Helen's Restaurant of Machias

Helen's Restaurant of Machias The original Helen’s Restaurant, Machias. It is our pleasure to offer you fresh local ingredients purchased from local farmers, fishermen, and artisans.
(1669)

Delicious real food prepared on site! Our Story
Established 1950

Helen's Restaurant opened for business on Main Street, Machias in 1950. Helen and Larry Mugnai along with Larry's brother Julie and sister Esther ran the restaurant, building the reputation of great homemade food. And no one who had one could ever forget those pies! In 1976 a customer who often teased Larry about selling Helen's was surprised one day when Larry said he was ready to sell. Bob and Joan Carter purchased Helen's with Larry staying on board to help during the transition. With crowds waiting up the street for a seat and poor parking on Main Street, the Carters decided to move Helen's to its present location in 1983. The Carters built the Machias Motor Inn next door in 1988 and sold the restaurant to Joan's sister Judy and husband Gary Hanscom. With encouragement and help from Mugnai the Hanscoms opened Helen's of Ellsworth in 1994. Larry Mugnai then retired from Helen's after 44 years. Judy and Gary sold the Ellsworth location and decided to retire selling to son David and his wife Julie in 2008. We (David and Julie) first worked for the Carters on Main Street at the original Helen's location in 1981 and then to the present site before marrying and moving to the Netherlands in 1986 with the Air Force. Working alongside Judy, Gary, Joan, Bobby, Larry, Julie, and Esther (and all the other great Helen's workers) are treasured memories. Upon our return to Machias, Julie went back to Helen's as a waitress and private caterer and David as Helen's manager. In 2005 we purchased the Schoppee Dairy and opened The Inn at Schoppee Farm. July 11, 2014 Helen's was destroyed by a devistating fire. Plans moved quickly for a rebuild on the site. The community support for us and our Helen's family was a complete shock and very humbling. After breaking ground the end of October we will reopen the end of May with the majority of our staff returning. Buying great fresh seasonal food from local farmers (organic when possible) is an ongoing mission we are committed to. This mission has influenced the way we run Helen's. We compost all of our food waste; recycle our plastic, aluminum, and cardboard. Most cleaning products are plant-based, we use recycled paper products, and all Styrofoam has been eliminated. Great food is absolutely what we are all about; we LOVE food and are constantly searching and improving our menu as well as preserving the Helen's classics. We hope you enjoy the changes and your Helen's experience. We strive to continue Helen's reputation of serving outstanding fresh local food at an affordable price with great service. We value your business and welcome any comments or suggestions. Thank you for letting us serve you, we really love to! David, Julie, Rianne and the entire Helen's family

10/08/2026
A little sunshine before the rain…📸:Jenessa
10/08/2026

A little sunshine before the rain…

📸:Jenessa

Chicken Cordon Bleu….Fried chicken cutlet, honey ham, Swiss cheese, and our rich creamy Dijon Parmesan white sauce on a ...
10/07/2026

Chicken Cordon Bleu….

Fried chicken cutlet, honey ham, Swiss cheese, and our rich creamy Dijon Parmesan white sauce on a butter grilled brioche bun 🤌🏼

Mornin, from Machias River. Cold, but stunning. 🥹📸: Jenessa 🤗
10/07/2026

Mornin, from Machias River.
Cold, but stunning. 🥹

📸: Jenessa 🤗

Please share! 🤗
10/07/2026

Please share! 🤗

🎃 Pumpkin Whoopie 🎃 Here for their first Tuesday. Losing track of the number the bakers say they’re multiplying the orig...
10/06/2026

🎃 Pumpkin Whoopie 🎃

Here for their first Tuesday. Losing track of the number the bakers say they’re multiplying the original by, but there’s more today than Saturday!

Today’s wind gusts call for one of these…a cold glass of milk or some chai tea. Perfect comfort match for the sadness of the dropping leaves.

10/05/2026

So still tonight after it rained. Couldn’t walk away from this sky….it kept changing. Stunning! 🖤

People frame our week. They become another way we tell time, their presence reminding us what day it is. A certain truck...
10/03/2026

People frame our week. They become another way we tell time, their presence reminding us what day it is.

A certain truck driver has been coming to Machias for decades.

This week was his last.

He doesn’t have Facebook and probably will never see this, and if I knew he would, I might not be so sappy. He could be ornery, particular, a little sassy, and after a lifetime in the restaurant business it’s those ones who often have become my favorite.

Small chats. Insignificant moments. Weather, current events, family, his reward point status, how we messed up cutting the lemons…all things we bantered about every time it was time to refill his almost always empty water glass. As insignificant as they seemed, they morphed into a great big ball of connection.

People become part of the framework of a business like Helen’s, and part of our lives. The thought of not having him here on Tuesday and Friday is unsettling. We never know what each day will bring and who we will see and in a way, the constants are grounding for us. When we are in the weeds, seeing them is like a breath of fresh air and our exhale. This is someone who saw us during our highs and lows, for right out straight days and slow snow days.

Winter isn’t here yet, but already feels different. 💙

SOLD OUT…will be making a triple batch tomorrow! Now that our bakers aren’t in a complete sea of 🫐 they’re dipping into ...
10/02/2026

SOLD OUT…will be making a triple batch tomorrow!

Now that our bakers aren’t in a complete sea of 🫐 they’re dipping into some other fun ideas. As a taste tester….I can say WOW! 🤩

🎃 Pumpkin whoopie pies with spiced cream cheese filling. 🎃

Throwing it way back with a old fashioned classic….✨Chicken Soup and Dumplings✨
10/02/2026

Throwing it way back with a old fashioned classic….

✨Chicken Soup and Dumplings✨

Address

111 Main Street
Machias, ME
04654

Opening Hours

Tuesday 11am - 8pm
Wednesday 11am - 8pm
Thursday 11am - 8pm
Friday 11am - 8pm
Saturday 11am - 8pm

Telephone

+12072558423

Website

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