If you live for lobster, then the phrase “You don’t know when to quit, do you?” is a good thing. When you come to the Maine Lobster Festival, you’ll be in the Lobster Capital of the World, Rockland, Maine, and we have an abundance of tasty lobster options for you to enjoy once the Festival is over. You can choose from open-air shacks to gourmet dining, and it’s all good.
Shackin’ up
Claws (743 Main Street, Rockland)
This funky lobster shack is only a few years old, but the food has one Yelper calling it “Seriously incredible.” With a fun and friendly ambiance and open-air seating with a view of Rockland Harbor, Claws boasts a tender, flavorful lobster roll that you’ll call “Finest Kind” (Maine slang for “the best”). The tender lobster mac and cheese also draws rave reviews.
The Lobster Shack (346 Main Street, Rockland)
This cute courtyard shack with outdoor seating in a garden is known for its generous lobster roll with a touch of mayo, chips and Asian slaw. Close to the Farnsworth Art Museum, it’s a great place for people watching on Main Street.
Sit-down restaurants
Archer’s On The Pier (58 Ocean Street, Rockland)
As mentioned in The Boston Globe, Archer’s chef/owner Lynn Archer won the Food Network’s “Throwdown With Bobby Flay” with her “King of Lobster Club.” It’s made with three slices of thick, homemade white bread and packed with fresh lobster, mayo, bacon, and the traditional lettuce and tomato. This is a giant sandwich and you will need help!
The Landings (1 Commercial Street, Rockland)
Right on the water with indoor and outdoor seating, this casual dining restaurant is Lobster Heaven, recommended by locals for its whole steamed lobster dinners. (Go for the soft shell for the best flavor.) If you want to get adventurous, try the Lobster Mac & Cheese, Lobster Risotto, or Lobster BLT with slab bacon.
Rockland Café (441 Main Street, Rockland)
A no-frills locals’ diner with a sprinkling of “from away” clientele, this small restaurant has a reasonably priced steamed lobster dinner, but they’re also known their homemade seafood lasagna made with lobster, shrimp, clams, haddock, scallops, and crab meat, and for a delicious seafood chowder that out-of-towners often request to have shipped to their homes.
Café Miranda (15 Oak Street, Rockland)
And now for something completely different. Chef “We do not serve the food of cowards” Kerry Alterio’s eclectic menu likes to zag off the beaten path with lobster pizza (lobster, mozzarella, roasted red peppers, diced tomatoes and basil) and lobster tacos, (wood roasted w/poblanos, el camino sauce, caramelized onion, lime, cilantro, shredded greens, and aioli.)
To-Go
Jess’s Market (118 S. Main Street, Rockland)
We couldn’t leave out Jess’s Market, as it’s the local gold standard for fresh, locally-caught lobster if you want to cook it yourself. But this family-owned market will also cook it for you to take along on a picnic.
If you only get to try it once a year—try it all!