Jeannie’s Breakfast and Chowder House (Bar Harbor, Maine)

A visit to Acadia National Park isn’t complete without stopping in the adjacent town of Bar Harbor. Although its streets are riddled with souvenir shops and other tourist magnets, Bar Harbor holds a few restaurants which possess that small town charm.

On a recent trip, I pulled into the town early enough to catch the shops opening for business. I stopped in Jeannie’s Breakfast and Chowder House on Cottage St. to grab a morning bite, and I met the friendly staff and a group of local regulars. As I took a moment to sip my coffee, I listened to some stories from the sheriff who had wandered in for pancakes.

Jeannie’s breakfast menu is quite extensive. Not only does it contain the usual fare, but there were also options for vegetarians and vegans. My meal was prepared to my liking, and if the rest of the menu brings the locals back often, Jeannie’s must doing something right. Definitely a must for early birds and seekers of local color.