King Eider’s Pub - Damariscotta, ME

A welcoming and bustling pub!

On a stunning fall Saturday, my passenger princess and I cruised over to Damariscotta for a royal feast at the well-known King Eiders Pub. With the Stones setting the tone for the day, I dialed in for a resi at this busy joint (and bravo to them for being fabulous on the phone for a pre-opening reservation!)

Good old Billy Baru may be nearing the end of his journey, but he got us there safely, and we entered a lively pub filled with patrons of all ages and styles.

The warm atmosphere was complemented by the staff, who were simply fantastic throughout our visit.

On a bustling Saturday, bartender Amanda was working diligently yet remained calm—one of the true indicators of an outstanding team.

We secured the prime seats at the pub, right at the end of the downstairs bar (highly recommended). Amanda served us delightful cocktails, and we decided to start with the duck wings as an appetizer. The wings were cooked to perfection, and the sauce was delectable; however, there simply wasn't enough to accompany the quantity of wings we had.

Lunch turned into a delightful debate about what to order, and Amanda expertly guided me to a decision—should I go for the duck French dip or the steak and ale pie? Ultimately, I opted for the steak and ale, having enjoyed the fantastic dip in the past, and quite frankly, it was a great choice. My lovely date chose the crab cakes, which were a solid choice, but given how absolutely incredible my steak and ale pie was, I can't imagine they are the best seller. The steak and ale pie truly stood out as a specialty of King Eiders, and it’s definitely something I would happily drive to enjoy again—my highest praise!

We sampled some Irish whisky, enjoyed the perfectly volumed music, and just enjoyed every moment of our time there.

Overall, it's wise to make a reservation on busy days, as this place tends to attract a crowd. The outstanding staff and kitchen create a memorable experience, embodying the most essential trait of a classic pub: a warm and welcoming atmosphere!

Highly recommended.