“For those of you who visit Acadia National Park in Maine as much as I do, you may feel that it is difficult to find a good restaurant between, say, Portland and Ellsworth.  
I, too, have ended up at many a fast-food chain or a sub shop along the main road while thinking there must be some great restaurants hidden away in nearby towns
and villages.  Fortunately, some of us who frequent Acadia have discovered one of these restaurants.  It is called Darby's, and it is a truly outstanding restaurant and
bar in the funky seaside town of Belfast, about midway between Augusta and Mount Desert Island.

Darby's Restaurant and Pub is housed in a nearly 150-year-old building downtown, and comes complete with a tin ceiling, a well-worn hardwood floor, an antique bar, and walls decorated with beautiful paintings.  Indeed, Darby's has the classic feel of such great Boston haunts as Doyle's, JJ Foley's, and Jacob Wirth.  Being that Darby's resides in an artsy town, though, it is a bit more quirky and offbeat than Doyle's and the like.  In fact, Darby's is so unusual that it is difficult to even categorize the cuisine here; ironically, we have listed Darby's as an American restaurant simply because it has nearly every type of ethnic food imaginable.  From the potato latkes to the pad thai to the enchiladas to the Moroccan lamb to the lobster ravioli, Darby's pretty much covers the globe.

You would think that a restaurant with so many types of cuisine cannot excel in any, but this is not true at Darby's.  The macaroni and cheese, for instance, is exquisite, and both the enchiladas and the burgers are outstanding.  Other excellent dishes include the chicken quesadillas (though they do not always serve this) and the pecan haddock.  And complementing any lunch or dinner is an excellent beer list, including a beer called Red Lobster Ale, which is simply fantastic.  We're not sure how long this particular beer will be offered at Darby's, but if it is, make sure you try it.

Belfast is a very fun place to visit, with its many art galleries, stunning views of the ocean, and charming old houses.  And Darby's simply makes a visit to Belfast that much more memorable.  Whether you are staying in the Belfast area or are continuing to Bar Harbor and Acadia or some other destination, make a point to head over to Darby's. My guess is, it will be the first of many visits to this offbeat dining spot.”