We’re embarking on a mouthwatering expedition to unveil the top ten lobster rolls that have been crowned champions by the people themselves in this year’s Best of 2023 Awards.
And while deliciously fresh lobster rolls are just about a given in all corners of the city, these top ten lobster rolls are the few that have stood out among the crowd, making a lasting impression on locals and visitors alike. Prepare your taste buds for a delectable journey through buttery, succulent goodness, as we indulge in the city’s most beloved crustacean creations. Here are the top ten places to grab a lobster roll in Portland, Maine.
Spot your favorite? Be sure to vote for them in this year’s Best of 2023 Awards! Voting ends July 31st, 2023. You can vote once per day per email.
First up in the crustacean showdown is Luke’s Lobster. A seafood restaurant located on the historic Portland Pier, Luke’s Lobster offers 360-degree views of Portland’s working waterfront. Directly next to the restaurant sits their lobster buying station, where they land catch from their partner fishermen who dock on Portland Pier. You can often times catch lobstermen unloading crates at the dock or having a post-haul drink right at the bar! Talk about fresh catch!
Lobster Rolls Available: Try their lobster roll featuring a light touch of mayo, lemon butter, and seasoning. Elevate your roll with their Spicy Honey Butter Lobster Roll made with Melted Mike’s Hot Honey Honey Butter, and Aleppo pepper flakes.
Boone’s, a landmark seafood restaurant on Portland Harbor since 1898, has a menu that teems with native seafood lovingly prepared by their talented and distinguished kitchen professionals. With two waterfront decks to choose from, you may even spot the lobstermen that brought in today’s fresh catch from either deck!
Lobster Rolls Available: Keep it classic with Boone’slobster roll made with fresh chilled Maine lobster, lemon mayo, toasted brioche, and shredded iceberg. Or try out their Nor’easter Lobster Roll with fresh Maine lobster warmed in butter, presented in a toasted brioche.
Another beloved Portland establishment located on Portland’s waterfront, Portland Lobster Co. is where music is live, the food is always fresh and delicious, and the view is one of the best in town. For several years, the Portland Lobster Company has offered the very freshest in Maine seafood, which is what makes them such a standout when it comes to their lobster roll.
Lobster Rolls Available: You can get crackin’ on PLC’s lobster roll made with fresh picked meat from a one pound lobster and brushed with sweet butter. Served on a toasted and buttered roll with lemon on the side.
The Porthole
The way Portland does summer… and lobster rolls! At The Porthole, enjoy nautical dining where fishermen sit at the bar and eat alongside tourists and local business people alike. Offering casual waterfront dining with the freshest local seafood and views of Portland’s working waterfront, The Porthole is well deserving of their top ten title!
Lobster Rolls Available: The Porthole keeps it simple (but delicious) with their lobster roll featuring Custom House Wharf Lobster with lettuce, choice of lemon aioli, mayo or drawn butter.
Just because the contenders above have all been waterfront joints doesn’t mean the landlocked Three Dollar Deweys should be overlooked. Hailed as “Portland’s Original Ale House”, Three Dollar Dewey’s also means serious business when it comes to their elevated pub fare, including their lobster rolls. Be sure to put Three Dollar Deweys on your list of places to grab one of Maine’s most sought-after sandwiches.
Lobster Rolls Available: $3 Deweys lobster roll is made with hand-picked Maine lobster meat tossed in house mayo with lettuce on a toasted New England style hot dog bun. Classic and delicious!
There’s no ‘Best Lobster Roll’ list without the widely acclaimed Eventide Oyster Co.! A revival of the great American oyster bar, Eventide’s real star is their famed Brown Butter Lobster Roll. James Beard Award-winning take on classic New England fare, there’s really no reason on why not to grab a lobster roll from Eventide.
Lobster Rolls Available: Eventide’s Brown Butter Lobster Roll is served on a Chinese-style steamed bun – a welcomed departure from the Maine tradition. Features warm Lobster Meat and chive.
Highly regarded, Bite Into Maine’s lobster roll was actually already titled as Food & Wine’s Best Maine Sandwich! Stealing the hearts of lobster lovers for years now, you can try out one of the best bites in Portland by visiting Bite Into Maine’s airstream food truck parked outside of Allagash Brewing Co. on Industrial Way.
Lobster Rolls Available: Bite Into Maine’s famous Maine lobster rolls only use FRESH Maine lobster, local fresh baked bread, real butter, and house made flavored mayos. At their Allagash Brewing location, lobster rolls can come Maine-style with mayo & fresh chives; CT -style with just warm butter; or Picnic-style with coleslaw, celery salt and butter.
The Highroller Lobster Co. team has gone above and beyond developing exciting ways to indulge in the world of lobster – including their Lobster Grilled Cheese, Lobster Cheese Crisp Taco, a Lobby Pop, and of course, their lobster roll. What their team dubs as “the heart and soul”, Highroller’s lobster roll is served fresh, but what really sets their lobster roll apart is the array of unique sauces, which includes a Lime and Jalapeño mayo. For a little taste of all the sauces, order the Lobster Trio which consist of three mini rolls served side by side and sauced to your request.
Lobster Rolls Available: HLC’s lobster roll comes packed with 4 oz of fresh Maine claw and knuckle meat, chopped Romaine, and your choice of sauce. A build-your-own lobster roll of sorts. Prepared in a fresh baked brioche bun.
Seafood straight from the ocean! At J’s Oyster, indulge in delicious seafood, including their acclaimed lobster roll! Served with mayo on the side, so that you can determine your perfect amount, J’s Oyster takes pride in offering good food and drinks to the people of Portland. Their chefs prepare each dish with care using only the freshest ingredients and all of their seafood is picked up directly from the local fishermen.
Lobster Rolls Available: J’s Oyster’s lobster rolled is served on grilled hot dog roll with lettuce.
There’s nothin’ finah than a lobster roll from Becky’s Diner! A staple in the Portland food scene since 1993, Becky’s Diner has been serving their loyal customers the freshest seafood available for about 30 years. With a line usually out the door (don’t worry, the wait goes quickly), there’s a reason why Becky’s Diner has stood the test of time.
There you have it, the top ten places in Portland, Maine for lobster rolls as voted by the people! Do you agree with these top ten?
