Thistle Inn Restaurant

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Review

620 reviews

#1 of 36 Restaurants in Boothbay Harbor$$ - $$$, Seafood, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options

+1 207-579-6004+ Add website

Hours

Sun

4:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Mon

4:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Tue

4:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Thu

4:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Fri

4:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Sat

4:00 pm - 9:00 pm

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Ratings and reviews

4.5

620 reviews

#1 of 36 Restaurants in Boothbay Harbor

RATINGS

Food

Service

Value

Atmosphere

Food and ambience

Seafood, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options

“I've had cioppino in many fine seafood restaurants including several in San F...”

“We had the lazy lobster and salads.”

“We ordered the arugula salad and the chicken and shrimp alfredo, and both wer...”

“The tasty, well-cooked half duck was placed upon lumpy mashed potatoes, which...”

Location and contact

55 Oak St, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538

+1 207-579-6004

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Can a vegetarian person get a good meal at this restaurant?

Yes

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About

A piece of authentic Maine history, The Thistle Inn still stands as a place to gather and celebrate what makes life all the more worth living: great food, great company, and a home away from home. Originally built in 1861 for a prominent sea captain, our restaurant and Inn embody the unique period character of Maine’s past, with updated fixtures for modern comfort. From our seaside favorites to our world-class wine list, our menu is an exploration of classic coastal cuisine prepared with nature’s freshest ingredients. Guests looking to extend their visit will find six different lodging options at their fingertips, and the best of Boothbay Harbor just a short walk from their quarters. Whether it’s a meal that brings you to us, or an escape to our quaint Inn, we invite you to relax, stay awhile, and soak up some true downeast hospitality.

CUISINES

Seafood

Special Diets

Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options

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4.5

620 reviews

Excellent

409

Very good

138

Average

Poor

Terrible

Eeepee98

Lee392 contributions

Good, not great

Jun 2021 • none

This spot was very highly recommend by both TA reviews and our inn. We were lucky to get both a reservation and a nearby parking spot. The service was adequate, but the waiter seem to know all of the people at surrounding tables and spent a lot of time visiting. The interior is dark with wooden booths that are not very comfortable and are difficult to get in and out of. The lighting was low enough that you almost needed a flash light to read the menu. The food was very good - after all, that is why we were there.

Written 12 June 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

sulin2018

Rockport10 contributions

A Hidden Jewel!

Dec 2019 • none

After visiting the fantastic Christmas light display at the Boothbay Botanical gardens, our family stumbled onto the Thistle Inn on Oak Street in Boothbay Harbor. What a stroke of luck! Although we did not have reservations, the friendly and accommodating staff there found space for the six of us on what was an extremely busy night. That was our first stroke of good fortune which was quickly followed by by the wonderful array of choices on the Inn's menu. Our group ordered six different items from that menu and each person raved at how good their particular choice was. To say that we were all pleased and highly satisfied would be an understatement. The building itself is a treat with all of the little passageways and rooms that give out a very cozy vibe. The wait staff could not be more friendly or efficient. We all came away very satisfied and with the feeling that we were treasured guests. In today's rush/rush society that kind of friendliness is often not observed. Treat yourself to a wonderful evening out at the Thistle Inn. You'll not regret it.

Written 12 February 2020

Love C

24 contributions

Pricey with spotty service, but yummy food

Sept 2021 • couples

We were disappointed by The Thistle Inn. At the time when the Delta infections are rising, it’s hard to understand how a responsible business would not require their employees to wear masks to care for customers and employees. Tables in the dining room are very close together, there are partial dividers — that is nice— accept for the two tables that are just next to the main entrance. It makes no sense — hordes of maskless people are streaming by these two tables while they dine. Food and wine were yummy, but VERY pricey. Dodd presentation was excellent. But the Service was B-. Our server clearly had too many tables to serve. We had to repeatedly ask for lime slices for our water, my chowder was served with no spoon so while I was waiting for it, the chowder was getting cold. This place is listing itself as “fine” dinning. While their prices are at the level of “fine dinning”, their services are not.

Written 8 September 2021

Trek67625561722

1 contribution

Disappointed

Sept 2021 • couples

Very disappointed in our dinner experience. The servers were supposed to be wearing masks but the bar tender wore his under his chin,not on his face. The dining room we were seated in was very crowded and people near us were coughing. Because of the crowding the waitress knocked into our table almost knocking the lit candle on our lap without even an apology. We had to wait for our our entree and when it arrived the fish was overcooked and dry. At that point the waiter offered us a glass of wine but we declined. Not what we planned for the #1 restaurant in Boothbay Harbor.

Written 28 September 2021

nhlaker1961

Andover100 contributions

Another exquisite New Years Eve dinner with outstanding service.

Dec 2019 • none

We brought in 2020 with an 8p dinner reservation for four. The atmosphere is warm and cozy and Anya greeted us like "forever guests". Dinner was four spectacular courses and leisurely. The set menu offered something for each of us. Loved the seafood cocktail with appledore oyster and peruvian shrimp ceviche. Mouth-watering! The lobster bisque was a huge hit with all of us. The third was delightful with the truffled lobster newburg and saffron risotto cake, asparagus and black truffle port wine reduction. I devoured the perfectly cooked medium rare filet mignon with béarnaise, crispy leeks and sauteed green beans. The caramel mousse cake had a chocolate glaze and crust with fresh raspberries. It was out of this world! Dinner ended at 11p and we headed to the bar area where champagne was served to all the guests to bring in 2020. A sweet surprise was that taxi service to and from was free and sponsored by the Thistle! Anya and Dick know food and service!

Written 1 January 2020

SpringValleyCarol

Bonita68 contributions

Overrated

Jul 2021 • none

For our last dinner in Maine I searched the reviews and opted for the Thistle Inn restaurant . We chose to share both a “roasted” Cesar salad and a second appetizer of crab cakes. They were delivered undivided and we separated both on our own, having been informed that if the kitchen did it there would be an extra charge. Our experience in other restaurants in this price range has been that items would be gladly divided. The salad was good however the crab cakes were made of shredded not lump crab and were more like fish cakes. The “butter” ” was a mixture of crisco or margarine, maybe some butter, for which the manager apologized and offered to bring real butter. For the entrees we each ordered the scallops with spinach and lemon risotto which was excellent. The setting was a 36” round table, a little cramped for dinner service, but pleasantly located under the maple trees, and service was good. Price was on the high side, I beer and one mixed drink, with a 20% tip totaled $150.. we did not order dessert.

Written 18 July 2021

Anya Reid

Hi Carol, I'm very sorry your dining experience wasn't up to par. However I can assure you we only serve 100% real whipped butter with our bread. We do not have and never will have Crisco or margarine in house. The "regular" butter that was delivered after was probably just stick butter rather than our standard whipped. Our crab cakes are made with local "Peekytoe" crab which is very different then Maryland "lump" crab so I can see where that may have been disappointing to you if you were expecting something different. Our "Maine Crab Cakes" have won multiple awards locally and we're pretty proud of them. We do have a split plate charge because we make the portions slightly larger when the kitchen does a split. It's certainly not required and unfortunately your server should have known to the split grilled Caesar and the crab cakes for you. Thank you so much for bringing this oversight to our attention! We'll address with all of the new waitstaff in our daily pre-shift meeting. Kindly, Anya Reid

Written 24 July 2021

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

BeaconFalls

Beacon Falls6 contributions

Best meal in Maine during a four day trip.

Jul 2021 • none

Chose The Thistle after researching restaurants in the Boothbay area - good reviews, very nice menu choices and it looked like a quaint setting. Got in early (4:30 pm) as a single with no reservation. Had a super efficient, really nice waiter named Eric. I noticed that the place seemed very well staffed and everyone’s attitude was positive, helpful and enthusiastic. I ordered the lazy lobster (market price today was $42) which came with a delicious, lemony risotto and fresh asparagus. Had a wonderful gimlet to drink which involved basil, cucumber , among other things, and was delicious. Never eat dessert normally but couldn’t resist the carrot cake . It came with cinnamon ice cream made on the property. Yummy. Many dining establishments and inns seem to be struggling post Covid, especially with staffing issues and particularly if they are seasonal. I’ve noticed a drop in quality, smaller portions, higher prices, less experienced staff etc.; hopefully, things will get back to normal. The Thistle really was refreshing. Would highly recommend!

Written 8 July 2021

Jessica M

1 contribution

Fastest Dinner Ever

Aug 2021 • family

We were seated at 7:20 pm and had paid our check by 8:00 pm. I have never been so obviously rushed in a restaurant before. We ordered drinks to start, starters, a bottle of wine, and entrees. I was still eating my salad when the server brought my entree, and literally my plate was lifted away from me before I could finish to have the next plate set down. My parents were rushing to eat their starters so as to eat their entrees while they were warm. I've never felt like I should calculate the cost per minute to sit down and have dinner before, but this meal made me think about it. It was creepy how fast the food came out, and altogether rude and inhospitable.

Written 24 August 2021

Kim Bowman

Redding165 contributions

If I could give it ten stars I would

May 2021 • none

We went here with friends who are seasonal locals. The ambiance is amazing. So cozy on a cold evening in May. We asked a server a question and chatted with him a bit and it turned out he was the owner! We had a lovely visit with him; a great guy who clearly cares about his customers. When the food came we were extremely impressed: I had an unbelievably well-flavored risotto. It was rustic and refined at the same time. Really lovely. We had drinks and did not feel rushed. Excellent service the entire time. Prices are very reasonable considering the quality of the food. Do not miss this place if you’re in Boothbay Harbor!

Written 30 May 2021

NatureLoverMass

Salisbury146 contributions

Delicious food in a quiet, pleasant setting

Jun 2021 • none

This restaurant is justly rated by many as the best dinner option in Boothbay Harbor. The inn occupies an old house uphill from the harbor. The dining rooms feature lots of authentic atmosphere. The booths offer a sense of privacy plus unusual quiet for the modern restaurant scene. The real standout, however, is the food, which easily rivals that of top restaurants in Boston'Cambridge. The seared scallops on lemon risotto is a perfect dish. Light and flavorful. The fennel salad is equally good.

Written 27 June 2021

Bi-coaster

Bradenton1289 contributions

We’ll executed dishes on a beautiful, classy deck!

Jul 2021 • couples

The Thistle’s menu had gone up a notch or two in sophistication since previous years and this was most welcome! My spouse tried the innovative carrot fritter with polenta and I enjoyed the grilled Caesar salad to start. Their crab cakes are always good and he was pleased. I tried the shrimp scampi with spinach. Great concept, but I would have liked more spinach in it and wished that the pappardelle had not been precooked as it was somewhat sticky. Their outside deck continues to be the perfect venue on a summer’s evening—and this year they’ve added heaters1

Written 29 July 2021

MaineGreek

Portland181 contributions

A Must Dine

Aug 2021 • none

We were blown away by the interior as soon as we arrived. The staff is very professional and personable. Brittany was our wait person, and she made our first-time experience here more special. My wife started with the fresh herb salad, and she really enjoyed it. Her entrée was the baked haddock. Her only wish that the fish was served over something other than rice (whipped parsnips or?). She did enjoy her meal and the plate presentation was excellent. I had the duck ragu served with house made pappardelle pasta. It was a very tasty plate; till on one of my last mouthfuls I pulled a fairly large pin bone out of my mouth. That was one of those things and thankfully I did not swallow it. We did get a slice of chocolate olive cake to-go and my wife enjoyed it, though she felt the cherries were a little too boozy tasting for her. Compliments also to the dining room manager for checking in with us twice during our meal. We will be back!

Written 10 August 2021

DavidByKayak

Durham61 contributions

Seriously overrated restaurant

Aug 2021 • none

One thing we know as New Englanders is seafood. So when a "three seafood risotto" arrives with no promised scallops and but two shrimp, something is seriously wrong with the kitchen strategy. The waiter corrected, but still -- and happened to the next table as well. I had the shrimp scamp, which customarily involves completely shelled shrimp, not shrimp with their tails on (generally fine for shrimp cocktail). So is this restaurant using frozen cocktail shrimp for their signature scampi dish? Otherwise, service was fine, ambience effervescent, and mussel appetizer excellent. But they've got to up their game or they will get a reputation for coasting on local rep.

Written 30 August 2021

thethymesav0r

Raleigh63 contributions

Outstanding staff, food & atmosphere

Aug 2021 • none

Our last night to celebrate a birthday was fantastic here. We had done a clam & lobster bake excursion earlier that day so we went light on dinner and were able to split entrees. My beef tenderloin was done perfectly as requested, excellent wine selection, and our server arranged for us to be at the outdoor fire pit for our dessert and cordial round. It was a splendid evening!

Written 10 August 2021

Bill S

Yarmouth7 contributions

Simply superb.

Jun 2021 • couples

First time dining in Boothbay Harbor, picked Thistle based on menu and reviews, and we were not disappointed. Crab cakes appetizer-superb. Both of us had diver scallops entree...very nice dish, lemon mascarpone risotto anchors it...wish we could take home a tub of it! Server Ben knew the menu inside and out, and we had great discussion re: pairing of the Austrian rose with the dishes. Polished service without hovering-the so often missing element that can make or break the experience. This was a “make” 👍 Looking forward to our next visit!

Written 6 June 2021

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