Abel's Lobster

Be prepared to wait - arrived around 6:30 on a Wednesday with a group of 6. Waited around an hour for a table. They have an outdoor bar and high top seating where you can grab a drink and play corn hole while you wait. Beautiful harbor - great place to watch a sunset while enjoying a meal. Check out the yacht yard adjacent to the restaurant - cool boats. Service was helpful and friendly. Our group liked our food - highlights were the corn bread (a must try!!) lobster Mac and cheese and wedge salad. Recommend this restaurant but be cautious of the weather as most seating is outdoors and it started the rain as we paid our bill which caused all guests to try to huddle indoors which was a little bit of a mess / crowded. Make sure you’re visiting on a clear night, or opt for indoor seating if rain is in the forecast!

We have been going to Southwest Harbor for many years, but had never tried Abel's. We are so glad we did - we even went back a second time during our trip! The setting is lovely and the service is very friendly. Upscale food, no tourist rip-offs. The fried clams were excellent, as were the hand-cut fries. The salads were also a stand out with fresh local vegetables. Highly recommended!

I'm not a big seafood person but all my friends who like seafood say they loved the lobster, fish, and mussels here. The only area of improvement was the lobster bisque, which we found was thick with oil and had to send back. Overall, the food and atmosphere were lovely, and our waitress was attentive. List of menu items ordered: Chowder fries Spicy mussels Lobster bisque Soft shell lobster Fish and chips Mac and cheese

What a gem! The food and drinks were perfection! I had the Halibut that was caught that day. It was seriously the best I have ever had. My husband, who is incredibly picky about his lobster said it was top 3. The atmosphere is super chill and the view is stunning. Our server, Sandy was so knowledgeable and so sweet. She made great recommendations and spent time chatting with us about our vacation and made our 7 year old daughter feel super fancy with a Shirley Temple. If you are in the area….you must stop at Abel’s!

Had a wonderful Memorial Day Dinner at Abel’s Lobster this weekend! What a great restaurant and experience. We showed up at 4:45 (opened at 4:30) and were able to get an outside seat with a nice view of the water. A woman in front of us recommended the mussels and she was right, they rocked! Our waitress Rachel was awesome and provided great service. She had good suggestions and timed our courses perfectly! 10/10 would recommend for a nice date night or dinner while visiting Acadia and or the Mount Desert Island area. The vibes here were spot on for the type of experience we wanted. Friendly service, relaxing views, and great food! Photos: View of the water Spicy Mussels Large Corn Bread Oysters (Bar Harbor Blonds) Lobster Bisque Halibut

One of the few places where you can get proper STEAMED lobster as opposed to shack-boiled lobsters. The 3lb steamed lobster we ordered is juicy and very tender. Other items ordered: Fosh and chips and fried clams are also great. Nice view, friendly service, would definitely recommend if you can drive out of bar harbor for something better

If you’re looking for a romantic spot to enjoy lobster this is it! Fish and chips were delicious and we especially enjoyed the homemade fries. Crab fritters were good but not our favorite; they lacked a crispy-ness and could probably use more crab. Lobster bisque has a strong tomato flavor and was much more savory than others we’ve tried in the area. Lobster in the bisque was not as tender though. Service was friendly. Note that we came at 1pm and they were out of soft shell lobster and blueberry pie so coming later does have its downsides.

A really incredible find. My wife had the ‘lazy lobster’ and I ordered the lobster mac & cheese. We shared an order of cornbread and had drinks. The lobster meat was very sweet and cooked perfectly. The cornbread was so, so good. The staff was really friendly, attentive and great with our kids. The food was out of this world and the views were spectacular. I can’t wait to go back.

We came to Abel's Lobster for an early dinner after a long day of hiking, and ordered the Spicy Mussels, Crab Rangoon Grilled Cheese, and Abel's Fish Chowder. Spicy Mussels ($18) was made with Korean chili, shallot, coconut milk, nuoc cham, with a side of sourdough toast. It was okay and had a mild spice. Crab Rangoon Grilled Cheese ($25) included challah Maine crab, with a side of sweet chili dipping sauce and fries. The grilled cheese was interesting and pretty good, but the star were the fries. Thick cut, inside was soft while outside was perfectly crisp and salted. Did not feel heavy. Abel's Fish Chowder ($19) was made with traditional style haddock, bacon, potatoes, and herbs. The soup was pretty bland without the bacon. Our server was nice, but service was pretty slow despite it being pretty empty. And I have a slight pet peeve when servers stand in front of you when you are paying and calculating tip.

Service was great and food was good. Highlights were the blueberry pie and the lobster. The burger was good too. Did not enjoy the cornbread too much as it ate dry. The lobster roll was ok but we preferred it from other places. The sauce felt a bit heavy. There was an hour wait on a Friday around 630pm. Great sunset views from the water.

amazing vibe, clearly a classic The wood fired lobster-pot feed by fresh sea water screams authenticity and immediately had me ready to join their lobster cult. Food was excellent and reasonably priced

Charming, New England Lobster You can't come to Maine without eating a lobster roll, and Ables has a good one. After a day of hiking in the national park, this is the perfect stop off for a quick snack or dinner. Dine inside or out. As you can see from the photos I dined outside in the cool evening air. Today I had the main lobster roll, on a buttery brioche with lemon chive aïoli. ($39), large chunks of lobster in a creamy Savory sauce .... what more can you ask for? Delicious. Also ordered their cornbread large ($10) which was enough for two people and was really good. Service was super friendly and attentive which made for an enjoyable experience. Would highly recommend Ables and I will be back again Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, X and yelp as a travel the world in search of the perfect dining experiences. Instagram: @noodlesoupr Instagram: @zarasiii

Solid spot - we got the lobster bisque, fried clam plate and a wedge salad. My favorite was the lobster bisque - very creamy and packed with lobster flavor. Prices were a little steep, but the quality pays off

We came here for lunch and the best place is to get seated outside where you can get water views. They did seat us outside on the picnic tables where there are tree roots and it is uneven ground. There are other outdoor areas (more in the sun) that is on flatter surfaces. We ordered the korean spicy mussels ( a must get favorite of ours), lobster roll (while it is good, the bread in our opinion could have been better for the price), and firewood lobster (sweet and meaty). You would want to come here for the ambiance and the surrounding, taking the scene in as you dine. While we enjoyed the food overall, you are paying for the quality of the food and the scenery. With just these 3 dishes, we ended paying over $100. You can still find other menu items that are more pocketbook friendly but we really wanted to try out these staple dishes and the korean mussels (which ended up being our favorite out of the 3).

Came for blueberry pies stayed for the views!!! Very nice ambiance and tasty pie, but prices are quite steak. We were also eager to try the lobster chowder but it is no longer offered

Decently priced and did not disappoint! We each got a full lobster and it was delicious. They give you two dipping sauces and they complemented the meat really well. The lobster itself was really fresh and juicy. Got the blueberry pie as dessert and it was ok, but nothing too noteworthy! Highly recommend the lobster though!

It's perfect. We got there as they opened and had a nice picnic table near the water. Service was great.

Place did not disappoint. I knew from past reviews to expect wait time so didn't go hungry AND brought charged phone, jacket, and kindle. You can have a drink at the bar or outside while you wait. It was gorgeous out. Enjoyed my IPA. Since it was chilly, chose to eat inside. Had the lobster chowder and the corn bread. Chowdah was fantastic with many large chunks of lobster. Corn bread was standard but paired well. Staff were friendly and attentive.

Second time here in two days.Comfortable dining room. Jojo did a nice job serving. Lobster was delicious.

As a single older woman I have enjoyed Able's several times. I work in Bar Harbor & recommended Ables all the time. Apparently they don't need the business. I went alone to have lunch & was told I could eat outside or at a high seater iron table. I told the hostess I would like a shorter seat. I have had two knee replacement & have short legs. So that seating is very uncomfortable for me. And the weather was chilly. They had several larger seating areas available. But because I was one, I was told I could not sit at one of those tables. It's hard enough eating alone but when people are not accommodating to your preference it just makes it even harder. Especially when you see seating options available & they tell you, you are not worth it. Isolation is a terrible thing.

We cannot recommend this place enough. A perfect quiet getaway from the hustle and bustle of Bar Harbor with a gorgeous view of the water. We ordered the two lobster rolls and one lobster bisque as well as the harvest salad and it was the perfect lunch for three. We also loved the blueberry pie with homemade maple whip! Truly a highlight of our trip. Ask for Kate! She was such an incredible waitress!

Stopped here for lunch after a morning of hiking through Acadia. Sat outside at the picnic tables and enjoyed the view with my husband! We both got lobster rolls- one that was warm & buttery and the other tossed with light mayo. Both were absolutely delicious!! Easily the best lobster roll I've ever had. Our server was also lovely, everything came out fast and it was an all around great visit here.

Abel's was so cute and a perfect place to watch the sunset! The food was amazing! The spring salad was unique and so fresh. My boyfriend said the crab fritters were the best he's ever had! The hosts and our server were lovely too. Would go back & we highly recommend!!

Great place! Love the view and everything was perfect! I got the lobster bisque and lobster roll. SO MUCH LOBSTER!!! Would def come back!

After trying many lobster joints on the Island, Abel's comes out to be the best place my wife and I have tried so far. The lobster rolls were fresh, and the bisque was creamy and flavorful. Service was fantastic as well. I would highly recommend!

This place was amazing!!! Between the people, the views and the food knocked it outta the park!!! It is a little hidden but worth looking for. We did end up sitting inside due to a storm so it was a little warm but didn't take away from the overall experience. It was our family vacation dinner so we tried lots of food the muscles were my favorite!!!

Good food. Fresh. Friendly, attentive servers. Beautiful views. Over looks a beautiful water scene, great for sunsets. HAS outdoor seating and game area. Would definitely return.

Great food, great service, incredible location. Best lobster prices in the area. Had the lazy lobster and a few beers. Great way to end a day of hiking in Acadia!

The view is absolutely spectacular!! The vibe is so chill, the drinks are awesome! Their Lobster Chowder w/a side of Cornbread was absolute perfection!! Highly Recommend!!! (They do not do reservations, so come about 15 minutes prior to when they open/reopen.)

Excellent atmosphere and delicious food with table service by an efficient and friendly waitstaff.

Great views and service. The lobster rolls were very good. The steamers were the best I've had in a while - no sand or grit at all. Also had a whole lobster - very good.

Great service by Tim at the bar and Drew at the table. Both friendly and helpful. Reasonable prices for drinks and food. Seating inside or outside. Enjoyed the indoor rustic ambiance with nice views. Began with steamed clams and while a few were a bit sandy, they had great flavor. For entrees we had the Lazy Man's Lobster (de-shelled on a bed of grits) and the 2 lb steamed Lobster with a small side of potato salad (just ok). Lobster was fresh and delicious!

Beautiful view. Lazy Lobster was delicious, even if you don't like grits, try it it's like whipped butter with a slight whipped potato texture even the peas where a delight. Dog friendly! Good service, knowledgeable about the menu, friendly, and kind. Haddock sandwiches are large and delicious. The tartar sauce is unique; if your meal depends on the old classic then don't order the haddock - my sister needs her dip dip and she was very caught off guard. What could be done better? Nothing you get what you expect and more with the great flavours!

The service was amazing, and the atmosphere is old New England waterfront. My haddock fish and chips was a large serving.

The listing for this restaurant should be in Bar Harbor instead of Mount Desert ME. Bar harbor is less than 10 minutes away. Abel's ambiance is just over the top... outdoor tables available in a beautiful shaded area nestled around a cook shack that used wood fired stove to steam the lobsters. Incredibly delicious and just encompasses New England lobster. The menu is focused on what Abel's does best. Fish and chips, boiled lobster, a few sandwiches, salads and soups. Service was more than friendly. Prices were better than anything we found in Bar Harbor, or Camden, or in Portland. Highly recommend this special, hard to find jewel.

My 16yr old and I happened upon Abel's Lobster as we were looking for a meal after arriving in Bar Harbor. The staff was amazing and kind. Our waiter Eric worked hard to make sure we were happy. I had the lobster chowder and a side of corn. The chowder was full of flavor and spice that I loved! The large chunks of lobster definitely were delicious. Corn was perfectly cooks and fresh. I enjoyed my meal with the house lemonade mixed with the iced tea. Perfect sweetness to my spicy chowder. My son had the cheeseburger with fries. The burger was cooked just the way he requested (medium rare) and was delicious with the Hawaiian bun. The highlight of his meal was definitely the French fries! They were very hard to resist. And he had it with the blueberry soda. We couldn't be happier with our delicious meal after a long day of driving.

Really great stop after a long day in Acadia. The food was delicious and service was great. I highly recommend the creamy crab and chard dish and the lobster chowder, which had large chunks of lobster and fresh crunchy summer corn.

The views and atmosphere are perfect! The bacon blue burger, the fish sandwich and the lobster roll were wonderful!!! Best place we found in bar harbor so far!

Nice food and service and so worth a try. Miss Alice and Blue Baron are drinks in photo. Sunset was nice.

We stumbled upon Abel's during our vacation to Acadia National Park. The setting is right on the harbor with a view of the bay. The servers were extremely helpful and the food was delicious. Next time we're in town, we'll definitely be back!

Perfect lunch spot in Acadia. Over looking Somes Sound. Plenty of tables to sit outside, however it was so hot we ate inside. Our waiter was nice but didn't get our order correct. He was a bit forgetful and slow service. Our lunch was delicious. Fresh oysters and lobster rolls, can go wrong.

Delicious food, relaxing atmosphere, friendly staff, beautiful views! We loved it so much that we went multiple times on our vacation here!

Perfect place to watch the sunset! Delicious food! The best corn bread of Maine! The Cream Ale beer from Maine was spectacular!!! The only down side of the restaurant is customer service. We were not welcomed. They were short in staff which we understand, specially after going to many restaurants, but they did not need to be rude. The hostesses was so stressed! We almost gave up but there was a beautiful sunset coming so we stayed. After the food came, we forgave them :)

Oh boy - where to start? Let's pick the good- the location is excellent ( on the water) and the restaurant's rustic ambiance was just right. The salad was incredible. Our server was nice and we wish we'd seen more of her. She was pretty non existent which isn't a bad thing until you're looking to ask about the menu, water refills, let her know the cornbread was all dried out as was the blueberry pie. I saw other servers hustling so I would limit this review on service to the one we got by chance. I did buss my own table from the lobster mess. Location : WINNER Ambiance: WINNER Appetizer : salad WINNER Lobster: meh Side: cornbread HORRIBLE dessert: blueberry pie HORRIBLE So if you're looking for a great place to have a stellar salad choose Abel's . If you're after great food, there are better places. Sigh.

Love this place. Spent a week in Maine and made the point to go back to Abel's, as our experience was really good a few years ago. The lobster stew with their special corn bread is just unbeatable! Ordered for the first time the steamer, extremely fresh and so sweet! A must-go place if you are in the area!

What a find. I know locals know of this place but we stumbled upon it. We sat outside looking over the water as the sun set. Food was very good. I had fish and chips and my wife had lobster. Mussels were outstanding as was the wait staff. Our server Tabitha was especially outstanding! I'm sure her son will one day make the majors! Go!

Great food, casual atmosphere. Best price on lobster around the area. Brando and Rayelle really made us feel welcome. We appreciate the outdoor seating with the strung lights and the beautiful water view. We also appreciate the indoor seating which we opted for to ward off possible insects. My husband liked the Acadia beer. My son liked the blueberry soda. I opted for Sauvignon blanc. The cornbread can be expensive. It was $12 for us for some reason. We enjoyed watching the cooks outside in the kitchen gazebo All around this is a nice place and you can attend as you are even after a hike in beautiful Acadia Park.

My husband and I came here on a recommendation while on vacation and it did not disappoint! Everything was delicious and the staff was so friendly/helpful.

To start off with the positive, the atmosphere was great + it has gorgeous views. Cute twinkling lights + a fire pit to sit out by the water. The cornbread + pimento cheese were both delicious, we didn't love them together, but individually they were both very good. The lobster chowder had good flavor, was just a smaller portion than I expected + I left hungry. The service was sub par - I was out of water and the server only filled the little tiny glass halfway, which was immediately gone again after spending our day hiking, really wanted some water with dinner. No offer for to-gos or clearing things off the table. Checked back before we could try our food + then not again. The burger - fries were good - definitely hand cut. Burger was cooked medium as asked but the roll seemed old. It was crumbly + fell apart, my husband was extremely disappointed with it (and he's normally happy with everything he gets). Unfortunately, Abel's was not a win for us. Would come back + have a glass of wine and cheese board outside and watch sunset , but go elsewhere for dinner.

Beautiful view of the water from their outdoor seating area! The food and service were amazing!

I came here with friends and my husband the other night. The view is incredible! We had to wait about an hour for a table as they don't take reservations. But I didn't mind as we could grab a drink and watch the sun down. I definitely recommend doing that on a warm evening! I had fish and chips - they grilled a piece of fish for me which was delicious and it came with a side of fries. Unfortunately they didn't include anything green like they did for the non-gluten free options but it was still delicious. My friends also had fish and chips along with oysters, the corn bread and a beet salad. They said it was all delicious! If you're in the area I'd recommend going here. It doesn't have the most options for gluten and dairy free but it's a nice atmosphere and they have a few delicious options.

0.5 stars would be more accurate. - checked in, given a 45 minute wait time. We waited closer to an hour before getting seated - upon seating, took over half an hour to get a waiter to take our order - most absurd part: waited over an hour to get the actual food, and upon arrival it was all cold, and to be honest not even appetizing. - on top of all this, the bill was outrageous for what we received: cold, bland food Half a star since the staff seemed pretty nice at least

Driving in feels a little weird. Looks like some marina. I think it is a functioning marina not sure. Big expensive boats line your entrance when you arrive and open up to some beautiful view of the bay with picnic benches and greenery. It has the vibe of a vineyard in the countryside. Infrequently, seals will chill on the rafts out there and sailboats will be out there too. They have a pretty good assortment of foods. When we went, the oysters were some of the best tasting I've ever had which might not be saying much as I don't seek it out very often. Super clean taste w salty flavor. The lobster roll was pretty straight forward. Lemony with a light mayonnaise sauce to elevate that lobster. Tasty and filling. Cornbread was the move here. Flaky with a signature sumac butter. Make sure to use the butter. Helps lubricate your throat. Maybe, our batch was a bit dry. The chicken sandwich was tasty. I went back in June so it has been a bit. I recall wanting it to be a bit more tender but the flavor was certainly there. Potato salad was stellar. Grab a beer, some decent quality food, maybe pick up the Acadia lobster after your hikes, relax!

The food and service were excellent. Outdoor seating is casual and enjoyable! The lobsters were picked clean the fried clams great and the cornbread is a must eat-nice and moist!

Ambiance is nice. Service was good, though we waited a bit too long for the bill after our meal. Outdoor seating looked lovely, but was closed during our arrival. The dry Riesling from The Finger Lakes was amazing. We all ordered the seafood chowder as our meal. Hubby loved his. I found it a bit too spicy for my taste. It was an okay meal, but nothing special.

We had an amazing dinner at Abel's! Slight wait for a table, but so worth it. The cocktails hit the spot & the lobster was delicious, and so reasonably priced! The timing was spot on as we got to enjoy a gorgeous sunset. Highly recommend. Will definitely go back when we are back in town.

So we went on a sailing trip out of Northeast Harbor this morning and heard that Abel's was the place to go for lobster. So we went and the place exceeded expectations. We were waited on by the personable Hannah (who knows ASL - iykyk). We wanted to eat family style and Hannah had great suggestions. We had the spicy mussels, the lazy lobster served with grits, cornbread and a salad. Oh, and pickled green beans. It was all so, so delicious - every single bite. I will be talking about this meal for a while!!