Maine is undeniably the best place to have a summer vacation and to try lobster in ways you never thought were possible. From lobster-shack lobsters to restaurant-inspired cuisine, here are our top 10 places to try lobster in the Midcoast.
Grilled Lobster Tails
Graffam Bros.—Rockport
Graffam Brothers Maine Seafood Market in Rockport, which has been catching and selling fresh, live lobster since 1946, recommends an easy and tasty summer recipe on the grill. After buying a live lobster, it is recommended that you steam it for two and a half minutes before grilling it.
Toasted Lobster Ravioli
Claws—Rockland
Claws is a “roadside” stop overlooking Rockland Harbor with covered outdoor seating and fun sculptures for the kids. Their handmade lobster ravioli uses oversized raviolis stuffed with fresh lobster meat and a delicious cheese blend, deep-fried and drizzled with Cognac cream and dusted with parmesan and chives.
Red’s Lobster Roll
Red’s Eats—Wiscasset
Year after year, Red’s Eats has been on Down East Magazine’s “Best of Maine’s” Reader’s Choice for their lobster roll. Each roll is filled with two claws and a whole, split lobster tail over the top, boasting an entire lobster on each roll. Our tip to avoid a long wait is to get there early or go on a rainy day (the line will reduce by half).
The “BIG RED” Lazy Lobster Boat
Margaret’s—Northport
A must for lobster lovers, The “BIG RED” Lazy Lobster Boat ensures no struggling or mess from picking your own lobster, just mounds of fresh lobster meat served with clarified real butter.
Fried Lobster
Hill’s Seafood—Rockland
This family-owned business, voted “Best of The Best” for the last four years, has an interesting recipe: fried lobster! Just as it sounds, fresh lobster meat is deep-fried to perfection.
Steamed…for the whole family
Young’s Lobster Pound—Belfast
This off-the-beaten-path place is ideal for large family gatherings. With picnic tables overlooking the water, you can BYOB while the little ones get to see their lobsters, steamers and clams cooked on site. Sunset, steamed lobsters and seagulls make this the ultimate, authentic Maine experience.
Warmed Bistro Lobster
The Waterfront—Camden
There’s a reason this comfortable waterfront establishment has been serving the locals and vacationers for 40 years—it does it very well and at an affordable price. The restaurant offers a unique sandwich made from fresh lobster, sautéed in butter with touch of lemon and served open-faced on focaccia bread with arugula and boursin cheese.
Traditional New England Clambake
Cabbage Island Clambake—Boothbay Harbor
If your dream is to take a hike (in this case on Cabbage Island) ending with a lobster feast—this is your dream come true. Start out with the signature cocktail (blueberry punch) and feast on fish chowder, steamed lobsters, clams, corn, potato, onion, egg, and blueberry cake—so delicious!
King of Clubs
Archer’s on the Pier—Rockland
Try the Lobster Club Sandwich that owner Lynn Archer made that beat celebrity chef Bobby Flay on The Food Network’s “Throwdown.” This “triple deckah” club with Maine lobster, bacon, lettuce and tomato on your choice of bread is understandably one of the most popular options on the menu.
Lobster Cobb Salad
Hartstone Inn—Camden
Craving something light, low calorie and utterly delicious? Hartstone Inn, which opens its restaurant to the public, offers a Lobster Cobb Salad—romaine lettuce, tomato, cucumbers, avocado, bacon, hard-boiled egg and blue cheese, with a house-made vinaigrette.
Ultimate Lobster Feast
The ultimate lobster feast of the summer happens every year at the Maine Lobster Festival. From steamed lobster under the Main Tent overlooking Penobscot Bay to lobster mac’n cheese, lobster bisque, lobster-stuffed risotto balls and lobster won-tons, there are choices on the festival grounds that are sure to satisfy every lobster craving!
