A call-first sequence designed for the hardest possible Bar Harbor table: ten people, same day, in July.
Best first callStewman’s DowntownCall 207-288-0346Ask for one 10-top or two adjacent 5-tops.
The recommendation
The best lobster dinner is Stewman’s Downtown. Ask for 10 people, accept two adjacent five-tops, and offer either 5:00–5:30 or 8:00–8:30. If Downtown cannot do it, immediately call the Regency location at 207-288-9723.
Stewman’s is oceanfront and serves the full Downeast lobster experience, but officially reserves only for groups of 20+, so tonight requires phone guidance plus a walk-in strategy. Stewman’s details ↗
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The failure-proof sequence
Stewman’s Downtown, then Regency
Call Downtown first. If they cannot give a workable arrival plan, call the second location immediately.
Its live booking form rejected a 10-person online reservation and instructed callers to contact the restaurant. Testa’s says it welcomes large parties and serves lobster.
“We’re 10 people looking for lobster tonight. Can you seat one table of 10 or two adjacent tables of five? We can arrive as early as 5:00 or as late as 8:30. What gives us the best chance?”
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Council check
Gemini and Grok independently reviewed the evidence. Both converged on Stewman’s first, early lobster-pound fallback.
No reservation has been made yet—the next move is the phone call.