Maine lobster

[Ronstar]

DW has become a lobster lover. So I'm planning a lobster trip. Her favorite lobster restaurant is the Lobster Lady in Cape Coral, Fl that serves Maine lobster.

So I'm planning a trip to Maine. Fly Chicago to Portland. Rental car to Kennebunkport, then to Bar Harbor. Do a little hiking in Acadia. Drive back to Portland and fly home. Eating in lobster restaurants along the way.

Anyone have any suggestions for lobster restaurants? Preferably in Maine, but anywhere in the US.

 

[Midpack]

It’s been a while, but last time we were in Maine, lobster pounds were easy to find, and we weren’t disappointed at any we ate at. We ate at several because lobster was relatively cheap there. Here’s some reasonably current guidance. You probably know there’s a high season for Maine lobster.

We liked every city we visited in Maine except Boothbay. We loved Bar Harbor and especially Acadia.

Must-Visit Lobster Pounds in Maine (+ Fry Shacks) 2024 | New England With Love

If you're looking for the best lobster spots in the Pine Tree State, we've rounded up the top must visit fry shacks and lobster pounds in Maine!

newenglandwithlove.com

10 Maine Towns With Great Lobster & Clam Shacks

For the love of clams and lobsters, there are several Maine towns with fanastic shacks that serve the best lobster and clam dishes in the state...

www.visitmaine.net

Lobsters Online: Owned & Operated by the Lobster Trap Co, Inc.: Maine Lobster Season — An Overview of Each Season

www.lobsters-online.com

 

[target2019]

The low in Acadia is 12 today. And it's snowing!

 

[simple girl]

We were just there this past August. Bite into Maine food truck at Portland Head Light is very yummy, but not cheap! Even so, I recommend. I loved the curry lobster roll!

 

[TheWizard]

A lot of eating places in Maine are seasonal so it depends on what time of year you do that trip. From mid May onward should be okay.

I do have a lobster roll from time to time when we drive up to Maine, but more often I just buy one at my local supermarket and cook it myself.
I have a time chart, by lobster weight, taped to my fridge ..

 

[Winemaker]

Made the same trip several times over the past 20 years. We had a blast but like everywhere else, places are so crowded anymore. Found it hard to get a parking place near a trailhead. Good luck and safe travels!

 

[Dtail]

Been too many years since we been to Maine, but out of memory every time we had lobster there, it tasted great and fresh and cheaper than in the NY metropolitan area.

 

[Aerides]

Maybe look into the best time for peak lobster season? Sure to be some events and fairs set up around it I'd think?

 

[TheWizard]

Maybe look into the best time for peak lobster season? Sure to be some events and fairs set up around it I'd think?

Lowest prices for live lobster in New England tends to be around August, which I think is peak harvesting season.
Unclear if restaurants would lower their prices then because it's also peak tourist season.

Speaking of which, the Maine Lobster Festival is fun the first weekend of August.

Maine Lobster Festival - A Seafood Festival - Rockland, Maine

The Maine Lobster Festival is five days of fun and feasting on the fabulous coast of Maine! This annual seafood festival takes place during the first weekend of August, from Wednesday through Sunday.

mainelobsterfestival.com

 

[audreyh1]

We were just there this past August. Bite into Maine food truck at Portland Head Light is very yummy, but not cheap! Even so, I recommend. I loved the curry lobster roll!

Do they have a salad version?

 

[CitizenK]

If you have Netflix, watch Somebody Feed Phil, Season 5, Episode 2 (Maine).

 

[mystang52]

I love lobster. Fortunately for me, during my w*rking years I was frequently required to go to Maine. As noted above, in the winter months it is very cold, and quite a few restaurants are not open. And, I don't know if it was a fluke reason, but during one winter business trip I could not even get lobster! Do the research before booking your trip.

 

[Aerides]

Lowest prices for live lobster in New England tends to be around August, which I think is peak harvesting season.
Unclear if restaurants would lower their prices then because it's also peak tourist season.

Speaking of which, the Maine Lobster Festival is fun the first weekend of August.

Maine Lobster Festival - A Seafood Festival - Rockland, Maine

The Maine Lobster Festival is five days of fun and feasting on the fabulous coast of Maine! This annual seafood festival takes place during the first weekend of August, from Wednesday through Sunday.

mainelobsterfestival.com

Yeah I didn't mention it for pricing, but for bonus content/events during the trip.

 

[starry night]

Do try to visit L.L.Bean’s flagship store in Freeport. They sometimes have greeting snacks….cocoa right now for winter. You could always hope for a lobster roll.
But it is a treat to visit the store and town.

 

[Surewhitey]

We were just there this past August. Bite into Maine food truck at Portland Head Light is very yummy, but not cheap! Even so, I recommend. I loved the curry lobster roll!

We did this one too. Really good.

 

[simple girl]

Do they have a salad version?

Do you mean not on a roll?

If so, I don't recall that.

If you mean the standard with mayo, etc, yes they have other lobster salad versions.

 

[Ready]

I used to eat here as a child. It’s been around for a long time but for some reason it looks like they are only open two nights a week now. But the food is amazing. At least it was 40 years ago.

Ogunquit Lobster Pound | Seafood Restaurant in Ogunquit, ME

Established in 1931, the Ogunquit Lobster Pound has been proudly serving the best Maine lobster for generations. Come join us for fresh seafood in Ogunquit, Maine.

www.ogunquitlobsterpound.com

 

[audreyh1]

Do you mean not on a roll?

If so, I don't recall that.

If you mean the standard with mayo, etc, yes they have other lobster salad versions.

Yes, no roll, no chips.

 

[jollystomper]

We stayed in Maine when we attended a niece's UNH graduation, and had a nice lobster meal at Roberts Maine Grill in Kittery. But that is out of your way, about 40 minutes south of Portland.

 

[pacergal]

Not in Maine, and not only a lobster place, but we loved 75 on Liberty Wharf in Boston. Best lobster roll I have ever had! We were there in 2011, so it has been a while.

 

[Gumby]

We have rented the same house in mid-coast Maine every summer for the last 24 years. These are our two favorites.

Larson's Lunch Box in Damariscotta, just off US Rte 1. Larson's Lunch Box — Damariscotta River Grill The very best Maine-style lobster roll in existence. If you go here, you can skip the overrated Red's Eats in Wiscasset.

Cook's Lobster House on Bailey's Island Cook's Lobster & Ale HouseCook's Lobster & Ale House It's worth it just to drive there, and the food is really good.

 

[Souschef]

We would go to DeMilios on the water in Portland Maine. Loved it!

 

[youbet]

Thurston's Lobster Pound in Bernard, near Bar Harbor.

Welcome to Thurston's | Thurston's Lobster Pound

Serving our own, fresh from the boat lobsters, and everything that goes along with them, right on the shore of Mount Desert Island's busiest working ha ...

www.thurstonforlobster.com

Currently closed for the season but will open again Memorial Day, 2025.

Have you considered flying into Bangor, driving to Mt Desert Island / Bar Harbor and doing side trips from there?

 

[Koolau]

Loved Bar Harbor. Too long ago to make a recommendation, but our favorite lobster spot was on the water in what looked like a bit rickety picnic shelter house. Wooden picnic tables for dining after you choose your lobster and watch it being cooked. Primitive but tasty as well as fresh. Mostly locals!

 

[Ronstar]

Thanks everyone for the great info! Lots here to digest! My plan is to go sometime in August or early September. Early September should be less crowded. Either would be in peak lobster season. Lobster fest in early August is an option, but I suspect that Maine is crowded in early August. I should hammer out the itinerary within a week and get reservations very soon.