A1 Diner

Since moving to Maine I've had the A1 Diner on my list of restaurants to visit. I finally got the chance today for brunch and it was great! The brunch menu had several wonderful options including eggs Benedict with lump crab. I had shashuka which is a favorite dish and one I was pleasantly surprised to find. It was delicious!
I will definitely be back, probably on the regular now.

Well, found a gem today. The 1940s steel and wood A1 Diner in Gardiner is such a classic Amercian Diner but with also some great modern meals (scallop BLT, Gorgonzola risotto, blue cheese meatloaf!) I settled for the more pedestrian Reuben and fries but it was just as good as any of those other named dishes I’m sure. Not too far off of 295, I will drive out of my (as I did today) to come back. 5 stars. And kudos to the friendly and patient front of house staff who was running the whole place single handedly! Thank you.

Funky place with a neighborhood vibe. Friendly to one and all. Whether it’s true diner food or special menu items; darned good! Not our first trip. I’ve never been disappointed. My scallop BLT was tasty and the Cajun meatloaf was excellent. Too many potato chips but it was late and I love potato chips. Colorful oilcloth on the tables, interesting menu choices, not too busy at 7pm on a Saturday night.

How often do you come across an old diner? We had to stop in.
We had good service, a good meal, and good conversation with the fellow patrons at the counter during our stay.
Well definitely have to check out the lunch and dinner menus!
Be sure to stop in for a blast from the past 🙃

Wow! Best meal I've had in a long time. 100% will want to return. The butterscotch tapioca is out of this world good! Can't recommend this diner enough :)

I gave this place 5 well-deserved stars. I do have some "cons" to list, but I want to say up front that they would likely not have as much impact on a neurotypical person vs a neurodivergent one.
I'm adding photos. This place is cool as heck, the food was great, the options surprising, the prices not bad at all for the area and what we got (and what we saw others get- huge portions all around) and I have zero complaints. We'll totally go back.

With that said, it is SMALL. You are in close proximity to everyone. I have an extremely sensitive sense of smell and I'm somewhat easily over-stimulated. For me, it was okay when we first got there and it was empty, but as it filled up (and it filled UP; it's popular) the smells of everyone's food and even bodies and the noise level began to become a bit much. I say again, though, that this probably isn't typical and I'm giving the warning largely for other NDs or ND parents.

It's WELL WORTH trying to find a slower time to go regardless, and I highly recommend.

Our waitress was very sweet, the food perfectly cooked and scrumptious, and I'm looking forward to trying a Sunday brunch this weekend.

We love this place. The food is tasty, and at times unusual for the area. The lamb feta burger was fantastic. Our go-to place when our travels bring us back!

Good food, very nice staff, and super unique setting. We can’t to go again and try even more unique foods. We tried the fish tacos and the scallop BLT with homemade fries. Also had the strawberry cider which was delicious, highly recommend. All food was super fresh and overall very cheap. Definitely recommend going off hours because it’s small. Also if you need the bathroom, it’s outside.

The A1 is one of my favorite parts of our trips to Maine. There are few of these old style diners left and the A1 checks all the boxes. Good atmosphere, great food!

This place is a very old diner. But it’s clean. The food choices are more than you would expect. The service is phenomenal for a small staff while we were there we had one waitress, taking care of the entire place by herself and she did an amazing job. Our food choices were plentiful and very delicious.

A really cool dining experience. Very diverse and eclectic menu. Food was delicious and staff were fun and friendly.

On a road trip we sought out a great diner on the way home. Found A1 as a suggestion. Let's give it a try.

Stopped there, saw the authentic original look - inside and out. So unassuming... truly vintage. Original fixtures, like stepping back in time to the 1940s. Once our rolls arrived - I knew exactly what was coming next.

I haven't had this kind of food for nearly 30 years! These are close to what my Great Grandmother made!!! The experience took me back in the best way possible. Every bite was packed with the kind of care + authenticity that I would have expected at a family meal at my Great Grandmother's place. Totally next level of meal - and completely unexpected. Simplicity, with a very authentic American taste that is just rare today. No diner I have been to in decades compares to A1.

I wish they were closer to home. I'd be a regular.

So. I could write a couple pages on the nuances of how their food was great. But, pictures. There's pictures. The pictures speak. This food is a trip back in time. Eat here. Enjoy.

Sadly, I didn't get pics of the deserts. They were equally ethereal in quality. I wanted pictures of the deserts - but, was entranced by the experience I was having. It was a step back to my childhood. Seriously, I haven't had this kind of experience in having a meal literally ever. So glad I've stopped here. Brought back really great memories.

A classic diner in an old train car!!! We went during breakfast and had a delightful meal. Our server Linda was super nice and attentive even though they were quite busy. The food was delicious and fresh with that classic diner touch. It's definitely the kind of place where they learn your name if you come in more then once, and there's always good times to be had in that kind of environment. Wish more places like this still existed!!!!

Very unique little diner with non-diner offerings. Will definitely be back when in the area

Love this place! Got the Reuben, love that they use horseradish sauce on it instead of the usual thousand island. Bbq pork tacos were next level good. The fries are excellent. If you want to try something different that no one else offers, try the Hungarian mushroom soup, OMG so good.

The tiny diny.. really neat place to eat.. not fancy but not a greasy spoon. Nice for lunch, quick service.. rather clean . If you like diners check this little one out

Loved this Diner❤ What a great place to eat and the food was excellent!!! Service was very down home and polite!!! We both had the Fried Chicken dinner, mine with mashed potatoes and peas, hers was fries and coleslaw. BTW, the coleslaw was AWESOME!!! Can't wait to try their breakfast!!!

Their seafood platter was the best I have had in a very long time! So fresh and the batter had not one ounce of grease! Amazing! The diner is about 45 min from where I live and I would def make it a weekly thing! Amongst the amazing food was the staff! Superrrrrr friendly and for sure made you feel like you have known each-other for years!! Smiles for days!! Thank you so much for such a great experience!!

Amazing diner car still in business! The diner car is around 80 years old. It is awesome to see and the food is great. The service is good and friendly people. We just happen to be in town on vacation and came across this restaurant. It’s a must see!

Very nice place. Good food in a great little dinner. Don’t let the outside fool you. Inside is amazing. The food was great and the staff was super friendly and helpful. My hash was great. Not traditional but very good. Even with COVID restrictions they were awesome. Try this place.