Pondicherry House - Bridgton, Maine

Brian

We finally had an opportunity to stop into Pondicherry House. Very cool atmosphere with above and beyond service. We had some oysters which were wonderful. The owner (I believe) offered to bring another to us for our 12 year old to try, which he did! Also ordered the mussels and we were given extra bread to soak up the amazing broth. The sangria was delicious as well as the Fluvial IPA which was a perfect accompaniment for the happy hour dishes we had.

Heather C.

Food was phenomenal. For appetizers I had grilled halloumi, which was divine and hubby had the Caesar salad.My shrimp scampi had tons of Shrimp and the homemade pasta was great! The Ragu was yummy and on the sweet side. Service from one of the owners Mike was terrific and drinks were outstanding, I had the Four cocktail. Dessert of flourlesss chocolate torte was extravagant and generous. We loved Pondicherry House! Every thing was amazing!

Cash C.

This place is amazing! The group that I traveled with have been here before and the cook did not disappoint either time. The delectable food served is truly an experience for your taste buds. During my most recent trip (that resulted in this review) I had the shrimp scampi. The pasta was homemade and the shrimp was cooked in an absolutely incredible sauce. I literally slurped the sauce up it was sooooo goood. Not only was the flavor profile here amazing, but the waitstaff was exceptional too. Upon entry the large group that I was with was greeted with patience and a smile. The waitress who helped us also gave us some great bakery recommendations in the area. This experience overall was very personal and I cannot wait to go back!

Soapfistication

Came in on a Sunday afternoon with a friend. Service was impeccable - everyone is so friendly. We sat at the counter by the cooking area and enjoyed watching food being prepared. We got the oysters (so fresh and delicious!), then I got a soup (special for the day) and my friend got a Caesar salad. Oh my gosh - the soup was perfectly spiced. Pro tip - ask for a bit of bread so you can get every last bit of it. The salad was so tasty, with the dressing being the star of the show, although it was a close tie with the croutons, which soaked in the dressing and made tasty little garlicky bites.

If I could give 5.5 stars, I would.

Johanna S.

Hubby took me here for birthday dinner. Dishes stood at the counter for a bit, wait person was busy doing something else, so the cook brought the dish over. Haddock was flaky but the sauce was a bit skimpy, on the bottom. Hubby had a pasta dish with sausage which was okay, too. Shrimp cocktail was yummy.

Maria M.

🍽️ Last week, I had the delightful experience of dining at Pondicherry House, nestled at 2 Cottage St in the heart of downtown Bridgton, Maine. This charming wood-fired kitchen and bar offers a modern American menu that emphasizes local and seasonal ingredients—a true gem for food lovers!

🌊 The Damariscotta oysters, sourced locally, were fresh and flavorful, earning a solid 8/10. The mussels served in a spicy tomato sauce base were simply irresistible. But the star of the evening was undoubtedly the pappardelle pasta with mushrooms—a dish so divine, it deserved a perfect 10/10! 🍄❤️ The pasta sauce was good enough to drink!

🥩 The steak with truffle shavings, cooked to a perfect medium rare, was another highlight. It was tender, juicy, and rich in flavor, scoring a 9/10. Accompanying our meal, the cocktails were expertly mixed, enhancing the dining experience with each sip.

🏠 The ambiance at Pondicherry House, featuring an open kitchen concept, was lively and inviting 7/10. The focus on locally sourced ingredients means the menu is always exciting and varied, promising new delights with each visit.

💰 In terms of affordability, it leans on the pricier side with a score of 6/10, but the quality and uniqueness of the food justify the expense.

🔥 I’m already looking forward to my next visit to try their pizza from the wood-fired oven. Pondicherry House is a must-visit for anyone seeking high-quality, inventive cuisine with a local twist. See you there soon! 🍕👋

Kitchen B.

Came here with friends on a Thursday night in July, busy but not crazy.

Service from the minute we walked in was professional, friendly without being overly familiar.

Menu was varied with vegetarian and omnivore choices.

Started with the Love and Regret cocktail, delicious (pictured). We then had a dozen oysters which we saw being brought in the front door as we were being seated. Crazy fresh and delicious.

I had the Mushroom Marsala (pictured) with the house made pasta. Perfect balance in the sauce, not sweet except what occurs naturally, local mushrooms and perfectly cooked pasta.

Overall a wonderful experience and delicious meal. When we visit again, we'll definitely eat here again.

Brian S. (.

The restaurant has a really enjoyable atmosphere. It has a small menu which I find to be a virtue since it means the chefs will be focused and execute each dish well. My wife and I also enjoyed speaking with the owners when they checked in on us. We asked them many questions about their cocktails and food and they were incredibly kind with their time answering our questions.

The cocktails by far are fantastic. I enjoyed the “Queen of the Rodeo” and the “And She Was”. My wife really liked the “Red Daisy” since she hadn’t had strawberry puree in a cocktail before. But honestly you can’t go wrong with your choice. Between the two of us we sampled all but one of their cocktails I think.

The food was excellent. Today’s special was the beef and pork ragu with homemade pappardelle. Simply outstanding. My wife had the mussels diavolo. I’ve never seen such meaty mussels and the sauce was divine. Make it a point to drop in on this place if you are in Bridgton or adjoining city. You absolutely won’t regret it. Next time we’re up this way we’ll for sure stop in!