrots seemed like they ran out of fresh and used frozen which created way too much liquid in the dish. It was just watery, not saucy. The Farm Stand salad was a disaster. What a waste of good local ingredients. The squash was so bad it was all pushed aside. The dressing was tasty, but the spinach was lifeless. So many people recommended this place to us. I am wondering if we hit it on a bad night. I did like the cake on the Upside down Apple Cake. It was the tastiest thing all night. Blue Berry pie was microwaved. Why, oh why do they nuke berry pies. It just kills the crust. Disappointing.
(2)
Tree T.
Loved it. Beautiful patio with charming tables and lights. We came twice and got lots of vegan options - they have this fantastic mushroom/spinach/potato dish, a great falafel burger and a vegan curry dish.
(5)
Ashley S.
We have been here all week and heard wonderful things about McKays. It was the worst food and by far the worst service we have had here. We were seated quickly with then about a 5 minute wait before drinks were ordered. After they were, it was at least another 8-10 before 3 waters and 1 wine were brought. Dinner didn't take too horribly long (hubby got Lobster Mac and said it was good, kids had mac and noodles-they were very bland, and I had petite burger and beet salad-salad was great, burger was yuck-no flavor at all). We had finished dinner with no drink refills or checks and were waiting on a surprise cake for a birthday celebration. 15 minutes after we finished she came to check on us but some whiney children made it impossible to stay longer. We left without the dessert. I don't know if we went on an unusually busy night or what, but we won't be going back.
(1)
Alex D.
Muscles were good but the fries were undercooked. The bartender was great and made us feel at home. I would return and would consider the other options on the menu as all the food that passed by us smelled great. Location is great.
(3)
W D.
Our first meal here was good. Second visit not so much. Staff is friendly, but could not makeup for the inconsistent kitchen. Sit outside if you can, gets stuffy and loud inside.
(3)
Mark B.
My top pick in Bar Harbor itself. Great menu and great atmosphere. We ate on the late side and they offered us our own private room. Unexpected surprise. I had the Asian Pork Spare Ribs which were very tasty. Wife and daughter had the Lobster Mac & Cheese, which they gave rave reviews. This is different than just throwing some lobster on top of mac & cheese, they infuse the mac & cheese with lobster flavor, likley using broth. Tasty stuff. Bar menu was fantastic. My wife had a gin & tonic. Server suggested trying an organic tonic rather than the Schweppes in a bottle that most use. Nice flavors, original and refreshing.
(5)
Katie F.
This place is soo charming. I definitely expected more of a pub vibe from this place but instead it was very warm and cozy and relatively upscale. My boyfriend and I came here late on a Friday night and were seated in upstairs off in a private one-table room which was very romantic and quiet. We started off with the Brie baked in phyllo dough appetizer which was amazing. I loved the garlic flavors (instead of fruit compotes I often see with Brie). I also had the Roast Chicken special with corn bread stuffing and pancetta -- it was just ok...but I think I just expected "wow" which I probably should have known better when ordering chicken. As other reviewers said, the blueberry pie was very good. I was a little disappointed it isn't made in house while some of the other desserts were. Overall I'd say this place gets 3.5 stars from me. I rounded it up because I think the food and environment really is perfect for Bar Habor in autumn.
(4)
L K.
Old victorian house turned into a restaurant, this makes for great ambience. Al Fresco dining in a nice garden atmosphere. Service is professional and the food ingredients fresh with an interesting menu. Fair value. Will go here again when in BH.
(4)
Sally B.
Disappointing evening at Mckays on Tuesday night. It was my recommendation as I've had good experiences here, I know it's favored by the locals and generally the food has been pretty good on earlier visits. I brought two of my colleagues here, one of whom had never been to Bar Harbor. I ordered the clam chowder and the wings, one of my colleagues had the lobster Mac and cheese, and my other colleague had the wild mushroom crostini. She found a hair....a long hair in her crostini. Yah, no problem. This sometimes happens. It's bound to. But how the server reacts is going to be important. We told him....he was...not dismissive, but almost nonchalant or awkward as to how to react. He said..."oh" and took the dish. He replaced it with what I hoped very much was a new dish, but absolutely no apology. And he didn't comp anything at all. This is bad business in my book. Had he apologized, comped her dish or our drinks, I would not be writing this review.
(2)
Denise M.
Much more upscale than the description of "pub food" would suggest. The potato leek soup was fantastic, as were our entrees of lobster Mac n' cheese and seafood risotto. The herbed bread with herbed butter served while we waited was also very very good.
(5)
Matthew H.
It took twice as long to be seated as promised. Service was pleasant but horribly slow. Good selection is mediocre and much like an upgraded TGIF. Compared to other restaurants on MDI, this one is better left untouched.
(2)
Kylie D.
The best thing about McKays is that most undiscerning tourists will overlook it. I admit that I never recommend it to casual travelers or people who won't really appreciate it. Gotta keep that riff raff away! If you are riff raff and you're reading this (you know who you are: sandals and socks, hawaiian shirt, camera around your neck, asking why it's called Mt. Desert) please go to the Thirsty Whale. Sitting outside in the summer is absolutely glorious. You're far enough away from the Green to enjoy some privacy and they even have heat lamps when evenings get a bit chillier. The entire inside space is warm, dimly lit and inviting. The bar area is small, but friendly. I always end up meeting nice people - whether from away or local - at McKays' bar. The food isn't knock-your-socks-off spectacular, but if you stick to the basics and specials, it won't disappoint. There are some great, reasonably priced entrees, a good beer and spirits selection and good service. The last time I was there I enjoyed a salad made with great local produce. I wanted to like the shepard's pie, but I just couldn't. The seafood risotto was delicious. This is also a great place to just go and have a few drinks, so do it!
(4)
Geula F.
Check Tim F.'s review for the full scoop! This place is amazing! Great with kids, fantastic food and service. The lobster mac and cheese is unreal, actually had it twice. Just ask them to leave out those peas....
(5)
Lisa L.
Wow, what a nice place. Even after having read the reviews, I expected this to be just a nice gastropub. But it's really a delightful garden restaurant with a small indoor pub and restaurant attached. The menu is full of fresh and innovative choices. I had trouble deciding, but our server did his best to help. I ended up with pasta pockets (I forget the name) filled with mushrooms and served with a creamy sauce with peas and cherries. Yes, cherries. A bit of sweet with the salty that was delish. My caesar salad was good and fresh. Husband's "regular" salad was great, as was his petit filet. Oh wow, I nearly forgot about the blueberry pie - fresh, homemade and delicious. The garden atmosphere was gorgeous, and the guitar player added a nice touch. Prices were reasonable, especially for what we got. Highly recommended for date night, even if your date is lasting the week like ours!
(5)
sarah r.
My husband and I ate here after we went to Acadia and I'm glad we did. It's really charming inside and the food is great. I had the lobster mac and cheese which was awesome and loaded with lobster and my husband had braised short ribs which were also delicious. They also have a great beer menu with local beers :) I would definitely come back here
(4)
Laura K.
The atmosphere is amazing . Very warm and cozy in an old Victorian house . Great beer selection . Food average - It is upscale pub food. I ordered the crab cakes which were way to salted but my husband had a great meal
(3)
Victoria M.
We got into Bar Harbor a little later than planned so there were few places to choose from for dinner. Fortunately, I had already looked up McKay's so we headed that way. Late on a weekday it was pretty slow so we got seated right away. The restaurant looked like house with a nice outdoor seating area. It was a little chilly, so we opted for inside. Service was nice and pleasant. Decor was pretty traditional, but relatively cozy. The food was pretty good, but nothing that would have you talking about it the next day. Duck confit wontons - a pretty stack of crispy fried wontons with duck confit, pickled cabbage, scallion cream, and hoisin. Duck was tender, wontons crispy, cabbage tangy, hoisin sweet, scallion cream... creamy :) Lobster mac n cheese - not really what I was thinking I was getting. More like, lobster and cavitappi in a light cheese sauce. Didn't have any of that crazy artery clogging creamy thick sauce that I was thinking about... that I kinda wanted. Still, it was quite good. Pasta had nice texture, lobster was cooked well, and the truffle was not overpowering. Grilled rack of lamb - a good rack of lamb, but otherwise pretty non-descript. We got a pumpkin chocolate pie of some sort for dessert. The pumpkin part was good, but the chocolate was way too much for us. McKay's is a good place to go later in the evening in the area, especially since it seems the rest of that part of the street shuts down pretty early. Nothing wrong with anything here, but just not memorable enough to be a destination on it's own.
(3)
Bruce B.
What a great interior we went for New Years Eve and they had the space decorated well without being overwhelming. When we walked in (without a reservation) we were quickly seated by the host who wasn't sure if the table he was seating us at would be available. Food was pretty average. Salads, fillet of sole and short ribs. Nothing to rock your socks off. Good drink selections. Service was pretty solid.
Local seafood creatively prepared with generous portions. My halibut was huge but cooked to perfection. My wife had the fish (single, more than 10 inch piece) and chips which was not greasy. Absolutely a must to return to but alas we are already home.
(5)
Grace P.
We made reservations in advance at home (Maryland) because we saw great reviews on Yelp and we really wanted to come here when we visited Bar Harbor for a family vacation. The food was unimpressive and the service was really disappointing. My dad had a bad lobster and when he let our waitress know--she blamed it on the lobster being "soft-shelled", when in fact it was simply a bad lobster. Later on she admitted, after my dad complained that soft-shelled lobsters should not have weird consistency of meat, that MAYBE the lobster was undercooked. If she had just admitted that the lobster was indeed bad, my dad wouldn't have been upset. But instead she was trying to make him out to be a fool. Also, my risotto was undercooked. The food is edible. They take reservations. That's it. We're never coming back here.
(2)
Cristina G.
Stopped here for a quick drink and ended up eating a small dinner after a late lunch. Great wine selection at the bar. We had the clam chowder (or course) and a nice blue cheese salad that did us in for the rest of the evening. Everything was quite tasty but nothing to scream home about. The decor.....there are two levels to this restaurant with a bar on each level. We chose the upstairs bar since it was a bit more quiet. McKay's has a great outdoor seating area what if the weather was a tad warmer, we would have enjoyed. All in all, a good place to stop.
(3)
Brian G.
Solid food selection. Beer selection is stellar... especially if you like it hoppy. Ambiance is great, a good variety of settings both inside and out. Outside was done well with the lighting. Our crab cakes were very fresh. Everything tasted good, salad presentation was lacking .
(4)
Johnny G.
This was my favorite place of the places we had dinner in Bar Harbor (The others were Gaylan's and Poor Boy's). From the host and hostesses to the server, everyone was genuinely friendly. The beer list was populated with local choices and the food was quite good. We had the lobster mac n cheese and a special of flank steak and sausage for our entrees. The highlight of the meal was our appetizer, which is in no way a know on the entrees. I always see soft pretzels on pub menus and give it a try as a nod to childhood baseball games or because of some other deep-seeded psychological bs. McKays is the first and only pub to ever get these pretzels right. They were soft, chewy, and buttery. The only knock on the dish would be that we had to ration the beer cheese sause so we did not run out. Give this place a chance next time you are in Bar Harbor.
(4)
Sean M.
This place is awesome. They have a beer selection that a beer nerd can appreciate, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming and their menu is absolutely mmmmmmm. You can order anything, it will be amazing, close your eyes and point and pray you don't land on a $50 special. The staff and manager take their jobs very seriously, but have a fun time doing it. You should however expect to spend a bit more as this place is generally pricey, and in exchange you will see zero sacrifice in quality.
(5)
Sarah C.
Excellent food, service and atmosphere. Sit outside if you can, the heaters take the Maine chill away and let you experience the fresh air. I'll be back soon!
(5)
Jacqueline L.
I was up in Maine for a long weekend and was staying in Bar Harbor. The hotel I stayed in gave me a card for 10% off at McKays which happened to be directly next to the hotel, so the boyfriend and I decided to give it a try for dinner. Bar Harbor is pretty relaxed during the beginning of May, not truly picking up until Memorial Day as most beach towns do. We had a great dinner though! The place has a very homey feel, a bit dark, but it fit the atmosphere great. We had an arugula salad which was on special. Nothing crazy, just arugula, carrots, and a few other veggies, but they threw a chipotle dressing on top so it was great. Plus I love arugula so it was a win! I had the lobster mac and cheese for dinner and my boyfriend had the seafood chowder and mussels. Everything was great. The mac and cheese had a whole lobster in it, and the whole dish was so creamy and delicious I was a happy camper! The service was great, I had a great wine recommended to me to go with my meal and it blended very well. Definitely recommend this spot for people travelling to Bar Harbor!
(4)
John M.
Reasonably priced, well prepared quality food with attentive service. Stopped for an early dinner for four - the cheese platter appetizer was spectacular, and the pretzels were a close second. Our entrees and desserts were also quite good. On a nice day, be sure to eat outside!
(4)
Michelle F.
I had high expectations given 4 star reviews on yelp. Waitress says everything is delicious.... Not. I had Atlantic salmon, dry and inedible. Informed them, and they just said oh, sorry, still charged me and then wanted me to order dessert ... Not on them. Companion had braised short ribs... Slow cooked. Also dry and barely edible. Seriously, don't go here. They are lucky I gave two stars. I am not that picky either, so spend your money elsewhere. No where close to four stars, even cold bread and butter.
(2)
Sue S.
The garden and music are lovely. But that was the extent of the positive exerience. Our server was charmless and barely had time to stop at our table. The crab cakes were heavily fried and bready, the Caesar salad had no dressing, and the mashed potatoes were obviously from a box. Blech. Can't believe we spent $70 on this meal. Go somewhere else!
(1)
Clint W.
Been here two times with two completely different experiences. First time was amazing service and even more amazing food. Second time was a complete train wreck of waitress neglect and cold food. Definitely one of the better places in Bar Harbor.
(3)
Roger S.
Unexpected find with great results. We tried a couple other places in the area and found McKays to be a great find. Warm dark wood interior upstairs and very inviting staff. The traditional shepherd's pie with lamb in an iron skillet was fantastic. Wine and dessert choices were excellent as well. When back in the vacation area, we look forward to returning!
(4)
Anna S.
Really great place. It's very cute and the food is great. We sat outside, which was warm and had lights strung all over, as well as a musician playing good music. Definitely my favorite restaurant in Bar Harbor so far.
(5)
Kayla B.
The boyfriend and I spent the weekend in Acadia National Park and popped into Bar Harbor on Saturday evening for dinner. We ended up at McKays thanks to the Yelp app. The place was super busy. We got there at 6 and were told they wouldn't have a table until 8. The proprietor, Brian, seemed a bit overwhelmed, but he was nice and friendly. We wandered around the shops nearby until our table was ready. We were promptly seated at 8 pm at a small table upstairs. The restaurant is very cute, as its actually a converted house (that seems to be a thing in Bar Harbor that I haven't experienced elsewhere). We started out with the local cider that McKays offers (has on tap?). The boyfriend thought it was a little bitter, but I like bitter cider, so I thought it was fantastic. We then followed with soup. Boyfriend got the clam chowder, which was of thinner consistency than he expected, but had huge chunks of clam in it. He was quite happy. I got the soup of the day, a parsnip and fennel bisque. This bisque is what rounded McKays up to a five star rating. It is, hands down, the best soup I've ever tasted. Part of me wanted to ask them if they'd sell me a whole pot to take back to Boston. I could have eaten this peppery bowl of deliciousness for every meal and never gotten tired of it. If you like soup and you like peppery flavors, get this soup. Just trust me. For dinner the boyfriend got fish and chips and I got the macaroni skillet. He said the fish was good, a bit tough, but mused that it was probably because it was "real fish" and so it was less rubbery. The chips were a standard good restaurant french fry (I can attest to this because I ate half of them). The macaroni skillet, which included a variety of vegetables, was good. It wasn't mind blowing, but I'm a mac n cheese snob and I enjoyed it. The sauce was very creamy and it was an enjoyable dish. Our waiter (whose name escapes me) was nice and attentive all evening, and the hostess was lovely as well. Nothing but praise for the service at McKays. Also, the price was very reasonable; two drinks, two appetizers, and two entrees came out to $55 after tax. At a restaurant like McKays in Boston, the two entrees would be more than that. TLDR; Delicious meal in a nice atmosphere at a great price. If I'm ever up in that area again I'll be sure to stop at McKays.
(5)
Melissa R.
Excellent fish n chips and seafood risotto. Great beer selection and priced fairly. My one grievance was the taco appetizer (pulled pork & shrimp) - the pulled pork needed more oomph and I was not a fan of the corn tortillas - they were dry and did not really work with the flavors.
(4)
C L.
Great food, excellent service - what a treat!
(5)
Shaggy L.
Not a place to be when you are hungry. Service is bad and food is below average.
(2)
Thomas K.
Love this place! Lobster Mac!!!
(5)
Jeremy W.
Lobster Mac was good, lots of meat in it. Nice place for a date night. They are ok with the pup tagging along, but do them a favor and leave them at home.
(3)
Joey M.
Had the pub fare and a good draft! Highly recommend the bangers and mash or the fish and chips. Sit on the porch!!! Top notch!
(5)
Michael S.
The staff at Moron's Moo in Ellsworth suggested McKays for a great meal and it did not disappoint! Two of us decided to have the house salad with local kale, greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers and added lobster on top - home run! Two others had two of the other salads...also with lobster. We shared a half/appetizer potion of the lobster mac-and-cheese. It was rich and creamy with lobster, aged parmesan and hint of truffle oil. it was the perfect end to a wonderful meal! (You CAN easily get it as a 1/2 portion instead of dinner). And the wines were varied, well stocked and a good value. Between July 4 and Labor Day, you must make reservations (at least the day of, if not earlier).
(4)
Steve L.
Great lobster dinner, portabello piccata, marinated beet salad and Maine stoudt beer. Our server did a great job with lobster cracking training too and we heard some great fingerstyle guitar stylings from Bob Bowman!
(5)
Dan D.
Mckays committed three restaurant sins last night. Apart from the drearily long wait time (which seems to be the norm in New England), McKays served bangers and mash that our party guest described as the least flavorful version she's ever had, two pub burgers ordered medium and medium rare were served raw in the center and blue (seared on the outside raw inside) respectively, and finally, in attempt to mend their sins, the one burger, which was so underdone as to make it a public health hazard, was sent back where the chef cooked the hell out of it (already cut in half), and delivered the same burger back on the same plate only instead of being underdone, this one was now cheeseless, dry as a bone, and lacking any semblance of flavor. Perhaps this atrocity would have been forgiven if the management had apologized or comped one of the dinner items, but they didn't which is why McKay's gets a 1 star review from us. If you have a hankering for E. coli, check this place out!
(1)
Ian M.
We spent the night at Bar Harbor on our way to Acadia, and picked McKays on the strength of the Yelp reviews. Absolutely fantastic meal; pleasant atmosphere (a repurposed victorian-ish home), friendly staff, good wine list, great menu - literally everything on both the normal and the daily menus sounded great. Crabcake appetizer was more interesting than I expected - a good amount of spicy came from the ancho chilies, and the pink goop underneath (red pepper aioli, maybe?) was a nice contrast. I had the lobster mac and cheese (gruyere, peas, lots of lobster) and my wife had the fresh halibut special. The halibut deserves it's own paragraph- it was far and away the best part of the meal. Three good sized and perfectly-cooked steaks, served on a bed of mashed potatoes (flavored, I think, with beer!) and topped with a fruit salsa (strawberries, mandarin oranges, chili pepper, cilantro) that was fantastic. The front-of-house guy came by during the meal, and proudly showed us a picture of the fisherman holding a 5-foot-long halibut, caught this morning, from which my wife's meal was ostensibly taken. Eat here.
(5)
Steve M.
I love this place. They have classy comfort food that is always unique and fresh. I also love their beer menu. It isn't huge but you can see that it was carefully crafted. To top it off McKays has great outdoor seating and cosy indoor seating. All this at a pretty reasonably price.
(5)
Rob L.
My wife and I ate here on the second night of our trip to MDI, and we liked it quite a bit. They had a good wine list and selection of local beers on tap while we sat in the bar waiting for our table (only about a 20 minute wait around 8pm on a Tuesday night in late July). We had a salad and the mussels appetizer, which was really good. It had bleu cheese in the wine broth, which created an interesting flavor dimension. I was kind of boring and got the pub burger, but she got the lobster mac & cheese, and it was as good as advertised. It's more of a cream sauce than a real cheese sauce, but wow... I stole quite a few bites, and it's not normally the kind of dish I would get. If we go back I would probably get it myself.
(4)
Laura O.
McKays has reliably good food at reasonable prices. We ate there again on a recent trip to BH and had very good service and a nice meal. I tried the shepherds pie this time and really enjoyed it. My husband's duck, however, was quite tough or I would have given a higher rating. Good beer selection.
(3)
Scott D.
Excellent service, and very well prepared food, we had the pork short rib, bistro steak and the pub burger all very tasty, only miscue, the sauce on the short rib was soy heavy and it ran over to the rice and made it salty, the un soy-Ed rice was really subtle and delicious. We also had the beet salad, also quite good, but it was really a baby spinach salad with some beets.
(4)
Lisa M. K.
McKays was one of those places that just has my name written all over it. Cool pub in a pleasantly refurbished house, cozy feeling, nice location and yummy menu with many items I swore were tailor-made to my tastes. There was a solid wine/beer selection and I ordered some perfect prosecco and was on my way. You know a place is up your alley when you are agonizing over whether to get one of the two perfectly delicious sounding soups of the day or the appetizer special (I went with the appetizer special and was not in the least bit disappointed - tuna tartare with avocado in a sriracha based sauce. I could have eaten two of them, they were so good). Everyone really enjoyed their entres - the fish and chips were a tremendous portion and was quite tasty. Others at the table had the shrimp tacos which they said were good too. I got the portobello picatta which was... perplexing. I understand that it was their "take" on picatta but wasn't quite picatta to me. The encrusted mushroom tasted great but, except for some capers, it didn't taste like picatta at all. I could not taste any lemon and it was in more of a creamy parsley sauce. It was good just not what I was expecting (which was, um, picatta). Service was excellent all evening. Despite my curious entre, we had a great meal there and I'd definitely return next time I am in Bar Harbor. Next time I'll try the Sacchetti pasta. And I hope that tuna special is on the menu again... (drool!)
(4)
Heather D.
We experienced very poor, slow service! Had to ask 2 other servers for our check! Pork and steak were overcooked. Our least favorite place to eat!
(2)
Michael C.
I liked this place. The Salmon was delicious. So was the Seafood Risotto. Well worth it. Cheers!
(5)
Robert F.
Lovely setting but service was dreadfully slow on a recent busy Friday night. Seriously detracted from what would otherwise have been a nice dinner.
(2)
Michael Y.
One of the best dinner we had in BH. Lovely patio seating. Grilled avocado salad was excellent. Mussels were delicious. Had the duck -- tender and juicy. Wife had seafood risotto which she said was a bit heavy. Not your typical hot dog, burger kids menu. Our younger one had the petite steak which he liked. Older one ordered bangers and mash off regular menu and polished off more than half. Would go again next time we visit BH.
(4)
Sean H.
We decided on this restaurant which is really more high brow than a typical pub. I had the LOBSTER MAC AND CHEESE and was BLOWN AWAY. Loved it! It was more like an Alfredo than a mac and cheese. Either way it was delicious and not overly rich. I still dream about it. My bf had the seafood etoufee and while it was mild in spice it was full of fresh and delicious seafood. The drinks were hit or miss. I had the cucumber martini which was meh. My bf had the Maine blueberry spritzer which was blueberry vodka, Grown Up Soda [GUS], finished with fresh blueberries. It was awesome. I had to order one of those. It was that good. The service was excellent and un-intrusive. We dined outside and had a great table. The inside of the restaurant was interesting and very Victorian and worth a look see. I highly recommend this restaurant if you're ever in the Bar Harbor / Acadia area.
(5)
Marc B.
We had the duck and Cornish Game Hen. Both were cooked to perfection. The sauce on the duck was just a touch watery, but we got there just at opening at the sauce may not have firmed up completely. The duck was on the daily specials, so it may not be there everyday, but the food was excellent, the bar stocked a good selection of wine and local beers. Look for great service and if the weather is nice, sit in the patio for a wonderful experience.
(4)
Laurie C.
Stopped in for some light pub fare, atmosphere is very nice....outdoor dining under twinkling lights, food was good but the service was awful! Others have posted slow service but our waitress was downright rude! Not worth a return trip...go to cherrystones instead...comparable food and atmosphere but service is much better
(2)
Sara P.
My husband and I went here based on a recommendation from a friend. It was delicious! We split the pork tacos and the seafood risotto and really liked both of the dishes. The wine list was good and they had one wine as a special that was excellent. The service was great and we loved the live music and overall ambiance. A great first night in Bar Harbor!
(4)
Jen S.
I'm in it for the food, so complaints about bad service rarely deter me. Let my advice deter you, though; these people are rude and generally nutty. Although this is an upscale pub, it's really not nice enough to account for the snootiness we got from the hostess, who acted like this was some sort of an invite-only situation and that we were so unworthy that it was unclear if there'd ever be a free table. So we took a seat at the bar, upon our own suggestion. Then the bartender was equally bizarre, bad-mouthing another server behind her back, in plain earshot of at least two-dozen customers, being passive-aggressive with waitresses trying to get change and then carrying on about some patrons who had wanted to carry their tab to their table. Then when we were seated (by the woman who was bad-mouthed), I started to sympathize with the bartender because this chic was in fact worthy of the unkind words that had been uttered behind the bar. She was so annoying, I can't even tell you. Nice, but totally ridiculous, attempting to tell jokes about how she was going to stalk us (you don't get it? Neither do we), and she would not relent, interrupting us in mid-conversation, over, and over, and over. The food wasn't bad, but it wasn't very good either. Nothing too memorable beyond the awful cast of characters they've got working there.
(1)
Gary H.
I saw good reviews on YELP.com and decided to give McKay's a try for dinner on a Friday night. The place was full at 7pm so my wife & I had to sit on the porch. We were assured the heater in the cover porch kept it warm. The waitress was overly optimistic in her responses to us. After awhile my wife was ready to punch her perkyness, it was way over done. Appetisers & drinks came reasonably timely. The brie was good, my side of vegetables was small, under cooked & the maple glaze was non-existent. The meal was extremely slow in coming. So slow I ordered a second drink, one is my usual limit but my little buss was wearing off. I was starting to wonder if the kitchen had forgotten our order. When the food finally did come I was starting to loose feeling in my toes from the cold. My wife's brased short ribs were charred black with minimal baked beans as the side. My seafood bouillabaisse was good but by that time my disappointment in the service tainted any pleasure I could get from the food. I am extremely disappointed in the sevice and food we received at McKay's Public House. I would say try a different restaurant in Bar Harbor but the charm has worn off. It is a town where the cruise ships dock, tourist flock (I am one of them) and they are trying to cram 10 pounds of crap in a 5 pound bag. Too much demand and not enough supply. The customers suffer. If you are thinking of coming to Maine I suggest going to Booth Bay Harbor, it has great food and still has some Maine small town charm.
(2)
Ryan V.
Loved. It. Hands down the best meal we had on vacation in Bar Harbor. The Asian Pork Spare Ribs were amazing, especially with the sesame bacon (yes, it's as good as it sounds). The risotto was great as well, if a little wet. Our server was always around for questions or suggestions, but never pushy or rushed. The restaurant itself is dark and full of great spaces. You're never crammed in a large room, feeling like you're dining with a dozen other people. The beer and wine selections are small but well chosen and the staff are happy to suggest a choice based on your tastes or meal. Highly recommend dining with McKay's.
We picked McKays for a party of six based on the Yelp reviews. When we arrived, they had just seated to large parties and had told members of our party that it might be an hour, but let them see what they could do. Within 10 minutes they were back, having rearranged some tables upstairs for us to fit us in. The staff was lovely and the food was good. The Maine Shrimp tacos were just different enough to satisfy my taste, while my MIL raved about her steak. The Jamaican Jerk Chicken and even the burgers also got good reviews from the rest of the party. Overall, a nice dining experience with a wide-range of priced options. Something for everyone in our party!
(4)
Erica C.
My family went went here a few nights ago and had an amazing dinner. We have been taking long weekend trips to Bar Harbor since I was about 10 (I'm now 28) and were in a restaurant rut, so I found this place on yelp. We loved everything. Awesome service, friendly staff, excellent food, excellent wine and beer list. They had a German beer I just had in Munich and haven't been able to find anywhere, which made me super excited (Shneider Weiss). My dad, a wine snob, was very happy with their decently priced, well selected menu. He even told the waiter. The decor inside is very cozy and the outdoor patio area is also beautiful. We split a special scallop appetizer as well as the mussels and both were tasty and cooked to perfection. I split the seafood risotto and lobster mac and cheese with my husband and both were to die for. So creamy and well flavored. Looking forward to going back next year!
(5)
Kim Z.
It was a nice place to get a meal late in the evening. Bartender was great while we waited. Had small plates as it was late. Food was good. Service good. Would go back!
(4)
Tina D.
Service is o.k, food was o.k. Has the lobster Mac and cheese, it was good, not awesome. Nice atmosphere.
(3)
Kyle B.
Absolutely top notch food, atmosphere, and drink offerrings. The staff was extremely friendly. We had a short wait, during which we got drinks at the bar. When our table was ready, the manager politely came and found us personally to escort us to our table. The food was off the charts good - lobster, haddock, cheese plate, and best of all - Fresh maine blueberry pie for dessert. This place will not disappoint.
(5)
K L.
Food was okay and service was okay. It took them a little while to get us seated, but all is said and done we enjoyed our experience.
(3)
Jen L.
Best meal of our trip, and perhaps the best vegetarian dish I've ever had (Portobello Piccata). As a meat lover, I hesitated before I ordered it, but WOW!!! SOOOO good. My friends meals were also pretty great, and our server was friendly. Sitting outside on a cool Bar Harbor evening was a real treat.
(5)
Dixi S.
The place is nice. But, the food was only okay. I had the arctic char which was on the daily specials list. The fish was pan seared and came with potatoes and sprouts. The veggies were fried (or "pan seared"). Everything on my plate was just a bit greasy.
(3)
John B.
Great beer selection. I had roasted avocado salad in was very good. We ate outside beautiful patio
(4)
Andrew H.
We were seated outside in the garden seating area which is beautiful. There was a very talented guy playing jazz on acoustic guitar which only added to the ambiance. Good beer selection with some stuff you usually don't find in tourist havens. Appetizers were average - nothing to note. My main course was terrible. I got the ettoufee (sp?). Watery sauce with some shrimp and clams thrown in and no vegetables. It looked and tasted very sad. Everybody that got bar food was happy so I'd stick with the other reviewers and go that route. Service was very slow. Had to chase the waiter for our check. Would definitely go back for a burger.....
(3)
Scott B.
Went to McKay's on a busy Labor Day Sunday. Didn't have a reservation but was seated on the porch by the friendly hostess. Had the spinach and artichoke dip on a tip from a fellow Yelper. It was fantastic and definitely house made, just like the fresh and wonderful chips. I had the jerk chicken for dinner. Juicy, perfectly cooked, spicy but not too much. My daughter had the half rack of lamb and the portion was perfect. All in all, a wonderful meal, great service, and a nice setting. Definitely recommended!
(5)
Meg M.
LOVE! great little place of the path! went on Saturday during 4th of July weekend in the mid-afternoon and sat at the bar. they have happy hour which was priced great and apps were priced happy-hour style as well!!! The bartender was great as well! I would recommend this place as a must stop! Service and food was great!
(5)
Shaun-Mathieu S.
After an evening of axe throwing and lumberjacking (and yes, I mean that literally - feel free to ask me privately), my female companions and I were ravenous with a hunger that only freshly sawed wood can conjure. Our reservations that night were at McKays. As my party entered the quaint house, we were led up the polished balustrade to the second floor. A large, spacious upstairs dining room was set aside just for us revelers. Here's what I had: Bosler Pinot Noir - I usually detest wines from Chile, but this Pinot was perfectly subtle and rich. I was only going to have one glass, but I got two. Like liquid organza, it flowed down one's throat with a luxurious stealth. Fish and Chips - A large piece of fluffy haddock, surrounded by his French Fry parishoners. Beer battered, and much more filling than it looks. Highly appetizing, it came with a very palatable tartar sauce. They open daily at 4:30 in the afternoon, and provide entertainment on certain evenings. Our server took care of us expertly, and considering we were a party of eighteen, that deserves an applause. Would love to come back here and try their Bistro Steak.
(4)
Bill M.
Good for what it is... but like a lot of things (people) in Bar Harbor - this place thinks it's something it's not. A bit snooty in decor and attitude for a place that does decent bar food. Stick with the basics and you will be fine... but if you venture into the "gourmet" side of the menu you will be disappointed. I had a pretty good $9 burger - wife had a very lack luster lobster mac and cheese that should have been so much more at $25... don't mind paying that price if it's worth it... this was just pasta with cheese and lobster meat mixed in. No crispy top, no exciting pasta and creamy sauce... just Kraft with bits of lobster... blurg...
(3)
Mike K.
Had dinner here last night...cool setting, two story house with porch and outdoor seating. Bars on the first and second floor with a good selection of beers. McKays salad was very good as was the lobster Mac and cheese. The Asian pork short rib was average. Overall not a bad spot.
(3)
Jordan V.
if you sit at the bar at mckay's you will get that old timey feeling when people went out and actually had an extraordinarily pleasant time talking to the other people inhabiting the same public space. in our case, that was a pharmaceutical researcher, a man i'm pretty sure was a CIA agent, and a dude who, randomly, went to the same high school as me (uh, in dana point, california) and was travelling the states in an rv with his girlfriend. many months later, it is this conversation at this place that i remember most about our trip. go here, drink craft beer, eat delicious and comforting food and most importantly, talk to others!
(4)
Brian C.
Awesome lobster mac and cheese. The torrontes went great with it, too. Salad was creative, and featured candied apricots and goat cheese. Great ambiance in the restaurant, and excellent service.
(4)
david g.
Best nice meal we had in bar harbor, hands down. Very romantic atmosphere, but good for casual and families too. (I know that sounds odd, but it's actually true!) Great mussels, and the picata portobello was to die for!
(5)
C D.
Dined there last Friday night and I usually expect restaurants at this price range to bring their A game, especially on a weekend night. We have dined here before and usually find it satisfactory. We have not yet enjoyed the momentous entrees that justifies a 4 or 5-star rating, as some reviewers have suggested, but the food is usually a positive experience. As you may have guessed, tonight was not an A-game evening. The food was generally uninspiring. My daughter ordered the shrimp tacos, but later confessed that she ate the first out of hunger, but after this primal urge had subsided, the second taco did not cultivate any further appetite. My wife ordered some short-rib sliders that she seemed to enjoy, but without any fanfare. The big fail appeared to be in the food preparation. My daughter's chowder arrived cold. Not to beat a dead horse, but it was also not very tasty and devoid of clam flavor. My wife and daughter felt it had a chicken broth flavor; my impression was that it tasted cheesy. We all agreed on cold though. Although the cold chowder might be blamed on the waitress or the kitchen, the issue was clarified by my lamb shank entree. Lamb shanks take some time to prepare, so I was not surprised (and ultimately grateful) that the lamb was precooked. I was surprised, however, that reheating it fully was considered optional. The surface temperature was warm(ish), however, when I sliced to the deeper muscle, it was clearly refrigerator cold. Fortunately, it was thoroughly cooked, so the experience was not unlike eating a midnight snack at home by refrigerator light. I will note that we passed on the generous invitations to heat our food, which I guess wasn't a sufficiently clear expectation when we ordered it. In the case of the chowder, it frankly wasn't good enough to reheat. By the time I needed to point out the cold lamb shank, I was feeling wary about sending my food back to the kitchen on the heels of multiple complaints. To be fair, and perhaps I'm missing the point; since McKays promotes itself as pub food, perhaps this was an authentic take on the low-rent backstreet genre, complete with unheated food. When I asked if there was an issue in the kitchen, the waitress replied "Let's not go there." Maybe this was advice we should have been given before we chose McKays. We also overheard her telling an adjacent table that they were working out some issues in the kitchen and a suggestion that the issue was some new kitchen staff. Perhaps...but at these prices, trainees should be restricted from prime time and confined to the lunch shift.
(2)
Jeremy J.
YUM. We stopped by McKays our first night in town, and it was definitely one of the highlights. I had one of the specials - an organic pork chop with a black cherry reduction - and my wife had the rack of lamb. Both were absolutely delicious, and we're picky eaters. It came out to around $100 for the two of us with a decent bottle of wine. We tried a different restaurant every meal while we were there, but every night it was a struggle to make ourselves try something unknown when we knew there was such a great meal waiting for us at McKays. Definitely one of the top two restaurants we visited there.
(5)
Hilga J.
Yes. This is where we ended up after walking out of Chowdahs. So so so happy we did. We didn't have reservations, but the hostess gladly offered us seats upstairs. The lighting in that place is awesome; it totally put me at ease. Our waiter was warm AND professional. Clam chowder was the best we've had on the island ($7). It was mostly heavy cream, potatoes, and clams. Husband had the maple shortribs special ($22) which were awesome, but his "sauteed greens" turned out to be ONE (1) small leaf of Swiss chard. I had to laugh, but honestly, that's why my 4.5 stars got rounded down and not up. I had the fish and chips ($12) off the "Pub Fare" section of the menu, which included their less-adventurous, less-expensive options. It was fish and chips: a pile of probably previously frozen fries and a huge haddock fillet in a very light and crispy batter. Good tartar sauce. Overall, they have an ideal menu: interesting, unusual specials, fairly-priced standard fare, and badass chowder.
(4)
Joe D.
I felt the lobster Mac and cheese was ok. I preferred the lobster roll at Side Street Cafe.
(3)
Robin B.
Really enjoyed the meal, we dined on duck breast and game hen. However, I would have thickened the orange sauce into a demi-glaze for the duck so that it could be enjoyed with every bite. The service and atmosphere were very nice as well we sat on the patio :).
(4)
Brian R.
Better for lunch than dinner. Good beer selection, casual atmosphere.
(3)
Renee M.
We chose McKays based on reviews. We arrived just after 7 pm and were seated promptly by a polite host. It was all down hill from there. We waited about 10 minutes for our server, who 'welcomed' us by telling us how busy he was. We ordered our wine and meal... Then sat for the next hour. I spotted the host and asked for another glass of wine, since we could not find our waiter. Our waiter delivered my wine- set it down on the table w out saying a word. Over the hour wait, the table to our left had to send back a salad bc of quality and table to the right sent back a main dish because it was cold. We finally received our meals, I was hoping the food would make up for the rest of the experience. It didn't. The meals were just ok- it's a good thing we didn't need anything because the waiter didn't check back once. Finally got our bill, no apology, acknowledgment, nothing. Not from our waiter, manager, host. I can understand being busy, but completely ignoring tables w no explanation, apology, or thanking us for coming is unacceptable. A Terrible experience.
(1)
Charles P.
We went here on our last day and wish we had tried it sooner. The wish you were here chicken was a worth the switch from all the seafood we had over the last 4 days. Wife stayed seafood with ahi tuna which was great. Awesome presentation of the food
(5)
Lindsay B.
We ordered the Brie for an appitizer but the bread that came with it was waaaayyy to hard and didn't taste very good with brie flavor. The complimentary bread worked way better. I loved their Lobster Mac and Cheese. The portions are quite large so be prepared.
(3)
Steve P.
This is a great place to grab a little high class fare in an approachable atmosphere. My wife and I chose to eat here based on Yelp recommendations. If not for Yelp, we would probably just continued with some of our other favorite dinner spots in town, skipping McKay's entirely. Thankfully, we read up before going out! I had a tough time deciding between the halibut special (served over purple sushi rice) and the Portobello Picatta. I went with the portobello, again based on the Yelp recommendation. I'm glad I did! The preparation is odd on the surface (almonds, coarse bread crumbs, capers, and more), but all of the pieces work together to make for a great texture and phenomenal taste. It was served over whipped potatoes and swiss chard in a creamy (but not too creamy) sauce. My mouth is still watering as I write this review. My wife had the filet mignon. She thought it was a high quality cut of meat, but perhaps could have been seasoned a little more. It was served with pancetta, whipped potatoes, and swiss chard. She probably would not get it again, as we have plenty of good steakhouses near our home that really know how to do it right. She classifies this steak as above Outback, but well below Sullivan's. A notable fact about McKay's that helped to set it above other places we've eaten is the children's menu. They offered some healthy options, rather than just the standard chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, etc. Our son had the grilled chicken with whipped potatoes and swiss chard (see a pattern here?). The chard was probably too much for his little palate, so my wife and I happily shared it instead. The chicken was perfectly cooked and he ate all of his potatoes. We still have a healthy portion of the chicken for leftovers, as it was a bit much for a 10-month-old. The atmosphere was friendly. We ate in the outside dining area, which was very comfortable and surrounded by foliage. It got a bit chilly, so the wait staff lit the propane burners for us. That was nice! The service was competent, but they still left my wife with an empty beer glass for more than half the meal. The service lapse and underseasoned meat are all that kept this meal from getting a full 5 stars. We do plan to go back and will update this posting with any new information. I can't wait to try the purple rice!
(4)
An L.
Lobster mac and cheese was good, but not incredible. I think this was somewhat overrated. Seafood risotto was also good; again not outstanding. Blueberry pie was delicious - you've got to try this. Waittress was extremely nice. Guiness also excellent. Great atmosphere. Beautiful locale.
(4)
Jen G.
Had a nice dinner here. We sat on the porch which was nice despite the crazy people sitting next to us having a frightening conversation. Had the spinach dip and a mushroom dish. Both were very good. I'll definitely come back when we visit Bar Harbor again.
(4)
Andrew H.
Is a cool house. Very good food but limited options. Tried to get a free drink for my 30th birthday but our waiter would not give me one, weak.
(3)
Rob L.
Great place. My wife and I both had the lobster mac and cheese and were not disappointed. We loved the building and the service lived up to reviews. We called ahead as we were bringing our 6 month old and they had a table and high chair ready to go upon arrival. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking for dinner in Bar Harbor.
(4)
Dee H.
We had a very pleasant dinner here recently. The pretty outdoor setting drew us in, however we were seated inside without having to wait. I had the hake over turnips with a small side of zucchini and summer squash, accompanied by a very good pinot grigio. (They were out of sangria, but this is an excellent replacement.) I'm a fool for chocolate cake, so for dessert I had a little chocolate torte with a very healthy serving of coffee. It was a perfect meal I had with the girls, and both the hostess and our server Augusta took care of us very well.
(4)
Tim B.
I've eaten here a few times. It's a very pleasant place, reliable and consistent, with some real inventiveness here and there on the menu. Definitely one of the better places to eat in Bar Harbor.
(4)
Dave T.
The outdoor seating was good and the atmosphere is good. The lobster Mac lacked a solid portion of lobster but had good flavor. The rack of lamb was done to order. My friends lamb was way under cooked and they fixed it and comped her meal. Good but not great.
(3)
Dave W.
We arrived as a party of 17 including 8 children and one of our party in a wheelchair. The host actually convinced the already-seated party in the first floor dining area to move upstairs to allow our wheelchair into the first floor dining room. The server was an excellent sport in handling our drink and dinner orders (including many glasses of milk). The food for both kids and adults was quite good. We had beet salads, Porterhouses, rack of lambs and it tasted excellent.
(5)
GoldieGir L.
Baked Brie and feta appetizers were wonderful, as was the portabella piccata. Lobster Mac & cheese was tasty but overpriced. Island burger was cooked to order (med) but dry - probably just too lean. Portion sizes were rather skimpy, except for the island burger, which was huge. Bread and herbed butter was delicious. Good service, nice outdoor seating
(3)
Bill B.
I had read the reviews here on Yelp before we decided to go and I will say that the food, drink, and staff here was excellent. The staff at the inn we stayed at also recommended McKays. Delicious!
(5)
Tracy M.
Great ambiance! Sat outside in the patio section, the dishes were awesome, especially the seafood risotto, t-bone was cooked to perfection, service was pretty slow, but it was pretty busy for a Friday night in the summer time. Definitely recommend!!
(5)
Leah M.
This is the best meal we've had so far in Bar Harbor, and my meal (the sachetti pasta) was one of the best I've ever had anywhere. The prices are resort town in Maine reasonable. The location and interior are lovely, and the porch and front are beautifully landscaped with flowers. There is a children's menu, which is very reasonably priced. I'd definitely go back.
(4)
Rob E.
We stopped here for our first meal in Bar Harbor back in August. We sat outside and had a very nice dinner off of their 'early bird' menu. I had a delicious fish and chips and a wonderful IPA from Sebago Brewery. My girlfriend had some portabello mushroom dish which was also excellent. I think this is a great choice for a moderately-priced pub/restaurant in Bar Harbor.
(4)
Evelyn C.
Recommended to us by our kayaking tour guide, we decided to come here for dinner. There was a fundraising event going on that night with live music from a 14 year old fiddler accompanied by a guitarist. We sat a couple tables down from the live music in the upstairs dining area. She was very talented and I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would. As for the food: Mussels- omg amazing. I know they were traditionally prepared, with leek, garlic, and butter and wine....but the broth was just so delicious. The best thing was the chunk of grilled bread that accompanied the mussels. I wish I could have picked up the bowl with whatever juices remained with another chunk of bread...I would have been satisfied. Seafood Etouffee- the hubby reported that it had great flavor, but the jasmine rice that was supposed to be served with was the consistency of congee (Chinese rice porridge). Luckily we are used to rice of that mushy nature so he ate it without complaints. Seafood risotto- nice light, delicate flavor with plump scallops and the infamously puny Maine shrimp. The peas and the tomato added enough freshness to prevent the dish from being super dense. Dessert- I couldn't help myself, but I couldn't leave Maine without having some form of blueberry pie. So when I saw blueberry RHUBARB pie on the menu, I had to try it. It was great with a little bit of tang in the filling and a flaky crust. The two scoops of vanilla ice cream certainly didn't hurt either.
(4)
Terrence S.
The place covers it all in a converted Victorian home just a short distance from the town center of Bar Harbor. The front lawn is a very nicely landscaped walk and patio. You can dine inside or outside during the warm summer days. During the fall the staff like to work indoors. The food covers a large range. Nearly everything is organic or locally raised. They have fish, beef, pork, lamb and lots of vegetable dishes. The size of the dishes is generous until you get to the entre. Then they are just right. Which is the right way to do things. Appetizers should be large enough to share with others and the dinners should be small enough to not make a pig of yourself. The desert selection was diverse covering the creme brulee to ice cream to some very nice fruit pies. The bartender really needs to learn how to make an Old Fashion. The place did not have a bottle of brandy at all. Not even a well bottle. They tried their best to emulate the drink. But really messed up. We had to make substitutions to get the cocktail even close. Oh well. The food was great and fresh. The close proximity to the fire place was a treat. Try to remember that during the high season, This place needs a reservation. You can walk in and get a seat at the bar most any time. However, you only get to order off the bar selections.
(5)
Rob M.
The best. Garden and indoor seating. Street parking in front if you lucky in the summer. In busy downtown Bar Harbor. Food is excellent and martini's are perfect. Have a lot of seasonal micro brews. Candle lit at night on two floors. Sit upstairs with a big for more privacy. Call ahead for reservations on weekends or when the cruise ships are in.
(5)
Alison H.
Atmosphere was nice- very romantic. Service was terrible... We had to beg another waitress for water after we waited for 20 minutes with empty glasses and no success trying to melt ice cubes with the candle. My husband's Clam chowder was okay, but very small portion and nowhere near as good as others we had on our trip. His lobster Mac and cheese was, again, okay, but not as good as side street cafe. I had the beet salad and added scallops. The scallops were cooked perfectly, but the salad was nothing special. We also had their "new" white sangria, which was terrible and had a weird aftertaste. The fruit in it was nowhere near ripe, so that may have been the cause. We were underwhelmed and annoyed by our lack of water.
(3)
Missy G.
At Mckay's I got the steak. We had to wait for a while but it was very good.
(5)
Natalie W.
It was a crisp, cool evening in Bar Harbor...We had a reservation at McKay's Public House for dinner. When we arrived, the porch was nicely heated and my dining partner desired to be seated there and give up our nice warm table inside. Well, that's our fault, not McKay's! My lobster mac-n-cheese was delightful. My husbands steak was not as good as the one he ate at Mache the night before. Would return, but not for steak!
(4)
Maura H.
We have eaten at McKays twice since October and had a great experience both times. The atmosphere at McKays is perfect - an old house turned into a restaurant so each room has just a few tables. Both times we were seated by the fireplace so it was warm and cozy. They even have a small bar wich was quite busy last night as it was New Year's Eve. The menu has great options for both meat lovers, seafood lovers and vegetarians. We started out with raw oysters from Taunton Bay which were very sweet. For the next course I had a smoked mussel confetti salad which was excellent. My main course - seafood risotto - was not so great but in all fairness we ordered at the end of a very busy night. I have no complaints though because the owner, Brian Smith, was very apologetic and gracious and didn't charge me for the meal or its replacement. He even served our table complimentary sparkling wine at the end of the meal. Brian was very attentive throughout our meal and helped us with our wine selection offering us tastings of several different wines. Great place - highly recommend it.
(4)
Tracy H.
Love this place! The pub fondue was amazing, lobster risotto was coked perfectly as was the chicken. Beer list always has some interesting features! Definitely not a "tourist" kind of place, just a comfortable, well staffed and overall great place to eat!
(5)
Lifan Y.
Great food. Somewhat pricey though. No space in the garden for big group.
(4)
Matt G.
The food was solid. Had seafood risotto and thoroughly enjoyed. Also had the shrimp ceviche which was very tasty. Other meals at our table we very good. Very interesting decor in an old houseand downside! Our waitress needed a happy pill. Maybe she forgot this is a service business. I would try again and likely would enjoy if not for the service.
(4)
Jen. R.
Not impressed. The main dish came out while we were still eating the appetizers. I found a hair in the Lobster Mac and Cheese, which also tasted like it was made from a box. The server seemed in a huge hurry to get rid of us, even though the restaurant was less than half full. I wish we had gone elsewhere.
(1)
noodlebean d.
Truly delicious food, attentive (but not annoying) service, New Englandy atmosphere (in a great way)... loved it. The chowder especially seemed really good, though I'm no connoisseur, but I loved it.
(4)
Michelle M.
Fresh ingredients, well seasoned, wide variety of items on menu, and a nice atmosphere outside. Portobella Piccata we well worth repeating, and every bit as good as said in the previous reviews. Salad with chive oil, heirloom tomatoes, and feta was delicious, and tuna two ways for our appetizer was excellent. Good value and very good service and good wine. What more do you need for an excellent dinner.
(5)
Alaina B.
My boyfriend wanted to try this place since he read the reviews on here, so after an evening of whale watching the two of us along with his father and brother walked up from the boat and right on toward McKays. They were pretty busy and we didn't have reservations, but they told us to come back in twenty minutes (after taking our names) to see if something opened up. The smell emanating from inside was amazing, and the outdoor patio looked so lovely. We started to walk back through the town, but nowhere looked (or smelled) as good as McKay's so his dad suggested we just try our luck and go back. Lo and behold another family had just showed up and were about to be given a table when the people realized we had been there ten minutes before and were already on the list (the other family was not). It seems two tables had opened up while we walked away, so they quickly seated us upstairs by the window. The decor inside really made you feel like you were in someones home, and the waiter we had was very friendly and attentive. The drink menu was great, and we got to have some of our old favorites that were hard to find. The waiter told us about one of their specials of the evening which was a garlic and herb borscht that my boyfriend and I ended up splitting. The rest of our party thought it sounded bizarre and were shocked when they also tried it and found out how amazing it was. I'm usually not too crazy about borscht but I would have gladly had that as my entire meal. Based on reviews here, I did try the McKays burger and it was everything it was said to be. So juicy and flavorful, the only thing that wasn't the best was the pickle! The nice thing is they leave the tomato, lettuce and onion on the side so you can decide how much you want on or if you want to eat them separate (if at all). The mustard they provided was also very good, and I wished I wrote down what brand it was because it was delicious and really complemented the meat. However, it really didn't need much and I could have eaten it without even a bun or anything else on it. Everyone else enjoyed their meals thoroughly (clam chowder, beet salad, Maine Etouffe, pork ribs, and steak) and we had a great time to boot! I highly recommend McKays to anyone visiting the area.
(4)
Joe S.
We had dinner twice here. The first time was by chance after coming across it on our way back from a shore walk. The second time was by choice. The food and service were solid. The restaurant offers inexpensive pub fare, as well as a more traditional but still reasonable American cuisine. I actually was pleasantly surprised with the portobello picatta - an interesting vegetarian reinterpretation of a classic. I was however somewhat disappointed with their creme brulee. The wait staff frequently asked how we enjoyed dinner, in a very authentic way. They were very attentive, and kid friendly. There is indoor and outdoor seating, with gas heaters in the outdoor patio for cool evenings. Overall, this probably was one of the better restaurants in our Bar Harbor stay. I would recommend to those traveling with and without families. There is also a nice wine shop next door to pick up a bottle for an after dinner drink at the hotel.
(4)
William B.
We returned to McKay's for the Lobster Mac and Cheese. What a disappointment! Three tiny morsels of lobster in the dish for $25. This is a town that is swimming in lobster, where a heaping lobster roll sells for $12. Come on, McKay's, you can do better than this!
(2)
Nick M.
A good Public House has an excellent selection of beers, good food and a nice dark, but welcoming pub atmosphere. McKay's has it all. A converted Victorian, the place is quite large with elegant features like the carved wooden molding, ornately detailed dark cast iron radiators, elegant staircases, etc. that make this a pub feel unmistakably like you're in New England. The service was OK, not the fastest and definitely not the worst. Beer menu was decent, not huge but classy. I had a Maine local favorite: Gritty's 21 IPA, which was served a bit too cold for my liking but I warmed it up with my hands. The bar was hopping at times, then dead. I saw lots of wine being poured. The maître d' even shared in some cocktail of some sort at the bar. The menu was classic pub food of burgers, with seafood and a bit of steak. A special of the night was lobster in a cream sauce with homemade pasta for $25. I believe there was a shrimp and scallop risotto with lemon truffle oil, but I didn't want a lemon bomb for dinner. There was a ribeye steak, topped with Gorgonzola cheese and served with a wine reduction. I figured any place trying to doctor up my steak with anything more than salt and pepper is risky, so I went instead with the Ahi Tuna with Carrot and Ginger sauce, which sounded safe. Nope. It was a generous cut of tuna, served with purple sticky rice and zucchini with summer squash. I ordered the tuna "as rare as possible" as I like it almost like sashimi, barely seared on each side on a red hot pan. Tuna steak was a quality cut of fish, which I found to be slightly overcooked for my liking. One piece of tuna was extremely oversalted, which detracted from the meal. The rice was OK, the vegetables were a bit salty because they were plated with the tuna. And the carrot ginger I didn't really get. I tasted the sweetness of the carrot, no ginger flavor at all. It didn't really go with the tuna and seemed more like an afterthought. For this I was a bit confused and wished they just salted and peppered my tuna. The meat itself had a nice flavor at first, but almost a metallic finish towards the end. I'm not sure if it was the cookware, but the tuna didn't taste right with the aftertaste.You're in Bar Harbor and don't know how to serve seafood? WTF?! My girlfriend ordered a burger and fries. Very large burger, one of the best I've tried in awhile. Excellent and for $10 I'd say it was worth it. With all the seafood, you need a Public House in Bar Harbor. We also ordered an appetizer of Spinach and Artichoke dip, which came served in a bread bowl with "dippers" which were like a fluffy tortilla of sorts. Canned artichoke and frozen spinach, but good bread bowl that hit the spot and made a good 1st impression. Overall, 3 stars for this place because it tries too hard to be something it is not. Great burgers, decent beer selection and fancier, classier fare if you dare. I would have rated 4 stars if my tuna (come up guys, you're in Bar Harbor and can't prepare seafood) was better seasoned. I read a Yelp review that says the food is orgasmic around the 5pm dinner rush, but I definitely didn't put any O-face on. We went around 9:30pm and I wouldn't recommend the tuna to anyone, not for $25 anyways. One final comment: I really enjoyed the jazz music. Don't change it. It works with the place very well. Located in Historic Downtown Bar Harbor, I recommend this restaurant for basic pub food in a relaxed New England setting. Avoid the fancier meals and stick with the excellent burgers instead and you can't go wrong.
(3)
Millhouse R.
McKay's is a pretty nice place. I admit that right now I'm a bit peeved they ran out of rib eye steak and JW beer when I arrived for dinner past 8pm, however, like Mr. Spock I'm gonna keep my emotions in check. The decor itself is worth heading over if you just want to relax with a beer or some top shelf. Very easy lighting and relaxing music set up for a nice mood and night. You are warmly greeted and treated very well by the maitre 'd and any other staff you run in to.When I asked for reading material the lady of the house said there weren't any papers around but that she'd look anyway. A few minutes later she came with a three day old local paper, and I did appreciate the gesture. I did like the food, what was left on the menu. I ordered mussels in white wine to start and decided to go with a ground lamb burger in lieu of my extinct ribeye. Now, usually no matter where I order mussels in white wine or any other sauce the chef hasn't a clue how to make them and you wind up tasting the lousy sauce rather than the mussels. McKay's, thank heaven, does them right. The wine and garlic butter reduction was a bit salty but the mussels were fully flavored and devoid of any sand. I wish I had a big bowl of these rather than the plate. My lamb burger was a mixed bag. The meat itself was pretty good. Strong, juicy and cooked exactly how I wanted (medium rare) my only complaint was the huge amount of whipped feta cheese on top. I understand what the chef was going for but he/she needs to put it on the side rather than plotzed on top. It's regular Greek feta, you know the very salty kind, and it overwhelms the lamb. No biggie I scrapped it off. If sheep feta or even Bulgarian or Israeli feta is used, all of which have stronger flavor but less salt then it would work. Saying all this I really did like my lamb burger and the skin on french fries were some of the best I've had. Skip the complimentary bread. It's cold and soggy, you're not missing anything. My only advice is to get there early so you can get whatever specials they're offering. Actually, I'll say this for all the restaurants in Bar Harbor. They don't cater to us city slickers where we can have dinner up to 12am. Ah the life in the country.
I love burgers, bbq burgers, dream about burgers, etc. The burger at McKay's was in top 3 burgers I have ever had. It was done perfectly with feta cheese and really nice french fries. That in combo with Bar Harbor Brewing Co beer was outstanding. Also, great atmosphere, friendly staff and extensive menu.
(5)
David X.
Spectacular. I ordered the Portobello Picatta since it was a vegan dish I had never seen anywhere before. It was amazing. Surprising. Completely unexpected. The portobello is fried with an almond crust, and then served with mashed potatoes, a delicate lemon sauce, capers, spinach, tiny grapes and almonds. Each bite was divine. It sounded like a strange combination that would never work, but it does. Clearly someone has put a lot of thought into the preparation. My partner got organic roasted chicken, which sounded to me really safe and boring. And his reaction was this, and I quote: "Chicken is one of those items that is really easy to prepare adequately, but takes extraordinary talent to make it shine. This chicken shines. The best prepared chicken I think I've ever had." Now, for the negatives. The outdoor dining area is surrounded (and hidden by flower bushes and vines) and the night we ate, there were swarms of bees everywhere. I didn't get stung, but there were several bees within a foot of us for the entire evening, so it was a bit difficult to relax. The outdoor dining area is romantic and looks appealing, but I think I'd either go after sunset or choose indoors. Their indoor area is really nice too. We did go back a second time because the first time was so amazing. The second time everything was good - four stars - but definitely not orgasmic like the first time. The first time we ate at 5pm, the second time at 9pm, so maybe it has to do with time of night, when the staff is getting tired. They were out of a number of dishes as well at 9pm. Also, be forewarned you will wait atleast 45 minutes if you don't have a reservation so definitely make them unless you want to eat early or late. (also, not sure why 2 people wrote the place had no alcohol. It's a PUB!)
(5)
Allen Y.
We went to Acadia Nation Park for camping and stopped by Bar Harbor for dinner. Saw the good reviews on Yelp for McKays and decided to go there. We had a party of 10 people and 4 people ordered the Lobster and said that was good. However the other 6 we ordered the Lobster Mac and Cheese, Seafood Risotto and the Entofee. These dishes were the worse dishes I have ever tasted!! The Lobster Mac and Cheese which can recommended by another yelper was horrible. The lobster meat was good, however the mac and cheese was inedible. The cheese really overwhelmed the taste buds and made you sick to your stomach. Same thing with the Risotto. The Entofee was not much better. The only saving grace was that when we complained to the waiter he was nice enough to take it off the bill. He still got a BIG tip in the end. But not the best experience, so bad that it prompted me to write this review.
(2)
Lorie L.
Great find in the midst of Bar Harbor,! Lovely courtyard, fabulous food. I had the appetizer of fried green tomatoes with crab salad. YUM. If you are looking for a lovely place with high quality food at a reasonable price and lovely setting--not super touristy, not a "family" place--this place is perfect. The McKay salad was vinegary, but everything else was great.
(5)
Brian K.
I am shocked by some of the reviews on Yelp about this place. We loved this place. We had excellent service, and beyond amazing food for a pub. I highly recommend this place to anyone who goes through Bar Harbor. If you miss it, you're missing out.
(5)
E. Alicia P.
We were a bit late for our reservation so they sat us immediately and we started ordering...that is we started ordering practically everything on the menu. It's difficult trying to decide between this and that when so many things sounded AMAZING. We started with the duck confit spring rolls with hoisin dipping sauce on a recommendation from our friend, which were pretty good - a tad too salty for my taste but then again hoisin is pretty damn salty. The next appetizer was the cold plate special on a recommendation from our server - a lovely and attentive girl, whose name I can't remember...sorry, but you were great! This cold plate was easily one of my favorites from the meal. Housemade gravlax (cured salmon) and beef carpaccio sliced nice and thin. The meats were served with even more little tasty housemade items such as whipped lemon creme fraiche and crostini with a few slices of cucumber to round it out. So simple, soooooo good. My boyfriend asked for more crostini which were promptly brought to us. Our last app - we went all out - were the mussels in a white wine sauce with bacon and bleu cheese and fresh brioche to soak up the leftover sauce. Let it be known, I do not like bleu cheese but whatever kind they used must have been sent straight from Mount Olympus, Zeus himself because I couldn't get enough of it! They were smaller sized mussels which I enjoy more as they're not all big and chewy, cooked just right and with that sauce, I mean - well people you know where I'm going with this... At last onto the entrees, but not w/o a bottle of Malbec from Argentina first! I wish I remembered the name, our friend picked it out for us and it went down pretty damn smoothly with dinner. We 3 got our entrees knowing that we'd share everything to make it a bit more like a tasting menu and more fun. I had planned on eating a whole lobster since we're in Maine but that got lost in translation with the server who thought I meant the lobster special - mac and cheese. A bummer at first but holy lord that put all other mac and cheeses to shame. Big ol' chunks of lobster with fresh cellentani pasta, tasty melted cheese all finished with truffle oil. Not what I'd wanted but no complaints here! The other entrees were the seafood risotto and i believe a seafood gumbo special. Both equally as delicious as the lobster mac. The owner Brian came to speak with us a few times to make sure all was well and just to chat too. A younger guy with a great vision of how a truly successful restaurant should be run, he was funny and very gracious too. We ended up having a beer with him in the front patio area after our dinner since we could barely move from all the food we'd eaten. Also I guess Susan Sarandon is a big fan of McKay's as we saw both her and Tim Robbins dining here too!
(5)
John K.
There aren't enough stars for some of the restaurants in Bar Harbor, ME. McKay's provided a great selection of offerings. I selected a New York Strip steak ( I was getting burned out on seafood). The steak was cooked to perfection and nicely spiced. The side order of horseradish mashed potatoes was worthy of asking for seconds. I was part of a group of seven, everyone with totally thrilled with their meals.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Wed, Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Uncle J.
Mmm. I would love to like the place. What not to like. They have very nice interior, good service and nice selection. Unfortunately the food is subpar. I ordered filet minion special. What I've got was nicely challenging cooked and presented, but completely lacked any flavor. They added some sauce, which did not fix the situation. The meat itself was not that great and they did not add any seasoning to open up the flavor. Their "lobster stew" which goes for $14+ and has pretty nice description in reality is very overpriced cup of thin lobster bisque.
(3)Jen D.
Wonderful garden-like atmosphere, quaint ambiance. Live music which was wonderful. Very knowledgeable and helpful servers. The menu looks a bit different and more progressive then the rest of bar harbor but the execution was poor. Great concept, kitchen needs to work on consistency.
(3)Tim B.
I can only review this as a pub, as we didn't eat there on our one visit. It says it's a public house on the sign, so fair game. So, for starters, the bar is tiny. Maybe ten places at the bar and not much room otherwise. That would be fine if the barman wasn't also the barman for the entire restaurant side of the house. With the garden (very pretty and ideal for a romantic à deux) still open and the indoors portion busy, this meant an inordinate wait for orders to be filled by the overworked guy behind the bar. Indeed, we probably had two less drinks over the evening simply because it took so long to be served. Which is a shame, because the martins were excellent and the local beers, including one served via a beer pump, a treat.
(3)Kym K.
Having vacationed in Bar Harbor for 30 years, this restaurant is my current favorite place to eat and relax on the island. Check out the photos of the garden seating area; that's one thing that sets this restaurant apart from all the others. The space is surrounded by fragrant flowers and bold blooms. If there is a chill in the air, the heaters warm the space and provide a mellow glow. Most restaurants ignore vegetarian customers, but the current menu has three options: Portobello Piccata, Stuffed Poblanos, and Mushroom Sacchetti pasta. I have had all three and can swear that each dish is tasty and fulfilling. The Portobello Piccata has been on the menu for several years and it has remained consistent. It includes lightly fried, earthy mushrooms, whipped potatoes, and a lemony caper sauce over the top. The variations of textures and flavors would leave even a meat-eater satisfied. Our server was attentive, warm and friendly, and the owner, Brian, greeted customers at the garden's edge as if they were old friends. In fact, many customers are his friends, since locals love this place, also. I always make this the first place I eat in Bar Harbor when I arrive, and the last place I eat before I leave.
(5)Krista M.
Great food and amazing staff. Everyone friendly, accommodating and wanting to make sure our visit was warm and welcoming. Fresh, local oysters; delicious Italian cheese plate, great entrees and amazing desserts. The fresh blueberry pie finished off a great night. A+++
(5)Brian V.
We had a great meal at McKays. They took reservations and were very close about seating us at the time and the owner(i think) was very apologetic even thought they were within 5-10 minutes. We sat outside which was very nice and they had heat lamps that were very much needed. Our waitress Theresa was fantastic! She was the best waitress we had during our trip...Thank you! We started with the Chowder which was good. My wife and I shared the Lobster Mac which was delicious and had a lot of lobster chunks. We also had the Lamb Burger which had great flavor. When I return, I will be back
(4)Rick L.
We go to this place 2-3X/year and it never fails to be a good choice among the several million restaurants in Bar Harbor during the summer season. Tonight was shepherd's pie, two orders of fish and chips, and one burger...all from the pub side of the menu. All were terrific, and especially the shepherd's pie which comes in a skillet...outstanding! The fish and chips come with a little too much batter for me but is used to a good end...quite a moist fish and the batter does have great flavor. For those wanting more upscale dinners, the menu is varied...typically a seafood special, duck, steaks, etc and including the lobster mac and cheese that others rave about. Seating is inside (cozy, several different rooms) or outside in a festive dining area, replete w/guitarist throughout the evening. What's also nice is that they are open through the year for folks lucky enough to live here or visit often.
(4)Kevin K.
Used to be our go to place for good service, relaxed atmosphere, and tasty food. Tonight was far from their best showing and we aren't likely to return - there are too many other options on the island. Three major problems with our meal: 1) our appetizer took nearly 25 minutes to arrive, and then when it did make an appearance, our meals arrived almost immediately after. I consider this the cardinal sin of restaurant service. 2) our drinks went empty for the entire meal, with no service available to refill or even ask us if we wanted more to drink. 3) the pork short rib I ordered did not live up to the promise of the description. I should have been "dark and stormy", with ginger and rum flavors. Instead, it was completely bland. In addition, the "mashed" sweet potatoes were puréed to the point of baby food. Completely unpleasant mouth feel.
(2)Justin D.
Went to McKay's one evening on our honeymoon while wanting something pub-like but without the nastiness of some pubs. This place perfectly fit the bill! We were immediately seated, and thankfully it was just warm enough to enjoy the great outdoor seating area with a live finger style guitarist. While it's far from the fanciest dish available, my wife and I both got Fish & Chips (though many other options were tempting), and we were not disappointed! The batter was perfectly flaky and the fries delicious! The service was pretty quick, and our waitress was hilarious. This ended up being one of our favorite restaurant experiences in Bar Harbor. It was just a great mix of atmosphere, food, and service! I would definitely recommend it and will definitely be back should we end up in town again.
(5)F M.
Beetle in soup tonight. (Photo added.) Manager downplayed it. Maine Dept. of Health and Human Services notified.
(1)Ana M.
Super cute place. Had the seafood risotto, which was just ok; it was over cooked. The lobster mac and cheese is so darn good. It's definitely a must try. For dessert try the whiskey ice cream with bacon and the toffee pudding.
(4)Kevin R.
The wine and beer list is pretty good here but you might want to stick to the menu standards listed in other reviews. We had a Caesar salad to start, which was good but not great. After that we went with the daily specials, halibut for me and filet mignon for my wife. The waiter had recommended the halibut as one of the stars of the menu but it was well over cooked and dry. The preparation was also highly touted but it wasn't sufficient to moisten or cover up the very dry fish. My wife's filet mignon was, like the salad, just adequate, not at all what I would hope for at $30 per plate. I would recommend other restaurants in bar harbor instead.
(2)Russell Q.
Chris the bartender was great. He not only worked the bar but helped with the others in the restaurant. He facilitated our seats for our 10th anniversary without even asking for a prime window seat. Great risotto. Great oysters . Thanks again Chris!!!! The manager was helpful but seemed a bit inebriago at times!
(4)Quay A.
I would eat here in a second... I actually can't recall all the dishes S and I ordered but so good, so good! Think of this as a 4.5 - Yelp why do you not heed our requests for half stars!!! We sat out on the patio and it got a little cool but it was so nice with the garden area we didn't mind. I had the lobster mac and cheese, even if you aren't a fan of mac and cheese you should enjoy this unless you don't like cheese LOL Positives Food is fresh and excellent quality - I can't stress this enough Food was excellently crafted So many great menu choices Service was very good Good election of beers Negatives Nothing comes to mind :) Funny thing was that when one of the waitresses that served us was actually our server at breakfast at another restaurant.
(4)Pau S.
Nice ambiance. Food was okay but not that great. The lobster mac and cheese was a bit bland and seemed to have too little lobster (not one and a quarter pounder as the menu says). Lobster could also be fresher.
(3)Irene K.
I was really excited to try this place based on the reviews, but was pretty disappointed. The people were nice and accommodated our requests to switch tables pretty quickly (shout out to the super sweet manager who actually apologized for moving us, not knowing it was our request) but it just couldn't make up for the lackluster food. We ordered the mussels to start, which had some good seasoning and then ordered the portabella mushroom, seafood risotto, lobster mac and cheese, and a salad. All were fine and I would normally give this a 3 but subtracted another star for portion size/price. I don't know if this restaurant is on par (or even better) than surrounding restaurants, but I am much more inclined to try other places when I go back to Bar Harbor.
(2)Daniel M.
We went on a night that it was obvious that the restaurant was busier than usual. You could strongly tell this by the inefficient and poor service from the server. The bartender was better, had a sense he was more used to being able to handle the quicker atmosphere. It is a shame though because the food was great. The service really took away from the experience. We had the baked Brie, fish and chips, and a pasta dish. All were very good. Despite the service we received, I would recommend the restaurant as I felt it was due to the heavy crowd and the food really did not disappoint.
(4)Amanda M.
I had the dark and stormy pork short rib which is described as slow braised pork short with a rum and ginger glaze accompanied with dark rum sweet potatoes and local vegetables. The pork was tender and flavorful, but could have benefited from being marinated longer. That's the only reason I didn't give it 5 stars. The sweet potatoes were delish and the broccoli was crisp and tasty. My fiance got the shepherd's pie which was flavorful also, but on the dry side. There were several other menu items I'd love to go back and try like the lobster Mac and cheese or the duck meatloaf. There is plenty of outdoor/porch seating and heat lamps for cooler evenings. Great ambiance for a memorable time.
(5)Brent L.
Stopped in late for a quick bite. We asked to sit outside which was a nice setting with many white lights and warming heaters for the cool night. We were told nothing was available and then taken to a poorly lit table in the corner of a tiny room. I was seated in front of a window air cnditioner with a curtain hiding it and next to the kitchen. Surely something else must have been available. My fault for accepting the seat as offered. I ordered the clam chowder and fish and chips. The chowder was fine, but the fish and chips were below standard. It tasted like the fry oil hadn't been changed as frequently as needed to keep a fresh taste. Everthing tasted like burnt oil. The fish itself, seemed very fresh. The beer was allagash saison that was moderately cold at best and seemed like the co2 tank for the keg system needed a refresh as well. Overall ...not impressed . Simplest of meals to come up short on.
(2)Stephanie B.
I have visited McKays twice now. It is quite possibly my favorite restaurant in Acadia. Great service, beautiful spot for outdoor dining. The restaurant itself is so cozy and intimate. Great servers, and creative dishes. A total foodie find at a reasonable price.
(5)Kelly C.
The food here is consistently good. We look forward to visiting a couple times per year on vacation. Good selection of beers on tap. Dark & stormy pork short rib is a favorite. Lobster Mac & cheese is very good as well.
(4)Robert C.
Great atmosphere. Food was very good. Shared the lobster and portobello crostini appetizer. Delicious. Local oysters. Not bad. My wife had the burger, she loved it. I had the dark and stormy short rib. Very good. Sweet potatoes were really good too.
(4)Devonshire B.
Very friendly wait staff. The food was pretty good, especially the lobster mac-n-cheese, as well as the duck. Not to mention that their muddled blueberry cocktail was refreshingly tasty. A lot of flavour, decent portions, and reasonable prices. That's basically the holy trinity of restaurant expectations, right? Right.
(4)Mitchell M.
I was hoping for a different vibe here. It was a bit more restaurant, than charming pub. All in all a good visit. My only real issue is that our server snatched a MacCallan 12 off the table with a good sized sip left. She was left before I could utter a word. She was super friendly though, so I almost feel bad faulting her for the early clear. The menu offers an extensive variety of local favorites (lobstahhhh), pub-like dishes, and other American dishes. I had the burger which was great. We also had the beet salad, crab cakes and clam chowder. The chowder was thin, but tasted house made. The crab cakes had good flavor, but I was hoping for more lumps...maybe there is a difference between the way a Maine crab cake and Maryland crab cake are served? The beet salad was fantastic. They offer decent selection of local beers, as well as a full bar and wine menu. My wife said the blueberry, crumble pie was the best we had while in Bar Harbor. Of course, I feel obligated to tell you that my wife is a sucker for a "crumble." We didn't have it, but the lobster mac n cheese seemed to a favorite among diners around us, and the woman at the adjacent table her short rib. The duck meatloaf also peaked my interest, but I was all about a burger that night. Great outdoor garden and the porch was pretty intimate and romantic.
(3)Andrea S.
From the outside this place looks nice. The food wasnt as good as I thought it could be. I had the fish and chips and my boyfriend had their burger, It filled my stomach but next time ill go somewhere else to eat. Also our waitress wasnt taking care of us at all, I had to stand up and get to-go boxes my self and I also had to get the check myself. I have to be honest, I dont think I will be going here anymore.
(2)Kyle M.
It's a bit surprising to me that this place has garnered such high reviews. It's definitely one of the better dinner places on the island, though I found that most places here are better at breakfast than dinner. The Ambiance is phenomenal. In summer, at night, sitting outside here is as good as it gets, nice for a romantic date with the girlfriend or for a pleasant evening with the family. I'd give the Ambiance a 5/5. The service adds to the atmosphere, it was pretty good. 4/5 The food is where the disappointment lies. It's not bad, it's just not great, especially for the price. The portions are somewhat small, if the quality was excellent this wouldn't be a problem, but I would say the quality was simply alright. I wouldn't complain as much but it just didn't seem like a great value, while the price wasn't mind boggling, it was overpriced for mediocre food in modest portions. 2.5/5 My girlfriend and I both thought we would finish off an excellent day of hiking with a great meal here. Frankly we were pumped up for it, in the end we left disappointed. Like I said one of the better dinner places on the island, just don't go in expecting a great meal.
(3)Westie W.
We started off the evening at McKay's in the bar for happy hour. The two bartenders were busily engaged in making drinks, but were very personable. Many of the drinks featured fresh fruit including watermelon that was being sliced and pureed. My wife and I both ordered Blue Hill martinis (blueberry vodka, lemonade, fresh blueberries and a splash of soda). The drinks sounded far better than they tasted so we stopped at one and made a dinner reservation for the patio. After taking a short stroll, we returned and were seated on the patio which was near capacity. We each ordered the shepherd's pie (slow cooked braised lamb in an herbed demi glace topped with roasted vegetables then layered with whipped potatoes). Unlike the drinks, this dish tasted better than it sounded. The lamb almost melted in my mouth and was generously proportioned. The vegetables were a canned corn/carrot mix, but the potatoes were obviously home made and delicious. Overall we felt we made an excellent choice that we will seek out on our next visit to MDI.
(4)Jerry H.
The food was top notch. Great seafood risotto. Once again, it's the same problem that plagues the restaurant industry. Yelp gives them great ratings and then they can't handle the volume. The staff was inept. 15 minutes until we we're acknowledged. Another 15 min, when I inquired about my drink order told it was not available, then she left. Finally, they committed the ultimate cardinal sin, appetizer not out before the main course. Probably a great place before 6 and in the slow season.
(2)Raisa S.
This place was great! We were seated right away for dinner, got lucky enough to sit outside in their wonderful garden seating area and got to listen to a man playing instrumentals! Created a perfect ambiance for a dinner. We started with the wings (recommended by our waitress) which were DELISH. Definitely spicy but cooked perfectly with tons of flavor. I got an alcoholic ginger beer to start, and Joe got (another recommended) beverage with fresh mint leaves and cucumbers. For our entrees I got the steak dish (not the special) which came with potatoes and vegetables. Joe got the seafood risotto. The seafood risotto was OUT of this world. I don't really eat fish, just shrimp and I had a few bites of his and it was really cooked to perfection, and a large portion. My potatoes and vegetables were great, the steak was cooked perfectly BUT it was really lacking flavor. It was a thick cut and I give them credit for cooking it so well, but it could definitely use some type of rub or a more flavorful sauce to put on it, that was really my only complaint. Service was good, fast, and the waitress was friendly and very attentive!
(4)Tee A.
Great food! Clam chowder was great! Hubby had steak tips and I had burger. The burger was delicious! Great atmosphere!
(5)Kim D.
When we arrived at McKays, the manager informed us there would be an hour wait. That was fine, as we had some time to kill downtown. We returned after about 45 minutes and were seated right away. Two in our party ordered the lobster Mac and cheese, based on Yelp recommendations. The sauce was light, not too greasy or heavy. There was a nice amount of lobster in it. I had the seafood risotto, which was fabulous (I'd highly recommend that dish if you enjoy risotto). We thought the prices were reasonable given the quality of the food and the service we received. Portions aren't huge, but we all had jut the right amount to eat. We ate outside, and even though it was a bit chilly the heat lamps made it perfectly comfortable. There was even a guitar player at the wine shop next door to add to the ambiance. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone traveling to Bar Harbor.
(5)John H.
Everything was ok except my Duck Meatloaf. Dry, over salted (and I love salt), and overpowered by black pepper as well. Shepard pie was soso. Bread, clam chowder, and salad were good. Nice ambience. When we ate here two years ago the entrees were better. I don't think we will be back.
(2)Donald E.
I been to Bar Harbor many times and have eaten at many places there. My wife found the highly rated McKays Public House online and wanted to try it. I must say ... The food was not good "it was GREAT!!!". We choose to eat outside and were entertained by Bob Bowman who was playing acoustic guitar. Look, him up on the internet he is known as one the best acoustic guitar players in America. The service, outdoor lighting and music made for a perfect atmosphere. We had the duck spring rolls and they were the best I have ever eaten. My wife had the lobster mac and cheese, which had a light white cheese sauce with peas. The lobster was fresh and the cheese did not overwhelm the dish. I had tender lightly seasoned pork perfectly cooked with sweet potatoes and a side of green beans. I could actually taste the pork! The funny part of this experience is that I did not want to eat at McKay's but I will for now on each time we visit Bar Harbor!
(5)Darren S.
We had a light dinner at the bar which has a nice homey atmosphere with a great range of local brews on tap. Crab cakes app was excellent and the seafood risotto was also fantastic but maybe could have used a little something. Friendly service and the manager was fun and willing to share some unique beer samples. A great spot in bar harbor.
(4)Ellen S.
The ability to sit outside and listen to some great music was lovely. However the over an hour wait from ordering to seeing our meals was ridiculous and unacceptable. I had to stop our server to at least ask for the meal for our 1 year old. We were told there was a big party inside...I don't care!! First and last time there!
(2)Food Jerk X.
The seafood risotto everyone raves about was rather mucky and pasty. Scallops therein were gooey and gummy. I know it's setting the bar too high, but we just had some regal scallops the night before at Fore Street in Portland--perfectly seared. These were totally without char or flavor. Mussels creole style had the opposite problem: overdone and WAY too much flavor. Props to linking Cajun to its Aca'jun forefathers, but mussels are subtle and completely overpowered. Also, a near majority of shells wouldn't open or the mussels shredded = some combo of dead and overcooked. Sauvignon blanc had no flavor. Atlantic Real Ale, howe'er, proved five-star. Think "an improved Sam Smith Nut Brown," or light years ahead of Newcastle. Rare find, as most American brewers fixate on IPAs or hefeweizens. Mac and cheese off the kids menu was the best dish: adult-tasting cheese with moist yet well-grilled chicken. Service was shy. Unconventional choices brought us here: would have loved to try the seared duck special, but they were out, despite the fact that we ate relatively early.
(2)Lindsay G.
The drinks were good and the ambience is wonderful, but the entrees (seafood risotto and the fish and chips) were unnecessarily heavy and rich. The duck wonton app was amazing though- go for that and drinks.
(3)Juanita H.
Sat outside by the porch and enjoyed the scenery. Very good waitress. We had the fish and chips and crab cakes with salads. Overall a very good experience. Would go back again.
(4)Debbie B.
Mixed greens salad was larger than I expected. Plenty of greens, shaved carrot, just a little tomato. Clam chowder delicious. Bits of clan, not too heavy and thick. Crab cake appetizer very nice. Salad and crab cakes a good amt of food for a light eater. Rack of lamb delicious, tender, perfectly prepared medium as requested. The guitarist was perfect. Nice background music but not loud, no problem carrying on conversation. Sat outside on a cool eve. Very pretty with the decorative lights and propane warmers. No problem getting a table on a Sunday night around 8pm on Sept 7. No wait.
(4)Heather S.
Bananas how great this place is! Amazing local caught oysters. Insane scallop risotto. The staff and service has always been stellar. It is always a highlight of our Maine trip!
(5)Victoria B.
I never write reviews and my husband told me not to write this one so we could keep this place a secret. This place is completely underrated. The atmosphere is so perfect, there was a guy playing acoustic guitar, that coupled with the outdoor lighting and hum of the dinner guests pulled us in. We enjoyed a drink on some outdoor seating while waiting for our table. The owner was absolutely charming, as was the staff. Our server was lovely as well. We tried the duck spring rolls, liver pate and a few oysters and all were delicious. I had the salmon and my husband the steak, both were perfectly cooked. We finished with the brownie Sunday. We have eaten at many places this trip and this was by far the best place we tried. Truly the whole package, food, service and atmosphere are all top notch!
(5)Sam T.
Probably deserves 3 stars, but wanted to bring down the rating a bit because we had suchhh terrible service. Food and outdoor seating were beautiful. We were seated late - restaurant was pretty full but past rush hour. We sat with no drinks and no service for 10 minutes. Waiter was not personable and spent minutes rambling about specials but neglected to mention that a menu item was out, which two of us were going to order. So took the drink and food orders at the same time. Forgot about the drink orders. We reminded a different waiter 10-15 minutes later. He came back, said that he was busy and didn't remember what we'd ordered, but never apologized. The beer and wine took 5 minutes from that time, and the waiter brought out red instead of white. Pretty pathetic. In relative terms, the food came out in okay time, but it was only a couple minutes after the drinks at that point. The server was just not on this planet. Great, appealing menu at very fair prices. Food was fantastic - seafood risotto, vegetable curry, lamb burger, salad with scallops were all 5/5. Duck wontons appetizer was kinda weird and not worth the price.
(2)Adk M.
Ok, if you can get a seat in the garden, maybe the mediocre food is worth the expense. Otherwise, turn around and seek out better food anywhere in a five-block radius. Can't complain about the service - prompt and gracious. But the dark, non-air-conditioned interior of the house was uninspired and depressing - as well as a bit stifling. Salads were overdressed and the Caesar not edible (really - how hard is it to make a Caesar salad?) The main courses were less than memorable. You can do better and should.
(2)Megan B.
We came during our Maine vacation, looking for a dog friendly restaurant. We got seated quickly and very friendly. The bread was very good and the butter had a nice flavor. As a table we got the duck wontons appetizer was vey good. I got the ahi appetizer as my meal the portion was small but I wasn't expecting a big portion. It was very good I especially the seaweed salad that came with it.
(4)Ari K.
We ordered the clam chowder, farm house salad and the seafood risotto. This restaurant is excellent. The chowder was more broth based than creamy and my wife thought it was the best chowder she ever had. The farmhouse salad had fresh greens with a very tasty dressing. The seafood risotto was memorable. The wine pairing with the recommended Bordeaux added to the experience. They also had organic burger for my son which was a nice touch. The atmosphere is park like with live music, heat lamps and nice lighting. Thank you for a great dining experience.
(5)Roger H.
Great beer selection of Maine drafts. GREAT food. Had a Cioppino that was wonderful and a good portion. Melissa's fish and chips was to die for. Awesome cut of haddock. Service was a little icey and pretentious. Nice restaurant and great outdoor space. A little fancy for a public house but generally took us dirty after a long day of canoeing so aok too.
(4)Renard S.
We had a Sunday evening dinner over a holiday weekend at McKay's, when it was recommended by the innkeepers where we were staying. The menu looked quite inviting and had a wide range of options. In the end, however, this seemed to be to the restaurant's detriment; McKay's isn't quite sure what it is (upscale, casual, inventing, etc.). Cocktails from the main menu (a manhattan and a ciao bella) were mediocre. A bit watery, and seemingly too much citrus in both). We ordered the mussels appetizer, which turned out to be a mistake. It arrived with spicy kielbasa, peppers and onions (of the sort you get at the ballpark with your Italian sausage) and wet french fries. Don't get me wrong, I love kielbasa, but it completely overwhelmed the taste of the mussels. Main courses were boiled lobster and seafood risotto. The risotto was a bad miss, to the point the that the waitress (unprompted) asked if it was overcooked, noting that previous patrons had complained. She (again unprompted), removed it from our bill. The lobster was appropriately cooked and nicely presented, however the sides were bland and poorly organized -- by the time one could finish even half the lobster, the sides of a broiled green beans and mashed potatoes were guaranteed to be quite cold. The service was decent, though the appetizer and entrees were served within three to five minutes of each other. We noticed this also happened at the table next to us. When in Bar Harbor, I'd recommend skipping this and instead going to a nearby lobster pound (we went to Trenton Bridge) for seafood, or another establishment in town (Fathom, Sidestreet Cafe, etc.) if you're in the mood for something else.
(2)Leigh E.
Excellent selection of eclectic wines, friendly and helpful staff, and a deliciously expansive selection of dinner choices. We went two nights in a row and loved it!
(5)Steve P.
This is a great place to grab a little high class fare in an approachable atmosphere. My wife and I chose to eat here based on Yelp recommendations. If not for Yelp, we would probably just continued with some of our other favorite dinner spots in town, skipping McKay's entirely. Thankfully, we read up before going out! I had a tough time deciding between the halibut special (served over purple sushi rice) and the Portobello Picatta. I went with the portobello, again based on the Yelp recommendation. I'm glad I did! The preparation is odd on the surface (almonds, coarse bread crumbs, capers, and more), but all of the pieces work together to make for a great texture and phenomenal taste. It was served over whipped potatoes and swiss chard in a creamy (but not too creamy) sauce. My mouth is still watering as I write this review. My wife had the filet mignon. She thought it was a high quality cut of meat, but perhaps could have been seasoned a little more. It was served with pancetta, whipped potatoes, and swiss chard. She probably would not get it again, as we have plenty of good steakhouses near our home that really know how to do it right. She classifies this steak as above Outback, but well below Sullivan's. A notable fact about McKay's that helped to set it above other places we've eaten is the children's menu. They offered some healthy options, rather than just the standard chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, etc. Our son had the grilled chicken with whipped potatoes and swiss chard (see a pattern here?). The chard was probably too much for his little palate, so my wife and I happily shared it instead. The chicken was perfectly cooked and he ate all of his potatoes. We still have a healthy portion of the chicken for leftovers, as it was a bit much for a 10-month-old. The atmosphere was friendly. We ate in the outside dining area, which was very comfortable and surrounded by foliage. It got a bit chilly, so the wait staff lit the propane burners for us. That was nice! The service was competent, but they still left my wife with an empty beer glass for more than half the meal. The service lapse and underseasoned meat are all that kept this meal from getting a full 5 stars. We do plan to go back and will update this posting with any new information. I can't wait to try the purple rice!
(4)An L.
Lobster mac and cheese was good, but not incredible. I think this was somewhat overrated. Seafood risotto was also good; again not outstanding. Blueberry pie was delicious - you've got to try this. Waittress was extremely nice. Guiness also excellent. Great atmosphere. Beautiful locale.
(4)Jen G.
Had a nice dinner here. We sat on the porch which was nice despite the crazy people sitting next to us having a frightening conversation. Had the spinach dip and a mushroom dish. Both were very good. I'll definitely come back when we visit Bar Harbor again.
(4)Andrew H.
Is a cool house. Very good food but limited options. Tried to get a free drink for my 30th birthday but our waiter would not give me one, weak.
(3)Jordan V.
if you sit at the bar at mckay's you will get that old timey feeling when people went out and actually had an extraordinarily pleasant time talking to the other people inhabiting the same public space. in our case, that was a pharmaceutical researcher, a man i'm pretty sure was a CIA agent, and a dude who, randomly, went to the same high school as me (uh, in dana point, california) and was travelling the states in an rv with his girlfriend. many months later, it is this conversation at this place that i remember most about our trip. go here, drink craft beer, eat delicious and comforting food and most importantly, talk to others!
(4)Brian C.
Awesome lobster mac and cheese. The torrontes went great with it, too. Salad was creative, and featured candied apricots and goat cheese. Great ambiance in the restaurant, and excellent service.
(4)david g.
Best nice meal we had in bar harbor, hands down. Very romantic atmosphere, but good for casual and families too. (I know that sounds odd, but it's actually true!) Great mussels, and the picata portobello was to die for!
(5)Rob L.
Great place. My wife and I both had the lobster mac and cheese and were not disappointed. We loved the building and the service lived up to reviews. We called ahead as we were bringing our 6 month old and they had a table and high chair ready to go upon arrival. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking for dinner in Bar Harbor.
(4)Dee H.
We had a very pleasant dinner here recently. The pretty outdoor setting drew us in, however we were seated inside without having to wait. I had the hake over turnips with a small side of zucchini and summer squash, accompanied by a very good pinot grigio. (They were out of sangria, but this is an excellent replacement.) I'm a fool for chocolate cake, so for dessert I had a little chocolate torte with a very healthy serving of coffee. It was a perfect meal I had with the girls, and both the hostess and our server Augusta took care of us very well.
(4)Tim B.
I've eaten here a few times. It's a very pleasant place, reliable and consistent, with some real inventiveness here and there on the menu. Definitely one of the better places to eat in Bar Harbor.
(4)Dave T.
The outdoor seating was good and the atmosphere is good. The lobster Mac lacked a solid portion of lobster but had good flavor. The rack of lamb was done to order. My friends lamb was way under cooked and they fixed it and comped her meal. Good but not great.
(3)Dave W.
We arrived as a party of 17 including 8 children and one of our party in a wheelchair. The host actually convinced the already-seated party in the first floor dining area to move upstairs to allow our wheelchair into the first floor dining room. The server was an excellent sport in handling our drink and dinner orders (including many glasses of milk). The food for both kids and adults was quite good. We had beet salads, Porterhouses, rack of lambs and it tasted excellent.
(5)GoldieGir L.
Baked Brie and feta appetizers were wonderful, as was the portabella piccata. Lobster Mac & cheese was tasty but overpriced. Island burger was cooked to order (med) but dry - probably just too lean. Portion sizes were rather skimpy, except for the island burger, which was huge. Bread and herbed butter was delicious. Good service, nice outdoor seating
(3)Bill B.
I had read the reviews here on Yelp before we decided to go and I will say that the food, drink, and staff here was excellent. The staff at the inn we stayed at also recommended McKays. Delicious!
(5)Tracy M.
Great ambiance! Sat outside in the patio section, the dishes were awesome, especially the seafood risotto, t-bone was cooked to perfection, service was pretty slow, but it was pretty busy for a Friday night in the summer time. Definitely recommend!!
(5)Leah M.
This is the best meal we've had so far in Bar Harbor, and my meal (the sachetti pasta) was one of the best I've ever had anywhere. The prices are resort town in Maine reasonable. The location and interior are lovely, and the porch and front are beautifully landscaped with flowers. There is a children's menu, which is very reasonably priced. I'd definitely go back.
(4)Rob E.
We stopped here for our first meal in Bar Harbor back in August. We sat outside and had a very nice dinner off of their 'early bird' menu. I had a delicious fish and chips and a wonderful IPA from Sebago Brewery. My girlfriend had some portabello mushroom dish which was also excellent. I think this is a great choice for a moderately-priced pub/restaurant in Bar Harbor.
(4)Evelyn C.
Recommended to us by our kayaking tour guide, we decided to come here for dinner. There was a fundraising event going on that night with live music from a 14 year old fiddler accompanied by a guitarist. We sat a couple tables down from the live music in the upstairs dining area. She was very talented and I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would. As for the food: Mussels- omg amazing. I know they were traditionally prepared, with leek, garlic, and butter and wine....but the broth was just so delicious. The best thing was the chunk of grilled bread that accompanied the mussels. I wish I could have picked up the bowl with whatever juices remained with another chunk of bread...I would have been satisfied. Seafood Etouffee- the hubby reported that it had great flavor, but the jasmine rice that was supposed to be served with was the consistency of congee (Chinese rice porridge). Luckily we are used to rice of that mushy nature so he ate it without complaints. Seafood risotto- nice light, delicate flavor with plump scallops and the infamously puny Maine shrimp. The peas and the tomato added enough freshness to prevent the dish from being super dense. Dessert- I couldn't help myself, but I couldn't leave Maine without having some form of blueberry pie. So when I saw blueberry RHUBARB pie on the menu, I had to try it. It was great with a little bit of tang in the filling and a flaky crust. The two scoops of vanilla ice cream certainly didn't hurt either.
(4)Terrence S.
The place covers it all in a converted Victorian home just a short distance from the town center of Bar Harbor. The front lawn is a very nicely landscaped walk and patio. You can dine inside or outside during the warm summer days. During the fall the staff like to work indoors. The food covers a large range. Nearly everything is organic or locally raised. They have fish, beef, pork, lamb and lots of vegetable dishes. The size of the dishes is generous until you get to the entre. Then they are just right. Which is the right way to do things. Appetizers should be large enough to share with others and the dinners should be small enough to not make a pig of yourself. The desert selection was diverse covering the creme brulee to ice cream to some very nice fruit pies. The bartender really needs to learn how to make an Old Fashion. The place did not have a bottle of brandy at all. Not even a well bottle. They tried their best to emulate the drink. But really messed up. We had to make substitutions to get the cocktail even close. Oh well. The food was great and fresh. The close proximity to the fire place was a treat. Try to remember that during the high season, This place needs a reservation. You can walk in and get a seat at the bar most any time. However, you only get to order off the bar selections.
(5)Rob M.
The best. Garden and indoor seating. Street parking in front if you lucky in the summer. In busy downtown Bar Harbor. Food is excellent and martini's are perfect. Have a lot of seasonal micro brews. Candle lit at night on two floors. Sit upstairs with a big for more privacy. Call ahead for reservations on weekends or when the cruise ships are in.
(5)Alison H.
Atmosphere was nice- very romantic. Service was terrible... We had to beg another waitress for water after we waited for 20 minutes with empty glasses and no success trying to melt ice cubes with the candle. My husband's Clam chowder was okay, but very small portion and nowhere near as good as others we had on our trip. His lobster Mac and cheese was, again, okay, but not as good as side street cafe. I had the beet salad and added scallops. The scallops were cooked perfectly, but the salad was nothing special. We also had their "new" white sangria, which was terrible and had a weird aftertaste. The fruit in it was nowhere near ripe, so that may have been the cause. We were underwhelmed and annoyed by our lack of water.
(3)Missy G.
At Mckay's I got the steak. We had to wait for a while but it was very good.
(5)noodlebean d.
Truly delicious food, attentive (but not annoying) service, New Englandy atmosphere (in a great way)... loved it. The chowder especially seemed really good, though I'm no connoisseur, but I loved it.
(4)Michelle M.
Fresh ingredients, well seasoned, wide variety of items on menu, and a nice atmosphere outside. Portobella Piccata we well worth repeating, and every bit as good as said in the previous reviews. Salad with chive oil, heirloom tomatoes, and feta was delicious, and tuna two ways for our appetizer was excellent. Good value and very good service and good wine. What more do you need for an excellent dinner.
(5)Maura H.
We have eaten at McKays twice since October and had a great experience both times. The atmosphere at McKays is perfect - an old house turned into a restaurant so each room has just a few tables. Both times we were seated by the fireplace so it was warm and cozy. They even have a small bar wich was quite busy last night as it was New Year's Eve. The menu has great options for both meat lovers, seafood lovers and vegetarians. We started out with raw oysters from Taunton Bay which were very sweet. For the next course I had a smoked mussel confetti salad which was excellent. My main course - seafood risotto - was not so great but in all fairness we ordered at the end of a very busy night. I have no complaints though because the owner, Brian Smith, was very apologetic and gracious and didn't charge me for the meal or its replacement. He even served our table complimentary sparkling wine at the end of the meal. Brian was very attentive throughout our meal and helped us with our wine selection offering us tastings of several different wines. Great place - highly recommend it.
(4)Tracy H.
Love this place! The pub fondue was amazing, lobster risotto was coked perfectly as was the chicken. Beer list always has some interesting features! Definitely not a "tourist" kind of place, just a comfortable, well staffed and overall great place to eat!
(5)Lifan Y.
Great food. Somewhat pricey though. No space in the garden for big group.
(4)Natalie W.
It was a crisp, cool evening in Bar Harbor...We had a reservation at McKay's Public House for dinner. When we arrived, the porch was nicely heated and my dining partner desired to be seated there and give up our nice warm table inside. Well, that's our fault, not McKay's! My lobster mac-n-cheese was delightful. My husbands steak was not as good as the one he ate at Mache the night before. Would return, but not for steak!
(4)Matt G.
The food was solid. Had seafood risotto and thoroughly enjoyed. Also had the shrimp ceviche which was very tasty. Other meals at our table we very good. Very interesting decor in an old houseand downside! Our waitress needed a happy pill. Maybe she forgot this is a service business. I would try again and likely would enjoy if not for the service.
(4)Jen. R.
Not impressed. The main dish came out while we were still eating the appetizers. I found a hair in the Lobster Mac and Cheese, which also tasted like it was made from a box. The server seemed in a huge hurry to get rid of us, even though the restaurant was less than half full. I wish we had gone elsewhere.
(1)Alaina B.
My boyfriend wanted to try this place since he read the reviews on here, so after an evening of whale watching the two of us along with his father and brother walked up from the boat and right on toward McKays. They were pretty busy and we didn't have reservations, but they told us to come back in twenty minutes (after taking our names) to see if something opened up. The smell emanating from inside was amazing, and the outdoor patio looked so lovely. We started to walk back through the town, but nowhere looked (or smelled) as good as McKay's so his dad suggested we just try our luck and go back. Lo and behold another family had just showed up and were about to be given a table when the people realized we had been there ten minutes before and were already on the list (the other family was not). It seems two tables had opened up while we walked away, so they quickly seated us upstairs by the window. The decor inside really made you feel like you were in someones home, and the waiter we had was very friendly and attentive. The drink menu was great, and we got to have some of our old favorites that were hard to find. The waiter told us about one of their specials of the evening which was a garlic and herb borscht that my boyfriend and I ended up splitting. The rest of our party thought it sounded bizarre and were shocked when they also tried it and found out how amazing it was. I'm usually not too crazy about borscht but I would have gladly had that as my entire meal. Based on reviews here, I did try the McKays burger and it was everything it was said to be. So juicy and flavorful, the only thing that wasn't the best was the pickle! The nice thing is they leave the tomato, lettuce and onion on the side so you can decide how much you want on or if you want to eat them separate (if at all). The mustard they provided was also very good, and I wished I wrote down what brand it was because it was delicious and really complemented the meat. However, it really didn't need much and I could have eaten it without even a bun or anything else on it. Everyone else enjoyed their meals thoroughly (clam chowder, beet salad, Maine Etouffe, pork ribs, and steak) and we had a great time to boot! I highly recommend McKays to anyone visiting the area.
(4)Joe S.
We had dinner twice here. The first time was by chance after coming across it on our way back from a shore walk. The second time was by choice. The food and service were solid. The restaurant offers inexpensive pub fare, as well as a more traditional but still reasonable American cuisine. I actually was pleasantly surprised with the portobello picatta - an interesting vegetarian reinterpretation of a classic. I was however somewhat disappointed with their creme brulee. The wait staff frequently asked how we enjoyed dinner, in a very authentic way. They were very attentive, and kid friendly. There is indoor and outdoor seating, with gas heaters in the outdoor patio for cool evenings. Overall, this probably was one of the better restaurants in our Bar Harbor stay. I would recommend to those traveling with and without families. There is also a nice wine shop next door to pick up a bottle for an after dinner drink at the hotel.
(4)William B.
We returned to McKay's for the Lobster Mac and Cheese. What a disappointment! Three tiny morsels of lobster in the dish for $25. This is a town that is swimming in lobster, where a heaping lobster roll sells for $12. Come on, McKay's, you can do better than this!
(2)Nick M.
A good Public House has an excellent selection of beers, good food and a nice dark, but welcoming pub atmosphere. McKay's has it all. A converted Victorian, the place is quite large with elegant features like the carved wooden molding, ornately detailed dark cast iron radiators, elegant staircases, etc. that make this a pub feel unmistakably like you're in New England. The service was OK, not the fastest and definitely not the worst. Beer menu was decent, not huge but classy. I had a Maine local favorite: Gritty's 21 IPA, which was served a bit too cold for my liking but I warmed it up with my hands. The bar was hopping at times, then dead. I saw lots of wine being poured. The maître d' even shared in some cocktail of some sort at the bar. The menu was classic pub food of burgers, with seafood and a bit of steak. A special of the night was lobster in a cream sauce with homemade pasta for $25. I believe there was a shrimp and scallop risotto with lemon truffle oil, but I didn't want a lemon bomb for dinner. There was a ribeye steak, topped with Gorgonzola cheese and served with a wine reduction. I figured any place trying to doctor up my steak with anything more than salt and pepper is risky, so I went instead with the Ahi Tuna with Carrot and Ginger sauce, which sounded safe. Nope. It was a generous cut of tuna, served with purple sticky rice and zucchini with summer squash. I ordered the tuna "as rare as possible" as I like it almost like sashimi, barely seared on each side on a red hot pan. Tuna steak was a quality cut of fish, which I found to be slightly overcooked for my liking. One piece of tuna was extremely oversalted, which detracted from the meal. The rice was OK, the vegetables were a bit salty because they were plated with the tuna. And the carrot ginger I didn't really get. I tasted the sweetness of the carrot, no ginger flavor at all. It didn't really go with the tuna and seemed more like an afterthought. For this I was a bit confused and wished they just salted and peppered my tuna. The meat itself had a nice flavor at first, but almost a metallic finish towards the end. I'm not sure if it was the cookware, but the tuna didn't taste right with the aftertaste.You're in Bar Harbor and don't know how to serve seafood? WTF?! My girlfriend ordered a burger and fries. Very large burger, one of the best I've tried in awhile. Excellent and for $10 I'd say it was worth it. With all the seafood, you need a Public House in Bar Harbor. We also ordered an appetizer of Spinach and Artichoke dip, which came served in a bread bowl with "dippers" which were like a fluffy tortilla of sorts. Canned artichoke and frozen spinach, but good bread bowl that hit the spot and made a good 1st impression. Overall, 3 stars for this place because it tries too hard to be something it is not. Great burgers, decent beer selection and fancier, classier fare if you dare. I would have rated 4 stars if my tuna (come up guys, you're in Bar Harbor and can't prepare seafood) was better seasoned. I read a Yelp review that says the food is orgasmic around the 5pm dinner rush, but I definitely didn't put any O-face on. We went around 9:30pm and I wouldn't recommend the tuna to anyone, not for $25 anyways. One final comment: I really enjoyed the jazz music. Don't change it. It works with the place very well. Located in Historic Downtown Bar Harbor, I recommend this restaurant for basic pub food in a relaxed New England setting. Avoid the fancier meals and stick with the excellent burgers instead and you can't go wrong.
(3)Millhouse R.
McKay's is a pretty nice place. I admit that right now I'm a bit peeved they ran out of rib eye steak and JW beer when I arrived for dinner past 8pm, however, like Mr. Spock I'm gonna keep my emotions in check. The decor itself is worth heading over if you just want to relax with a beer or some top shelf. Very easy lighting and relaxing music set up for a nice mood and night. You are warmly greeted and treated very well by the maitre 'd and any other staff you run in to.When I asked for reading material the lady of the house said there weren't any papers around but that she'd look anyway. A few minutes later she came with a three day old local paper, and I did appreciate the gesture. I did like the food, what was left on the menu. I ordered mussels in white wine to start and decided to go with a ground lamb burger in lieu of my extinct ribeye. Now, usually no matter where I order mussels in white wine or any other sauce the chef hasn't a clue how to make them and you wind up tasting the lousy sauce rather than the mussels. McKay's, thank heaven, does them right. The wine and garlic butter reduction was a bit salty but the mussels were fully flavored and devoid of any sand. I wish I had a big bowl of these rather than the plate. My lamb burger was a mixed bag. The meat itself was pretty good. Strong, juicy and cooked exactly how I wanted (medium rare) my only complaint was the huge amount of whipped feta cheese on top. I understand what the chef was going for but he/she needs to put it on the side rather than plotzed on top. It's regular Greek feta, you know the very salty kind, and it overwhelms the lamb. No biggie I scrapped it off. If sheep feta or even Bulgarian or Israeli feta is used, all of which have stronger flavor but less salt then it would work. Saying all this I really did like my lamb burger and the skin on french fries were some of the best I've had. Skip the complimentary bread. It's cold and soggy, you're not missing anything. My only advice is to get there early so you can get whatever specials they're offering. Actually, I'll say this for all the restaurants in Bar Harbor. They don't cater to us city slickers where we can have dinner up to 12am. Ah the life in the country.
(4)Erick M.
The only thing keeping this review from being two star was the atmosphere, which was low key, serene and happy. Service was acceptable but not great. The food .... Ugh! My wife had steak. It was cooked to a perfect medium rare but was chewy and average at best. For $26 i would expect prime not choice cuts of meat. I'm not sure what happened to my Asian pork ribs. They were dry and tough and clearly overcooked. The creme brûlée was more like cream pudding and not cooked through, and I would swear that the blueberries in the blueberry pie were canned and not fresh. We enjoyed ourselves in spite of the food, but we wouldn't go back there to eat.
(2)Zoran M.
I love burgers, bbq burgers, dream about burgers, etc. The burger at McKay's was in top 3 burgers I have ever had. It was done perfectly with feta cheese and really nice french fries. That in combo with Bar Harbor Brewing Co beer was outstanding. Also, great atmosphere, friendly staff and extensive menu.
(5)Sarah M.
We didn't have reservations, but called ahead to see what the wait was. We were told they would make it happen - and they did. We were seated immediately at a table indoors. The restaurant is located in an old home that has a lot of character. The food was decent, we ordered the lobster mac and a duck dish. The lobster mac was fabulous and included a large portion. We ended up with leftovers, but they were quickly eaten the next day. The duck had an interesting preparation of duck sausage and duck breast - both were excellent. The service was good, not exceptionally good or bad - just average. We would definitely return.
(4)Margaret T.
We were in a rush so took the indoor seats. Big mistake. I began to sweat within a few minutes of being seated indoors. The room was dark, cramped and a window a/c unit was nestled nearby along with a handful of winged insects. The patio seating we walked by looked lovely with white lights and live music. No one at the tables we walked by was sweating. I was in steerage for the evening. The food! Everything that was brought to the table was amazing. The lobster mac and cheese was succulent and buttery. It was the best meal in the worst building.
(4)Francine L.
Dined here after reading reviews and we were not steered wrong. Very nicely appointed. Sat quickly. Prompt, helpful and friendly staff. Food was delicious and portions more than enough. Dessert was 50/50. Creme brûlée had way too much sugar on top I would definitely try this place again.
(4)Christine P.
As many other reviewers have said: lobster mac and cheese. That's all you need to know. But actually McKay's is more than just that; they have a lovely garden seating area and also on the porch, where we sat (and where the maitre d kindly moved us after being concerned about being caught in the rain). They also just overall have a terrific menu. In addition to the proverbial lobster mac and cheese, I really enjoyed the tuna steak with the summer squash chilled soup and polenta cake; tuna was cooked perfectly (order it medium rare). We also started with the spinach and artichoke dip, which was delicious, but the highlight were the chips, which were hand made, and had lots of salt which made them really tasty. McKay's is also good because it can appeal to everyone: groups, families, couples.
(4)Lindsay S.
Pleasant hostess sat us after a 10 minute wait and we arrived at our table outside. Waited 15 minutes and then asked for our waitress to then have our waitress come over 10-15 minutes later without much of a reason. The entrees we ordered arrived incorrectly and by that point we had waited an hour. Beyond unacceptable. The new waitress we got was nice, but very hard to overcome the first hour. Our food came cold with the steak overlooked and the veggies undercooked. Worst dinner and service I have had ever!
(1)Cassie S.
Just had the lobster Mac and cheese and the portion was a perfect size and tasted delicious . The staff was very courteous and the atmosphere was lovely! Highly recommend dining here.
(5)Deb M.
The food at McKay's was awesome. My husband said the boiled lobster was one of the top 3 lobsters he has ever eaten, and he has eaten a lot of lobster. I had the special Duck Duo -- duck sausage and duck breast with blueberry sauce. I had it cooked medium rare -- chef recommended -- and it was so tender and juicy it melted in my mouth. The meal was so good we made reservations on our way out for tomorrow night!
(5)Matthew S.
Five stars, dollar for dollar, all the way around.
(5)Andy L.
Above average. Was surprised by this find. Excellent beer selection. Walked up without a reservation at 700pm on a weekday at the end of July and was seated right away. Had mussels and a salad. Wife had lobster Mac and cheese. Both meals were very good. Service was smooth and efficient. Would recommend. Had many items on the menu that looked worth trying. Maybe we will go back before leaving.
(4)Tiffany C.
Food so good that I had to write this review while we're still here. The lobster mac and cheese is heavenly. It's like a lobster and truffle decided to make love in my mouth and splooge everywhere. I live in NYC and must say this is the best mac and cheese I've had in my life. Oh and everything else is great as well.
(5)Matthew T.
Okay these people have low standards. The environment is nice, the staff is nice and accommodating. However the portions and quality of food leave much to be desired! For $30 dollars you can get filet mignon, with a scoop of mashed potatoes, and a scoop of spinach. For $18 you can get shepherds pie that looks nothing like it does in the pictures you get that McKays has posted on yelp and Google. In fact it's in a tiny skillet and tastes like dog food. The bill was $100 and we left hungry! And picked up chinese on the way home. Don't waste your money here on these tiny portions. $100 goes further in over priced connecticut and new york city and you'll actually get portions that'll fill you up.
(1)Tim F.
This gastropub serves delicious food, fine drinks, is kid friendly and has a very nice atmosphere. IMO probably some of the best food we ate in Bar Harbor. Sat out on the porch, with a nice space heater in case it got a bit chilly. Our server was very friendly; made some good cider and crafted beer suggestions; and was very attentive. Started off with Homemade Pretzel and Welsh Rarebit. It was not a pretzel in the typical sense, but more akin to mini baked loaves of bread....however once you get past that, dipping it in the delicious Welsh Rarebit makes any concerns about the bread's description go away. Yum! Next onto the asparagus soup, which was also delicious, not too salty and the consistency and perfect for a cool night. The main course for me was a duck meatloaf wrapped in bacon with green peppercorns with mashed potatoes and whisky cream. My wife had the lobster macaroni. We would order either one of these dishes again. For desert, I went for the warm blueberry cobbler with ice cream. This was good, but not OMG, as I felt it was not blueberry enough, if that makes sense. Regardless, we had a terrific time and for those parents that have kids, this place is great. They give the kids some sticky sticks to play with and have a kids menu. For those that don't have kids, don't worry there is enough room in this place that you can find that corner, so you don't feel like you're in Disney World.
(5)Dana P.
Great restaurant - food was excellent, wine recommendations were stellar (they were out of what we ordered, but made great recommendations), and the setting was perfect. We were there for a fall weekend getaway and would highly recommend.
(5)Kristen R.
We read some fabulous reviews about McKays and were not disappointed! It was busy on a weekday night and we took the last table...it was quaint and comfortable. We ordered the smoked haddock dip as our starter and realized we were in for a culinary treat. It actually tasted like smoked haddock compared to the mayo-style we all know and say "eh, it's ok". This app was excellent. We then enjoyed the lobster mac & cheese and the special farmhand salad. The mac and cheese lived up to its reputation - great cheese, yummy lumps of lobster (and enough of it) and fresh peas with pasta. The salad was arugula, a lemony vinaigrette, smoked mussels, cabbage...a fine combination to accent the flavorful mussels. The one con? We were convinced to try the jalapeno beer and, sure it was tasty, but not at all spicy as advertised. If it's going to be jalapeno, we want it to taste like it! :)
(4)Megan R.
Jeff and I stopped into McKays Public House after Jeff did a YELP search for some of the top rated spots in Bar Harbor. I understand why McKays was near the top of the list. A short walk from the bustling part of downtown Bar Harbor, McKays was set behind a beautiful front patio which was laid out between trees and greenery, with white lights floating in the leaves. The tables were spacious and private, and made me feel like I was eating in a magic little garden. Jeff and I opted for sharing plates and a drink, we thought we might continue to bar-harbor-hop around. Our server was amicable and knowledgable, and took our order as soon as we were ready. I started with a Garden Party cocktail, a fresh and lemon-y mixture of gin, Lemoncello, and fresh muddled basil (YUM!!) and Jeff went for a microbrew beer. We were sharing the Duck Confit Spring Rolls (2 on the appetizer order, smaller size) which were crispy, hot, and stuffed with that beautiful rich duck meat. We also shared the Fish and Chips, which came out looking like they took the whole haddock, fresh from the boat, skinned and filleted, and thrown in the fryer. (In other words, it was the entire fillet fried to crispy fresh perfection.) We did not bother with the french fries, because, who would when everything else is so tasty? On the Wednesday night we were there, a local musician was playing beautiful acoustic guitar on a little porch nearby, which made the night even lovelier. Thank you for a great night at the Public House!!
(4)Stuart G.
Excellent ambiance, and it doesn't feel like a tourist trap. There was a 20 minute wait before a table opened up, which my date and I had no problem with. Even though we were just sitting patiently, the manager went out of his way to get us drinks while we waited, and they weren't even on the bill at the end of the meal! That's right, free beer! We had the mussels for an appetizer, which were served in a delicious broth and was the perfect portion for two. I followed this with the duck meatloaf, which is a dish I've never even seen anywhere else. It was absolutely fantastic, wrapped in prosciutto ham and cooked to juicy perfection. Duck can be really hit-or-miss, so I was thoroughly impressed. To cap it all off, there was a man sitting on the porch next door playing some relaxing acoustic guitar tunes throughout our entire meal! That, combined with the excellent patio seating outdoors in the evening really made for the best ambiance we could have hoped for. Will definitely be returning next time I'm in town.
(5)Tater T.
It was OK. Halibut special was a little sweet, severed on a bed of sweet potatoes. Lobster mac exceeded expectations, nicely cheesy not just covered in a cream sauce. Nice beer selection and happy hour specials.
(3)Jon S.
Excellent food & service. More upscale dining option in Bar Harbor. We opted for the following: spinach dip, beet salad, macaroni and lobster, and fish & chips. All were of quality and fresh ingredients. That's code of course for portions being smaller, but you can counter by ordering any of the heavier meals. For example, the fish & chips (a 6oz piece of haddock fried) was plenty for the hungry belly, especially with fries. Two seating options here: inside (a old renovated guest home) or in the courtyard patio. Both are nice, but your call (usually based on the weather). Service is pretty good. This place is seasonal and fills up after 7pm, especially on the weekends. Make the call for reservations if in this timeframe.
(4)Paula K.
Wow, it is a really good thing that we have been travelling the past two weeks and virtually electronic-free or I would have written a very different review two weeks ago. Every couple of years we come to Maine and while visiting our family offers to watch our kids so we can go to Bar Harbor for an evening. The first night we were there we chose to have dinner at McKays. It was a Thursday night and we didn't have reservations but they were able to acommodate us at one of the tall tables. We ordered drinks several minutes after arriving. My husband ordered the sampler paddle which he loved (great selection) and I ordered a glass of wine...which arrived ten minutes after my husbands beer. Okay. The waitress seemed extremely busy so we thought that might have something to do with it (that and the fact that for some reason all of the wait staff was mixing and pouring their own drinks upstairs, what??) We started with the crab cakes and the sweet fries. I ordered the sweet fries because I love horseradish sauce. The problem is that we have NO idea what we were served. It was definitely coconut, no horseradish flavor whatsoever, and if we had to venture a guess it tasted like straight coconut milk. It wasn't the horseradish sauce that I had hoped for but it wasn't a bad combo. When I asked the waitress what the susbtitution was (nicely, weren't complaining, said it was still good) she said it was impossible that it could be anything with cocounut b/c they don't use coconut anywhere in the kitchen. Okay, but it was cocounut. That we were certain about. The crab cakes were good. Very big and full of crab. Next, our food came and my husband enjoyed his lobster mac and cheese. I enjoyed my petite burger and beet salad. I asked for medium rare and it was well done (still good) and a beet salad (where the heck were the pumpkin seeds that were advertised on the salad?) Despite all of the mistakes the food was good even if we felt like the waitress who clearly was trying to be friendly but way too busy to be attentive fell short. But all of the mistakes left a really bad impression. I would have asked for things things to be set straight but after the non-response to the coconut mllk mistake and a busy waitress...sometimes you just have to let things go. Fast-forward to the following week. On our way out of town we took our kids to Bar Harbor. Around 6:30 we were faced with a tired, cold, HANGRY preschooler who was only settling for Mac and Cheese (which we realized if you want lobster-free is not an easy thing to find in Bar Barbor). While walking around and falling short we ran into McKay's again and low and behold the menu said, "Mac and Cheese". Needing to address the Hangry Preschooler's needs we looked at each other, "should we try again?" and we did. Hangry is bad. Total night and day experience. The waiter was attentive. The fries came with horseradish sauce. My burger was medium rare and there were pumpkin seeds on my salad. We also got all of our drinks at the same time, not a ten minute wait watching my husband drink all of his before mine was served, yay. Based on the last experience I would have gone with a 4 1/2 or 5 but inconsistency and a poor first experience knocks it back to a three. Maybe next year we'll give it another try and see how they do on a 2 out of 3.
(3)Joy W.
DELICIOUS!!! We had dinner at McKay's and started off with the oysters and a round of margaritas! Both excellent-being from the midwest and only trying oysters once, I became a huge fan of oysters after having them at McKay's! My spouse had the seafood risotto which was 5stars:Local scallops and sautèed Maine shrimp over a lemon truffle risotto tossed with fresh peas, Parmesan, a touch of cream and diced tomatoes. I had the Lobster Mac and Cheese which also was 5stars: Fresh picked local lobster meat in a truffled cream sauce over cavatappi noodles & spring pea. Everything from start to finish was delicious and the outdoor seating area is perfect for a nice romantic evening! The only downside is that we didn't eat here sooner in our stay at Bar Harbor so that we could have had dinner here every night!!
(5)Karen L.
On vacation with a party of ten we scheduled reservations for 8pm on a Wednesday night. Our table was not ready and we had to wait 40 minutes for the party using it to leave. The food after all of that, was terrible. Shepard's pie was burnt to a crisp because they ran out of potatoes. Meatloaf was burnt. The manager offered a free round of drinks which did not overcompensate for our wait, and disappointing meal.
(1)Christina G.
The courtyard is pretty; but it was packed on the weekend, and we didn't have time to wait for a seat, so we got a table indoors. It channels pub well, with heavily curtained windows and deep hues. For me, though, all that kind of puts a damper on cool coastal breezes and sunshiney weather right outside. About 5 Maine beers on draft (though surprisingly nothing from Bar Harbor-local Atlantic Brewing). We got three dishes and shared everything. Clam Chowder: I'd been wanting to try a Northeast version of this, but hubs' opinion... "Tastes like something you can get from a can." Not wholly untrue regarding the broth. Though I will say the clam was at least plentiful! Crab Cakes: Good crab-to-breading ratio. Solid. Lobster Mac n Cheese: Not enough lobster, especially given the price. The mac was pretty good -- definitely cheesy -- but just a little lacking. Maybe a breadcrumb topping, or some herbs would jazz it up, and make it seem more of a cohesive dish, and less of a pasta with lobster sprinkled on top. All in all, average. Especially when the price is not far off from some of the fine dining experiences you can have in the area.
(3)Michelle K.
I was here with my husband, the food and service was just awful. We sat outside , which was a very nice patio area, our table and seats were wet and there was a slug on the table. O they didn't place us on the patio, we sat in a walkway . The food was so gross, I order the falafel burger, it was hard as a rock with no taste at all. My husband ordered the curry with chicken, said it was okay, but we were over charged. we did not notice the overcharge until we got back to our hotel. Warning do not go to this place, many many other good places to eat in Bar Harbor...
(1)Cheska R.
5 stars all around! Whenever we take a family vacation in Bar Harbor, we try to eat in here at least once. Great ambiance, service, food and drinks. It was probably a mistake dining here first on our trip, because all the cafes and restaurants we ate at after just didn't quite make it, like McKays did. It is an expensive place, but well worth the splurge. I loved the seafood risotto! It was garlicky, cheesy, and just plain comforting. Their beer selection is also quite good! I look forward to eating here every time we are in the area.
(5)Connie C.
Awesome find! Lobster Mac and cheese, duck wontons, clam chowder, snapper special all very good. Good service, good beer selection
(5)Dave B.
Not real impressed. I had the fish and chips and couldn't get past the deep fryer taste in the batter of the fish. The grilled cheese was extremely bland. The fries or "chips" were way overcooked. The atmosphere was very cool.
(2)Leta D.
We went there at the beginning of the season, overall the service and food was good but ... We ordered lamb on the rack, was big mistake. Lamb was slightly cooked, we ordered it medium, it came rare, seriously rare. Asked waitress to take back to cook some more, again it came slightly cook . Other than that lamb the rest of the meal was good, better than the other places .
(3)Erin C.
We had dinner here after going through the excellent reviews on this site, and their food was no short of excellent! I had the Jamaican Chicken Jerk which was probably the best chicken I ever had, it came with sweet potato mash which was unfortunately cold.
(4)Jackie Z.
After a long day of hiking and eating at a few "tourist traps" we were looking for something real and good to eat. This was it. It exceeded above and beyond my expectations. The food was amazing, we had the tuna with organic veggies which was a special and the burger, one of the best burgers I've ever had. Spinach and artichoke dip is a must try. The only problem is deciding what to eat, everything on the menu looks so amazing. Service was great. Sitting outside in the garden is beautiful, however the inside is also lovely with great decor and a little more of a quiet atmosphere. Wish we knew about it sooner we would have had dinner here every night. Can't wait to come back next year!
(5)Holly W.
We dined here both nights we were in town as we enjoyed the cozy outdoor seating (porch and patio), the low key live classical guitar music, and the elevated casual menu. We were lucky to get a solid waiter the first night, who made a great impression, but our waitress on the 2nd night was awful. The oysters were fresh and delicious. The smoked fish spread appetizer was ok. I had a juicy burger with a beet salad the first night - nothing special but well prepared and satisfying. My husband was unimpressed with the fish & chips. The 2nd night I tried the seafood risotto and my husband tried the lobster mac & cheese - both were good, not great, and had a similar preparation of sauces and garnishes. Solid beer selection.
(4)Lisa G.
We loved this place. They had a fabulous wine special and the bottle of wine we selected was amazing and fairly priced. The service was just right. Pleasant but professional and not overbearing. We had the mussels (fabulous), stuffed flounder, (decent), duck duo (outstanding) and the kids meals of steak and hamburger were perfect (just the right portions and fantastic). There was a musician playing which was fun.
(5)Dan K.
Really enjoyable meal. Fun and warm atmosphere! Our 14 month old loved the mac and cheese with peas!
(4)Rebecca C.
Nice restaurant. They have beautiful outdoor seating (provide heaters in the cool, coastal air) and it's quite the atmosphere with live music playing. There's a 30 something and up kind of crowd so it's a more of a toned down vibe which is fine for a relaxing evening. The service is good as are the drinks (full bar and huge, fancy beer selection.) The food was very good and we both enjoyed our meals although the only gluten free beer they had was in a can and my husband felt it was off putting for a place of this caliber that specializes in beer. All in all it was a nice, relaxing evening.
(4)Barbara T.
Had a poor experience here this evening. Waitress was distracted, patronizing and impatient; took a long time to get even drinks ordered (she didn't even offer us the option of a drink before she took our food order), and generally seemed to be in a huge hurry to get rid of us. I had the seafood risotto, which was very good. My husband's surf and turfy was mostly cold and the meat undercooked. He could have sent it back, but we were seated in an awful spot (wait staff constantly running by to the kitchen) that we just wanted to get out of there as soon as possible. The place is very busy and people seem to want to eat there-- the ambiance on the patio is indeed very nice-- but you can get food that is just as good or better at many other places in Bar Harbor
(2)Kiki K.
The Sebago red ale has shown me the light at the end of the beer tunnel, and started an obsession w/red ales. Tofu w/purple sushi rice was correct. Why does every restaurant look like someone's house? We were afraid to go in at first.
(3)Mark B.
My top pick in Bar Harbor itself. Great menu and great atmosphere. We ate on the late side and they offered us our own private room. Unexpected surprise. I had the Asian Pork Spare Ribs which were very tasty. Wife and daughter had the Lobster Mac & Cheese, which they gave rave reviews. This is different than just throwing some lobster on top of mac & cheese, they infuse the mac & cheese with lobster flavor, likley using broth. Tasty stuff. Bar menu was fantastic. My wife had a gin & tonic. Server suggested trying an organic tonic rather than the Schweppes in a bottle that most use. Nice flavors, original and refreshing.
(5)Michael C.
I liked this place. The Salmon was delicious. So was the Seafood Risotto. Well worth it. Cheers!
(5)David X.
Spectacular. I ordered the Portobello Picatta since it was a vegan dish I had never seen anywhere before. It was amazing. Surprising. Completely unexpected. The portobello is fried with an almond crust, and then served with mashed potatoes, a delicate lemon sauce, capers, spinach, tiny grapes and almonds. Each bite was divine. It sounded like a strange combination that would never work, but it does. Clearly someone has put a lot of thought into the preparation. My partner got organic roasted chicken, which sounded to me really safe and boring. And his reaction was this, and I quote: "Chicken is one of those items that is really easy to prepare adequately, but takes extraordinary talent to make it shine. This chicken shines. The best prepared chicken I think I've ever had." Now, for the negatives. The outdoor dining area is surrounded (and hidden by flower bushes and vines) and the night we ate, there were swarms of bees everywhere. I didn't get stung, but there were several bees within a foot of us for the entire evening, so it was a bit difficult to relax. The outdoor dining area is romantic and looks appealing, but I think I'd either go after sunset or choose indoors. Their indoor area is really nice too. We did go back a second time because the first time was so amazing. The second time everything was good - four stars - but definitely not orgasmic like the first time. The first time we ate at 5pm, the second time at 9pm, so maybe it has to do with time of night, when the staff is getting tired. They were out of a number of dishes as well at 9pm. Also, be forewarned you will wait atleast 45 minutes if you don't have a reservation so definitely make them unless you want to eat early or late. (also, not sure why 2 people wrote the place had no alcohol. It's a PUB!)
(5)Allen Y.
We went to Acadia Nation Park for camping and stopped by Bar Harbor for dinner. Saw the good reviews on Yelp for McKays and decided to go there. We had a party of 10 people and 4 people ordered the Lobster and said that was good. However the other 6 we ordered the Lobster Mac and Cheese, Seafood Risotto and the Entofee. These dishes were the worse dishes I have ever tasted!! The Lobster Mac and Cheese which can recommended by another yelper was horrible. The lobster meat was good, however the mac and cheese was inedible. The cheese really overwhelmed the taste buds and made you sick to your stomach. Same thing with the Risotto. The Entofee was not much better. The only saving grace was that when we complained to the waiter he was nice enough to take it off the bill. He still got a BIG tip in the end. But not the best experience, so bad that it prompted me to write this review.
(2)Lorie L.
Great find in the midst of Bar Harbor,! Lovely courtyard, fabulous food. I had the appetizer of fried green tomatoes with crab salad. YUM. If you are looking for a lovely place with high quality food at a reasonable price and lovely setting--not super touristy, not a "family" place--this place is perfect. The McKay salad was vinegary, but everything else was great.
(5)Brian K.
I am shocked by some of the reviews on Yelp about this place. We loved this place. We had excellent service, and beyond amazing food for a pub. I highly recommend this place to anyone who goes through Bar Harbor. If you miss it, you're missing out.
(5)E. Alicia P.
We were a bit late for our reservation so they sat us immediately and we started ordering...that is we started ordering practically everything on the menu. It's difficult trying to decide between this and that when so many things sounded AMAZING. We started with the duck confit spring rolls with hoisin dipping sauce on a recommendation from our friend, which were pretty good - a tad too salty for my taste but then again hoisin is pretty damn salty. The next appetizer was the cold plate special on a recommendation from our server - a lovely and attentive girl, whose name I can't remember...sorry, but you were great! This cold plate was easily one of my favorites from the meal. Housemade gravlax (cured salmon) and beef carpaccio sliced nice and thin. The meats were served with even more little tasty housemade items such as whipped lemon creme fraiche and crostini with a few slices of cucumber to round it out. So simple, soooooo good. My boyfriend asked for more crostini which were promptly brought to us. Our last app - we went all out - were the mussels in a white wine sauce with bacon and bleu cheese and fresh brioche to soak up the leftover sauce. Let it be known, I do not like bleu cheese but whatever kind they used must have been sent straight from Mount Olympus, Zeus himself because I couldn't get enough of it! They were smaller sized mussels which I enjoy more as they're not all big and chewy, cooked just right and with that sauce, I mean - well people you know where I'm going with this... At last onto the entrees, but not w/o a bottle of Malbec from Argentina first! I wish I remembered the name, our friend picked it out for us and it went down pretty damn smoothly with dinner. We 3 got our entrees knowing that we'd share everything to make it a bit more like a tasting menu and more fun. I had planned on eating a whole lobster since we're in Maine but that got lost in translation with the server who thought I meant the lobster special - mac and cheese. A bummer at first but holy lord that put all other mac and cheeses to shame. Big ol' chunks of lobster with fresh cellentani pasta, tasty melted cheese all finished with truffle oil. Not what I'd wanted but no complaints here! The other entrees were the seafood risotto and i believe a seafood gumbo special. Both equally as delicious as the lobster mac. The owner Brian came to speak with us a few times to make sure all was well and just to chat too. A younger guy with a great vision of how a truly successful restaurant should be run, he was funny and very gracious too. We ended up having a beer with him in the front patio area after our dinner since we could barely move from all the food we'd eaten. Also I guess Susan Sarandon is a big fan of McKay's as we saw both her and Tim Robbins dining here too!
(5)John K.
There aren't enough stars for some of the restaurants in Bar Harbor, ME. McKay's provided a great selection of offerings. I selected a New York Strip steak ( I was getting burned out on seafood). The steak was cooked to perfection and nicely spiced. The side order of horseradish mashed potatoes was worthy of asking for seconds. I was part of a group of seven, everyone with totally thrilled with their meals.
(5)Andy G.
Simone and I went to McKays Public House on a cool fall Sunday night and arrived just after 5pm. We were greeted by an older gentlemen playing strum guitar on the porch for the dinner entertainment. It was a nice welcome to the place and we quickly decided to sit on the patio which was decorated romantically with candles on the tables and white lights along the fencing. The space heaters were on which made the whole experience very warm, cozy and comfortable. We started off with a couple of Hard Ciders and some decent but slightly cold sliced focaccia bread with herbed butter. For our entrees Simone decided on braised short ribs, unfortunately our waiter was told by the kitchen that they were not ready to be served yet so she had to change her choice. Although it was nice that the ribs didn't come out undercooked, it would have been even better if the kitchen had started them at an earlier time so that they were ready if someone ordered them. So instead Simone decided to just get a simple Duck Con fit Spring Roll appetizer and also split my Pork Taco appetizer. I felt the Duck Spring Roll was tasty but I didn't think it was any better then most Duck Spring Rolls I have had else were. Crispy on the outside and shredded duck on the inside it was moist and sweet when dipped in the Hoisin Sauce it was drizzled with. It was good but not very memorable. The Pork Tacos were much better, The Pork was braised perfectly. It was tender and well seasoned and the Cabbage Slaw that topped it was very fresh and crunchy with just a light dressing. The crumbled Conjita Cheese added just the right amount of tanginess. The Corn Tortillas were also moist and slightly sweet and mealy. They tasted like they were freshly made in the kitchen. The Pork was my favorite dish of the meal. My entree was also good but didn't knock my socks off. It was a Martini Lamb Burger with a garlicky and salty olive and sweet vermouth tapenade. I ordered my lamb medium well and it was cooked as I ordered. It had great flavor from the char broiler and tapenade but that was about it. The bun it was served on was very good with a nice buttery flavor and a soft pillow like interior. It held up well under the burger juices. The French fries on the side were okay but just your average frozen variety. We finished the meal up by splitting two desserts. One was a really good moist and warm Gingerbread cake with butterscotch, the other a brownie Sundae topped with Jack Daniels Ice Cream. The brownie in the sundae was overcooked and hard, but the Ice cream was delicious and we used the ice cream on top of the gingerbread instead. Overall some parts of the meal were very good but some were forgettable, so it probably is worth a second visit. The ambiance was also great so overall I am going to go with three stars for McKays Public House.
(3)T P.
our last stop in bar harbor may have been the best. The seafood risotto was creamy and had tons of scallops and shrimp. The clam chowder was flavorful and well balanced. The rib eye was cooked perfectly. The atmosphere both inside and out was relaxed and inviting. And we probably had the best service of anywhere we'd been in the area - Therisa was attentive, full of great recommendations, a hit with the kids, and really cared about our experience. All around winner.
(5)Charles H.
Will be guaranteed a great meal in a friendly atmosphere, good service. Even French fried chicken livers, my favorite, sometimes on the menu.
(5)H. Deborah S.
My least favorite of the dining options in Bar Harbor. The oft mentioned Lobster Mac and Cheese was more like an alfredo. It was tasty, but not the knock your socks off dish I was expecting. Lamb Shepard's Pie was watery and under seasoned. After some additional seasoning at the table it was edible, but not memorable. I think the peas were garden fresh, but the carrots seemed like they ran out of fresh and used frozen which created way too much liquid in the dish. It was just watery, not saucy. The Farm Stand salad was a disaster. What a waste of good local ingredients. The squash was so bad it was all pushed aside. The dressing was tasty, but the spinach was lifeless. So many people recommended this place to us. I am wondering if we hit it on a bad night. I did like the cake on the Upside down Apple Cake. It was the tastiest thing all night. Blue Berry pie was microwaved. Why, oh why do they nuke berry pies. It just kills the crust. Disappointing.
(2)Tree T.
Loved it. Beautiful patio with charming tables and lights. We came twice and got lots of vegan options - they have this fantastic mushroom/spinach/potato dish, a great falafel burger and a vegan curry dish.
(5)Ashley S.
We have been here all week and heard wonderful things about McKays. It was the worst food and by far the worst service we have had here. We were seated quickly with then about a 5 minute wait before drinks were ordered. After they were, it was at least another 8-10 before 3 waters and 1 wine were brought. Dinner didn't take too horribly long (hubby got Lobster Mac and said it was good, kids had mac and noodles-they were very bland, and I had petite burger and beet salad-salad was great, burger was yuck-no flavor at all). We had finished dinner with no drink refills or checks and were waiting on a surprise cake for a birthday celebration. 15 minutes after we finished she came to check on us but some whiney children made it impossible to stay longer. We left without the dessert. I don't know if we went on an unusually busy night or what, but we won't be going back.
(1)Alex D.
Muscles were good but the fries were undercooked. The bartender was great and made us feel at home. I would return and would consider the other options on the menu as all the food that passed by us smelled great. Location is great.
(3)W D.
Our first meal here was good. Second visit not so much. Staff is friendly, but could not makeup for the inconsistent kitchen. Sit outside if you can, gets stuffy and loud inside.
(3)Joanna W.
First of all, the restaurant itself is fantastic - a whole house was converted to two-level, indoor/outdoor seating and it's gorgeous and elegant inside. Food is fantastic - my table ordered Bangers and Mash, Duck Meatloaf and the Salmon. Only complaint was that the pickled cucumbers and onions on the salmon were reeeeeally acidic and distracted from the fish, but otherwise delectable, comfortable pub food. Ended dinner with the Lemon Tart, which is topped with local Maine blueberries and delicious. Would definitely come back if I ever found myself in Bar Harbor again
(4)Katie F.
This place is soo charming. I definitely expected more of a pub vibe from this place but instead it was very warm and cozy and relatively upscale. My boyfriend and I came here late on a Friday night and were seated in upstairs off in a private one-table room which was very romantic and quiet. We started off with the Brie baked in phyllo dough appetizer which was amazing. I loved the garlic flavors (instead of fruit compotes I often see with Brie). I also had the Roast Chicken special with corn bread stuffing and pancetta -- it was just ok...but I think I just expected "wow" which I probably should have known better when ordering chicken. As other reviewers said, the blueberry pie was very good. I was a little disappointed it isn't made in house while some of the other desserts were. Overall I'd say this place gets 3.5 stars from me. I rounded it up because I think the food and environment really is perfect for Bar Habor in autumn.
(4)L K.
Old victorian house turned into a restaurant, this makes for great ambience. Al Fresco dining in a nice garden atmosphere. Service is professional and the food ingredients fresh with an interesting menu. Fair value. Will go here again when in BH.
(4)Sally B.
Disappointing evening at Mckays on Tuesday night. It was my recommendation as I've had good experiences here, I know it's favored by the locals and generally the food has been pretty good on earlier visits. I brought two of my colleagues here, one of whom had never been to Bar Harbor. I ordered the clam chowder and the wings, one of my colleagues had the lobster Mac and cheese, and my other colleague had the wild mushroom crostini. She found a hair....a long hair in her crostini. Yah, no problem. This sometimes happens. It's bound to. But how the server reacts is going to be important. We told him....he was...not dismissive, but almost nonchalant or awkward as to how to react. He said..."oh" and took the dish. He replaced it with what I hoped very much was a new dish, but absolutely no apology. And he didn't comp anything at all. This is bad business in my book. Had he apologized, comped her dish or our drinks, I would not be writing this review.
(2)Denise M.
Much more upscale than the description of "pub food" would suggest. The potato leek soup was fantastic, as were our entrees of lobster Mac n' cheese and seafood risotto. The herbed bread with herbed butter served while we waited was also very very good.
(5)Matthew H.
It took twice as long to be seated as promised. Service was pleasant but horribly slow. Good selection is mediocre and much like an upgraded TGIF. Compared to other restaurants on MDI, this one is better left untouched.
(2)Kylie D.
The best thing about McKays is that most undiscerning tourists will overlook it. I admit that I never recommend it to casual travelers or people who won't really appreciate it. Gotta keep that riff raff away! If you are riff raff and you're reading this (you know who you are: sandals and socks, hawaiian shirt, camera around your neck, asking why it's called Mt. Desert) please go to the Thirsty Whale. Sitting outside in the summer is absolutely glorious. You're far enough away from the Green to enjoy some privacy and they even have heat lamps when evenings get a bit chillier. The entire inside space is warm, dimly lit and inviting. The bar area is small, but friendly. I always end up meeting nice people - whether from away or local - at McKays' bar. The food isn't knock-your-socks-off spectacular, but if you stick to the basics and specials, it won't disappoint. There are some great, reasonably priced entrees, a good beer and spirits selection and good service. The last time I was there I enjoyed a salad made with great local produce. I wanted to like the shepard's pie, but I just couldn't. The seafood risotto was delicious. This is also a great place to just go and have a few drinks, so do it!
(4)Geula F.
Check Tim F.'s review for the full scoop! This place is amazing! Great with kids, fantastic food and service. The lobster mac and cheese is unreal, actually had it twice. Just ask them to leave out those peas....
(5)Lisa L.
Wow, what a nice place. Even after having read the reviews, I expected this to be just a nice gastropub. But it's really a delightful garden restaurant with a small indoor pub and restaurant attached. The menu is full of fresh and innovative choices. I had trouble deciding, but our server did his best to help. I ended up with pasta pockets (I forget the name) filled with mushrooms and served with a creamy sauce with peas and cherries. Yes, cherries. A bit of sweet with the salty that was delish. My caesar salad was good and fresh. Husband's "regular" salad was great, as was his petit filet. Oh wow, I nearly forgot about the blueberry pie - fresh, homemade and delicious. The garden atmosphere was gorgeous, and the guitar player added a nice touch. Prices were reasonable, especially for what we got. Highly recommended for date night, even if your date is lasting the week like ours!
(5)sarah r.
My husband and I ate here after we went to Acadia and I'm glad we did. It's really charming inside and the food is great. I had the lobster mac and cheese which was awesome and loaded with lobster and my husband had braised short ribs which were also delicious. They also have a great beer menu with local beers :) I would definitely come back here
(4)Laura K.
The atmosphere is amazing . Very warm and cozy in an old Victorian house . Great beer selection . Food average - It is upscale pub food. I ordered the crab cakes which were way to salted but my husband had a great meal
(3)Victoria M.
We got into Bar Harbor a little later than planned so there were few places to choose from for dinner. Fortunately, I had already looked up McKay's so we headed that way. Late on a weekday it was pretty slow so we got seated right away. The restaurant looked like house with a nice outdoor seating area. It was a little chilly, so we opted for inside. Service was nice and pleasant. Decor was pretty traditional, but relatively cozy. The food was pretty good, but nothing that would have you talking about it the next day. Duck confit wontons - a pretty stack of crispy fried wontons with duck confit, pickled cabbage, scallion cream, and hoisin. Duck was tender, wontons crispy, cabbage tangy, hoisin sweet, scallion cream... creamy :) Lobster mac n cheese - not really what I was thinking I was getting. More like, lobster and cavitappi in a light cheese sauce. Didn't have any of that crazy artery clogging creamy thick sauce that I was thinking about... that I kinda wanted. Still, it was quite good. Pasta had nice texture, lobster was cooked well, and the truffle was not overpowering. Grilled rack of lamb - a good rack of lamb, but otherwise pretty non-descript. We got a pumpkin chocolate pie of some sort for dessert. The pumpkin part was good, but the chocolate was way too much for us. McKay's is a good place to go later in the evening in the area, especially since it seems the rest of that part of the street shuts down pretty early. Nothing wrong with anything here, but just not memorable enough to be a destination on it's own.
(3)Bruce B.
What a great interior we went for New Years Eve and they had the space decorated well without being overwhelming. When we walked in (without a reservation) we were quickly seated by the host who wasn't sure if the table he was seating us at would be available. Food was pretty average. Salads, fillet of sole and short ribs. Nothing to rock your socks off. Good drink selections. Service was pretty solid.
(3)Brittany B.
What wonderful people! We made a reservation to eat here after a day of hiking at Acadia and unknown to me my amazing boyfriend ( now fiancé ) asked me to marry him on top of a mountain and we had photographs taken after and they ran late and in turn we also ran late for our reservations, when we arrived there we told them what had happened and they went out of there way to find us a table and got us seated promptly, we even had our 2 dogs with us! and when we arrived at the table there was 2 glasses of champagne waiting for us to celebrate! They had a wonderful selection of drinks and local beers. I highly suggest the garden party! The food was wonderful as well! I ordered the seafood risotto and my fiancé had the lobster Mac and cheese and both were impeccable. And to make the night even more romantic there was live music provided by a wonderful guitar player named bob! Perfect ending to a perfect day! Thank you all again
(5)Ron M.
Local seafood creatively prepared with generous portions. My halibut was huge but cooked to perfection. My wife had the fish (single, more than 10 inch piece) and chips which was not greasy. Absolutely a must to return to but alas we are already home.
(5)Grace P.
We made reservations in advance at home (Maryland) because we saw great reviews on Yelp and we really wanted to come here when we visited Bar Harbor for a family vacation. The food was unimpressive and the service was really disappointing. My dad had a bad lobster and when he let our waitress know--she blamed it on the lobster being "soft-shelled", when in fact it was simply a bad lobster. Later on she admitted, after my dad complained that soft-shelled lobsters should not have weird consistency of meat, that MAYBE the lobster was undercooked. If she had just admitted that the lobster was indeed bad, my dad wouldn't have been upset. But instead she was trying to make him out to be a fool. Also, my risotto was undercooked. The food is edible. They take reservations. That's it. We're never coming back here.
(2)Cristina G.
Stopped here for a quick drink and ended up eating a small dinner after a late lunch. Great wine selection at the bar. We had the clam chowder (or course) and a nice blue cheese salad that did us in for the rest of the evening. Everything was quite tasty but nothing to scream home about. The decor.....there are two levels to this restaurant with a bar on each level. We chose the upstairs bar since it was a bit more quiet. McKay's has a great outdoor seating area what if the weather was a tad warmer, we would have enjoyed. All in all, a good place to stop.
(3)Brian G.
Solid food selection. Beer selection is stellar... especially if you like it hoppy. Ambiance is great, a good variety of settings both inside and out. Outside was done well with the lighting. Our crab cakes were very fresh. Everything tasted good, salad presentation was lacking .
(4)Johnny G.
This was my favorite place of the places we had dinner in Bar Harbor (The others were Gaylan's and Poor Boy's). From the host and hostesses to the server, everyone was genuinely friendly. The beer list was populated with local choices and the food was quite good. We had the lobster mac n cheese and a special of flank steak and sausage for our entrees. The highlight of the meal was our appetizer, which is in no way a know on the entrees. I always see soft pretzels on pub menus and give it a try as a nod to childhood baseball games or because of some other deep-seeded psychological bs. McKays is the first and only pub to ever get these pretzels right. They were soft, chewy, and buttery. The only knock on the dish would be that we had to ration the beer cheese sause so we did not run out. Give this place a chance next time you are in Bar Harbor.
(4)Sean M.
This place is awesome. They have a beer selection that a beer nerd can appreciate, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming and their menu is absolutely mmmmmmm. You can order anything, it will be amazing, close your eyes and point and pray you don't land on a $50 special. The staff and manager take their jobs very seriously, but have a fun time doing it. You should however expect to spend a bit more as this place is generally pricey, and in exchange you will see zero sacrifice in quality.
(5)Sarah C.
Excellent food, service and atmosphere. Sit outside if you can, the heaters take the Maine chill away and let you experience the fresh air. I'll be back soon!
(5)Jacqueline L.
I was up in Maine for a long weekend and was staying in Bar Harbor. The hotel I stayed in gave me a card for 10% off at McKays which happened to be directly next to the hotel, so the boyfriend and I decided to give it a try for dinner. Bar Harbor is pretty relaxed during the beginning of May, not truly picking up until Memorial Day as most beach towns do. We had a great dinner though! The place has a very homey feel, a bit dark, but it fit the atmosphere great. We had an arugula salad which was on special. Nothing crazy, just arugula, carrots, and a few other veggies, but they threw a chipotle dressing on top so it was great. Plus I love arugula so it was a win! I had the lobster mac and cheese for dinner and my boyfriend had the seafood chowder and mussels. Everything was great. The mac and cheese had a whole lobster in it, and the whole dish was so creamy and delicious I was a happy camper! The service was great, I had a great wine recommended to me to go with my meal and it blended very well. Definitely recommend this spot for people travelling to Bar Harbor!
(4)John M.
Reasonably priced, well prepared quality food with attentive service. Stopped for an early dinner for four - the cheese platter appetizer was spectacular, and the pretzels were a close second. Our entrees and desserts were also quite good. On a nice day, be sure to eat outside!
(4)Michelle F.
I had high expectations given 4 star reviews on yelp. Waitress says everything is delicious.... Not. I had Atlantic salmon, dry and inedible. Informed them, and they just said oh, sorry, still charged me and then wanted me to order dessert ... Not on them. Companion had braised short ribs... Slow cooked. Also dry and barely edible. Seriously, don't go here. They are lucky I gave two stars. I am not that picky either, so spend your money elsewhere. No where close to four stars, even cold bread and butter.
(2)Sue S.
The garden and music are lovely. But that was the extent of the positive exerience. Our server was charmless and barely had time to stop at our table. The crab cakes were heavily fried and bready, the Caesar salad had no dressing, and the mashed potatoes were obviously from a box. Blech. Can't believe we spent $70 on this meal. Go somewhere else!
(1)Clint W.
Been here two times with two completely different experiences. First time was amazing service and even more amazing food. Second time was a complete train wreck of waitress neglect and cold food. Definitely one of the better places in Bar Harbor.
(3)Roger S.
Unexpected find with great results. We tried a couple other places in the area and found McKays to be a great find. Warm dark wood interior upstairs and very inviting staff. The traditional shepherd's pie with lamb in an iron skillet was fantastic. Wine and dessert choices were excellent as well. When back in the vacation area, we look forward to returning!
(4)Anna S.
Really great place. It's very cute and the food is great. We sat outside, which was warm and had lights strung all over, as well as a musician playing good music. Definitely my favorite restaurant in Bar Harbor so far.
(5)Kayla B.
The boyfriend and I spent the weekend in Acadia National Park and popped into Bar Harbor on Saturday evening for dinner. We ended up at McKays thanks to the Yelp app. The place was super busy. We got there at 6 and were told they wouldn't have a table until 8. The proprietor, Brian, seemed a bit overwhelmed, but he was nice and friendly. We wandered around the shops nearby until our table was ready. We were promptly seated at 8 pm at a small table upstairs. The restaurant is very cute, as its actually a converted house (that seems to be a thing in Bar Harbor that I haven't experienced elsewhere). We started out with the local cider that McKays offers (has on tap?). The boyfriend thought it was a little bitter, but I like bitter cider, so I thought it was fantastic. We then followed with soup. Boyfriend got the clam chowder, which was of thinner consistency than he expected, but had huge chunks of clam in it. He was quite happy. I got the soup of the day, a parsnip and fennel bisque. This bisque is what rounded McKays up to a five star rating. It is, hands down, the best soup I've ever tasted. Part of me wanted to ask them if they'd sell me a whole pot to take back to Boston. I could have eaten this peppery bowl of deliciousness for every meal and never gotten tired of it. If you like soup and you like peppery flavors, get this soup. Just trust me. For dinner the boyfriend got fish and chips and I got the macaroni skillet. He said the fish was good, a bit tough, but mused that it was probably because it was "real fish" and so it was less rubbery. The chips were a standard good restaurant french fry (I can attest to this because I ate half of them). The macaroni skillet, which included a variety of vegetables, was good. It wasn't mind blowing, but I'm a mac n cheese snob and I enjoyed it. The sauce was very creamy and it was an enjoyable dish. Our waiter (whose name escapes me) was nice and attentive all evening, and the hostess was lovely as well. Nothing but praise for the service at McKays. Also, the price was very reasonable; two drinks, two appetizers, and two entrees came out to $55 after tax. At a restaurant like McKays in Boston, the two entrees would be more than that. TLDR; Delicious meal in a nice atmosphere at a great price. If I'm ever up in that area again I'll be sure to stop at McKays.
(5)Melissa R.
Excellent fish n chips and seafood risotto. Great beer selection and priced fairly. My one grievance was the taco appetizer (pulled pork & shrimp) - the pulled pork needed more oomph and I was not a fan of the corn tortillas - they were dry and did not really work with the flavors.
(4)C L.
Great food, excellent service - what a treat!
(5)Shaggy L.
Not a place to be when you are hungry. Service is bad and food is below average.
(2)Thomas K.
Love this place! Lobster Mac!!!
(5)Jeremy W.
Lobster Mac was good, lots of meat in it. Nice place for a date night. They are ok with the pup tagging along, but do them a favor and leave them at home.
(3)Joey M.
Had the pub fare and a good draft! Highly recommend the bangers and mash or the fish and chips. Sit on the porch!!! Top notch!
(5)Michael S.
The staff at Moron's Moo in Ellsworth suggested McKays for a great meal and it did not disappoint! Two of us decided to have the house salad with local kale, greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers and added lobster on top - home run! Two others had two of the other salads...also with lobster. We shared a half/appetizer potion of the lobster mac-and-cheese. It was rich and creamy with lobster, aged parmesan and hint of truffle oil. it was the perfect end to a wonderful meal! (You CAN easily get it as a 1/2 portion instead of dinner). And the wines were varied, well stocked and a good value. Between July 4 and Labor Day, you must make reservations (at least the day of, if not earlier).
(4)Steve L.
Great lobster dinner, portabello piccata, marinated beet salad and Maine stoudt beer. Our server did a great job with lobster cracking training too and we heard some great fingerstyle guitar stylings from Bob Bowman!
(5)Dan D.
Mckays committed three restaurant sins last night. Apart from the drearily long wait time (which seems to be the norm in New England), McKays served bangers and mash that our party guest described as the least flavorful version she's ever had, two pub burgers ordered medium and medium rare were served raw in the center and blue (seared on the outside raw inside) respectively, and finally, in attempt to mend their sins, the one burger, which was so underdone as to make it a public health hazard, was sent back where the chef cooked the hell out of it (already cut in half), and delivered the same burger back on the same plate only instead of being underdone, this one was now cheeseless, dry as a bone, and lacking any semblance of flavor. Perhaps this atrocity would have been forgiven if the management had apologized or comped one of the dinner items, but they didn't which is why McKay's gets a 1 star review from us. If you have a hankering for E. coli, check this place out!
(1)Ian M.
We spent the night at Bar Harbor on our way to Acadia, and picked McKays on the strength of the Yelp reviews. Absolutely fantastic meal; pleasant atmosphere (a repurposed victorian-ish home), friendly staff, good wine list, great menu - literally everything on both the normal and the daily menus sounded great. Crabcake appetizer was more interesting than I expected - a good amount of spicy came from the ancho chilies, and the pink goop underneath (red pepper aioli, maybe?) was a nice contrast. I had the lobster mac and cheese (gruyere, peas, lots of lobster) and my wife had the fresh halibut special. The halibut deserves it's own paragraph- it was far and away the best part of the meal. Three good sized and perfectly-cooked steaks, served on a bed of mashed potatoes (flavored, I think, with beer!) and topped with a fruit salsa (strawberries, mandarin oranges, chili pepper, cilantro) that was fantastic. The front-of-house guy came by during the meal, and proudly showed us a picture of the fisherman holding a 5-foot-long halibut, caught this morning, from which my wife's meal was ostensibly taken. Eat here.
(5)Steve M.
I love this place. They have classy comfort food that is always unique and fresh. I also love their beer menu. It isn't huge but you can see that it was carefully crafted. To top it off McKays has great outdoor seating and cosy indoor seating. All this at a pretty reasonably price.
(5)Rob L.
My wife and I ate here on the second night of our trip to MDI, and we liked it quite a bit. They had a good wine list and selection of local beers on tap while we sat in the bar waiting for our table (only about a 20 minute wait around 8pm on a Tuesday night in late July). We had a salad and the mussels appetizer, which was really good. It had bleu cheese in the wine broth, which created an interesting flavor dimension. I was kind of boring and got the pub burger, but she got the lobster mac & cheese, and it was as good as advertised. It's more of a cream sauce than a real cheese sauce, but wow... I stole quite a few bites, and it's not normally the kind of dish I would get. If we go back I would probably get it myself.
(4)Laura O.
McKays has reliably good food at reasonable prices. We ate there again on a recent trip to BH and had very good service and a nice meal. I tried the shepherds pie this time and really enjoyed it. My husband's duck, however, was quite tough or I would have given a higher rating. Good beer selection.
(3)Scott D.
Excellent service, and very well prepared food, we had the pork short rib, bistro steak and the pub burger all very tasty, only miscue, the sauce on the short rib was soy heavy and it ran over to the rice and made it salty, the un soy-Ed rice was really subtle and delicious. We also had the beet salad, also quite good, but it was really a baby spinach salad with some beets.
(4)Lisa M. K.
McKays was one of those places that just has my name written all over it. Cool pub in a pleasantly refurbished house, cozy feeling, nice location and yummy menu with many items I swore were tailor-made to my tastes. There was a solid wine/beer selection and I ordered some perfect prosecco and was on my way. You know a place is up your alley when you are agonizing over whether to get one of the two perfectly delicious sounding soups of the day or the appetizer special (I went with the appetizer special and was not in the least bit disappointed - tuna tartare with avocado in a sriracha based sauce. I could have eaten two of them, they were so good). Everyone really enjoyed their entres - the fish and chips were a tremendous portion and was quite tasty. Others at the table had the shrimp tacos which they said were good too. I got the portobello picatta which was... perplexing. I understand that it was their "take" on picatta but wasn't quite picatta to me. The encrusted mushroom tasted great but, except for some capers, it didn't taste like picatta at all. I could not taste any lemon and it was in more of a creamy parsley sauce. It was good just not what I was expecting (which was, um, picatta). Service was excellent all evening. Despite my curious entre, we had a great meal there and I'd definitely return next time I am in Bar Harbor. Next time I'll try the Sacchetti pasta. And I hope that tuna special is on the menu again... (drool!)
(4)Heather D.
We experienced very poor, slow service! Had to ask 2 other servers for our check! Pork and steak were overcooked. Our least favorite place to eat!
(2)Robert F.
Lovely setting but service was dreadfully slow on a recent busy Friday night. Seriously detracted from what would otherwise have been a nice dinner.
(2)Michael Y.
One of the best dinner we had in BH. Lovely patio seating. Grilled avocado salad was excellent. Mussels were delicious. Had the duck -- tender and juicy. Wife had seafood risotto which she said was a bit heavy. Not your typical hot dog, burger kids menu. Our younger one had the petite steak which he liked. Older one ordered bangers and mash off regular menu and polished off more than half. Would go again next time we visit BH.
(4)Sean H.
We decided on this restaurant which is really more high brow than a typical pub. I had the LOBSTER MAC AND CHEESE and was BLOWN AWAY. Loved it! It was more like an Alfredo than a mac and cheese. Either way it was delicious and not overly rich. I still dream about it. My bf had the seafood etoufee and while it was mild in spice it was full of fresh and delicious seafood. The drinks were hit or miss. I had the cucumber martini which was meh. My bf had the Maine blueberry spritzer which was blueberry vodka, Grown Up Soda [GUS], finished with fresh blueberries. It was awesome. I had to order one of those. It was that good. The service was excellent and un-intrusive. We dined outside and had a great table. The inside of the restaurant was interesting and very Victorian and worth a look see. I highly recommend this restaurant if you're ever in the Bar Harbor / Acadia area.
(5)Marc B.
We had the duck and Cornish Game Hen. Both were cooked to perfection. The sauce on the duck was just a touch watery, but we got there just at opening at the sauce may not have firmed up completely. The duck was on the daily specials, so it may not be there everyday, but the food was excellent, the bar stocked a good selection of wine and local beers. Look for great service and if the weather is nice, sit in the patio for a wonderful experience.
(4)Jen S.
I'm in it for the food, so complaints about bad service rarely deter me. Let my advice deter you, though; these people are rude and generally nutty. Although this is an upscale pub, it's really not nice enough to account for the snootiness we got from the hostess, who acted like this was some sort of an invite-only situation and that we were so unworthy that it was unclear if there'd ever be a free table. So we took a seat at the bar, upon our own suggestion. Then the bartender was equally bizarre, bad-mouthing another server behind her back, in plain earshot of at least two-dozen customers, being passive-aggressive with waitresses trying to get change and then carrying on about some patrons who had wanted to carry their tab to their table. Then when we were seated (by the woman who was bad-mouthed), I started to sympathize with the bartender because this chic was in fact worthy of the unkind words that had been uttered behind the bar. She was so annoying, I can't even tell you. Nice, but totally ridiculous, attempting to tell jokes about how she was going to stalk us (you don't get it? Neither do we), and she would not relent, interrupting us in mid-conversation, over, and over, and over. The food wasn't bad, but it wasn't very good either. Nothing too memorable beyond the awful cast of characters they've got working there.
(1)Gary H.
I saw good reviews on YELP.com and decided to give McKay's a try for dinner on a Friday night. The place was full at 7pm so my wife & I had to sit on the porch. We were assured the heater in the cover porch kept it warm. The waitress was overly optimistic in her responses to us. After awhile my wife was ready to punch her perkyness, it was way over done. Appetisers & drinks came reasonably timely. The brie was good, my side of vegetables was small, under cooked & the maple glaze was non-existent. The meal was extremely slow in coming. So slow I ordered a second drink, one is my usual limit but my little buss was wearing off. I was starting to wonder if the kitchen had forgotten our order. When the food finally did come I was starting to loose feeling in my toes from the cold. My wife's brased short ribs were charred black with minimal baked beans as the side. My seafood bouillabaisse was good but by that time my disappointment in the service tainted any pleasure I could get from the food. I am extremely disappointed in the sevice and food we received at McKay's Public House. I would say try a different restaurant in Bar Harbor but the charm has worn off. It is a town where the cruise ships dock, tourist flock (I am one of them) and they are trying to cram 10 pounds of crap in a 5 pound bag. Too much demand and not enough supply. The customers suffer. If you are thinking of coming to Maine I suggest going to Booth Bay Harbor, it has great food and still has some Maine small town charm.
(2)Erin C.
Before I get into the review, let me start by saying our visit was followed by a 4 hour kayaking tour that left us tired and needing dinner at 9pm. We quickly freshened up at our B&B (we were visiting Bar Harbor) and ran to McKay's before they closed the kitchen because EVERYONE recommended we go there. The hostess was incredibly friendly and sat us at an adorable table outside surrounded by candlelight and little twinkly lights in the trees. (For those of you who don't know, candles and twinkly lights are big perks at restaurants for me). Our service was prompt and our waiter recommended a fantastic bottle of wine that was a special that night. We ordered the spinach and artichoke dip for an appetizer. Normally when I order this at a restaurant it is incredibly cheesy and runny and served with over salted tortilla chips. Not at McKay's. This was served with in a bread bowl (!!) with appropriately salted chips. And it was so thick and hearty and not just mixed with tons of cheese. Delicious. My meal was the lobster mac & cheese which was delicious considering I rarely eat lobster. I was hoping for a bit more lobster given the price of the meal ($23) but it was delicious nonetheless. My fiancé ordered the jerk chicken and continued to eat it even after he said he was full. With that being said, we passed on dessert but were left with an incredibly wonderful experience. If you're visiting Bar Harbor and have a few $$ to spend on a really nice meal, I highly recommend McKay's!
(4)Sarah L.
We picked McKays for a party of six based on the Yelp reviews. When we arrived, they had just seated to large parties and had told members of our party that it might be an hour, but let them see what they could do. Within 10 minutes they were back, having rearranged some tables upstairs for us to fit us in. The staff was lovely and the food was good. The Maine Shrimp tacos were just different enough to satisfy my taste, while my MIL raved about her steak. The Jamaican Jerk Chicken and even the burgers also got good reviews from the rest of the party. Overall, a nice dining experience with a wide-range of priced options. Something for everyone in our party!
(4)Erica C.
My family went went here a few nights ago and had an amazing dinner. We have been taking long weekend trips to Bar Harbor since I was about 10 (I'm now 28) and were in a restaurant rut, so I found this place on yelp. We loved everything. Awesome service, friendly staff, excellent food, excellent wine and beer list. They had a German beer I just had in Munich and haven't been able to find anywhere, which made me super excited (Shneider Weiss). My dad, a wine snob, was very happy with their decently priced, well selected menu. He even told the waiter. The decor inside is very cozy and the outdoor patio area is also beautiful. We split a special scallop appetizer as well as the mussels and both were tasty and cooked to perfection. I split the seafood risotto and lobster mac and cheese with my husband and both were to die for. So creamy and well flavored. Looking forward to going back next year!
(5)Kim Z.
It was a nice place to get a meal late in the evening. Bartender was great while we waited. Had small plates as it was late. Food was good. Service good. Would go back!
(4)Laurie C.
Stopped in for some light pub fare, atmosphere is very nice....outdoor dining under twinkling lights, food was good but the service was awful! Others have posted slow service but our waitress was downright rude! Not worth a return trip...go to cherrystones instead...comparable food and atmosphere but service is much better
(2)Sara P.
My husband and I went here based on a recommendation from a friend. It was delicious! We split the pork tacos and the seafood risotto and really liked both of the dishes. The wine list was good and they had one wine as a special that was excellent. The service was great and we loved the live music and overall ambiance. A great first night in Bar Harbor!
(4)Ryan V.
Loved. It. Hands down the best meal we had on vacation in Bar Harbor. The Asian Pork Spare Ribs were amazing, especially with the sesame bacon (yes, it's as good as it sounds). The risotto was great as well, if a little wet. Our server was always around for questions or suggestions, but never pushy or rushed. The restaurant itself is dark and full of great spaces. You're never crammed in a large room, feeling like you're dining with a dozen other people. The beer and wine selections are small but well chosen and the staff are happy to suggest a choice based on your tastes or meal. Highly recommend dining with McKay's.
(5)Zinnia X.
My friends and I were in town for Labor Day weekend. We had a large party of 8, but were able to put our name down and return in half an hour. Very timely. The service was great! I ended up sharing the seafood risotto, lobster "mac'n'cheese" and clam chowder. The seafood risotto was amazing!! Highly recommend. The scallops were done very well and it was delicious. The lobster mac and cheese was good but less cheesy than I usually like my mac and cheeses to be. The clam chowder was also good, very creamy, but could have used a little more flavor. Overall a great experience. Would definitely go back. This time we sat inside because we had such a large party, but it would be great to come back and sit outside. The patio is so nice with lights hung up everywhere.
(4)Katie M.
EXCELLENT!!! We sat outside and the atmosphere was pretty quiet (you don't even notice you're along the street) and the food was absolutely delicious! Staff was very friendly, waitress even taught one of the members of our party how to crack the lobster! (Our first time) if you're looking for a more casual experience, I recommend the inside over outside, though they have the same menu both places. The only downside to this place is the bathrooms :) We made a reservation, so I'm not sure how long the wait usually is.
(5)Nina H.
You have to get their lobster mac n cheese. It is amazing! The truffle oil adds a really nice touch, and it doesn't feel overly heavy at all. We came here two nights in a row, and I really should've just gone with my gut and order the mac n cheese again because the halibut was too tough. Service is decent, and the restaurant itself isn't super great or anything, but the seafood is really good. Their seafood risotto was great too!
(5)Kimberly Y.
My hotel and Yelp recommended a bunch of pricier restaurants for Bar Harbor, but I'm glad I went with McKays! I definitely got the bang for my buck. There's some street parking out in front, and McKays is basically a decently-sized house with outdoor seating in the "front yard" so of course there's a homey ambience to the place. They have a bar when you walk in, but also tables that are amply distanced from each other for a more private feel, which I love! Too bad our candle was out, haha. My boyfriend and I were definitely eager to try some of that Maine lobster, but also didn't want to eat lobster on lobster on lobster the entire meal. So we ended up getting the lobster of the day, a bistro steak, and sweet potato fries with this awesome horseradish suace. The food came out extremely slowly -- the slow service is definitely my main issue with McKays, but we did come on a summer Saturday, so what can you expect? We had to flag our waitress down a few times, but she was super sweet each time, especially when we realized we didn't know how to eat a lobster! If only my steak (albeit only $19) had been as delicious as the lobster... Learned our lesson: just get seafood in Maine!
(4)Ulysses L.
My girlfriend and I ended a busy August Thursday in Bar Harbor at McKays after walking past many other restaurants and finding ourselves unimpressed by the menus (and/or mobs of customers) on offer. But McKays' menu looked intriguing, and the wait was relatively short, so we rolled the dice. (A note re the short wait: I put this down to the fact that MDI and Bar Harbor seem to draw predominantly families on vacation with children. This means the majority of restaurants in Bar Harbor cater to family clientele and receive heavy traffic of that sort, whereas high-end fine dining places like McKays are not suitable for families with children, and are accordingly easier to get into-- perfect for couples and small groups without children.) We were not disappointed. The elegant outdoor garden area is the perfect setting for a relaxing, romantic meal. (McKays is at the far end of Main Street from downtown, so the noise from the street is minimal to none.) The drinks menu was vast, with numerous beer, wine, and cocktail options, including specials-- these folks clearly take their alcohol seriously. The food was the only aspect that was not perfect-- the brie and poached pears appetizer we had skewed a bit more towards quantity than quality (though it was by no means bad), and my GF's halibut was, in her words, "a bit too healthy-tasting." But the bone-in pork loin I had was AMAZING-- so perfectly cooked and rich that I almost wept when there was no more-- and the sides (mashed gingered sweet potatoes and roasted asparagus) and the blueberry pie we had for dessert were delicious as well. (Alas, the pork loin was a special of the day, or I'd probably make it a point to come here every summer...) Although the food quality was less consistently excellent than other aspects of the experience, overall this was one of the finest dining excursions we've had in a long time. Admittedly ambiance is a huge part of it-- would you prefer McKays' charming garden, or the mobbed lobster + fried fish shacks on the main drag that make up the rest of the Bar Harbor dining scene?-- so if you are interested solely in food and don't care about drinks or ambiance, I wouldn't recommend it so readily, but for those who seek "the big picture" when they dine out, this is a great destination. PS-- One thing I almost forgot: the night we were there, there was a live instrumental guitarist as well. I can't recall whether we found him to be a net asset or liability to the experience-- only that he played a number of vaguely familiar tunes that did distract us a bit while we tried to figure out what precisely they were (e.g. Simon and Garfunkel, "Anji"). But I have no idea whether the live entertainment is a regular feature or not.
(5)Terence S.
Upstairs table, crab or lobster pieces still on table. Bad smell too, old seafood? Dirty rag to wipe the tabke? Very off putting. Had a pinot noir, undrinkable, old? don't sell much wine maybe? House red tempranillo was ok, good price, $4 during happy hour. Had lobster Rangoon appetizer, don't get it, $12 and just crusty wonton, barely any lobster. Dinner was actually quite good. I had the halibut, small piece but done properly. Wife had burger and salad said it was good. Beer selection looked good, many Maine local brews on tap.
(3)Sara A.
I went to this place twice on my recent trip to Bar Harbor. The first time was excellent: Delicious shephard's pie, decadent duck spring rolls, and a friendly waitress. What more could you ask for? The interior of the restaurant is charming and truly has an old pub feel. The second visit left a lot of things to be desired. The service was pretty bad. The waiter brought our appetizer out right with the meal. His excuse was "he thought we wanted it that way," which I thought was silly. Everything went downhill from there. I found a giant bone in the duck spring rolls that had been so delicious the first time. My meal was a horrorshow. I couldn't even eat it. Never order the mixed-BBQ thing. I can't even remember what it was called, but it was an amalgam of bizarre meats that clashed with each other. It was like someone blindly picked a bunch of sauces from the back of the refrigerator and slathered it over badly cooked meat. It was the strangest meal I attempted to eat in a long time. The waiter didn't pay much attention to us. He was too busy trying to suck up to the wealthy couple behind us to get a big tip. This place seems pretty inconsistent. I'm giving it 3 stars because I loved it the first time, but the second time it was awful. Try it, maybe you'll get lucky.
(3)Peter M.
We like McKays and try to get there at least once whenever in Bar Harbor. Prefer to sit outside in the lovely garden, but for different reasons (booked too late, part too big 6+infant) we have sat inside on the first floor the past two visits, which is dark. Food is generally good all around, though there are some inconsistencies (fries are well-seasoned, but dark and rather limp; last visit, the pretzels were pale and unappetizing). Excellent, though small, tap beer selection. This, and the garden are probably really what keep us coming back.
(4)Teresa T.
Hostess was rude. There were empty tables in the garden but she refused to sit us there. Instead, she chose to sit us at a table next to the rest room. As the smell from the rest room was overwhelming, we decided to try some other place. We headed out and was stopped by a gentleman who looked like the manager. He told us to wait and he would see what he could do. So we lingered at the hostess stand while he figured things out. The hostess came back, looked us up and down, ask the waiter what's going on and basically told him to tell us there's a 30 min wait.
(1)Karen F.
Ambience is nice--there is indoor seating and garden type seating. We sat in the garden. Very nice Celtic garden dinner music which added to the ambience. However food and service were fair. Staff seems overworked, rushed and harried -- a larger more attentive staff would make a difference. Food was spotty. The fresh halibut was excellent but the portobello dish was fried.
(3)Sara R.
I got a blackberry mojito. My friend got a fancy mule cocktail. The atmosphere was beautiful. The prices seemed a little high, but if I get a chance to go back with the parents I would definitely do so :)
(4)J S.
Beautiful outdoor dining area. Very welcoming with our dog - shifted the table so she could sit away from the walkway. Haddock special was delicious. Veal chop was okay - came out undercooked and they apologetically replaced it (with a new chop which took some time). Would return.
(4)Julia F.
Went here last night. The atmosphere is lovely. We sat outside on the patio. The white lights and garden was a nice touch and there even was a guitar player. Overall though, they seemed low on staff and kind of all over the place. For the amount of restaurants in bar Harbor the food here was just okay. There were three of us and each meal was a hit or miss.
(3)Jeremia F.
Best meal I had in Bar Harbor. We came here on Memorial Day weekend, which is apparently the "soft" opening for all of Bar Harbor.From the food and drinks to the mostly on point service. A few minor things needed to be worked out on the service side of things but overall really good.
(4)Ashley D.
Lobster Mac & Cheese and seafood risotto are so great here! Caesar salad with lobster is also delicious! Sitting outside is nice, but kind of chilly at night.
(5)Alika T.
This place is magic. Live music played by very nice man, the green garden and smell of flowers make this restaurant special. The building is old and a bit stinky so it is better to seat in the garden. Service is very professional and amusing, waiters are very kind and helpful. Food is good but not amazing. I have ordered a steak and a fish from the specialities.
(4)Livia L.
Food was mediocre. We had the salmon, and duck breast. Our friend liked his bistro steak but our other friend was really disappointed with her lazy style lobster. She said it was mushy and sour.
(3)Judy P.
Good food and great service. The setting outside on a Summer night is lovely, and there are heaters and umbrellas at some tables, in case of rain. Many tempting menu selections and excellent bar. Popular - make a reservation.
(4)Jeanmarie M.
Nice and quaint. Great story about house - be sure to ask. The lobster mac and cheese was delicious Loved the local brewery on tap - Acadia brewing real ale. Elijah was a great waiter. Very entertaining with a stories about local life in Bar Harbor.
(4)Debbie F.
The food..the ambience...the service..true perfection!!! We sat down outside enjoyed an incredible bottle of Molly Dooker...our dog was served a fresh bowl of water...we dined on incredible oysters haddock..ceviche...loved loved lived...wish we lived here would definitely be a weekly...destination
(5)Josh M.
Nice location in an old house right on Main St. but a little past the craziness closer to the harbor. Jerk Chicken was excellent, if a little lacking in the heat (spicy hot) department. The Shepherd's Pie was made with lamb, which was a bonus, but the lack of corn was a slight disappointment. On food alone I'd give a 3 star review, but our service was excellent. By far the best we received during our week in Bar Harbor.
(4)Alicia T.
My boyfriend and I went there for dinner. From start to finish we were pleased with the food. The bread and butter they give you was very tasty. We shared the farm stand salad and the mussel appetizer. The tomatoes were juicy and fresh, and we both agreed the mussels were the best we have ever had. They were cooked perfectly with sausage and fries. Make sure you save some bread to dip in the broth. I had the lobster mac and cheese and he had the seafood risotto. Both were delicious. We picked this restaurant because of the good reviews and I'm glad we did. We both left with full stomachs.
(5)Douglas D.
Started with the pretzels that were very good. Then I had the fish and chips. The portions were a good size and the fish was good as well. The french fries were of the shoe string variety and I expected a steak fries. The cole slaw was good. Overall it was a good experience and I would recommend it to others.
(4)Kristy W.
Our time here at McKays ended up being a second meal that day where we intended to eat, but instead had a dip and a beer before moseying on our way. I think there was a wait for the table we sat at, but we headed up to the bar and snagged a table up there. We later figured out that those were seated tables, but our waitress was friendly and grabbed us menus despite our faux-pas. Pretty decent beer list, but nothing epically different. We started with the Haddock Dip, which was good. A nice fish flavor (note: different than "fishy" flavor, which is not good), and a good texture. We were about to order dinner when we asked the gentleman next to us what he was having. It was the duck meatloaf, which my husband was planning on ordering. The scowl on his face and the way he pushed the food around with his fork told us all we needed to know. His female companion had the same look and the same attitude towards her food--it didn't really inspire us with confidence. We chose to finish our beers and call it a day, so I can't review the entrees for myself. The food we ate was good, but I might think twice about coming here again, just because of the attitude the other customers had towards their food.
(3)Wesley B.
The BEST FOOD EVER! This place was awesome romantic outside seating, there was a guy that was very quietly fingering the guitar. It was amazing. The service was a little slow but food was to die for. Crab Cakes: Best we have ever had. Chowdah: Great. Hot and Fresh LOBSTER Mac & Cheese it was just awesome. Large quantity of Lobster(very good) and heart portion. Portobello Picatta: Very nicely done.Hot, fresh, and hearty portion (Great for vegetarians or carnivores) Very nice wine selection.
(5)Stephanie Y.
I really liked McKay's. I don't think I would have liked it as much if I didn't sit outside, but I did and it's so damn cute out there. In addition to the lovely outdoor seating, there was a bad ass guitarist out there playing some tunes, muy romantico. Shall we get to the food? Duck meatloaf wrapped in bacon was a great dish. My guy couldn't stop talking about it throughout the trip. First of all, so unique and second of all it was damn tasty and priced so reasonably. I had a boring order of a baby burger and side salad and the burger really was a baby burger. I wasn't too hungry so it was fine. I read a great tip from Chris M from Jersey City to get the blueberry crumble and no joke, get it. Wowza. Maybe best dessert of the trip. Bonus: cocktail list was actually really nice. I went with a delicious alcoholic Scottish ginger beer with a Scotch floater. Hey yooooo. Overall this spot is a nice gastropub with affordable prices and really good food. Not the most "Mainey" of menus, read: doesn't have a lot of lobster/seafood options, but I definitely recommend!
(4)Greg F.
Did it twice. Awesome. Bryan is the owner. Great food. Great atmosphere. It was much better than Havana. Mussels, beet salad, lobster mac was grear. So were the cabernets.
(5)Michael N.
Despite the slow serve (it was really busy for the off season), I really loved this place. The restaurant is basically a converted victorian house with seating littered throughout the house and the front yard. The inside has a very cool vibe with the dark lighting and dark hard woods. Thanks to the advice of all these yelp reviews we went with the lobster mac and cheese and the steak special. The mac & cheese was out of this world (without the lobster) and adding the lobster just added to the greatness of this dish. Yes, it is expensive, but worth every penny. The steak was not the best I've ever had, but it was good for the price and pretty large. As for the drinks, they had an awesome selection of local Maine brews and some unique craft beers from New England. As for the service, our server was friendly, but it appeared she was stretched too thin. Generally I would have given a 4 based on the slowness of the food and drinks, but I'll let it slide as the lobster mac and cheese was that good.
(5)Allan C.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Bar Harbor I have probably come here 6 or 7 times over the years and have never been disappointed. They have some great beer selections and some nice wines as well as for really good food I really like the portobello piccata and the meatloaf is excellent and could feed 2 people. Very nice outdoor seating, restaurant is clean and wait staff is alway good this is one of the few year round restaurants.
(3)LuRee A.
We had dinner with friends that enjoy this restaurant and invited us to join. The atmosphere and food was superb. One person had the risotto and was the best I have ever tasted. The lobster mac and cheese was great . Next year we will be back from Texas.
(5)Mike B.
A solid 4 star restaurant with a 2-3 $ menu. Atmosphere and appearance are 5 stars. Was there on a Saturday and they had a guitarist performing for the dinner crowd. Nice wine menu that was also reasonably priced (most wines were priced only $20 over store price) and had a dozen draft craft beer that were out of the ordinary. The food is what made this place a 4. While still good food, it did not live up to what a 5 star restaurant would need, especially in a town with a wide selection of restaurants. Had the lobster mac n cheese (a lot of lobster!!!), though major problem was the sauce was more of a cream sauce than cheesy. Had the Italian appetizer plate, which the honey and garlic were delicious. The chili soup was filling, but lacked any spice. Overall nice place and would definitely go back...maybe after trying another place or two.
(4)Jason M.
We had a wonderful meal at McKays the other night. We were sitting in their lovely outdoor area with plants around and acoustic guitar music. I had the delicious lobster mac & cheese; my wife had the equally delicious seafood risotto, and our daughter had the special duck in maple miso glaze, which was also very good, if not quite as good as the other two. Food, ambiance and service were all excellent. I hope we'll make it back again this week.
(5)Joe M.
Horribly disappointed. Should have known when a person who worked at a business very close to the restaurant suggested to another visitor that they may want to try elsewhere. To give them the benefit of the doubt, it may have just been the server, but I still can't recommend this restaurant to others. With a party of 9 things can get tough but waited an hour and a half for food. While waiting, we constantly needed to ask the server for refills on our beer and wines (isn't this how they make money by keeping everyone lubricated?). When dinner came they brought 7 of 9 meals and they all seemed dried out like they were sitting under a heat lamp. The last two came 20 minutes later - how awkward for all of us. No one wants to eat when the whole group doesn't have food. Not recommended for a big group.
(1)J P.
Traditional pub menu. great beers and cocktails. Friendly service.
(4)Becky L.
This was absolutely fabulous. I had the halibut special, with green beans and potatoes. I had the Atlantic Real Ale with it and the chocolate torte for dessert. The place was super busy, but it was just me so I was quickly seated at the bar. I will definitely be going back here whenever I am in Bar Harbor.
(5)Caitlyn M.
Loved it here! I'm from NYC and it's easy to tell that this was some of the best food in Bar Harbor. We ate a couple other places and they were still good, but the quality of the scallops & pork belly and crab cakes made it clear that McKay's was true quality. Went with my mom and we also enjoyed the pretzels and beer cheese, clam chowder, and fish and chips, along with several great local beers. We were so impressed that we visited came twice for dinner out of our three nights.
(5)Brian H.
Food was awesome. The brownie sundae may have been the best dessert I've ever had. 'Nough said
(5)Cohen J.
Great food. They had fiddlehead a for an appetizer!!!! When do you ever see such good and diverse food. A little pricey but food was very good.
(4)Jay K.
Slow service. Good food,but everything has mushrooms in it, and my wife is allergic.
(2)Marisa C.
The meatloaf was delicious and so was the bread and pretzels with beer cheese. The only downside was the wait for the food and the service was slightly lacking.
(4)Tina D.
Service is o.k, food was o.k. Has the lobster Mac and cheese, it was good, not awesome. Nice atmosphere.
(3)Kyle B.
Absolutely top notch food, atmosphere, and drink offerrings. The staff was extremely friendly. We had a short wait, during which we got drinks at the bar. When our table was ready, the manager politely came and found us personally to escort us to our table. The food was off the charts good - lobster, haddock, cheese plate, and best of all - Fresh maine blueberry pie for dessert. This place will not disappoint.
(5)K L.
Food was okay and service was okay. It took them a little while to get us seated, but all is said and done we enjoyed our experience.
(3)Jen L.
Best meal of our trip, and perhaps the best vegetarian dish I've ever had (Portobello Piccata). As a meat lover, I hesitated before I ordered it, but WOW!!! SOOOO good. My friends meals were also pretty great, and our server was friendly. Sitting outside on a cool Bar Harbor evening was a real treat.
(5)Dixi S.
The place is nice. But, the food was only okay. I had the arctic char which was on the daily specials list. The fish was pan seared and came with potatoes and sprouts. The veggies were fried (or "pan seared"). Everything on my plate was just a bit greasy.
(3)John B.
Great beer selection. I had roasted avocado salad in was very good. We ate outside beautiful patio
(4)Andrew H.
We were seated outside in the garden seating area which is beautiful. There was a very talented guy playing jazz on acoustic guitar which only added to the ambiance. Good beer selection with some stuff you usually don't find in tourist havens. Appetizers were average - nothing to note. My main course was terrible. I got the ettoufee (sp?). Watery sauce with some shrimp and clams thrown in and no vegetables. It looked and tasted very sad. Everybody that got bar food was happy so I'd stick with the other reviewers and go that route. Service was very slow. Had to chase the waiter for our check. Would definitely go back for a burger.....
(3)Scott B.
Went to McKay's on a busy Labor Day Sunday. Didn't have a reservation but was seated on the porch by the friendly hostess. Had the spinach and artichoke dip on a tip from a fellow Yelper. It was fantastic and definitely house made, just like the fresh and wonderful chips. I had the jerk chicken for dinner. Juicy, perfectly cooked, spicy but not too much. My daughter had the half rack of lamb and the portion was perfect. All in all, a wonderful meal, great service, and a nice setting. Definitely recommended!
(5)Meg M.
LOVE! great little place of the path! went on Saturday during 4th of July weekend in the mid-afternoon and sat at the bar. they have happy hour which was priced great and apps were priced happy-hour style as well!!! The bartender was great as well! I would recommend this place as a must stop! Service and food was great!
(5)Shaun-Mathieu S.
After an evening of axe throwing and lumberjacking (and yes, I mean that literally - feel free to ask me privately), my female companions and I were ravenous with a hunger that only freshly sawed wood can conjure. Our reservations that night were at McKays. As my party entered the quaint house, we were led up the polished balustrade to the second floor. A large, spacious upstairs dining room was set aside just for us revelers. Here's what I had: Bosler Pinot Noir - I usually detest wines from Chile, but this Pinot was perfectly subtle and rich. I was only going to have one glass, but I got two. Like liquid organza, it flowed down one's throat with a luxurious stealth. Fish and Chips - A large piece of fluffy haddock, surrounded by his French Fry parishoners. Beer battered, and much more filling than it looks. Highly appetizing, it came with a very palatable tartar sauce. They open daily at 4:30 in the afternoon, and provide entertainment on certain evenings. Our server took care of us expertly, and considering we were a party of eighteen, that deserves an applause. Would love to come back here and try their Bistro Steak.
(4)Bill M.
Good for what it is... but like a lot of things (people) in Bar Harbor - this place thinks it's something it's not. A bit snooty in decor and attitude for a place that does decent bar food. Stick with the basics and you will be fine... but if you venture into the "gourmet" side of the menu you will be disappointed. I had a pretty good $9 burger - wife had a very lack luster lobster mac and cheese that should have been so much more at $25... don't mind paying that price if it's worth it... this was just pasta with cheese and lobster meat mixed in. No crispy top, no exciting pasta and creamy sauce... just Kraft with bits of lobster... blurg...
(3)Mike K.
Had dinner here last night...cool setting, two story house with porch and outdoor seating. Bars on the first and second floor with a good selection of beers. McKays salad was very good as was the lobster Mac and cheese. The Asian pork short rib was average. Overall not a bad spot.
(3)C D.
Dined there last Friday night and I usually expect restaurants at this price range to bring their A game, especially on a weekend night. We have dined here before and usually find it satisfactory. We have not yet enjoyed the momentous entrees that justifies a 4 or 5-star rating, as some reviewers have suggested, but the food is usually a positive experience. As you may have guessed, tonight was not an A-game evening. The food was generally uninspiring. My daughter ordered the shrimp tacos, but later confessed that she ate the first out of hunger, but after this primal urge had subsided, the second taco did not cultivate any further appetite. My wife ordered some short-rib sliders that she seemed to enjoy, but without any fanfare. The big fail appeared to be in the food preparation. My daughter's chowder arrived cold. Not to beat a dead horse, but it was also not very tasty and devoid of clam flavor. My wife and daughter felt it had a chicken broth flavor; my impression was that it tasted cheesy. We all agreed on cold though. Although the cold chowder might be blamed on the waitress or the kitchen, the issue was clarified by my lamb shank entree. Lamb shanks take some time to prepare, so I was not surprised (and ultimately grateful) that the lamb was precooked. I was surprised, however, that reheating it fully was considered optional. The surface temperature was warm(ish), however, when I sliced to the deeper muscle, it was clearly refrigerator cold. Fortunately, it was thoroughly cooked, so the experience was not unlike eating a midnight snack at home by refrigerator light. I will note that we passed on the generous invitations to heat our food, which I guess wasn't a sufficiently clear expectation when we ordered it. In the case of the chowder, it frankly wasn't good enough to reheat. By the time I needed to point out the cold lamb shank, I was feeling wary about sending my food back to the kitchen on the heels of multiple complaints. To be fair, and perhaps I'm missing the point; since McKays promotes itself as pub food, perhaps this was an authentic take on the low-rent backstreet genre, complete with unheated food. When I asked if there was an issue in the kitchen, the waitress replied "Let's not go there." Maybe this was advice we should have been given before we chose McKays. We also overheard her telling an adjacent table that they were working out some issues in the kitchen and a suggestion that the issue was some new kitchen staff. Perhaps...but at these prices, trainees should be restricted from prime time and confined to the lunch shift.
(2)Jeremy J.
YUM. We stopped by McKays our first night in town, and it was definitely one of the highlights. I had one of the specials - an organic pork chop with a black cherry reduction - and my wife had the rack of lamb. Both were absolutely delicious, and we're picky eaters. It came out to around $100 for the two of us with a decent bottle of wine. We tried a different restaurant every meal while we were there, but every night it was a struggle to make ourselves try something unknown when we knew there was such a great meal waiting for us at McKays. Definitely one of the top two restaurants we visited there.
(5)Hilga J.
Yes. This is where we ended up after walking out of Chowdahs. So so so happy we did. We didn't have reservations, but the hostess gladly offered us seats upstairs. The lighting in that place is awesome; it totally put me at ease. Our waiter was warm AND professional. Clam chowder was the best we've had on the island ($7). It was mostly heavy cream, potatoes, and clams. Husband had the maple shortribs special ($22) which were awesome, but his "sauteed greens" turned out to be ONE (1) small leaf of Swiss chard. I had to laugh, but honestly, that's why my 4.5 stars got rounded down and not up. I had the fish and chips ($12) off the "Pub Fare" section of the menu, which included their less-adventurous, less-expensive options. It was fish and chips: a pile of probably previously frozen fries and a huge haddock fillet in a very light and crispy batter. Good tartar sauce. Overall, they have an ideal menu: interesting, unusual specials, fairly-priced standard fare, and badass chowder.
(4)Joe D.
I felt the lobster Mac and cheese was ok. I preferred the lobster roll at Side Street Cafe.
(3)Robin B.
Really enjoyed the meal, we dined on duck breast and game hen. However, I would have thickened the orange sauce into a demi-glaze for the duck so that it could be enjoyed with every bite. The service and atmosphere were very nice as well we sat on the patio :).
(4)Brian R.
Better for lunch than dinner. Good beer selection, casual atmosphere.
(3)Renee M.
We chose McKays based on reviews. We arrived just after 7 pm and were seated promptly by a polite host. It was all down hill from there. We waited about 10 minutes for our server, who 'welcomed' us by telling us how busy he was. We ordered our wine and meal... Then sat for the next hour. I spotted the host and asked for another glass of wine, since we could not find our waiter. Our waiter delivered my wine- set it down on the table w out saying a word. Over the hour wait, the table to our left had to send back a salad bc of quality and table to the right sent back a main dish because it was cold. We finally received our meals, I was hoping the food would make up for the rest of the experience. It didn't. The meals were just ok- it's a good thing we didn't need anything because the waiter didn't check back once. Finally got our bill, no apology, acknowledgment, nothing. Not from our waiter, manager, host. I can understand being busy, but completely ignoring tables w no explanation, apology, or thanking us for coming is unacceptable. A Terrible experience.
(1)Charles P.
We went here on our last day and wish we had tried it sooner. The wish you were here chicken was a worth the switch from all the seafood we had over the last 4 days. Wife stayed seafood with ahi tuna which was great. Awesome presentation of the food
(5)Lindsay B.
We ordered the Brie for an appitizer but the bread that came with it was waaaayyy to hard and didn't taste very good with brie flavor. The complimentary bread worked way better. I loved their Lobster Mac and Cheese. The portions are quite large so be prepared.
(3)Zinnia X.
My friends and I were in town for Labor Day weekend. We had a large party of 8, but were able to put our name down and return in half an hour. Very timely. The service was great! I ended up sharing the seafood risotto, lobster "mac'n'cheese" and clam chowder. The seafood risotto was amazing!! Highly recommend. The scallops were done very well and it was delicious. The lobster mac and cheese was good but less cheesy than I usually like my mac and cheeses to be. The clam chowder was also good, very creamy, but could have used a little more flavor. Overall a great experience. Would definitely go back. This time we sat inside because we had such a large party, but it would be great to come back and sit outside. The patio is so nice with lights hung up everywhere.
(4)Katie M.
EXCELLENT!!! We sat outside and the atmosphere was pretty quiet (you don't even notice you're along the street) and the food was absolutely delicious! Staff was very friendly, waitress even taught one of the members of our party how to crack the lobster! (Our first time) if you're looking for a more casual experience, I recommend the inside over outside, though they have the same menu both places. The only downside to this place is the bathrooms :) We made a reservation, so I'm not sure how long the wait usually is.
(5)Ulysses L.
My girlfriend and I ended a busy August Thursday in Bar Harbor at McKays after walking past many other restaurants and finding ourselves unimpressed by the menus (and/or mobs of customers) on offer. But McKays' menu looked intriguing, and the wait was relatively short, so we rolled the dice. (A note re the short wait: I put this down to the fact that MDI and Bar Harbor seem to draw predominantly families on vacation with children. This means the majority of restaurants in Bar Harbor cater to family clientele and receive heavy traffic of that sort, whereas high-end fine dining places like McKays are not suitable for families with children, and are accordingly easier to get into-- perfect for couples and small groups without children.) We were not disappointed. The elegant outdoor garden area is the perfect setting for a relaxing, romantic meal. (McKays is at the far end of Main Street from downtown, so the noise from the street is minimal to none.) The drinks menu was vast, with numerous beer, wine, and cocktail options, including specials-- these folks clearly take their alcohol seriously. The food was the only aspect that was not perfect-- the brie and poached pears appetizer we had skewed a bit more towards quantity than quality (though it was by no means bad), and my GF's halibut was, in her words, "a bit too healthy-tasting." But the bone-in pork loin I had was AMAZING-- so perfectly cooked and rich that I almost wept when there was no more-- and the sides (mashed gingered sweet potatoes and roasted asparagus) and the blueberry pie we had for dessert were delicious as well. (Alas, the pork loin was a special of the day, or I'd probably make it a point to come here every summer...) Although the food quality was less consistently excellent than other aspects of the experience, overall this was one of the finest dining excursions we've had in a long time. Admittedly ambiance is a huge part of it-- would you prefer McKays' charming garden, or the mobbed lobster + fried fish shacks on the main drag that make up the rest of the Bar Harbor dining scene?-- so if you are interested solely in food and don't care about drinks or ambiance, I wouldn't recommend it so readily, but for those who seek "the big picture" when they dine out, this is a great destination. PS-- One thing I almost forgot: the night we were there, there was a live instrumental guitarist as well. I can't recall whether we found him to be a net asset or liability to the experience-- only that he played a number of vaguely familiar tunes that did distract us a bit while we tried to figure out what precisely they were (e.g. Simon and Garfunkel, "Anji"). But I have no idea whether the live entertainment is a regular feature or not.
(5)Terence S.
Upstairs table, crab or lobster pieces still on table. Bad smell too, old seafood? Dirty rag to wipe the tabke? Very off putting. Had a pinot noir, undrinkable, old? don't sell much wine maybe? House red tempranillo was ok, good price, $4 during happy hour. Had lobster Rangoon appetizer, don't get it, $12 and just crusty wonton, barely any lobster. Dinner was actually quite good. I had the halibut, small piece but done properly. Wife had burger and salad said it was good. Beer selection looked good, many Maine local brews on tap.
(3)Nina H.
You have to get their lobster mac n cheese. It is amazing! The truffle oil adds a really nice touch, and it doesn't feel overly heavy at all. We came here two nights in a row, and I really should've just gone with my gut and order the mac n cheese again because the halibut was too tough. Service is decent, and the restaurant itself isn't super great or anything, but the seafood is really good. Their seafood risotto was great too!
(5)Kimberly Y.
My hotel and Yelp recommended a bunch of pricier restaurants for Bar Harbor, but I'm glad I went with McKays! I definitely got the bang for my buck. There's some street parking out in front, and McKays is basically a decently-sized house with outdoor seating in the "front yard" so of course there's a homey ambience to the place. They have a bar when you walk in, but also tables that are amply distanced from each other for a more private feel, which I love! Too bad our candle was out, haha. My boyfriend and I were definitely eager to try some of that Maine lobster, but also didn't want to eat lobster on lobster on lobster the entire meal. So we ended up getting the lobster of the day, a bistro steak, and sweet potato fries with this awesome horseradish suace. The food came out extremely slowly -- the slow service is definitely my main issue with McKays, but we did come on a summer Saturday, so what can you expect? We had to flag our waitress down a few times, but she was super sweet each time, especially when we realized we didn't know how to eat a lobster! If only my steak (albeit only $19) had been as delicious as the lobster... Learned our lesson: just get seafood in Maine!
(4)Sara A.
I went to this place twice on my recent trip to Bar Harbor. The first time was excellent: Delicious shephard's pie, decadent duck spring rolls, and a friendly waitress. What more could you ask for? The interior of the restaurant is charming and truly has an old pub feel. The second visit left a lot of things to be desired. The service was pretty bad. The waiter brought our appetizer out right with the meal. His excuse was "he thought we wanted it that way," which I thought was silly. Everything went downhill from there. I found a giant bone in the duck spring rolls that had been so delicious the first time. My meal was a horrorshow. I couldn't even eat it. Never order the mixed-BBQ thing. I can't even remember what it was called, but it was an amalgam of bizarre meats that clashed with each other. It was like someone blindly picked a bunch of sauces from the back of the refrigerator and slathered it over badly cooked meat. It was the strangest meal I attempted to eat in a long time. The waiter didn't pay much attention to us. He was too busy trying to suck up to the wealthy couple behind us to get a big tip. This place seems pretty inconsistent. I'm giving it 3 stars because I loved it the first time, but the second time it was awful. Try it, maybe you'll get lucky.
(3)Peter M.
We like McKays and try to get there at least once whenever in Bar Harbor. Prefer to sit outside in the lovely garden, but for different reasons (booked too late, part too big 6+infant) we have sat inside on the first floor the past two visits, which is dark. Food is generally good all around, though there are some inconsistencies (fries are well-seasoned, but dark and rather limp; last visit, the pretzels were pale and unappetizing). Excellent, though small, tap beer selection. This, and the garden are probably really what keep us coming back.
(4)Teresa T.
Hostess was rude. There were empty tables in the garden but she refused to sit us there. Instead, she chose to sit us at a table next to the rest room. As the smell from the rest room was overwhelming, we decided to try some other place. We headed out and was stopped by a gentleman who looked like the manager. He told us to wait and he would see what he could do. So we lingered at the hostess stand while he figured things out. The hostess came back, looked us up and down, ask the waiter what's going on and basically told him to tell us there's a 30 min wait.
(1)Karen F.
Ambience is nice--there is indoor seating and garden type seating. We sat in the garden. Very nice Celtic garden dinner music which added to the ambience. However food and service were fair. Staff seems overworked, rushed and harried -- a larger more attentive staff would make a difference. Food was spotty. The fresh halibut was excellent but the portobello dish was fried.
(3)Sara R.
I got a blackberry mojito. My friend got a fancy mule cocktail. The atmosphere was beautiful. The prices seemed a little high, but if I get a chance to go back with the parents I would definitely do so :)
(4)J S.
Beautiful outdoor dining area. Very welcoming with our dog - shifted the table so she could sit away from the walkway. Haddock special was delicious. Veal chop was okay - came out undercooked and they apologetically replaced it (with a new chop which took some time). Would return.
(4)Julia F.
Went here last night. The atmosphere is lovely. We sat outside on the patio. The white lights and garden was a nice touch and there even was a guitar player. Overall though, they seemed low on staff and kind of all over the place. For the amount of restaurants in bar Harbor the food here was just okay. There were three of us and each meal was a hit or miss.
(3)Jeremia F.
Best meal I had in Bar Harbor. We came here on Memorial Day weekend, which is apparently the "soft" opening for all of Bar Harbor.From the food and drinks to the mostly on point service. A few minor things needed to be worked out on the service side of things but overall really good.
(4)Ashley D.
Lobster Mac & Cheese and seafood risotto are so great here! Caesar salad with lobster is also delicious! Sitting outside is nice, but kind of chilly at night.
(5)Alika T.
This place is magic. Live music played by very nice man, the green garden and smell of flowers make this restaurant special. The building is old and a bit stinky so it is better to seat in the garden. Service is very professional and amusing, waiters are very kind and helpful. Food is good but not amazing. I have ordered a steak and a fish from the specialities.
(4)Livia L.
Food was mediocre. We had the salmon, and duck breast. Our friend liked his bistro steak but our other friend was really disappointed with her lazy style lobster. She said it was mushy and sour.
(3)Judy P.
Good food and great service. The setting outside on a Summer night is lovely, and there are heaters and umbrellas at some tables, in case of rain. Many tempting menu selections and excellent bar. Popular - make a reservation.
(4)Jeanmarie M.
Nice and quaint. Great story about house - be sure to ask. The lobster mac and cheese was delicious Loved the local brewery on tap - Acadia brewing real ale. Elijah was a great waiter. Very entertaining with a stories about local life in Bar Harbor.
(4)Debbie F.
The food..the ambience...the service..true perfection!!! We sat down outside enjoyed an incredible bottle of Molly Dooker...our dog was served a fresh bowl of water...we dined on incredible oysters haddock..ceviche...loved loved lived...wish we lived here would definitely be a weekly...destination
(5)Josh M.
Nice location in an old house right on Main St. but a little past the craziness closer to the harbor. Jerk Chicken was excellent, if a little lacking in the heat (spicy hot) department. The Shepherd's Pie was made with lamb, which was a bonus, but the lack of corn was a slight disappointment. On food alone I'd give a 3 star review, but our service was excellent. By far the best we received during our week in Bar Harbor.
(4)Alicia T.
My boyfriend and I went there for dinner. From start to finish we were pleased with the food. The bread and butter they give you was very tasty. We shared the farm stand salad and the mussel appetizer. The tomatoes were juicy and fresh, and we both agreed the mussels were the best we have ever had. They were cooked perfectly with sausage and fries. Make sure you save some bread to dip in the broth. I had the lobster mac and cheese and he had the seafood risotto. Both were delicious. We picked this restaurant because of the good reviews and I'm glad we did. We both left with full stomachs.
(5)Douglas D.
Started with the pretzels that were very good. Then I had the fish and chips. The portions were a good size and the fish was good as well. The french fries were of the shoe string variety and I expected a steak fries. The cole slaw was good. Overall it was a good experience and I would recommend it to others.
(4)Kristy W.
Our time here at McKays ended up being a second meal that day where we intended to eat, but instead had a dip and a beer before moseying on our way. I think there was a wait for the table we sat at, but we headed up to the bar and snagged a table up there. We later figured out that those were seated tables, but our waitress was friendly and grabbed us menus despite our faux-pas. Pretty decent beer list, but nothing epically different. We started with the Haddock Dip, which was good. A nice fish flavor (note: different than "fishy" flavor, which is not good), and a good texture. We were about to order dinner when we asked the gentleman next to us what he was having. It was the duck meatloaf, which my husband was planning on ordering. The scowl on his face and the way he pushed the food around with his fork told us all we needed to know. His female companion had the same look and the same attitude towards her food--it didn't really inspire us with confidence. We chose to finish our beers and call it a day, so I can't review the entrees for myself. The food we ate was good, but I might think twice about coming here again, just because of the attitude the other customers had towards their food.
(3)Wesley B.
The BEST FOOD EVER! This place was awesome romantic outside seating, there was a guy that was very quietly fingering the guitar. It was amazing. The service was a little slow but food was to die for. Crab Cakes: Best we have ever had. Chowdah: Great. Hot and Fresh LOBSTER Mac & Cheese it was just awesome. Large quantity of Lobster(very good) and heart portion. Portobello Picatta: Very nicely done.Hot, fresh, and hearty portion (Great for vegetarians or carnivores) Very nice wine selection.
(5)Stephanie Y.
I really liked McKay's. I don't think I would have liked it as much if I didn't sit outside, but I did and it's so damn cute out there. In addition to the lovely outdoor seating, there was a bad ass guitarist out there playing some tunes, muy romantico. Shall we get to the food? Duck meatloaf wrapped in bacon was a great dish. My guy couldn't stop talking about it throughout the trip. First of all, so unique and second of all it was damn tasty and priced so reasonably. I had a boring order of a baby burger and side salad and the burger really was a baby burger. I wasn't too hungry so it was fine. I read a great tip from Chris M from Jersey City to get the blueberry crumble and no joke, get it. Wowza. Maybe best dessert of the trip. Bonus: cocktail list was actually really nice. I went with a delicious alcoholic Scottish ginger beer with a Scotch floater. Hey yooooo. Overall this spot is a nice gastropub with affordable prices and really good food. Not the most "Mainey" of menus, read: doesn't have a lot of lobster/seafood options, but I definitely recommend!
(4)Greg F.
Did it twice. Awesome. Bryan is the owner. Great food. Great atmosphere. It was much better than Havana. Mussels, beet salad, lobster mac was grear. So were the cabernets.
(5)Michael N.
Despite the slow serve (it was really busy for the off season), I really loved this place. The restaurant is basically a converted victorian house with seating littered throughout the house and the front yard. The inside has a very cool vibe with the dark lighting and dark hard woods. Thanks to the advice of all these yelp reviews we went with the lobster mac and cheese and the steak special. The mac & cheese was out of this world (without the lobster) and adding the lobster just added to the greatness of this dish. Yes, it is expensive, but worth every penny. The steak was not the best I've ever had, but it was good for the price and pretty large. As for the drinks, they had an awesome selection of local Maine brews and some unique craft beers from New England. As for the service, our server was friendly, but it appeared she was stretched too thin. Generally I would have given a 4 based on the slowness of the food and drinks, but I'll let it slide as the lobster mac and cheese was that good.
(5)Allan C.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Bar Harbor I have probably come here 6 or 7 times over the years and have never been disappointed. They have some great beer selections and some nice wines as well as for really good food I really like the portobello piccata and the meatloaf is excellent and could feed 2 people. Very nice outdoor seating, restaurant is clean and wait staff is alway good this is one of the few year round restaurants.
(3)LuRee A.
We had dinner with friends that enjoy this restaurant and invited us to join. The atmosphere and food was superb. One person had the risotto and was the best I have ever tasted. The lobster mac and cheese was great . Next year we will be back from Texas.
(5)Mike B.
A solid 4 star restaurant with a 2-3 $ menu. Atmosphere and appearance are 5 stars. Was there on a Saturday and they had a guitarist performing for the dinner crowd. Nice wine menu that was also reasonably priced (most wines were priced only $20 over store price) and had a dozen draft craft beer that were out of the ordinary. The food is what made this place a 4. While still good food, it did not live up to what a 5 star restaurant would need, especially in a town with a wide selection of restaurants. Had the lobster mac n cheese (a lot of lobster!!!), though major problem was the sauce was more of a cream sauce than cheesy. Had the Italian appetizer plate, which the honey and garlic were delicious. The chili soup was filling, but lacked any spice. Overall nice place and would definitely go back...maybe after trying another place or two.
(4)Jason M.
We had a wonderful meal at McKays the other night. We were sitting in their lovely outdoor area with plants around and acoustic guitar music. I had the delicious lobster mac & cheese; my wife had the equally delicious seafood risotto, and our daughter had the special duck in maple miso glaze, which was also very good, if not quite as good as the other two. Food, ambiance and service were all excellent. I hope we'll make it back again this week.
(5)Joe M.
Horribly disappointed. Should have known when a person who worked at a business very close to the restaurant suggested to another visitor that they may want to try elsewhere. To give them the benefit of the doubt, it may have just been the server, but I still can't recommend this restaurant to others. With a party of 9 things can get tough but waited an hour and a half for food. While waiting, we constantly needed to ask the server for refills on our beer and wines (isn't this how they make money by keeping everyone lubricated?). When dinner came they brought 7 of 9 meals and they all seemed dried out like they were sitting under a heat lamp. The last two came 20 minutes later - how awkward for all of us. No one wants to eat when the whole group doesn't have food. Not recommended for a big group.
(1)J P.
Traditional pub menu. great beers and cocktails. Friendly service.
(4)Becky L.
This was absolutely fabulous. I had the halibut special, with green beans and potatoes. I had the Atlantic Real Ale with it and the chocolate torte for dessert. The place was super busy, but it was just me so I was quickly seated at the bar. I will definitely be going back here whenever I am in Bar Harbor.
(5)Caitlyn M.
Loved it here! I'm from NYC and it's easy to tell that this was some of the best food in Bar Harbor. We ate a couple other places and they were still good, but the quality of the scallops & pork belly and crab cakes made it clear that McKay's was true quality. Went with my mom and we also enjoyed the pretzels and beer cheese, clam chowder, and fish and chips, along with several great local beers. We were so impressed that we visited came twice for dinner out of our three nights.
(5)Brian H.
Food was awesome. The brownie sundae may have been the best dessert I've ever had. 'Nough said
(5)Cohen J.
Great food. They had fiddlehead a for an appetizer!!!! When do you ever see such good and diverse food. A little pricey but food was very good.
(4)Jay K.
Slow service. Good food,but everything has mushrooms in it, and my wife is allergic.
(2)Marisa C.
The meatloaf was delicious and so was the bread and pretzels with beer cheese. The only downside was the wait for the food and the service was slightly lacking.
(4)Uncle J.
Mmm. I would love to like the place. What not to like. They have very nice interior, good service and nice selection. Unfortunately the food is subpar. I ordered filet minion special. What I've got was nicely challenging cooked and presented, but completely lacked any flavor. They added some sauce, which did not fix the situation. The meat itself was not that great and they did not add any seasoning to open up the flavor. Their "lobster stew" which goes for $14+ and has pretty nice description in reality is very overpriced cup of thin lobster bisque.
(3)Jen D.
Wonderful garden-like atmosphere, quaint ambiance. Live music which was wonderful. Very knowledgeable and helpful servers. The menu looks a bit different and more progressive then the rest of bar harbor but the execution was poor. Great concept, kitchen needs to work on consistency.
(3)Tim B.
I can only review this as a pub, as we didn't eat there on our one visit. It says it's a public house on the sign, so fair game. So, for starters, the bar is tiny. Maybe ten places at the bar and not much room otherwise. That would be fine if the barman wasn't also the barman for the entire restaurant side of the house. With the garden (very pretty and ideal for a romantic à deux) still open and the indoors portion busy, this meant an inordinate wait for orders to be filled by the overworked guy behind the bar. Indeed, we probably had two less drinks over the evening simply because it took so long to be served. Which is a shame, because the martins were excellent and the local beers, including one served via a beer pump, a treat.
(3)Kym K.
Having vacationed in Bar Harbor for 30 years, this restaurant is my current favorite place to eat and relax on the island. Check out the photos of the garden seating area; that's one thing that sets this restaurant apart from all the others. The space is surrounded by fragrant flowers and bold blooms. If there is a chill in the air, the heaters warm the space and provide a mellow glow. Most restaurants ignore vegetarian customers, but the current menu has three options: Portobello Piccata, Stuffed Poblanos, and Mushroom Sacchetti pasta. I have had all three and can swear that each dish is tasty and fulfilling. The Portobello Piccata has been on the menu for several years and it has remained consistent. It includes lightly fried, earthy mushrooms, whipped potatoes, and a lemony caper sauce over the top. The variations of textures and flavors would leave even a meat-eater satisfied. Our server was attentive, warm and friendly, and the owner, Brian, greeted customers at the garden's edge as if they were old friends. In fact, many customers are his friends, since locals love this place, also. I always make this the first place I eat in Bar Harbor when I arrive, and the last place I eat before I leave.
(5)Krista M.
Great food and amazing staff. Everyone friendly, accommodating and wanting to make sure our visit was warm and welcoming. Fresh, local oysters; delicious Italian cheese plate, great entrees and amazing desserts. The fresh blueberry pie finished off a great night. A+++
(5)Brian V.
We had a great meal at McKays. They took reservations and were very close about seating us at the time and the owner(i think) was very apologetic even thought they were within 5-10 minutes. We sat outside which was very nice and they had heat lamps that were very much needed. Our waitress Theresa was fantastic! She was the best waitress we had during our trip...Thank you! We started with the Chowder which was good. My wife and I shared the Lobster Mac which was delicious and had a lot of lobster chunks. We also had the Lamb Burger which had great flavor. When I return, I will be back
(4)Rick L.
We go to this place 2-3X/year and it never fails to be a good choice among the several million restaurants in Bar Harbor during the summer season. Tonight was shepherd's pie, two orders of fish and chips, and one burger...all from the pub side of the menu. All were terrific, and especially the shepherd's pie which comes in a skillet...outstanding! The fish and chips come with a little too much batter for me but is used to a good end...quite a moist fish and the batter does have great flavor. For those wanting more upscale dinners, the menu is varied...typically a seafood special, duck, steaks, etc and including the lobster mac and cheese that others rave about. Seating is inside (cozy, several different rooms) or outside in a festive dining area, replete w/guitarist throughout the evening. What's also nice is that they are open through the year for folks lucky enough to live here or visit often.
(4)Kevin K.
Used to be our go to place for good service, relaxed atmosphere, and tasty food. Tonight was far from their best showing and we aren't likely to return - there are too many other options on the island. Three major problems with our meal: 1) our appetizer took nearly 25 minutes to arrive, and then when it did make an appearance, our meals arrived almost immediately after. I consider this the cardinal sin of restaurant service. 2) our drinks went empty for the entire meal, with no service available to refill or even ask us if we wanted more to drink. 3) the pork short rib I ordered did not live up to the promise of the description. I should have been "dark and stormy", with ginger and rum flavors. Instead, it was completely bland. In addition, the "mashed" sweet potatoes were puréed to the point of baby food. Completely unpleasant mouth feel.
(2)Justin D.
Went to McKay's one evening on our honeymoon while wanting something pub-like but without the nastiness of some pubs. This place perfectly fit the bill! We were immediately seated, and thankfully it was just warm enough to enjoy the great outdoor seating area with a live finger style guitarist. While it's far from the fanciest dish available, my wife and I both got Fish & Chips (though many other options were tempting), and we were not disappointed! The batter was perfectly flaky and the fries delicious! The service was pretty quick, and our waitress was hilarious. This ended up being one of our favorite restaurant experiences in Bar Harbor. It was just a great mix of atmosphere, food, and service! I would definitely recommend it and will definitely be back should we end up in town again.
(5)F M.
Beetle in soup tonight. (Photo added.) Manager downplayed it. Maine Dept. of Health and Human Services notified.
(1)Ana M.
Super cute place. Had the seafood risotto, which was just ok; it was over cooked. The lobster mac and cheese is so darn good. It's definitely a must try. For dessert try the whiskey ice cream with bacon and the toffee pudding.
(4)Kevin R.
The wine and beer list is pretty good here but you might want to stick to the menu standards listed in other reviews. We had a Caesar salad to start, which was good but not great. After that we went with the daily specials, halibut for me and filet mignon for my wife. The waiter had recommended the halibut as one of the stars of the menu but it was well over cooked and dry. The preparation was also highly touted but it wasn't sufficient to moisten or cover up the very dry fish. My wife's filet mignon was, like the salad, just adequate, not at all what I would hope for at $30 per plate. I would recommend other restaurants in bar harbor instead.
(2)Russell Q.
Chris the bartender was great. He not only worked the bar but helped with the others in the restaurant. He facilitated our seats for our 10th anniversary without even asking for a prime window seat. Great risotto. Great oysters . Thanks again Chris!!!! The manager was helpful but seemed a bit inebriago at times!
(4)Quay A.
I would eat here in a second... I actually can't recall all the dishes S and I ordered but so good, so good! Think of this as a 4.5 - Yelp why do you not heed our requests for half stars!!! We sat out on the patio and it got a little cool but it was so nice with the garden area we didn't mind. I had the lobster mac and cheese, even if you aren't a fan of mac and cheese you should enjoy this unless you don't like cheese LOL Positives Food is fresh and excellent quality - I can't stress this enough Food was excellently crafted So many great menu choices Service was very good Good election of beers Negatives Nothing comes to mind :) Funny thing was that when one of the waitresses that served us was actually our server at breakfast at another restaurant.
(4)Pau S.
Nice ambiance. Food was okay but not that great. The lobster mac and cheese was a bit bland and seemed to have too little lobster (not one and a quarter pounder as the menu says). Lobster could also be fresher.
(3)Irene K.
I was really excited to try this place based on the reviews, but was pretty disappointed. The people were nice and accommodated our requests to switch tables pretty quickly (shout out to the super sweet manager who actually apologized for moving us, not knowing it was our request) but it just couldn't make up for the lackluster food. We ordered the mussels to start, which had some good seasoning and then ordered the portabella mushroom, seafood risotto, lobster mac and cheese, and a salad. All were fine and I would normally give this a 3 but subtracted another star for portion size/price. I don't know if this restaurant is on par (or even better) than surrounding restaurants, but I am much more inclined to try other places when I go back to Bar Harbor.
(2)Daniel M.
We went on a night that it was obvious that the restaurant was busier than usual. You could strongly tell this by the inefficient and poor service from the server. The bartender was better, had a sense he was more used to being able to handle the quicker atmosphere. It is a shame though because the food was great. The service really took away from the experience. We had the baked Brie, fish and chips, and a pasta dish. All were very good. Despite the service we received, I would recommend the restaurant as I felt it was due to the heavy crowd and the food really did not disappoint.
(4)Amanda M.
I had the dark and stormy pork short rib which is described as slow braised pork short with a rum and ginger glaze accompanied with dark rum sweet potatoes and local vegetables. The pork was tender and flavorful, but could have benefited from being marinated longer. That's the only reason I didn't give it 5 stars. The sweet potatoes were delish and the broccoli was crisp and tasty. My fiance got the shepherd's pie which was flavorful also, but on the dry side. There were several other menu items I'd love to go back and try like the lobster Mac and cheese or the duck meatloaf. There is plenty of outdoor/porch seating and heat lamps for cooler evenings. Great ambiance for a memorable time.
(5)Brent L.
Stopped in late for a quick bite. We asked to sit outside which was a nice setting with many white lights and warming heaters for the cool night. We were told nothing was available and then taken to a poorly lit table in the corner of a tiny room. I was seated in front of a window air cnditioner with a curtain hiding it and next to the kitchen. Surely something else must have been available. My fault for accepting the seat as offered. I ordered the clam chowder and fish and chips. The chowder was fine, but the fish and chips were below standard. It tasted like the fry oil hadn't been changed as frequently as needed to keep a fresh taste. Everthing tasted like burnt oil. The fish itself, seemed very fresh. The beer was allagash saison that was moderately cold at best and seemed like the co2 tank for the keg system needed a refresh as well. Overall ...not impressed . Simplest of meals to come up short on.
(2)Stephanie B.
I have visited McKays twice now. It is quite possibly my favorite restaurant in Acadia. Great service, beautiful spot for outdoor dining. The restaurant itself is so cozy and intimate. Great servers, and creative dishes. A total foodie find at a reasonable price.
(5)Kelly C.
The food here is consistently good. We look forward to visiting a couple times per year on vacation. Good selection of beers on tap. Dark & stormy pork short rib is a favorite. Lobster Mac & cheese is very good as well.
(4)Robert C.
Great atmosphere. Food was very good. Shared the lobster and portobello crostini appetizer. Delicious. Local oysters. Not bad. My wife had the burger, she loved it. I had the dark and stormy short rib. Very good. Sweet potatoes were really good too.
(4)Devonshire B.
Very friendly wait staff. The food was pretty good, especially the lobster mac-n-cheese, as well as the duck. Not to mention that their muddled blueberry cocktail was refreshingly tasty. A lot of flavour, decent portions, and reasonable prices. That's basically the holy trinity of restaurant expectations, right? Right.
(4)Mitchell M.
I was hoping for a different vibe here. It was a bit more restaurant, than charming pub. All in all a good visit. My only real issue is that our server snatched a MacCallan 12 off the table with a good sized sip left. She was left before I could utter a word. She was super friendly though, so I almost feel bad faulting her for the early clear. The menu offers an extensive variety of local favorites (lobstahhhh), pub-like dishes, and other American dishes. I had the burger which was great. We also had the beet salad, crab cakes and clam chowder. The chowder was thin, but tasted house made. The crab cakes had good flavor, but I was hoping for more lumps...maybe there is a difference between the way a Maine crab cake and Maryland crab cake are served? The beet salad was fantastic. They offer decent selection of local beers, as well as a full bar and wine menu. My wife said the blueberry, crumble pie was the best we had while in Bar Harbor. Of course, I feel obligated to tell you that my wife is a sucker for a "crumble." We didn't have it, but the lobster mac n cheese seemed to a favorite among diners around us, and the woman at the adjacent table her short rib. The duck meatloaf also peaked my interest, but I was all about a burger that night. Great outdoor garden and the porch was pretty intimate and romantic.
(3)Andrea S.
From the outside this place looks nice. The food wasnt as good as I thought it could be. I had the fish and chips and my boyfriend had their burger, It filled my stomach but next time ill go somewhere else to eat. Also our waitress wasnt taking care of us at all, I had to stand up and get to-go boxes my self and I also had to get the check myself. I have to be honest, I dont think I will be going here anymore.
(2)Kyle M.
It's a bit surprising to me that this place has garnered such high reviews. It's definitely one of the better dinner places on the island, though I found that most places here are better at breakfast than dinner. The Ambiance is phenomenal. In summer, at night, sitting outside here is as good as it gets, nice for a romantic date with the girlfriend or for a pleasant evening with the family. I'd give the Ambiance a 5/5. The service adds to the atmosphere, it was pretty good. 4/5 The food is where the disappointment lies. It's not bad, it's just not great, especially for the price. The portions are somewhat small, if the quality was excellent this wouldn't be a problem, but I would say the quality was simply alright. I wouldn't complain as much but it just didn't seem like a great value, while the price wasn't mind boggling, it was overpriced for mediocre food in modest portions. 2.5/5 My girlfriend and I both thought we would finish off an excellent day of hiking with a great meal here. Frankly we were pumped up for it, in the end we left disappointed. Like I said one of the better dinner places on the island, just don't go in expecting a great meal.
(3)Westie W.
We started off the evening at McKay's in the bar for happy hour. The two bartenders were busily engaged in making drinks, but were very personable. Many of the drinks featured fresh fruit including watermelon that was being sliced and pureed. My wife and I both ordered Blue Hill martinis (blueberry vodka, lemonade, fresh blueberries and a splash of soda). The drinks sounded far better than they tasted so we stopped at one and made a dinner reservation for the patio. After taking a short stroll, we returned and were seated on the patio which was near capacity. We each ordered the shepherd's pie (slow cooked braised lamb in an herbed demi glace topped with roasted vegetables then layered with whipped potatoes). Unlike the drinks, this dish tasted better than it sounded. The lamb almost melted in my mouth and was generously proportioned. The vegetables were a canned corn/carrot mix, but the potatoes were obviously home made and delicious. Overall we felt we made an excellent choice that we will seek out on our next visit to MDI.
(4)Jerry H.
The food was top notch. Great seafood risotto. Once again, it's the same problem that plagues the restaurant industry. Yelp gives them great ratings and then they can't handle the volume. The staff was inept. 15 minutes until we we're acknowledged. Another 15 min, when I inquired about my drink order told it was not available, then she left. Finally, they committed the ultimate cardinal sin, appetizer not out before the main course. Probably a great place before 6 and in the slow season.
(2)Raisa S.
This place was great! We were seated right away for dinner, got lucky enough to sit outside in their wonderful garden seating area and got to listen to a man playing instrumentals! Created a perfect ambiance for a dinner. We started with the wings (recommended by our waitress) which were DELISH. Definitely spicy but cooked perfectly with tons of flavor. I got an alcoholic ginger beer to start, and Joe got (another recommended) beverage with fresh mint leaves and cucumbers. For our entrees I got the steak dish (not the special) which came with potatoes and vegetables. Joe got the seafood risotto. The seafood risotto was OUT of this world. I don't really eat fish, just shrimp and I had a few bites of his and it was really cooked to perfection, and a large portion. My potatoes and vegetables were great, the steak was cooked perfectly BUT it was really lacking flavor. It was a thick cut and I give them credit for cooking it so well, but it could definitely use some type of rub or a more flavorful sauce to put on it, that was really my only complaint. Service was good, fast, and the waitress was friendly and very attentive!
(4)Tee A.
Great food! Clam chowder was great! Hubby had steak tips and I had burger. The burger was delicious! Great atmosphere!
(5)Kim D.
When we arrived at McKays, the manager informed us there would be an hour wait. That was fine, as we had some time to kill downtown. We returned after about 45 minutes and were seated right away. Two in our party ordered the lobster Mac and cheese, based on Yelp recommendations. The sauce was light, not too greasy or heavy. There was a nice amount of lobster in it. I had the seafood risotto, which was fabulous (I'd highly recommend that dish if you enjoy risotto). We thought the prices were reasonable given the quality of the food and the service we received. Portions aren't huge, but we all had jut the right amount to eat. We ate outside, and even though it was a bit chilly the heat lamps made it perfectly comfortable. There was even a guitar player at the wine shop next door to add to the ambiance. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone traveling to Bar Harbor.
(5)John H.
Everything was ok except my Duck Meatloaf. Dry, over salted (and I love salt), and overpowered by black pepper as well. Shepard pie was soso. Bread, clam chowder, and salad were good. Nice ambience. When we ate here two years ago the entrees were better. I don't think we will be back.
(2)Donald E.
I been to Bar Harbor many times and have eaten at many places there. My wife found the highly rated McKays Public House online and wanted to try it. I must say ... The food was not good "it was GREAT!!!". We choose to eat outside and were entertained by Bob Bowman who was playing acoustic guitar. Look, him up on the internet he is known as one the best acoustic guitar players in America. The service, outdoor lighting and music made for a perfect atmosphere. We had the duck spring rolls and they were the best I have ever eaten. My wife had the lobster mac and cheese, which had a light white cheese sauce with peas. The lobster was fresh and the cheese did not overwhelm the dish. I had tender lightly seasoned pork perfectly cooked with sweet potatoes and a side of green beans. I could actually taste the pork! The funny part of this experience is that I did not want to eat at McKay's but I will for now on each time we visit Bar Harbor!
(5)Darren S.
We had a light dinner at the bar which has a nice homey atmosphere with a great range of local brews on tap. Crab cakes app was excellent and the seafood risotto was also fantastic but maybe could have used a little something. Friendly service and the manager was fun and willing to share some unique beer samples. A great spot in bar harbor.
(4)Roger H.
Great beer selection of Maine drafts. GREAT food. Had a Cioppino that was wonderful and a good portion. Melissa's fish and chips was to die for. Awesome cut of haddock. Service was a little icey and pretentious. Nice restaurant and great outdoor space. A little fancy for a public house but generally took us dirty after a long day of canoeing so aok too.
(4)Food Jerk X.
The seafood risotto everyone raves about was rather mucky and pasty. Scallops therein were gooey and gummy. I know it's setting the bar too high, but we just had some regal scallops the night before at Fore Street in Portland--perfectly seared. These were totally without char or flavor. Mussels creole style had the opposite problem: overdone and WAY too much flavor. Props to linking Cajun to its Aca'jun forefathers, but mussels are subtle and completely overpowered. Also, a near majority of shells wouldn't open or the mussels shredded = some combo of dead and overcooked. Sauvignon blanc had no flavor. Atlantic Real Ale, howe'er, proved five-star. Think "an improved Sam Smith Nut Brown," or light years ahead of Newcastle. Rare find, as most American brewers fixate on IPAs or hefeweizens. Mac and cheese off the kids menu was the best dish: adult-tasting cheese with moist yet well-grilled chicken. Service was shy. Unconventional choices brought us here: would have loved to try the seared duck special, but they were out, despite the fact that we ate relatively early.
(2)Lindsay G.
The drinks were good and the ambience is wonderful, but the entrees (seafood risotto and the fish and chips) were unnecessarily heavy and rich. The duck wonton app was amazing though- go for that and drinks.
(3)Juanita H.
Sat outside by the porch and enjoyed the scenery. Very good waitress. We had the fish and chips and crab cakes with salads. Overall a very good experience. Would go back again.
(4)Debbie B.
Mixed greens salad was larger than I expected. Plenty of greens, shaved carrot, just a little tomato. Clam chowder delicious. Bits of clan, not too heavy and thick. Crab cake appetizer very nice. Salad and crab cakes a good amt of food for a light eater. Rack of lamb delicious, tender, perfectly prepared medium as requested. The guitarist was perfect. Nice background music but not loud, no problem carrying on conversation. Sat outside on a cool eve. Very pretty with the decorative lights and propane warmers. No problem getting a table on a Sunday night around 8pm on Sept 7. No wait.
(4)Heather S.
Bananas how great this place is! Amazing local caught oysters. Insane scallop risotto. The staff and service has always been stellar. It is always a highlight of our Maine trip!
(5)Victoria B.
I never write reviews and my husband told me not to write this one so we could keep this place a secret. This place is completely underrated. The atmosphere is so perfect, there was a guy playing acoustic guitar, that coupled with the outdoor lighting and hum of the dinner guests pulled us in. We enjoyed a drink on some outdoor seating while waiting for our table. The owner was absolutely charming, as was the staff. Our server was lovely as well. We tried the duck spring rolls, liver pate and a few oysters and all were delicious. I had the salmon and my husband the steak, both were perfectly cooked. We finished with the brownie Sunday. We have eaten at many places this trip and this was by far the best place we tried. Truly the whole package, food, service and atmosphere are all top notch!
(5)Sam T.
Probably deserves 3 stars, but wanted to bring down the rating a bit because we had suchhh terrible service. Food and outdoor seating were beautiful. We were seated late - restaurant was pretty full but past rush hour. We sat with no drinks and no service for 10 minutes. Waiter was not personable and spent minutes rambling about specials but neglected to mention that a menu item was out, which two of us were going to order. So took the drink and food orders at the same time. Forgot about the drink orders. We reminded a different waiter 10-15 minutes later. He came back, said that he was busy and didn't remember what we'd ordered, but never apologized. The beer and wine took 5 minutes from that time, and the waiter brought out red instead of white. Pretty pathetic. In relative terms, the food came out in okay time, but it was only a couple minutes after the drinks at that point. The server was just not on this planet. Great, appealing menu at very fair prices. Food was fantastic - seafood risotto, vegetable curry, lamb burger, salad with scallops were all 5/5. Duck wontons appetizer was kinda weird and not worth the price.
(2)Adk M.
Ok, if you can get a seat in the garden, maybe the mediocre food is worth the expense. Otherwise, turn around and seek out better food anywhere in a five-block radius. Can't complain about the service - prompt and gracious. But the dark, non-air-conditioned interior of the house was uninspired and depressing - as well as a bit stifling. Salads were overdressed and the Caesar not edible (really - how hard is it to make a Caesar salad?) The main courses were less than memorable. You can do better and should.
(2)Megan B.
We came during our Maine vacation, looking for a dog friendly restaurant. We got seated quickly and very friendly. The bread was very good and the butter had a nice flavor. As a table we got the duck wontons appetizer was vey good. I got the ahi appetizer as my meal the portion was small but I wasn't expecting a big portion. It was very good I especially the seaweed salad that came with it.
(4)Ellen S.
The ability to sit outside and listen to some great music was lovely. However the over an hour wait from ordering to seeing our meals was ridiculous and unacceptable. I had to stop our server to at least ask for the meal for our 1 year old. We were told there was a big party inside...I don't care!! First and last time there!
(2)Matthew T.
Okay these people have low standards. The environment is nice, the staff is nice and accommodating. However the portions and quality of food leave much to be desired! For $30 dollars you can get filet mignon, with a scoop of mashed potatoes, and a scoop of spinach. For $18 you can get shepherds pie that looks nothing like it does in the pictures you get that McKays has posted on yelp and Google. In fact it's in a tiny skillet and tastes like dog food. The bill was $100 and we left hungry! And picked up chinese on the way home. Don't waste your money here on these tiny portions. $100 goes further in over priced connecticut and new york city and you'll actually get portions that'll fill you up.
(1)Renard S.
We had a Sunday evening dinner over a holiday weekend at McKay's, when it was recommended by the innkeepers where we were staying. The menu looked quite inviting and had a wide range of options. In the end, however, this seemed to be to the restaurant's detriment; McKay's isn't quite sure what it is (upscale, casual, inventing, etc.). Cocktails from the main menu (a manhattan and a ciao bella) were mediocre. A bit watery, and seemingly too much citrus in both). We ordered the mussels appetizer, which turned out to be a mistake. It arrived with spicy kielbasa, peppers and onions (of the sort you get at the ballpark with your Italian sausage) and wet french fries. Don't get me wrong, I love kielbasa, but it completely overwhelmed the taste of the mussels. Main courses were boiled lobster and seafood risotto. The risotto was a bad miss, to the point the that the waitress (unprompted) asked if it was overcooked, noting that previous patrons had complained. She (again unprompted), removed it from our bill. The lobster was appropriately cooked and nicely presented, however the sides were bland and poorly organized -- by the time one could finish even half the lobster, the sides of a broiled green beans and mashed potatoes were guaranteed to be quite cold. The service was decent, though the appetizer and entrees were served within three to five minutes of each other. We noticed this also happened at the table next to us. When in Bar Harbor, I'd recommend skipping this and instead going to a nearby lobster pound (we went to Trenton Bridge) for seafood, or another establishment in town (Fathom, Sidestreet Cafe, etc.) if you're in the mood for something else.
(2)Leigh E.
Excellent selection of eclectic wines, friendly and helpful staff, and a deliciously expansive selection of dinner choices. We went two nights in a row and loved it!
(5)Sarah M.
We didn't have reservations, but called ahead to see what the wait was. We were told they would make it happen - and they did. We were seated immediately at a table indoors. The restaurant is located in an old home that has a lot of character. The food was decent, we ordered the lobster mac and a duck dish. The lobster mac was fabulous and included a large portion. We ended up with leftovers, but they were quickly eaten the next day. The duck had an interesting preparation of duck sausage and duck breast - both were excellent. The service was good, not exceptionally good or bad - just average. We would definitely return.
(4)Margaret T.
We were in a rush so took the indoor seats. Big mistake. I began to sweat within a few minutes of being seated indoors. The room was dark, cramped and a window a/c unit was nestled nearby along with a handful of winged insects. The patio seating we walked by looked lovely with white lights and live music. No one at the tables we walked by was sweating. I was in steerage for the evening. The food! Everything that was brought to the table was amazing. The lobster mac and cheese was succulent and buttery. It was the best meal in the worst building.
(4)Francine L.
Dined here after reading reviews and we were not steered wrong. Very nicely appointed. Sat quickly. Prompt, helpful and friendly staff. Food was delicious and portions more than enough. Dessert was 50/50. Creme brûlée had way too much sugar on top I would definitely try this place again.
(4)Christine P.
As many other reviewers have said: lobster mac and cheese. That's all you need to know. But actually McKay's is more than just that; they have a lovely garden seating area and also on the porch, where we sat (and where the maitre d kindly moved us after being concerned about being caught in the rain). They also just overall have a terrific menu. In addition to the proverbial lobster mac and cheese, I really enjoyed the tuna steak with the summer squash chilled soup and polenta cake; tuna was cooked perfectly (order it medium rare). We also started with the spinach and artichoke dip, which was delicious, but the highlight were the chips, which were hand made, and had lots of salt which made them really tasty. McKay's is also good because it can appeal to everyone: groups, families, couples.
(4)Lindsay S.
Pleasant hostess sat us after a 10 minute wait and we arrived at our table outside. Waited 15 minutes and then asked for our waitress to then have our waitress come over 10-15 minutes later without much of a reason. The entrees we ordered arrived incorrectly and by that point we had waited an hour. Beyond unacceptable. The new waitress we got was nice, but very hard to overcome the first hour. Our food came cold with the steak overlooked and the veggies undercooked. Worst dinner and service I have had ever!
(1)Cassie S.
Just had the lobster Mac and cheese and the portion was a perfect size and tasted delicious . The staff was very courteous and the atmosphere was lovely! Highly recommend dining here.
(5)Deb M.
The food at McKay's was awesome. My husband said the boiled lobster was one of the top 3 lobsters he has ever eaten, and he has eaten a lot of lobster. I had the special Duck Duo -- duck sausage and duck breast with blueberry sauce. I had it cooked medium rare -- chef recommended -- and it was so tender and juicy it melted in my mouth. The meal was so good we made reservations on our way out for tomorrow night!
(5)Matthew S.
Five stars, dollar for dollar, all the way around.
(5)Andy L.
Above average. Was surprised by this find. Excellent beer selection. Walked up without a reservation at 700pm on a weekday at the end of July and was seated right away. Had mussels and a salad. Wife had lobster Mac and cheese. Both meals were very good. Service was smooth and efficient. Would recommend. Had many items on the menu that looked worth trying. Maybe we will go back before leaving.
(4)Tiffany C.
Food so good that I had to write this review while we're still here. The lobster mac and cheese is heavenly. It's like a lobster and truffle decided to make love in my mouth and splooge everywhere. I live in NYC and must say this is the best mac and cheese I've had in my life. Oh and everything else is great as well.
(5)Tim F.
This gastropub serves delicious food, fine drinks, is kid friendly and has a very nice atmosphere. IMO probably some of the best food we ate in Bar Harbor. Sat out on the porch, with a nice space heater in case it got a bit chilly. Our server was very friendly; made some good cider and crafted beer suggestions; and was very attentive. Started off with Homemade Pretzel and Welsh Rarebit. It was not a pretzel in the typical sense, but more akin to mini baked loaves of bread....however once you get past that, dipping it in the delicious Welsh Rarebit makes any concerns about the bread's description go away. Yum! Next onto the asparagus soup, which was also delicious, not too salty and the consistency and perfect for a cool night. The main course for me was a duck meatloaf wrapped in bacon with green peppercorns with mashed potatoes and whisky cream. My wife had the lobster macaroni. We would order either one of these dishes again. For desert, I went for the warm blueberry cobbler with ice cream. This was good, but not OMG, as I felt it was not blueberry enough, if that makes sense. Regardless, we had a terrific time and for those parents that have kids, this place is great. They give the kids some sticky sticks to play with and have a kids menu. For those that don't have kids, don't worry there is enough room in this place that you can find that corner, so you don't feel like you're in Disney World.
(5)Megan R.
Jeff and I stopped into McKays Public House after Jeff did a YELP search for some of the top rated spots in Bar Harbor. I understand why McKays was near the top of the list. A short walk from the bustling part of downtown Bar Harbor, McKays was set behind a beautiful front patio which was laid out between trees and greenery, with white lights floating in the leaves. The tables were spacious and private, and made me feel like I was eating in a magic little garden. Jeff and I opted for sharing plates and a drink, we thought we might continue to bar-harbor-hop around. Our server was amicable and knowledgable, and took our order as soon as we were ready. I started with a Garden Party cocktail, a fresh and lemon-y mixture of gin, Lemoncello, and fresh muddled basil (YUM!!) and Jeff went for a microbrew beer. We were sharing the Duck Confit Spring Rolls (2 on the appetizer order, smaller size) which were crispy, hot, and stuffed with that beautiful rich duck meat. We also shared the Fish and Chips, which came out looking like they took the whole haddock, fresh from the boat, skinned and filleted, and thrown in the fryer. (In other words, it was the entire fillet fried to crispy fresh perfection.) We did not bother with the french fries, because, who would when everything else is so tasty? On the Wednesday night we were there, a local musician was playing beautiful acoustic guitar on a little porch nearby, which made the night even lovelier. Thank you for a great night at the Public House!!
(4)Ari K.
We ordered the clam chowder, farm house salad and the seafood risotto. This restaurant is excellent. The chowder was more broth based than creamy and my wife thought it was the best chowder she ever had. The farmhouse salad had fresh greens with a very tasty dressing. The seafood risotto was memorable. The wine pairing with the recommended Bordeaux added to the experience. They also had organic burger for my son which was a nice touch. The atmosphere is park like with live music, heat lamps and nice lighting. Thank you for a great dining experience.
(5)Stuart G.
Excellent ambiance, and it doesn't feel like a tourist trap. There was a 20 minute wait before a table opened up, which my date and I had no problem with. Even though we were just sitting patiently, the manager went out of his way to get us drinks while we waited, and they weren't even on the bill at the end of the meal! That's right, free beer! We had the mussels for an appetizer, which were served in a delicious broth and was the perfect portion for two. I followed this with the duck meatloaf, which is a dish I've never even seen anywhere else. It was absolutely fantastic, wrapped in prosciutto ham and cooked to juicy perfection. Duck can be really hit-or-miss, so I was thoroughly impressed. To cap it all off, there was a man sitting on the porch next door playing some relaxing acoustic guitar tunes throughout our entire meal! That, combined with the excellent patio seating outdoors in the evening really made for the best ambiance we could have hoped for. Will definitely be returning next time I'm in town.
(5)Tater T.
It was OK. Halibut special was a little sweet, severed on a bed of sweet potatoes. Lobster mac exceeded expectations, nicely cheesy not just covered in a cream sauce. Nice beer selection and happy hour specials.
(3)Jon S.
Excellent food & service. More upscale dining option in Bar Harbor. We opted for the following: spinach dip, beet salad, macaroni and lobster, and fish & chips. All were of quality and fresh ingredients. That's code of course for portions being smaller, but you can counter by ordering any of the heavier meals. For example, the fish & chips (a 6oz piece of haddock fried) was plenty for the hungry belly, especially with fries. Two seating options here: inside (a old renovated guest home) or in the courtyard patio. Both are nice, but your call (usually based on the weather). Service is pretty good. This place is seasonal and fills up after 7pm, especially on the weekends. Make the call for reservations if in this timeframe.
(4)Dana P.
Great restaurant - food was excellent, wine recommendations were stellar (they were out of what we ordered, but made great recommendations), and the setting was perfect. We were there for a fall weekend getaway and would highly recommend.
(5)Kristen R.
We read some fabulous reviews about McKays and were not disappointed! It was busy on a weekday night and we took the last table...it was quaint and comfortable. We ordered the smoked haddock dip as our starter and realized we were in for a culinary treat. It actually tasted like smoked haddock compared to the mayo-style we all know and say "eh, it's ok". This app was excellent. We then enjoyed the lobster mac & cheese and the special farmhand salad. The mac and cheese lived up to its reputation - great cheese, yummy lumps of lobster (and enough of it) and fresh peas with pasta. The salad was arugula, a lemony vinaigrette, smoked mussels, cabbage...a fine combination to accent the flavorful mussels. The one con? We were convinced to try the jalapeno beer and, sure it was tasty, but not at all spicy as advertised. If it's going to be jalapeno, we want it to taste like it! :)
(4)Paula K.
Wow, it is a really good thing that we have been travelling the past two weeks and virtually electronic-free or I would have written a very different review two weeks ago. Every couple of years we come to Maine and while visiting our family offers to watch our kids so we can go to Bar Harbor for an evening. The first night we were there we chose to have dinner at McKays. It was a Thursday night and we didn't have reservations but they were able to acommodate us at one of the tall tables. We ordered drinks several minutes after arriving. My husband ordered the sampler paddle which he loved (great selection) and I ordered a glass of wine...which arrived ten minutes after my husbands beer. Okay. The waitress seemed extremely busy so we thought that might have something to do with it (that and the fact that for some reason all of the wait staff was mixing and pouring their own drinks upstairs, what??) We started with the crab cakes and the sweet fries. I ordered the sweet fries because I love horseradish sauce. The problem is that we have NO idea what we were served. It was definitely coconut, no horseradish flavor whatsoever, and if we had to venture a guess it tasted like straight coconut milk. It wasn't the horseradish sauce that I had hoped for but it wasn't a bad combo. When I asked the waitress what the susbtitution was (nicely, weren't complaining, said it was still good) she said it was impossible that it could be anything with cocounut b/c they don't use coconut anywhere in the kitchen. Okay, but it was cocounut. That we were certain about. The crab cakes were good. Very big and full of crab. Next, our food came and my husband enjoyed his lobster mac and cheese. I enjoyed my petite burger and beet salad. I asked for medium rare and it was well done (still good) and a beet salad (where the heck were the pumpkin seeds that were advertised on the salad?) Despite all of the mistakes the food was good even if we felt like the waitress who clearly was trying to be friendly but way too busy to be attentive fell short. But all of the mistakes left a really bad impression. I would have asked for things things to be set straight but after the non-response to the coconut mllk mistake and a busy waitress...sometimes you just have to let things go. Fast-forward to the following week. On our way out of town we took our kids to Bar Harbor. Around 6:30 we were faced with a tired, cold, HANGRY preschooler who was only settling for Mac and Cheese (which we realized if you want lobster-free is not an easy thing to find in Bar Barbor). While walking around and falling short we ran into McKay's again and low and behold the menu said, "Mac and Cheese". Needing to address the Hangry Preschooler's needs we looked at each other, "should we try again?" and we did. Hangry is bad. Total night and day experience. The waiter was attentive. The fries came with horseradish sauce. My burger was medium rare and there were pumpkin seeds on my salad. We also got all of our drinks at the same time, not a ten minute wait watching my husband drink all of his before mine was served, yay. Based on the last experience I would have gone with a 4 1/2 or 5 but inconsistency and a poor first experience knocks it back to a three. Maybe next year we'll give it another try and see how they do on a 2 out of 3.
(3)Joy W.
DELICIOUS!!! We had dinner at McKay's and started off with the oysters and a round of margaritas! Both excellent-being from the midwest and only trying oysters once, I became a huge fan of oysters after having them at McKay's! My spouse had the seafood risotto which was 5stars:Local scallops and sautèed Maine shrimp over a lemon truffle risotto tossed with fresh peas, Parmesan, a touch of cream and diced tomatoes. I had the Lobster Mac and Cheese which also was 5stars: Fresh picked local lobster meat in a truffled cream sauce over cavatappi noodles & spring pea. Everything from start to finish was delicious and the outdoor seating area is perfect for a nice romantic evening! The only downside is that we didn't eat here sooner in our stay at Bar Harbor so that we could have had dinner here every night!!
(5)Karen L.
On vacation with a party of ten we scheduled reservations for 8pm on a Wednesday night. Our table was not ready and we had to wait 40 minutes for the party using it to leave. The food after all of that, was terrible. Shepard's pie was burnt to a crisp because they ran out of potatoes. Meatloaf was burnt. The manager offered a free round of drinks which did not overcompensate for our wait, and disappointing meal.
(1)Christina G.
The courtyard is pretty; but it was packed on the weekend, and we didn't have time to wait for a seat, so we got a table indoors. It channels pub well, with heavily curtained windows and deep hues. For me, though, all that kind of puts a damper on cool coastal breezes and sunshiney weather right outside. About 5 Maine beers on draft (though surprisingly nothing from Bar Harbor-local Atlantic Brewing). We got three dishes and shared everything. Clam Chowder: I'd been wanting to try a Northeast version of this, but hubs' opinion... "Tastes like something you can get from a can." Not wholly untrue regarding the broth. Though I will say the clam was at least plentiful! Crab Cakes: Good crab-to-breading ratio. Solid. Lobster Mac n Cheese: Not enough lobster, especially given the price. The mac was pretty good -- definitely cheesy -- but just a little lacking. Maybe a breadcrumb topping, or some herbs would jazz it up, and make it seem more of a cohesive dish, and less of a pasta with lobster sprinkled on top. All in all, average. Especially when the price is not far off from some of the fine dining experiences you can have in the area.
(3)Michelle K.
I was here with my husband, the food and service was just awful. We sat outside , which was a very nice patio area, our table and seats were wet and there was a slug on the table. O they didn't place us on the patio, we sat in a walkway . The food was so gross, I order the falafel burger, it was hard as a rock with no taste at all. My husband ordered the curry with chicken, said it was okay, but we were over charged. we did not notice the overcharge until we got back to our hotel. Warning do not go to this place, many many other good places to eat in Bar Harbor...
(1)Cheska R.
5 stars all around! Whenever we take a family vacation in Bar Harbor, we try to eat in here at least once. Great ambiance, service, food and drinks. It was probably a mistake dining here first on our trip, because all the cafes and restaurants we ate at after just didn't quite make it, like McKays did. It is an expensive place, but well worth the splurge. I loved the seafood risotto! It was garlicky, cheesy, and just plain comforting. Their beer selection is also quite good! I look forward to eating here every time we are in the area.
(5)Connie C.
Awesome find! Lobster Mac and cheese, duck wontons, clam chowder, snapper special all very good. Good service, good beer selection
(5)Dave B.
Not real impressed. I had the fish and chips and couldn't get past the deep fryer taste in the batter of the fish. The grilled cheese was extremely bland. The fries or "chips" were way overcooked. The atmosphere was very cool.
(2)Leta D.
We went there at the beginning of the season, overall the service and food was good but ... We ordered lamb on the rack, was big mistake. Lamb was slightly cooked, we ordered it medium, it came rare, seriously rare. Asked waitress to take back to cook some more, again it came slightly cook . Other than that lamb the rest of the meal was good, better than the other places .
(3)Erin C.
We had dinner here after going through the excellent reviews on this site, and their food was no short of excellent! I had the Jamaican Chicken Jerk which was probably the best chicken I ever had, it came with sweet potato mash which was unfortunately cold.
(4)Jackie Z.
After a long day of hiking and eating at a few "tourist traps" we were looking for something real and good to eat. This was it. It exceeded above and beyond my expectations. The food was amazing, we had the tuna with organic veggies which was a special and the burger, one of the best burgers I've ever had. Spinach and artichoke dip is a must try. The only problem is deciding what to eat, everything on the menu looks so amazing. Service was great. Sitting outside in the garden is beautiful, however the inside is also lovely with great decor and a little more of a quiet atmosphere. Wish we knew about it sooner we would have had dinner here every night. Can't wait to come back next year!
(5)Holly W.
We dined here both nights we were in town as we enjoyed the cozy outdoor seating (porch and patio), the low key live classical guitar music, and the elevated casual menu. We were lucky to get a solid waiter the first night, who made a great impression, but our waitress on the 2nd night was awful. The oysters were fresh and delicious. The smoked fish spread appetizer was ok. I had a juicy burger with a beet salad the first night - nothing special but well prepared and satisfying. My husband was unimpressed with the fish & chips. The 2nd night I tried the seafood risotto and my husband tried the lobster mac & cheese - both were good, not great, and had a similar preparation of sauces and garnishes. Solid beer selection.
(4)Lisa G.
We loved this place. They had a fabulous wine special and the bottle of wine we selected was amazing and fairly priced. The service was just right. Pleasant but professional and not overbearing. We had the mussels (fabulous), stuffed flounder, (decent), duck duo (outstanding) and the kids meals of steak and hamburger were perfect (just the right portions and fantastic). There was a musician playing which was fun.
(5)Dan K.
Really enjoyable meal. Fun and warm atmosphere! Our 14 month old loved the mac and cheese with peas!
(4)Rebecca C.
Nice restaurant. They have beautiful outdoor seating (provide heaters in the cool, coastal air) and it's quite the atmosphere with live music playing. There's a 30 something and up kind of crowd so it's a more of a toned down vibe which is fine for a relaxing evening. The service is good as are the drinks (full bar and huge, fancy beer selection.) The food was very good and we both enjoyed our meals although the only gluten free beer they had was in a can and my husband felt it was off putting for a place of this caliber that specializes in beer. All in all it was a nice, relaxing evening.
(4)Barbara T.
Had a poor experience here this evening. Waitress was distracted, patronizing and impatient; took a long time to get even drinks ordered (she didn't even offer us the option of a drink before she took our food order), and generally seemed to be in a huge hurry to get rid of us. I had the seafood risotto, which was very good. My husband's surf and turfy was mostly cold and the meat undercooked. He could have sent it back, but we were seated in an awful spot (wait staff constantly running by to the kitchen) that we just wanted to get out of there as soon as possible. The place is very busy and people seem to want to eat there-- the ambiance on the patio is indeed very nice-- but you can get food that is just as good or better at many other places in Bar Harbor
(2)Joanna W.
First of all, the restaurant itself is fantastic - a whole house was converted to two-level, indoor/outdoor seating and it's gorgeous and elegant inside. Food is fantastic - my table ordered Bangers and Mash, Duck Meatloaf and the Salmon. Only complaint was that the pickled cucumbers and onions on the salmon were reeeeeally acidic and distracted from the fish, but otherwise delectable, comfortable pub food. Ended dinner with the Lemon Tart, which is topped with local Maine blueberries and delicious. Would definitely come back if I ever found myself in Bar Harbor again
(4)Kiki K.
The Sebago red ale has shown me the light at the end of the beer tunnel, and started an obsession w/red ales. Tofu w/purple sushi rice was correct. Why does every restaurant look like someone's house? We were afraid to go in at first.
(3)Andy G.
Simone and I went to McKays Public House on a cool fall Sunday night and arrived just after 5pm. We were greeted by an older gentlemen playing strum guitar on the porch for the dinner entertainment. It was a nice welcome to the place and we quickly decided to sit on the patio which was decorated romantically with candles on the tables and white lights along the fencing. The space heaters were on which made the whole experience very warm, cozy and comfortable. We started off with a couple of Hard Ciders and some decent but slightly cold sliced focaccia bread with herbed butter. For our entrees Simone decided on braised short ribs, unfortunately our waiter was told by the kitchen that they were not ready to be served yet so she had to change her choice. Although it was nice that the ribs didn't come out undercooked, it would have been even better if the kitchen had started them at an earlier time so that they were ready if someone ordered them. So instead Simone decided to just get a simple Duck Con fit Spring Roll appetizer and also split my Pork Taco appetizer. I felt the Duck Spring Roll was tasty but I didn't think it was any better then most Duck Spring Rolls I have had else were. Crispy on the outside and shredded duck on the inside it was moist and sweet when dipped in the Hoisin Sauce it was drizzled with. It was good but not very memorable. The Pork Tacos were much better, The Pork was braised perfectly. It was tender and well seasoned and the Cabbage Slaw that topped it was very fresh and crunchy with just a light dressing. The crumbled Conjita Cheese added just the right amount of tanginess. The Corn Tortillas were also moist and slightly sweet and mealy. They tasted like they were freshly made in the kitchen. The Pork was my favorite dish of the meal. My entree was also good but didn't knock my socks off. It was a Martini Lamb Burger with a garlicky and salty olive and sweet vermouth tapenade. I ordered my lamb medium well and it was cooked as I ordered. It had great flavor from the char broiler and tapenade but that was about it. The bun it was served on was very good with a nice buttery flavor and a soft pillow like interior. It held up well under the burger juices. The French fries on the side were okay but just your average frozen variety. We finished the meal up by splitting two desserts. One was a really good moist and warm Gingerbread cake with butterscotch, the other a brownie Sundae topped with Jack Daniels Ice Cream. The brownie in the sundae was overcooked and hard, but the Ice cream was delicious and we used the ice cream on top of the gingerbread instead. Overall some parts of the meal were very good but some were forgettable, so it probably is worth a second visit. The ambiance was also great so overall I am going to go with three stars for McKays Public House.
(3)T P.
our last stop in bar harbor may have been the best. The seafood risotto was creamy and had tons of scallops and shrimp. The clam chowder was flavorful and well balanced. The rib eye was cooked perfectly. The atmosphere both inside and out was relaxed and inviting. And we probably had the best service of anywhere we'd been in the area - Therisa was attentive, full of great recommendations, a hit with the kids, and really cared about our experience. All around winner.
(5)Charles H.
Will be guaranteed a great meal in a friendly atmosphere, good service. Even French fried chicken livers, my favorite, sometimes on the menu.
(5)H. Deborah S.
My least favorite of the dining options in Bar Harbor. The oft mentioned Lobster Mac and Cheese was more like an alfredo. It was tasty, but not the knock your socks off dish I was expecting. Lamb Shepard's Pie was watery and under seasoned. After some additional seasoning at the table it was edible, but not memorable. I think the peas were garden fresh, but the carrots seemed like they ran out of fresh and used frozen which created way too much liquid in the dish. It was just watery, not saucy. The Farm Stand salad was a disaster. What a waste of good local ingredients. The squash was so bad it was all pushed aside. The dressing was tasty, but the spinach was lifeless. So many people recommended this place to us. I am wondering if we hit it on a bad night. I did like the cake on the Upside down Apple Cake. It was the tastiest thing all night. Blue Berry pie was microwaved. Why, oh why do they nuke berry pies. It just kills the crust. Disappointing.
(2)Tree T.
Loved it. Beautiful patio with charming tables and lights. We came twice and got lots of vegan options - they have this fantastic mushroom/spinach/potato dish, a great falafel burger and a vegan curry dish.
(5)Ashley S.
We have been here all week and heard wonderful things about McKays. It was the worst food and by far the worst service we have had here. We were seated quickly with then about a 5 minute wait before drinks were ordered. After they were, it was at least another 8-10 before 3 waters and 1 wine were brought. Dinner didn't take too horribly long (hubby got Lobster Mac and said it was good, kids had mac and noodles-they were very bland, and I had petite burger and beet salad-salad was great, burger was yuck-no flavor at all). We had finished dinner with no drink refills or checks and were waiting on a surprise cake for a birthday celebration. 15 minutes after we finished she came to check on us but some whiney children made it impossible to stay longer. We left without the dessert. I don't know if we went on an unusually busy night or what, but we won't be going back.
(1)Alex D.
Muscles were good but the fries were undercooked. The bartender was great and made us feel at home. I would return and would consider the other options on the menu as all the food that passed by us smelled great. Location is great.
(3)W D.
Our first meal here was good. Second visit not so much. Staff is friendly, but could not makeup for the inconsistent kitchen. Sit outside if you can, gets stuffy and loud inside.
(3)Mark B.
My top pick in Bar Harbor itself. Great menu and great atmosphere. We ate on the late side and they offered us our own private room. Unexpected surprise. I had the Asian Pork Spare Ribs which were very tasty. Wife and daughter had the Lobster Mac & Cheese, which they gave rave reviews. This is different than just throwing some lobster on top of mac & cheese, they infuse the mac & cheese with lobster flavor, likley using broth. Tasty stuff. Bar menu was fantastic. My wife had a gin & tonic. Server suggested trying an organic tonic rather than the Schweppes in a bottle that most use. Nice flavors, original and refreshing.
(5)Katie F.
This place is soo charming. I definitely expected more of a pub vibe from this place but instead it was very warm and cozy and relatively upscale. My boyfriend and I came here late on a Friday night and were seated in upstairs off in a private one-table room which was very romantic and quiet. We started off with the Brie baked in phyllo dough appetizer which was amazing. I loved the garlic flavors (instead of fruit compotes I often see with Brie). I also had the Roast Chicken special with corn bread stuffing and pancetta -- it was just ok...but I think I just expected "wow" which I probably should have known better when ordering chicken. As other reviewers said, the blueberry pie was very good. I was a little disappointed it isn't made in house while some of the other desserts were. Overall I'd say this place gets 3.5 stars from me. I rounded it up because I think the food and environment really is perfect for Bar Habor in autumn.
(4)L K.
Old victorian house turned into a restaurant, this makes for great ambience. Al Fresco dining in a nice garden atmosphere. Service is professional and the food ingredients fresh with an interesting menu. Fair value. Will go here again when in BH.
(4)Sally B.
Disappointing evening at Mckays on Tuesday night. It was my recommendation as I've had good experiences here, I know it's favored by the locals and generally the food has been pretty good on earlier visits. I brought two of my colleagues here, one of whom had never been to Bar Harbor. I ordered the clam chowder and the wings, one of my colleagues had the lobster Mac and cheese, and my other colleague had the wild mushroom crostini. She found a hair....a long hair in her crostini. Yah, no problem. This sometimes happens. It's bound to. But how the server reacts is going to be important. We told him....he was...not dismissive, but almost nonchalant or awkward as to how to react. He said..."oh" and took the dish. He replaced it with what I hoped very much was a new dish, but absolutely no apology. And he didn't comp anything at all. This is bad business in my book. Had he apologized, comped her dish or our drinks, I would not be writing this review.
(2)Denise M.
Much more upscale than the description of "pub food" would suggest. The potato leek soup was fantastic, as were our entrees of lobster Mac n' cheese and seafood risotto. The herbed bread with herbed butter served while we waited was also very very good.
(5)Matthew H.
It took twice as long to be seated as promised. Service was pleasant but horribly slow. Good selection is mediocre and much like an upgraded TGIF. Compared to other restaurants on MDI, this one is better left untouched.
(2)Kylie D.
The best thing about McKays is that most undiscerning tourists will overlook it. I admit that I never recommend it to casual travelers or people who won't really appreciate it. Gotta keep that riff raff away! If you are riff raff and you're reading this (you know who you are: sandals and socks, hawaiian shirt, camera around your neck, asking why it's called Mt. Desert) please go to the Thirsty Whale. Sitting outside in the summer is absolutely glorious. You're far enough away from the Green to enjoy some privacy and they even have heat lamps when evenings get a bit chillier. The entire inside space is warm, dimly lit and inviting. The bar area is small, but friendly. I always end up meeting nice people - whether from away or local - at McKays' bar. The food isn't knock-your-socks-off spectacular, but if you stick to the basics and specials, it won't disappoint. There are some great, reasonably priced entrees, a good beer and spirits selection and good service. The last time I was there I enjoyed a salad made with great local produce. I wanted to like the shepard's pie, but I just couldn't. The seafood risotto was delicious. This is also a great place to just go and have a few drinks, so do it!
(4)Geula F.
Check Tim F.'s review for the full scoop! This place is amazing! Great with kids, fantastic food and service. The lobster mac and cheese is unreal, actually had it twice. Just ask them to leave out those peas....
(5)Lisa L.
Wow, what a nice place. Even after having read the reviews, I expected this to be just a nice gastropub. But it's really a delightful garden restaurant with a small indoor pub and restaurant attached. The menu is full of fresh and innovative choices. I had trouble deciding, but our server did his best to help. I ended up with pasta pockets (I forget the name) filled with mushrooms and served with a creamy sauce with peas and cherries. Yes, cherries. A bit of sweet with the salty that was delish. My caesar salad was good and fresh. Husband's "regular" salad was great, as was his petit filet. Oh wow, I nearly forgot about the blueberry pie - fresh, homemade and delicious. The garden atmosphere was gorgeous, and the guitar player added a nice touch. Prices were reasonable, especially for what we got. Highly recommended for date night, even if your date is lasting the week like ours!
(5)sarah r.
My husband and I ate here after we went to Acadia and I'm glad we did. It's really charming inside and the food is great. I had the lobster mac and cheese which was awesome and loaded with lobster and my husband had braised short ribs which were also delicious. They also have a great beer menu with local beers :) I would definitely come back here
(4)Laura K.
The atmosphere is amazing . Very warm and cozy in an old Victorian house . Great beer selection . Food average - It is upscale pub food. I ordered the crab cakes which were way to salted but my husband had a great meal
(3)Victoria M.
We got into Bar Harbor a little later than planned so there were few places to choose from for dinner. Fortunately, I had already looked up McKay's so we headed that way. Late on a weekday it was pretty slow so we got seated right away. The restaurant looked like house with a nice outdoor seating area. It was a little chilly, so we opted for inside. Service was nice and pleasant. Decor was pretty traditional, but relatively cozy. The food was pretty good, but nothing that would have you talking about it the next day. Duck confit wontons - a pretty stack of crispy fried wontons with duck confit, pickled cabbage, scallion cream, and hoisin. Duck was tender, wontons crispy, cabbage tangy, hoisin sweet, scallion cream... creamy :) Lobster mac n cheese - not really what I was thinking I was getting. More like, lobster and cavitappi in a light cheese sauce. Didn't have any of that crazy artery clogging creamy thick sauce that I was thinking about... that I kinda wanted. Still, it was quite good. Pasta had nice texture, lobster was cooked well, and the truffle was not overpowering. Grilled rack of lamb - a good rack of lamb, but otherwise pretty non-descript. We got a pumpkin chocolate pie of some sort for dessert. The pumpkin part was good, but the chocolate was way too much for us. McKay's is a good place to go later in the evening in the area, especially since it seems the rest of that part of the street shuts down pretty early. Nothing wrong with anything here, but just not memorable enough to be a destination on it's own.
(3)Bruce B.
What a great interior we went for New Years Eve and they had the space decorated well without being overwhelming. When we walked in (without a reservation) we were quickly seated by the host who wasn't sure if the table he was seating us at would be available. Food was pretty average. Salads, fillet of sole and short ribs. Nothing to rock your socks off. Good drink selections. Service was pretty solid.
(3)Brittany B.
What wonderful people! We made a reservation to eat here after a day of hiking at Acadia and unknown to me my amazing boyfriend ( now fiancé ) asked me to marry him on top of a mountain and we had photographs taken after and they ran late and in turn we also ran late for our reservations, when we arrived there we told them what had happened and they went out of there way to find us a table and got us seated promptly, we even had our 2 dogs with us! and when we arrived at the table there was 2 glasses of champagne waiting for us to celebrate! They had a wonderful selection of drinks and local beers. I highly suggest the garden party! The food was wonderful as well! I ordered the seafood risotto and my fiancé had the lobster Mac and cheese and both were impeccable. And to make the night even more romantic there was live music provided by a wonderful guitar player named bob! Perfect ending to a perfect day! Thank you all again
(5)Ron M.
Local seafood creatively prepared with generous portions. My halibut was huge but cooked to perfection. My wife had the fish (single, more than 10 inch piece) and chips which was not greasy. Absolutely a must to return to but alas we are already home.
(5)Grace P.
We made reservations in advance at home (Maryland) because we saw great reviews on Yelp and we really wanted to come here when we visited Bar Harbor for a family vacation. The food was unimpressive and the service was really disappointing. My dad had a bad lobster and when he let our waitress know--she blamed it on the lobster being "soft-shelled", when in fact it was simply a bad lobster. Later on she admitted, after my dad complained that soft-shelled lobsters should not have weird consistency of meat, that MAYBE the lobster was undercooked. If she had just admitted that the lobster was indeed bad, my dad wouldn't have been upset. But instead she was trying to make him out to be a fool. Also, my risotto was undercooked. The food is edible. They take reservations. That's it. We're never coming back here.
(2)Cristina G.
Stopped here for a quick drink and ended up eating a small dinner after a late lunch. Great wine selection at the bar. We had the clam chowder (or course) and a nice blue cheese salad that did us in for the rest of the evening. Everything was quite tasty but nothing to scream home about. The decor.....there are two levels to this restaurant with a bar on each level. We chose the upstairs bar since it was a bit more quiet. McKay's has a great outdoor seating area what if the weather was a tad warmer, we would have enjoyed. All in all, a good place to stop.
(3)Brian G.
Solid food selection. Beer selection is stellar... especially if you like it hoppy. Ambiance is great, a good variety of settings both inside and out. Outside was done well with the lighting. Our crab cakes were very fresh. Everything tasted good, salad presentation was lacking .
(4)Johnny G.
This was my favorite place of the places we had dinner in Bar Harbor (The others were Gaylan's and Poor Boy's). From the host and hostesses to the server, everyone was genuinely friendly. The beer list was populated with local choices and the food was quite good. We had the lobster mac n cheese and a special of flank steak and sausage for our entrees. The highlight of the meal was our appetizer, which is in no way a know on the entrees. I always see soft pretzels on pub menus and give it a try as a nod to childhood baseball games or because of some other deep-seeded psychological bs. McKays is the first and only pub to ever get these pretzels right. They were soft, chewy, and buttery. The only knock on the dish would be that we had to ration the beer cheese sause so we did not run out. Give this place a chance next time you are in Bar Harbor.
(4)Sean M.
This place is awesome. They have a beer selection that a beer nerd can appreciate, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming and their menu is absolutely mmmmmmm. You can order anything, it will be amazing, close your eyes and point and pray you don't land on a $50 special. The staff and manager take their jobs very seriously, but have a fun time doing it. You should however expect to spend a bit more as this place is generally pricey, and in exchange you will see zero sacrifice in quality.
(5)Sarah C.
Excellent food, service and atmosphere. Sit outside if you can, the heaters take the Maine chill away and let you experience the fresh air. I'll be back soon!
(5)Jacqueline L.
I was up in Maine for a long weekend and was staying in Bar Harbor. The hotel I stayed in gave me a card for 10% off at McKays which happened to be directly next to the hotel, so the boyfriend and I decided to give it a try for dinner. Bar Harbor is pretty relaxed during the beginning of May, not truly picking up until Memorial Day as most beach towns do. We had a great dinner though! The place has a very homey feel, a bit dark, but it fit the atmosphere great. We had an arugula salad which was on special. Nothing crazy, just arugula, carrots, and a few other veggies, but they threw a chipotle dressing on top so it was great. Plus I love arugula so it was a win! I had the lobster mac and cheese for dinner and my boyfriend had the seafood chowder and mussels. Everything was great. The mac and cheese had a whole lobster in it, and the whole dish was so creamy and delicious I was a happy camper! The service was great, I had a great wine recommended to me to go with my meal and it blended very well. Definitely recommend this spot for people travelling to Bar Harbor!
(4)John M.
Reasonably priced, well prepared quality food with attentive service. Stopped for an early dinner for four - the cheese platter appetizer was spectacular, and the pretzels were a close second. Our entrees and desserts were also quite good. On a nice day, be sure to eat outside!
(4)Michelle F.
I had high expectations given 4 star reviews on yelp. Waitress says everything is delicious.... Not. I had Atlantic salmon, dry and inedible. Informed them, and they just said oh, sorry, still charged me and then wanted me to order dessert ... Not on them. Companion had braised short ribs... Slow cooked. Also dry and barely edible. Seriously, don't go here. They are lucky I gave two stars. I am not that picky either, so spend your money elsewhere. No where close to four stars, even cold bread and butter.
(2)Sue S.
The garden and music are lovely. But that was the extent of the positive exerience. Our server was charmless and barely had time to stop at our table. The crab cakes were heavily fried and bready, the Caesar salad had no dressing, and the mashed potatoes were obviously from a box. Blech. Can't believe we spent $70 on this meal. Go somewhere else!
(1)Clint W.
Been here two times with two completely different experiences. First time was amazing service and even more amazing food. Second time was a complete train wreck of waitress neglect and cold food. Definitely one of the better places in Bar Harbor.
(3)Roger S.
Unexpected find with great results. We tried a couple other places in the area and found McKays to be a great find. Warm dark wood interior upstairs and very inviting staff. The traditional shepherd's pie with lamb in an iron skillet was fantastic. Wine and dessert choices were excellent as well. When back in the vacation area, we look forward to returning!
(4)Anna S.
Really great place. It's very cute and the food is great. We sat outside, which was warm and had lights strung all over, as well as a musician playing good music. Definitely my favorite restaurant in Bar Harbor so far.
(5)Kayla B.
The boyfriend and I spent the weekend in Acadia National Park and popped into Bar Harbor on Saturday evening for dinner. We ended up at McKays thanks to the Yelp app. The place was super busy. We got there at 6 and were told they wouldn't have a table until 8. The proprietor, Brian, seemed a bit overwhelmed, but he was nice and friendly. We wandered around the shops nearby until our table was ready. We were promptly seated at 8 pm at a small table upstairs. The restaurant is very cute, as its actually a converted house (that seems to be a thing in Bar Harbor that I haven't experienced elsewhere). We started out with the local cider that McKays offers (has on tap?). The boyfriend thought it was a little bitter, but I like bitter cider, so I thought it was fantastic. We then followed with soup. Boyfriend got the clam chowder, which was of thinner consistency than he expected, but had huge chunks of clam in it. He was quite happy. I got the soup of the day, a parsnip and fennel bisque. This bisque is what rounded McKays up to a five star rating. It is, hands down, the best soup I've ever tasted. Part of me wanted to ask them if they'd sell me a whole pot to take back to Boston. I could have eaten this peppery bowl of deliciousness for every meal and never gotten tired of it. If you like soup and you like peppery flavors, get this soup. Just trust me. For dinner the boyfriend got fish and chips and I got the macaroni skillet. He said the fish was good, a bit tough, but mused that it was probably because it was "real fish" and so it was less rubbery. The chips were a standard good restaurant french fry (I can attest to this because I ate half of them). The macaroni skillet, which included a variety of vegetables, was good. It wasn't mind blowing, but I'm a mac n cheese snob and I enjoyed it. The sauce was very creamy and it was an enjoyable dish. Our waiter (whose name escapes me) was nice and attentive all evening, and the hostess was lovely as well. Nothing but praise for the service at McKays. Also, the price was very reasonable; two drinks, two appetizers, and two entrees came out to $55 after tax. At a restaurant like McKays in Boston, the two entrees would be more than that. TLDR; Delicious meal in a nice atmosphere at a great price. If I'm ever up in that area again I'll be sure to stop at McKays.
(5)Melissa R.
Excellent fish n chips and seafood risotto. Great beer selection and priced fairly. My one grievance was the taco appetizer (pulled pork & shrimp) - the pulled pork needed more oomph and I was not a fan of the corn tortillas - they were dry and did not really work with the flavors.
(4)C L.
Great food, excellent service - what a treat!
(5)Shaggy L.
Not a place to be when you are hungry. Service is bad and food is below average.
(2)Thomas K.
Love this place! Lobster Mac!!!
(5)Jeremy W.
Lobster Mac was good, lots of meat in it. Nice place for a date night. They are ok with the pup tagging along, but do them a favor and leave them at home.
(3)Joey M.
Had the pub fare and a good draft! Highly recommend the bangers and mash or the fish and chips. Sit on the porch!!! Top notch!
(5)Michael S.
The staff at Moron's Moo in Ellsworth suggested McKays for a great meal and it did not disappoint! Two of us decided to have the house salad with local kale, greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers and added lobster on top - home run! Two others had two of the other salads...also with lobster. We shared a half/appetizer potion of the lobster mac-and-cheese. It was rich and creamy with lobster, aged parmesan and hint of truffle oil. it was the perfect end to a wonderful meal! (You CAN easily get it as a 1/2 portion instead of dinner). And the wines were varied, well stocked and a good value. Between July 4 and Labor Day, you must make reservations (at least the day of, if not earlier).
(4)Steve L.
Great lobster dinner, portabello piccata, marinated beet salad and Maine stoudt beer. Our server did a great job with lobster cracking training too and we heard some great fingerstyle guitar stylings from Bob Bowman!
(5)Dan D.
Mckays committed three restaurant sins last night. Apart from the drearily long wait time (which seems to be the norm in New England), McKays served bangers and mash that our party guest described as the least flavorful version she's ever had, two pub burgers ordered medium and medium rare were served raw in the center and blue (seared on the outside raw inside) respectively, and finally, in attempt to mend their sins, the one burger, which was so underdone as to make it a public health hazard, was sent back where the chef cooked the hell out of it (already cut in half), and delivered the same burger back on the same plate only instead of being underdone, this one was now cheeseless, dry as a bone, and lacking any semblance of flavor. Perhaps this atrocity would have been forgiven if the management had apologized or comped one of the dinner items, but they didn't which is why McKay's gets a 1 star review from us. If you have a hankering for E. coli, check this place out!
(1)Ian M.
We spent the night at Bar Harbor on our way to Acadia, and picked McKays on the strength of the Yelp reviews. Absolutely fantastic meal; pleasant atmosphere (a repurposed victorian-ish home), friendly staff, good wine list, great menu - literally everything on both the normal and the daily menus sounded great. Crabcake appetizer was more interesting than I expected - a good amount of spicy came from the ancho chilies, and the pink goop underneath (red pepper aioli, maybe?) was a nice contrast. I had the lobster mac and cheese (gruyere, peas, lots of lobster) and my wife had the fresh halibut special. The halibut deserves it's own paragraph- it was far and away the best part of the meal. Three good sized and perfectly-cooked steaks, served on a bed of mashed potatoes (flavored, I think, with beer!) and topped with a fruit salsa (strawberries, mandarin oranges, chili pepper, cilantro) that was fantastic. The front-of-house guy came by during the meal, and proudly showed us a picture of the fisherman holding a 5-foot-long halibut, caught this morning, from which my wife's meal was ostensibly taken. Eat here.
(5)Steve M.
I love this place. They have classy comfort food that is always unique and fresh. I also love their beer menu. It isn't huge but you can see that it was carefully crafted. To top it off McKays has great outdoor seating and cosy indoor seating. All this at a pretty reasonably price.
(5)Rob L.
My wife and I ate here on the second night of our trip to MDI, and we liked it quite a bit. They had a good wine list and selection of local beers on tap while we sat in the bar waiting for our table (only about a 20 minute wait around 8pm on a Tuesday night in late July). We had a salad and the mussels appetizer, which was really good. It had bleu cheese in the wine broth, which created an interesting flavor dimension. I was kind of boring and got the pub burger, but she got the lobster mac & cheese, and it was as good as advertised. It's more of a cream sauce than a real cheese sauce, but wow... I stole quite a few bites, and it's not normally the kind of dish I would get. If we go back I would probably get it myself.
(4)Laura O.
McKays has reliably good food at reasonable prices. We ate there again on a recent trip to BH and had very good service and a nice meal. I tried the shepherds pie this time and really enjoyed it. My husband's duck, however, was quite tough or I would have given a higher rating. Good beer selection.
(3)Scott D.
Excellent service, and very well prepared food, we had the pork short rib, bistro steak and the pub burger all very tasty, only miscue, the sauce on the short rib was soy heavy and it ran over to the rice and made it salty, the un soy-Ed rice was really subtle and delicious. We also had the beet salad, also quite good, but it was really a baby spinach salad with some beets.
(4)Lisa M. K.
McKays was one of those places that just has my name written all over it. Cool pub in a pleasantly refurbished house, cozy feeling, nice location and yummy menu with many items I swore were tailor-made to my tastes. There was a solid wine/beer selection and I ordered some perfect prosecco and was on my way. You know a place is up your alley when you are agonizing over whether to get one of the two perfectly delicious sounding soups of the day or the appetizer special (I went with the appetizer special and was not in the least bit disappointed - tuna tartare with avocado in a sriracha based sauce. I could have eaten two of them, they were so good). Everyone really enjoyed their entres - the fish and chips were a tremendous portion and was quite tasty. Others at the table had the shrimp tacos which they said were good too. I got the portobello picatta which was... perplexing. I understand that it was their "take" on picatta but wasn't quite picatta to me. The encrusted mushroom tasted great but, except for some capers, it didn't taste like picatta at all. I could not taste any lemon and it was in more of a creamy parsley sauce. It was good just not what I was expecting (which was, um, picatta). Service was excellent all evening. Despite my curious entre, we had a great meal there and I'd definitely return next time I am in Bar Harbor. Next time I'll try the Sacchetti pasta. And I hope that tuna special is on the menu again... (drool!)
(4)Heather D.
We experienced very poor, slow service! Had to ask 2 other servers for our check! Pork and steak were overcooked. Our least favorite place to eat!
(2)Michael C.
I liked this place. The Salmon was delicious. So was the Seafood Risotto. Well worth it. Cheers!
(5)Robert F.
Lovely setting but service was dreadfully slow on a recent busy Friday night. Seriously detracted from what would otherwise have been a nice dinner.
(2)Michael Y.
One of the best dinner we had in BH. Lovely patio seating. Grilled avocado salad was excellent. Mussels were delicious. Had the duck -- tender and juicy. Wife had seafood risotto which she said was a bit heavy. Not your typical hot dog, burger kids menu. Our younger one had the petite steak which he liked. Older one ordered bangers and mash off regular menu and polished off more than half. Would go again next time we visit BH.
(4)Sean H.
We decided on this restaurant which is really more high brow than a typical pub. I had the LOBSTER MAC AND CHEESE and was BLOWN AWAY. Loved it! It was more like an Alfredo than a mac and cheese. Either way it was delicious and not overly rich. I still dream about it. My bf had the seafood etoufee and while it was mild in spice it was full of fresh and delicious seafood. The drinks were hit or miss. I had the cucumber martini which was meh. My bf had the Maine blueberry spritzer which was blueberry vodka, Grown Up Soda [GUS], finished with fresh blueberries. It was awesome. I had to order one of those. It was that good. The service was excellent and un-intrusive. We dined outside and had a great table. The inside of the restaurant was interesting and very Victorian and worth a look see. I highly recommend this restaurant if you're ever in the Bar Harbor / Acadia area.
(5)Marc B.
We had the duck and Cornish Game Hen. Both were cooked to perfection. The sauce on the duck was just a touch watery, but we got there just at opening at the sauce may not have firmed up completely. The duck was on the daily specials, so it may not be there everyday, but the food was excellent, the bar stocked a good selection of wine and local beers. Look for great service and if the weather is nice, sit in the patio for a wonderful experience.
(4)Laurie C.
Stopped in for some light pub fare, atmosphere is very nice....outdoor dining under twinkling lights, food was good but the service was awful! Others have posted slow service but our waitress was downright rude! Not worth a return trip...go to cherrystones instead...comparable food and atmosphere but service is much better
(2)Sara P.
My husband and I went here based on a recommendation from a friend. It was delicious! We split the pork tacos and the seafood risotto and really liked both of the dishes. The wine list was good and they had one wine as a special that was excellent. The service was great and we loved the live music and overall ambiance. A great first night in Bar Harbor!
(4)Jen S.
I'm in it for the food, so complaints about bad service rarely deter me. Let my advice deter you, though; these people are rude and generally nutty. Although this is an upscale pub, it's really not nice enough to account for the snootiness we got from the hostess, who acted like this was some sort of an invite-only situation and that we were so unworthy that it was unclear if there'd ever be a free table. So we took a seat at the bar, upon our own suggestion. Then the bartender was equally bizarre, bad-mouthing another server behind her back, in plain earshot of at least two-dozen customers, being passive-aggressive with waitresses trying to get change and then carrying on about some patrons who had wanted to carry their tab to their table. Then when we were seated (by the woman who was bad-mouthed), I started to sympathize with the bartender because this chic was in fact worthy of the unkind words that had been uttered behind the bar. She was so annoying, I can't even tell you. Nice, but totally ridiculous, attempting to tell jokes about how she was going to stalk us (you don't get it? Neither do we), and she would not relent, interrupting us in mid-conversation, over, and over, and over. The food wasn't bad, but it wasn't very good either. Nothing too memorable beyond the awful cast of characters they've got working there.
(1)Gary H.
I saw good reviews on YELP.com and decided to give McKay's a try for dinner on a Friday night. The place was full at 7pm so my wife & I had to sit on the porch. We were assured the heater in the cover porch kept it warm. The waitress was overly optimistic in her responses to us. After awhile my wife was ready to punch her perkyness, it was way over done. Appetisers & drinks came reasonably timely. The brie was good, my side of vegetables was small, under cooked & the maple glaze was non-existent. The meal was extremely slow in coming. So slow I ordered a second drink, one is my usual limit but my little buss was wearing off. I was starting to wonder if the kitchen had forgotten our order. When the food finally did come I was starting to loose feeling in my toes from the cold. My wife's brased short ribs were charred black with minimal baked beans as the side. My seafood bouillabaisse was good but by that time my disappointment in the service tainted any pleasure I could get from the food. I am extremely disappointed in the sevice and food we received at McKay's Public House. I would say try a different restaurant in Bar Harbor but the charm has worn off. It is a town where the cruise ships dock, tourist flock (I am one of them) and they are trying to cram 10 pounds of crap in a 5 pound bag. Too much demand and not enough supply. The customers suffer. If you are thinking of coming to Maine I suggest going to Booth Bay Harbor, it has great food and still has some Maine small town charm.
(2)Ryan V.
Loved. It. Hands down the best meal we had on vacation in Bar Harbor. The Asian Pork Spare Ribs were amazing, especially with the sesame bacon (yes, it's as good as it sounds). The risotto was great as well, if a little wet. Our server was always around for questions or suggestions, but never pushy or rushed. The restaurant itself is dark and full of great spaces. You're never crammed in a large room, feeling like you're dining with a dozen other people. The beer and wine selections are small but well chosen and the staff are happy to suggest a choice based on your tastes or meal. Highly recommend dining with McKay's.
(5)Erin C.
Before I get into the review, let me start by saying our visit was followed by a 4 hour kayaking tour that left us tired and needing dinner at 9pm. We quickly freshened up at our B&B (we were visiting Bar Harbor) and ran to McKay's before they closed the kitchen because EVERYONE recommended we go there. The hostess was incredibly friendly and sat us at an adorable table outside surrounded by candlelight and little twinkly lights in the trees. (For those of you who don't know, candles and twinkly lights are big perks at restaurants for me). Our service was prompt and our waiter recommended a fantastic bottle of wine that was a special that night. We ordered the spinach and artichoke dip for an appetizer. Normally when I order this at a restaurant it is incredibly cheesy and runny and served with over salted tortilla chips. Not at McKay's. This was served with in a bread bowl (!!) with appropriately salted chips. And it was so thick and hearty and not just mixed with tons of cheese. Delicious. My meal was the lobster mac & cheese which was delicious considering I rarely eat lobster. I was hoping for a bit more lobster given the price of the meal ($23) but it was delicious nonetheless. My fiancé ordered the jerk chicken and continued to eat it even after he said he was full. With that being said, we passed on dessert but were left with an incredibly wonderful experience. If you're visiting Bar Harbor and have a few $$ to spend on a really nice meal, I highly recommend McKay's!
(4)Sarah L.
We picked McKays for a party of six based on the Yelp reviews. When we arrived, they had just seated to large parties and had told members of our party that it might be an hour, but let them see what they could do. Within 10 minutes they were back, having rearranged some tables upstairs for us to fit us in. The staff was lovely and the food was good. The Maine Shrimp tacos were just different enough to satisfy my taste, while my MIL raved about her steak. The Jamaican Jerk Chicken and even the burgers also got good reviews from the rest of the party. Overall, a nice dining experience with a wide-range of priced options. Something for everyone in our party!
(4)Erica C.
My family went went here a few nights ago and had an amazing dinner. We have been taking long weekend trips to Bar Harbor since I was about 10 (I'm now 28) and were in a restaurant rut, so I found this place on yelp. We loved everything. Awesome service, friendly staff, excellent food, excellent wine and beer list. They had a German beer I just had in Munich and haven't been able to find anywhere, which made me super excited (Shneider Weiss). My dad, a wine snob, was very happy with their decently priced, well selected menu. He even told the waiter. The decor inside is very cozy and the outdoor patio area is also beautiful. We split a special scallop appetizer as well as the mussels and both were tasty and cooked to perfection. I split the seafood risotto and lobster mac and cheese with my husband and both were to die for. So creamy and well flavored. Looking forward to going back next year!
(5)Kim Z.
It was a nice place to get a meal late in the evening. Bartender was great while we waited. Had small plates as it was late. Food was good. Service good. Would go back!
(4)Tina D.
Service is o.k, food was o.k. Has the lobster Mac and cheese, it was good, not awesome. Nice atmosphere.
(3)Kyle B.
Absolutely top notch food, atmosphere, and drink offerrings. The staff was extremely friendly. We had a short wait, during which we got drinks at the bar. When our table was ready, the manager politely came and found us personally to escort us to our table. The food was off the charts good - lobster, haddock, cheese plate, and best of all - Fresh maine blueberry pie for dessert. This place will not disappoint.
(5)K L.
Food was okay and service was okay. It took them a little while to get us seated, but all is said and done we enjoyed our experience.
(3)Jen L.
Best meal of our trip, and perhaps the best vegetarian dish I've ever had (Portobello Piccata). As a meat lover, I hesitated before I ordered it, but WOW!!! SOOOO good. My friends meals were also pretty great, and our server was friendly. Sitting outside on a cool Bar Harbor evening was a real treat.
(5)Dixi S.
The place is nice. But, the food was only okay. I had the arctic char which was on the daily specials list. The fish was pan seared and came with potatoes and sprouts. The veggies were fried (or "pan seared"). Everything on my plate was just a bit greasy.
(3)John B.
Great beer selection. I had roasted avocado salad in was very good. We ate outside beautiful patio
(4)Andrew H.
We were seated outside in the garden seating area which is beautiful. There was a very talented guy playing jazz on acoustic guitar which only added to the ambiance. Good beer selection with some stuff you usually don't find in tourist havens. Appetizers were average - nothing to note. My main course was terrible. I got the ettoufee (sp?). Watery sauce with some shrimp and clams thrown in and no vegetables. It looked and tasted very sad. Everybody that got bar food was happy so I'd stick with the other reviewers and go that route. Service was very slow. Had to chase the waiter for our check. Would definitely go back for a burger.....
(3)Scott B.
Went to McKay's on a busy Labor Day Sunday. Didn't have a reservation but was seated on the porch by the friendly hostess. Had the spinach and artichoke dip on a tip from a fellow Yelper. It was fantastic and definitely house made, just like the fresh and wonderful chips. I had the jerk chicken for dinner. Juicy, perfectly cooked, spicy but not too much. My daughter had the half rack of lamb and the portion was perfect. All in all, a wonderful meal, great service, and a nice setting. Definitely recommended!
(5)Meg M.
LOVE! great little place of the path! went on Saturday during 4th of July weekend in the mid-afternoon and sat at the bar. they have happy hour which was priced great and apps were priced happy-hour style as well!!! The bartender was great as well! I would recommend this place as a must stop! Service and food was great!
(5)Shaun-Mathieu S.
After an evening of axe throwing and lumberjacking (and yes, I mean that literally - feel free to ask me privately), my female companions and I were ravenous with a hunger that only freshly sawed wood can conjure. Our reservations that night were at McKays. As my party entered the quaint house, we were led up the polished balustrade to the second floor. A large, spacious upstairs dining room was set aside just for us revelers. Here's what I had: Bosler Pinot Noir - I usually detest wines from Chile, but this Pinot was perfectly subtle and rich. I was only going to have one glass, but I got two. Like liquid organza, it flowed down one's throat with a luxurious stealth. Fish and Chips - A large piece of fluffy haddock, surrounded by his French Fry parishoners. Beer battered, and much more filling than it looks. Highly appetizing, it came with a very palatable tartar sauce. They open daily at 4:30 in the afternoon, and provide entertainment on certain evenings. Our server took care of us expertly, and considering we were a party of eighteen, that deserves an applause. Would love to come back here and try their Bistro Steak.
(4)Bill M.
Good for what it is... but like a lot of things (people) in Bar Harbor - this place thinks it's something it's not. A bit snooty in decor and attitude for a place that does decent bar food. Stick with the basics and you will be fine... but if you venture into the "gourmet" side of the menu you will be disappointed. I had a pretty good $9 burger - wife had a very lack luster lobster mac and cheese that should have been so much more at $25... don't mind paying that price if it's worth it... this was just pasta with cheese and lobster meat mixed in. No crispy top, no exciting pasta and creamy sauce... just Kraft with bits of lobster... blurg...
(3)Mike K.
Had dinner here last night...cool setting, two story house with porch and outdoor seating. Bars on the first and second floor with a good selection of beers. McKays salad was very good as was the lobster Mac and cheese. The Asian pork short rib was average. Overall not a bad spot.
(3)Jordan V.
if you sit at the bar at mckay's you will get that old timey feeling when people went out and actually had an extraordinarily pleasant time talking to the other people inhabiting the same public space. in our case, that was a pharmaceutical researcher, a man i'm pretty sure was a CIA agent, and a dude who, randomly, went to the same high school as me (uh, in dana point, california) and was travelling the states in an rv with his girlfriend. many months later, it is this conversation at this place that i remember most about our trip. go here, drink craft beer, eat delicious and comforting food and most importantly, talk to others!
(4)Brian C.
Awesome lobster mac and cheese. The torrontes went great with it, too. Salad was creative, and featured candied apricots and goat cheese. Great ambiance in the restaurant, and excellent service.
(4)david g.
Best nice meal we had in bar harbor, hands down. Very romantic atmosphere, but good for casual and families too. (I know that sounds odd, but it's actually true!) Great mussels, and the picata portobello was to die for!
(5)C D.
Dined there last Friday night and I usually expect restaurants at this price range to bring their A game, especially on a weekend night. We have dined here before and usually find it satisfactory. We have not yet enjoyed the momentous entrees that justifies a 4 or 5-star rating, as some reviewers have suggested, but the food is usually a positive experience. As you may have guessed, tonight was not an A-game evening. The food was generally uninspiring. My daughter ordered the shrimp tacos, but later confessed that she ate the first out of hunger, but after this primal urge had subsided, the second taco did not cultivate any further appetite. My wife ordered some short-rib sliders that she seemed to enjoy, but without any fanfare. The big fail appeared to be in the food preparation. My daughter's chowder arrived cold. Not to beat a dead horse, but it was also not very tasty and devoid of clam flavor. My wife and daughter felt it had a chicken broth flavor; my impression was that it tasted cheesy. We all agreed on cold though. Although the cold chowder might be blamed on the waitress or the kitchen, the issue was clarified by my lamb shank entree. Lamb shanks take some time to prepare, so I was not surprised (and ultimately grateful) that the lamb was precooked. I was surprised, however, that reheating it fully was considered optional. The surface temperature was warm(ish), however, when I sliced to the deeper muscle, it was clearly refrigerator cold. Fortunately, it was thoroughly cooked, so the experience was not unlike eating a midnight snack at home by refrigerator light. I will note that we passed on the generous invitations to heat our food, which I guess wasn't a sufficiently clear expectation when we ordered it. In the case of the chowder, it frankly wasn't good enough to reheat. By the time I needed to point out the cold lamb shank, I was feeling wary about sending my food back to the kitchen on the heels of multiple complaints. To be fair, and perhaps I'm missing the point; since McKays promotes itself as pub food, perhaps this was an authentic take on the low-rent backstreet genre, complete with unheated food. When I asked if there was an issue in the kitchen, the waitress replied "Let's not go there." Maybe this was advice we should have been given before we chose McKays. We also overheard her telling an adjacent table that they were working out some issues in the kitchen and a suggestion that the issue was some new kitchen staff. Perhaps...but at these prices, trainees should be restricted from prime time and confined to the lunch shift.
(2)Jeremy J.
YUM. We stopped by McKays our first night in town, and it was definitely one of the highlights. I had one of the specials - an organic pork chop with a black cherry reduction - and my wife had the rack of lamb. Both were absolutely delicious, and we're picky eaters. It came out to around $100 for the two of us with a decent bottle of wine. We tried a different restaurant every meal while we were there, but every night it was a struggle to make ourselves try something unknown when we knew there was such a great meal waiting for us at McKays. Definitely one of the top two restaurants we visited there.
(5)Hilga J.
Yes. This is where we ended up after walking out of Chowdahs. So so so happy we did. We didn't have reservations, but the hostess gladly offered us seats upstairs. The lighting in that place is awesome; it totally put me at ease. Our waiter was warm AND professional. Clam chowder was the best we've had on the island ($7). It was mostly heavy cream, potatoes, and clams. Husband had the maple shortribs special ($22) which were awesome, but his "sauteed greens" turned out to be ONE (1) small leaf of Swiss chard. I had to laugh, but honestly, that's why my 4.5 stars got rounded down and not up. I had the fish and chips ($12) off the "Pub Fare" section of the menu, which included their less-adventurous, less-expensive options. It was fish and chips: a pile of probably previously frozen fries and a huge haddock fillet in a very light and crispy batter. Good tartar sauce. Overall, they have an ideal menu: interesting, unusual specials, fairly-priced standard fare, and badass chowder.
(4)Joe D.
I felt the lobster Mac and cheese was ok. I preferred the lobster roll at Side Street Cafe.
(3)Robin B.
Really enjoyed the meal, we dined on duck breast and game hen. However, I would have thickened the orange sauce into a demi-glaze for the duck so that it could be enjoyed with every bite. The service and atmosphere were very nice as well we sat on the patio :).
(4)Brian R.
Better for lunch than dinner. Good beer selection, casual atmosphere.
(3)Renee M.
We chose McKays based on reviews. We arrived just after 7 pm and were seated promptly by a polite host. It was all down hill from there. We waited about 10 minutes for our server, who 'welcomed' us by telling us how busy he was. We ordered our wine and meal... Then sat for the next hour. I spotted the host and asked for another glass of wine, since we could not find our waiter. Our waiter delivered my wine- set it down on the table w out saying a word. Over the hour wait, the table to our left had to send back a salad bc of quality and table to the right sent back a main dish because it was cold. We finally received our meals, I was hoping the food would make up for the rest of the experience. It didn't. The meals were just ok- it's a good thing we didn't need anything because the waiter didn't check back once. Finally got our bill, no apology, acknowledgment, nothing. Not from our waiter, manager, host. I can understand being busy, but completely ignoring tables w no explanation, apology, or thanking us for coming is unacceptable. A Terrible experience.
(1)Charles P.
We went here on our last day and wish we had tried it sooner. The wish you were here chicken was a worth the switch from all the seafood we had over the last 4 days. Wife stayed seafood with ahi tuna which was great. Awesome presentation of the food
(5)Lindsay B.
We ordered the Brie for an appitizer but the bread that came with it was waaaayyy to hard and didn't taste very good with brie flavor. The complimentary bread worked way better. I loved their Lobster Mac and Cheese. The portions are quite large so be prepared.
(3)Steve P.
This is a great place to grab a little high class fare in an approachable atmosphere. My wife and I chose to eat here based on Yelp recommendations. If not for Yelp, we would probably just continued with some of our other favorite dinner spots in town, skipping McKay's entirely. Thankfully, we read up before going out! I had a tough time deciding between the halibut special (served over purple sushi rice) and the Portobello Picatta. I went with the portobello, again based on the Yelp recommendation. I'm glad I did! The preparation is odd on the surface (almonds, coarse bread crumbs, capers, and more), but all of the pieces work together to make for a great texture and phenomenal taste. It was served over whipped potatoes and swiss chard in a creamy (but not too creamy) sauce. My mouth is still watering as I write this review. My wife had the filet mignon. She thought it was a high quality cut of meat, but perhaps could have been seasoned a little more. It was served with pancetta, whipped potatoes, and swiss chard. She probably would not get it again, as we have plenty of good steakhouses near our home that really know how to do it right. She classifies this steak as above Outback, but well below Sullivan's. A notable fact about McKay's that helped to set it above other places we've eaten is the children's menu. They offered some healthy options, rather than just the standard chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, etc. Our son had the grilled chicken with whipped potatoes and swiss chard (see a pattern here?). The chard was probably too much for his little palate, so my wife and I happily shared it instead. The chicken was perfectly cooked and he ate all of his potatoes. We still have a healthy portion of the chicken for leftovers, as it was a bit much for a 10-month-old. The atmosphere was friendly. We ate in the outside dining area, which was very comfortable and surrounded by foliage. It got a bit chilly, so the wait staff lit the propane burners for us. That was nice! The service was competent, but they still left my wife with an empty beer glass for more than half the meal. The service lapse and underseasoned meat are all that kept this meal from getting a full 5 stars. We do plan to go back and will update this posting with any new information. I can't wait to try the purple rice!
(4)An L.
Lobster mac and cheese was good, but not incredible. I think this was somewhat overrated. Seafood risotto was also good; again not outstanding. Blueberry pie was delicious - you've got to try this. Waittress was extremely nice. Guiness also excellent. Great atmosphere. Beautiful locale.
(4)Jen G.
Had a nice dinner here. We sat on the porch which was nice despite the crazy people sitting next to us having a frightening conversation. Had the spinach dip and a mushroom dish. Both were very good. I'll definitely come back when we visit Bar Harbor again.
(4)Andrew H.
Is a cool house. Very good food but limited options. Tried to get a free drink for my 30th birthday but our waiter would not give me one, weak.
(3)Rob L.
Great place. My wife and I both had the lobster mac and cheese and were not disappointed. We loved the building and the service lived up to reviews. We called ahead as we were bringing our 6 month old and they had a table and high chair ready to go upon arrival. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking for dinner in Bar Harbor.
(4)Dee H.
We had a very pleasant dinner here recently. The pretty outdoor setting drew us in, however we were seated inside without having to wait. I had the hake over turnips with a small side of zucchini and summer squash, accompanied by a very good pinot grigio. (They were out of sangria, but this is an excellent replacement.) I'm a fool for chocolate cake, so for dessert I had a little chocolate torte with a very healthy serving of coffee. It was a perfect meal I had with the girls, and both the hostess and our server Augusta took care of us very well.
(4)Tim B.
I've eaten here a few times. It's a very pleasant place, reliable and consistent, with some real inventiveness here and there on the menu. Definitely one of the better places to eat in Bar Harbor.
(4)Dave T.
The outdoor seating was good and the atmosphere is good. The lobster Mac lacked a solid portion of lobster but had good flavor. The rack of lamb was done to order. My friends lamb was way under cooked and they fixed it and comped her meal. Good but not great.
(3)Dave W.
We arrived as a party of 17 including 8 children and one of our party in a wheelchair. The host actually convinced the already-seated party in the first floor dining area to move upstairs to allow our wheelchair into the first floor dining room. The server was an excellent sport in handling our drink and dinner orders (including many glasses of milk). The food for both kids and adults was quite good. We had beet salads, Porterhouses, rack of lambs and it tasted excellent.
(5)GoldieGir L.
Baked Brie and feta appetizers were wonderful, as was the portabella piccata. Lobster Mac & cheese was tasty but overpriced. Island burger was cooked to order (med) but dry - probably just too lean. Portion sizes were rather skimpy, except for the island burger, which was huge. Bread and herbed butter was delicious. Good service, nice outdoor seating
(3)Bill B.
I had read the reviews here on Yelp before we decided to go and I will say that the food, drink, and staff here was excellent. The staff at the inn we stayed at also recommended McKays. Delicious!
(5)Tracy M.
Great ambiance! Sat outside in the patio section, the dishes were awesome, especially the seafood risotto, t-bone was cooked to perfection, service was pretty slow, but it was pretty busy for a Friday night in the summer time. Definitely recommend!!
(5)Leah M.
This is the best meal we've had so far in Bar Harbor, and my meal (the sachetti pasta) was one of the best I've ever had anywhere. The prices are resort town in Maine reasonable. The location and interior are lovely, and the porch and front are beautifully landscaped with flowers. There is a children's menu, which is very reasonably priced. I'd definitely go back.
(4)Rob E.
We stopped here for our first meal in Bar Harbor back in August. We sat outside and had a very nice dinner off of their 'early bird' menu. I had a delicious fish and chips and a wonderful IPA from Sebago Brewery. My girlfriend had some portabello mushroom dish which was also excellent. I think this is a great choice for a moderately-priced pub/restaurant in Bar Harbor.
(4)Evelyn C.
Recommended to us by our kayaking tour guide, we decided to come here for dinner. There was a fundraising event going on that night with live music from a 14 year old fiddler accompanied by a guitarist. We sat a couple tables down from the live music in the upstairs dining area. She was very talented and I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would. As for the food: Mussels- omg amazing. I know they were traditionally prepared, with leek, garlic, and butter and wine....but the broth was just so delicious. The best thing was the chunk of grilled bread that accompanied the mussels. I wish I could have picked up the bowl with whatever juices remained with another chunk of bread...I would have been satisfied. Seafood Etouffee- the hubby reported that it had great flavor, but the jasmine rice that was supposed to be served with was the consistency of congee (Chinese rice porridge). Luckily we are used to rice of that mushy nature so he ate it without complaints. Seafood risotto- nice light, delicate flavor with plump scallops and the infamously puny Maine shrimp. The peas and the tomato added enough freshness to prevent the dish from being super dense. Dessert- I couldn't help myself, but I couldn't leave Maine without having some form of blueberry pie. So when I saw blueberry RHUBARB pie on the menu, I had to try it. It was great with a little bit of tang in the filling and a flaky crust. The two scoops of vanilla ice cream certainly didn't hurt either.
(4)Terrence S.
The place covers it all in a converted Victorian home just a short distance from the town center of Bar Harbor. The front lawn is a very nicely landscaped walk and patio. You can dine inside or outside during the warm summer days. During the fall the staff like to work indoors. The food covers a large range. Nearly everything is organic or locally raised. They have fish, beef, pork, lamb and lots of vegetable dishes. The size of the dishes is generous until you get to the entre. Then they are just right. Which is the right way to do things. Appetizers should be large enough to share with others and the dinners should be small enough to not make a pig of yourself. The desert selection was diverse covering the creme brulee to ice cream to some very nice fruit pies. The bartender really needs to learn how to make an Old Fashion. The place did not have a bottle of brandy at all. Not even a well bottle. They tried their best to emulate the drink. But really messed up. We had to make substitutions to get the cocktail even close. Oh well. The food was great and fresh. The close proximity to the fire place was a treat. Try to remember that during the high season, This place needs a reservation. You can walk in and get a seat at the bar most any time. However, you only get to order off the bar selections.
(5)Rob M.
The best. Garden and indoor seating. Street parking in front if you lucky in the summer. In busy downtown Bar Harbor. Food is excellent and martini's are perfect. Have a lot of seasonal micro brews. Candle lit at night on two floors. Sit upstairs with a big for more privacy. Call ahead for reservations on weekends or when the cruise ships are in.
(5)Alison H.
Atmosphere was nice- very romantic. Service was terrible... We had to beg another waitress for water after we waited for 20 minutes with empty glasses and no success trying to melt ice cubes with the candle. My husband's Clam chowder was okay, but very small portion and nowhere near as good as others we had on our trip. His lobster Mac and cheese was, again, okay, but not as good as side street cafe. I had the beet salad and added scallops. The scallops were cooked perfectly, but the salad was nothing special. We also had their "new" white sangria, which was terrible and had a weird aftertaste. The fruit in it was nowhere near ripe, so that may have been the cause. We were underwhelmed and annoyed by our lack of water.
(3)Missy G.
At Mckay's I got the steak. We had to wait for a while but it was very good.
(5)Natalie W.
It was a crisp, cool evening in Bar Harbor...We had a reservation at McKay's Public House for dinner. When we arrived, the porch was nicely heated and my dining partner desired to be seated there and give up our nice warm table inside. Well, that's our fault, not McKay's! My lobster mac-n-cheese was delightful. My husbands steak was not as good as the one he ate at Mache the night before. Would return, but not for steak!
(4)Maura H.
We have eaten at McKays twice since October and had a great experience both times. The atmosphere at McKays is perfect - an old house turned into a restaurant so each room has just a few tables. Both times we were seated by the fireplace so it was warm and cozy. They even have a small bar wich was quite busy last night as it was New Year's Eve. The menu has great options for both meat lovers, seafood lovers and vegetarians. We started out with raw oysters from Taunton Bay which were very sweet. For the next course I had a smoked mussel confetti salad which was excellent. My main course - seafood risotto - was not so great but in all fairness we ordered at the end of a very busy night. I have no complaints though because the owner, Brian Smith, was very apologetic and gracious and didn't charge me for the meal or its replacement. He even served our table complimentary sparkling wine at the end of the meal. Brian was very attentive throughout our meal and helped us with our wine selection offering us tastings of several different wines. Great place - highly recommend it.
(4)Tracy H.
Love this place! The pub fondue was amazing, lobster risotto was coked perfectly as was the chicken. Beer list always has some interesting features! Definitely not a "tourist" kind of place, just a comfortable, well staffed and overall great place to eat!
(5)Lifan Y.
Great food. Somewhat pricey though. No space in the garden for big group.
(4)Matt G.
The food was solid. Had seafood risotto and thoroughly enjoyed. Also had the shrimp ceviche which was very tasty. Other meals at our table we very good. Very interesting decor in an old houseand downside! Our waitress needed a happy pill. Maybe she forgot this is a service business. I would try again and likely would enjoy if not for the service.
(4)Jen. R.
Not impressed. The main dish came out while we were still eating the appetizers. I found a hair in the Lobster Mac and Cheese, which also tasted like it was made from a box. The server seemed in a huge hurry to get rid of us, even though the restaurant was less than half full. I wish we had gone elsewhere.
(1)noodlebean d.
Truly delicious food, attentive (but not annoying) service, New Englandy atmosphere (in a great way)... loved it. The chowder especially seemed really good, though I'm no connoisseur, but I loved it.
(4)Michelle M.
Fresh ingredients, well seasoned, wide variety of items on menu, and a nice atmosphere outside. Portobella Piccata we well worth repeating, and every bit as good as said in the previous reviews. Salad with chive oil, heirloom tomatoes, and feta was delicious, and tuna two ways for our appetizer was excellent. Good value and very good service and good wine. What more do you need for an excellent dinner.
(5)Alaina B.
My boyfriend wanted to try this place since he read the reviews on here, so after an evening of whale watching the two of us along with his father and brother walked up from the boat and right on toward McKays. They were pretty busy and we didn't have reservations, but they told us to come back in twenty minutes (after taking our names) to see if something opened up. The smell emanating from inside was amazing, and the outdoor patio looked so lovely. We started to walk back through the town, but nowhere looked (or smelled) as good as McKay's so his dad suggested we just try our luck and go back. Lo and behold another family had just showed up and were about to be given a table when the people realized we had been there ten minutes before and were already on the list (the other family was not). It seems two tables had opened up while we walked away, so they quickly seated us upstairs by the window. The decor inside really made you feel like you were in someones home, and the waiter we had was very friendly and attentive. The drink menu was great, and we got to have some of our old favorites that were hard to find. The waiter told us about one of their specials of the evening which was a garlic and herb borscht that my boyfriend and I ended up splitting. The rest of our party thought it sounded bizarre and were shocked when they also tried it and found out how amazing it was. I'm usually not too crazy about borscht but I would have gladly had that as my entire meal. Based on reviews here, I did try the McKays burger and it was everything it was said to be. So juicy and flavorful, the only thing that wasn't the best was the pickle! The nice thing is they leave the tomato, lettuce and onion on the side so you can decide how much you want on or if you want to eat them separate (if at all). The mustard they provided was also very good, and I wished I wrote down what brand it was because it was delicious and really complemented the meat. However, it really didn't need much and I could have eaten it without even a bun or anything else on it. Everyone else enjoyed their meals thoroughly (clam chowder, beet salad, Maine Etouffe, pork ribs, and steak) and we had a great time to boot! I highly recommend McKays to anyone visiting the area.
(4)Joe S.
We had dinner twice here. The first time was by chance after coming across it on our way back from a shore walk. The second time was by choice. The food and service were solid. The restaurant offers inexpensive pub fare, as well as a more traditional but still reasonable American cuisine. I actually was pleasantly surprised with the portobello picatta - an interesting vegetarian reinterpretation of a classic. I was however somewhat disappointed with their creme brulee. The wait staff frequently asked how we enjoyed dinner, in a very authentic way. They were very attentive, and kid friendly. There is indoor and outdoor seating, with gas heaters in the outdoor patio for cool evenings. Overall, this probably was one of the better restaurants in our Bar Harbor stay. I would recommend to those traveling with and without families. There is also a nice wine shop next door to pick up a bottle for an after dinner drink at the hotel.
(4)William B.
We returned to McKay's for the Lobster Mac and Cheese. What a disappointment! Three tiny morsels of lobster in the dish for $25. This is a town that is swimming in lobster, where a heaping lobster roll sells for $12. Come on, McKay's, you can do better than this!
(2)Nick M.
A good Public House has an excellent selection of beers, good food and a nice dark, but welcoming pub atmosphere. McKay's has it all. A converted Victorian, the place is quite large with elegant features like the carved wooden molding, ornately detailed dark cast iron radiators, elegant staircases, etc. that make this a pub feel unmistakably like you're in New England. The service was OK, not the fastest and definitely not the worst. Beer menu was decent, not huge but classy. I had a Maine local favorite: Gritty's 21 IPA, which was served a bit too cold for my liking but I warmed it up with my hands. The bar was hopping at times, then dead. I saw lots of wine being poured. The maître d' even shared in some cocktail of some sort at the bar. The menu was classic pub food of burgers, with seafood and a bit of steak. A special of the night was lobster in a cream sauce with homemade pasta for $25. I believe there was a shrimp and scallop risotto with lemon truffle oil, but I didn't want a lemon bomb for dinner. There was a ribeye steak, topped with Gorgonzola cheese and served with a wine reduction. I figured any place trying to doctor up my steak with anything more than salt and pepper is risky, so I went instead with the Ahi Tuna with Carrot and Ginger sauce, which sounded safe. Nope. It was a generous cut of tuna, served with purple sticky rice and zucchini with summer squash. I ordered the tuna "as rare as possible" as I like it almost like sashimi, barely seared on each side on a red hot pan. Tuna steak was a quality cut of fish, which I found to be slightly overcooked for my liking. One piece of tuna was extremely oversalted, which detracted from the meal. The rice was OK, the vegetables were a bit salty because they were plated with the tuna. And the carrot ginger I didn't really get. I tasted the sweetness of the carrot, no ginger flavor at all. It didn't really go with the tuna and seemed more like an afterthought. For this I was a bit confused and wished they just salted and peppered my tuna. The meat itself had a nice flavor at first, but almost a metallic finish towards the end. I'm not sure if it was the cookware, but the tuna didn't taste right with the aftertaste.You're in Bar Harbor and don't know how to serve seafood? WTF?! My girlfriend ordered a burger and fries. Very large burger, one of the best I've tried in awhile. Excellent and for $10 I'd say it was worth it. With all the seafood, you need a Public House in Bar Harbor. We also ordered an appetizer of Spinach and Artichoke dip, which came served in a bread bowl with "dippers" which were like a fluffy tortilla of sorts. Canned artichoke and frozen spinach, but good bread bowl that hit the spot and made a good 1st impression. Overall, 3 stars for this place because it tries too hard to be something it is not. Great burgers, decent beer selection and fancier, classier fare if you dare. I would have rated 4 stars if my tuna (come up guys, you're in Bar Harbor and can't prepare seafood) was better seasoned. I read a Yelp review that says the food is orgasmic around the 5pm dinner rush, but I definitely didn't put any O-face on. We went around 9:30pm and I wouldn't recommend the tuna to anyone, not for $25 anyways. One final comment: I really enjoyed the jazz music. Don't change it. It works with the place very well. Located in Historic Downtown Bar Harbor, I recommend this restaurant for basic pub food in a relaxed New England setting. Avoid the fancier meals and stick with the excellent burgers instead and you can't go wrong.
(3)Millhouse R.
McKay's is a pretty nice place. I admit that right now I'm a bit peeved they ran out of rib eye steak and JW beer when I arrived for dinner past 8pm, however, like Mr. Spock I'm gonna keep my emotions in check. The decor itself is worth heading over if you just want to relax with a beer or some top shelf. Very easy lighting and relaxing music set up for a nice mood and night. You are warmly greeted and treated very well by the maitre 'd and any other staff you run in to.When I asked for reading material the lady of the house said there weren't any papers around but that she'd look anyway. A few minutes later she came with a three day old local paper, and I did appreciate the gesture. I did like the food, what was left on the menu. I ordered mussels in white wine to start and decided to go with a ground lamb burger in lieu of my extinct ribeye. Now, usually no matter where I order mussels in white wine or any other sauce the chef hasn't a clue how to make them and you wind up tasting the lousy sauce rather than the mussels. McKay's, thank heaven, does them right. The wine and garlic butter reduction was a bit salty but the mussels were fully flavored and devoid of any sand. I wish I had a big bowl of these rather than the plate. My lamb burger was a mixed bag. The meat itself was pretty good. Strong, juicy and cooked exactly how I wanted (medium rare) my only complaint was the huge amount of whipped feta cheese on top. I understand what the chef was going for but he/she needs to put it on the side rather than plotzed on top. It's regular Greek feta, you know the very salty kind, and it overwhelms the lamb. No biggie I scrapped it off. If sheep feta or even Bulgarian or Israeli feta is used, all of which have stronger flavor but less salt then it would work. Saying all this I really did like my lamb burger and the skin on french fries were some of the best I've had. Skip the complimentary bread. It's cold and soggy, you're not missing anything. My only advice is to get there early so you can get whatever specials they're offering. Actually, I'll say this for all the restaurants in Bar Harbor. They don't cater to us city slickers where we can have dinner up to 12am. Ah the life in the country.
(4)Erick M.
The only thing keeping this review from being two star was the atmosphere, which was low key, serene and happy. Service was acceptable but not great. The food .... Ugh! My wife had steak. It was cooked to a perfect medium rare but was chewy and average at best. For $26 i would expect prime not choice cuts of meat. I'm not sure what happened to my Asian pork ribs. They were dry and tough and clearly overcooked. The creme brûlée was more like cream pudding and not cooked through, and I would swear that the blueberries in the blueberry pie were canned and not fresh. We enjoyed ourselves in spite of the food, but we wouldn't go back there to eat.
(2)Zoran M.
I love burgers, bbq burgers, dream about burgers, etc. The burger at McKay's was in top 3 burgers I have ever had. It was done perfectly with feta cheese and really nice french fries. That in combo with Bar Harbor Brewing Co beer was outstanding. Also, great atmosphere, friendly staff and extensive menu.
(5)David X.
Spectacular. I ordered the Portobello Picatta since it was a vegan dish I had never seen anywhere before. It was amazing. Surprising. Completely unexpected. The portobello is fried with an almond crust, and then served with mashed potatoes, a delicate lemon sauce, capers, spinach, tiny grapes and almonds. Each bite was divine. It sounded like a strange combination that would never work, but it does. Clearly someone has put a lot of thought into the preparation. My partner got organic roasted chicken, which sounded to me really safe and boring. And his reaction was this, and I quote: "Chicken is one of those items that is really easy to prepare adequately, but takes extraordinary talent to make it shine. This chicken shines. The best prepared chicken I think I've ever had." Now, for the negatives. The outdoor dining area is surrounded (and hidden by flower bushes and vines) and the night we ate, there were swarms of bees everywhere. I didn't get stung, but there were several bees within a foot of us for the entire evening, so it was a bit difficult to relax. The outdoor dining area is romantic and looks appealing, but I think I'd either go after sunset or choose indoors. Their indoor area is really nice too. We did go back a second time because the first time was so amazing. The second time everything was good - four stars - but definitely not orgasmic like the first time. The first time we ate at 5pm, the second time at 9pm, so maybe it has to do with time of night, when the staff is getting tired. They were out of a number of dishes as well at 9pm. Also, be forewarned you will wait atleast 45 minutes if you don't have a reservation so definitely make them unless you want to eat early or late. (also, not sure why 2 people wrote the place had no alcohol. It's a PUB!)
(5)Allen Y.
We went to Acadia Nation Park for camping and stopped by Bar Harbor for dinner. Saw the good reviews on Yelp for McKays and decided to go there. We had a party of 10 people and 4 people ordered the Lobster and said that was good. However the other 6 we ordered the Lobster Mac and Cheese, Seafood Risotto and the Entofee. These dishes were the worse dishes I have ever tasted!! The Lobster Mac and Cheese which can recommended by another yelper was horrible. The lobster meat was good, however the mac and cheese was inedible. The cheese really overwhelmed the taste buds and made you sick to your stomach. Same thing with the Risotto. The Entofee was not much better. The only saving grace was that when we complained to the waiter he was nice enough to take it off the bill. He still got a BIG tip in the end. But not the best experience, so bad that it prompted me to write this review.
(2)Lorie L.
Great find in the midst of Bar Harbor,! Lovely courtyard, fabulous food. I had the appetizer of fried green tomatoes with crab salad. YUM. If you are looking for a lovely place with high quality food at a reasonable price and lovely setting--not super touristy, not a "family" place--this place is perfect. The McKay salad was vinegary, but everything else was great.
(5)Brian K.
I am shocked by some of the reviews on Yelp about this place. We loved this place. We had excellent service, and beyond amazing food for a pub. I highly recommend this place to anyone who goes through Bar Harbor. If you miss it, you're missing out.
(5)E. Alicia P.
We were a bit late for our reservation so they sat us immediately and we started ordering...that is we started ordering practically everything on the menu. It's difficult trying to decide between this and that when so many things sounded AMAZING. We started with the duck confit spring rolls with hoisin dipping sauce on a recommendation from our friend, which were pretty good - a tad too salty for my taste but then again hoisin is pretty damn salty. The next appetizer was the cold plate special on a recommendation from our server - a lovely and attentive girl, whose name I can't remember...sorry, but you were great! This cold plate was easily one of my favorites from the meal. Housemade gravlax (cured salmon) and beef carpaccio sliced nice and thin. The meats were served with even more little tasty housemade items such as whipped lemon creme fraiche and crostini with a few slices of cucumber to round it out. So simple, soooooo good. My boyfriend asked for more crostini which were promptly brought to us. Our last app - we went all out - were the mussels in a white wine sauce with bacon and bleu cheese and fresh brioche to soak up the leftover sauce. Let it be known, I do not like bleu cheese but whatever kind they used must have been sent straight from Mount Olympus, Zeus himself because I couldn't get enough of it! They were smaller sized mussels which I enjoy more as they're not all big and chewy, cooked just right and with that sauce, I mean - well people you know where I'm going with this... At last onto the entrees, but not w/o a bottle of Malbec from Argentina first! I wish I remembered the name, our friend picked it out for us and it went down pretty damn smoothly with dinner. We 3 got our entrees knowing that we'd share everything to make it a bit more like a tasting menu and more fun. I had planned on eating a whole lobster since we're in Maine but that got lost in translation with the server who thought I meant the lobster special - mac and cheese. A bummer at first but holy lord that put all other mac and cheeses to shame. Big ol' chunks of lobster with fresh cellentani pasta, tasty melted cheese all finished with truffle oil. Not what I'd wanted but no complaints here! The other entrees were the seafood risotto and i believe a seafood gumbo special. Both equally as delicious as the lobster mac. The owner Brian came to speak with us a few times to make sure all was well and just to chat too. A younger guy with a great vision of how a truly successful restaurant should be run, he was funny and very gracious too. We ended up having a beer with him in the front patio area after our dinner since we could barely move from all the food we'd eaten. Also I guess Susan Sarandon is a big fan of McKay's as we saw both her and Tim Robbins dining here too!
(5)John K.
There aren't enough stars for some of the restaurants in Bar Harbor, ME. McKay's provided a great selection of offerings. I selected a New York Strip steak ( I was getting burned out on seafood). The steak was cooked to perfection and nicely spiced. The side order of horseradish mashed potatoes was worthy of asking for seconds. I was part of a group of seven, everyone with totally thrilled with their meals.
(5)