The story
The White Barn Inn Restaurant in Kennebunkport, Maine, serves American cuisine and holds Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star status for 2026. It sits at Kennebunk, ME 04043 on the Kennebunk River, a short drive from the village of Kennebunk.
Chef Padilla changes the menu with the seasons and with what is available locally. The inn's proximity to some of the finest fish and shellfish means the seafood is consistently fresh. The wine list is broad, with deep French and Italian selections that include premier crus and reserve bottles.
The dining room is elegant but relaxed, with about four feet between tables. Forbes describes the coddled service and intimate setting as especially romantic, which suits anniversaries and family dinners. AAA also awarded the restaurant Five Diamond status for 2026.
Recognition
Details
History
The Five-Star restaurant’s locale hugs the southern Maine coastline along a quiet stretch of the Kennebunk River within minutes of the village of Kennebunk and its year-round outdoor activities, shopping, art galleries, restaurants and museums.Of the many accolades to bestow upon The White Barn Inn Restaurant, our favorite aspect of dining there is that chef Padilla is constantly changing the menu to reflect the season and what is available locally.All year round, the seafood options are pristine, given the inn’s proximity to arguably some of the world’s finest fish and shellfish.The wine list offers a wide range of vintages from around the world and digs deep into French and Italian varietals, including premier crus and many reserve bottles.The dining room is elegant, yet friendly, with plenty of space (a good four feet) between tables. We’ve enjoyed many celebratory dinners here with family and friends, but find the coddled service, beautiful menu, and intimate dining room a very romantic location.
AAA: 5 Leading-edge cuisine, ingredients and preparation with extraordinary service and surroundings.
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