The Brooklin Inn

A truly magical place. The space was impeccably designed, very clean, and so well thought out. We never wanted for anything that wasn’t readily available to us. The staff was friendly and welcoming. We loved the shared kitchen space for breakfast. The pub in the basement is a magical vibe and we loved dinner at the restaurant. We are so impressed with the menu and execution on the food. Our only feedback for improvement would be that although we understand it is a historic space, better insulated doors and windows would improve the privacy of the space. We plan to be back a few times each year!

For the longest time I didn’t wanna leave a review since I loved to keep this place secret! This is a gem! They know, understand and appreciate their guests, the real hospitality. I love this place.

Dinner reservations made, we were seated right on time. Parking lot is small, plan on alternative parking at establishments nearby. Our server was friendly with a big smile. The food was tasty, we thought the clam entree was maybe enough for one person, definitely not two. Gratuity is included in the bill, which is nice . Cocktails very delicious 😋

Expect to be ignored. My husband and I arrived with our two year old and were promptly seated, that was the end of our attentive service. My husband was not planning to drink, and was dismayed to learn that do not serve iced tea. After our first course, I had to request a bottle of water to refill our empty glasses after noting all the tables surrounding us had carafes of water on them for self-refills. I also had to request a wine list to have a glass of wine with my dinner after finishing my cocktail. At the end of the evening, my husband and daughter went to the car, I waited, no one came by, I placed my credit card on the table, still no one, I finally flagged down a server and requested our bill. When she delivered it, she noted that gratuity was automatically included. This explains why we were completely ignored over the course of our meal. The food is good, but not worth the lack of service and attention, especially at this price point, I expect better.

I am very conflicted about this place - we stayed for a long weekend Thurs-Sun in peak July. The setting of this inn is idyllic, with a nice proximity to Blue Hill and other attractions in the area. The aesthetic of the place is very pleasing as well. The idea of staying at an inn/restaurant is also appealing to us and we have done it many times at other locations - we love the community and activity that combo can create. That said, we found almost all of our experience lacking unfortunately. Similar to what some other folks have said, check-in was confusing - we had lots of texts and emails about arriving in a certain window (which we did) but when we got there, the place was empty. We finally figured out that there was a key waiting for us on the bar, but it was strange that this wasn't proactively noted ahead of time. It also establishes the experience more akin to an Airbnb than a stay at an Inn, which is fine but not what we expected. I would STRONGLY recommend skipping staying in Room 1. While true to how it is portrayed online, the very limited size of this "cozy" room was beyond what is livable, particularly for over $200 a night. It also lacked basic things like hooks in the bathroom to hang wet towels. While I very much appreciate that a small room requires creative solutions, things that take up little to no space were lacking. Perhaps worst of all, it is right above the restaurant's kitchen/prep area and the walls are incredibly thin so we heard the team decompressing every night after close, and even suffered from the loud disruption of some kind of delivery(?) at midnight one night with someone leaping up the stairs to check on something in the guest lounge. We were not able to sleep consistently any night because of this, and it really ruined the stay. We poked our head into other rooms and all were certainly notably bigger, so perhaps this review is mostly about Room 1 and not the inn. On the (limited) bright side, the guest lounge does provide some very considered morning bites and snacks locally sourced. We also completely adored the adjacent deck that looks over the gorgeous backyard and spent lots of hours reading there (esp because of the room situation). Besides those two bright spots though, the stay was really a bummer and we won't return.

We stayed at the inn on vacation in July. We loved experiencing this gorgeous but more remote area of Maine, and found that this was definitely the best option for accommodations, even though there are several areas for improvement. ||Parking was free and easy, and we loved their in house restaurant. The upstairs kitchen, which was kept stocked for guests with breakfast items, also had exquisitely made pastries that we loved. We liked the self serve approach, and found that the food quality was higher than most other fancier hotels. ||The property was also dog friendly and welcomed our dog. We enjoyed exploring the surrounding towns, which again are remote but absolutely beautiful in summer and relaxing. ||In terms of areas for improvement, the reception desk was not manned during our stay, which made check in a bit challenging, and we had to pop in at the restaurant to find a staffer whenever we had questions. The inn itself is in a historic home, and the decor is functional though very minimal—I would say too much so (closet space and more of an overall design would be welcome additions). Our room did have a window air conditioning unit, but it was not on when we arrived, and it took several hours to cool down our room until it was comfortable. ||Again, the town is very small and remote, so this is definitely a solid option, and the best available, but with some tweaks, and especially with such great culinary offerings, the property has the potential to compete with similar beautiful independent refurbished historic home properties in the Catskills or Berkshires.

We had a lovely time at the Brooklin Inn! The aesthetics are gorgeous, the rooms are spare yet comfortable, and the food is excellent. Unfortunately, one of the lamps in our room didn't work (which made it quite dark) but the bed was very comfortable and made for a great night's sleep. Loved the soaking tub as well. Complimentary breakfasts were served every morning, which were always unique, locally-sourced, and delicious. We also ate in the restaurant one night and had a great experience. We did wish we had a bit more personal service, however, especially given the small nature of the inn. We were confused about check-in (since we were arriving after 5pm) so we called and emailed just before 5pm. The key was there when we arrived, but that wasn't made clear beforehand, which was a bit concerning. We also hung around to say goodbye and thank you when we checked out, but no one was around. I am sure that some people appreciate the contactless system, but we just wanted a bit more communication.

a delightful, delicious and thoughtful meal with friendly attentive service in a lovely comfortable atmosphere. Thank you.

I'm writing this about the pub. Around back and down the stairs. Great atmosphere, great staff, Shannon the bartender and primary server in the pub is aces! Every one of the wait staff was attentive and professional. We had the long cove oysters, delicious. The roast duck breast, lamb shoulder, and patatas bravas. Everything was great. The local beer selection is good. And the wine list is reasonably extensive for the size of the place. I'm almost reluctant to post this as I still want to be able to get in, but hey, they deserve the accolade.

Delicious food, tasty drinks and wonderful hosts. Jenny and her team are the best! Regardless of how they prepare it, the duck breast is always everything it is quacked up to be.

This is one of those places that you hesitate to write about- it's so perfect it's tempting to keep it a secret. I've eaten a few dinners there over the last two summers and after our most recent meal I was just so impressed that I can't keep silent. This place is a real gem. Its balance of sophistication and earthiness, casualness and refinement, adventurousness and classicism is special. Friendly service, excellent unusual wine, and even a super charming yard with bocce court make it perfect spot for a summer night. Everything I tasted there this year was delicious. If you're in the area and looking for a nice night out at a place that's fancy enough for a romantic dinner but casual enough for kids, this is it.

Randomly stayed at this place on my way riding to Bar Harbor. Got dinner... I had the most amazing burger in my life. Compliments to the chef who designed this menu, and those in the kitchen who executed it so well. The orchestration of flavor profiles... the organic tomato slice with the perfect acidity, the pickles with a little smoke on top of savory sour, the caramelized onions with their rich, dark, sweetness. Then the juicy, meaty, medium rare paddy that reminds you of what devouring flesh- a big fat piece of meat that feels like life itself- vitality, and one that has to be grilled in heaven.... They even intentionally blackened the top half of the brioche bun to give the whole thing more smoke... but done just right so there's no bitterness. Everything is so divine and to be sing about in the symphony of flavors in this burger. I was almost crying gobbling this down. Oh the pleasures of life! And I had the goat ribs and oyster mushrooms before the burger. If you're in this neck of ME, definitely worth a detour just for the burger.

Best burger in town. Wash it down with a nicely made Negroni. Can't go wrong. (Sit in the garden and you'll feel like a local)

This restaurant wouldn't exist is there was another one within 15 minutes. All of the food was slightly off. You'd do better if you tried to make a dish at home. Expect slow service and a disconnected service where they will promise you food one minute that someone else will immediately tell you is not available.

Great hotel! Great vibe! And awesome restaurant with plenty of seating! I have went to the restaurant every night during our stay (tried out every single main courses) and it is on par with good restaurants in NYC or Boston. The room is quiet, well decorated and the bed is extra plushie. Our dog loves being adored by the all the staff as their own pet. Location-wise, If you are thinking about visiting the Acadia National Park, the hotel sits an hour away without the noise and traffic. 5-10 small regional parks if you are tired of the tourists. One baseball-field-converted dog Park just five minutes away. And numerous coffee shops, farms, bakery around. Love it! And, thanks for taking care of us Pi!

Stayed here and loved all the little touches they added to make our stay so enjoyable! Pour over coffee in the room and water in the fridge! The breakfast was delicious and very accessible. Wonderful outdoor seating. Very attentive and welcoming staff.

I wouldn't recommend staying here. This appears to be more of a restaurant than an Inn. When we arrived for a 2 night stay for 2 couples, our keys were left out on the counter for us. Absolutely no one greeted us. When we left it was the same. We never met the Innkeeper or had anyone ask us if we needed anything during our trip. This is not what we have experienced elsewhere at nearby Inns. When we walked through the lobby where personnel were being trained, no one said a word and acted like we were interrupting them. We were headed out to dinner at the time and this is the only way out. I'm sure the food must be good because the restaurant seemed busy but I am glad we didn't spend any more $$$ here because we got absolutely no personal attention. Not what you expect at Inns in Maine!

Outstanding dinner and cocktails, beautiful garden setting if the weather's good. It was a splurge meal but worth it.

Fantastic COVID concept, lovely seating in the garden...order at the cashier and food is served. LOVELY food...such a serene setting. Thanks for creating a positive tasty experience.

This was the sweetest little place. We had two dinners there and stayed for two nights upstairs. Very quaint and homey Inn with about 4 rooms. Beautiful design and very quiet. We had trouble with the internet but the staff, who was not on site, was immediately responsive by text. Food at the restaurant was really great. Highly recommend having dinner there if you are in the area. We would definitely go back!

What a stunning place. Quiet and serene. They take COVID protocols very seriously and have made the stay contactless, which was smooth and secure. The inn is perfectly appointed and the rooms are comfortable and wonderfully designed. The outdoor space is great. Our only regret was coming on days that the restaurant wasn't open which would have added more life to the place and of course we'd have loved to have sampled the food. The breakfast was exceptional on day one, but a bit of confusion about arrangements on day when we were supposed to pick it up from the general store but hadn't been told. That said, it didn't detract from what was an exceptional stay in a beautiful inn in a picture perfect corner of Maine. We can wait to return.

A lovely building. The service is professional and attentive. The food is delightful. It's worth the visit. A nice find in this area of Maine.

Amazing food and great service!! A little pricey but definitely worth it for the quality of food you are getting!

We had a superior dinner in the lovely dining room, overlooking the patio and extensive gardens in the back. Highlights included the beet salad with toasted hazelnuts, blueberries and a horseradish cream and a blueberry cobbler with berries that just came into season. This would be considered a special dinner in any major city, but here we were in little, bucolic Brooklin.

(Covid review) Adorable, tiny inn with a tasty outdoor restaurant. The room was comfortable, with a large bathroom and king sized bed. Air-conditioning worked sufficiently to keep us cool on hot summer days. The main floor was basically closed due to the pandemic; I'm sure it's much cuter during normal times. The service was pleasant and the inn perfect for a relaxing getaway. This is a place for couples, not children, so book accordingly. Another note: there isn't a ton to do in the immediate vicinity, so expect to drive a bit to natural areas or other locales. Still, it's a good jumping off point in quiet town. The restaurant was very good, with a couple small missteps. Overall, great experience inn with solid cuisine.

We had an excellent outside dining experience. The service was friendly and efficient. The food was artistically presented and scrumptious. We highly recommend this delightful restaurant.

Terrific new restaurant! Our group enjoyed the Lubina and the Lamb Chops! Delicious appetizers. Wonderful service and lovely setting. Worth another visit.

There is no take out, so, because it's getting cold, we chose to eat inside--first time during the pandemic. Big mistake: the wait staff doesn't wear masks and tables are as close together as pre-Covid. The food is pretty good--a little uneven, but I can't recommend it because of their carelessness.

Talk about utter transformations!!!! An amazing young couple bought this previously awful inn and turned it into an adorable place to stay and an absolutely fabulous restaurant. I can't believe there's a place this good to eat so close to our house here in Brooklin. The rooms are done in a spare yet cozy country style. Exquisitely tasteful. Excellent linens and bath products. Just lovely. The food is (as I said) excellent. Terrific steak, amazing Spanish vegetarian dish, perfectly prepared fish. We couldn't be happier!!

While we did not actually stay here, we stopped in for dinner and the food was outstanding. If you are looking for an incredible meal, peaceful surroundings and a charming staff, try the brooklin inn!

The Inn has seen several changes of ownership in recent years and now is being run by a pair of young women and they are doing an outstanding job. The setting is warm and inviting especially the bright and airy back room with big windows overlooking the garden. There is also a little café area by the porch in front and the pub downstairs which we didn't check out this year. The food in the dining room is truly exceptional and the service is willing and friendly. There is a nice list of wine and cocktails and they have local Maine beers on tap. We felt the dinner we had was one of the best we enjoyed this summer. We started with fresh clean local oysters and a well-constructed charcuterie plate. It was enough to share but there were only 2 small pieces of toasted bread and a cracker. Also they did not serve any bread and butter for the table which we missed. For mains I had the cod fish. This was a large thick piece of perfectly cooked sweet white fish set off with salty chopped Kalamata olives which were the perfect foil to the mild fish, There was also a nice vegetable garnish. My wife had the whole Labuina which is another name for a Branzino or European Sea Bass which may be the same as a fish called Loup de Mare in France. Whatever you call it is was a lovingly roasted whole head on fish with a wonderful flavor and very easy to filet and eat. It came with some nicely roasted potatoes and some vegetables and was delicious. All in all it was a delightful meal and worth another visit.

We have eaten there four times since mid-summer. The best meal was in August. We ate again on Saturday night, November 23. There were only three main courses offered in the dining room. Three of our foursome had hamburgers, which they said were fine. I had the lamb shoulder, which was dried out and was so salty to make it barely edible. I drank at least 10 glasses of water during the meal. My understanding is that the summer chef from Barcelona has left and has been replaced by the sous chef. We want the new owners to succeed but the food needs to stand up.

Unusual menu. Bread cost extra. Very, very noisy. A great effort on the owners part but they have to do something about the noise. Will not return until that is corrected.