Darby's
155 High St, Belfast, ME 04915, United States · United States
★ 4.5 on Google · 909 reviews · View on Google Maps
Manipulation score
CleanCompleted Jul 25, 2026 · 41 reviews flagged
How this score works
The score estimates how strongly this place's review record matches known manipulation patterns, from 0 (no signs) to 100. Verdicts: Clean below 40, Suspicious from 40, Likely Manipulated from 70; Review Drive when the flags are mostly staff asking customers for named reviews. It rises with the share of reviews flagged and how suspicious each one is.
- Burst
- — an abnormal spike of five-star reviews in a single day compared to the place's usual pace.
- Low activity account
- — the reviewer has almost no other reviews, photos, or Local Guide history; throwaway accounts look like this.
- Duplicate text
- — the wording is nearly identical to another review of the same place.
Verdicts are statistical estimates based on public review patterns, not accusations. Full methodology, signal definitions and known limits →
Case conclusion
What the numbers say
909 reviews examined
- Google rating
- 4.5★
- Not-flagged average
- 4.5★
- Flagged
- 5%
- Coverage
- 100%
All reviews shown by Google
868 examined reviews
41 of 909
909 of 909 Google reviews
“Not flagged” means no configured Revdict signal matched; it does not prove a review is genuine. Data fetched Jul 25, 2026.
Review brief
What reviews not flagged by Revdict say
Darby's is a long-standing pub and restaurant in downtown Belfast, Maine, known for its historic interior and eclectic menu featuring global dishes, seafood, and homemade desserts. Reviewers frequently praise the cozy atmosphere, accommodating staff, and wide variety of options that cater to diverse groups.
+ Repeated strengths
Eclectic and Varied Menu
Reviewers highlight the diverse menu offering everything from pub classics and seafood to Asian and Mexican dishes.
3 supporting reviews
5★ · 2012-10-06
Darby's Restaurant is the proverbial "jewel in the rough" when it comes to outstanding restaurants along coastal Maine. The menu is an eclectic selection of items from around the world, and the real delight was that everyone in our party t...
4★ · 2018-06-21
I love this place! They have the most diverse menu. From Thai to Mexican and everything in between- seafood, burgers, chicken, vegetarian, and gluten free all in the menu. Never an issue with the food or service. Affordable. Atmosphere is...
3★ · 2025-08-16
A long time Belfast institution whose better days are behind it. Noisy and cramped, it's not a good place for a family get-together. Mediocre food and desserts.
Friendly and Attentive Service
Many patrons note that the wait staff is welcoming, helpful, and provides great recommendations.
2 supporting reviews
4★ · 2025-09-04
We loved this place! Happened to be in the area for the night and decided to have dinner here based on reviews. The soups were good and the corn bread was outstanding! The pad thai was very good and the sauce was very peanut-buttery... wh...
5★ · 2026-01-11
Darby’s has turned into our go to spot as travel between Gouldsboro and Damariscotta. The food is great and their bar menu is quite good. The staff is always pleasant and helpful. Tonight Esme was our server and she did a superb job. Our fo...
Homemade Desserts
Reviewers consistently recommend saving room for the house-made desserts, particularly praising the toffee pudding cake.
3 supporting reviews
4★ · 2016-02-18
Local favorite with a dynamic menu. Good choice for a casual date night or a family meal. Staff is friendly if not always on their game. The dessert menu is long, home made and delicious.
5★ · 2025-07-01
10/10…no notes! Don’t skip the Scottish Toffee Pudding Cake for dessert.
4★ · 2025-09-04
We loved this place! Happened to be in the area for the night and decided to have dinner here based on reviews. The soups were good and the corn bread was outstanding! The pad thai was very good and the sauce was very peanut-buttery... wh...
− Repeated complaints
Slow Service and Long Waits
Several reviewers report experiencing extended wait times for tables or slow service during peak hours.
1 supporting review
1★ · 2023-08-19
Made a 6:00 reservation here on a Thursday night for 6 people. We were seated right away and ordered within 10 minutes. An hour later we were STILL waiting for our food. We finally found our waitress and when we inquired about where the foo...
Inconsistent Food Quality
A subset of reviewers note occasional disappointments, such as soggy or cold fries and meals that felt underwhelming or overpriced.
2 supporting reviews
2★ · 2018-06-25
French fries were awful
5★ · 2025-11-27
Brewery on the dock. Beer and pretzels are worth the trip.
High Noise Levels
Reviewers mention that the restaurant can become quite loud and crowded, making it difficult to converse comfortably.
2 supporting reviews
3★ · 2017-09-30
Too loud. Staff was overwhelmed. Food was decent.
3★ · 2025-08-16
A long time Belfast institution whose better days are behind it. Noisy and cramped, it's not a good place for a family get-together. Mediocre food and desserts.
Good for
- Groups looking for a variety of menu options including vegetarian choices
- Casual date nights or friendly gatherings in a historic pub setting
- Diners wanting hearty comfort food and house-made desserts
Avoid if
- You are seeking a quiet, intimate dining environment during peak hours
- You are on a tight schedule and cannot risk potential wait times or slower service
- You require strict, certified celiac-safe gluten-free accommodation
Review anatomy
Reviews per quarter
| Quarter | Reviews | Flagged |
|---|---|---|
| Q3 ’12 | 2 | 0 |
| Q4 ’12 | 2 | 0 |
| Q1 ’13 | 1 | 0 |
| Q2 ’13 | 2 | 0 |
| Q3 ’13 | 0 | 0 |
| Q4 ’13 | 1 | 0 |
| Q1 ’14 | 0 | 0 |
| Q2 ’14 | 0 | 0 |
| Q3 ’14 | 1 | 0 |
| Q4 ’14 | 0 | 0 |
| Q1 ’15 | 0 | 0 |
| Q2 ’15 | 0 | 0 |
| Q3 ’15 | 2 | 0 |
| Q4 ’15 | 0 | 0 |
| Q1 ’16 | 1 | 0 |
| Q2 ’16 | 1 | 0 |
| Q3 ’16 | 3 | 0 |
| Q4 ’16 | 8 | 0 |
| Q1 ’17 | 7 | 1 |
| Q2 ’17 | 9 | 0 |
| Q3 ’17 | 23 | 1 |
| Q4 ’17 | 19 | 1 |
| Q1 ’18 | 23 | 3 |
| Q2 ’18 | 19 | 0 |
| Q3 ’18 | 62 | 5 |
| Q4 ’18 | 34 | 1 |
| Q1 ’19 | 22 | 2 |
| Q2 ’19 | 31 | 0 |
| Q3 ’19 | 54 | 2 |
| Q4 ’19 | 30 | 0 |
| Q1 ’20 | 21 | 2 |
| Q2 ’20 | 6 | 0 |
| Q3 ’20 | 27 | 1 |
| Q4 ’20 | 23 | 2 |
| Q1 ’21 | 23 | 1 |
| Q2 ’21 | 14 | 0 |
| Q3 ’21 | 63 | 4 |
| Q4 ’21 | 26 | 1 |
| Q1 ’22 | 22 | 2 |
| Q2 ’22 | 23 | 1 |
| Q3 ’22 | 24 | 4 |
| Q4 ’22 | 30 | 0 |
| Q1 ’23 | 14 | 0 |
| Q2 ’23 | 19 | 0 |
| Q3 ’23 | 29 | 1 |
| Q4 ’23 | 26 | 2 |
| Q1 ’24 | 17 | 0 |
| Q2 ’24 | 12 | 0 |
| Q3 ’24 | 20 | 1 |
| Q4 ’24 | 15 | 0 |
| Q1 ’25 | 14 | 0 |
| Q2 ’25 | 13 | 0 |
| Q3 ’25 | 25 | 3 |
| Q4 ’25 | 22 | 0 |
| Q1 ’26 | 5 | 0 |
| Q2 ’26 | 14 | 0 |
| Q3 ’26 | 5 | 0 |
Rating distribution
Evidence
- low activity account 41 reviews flagged weight 0.8
Flagged reviews
Showing the 10 most suspicious of 41 flagged reviews.
Kayla Spraggins
1 review
★★★★★
2017-02-11
It's the best place to eat!! Love the food and the caring staff!!
Carol Murch
1 review
★★★★★
2017-09-19
Great food
Jennifer Blair
1 review
★★★★★
2017-10-08
Andrew Blake
1 review
★★★★★
2018-02-20
Bryan Atwell
2 reviews
★★★★★
2018-07-21
Adam Allen
2 reviews
★★★★★
2018-07-26
Graham Myres
2 reviews
★★★★★
2018-08-05
Great chowder and seafood
Mark Skinner
2 reviews
★★★★★
2018-11-18
Myndee Sprague
2 reviews
★★★★★
2019-01-07
Favorite spot in Belfast. Great food great people. Highly recommend.
Zack Riley
2 reviews
★★★★★
2019-03-31
Report generated Jul 25, 2026. Reviews change — you can request a fresh investigation.
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