Havana and Balance Rock Receive Wine Spectator Awards.
The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Acadia Shops.
BAR HARBOR—Two local restaurants received awards from Wine Spectator.
With the announcement, Havana Restaurant in Bar Harbor continues to rack up the awards. Havana was once again named to Wine Spectator’s 2025 Restaurant Awards list. It had received the award last year as well. Havana received the Best of Award of Excellence along with Aragosta, Deer Isle; Natalie’s Restaurant, Camden; Sea Glass, Cape Elizabeth; The White Barn Inn Restaurant, Kennebunk.
Havana was also a semifinalist for a 2025 James Beard Award. Havana, situated at 318 Main Street, in Bar Harbor was one of 20 semifinalists, the only one in Maine, and one of only two New England restaurants. The other is Oberlin in Providence, RI.
Havana opened in 1999.
For 25 years, Havana has been gathering accolades and even presidential visits as it serves American cuisine with a Latin twist. Havana is the only Hancock County restaurant from Maine, where a majority of the nominees for multiple categories are centered in Portland, Biddeford, and Berwick.
It’s been listed as one of Maine’s 18 essential restaurants. Martha Stewart has featured it in her blog. This past summer, the restaurant was featured in Food & Wine.
Michael Boland, his wife Deirdre Swords, and staff have created something upscale but approachable, colorful but tasteful, a blend of classics and Latin American tastes.
The Balance Rock Inn Veranda Bar, Bar Harbor received an Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator’s along with Earth at Hidden Pond, Kennebunkport; Modern Barn, Bethel; Ocean Restaurant, Kennebunkport; and Twelve, Portland.
The Balance Rock was once a summer cottage, built for Scottish railroad tycoon Alexander Maitland and his family back in 1903.
According to its website, “Acquired by the Miles family in the mid 1980s the private home, Balance Rock, was lovingly restored and suited as a luxury destination for summer visitors. Hand crafted wood work, coffered ceilings, arched doorways, and leaded stained glass windows were all preserved. The Inn was outfitted with a nod to the Guilded Age and classic New England charm.”
It’s now a boutique hotel with a restaurant tucked in it as well. The Veranda offers views of the Shore Path and the ocean beyond, and is an award-winning AAA Four Diamond restaurant, with a constantly evolving menu.
It also features The Veranda’s Guidebook, a blind tasting menu.
According to its website it “is a full sensory dining experience. Travelers from across the world enjoy the visionary dining experience created by Chef and Owner Aaron Miles.”
The inn has also recently received a Craft Lodging Excellence Award.
LINKS TO LEARN MORE
https://www.balancerockinn.com/dining/
https://www.jamesbeard.org/blog/the-2025-james-beard-award-semifinalists
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