Reviews of Helen's Restaurant (Restaurant)

Rex Scism

Make sure you eat here - we stopped while driving though town and the food and service was amazing. Fresh seafood. Yum!

Kell Hinkle

Helen's know for their worlds famous blueberry pie. Close to a hotel and the river. Beautiful view with really great food.

Kareen Mckenzie

The food was excellent; we had fish chowder and the scallops dinner, both delicious. It was very busy on a foggy weeknight and we came in less than a hour before closing, nevertheless the service was prompt and the food was well-prepared. Highly recommend.

Maine Guy

Very good fish chowder and dinner rolls!

Conor Chinitz

This place has delicious food, friendly and fast service, and a spectacular view of forest and water. We got a shepherds pie, sweet potato fries, and a salad with strawberries and fried local shrimp. For dessert, we had blueberry pie made with local Maine blueberries. Everything was absolutely marvelous.

Karen Kerr

Food good, blueberry sangria overpriced

Susan Huff

Food is great, haddock chowder with crab is delicious! Love this place.

Stephanie Tuck

Down East specialty! Such a treat!

Nicholas Richard

Really nice, and their food is amazing!!!

Phillip S

Haddock chowder is outstanding and their strawberry pie is oh, so good (photo of pie shows only half a slice (we shared)).

steven gibson

Not the same as the "old Helen's". Use to be like eat in someone's home, now its more open and loud. Food quality has dropped with a smaller menu.

Bob Billingsley

Delicious meal - friendly fast service - wonderful fish chowder served with warm rolls and crackers. Followed by a delicious scallops & clams served with baked potato and pickled beets & the fried gulf shrimp dinner served with French fries and cole slaw .... Dessert was blue berry pie and raspberry pie

Jim Tyler

Went for dessert, one wimpy blueberry pie and deflated choc cream....got taco salad w all lettuce and meat....not the Helen's I remember

Josh Dumond

This place is amazing! Incredible food, amazing drinks and atmosphere. The people were so friendly, we'll be back during our next vacation there!

Matt Jones

Eating at Helen's is something I always look forward to. Been coming here for good meals the past 10 years I've vacationed in Maine and everytime is a great experience. Delicious and fresh food, friendly and hospitable staff, and the rebuilt restaurant's clean and new environment make for a great meal. I can't recommend their seafood and pies enough. Just might be the best sit-down restaurant in town!

Jim Doty

Excellent fish dinner! Well cook and an interesting stuffing/crust. Enjoyed it and would recommend.

Kaitlyn Contildes

Professional, clean, organized, warm and welcoming environment, open layout. This place is hands down fantastic! The servers are sweet and attentive. The breakfast menu isn't very long but you do have a good bulk of choices from oatmeal or yogurt with granola, a ham steak with eggs, 8oz sirloin with eggs or just some pancakes with bacon. I can't speak for the lunch menu, however the dinner menu is also not a large amount of options but theres a good variety. Options of beef plates, chicken meals, and seafood platters you will always find something to suit your pallate!

Matt Mitchell

Pricey but worth it. I had a steak that was cooked perfectly. I didn't get a dessert and I regret it because they look amazing. I'll definitely have one next time. I hear breakfast is amazing. Staying in Machias next week. I'll probably stop in and try breakfast. Didn't give it 5 starts because service was ok and not a good selection of draft beers.

Rondise Watson

Great food.

stephen brunick

Clean building, relaxing atmosphere, great views of the nature. Food was okay. My friend ordered the scallops and fried haddock. I ordered the fish and chips. French fries are frozen, typical for most places. Batter on the haddock was simple and under seasoned. Scallops we're over cooked. Dinner rolls we're good, nothing amazing. Food was out quick and hot. Order blueberry pie for desert. Basic pie crust, filling had an abundance of real fruit. Overall the atmosphere and scenic view pushed this to 3 stars. The food was average and nothing to be blown away by.

Sedonia Guillone

The pie here is awesome. However, every time I have a meal here I don't feel quite satisfied in the sense that the portions are skimpy and compared to other places, just not as good. They do a few dishes really well like the blue goat burger and the Italian meatloaf sandwich, but overall I don't like it as much and it's second choice or we go there with friends who prefer it in order to be with them.

Tom Kelley

A bit disappointing. The pies look so beautiful in the case, and as if Grandma herself made them, but were a letdown. Literally every other place I've ever had scallops have cooked them better; the cooks didn't even remove the necks. Fries were bad, fish wasn't great, salads were okay. The milkshake I got was good. My parents had raved about this place, but were also disappointed this time back. There were six of us and we were all unimpressed.

W T

Excellent food and service !! A must go too !

David Vail

Long wait time, slow service, but the food was good when we got it.

George Campbell

Great place! Lobster was great! Blue berry pie was awesome! I will be back!

Andrea Currie

Friendly with personable staff.

Judie Quayle

Good food. Quick and friendly service. Fairly priced.

Theresa Peek

The haddock with the parmesan crust was amazing! Chicken parm was good, but like most places in this area of Maine the sauce is too sweet and the spaghetti is too thick and over cooked. The ambiance is one of the best in the area... modern and not cramped.

Ellen Horton

Nice location. New building since our previous visit, there was a fire! Service is excellent, food was tasty & served in a reasonable amount of time. Is a little pricey.

Tyra Lyons

Great food and friendly staff The pie is the best in town

Douglas Larson

Started with the fish soup. It was fantastic. For the main course fried haddock and pan seared scallops. To finish off the evening a piece of blue berry pie. I forget to mention that our server was amazing. She knew and could answer any questions about the entire menu. Not once did she write anything down and she did not miss a beat. She delivered the food to the correct person. I wish I could remember her name, would love to give her the kudos she deserves.

Christopher May

Right on a bay. They have a nice bar. The menu items were reasonably price. A number of the seafood items caught locally. The server WA really friendly and the food was very good.

Christopher Roberts

We went out for our anniversary dinner 08/24/19, we were camping and had heard good things. It didn't really live up to the reviews. Our server hardly checked in on us, another server saw we needed refills and refilled or drinks. Food was good but not very hot. Pie was good.

Alfred Starlings Jr.

Good food and super

Chris Egan

Great staff! Comfort foods with some twists. Try the grilled cheese meatloaf sandwich. Amazing pies and the eclair is perhaps the best I've ever had.

Paul Renck

Good menu and excellent service. Best desserts.

Stephanie Anthony

One of the best restaurants in Downeast Maine - save room for dessert!!

Harold Prescott

Awesome service and food. My favorite!

Daniel Francis

Awesome staff and awesome food and awesome prices.

Brenda Albee

Delicious food and good atmosphere

somkietr rojanasathit

Busy local cuisine of New England.Blueberry pie is the signature dish. The restaurant has been in the area quite sometime.

Gary Capehart

Fabulous food, prompt service, low prices, and a million dollar view of coastal Maine. Where all is right in the world.

Jed Penner

Great place! Good food!

Charles Kronenthal

Service was excellent hence the three stars. The food, lobster and crab rolls, were mediocre at best. I see the higher ratings but truly do not understand how they arrived at those. Oh well, to each his own.

Amy Ciuffoletti

The best blueberry pancakes I’ve ever had (and I’ve had a lot of blueberry pancakes)!

Milos Gautier

Nice atmosphere when it's full of people. The food is decent and you can get yourself a drink at the bar or sit by the fire place

Cheri Greenwell

Really huge menu with great seafood. Nice outdoor seating with good service.

Mia Ives-Rublee

Great view and good food. They stuff their lobster rolls (next skimpy rolls).

Arthur Jennings

Great halibut crowder!

Sean Barron

What a great place! Awesome staff abound here. Lobster roll with herb mayo was killer and so was the chowder. Everything was fresh, generous portions and great looking place. The perfect stop after a long day of driving.

dawn sweetser

Unbelievable blueberry pie!!! Very nice staff

alicia Ryan

Service is great and the food is delicious!

GARY CHRISTIAN

Great service and food. Very good but Canadian travellers beware, they don’t take regular bank interac cards(maybe they just don’t know. The host kept asking me what credit card it was affiliated with???) and they don’t take Canadian $$$$$.

Michael Flanagan

Mom and Pop with very notable quality. Both Haddock and fish chowder were 5 star.

J Singh

One of the best in the area. I tried their strawberry pie. It was right amount of sugar. Certainly delicious. Nice interiors. Strongly recommend this place to anyone who is in the area or driving by.

JR Kellish

PIE....PIE.....PIE. Really good food and save room for the pie.

Pearl Pulk

First time since the new building has been up thumbs up!!!

Josh Reynolds

This place is a gem. Great menu, but the real all-star is the pie. Havent had a bad slice yet... But the blueberry is AMAZING!

Tom Sawin

Nice setting next to a nice Motel good food Pleasant waitresses I love their potatoes with ranch dressing on it

Nancy Greger

By chance we stopped here for a lunch while driving to Canada. Lovely view from the dining room also outdoor seating looking over the bay. Light and airy. Smiling, happy waitress. Crab roll and fries very tasty.

John E Jones

We enjoyed it,pie was excellent!

Jenell Jackson

I had the scallops and they were a bit tough, however the were seasoned perfectly. The dinner rolls are scrumptious. My hubby did not like his meatloaf. Our waitress forgot us a couple of time but she was nice.

Betsy Mclean

I always eat Helens when I am in Machias on business or just traveling through. The food is delicious. The lobster mac and cheese is to die for yummy cheese and yummy Lobster it is so good. Their fish chowder is famous and it is also delicious. I highly recommend you stop at Helens

Charles Kashary Jr.

Good fish both fried and steamed. Desserts looked fabulous! Comfortable homey place to eat.

Todd

Great place to eat and the service is excellent.

Matthew Dye

Potroast and blueberry pie fame.

Heather Mawhinney

Fun place to be! Great times always had at Helen's!

Dean McGuire

Helen's is always a good experience. We eat here regularly and the food is consistently excellent and the employees are always friendly. Never disappointed.

J D

The food was good. But the staff is a little off.

Beverly Ramsdell

The bounty platter, enough for two, cloudy have used more yummy onions rings.

Becky Mozo-Adams

We couldn't be happier with our experience at Helen's! We had breakfast and then blueberry pie for dessert. I had Crab Benedict (outstanding). The close pie in the pic is a traditional blueberry, and the one at the back is blueberries covered in a layer of delicious cream. Oh. My. Goodness!

Jeffrey Hill

Some of the food was good some not so much ....very busy and the service was a little slow

Nathan Ralston

The food was good. The staff was kind and curious, very knowledgeable about their job.

Ferol Vincent

Chowder was good. Big A was prepared as ordered. Chicken critters were "delicious ".

Shiki Empire

The atmosphere is not welcoming. There is little to no sound barriers so on some days you can't even hear yourself think. The staff is very friendly, but the service can feel incredibly slow. Not to mention their opening hours are short.

Doug Lauver

The best breakfast, specifically the crab cake Benedict. We stopped here after our mini-moon, on our way home from Eastport. Hands down the best meal of our trip. I wanted to sit here long enough to have lunch to try their lunch food because the breakfast was so good. We will definitely make another trip down east to have lunch here.

Rrrose Carbinela

Friendly staff, good coffee, good breakfast menu. I love the fact they only give you straws on request, and banned styrofoam years ago. Since the community depends on the ocean for their livelihood, they are conscious of pollution. The food is good, and the whipped cream is out of this world incredible. Prices are very reasonable, too.

Serafin Munoz

LOVE the place

Kiowa Roberts

Not good service.

Justin KISTNER

Nice clean place to eat. Good food but the french fries aren't crisp and are skimpy on condiments. You have to ask for a straw if you want one.

Alice Ackley

Awesome service and great meal today. My compliments to the chef..

e1aschools

The food and staff here are amazing. We ate here ever meal for 3 days with no complaints. They have gluten free options which can be hard to find. I do wish they stayed opened until at least 10 on Friday and Saturday even if they shut the kitchen down at 8.

Buddy Crabtree

Friend with me had a burger he said it was great.

cindy glaser

Very good food and very nice people

Rebecca Bense

I love eating there...the Machias site is excellent. Clean, great service, food is always good...to great. The pies are yummy!

Averil .B

Very good food, reasonable prices.

Mike Rinehart

Excellent lobster and fish and chips.

Ace Adams

We got there and waited about a half an hour for a cup of water. Once we receive the water there was no ice in it. after I got a size 10 minutes and waitress came back and we asked her ice she looked at us walked off and came back with two cups of ice. Her customer service was lacking, and it was like she was troubled that she had our party of two to take care of. The table of 6 next to us seem to get pretty good service but our table was very much lacking. Food came out finally after about an hour which was good. That's the only reason for the two stars otherwise it would have been one. Very disappointing surprisingly.

Dawn Hurley

They are so awesome! A family run restaurant with great food and service and they make you feel right at home. They make good home cooked food and at a great price point. I hope I get back soon for a breakfast bowl or a juicy burger! There is nothing better that I can say other than go and enjoy the food and the best view and the lovely people at Helen's!

Michael Carter

Nice location on river. Better than average food, great fish chowder, good friendly service. Well managed and always clean

cynthia white

Open space causes excess noise. Pies are awesome. Found the main meals adequate , but felt cost was high based on quality.

Don Davenport

Great pie

rich

First time here, hopefully not the last. Traveling Maine coast to Campobello in Canada. AAA rep. said Helen's is a must stop. She was right. Food and service was top notch even though it was busy. I've had pie in many restaurants before BUT none like these. Get more than one kind and share, you'll be glad you did. We'll be back and that's for sure.

Quinton King

The food is very good the deserts are even better the staff is friendly the restaurants clean well-kept they give you plenty of food the banana split pie as my personal favorite it's awesome and along with the Boston cream and coconut is matter fact the blueberry pie is pretty good too

Alene Staley

Best restaurant in Maine.

Lester Burris

A very very good traditional lobster roll. The sweet potato fries are also amazing. There is a huge selection of pies and the menu has a lot of choices.

Tim Kinney

Did not have lobster the two day shipping we went. Even called ahead to see if they had it but did not. Food was still good. Staff was pleasant.

Ben redman

Helen's is always an awesome place to eat. I have breakfast there every Friday. Even though they know me, I still get great service! Thank you David and Julie for hiring such wonderful staff.

Linda Rae

Staff were very friendly and accommodating not to mention that the food was very good.

Brett Bills

Great service, good food, nice view of the river

Brenda Flood

Great food, great service, great atmosphere!

Jesse Russell

Great homemade food and atmosphere, the view and the pies are fantastic. We are definitely going back.

randy ellis

best in area.we are from vt,great breakfast and lunch

Paolo Fongemie

Very good food and service! Lots of gluten-free options.

Mike Cassella

Long waits. Poor service. Below average grub I try once a year but yet to be impressed. ..they assume history is all they need when it's a new menu,chef,and business plan.

CorpseFace

This place was so great!! They decorate it so well, and there's a great big windowed view to the river nearby. And the food is divine, I had the Parmesan Stuffed Haddock and I would have it every single day until I got sick of it if I could.

Virginia Wright

My favorite at Helen's restaurant is the famous strawberry pie, made with fresh strawberries and whipped cream! I like going to Helen's for their pie 1st, but before dessert, I have to get a delicious Maine lobster roll.

Kathy Hogan

Best fish chowder I've ever had. Visiting our son at the University and had a wonderful lunch!

Richard Zierke

In town for margrara days great service

Anne Dolloff

Waitress was way too busy. Service okay

S Tucker

The blueberry pie is AMAZING, second only to the strawberry rhubarb pie. Some of the best chowder I've had. The meatloaf grilled cheese was a huge hit with the family. Great service and clean restaurant. Stop here you won't regret it.

Jonathan Metalski

Excellent New England fish chowder!

Barbara ROUSH

French toast. ..oh boy,expensive,spartan decor and aside from the good service,nothing to write home about

Diane Beal

Good, delicious food. Service was a bit slow and almost forgetful but other than that would go back again.

Rebecca Leclair

Award winning Haddock Chowder and the best pie!

judy dewar

Excellent food especially raspberry cream pie! Staff very courteous and accommodating. Always look forward to visiting Helen's.

Angie Richardson

Too expensive and I couldn't even taste my haddock burger. If you want a good one, go to Beals Island at Bayview takeout or the River side takeout. They also need more options for kids to eat. Disappointed in that area too.

Richard Tirrell

If you travel to Machiasport ME you must visit Helen's THE BEST BLUEBERRY PIE I have ever eaten. My mother owned a bakery but she could not beat this PIE, !! and THE yummiest SEAFOOD IN THE WORLD.

Gabrielle.Babette

I love the dinner staff they are absolutely amazing. The breakfast staff rushed us. We sat down and 2 minutes later were expected to order off the menu. Our waitress who assumed we both wanted coffee seemed annoyed when I wanted hot chocolate instead of coffee. After we asked for more time to look at the menu she gave us a solid two minutes. Enough time to ask a person 2 tables away how they were and then come back to us. After we quickly decided our order to stop being a burden to her our food was good but she gave us the bill with our food. I was hoping to get water and my husband wanted orange juice. Instead we went to a gas station to grab the beverages after breakfast. We talked to the hostess about the issue and she couldn't care less and didn't try and keep us as customers after telling her we might not come back to breakfast but will continue for dinner. Btw we stepped through the door at 8:01 and left at 8:30 didnt even have time to enjoy a conversation on my only day off with my husband. So much for a breakfast date.

Amy Lantry

Good food...even better desserts!!!

Marianna Sargent

We tried this twice based on online reviews. I'm not sure if it was our bad luck that we had the same server both times but the first time we left after sitting at a table for 45 minutes and finally recieving raw "stuffed" mushrooms as an appetizer. The manager didn't try to stop us from leaving or fix it but did apologize. We understand that bad nights happen so a month later we tried again. This time we did get food but the service was slow and terrible and the food was adequate. Sorry to say we don't try again.

Suzanne Philp

Good food, friendly service in a clean, fresh environment with nice views.

Susan Reed

Good food...great pies...big seating capacity

Tim Langille

The place has really changed. Prices went up. Food portions are smaller but still tasty. Service was just good. Guess the times are changing.

Johannes Boppart

Helen's restaurant is a great place to eat with the family. Great food, I had the Blueberry Billy Goat, a burger with goat cheese and blueberry jam! Yum! Definitely a good place to dine in when in the area.

ABRAHAM HAILE

Ive only been there for breakfast, but the breakfast is amazing!

Heidi Glidden

The best Raspberry Pie anywhere. This is pie will stay with you and you'll find yourself craving it. Think "Field of Dreams" but for pie. You'll find yourself driving down the road and end up here. And make sure it is the original location. It does make a difference.

Michael Brennan-White

Omg, my burger was so good. It was there with bacon, goat cheese and blueberry jam. So tasty. Everyone else in our party enjoyed their meat but I especially felt prepared for our eight hour drive home.

Bill Taylor

After driving 2 hrs by 4 wheeler 12 of us ate at this restaurant.They split us into 2 groups of 6.The other group was eating their apps and meals before we got our apps! They paid their bill and was outside walking around when we got our meals! I truly believe it was our waitress fault and not the kitchen. Otherwise the food was delicious but pricey. Probably won't go back.!

Ann Kay

Excellent clam strip dinner, and outstanding cranberry-walnut muffins...

Bob Mattoon

Really love the place. Just wish it wasn't 120 miles away from home.

Cathy Tipton

Excellent food and a very charming place.

Newz with Z

This was one of our favorite finds in Maine. Excellent service. Excellent food. Excellent decor. Inviting. Tasty. And a great stop to grasp the unique and alluring vibe of coastal Maines beautiful people and towns. Would definitely seek out Helen's again.

Kori D

Wonderful service. Amazing food!

John Collins

Good service and good place for lobster. The pie is noteworthy.

Nathan Underwood

Excellent service, excellent food!!

Julie Stroba

Took to long to get food

Jack Woodruff

So good, more then enough to eat! Staff was friendly.

Wanda Smith

Good food, good service.

Kim Roos

Love Helens!

Google User

Love this place, ate here about 15 times!

Carolyn Goyer

Great food and fantastic view of the river

Joe Hornyak

Nicely decorated, great service, the breakfast was more than you could ever ask for.

John Stutz

Good food, good staff, lol pricey.

Joe Bieniecki

Good place for breakfast. Newly rebuilt after a fire the place is bright and open with great views to the water. Food was good but nothing exceptional, decent value for the $$$. The lost star is for some wonky things like coffee being in vacuum pots instead of fresh brewed. Waitress has to take your half cup of coffee across the room to "top off" your cup instead of just bringing a pour pot to the table & home fries were not part of the breakfast and needed to be added as a side dish. They are making an effort to be more environmentally conscious but it does not ring genuine. It seems as if they are doing it for the *appearance* of being green since the passionately worded table tent decrying the evils of plastic straws was held in place by a literal bucket of tiny plastic creamers that you need 4 of per cup to make any difference and plastic butter cups that hold almost enough for a slice of toast.

Katie D.

The fresh homemade pies are so good! Definitely try the blueberry pie with vanilla ice cream. The fish and chips was good as well, though the homemade onion rings were lacking flavor.

Bety Beam

Sooo good. Start with the pie, just incase you get too full. It's a must.

Joe Waycott

Just a great place to eat good food,and pie to die for...great service,loud yet you dont seem to mind!