During high tourist season—summertime—Bar Harbor becomes flooded with hundreds of thousands of visitors, many of them on shore visits from mammoth cruise ships anchored in the bay.
Folks come from around the world to experience Acadia National Park and wander the quaint streets of Bar Harbor Village, soaking in the sights, sounds, and flavors of Maine all in one day.
And if there is any taste that says “Maine” better than the first bite of a made-to-order lobster roll, I don’t know what it would be.
So read on to track down your new favorite seafood obsession; note that, being a mostly seasonal resort town, Bar Harbor’s dining options are very limited between Fall and Spring.
I’ve tried to note places that close for a portion of the year but be sure to check websites for schedule changes.
Map of Bar Harbor Lobster Roll Locations
Here are all the Bar Harbor lobster roll locations mentioned in this article:
Thirsty Whale Tavern
Friendly service, fair prices, and fantastic food make the Thirsty Whale a winner in my book.
Top all that with a warm, tavern vibe, a fully-stocked bar, and crave-worthy lobster rolls, and you’ve got an all-around champion.
The crown jewel of the well-stocked menu here is certainly the aforementioned roll, served in the traditional manner: Tossed lightly with mayo and served on a buttered-and-grilled hot dog bun.
Location: 40 Cottage St, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Website: Thirsty Whale Tavern
Leary’s Landing Irish Pub
Claiming to be the “closest Irish pub to Ireland in the U.S.,” this is one of Bar Harbor’s few year-round gems.
And while their traditional pub fare is certainly Ireland-centric, you can still acquire a deliciously authentic Maine lobster roll here—hand-picked meat tossed in a light preserved lemon-herb aioli with fresh greens on a brioche roll.
Location: 156 Main St, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Website: Leary’s Landing Irish Pub
Downeast Deli
And now we delve into the seasonal establishments… Downeast Deli is the “home of the naked lobster roll,” which means you can get your meat “undressed” (without mayo).
But there are other options, as well: Classic (a little bit of mayo), Hot (warm meat with drizzled butter), and Hot Tarragon (warm meat with tarragon mayo).
Location: 65 Main St, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Website: Downeast Deli
Geddy’s
You can’t miss Geddy’s—just look for the moose on the roof. Since 1974, this seasonal fixture has been opening its doors and arms to residents and tourists, filling their bellies with Geddy’s famous lobster rolls and other iconic comfort fare.
You have a choice of two lobster rolls here; while many folks are purists and would balk at this one, I’d try the Bacon Jalapeño Roll—fresh-picked lobster with seasoned mayo topped with bacon and house-made jalapeño cream sauce.
Location: 19 Main St, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Website: Geddy’s
Project Social Kitchen & Bar
This seasonal bistro features cozy indoor and outdoor nooks, all with a magical feel—perfect for enjoying a cold beer or cocktail with your lobster roll.
Their signature creation is of the non-traditional variety, dressed with smoked paprika-roasted tomato aioli and piled onto a toasted roll with fresh greens, served cold.
Location: 278 Main St, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Website: Project Social Kitchen & Bar
Peekytoe Provisions
Peekytoe uses only responsibly harvested seafood, composts all of their food waste, and 100% of their electricity is generated by solar power.
All of that environmental awareness—AND they make kick-butt lobster rolls! You have choices to make at this seasonal spot, as well: A 6” lightly-mayo’d cold roll with 4 ounces of meat, a 12” with 8 ounces of meat, or either size with hot sautéed meat and lemon-thyme butter.
Location: 244 Main St, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Website: Peekytoe Provisions
The Stadium
This seasonal favorite was voted TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Best Lobster Roll Award in 2020—and it’s easy to taste why.
And while both their Stadium Roll with brown butter and Classic Roll with butter or mayo are surely delicious, I prefer to step outside the crustacean box and order the Lobster BLAT (bacon, lettuce, avocado, and tomato) Roll.
Location: 62 Main St, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Website: The Stadium
Route 66 Restaurant
A colorful, lively spot, the seasonal Route 66 Restaurant is hard to miss—there’s a taxicab on the roof.
The menu is a mashup between diner fare and comfort food, and you can choose between a BLT club-style format (with lemon aioli) or a traditional roll (naked or with spicy mayo) for your Maine lobster experience.
Location: 21 Cottage St, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Website: Route 66 Restaurant
Side Street Café
Family-owned and -run, the seasonal Side Street Café calls its fare “creative comfort food,” and one glance at the menu validates this claim.
Not only can you get a classic lobster roll here—lightly seasoned meat with a touch of mayo on a grilled roll—you can also opt for a mouth-watering Lobster Melt, with American Cheese on grilled white bread.
Location: 49 Rodick St, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Website: Side Street Café
The Chart Room
“Where the locals dine” (in season, anyway), The Chart Room has been dishing up their seafood-centric menu since 1990—and the lobster roll has been along for the ride all that time.
Traditional in every sense of the word, The Chart Room’s lobster roll is lightly dressed with mayo on a toasted split-top bun and served with chowdah.
Location: 565 Eden St, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Website: The Chart Room
Sunrise Café
Have you ever had a lobster crepe? If not, run—don’t walk—to the Sunrise Café as soon as the seasonal café opens its doors this year.
Feel free to order the more traditional Classic Maine Lobster Roll (4 ounces of fresh-picked lobster meat with light mayo) off the menu, but I strongly suggest you try the Lobster Crepe: Hunks of lobster with a smidge of mayo and arugula, all snuggled in a latticework of crepe-y magic.
Location: 1 West St, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Website: Sunrise Café
West Street Café
Spacious, bright, and airy, this seasonal eatery features a full bar and an elevated pub menu.
Served with kettle chips and a pickle, the West Street Café’s traditional roll includes Maine lobster meat lightly tossed in mayo, heaped over lettuce on a buttered-and-grilled brioche roll.
Location: 76 West St, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Website: West Street Café
The Travelin’ Lobster, LLC
A seasonal local sensation, this spot has been in business since the 1970s.
The Travelin’ Lobster offers outdoor seating only, and get there early for your lobster roll; these babies sell out fast.
The menu offers more roll options than any other establishment reviewed here, so be sure to take a peek if you’re not going to take my word for the best one—The Original: 6 ounces of meat served on a toasted brioche roll with Kenzie’s Special Yum Yum Sauce drizzled over the top.
Location: 1569 ME-102, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Website: The Travelin’ Lobster, LLC
Bar Harbor Lobster Company
“Maine’s favorite lobster joint and rum bar,” the seasonal Bar Harbor Lobster Company features a classic seafood menu with a few creative twists.
That creativity extends to the lobster roll offerings—such as the Surf ‘n Turf: A burger with lobster salad, fontina, bacon, and Dijon cream sauce.
But fear not; you can get a traditional Maine version, as well.
Location: 297 Main St, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Website: Bar Harbor Lobster Company
Stewman’s Lobster Pound
Stewman’s has two seasonal locations, but both serve the same delicious lobster roll, made in traditional Maine fashion: Fresh, hand-picked Maine lobster with just enough mayo to hold everything together, all on a toasted roll.
Location: 35 West St, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Website: Stewman’s Lobster Pound
Out of time, out of space…and still so far to go.
So here are a few more just-as-worthy spots for you to check out when searching for the best lobster roll in Bar Harbor, Maine.
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