Mabel’s Lobster Claw-Kennebunkport
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21 BEST Lobster & Lobster Roll Restaurants in Southern Maine

If you’ve been to Maine, you know lobsters are a huge part of the state’s identity. In fact, there are tons of lobster roll restaurants throughout Southern Maine, and you’re sure to find other lobster dishes on their menus too.

Plus, you’re sure to see lobster decor everywhere you go. Head to the waterfront, and you’ll see iconic Maine lobster boats coming and going throughout the day.

Since Maine lobster is everywhere, knowing which places have the best lobster entrees and lobster rolls is tough. Southern Maine has some of the absolute best lobster roll restaurants in the state.

From Kittery to Freeport, hundreds of lobster boats haul in a fresh daily catch of lobster that’s transported directly to Southern Maine restaurants and markets.

If you’re looking to get a taste of Maine’s famous lobster, check out these Southern Maine restaurants, lobster shacks, and takeout windows for the best lobster in the region.

Warren’s Lobster House-Kittery
Warren’s Lobster House | photo via weasel_666

Chauncey Creek Lobster Pier

16 Chauncey Creek Rd, Kittery Point, ME 03905

Situated on the scenic Chauncey Creek River, Chauncey Creek Lobster Pier has been in business since 1948. This nostalgic restaurant has a dock at the pier where boaters are welcome to stop and dock for a delicious meal. You can also bring your own alcoholic beverages.

The menu includes boiled lobsters ranging from 1 to 4 pounds and fresh lobster rolls. Other seafood specialties are on the menu as well, including mussels, clams, crab, tuna, and oysters. For large groups of 20 or more, lobster bakes are available and include lobster, coleslaw, potato salad, and steamed clams.

Warren’s Lobster House

11 Water St, Kittery, ME 03904

Warren’s Lobster House has been in business for over 80 years and features one of the most extensive lobster entree menus in Maine. Appetizers include fried popcorn lobster, lobster rangoons, and lobster stew or chowder.

The best sellers at Warren’s, though, are the baked stuffed lobster roll, stuffed lobster tail, lobster claws and chowder, lobster saute, lobster thermidor, lobster mac and cheese, and dozens more interesting lobster concoctions!

Aside from its extensive lobster menu, Warren’s has a gift shop that sells everything lobster — from lobster lollipops to lobster gummies, forks, magnets, jewelry, clothing, and more.

Fox’s Lobster House

8 Sohier Park Rd, York, ME 03909

If you’re looking to enjoy lobster with an amazing view of a famous lighthouse, look no further than Fox’s Lobster House. Located at Sohier Park, the restaurant has indoor sit-down seating.

Or, opt for a more casual experience by ordering from the takeout window. Picnic tables are available and offer an amazing view of the Nubble Light.

Fox’s favorite lobster roll is a must-try and comes with generous portions of lobster meat with mayonnaise on a toasted New England-style roll.

Other lobster options include a lobster and grilled Havarti cheese sandwich, boiled lobster with melted butter, Fox’s fabulous lobster stew, and lobster lover’s salad.

Specialty lobster dinners are available too, including lazy lobster saute, baked lobster crazy crumb pie, and golden fried lobster tails. And, you can finish your lobster meal with a slice of homemade Maine blueberry pie.

Sun and Surf-York Beach
Sun and Surf | photo via sbredtruckclub

Sun and Surf

264 Long Beach Ave, York Beach, ME 03910

When you think of breakfast, you probably don’t think of lobster. Sun and Surf is about to change that with an amazing lobster omelet that features Maine lobster meat and cheddar cheese. Or, try the lobster Benedict, which has lobster meat and hollandaise on an English muffin.

For lunch and dinner, Sun and Surf has more lobster options — lobster ravioli, lobster sautee, and of course, classic lobster roll. On nice weather days, ask for an outdoor patio seat, and you’ll get to enjoy a meal with a view of Long Sands Beach.

Cape Neddick Lobster Pound

60 Shore Rd, Cape Neddick, ME 03902

Known to locals as The Pound, the Cape Neddick Lobster Pound is a local staple in Southern Maine. It uses only the freshest ingredients to complement the daily lobster catch.

The Pound’s specialty is the lobster curry, but it also has traditional lobster offerings — broiled and baked stuffed lobster, filet mignon, and lobster and captain’s platters. Every lobster is caught from the shores of York Maine and stored in a saltwater tank. Lobster sizes vary based on the day’s catch.

Lobster Cove

756 York St, York, ME 03909

Open year-round, Lobster Cove has an incredible two-floor restaurant with ocean views. During warm weather, you can dine on the outside patio with picnic tables and umbrellas. While sitting on the patio, you can hear the sound of Long Sands Beach’s waves crashing into the rocks across the street.

Lobster Cove is known for serving fresh lobster at reasonable prices. Enjoy the twin chick lobster dinner or its most popular offering — the big huge lobster roll. Other lobster items include lobster mac and cheese, lobster and steamed clams, and lobster pie.

Footbridge Lobster-Ogunquit
Footbridge Lobster | photo via becspk_king

Footbridge Lobster

108 Perkins Cove Rd, Ogunquit, ME 03907

Footbridge Lobster is housed in an iconic little red building with a simple takeout window. The owner is a lobsterman and brings in his own lobster haul every day to serve at this hole-in-the-wall eatery. You can customize your lobster roll the way you like it — with mayo, melted butter, or plain.

Other lobster meals include a lobster BLT, a lobster sandwich with egg and cheese, lobster grilled cheese, and a simple lobster cocktail. Fried seafood dishes and American classics, like hot dogs and burgers, are also available.

Lobster Shack

110 Perkins Cove Rd, Ogunquit, ME 03907

The Lobster Shack, or The Shack as locals call it, has a humane and exclusive way of keeping their live lobsters fresh. The lobsters sit in tanks that have ocean water from Perkins Cove pumped directly into them.

You can customize the lobster roll size to be a quarter-pound single, double or triple stuffed, or even a whole pound. Every lobster roll is served on a toasted buttery roll and can be served with or without mayonnaise. Lobster wraps, lobster BLTs, and broiled lobster are big hits at The Shack too.

M.C. Perkins Cove

111 Perkins Cove Rd, Ogunquit, ME 03907

Many lobster restaurants are casual, ocean-side shacks. If you’re looking for something a bit more upscale for a date night or you want to enjoy a first-class meal, check out M.C. Perkins Cove. It has floor-to-ceiling windows with breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean.

For something truly unique, start with the lobster shortcake — which includes fried egg yolk, chive, brie white whine sauce, lobster meat, and a biscuit. For an entree, lobster mac and cheese and a traditional steamed Maine lobster with drawn butter and onion strings are the restaurant’s specialties.

Ogunquit Beach Lobster House

111 Beach St, Ogunquit, ME 03907

The Ogunquit Beach Lobster House has a dining experience for every type of guest. Whether you want to sit at a community table, a private table, on a deck, or on the go, this restaurant features all dining styles.

It promises not to douse your lobster in seasoning so that you get a true fresh lobster taste in every bite. Try the lobster bisque, lobster ravioli, lobster roll basket, lobster grilled cheese, or lobster sliders.

The Arundel Wharf-Kennebunkport
The Arundel Wharf | photo via richellabella

Hobbs Harborside

352 Harbor Rd, Wells, ME 04090

Hobbs Harborside offers a meal with an amazing view of Wells Harbor. For appetizers, try the specialty lobster spinach and artichoke dip served with toasted crostinis.

Entrees include lobster salad, lobster stew, Lakewood seafood pie (lobster meat with scallops and crumbs), and broiled and baked stuffed lobster. The menu has other seafood offerings as well — traditional fish and chips, chowder, and clams.

The Arundel Wharf

43 Ocean Ave, Kennebunkport, ME 04046

Located on the Kennebunk River, The Arundel Wharf is another Southern Maine spot that has amazing views of the water and boats. Known for its friendly service and bustling outdoor patio, it is a wonderful restaurant for trying lobster.

Starters include lobster stuffed avocado and Maine lobster stew. Then, move on to lobster pasta, steamed lobster, a lazy lobster, a lobster club, or a classic lobster roll.

Cape Pier Chowder House

79 Pier Rd, Kennebunkport, ME 04046

The Cape Pier Chowder House gets its freshly caught lobster from the Cape Porpoise Lobster Company, a local favorite market right up the street. The restaurant is located next to the town pier and has inside and outside deck seating.

For big appetites, try the fried lobster dinner plate, which has the meat of two chick lobsters. Or, try the lobster roll with a side of fries.

Mabel’s Lobster Claw

124 Ocean Ave, Kennebunkport, ME 04046

Mabel’s Lobster Claw features a quaint dining room for cool weather days and an outdoor porch area for warm weather months. You can dine in or order from a more limited menu to go at the on-site shack.

The menu has typical lobster fare — a lobster roll with mayo or butter, steamed lobster, and lobster mac ‘n cheese.

Also, the restaurant serves specialties that you likely won’t find elsewhere — lobster risotto, lobster Savannah (lobster, scallops, shrimp, mushrooms, and provolone), and lobster Milanese (baked with jumbo shrimp, garlic, and cayenne pepper).

The Clam Shack-Kennebunkport
The Clam Shack | photo via markttc

The Clam Shack

2 Western Ave, Kennebunk, ME 04043

The Clam Shack has an award-winning lobster roll that’s a favorite among locals. Lobsters are caught fresh daily and cooked in fresh ocean water the same day they arrive at The Clam Shack.

Each lobster roll has big chunks of meat, including claw, tail, and knuckle meat. The bun is sourced fresh from Reilly’s Bakery in Biddeford, and they have a hint of sweetness to complement the saltier lobster.

You can choose from drizzled butter, mayo, or both. For those in a hurry, pick up a lobster roll kit to take home and assemble.

The Lobster Shack at Two Lights

225 Two Lights Rd, Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107

The Lobster Shack at Two Lights has been in business since the 1920s, so you know it’s doing lobster right. The location gives off true Maine vibes with a lighthouse and fog horn near the picnic tables. Also, there’s a small dining room with views of Portland Harbor.

The restaurant serves traditional lobster fare — a lobster roll, lobster dinner, and salad with lobster meat. You can finish your lobster meal with a homemade dessert, like a blueberry mini pie or strawberry shortcake.

The Highroller Lobster Co.

104 Exchange St, Portland, ME 04101

The Highroller Lobster Co. started as a food truck and has since evolved into a popular brick-and-mortar restaurant. This spot has so many unique lobster offerings that it’ll be hard to choose what to try. You may need to plan multiple visits to truly savor all of the delicious lobster items.

We recommend the lobster cheese crisp taco, the lobby pop (lobster tail deep fried on a stick), lobster roll flight (three mini rolls), surf and turf (burger with lobster meat), Caesar salad with lobster, and lobster BLT or grilled cheese.

Boone’s Fish House & Oyster Room

86 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101

Boone’s Fish House & Oyster Room has been a mainstay in Portland since 1898. Located at Portland Harbor, the restaurant features two outdoor decks overlooking the harbor, as well as an indoor dining room.

Boone’s specialty is its baked stuffed lobster, which is split on the underbelly; stuffed with lobster meat, scallops, shrimp, and crumbs; and then seasoned and baked to perfection.

If you’re looking for something more traditional, the restaurant also has steamed Maine lobster with drawn butter and lobster rolls with mayo or warmed butter.

Additionally, Boone’s serves brunch on Sundays. That menu features a lobster popover Benedict alongside the same lobster dinner offerings.

Cape Pier Chowder House-Kennebunkport
Cape Pier Chowder House | photo via eaterelle

Sea Salt Lobster

660 Main St, Saco, ME 04072

Sea Salt Lobster uses only fresh, never frozen lobster and seafood. The restaurant boasts that it’s a modern Maine lobster shack with picnic tables, bright red diner-style tables, and chairs, yet still maintains a vintage feel. The menu has mouthwatering lobster rolls that are served in several ways:

  • The Saco version has mayo and lettuce.
  • The Old Orchard Beach version is served warm with melted butter.
  • The Town Line lobster roll has mayo, butter, and lettuce.
  • The Biddeford Pool has mayo, bacon, lettuce, and tomato.
  • The Kennebunkport has cilantro lime aioli, red pepper pickled cabbage, cajun seasoning, and pico de gallo.

Surf 6 Oceanfront Grille & Bar

2 Cortland Ave, Old Orchard Beach, ME 04064

Surf 6 has a neat bar that was once part of a lobster boat. You can sit at the bar, in the dining room, or on the patio deck. The restaurant has sweeping ocean views in a relaxing, family-friendly atmosphere.

Lobster specialties include an appetizer of lobster cakes, lobster stew, a hearty lobster roll, steamed lobster, and lobster mac ‘n cheese.

Shipwreck Foods

40 E Grand Ave, Old Orchard Beach, ME 04064

Shipwreck Foods is a small, beach-side takeout window on Old Orchard Beach. Locals rave about the delicious, overflowing lobster rolls. Each is served with chips or fruit. Grab a lobster roll to go, and enjoy it on the beach or at the picnic table out front.

Mabel’s Lobster Claw-Kennebunkport
Mabel’s Lobster Claw | photo via boulderwoodbobby

Discover More Lobster Roll Restaurants in Southern Maine

Is your mouth watering yet? There are so many delectable lobster and lobster roll restaurants in Southern Maine. Whether you’re looking for a classic lobster roll or a special lobster dish that you can’t find anywhere else, Southern Maine’s restaurants have something for you.

No matter where you decide to dine on lobster in Southern Maine, you’ll leave feeling like a true Mainer and having an understanding of the love for lobsters in this state. Try a Maine lobster plucked straight from the cold Atlantic Ocean on your next trip to Southern Maine.

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8 Comments

  1. The oldest lobster roll and plain boiled lobster place at Perkins Cove has been making their lobster rolls the same way for decades upon decades upon decades. There was just a brief write up about them about a month ago. It was the only lobster roll place mentioned at Perkins Cove. I was so happy to hear it was still there after 30 to 40 years making them the same way.
    You would go up to the counter and place your order and get your seat at one of the picnic tables, mostly outside and it was totally casual but you could bring your own bottle of wine. It never failed to please and after eating, you could walk around the shack and get a really delicious ice cream cone and seat and watch the boats in the cove or take a walk on Marginal Way. It’s been way too long since I have been there and was just so happy and relieved to find out it was still there doing business the same as they did 30 to 40 years ago. I can’t get back soon enough. Just love it there at Perkins Cove in Ogunquit ❤️

    1. Not sure which place you are talking about. No where could you bring your bottle of wine. The restaurants have their own liquor. Perkins cove has changed and I have my few favorites being born and raised and growing up in the lobster restaurant business. Every one had their own taste and I know where I eat mine.

  2. Lobster Shack @ Three Lights was very disappointing recently. Tiny pieces of lobster on small roll. Would NOT recommend.

  3. Boone’s is horrible. Bad food, mediocre service and NYC prices. DiMillo’s or Luke’s Lobster are better choices. We never take out of town guest to Boone’s.

  4. Footbridge Lobster in Perkin’s Cove Ogunquit

    On the smaller side, but fresh and divine. Buy two. It will be worth every dime. Phenomenal!!!

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