The White Barn Inn
Kennebunkport's most celebrated luxury destination, where a restored 1820s barn houses a AAA Five Diamond restaurant and impeccable New England hospitality.
The White Barn Inn represents the pinnacle of Maine hospitality—a meticulously restored property where 19th-century New England architecture meets contemporary luxury, and where the restaurant has earned Maine’s only AAA Five Diamond rating for over two decades. Set on a quiet road in Kennebunkport’s Beach District, the inn offers what few properties can: genuine history, exceptional dining, and service that anticipates rather than reacts.
The centerpiece is the restaurant, housed in two joined barns dating to the 1820s. Exposed beams, flickering candles, white linens, and impeccable service create an atmosphere that feels both rustic and refined. The cuisine matches the setting—New England ingredients elevated through classical technique and contemporary vision.
The Restaurant
The Setting
The dining room occupies the historic barns, their original post-and-beam construction visible above. White tablecloths glow in candlelight. Windows open onto gardens in summer. The room seats only about 80 guests, maintaining an intimate scale that larger restaurants cannot match.
The ambiance: Romantic, celebratory, quietly luxurious. This is where couples come for anniversaries, where families gather for milestone birthdays, where proposals happen with ring boxes hidden in pockets.
The Cuisine
Chef’s tasting menus showcase the best of Maine and New England—local seafood, regional produce, New England traditions reimagined with modern technique.
Signature elements:
- Maine lobster in multiple preparations
- Seasonal tasting menus
- Wine pairings from an award-winning cellar
- Tableside presentations
- Desserts that rival the savory courses
Dietary accommodations: The kitchen skillfully handles dietary restrictions with advance notice.
The Experience
Dining at the White Barn is a full-evening affair. The pace is deliberate, the courses carefully choreographed, the service attentive without being intrusive.
Expect:
- 2.5-3 hours for a full dinner
- Multiple courses with optional pairings
- Amuse-bouches and palate cleansers
- Tableside preparations and explanations
- Personalized attention from staff who remember names and preferences
Reservations
Essential. Book well in advance, especially for:
- Weekend evenings
- Summer and fall seasons
- Holidays and special occasions
- Tables for more than four
Reservations can be made through the inn’s website or by phone.
Dress Code
Jackets required for gentlemen (the inn provides loaners). Smart casual to formal attire expected. This is not the place for resort-casual dining.
Cost
Luxury pricing. Tasting menus typically range from $165-200+ per person before wine pairings. Wine pairings add significantly. Budget for a special-occasion expenditure.
The Inn
The Property
Beyond the restaurant, the White Barn Inn operates as a luxury hotel and spa, with accommodations ranging from historic rooms in the main inn to suites and cottages on the grounds.
Accommodation styles:
- Main Inn rooms (historic character)
- Poolside rooms (contemporary comfort)
- Suites (expanded space and amenities)
- Cottages (private, romantic retreats)
Amenities
- Outdoor heated pool
- Full-service spa
- Bicycles for guest use
- Complimentary breakfast
- Afternoon tea service
- Concierge services
- Beach access via nearby Gooch’s Beach
The Spa
A destination in itself, the spa offers:
- Massage treatments
- Facials and body treatments
- Couples treatments
- Relaxation areas
Spa guests not staying at the inn may have access to some treatments; inquire directly.
Visiting Kennebunkport
The Setting
The White Barn sits in Kennebunkport’s Beach District, a quiet area of grand homes and shaded streets. The beach is a short walk; downtown Kennebunkport a short drive or bicycle ride.
Combining with Dinner
Day visitors can reserve dinner without staying overnight. Consider:
- Afternoon exploring Kennebunkport village
- Early evening walk on Gooch’s Beach or Kennebunk Beach
- Dinner at the White Barn (allow the full evening)
- Post-dinner stroll on the grounds
Seasonal Considerations
Summer: Peak season, longest waits for reservations, warmest weather for the pool and beach.
Fall: Spectacular foliage, harvest menus, somewhat easier reservations.
Winter: Quieter season, holiday menus, cozy firelit atmosphere.
Spring: Shoulder season, renewal on the grounds, earliest seasonal menus.
Tips for the Best Experience
For Dinner Guests
- Book as far ahead as possible for prime dates
- Mention special occasions when reserving
- Plan to stay the full evening—don’t rush
- Consider wine pairings for the full experience
- Dress well; this is an event, not just a meal
- Arrive a few minutes early to settle in
For Inn Guests
- Book a cottage for maximum romance and privacy
- Take advantage of included breakfast and tea
- Use the bicycles to explore the Kennebunks
- Book spa treatments in advance
- Ask the concierge for activity recommendations
For Special Occasions
- Let the inn know when booking (anniversaries, birthdays, proposals)
- The staff excel at subtle celebrations
- Consider flowers, champagne, or other arrangements through the inn
- A cottage provides privacy for truly special moments
The Story
The property’s history stretches to the 1820s when the barns housed a working farm. Through transformations—private home, guest house, inn—the buildings retained their character while gaining modern luxury.
The restaurant earned AAA Five Diamond status in 1999 and has maintained it since—a consistency of excellence that few restaurants in the country can match. Maine’s only property at this level, the White Barn represents Maine’s hospitality ambitions.
The Experience
You enter through the main building, passing reception and the sitting areas where afternoon tea is served. The path to the restaurant leads through a courtyard, then into the barn itself, where the transformation begins.
The host leads you to your table. The ceiling rises above—rough-hewn beams that have held this roof for two centuries. Candles flicker on white linen. Somewhere, a piano plays softly. The first course arrives with a flourish of explanation and ceremony.
Over the next hours, the meal unfolds in waves: an amuse-bouche that signals the kitchen’s creativity, a lobster preparation that reminds you this is Maine, a progression of flavors and textures that builds like a symphony. The waiter knows your name. The sommelier reads your preferences. Nothing happens by accident.
By the time dessert arrives, you’ve lost track of courses but not of gratitude. This is what hospitality can be at its finest—not showing off, but anticipating, caring, creating an evening that feels crafted specifically for you.
The White Barn Inn sets a standard that defines luxury hospitality in Maine. The restaurant alone justifies a detour to Kennebunkport; the full experience of inn, spa, and grounds makes a complete escape. This is where Maine meets Four Seasons, where farmhouse meets fine dining, where special occasions become unforgettable.