Whale's Tale Restaurant in Boothbay Harbor, Maine

The Whale's Tale sits right on the water in Boothbay Harbor, slinging classic New England seafood and steaks with a full bar. The crowd's a mix of tourists and locals who've been coming back for the haddock chowder and the bay views. There's a dockside patio and live music most nights, though service can be uneven, so go in with patience.

• Haddock chowder tastes like old Boothbay memories
• Fried haddock sandwich among the best around
• Bay views from nearly every table
• Dockside patio with live music most nights

Start with the artichoke dip if you're sharing. The haddock chowder is the signature bowl, warming and rich. The fried haddock sandwich lands the way it should. Pan seared haddock with butter crumbs is solid when the kitchen's dialed in. Salmon shows up well-done on the plate. Lobster dinner comes with all the trimmings if you're splurging.

Open, bright room built around the harbor view. Gets loud and boisterous once happy hour kicks in, especially on live music nights. The patio fills up fast in summer.

Best visited when you're not in a rush. Some nights the bar staff moves like they own the place. Other nights things get tangled. Oysters on the half shell, steaks, and that artichoke dip come recommended if you're going the appetizer route.

Guests rave about the chowder and the fried haddock sandwich as some of the best they've had. The bay views seal the deal for most. One recent visitor said the salmon "slapped." Service is hit or miss; the bar staff sometimes shines, but there've been nights when orders got dropped or delayed.