Food editor Amy Traverso’s 25 favorite spots have all the essential ingredients: a salty breeze, a water view, and a heaping (paper) plate of just-caught seafood.
By Amy Traverso
May 02 2022
A maritime backdrop adds to the flavor at Abbott’s Lobster in the Rough, a Connecticut institution since 1947.
Photo Credit : Alex GagneNo shack in Connecticut has more dockside real estate than Abbott’s, which means you can enjoy that chowder and hot, buttered lobster roll right on the docks. abbottslobster.com
Best Something-for-Everyone: Ford’s Lobster, NoankFord’s signature may be the Lobster Bomb (a lobster-filled bread bowl topped with bisque), but there’s also lobster mac ’n’ cheese and risotto, plus steaks and burgers for landlubbers. fordslobster.com
Best Hot-and-Buttered Roll:Lobster Landing, Clinton
Owner Enea Bacci knows the secret to a hot lobster roll is the gentlest heat, a drizzle of butter, and the lightest squeeze of lemon. Website
Best Lobster Roll Variations: Beal’s Lobster Pier, Southwest Harbor
From classic to spicy buffalo to “garlic lovah’s” to gluten-free, Beal’s Lobster Pier has a roll for everyone. bealslobster.com
Best Roll-And-A-Stroll: The Clam Shack, Kennebunk
Set right in the village, the Clam Shack serves an excellent lobster roll and fried seafood within walking distance of some of the best shopping in the region. theclamshack.net
Best Coastal View: Five Islands Lobster Co., Georgetown
The namesake islands at the mouth of the Sheepscot River form a stunning backdrop for local lobsters and terrific fried seafood. fiveislandslobster.com
Best Shack Sweets: Harraseeket Lunch & Lobster Company, Freeport
We love the seafood here, but we especially love the homemade desserts, from whoopie pies to strawberry shortcake. harraseeketlunchandlobster.com
Best Lighthouse View: The Lobster Shack at Two Lights, Cape Elizabeth
Here, you get crashing waves, thisclose water access, great lobster rolls, and a nearby lighthouse to ogle (plus a tasty lobster stew). lobstershacktwolights.com
Best Maine-Style Lobster Roll: McLoons Lobster Shack, South Thomaston
This little red hut surrounded by spruce trees serves the best rolls in Maine. Don’t miss the homemade pie. mcloonslobster.com
Best Harbor View: Thurston’s Lobster Pound, Bernard
At the southwestern tip of Mount Desert Island, Thurston’s offers excellent boiled lobster and gorgeous views of Bass Harbor, where the lobster catch comes in daily. thurstonforlobster.com
Best Hidden Gem: Wharf Gallery & Grill, Corea
Run by a former lobsterman, this shack doubles as an art gallery, fitting for a town that has long attracted artists. Start with local oysters and end with the blueberry pie. corealunch.com
Best Clam Chowder: Chatham Pier Fish Market, Chatham
This chowder has incredible flavor and just the right thickness. Eat on the adjacent deck and watch the seals swim up to the fishing boats. chathampierfishmkt.com
Best Sunsets: The Lobster Pool, Rockport
It’s rare to find a New England seafood shack where you can watch the sun sink into the sea, but the unique geography here gives you the perfect view. thelobsterpool.com
Best On-the-Beach: Mac’s on the Pier, Wellfleet
On the beach in Wellfleet Harbor, Mac’s lets you eat fantastic seafood while feeling the sand between your toes. macsseafood.com
Best Old-School: Roy Moore Lobster Co., Rockport
Now in its 104th season, Roy Moore’s serves superbly fresh, no-frills lobsters and creamy chowder on a small deck perched above Rockport Harbor. Facebook
Best Beach Snacks: Sesuit Harbor Café, Dennis
Just steps from Harborview and Cold Storage beaches, this spot serves breakfast (a seafood shack rarity), lunch, and dinner and makes notably tasty fried seafood. sesuit-harbor-cafe.com
Best Choose-Your-Own Lobster: Brown’s Lobster Pound, Seabrook
This New Hampshire institution lets you pick your own lobster from the large tanks in the front room before you sit down to dinner. brownslobsterpound.com
Best Steamers: Markey’s Lobster Pool, Seabrook
The signature order at Markey’s, located across from Brown’s: a cold beer and a big pile of tasty steamers. markeyslobsterpound.com
Best for Lobster Lovers: Rye Harbor Lobster Pound, Rye
This tiny shack is worth seeking out for its lobster pizza, lobster mac n’ cheese, and hot roll bathed in sherry butter. Facebook
Best Clam Fritters: Aunt Carrie’s, Narragansett
All the food is great here, but the clam fritters, served hot and fresh in a paper bag, are well worth the drive. auntcarriesri.com
Best Combo: Blount Clam Shack on the Waterfront, Warren
Chowder and clam cakes are the order of choice at this permanent food truck spot on the water. blountretail.com
Best Fresh-Off-the-Dock Seafood: Champlin’s Seafood Deck, Galilee
Watch the fishing boats come into the Galilee port, docking at Champlin’s own docks to unload the freshest catch. champlins.com
Best Bargain: Easton’s Beach Snack Bar, Newport
The twin lobster rolls are one of the most outstanding deals in Rhode Island. Bonus: The restaurant sits on the beach at the end of the famous Cliff Walk. eastonsbeach.com
Best Dock-and-Dine: Evelyn’s Drive-in, Tiverton
Overlooking Nanaquaket Pond, Evelyn’s is a popular dock-and-dine destination for boaters and a magnet for fans of clam cakes and clear broth chowder. evelynsdrivein.com
Best Family-Friendly: Monahan’s Clam Shack, Narragansett
With a water-view patio, lawn games, great seafood, and ice cream, Monahan’s is a hit with the kiddos. monahansri.com
Food Editor Amy Traverso oversees the Yankee Magazine Food department and contributes to NewEngland.com. Amy's book, The Apple Lover's Cookbook (W.W. Norton), won an International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) cookbook award for the category American.
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