12 Best Seafood Joints In Maine You Won’t Find In Tour Guides
Maine’s coastline hides some of the most incredible seafood spots that most tourists never discover.
I’ve spent years exploring the back roads and harbor towns, searching for those family-run shacks and waterfront gems where locals actually eat.
These places don’t advertise much, and you won’t see them plastered across glossy travel magazines.
But trust me, they serve up the freshest lobster rolls, steamers, and chowder you’ll ever taste, with views and atmosphere that make every bite unforgettable.
1. Erica’s Seafood (Harpswell)
Erica runs this tiny operation with such warmth and passion that you feel like you’re eating at a friend’s house rather than a restaurant.
Everything gets prepared to order, from the perfectly seasoned lobster rolls to the creamy seafood chowder that tastes like summer on the coast.
You’ll find this gem at 2119 Harpswell Islands Road in Harpswell, tucked away where only those who know dare to venture.
The portions are generous, the prices are fair, and the view of the working harbor reminds you exactly where your meal came from.
2. Fisherman’s Catch Restaurant (Wells)
Walking into this place feels like stepping into a fisherman’s living room, complete with weathered wood and authentic nautical touches everywhere.
The menu changes based on what boats brought in that morning, which means you’re getting seafood so fresh it was probably swimming yesterday.
Located at 134 Harbor Road in Wells, this family-owned spot has been serving up honest-to-goodness Maine cooking for decades without any fancy pretense.
Order the haddock sandwich or the clam basket, and you’ll understand why locals guard this secret so carefully.
3. McLoons Lobster Shack (Spruce Head)
Perched right on a working pier, McLoons offers the kind of authentic coastal experience that feels pulled straight from a postcard.
Their lobster comes from traps you can literally see from your picnic table, and they steam it to absolute perfection every single time.
Head to 315 Island Road in Spruce Head, and prepare for a meal that defines what Maine seafood should taste like.
The butter is melted, the rolls are toasted, and the ocean breeze carries the scent of salt and seaweed while you crack into your dinner.
4. The Travelin’ Lobster (Bar Harbor)
Bar Harbor gets crowded with tourists, but somehow this spot stays under the radar despite serving some of the best lobster rolls in town.
What sets them apart is the creative twist they put on classic dishes without losing that traditional Maine flavor everyone craves.
Located at 200 Main Street in Bar Harbor, it’s easy to walk right past if you’re not paying attention to the locals lining up.
Try their lobster mac and cheese or the seafood tacos for something different that still honors the incredible quality of Maine’s ocean bounty.
5. Bay Haven Lobster Pound (Cornish)
Most people don’t expect to find exceptional seafood this far inland, which makes Bay Haven one of Maine’s best-kept culinary secrets.
They truck in live lobsters and fresh catches daily, maintaining the same quality you’d find right on the coast but without the crowds.
Situated at 4 Union Street in Cornish, this place proves you don’t need an ocean view to serve outstanding seafood.
The atmosphere is relaxed and family-friendly, with prices that won’t make your wallet cry and portions that leave everyone satisfied and happy.
6. Bagaduce Lunch (Penobscot)
This unassuming roadside stand has achieved legendary status among those who know where to find the best fried clams in the entire state.
Everything gets fried to golden perfection in a light, crispy coating that never feels greasy or heavy on your stomach.
You’ll discover it at 145 Frank’s Flat in Penobscot, right along the water where the Bagaduce River flows past.
Grab your food, find a spot at one of the picnic tables, and watch the boats drift by while you enjoy seafood that tastes exactly like childhood summer memories.
7. Dolphin Marina & Restaurant (South Harpswell)
Eating here means dining among actual working fishermen who stop by after hauling traps, which tells you everything about the quality and freshness.
The restaurant sits right at the marina at 515 Basin Point Road in South Harpswell, offering front-row seats to authentic coastal life.
Their seafood stew is legendary, packed with chunks of fish, scallops, shrimp, and lobster in a rich, flavorful broth that warms you from the inside out.
Portions are huge, flavors are bold, and the entire experience feels genuinely Maine without any tourist-trap gimmicks or overpriced nonsense.
8. Young’s Lobster Pound & Seafood Restaurant (Belfast)
Young’s operates on a massive scale while somehow maintaining the quality and character of a small family operation, which is pretty remarkable.
You can pick your own lobster from the tanks, watch them cook it, then carry your tray to tables overlooking Belfast Harbor.
Find this local favorite at 2 Fairview Street in Belfast, where the lobster is priced by the pound and cooked exactly how you want it.
Bring your own sides and beverages if you want, because this place focuses on one thing: serving the absolute freshest lobster possible at prices that actually make sense.
9. Chauncey Creek Lobster Pier (Kittery Point)
Tucked along a peaceful tidal creek, Chauncey Creek offers one of the most picturesque dining settings you’ll ever experience in Maine.
Located at 16 Chauncey Creek Road in Kittery Point, this spot feels worlds away from the nearby outlet shopping chaos and highway noise.
They serve straightforward, perfectly prepared lobster dinners with melted butter, corn, and chips in a BYOB atmosphere that encourages lingering and relaxing.
Families have been coming here for generations, claiming the same favorite tables and creating traditions around these simple, delicious meals by the water.
10. Five Islands Lobster Co. (Georgetown)
The name comes from the five islands you can see from the deck, and honestly, the view alone is worth the drive to this remote spot.
Fresh lobster gets steamed to perfection while you wait, and the lobster rolls are stuffed so full that meat spills out with every bite.
Located at 1447 Five Islands Road in Georgetown, this place requires some navigation down winding coastal roads, but that’s part of its charm.
Arrive early during peak season because word has spread among savvy travelers, though it still maintains that wonderful off-the-beaten-path feeling everyone loves.
11. Nunan’s Lobster Hut (Cape Porpoise)
Nunan’s has been serving lobster the same simple way since 1953, and they see absolutely no reason to change what works perfectly.
You’ll find this timeless gem at 9 Mills Road in Cape Porpoise, where the focus is entirely on the lobster with minimal distractions or fancy additions.
They serve it with drawn butter, potato chips, and pickles on paper plates at communal tables that encourage conversation with fellow diners.
The atmosphere is pure old-school Maine, where the lobster speaks for itself and everything else is just background noise to an incredible meal.
12. The Anchor Restaurant (Round Pond)
Round Pond remains one of those impossibly charming Maine villages that feels frozen in time, and The Anchor fits right into that perfect picture.
Located at 1 Anchor Lane in Round Pond, this restaurant sits right on the harbor where fishing boats unload their daily catches.
Their menu showcases whatever’s freshest, from day-boat scallops to line-caught fish prepared with care and respect for the ingredients.
The casual atmosphere encourages you to slow down, savor your meal, and soak in the peaceful harbor views that remind you why Maine’s coast is so special.