Finn’s Irish Pub in Ellsworth, Maine

Finn's is a colorful, relaxed hangout in downtown Ellsworth where locals and visitors crowd in for traditional Irish food with a Maine twist. The kitchen does house-made potato chips, proper bangers with sauerkraut and cabbage, and a crock of beans that's become a regular's obsession. Come for the beer selection and stay because the staff actually cares whether you're happy.

• Haddock cakes and fish sandwich: crispy, moist, real deal.
• Bangers and beans with sauerkraut and cabbage is a revelation.
• House-made potato chips come with everything, not standard fries.
• Brown bread and proper Guinness selection justify the trip alone.

Start with the haddock cakes or the fish sandwich, both crispy and moist. The bangers and beans (with sauerkraut, cabbage, and carrots) sounds odd but delivers. Fish and chips comes with house-made chips instead of fries. Don't skip the boiled dinner or brown bread, and finish with a Guinness or one of their cocktails.

Low lighting and casual seating make it feel cozy, though the main room picks up noise when it fills. The window alcove is quieter if you can snag it.

Guests rave about the haddock cakes, the unexpected bangers and beans, and Hannah's waitstaff touch. One recent visitor called it 'the best meal we had' during their Maine vacation, and another praised the fish sandwich as having both crispy edges and moist flesh. People come back because the staff actually listens.