Canterbury Royale Gourmet

I've eaten in restaurants in a dozen European countries and all over the United States and I can say with confidence that the food and the dining experience that Canterbury Royale offers is outstanding--it ranks with the best two or three meals I have eaten anywhere. Chefs Renee and Barbara are interesting, delightful people who are extraordinarily dedicated to their craft as chefs and hosts.The ambiance one experiences with them is very personal. One feels welcomed into their home really. The dining setting is quite formal, but in an older relation, rather than a stylish upscale restaurant, kind of way. The decor is intense--Hansel and Gretel cottage cum Victorian fantasy cum family heirlooms cum sculptures of animals and painted portraits of young beauty. These are mostly Chef Renee's own work. The service, provided mostly by Barbara, is skilled and attentive but not intrusive.In our party, people enjoyed Chicken Francoise, a seafood assortment ("Port of Marseilles") and Beef Wellington, all superb. No effort was spared on dinner rolls (croissants and a braided onion bread), leek soup (wonderfully flavorful), and a small serving of pheasant in a sauce with a Romaine lettuce headdress on a small round of soft cheese. Desserts were a torte from a cooking course offered by a culinary institute in Kiev and, for the GF diner, creme brulee with a stawberry/Chambord ice.

Dietary restrictions: Chefs Renee and Barbara were much more accommodating to my needs as a gluten-free diner than I expected. They served me a GF bread that was truly delicious: very flavorful and moist and not crumbly, as GF baked goods often are. It was the equal of any GF bread I've had anywhere.They also accommodated a dining partner who preferred to avoid cream in her entree on the fly gracefully, suggesting an alternative sauce.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Beef Wellington, Leek Soup

What a delightful repast - from beginning to end, we were immersed in fine French cuisine and a distinctly European atmosphere - just delightful.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Leek Soup

Chefs Renee and Barbara have created a magical atmosphere. The hospitality is amazing. They make you feel like royalty. Superb is the only way I can describe entire meal.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Wonderful place to eat. Food was delicious and the service was perfect as well. Can’t wait to return.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Beef Wellington

Absolutely amazing experience. Beyond description. (There is a super cute cottage next to the restaurant, and they will bring meals right to you if staying there).

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We have dined here twice, and there really aren’t words that would do justice to Canterbury Royale. You simply need to go and experience it at least once in your lifetime. (There is an amazingly-cute, “Hansel and Gretl” type cottage on the property which can be rented. They will bring you breakfast in the morning. I’m sure it is a wonderful place to stay).

The entire experience exceeded our expectations. We have found our place to stay & eat every time we return to this area...the Canterbury Royale!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

In my top 10 meals ever, including travels in Europe, New York, San Francisco, etc. Every bite was amazing, the atmosphere was cozy and personal, and the service was attentive yet allowed us privacy. I can't wait to go back!!! For dinner we had spicy crab soup, smoked shrimp salad, and I had the beef Wellington, my husband the lobster stuffed with shrimp and scallops. Dessert was spectacular, with a Ukrainian Viennese style cake (divine!!) and lemon merengue tarts that had the best short bread crust imaginable. Breakfast the next morning was equally delicious and started with Scottish oats and fruit followed by an almond cream filled crepe served with corned beef hash, sausage and house baked bread. I couldn't ask for a better meal!!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

My wife and I had the pleasure of celebrating our 50th anniversary in December, 2016. The grounds were beautifully decorated for Christmas. It was magical to see when we turned into the driveway! Little did we know that the best was yet to come. The interior was exquisitely furnished with Christmas decor and the food smelled wonderful! The two sisters that own and operate the inn are excellent hostesses and chefs! The dinner was delicious from the appetizers to the dessert! We highly recommend the Canterbury Royale for your ultimate dining experience!

I spent one night at the Canterbury Royals cottage - so incredibly charming! What Chefs Barbara and Renee have created here is a perfect retreat. The coziest, most comfy cottage you can imagine with superb cuisine served right in the cottage. I've been planning to visit for years and I'm so glad that I stayed overnight. Truly as wonderful a B&B experience as I've ever experienced. Most highly recommended!

Amazing food in a magical setting, and unusually situated on a remote road-- the opposite side of which backs up to the Canadian border. We stayed overnight in the cottage, which was quite lovely and charming, and enjoyed both dinner and breakfast. My wife and I were debating whether it was aesthetically more of a Hansel and Gretel vibe or a Snow White-- we certainly left better-fed than when we arrived, but avoided any nefarious magical forest beings. The owners are great, the food is without rival, and it's absolutely worth the trek.

Amazing food in a magical setting, and unusually situated on a remote road-- the opposite side of which backs up to the Canadian border. We stayed overnight in the cottage, which was quite lovely and charming, and enjoyed both dinner and breakfast. My wife and I were debating whether it was aesthetically more of a Hansel and Gretel vibe or a Snow White-- we certainly left better-fed than when we arrived, but avoided any nefarious magical forest beings. The owners are great, the food is without rival, and it's absolutely worth the trek.

I can’t say enough good things about this very special restaurant. It is a fine dining experience, for sure. Though it is hidden away in FortFairfield, ME, it is a cosmopolitan experience. The atmosphere is that of a friendly, small European auberge. The food is all made by the owners, and it is all perfect. The desserts alone are worth the trip. We spent a summer in northern Maine and read about the Canterbury Royale in Yankee magazine. We made reservations and went.. .. Our first experience there was the Lobster bake, which was fantastic. We fell in love with, first of all, Chef Barb and Chef Renee, then the atmosphere and finally, the FOOD! Our second visit, a few weeks later, was with local friends, and it didn’t disappoint. Everything we ordered was fantastic, as was the personal service by Chef Barb. I so wish we lived closer so we could enjoy it more!

Each course is so perfectly created. The choices are deliciously interesting, not wacky. Salad was superb. Dessert exceeded all expectations. Bread was sublime. Main course was a masterpiece. We are usually a quick turn at restaurants. At Canterbury Royale, we wanted to stay forever! Worth a long drive to experience this!

Cool experience food was truly amazing