If you didn’t eat lobster in Maine, did you even go to Maine?
Portland, Maine is lobster central, but most visitors end up at the same overpriced tourist traps.
The problem is simple: the restaurants closest to the waterfront charge premium prices for average lobster. Meanwhile, locals know exactly where to find the sweetest meat, the freshest catches, and the most generous portions without the inflated pricing. The difference between a tourist lobster experience and a local one is night and day.
Here are the 8 best places to get lobster in Portland, Maine, ranked by freshness, value, and that perfect bite that makes you understand why people obsess over this crustacean.
Where to Get the Best Lobster in Portland Maine
Highroller Lobster Co.
Highroller Lobster Co. focuses on one thing, LOBSTER, so you know it easily made it on my list of the best lobster in Portland, Maine.
Their signature lobster rolls are made with 4 oz of fresh Maine claw and knuckle meat, your choice of sauce and chopped romaine on a fresh baked brioche. Basically a build your own lobster roll with tons of options when it comes to sauces. I highly recommend the lobster ghee (lobster infused butter) and jalapeño mayo, but other options include lime mayo, drawn butter, charred pineapple mayo, old bay and so much more! You can also order your lobster roll warmed Connecticut style! You can also get a jumbo lobster roll, half size roll and even a lobster roll flight.
Highroller also offers lobster bisque, a lobster taco, lobster BLTs, lobster tail on a stick, a fried lobster corndog and much more. I’m dying to go back and try the Surf & Turf, which is an 8oz brisket beef patty on a bed of shredded romaine topped with melted cheddar and 3oz of fresh claw and knuckle lobster meat warmed in butter on a bun!
Highroller’s Portland Headquarters is located at 104 Exchange St. in the Old Port Neighborhood and has both indoor and outdoors seating. You can also order takeout on their website and eat your lobster rolls in the nearby park or by the water.
Eventide Oyster Co.
Eventide is a James Beard award-winning revival of the great American oyster bar. It’s a tiny seafood joint with a hopping raw bar, amazing lobster rolls and creative New England fare plus delicious craft cocktails.
But let’s talk about the most important item on the menu the Eventide brown butter lobster rolls. They’re quite possibly the most delicious lobster rolls I’ve ever eaten and 4 years later I’m still thinking about them. They are anything but a classic lobster roll, they have warm lobster meat on a steamed bun with chives and they are truly out of this world.
Some of the other unique menu items that you should absolutely try if you visit include The Fish Sandwich (with shredded iceberg, tartar, pickles and tare), New England Clam Chowder, Oysters and if you have room for dessert the Whoopie Pie!
Eventide is located at 86 Middle Street in Portland, but also has a Boston location near Fenway Park.
Portland Lobster Company
Portland Lobster Company sits directly on the working waterfront, which means the lobster you’re eating was likely offloaded from a boat you can see from your table. They offer both lobster rolls and whole steamed lobsters, and the quality stays consistent because of their location.
Their lobster roll is served hot with fresh picked meat from a one pound lobster brushed with sweet warm butter on a toasted and buttered roll with a lemon wedge on the side and served with sea-salted French fries and a dill pickle.
Their steamed lobster dinners are available in various sizes and served with your choice of French fries or baked potato and corn on the cob, slaw, drawn butter and lemon.
Seating is mostly outdoor with picnic tables overlooking the harbor. It’s casual, unpretentious, and exactly what a Portland lobster experience should feel like. Worth noting Portland Lobster Company is open seasonally and closes during the winter!
J’s Oyster Bar
J’s Oyster is a beloved seafood restaurant and dive bar located in the heart of Portland on Portland Pier that has been serving longshoremen, fishermen, and locals since 1977. It’s known for it’s fresh, locally sourced oysters and classic New England vibes which easily lands it on my best lobster in Portland Maine list!
J’s Oyster Bar is home to some of the freshest seafood and some of the standout lobster dishes include Lobster Stew Sherry & Cream, Shrimp & Lobster Cocktail, Lobster Mac N’ Cheese and Seafood Casserole. They also of course serve a classic Maine Lobster dinner with clams and corn on the cob and an authentic Maine lobster roll with mayonnaise.
J’s Oyster has zero pretension. The clientele is a mix of construction workers, tourists who stumbled in by accident, and locals who have been coming for decades. The lobster is fresh, the portions are huge, and the prices haven’t inflated to match the tourist boom.
Gilbert’s Chowder House
Gilbert’s Chowder House is everything you’d want from an old school Maine seafood restaurant. They may specialize is clam chowder, but that doesn’t mean the doesn’t mean they also don’t serve some of the best lobster in Portland, Maine.
Absolutely start your meal with one of their award winning chowders. They serve 8 different kinds of soups in multiple sizes so there really is no excuse to not order one, I recommend the classic Clam Chowder, Seafood Chowder or Lobster Stew. Then finish with a Maine Lobster BLT or Lobster Grilled Cheese. Also not lobster related, but don’t skip the Blueberry Pie with Whipped Cream for dessert!
This casual family restaurant located right on Commercial St. is the perfect spot for a low-key, but absolutely delicious meal.
The Porthole Restaurant and Pub
The Porthole embodies the essence of a classic Northeast diner thanks to it’s vintage diner interior, but it’s wharf side deck (voted best deck in Portland) tells you it’s known for it’s fresh seafood from Casco Bay. The Porthole has been serving lobster in Portland since 1974, and it’s beloved by locals and tourists alike.
They’re known for their twin lobster dinner. Two 1.25 pound steamed lobsters, corn on the cob, steamed potato and drawn butter. They also make a single lobster and a lazy lobster, which is a full lobster with all the meat removed drenched in butter and white wine with steamed potatoes and farm vegetables. It’s perfect if you want the full lobster experience without the work.
And of course they wouldn’t be on the list if they didn’t have an amazing lobster roll on their menu. 5 oz Custom House Wharf lobster served on traditional split-top rolls with your choice of lemon aioli or warmed in butter.
Bite Into Maine
Bite Into Maine started as a food cart in 2011 and earned such a loyal following that it became a Portland institution now with 4 different locations.
You can now find Bite Into Maine year round at 31 Diamond St. (their brick and mortar location in the East Bayside neighborhood of Portland), the Allagash Bungalow Scarborough and they have a food truck permanently stationed at Allagash Brewing on the outskirts of Portland. Bite Into Maine also operates a seasonal food truck at their original location in Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth right near Portland Head Light from April to November.
Their signature lobster rolls are come in 2 different sizes (4.5oz and 6oz) and are available in 6 styles:
- Maine style with mayo and chives
- Connecticut with just warm butter on top
- Picnic style with coleslaw, butter and celery salt
- Wasabi with zingy wasabi mayo
- Chipotle with smoky chipotle mayo
- Curry with yellow Indian curry mayo
Street & Co
This Mediterranean style, all-seafood bistro on a cobblestone alley in Portland is one of the most upscale restaurants on this list, but once you visit you’ll understand why.
Their Lobster Diavolo dish is legendary among Portland locals and unlike any other classic lobster dish you’ll find on this list. It’s a whole lobster sautéed with garlic, white wine, crushed red pepper, and herbs, then tossed with linguine. The sauce is spicy, buttery, and packed with lobster flavor from the shells cooking in the pan.
Street & Co. takes reservations up to two calendar months in advance and they welcome walk-ins daily at 4:30pm-5om for dinner. They also have a lounge and raw bar open at 4:30pm daily for drinks and oysters.
The best lobster spots in Portland source directly from local lobstermen, cook with respect for the ingredient, and price fairly because they want you to come back. Whether you want a classic steamed lobster on a waterfront deck or an elevated preparation in a acclaimed restaurant, Portland delivers at every level.
These eight spots represent the full spectrum of what makes Portland’s lobster culture special. Hit them all and you’ll understand why people plan entire trips around eating here.
Need help planning your entire Portland trip? Check out my Best Things to do in Portland guide!
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