Lovely, Lovely Lobstah!
When you travel to Maine, do your thoughts turn to Lobster? It is a quintessential part of the Maine experience after all. You can eat it, go on a boat and look at it, even touch it if you want to, you can even have it boxed up, taking home a taste of the ocean and making your vacation last that little bit longer.
When you think of lobster, do you think of bibs, hammers, and crackers? Or the less physical approach of a roll or a salad? There are many ways to enjoy your lobster and many wonderful restaurants and shacks to experience up and down the coast.
Starting in Kennebunkport, head to Cape Porpoise and Nunan’s Lobster Hut. Lobster is caught daily and served whole, boiled and served simply with butter for dipping.
If you prefer a less physical approach, then Alisson’s is the place to go. Prepared in a number of ways, you can find lobster almost anywhere on the menu. From the Lobster Roll to the Lobster Mac n’ Cheese. The same wonderful seafood, no bib required!
Head up to Freeport and get your lobster experience at Harraseeket Lunch and Lobster, a lobster shack in South Freeport. Enjoy, lobster, clams and homemade pie while enjoying views out over the marina. Family run for over 40 years, they fish and serve their catch fresh daily.
For a bowl of delicious lobster stew or chowder, head to Dolphin Marina and Restaurant. Enjoy views over Casco Bay and its many islands and don’t forget to leave room for one of their wonderful blueberry muffins.
If you’re heading up the coast, don’t miss out a stop at Red’s Eats, the most famous lobster shack on Route 1, next to the bridge in Wiscasset. Be prepared for a long line here but definitely worth the wait.
Head up to Newcastle and find your lobster at Muscongus Bay Lobster. Located on Round Pond Harbor, you can sit and enjoy your lobster chowder, rolls or delicious Damariscotta River oysters with a beautiful ocean view.
Want to take your oysters home? Pemaquid Seafood, formerly Pemaquid Lobster Co-Op,the oldest continually operating co-op in the country, will pack and your lobsters for travel. Alternatively stay and enjoy the restaurant which offers clams, fish dinners and deserts alongside lobsters.
Up in Rockland, McLoons Lobster Shack looks out over Maine Harbor, a wonderful setting for lunch or dinner. McLoon’s ship year-round so you can enjoy the taste of Maine any time of year. Enjoy stews and chowders here alongside lobster and delicious crab cakes.
Maine Lobster Festival rolls into Rockland the first week in August. The event includes music, great beer and crafts among many other event and activities. Enjoy five days of fun events, food and all things lobster.
Head to Camden and the Lobster Pound in nearby Lincolnville. Open for lunch and dinner daily, they offer two dining rooms and an outdoor patio, perfect for any event or special occasion. Check out the Maine blueberry pie here as well as lobster rolls and delicious clams.
Deer Isle plays host to LDI Lobster, offering soups, salads and seafood with incredible views over the beautiful Deer Isle Bridge and the Eggemoggin Reach. When available, be sure to try the steamer clams, delicious served with melted butter.
Up in Bar Harbor head to Thurstons Lobster Pound in nearby Bernard with views of Bass Harbor. Seated in their dockside restaurant you can watch the crews unloading the days catch right into the restaurant tank. A fresh local meal indeed.
If you’re looking for adventure and want some lobster knowledge to amaze your friends, then the Rugosa Lobster Boat in Kennebunkport is the way to go. This tour takes you out along the shore pulling lobster traps with Captain Bob. It's a wonderful way to get out and enjoy the water and learn about this important Maine industry. Hold a live lobster and learn the difference between male and female lobsters, soft and hard shell and why certain lobsters get to escape the lobsters get thrown back into the ocean.
Be sure to ask your innkeeper for their favorite places. You can find amazing lobster anywhere but we know the best places. Be sure to report your favorite place to your innkeeper, we love to hear about your adventures and dining experiences.