If you’re coming to the 71st annual Maine Lobster Festival this year, you’ll have five days to enjoy a fresh Maine lobster dinner with Cabot butter along with lobster rolls, Lobster Mac’ n Cheese, Lobster Bisque, Lobster Stuffed Risotto Balls and Lobster Wontons.

But if you still can’t get enough lobster and are planning on spending time in and around Rockland during the festival, we’ve got the locals’ lowdown on some of the best restaurants and takeout shacks.

Takeout and Lobster Shacks

Jess’s Market (118 S. Main Street, Rockland)

The gold standard for fresh locally caught lobster, Jess’s is the place to go for affordable fresh lobster if you want to cook it yourself. A family-owned market, they will be happy to cook it for you to take along on a picnic.

The Lobster Shack (346 Main Street, Rockland)

This tiny shack sits in the heart of downtown Rockland with a pet-friendly courtyard and outdoor patio overlooking Main Street. Try their generous lobster roll with a touch of mayo, chips, old fashioned dilly beans, and Asian slaw.

Claws (743 Main Street, Rockland)

This seasonal shack rocks in the summertime with excellent lobster at reasonable prices and an enclosed waterfront patio. If you’re looking for quality food, a quick bite, a view, and friendly customer service, this is it.

McLoons Lobster Shack (315 Island Road, South Thomaston, ME)

You can’t get any closer to the water than this red-painted, family-run lobster shack just outside of Rockland. It offers freshly-caught steamed lobster, lobster rolls, and lobster stew with the authentic ambiance of coastal Maine.

 

Sit down Restaurants

Hill’s Seafood (266 Main Street, Rockland)

A great local seafood place with views of the harbor and the Breakwater Lighthouse, this family-run restaurant is a locals-recommended spot renowned for its lobster pie, packed with sautéed lobster.

Rockland Café and Bakery (441 Main Street, Rockland)

This old-school diner serves up a traditional fresh steamed lobster dinner with all of the sides at a very affordable price.

The Pearl (273 Main Street, Public Landing, Rockland)

If you want to enjoy your meal on the water (literally perched right over it), this is the place to go. Their lobster tacos, delicious with hand-cut fries, are some of the most popular items, along with a lobster roll and lobster bisque.

Suzuki Sushi Bar (19 Main Street, Rockland)

You might not associate a sushi place with lobster, but the locally sourced seafood and presentation at this James Beard award-winning Japanese restaurant have been described as “exquisite.” Try the miso made with lobster broth and the lobster ceviche when it is in season.

Learn more about the 2018 Maine Lobster Festival, August 1-5 in Rockland. We look forward to sharing some lobster with you.