While not a seaside city per se, Bangor is no slouch in the seafood scene—especially when it comes to spectacular lobster rolls.
Being the third-largest city in the state of Maine means there’s a certain level of culinary expectation, regardless of relative proximity to the ocean—and Bangor doesn’t disappoint in the crustacean department.
Whether you’re looking for a plastic-bib-and-paper-plate experience or something more of an upscale, folded cloth napkin vibe, you have all manner of options for lobster rolls when coming to the Queen City.
Map of Bangor Lobster Roll Restaurants
Here is a map of all the restaurants mentioned:
McLaughlin’s Lobsters & Seafood Takeout
This seasonal, roadside favorite opens at the first signs of spring for their amazing takeout fare—and if you’re a true lobster roll fan, rest assured it is well worth the wait.
Served up with your choice of regular or sweet potato fries, McLaughlin’s subscribes to the no-frills school of thought when it comes to what they include in the homemade split-top roll with your heaping serving of fresh Maine lobster—because other than just a smidge of mayo to bind everything together, that’s all that you’ll find there.
No lettuce, no spices, no leftovers.
Location: 728 Main St, Bangor, ME 04401
Website: McLaughlin’s Lobsters & Seafood
Timber Kitchen & Bar
If you decide to go more upscale-yet-casual for your lobster roll adventure, definitely opt for Timber. Their iteration of the Maine classic can be found under “Hand-Helds” on their all-day menu.
They make their lobster rolls their own by using a brioche roll instead of a split-top bun and also adding lemon to their mayonnaise for a little extra zesty zip.
Timber’s lobster roll is also served with either regular fries or sweets, with a pickle to boot. To complete the experience, I suggest sitting at their posh bar to enjoy your repast alongside a Charms & Hexes Sour Ale from Biddeford’s Banded Brewing.
Location: 22 Bass Park Blvd, Bangor, ME 04401
Website: Timber Kitchen & Bar
Geaghan’s Pub and Craft Brewery
Craft breweries are popping up all over the state of Maine—but many of them do not offer full menus…and certainly not lobster rolls.
But Geaghan’s begs to differ; this local hotspot has been family-run-and-owned since 1975, so they’ve had a while to perfect their craft (and I’m not just talking beer).
So, if you want a hearty ¼-lb serving of their fresh-picked lobster meat dressed with mayo and plopped atop lettuce on a grilled brioche roll alongside your stout, well…you just go ahead, now.
Location: 570 Main St, Bangor, ME 04401
Website: Geaghan’s Pub and Craft Brewery
Governor’s
Governor’s is a local icon and has been serving up casual, family-style comfort food for over 60 years; the fact that they have a page for their menus demonstrates they’ve had a long time to accumulate such a roster of homestyle deliciousness.
Their lobster roll is perfectly simple and simply perfect: Maine lobster with a bit of mayo, crammed into their “signature toasted hot dog roll.” But wait—there’s more!
You even have the option to get either double or triple the lobster meat in your roll (YES, PLEASE), all of which are served up with crinkle-cut fries.
Methinks at that point, a sandwich is no longer a sandwich, folks; it’s time to get out the fork and knife.
Location: 643 Broadway, Bangor, ME 04401
Website: Governor’s
The Lobstah Buoy
In season, this wildly popular food truck can always be found at the same spot at 268 Odlin Road—and folks line up to get their hands on one of the Lobstah Buoy’s three sizes of lobster roll: the “Baby Buoy,” with 2 ounces of meat; the quarter-pound version, and the half-pound feast.
Happy customers rave about the huge chunks of fresh-picked meat, minimal mayo, and no pesky green leaves cluttering up their grilled split-top rolls.
You’ll also get a hearty serving of fresh-cut fries and coleslaw alongside whichever masterpiece you choose. Oh, and they offer a gluten-free version of their rolls, as well. Bonus!
Location: 268 Odlin Rd, Bangor, ME 04401
Website: The Lobstah Buoy
Dorr Lobster Seafood Market
Strictly takeout only, Dorr’s is mainly a seafood retail spot—but if you take a peek at the photos on their Facebook page, you’ll discover photos of their menu—including two versions of their mouthwatering lobster roll.
The first one is their signature “mayonnaised” roll—a full quarter-pound of fresh lobster meat tossed lightly in mayo. The second is the “Naked” version: no mayo, with the option for warm butter poured over the top. Is anyone else hungry?
Location: 579 Broadway, Bangor, ME 04401
Website: Dorr Lobster Seafood Market
Sea Dog Brewing Company
Sea Dog’s menu is a pleasant surprise for a brewery experience—as is their lobster roll. While their menu describes the butter-grilled roll as being filled with “lobster salad,” don’t let that misleading term fool you.
The roll is stuffed with huge chunks of fresh lobster meat and lightly dressed with mayo, with just a minimal lettuce presence.
Here, too, you can opt for the super-sized roll for a couple of dollars more—as well as a gluten-free option—and all are served with your choice of chips or fries (sweet potatoes or onion rings are $2 extra).
Location: 26 Front St, Bangor, ME 04401
Website: Sea Dog Brewing Company
Pete & Larry’s
This pub is tucked away in the Holiday Inn—not exactly somewhere you’d expect to find a spectacular lobster roll.
But stranger things have happened—and folks just keep going back for the lobster roll on Pete & Larry’s unassuming, photocopied menu.
Served on a buttered-and-grilled split-top roll and stuffed to the gills with lightly-mayo’d meat with fries on the side, you’ll have to order a side salad if you want your roughage, because you won’t find any in your roll. For lobster roll purists, that’s a win.
Location: 404 Odlin Rd, Bangor, ME 04401
Website: Pete & Larry’s
And lastly, I’ll throw in a freebie: The Bangor Airport Restaurant.
Yup, you read that right. But truly, it’s worth keeping an eye on their website for the days they offer the occasional deal of the century for curbside pickup: two buttered-and-grilled top-split rolls burgeoning with lightly-mayonnaised fresh Maine lobster (on top of a scant lettuce leaf and sprinkled with paprika), two bags of chips, and a GIANT whoopie pie, all for less than some places charge for ONE lobster roll.
It doesn’t get any more Maine-y than that, folks!
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