As any expert shopper (which I am not) worth their salt can tell you, a day trip composed of primarily retail therapy can be hungry work (heck, I get a raving case of the hangries shopping online for too long, never mind the real deal).
So, it only stands to reason that Freeport—renowned Maine outlet shopping mecca and home of the world-famous L.L. Bean Flagship Store—would also feature all manner of restaurants and eateries.
And, being in Maine, you can of course expect many of these places to offer one of the state’s signature and iconic meals, the lobster roll.
Folks may bicker and tussle about how said icon should be served—warm or cold, with butter or mayo, hot dog bun or brioche roll, with lettuce or without—but the one thing we all agree upon is the main event: Fresh, hand-picked, Maine lobster.
Map of Freeport Lobster Rolls
This map shows off all the seafood spots in Freeport, Maine, that offer some of the greatest lobster rolls around:
Derosier’s
This year-round local favorite is a popular spot for pizza—but the subs are a big draw as well…and the seasonal lobster roll is fresh, simple, and delicious.
Unlike the rest of the submarine sandwiches on the menu—which are available in both half and whole sizes—the lobster roll only comes in a half-roll.
But it’s stuffed with big hunks of fresh Maine lobster that’s tossed lightly with mayo, with a bit of lettuce tucked in.
Location: 120 Main St, Freeport, ME 04032
Website: Derosier’s
Broad Arrow Tavern
One of the dining options at the historic Harraseeket Inn, the Broad Arrow Tavern is a cozy little eatery that features a pub-style menu and does not take reservations…so if it’s high season, get there early for your lobster roll.
The Broad Arrow offers guests a choice of warm lobster with drawn butter or chilled with mayo; either way, you’ll get four ounces of delicious local meat, and it comes with regular fries, sweet potato fries, or coleslaw.
Location: 162 Main St, Freeport, ME 04032
Website: Broad Arrow Tavern
Linda Bean’s Maine Kitchen & Topside Tavern
Located directly across the intersection from the L.L. Bean Flagship Store, this eatery is a lively spot with outdoor, second-story seating in addition to an indoor dining area for you to relax and enjoy your lobster roll.
Open all year, you can get your crustacean fix anytime you want—and oh, what a fix it is.
Fresh-picked Maine lobster tossed with Linda’s secret herb sauce on a butter-grilled roll, served with chips, pickles, and slaw. Ridiculously delicious.
Location: 88 Main St, Freeport, ME 04032
Website: Maine Kitchen & Topside Tavern
Linda Bean’s Perfect Maine Lobster Roll
If you don’t have time for a sit-down meal with table service, but you really want one of Linda Bean’s magical rolls, simply head across the street to L.L. Bean.
There’s a walk-up window there where you can choose between three different sizes of these babies: Two ounces, four ounces, or 6 ounces of fresh, hand-picked lobster meat, served the same way as the Maine Kitchen.
Oh, and there are whoopie pies, too—another Maine staple.
Location: On the L.L. Bean Campus, 57 Main St, Freeport, ME 04032
Website: Linda Bean’s Perfect Maine Lobster Roll
Jameson Tavern
The year-round Jameson Tavern was established in 1779 and claims to be one of the oldest working taverns in the state.
Featuring a popular happy hour and located next door to the L.L. Bean Flagship Store, the lobster roll at the Jameson is lightly dressed with mayo, served on a house-made roll with lettuce, and served with fries or coleslaw.
There is both indoor and outdoor seating, as well as a full bar.
Location: 115 Main St, Freeport, ME 04032
Website: Jameson Tavern
Gritty McDuff’s Brewpub
Gritty’s is open all year, but it’s an especially appealing spot in the warmer months when you can take your craft brew and lobster roll out on the deck to enjoy—and there’s even a playground for the kiddos.
The menu is extensive—chock-full of scrumptious, filling pub fare, including the lobster roll.
The large chunks of meat are tossed in mayo and stuffed in a grilled roll with lettuce…and you get a cup of chowder, chips, and a pickle, to boot.
Location: 187 Lower Main St, Freeport, ME 04032
Website: Gritty McDuff’s Brewpub
Mainely Seafood Company
Typically a wholesale-only seafood establishment, this spot recently introduced a new take-out menu that features an amazing, reasonably-priced lobster roll: A toasted New England-style roll jam-packed with fresh meat dressed lightly with mayo and a little bit of lettuce, served with Cape Cod chips and a pickle.
Mainely Seafood is giving their new take-out venture a test run this year—and with such a delectable lobster roll on offer, chances are they’ll be keeping it.
Location: 12 B Mallett Dr, Freeport, ME 04032
Website: Mainely Seafood Company
Wolfe’s Neck Farm Café
Sourcing the majority of the ingredients—including meat, vegetables, and fruit—for their fare from the farm’s own harvest, seasonal Wolfe’s Neck Farm Café doesn’t have their own lobster boat…but they do use locally-caught crustaceans in their abundant lobster rolls.
The large pieces of fresh meat are tossed in mayo, piled into a split-top bun, and topped with herbs picked right on the farm.
Location: 134 Burnett Rd, Freeport, ME 04032
Website: Wolfe’s Neck Farm Café
Lobster Cooker and Pub
“Home of the only live lobster tank in town,” this seasonal hotspot is kind of like a sports bar and family-style seafood restaurant all in one.
There are two stories of indoor seating, plenty of outdoor patio seating, and the pub-style menu includes a not-to-be-missed Traditional Maine Lobster Roll: Tender, fresh lobster—tail and claw meat—with your choice of drawn butter or mayo on a grilled, split-top roll with a bit of green leaf lettuce.
Location: 39 Main St, Freeport, ME 04032
Website: Lobster Cooker and Pub
Harraseeket Lunch and Lobster Company
Located on the waterfront, this seasonal, family-operated restaurant and lobster pound is a local favorite for all things seafood.
There is both indoor and outdoor seating, and in addition to being a BYOB establishment—always a plus in my book—Harraseeket Lunch and Lobster also has dessert…including their famous whoopie pies.
The lobster roll here is a grilled, split-top bun filled with large pieces of lobster tossed in a bit of mayo, with green leaf lettuce beneath.
Location: 36 Main St, South Freeport, ME 04078
Website: Harraseeket Lunch and Lobster Company
Cindy’s Lobster Rolls
Cindy’s is a hugely popular seasonal spot, touted as “where the locals go for seafood,” and around these parts, that’s quite a claim.
With walk-up window service only, Cindy’s specializes in—yup, you guessed it—lobster rolls, using only fresh, daily-hand-picked lobster meat.
With two sizes to choose from—regular or large—you can also choose between “naked” (no mayo) lobster in your grilled, split-top roll, or as much mayo as you want.
Location: 292 US-1, Freeport, ME 04032
Website: Cindy’s Lobster Rolls
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