Homeport Inn and Tavern

The music was just right, loud enough to enjoy but quiet enough that I could hear my partner and our waitress. Arnaud, the owner, and our waitress welcomed us quickly when my partner and I came into Homeport Tavern. We had freshly battered onion rings with ice cold margaritas, sugar rim and all, then split a grilled chicken caesar salad with steak cooked perfectly. The chef always brings 1000% to the kitchen and the guests he serves. We finished with a slice of cheese cake. It’s a whole experience you should try when visiting Searsport, Maine.

I’d driven past for years before finally treating myself to a birthday dinner. Everything I ordered was delicious, and I’d gladly have it all again: Crawfish Bisque, the nightly special of linguine in mascarpone citrus sauce with sautéed oysters, shrimp, and andouille sausage, garlic and herbed green beans as the vegetable of the night, and flourless chocolate torte ala mode with blueberries for dessert. Service was prompt and polite, and my server was kind and spot on. The Celtic Session played live that evening, tasteful and quiet enough to talk over. With two cocktails and tip, the bill was over $100 for me, so it’s a special occasion place at my budget. I’d eat there more often if I could afford it. Heads up, live music comes with a $5 cover charge on the bill.

We were cold, so we warmed up with hot Toddy’s, gumbo, and seafood bisque, all delicious. Arno took care of us at the bar and told us about the history of the restaurant and Inn. We’d come across the place by chance as we drove along Hwy 1 in Searsport, Maine. What a gem, find it and stop in! Ann & Rick

The gumbo was good, and our waitress was doing her best, but the music was so loud we nearly had to yell across the table. She couldn’t hear orders accurately in the adjoining dining room, and my medium rare order came out well done. We didn’t send it back because the food had already taken so long. We asked several times for the volume to come down. They closed half the dining room entrance, which helped a little, but the staff seemed understaffed. Curtains or something similar might absorb some of the sound. The manager said there was a cover charge, but there was no sign on the door saying so. The roadside live music sign was hidden by foliage, and when we saw it leaving, it didn’t mention a cover. No one told us about the charge when we reserved, and it isn’t on the website. I wouldn’t recommend this place if you don’t want to leave with a headache.