Maine Lobster! One of the world’s most iconic foods and that’s not hyperbole. It’s the small creature that truly separates Maine from the rest of the world. Lobster is to Maine as the baguette is to France. Mainers have been cooking this tasty crustacean for hundreds of years, from the traditional lobster roll to a five-star restaurant’s unique take on it.
From casual to fancy, eating lobster can be a part of any Maine experience. Schooner captains love to show off a lobster bake on an island beach to their passengers. It’s surprisingly easy to cook them at home in a pot or on the grill.
Even if eating lobster isn’t your Maine Thing, lobstering in Maine can be. Lobstermen give tours along the coast and tell stories and give advice on how to pull lobster pots straight from the Atlantic.
Maine is world-famous for its fresh, delicious lobster. With thousands of miles of craggy coastline and cold, pristine waters, Maine provides the perfect environment for lobsters to thrive. No wonder locals and visitors alike flock to lobster shacks, seaside restaurants, and fish markets across the state to get their fix of these tasty crustaceans.
But with so many places offering lobster, how do you know where to find the absolute best? I’ve explored the length and breadth of the Maine coast sampling lobster rolls, whole boiled lobsters, lobster bakes, and more. After years of tasty research, I’m ready to share my picks for the top spots to get your lobster fix in Vacationland.
The Best Places for Lobster Rolls
Let’s start with the quintessential Maine lobster dish – the lobster roll. Warm lobster meat lightly dressed with mayo or butter and stuffed into a grilled, buttered bun. Doesn’t get much better! Here are my top 5 picks for lobster rolls in Maine
1. Red’s Eats, Wiscasset
You can’t compile a list of the best lobster rolls in Maine without including the legendary Red’s Eats This unassuming lobster shack sits overlooking the Sheepscot River in the picturesque town of Wiscasset Their generous rolls overflow with sweet lobster meat. Expect long lines, but trust me, it’s worth the wait.
2. The Clam Shack, Kennebunk
Another iconic spot, the Clam Shack has been serving expertly crafted lobster rolls for decades. Their rolls feature fresh-picked meat from soft-shell lobsters and come served on a toasted, buttery bun. Be sure to try their onion rings too!
3. Bite Into Maine, Cape Elizabeth
This popular food truck located by the Portland Head Light has terrific lobster rolls available in classic Maine-style as well as inventive varieties like chipotle-lime. The epic lighthouse views make for a memorable eating experience.
4. Boothbay Lobster Wharf, Boothbay Harbor
Overlooking the boats coming and going in Boothbay Harbor, this bustling wharf offers first-rate lobster rolls. Get yours traditional-style with a swipe of mayo or buttered and grilled Connecticut-style.
5. Five Islands Lobster Company, Georgetown
Soaking in the views of Five Islands Bay while eating a loaded lobster roll? Yes please! This seaside lobster pound receives fresh catches daily so you know their rolls are stuffed with only the best meat.
The Best Spots for Whole Boiled Lobster
While lobster rolls are great, there’s nothing quite like indulging in a freshly boiled whole lobster, served with drawn butter and lemon. Crack into the shell to access the sweet meat inside the claws, knuckles, and tail. Here are some stellar spots to savor whole lobsters:
1. Miller’s Lobster Co, Spruce Head
For an authentic experience, head to this family-run wharf open summers only. Select your lobster from the tanks on site and they’ll cook it while you wait at a picnic table overlooking the water. Quaint, delicious, and totally memorable.
2. Nunan’s Lobster Hut, Cape Porpoise
Another family-owned gem, Nunan’s motto says it all: “From our boats to our pot to your plate!” Enjoy harbor views as you crack into a perfectly steamed lobster.
3. Thurston’s Lobster Pound, Bernard
With boats unloading fresh catches outside, you know the lobster here is good. Order yours steamed then head out to the deck to feast on Knuckle’s Cove. Save room for their blueberry cake!
4. Chauncey Creek Lobster Pier, Kittery Point
At this classic BYOB spot, regulars arrive outfitted with tablecloths and candles to create a festive atmosphere while enjoying fresh-cooked lobsters as the tide rolls in and out.
5. Cape Pier Chowder House, Cape Porpoise
Overlooking idyllic Cape Porpoise Harbor, this laid-back spot steams up sweet, briny lobsters to enjoy on their harbor-front deck.
Best Spots for Lobster Bakes & Festivals
For the ultimate traditional Maine lobster experience, you’ve got to try a lobster bake! This traditional meal involves cooking lobsters, clams, corn, and more over hot rocks, resulting in incredibly tender and juicy seafood. Some key spots to try a lobster bake include:
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Thurston’s Lobster Pound, Bernard: All-you-can-eat bakes right on the waterfront
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Foster’s Downeast Clambake, York: Long-running operation serving classic outdoor bakes
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The Black Point Inn, Scarborough: Elegant bakes on the beach with live music
Time your visit to Maine right and you can experience a lobster festival! These big community celebrations feature tons of lobster along with fun events and entertainment. Two great ones to check out include:
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Maine Lobster Festival, Rockland (early August): This massive event has been held for over 70 years along Rockland’s historic harbor.
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Yarmouth Clam Festival (mid-July): Yarmouth’s popular festival includes races, parades, and lots of lobster!
Tips for Enjoying Lobster in Maine
Now that you know the best spots to indulge in lobster across the state, here are some tips to make the most of your Maine lobster experience:
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Time it right – Maine’s lobster season peaks from June to October when lobsters are more plentiful and have freshly shed their shells.
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Go for soft-shells – After molting, a lobster’s new shell is tender and thin, making for sweeter meat.
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Support local – Choose shacks, pounds, and restaurants sourcing lobsters from Maine’s hardworking lobstermen. This ensures freshness.
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Get cracking – Don’t be intimidated by whole lobsters. With a few simple techniques, you’ll be extracting the meat like a pro. Ask your server for tips or look up tutorials online.
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Draw it out – Dip the lobster meat in melted butter or lemon for added richness and zing.
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Explore the lobster – There’s tasty meat beyond just the claws and tail, like the knuckles and body.
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Dress it up – Lobster rolls are delicious as-is, but you can also add a dash of hot sauce, sliced onion, or fresh parsley.
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Go all out – Can’t decide between lobster rolls, whole lobsters, and lobster bakes? Maine’s abundance of lobster means you can try them all!
Discover Lobster Goodness Across Maine
What are you waiting for? It’s time to head to Vacationland and get your fill of the world’s best lobster. Trust me, once you’ve tried Maine lobster, you’ll be hooked! Whether enjoying harbor side, on a windswept beach, or at a dockside pound, savoring these tasty lobsters straight from the cold North Atlantic waters is an experience you won’t forget.
Why Maine Lobster is the Best
Are we biased? Of course. But lobsters love the clean, cold water off our coast, and the rocky seafloor below is the perfect place for them to live and stay safe from animals that might try to eat them. And when you think of lobster, you probably think of its rubber-banded claws, also called pincers. These have some of the sweetest, most tender meat. One interesting fact about lobsters is that some species, like California lobsters, don’t have claws. This is like a cake without frosting.
Oh, the lobster roll. Is it delightful? Yes. Does it come with all the joys of freshly picked lobster meat and none of the work? Yes. It’s portable, the ideal prêt à manger Maine dish. Add a Moxie soda and a bag of potato chips and you might just have the best meal of your life. Every seafood -loving Mainer has their personal favorite preparation and lobster restaurant at which to find it. Which means it’s tricky deciding on the best lobster roll. They can be as different as Maine’s landscape—and each beloved lobster shack has their very own recipe. No two are exactly alike. So, get goin’!
Summer is the best time for lobster in Maine. In summer, mature lobsters shed their hard shells for a new shell that is significantly larger—and softer. These soft-shell lobsters crack easier, and their flavor becomes even sweeter and more succulent. But don’t worry, you can get fresh lobster year-round. Most lobstermen only set traps from June to October, when lobsters are closer to shore and more plentiful. However, there are many brave lobstermen who work all year, even when the decks and water are freezing.
Curious about how Mainers scour the seafloor to haul in fresh lobster? Learn more about how Mainers fish for lobster.
Lobster boat tours are a unique way to see lobstering for yourself and learn how lobstermen keep the industry going. Did we mention they’re loads of fun?.
Check here for more information on Maine Seafood.