Le Brun in Bar Harbor
Le Brun opened its doors in July 2023, a project from owners Michael Boland and Cassady Pappas that reimagined a historic downtown Bar Harbor building once home to Brown Family Furniture. The name honors that legacy while introducing something entirely new. What was once a salon with a wraparound mezzanine has been transformed into an elegant dining room that guests often describe as “unrecognizable in the best way.”
Executive Chef Uel Sugg leads the kitchen with a menu rooted in French technique but enriched by global flavors. Dishes like the halibut with corn succotash, blackberry gastrique, and corn purée, or the roasted chicken with housemade velouté and crispy carrot ribbons, are designed to surprise as much as they satisfy. The lobster bisque with its oyster-cracker garnish, French onion soup that takes days to prepare, and bone marrow are all favorites, along with rotating seasonal salads that regulars eagerly await.
What sets Le Brun apart is its flexibility. Guests can come in straight from a hike for a bowl of French onion soup at the bar, or sit down for a celebratory meal with an $800 bottle of wine from Michael’s carefully curated list. “We wanted to create a neighborhood restaurant with high-quality food, wine, and service, but without pretension,” says Caroline Kolman, the general manager. “Whether you’re here for a casual evening or a milestone celebration, the experience is consistent and welcoming.”
Le Brun has quickly become known not just for its food, but for its atmosphere. It's a place that makes locals feel at home and visitors eager to return, even within the same trip.
FAMOUS FOR:
Bringing French technique and Maine ingredients together in a way that keeps guests coming back.
ADDRESS:
74 Cottage St in Bar Harbor, ME
WEBSITE:
lebrunmaine.com
photos by Peter Logue
