Is your favorite lobster shack shacky and weathered and in a fairly remote place near the ocean? Or, perhaps it is tacky and reminds you of a roadside hut. Find some the best lobster shacks in New England.
Most shacks are a “no-frills” family establishments with a simple menu, and almost always have long lines in peak summer months. Some shacks have become tourist destinations and others have become tourist traps with over the top prices. Lobster and seafood shacks are symbols of summer and a few are beacons of the past. Many of us have nostalgic childhood memories of a trip to a favorite lobster shack.
Lobster Shacks On the Shore or Off a Side Road
Lobster shacks can be off the main path or right on the Main Street. Some shacks have seaside views, while others have no views at all. Lobster shacks at out of the way locations are usually off narrow roads or routes that can become crowded with traffic jams in the warm weather. Familiar surroundings for lobster shacks are rocky beaches with a view of the harbor, fishermen’s boats and sea gulls, or maybe a forested cove. Perhaps you wish to combine a shopping trip to LL Bean or Kittery shops with a side trip to a Lobster Shack in the area. Often the shacks are shuttered from October to April in the cooler weather, so catch them when they are open in the spring and summer.
Don’t dress up because you will most likely be eating on a pier at a picnic table. Usually, there is no indoor seating, but the views waiting for a lobster dinner can be spectacular. It is cool in Maine, so bring a sweater and enjoy the finest lobster ever. How can you resist since the freshest lobster thrives in New England waters where it is caught, and then it is cooked in a Lobster Shack and brought to your table. When the lobster is served, be prepared to crack it open on a paper plate and dine al fresco on bare wooden tables. Many of the unassuming shacks are BYOB, so don’t forget to bring a cooler.
The Maine Attraction: Live Lobster
The star attraction of these eateries is lobster served in the rough: a whole lobster cooked plain and simple. The typical lobster size served is usually between 1 1/4 pounds to 1 1/2 pounds, but some lobster shacks offer a pound. Lobster fishermen deliver and store their fresh catch in large seawater filled tanks. Shacks with lobster pounds are typically larger with more seating. If cooking live lobster at home makes you squeamish, this is a great alternative. Expect a messy meal and no side orders except some chowder or a bag of chips. More spacious places may feature lobster dinners served with corn cobs, onion rings or chowder. Or, you may want to order a lobster roll instead with mayonnaise and butter on a fresh roll with crisp lettuce.
In addition to fresh lobster, many seafood eateries serve fried, steamed or baked seafood. The deep-fryer is often the most over-worked piece of equipment at the shack. Clams, haddock, fries and onions rings are given a quick, hot dip. Next to fresh cooked lobster and lobster rolls, the fried clams hold a special appeal for New Englanders and it is a contentious debate about the best fried clams place in New England. Fried clams are said to have been invented in 1916, by Chubby Woodman in Essex, Massachusetts.
Here are some wonderful Lobster Shacks dotted across New England that are well worth your time when planning a day trip or a stop in the area:
Lobster Shacks in Maine
Bagaduce Lunch
19 Bridge Road
Brooksville, ME 04617
207-326-4729
Bagaduce was established in 1946, and is a family tradition tucked away next to the reversing falls on the Bagaduce River. Locals come from miles away for fresh haddock, fried clams, crab and lobster rolls. The owner’s brother is a local lobsterman, so count on getting the freshest caught lobster. Be sure to order the onion rings and watch for bald eagles soaring overhead.
Beal’s Lobster Pier
182 Clark Point Road
Southwest Harbor, ME 04679-441
Eat fresh lobster on a working wharf next to a Coast Guard base overlooking Southwest Harbor. Sit outside at picnic tables, drink beer, and casually eat fresh seafood.
FiveIslands Lobster Company
1447 Five Islands Rd, Georgetown, ME
207-371-2990
This is “as good as lobster gets”at a shack on the harbor edge overlooking rocky shores and lobster boats. Seating is open on the dock.
Perry’s Lobster Shack
1076 Newbury Neck Road
Surry, ME
207-667-1955
Perry’s is run by Perry and his wife Beverly. The lobster shack is on the side of Newbury Neck Road, with stairs leading to the town beach. Perry’s menu is simple, with fresh lobster, mussels, and corn on the cob. Enjoy a lobster roll on one of the three picnic tables on the pier and be sure to order homemade ice cream sandwiches.
Waterman’s Beach Lobster
343 Waterman Beach Road
South Thomaston, ME 04858-3325
207-596-7819
This establishment is a winner of the James Beard restaurant award and a model of a great New England lobster shack. Sit outside at picnic tables, order lobsters, and eat them on paper plates. Try the ginger ice cream: it is wonderful with blueberry pie!
Lobster Shacks in Massachusetts
Roy Moore Lobster Company
Rockport, MA 01966
978-546-6696
Roy Moore’s is a local institution founded in 1918, located on the docks of Rockport’s Bearskin Neck. It is good lobster bargain, with smoked salmon, fishcakes, clam chowder, and lobster on the menu. Seating is in tight quarters with crates used as seating out back.
Sesuit Harbor Cafe
357 Sesuit Neck Rd
Dennis, MA 02638
(508) 385-6134
This is on our list of shacks because it is a real deal for a scenic seafood spot located in a boat yard and marina, with Cape Cod style. Customers sit at picnic tables on the channel between Sesuit Harbor and Cape Cod Bay and observe the boats traveling in and out of the dock.
The Bite
29 Basin Road
Menemsha, MA 02552
508-645-9239
The Bite is a tiny seafood stand in the fishing village of Menemsha on Martha’s Vineyard and serves fried- to-order clams, scallops and oysters.
Lobster Shacks in New Hampshire
Petey’s Summertime Seafood & Bar
1323 Ocean Blvd
Rye, NH 03870
603-433-1937
Petey’s is a “seafood shack” located between Hampton and Portsmouth, NH, across the beach from an old shipwreck with public beach access. It has a second-floor deck that has great views and a postage- sized parking lot.Petey’s serves lobster rolls on a bulkyroll. Try the baked haddock with lobster stuffing or the seafood chowder.
Lobster Shacks in Rhode Island
Evelyn’s Drive In
2335 Main Road
Tiverton, RI 02878
(401) 624-3100
Evelyn’s Drive In has been serving fresh, local seafood since 1969. Evelyn’s is a half clam shack, half small, sit-down restaurant. Order a bowl of Rhody chowder, a couple of stuffies, and a sumptuous lobster roll, and be sure to try the delicious Lobster Chow.
The Country Chowder Shack
101 Old Hartford Pike
North Scituate, RI 02857
401-934-2044
Don’t drive all the way to the beach to get some decent seafood. This Rhode Island “hidden gem” Chowder Shack may be a last chance to taste Rhode Island-style red chowder before you drive to Connecticut. Country Chowder also has white chowder, stuffies, clam cakes, and hot wieners. The Chowder Shack is open from March 19th through October 31st. You can’t see the ocean from the Country Chowder Shack, but you can taste it.
Lobster Shacks in Connecticut
Johnny Ads Drive In
910 Boston Post Rd.
Old Saybrook, CT
860-388-4032
Step back into to the 1950’s at Johnny Ads, where fried seafood and hot buttery lobster rolls never go out of style. Mainers even say they make a “damn good lobster roll.” Don’t miss with the great Hummel Brothers hot dogs served on buttered “square” rolls with crinkle fries. The Rhode Island clam chowder is top notch.
Lobster Landing
152 Commerce St
Clinton, Connecticut
(860) 669-2005
If you want a real Connecticut lobster roll this is the spot to visit. That means a roll with no mayo, it’s hot buttered lobster on a toasted top split bun! You can bring anything you want that is not offered on the menu, including beer and wine!
Can’t get to your favorite seafood shack this summer? Give LobsterAnywhere a try. You do not need GPS for directions, bug spray, or gas money for a road trip. This lobster company has been shipping Maine lobster and fresh seafood gifts since 1999. Order lobster and select your delivery date at online check out.
What’s the best lobster shack on your list? Feel free to send us a picture of your favorite Lobster Shack that you would recommend to a friend.