Consider my arm twisted, but Meredith and I have spent the past couple of months compiling a list of some of our favorite lobster rolls in Maine. The task involved a number of miles in the car, a new found love for New England hotdog buns, a gracious amount of butter and mayo, and of course, plenty of pounds of that tasty red meat, but these are a few of our very favorites for the next time you’re in Vacationland.
Eventide Oyster Company
The brown butter vinaigrette and steamed-bun style roll make this lobster roll the most unique on our list. It also happened to be my favorite tasting roll, as the vinaigrette was a perfectly subtle sweet and buttery marinade for the meat, while the roll seemed to soak up the flavor and melt in your mouth. Followed with an Oxbow Farmhouse Pale Ale, this is a hard roll to beat.
Eventide Oyster Company
86 Middle Street, Portland – 207.774.8538
Muscongus Bay Lobster Company
Clients of Meredith’s recommended we drive out to Round Pond and get a lobster roll at Muscongus Bay, and we were so thankful to receive such a wonderful tip. I’m not sure which we enjoyed more – the bakery fresh roll itself, the lobster meat (we detected just a hint of what we thought was dill that made it both unique and different), or the experience of eating on the deck overlooking the charming Round Pond Harbor. The entire experience easily made this one Meredith’s favorite on our list.
Muscongus Bay Lobster Company
28 Town Landing Road, Round Pond – 207.529.2251
Bite Into Maine
The perfect picnic roll, Bite Into Maine’s menu is little more than this one item, but man do they do it well. We opted for the traditional Maine style roll, with just the right amount of mayo and chives, and then enjoyed it and a side of the blueberry corn salad from a blanket overlooking Casco Bay at Fort Williams Park with Orvis.
Bite Into Maine
Fort Williams Park, Cape Elizabeth – 207.420.0294
The Lobster Shack at Two Lights
The Lobster Shack will always hold a special place in our hearts. We had our first Maine lobster rolls there the day after we moved to Cape Elizabeth from North Carolina, and we return often, both for the scenery and the delicious lobster rolls – we’re suckers for the dollop of mayo on top and the crinkle cut fries.
The Lobster Shack at Two Lights
225 Two Lights Road, Cape Elizabeth – 207.799.1677
The Clam Shack
Over the years, countless people have insisted we try the lobster roll at The Clam Shack in Kennebunk, but after their win at this year’s Lobster Roll Rumble, we finally made trying it a priority. The only round bun lobster roll we’ve ever had, the Clam Shack roll is an example of how simple can be perfect – just a well-balanced mix of lobster meat, butter, and bun.
The Clam Shack
2 Western Avenue, Kennebunk – 207.967.2560
Five Islands Lobster Company
One thing about traveling around to try different lobster rolls that really stuck out to me, was just how beautiful the backdrops of some of these locations can be. Five Islands has to be near the top of the “perfectly picturesque” lobster roll list, from the dock overlooking the moorings between the five islands for which the area is named. It’s hard to dislike lobster in a location like that.
Five Islands Lobster Company
1447 5 Islands Road, Georgetown – 207.371.2990
Red’s Eats
Easily the most famous on our list, be prepared to wait in line if you’re wanting to eat one of the lobster rolls from Red’s. A toasted New England-style bun and a generous helping of fresh lobster meat are just about all that make up this Maine classic, but as the saying goes, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. The Red’s lobster roll doesn’t need any fixing.
Red’s Eats
41 Water Street, Wiscasset – 207.882.6128
The Lobster Shack in Perkins Cove, Ogunquit gets my vote. Absolutely perfect every time, and blows every other lobster roll I’ve had in Maine away. Seriously, go get some!
With a recommendation like that, we’ll have to plan a trip down to Ogunquit very soon – thanks, Jenny!
Went to Fisherman’s Grill in Portland last week. One of the best, imo! I’m surprised that it doesn’t pop up on people’s list as much.
Thanks for the tip – we’ll look into visiting Fishermen’s Grill soon!
Like your choices, This may sound ”far out” 7 miles about?,In Penobcsot Bay, ”The Maine Lobster Lady”
Has a cute shack on Isle Au Haut ME,Off from Stonington. It has to be really good as most of the lobster men wifes make a great one too, For me the fried clam roll is the best in Maine,and I have had many, Check her out,Maine Lobster Lady ,Isle au Haut me, Its a beautiful boat ride and a beautiful island,
enjoy your site, Nancy Calvert,
Nancy, this sounds like a fantastic suggestion – thank you so much for letting us know about the Maine Lobster Lady!
Now I want a lobster roll! Gotta go stand in the lines at the Clam Shack and Red’s to see what all the fuss is about.
Yes – you have to, Kate! We were at Red’s the other night around 8ish and there were only a few people in line. We went on the earlier side (11:30am on a weekday) for lunch at the Clam Shack and only had to wait for 10 or so minutes for our food to come out.
Oh my goodness. Now I’m STARVING and only a lobster roll will do! Cannot wait until we can push Maine to the top of the travel list!
wow…those food images are wonderful! nice job. this should be so helpful to people planning trips to maine!
Great photos! I’m a huge fan of eventide’s roll, and growing up in Cape Elizabeth, The Lobster Shack will always hold a special place in my heart. McLoons Lobster Shack in Spruce Head opened up last summer…..really high quality lobster roll that includes tail meat! Beautiful view as well ….somewhat off the beaten path so its a bit under the radar, but I totally recommend it!
Fantastic recommendation! We’ll definitely add McLoons to our list for the next time we’re in the area!
This is the most Maine-y post EV-AH.
I need a ‘like’ button for this comment :)
Hey Meredith. This friend from NC is soooooo jealous! Looks like you and your mom are having fun. Hope all is well. Love, Vicki
I’m ready to pack my bags and head to Maine!! I’m having some intense food envy right now :) If you ever make it to LA, you’ll have to try the lobster rolls at Connie & Ted’s. I think they’re amazing (although I’m no expert)!
We’re always looking for more suggestions, and LA is definitely on our list of places to visit. We’ll make sure to drop by Connie & Ted’s. Thanks for the tip!
The “locals” in my area voted on who has the best lobster roll in Mid-coast Maine and voted Libby’s Market in Brunswick as the best… They are by far and wide the best I have ever had. Reds?? long lines and way overpriced.
We’ll have to move Libby’s up on our list for the next time we’re in Brunswick. Thanks for the suggestion!
The lines and prices at Red’s are certainly a factor, but I’ve never been disappointed with the quality of the roll or amount of big chunks of meat. A big part of Red’s is definitely the experience.