Havana in Bar Harbor

When Michael Boland opened Havana in 1999, he wanted to bring something new to Bar Harbor. “I had already been running a more casual restaurant and wanted to do something different,” he says. “Something more fine dining, with an emphasis on wine, and connected to our travels in Latin America.”

He and his wife, Deirdre, landed on the name Havana after toying with others like Cuzco. “The sound of the word Havana is more lyrical and musical,” he explains. “It’s evocative and romantic, and it connects to the Latin American twist we were going for. It wasn’t a sales gimmick. It reflected our true passion for the people, cultures, music, and food of the region.”

Over the past 25 years, Havana has become a Bar Harbor institution. Boland credits the guests for keeping the spirit of the restaurant alive. “It’s a very intimate and rewarding thing to feed someone,” he says. “And it’s also incredibly meaningful to provide a solid and hopefully rewarding place for our staff to work.”

FAMOUS FOR:
Iconic dishes like the Seafood Paella, Lobster Moqueca, and Mushroom Spring Rolls have earned a devoted following, while the bar is known for its handcrafted Mojitos and Caipirinhas. The wine list, which Boland describes as “huge and somewhat overwhelming,” is also a source of pride.

ADDRESS:
318 Main Street in Bar Harbor, ME

photos by Peter Logue