Maine’s coastline is famous for one culinary treasure above all others – the perfect lobster roll. Fresh-caught lobster meat tucked into a buttery toasted bun has become the signature dish of the Pine Tree State. Whether you prefer yours traditional with mayo, warm with butter, or with a creative twist, Maine’s legendary lobster shacks serve up the best of the best. Here’s your ultimate guide to the most mouthwatering lobster rolls worth planning your entire Maine vacation around.
1. Red’s Eats – Wiscasset
The crown jewel of Maine’s lobster roll scene sits unassumingly at the edge of Route 1 in Wiscasset. Red’s Eats serves lobster rolls so stuffed with meat they require a fork to start eating.
What makes Red’s special is their simplicity – just fresh-picked lobster with drawn butter or mayo on the side, letting you dress it exactly how you like. The line often stretches down the block during summer months, but locals will tell you it’s worth every minute of waiting.
Since 1938, this humble roadside stand has been serving what many consider the benchmark against which all other Maine lobster rolls are measured.
2. Five Islands Lobster Co. – Georgetown
Perched on a working harbor with breathtaking views of the eponymous five islands, this no-frills seafood spot serves lobster straight from the boats to your plate. Their rolls feature sweet, tender meat with just enough mayo to bind it together.
The picnic tables overlooking the water create the quintessential Maine dining experience. Seagulls circle overhead as lobstermen unload their daily catch just feet from where you’re eating.
Open seasonally from May to October, Five Islands doesn’t take credit cards or reservations – just bring cash, patience, and a hearty appetite for what many seafood experts consider some of the sweetest lobster in Maine.
3. The Clam Shack – Kennebunk
Standing proudly on the bridge connecting Kennebunk and Kennebunkport since 1968, The Clam Shack breaks tradition with their unique round bun. Owner Steve Kingston insists on lobsters delivered daily from local fishermen and cooked in ocean water for that authentic Maine flavor.
Their award-winning roll gives you a choice of mayo, warm butter, or both. The secret? Fresh-picked meat from 1-pound lobsters that never sees the inside of a refrigerator.
The combination of that distinctive round bun (locally baked at Reilly’s Bakery) and ultra-fresh lobster has earned them national recognition, including victory at the Lobster Roll Rumble in New York City.
4. McLoons Lobster Shack – South Thomaston
Family-owned McLoons sits on a working lobster wharf on Spruce Head Island. Their rolls feature meat from soft-shell lobsters (locals call them “shedders”) which are sweeter and more tender than hard-shell varieties.
The bright red shack with its waterfront deck offers stunning views of the harbor where your meal was likely caught that morning. McLoons keeps it classic – fresh-picked lobster meat lightly dressed with mayo on a toasted split-top bun.
A hidden gem compared to some more famous spots, McLoons combines the authentic working harbor experience with lobster that’s handled with extreme care from trap to table. Their commitment to quality earned them recognition from Downeast Magazine as serving “Maine’s best lobster roll.”
5. Beal’s Lobster Pier – Southwest Harbor
Away from the summer crowds of Bar Harbor, Beal’s Lobster Pier offers an authentic Down East experience on Mount Desert Island. Operating since 1932 on a working lobster pier, Beal’s serves lobster that goes from ocean to plate in record time.
Their generously filled rolls come with meat from the claws, knuckles and tails, dressed minimally to let the natural sweetness shine. Watching the boats unload their catch while you eat creates an immersive Maine experience few other places can match.
Family-owned for generations, Beal’s maintains the traditions that make Maine lobster legendary. The stunning views of the harbor and Western Mountain provide a feast for your eyes while their lobster roll satisfies your taste buds.
6. The Lobster Shack at Two Lights – Cape Elizabeth
Dramatic coastal scenery meets culinary excellence at this iconic spot nestled between two historic lighthouses. Since 1969, The Lobster Shack has been serving perfectly prepared lobster rolls on a rocky point where the Atlantic crashes just feet away.
Their version features generous chunks of tail and claw meat lightly dressed with mayo on a grilled split-top bun. The picnic tables perched on the rocky shore offer what might be the most spectacular dining views in all of Maine.
Open seasonally from spring through fall, this beloved institution combines the perfect lobster roll with lighthouse views and crashing surf. The sound of fog horns and seagulls completes the quintessential Maine coast experience that keeps visitors returning year after year.
7. Thurston’s Lobster Pound – Bernard
Tucked away on a quiet corner of Mount Desert Island, Thurston’s screened-in dining room hovers over a working harbor with a view that feels straight out of a postcard. The multi-level deck puts you right among the lobster boats bringing in the day’s catch.
Their rolls feature perfectly cooked meat that’s sweet, tender and pulled from the shell daily. Served with just a light touch of mayo on a toasted New England-style bun, it’s the definition of simple perfection.
Family-owned since 1946, Thurston’s represents the ideal balance of authentic working harbor atmosphere and exceptional food quality. The slightly remote location on the “quiet side” of MDI means you might avoid the tourist crowds while enjoying one of Maine’s finest lobster experiences.
8. Bite Into Maine – Cape Elizabeth
Innovation meets tradition at this food truck permanently parked near Portland Head Light in Fort Williams Park. Owners Sarah and Karl Sutton revolutionized Maine’s lobster roll scene by offering six different styles, including their famous picnic-style with cucumber.
The Connecticut butter-drizzled version and the curry-infused roll have developed cult followings. Every roll features a quarter-pound of knuckle and claw meat on a perfectly toasted split-top bun from a local bakery.
The spectacular backdrop of Maine’s most photographed lighthouse elevates the experience to something truly magical. Their success has led to additional locations, but lobster enthusiasts know the original truck with its lighthouse views remains the ultimate spot to sample their creative takes on Maine’s signature dish.
9. Eventide Oyster Co. – Portland
Reimagining Maine’s seafood traditions with a modern twist, Eventide’s brown butter lobster roll has achieved cult status among food lovers nationwide. Served on a steamed Asian-style bun rather than traditional bread, it’s a revolutionary take on the classic.
Warm lobster meat gets tossed in nutty brown butter and nestled into a pillowy bao bun. Smaller than traditional rolls but packed with intense flavor, it represents Portland’s evolution into one of America’s top food destinations.
Located in the heart of Portland’s Old Port district, this James Beard Award-winning restaurant proves that innovation can respectfully build upon tradition. Their lobster roll might break all the rules, but the flavors are so magnificent that even the most traditional Maine lobstermen have been known to approve.
10. Highroller Lobster Co. – Portland
Born as a food cart and now a vibrant brick-and-mortar restaurant in Portland’s Old Port, Highroller brings playful energy to Maine’s lobster scene. Their signature roll comes on a brioche bun made specially by a local bakery, but what truly sets them apart is their sauce bar.
Customers can customize their roll with house-made options like lobster ghee, jalapeño mayo, or charred pineapple mayo. The bright red interior with cartoon lobster murals creates a fun atmosphere that contrasts with Maine’s typically rustic seafood spots.
Founded by two friends who wanted to shake up tradition, Highroller represents Portland’s young, creative food scene. Their lobster grilled cheese and lobster tacos prove they’re not afraid to experiment with Maine’s most precious culinary resource.
11. Larson’s Lunch Box – Damariscotta
This unassuming roadside stand has been a local secret for decades, serving what many Midcoast Maine residents consider the most authentic lobster roll experience. Family-owned since 1962, Larson’s keeps it simple and perfect.
Their generously filled roll features large chunks of tail, knuckle and claw meat with minimal mayo on a perfectly toasted New England-style bun. The no-frills approach extends to the setting – just a few picnic tables where generations of families have created summer memories.
Affordable pricing sets Larson’s apart in an era of increasingly expensive lobster rolls. The combination of fair prices, generous portions, and family-run authenticity explains why locals are sometimes reluctant to share this hidden gem with tourists.
12. Boothbay Lobster Wharf – Boothbay Harbor
Suspended over the water on pilings in one of Maine’s most charming harbor towns, Boothbay Lobster Wharf delivers the complete Maine experience. Lobstermen pull right up to the dock to deliver their catch, often visible from your table.
Their classic lobster roll balances generous portions with attention to detail – meat from hard-shell lobsters for better flavor, light mayo dressing, and a perfectly toasted split-top bun. The sprawling deck offers 360-degree harbor views where you can watch fishing boats and pleasure craft while enjoying your meal.
Live music during summer evenings creates a festive atmosphere that captures the joy of Maine’s brief but glorious warm season. The authentic working waterfront setting combined with consistently excellent lobster makes this a must-visit for seafood lovers.
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