Best 12 Lobster Shacks in New England
As summer approaches, lobster shacks along New England’s coast start popping open, like flowers in bloom, for the short-yet-busy season. Connecticut-based travel writer Mike Urban, author of the new Lobster Shacks: A Road-Trip Guide to New England’s Best Lobster Joints (Countryman Press, 2012), dishes his choices for the 12 best lobster shacks in New England.
Five Islands Lobster Co.
Located on a pier at the end of Route 127, Five Islands Lobster serves up some of the best cold-water, hard-shell lobster you’ll find anywhere. Throw in its award-winning fried clams and the shack’s magnificent view of Sheepscot Bay, and you’ll find it hard to leave. Georgetown, ME. 207-371-2990; fiveislandslobster.com
Arnold’s Lobster & Clam Bar
Touristy though it may seem, Arnold’s is the place to go for succulently steamed lobster on the Cape. Owner Nate Nickerson III keeps the lines moving while serving more than a thousand customers on most summer days: lobster rolls, of course, but also crab cakes topped with guacamole and summer salsa. Eastham, MA. 508-255-2575; arnoldsrestaurant.com
Chauncey Creek Lobster Pier
This delightful waterside eatery, worlds away from the outlet-mall crowds of nearby Kittery, sits on a 200-foot-wide planked pier astride a broad tidal creek. With its colorfully painted picnic tables and a bird’s-eye view of continuously passing watercraft, Chauncey Creek is a great place to BYOB and tuck into meaty, fresh lobsters imported daily from Canada’s cold waters. Kittery Point, ME. 207-439-1030; chaunceycreek.com
Abbott’s Lobster in the Rough
Abbott’s cooks its lobsters via the low-steaming method, in massive cast-iron vaults, to seal in all the crustaceans’ natural flavor. Dine next to the scenic harbor on a dock where striped bass feed on chowder crackers below. Abbott’s is also famous for its hot, buttery lobster roll–the version that’s a Connecticut original. Noank, CT. 860-536-7719; abbotts-lobster.com
Thurston’s Lobster Pound
Housed on a two-story, screened-in deck overlooking scenic Bass Harbor, Thurston’s is tops for off-the-boat-fresh lobster on Mount Desert Island. There’s a commercial boat dock next door where lobsters are brought in throughout the day, then boiled in a massive outdoor cooker right outside Thurston’s front door. Bernard, ME. 207-244-7600; thurstonslobster.com
Roy Moore Lobster Company
This may be the friendliest lobster shack anywhere. Housed in a diminutive shingled building on Rockport’s Bearskin Neck waterfront, Roy Moore Lobster cooks its crustaceans continuously throughout the day, so there’s rarely a wait for a fresh-cooked meal. Start with owner Ken Porter’s thick, creamy clam chowder, and dine atop wooden lobster crates on the crowded yet friendly back deck. Rockport, MA. 978-546-6696
Brown’s Lobster Pound
Perched over the tidal Blackwater River near Seabrook’s inviting beach, Brown’s has been serving up fresh boiled lobster for more than 50 years. The timber-frame dining hall is a great place to feast on lobsters, fried clams, lobster rolls, and creamy, spicy lobster bisque. The summer sunsets off the back deck are not to be missed. Seabrook, NH. 603-474-3331; brownslobsterpound.com
The Place
This is just about the only place anywhere that steams and then roasts its lobsters over an open-air, wood-fed firepit. The flavor is as unique and delightful as the tree stumps that serve as seats around brightly painted wooden tables. Two other must-haves from the firepit here are the roasted clams and the flame-roasted corn on the cob. Guilford, CT. 203-453-9276; theplaceguilford.com
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No Red’s Eats, come on!!
My wife and I have eaten at Five Islands Lobster Co. for the last 3 summers. Each time we wonder why we come back…other than for the views. The lobster is only ok. We live in CT and tried Abbott’s Lobster in the Rough last summer…do we have high standards because we are perplexed by all the hype around it and the long lines…again the lobster is just ok. Finally, The Place is a great spot to relax, bring your own bottle, side dishes, etc…but alas the lobster is just ok…on the other hand, the grilled, butter-dipped sweet corn-on-the-cob is great. If you’re in Guilford (CT) go to the Lobster Shack on Maple St…their lobster roll is fantastic. I was amazed you did not include Red’s Eats in Wicasset…much better than the 3 shacks you reviewed.
All good choices, but my favorite always used to be the Harraseeket Lunch and Lobster Company in South Freeport, Maine. It’s far enough off the beaten track that you’re not dealing with the huge crowds at the outlet shops. The food was always terrific and the scenery was as well. I have had a couple of reports that the food has gone downhill in the last couple of years, but I haven’t been there lately, so I can’t confirm. I still feel it’s worth checking out – always was a great place.
Every year we go to the cape and Arnold’s is by far, the best place to eat. This establishment is very clean, the food is fresh, the prices are reasonable and it is run by a very efficient staff. We highly recommend it.
What about Robinson’s Wharf in Boothbay Harbor! It’s one of our favorites.
I’m sure those ranked are very fine….but Red’s is just so good, so pure New England that its omission truly puzzles me.
Aware this place doesn’t serve whole lobster dinners….BUT. The BEST lobster roll in all of New England can be had at ..LOBSTER LANDING in Clinton CT., near Cedar Island Marina at the end of Commerce St.. The atmosphere is authentic marina sitting outside right along the water…you really must try it
I went to one of these in Maine some years ago. Interesting experience. The lobster was OK though served as a form of fast food. Lobsters boiled in steaming vats en mass. The location was contemplative – the vast Atlantic delineating the edge of the Known World. What took the romance away were the grinning B/W photos of the Bush clan proudly displayed on the walls. New England is a wonderful place. I love Boston. In spite of the too-cold beer.
Our family has traveled through out New England looking for good sea food. We love Roy Moore Lobster Co in Rockport Mass. It is the best of New England and it certainly welcoming and friendly.
Roy Moore is great for the true lobster in the rough experience. I’ve never seen Dad’d restaurant in Niantic, Conn. mentioned for anything but it’s the best clam shack going. Snapping fresh fried clams overlooking long island sound. I love the place.
I have tried many of above but for Connecticut, the best is The Lobster Hut located on Bridgeport Ave. It is a trailer hut located across the street from a Stop and Shop. Lobster cooked fresh daily and rolls made to order any style you wish. Plenty of sweet juicy lobster. The crab cakes are also great. You can not go wrong here