Great breakfast, great dinner, great live music on selected nights. Highly recommend.
(5)
Marie P.
Very nice spot for dinner. Good food, pleasant staff. A little on the loud side if you're looking for a quiet place, and a little crowded, but if that's not a concern, then this is a great place for a good dinner. We had appetizers, meal, and dessert - all good.
(3)
Laura K.
Went to breakfast at Sips and had the most amazing experience! The staff was friendly the food was amazing and it was certainly a laid back atmosphere. I had the French toast and my husband had the meatloaf omelet. Both were out of this world! The coffee is excellent and the mimosa with fresh squeezed orange juice is the best I've had in a long time!
(5)
J S.
If you want service with a smile from friendly folks this does not appear to be the place. Tried to pop in for coffee once and couldn't get anyone to acknowledge me. Gave it another shot for breakfast as it is convenient when staying on that side of the island. The food was good. Crepes disappointing given their prominence on the menu but good. Poached eggs cooked perfect, bacon not the best bacon greasy but also cooked perfect. Fresh oj delicious. Latte was well made. I would go back but just be prepared for the lack of friendly service. PS the excellent wifi connection was definitely appreciated.
(3)
Paul S.
Good food but the staff was busy since there is not enough of them. And frankly, the two we dealt with were not very friendly. Is it really that hard to make eye contact and say, "I'll be with you shortly"? I took a star off, just cause of the waitress. Good breakfast, lots of choices. The coffee was hot and tasty. Had to go here, since the people we stayed with only had tea.
(3)
Niranjan S.
Not too expensive for its class and more importantly the food it offers. $15 juicy lobster crepe if you want a fancy dinner, or $8 sandwiches if you just want lots of wholesome yummy before your trek. Also, this is the only place that's open past ten in southwest harbour. Thankfully it's excellent food
(5)
Jim W.
Food was good. Table to waitress ratio was too high - took us a while to get our orders in / get the check, overtasked waitress walked right by at several points.
(3)
Kevin K.
I really want to like this place, but the staff are just not warm and welcoming. Every time I've stopped in (which is three times on this trip), I've felt like I was intruding on the place. The food and the coffee are both great - just be a bit more friendly.
(3)
Mike N.
Disjointed experience and just not very well prepared food. Ambitious undertaking but execution was lacking. Service friendly but MIA at crucial times. Won't repeat but wish them well as they improve.
(2)
(5)
Ellie K.
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Collin A.
Excellent food with excellent service and good wine. I enjoyed the caesar salad with chicken and could also recommend the lobster bisque and salmon fettuccine. The dinner was accompanied by a couple musicians with guitars. That was a nice accompaniment. We returned the next day for coffee, which was well worth the repeat trip. Go get it!
(5)
Abban L.
Great breakfast food. Breakfast bagel egg sandwich, eggs and bacon, and crepes were simple and delicious. If I were to go back, I would get the bagel egg sandwich again. The latte was decent, though the coffee was too strong that bitterness was the only flavor that arose. The service was a little concerning. Our waitress was certainly proficient and, when we managed to flag her down, speedy. But there were several little details that made us feel like she was treating us differently than her other customers. For example, literally all other tables got a saucer that accompanied their espresso drink mugs, whereas we only got a mug, and their checks in a cut glass wine bottle, whereas we got handed our piece of check paper with nothing else. Because of the service, I would not return to Sips, despite their good food.
(3)
Natalie P.
Only came in here for drinks. It's a cute little restaurant with a small bar that offers sips and glasses of wine. I would come here again if I was in town. It seemed like a nice quiet spot that I could definitely enjoy dinner and drinks at. Got a few glasses of wine for a night cap. Would have stayed longer but some obnoxious drunk guy was there and literally did not stop talking to the staff the entire time. I think they all find him amusing because this exchange seemed like a regular occurrence or that they are friends outside of work. Don't know but he was definitely annoying. **This part did not get factored into my rating. **
(3)
Cori B.
delightfully delicious menu and great service.
(5)
MaryEllen B.
We tried Sip's for the first time this morning for breakfast and it was GREAT! Everything was cooked just as we ordered it and the home fries were wonderful...they are cooked to order...the potatoes are sliced and cooked specifically for your order. We will definitely be back on our next annual visit!
(5)
Kylie D.
4.5 stars for sure! I've been coming to Sips for many years and I was happy when returned recently to see that little has changed (a good thing)- even the prices are still very reasonable. Risotto (which was always my favorite) is still on the menu only now there are several choices - yum! And the wine selection is still terrific. I was just there for a quick early lunch with a colleague but the experience was still wonderful. I had a lovely apple and chevre salad. I didn't love the chunky, apple sauce-ish dressing, but the dish itself really hit the spot after a long morning. My friend had the same salad but added chicken and it was delicious. If Sips had even a few outdoor seating spots it would be perfect! Go and enjoy and try the risotto if you have the chance! Breakfast is also fabulous!
(4)
Jeff H.
Well the place the only reason they are getting this high of rating is that the atmosphere and concept is cool. They have a unique and affordable wine list however, if you are going to open a wine bar the make sure you invest in a nitrogen machine to keep the wines lasting along time. I am tired of sending back bad wine and having a new bottle open for me. As Fay for the food it is average at best they want out of Salmon, come on how is a coastal town out of fish? We order chicken ceaser salad and the chicken was bland no seasoning at all. The chowder Had way to many potatoes. The service was poor just name the reasons you have picked them. So only go hear to have a bottle of wine listen to the music and escape the cold. #sips #bassharbour
(2)
Westie W.
This restaurant/bar was packed on a Friday night due to activities relating to the annual Flamingo Festival for the benefit of Harbor House Community Service Center. The noise level was almost excruciating. Not having an alternative, we grinned and bared it while enjoying glasses of red wine that proved to be a bit better than average. All drinks are 1/2 priced during the Wed-Sun happy hour that runs from 4-6PM.
(3)
Jeff H.
Lots of empty tables at 5:30pm but no room at the inn for me and my family. So ... impossible to review. Make a reservation. Had a mediocre dinner at a place across the street instead. Disappointing.
(3)
Jessica F.
This place was a great find in the area. There weren't many breakfast places to choose from, and we thought we would be settling by going to this one. But we were wrong! The breakfast was awesome, as was the coffee. We ordered the breakfast sandwich with sausage and the breakfast combo (eggs, bacon, home fries, toast) which were both fresh and hit the spot. The ambiance was also nice, having a very casual but classy cafe feel with its setup and decor. Prices were very cheap! Would highly recommend this place to anyone staying in the Seawall/Southwest Harbor/Bass Harbor area.
(5)
Joe F.
Popped in for lunch. What we loved is its a coffee shop as well as lunch and dinner place. The food was really good. BLT and BLT with lobster and a salad with apple. All really good. Serve could have been better.
(4)
Tommy G.
Great wine/beer selection and there is not a a dish on the menu that is a wrong choice. Everything about this place is wicked awesome. A+
(5)
Joe C.
Tired of seafood "this" and seafood "that" on beautiful Mount Desert Island? Well, no worries, that's exactly why restaurants like Sips exist. There's just a couple items on Sips' menu that actually come from the sea. This place is really three things rolled into one; it's a coffee house, a restaurant, and a wine bar... all sharing the same large room. There aren't many sit-down dining options in the small town of Southwest Harbor so you really only have a choice between Sips, a diner-like pizza place, and some Mexican food place. Sips might sound like a fancy swank name but it's actually fairly casual inside. Table service came across a little lukewarm and indifferent but heck I'm from Connecticut where I think we invented that type of customer service. No complaints with my food. Fish chowder was delish and the hummus was pretty tasty with freshly made pita chips. Their menu contains typical American fare from basic sandwiches to full entree meals. Not everybody inside was eating big meals, because there were customers at the bar drinking and there was customers sipping coffee while working on their laptops. Overall, Sips really hit the spot for a fine lunch when venturing out on the more remote southern end of Mount Desert Island.
(3)
Kay P.
You will be ok if you order bread, bagels etc. since those do not need cooking. If u have ordered anything that needs cooking. Good luck. French toast was raw egg coating, veggie omelettes had raw veggies just folded in, crepes were under cooked, homefries were way undercooked. It seemed they were in a rush to finish serving breakfast. We checked before making reservations and they said they would serve breakfast at 1030. We waited 40 min for the food to arrive so it wasn't like they didn't have enough time to cook the food. I would not recommend this place
(1)
Ariel T.
The wine list is impressive, and the food is very interesting, but during our last visit, the chef forgot the salt. Almost all the food was very, very, under seasoned. A little salt helped a great deal.
(3)
Henry Y.
Place looks like an absolute dump on the outside but you walk in and it's as if you're transported to an upscale restaurant. The food was out of this world amazing-- let's start with the app. We got a simple cheese plate that ended up being the most filling thing in the world. There's 4 types of cheeses, the sweetest apples you've ever eaten, other fruit, omg. I don't even know man. It was just great. My gf had some martini as well. Not too shabby. The entrees is where it really took off. I figured there must be a reason why 'meatloaf' was the first listed menu item and ordered it. NOT disappointed at all. It was the most delicious meatloaf I've ever eaten and I'm so happy I gave it a shot. My gf ordered the scallop risotto and this was similarly delicious-- the scallop was seared just right and it was tender without being chewy. Came out of this place looking smug and content. You know a restaurant is good when it leaves you speechless. And I was dead silent all the way to Bar Harbor.
(5)
Rebecca B.
Good little find in Southwest Harbor. A bit of a random menu but definitely something for everybody. Good beer and great cocktails, not too expensive. Very nice and attentive service. The cheese plate app came with smoked mussels! Why haven't I seen those before!? Baked haddock was tasty, fig risotto was delish. The pesto pasta was good but the menu did not specify it came in a vat of cheese. We did go on the later side for dinner and they were out of a lot of key ingredients, which was frustrating. Generally a good spot with good value.
(4)
Lacey S.
We stopped in for dinner before and I was disappointed, my food was uninteresting, not much flavor and not nearly enough to fill me up. Came back the other afternoon for lunch. My boyfriend already had a table and some coffee, he said the coffee is some of the best he's had recently (he drinks it black). They weren't too busy and our waitress kept looking at our table but she didn't make it over to see if I wanted anything to drink until he was mostly finished his coffee, she was helping others who had come in after me. I'm a gardener so I wasn't in my best digs and felt like maybe she didn't think it was worth her time.. she finally came to take our food order, still without offering me a beverage. We ordered sandwiches, they come with a side of pita chips and orzo pasta. 3 pita chips and maybe a tablespoon of pasta. Both of our sandwiches were very plain. My veggie sandwich was like eating chick peas plain and his turkey club only tasted like it's sweet sauce. Again not enough food. I find their menu very expensive. We wanted to order an appetizer but both things we wanted (a cheese plate or bacon wrapped scallops) were $15. I only give them two stars because of their tasty coffee. Maybe their breakfast is decent? I think the only reason they really get business is because their the only ones open all year.
(2)
D. T.
Had a great lunch at Sips the other day. The smoked turkey club was terrific. Friendly staff, good food....reasonable prices......what else should you look for? First time at Sips. Definitely will return.
(4)
Wayne L.
This review is based on the coffee/coffee shop experience that I had at Sips. We stopped in here after a morning of hiking in Acadia National Park and wanted to sit down, sip on a coffee, and read a book. Overall the ambiance was lovely at Sips and I was excited to see the combination of wine bar + coffee shop. The space felt very warm and cozy. Unfortunately, the coffee shop experience wasn't that great. It appeared that they were starting to turn their tables for dinner, so we had to get seated at a table instead of just picking a table we wanted. It also felt a bit like we were inconveniencing them for wanting just coffee and we felt a bit guilty sitting there and taking up a table they wanted to use for dinner. Next, I ordered a chai latte and cappuccino. My order got mixed up and my cappuccino ended up being a latte. The drinks themselves were okay, not great. The coffee experience can easily be improved by having a dedicated seating area for those wanting just coffee and working to improve their coffee drinks a bit. But as it stands currently I probably wouldn't come back for coffee.
(3)
Liz B.
I've been to Sips several times throughout the years and I have to admit, the only reason I keep returning is because my family insists I need to give them another shot. Sips, to me, is the epitome of a box of chocolates - you never know what you're going to get quality-wise. I've been a few times and the food has been delicious (I particularly enjoy their Caesar salads and pesto risotto) and I've been a few times where the food has been almost inedible (think previously frozen stuffed sole then baked beyond recognition). Sips is really adorable and cozy, and the service has always been wonderful. They have a great wine selection, which is even more special because their prices are basically at cost - it's attached to Sawyer's, so they sell their wines for super cheap. They have live music some nights, though I've never experience it, and just a general welcoming vibe. If the food can become most consistently good, I would make Sips a permanent rotation in my SW Harbor eating regiment. However, as it stands after this summer, I'll give Sips a 3-star a-ok review.
(3)
Jessica N.
Friendly service, great menu, disappointing delivery. Took 45 min for apps to be delivered and the entrees were bland at best. They are probably better at coffees and lunch than dinner.
We both had delicious, high quality omelets. I had the spinach and feta and my husband had the greek omelet. Service was quick and friendly. We also had a side order of hash browns that was also good. Why only three stars? Mostly for the value. The omelets were only two egg and were not served with toast or home fries. The menu stated they were served with fruit. Our fruit was a super small piece of grapefruit and orange. One bite each small.
(3)
Peter V.
Went here for breakfast during Labor Day weekend. Food was only OK. Home fries were undercooked. Omelette selection was fair but expensive at $8 considering that they do not come with either toast or home fries. On the plus side, service was good and eggs were fresh. Probably won't return, at least for breakfast.
(2)
Susan H.
We went here this past week while staying at a small B&B down the road. First, I would recommend calling for a reservation. The space is small and it was pretty busy even on a Monday night. Don't be mad at them if they can't squeeze you in. They are REALLY busy, the foods that good. Just pick up the phone at 4 and make a reservation. The food was AMAZING! I had the meatloaf with the Caesar salad to start. The Caesar salad was so zesty and just the right amount. The meatloaf was unbelievably good with onion jam and gravy! My boyfriend had the lobster risotto and would not stop telling me how amazing it was. He stated he would eat at Sips every night if he lived in Southwest Harbor! Our waitress was great and the atmosphere was laid back. Overall, we loved it.
(5)
Christina L.
The mushroom risotto is like a dream. The service is always friendly and the atmosphere is great. Date nights, family breakfasts or drinks at the bar, Sips never disappoints.
(5)
FoodChick F.
Been coming here each visit to Southwest Harbor (4) since 2007. Food is good, place comfortable and clean. Staff is never warm & friendly, maybe that's Maine mentality but the service is good. Coffee is just okay but there is a good variety and you can get it to go.
(3)
Lacey W.
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Tim C.
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Cathy W.
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Marjie T.
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C D.
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James B.
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Ric B.
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M. C.
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Cara H.
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Ralph A.
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Will H.
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Jessika G.
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Jeff K.
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G. K.
(5)
C D.
I've had superb meals at Sips with my family several times last year, but the experience can be uneven, as noted by other reviewers. Tonight was exceeding far below my previous experiences and demands comment. My rating is not as low as my review of tonight will suggest, because I'm factoring in more positive evenings in the past. Sips is chronically understaffed, so long waits for seating, ordering, food arrival, and receiving your check seem to be a standard, at least in the evening. If the food is worth waiting for...no problem. For ill-prepared food, it's just salt in a wound. So tonight started with the usual delay. However, it was accompanied by the arrival of an older gentleman at an adjacent table, who appeared to have some patriarchal status, based on some evidence of recognition from some of the customers. He also appeared to be attending to an infirmed partner, which was sweet and honorable. Regrettably, his presence was accompanied by a strong and decidedly unhygienic aroma, and some odd public dining behavior. At one point he emptied a bowl of sweetener packets into his hat and then placed it on the floor, so the empty bowl could be used for eating some bagged snacks he had brought with him. When he finished his meal, he retrieved his hat from the floor and returned the packets from his hat to his former snack bowl. Out of respect for chronology, a bit more on this later. I have always favored the various chowders at Sips because they "taste like the sea"...echoing fresh seafood. Tonight fell far short. The chowder (clam tonight) was thick, indistinct, generic. Chowder is a matter of personal taste and I'm sure some would like this version (possibly because they don't don't know any better); I'm just pointing out the drift in style and quality. I was with my family, so with four entrees, you would expect at least one winner. Normally, I would expect all to be exemplary, but the chowder was dampening the odds. Bad luck...all four were displeasing and in my daughter's case inedible. I had a penne with peanut sauce and skewered chicken. It was pricey given the simplicity of the dish, so the overcooked, gummy pasta and dry chicken were inexcusable rookie flaws. My son ordered a tortellini with butternut squash, which my wife and daughter have raved about on three previous occasions; they uniformly agreed it was not as good and unbalanced in flavors. (Sorry, I cannot be more specific because I find the dish undesirable even on its good days.) My wife's scallops were ill-prepared in her estimation. Maybe the lack of searing was intentional, but they lacked enough character to carry the rest of the dish, which was comprised of a crepe swimming in a pool of an unbalanced and cloying mushroom and gruyere sauce. My daughter's dish, an eggplant/shiitake gratin was left standing, due to an excruciating bitterness. My family is fond of all sorts of bitter greens and I'm a fan of of bitter hops, so when I say this was unpleasantly bitter, I'm not pulling your leg. The waitress never inquired whether we enjoyed our meals; she was probably some combination of overworked, don't care, or already guessed how you feel. She did ask if we were up for dessert (always up sell!), but we've learned that the entrees are usually a good indication of what you can expect in dessert execution, so we declined. Pity, because Sips had some wicked fine desserts in the past, but our memories of excellence had already betrayed us badly tonight. So finally back to the sweetener packets. Another member (the other member) of the waitstaff arrived to bus a table adjacent to the table vacated by the aromatic gentleman. My son mentioned to her the travelling sweetener packets left by the gentleman, from hat to floor and back to the bowl. Unfazed, she left the sweetener packets in his former snack bowl for the next unwary customer.
(2)
Ric B.
We have been coming to Sips for five years or so for breakfast mostly. No complaints on the food. And the servers are super nice but I have to say the food takes forever! Don't arrive hungry. This last time we ordered simple fare and received our food in an hour and this is not our first such experience. The staff seemed overwhelmed despite few patrons. The next table over also was complaining of waiting a long time and were told there are only a certain number of burners available. If the they improve the speed of food to table then it would be great! For now we will not return unless getting a coffee or something.
(2)
M. C.
We ate breakfast at Sips this morning and overall it was good. The atmosphere was great and the staff was friendly. My husband and I had the same thing - eggs, toast, home fries, and bacon. Everything was good except the home fries and that is why I did not give Sips 5 stars. They were burnt, dry, and had no flavor. On the plus side, the coffee was awesome!
(4)
J. K.
(4)
Marjie T.
I had a great time at Sips for dinner even though I apparently went on a crazy, crazy night. I got there a little after 7 on a Tuesday and the place was packed, but there was only one other couple waiting ahead of us. Unfortunately, there is absolutely nowhere to stand while waiting so we were all kind of bunched together in front of the door. After a few minutes we were greeted by one of the two waitresses who said it would be about 15 minutes. No problem. A few more parties started to filter in, but no one greeted them or took down names. It was very disorganized, but apparently they were understaffed and hadn't anticipated a busy night. We finally got seated about 20 minutes later at a quiet-ish table in back. Our waitress was very apologetic about the craziness and even though service was slow, she was very nice the whole night. I ordered the fettuccine with pesto and it was very good. Though the portion seemed a little small for the price and it didn't come with bread or anything. I was still hungry after I finished. My husband had the salmon and it was delicious. For dessert, they only had one selection, a berry cobbler, which I ordered because I was still hungry. It was awesome and I'm not even a fan of blueberries. There's a very limited selection of restaurants in town so I was very happy to have stumbled upon Sips for dinner.
(4)
Terri V.
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David W.
The food wasn't that bad, but the service, prices and timing was atrocious. My friend and I waited almost 25 minutes for a simple soup and salad. A side of tzatziki with pita chips, which wasn't on the menu, cost me the same as my friend's Ruben, which came with a slightly smaller amount of tzatziki and pita chips as a side already. Communication with our waitress on which soup was the soup of the day, and which one cost a bit more was horrible, and caused confusion when paying. I'm not local to Maine, but when I'm visiting my friend next time, I will not be going here.
(1)
Lacey W.
Lobster bisque was very good. Service was poor! Had to wait for wine with our main course. Dinner was good....wish the service was better!
(2)
Tim C.
Was in Maine and New Hampshire for a couple of weeks and stayed 3 days in SW Harbor. We came here twice for dinner we enjoyed it so much. Great food, thoughtful wine list, and entertainment some nights. The owner Scott also runs the wine store around the corner and knows his stuff. I was impressed that he had traveled to Amador County in California's gold country to find Bill Easton's Terre Rouge syrah, which I promptly ordered. Scott's wife Jennifer is the chef, and has some amazing dishes, including the best meat loaf ever made. Yes, meat loaf. Icing on the cake, they have a duo playing Beatles music one night...the guys see me singing along and invite me to join them. All vacations should be this good.
(5)
Nils W.
Five stars for freshly squeezed oj, real maple syrup, and whole anchovies for the Caesar salad. How many restaurants offer ANY of those today? So good was breakfast that we came back for dinner. Another 5 stars. Sailor's Martini based on crystallized ginger, lime, and dark rum set me on my keister, pleasantly. Humus was just garlicky as Gwendolyn and I like it. Her Romaine salad was crisp, hint of cranberry perfect. Scallops and mushroom crepe with gruyere cream sauce sent me onto paroxisms of delight--ok, I mean it was outasight. You gotta eat at this place!
(5)
Ellie K.
Ate here last night, and have done so in years past. I was just looking for something light last night, and Sips was very good. We had a glass of Shiraz, the red pepper and eggplant dip ( this needed more flavor)) and I had the mini burger on an English muffin. My husband had the Italian sandwich. The burger was great, and the sandwich was good. Decent prices, great ambiance and our service was very good. I would check it out!
(4)
Lauri M.
Loved the hearts of romaine salad with delicious blue cheese, olive oil & perfect bacon niblets. Wouldn't mind if the romaine was chopped. Lemon risotto also delightful although husband opined that the curry chicken crepe was too salty. pleasant service on a quiet friday evening.
(4)
Michelle P.
Went for breakfast. Dill and scallion cream cheese on my bagel....yum! Good blueberry pancakes. The portions were kind of skimpy for what they were charging though...the worlds TINIEST sliver of cantaloupe for my "fruit side" ... I swear it was more like a garnish....but it was too small to be even that!...and there was just one....LOL!
(3)
Cara H.
I had the pleasure of having lunch at sips three weeks ago. Not only was the food delicious but it was prepared in a very creative manner. The service was attentive and not rushed. Since the food was so good, we hired Sips to cater a family lunch. Once again we were blown away by the food as well as the inventiveness and friendliness of the chef/manager. It made the occasion wonderfully unforgettable!
(5)
Ralph A.
Nice atmosphere and attentive service. Food quality and selection of available wines was excellent and prices are affordable. During our weeklong stay we already went twice and can highly recommend the place.
(4)
Cathy W.
I like the casual feeling in Sips and appreciate how the staff works together. The food is okay. There are some things that I avoid (anything that allows you to add chicken, shrimp, etc for $). But there are enough choices on the regular menu and daily specials like Curried Zucchini Soup to keep me happy. Someone I know loves the mushroom risotto but I can't eat it as a main course because it's so rich - as a side it would be perfect. And the wine selection is a nice draw. Sips runs a lean operation so when it's busy and the wait staff has to dodge customers queuing inside the door to pick up their orders it feels hectic. The floor plan is not easy for the waitstaff, but they all work together and that impressed me. When we arrived for a 7:45 reservation one evening this summer we weren't seated until 8:15. We were offered a drink while waiting (but you stand in line while you wait.) Once we were seated the waitstaff worked double-time to get appetizers and drinks right out to us, and apologized often for the wait. They allow customers to linger, which is nice when you're lingering but frustrating when you're waiting! The place was very quiet by 9:30 PM.
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Scott N.
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(5)
Collin A.
Excellent food with excellent service and good wine. I enjoyed the caesar salad with chicken and could also recommend the lobster bisque and salmon fettuccine. The dinner was accompanied by a couple musicians with guitars. That was a nice accompaniment. We returned the next day for coffee, which was well worth the repeat trip. Go get it!
(5)
Abban L.
Great breakfast food. Breakfast bagel egg sandwich, eggs and bacon, and crepes were simple and delicious. If I were to go back, I would get the bagel egg sandwich again. The latte was decent, though the coffee was too strong that bitterness was the only flavor that arose. The service was a little concerning. Our waitress was certainly proficient and, when we managed to flag her down, speedy. But there were several little details that made us feel like she was treating us differently than her other customers. For example, literally all other tables got a saucer that accompanied their espresso drink mugs, whereas we only got a mug, and their checks in a cut glass wine bottle, whereas we got handed our piece of check paper with nothing else. Because of the service, I would not return to Sips, despite their good food.
(3)
Natalie P.
Only came in here for drinks. It's a cute little restaurant with a small bar that offers sips and glasses of wine. I would come here again if I was in town. It seemed like a nice quiet spot that I could definitely enjoy dinner and drinks at. Got a few glasses of wine for a night cap. Would have stayed longer but some obnoxious drunk guy was there and literally did not stop talking to the staff the entire time. I think they all find him amusing because this exchange seemed like a regular occurrence or that they are friends outside of work. Don't know but he was definitely annoying. **This part did not get factored into my rating. **
(3)
Kylie D.
4.5 stars for sure! I've been coming to Sips for many years and I was happy when returned recently to see that little has changed (a good thing)- even the prices are still very reasonable. Risotto (which was always my favorite) is still on the menu only now there are several choices - yum! And the wine selection is still terrific. I was just there for a quick early lunch with a colleague but the experience was still wonderful. I had a lovely apple and chevre salad. I didn't love the chunky, apple sauce-ish dressing, but the dish itself really hit the spot after a long morning. My friend had the same salad but added chicken and it was delicious. If Sips had even a few outdoor seating spots it would be perfect! Go and enjoy and try the risotto if you have the chance! Breakfast is also fabulous!
(4)
Jeff H.
Well the place the only reason they are getting this high of rating is that the atmosphere and concept is cool. They have a unique and affordable wine list however, if you are going to open a wine bar the make sure you invest in a nitrogen machine to keep the wines lasting along time. I am tired of sending back bad wine and having a new bottle open for me. As Fay for the food it is average at best they want out of Salmon, come on how is a coastal town out of fish? We order chicken ceaser salad and the chicken was bland no seasoning at all. The chowder Had way to many potatoes. The service was poor just name the reasons you have picked them. So only go hear to have a bottle of wine listen to the music and escape the cold. #sips #bassharbour
(2)
Westie W.
This restaurant/bar was packed on a Friday night due to activities relating to the annual Flamingo Festival for the benefit of Harbor House Community Service Center. The noise level was almost excruciating. Not having an alternative, we grinned and bared it while enjoying glasses of red wine that proved to be a bit better than average. All drinks are 1/2 priced during the Wed-Sun happy hour that runs from 4-6PM.
(3)
Jeff H.
Lots of empty tables at 5:30pm but no room at the inn for me and my family. So ... impossible to review. Make a reservation. Had a mediocre dinner at a place across the street instead. Disappointing.
(3)
Jessica F.
This place was a great find in the area. There weren't many breakfast places to choose from, and we thought we would be settling by going to this one. But we were wrong! The breakfast was awesome, as was the coffee. We ordered the breakfast sandwich with sausage and the breakfast combo (eggs, bacon, home fries, toast) which were both fresh and hit the spot. The ambiance was also nice, having a very casual but classy cafe feel with its setup and decor. Prices were very cheap! Would highly recommend this place to anyone staying in the Seawall/Southwest Harbor/Bass Harbor area.
(5)
Joe F.
Popped in for lunch. What we loved is its a coffee shop as well as lunch and dinner place. The food was really good. BLT and BLT with lobster and a salad with apple. All really good. Serve could have been better.
(4)
Tommy G.
Great wine/beer selection and there is not a a dish on the menu that is a wrong choice. Everything about this place is wicked awesome. A+
(5)
Cori B.
delightfully delicious menu and great service.
(5)
MaryEllen B.
We tried Sip's for the first time this morning for breakfast and it was GREAT! Everything was cooked just as we ordered it and the home fries were wonderful...they are cooked to order...the potatoes are sliced and cooked specifically for your order. We will definitely be back on our next annual visit!
(5)
Eddy W.
Great breakfast, great dinner, great live music on selected nights. Highly recommend.
(5)
Marie P.
Very nice spot for dinner. Good food, pleasant staff. A little on the loud side if you're looking for a quiet place, and a little crowded, but if that's not a concern, then this is a great place for a good dinner. We had appetizers, meal, and dessert - all good.
(3)
Mike D.
We ordered breakfast sandwiches to go. My wife enjoyed her bacon egg and cheese. My daughter said hers had too much cheese. I enjoyed my coffee and sandwich as well except for that the sandwich was large but the sausage patty was quite small so it made the sandwich disproportionate.overall we would return. We have been in past and really like their blueberry pancakes. Kid friendly, good coffee menu. Reasonable prices.
(3)
Jen D.
Yelp says this place closes at noon. Not true. They have one heck of a happy hour - half priced drinks. Cool wine cellar vibe. Good service, nice bartender.
(4)
Jillian L.
We came for a quiet dinner and we're not disappointed. Started with the tomato and feta soup which was sublime. The mushroom risotto was a decent sized portion that you had to savor. We didn't have any wine to speak to their selection, but the food was definitely worth the stop!
(4)
Joe C.
Tired of seafood "this" and seafood "that" on beautiful Mount Desert Island? Well, no worries, that's exactly why restaurants like Sips exist. There's just a couple items on Sips' menu that actually come from the sea. This place is really three things rolled into one; it's a coffee house, a restaurant, and a wine bar... all sharing the same large room. There aren't many sit-down dining options in the small town of Southwest Harbor so you really only have a choice between Sips, a diner-like pizza place, and some Mexican food place. Sips might sound like a fancy swank name but it's actually fairly casual inside. Table service came across a little lukewarm and indifferent but heck I'm from Connecticut where I think we invented that type of customer service. No complaints with my food. Fish chowder was delish and the hummus was pretty tasty with freshly made pita chips. Their menu contains typical American fare from basic sandwiches to full entree meals. Not everybody inside was eating big meals, because there were customers at the bar drinking and there was customers sipping coffee while working on their laptops. Overall, Sips really hit the spot for a fine lunch when venturing out on the more remote southern end of Mount Desert Island.
(3)
Kay P.
You will be ok if you order bread, bagels etc. since those do not need cooking. If u have ordered anything that needs cooking. Good luck. French toast was raw egg coating, veggie omelettes had raw veggies just folded in, crepes were under cooked, homefries were way undercooked. It seemed they were in a rush to finish serving breakfast. We checked before making reservations and they said they would serve breakfast at 1030. We waited 40 min for the food to arrive so it wasn't like they didn't have enough time to cook the food. I would not recommend this place
(1)
Ariel T.
The wine list is impressive, and the food is very interesting, but during our last visit, the chef forgot the salt. Almost all the food was very, very, under seasoned. A little salt helped a great deal.
(3)
Henry Y.
Place looks like an absolute dump on the outside but you walk in and it's as if you're transported to an upscale restaurant. The food was out of this world amazing-- let's start with the app. We got a simple cheese plate that ended up being the most filling thing in the world. There's 4 types of cheeses, the sweetest apples you've ever eaten, other fruit, omg. I don't even know man. It was just great. My gf had some martini as well. Not too shabby. The entrees is where it really took off. I figured there must be a reason why 'meatloaf' was the first listed menu item and ordered it. NOT disappointed at all. It was the most delicious meatloaf I've ever eaten and I'm so happy I gave it a shot. My gf ordered the scallop risotto and this was similarly delicious-- the scallop was seared just right and it was tender without being chewy. Came out of this place looking smug and content. You know a restaurant is good when it leaves you speechless. And I was dead silent all the way to Bar Harbor.
(5)
Rebecca B.
Good little find in Southwest Harbor. A bit of a random menu but definitely something for everybody. Good beer and great cocktails, not too expensive. Very nice and attentive service. The cheese plate app came with smoked mussels! Why haven't I seen those before!? Baked haddock was tasty, fig risotto was delish. The pesto pasta was good but the menu did not specify it came in a vat of cheese. We did go on the later side for dinner and they were out of a lot of key ingredients, which was frustrating. Generally a good spot with good value.
(4)
Lacey S.
We stopped in for dinner before and I was disappointed, my food was uninteresting, not much flavor and not nearly enough to fill me up. Came back the other afternoon for lunch. My boyfriend already had a table and some coffee, he said the coffee is some of the best he's had recently (he drinks it black). They weren't too busy and our waitress kept looking at our table but she didn't make it over to see if I wanted anything to drink until he was mostly finished his coffee, she was helping others who had come in after me. I'm a gardener so I wasn't in my best digs and felt like maybe she didn't think it was worth her time.. she finally came to take our food order, still without offering me a beverage. We ordered sandwiches, they come with a side of pita chips and orzo pasta. 3 pita chips and maybe a tablespoon of pasta. Both of our sandwiches were very plain. My veggie sandwich was like eating chick peas plain and his turkey club only tasted like it's sweet sauce. Again not enough food. I find their menu very expensive. We wanted to order an appetizer but both things we wanted (a cheese plate or bacon wrapped scallops) were $15. I only give them two stars because of their tasty coffee. Maybe their breakfast is decent? I think the only reason they really get business is because their the only ones open all year.
(2)
D. T.
Had a great lunch at Sips the other day. The smoked turkey club was terrific. Friendly staff, good food....reasonable prices......what else should you look for? First time at Sips. Definitely will return.
(4)
Wayne L.
This review is based on the coffee/coffee shop experience that I had at Sips. We stopped in here after a morning of hiking in Acadia National Park and wanted to sit down, sip on a coffee, and read a book. Overall the ambiance was lovely at Sips and I was excited to see the combination of wine bar + coffee shop. The space felt very warm and cozy. Unfortunately, the coffee shop experience wasn't that great. It appeared that they were starting to turn their tables for dinner, so we had to get seated at a table instead of just picking a table we wanted. It also felt a bit like we were inconveniencing them for wanting just coffee and we felt a bit guilty sitting there and taking up a table they wanted to use for dinner. Next, I ordered a chai latte and cappuccino. My order got mixed up and my cappuccino ended up being a latte. The drinks themselves were okay, not great. The coffee experience can easily be improved by having a dedicated seating area for those wanting just coffee and working to improve their coffee drinks a bit. But as it stands currently I probably wouldn't come back for coffee.
(3)
Laura K.
Went to breakfast at Sips and had the most amazing experience! The staff was friendly the food was amazing and it was certainly a laid back atmosphere. I had the French toast and my husband had the meatloaf omelet. Both were out of this world! The coffee is excellent and the mimosa with fresh squeezed orange juice is the best I've had in a long time!
(5)
J S.
If you want service with a smile from friendly folks this does not appear to be the place. Tried to pop in for coffee once and couldn't get anyone to acknowledge me. Gave it another shot for breakfast as it is convenient when staying on that side of the island. The food was good. Crepes disappointing given their prominence on the menu but good. Poached eggs cooked perfect, bacon not the best bacon greasy but also cooked perfect. Fresh oj delicious. Latte was well made. I would go back but just be prepared for the lack of friendly service. PS the excellent wifi connection was definitely appreciated.
(3)
Paul S.
Good food but the staff was busy since there is not enough of them. And frankly, the two we dealt with were not very friendly. Is it really that hard to make eye contact and say, "I'll be with you shortly"? I took a star off, just cause of the waitress. Good breakfast, lots of choices. The coffee was hot and tasty. Had to go here, since the people we stayed with only had tea.
(3)
Niranjan S.
Not too expensive for its class and more importantly the food it offers. $15 juicy lobster crepe if you want a fancy dinner, or $8 sandwiches if you just want lots of wholesome yummy before your trek. Also, this is the only place that's open past ten in southwest harbour. Thankfully it's excellent food
(5)
Jim W.
Food was good. Table to waitress ratio was too high - took us a while to get our orders in / get the check, overtasked waitress walked right by at several points.
(3)
Kevin K.
I really want to like this place, but the staff are just not warm and welcoming. Every time I've stopped in (which is three times on this trip), I've felt like I was intruding on the place. The food and the coffee are both great - just be a bit more friendly.
(3)
Mike N.
Disjointed experience and just not very well prepared food. Ambitious undertaking but execution was lacking. Service friendly but MIA at crucial times. Won't repeat but wish them well as they improve.
(2)
Will H.
I ate dinner at Sips and was reasonably impressed. Cafe is a more accurate description than restaurant, for a couple of reasons. There was a great selection of beverages (very affordable), especially their import beers, and a wide variety of food choices. Unfortunately, the food suffered a bit in terms of quality to price. I had the vegetarian club, which was a bit too dry and insubstantial (symptomatic of the other dishes at my table). The service was excellent, and everyone at Sips seemed to be having a good time. Since Sips bills itself as a cafe and espresso bar I decided it deserved four stars since that is where they excel.
(4)
Liz B.
I've been to Sips several times throughout the years and I have to admit, the only reason I keep returning is because my family insists I need to give them another shot. Sips, to me, is the epitome of a box of chocolates - you never know what you're going to get quality-wise. I've been a few times and the food has been delicious (I particularly enjoy their Caesar salads and pesto risotto) and I've been a few times where the food has been almost inedible (think previously frozen stuffed sole then baked beyond recognition). Sips is really adorable and cozy, and the service has always been wonderful. They have a great wine selection, which is even more special because their prices are basically at cost - it's attached to Sawyer's, so they sell their wines for super cheap. They have live music some nights, though I've never experience it, and just a general welcoming vibe. If the food can become most consistently good, I would make Sips a permanent rotation in my SW Harbor eating regiment. However, as it stands after this summer, I'll give Sips a 3-star a-ok review.
(3)
Jessica N.
Friendly service, great menu, disappointing delivery. Took 45 min for apps to be delivered and the entrees were bland at best. They are probably better at coffees and lunch than dinner.
(2)
Terri V.
A cute little cafe in Southwest Harbor that has great food and good coffee! My husband, daughter and I came here twice on our vacation because we enjoyed it so much. They have a delicious selection of sandwiches and other entrees. Also the atmosphere is very nice. Definitely check this place out if you are in the area.
We both had delicious, high quality omelets. I had the spinach and feta and my husband had the greek omelet. Service was quick and friendly. We also had a side order of hash browns that was also good. Why only three stars? Mostly for the value. The omelets were only two egg and were not served with toast or home fries. The menu stated they were served with fruit. Our fruit was a super small piece of grapefruit and orange. One bite each small.
(3)
Peter V.
Went here for breakfast during Labor Day weekend. Food was only OK. Home fries were undercooked. Omelette selection was fair but expensive at $8 considering that they do not come with either toast or home fries. On the plus side, service was good and eggs were fresh. Probably won't return, at least for breakfast.
(2)
Susan H.
We went here this past week while staying at a small B&B down the road. First, I would recommend calling for a reservation. The space is small and it was pretty busy even on a Monday night. Don't be mad at them if they can't squeeze you in. They are REALLY busy, the foods that good. Just pick up the phone at 4 and make a reservation. The food was AMAZING! I had the meatloaf with the Caesar salad to start. The Caesar salad was so zesty and just the right amount. The meatloaf was unbelievably good with onion jam and gravy! My boyfriend had the lobster risotto and would not stop telling me how amazing it was. He stated he would eat at Sips every night if he lived in Southwest Harbor! Our waitress was great and the atmosphere was laid back. Overall, we loved it.
(5)
Christina L.
The mushroom risotto is like a dream. The service is always friendly and the atmosphere is great. Date nights, family breakfasts or drinks at the bar, Sips never disappoints.
(5)
FoodChick F.
Been coming here each visit to Southwest Harbor (4) since 2007. Food is good, place comfortable and clean. Staff is never warm & friendly, maybe that's Maine mentality but the service is good. Coffee is just okay but there is a good variety and you can get it to go.
(3)
Hilary R.
After a great meal at Sips a couple of years ago, my husband and I were very excited to have dinner here on our last night in Southwest Harbor. I'm sorry to say that we were disappointed- service was slow and the food is overpriced based on quality and quantity. We waited 30 minutes for a salad and soup which were both sub par followed by our meals- flank steak and the pasta with puttanesca and seafood. Small portions and quality was poor. The two +s was good wine and they had live music. We'll be back for drinks next year but sadly not a meal.
(2)
Jessika G.
Originally only stopped in here to use their wi-fi and grab a coffee, but the smells of the food were so overwhelming my husband and I decided to share a small lunch. We grabbed a turkey sandwich and mac and cheese. HOLY CRAP - if you are in Southwest Harbor do yourself a favor and eat here. It was amazingly good. The price was average, the food out did itself, and everyone was super friendly. Doesn't get much better, seriously.
(5)
Jeff K.
Sips' menu and the daily specials look intriguing, but the quality of the food doesn't live up to the billing. Our eggplant, feta cheese and portobello mushroom appetizer was bland and nearly tasteless. It needed something to spice it up. My stuffed shells entree with four cheeses, lobster and spinach was OK, but had very little lobster in it. It tasted like ordinary stuffed shells that one would get at any middling Italian restaurant. My companion felt a little more positive about her risotto, which had fig jam in it. I took a taste and can't honestly say that it was any better than the other dishes we ordered. Service was attentive, especially since it was a Saturday night and the restaurant was full. My glass of wine arrived with something floating in it, but it was quickly replaced when I brought the problem to the server's attention. If you are going just for drinks, I think this place would do the trick, but for dinner, there are several better choices in Southwest Harbor.
(2)
G. K.
Unbelievable strawberry cream cheese blintzes/crepes with blueberry syrup, more blueberries than syrup. Absolutely A+. Would highly highly recommend.
(5)
Deb N.
One of our favorite places in SW Harbor. Nice atmosphere, good wait staff. Great food. Hungarian Mushroom soup, Killer.
(5)
Tony L.
IF YOU LIKE FRESH, FORGET DINNER IN BAR HARBOR AND GO HERE! We were very pleased to find Sips when exploring Southwest harbor. The vibe was comfy and good for a simple dinner. We had a large fresh spinach salad with crab, seafood chowder, and a berry crisp. All excellent! The salad was crisp and fresh, the seafood all tasted like fresh caught, and the berries well cared for. The wine list is varied and very reasonable-- quite a few bottles under $30 or even $25. The service was friendly and more than willing to pour us a few sips to try a couple wines we had questions about. Overall, I can't recommend enough that if you're going to MDI, get out of Bar Harbor and try this place out!
(5)
Maria T.
(5)
Arianna S.
(3)
Kathleen H.
(3)
(1)
Lynn B.
(3)
Karen L.
(4)
(4)
Jon G.
(2)
Arianna S.
We ate here 2 nights after eating at Red Sky and to compare the food is unfair, since they are totally different, but my stomach couldn't help but make the comparison. The food is...well, OK. The fact that you can sip different types of wine for 3 dollars, and drink various types of beer, here is where the 3 stars comes in.
(3)
James B.
We go to Sips for our morning coffee, even if we're driving from Seawall to Bar Harbor for breakfast. I'd put it on par with a Starbucks. Not awesome, but it's a decent cup of coffee. I have sat down for breakfast here a few times, and it's okay. The wait staff is typical summer-time help - college students who will probably never wait another table after the summer's over. Not terrible, but not pros, either. The food is fine - it won't shock you in either direction. For breakfast in Southwest, this may be your best option. Eat-A-Pita, when it's not having some catastrophic failure, is often better, but Sips is less expensive and hasn't ever left me feeling angry and cheated (which Eat-A-Pita does from time to time).
(3)
Maria T.
Sips is awesome! It is our go to place every summer at least twice. Great artsy atmosphere. Casual low key but with fine dining. Always have a 10!! Oh yeah it is a known for pastries and great lattes. Owner is so nice and staff is always friendly. Small and cozy. Reserve or go before. 6. Just come for drinks? That is also a great experience. Never lets us down. Deserts rock.
(5)
Kathleen H.
I had a very nice dinner here. I ordered the meatloaf because I needed some comfort food - It was delicious. I also had a very nice glass of wine. Everyone in the party seemed to enjoy their food and wine as well. . and a variety of things were ordered. I have to deduct a start for the service though - the waitress was spacey and completely inattentive - everyone's food came out a different times. Someone knocked over my wine glass with half of it still left - not only did no one offer me another - I'd have been happy to pay - but I couldn't even find the waitress to ask for a towel. So we mopped up with napkins. Several things that were ordered never came and we had to track her down to ask twice. . .and then it took forever to get the check. Eeek. Looking around at the other tables, it seemed that we were the only ones getting this treatment. . but maybe I have a persecution complex. . .haha! We were a party of 9. Maybe they arent' used to that. Because the food, bread, and wine were good, I'll try again.
(3)
Rosie and Tigg K.
Not a great breakfast place. Omelet was small, way overpriced, and no toast!! Crepes also really really small. $18 later we left hungry. Frankly, a ripoff. Coffee gets the one star as it's good.
(1)
Lynn B.
Nice atmosphere,friendly staff. I ordered soup which was just ok. Salad was not very good, lettuce was not fresh and drenched in dressing. Think I haven't ordered the right thing yet but like the place.
(3)
J. K.
Excellent spot, casual dining room but the food choices are above average. We had mushroom risotto, very good and only $11. We have not had a good risotto in a long time and we come from Chicago (the city of great food). We also had clam chowder, it was tasty but had better. Their wine list is excellent. All wines are available by the glass as well as in 2oz (flight portion), so you can sample a number of wines. They even have cakebread Chardonnay by the glass, but it turned out that 2007 year produced a ghost of the Chardonnay that it should be.
(4)
Karen L.
We popped in for a couple of beers and an appetizer as respite from our camping cuisine, and were struck by the thoughtful yet understated decor. The bacon-wrapped scallops with blueberry maple sauce over tzatziki was nice. I wish they'd had local beer on tap, and the server was a bit aloof, but we enjoyed the visit and would go again.
(4)
Kimberli M.
Just what i needed after the awful taste the manager at XYZ had left in my mouth. (See the review of XYZ in Southwest Harbor, ME.) Upon entering Sips Cafe, we were seated at a lovely table by a sweet hostess. Our waitress was also pleasant and joked around with us a little. She was patient as we made our round of choices too! Sips has all of their wines available in 3 sizes, a sip (you can get a 3 sip flight of your choice), a glass or by the bottle. The two of us who chose flights enjoyed them very much. (Our other dining companion is 8.) I was so happy to try the Eroica Riesling a lovely joint project between a Germany and America vineyard as well as a lovely Sancere and a white Burgundy. They make a lovely homemade egg fettuccine with pesto and vegetables. YUM! The pesto was fresh along with local tomatoes, zucchini and green peas! Yum!! My BF had a special of the day = Lamb chops which were PERFECTLY cooked atop homemade egg fettuccine with raisins and pine nuts. The younger third of the table enjoyed the Puttanesca (although a few bit were picked out to fit in with the 8-yr old pallets...it was ALL GOOD to the adults!!) I cannot comment on their dessert as we had a fresh local blueberry pie awaiting us!! Go, relax, enjoy. You won't be sorry.
(4)
Jon G.
Omlette's were good, but, No American Cheese available at all? Juice sizes are small and pricy; charged extra for jam. Morning menu is very limited. Food was overall good, not great.
(2)
Scott N.
I have been there twice. The food is superb and not your common choices. The service has always been quite slow so expect to take a little longer than most places; my experience has been very similar to Kathleen H's. It just seems that the waitresses/waiters are so busy running around, but I'm not sure why because the place is so small. It is one of my wife's favorite restaurants on MDI (Mount Desert Island) so we will be back. Once again, great food!
(3)
judy b.
we had a great dinnner here tonight!!! we walked into town and had made reservations and were seated immediately. i had read all the reviews and was prepared for great food and bad service. we had wonderful food and excellent service. the best news of all was the wine. wow, what a great choice and the "sips" of wine (2 oz.) is so great. i chose a new zealand white to start, crisp and clear and cold, just perfect. my husband chose a nice cab. then he had a merlot and i had a petite syrah. these were approx $3.00 each with 2 oz in each glass. we have been to restaurants lately who bring out the big glasses and give you about 1/3 of a glass so this was a bargain on top of being able to taste whatever you want. we had the crab cake/salmon cake appetizer, very good. but then we had a cup of the seafood chowder which was over the top!!! really creamy, full of seafood yet not thick and gloppy. flavor was devine. i ordered the haddock, wonderful and my husband had the seafood pesto, also delicious. i highly recommend this restaurant. we had great service but a quiet evening, and no rude owner (???) as previously mentioned.
(5)
Terri V.
(4)
(2)
Jessika G.
(5)
Karen L.
(4)
Ric B.
(2)
Mike D.
We ordered breakfast sandwiches to go. My wife enjoyed her bacon egg and cheese. My daughter said hers had too much cheese. I enjoyed my coffee and sandwich as well except for that the sandwich was large but the sausage patty was quite small so it made the sandwich disproportionate.overall we would return. We have been in past and really like their blueberry pancakes. Kid friendly, good coffee menu. Reasonable prices.
(3)
Jen D.
Yelp says this place closes at noon. Not true. They have one heck of a happy hour - half priced drinks. Cool wine cellar vibe. Good service, nice bartender.
(4)
Jillian L.
We came for a quiet dinner and we're not disappointed. Started with the tomato and feta soup which was sublime. The mushroom risotto was a decent sized portion that you had to savor. We didn't have any wine to speak to their selection, but the food was definitely worth the stop!
(4)
Paul S.
Good food but the staff was busy since there is not enough of them. And frankly, the two we dealt with were not very friendly. Is it really that hard to make eye contact and say, "I'll be with you shortly"? I took a star off, just cause of the waitress. Good breakfast, lots of choices. The coffee was hot and tasty. Had to go here, since the people we stayed with only had tea.
(3)
Lacey W.
(2)
Tim C.
(5)
(5)
Ellie K.
(4)
Lynn B.
(3)
Mike D.
We ordered breakfast sandwiches to go. My wife enjoyed her bacon egg and cheese. My daughter said hers had too much cheese. I enjoyed my coffee and sandwich as well except for that the sandwich was large but the sausage patty was quite small so it made the sandwich disproportionate.overall we would return. We have been in past and really like their blueberry pancakes. Kid friendly, good coffee menu. Reasonable prices.
(3)
Jen D.
Yelp says this place closes at noon. Not true. They have one heck of a happy hour - half priced drinks. Cool wine cellar vibe. Good service, nice bartender.
(4)
Jillian L.
We came for a quiet dinner and we're not disappointed. Started with the tomato and feta soup which was sublime. The mushroom risotto was a decent sized portion that you had to savor. We didn't have any wine to speak to their selection, but the food was definitely worth the stop!
(4)
Rebecca B.
Good little find in Southwest Harbor. A bit of a random menu but definitely something for everybody. Good beer and great cocktails, not too expensive. Very nice and attentive service. The cheese plate app came with smoked mussels! Why haven't I seen those before!? Baked haddock was tasty, fig risotto was delish. The pesto pasta was good but the menu did not specify it came in a vat of cheese. We did go on the later side for dinner and they were out of a lot of key ingredients, which was frustrating. Generally a good spot with good value.
(4)
J S.
If you want service with a smile from friendly folks this does not appear to be the place. Tried to pop in for coffee once and couldn't get anyone to acknowledge me. Gave it another shot for breakfast as it is convenient when staying on that side of the island. The food was good. Crepes disappointing given their prominence on the menu but good. Poached eggs cooked perfect, bacon not the best bacon greasy but also cooked perfect. Fresh oj delicious. Latte was well made. I would go back but just be prepared for the lack of friendly service. PS the excellent wifi connection was definitely appreciated.
(3)
Eddy W.
Great breakfast, great dinner, great live music on selected nights. Highly recommend.
(5)
Marie P.
Very nice spot for dinner. Good food, pleasant staff. A little on the loud side if you're looking for a quiet place, and a little crowded, but if that's not a concern, then this is a great place for a good dinner. We had appetizers, meal, and dessert - all good.
(3)
Cori B.
delightfully delicious menu and great service.
(5)
MaryEllen B.
We tried Sip's for the first time this morning for breakfast and it was GREAT! Everything was cooked just as we ordered it and the home fries were wonderful...they are cooked to order...the potatoes are sliced and cooked specifically for your order. We will definitely be back on our next annual visit!
(5)
Kylie D.
4.5 stars for sure! I've been coming to Sips for many years and I was happy when returned recently to see that little has changed (a good thing)- even the prices are still very reasonable. Risotto (which was always my favorite) is still on the menu only now there are several choices - yum! And the wine selection is still terrific. I was just there for a quick early lunch with a colleague but the experience was still wonderful. I had a lovely apple and chevre salad. I didn't love the chunky, apple sauce-ish dressing, but the dish itself really hit the spot after a long morning. My friend had the same salad but added chicken and it was delicious. If Sips had even a few outdoor seating spots it would be perfect! Go and enjoy and try the risotto if you have the chance! Breakfast is also fabulous!
(4)
Jeff H.
Well the place the only reason they are getting this high of rating is that the atmosphere and concept is cool. They have a unique and affordable wine list however, if you are going to open a wine bar the make sure you invest in a nitrogen machine to keep the wines lasting along time. I am tired of sending back bad wine and having a new bottle open for me. As Fay for the food it is average at best they want out of Salmon, come on how is a coastal town out of fish? We order chicken ceaser salad and the chicken was bland no seasoning at all. The chowder Had way to many potatoes. The service was poor just name the reasons you have picked them. So only go hear to have a bottle of wine listen to the music and escape the cold. #sips #bassharbour
(2)
Westie W.
This restaurant/bar was packed on a Friday night due to activities relating to the annual Flamingo Festival for the benefit of Harbor House Community Service Center. The noise level was almost excruciating. Not having an alternative, we grinned and bared it while enjoying glasses of red wine that proved to be a bit better than average. All drinks are 1/2 priced during the Wed-Sun happy hour that runs from 4-6PM.
(3)
Jeff H.
Lots of empty tables at 5:30pm but no room at the inn for me and my family. So ... impossible to review. Make a reservation. Had a mediocre dinner at a place across the street instead. Disappointing.
(3)
Jessica F.
This place was a great find in the area. There weren't many breakfast places to choose from, and we thought we would be settling by going to this one. But we were wrong! The breakfast was awesome, as was the coffee. We ordered the breakfast sandwich with sausage and the breakfast combo (eggs, bacon, home fries, toast) which were both fresh and hit the spot. The ambiance was also nice, having a very casual but classy cafe feel with its setup and decor. Prices were very cheap! Would highly recommend this place to anyone staying in the Seawall/Southwest Harbor/Bass Harbor area.
(5)
Joe F.
Popped in for lunch. What we loved is its a coffee shop as well as lunch and dinner place. The food was really good. BLT and BLT with lobster and a salad with apple. All really good. Serve could have been better.
(4)
Tommy G.
Great wine/beer selection and there is not a a dish on the menu that is a wrong choice. Everything about this place is wicked awesome. A+
(5)
Joe C.
Tired of seafood "this" and seafood "that" on beautiful Mount Desert Island? Well, no worries, that's exactly why restaurants like Sips exist. There's just a couple items on Sips' menu that actually come from the sea. This place is really three things rolled into one; it's a coffee house, a restaurant, and a wine bar... all sharing the same large room. There aren't many sit-down dining options in the small town of Southwest Harbor so you really only have a choice between Sips, a diner-like pizza place, and some Mexican food place. Sips might sound like a fancy swank name but it's actually fairly casual inside. Table service came across a little lukewarm and indifferent but heck I'm from Connecticut where I think we invented that type of customer service. No complaints with my food. Fish chowder was delish and the hummus was pretty tasty with freshly made pita chips. Their menu contains typical American fare from basic sandwiches to full entree meals. Not everybody inside was eating big meals, because there were customers at the bar drinking and there was customers sipping coffee while working on their laptops. Overall, Sips really hit the spot for a fine lunch when venturing out on the more remote southern end of Mount Desert Island.
(3)
Kay P.
You will be ok if you order bread, bagels etc. since those do not need cooking. If u have ordered anything that needs cooking. Good luck. French toast was raw egg coating, veggie omelettes had raw veggies just folded in, crepes were under cooked, homefries were way undercooked. It seemed they were in a rush to finish serving breakfast. We checked before making reservations and they said they would serve breakfast at 1030. We waited 40 min for the food to arrive so it wasn't like they didn't have enough time to cook the food. I would not recommend this place
(1)
Ariel T.
The wine list is impressive, and the food is very interesting, but during our last visit, the chef forgot the salt. Almost all the food was very, very, under seasoned. A little salt helped a great deal.
(3)
Henry Y.
Place looks like an absolute dump on the outside but you walk in and it's as if you're transported to an upscale restaurant. The food was out of this world amazing-- let's start with the app. We got a simple cheese plate that ended up being the most filling thing in the world. There's 4 types of cheeses, the sweetest apples you've ever eaten, other fruit, omg. I don't even know man. It was just great. My gf had some martini as well. Not too shabby. The entrees is where it really took off. I figured there must be a reason why 'meatloaf' was the first listed menu item and ordered it. NOT disappointed at all. It was the most delicious meatloaf I've ever eaten and I'm so happy I gave it a shot. My gf ordered the scallop risotto and this was similarly delicious-- the scallop was seared just right and it was tender without being chewy. Came out of this place looking smug and content. You know a restaurant is good when it leaves you speechless. And I was dead silent all the way to Bar Harbor.
(5)
Lacey S.
We stopped in for dinner before and I was disappointed, my food was uninteresting, not much flavor and not nearly enough to fill me up. Came back the other afternoon for lunch. My boyfriend already had a table and some coffee, he said the coffee is some of the best he's had recently (he drinks it black). They weren't too busy and our waitress kept looking at our table but she didn't make it over to see if I wanted anything to drink until he was mostly finished his coffee, she was helping others who had come in after me. I'm a gardener so I wasn't in my best digs and felt like maybe she didn't think it was worth her time.. she finally came to take our food order, still without offering me a beverage. We ordered sandwiches, they come with a side of pita chips and orzo pasta. 3 pita chips and maybe a tablespoon of pasta. Both of our sandwiches were very plain. My veggie sandwich was like eating chick peas plain and his turkey club only tasted like it's sweet sauce. Again not enough food. I find their menu very expensive. We wanted to order an appetizer but both things we wanted (a cheese plate or bacon wrapped scallops) were $15. I only give them two stars because of their tasty coffee. Maybe their breakfast is decent? I think the only reason they really get business is because their the only ones open all year.
(2)
D. T.
Had a great lunch at Sips the other day. The smoked turkey club was terrific. Friendly staff, good food....reasonable prices......what else should you look for? First time at Sips. Definitely will return.
(4)
Wayne L.
This review is based on the coffee/coffee shop experience that I had at Sips. We stopped in here after a morning of hiking in Acadia National Park and wanted to sit down, sip on a coffee, and read a book. Overall the ambiance was lovely at Sips and I was excited to see the combination of wine bar + coffee shop. The space felt very warm and cozy. Unfortunately, the coffee shop experience wasn't that great. It appeared that they were starting to turn their tables for dinner, so we had to get seated at a table instead of just picking a table we wanted. It also felt a bit like we were inconveniencing them for wanting just coffee and we felt a bit guilty sitting there and taking up a table they wanted to use for dinner. Next, I ordered a chai latte and cappuccino. My order got mixed up and my cappuccino ended up being a latte. The drinks themselves were okay, not great. The coffee experience can easily be improved by having a dedicated seating area for those wanting just coffee and working to improve their coffee drinks a bit. But as it stands currently I probably wouldn't come back for coffee.
(3)
Laura K.
Went to breakfast at Sips and had the most amazing experience! The staff was friendly the food was amazing and it was certainly a laid back atmosphere. I had the French toast and my husband had the meatloaf omelet. Both were out of this world! The coffee is excellent and the mimosa with fresh squeezed orange juice is the best I've had in a long time!
(5)
Niranjan S.
Not too expensive for its class and more importantly the food it offers. $15 juicy lobster crepe if you want a fancy dinner, or $8 sandwiches if you just want lots of wholesome yummy before your trek. Also, this is the only place that's open past ten in southwest harbour. Thankfully it's excellent food
(5)
Jim W.
Food was good. Table to waitress ratio was too high - took us a while to get our orders in / get the check, overtasked waitress walked right by at several points.
(3)
Kevin K.
I really want to like this place, but the staff are just not warm and welcoming. Every time I've stopped in (which is three times on this trip), I've felt like I was intruding on the place. The food and the coffee are both great - just be a bit more friendly.
(3)
Mike N.
Disjointed experience and just not very well prepared food. Ambitious undertaking but execution was lacking. Service friendly but MIA at crucial times. Won't repeat but wish them well as they improve.
(2)
Liz B.
I've been to Sips several times throughout the years and I have to admit, the only reason I keep returning is because my family insists I need to give them another shot. Sips, to me, is the epitome of a box of chocolates - you never know what you're going to get quality-wise. I've been a few times and the food has been delicious (I particularly enjoy their Caesar salads and pesto risotto) and I've been a few times where the food has been almost inedible (think previously frozen stuffed sole then baked beyond recognition). Sips is really adorable and cozy, and the service has always been wonderful. They have a great wine selection, which is even more special because their prices are basically at cost - it's attached to Sawyer's, so they sell their wines for super cheap. They have live music some nights, though I've never experience it, and just a general welcoming vibe. If the food can become most consistently good, I would make Sips a permanent rotation in my SW Harbor eating regiment. However, as it stands after this summer, I'll give Sips a 3-star a-ok review.
(3)
Jessica N.
Friendly service, great menu, disappointing delivery. Took 45 min for apps to be delivered and the entrees were bland at best. They are probably better at coffees and lunch than dinner.
We both had delicious, high quality omelets. I had the spinach and feta and my husband had the greek omelet. Service was quick and friendly. We also had a side order of hash browns that was also good. Why only three stars? Mostly for the value. The omelets were only two egg and were not served with toast or home fries. The menu stated they were served with fruit. Our fruit was a super small piece of grapefruit and orange. One bite each small.
(3)
Peter V.
Went here for breakfast during Labor Day weekend. Food was only OK. Home fries were undercooked. Omelette selection was fair but expensive at $8 considering that they do not come with either toast or home fries. On the plus side, service was good and eggs were fresh. Probably won't return, at least for breakfast.
(2)
Susan H.
We went here this past week while staying at a small B&B down the road. First, I would recommend calling for a reservation. The space is small and it was pretty busy even on a Monday night. Don't be mad at them if they can't squeeze you in. They are REALLY busy, the foods that good. Just pick up the phone at 4 and make a reservation. The food was AMAZING! I had the meatloaf with the Caesar salad to start. The Caesar salad was so zesty and just the right amount. The meatloaf was unbelievably good with onion jam and gravy! My boyfriend had the lobster risotto and would not stop telling me how amazing it was. He stated he would eat at Sips every night if he lived in Southwest Harbor! Our waitress was great and the atmosphere was laid back. Overall, we loved it.
(5)
Christina L.
The mushroom risotto is like a dream. The service is always friendly and the atmosphere is great. Date nights, family breakfasts or drinks at the bar, Sips never disappoints.
(5)
FoodChick F.
Been coming here each visit to Southwest Harbor (4) since 2007. Food is good, place comfortable and clean. Staff is never warm & friendly, maybe that's Maine mentality but the service is good. Coffee is just okay but there is a good variety and you can get it to go.
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Michelle P.
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Cathy W.
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M. C.
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Cara H.
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Ralph A.
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Will H.
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J. K.
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Tony L.
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David W.
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Jeff K.
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Maria T.
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Arianna S.
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Kathleen H.
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Collin A.
Excellent food with excellent service and good wine. I enjoyed the caesar salad with chicken and could also recommend the lobster bisque and salmon fettuccine. The dinner was accompanied by a couple musicians with guitars. That was a nice accompaniment. We returned the next day for coffee, which was well worth the repeat trip. Go get it!
(5)
Abban L.
Great breakfast food. Breakfast bagel egg sandwich, eggs and bacon, and crepes were simple and delicious. If I were to go back, I would get the bagel egg sandwich again. The latte was decent, though the coffee was too strong that bitterness was the only flavor that arose. The service was a little concerning. Our waitress was certainly proficient and, when we managed to flag her down, speedy. But there were several little details that made us feel like she was treating us differently than her other customers. For example, literally all other tables got a saucer that accompanied their espresso drink mugs, whereas we only got a mug, and their checks in a cut glass wine bottle, whereas we got handed our piece of check paper with nothing else. Because of the service, I would not return to Sips, despite their good food.
(3)
Natalie P.
Only came in here for drinks. It's a cute little restaurant with a small bar that offers sips and glasses of wine. I would come here again if I was in town. It seemed like a nice quiet spot that I could definitely enjoy dinner and drinks at. Got a few glasses of wine for a night cap. Would have stayed longer but some obnoxious drunk guy was there and literally did not stop talking to the staff the entire time. I think they all find him amusing because this exchange seemed like a regular occurrence or that they are friends outside of work. Don't know but he was definitely annoying. **This part did not get factored into my rating. **
(3)
(4)
Michelle P.
(3)
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
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Address :4 Clark Point Rd
Southwest Harbor, ME, 04679
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Brunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Marjie T.
(4)C D.
(2)James B.
(3)Deb N.
(5)Tony L.
(5)David W.
(1)G. K.
(5)Deb N.
(5)Jon G.
(2)Scott N.
(3)Eddy W.
Great breakfast, great dinner, great live music on selected nights. Highly recommend.
(5)Marie P.
Very nice spot for dinner. Good food, pleasant staff. A little on the loud side if you're looking for a quiet place, and a little crowded, but if that's not a concern, then this is a great place for a good dinner. We had appetizers, meal, and dessert - all good.
(3)Laura K.
Went to breakfast at Sips and had the most amazing experience! The staff was friendly the food was amazing and it was certainly a laid back atmosphere. I had the French toast and my husband had the meatloaf omelet. Both were out of this world! The coffee is excellent and the mimosa with fresh squeezed orange juice is the best I've had in a long time!
(5)J S.
If you want service with a smile from friendly folks this does not appear to be the place. Tried to pop in for coffee once and couldn't get anyone to acknowledge me. Gave it another shot for breakfast as it is convenient when staying on that side of the island. The food was good. Crepes disappointing given their prominence on the menu but good. Poached eggs cooked perfect, bacon not the best bacon greasy but also cooked perfect. Fresh oj delicious. Latte was well made. I would go back but just be prepared for the lack of friendly service. PS the excellent wifi connection was definitely appreciated.
(3)Paul S.
Good food but the staff was busy since there is not enough of them. And frankly, the two we dealt with were not very friendly. Is it really that hard to make eye contact and say, "I'll be with you shortly"? I took a star off, just cause of the waitress. Good breakfast, lots of choices. The coffee was hot and tasty. Had to go here, since the people we stayed with only had tea.
(3)Niranjan S.
Not too expensive for its class and more importantly the food it offers. $15 juicy lobster crepe if you want a fancy dinner, or $8 sandwiches if you just want lots of wholesome yummy before your trek. Also, this is the only place that's open past ten in southwest harbour. Thankfully it's excellent food
(5)Jim W.
Food was good. Table to waitress ratio was too high - took us a while to get our orders in / get the check, overtasked waitress walked right by at several points.
(3)Kevin K.
I really want to like this place, but the staff are just not warm and welcoming. Every time I've stopped in (which is three times on this trip), I've felt like I was intruding on the place. The food and the coffee are both great - just be a bit more friendly.
(3)Mike N.
Disjointed experience and just not very well prepared food. Ambitious undertaking but execution was lacking. Service friendly but MIA at crucial times. Won't repeat but wish them well as they improve.
(2)Ellie K.
(4)Collin A.
Excellent food with excellent service and good wine. I enjoyed the caesar salad with chicken and could also recommend the lobster bisque and salmon fettuccine. The dinner was accompanied by a couple musicians with guitars. That was a nice accompaniment. We returned the next day for coffee, which was well worth the repeat trip. Go get it!
(5)Abban L.
Great breakfast food. Breakfast bagel egg sandwich, eggs and bacon, and crepes were simple and delicious. If I were to go back, I would get the bagel egg sandwich again. The latte was decent, though the coffee was too strong that bitterness was the only flavor that arose. The service was a little concerning. Our waitress was certainly proficient and, when we managed to flag her down, speedy. But there were several little details that made us feel like she was treating us differently than her other customers. For example, literally all other tables got a saucer that accompanied their espresso drink mugs, whereas we only got a mug, and their checks in a cut glass wine bottle, whereas we got handed our piece of check paper with nothing else. Because of the service, I would not return to Sips, despite their good food.
(3)Natalie P.
Only came in here for drinks. It's a cute little restaurant with a small bar that offers sips and glasses of wine. I would come here again if I was in town. It seemed like a nice quiet spot that I could definitely enjoy dinner and drinks at. Got a few glasses of wine for a night cap. Would have stayed longer but some obnoxious drunk guy was there and literally did not stop talking to the staff the entire time. I think they all find him amusing because this exchange seemed like a regular occurrence or that they are friends outside of work. Don't know but he was definitely annoying. **This part did not get factored into my rating. **
(3)Cori B.
delightfully delicious menu and great service.
(5)MaryEllen B.
We tried Sip's for the first time this morning for breakfast and it was GREAT! Everything was cooked just as we ordered it and the home fries were wonderful...they are cooked to order...the potatoes are sliced and cooked specifically for your order. We will definitely be back on our next annual visit!
(5)Kylie D.
4.5 stars for sure! I've been coming to Sips for many years and I was happy when returned recently to see that little has changed (a good thing)- even the prices are still very reasonable. Risotto (which was always my favorite) is still on the menu only now there are several choices - yum! And the wine selection is still terrific. I was just there for a quick early lunch with a colleague but the experience was still wonderful. I had a lovely apple and chevre salad. I didn't love the chunky, apple sauce-ish dressing, but the dish itself really hit the spot after a long morning. My friend had the same salad but added chicken and it was delicious. If Sips had even a few outdoor seating spots it would be perfect! Go and enjoy and try the risotto if you have the chance! Breakfast is also fabulous!
(4)Jeff H.
Well the place the only reason they are getting this high of rating is that the atmosphere and concept is cool. They have a unique and affordable wine list however, if you are going to open a wine bar the make sure you invest in a nitrogen machine to keep the wines lasting along time. I am tired of sending back bad wine and having a new bottle open for me. As Fay for the food it is average at best they want out of Salmon, come on how is a coastal town out of fish? We order chicken ceaser salad and the chicken was bland no seasoning at all. The chowder Had way to many potatoes. The service was poor just name the reasons you have picked them. So only go hear to have a bottle of wine listen to the music and escape the cold. #sips #bassharbour
(2)Westie W.
This restaurant/bar was packed on a Friday night due to activities relating to the annual Flamingo Festival for the benefit of Harbor House Community Service Center. The noise level was almost excruciating. Not having an alternative, we grinned and bared it while enjoying glasses of red wine that proved to be a bit better than average. All drinks are 1/2 priced during the Wed-Sun happy hour that runs from 4-6PM.
(3)Jeff H.
Lots of empty tables at 5:30pm but no room at the inn for me and my family. So ... impossible to review. Make a reservation. Had a mediocre dinner at a place across the street instead. Disappointing.
(3)Jessica F.
This place was a great find in the area. There weren't many breakfast places to choose from, and we thought we would be settling by going to this one. But we were wrong! The breakfast was awesome, as was the coffee. We ordered the breakfast sandwich with sausage and the breakfast combo (eggs, bacon, home fries, toast) which were both fresh and hit the spot. The ambiance was also nice, having a very casual but classy cafe feel with its setup and decor. Prices were very cheap! Would highly recommend this place to anyone staying in the Seawall/Southwest Harbor/Bass Harbor area.
(5)Joe F.
Popped in for lunch. What we loved is its a coffee shop as well as lunch and dinner place. The food was really good. BLT and BLT with lobster and a salad with apple. All really good. Serve could have been better.
(4)Tommy G.
Great wine/beer selection and there is not a a dish on the menu that is a wrong choice. Everything about this place is wicked awesome. A+
(5)Joe C.
Tired of seafood "this" and seafood "that" on beautiful Mount Desert Island? Well, no worries, that's exactly why restaurants like Sips exist. There's just a couple items on Sips' menu that actually come from the sea. This place is really three things rolled into one; it's a coffee house, a restaurant, and a wine bar... all sharing the same large room. There aren't many sit-down dining options in the small town of Southwest Harbor so you really only have a choice between Sips, a diner-like pizza place, and some Mexican food place. Sips might sound like a fancy swank name but it's actually fairly casual inside. Table service came across a little lukewarm and indifferent but heck I'm from Connecticut where I think we invented that type of customer service. No complaints with my food. Fish chowder was delish and the hummus was pretty tasty with freshly made pita chips. Their menu contains typical American fare from basic sandwiches to full entree meals. Not everybody inside was eating big meals, because there were customers at the bar drinking and there was customers sipping coffee while working on their laptops. Overall, Sips really hit the spot for a fine lunch when venturing out on the more remote southern end of Mount Desert Island.
(3)Kay P.
You will be ok if you order bread, bagels etc. since those do not need cooking. If u have ordered anything that needs cooking. Good luck. French toast was raw egg coating, veggie omelettes had raw veggies just folded in, crepes were under cooked, homefries were way undercooked. It seemed they were in a rush to finish serving breakfast. We checked before making reservations and they said they would serve breakfast at 1030. We waited 40 min for the food to arrive so it wasn't like they didn't have enough time to cook the food. I would not recommend this place
(1)Ariel T.
The wine list is impressive, and the food is very interesting, but during our last visit, the chef forgot the salt. Almost all the food was very, very, under seasoned. A little salt helped a great deal.
(3)Henry Y.
Place looks like an absolute dump on the outside but you walk in and it's as if you're transported to an upscale restaurant. The food was out of this world amazing-- let's start with the app. We got a simple cheese plate that ended up being the most filling thing in the world. There's 4 types of cheeses, the sweetest apples you've ever eaten, other fruit, omg. I don't even know man. It was just great. My gf had some martini as well. Not too shabby. The entrees is where it really took off. I figured there must be a reason why 'meatloaf' was the first listed menu item and ordered it. NOT disappointed at all. It was the most delicious meatloaf I've ever eaten and I'm so happy I gave it a shot. My gf ordered the scallop risotto and this was similarly delicious-- the scallop was seared just right and it was tender without being chewy. Came out of this place looking smug and content. You know a restaurant is good when it leaves you speechless. And I was dead silent all the way to Bar Harbor.
(5)Rebecca B.
Good little find in Southwest Harbor. A bit of a random menu but definitely something for everybody. Good beer and great cocktails, not too expensive. Very nice and attentive service. The cheese plate app came with smoked mussels! Why haven't I seen those before!? Baked haddock was tasty, fig risotto was delish. The pesto pasta was good but the menu did not specify it came in a vat of cheese. We did go on the later side for dinner and they were out of a lot of key ingredients, which was frustrating. Generally a good spot with good value.
(4)Lacey S.
We stopped in for dinner before and I was disappointed, my food was uninteresting, not much flavor and not nearly enough to fill me up. Came back the other afternoon for lunch. My boyfriend already had a table and some coffee, he said the coffee is some of the best he's had recently (he drinks it black). They weren't too busy and our waitress kept looking at our table but she didn't make it over to see if I wanted anything to drink until he was mostly finished his coffee, she was helping others who had come in after me. I'm a gardener so I wasn't in my best digs and felt like maybe she didn't think it was worth her time.. she finally came to take our food order, still without offering me a beverage. We ordered sandwiches, they come with a side of pita chips and orzo pasta. 3 pita chips and maybe a tablespoon of pasta. Both of our sandwiches were very plain. My veggie sandwich was like eating chick peas plain and his turkey club only tasted like it's sweet sauce. Again not enough food. I find their menu very expensive. We wanted to order an appetizer but both things we wanted (a cheese plate or bacon wrapped scallops) were $15. I only give them two stars because of their tasty coffee. Maybe their breakfast is decent? I think the only reason they really get business is because their the only ones open all year.
(2)D. T.
Had a great lunch at Sips the other day. The smoked turkey club was terrific. Friendly staff, good food....reasonable prices......what else should you look for? First time at Sips. Definitely will return.
(4)Wayne L.
This review is based on the coffee/coffee shop experience that I had at Sips. We stopped in here after a morning of hiking in Acadia National Park and wanted to sit down, sip on a coffee, and read a book. Overall the ambiance was lovely at Sips and I was excited to see the combination of wine bar + coffee shop. The space felt very warm and cozy. Unfortunately, the coffee shop experience wasn't that great. It appeared that they were starting to turn their tables for dinner, so we had to get seated at a table instead of just picking a table we wanted. It also felt a bit like we were inconveniencing them for wanting just coffee and we felt a bit guilty sitting there and taking up a table they wanted to use for dinner. Next, I ordered a chai latte and cappuccino. My order got mixed up and my cappuccino ended up being a latte. The drinks themselves were okay, not great. The coffee experience can easily be improved by having a dedicated seating area for those wanting just coffee and working to improve their coffee drinks a bit. But as it stands currently I probably wouldn't come back for coffee.
(3)Liz B.
I've been to Sips several times throughout the years and I have to admit, the only reason I keep returning is because my family insists I need to give them another shot. Sips, to me, is the epitome of a box of chocolates - you never know what you're going to get quality-wise. I've been a few times and the food has been delicious (I particularly enjoy their Caesar salads and pesto risotto) and I've been a few times where the food has been almost inedible (think previously frozen stuffed sole then baked beyond recognition). Sips is really adorable and cozy, and the service has always been wonderful. They have a great wine selection, which is even more special because their prices are basically at cost - it's attached to Sawyer's, so they sell their wines for super cheap. They have live music some nights, though I've never experience it, and just a general welcoming vibe. If the food can become most consistently good, I would make Sips a permanent rotation in my SW Harbor eating regiment. However, as it stands after this summer, I'll give Sips a 3-star a-ok review.
(3)Jessica N.
Friendly service, great menu, disappointing delivery. Took 45 min for apps to be delivered and the entrees were bland at best. They are probably better at coffees and lunch than dinner.
(2)Guy C.
4 of 4 stars (excellent, casual dining). (see explanation of ratings below) We drove all the way from Bar Harbor (based on other reviews) and were not disappointed. Allow sixty minutes for lunch. About $15 per person. Recommended: the BLAT (bacon, lettuce, avocado & tomato). Also, the petite burgers. Loved the lobster chowder. About my ratings: Only high-priced dining establishments can garner five stars. Until yelp realizes that a fast food joint cannot possibly be ranked equally with a $100 per person place, I need to draw the line somewhere. If we were only talking about the quality and presentation of the food, it would be a different story. But, as we know, yelp's rankings take into account the entire dining experience. Therefore, I divide restaurants into three categories (and I wish yelp would do the same): 1) fast food and "fast-casual", low-priced (no table service). 2) casual, mid-priced dining (table service, average entrée price: $10-$20). 3) fine, high-priced dining (linen napkins, no plastic cups, no TV's in dining room, average entrée priced at more than $20, can vary depending on the city). High-priced dining can earn a max of five stars. Mid-priced dining can earn a max of four stars. Fast food can earn a max of three stars.
(4)Karen S.
We both had delicious, high quality omelets. I had the spinach and feta and my husband had the greek omelet. Service was quick and friendly. We also had a side order of hash browns that was also good. Why only three stars? Mostly for the value. The omelets were only two egg and were not served with toast or home fries. The menu stated they were served with fruit. Our fruit was a super small piece of grapefruit and orange. One bite each small.
(3)Peter V.
Went here for breakfast during Labor Day weekend. Food was only OK. Home fries were undercooked. Omelette selection was fair but expensive at $8 considering that they do not come with either toast or home fries. On the plus side, service was good and eggs were fresh. Probably won't return, at least for breakfast.
(2)Susan H.
We went here this past week while staying at a small B&B down the road. First, I would recommend calling for a reservation. The space is small and it was pretty busy even on a Monday night. Don't be mad at them if they can't squeeze you in. They are REALLY busy, the foods that good. Just pick up the phone at 4 and make a reservation. The food was AMAZING! I had the meatloaf with the Caesar salad to start. The Caesar salad was so zesty and just the right amount. The meatloaf was unbelievably good with onion jam and gravy! My boyfriend had the lobster risotto and would not stop telling me how amazing it was. He stated he would eat at Sips every night if he lived in Southwest Harbor! Our waitress was great and the atmosphere was laid back. Overall, we loved it.
(5)Christina L.
The mushroom risotto is like a dream. The service is always friendly and the atmosphere is great. Date nights, family breakfasts or drinks at the bar, Sips never disappoints.
(5)FoodChick F.
Been coming here each visit to Southwest Harbor (4) since 2007. Food is good, place comfortable and clean. Staff is never warm & friendly, maybe that's Maine mentality but the service is good. Coffee is just okay but there is a good variety and you can get it to go.
(3)Lacey W.
(2)Tim C.
(5)Cathy W.
(3)Marjie T.
(4)C D.
(2)James B.
(3)Ric B.
(2)M. C.
(4)Cara H.
(5)Ralph A.
(4)Will H.
(4)Jessika G.
(5)Jeff K.
(2)G. K.
(5)C D.
I've had superb meals at Sips with my family several times last year, but the experience can be uneven, as noted by other reviewers. Tonight was exceeding far below my previous experiences and demands comment. My rating is not as low as my review of tonight will suggest, because I'm factoring in more positive evenings in the past. Sips is chronically understaffed, so long waits for seating, ordering, food arrival, and receiving your check seem to be a standard, at least in the evening. If the food is worth waiting for...no problem. For ill-prepared food, it's just salt in a wound. So tonight started with the usual delay. However, it was accompanied by the arrival of an older gentleman at an adjacent table, who appeared to have some patriarchal status, based on some evidence of recognition from some of the customers. He also appeared to be attending to an infirmed partner, which was sweet and honorable. Regrettably, his presence was accompanied by a strong and decidedly unhygienic aroma, and some odd public dining behavior. At one point he emptied a bowl of sweetener packets into his hat and then placed it on the floor, so the empty bowl could be used for eating some bagged snacks he had brought with him. When he finished his meal, he retrieved his hat from the floor and returned the packets from his hat to his former snack bowl. Out of respect for chronology, a bit more on this later. I have always favored the various chowders at Sips because they "taste like the sea"...echoing fresh seafood. Tonight fell far short. The chowder (clam tonight) was thick, indistinct, generic. Chowder is a matter of personal taste and I'm sure some would like this version (possibly because they don't don't know any better); I'm just pointing out the drift in style and quality. I was with my family, so with four entrees, you would expect at least one winner. Normally, I would expect all to be exemplary, but the chowder was dampening the odds. Bad luck...all four were displeasing and in my daughter's case inedible. I had a penne with peanut sauce and skewered chicken. It was pricey given the simplicity of the dish, so the overcooked, gummy pasta and dry chicken were inexcusable rookie flaws. My son ordered a tortellini with butternut squash, which my wife and daughter have raved about on three previous occasions; they uniformly agreed it was not as good and unbalanced in flavors. (Sorry, I cannot be more specific because I find the dish undesirable even on its good days.) My wife's scallops were ill-prepared in her estimation. Maybe the lack of searing was intentional, but they lacked enough character to carry the rest of the dish, which was comprised of a crepe swimming in a pool of an unbalanced and cloying mushroom and gruyere sauce. My daughter's dish, an eggplant/shiitake gratin was left standing, due to an excruciating bitterness. My family is fond of all sorts of bitter greens and I'm a fan of of bitter hops, so when I say this was unpleasantly bitter, I'm not pulling your leg. The waitress never inquired whether we enjoyed our meals; she was probably some combination of overworked, don't care, or already guessed how you feel. She did ask if we were up for dessert (always up sell!), but we've learned that the entrees are usually a good indication of what you can expect in dessert execution, so we declined. Pity, because Sips had some wicked fine desserts in the past, but our memories of excellence had already betrayed us badly tonight. So finally back to the sweetener packets. Another member (the other member) of the waitstaff arrived to bus a table adjacent to the table vacated by the aromatic gentleman. My son mentioned to her the travelling sweetener packets left by the gentleman, from hat to floor and back to the bowl. Unfazed, she left the sweetener packets in his former snack bowl for the next unwary customer.
(2)Ric B.
We have been coming to Sips for five years or so for breakfast mostly. No complaints on the food. And the servers are super nice but I have to say the food takes forever! Don't arrive hungry. This last time we ordered simple fare and received our food in an hour and this is not our first such experience. The staff seemed overwhelmed despite few patrons. The next table over also was complaining of waiting a long time and were told there are only a certain number of burners available. If the they improve the speed of food to table then it would be great! For now we will not return unless getting a coffee or something.
(2)M. C.
We ate breakfast at Sips this morning and overall it was good. The atmosphere was great and the staff was friendly. My husband and I had the same thing - eggs, toast, home fries, and bacon. Everything was good except the home fries and that is why I did not give Sips 5 stars. They were burnt, dry, and had no flavor. On the plus side, the coffee was awesome!
(4)J. K.
(4)Marjie T.
I had a great time at Sips for dinner even though I apparently went on a crazy, crazy night. I got there a little after 7 on a Tuesday and the place was packed, but there was only one other couple waiting ahead of us. Unfortunately, there is absolutely nowhere to stand while waiting so we were all kind of bunched together in front of the door. After a few minutes we were greeted by one of the two waitresses who said it would be about 15 minutes. No problem. A few more parties started to filter in, but no one greeted them or took down names. It was very disorganized, but apparently they were understaffed and hadn't anticipated a busy night. We finally got seated about 20 minutes later at a quiet-ish table in back. Our waitress was very apologetic about the craziness and even though service was slow, she was very nice the whole night. I ordered the fettuccine with pesto and it was very good. Though the portion seemed a little small for the price and it didn't come with bread or anything. I was still hungry after I finished. My husband had the salmon and it was delicious. For dessert, they only had one selection, a berry cobbler, which I ordered because I was still hungry. It was awesome and I'm not even a fan of blueberries. There's a very limited selection of restaurants in town so I was very happy to have stumbled upon Sips for dinner.
(4)Terri V.
(4)David W.
The food wasn't that bad, but the service, prices and timing was atrocious. My friend and I waited almost 25 minutes for a simple soup and salad. A side of tzatziki with pita chips, which wasn't on the menu, cost me the same as my friend's Ruben, which came with a slightly smaller amount of tzatziki and pita chips as a side already. Communication with our waitress on which soup was the soup of the day, and which one cost a bit more was horrible, and caused confusion when paying. I'm not local to Maine, but when I'm visiting my friend next time, I will not be going here.
(1)Lacey W.
Lobster bisque was very good. Service was poor! Had to wait for wine with our main course. Dinner was good....wish the service was better!
(2)Tim C.
Was in Maine and New Hampshire for a couple of weeks and stayed 3 days in SW Harbor. We came here twice for dinner we enjoyed it so much. Great food, thoughtful wine list, and entertainment some nights. The owner Scott also runs the wine store around the corner and knows his stuff. I was impressed that he had traveled to Amador County in California's gold country to find Bill Easton's Terre Rouge syrah, which I promptly ordered. Scott's wife Jennifer is the chef, and has some amazing dishes, including the best meat loaf ever made. Yes, meat loaf. Icing on the cake, they have a duo playing Beatles music one night...the guys see me singing along and invite me to join them. All vacations should be this good.
(5)Nils W.
Five stars for freshly squeezed oj, real maple syrup, and whole anchovies for the Caesar salad. How many restaurants offer ANY of those today? So good was breakfast that we came back for dinner. Another 5 stars. Sailor's Martini based on crystallized ginger, lime, and dark rum set me on my keister, pleasantly. Humus was just garlicky as Gwendolyn and I like it. Her Romaine salad was crisp, hint of cranberry perfect. Scallops and mushroom crepe with gruyere cream sauce sent me onto paroxisms of delight--ok, I mean it was outasight. You gotta eat at this place!
(5)Ellie K.
Ate here last night, and have done so in years past. I was just looking for something light last night, and Sips was very good. We had a glass of Shiraz, the red pepper and eggplant dip ( this needed more flavor)) and I had the mini burger on an English muffin. My husband had the Italian sandwich. The burger was great, and the sandwich was good. Decent prices, great ambiance and our service was very good. I would check it out!
(4)Lauri M.
Loved the hearts of romaine salad with delicious blue cheese, olive oil & perfect bacon niblets. Wouldn't mind if the romaine was chopped. Lemon risotto also delightful although husband opined that the curry chicken crepe was too salty. pleasant service on a quiet friday evening.
(4)Michelle P.
Went for breakfast. Dill and scallion cream cheese on my bagel....yum! Good blueberry pancakes. The portions were kind of skimpy for what they were charging though...the worlds TINIEST sliver of cantaloupe for my "fruit side" ... I swear it was more like a garnish....but it was too small to be even that!...and there was just one....LOL!
(3)Cara H.
I had the pleasure of having lunch at sips three weeks ago. Not only was the food delicious but it was prepared in a very creative manner. The service was attentive and not rushed. Since the food was so good, we hired Sips to cater a family lunch. Once again we were blown away by the food as well as the inventiveness and friendliness of the chef/manager. It made the occasion wonderfully unforgettable!
(5)Ralph A.
Nice atmosphere and attentive service. Food quality and selection of available wines was excellent and prices are affordable. During our weeklong stay we already went twice and can highly recommend the place.
(4)Cathy W.
I like the casual feeling in Sips and appreciate how the staff works together. The food is okay. There are some things that I avoid (anything that allows you to add chicken, shrimp, etc for $). But there are enough choices on the regular menu and daily specials like Curried Zucchini Soup to keep me happy. Someone I know loves the mushroom risotto but I can't eat it as a main course because it's so rich - as a side it would be perfect. And the wine selection is a nice draw. Sips runs a lean operation so when it's busy and the wait staff has to dodge customers queuing inside the door to pick up their orders it feels hectic. The floor plan is not easy for the waitstaff, but they all work together and that impressed me. When we arrived for a 7:45 reservation one evening this summer we weren't seated until 8:15. We were offered a drink while waiting (but you stand in line while you wait.) Once we were seated the waitstaff worked double-time to get appetizers and drinks right out to us, and apologized often for the wait. They allow customers to linger, which is nice when you're lingering but frustrating when you're waiting! The place was very quiet by 9:30 PM.
(3)Scott N.
(3)Collin A.
Excellent food with excellent service and good wine. I enjoyed the caesar salad with chicken and could also recommend the lobster bisque and salmon fettuccine. The dinner was accompanied by a couple musicians with guitars. That was a nice accompaniment. We returned the next day for coffee, which was well worth the repeat trip. Go get it!
(5)Abban L.
Great breakfast food. Breakfast bagel egg sandwich, eggs and bacon, and crepes were simple and delicious. If I were to go back, I would get the bagel egg sandwich again. The latte was decent, though the coffee was too strong that bitterness was the only flavor that arose. The service was a little concerning. Our waitress was certainly proficient and, when we managed to flag her down, speedy. But there were several little details that made us feel like she was treating us differently than her other customers. For example, literally all other tables got a saucer that accompanied their espresso drink mugs, whereas we only got a mug, and their checks in a cut glass wine bottle, whereas we got handed our piece of check paper with nothing else. Because of the service, I would not return to Sips, despite their good food.
(3)Natalie P.
Only came in here for drinks. It's a cute little restaurant with a small bar that offers sips and glasses of wine. I would come here again if I was in town. It seemed like a nice quiet spot that I could definitely enjoy dinner and drinks at. Got a few glasses of wine for a night cap. Would have stayed longer but some obnoxious drunk guy was there and literally did not stop talking to the staff the entire time. I think they all find him amusing because this exchange seemed like a regular occurrence or that they are friends outside of work. Don't know but he was definitely annoying. **This part did not get factored into my rating. **
(3)Kylie D.
4.5 stars for sure! I've been coming to Sips for many years and I was happy when returned recently to see that little has changed (a good thing)- even the prices are still very reasonable. Risotto (which was always my favorite) is still on the menu only now there are several choices - yum! And the wine selection is still terrific. I was just there for a quick early lunch with a colleague but the experience was still wonderful. I had a lovely apple and chevre salad. I didn't love the chunky, apple sauce-ish dressing, but the dish itself really hit the spot after a long morning. My friend had the same salad but added chicken and it was delicious. If Sips had even a few outdoor seating spots it would be perfect! Go and enjoy and try the risotto if you have the chance! Breakfast is also fabulous!
(4)Jeff H.
Well the place the only reason they are getting this high of rating is that the atmosphere and concept is cool. They have a unique and affordable wine list however, if you are going to open a wine bar the make sure you invest in a nitrogen machine to keep the wines lasting along time. I am tired of sending back bad wine and having a new bottle open for me. As Fay for the food it is average at best they want out of Salmon, come on how is a coastal town out of fish? We order chicken ceaser salad and the chicken was bland no seasoning at all. The chowder Had way to many potatoes. The service was poor just name the reasons you have picked them. So only go hear to have a bottle of wine listen to the music and escape the cold. #sips #bassharbour
(2)Westie W.
This restaurant/bar was packed on a Friday night due to activities relating to the annual Flamingo Festival for the benefit of Harbor House Community Service Center. The noise level was almost excruciating. Not having an alternative, we grinned and bared it while enjoying glasses of red wine that proved to be a bit better than average. All drinks are 1/2 priced during the Wed-Sun happy hour that runs from 4-6PM.
(3)Jeff H.
Lots of empty tables at 5:30pm but no room at the inn for me and my family. So ... impossible to review. Make a reservation. Had a mediocre dinner at a place across the street instead. Disappointing.
(3)Jessica F.
This place was a great find in the area. There weren't many breakfast places to choose from, and we thought we would be settling by going to this one. But we were wrong! The breakfast was awesome, as was the coffee. We ordered the breakfast sandwich with sausage and the breakfast combo (eggs, bacon, home fries, toast) which were both fresh and hit the spot. The ambiance was also nice, having a very casual but classy cafe feel with its setup and decor. Prices were very cheap! Would highly recommend this place to anyone staying in the Seawall/Southwest Harbor/Bass Harbor area.
(5)Joe F.
Popped in for lunch. What we loved is its a coffee shop as well as lunch and dinner place. The food was really good. BLT and BLT with lobster and a salad with apple. All really good. Serve could have been better.
(4)Tommy G.
Great wine/beer selection and there is not a a dish on the menu that is a wrong choice. Everything about this place is wicked awesome. A+
(5)Cori B.
delightfully delicious menu and great service.
(5)MaryEllen B.
We tried Sip's for the first time this morning for breakfast and it was GREAT! Everything was cooked just as we ordered it and the home fries were wonderful...they are cooked to order...the potatoes are sliced and cooked specifically for your order. We will definitely be back on our next annual visit!
(5)Eddy W.
Great breakfast, great dinner, great live music on selected nights. Highly recommend.
(5)Marie P.
Very nice spot for dinner. Good food, pleasant staff. A little on the loud side if you're looking for a quiet place, and a little crowded, but if that's not a concern, then this is a great place for a good dinner. We had appetizers, meal, and dessert - all good.
(3)Mike D.
We ordered breakfast sandwiches to go. My wife enjoyed her bacon egg and cheese. My daughter said hers had too much cheese. I enjoyed my coffee and sandwich as well except for that the sandwich was large but the sausage patty was quite small so it made the sandwich disproportionate.overall we would return. We have been in past and really like their blueberry pancakes. Kid friendly, good coffee menu. Reasonable prices.
(3)Jen D.
Yelp says this place closes at noon. Not true. They have one heck of a happy hour - half priced drinks. Cool wine cellar vibe. Good service, nice bartender.
(4)Jillian L.
We came for a quiet dinner and we're not disappointed. Started with the tomato and feta soup which was sublime. The mushroom risotto was a decent sized portion that you had to savor. We didn't have any wine to speak to their selection, but the food was definitely worth the stop!
(4)Joe C.
Tired of seafood "this" and seafood "that" on beautiful Mount Desert Island? Well, no worries, that's exactly why restaurants like Sips exist. There's just a couple items on Sips' menu that actually come from the sea. This place is really three things rolled into one; it's a coffee house, a restaurant, and a wine bar... all sharing the same large room. There aren't many sit-down dining options in the small town of Southwest Harbor so you really only have a choice between Sips, a diner-like pizza place, and some Mexican food place. Sips might sound like a fancy swank name but it's actually fairly casual inside. Table service came across a little lukewarm and indifferent but heck I'm from Connecticut where I think we invented that type of customer service. No complaints with my food. Fish chowder was delish and the hummus was pretty tasty with freshly made pita chips. Their menu contains typical American fare from basic sandwiches to full entree meals. Not everybody inside was eating big meals, because there were customers at the bar drinking and there was customers sipping coffee while working on their laptops. Overall, Sips really hit the spot for a fine lunch when venturing out on the more remote southern end of Mount Desert Island.
(3)Kay P.
You will be ok if you order bread, bagels etc. since those do not need cooking. If u have ordered anything that needs cooking. Good luck. French toast was raw egg coating, veggie omelettes had raw veggies just folded in, crepes were under cooked, homefries were way undercooked. It seemed they were in a rush to finish serving breakfast. We checked before making reservations and they said they would serve breakfast at 1030. We waited 40 min for the food to arrive so it wasn't like they didn't have enough time to cook the food. I would not recommend this place
(1)Ariel T.
The wine list is impressive, and the food is very interesting, but during our last visit, the chef forgot the salt. Almost all the food was very, very, under seasoned. A little salt helped a great deal.
(3)Henry Y.
Place looks like an absolute dump on the outside but you walk in and it's as if you're transported to an upscale restaurant. The food was out of this world amazing-- let's start with the app. We got a simple cheese plate that ended up being the most filling thing in the world. There's 4 types of cheeses, the sweetest apples you've ever eaten, other fruit, omg. I don't even know man. It was just great. My gf had some martini as well. Not too shabby. The entrees is where it really took off. I figured there must be a reason why 'meatloaf' was the first listed menu item and ordered it. NOT disappointed at all. It was the most delicious meatloaf I've ever eaten and I'm so happy I gave it a shot. My gf ordered the scallop risotto and this was similarly delicious-- the scallop was seared just right and it was tender without being chewy. Came out of this place looking smug and content. You know a restaurant is good when it leaves you speechless. And I was dead silent all the way to Bar Harbor.
(5)Rebecca B.
Good little find in Southwest Harbor. A bit of a random menu but definitely something for everybody. Good beer and great cocktails, not too expensive. Very nice and attentive service. The cheese plate app came with smoked mussels! Why haven't I seen those before!? Baked haddock was tasty, fig risotto was delish. The pesto pasta was good but the menu did not specify it came in a vat of cheese. We did go on the later side for dinner and they were out of a lot of key ingredients, which was frustrating. Generally a good spot with good value.
(4)Lacey S.
We stopped in for dinner before and I was disappointed, my food was uninteresting, not much flavor and not nearly enough to fill me up. Came back the other afternoon for lunch. My boyfriend already had a table and some coffee, he said the coffee is some of the best he's had recently (he drinks it black). They weren't too busy and our waitress kept looking at our table but she didn't make it over to see if I wanted anything to drink until he was mostly finished his coffee, she was helping others who had come in after me. I'm a gardener so I wasn't in my best digs and felt like maybe she didn't think it was worth her time.. she finally came to take our food order, still without offering me a beverage. We ordered sandwiches, they come with a side of pita chips and orzo pasta. 3 pita chips and maybe a tablespoon of pasta. Both of our sandwiches were very plain. My veggie sandwich was like eating chick peas plain and his turkey club only tasted like it's sweet sauce. Again not enough food. I find their menu very expensive. We wanted to order an appetizer but both things we wanted (a cheese plate or bacon wrapped scallops) were $15. I only give them two stars because of their tasty coffee. Maybe their breakfast is decent? I think the only reason they really get business is because their the only ones open all year.
(2)D. T.
Had a great lunch at Sips the other day. The smoked turkey club was terrific. Friendly staff, good food....reasonable prices......what else should you look for? First time at Sips. Definitely will return.
(4)Wayne L.
This review is based on the coffee/coffee shop experience that I had at Sips. We stopped in here after a morning of hiking in Acadia National Park and wanted to sit down, sip on a coffee, and read a book. Overall the ambiance was lovely at Sips and I was excited to see the combination of wine bar + coffee shop. The space felt very warm and cozy. Unfortunately, the coffee shop experience wasn't that great. It appeared that they were starting to turn their tables for dinner, so we had to get seated at a table instead of just picking a table we wanted. It also felt a bit like we were inconveniencing them for wanting just coffee and we felt a bit guilty sitting there and taking up a table they wanted to use for dinner. Next, I ordered a chai latte and cappuccino. My order got mixed up and my cappuccino ended up being a latte. The drinks themselves were okay, not great. The coffee experience can easily be improved by having a dedicated seating area for those wanting just coffee and working to improve their coffee drinks a bit. But as it stands currently I probably wouldn't come back for coffee.
(3)Laura K.
Went to breakfast at Sips and had the most amazing experience! The staff was friendly the food was amazing and it was certainly a laid back atmosphere. I had the French toast and my husband had the meatloaf omelet. Both were out of this world! The coffee is excellent and the mimosa with fresh squeezed orange juice is the best I've had in a long time!
(5)J S.
If you want service with a smile from friendly folks this does not appear to be the place. Tried to pop in for coffee once and couldn't get anyone to acknowledge me. Gave it another shot for breakfast as it is convenient when staying on that side of the island. The food was good. Crepes disappointing given their prominence on the menu but good. Poached eggs cooked perfect, bacon not the best bacon greasy but also cooked perfect. Fresh oj delicious. Latte was well made. I would go back but just be prepared for the lack of friendly service. PS the excellent wifi connection was definitely appreciated.
(3)Paul S.
Good food but the staff was busy since there is not enough of them. And frankly, the two we dealt with were not very friendly. Is it really that hard to make eye contact and say, "I'll be with you shortly"? I took a star off, just cause of the waitress. Good breakfast, lots of choices. The coffee was hot and tasty. Had to go here, since the people we stayed with only had tea.
(3)Niranjan S.
Not too expensive for its class and more importantly the food it offers. $15 juicy lobster crepe if you want a fancy dinner, or $8 sandwiches if you just want lots of wholesome yummy before your trek. Also, this is the only place that's open past ten in southwest harbour. Thankfully it's excellent food
(5)Jim W.
Food was good. Table to waitress ratio was too high - took us a while to get our orders in / get the check, overtasked waitress walked right by at several points.
(3)Kevin K.
I really want to like this place, but the staff are just not warm and welcoming. Every time I've stopped in (which is three times on this trip), I've felt like I was intruding on the place. The food and the coffee are both great - just be a bit more friendly.
(3)Mike N.
Disjointed experience and just not very well prepared food. Ambitious undertaking but execution was lacking. Service friendly but MIA at crucial times. Won't repeat but wish them well as they improve.
(2)Will H.
I ate dinner at Sips and was reasonably impressed. Cafe is a more accurate description than restaurant, for a couple of reasons. There was a great selection of beverages (very affordable), especially their import beers, and a wide variety of food choices. Unfortunately, the food suffered a bit in terms of quality to price. I had the vegetarian club, which was a bit too dry and insubstantial (symptomatic of the other dishes at my table). The service was excellent, and everyone at Sips seemed to be having a good time. Since Sips bills itself as a cafe and espresso bar I decided it deserved four stars since that is where they excel.
(4)Liz B.
I've been to Sips several times throughout the years and I have to admit, the only reason I keep returning is because my family insists I need to give them another shot. Sips, to me, is the epitome of a box of chocolates - you never know what you're going to get quality-wise. I've been a few times and the food has been delicious (I particularly enjoy their Caesar salads and pesto risotto) and I've been a few times where the food has been almost inedible (think previously frozen stuffed sole then baked beyond recognition). Sips is really adorable and cozy, and the service has always been wonderful. They have a great wine selection, which is even more special because their prices are basically at cost - it's attached to Sawyer's, so they sell their wines for super cheap. They have live music some nights, though I've never experience it, and just a general welcoming vibe. If the food can become most consistently good, I would make Sips a permanent rotation in my SW Harbor eating regiment. However, as it stands after this summer, I'll give Sips a 3-star a-ok review.
(3)Jessica N.
Friendly service, great menu, disappointing delivery. Took 45 min for apps to be delivered and the entrees were bland at best. They are probably better at coffees and lunch than dinner.
(2)Terri V.
A cute little cafe in Southwest Harbor that has great food and good coffee! My husband, daughter and I came here twice on our vacation because we enjoyed it so much. They have a delicious selection of sandwiches and other entrees. Also the atmosphere is very nice. Definitely check this place out if you are in the area.
(4)Guy C.
4 of 4 stars (excellent, casual dining). (see explanation of ratings below) We drove all the way from Bar Harbor (based on other reviews) and were not disappointed. Allow sixty minutes for lunch. About $15 per person. Recommended: the BLAT (bacon, lettuce, avocado & tomato). Also, the petite burgers. Loved the lobster chowder. About my ratings: Only high-priced dining establishments can garner five stars. Until yelp realizes that a fast food joint cannot possibly be ranked equally with a $100 per person place, I need to draw the line somewhere. If we were only talking about the quality and presentation of the food, it would be a different story. But, as we know, yelp's rankings take into account the entire dining experience. Therefore, I divide restaurants into three categories (and I wish yelp would do the same): 1) fast food and "fast-casual", low-priced (no table service). 2) casual, mid-priced dining (table service, average entrée price: $10-$20). 3) fine, high-priced dining (linen napkins, no plastic cups, no TV's in dining room, average entrée priced at more than $20, can vary depending on the city). High-priced dining can earn a max of five stars. Mid-priced dining can earn a max of four stars. Fast food can earn a max of three stars.
(4)Karen S.
We both had delicious, high quality omelets. I had the spinach and feta and my husband had the greek omelet. Service was quick and friendly. We also had a side order of hash browns that was also good. Why only three stars? Mostly for the value. The omelets were only two egg and were not served with toast or home fries. The menu stated they were served with fruit. Our fruit was a super small piece of grapefruit and orange. One bite each small.
(3)Peter V.
Went here for breakfast during Labor Day weekend. Food was only OK. Home fries were undercooked. Omelette selection was fair but expensive at $8 considering that they do not come with either toast or home fries. On the plus side, service was good and eggs were fresh. Probably won't return, at least for breakfast.
(2)Susan H.
We went here this past week while staying at a small B&B down the road. First, I would recommend calling for a reservation. The space is small and it was pretty busy even on a Monday night. Don't be mad at them if they can't squeeze you in. They are REALLY busy, the foods that good. Just pick up the phone at 4 and make a reservation. The food was AMAZING! I had the meatloaf with the Caesar salad to start. The Caesar salad was so zesty and just the right amount. The meatloaf was unbelievably good with onion jam and gravy! My boyfriend had the lobster risotto and would not stop telling me how amazing it was. He stated he would eat at Sips every night if he lived in Southwest Harbor! Our waitress was great and the atmosphere was laid back. Overall, we loved it.
(5)Christina L.
The mushroom risotto is like a dream. The service is always friendly and the atmosphere is great. Date nights, family breakfasts or drinks at the bar, Sips never disappoints.
(5)FoodChick F.
Been coming here each visit to Southwest Harbor (4) since 2007. Food is good, place comfortable and clean. Staff is never warm & friendly, maybe that's Maine mentality but the service is good. Coffee is just okay but there is a good variety and you can get it to go.
(3)Hilary R.
After a great meal at Sips a couple of years ago, my husband and I were very excited to have dinner here on our last night in Southwest Harbor. I'm sorry to say that we were disappointed- service was slow and the food is overpriced based on quality and quantity. We waited 30 minutes for a salad and soup which were both sub par followed by our meals- flank steak and the pasta with puttanesca and seafood. Small portions and quality was poor. The two +s was good wine and they had live music. We'll be back for drinks next year but sadly not a meal.
(2)Jessika G.
Originally only stopped in here to use their wi-fi and grab a coffee, but the smells of the food were so overwhelming my husband and I decided to share a small lunch. We grabbed a turkey sandwich and mac and cheese. HOLY CRAP - if you are in Southwest Harbor do yourself a favor and eat here. It was amazingly good. The price was average, the food out did itself, and everyone was super friendly. Doesn't get much better, seriously.
(5)Jeff K.
Sips' menu and the daily specials look intriguing, but the quality of the food doesn't live up to the billing. Our eggplant, feta cheese and portobello mushroom appetizer was bland and nearly tasteless. It needed something to spice it up. My stuffed shells entree with four cheeses, lobster and spinach was OK, but had very little lobster in it. It tasted like ordinary stuffed shells that one would get at any middling Italian restaurant. My companion felt a little more positive about her risotto, which had fig jam in it. I took a taste and can't honestly say that it was any better than the other dishes we ordered. Service was attentive, especially since it was a Saturday night and the restaurant was full. My glass of wine arrived with something floating in it, but it was quickly replaced when I brought the problem to the server's attention. If you are going just for drinks, I think this place would do the trick, but for dinner, there are several better choices in Southwest Harbor.
(2)G. K.
Unbelievable strawberry cream cheese blintzes/crepes with blueberry syrup, more blueberries than syrup. Absolutely A+. Would highly highly recommend.
(5)Deb N.
One of our favorite places in SW Harbor. Nice atmosphere, good wait staff. Great food. Hungarian Mushroom soup, Killer.
(5)Tony L.
IF YOU LIKE FRESH, FORGET DINNER IN BAR HARBOR AND GO HERE! We were very pleased to find Sips when exploring Southwest harbor. The vibe was comfy and good for a simple dinner. We had a large fresh spinach salad with crab, seafood chowder, and a berry crisp. All excellent! The salad was crisp and fresh, the seafood all tasted like fresh caught, and the berries well cared for. The wine list is varied and very reasonable-- quite a few bottles under $30 or even $25. The service was friendly and more than willing to pour us a few sips to try a couple wines we had questions about. Overall, I can't recommend enough that if you're going to MDI, get out of Bar Harbor and try this place out!
(5)Maria T.
(5)Arianna S.
(3)Kathleen H.
(3)Lynn B.
(3)Karen L.
(4)Jon G.
(2)Arianna S.
We ate here 2 nights after eating at Red Sky and to compare the food is unfair, since they are totally different, but my stomach couldn't help but make the comparison. The food is...well, OK. The fact that you can sip different types of wine for 3 dollars, and drink various types of beer, here is where the 3 stars comes in.
(3)James B.
We go to Sips for our morning coffee, even if we're driving from Seawall to Bar Harbor for breakfast. I'd put it on par with a Starbucks. Not awesome, but it's a decent cup of coffee. I have sat down for breakfast here a few times, and it's okay. The wait staff is typical summer-time help - college students who will probably never wait another table after the summer's over. Not terrible, but not pros, either. The food is fine - it won't shock you in either direction. For breakfast in Southwest, this may be your best option. Eat-A-Pita, when it's not having some catastrophic failure, is often better, but Sips is less expensive and hasn't ever left me feeling angry and cheated (which Eat-A-Pita does from time to time).
(3)Maria T.
Sips is awesome! It is our go to place every summer at least twice. Great artsy atmosphere. Casual low key but with fine dining. Always have a 10!! Oh yeah it is a known for pastries and great lattes. Owner is so nice and staff is always friendly. Small and cozy. Reserve or go before. 6. Just come for drinks? That is also a great experience. Never lets us down. Deserts rock.
(5)Kathleen H.
I had a very nice dinner here. I ordered the meatloaf because I needed some comfort food - It was delicious. I also had a very nice glass of wine. Everyone in the party seemed to enjoy their food and wine as well. . and a variety of things were ordered. I have to deduct a start for the service though - the waitress was spacey and completely inattentive - everyone's food came out a different times. Someone knocked over my wine glass with half of it still left - not only did no one offer me another - I'd have been happy to pay - but I couldn't even find the waitress to ask for a towel. So we mopped up with napkins. Several things that were ordered never came and we had to track her down to ask twice. . .and then it took forever to get the check. Eeek. Looking around at the other tables, it seemed that we were the only ones getting this treatment. . but maybe I have a persecution complex. . .haha! We were a party of 9. Maybe they arent' used to that. Because the food, bread, and wine were good, I'll try again.
(3)Rosie and Tigg K.
Not a great breakfast place. Omelet was small, way overpriced, and no toast!! Crepes also really really small. $18 later we left hungry. Frankly, a ripoff. Coffee gets the one star as it's good.
(1)Lynn B.
Nice atmosphere,friendly staff. I ordered soup which was just ok. Salad was not very good, lettuce was not fresh and drenched in dressing. Think I haven't ordered the right thing yet but like the place.
(3)J. K.
Excellent spot, casual dining room but the food choices are above average. We had mushroom risotto, very good and only $11. We have not had a good risotto in a long time and we come from Chicago (the city of great food). We also had clam chowder, it was tasty but had better. Their wine list is excellent. All wines are available by the glass as well as in 2oz (flight portion), so you can sample a number of wines. They even have cakebread Chardonnay by the glass, but it turned out that 2007 year produced a ghost of the Chardonnay that it should be.
(4)Karen L.
We popped in for a couple of beers and an appetizer as respite from our camping cuisine, and were struck by the thoughtful yet understated decor. The bacon-wrapped scallops with blueberry maple sauce over tzatziki was nice. I wish they'd had local beer on tap, and the server was a bit aloof, but we enjoyed the visit and would go again.
(4)Kimberli M.
Just what i needed after the awful taste the manager at XYZ had left in my mouth. (See the review of XYZ in Southwest Harbor, ME.) Upon entering Sips Cafe, we were seated at a lovely table by a sweet hostess. Our waitress was also pleasant and joked around with us a little. She was patient as we made our round of choices too! Sips has all of their wines available in 3 sizes, a sip (you can get a 3 sip flight of your choice), a glass or by the bottle. The two of us who chose flights enjoyed them very much. (Our other dining companion is 8.) I was so happy to try the Eroica Riesling a lovely joint project between a Germany and America vineyard as well as a lovely Sancere and a white Burgundy. They make a lovely homemade egg fettuccine with pesto and vegetables. YUM! The pesto was fresh along with local tomatoes, zucchini and green peas! Yum!! My BF had a special of the day = Lamb chops which were PERFECTLY cooked atop homemade egg fettuccine with raisins and pine nuts. The younger third of the table enjoyed the Puttanesca (although a few bit were picked out to fit in with the 8-yr old pallets...it was ALL GOOD to the adults!!) I cannot comment on their dessert as we had a fresh local blueberry pie awaiting us!! Go, relax, enjoy. You won't be sorry.
(4)Jon G.
Omlette's were good, but, No American Cheese available at all? Juice sizes are small and pricy; charged extra for jam. Morning menu is very limited. Food was overall good, not great.
(2)Scott N.
I have been there twice. The food is superb and not your common choices. The service has always been quite slow so expect to take a little longer than most places; my experience has been very similar to Kathleen H's. It just seems that the waitresses/waiters are so busy running around, but I'm not sure why because the place is so small. It is one of my wife's favorite restaurants on MDI (Mount Desert Island) so we will be back. Once again, great food!
(3)judy b.
we had a great dinnner here tonight!!! we walked into town and had made reservations and were seated immediately. i had read all the reviews and was prepared for great food and bad service. we had wonderful food and excellent service. the best news of all was the wine. wow, what a great choice and the "sips" of wine (2 oz.) is so great. i chose a new zealand white to start, crisp and clear and cold, just perfect. my husband chose a nice cab. then he had a merlot and i had a petite syrah. these were approx $3.00 each with 2 oz in each glass. we have been to restaurants lately who bring out the big glasses and give you about 1/3 of a glass so this was a bargain on top of being able to taste whatever you want. we had the crab cake/salmon cake appetizer, very good. but then we had a cup of the seafood chowder which was over the top!!! really creamy, full of seafood yet not thick and gloppy. flavor was devine. i ordered the haddock, wonderful and my husband had the seafood pesto, also delicious. i highly recommend this restaurant. we had great service but a quiet evening, and no rude owner (???) as previously mentioned.
(5)Terri V.
(4)Jessika G.
(5)Karen L.
(4)Ric B.
(2)Mike D.
We ordered breakfast sandwiches to go. My wife enjoyed her bacon egg and cheese. My daughter said hers had too much cheese. I enjoyed my coffee and sandwich as well except for that the sandwich was large but the sausage patty was quite small so it made the sandwich disproportionate.overall we would return. We have been in past and really like their blueberry pancakes. Kid friendly, good coffee menu. Reasonable prices.
(3)Jen D.
Yelp says this place closes at noon. Not true. They have one heck of a happy hour - half priced drinks. Cool wine cellar vibe. Good service, nice bartender.
(4)Jillian L.
We came for a quiet dinner and we're not disappointed. Started with the tomato and feta soup which was sublime. The mushroom risotto was a decent sized portion that you had to savor. We didn't have any wine to speak to their selection, but the food was definitely worth the stop!
(4)Paul S.
Good food but the staff was busy since there is not enough of them. And frankly, the two we dealt with were not very friendly. Is it really that hard to make eye contact and say, "I'll be with you shortly"? I took a star off, just cause of the waitress. Good breakfast, lots of choices. The coffee was hot and tasty. Had to go here, since the people we stayed with only had tea.
(3)Lacey W.
(2)Tim C.
(5)Ellie K.
(4)Lynn B.
(3)Mike D.
We ordered breakfast sandwiches to go. My wife enjoyed her bacon egg and cheese. My daughter said hers had too much cheese. I enjoyed my coffee and sandwich as well except for that the sandwich was large but the sausage patty was quite small so it made the sandwich disproportionate.overall we would return. We have been in past and really like their blueberry pancakes. Kid friendly, good coffee menu. Reasonable prices.
(3)Jen D.
Yelp says this place closes at noon. Not true. They have one heck of a happy hour - half priced drinks. Cool wine cellar vibe. Good service, nice bartender.
(4)Jillian L.
We came for a quiet dinner and we're not disappointed. Started with the tomato and feta soup which was sublime. The mushroom risotto was a decent sized portion that you had to savor. We didn't have any wine to speak to their selection, but the food was definitely worth the stop!
(4)Rebecca B.
Good little find in Southwest Harbor. A bit of a random menu but definitely something for everybody. Good beer and great cocktails, not too expensive. Very nice and attentive service. The cheese plate app came with smoked mussels! Why haven't I seen those before!? Baked haddock was tasty, fig risotto was delish. The pesto pasta was good but the menu did not specify it came in a vat of cheese. We did go on the later side for dinner and they were out of a lot of key ingredients, which was frustrating. Generally a good spot with good value.
(4)J S.
If you want service with a smile from friendly folks this does not appear to be the place. Tried to pop in for coffee once and couldn't get anyone to acknowledge me. Gave it another shot for breakfast as it is convenient when staying on that side of the island. The food was good. Crepes disappointing given their prominence on the menu but good. Poached eggs cooked perfect, bacon not the best bacon greasy but also cooked perfect. Fresh oj delicious. Latte was well made. I would go back but just be prepared for the lack of friendly service. PS the excellent wifi connection was definitely appreciated.
(3)Eddy W.
Great breakfast, great dinner, great live music on selected nights. Highly recommend.
(5)Marie P.
Very nice spot for dinner. Good food, pleasant staff. A little on the loud side if you're looking for a quiet place, and a little crowded, but if that's not a concern, then this is a great place for a good dinner. We had appetizers, meal, and dessert - all good.
(3)Cori B.
delightfully delicious menu and great service.
(5)MaryEllen B.
We tried Sip's for the first time this morning for breakfast and it was GREAT! Everything was cooked just as we ordered it and the home fries were wonderful...they are cooked to order...the potatoes are sliced and cooked specifically for your order. We will definitely be back on our next annual visit!
(5)Kylie D.
4.5 stars for sure! I've been coming to Sips for many years and I was happy when returned recently to see that little has changed (a good thing)- even the prices are still very reasonable. Risotto (which was always my favorite) is still on the menu only now there are several choices - yum! And the wine selection is still terrific. I was just there for a quick early lunch with a colleague but the experience was still wonderful. I had a lovely apple and chevre salad. I didn't love the chunky, apple sauce-ish dressing, but the dish itself really hit the spot after a long morning. My friend had the same salad but added chicken and it was delicious. If Sips had even a few outdoor seating spots it would be perfect! Go and enjoy and try the risotto if you have the chance! Breakfast is also fabulous!
(4)Jeff H.
Well the place the only reason they are getting this high of rating is that the atmosphere and concept is cool. They have a unique and affordable wine list however, if you are going to open a wine bar the make sure you invest in a nitrogen machine to keep the wines lasting along time. I am tired of sending back bad wine and having a new bottle open for me. As Fay for the food it is average at best they want out of Salmon, come on how is a coastal town out of fish? We order chicken ceaser salad and the chicken was bland no seasoning at all. The chowder Had way to many potatoes. The service was poor just name the reasons you have picked them. So only go hear to have a bottle of wine listen to the music and escape the cold. #sips #bassharbour
(2)Westie W.
This restaurant/bar was packed on a Friday night due to activities relating to the annual Flamingo Festival for the benefit of Harbor House Community Service Center. The noise level was almost excruciating. Not having an alternative, we grinned and bared it while enjoying glasses of red wine that proved to be a bit better than average. All drinks are 1/2 priced during the Wed-Sun happy hour that runs from 4-6PM.
(3)Jeff H.
Lots of empty tables at 5:30pm but no room at the inn for me and my family. So ... impossible to review. Make a reservation. Had a mediocre dinner at a place across the street instead. Disappointing.
(3)Jessica F.
This place was a great find in the area. There weren't many breakfast places to choose from, and we thought we would be settling by going to this one. But we were wrong! The breakfast was awesome, as was the coffee. We ordered the breakfast sandwich with sausage and the breakfast combo (eggs, bacon, home fries, toast) which were both fresh and hit the spot. The ambiance was also nice, having a very casual but classy cafe feel with its setup and decor. Prices were very cheap! Would highly recommend this place to anyone staying in the Seawall/Southwest Harbor/Bass Harbor area.
(5)Joe F.
Popped in for lunch. What we loved is its a coffee shop as well as lunch and dinner place. The food was really good. BLT and BLT with lobster and a salad with apple. All really good. Serve could have been better.
(4)Tommy G.
Great wine/beer selection and there is not a a dish on the menu that is a wrong choice. Everything about this place is wicked awesome. A+
(5)Joe C.
Tired of seafood "this" and seafood "that" on beautiful Mount Desert Island? Well, no worries, that's exactly why restaurants like Sips exist. There's just a couple items on Sips' menu that actually come from the sea. This place is really three things rolled into one; it's a coffee house, a restaurant, and a wine bar... all sharing the same large room. There aren't many sit-down dining options in the small town of Southwest Harbor so you really only have a choice between Sips, a diner-like pizza place, and some Mexican food place. Sips might sound like a fancy swank name but it's actually fairly casual inside. Table service came across a little lukewarm and indifferent but heck I'm from Connecticut where I think we invented that type of customer service. No complaints with my food. Fish chowder was delish and the hummus was pretty tasty with freshly made pita chips. Their menu contains typical American fare from basic sandwiches to full entree meals. Not everybody inside was eating big meals, because there were customers at the bar drinking and there was customers sipping coffee while working on their laptops. Overall, Sips really hit the spot for a fine lunch when venturing out on the more remote southern end of Mount Desert Island.
(3)Kay P.
You will be ok if you order bread, bagels etc. since those do not need cooking. If u have ordered anything that needs cooking. Good luck. French toast was raw egg coating, veggie omelettes had raw veggies just folded in, crepes were under cooked, homefries were way undercooked. It seemed they were in a rush to finish serving breakfast. We checked before making reservations and they said they would serve breakfast at 1030. We waited 40 min for the food to arrive so it wasn't like they didn't have enough time to cook the food. I would not recommend this place
(1)Ariel T.
The wine list is impressive, and the food is very interesting, but during our last visit, the chef forgot the salt. Almost all the food was very, very, under seasoned. A little salt helped a great deal.
(3)Henry Y.
Place looks like an absolute dump on the outside but you walk in and it's as if you're transported to an upscale restaurant. The food was out of this world amazing-- let's start with the app. We got a simple cheese plate that ended up being the most filling thing in the world. There's 4 types of cheeses, the sweetest apples you've ever eaten, other fruit, omg. I don't even know man. It was just great. My gf had some martini as well. Not too shabby. The entrees is where it really took off. I figured there must be a reason why 'meatloaf' was the first listed menu item and ordered it. NOT disappointed at all. It was the most delicious meatloaf I've ever eaten and I'm so happy I gave it a shot. My gf ordered the scallop risotto and this was similarly delicious-- the scallop was seared just right and it was tender without being chewy. Came out of this place looking smug and content. You know a restaurant is good when it leaves you speechless. And I was dead silent all the way to Bar Harbor.
(5)Lacey S.
We stopped in for dinner before and I was disappointed, my food was uninteresting, not much flavor and not nearly enough to fill me up. Came back the other afternoon for lunch. My boyfriend already had a table and some coffee, he said the coffee is some of the best he's had recently (he drinks it black). They weren't too busy and our waitress kept looking at our table but she didn't make it over to see if I wanted anything to drink until he was mostly finished his coffee, she was helping others who had come in after me. I'm a gardener so I wasn't in my best digs and felt like maybe she didn't think it was worth her time.. she finally came to take our food order, still without offering me a beverage. We ordered sandwiches, they come with a side of pita chips and orzo pasta. 3 pita chips and maybe a tablespoon of pasta. Both of our sandwiches were very plain. My veggie sandwich was like eating chick peas plain and his turkey club only tasted like it's sweet sauce. Again not enough food. I find their menu very expensive. We wanted to order an appetizer but both things we wanted (a cheese plate or bacon wrapped scallops) were $15. I only give them two stars because of their tasty coffee. Maybe their breakfast is decent? I think the only reason they really get business is because their the only ones open all year.
(2)D. T.
Had a great lunch at Sips the other day. The smoked turkey club was terrific. Friendly staff, good food....reasonable prices......what else should you look for? First time at Sips. Definitely will return.
(4)Wayne L.
This review is based on the coffee/coffee shop experience that I had at Sips. We stopped in here after a morning of hiking in Acadia National Park and wanted to sit down, sip on a coffee, and read a book. Overall the ambiance was lovely at Sips and I was excited to see the combination of wine bar + coffee shop. The space felt very warm and cozy. Unfortunately, the coffee shop experience wasn't that great. It appeared that they were starting to turn their tables for dinner, so we had to get seated at a table instead of just picking a table we wanted. It also felt a bit like we were inconveniencing them for wanting just coffee and we felt a bit guilty sitting there and taking up a table they wanted to use for dinner. Next, I ordered a chai latte and cappuccino. My order got mixed up and my cappuccino ended up being a latte. The drinks themselves were okay, not great. The coffee experience can easily be improved by having a dedicated seating area for those wanting just coffee and working to improve their coffee drinks a bit. But as it stands currently I probably wouldn't come back for coffee.
(3)Laura K.
Went to breakfast at Sips and had the most amazing experience! The staff was friendly the food was amazing and it was certainly a laid back atmosphere. I had the French toast and my husband had the meatloaf omelet. Both were out of this world! The coffee is excellent and the mimosa with fresh squeezed orange juice is the best I've had in a long time!
(5)Niranjan S.
Not too expensive for its class and more importantly the food it offers. $15 juicy lobster crepe if you want a fancy dinner, or $8 sandwiches if you just want lots of wholesome yummy before your trek. Also, this is the only place that's open past ten in southwest harbour. Thankfully it's excellent food
(5)Jim W.
Food was good. Table to waitress ratio was too high - took us a while to get our orders in / get the check, overtasked waitress walked right by at several points.
(3)Kevin K.
I really want to like this place, but the staff are just not warm and welcoming. Every time I've stopped in (which is three times on this trip), I've felt like I was intruding on the place. The food and the coffee are both great - just be a bit more friendly.
(3)Mike N.
Disjointed experience and just not very well prepared food. Ambitious undertaking but execution was lacking. Service friendly but MIA at crucial times. Won't repeat but wish them well as they improve.
(2)Liz B.
I've been to Sips several times throughout the years and I have to admit, the only reason I keep returning is because my family insists I need to give them another shot. Sips, to me, is the epitome of a box of chocolates - you never know what you're going to get quality-wise. I've been a few times and the food has been delicious (I particularly enjoy their Caesar salads and pesto risotto) and I've been a few times where the food has been almost inedible (think previously frozen stuffed sole then baked beyond recognition). Sips is really adorable and cozy, and the service has always been wonderful. They have a great wine selection, which is even more special because their prices are basically at cost - it's attached to Sawyer's, so they sell their wines for super cheap. They have live music some nights, though I've never experience it, and just a general welcoming vibe. If the food can become most consistently good, I would make Sips a permanent rotation in my SW Harbor eating regiment. However, as it stands after this summer, I'll give Sips a 3-star a-ok review.
(3)Jessica N.
Friendly service, great menu, disappointing delivery. Took 45 min for apps to be delivered and the entrees were bland at best. They are probably better at coffees and lunch than dinner.
(2)Guy C.
4 of 4 stars (excellent, casual dining). (see explanation of ratings below) We drove all the way from Bar Harbor (based on other reviews) and were not disappointed. Allow sixty minutes for lunch. About $15 per person. Recommended: the BLAT (bacon, lettuce, avocado & tomato). Also, the petite burgers. Loved the lobster chowder. About my ratings: Only high-priced dining establishments can garner five stars. Until yelp realizes that a fast food joint cannot possibly be ranked equally with a $100 per person place, I need to draw the line somewhere. If we were only talking about the quality and presentation of the food, it would be a different story. But, as we know, yelp's rankings take into account the entire dining experience. Therefore, I divide restaurants into three categories (and I wish yelp would do the same): 1) fast food and "fast-casual", low-priced (no table service). 2) casual, mid-priced dining (table service, average entrée price: $10-$20). 3) fine, high-priced dining (linen napkins, no plastic cups, no TV's in dining room, average entrée priced at more than $20, can vary depending on the city). High-priced dining can earn a max of five stars. Mid-priced dining can earn a max of four stars. Fast food can earn a max of three stars.
(4)Karen S.
We both had delicious, high quality omelets. I had the spinach and feta and my husband had the greek omelet. Service was quick and friendly. We also had a side order of hash browns that was also good. Why only three stars? Mostly for the value. The omelets were only two egg and were not served with toast or home fries. The menu stated they were served with fruit. Our fruit was a super small piece of grapefruit and orange. One bite each small.
(3)Peter V.
Went here for breakfast during Labor Day weekend. Food was only OK. Home fries were undercooked. Omelette selection was fair but expensive at $8 considering that they do not come with either toast or home fries. On the plus side, service was good and eggs were fresh. Probably won't return, at least for breakfast.
(2)Susan H.
We went here this past week while staying at a small B&B down the road. First, I would recommend calling for a reservation. The space is small and it was pretty busy even on a Monday night. Don't be mad at them if they can't squeeze you in. They are REALLY busy, the foods that good. Just pick up the phone at 4 and make a reservation. The food was AMAZING! I had the meatloaf with the Caesar salad to start. The Caesar salad was so zesty and just the right amount. The meatloaf was unbelievably good with onion jam and gravy! My boyfriend had the lobster risotto and would not stop telling me how amazing it was. He stated he would eat at Sips every night if he lived in Southwest Harbor! Our waitress was great and the atmosphere was laid back. Overall, we loved it.
(5)Christina L.
The mushroom risotto is like a dream. The service is always friendly and the atmosphere is great. Date nights, family breakfasts or drinks at the bar, Sips never disappoints.
(5)FoodChick F.
Been coming here each visit to Southwest Harbor (4) since 2007. Food is good, place comfortable and clean. Staff is never warm & friendly, maybe that's Maine mentality but the service is good. Coffee is just okay but there is a good variety and you can get it to go.
(3)Michelle P.
(3)Cathy W.
(3)M. C.
(4)Cara H.
(5)Ralph A.
(4)Will H.
(4)J. K.
(4)Tony L.
(5)David W.
(1)Jeff K.
(2)Maria T.
(5)Arianna S.
(3)Kathleen H.
(3)Collin A.
Excellent food with excellent service and good wine. I enjoyed the caesar salad with chicken and could also recommend the lobster bisque and salmon fettuccine. The dinner was accompanied by a couple musicians with guitars. That was a nice accompaniment. We returned the next day for coffee, which was well worth the repeat trip. Go get it!
(5)Abban L.
Great breakfast food. Breakfast bagel egg sandwich, eggs and bacon, and crepes were simple and delicious. If I were to go back, I would get the bagel egg sandwich again. The latte was decent, though the coffee was too strong that bitterness was the only flavor that arose. The service was a little concerning. Our waitress was certainly proficient and, when we managed to flag her down, speedy. But there were several little details that made us feel like she was treating us differently than her other customers. For example, literally all other tables got a saucer that accompanied their espresso drink mugs, whereas we only got a mug, and their checks in a cut glass wine bottle, whereas we got handed our piece of check paper with nothing else. Because of the service, I would not return to Sips, despite their good food.
(3)Natalie P.
Only came in here for drinks. It's a cute little restaurant with a small bar that offers sips and glasses of wine. I would come here again if I was in town. It seemed like a nice quiet spot that I could definitely enjoy dinner and drinks at. Got a few glasses of wine for a night cap. Would have stayed longer but some obnoxious drunk guy was there and literally did not stop talking to the staff the entire time. I think they all find him amusing because this exchange seemed like a regular occurrence or that they are friends outside of work. Don't know but he was definitely annoying. **This part did not get factored into my rating. **
(3)Michelle P.
(3)