Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor—especially the latter—are coastal resort towns, which means many dining establishments are seasonal.
This is particularly true of some of the best lobster roll restaurants and eateries in the area, if only because many aren’t much more than glorified roadside stands.
But your patience throughout those long, dark winter days will pay off when the days finally get longer again, bringing far more lobster roll options to the proverbial table in the Boothbay area.
And fear not—because there are a few year-round spots on this list if you must have your crustacean commodity while the snow is still flying.
Map of Boothbay Lobster Rolls
Here is a map of the best lobster Rolls in the Boothbay area:
Uncle Phil’s Bake Shop
While it seems strange for a bakery to also serve lobster rolls, it’s not odd at all to locals that this eatery serves savory options, as well.
Having undergone a few identity changes, baked goods have been the common denominator while other things have slowly been added to the menu…like lobster rolls.
Served lightly dressed with mayo and lettuce on a brioche roll, the flavor of the freshly picked lobster is allowed to take center stage—as it rightly should.
Location: 788 Wiscasset Rd, Boothbay, ME 04537
Website: Uncle Phil’s
Pinkham’s Gourmet Market
This delightful little market has been in business since 1985 and features a made-to-order sandwich counter; the most popular item by far is the lobster roll.
All of the seafood here is locally sourced and as fresh as it gets—never frozen. There are picnic tables outside for when the weather is cooperative, and the gourmet market carries pretty much anything else you’d need to round out your grab-and-go meal.
The lobster roll is served on a traditional hot dog bun with lightly dressed meat and lettuce.
Location: 295 Townsend Ave, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538
Website: Pinkham’s Gourmet Market
East Boothbay General Store
Another elevated convenience store, EBGS features a menu full of made-to-order breakfast and lunch items, including a creative twist on a traditional lobster roll: A third of a pound of fresh-picked lobster, fresh cucumber, lemon zest, and chives tossed with a bit of mayo and served on a buttered and toasted French roll.
Location: 255 Ocean Point Rd, East Boothbay, ME 04544
Website: East Boothbay General Store
Boathouse Bistro
If you’re looking to step outside of the proverbial lobster roll box, this is the place to go.
The Boathouse Bistro serves up their version on an absolutely amazing house-made cheddar biscuit, dressed with mayo with a little lettuce. Another option—and I know, this isn’t a roll, per se, but it IS lobster and bread, after a fashion—is the Maine Lobster Griller: Fresh lobster meat tossed with savory onion-herb aioli served on a grilled flatbread.
Location: 12 By-Way, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538
Website: Boathouse Bistro
The Deck Bar & Grill
Now, we enter the realm of seasonal spots.
Located at the Linekin Bay Resort, The Deck Bar & Grill is a relaxing spot tucked away from the center of town…but not too far away.
The menu could be considered elevated pub fare, and the lobster roll is served traditionally (although hardcore lobster rollers insist on a split-top hot dog roll): Hand-picked, fresh Maine lobster served on a brioche roll with a bit of mayo or drawn butter.
Location: 92 Wall Point Rd, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538
Website: The Deck Bar & Grill
Blue Moon Café
This seasonal, casual eatery with gorgeous harbor views is a local favorite.
With indoor and outdoor seating (I suggest the latter, on the deck over the water—because lobster tastes even better when you’re looking at the ocean) and friendly service, you’ll feel right at home at the Blue Moon Café, which serves breakfast and lunch.
The lobster roll consists of big tail pieces and claw meat tossed lightly with mayo and served with lettuce on a French roll.
Location: 54 Commercial St, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538
Website: Blue Moon Café
Waves Restaurant
Cozy, casual, and cute, the seasonal Waves Restaurant offers both dine-in service and takeout.
The lobster roll here is like your typical Mainer: No muss, no fuss.
Four ounces of fresh Maine lobster, lightly tossed with mayo, served on a golden bun.
You can also opt for a crabmeat version if you’re just all lobstered out (I know—that’s not possible).
Location: 43 Commercial St, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538
Website: Waves Restaurant
Mine Oyster
A seasonal seafood restaurant and sushi bar all in one, Mine Oyster features an enormous menu of creative seafood entrees, salads, and sandwiches.
For the crustacean creation here, Mine takes fresh lobster meat and mixes it with mayo, celery, salt, and pepper, then serves it all up on a buttered and grilled New England-style roll.
Location: 16 Wharf St #1, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538
Website: Mine Oyster
Tugboat Restaurant
You can’t miss this seasonal spot—it’s an actual tugboat.
A local fixture, this restaurant was constructed around an original historic tugboat, and you can still visit the wheelhouse at its top.
The Tugboat’s lobster roll uses minimal mayo with the meat and serves it up on a brioche roll with French fries or coleslaw.
Location: 80 Commercial St, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538
Website: Tugboat Restaurant
Dunton’s Doghouse
Sadly seasonal, Dunton’s Doghouse has a very loyal following of folks that swear the best lobster roll in Maine is made here.
The key is the simplicity and the volume of meat, it seems: A toasted, split-top hot dog roll, crammed to bursting with lightly mayo’d large lobster chunks…and that’s it.
There are freshly painted picnic tables to eat at outside or get your treat to go.
Location: 40 Sea St, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538
Website: Dunton’s Doghouse
Coastal Prime
Located at the upscale Boothbay Harbor Oceanside Golf Resort, Coastal Prime is one of the seasonal on-site dining options.
If you want a lobster roll, however, be sure to come for lunch—because it isn’t on the dinner menu.
The fresh, chilled meat is tossed with both mayo and drawn butter and served on a toasted brioche roll.
Location: 35 Atlantic Ave, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538
Website: Coastal Prime
Fisherman’s Wharf
Whether you choose to eat on the deck, in the dining room, or at the bar in the pub, the fare is equally fresh and delicious, especially the lobster rolls.
And just like the seating, you have options here: Served warm with drawn butter, or cold with a touch of mayo and shredded lettuce—both come on a grilled brioche roll, and both are sensational.
Location: 22 Commercial St, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538
Website: Fisherman’s Wharf
Karen’s Hideaway
This little seasonal roadside stand has all manner of lobster options, including a lobster BLT and a lobster grilled cheese…but I digress.
You can get your lobster roll with mayo or “naked” with drawn butter, and the meat is freshly picked daily, on-site.
Location: 716 Wiscasset Rd, Boothbay, ME 04537
Website: Karen’s Hideaway
Kaler’s Restaurant
Since 1998, this is where locals and visitors alike come to get their seafood.
With casual, waterfront dining and an extensive menu that features two lobster roll options, there’s plenty to please everyone here—even any landlubbers in your party.
Opt for a cold (with mayo) or hot (with drawn butter) roll—both come with a quarter-pound of meat and shredded lettuce.
Location: 48 Commercial St, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538
Website: Kaler’s Restaurant
Shannon’s Unshelled
The single lobster-only shack in town, Shannon’s is seasonal, and their slogan is “fresh from trap to table.”
Lobster is all they do at Shannon’s, and it shows. Every toasted, buttered roll is stuffed with an entire hand-picked-that-day lobster with a side of drawn, garlic sea salt butter.
Location: 23 Granary Way, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538
Website: Shannon’s Unshelled
Boothbay Lobster Wharf
Like I said earlier—lobster just tastes better when you can see the ocean while enjoying it…and as the Boothbay Lobster Wharf restaurant is ON a wharf, you can’t get any closer to the water without getting wet.
And depending on your appetite, you can choose between a New England hot dog roll or a large sub roll to be packed full of lightly mayo’d lobster meat.
Get the latter…because “go big or go home” is my motto.
Location: 97 Atlantic Ave, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538
Website: Boothbay Lobster Wharf
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