The Best Lobster Rolls in Midcoast Maine
Anyone who’s ever taken, planned, or even mentioned a visit to midcoast Maine gets the recommendation thrown at them at least once: “You gotta go to Red’s Eats, they have the best lobster rolls in the state!”
The tiny walk-up shack in Wiscasset abutting the Route 1 bridge makes a good roll, it’s true–a healthy mound of lobster meat lightly tossed with drawn butter or mayo.
But from Memorial Day through Labor Day, you’ll endure a sticky, overheated wait just to get your paws on one.
And I can think of many other things I’d rather be doing with my precious time in Maine, including basking on the rocks for an hour at Pemaquid Point Light like a seal, than inhaling gas fumes from the parade of cars crawling across the bridge and up Main Street.
I admit that I’m an impatient person and in true Groucho Marx fashion, I intrinsically avoid the hyperbole and long lines that often come with critical acclaim, whether I like it or not (I’ll rant equally about the waits at Shake Shack, which I love, and Magnolia Bakery, which I don’t).
It’s become a pet project to seek out quality alternatives to Red’s on my annual trips to Maine, and the following are my favorite spots along the coast for both food and atmosphere. These aren’t citified Pearl Oyster Bar lobster rolls; fresh and unadorned, they let the lobster shine.
Please check the linked websites or call for seasonal hours before stopping by, because many of these places close in the off-season, and a few are cash-only establishments.
The Best Lobster Rolls in Midcoast Maine
Sprague’s Lobster
Just across the intersection from Red’s sits Sprague’s Lobster (22 Main Street, Wiscasset; 207-882-1236), in direct view of the line snaking onto the Route 1 bridge.
Here’s the dirty secret: this is the lobster shack the locals prefer. My cousin, who lives 15 minutes up the road, goes for Sprague’s due to the higher percentage of claw meat in its rolls (we both agree that Red’s seems to stuff a lot of chewy tail meat into its bun, and we prefer the satiny texture of the claws).
Plus, they’ve got an expansive deck with umbrella-shaded tables that come in handy during high season.
Shaw’s Fish and Lobster Wharf
I mentioned Sprague’s first because of its physical proximity to Red’s, but if I were forced to choose only one location to get my crustacean cravings situated, Shaw’s (129 Route 32, New Harbor; 207-677-2200) is the one lobster roll I’d place above all others in the area.
It’s a working wharf, so the lobsters are basically hoisted off the boats, out of the traps, into boiling water, and onto your plate. I’ve yet to find a juicier, fresher lobster roll in the region–well, except for those I could make from the lobsters we steam fresh in the family kitchen, but that’s cheating.
Shaw’s lower-deck raw bar opens at 2:00 pm, so you can eat your roll, then head downstairs to catch a few innings of the Portland Sea Dogs on NESN while slurping down a half dozen Pemaquid oysters and Sheepscot Valley Pemaquid Ale on draft.
Doesn’t that sound much better than sweating your rolls off in Wiscasset?
Harraseeket Lunch & Lobster Co.
Moving down the coast to Freeport, Harraseeket Lunch & Lobster (36 Main Street, South Freeport; 207-865-4888) is a turn or two off the well-worn path of Bean Boots making their way to and from the L.L. Bean flagship store (and yes, some of those treads are mine, since I’m making a bad habit of collecting as many styles as there are Round Top ice cream flavors).
Their lobster rolls aren’t as overstuffed as those at Shaw’s, but the meat is sweet and chunky, and a basket of onion middles–the thick inner rings of the onion, dipped in a crispy cornmeal batter–is an equally tender and sweet departure from the usual french fry accompaniment.
The Lobster Shack at Two Lights
Technically, this one’s not in midcoast Maine–it’s south of Portland and just east of Scarborough.
But the Lobster Shack at Two Lights (225 Two Lights Road, Cape Elizabeth; 207-799-1677) might be the most picturesque spot to eat a lobster roll in the entire Pine State, as it sits within coastal view of the lighthouse famously painted by Edward Hopper.
For your first roll as you’re driving into Maine or your last roll before heading home, the view alone is worth the short detour from I-95.
On our most recent visit, I chowed through a crab roll stuffed with delicate strands of sweet meat while I eavesdropped on the retired couple at the table behind us getting all worked up over the clam cakes. “How do they get them so crispy?” the husband wondered. “I had never eaten a clam cake my whole life, and when I tried one, I wondered why it had taken me so long!” the wife marveled.
After hearing their rave reviews, a clam cake platter will most certainly be my next order at the Lobster Shack.
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Casey Barber
Casey Barber is the owner and founder of Good Food Stories LLC and a visual storyteller whose work often focuses on the intersection of food and culture. She is also the author of the cookbooks Pierogi Love: New Takes on an Old-World Comfort Food and Classic Snacks Made from Scratch: 70 Homemade Versions of Your Favorite Brand-Name Treats, and she couldn’t get anything done without the help of her executive assistant cats, Bixby and Lenny. Her favorite color is obviously orange.
Actually, Casey, I couldn’t agree with you more. There’s no need to wait in that line when there are so many other great alternatives. Another favorite is Five Islands Lobster Co. in Georgetown. It’s a little off the Route 1 path, but totally worth it. Delicious (onion rings too) and you can’t beat the scenery.
Karen, Five Islands has been on my list but we haven’t made it there yet! Brette, I’ve never heard of Chauncey Creek but I’ll have to seek it out next time too. Have I mentioned that my dear, beloved husband WON’T EAT LOBSTER? Imagine how many rolls we could try if he’d just split them with me.
We wouldn’t stand in the line at Red’s either. We did go to Harraseekat and enjoyed it there. I also like Chauncey Creek.
Thanks, dude, for making me want lobster for breakfast. Totally impractical. Maybe one of these years you and I can plan a mini-tour of Maine and meet up with my best friend from high school, who lives outside Freeport. Because that’s the only way I’m ever going to get to try lobster rolls in Maine – sans husband.
I’ve never had a lobster roll before, isn’t that sad? Your pictures have me totally drooling, though – they look amazingly delicious.
UNNECESSARY CAPITALS! You didn’t have to drag me into this! Good luck getting me to Georgetown now!
One day we’re going to fly out and make you drive us up and down New England stopping to have all the requisite food: Coney Island hot dogs, Vermont cheddar, etc. Lobster rolls will definitely be on the menu.
I am pretty sure I was meant to be born and raised in New England… Preferably Massachusetts or Maine. This post has me craving another trip up North. Of course, a lobster roll or two wouldn’t hurt, either. Yum!
Jen, I promise, when I finally, eventually move to Maine, we are going to have a hell of a housewarming party. And you’re definitely invited.
Good point about Red’s. The rolls are really great but, you know, not THAT great. J’s Oyster Bar in Portland has my favorite Maine lobster rolls!
Sadly, I’ve never had a lobster roll, but now my dinner doesn’t look remotely as awesome as it did two minutes ago. I think we all need to plan a trip to New England!
MMmmmmmm.. I NEED one, NOW! Part of what makes them taste so good is also the scent of nearby water, cool Maine breezes, and the delightful aromas produced by lobsters, fries, and clams. And WHY do other places outside of Maine insist on ruining lobster rolls with way too much mayo??!!
Those lobster rolls all look so good. Must add visit to Maine on my list.
Hi Casey,
My name is Jocelyn and I am with Dwellable. I am looking for fun and authentic blogs about Mid Coast Maine and yours happened to catch my eye. If you’re open to it, shoot me an e-mail at jocelyn(at)dwellable(dot)com.
Hope to hear from you soon!
– Jocelyn
Yum! As part of said extended family mentioned in this blog, I’ve eaten at Sprague’s, Shaw’s, Harraskeeket, and once, at Red’s. All yummy, but I guess Sprague’s leads the pack for me in lobster rolls, with Shaw’s an overall favorite for the years of memories as well as the clams and haddock I’ve consumed there!