The Cult of Mount Desert Island Ice Cream

In a state where ice cream is practically a religion, Mount Desert Island Ice Cream (MDIIC) has achieved cult status. This isn’t your standard scoop shop with vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry. It’s a flavor laboratory where basil meets blueberry, wasabi meets chocolate, and fig meets bay leaf—and somehow it all works. The lines snake out the door in summer not because MDIIC is the only ice cream in Bar Harbor, but because it’s genuinely unlike anything else.

The shop gained national attention when President Obama stopped by during a family vacation in 2010, but locals had already discovered what makes MDIIC special: relentlessly creative flavors built on a foundation of premium Maine dairy. Every batch is made from scratch in small quantities, and the flavor menu rotates constantly. Coming back tomorrow? Different options might await.

The Philosophy

Small Batch, Big Flavor

MDIIC makes ice cream the hard way. Every flavor is developed in-house, tested obsessively, and produced in small batches using Maine milk and cream. The base is rich and dense—this isn’t airy soft-serve or commodity ice cream. It’s serious product.

What makes it different:

Higher butterfat content than most commercial ice cream
Smaller batch sizes allowing more experimentation
Flavors developed around quality ingredients, not artificial flavoring
Textures that range from silky smooth to chunky with mix-ins

The Creativity

Where most ice cream shops play it safe, MDIIC leans into unusual combinations. The flavor developers approach ice cream like chefs approach a tasting menu—balancing sweet, savory, herbal, and unexpected elements.

The approach:

Start with premium ingredients
Trust unusual combinations if the flavors genuinely complement each other
Don’t dumb it down—if bay leaf works with figs, use bay leaf
Make traditional flavors exceptional, not just present

The Legendary Flavors

The Dude

A tribute to The Big Lebowski, The Dude might be MDIIC’s most famous flavor. It captures the essence of a White Russian cocktail in ice cream form.

What’s in it: Coffee ice cream base, with homemade vodka and Kahlúa truffles folded in.

The experience: The coffee comes first, then the boozy richness of the truffles. It’s indulgent without being cloying. Even people who don’t love coffee ice cream love The Dude.

Pro tip: This flavor is popular enough that it’s often available. But it still runs out—get it when you see it.

Blueberry Basil

The flavor that makes skeptics into believers. Wild Maine blueberries paired with fresh basil sounds like it shouldn’t work—and then it does, beautifully.

Why it works: The herbaceous, slightly peppery basil cuts the sweetness of the blueberries, adding complexity that plain blueberry ice cream lacks. The basil doesn’t dominate; it elevates.

Best for: People who think they don’t like “weird” flavors. This is unusual enough to be interesting, accessible enough to convert doubters.

Chocolate Wasabi

For those who want heat with their sweet. Rich, dark chocolate ice cream meets genuine wasabi kick.

The experience: You get the chocolate first—deep, satisfying, properly chocolatey. Then the wasabi arrives, not as an afterthought but as a genuine sinus-clearing presence. It’s bold.

Who loves it: People who appreciate spice and aren’t afraid of their ice cream fighting back.

Who should proceed with caution: Anyone expecting a subtle hint of wasabi. This is not subtle.

Bay of Figs

Dried figs steeped with bay leaves, creating something that tastes ancient and sophisticated.

The flavor: Mediterranean, almost savory-sweet. The bay leaf adds an herbal note that makes the figs taste richer and more complex than they would alone.

Best for: Adventurous eaters who appreciate unusual flavor combinations.

The Classics (Done Right)

MDIIC also makes exceptional versions of traditional flavors:

Salted Caramel: Deep, burnished caramel with enough salt to balance the sweetness.

Vanilla: Don’t skip this assuming it’s boring. MDIIC’s vanilla showcases why quality matters in simple preparations.

Chocolate: Rich, dark, and not too sweet.

Coffee: The base for The Dude, excellent on its own.

Rotating Specials

Beyond the staples, MDIIC constantly experiments with limited-run flavors. These might include:

Seasonal fruits (Maine strawberry, local peach)
Collaborations with local producers
Holiday specials
Staff experiments that earned promotion to the menu

The strategy: If something intriguing is on the board, try it. It might not be there tomorrow.

The Experience

The Line

Yes, there will be a line. In July and August, expect 15-20 minutes during peak hours. The line moves steadily—MDIIC has gotten efficient at serving crowds.

When lines are worst:

After dinner (7-9 PM)
Rainy days when Acadia activities get rained out
Cruise ship days in Bar Harbor

When lines are better:

Early afternoon (2-3 PM)
Weekday mornings
Late evening before closing

Sampling

MDIIC is generous with samples. Staff expect you to taste before committing, especially for unfamiliar flavors.

The approach:

Ask to try anything that intrigues you
Try the weird stuff—you’re not obligated to order it
Staff can guide you toward or away from particular flavors based on your preferences
Don’t feel rushed; they’d rather you find something you love

Ordering

Sizes: Small, medium, large cones and cups. Kids’ sizes available.

Pricing: Expect to pay $6-9 for a standard serving. Yes, it’s expensive. Yes, it’s worth it.

Mix and match: You can get multiple flavors in one serving. Two flavors in a medium is a good way to try more options.

The Locations

Bar Harbor - Main Street (Original)

The flagship location on Main Street in downtown Bar Harbor. This is the original shop and the one that built the reputation.

Address: 7 Firefly Lane (just off Main Street)

The vibe: Small, colorful, usually crowded. The tiny space means lines often extend outside.

Bar Harbor - Firefly Lane

A second Bar Harbor location opened to handle overflow crowds. Same ice cream, sometimes shorter lines.

When to choose this one: When the Main Street line looks overwhelming, check here.

Portland - Exchange Street

MDIIC expanded to Portland’s Old Port, bringing the same flavors and quality to Maine’s largest city.

Address: 51 Exchange Street, Portland

The vibe: Fits the Old Port perfectly. Can be busy in summer but generally more accessible than Bar Harbor locations.

Tip: If you’re in Portland for Eventide or other Old Port dining, end with MDIIC.

Washington, D.C.

Yes, MDIIC has a location in D.C. The Obama visit helped inspire the expansion. Same commitment to quality, same creative flavors.

When to Visit

Best Times in Bar Harbor

Early afternoon: The post-lunch, pre-dinner window often has shorter waits.

After hiking: Reward yourself after Cadillac Mountain or the Beehive with ice cream.

Evening, but not prime time: Earlier (5-6 PM) or later (after 9 PM) beats the 7-8 PM rush.

Seasonal Notes

Summer (June-August): Peak crowds, longest lines, full flavor selection.

Fall (September-October): Still excellent, with foliage-season visitors but shorter lines.

Off-season: The Bar Harbor locations may have reduced hours or be closed entirely in winter. Portland stays open year-round.

Tips for Maximum Enjoyment

Try Something New

You can get chocolate anywhere. The whole point of MDIIC is the unusual stuff. Push your boundaries.

The rule: At least one flavor should be something you’ve never had before.

Ask Questions

The staff know their product. Tell them what you like, ask what’s particularly good today, and let them guide you.

Good questions to ask:

“What’s your favorite thing on the menu right now?”
“I usually like [X]—what should I try?”
“What’s the most popular weird flavor?”

Go Multiple Times

If you’re in Bar Harbor for a few days, make multiple trips. Try something completely different each time.

Consider the Cone

MDIIC uses quality waffle cones that complement the ice cream. The cup is fine, but the cone adds texture and flavor.

For Families

Kids and Unusual Flavors

Some kids will love the adventure of trying weird flavors. Others will want chocolate. Both are valid.

Strategy: Get something adventurous for yourself, let kids sample, and don’t force the weird stuff on them. They might steal bites of yours once they see you enjoying it.

Managing Lines with Kids

The line moves, but 15-20 minutes with impatient children can feel long.

Tips:

Go at off-peak times
Let kids sample to stay engaged
The anticipation builds excitement
Promise the ice cream is worth the wait (it is)

Why It Matters

Maine has excellent ice cream—this is a state where dairy is taken seriously. What MDIIC adds is genuine creativity applied to an already-excellent foundation. The flavors aren’t weird for weirdness’ sake; they’re unusual combinations that someone tested and refined until they worked.

That approach—starting with quality ingredients and not being afraid to experiment—reflects the best of Maine’s food culture. MDIIC could coast on basic flavors and tourist traffic. Instead, they keep pushing, keep experimenting, and keep producing ice cream that people remember.

Mount Desert Island Ice Cream isn’t just ice cream—it’s ice cream that makes you think, that surprises you, that you remember years later. The Blueberry Basil you tried in Bar Harbor becomes a story you tell. The Dude becomes your Acadia tradition. That’s the power of taking something familiar and making it extraordinary. Wait in the line, try the weird stuff, and understand why MDIIC has achieved cult status on an island that takes its ice cream seriously.