We Ranked Maine’s 10 Best Seafood Restaurants And Here Are The Results

Lobster has caused more roadside detours in Maine than a flashing gas light, and honestly, I understand why. A great seafood meal here can turn an ordinary afternoon into the story you keep telling long after the bib comes off.

The state is packed with waterfront dining rooms, old-school lobster pounds, and tiny shacks that know exactly what to do with the day’s catch. I have learned that the best meals are not always the fanciest ones.

Sometimes all it takes is a paper plate, a salty breeze, and a lobster roll that immediately ruins every lesser version. This list highlights ten highly regarded seafood restaurants serving memorable coastal flavors in settings worth the drive.

Bring an appetite, because Maine rarely believes in sending seafood lovers home disappointed.

Eventide Oyster Co., Portland

Oyster lovers, your prayers have been answered in the most delicious way possible. Eventide Oyster Co. on Middle Street in Portland has built a reputation so strong that people plan entire trips to Maine just to sit at that oyster bar.

The menu reads like a love letter to the sea, with carefully sourced bivalves from across New England waiting to be enjoyed.

What makes Eventide truly stand out is the obsessive attention to where every single ingredient comes from.

The team works closely with local farmers and fishermen, which means the oysters you are eating today were probably in the ocean yesterday. That kind of freshness is not something you stumble upon every day.

The brown butter lobster roll is practically legendary at this point, and first-timers are always shocked by how something so simple can taste so extraordinary.

The space itself has a lively, welcoming energy that makes you want to stay for hours. If Portland is on your itinerary, Eventide is a non-negotiable stop.

Address: 86 Middle St, Portland, ME 04101

Scales, Portland

Right on the Portland waterfront, Scales brings a level of culinary ambition that makes every visit feel like a special occasion.

The restaurant sits with views of the working harbor, and the scenery alone is worth the trip. Add in a menu that celebrates New England seafood with serious cooking chops, and you have a winner on your hands.

Chef-partner Sam Hayward and the restaurant’s culinary team have shaped a menu that changes with the seasons and highlights New England seafood.

The raw bar selection is outstanding, and the wood-fired preparations give dishes a smoky depth that is genuinely hard to forget. Scallops, halibut, and lobster all get the royal treatment here.

Scales also has one of the most thoughtfully designed dining rooms in all of Portland. The high ceilings and nautical touches feel sophisticated without being stuffy, and the service matches that energy perfectly.

Whether you are celebrating something big or just treating yourself to a truly excellent meal, Scales delivers on every promise it makes. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially during summer months.

Address: 68 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101

Street & Co., Portland

Some restaurants are good. Street and Co. is the kind of place that changes how you think about seafood entirely.

Operating out of a cozy brick building on Wharf Street since 1989, this Portland gem has been turning out Mediterranean-inspired seafood dishes long before farm-to-table was even a phrase people used at dinner parties.

The open kitchen is the heart of the whole operation, and watching the cooks work over the flames while the smell of garlic and fresh fish fills the air is genuinely one of the great sensory experiences Portland has to offer.

Dishes like lobster diavolo and sole francaise have loyal fans who order them every single time without even glancing at the rest of the menu.

The atmosphere is romantic and intimate without feeling too precious, making it equally perfect for a date night or a celebration dinner with close friends.

Portions are generous, flavors are bold, and the pasta dishes cooked right in the pan with the seafood are practically showstoppers. Street and Co. proves that longevity in the restaurant business is earned one incredible plate at a time.

Address: 33 Wharf St, Portland, ME 04101

McLoons Lobster Shack, South Thomaston

If you have ever dreamed of eating a freshly steamed lobster with your feet practically dangling over the water, McLoons Lobster Shack in South Thomaston is exactly what you had in mind.

Sitting right on the Muscle Ridge Channel, this place is the postcard version of a Maine lobster experience, and it absolutely lives up to the picture.

McLoons keeps things refreshingly simple, which is exactly the point. You order a freshly steamed lobster and enjoy it beside one of the most memorable coastal views in the state.

The lobster rolls are packed generously and served with just the right amount of butter, and the clam chowder is thick enough to stand a spoon in.

Getting there requires a bit of a drive down a winding road, but that only adds to the charm. Locals will tell you that the journey is half the fun, and they are absolutely right.

McLoons has the kind of laid-back, no-fuss energy that reminds you why Maine seafood culture is something truly worth celebrating. Go hungry and leave very, very happy.

Address: 315 Island Rd, South Thomaston, ME 04858

Thurston’s Lobster Pound, Bernard

Out on the quiet shores of Bernard, a small fishing village on the western side of Mount Desert Island, Thurston’s Lobster Pound has been doing things the right way for a very long time.

The setup is wonderfully no-nonsense: you walk up, you order your lobster, and then you eat it on a deck perched directly over the water while boats drift by and seagulls try their luck nearby.

What sets Thurston’s apart from other lobster pounds is its genuinely authentic fishing community vibe. This is not a tourist production.

The lobsters come straight off the boats, the staff knows their regulars by name, and the whole experience feels like a privilege rather than a transaction. The steamers and corn on the cob round out the classic Maine feast perfectly.

Families absolutely love it here because kids can watch the lobster tanks, soak up the harbor scenery, and eat something genuinely delicious all at the same time.

The prices remain reasonable for the quality and portion sizes, which is a rare and wonderful thing. Thurston’s is the kind of place that earns a permanent spot in your summer plans year after year.

Address: 9 Thurston Rd, Bernard, ME 04612

Five Islands Lobster Co., Georgetown

Few places in Maine can match the sheer scenic beauty that greets you at Five Islands Lobster Co. in Georgetown.

Perched at the end of Five Islands Road, this beloved lobster shack sits right on the dock with views of a cluster of small islands that look like they were painted specifically to make your meal taste even better. Spoiler: it works.

The lobster here is pulled fresh from local traps and cooked to order, which means you are getting the real deal every single time.

The lobster rolls are generous, the chowder is deeply satisfying, and the fried clams have a crispy, golden coating that makes them nearly impossible to stop eating. The whole menu is built around celebrating what the Maine coast does best.

Five Islands draws a loyal crowd of regulars who make the pilgrimage every summer, often multiple times. The wait can get long during peak season, but the line moves steadily and the views make standing around feel like a bonus rather than an inconvenience.

Bring cash, bring an appetite, and bring your camera, because the scenery at Five Islands is genuinely something to remember long after the last bite.

Address: 1447 Five Islands Rd, Georgetown, ME 04548

The Clam Shack, Kennebunk

There is a small red building sitting right on the bridge and the line outside it on a summer afternoon tells you everything you need to know before you even taste a single thing.

The Clam Shack has been a southern Maine institution for years, and its lobster roll has been called one of the best in the entire country by people who take these things very seriously.

The lobster roll here is served on a grilled, round bakery roll with a choice of butter, mayonnaise, or both, and the lobster meat is piled generously inside.

The fried clams are equally celebrated, with a light batter that lets the natural sweetness of the clams shine through beautifully. Everything tastes like it was made with genuine care.

The ordering system is charmingly simple: walk up to the window, place your order, and find a spot to enjoy the river views while you wait.

The Clam Shack does not try to be fancy, and that honesty is a huge part of its appeal. Sometimes the best things really do come in the smallest, most unassuming packages imaginable.

Address: 2 Western Ave, Kennebunk, ME 04043

The Lobster Shack At Two Lights, Cape Elizabeth

With the Atlantic Ocean crashing against the rocks just a few feet away, The Lobster Shack at Two Lights in Cape Elizabeth has one of the most dramatic seafood restaurant settings in Maine. The view alone would justify the trip, but fortunately the food is just as impressive as the scenery.

Operating since the 1920s, this beloved spot has been feeding hungry visitors for about a century and has become a longstanding Cape Elizabeth landmark.

The lobster stew is rich and satisfying in a way that feels almost like a warm hug, and the whole lobster dinners are priced fairly for what you get. The clam chowder is thick, creamy, and loaded with clams.

The outdoor seating area perched above the rocky shoreline is one of the most memorable places to enjoy a meal in the entire state.

Watching the waves roll in while you crack open a lobster is the kind of experience that makes you want to move to Maine permanently. The Lobster Shack at Two Lights is a true classic that has earned every bit of its legendary status.

Address: 225 Two Lights Rd, Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107

Young’s Lobster Pound, Belfast

Young’s Lobster Pound in Belfast is the real thing, and regulars would not have it any other way. Sitting right on the Belfast waterfront, this no-frills lobster pound operates out of a big working building where the tanks are stacked high and the lobsters are as fresh as they come.

You are not coming here for ambiance. You are coming here for lobster, and you are going to leave very satisfied.

The process is wonderfully old-school: choose your lobster from the tank, watch it get weighed, and then wait for it to come out perfectly steamed and ready to eat.

Picnic tables inside and out give you a comfortable place to dig in, and the staff is friendly in that easy, unpretentious way that Midcoast Maine tends to do so well. Steamers and corn are natural companions on the menu.

Young’s draws a loyal crowd of locals who trust it completely, and first-time visitors quickly understand why.

The prices are among the most honest you will find anywhere along the coast, and the quantity of lobster meat you get makes every dollar feel well spent. Belfast is a charming town worth exploring, and Young’s is the perfect reason to make the drive.

Address: 2 Fairview St, Belfast, ME 04915

The Waterfront Restaurant, Camden

Camden is one of the most beautiful harbor towns in all of New England, and The Waterfront Restaurant sits right in the middle of all that beauty with a front-row seat to the action.

Sailboats and windjammers drift past the windows as you eat, creating a dining backdrop that feels almost too good to be real. Fortunately, the food makes sure you stay focused on your plate too.

The menu leans heavily on the best seafood Penobscot Bay has to offer, with lobster, scallops, and fresh fish prepared in ways that highlight their natural quality without overcomplicating things.

The seafood selections change with the menu and are prepared in ways that highlight their natural flavor without overcomplicating them. Everything arrives beautifully presented without feeling overdone.

The service at The Waterfront strikes that ideal balance between attentive and relaxed, which makes lingering over a long meal feel completely natural.

Camden attracts visitors who appreciate beauty and quality in equal measure, and The Waterfront Restaurant delivers both with genuine consistency.

Whether you grab a table on the outdoor deck or settle in by the window inside, every seat in the house comes with a view worth savoring.

Address: 48 Bay View St, Camden, ME 04843