Needful Things

• There are several farms on the peninsula offering organic fruits and vegetables: Darthia Farm on the West Bay Rd, Duerr’s Farm on Rte. 186 north of Winter Harbor, and Mandela Farm on Young’s Farm Rd off Rte. 186.  Raven’s Nest farm stand on the West Bay Rd just north of Darthia can be hit or miss, but usually offers fresh eggs, bread, and pasta among other things.  There is also a bakery in Winter Harbor and two places to buy sandwiches and foods to go.
• Harborside, just around the corner by the post office in Prospect Harbor, is the newest market in the area, with take-out offerings as well as convenience items.
• McC’s Marketplace on Rte. 186 in Birch Harbor is a small but well-stocked grocery store with a liquor license and gas pumps.
• Winter Harbor Provisions on Main Street in Winter Harbor is a larger grocery with fresh-baked goods, fresh produce, and wine and beer. Just down the street, Harbor Market offers fresh produce as well as meat and dairy products, good coffee, and breakfast and lunch items.  The Downeaster has prepared foods to go.
• A Tuesday morning Farmers’ Market in Winter Harbor offers not only local fruits and vegetables, but cheeses, meats, eggs (if you’re early and lucky), breads and pastries, East Indian foods, honey, flowers, and a lot more.
• The Lobstore on Rte 186 in Winter Harbor sells fresh seafood and shellfish. Across the street, Grindstone Smokehouse has a great selection of smoked things from local waters.
• If you can’t get what you want at one of these, there are large supermarkets in Milbridge (18 miles north) and Ellsworth (24 miles south), with lots to see and do in between.

Some favorite places to shop on the peninsula include:

Chapter Two.  Rosemary and Gary have put together one of the most interesting and varied selections of local artisans’ work anywhere around.  It’s in Corea, just a few miles beyond the turn-off for Lighthouse Point Road.  You’ll see beautiful artwork in many different media, hand-hooked rugs, jewelry, notecards, and unique gifts.

Winter Harbor 5 & 10.  This really Is a Five and Dime of the old sort.  Peter has just about everything crammed into this variety store:  needful things for the home, office supplies, souvenirs, beach togs, and toys.  Just look, you’ll find what you want in here somewhere!

Watering Cove Studios/U.S. Bells.  Just a short drive on the West Bay Road (Rte. 186 north) is a real bell foundry with a retail shop on the premises plus some cool pottery.  You can watch a video of a bronze pouring on the website or call to check the day’s schedule and go watch it live.

Prospect Harbor Soap Company.  If you are headed to Winter Harbor, this place is on the right just after you pass the park road and approach the village.  Master mixer Alexis makes a wide variety of soaps, lotions, soy candles, and other lovely items from natural ingredients to wow the body and soul.  Just go in and inhale – you won’t leave empty handed.

Artisans and Antiques in Winter Harbor.  This is a group shop with antiques and works by local artists, offering an eclectic mix of jewelry, stained glass, pottery, tile, soft-sculpture, paintings, and more.

Littlefield Gallery.  An award-winning gallery in Winter Harbor near the Bar Harbor ferry, it has works by artists from around the country who summer in the area.

As for places to eat…

The main thing to know about the restaurants on the peninsula is that they change and many of them close early, even during the summer.  They’re all busy in the summers, so expect to wait a while.  Consult their websites for menus, but if you want recommendations, try…

Lunch on the Wharf.   It’s on the left, just past the post office in Corea.  Walk down the gravel road to the wharf and treat yourself to an al fresco lunch on one of the prettiest harbors in Maine.  Great food, great people, and the best view from a dining establishment on the peninsula!

Me & Ben’s.  Feel like a hot dog or ice cream?  Then head to Main Street, Birch Harbor, just around the corner from The Pickled Wrinkle.  The young, entrepreneurial triplets who operate this establishment offer them a zillion different ways and have added chicken tenders and several other options.

The Pickled Wrinkle.  A favorite of the locals, it’s at 9 East Schoodic Drive in Birch Harbor, across from McC’s Market at the only left turn in the village.  They serve lunch and dinner.  It’s always crowded and worth the wait.

Bunker’s Seafood and Spirits.   Farther down Schoodic Drive in Wonsqueak Harbor, Bunkers is open again, offering local seafood and burgers on its extensive menu.  It sits on the harbor with spectacular views.

Downeast Mexican Takeout.  At 22 Old Route 1, this popular spot serves authentic Mexican fare, Michoacan style.  It’s family owned, the ingredients are fresh, and the food is served with a smile.

J.M. Gerrish’s, across from the 5 and 10 in Winter Harbor, is almost an institution in the area.  It’s open for breakfast and lunch, offering a variety of freshly prepared dishes, baked treats, and ice cream.

The Gallery in Winter Harbor.  Just beyond the 5 and 10, this small bar and bistro serves good wine by the glass and tasty small plates to accompany your drinks.

The Treehouse Seaside Grill.   On the corner of Rte 186 in the heart of Winter Harbor, this full service restaurant opened in 2023.  It is a superb lunch and dinner spot.

Harbor Market and The Downeaster.  These two new cafes in Winter Harbor are great spots for a cup of coffee and breakfast or lunch.  Eat in or take away for a picnic.  The Downeaster offers prepared foods to go for those times you just don’t want to cook.  Harbor Market has a nice variety of fresh produce, meats and dairy products as well as jams and other sweets.

Chase’s Restaurant.  On Main Street in Winter Harbor, this is a long-running Downeast diner with great chowder and local seafood.  It can get crowded, so go early and expect to wait.

There are a couple of other of favorite places, not on the peninsula but south on US 1 in Sullivan and Hancock.

Tracey’s.  This is the only lobster pound in the area and the place to go if you don’t want to cook your own lobster or clams.  Delicious!  About 12 miles away.

Ironbound.  In Hancock, fine dining in a casual setting with a comfortable lounge area and extensive wine list.

Chippers Restaurant.  Also in Hancock, it has an extensive menu and award-winning chowder.