Enjoy lobster and daily live music overlooking Portland Harbor at Portland Lobster Company, a local favorite. Photo courtesy of Visit Portland.
It doesn’t get more classic than eating steamed lobster with corn on the cob, coleslaw, and fries on a patio with a view of the ocean. It’s clear why many of the state’s most popular lobster houses and seafood shacks, from Kittery to Bar Harbor, have beautiful views: Crustaceans come from the sea and, as Dr. Seuss wrote, “Fresher is much finer. ”.
If hot dog buns with lobster inside make you want more, look for rolls that are overstuffed with at least a half-pound or three-quarters-pound of lobster meat or meat from a one-pound lobster or bigger. If you want to try something different, you can mix the lobster meat with different things, like melted butter and lemon.
A great place to eat near the Maine line is Bob’s Clam Hut in Kittery. Bob Kraft opened it for the first time in 1956. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Bakos.
Steamed lobster caught nearby and waiting in a tank full of water pumped straight from Perkins Cove is the freshest thing you can get. At the Lobster Shack, the classic lobster roll comes on a toasted bun with or without mayonnaise and has a quarter-pound of meat on it. It comes on a 10-inch bun and has half a pound of meat. The Triple has three quarters of a pound of meat, and the Pounder has one pound of meat. If you’re of the belief that everything’s better with bacon, order the Lobster B. L. T. ,.
315 US Route 1, Kittery, ME 111 Cumberland Ave, Portland (207) 439-4233 | bobsclamhut.com
As the name implies, fried clams are the specialty at Bob’s. People also love their lobster stew and fresh-picked lobster rolls on toasted, buttered rolls, which come with fries and a pickle spear.
This small shack at the bridge over the Kennebunk River on the Kennebunk-Kennebunkport line serves award-winning fried food for takeout, boiled lobster dinners (choice of size), and lobster rolls on buns from a nearby bakery.
In a culinary-focused city in the state best known for lobster, Portland Lobster Co. is the go-to-choice for crustaceans on the Portland waterfront. Freshly picked lobster meat from a one-pound lobster is brushed on each overstuffed lobster roll with sweet butter. The roll is served on toast with mayonnaise and lemon on the side. The Downeast Feast is another hotspot. It comes with a lobster (choice of size), steamers, clam chowder, corn on the cob, fries, and coleslaw. Don a pair of sunglasses, order a local beer and enjoy the live music.
Maine is famous for its fresh delicious lobster. As a proud Mainer I’m always thrilled to share my favorite spots for getting the best lobster in the state. In this article, I’ll guide you through everything you need to know about getting your hands on the good stuff.
Overview of Maine’s Lobster Industry
Maine’s cold, pristine coastal waters provide the perfect environment for harvesting lobsters. Thousands of independent lobstermen work hard every day to supply millions of pounds of lobster from Maine’s waters.
The state lands over 100 million pounds of lobster per year accounting for over 80% of lobster production in the United States. This makes lobster fishing Maine’s most valuable commercial fishery worth over half a billion dollars annually.
So it’s no surprise that lobster is closely tied to Maine’s cultural identity. We Mainers take great pride in our lobster and summer just wouldn’t be the same without indulging in fresh lobster rolls lobster bakes, and boiled lobster dinners.
Types of Lobster You’ll Find
There are two main types of lobster caught in Maine:
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Hard-shell lobster – This is what most people think of when they imagine Maine lobster. The shell is hard and rigid. The meat tends to be firmer and more full-flavored.
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New-shell lobster – After molting its shell, the new soft-shell lobster is delicate and tender. The flavor is subtler. New-shells are usually available in early summer.
Lobsters are sized by their weight. Here are the common sizes and what to expect:
- Chicken lobster – 1 to 1 1⁄4 pounds. Tender meat, good for lobster rolls.
- Quarter lobster – 1 1⁄4 to 1 1⁄2 pounds. Nice single-serving size.
- Half lobster – 1 1⁄2 to 1 3⁄4 pounds. Heartier meal, may need crackers.
- Full lobster – Over 2 pounds. For serious lobster lovers with good cracking skills.
Best Places to Get Lobster in Maine
Now let’s dive into the main event—my picks for the top lobster shacks, pounds, and restaurants to get your lobster fix.
Southern Maine
Down along the southern Maine coast, you’ll find some of the state’s most beloved spots for lobster near popular tourist destinations:
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Bayley’s Lobster Pound (Scarborough) – Right on the water with outdoor picnic tables. Try the Lazy Man lobster bake or lobster roll.
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Barnacle Billy’s (Ogunquit) – Charming lobster shack with harbor views. Lobster rolls and rum punches are excellent.
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The Clam Shack (Kennebunkport) – No-frills takeout with famous lobster rolls. Locals line up for these.
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Nunan’s Lobster Hut (Cape Porpoise) – Family-run spot with simple boiled lobster dinners on metal trays.
Midcoast
As you travel up the jagged Maine coastline, the Midcoast region boasts both scenic harborsides and hidden gems off the beaten path:
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Five Islands Lobster Co. (Georgetown) – Busy wharf with fresh lobster and killer views of five islands.
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Chauncey Creek Lobster Pier (Kittery Point) – BYOB outdoor picnic spot on a creek pier.
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Red’s Eats (Wiscasset) – Legendary roadside lobster roll takeout with notoriously long lines.
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Muscongus Bay Lobster (Round Pond) – Family-run wharf with waterfront deck overlooking fishing boats.
Downeast/Acadia Region
The rugged Downeast coast and Mount Desert Island offer seaside lobster feasts with some of Maine’s most breathtaking scenery as your backdrop:
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Thurston’s Lobster Pound (Bernard) – Overlooking fishing boats in Bass Harbor. Get the blueberry cake too.
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McLoon’s Lobster Shack (South Thomaston) – Casual seasonal shack near Thomaston. Try the lobster stew.
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The Lobster Shack at Two Lights (Cape Elizabeth) – Unbeatable ocean views and a Portland lighthouse nearby.
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Beal’s Lobster Pier (Southwest Harbor) – Outdoor picnic tables right next to lobster boats.
Greater Portland
Maine’s top city provides the convenience of urban amenities alongside fresh seafood straight off the Portland docks:
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Bite Into Maine (Cape Elizabeth) – Food truck at Portland Head Light serving unique lobster rolls.
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Portland Lobster Company (Portland) – Downtown location with live music, harbor views, and monster lobster rolls.
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The Lobster Shack at Two Lights (Cape Elizabeth) – Rolls and whole lobster dinners beside picturesque lighthouses.
Best Ways to Eat Lobster in Maine
Now that you know where to go, here are some classic Maine lobster dishes you should look for on menus:
Lobster Roll
This is the quintessential Maine lobster meal. Fresh picked lobster meat is served on a toasted split-top bun, ideally with a light dressing of mayo or butter. They’re often served with fries or coleslaw.
Some spots let you choose the lobster meat amount, from quarter pound up to a full pound. Go big if you’re a serious lobster lover.
Boiled Lobster Dinner
For the complete traditional experience, get a freshly boiled lobster served with drawn butter for dipping, plus sides like potato chips, coleslaw and corn on the cob.
It’s fun to pick out your own lobster from the tank to be cooked up for your meal. Crack those claws and get your bib on!
Lobster Bake
A New England-style clambake with lobster as the star. Lobster, corn, sausage, potatoes, and other goodies are steamed together for maximum flavor.
Lobster bakes are perfect for special occasions and events. Many seafood restaurants offer individual lobster bake platters.
Lobster Rolls
If you want lobster without the work of shell cracking, lobster rolls are the way to go. Tender lobster meat is served heaped in a toasted bun. The meat is usually dressed with a bit of mayo or butter.
Lobster rolls make a tasty, convenient meal you can take to the beach or eat dockside. They’re readily available at seafood shacks and food trucks.
Tips for the Best Lobster Experience
To make the most of your Maine lobster feasting, keep these tips in mind:
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Go for busy spots with high turnover to ensure the freshest lobster.
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Pack patience if lines are long at popular restaurants. It’s worth the wait!
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Bring cash just in case. Many small shacks are cash-only.
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Know how to crack and pick lobster properly, especially if getting whole cooked lobsters. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
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BYOB is welcomed at many casual outdoor spots. Bring beer, wine or cocktails to enjoy with your meal.
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Come hungry and wear a lobster bib. Things can get messy in the best way!
Savor the Taste of Maine
Well, there you have it—everything you need for an amazing lobster feast on your trip to Maine! Partaking in our local seafood is an integral part of the Maine experience.
Our cold, clean waters provide a prime habitat for these tasty crustaceans, and we Mainers take pride in bringing their sweet meat from ocean to table.
The Bait Shed Restaurant and Bar
9 Avenue Six, Scarborough, ME (207) 888-1069 | baitshedrestaurant.com
There are a lot of popular seafood restaurants and takeout places in Scarborough. This one is owned by the same people who run Bayley’s Lobster Pound next door, and it has a deck with great views of where the Nonesuch River meets the Atlantic Ocean. Favorites include lobster rolls, lobster bisque and steamed mussels.
34 Naples Marina Lane, Naples Causeway, ME (207) 693-5225 (JACK) | captainjacksnaples.com
You should make the trip to this restaurant at Naples Marina on Long Lake, whether you’re coming by boat or car, just for the lobster roll. It comes on a lightly toasted roll with hand-cut fries and half a pound of meat lightly tossed in mayonnaise. Stay for the lakeside breezes, local beer and live music.
161 Main Street (Route 1), Woolwich, ME (207) 443-4554 | tasteofmaine.com
The iconic giant lobster on the roof of this popular restaurant beckons with kitschy charm. Lobster, seafood and steaks are served on a sundeck over- looking Pleasant Cove. Reservations are taken online.
Cook’s Lobster & Ale House
68 Garrison Cove Road, Bailey Island, ME (207) 883-2818 | cookslobster.com
Garrison Cove on Bailey Island is a spectacular – if somewhat remote – location for a lobster dinner. Much of the food served here is caught locally in this fishing village. Eaters can smell the sea air, hear the waves, and see lobstermen hauling traps from the deck or the new open-air pub. They can also enjoy a lobster straight from the boat. You can get lobster rolls with mayo or butter, lobster mac ‘n cheese, lobster ravioli with a lobster tail, lobster wontons, or three chilled lobster claws with drawn butter and lemon. To get to Cook’s, you have to take Scenic Route 24 through Harpswell and cross the historic cribstone bridge, which is a sight that is worth the trip on its own.
The deck at Cook’s Lobster & Ale House overlooking Harpswell Sound.
The view from The Clam Shack in Kennebunk. Photo courtesy of Daryl Getman.
41 Water Street, Wiscasset, ME (207) 882-6128 | redseatsmaine.com
This red-and-white lobster shack on Route One with a view of the Sheepscot River is a landmark of Midcoast Maine. In the summer, a lot of people wait in line for up to an hour to get in. Red’s Eats: World’s Best Lobster Shack is a book that has been out for almost ten years and is all about this famous place.
9 Thurston Road, Bernard, Mount Desert Island, ME (207) 244-7600 | thurstonforlobster.com
You can buy fresh lobster by the pound at this restaurant on a dock in Mount Desert Island’s busiest working harbor. They serve full dinners with steamers, corn on the cob, coleslaw, and blueberry cake. Closed Sundays. The Island Explorer Bus takes folks around the island, including to Thurston’s, for free.
The Ultimate LOBSTER ROLL Tour!! Best Lobster Shacks in Maine, USA!!
FAQ
What is the current price of lobster in Maine?
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Lobster Size
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Price
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2 – 2 1/2 lbs
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$48.99$43.99
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2 1/2 – 3 lbs
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$55.99$51.99
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3 – 3 1/2 lbs
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$63.99$58.99
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3 1/2 – 4 lbs
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$71.99$66.99
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