Cafe This Way
BAR HARBOR—Cafe This Way began back in 1997, when Susanne Hathaway, Hulie Berberian, and Julie Harris got together.
The Julies had lost their jobs when another restaurant closed down. Susanne had just done a senior project at the College of the Atlantic about starting a business.
The three got together and an institution was born, opening a month before Susanne graduated.
In the beginning, they lived, worked, and vacationed together. Susanne’s husband, Dan, became part of the deal and then their offspring.
The restaurant is tucked down a lane off Mount Desert Street and has always been known for both its good food and leaning toward the literary. There are books on the wall. There is food on the table. There is comfort here in a place that once housed the Unusual Cabaret.
It is part of the Bar Harbor experience—the hip Bar Harbor experience. So much so that even governors stop by when they are in town. So much so that even in the height of the season, locals mosey in with the tourists. Sometimes they bring their dogs.
MORE INFORMATION:
Cafe This Way is open from May to October for breakfast. Breakfast is first come, first served.
Breakfast: Daily 6:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Inside and outside seating
We started going to the Cafe in the late 90's, attracted by the quirky/literary aesthetic and fun/creative menu. I've taken house guests there for dinner, gathered with neighbors to hear political activists and candidates speak, eaten opening week Benedicts, enjoyed pop-up parking lot dinners during COVID, heard about struggles and victories from Suzanne's mom, who is a good friend. And last week a birthday brunch with friends. The Cafe is Real Bar Harbor.