Fabulous food cooked over an open flame wood stove. High end food like the scallops we got last night, but also the best cheeseburger I have ever had. You can feel the personal touch and care they take with the food and customers.
Absolutely amazing, every single time. The food here is extraordinarily thought out from local sourced fish and meats, down to the last micro green. River house is not to be missed on your next trip to the Midcoast.
Last night was as delightful as ever with miso ginger mussels, steelhead trout with celaric and cranberry relish and cooked raddish mmmmmm oh and a delicious popover for dessert! The chef did an INCREDIBLE job working around a very peculiar and severe allergy, thank you.
The wine selection is superb and the service is as kind and patient as can be. Ambience is always sweet, especially love the hand picked lupine!
While staying in Boothbay Harbor, we decided to make the drive up to Damariscotta for dinner at the River House and everything was fantastic! The views from inside the dining room were picturesque, atmosphere was very relaxed, drinks were great, and dinner was delicious, and very well prepared. Staff and service were excellent and really made for a great evening!!
This is my favorite place in Damariscotta Maine, the chef John is so good and uses only fresh ingredients at all time, in fact after having dinner here last night we are now having brunch for the first time, the next day! We are so happy that we have the chance to come. The food is delicious and the service is amazing! Also you can get fresh squeezed orange juice you can’t beat that. 🤪
Excellent from start to finish! My husband and I popped in for drinks and apps on Thursday night before heading down the street for dinner. Had we not had reservations with our extended family, we certainly would have happily stayed at The River House.
Our server was super friendly, efficient and informative. Our drinks were both fantastic and both the mussels appetizer and the tomato appetizer were not only delicious, but so fresh and flavorful.
We made it a point to go back the very next evening to celebrate our 16th wedding anniversary!
We happily sat at the bar where John served us creative top notch drinks. Our entire meal was delicious, but the miso squash was so amazing that we had to order it again as a side to go with our bluefin tuna and steak!
We’ve eaten at fantastic restaurants in Boston, San Francisco, Portland OR, and beyond, and this was right up there with the best of them. We will definitely be going back to The River House next time we are in town!
My husband and I had a magical experience at River House along with friends. We're still savoring every detail. My tomato and goat cheese salad with buckwheat flakes was delicious in its delicacy. I wish I could replicate the dressing. The Damariscotta River oysters were mouth watering with maple turmeric mignonette. We were sharing plates of halibut and chicken, and most of our conversation turned into oohs and aahs. We loved the farm to table focus on sustainability, along with information about each of the food sources. We're eager for the next foodie adventure there!
We had a fabulous experience at the River House. I discovered this restaurant on Google Maps and found it had excellent reviews and offered a farm to table experience.
I had the chicken which was from a local farm and my husband ordered the halibut, which he thought was the best he has ever had. My chicken was amazing as well. The presentation was spot on.
Service was so friendly and we had the perfect table overlooking the harbor.
We were so pleased with the restaurant that we will certainly go back there for another visit this year.
The absolute best restaurant in Damariscotta, ME. Delicious farm to table, great wine list and comfortable atmosphere. The staff is very accommodating and the setting can’t be beat, located directly on the Damariscotta River and an easy walk from anywhere in town.
Best food around. Local, creative, delicious. The setting over the river is fantastic. Exceptional Sunday brunch 10-2. Crabmeat eggs Benedict, roasted shiitake omelet, crunchy homemade biscuits w awesome sausage gravy, savory braised greens....March Update: The chef accommodated my gluten-free preference and made me an amazing breakfast Bowl with Sautéed mushrooms greens pickled onions and tomatoes.
My local friend raved about River House and had the foresight to reserve one of their two outside tables with a built in fire for our visit. Once the fire started up, we were instantly warm and enjoying the friendly coastal ambiance in Damariscotta.
The small menu was broken into cocktails, wine, firsts and mains, endings and then a random “loose ends” menu. We were all prepared to order the Monkfish after hearing our friend rave about it, and were somewhat devastated when they were completely sold out by our 7:30 reservation, very much dwindling our options as pescatarians.
That said, we were happy campers by the time our cocktails arrived. If you are an Old Fashioned lover like me, you will enjoy the Of the Earth cocktail! The salmon and the off menu “chef’s veggie special” aka the medley of veggie sides from all the other main dishes, were all delicious.
We have been coming here since the beginning and they have nailed it every time! Love this place. We are so lucky to have them as a part of our community in the damariscotta region. If you haven't been here you have to come!
The food was absolutely brilliant. I had a New York strip steak, it was a special, and I swear it was the best steak I had ever had in my life, it was just perfect. The drinks were all perfectly timed for our meals. Everything was great from the ambient, the drinks, the food and the dessert. It was pretty pricey but would definitely recommend to everyone.
Always delicious. Menu every-changing based on local goods/produce. Specialty cocktails (and mocktails!) are equally as delicious
Couldn't recommend more
What a fantastic spot! This cute farm to table restaurant is located right on the water with both indoor and outdoor seating. Fresh, creative cocktails as well as extremely well executed food. I very much enjoyed the scallops, oysters and mussels paired with their twist on a gimlet. Everything was beautifully presented and the service was excellent! We finished our meal with chocolate mousse and a rhubarb crumble. Perfection! I highly recommend this place! One of the best meals I have ever had!
Met my sister here after work for a quick drink, I only live down the road and this was my first time. The bartender was amazing! We didn't have a lot of time and he quickly made me a great tequila drink. The service was great. The environment was super comfortable and the food smelled amazing!! I will be back for sure!!
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