Provender Kitchen + Bar

Such an amazing meal (as always) @ Provender Kitchen + Bar! Mussels, octopus, pork belly, flank steak, duck... plus fabulous cocktails made for a memorable meal! ~*All so incredibly delicious!*~ The atmosphere will not disappoint and original woodwork on the bar and booths are stunning! #MainStEllsworthMaine

This place is a gem! The owner (also the chef) is a delight as were all of the wait staff. We had a delicious meal and a great time. Reasonable prices for a top shelf experience and mouth watering dishes professionally prepared and exquisitely presented. We can’t wait to go back!

The duck I ordered was delicious. At medium rare, it was perfectly cooked. There were many delicious flavors and textures on the plate. My personal preference would be for less side dishes but more of each. Our salad was delicious as was our drink. The service was prompt and friendly. We love this place! It has a cozy elegant, old-world feel.

Best restaurant in Ellsworth and the entire Bar Harbor area. Great ambiance. Superb service. Exceptional food. I had the halibut and my wife had the duck. Both were delicious. Our Manhattans were also delicious. I can’t recommend this place highly enough!

After asking for recommendations on a local foodie page for a special dinner within an hour of Bangor, I was overwhelmed by suggestions for Provender Kitchen + Bar. What truly set it apart, however, was that the chef/owner personally reached out to arrange a tasting menu for us. He was adamant about being in-house for our experience, and the level of hospitality started before we even stepped through the door. From the moment we arrived, it was clear that this would be a memorable evening. Our personalized menus were such a thoughtful touch, and the tasting menu itself was beyond expectations—especially considering the incredibly reasonable price (almost too reasonable, to the point where I felt like I was getting away with something). Every dish was executed beautifully, with details that lingered long after the meal. The parsnip element on the scallop and curry plate was so unexpectedly perfect that I’ve since found myself buying parsnips just to attempt a recreation at home. The French feta was soft, tangy, and everything you want feta to be. The lamb fritter was tender and packed with flavor. And let’s not forget the “Shut Up” rum cocktail—so good we would have ordered another round (or two) if we didn’t have to drive back to Bangor. Service was warm and welcoming, with the chef personally delivering each course, adding an extra layer of connection to the meal. It was an experience that felt intimate, curated, and truly special. I’m so glad we ventured outside of Bangor for this, and I wouldn’t hesitate to do it again. If you’re looking for an unforgettable dining experience, Provender Kitchen + Bar should be at the top of your list.

Provender is easily one of my favorite restaurants — not just in Maine, but anywhere. I’ve eaten all over the world, and this place continues to impress me every single time I walk through the door. The atmosphere strikes that perfect balance: warm, intimate, stylish without being over-designed. You feel instantly comfortable — and, frankly, cool — the moment you sit down. It’s a small space, always busy for good reason, and the staff handles the pace and the crowd with grace and professionalism. The chef — whose name I don’t know, but whose skill is undeniable — is clearly operating at a high level. The daily specials are where their creativity shines. I order them every time I visit, and they’re consistently standout dishes. It’s obvious that the specials aren’t filler or afterthoughts — they’re a genuine outlet for passion and precision. If you go, trust the kitchen and order what’s new. Their bar program is equally strong. The beer list is varied and curated, and some of the best beers I’ve had I first discovered here. The wine selection is thoughtful, and the liquor shelf reflects real care in what’s offered. You won’t find a bloated or generic drink list — it’s tight, considered, and executed well. Provender would hold its own in New York or Boston — and probably charge triple the price — but instead, it exists here in Ellsworth, delivering one of the most consistently great dining experiences in Downeast Maine. In a region where quality dining options outside of seafood can be hard to find, this place is a rare and genuine gem. If you care about food, this place is worth the trip.

Amazing quality and execution. Fantastic tomato salad thanks to excellent tomatoes and seasoning; melt in your mouth halibut, great historic space and a service team that was warm, professional and in synch. If this restaurant were in even a mid-sized city, you’d never be able to get a reservation.

My husband and I had the pleasure of celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary at Provender Kitchen + Bar. Chef Daron noted our allergies and created an amazing chef selected menu with a discounted price. We love all food, so we were open for anything, even octopus. I am allergic to gluten going out to dinner lost its luster years ago and that is one reason why we have not been on a date in over 10 years, besides life. He served all the courses with a rundown of the dish, I forgot to get pictures of all the courses, we were so in the moment we made a rule not to use our phones. The atmosphere is amazing, the interior woodwork makes the whole experience that much more memorable. Waitstaff is attentive did not have to ask for a thing. The food quality is top notch cooked to perfection, not sure if takeout would do it justice depending on the dish. We looked at other dishes being served as well they all looked delicious; we will be back! Our 20th anniversary will forever be cherished due to the thoughtfulness of Chef Daron and his exceptional staff. Thank you, Provender Kitchen + Bar for a wonderful dining experience.