8 Must-Try Lobster Rolls In Maine That Will Have You Coming Back For More
Maine’s coastline isn’t just famous for its lighthouses and rugged beauty – it’s home to the world’s best lobster rolls!
Last summer, I embarked on a mouthwatering adventure along Route 1, sampling these buttery, seafood-stuffed treasures at every stop. From roadside shacks to award-winning restaurants, each roll tells its own delicious story of Maine’s seafood heritage.
Ready to discover where the locals go for that perfect combination of fresh-caught lobster, toasted bun, and seaside views?
1. McLoons Lobster Shack: Harbor Views and Family Tradition
Perched on a working lobster wharf in South Thomaston, McLoons combines breathtaking scenery with lobster perfection. The bright red picnic tables overlooking the harbor create the quintessential Maine dining experience I’ve always dreamed about.
What makes their rolls special? The lobster goes from trap to table in hours! I watched fishermen unload their catches while waiting for my order – talk about fresh.
The family recipe includes just enough mayo to complement without overwhelming the delicate meat. Grab a whoopie pie for dessert and savor the sunset over Muscle Ridge Channel for the perfect Maine afternoon.
2. The Clam Shack: Where Celebrities Meet Simplicity
Celebrities flock here, but The Clam Shack in Kennebunkport has stayed refreshingly unpretentious since 1968. Their unique round buns from local Reilly’s Bakery changed my whole perspective on lobster roll architecture!
My favorite part? They ask if you want butter, mayo, or both. (Always choose both – trust me on this one.) The meat mixture is perfectly balanced with chunks from every part of the lobster, creating a symphony of textures in each bite.
Located right on the bridge overlooking the Kennebunk River, the view almost rivals the food. Almost. Their championship wins at the NYC Lobster Roll Rumble are well-deserved!
3. Bite Into Maine: Flavor Adventures for the Bold
Who says tradition can’t be playful? At Bite Into Maine, I discovered lobster rolls aren’t just about butter versus mayo anymore. Their food truck at Cape Elizabeth’s Fort Williams Park serves up six different styles that will blow your mind!
The picnic table overlooking Portland Head Light became my happy place as I sampled their curry roll. Yes, curry! The gentle spice perfectly complemented the sweetness of the lobster meat without overwhelming it.
The owners, Karl and Sarah, source their lobster daily from local harbors. Whether you choose classic Maine-style with mayo or get adventurous with wasabi, each roll comes packed with a quarter-pound of pure lobster bliss.
4. Eventide Oyster Co.: The Brown Butter Revolution
Forget everything you think you know about lobster rolls! Eventide Oyster Co. in Portland’s Old Port district has completely reimagined this classic with their famous Brown Butter Lobster Roll that made me weak in the knees.
The warm, nutty brown butter sauce coats each morsel of meat, creating a rich umami experience that’s downright magical. And instead of the traditional hot dog bun, they serve it on a steamed Asian-style bao bun that’s pillowy soft.
While purists might raise eyebrows, one bite converted me. The smaller size means you can also sample their incredible oyster selection without filling up completely. Their rotating seasonal versions keep locals coming back year-round.
5. Red’s Eats: The Legendary Roadside Wonder
Standing in line at Red’s Eats feels like a pilgrimage every seafood lover must make at least once. The tiny red-and-white shack in Wiscasset has been serving lobster rolls that literally overflow their buns since 1954!
My first bite there last July was a revelation – sweet, tender chunks of tail and claw meat with absolutely zero fillers. The owner once told me they use a whole lobster in each roll, which explains why they’re practically the size of my forearm.
Pro tip: Arrive before 11 AM to beat the infamous line that sometimes stretches across the bridge.
6. Five Islands Lobster Co.: Nature’s Perfect Dining Room
My jaw literally dropped when I rounded the corner at Five Islands. Perched at the end of a working wharf on Georgetown Island, this no-frills spot offers what might be the most spectacular dining view in America!
The five spruce-covered islands rising from the sparkling Sheepscot Bay create a postcard-perfect backdrop for their simple yet perfect lobster rolls. I watched my lunch being unloaded from the boat while waiting in line – a connection to the source that makes every bite meaningful.
Their rolls come lightly dressed with mayo on a toasted split-top bun. Grab a side of their hand-cut onion rings and eat at the dockside picnic tables for the full experience.
7. Bagaduce Lunch: The James Beard Classic
Some places just have soul, and Bagaduce Lunch radiates it from every weathered board. This humble roadside stand in Penobscot has been family-owned since 1946, earning a James Beard “American Classic” award without changing a thing about their honest approach.
My conversation with the owner’s granddaughter revealed they still use the original recipe – sweet lobster meat with just a whisper of mayo on a perfectly toasted New England-style bun. Nothing fancy, just pure deliciousness.
The peaceful setting overlooking the reversing falls of the Bagaduce River makes time slow down. Cash only, paper plates, and probably the best value lobster roll in Maine!
8. Thurston’s Lobster Pound: Island Paradise Worth The Drive
The winding drive to Bernard on Mount Desert Island builds anticipation that Thurston’s more than satisfies. Suspended on stilts over a working harbor, this two-story lobster pound offers front-row seats to Maine’s lobstering heritage.
I arrived as the afternoon sun bathed everything in golden light, making the colorful buoys and boats below look like a painting. Their lobster rolls feature meat so fresh it’s practically still moving, served with minimal adornment – just enough mayo to hold things together.
The screened-in dining area lets the ocean breeze flow through while keeping bugs at bay. Perfect after a day exploring Acadia National Park just minutes away!