A lobster roll at a Maine restaurant.

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Maine’s Best Lobster Roll: 2018 Edition

The challenge in finding the best Maine lobster rolls is less a quest and more a happy tap dance to food trucks, lobster shacks, and some of the best restaurants anywhere to sample the most delicious lobster in the world. Whether heading ‘upta camp’ or ‘goin’ down east way,’ Maine and lobster are synonymous. More lobster is caught in Maine than anywhere else in the country. There’s nary a restaurant menu without it. Quite arguably, it’s the defining cuisine of the Pine Tree State (along with the wild blueberry and the Aroostook County potato). Lobster is big business—hundreds of millions of dollars worth—and a way of life. In the spirit of healthy competition, subjective as it is, it also provides us with our annual search for the best Maine lobster rolls, summer 2018 edition. You will enjoy the visiting at any of the following 5 establishments … and the lobster even more!

Highroller Lobster Co.

From food cart to restaurant, The Highroller Lobster Co. has come a long way over the past three years. Established in 2015 as a food cart, the entrepreneurial start-up has always been dedicated to bringing Portlanders the lobster roll it deserves. Foodies will delight with The Highroller’s menu of lobster dishes. The key is always serving the freshest Maine lobster and crab and build on what you do best. The Highroller Lobster Co. trademark lobster rolls come on brioche rolls baked daily from Portland’s own Southside Bakery with a choice of 9 different sauces. You’ll find The Highroller Lobster Co. at: 104 Exchange Street in Portland, ME.

Bite Into Maine

Bite Into Maine parked its food truck in Cape Elizabeth near the Portland Headlight at Fort Williams Park six years ago and hasn’t looked back. Living up to its motto of, “Not All Lobster Rolls are Created Equal,” the husband and wife team of Karl and Sarah Sutton consistently serve up what the press has labeled one of the best lobster rolls in Maine and one of the best sandwiches in America (see Food & Wine, USA Today, Yahoo Travel, The Travel Channel, and much more). Infused with a little sass and spice and variety at its three locations, Bite Into Maine’s lobster rolls brings a little variety to an authentic Maine experience. Expanded to three locations now, seasonally at Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth and at Allagash Brewing, 50 Industrial Way in Portland, and year-round at the 12 seat Commissary location in Scarborough, ME (185 US Route One #2).

Five Islands Lobster Co.

Five Islands Lobster Co. in Georgetown is located on what’s been called, “The prettiest harbor in Maine.” Read all about the best lobster shack in all of Maine in Lobster Shacks: A Road-Trip Guide to New England’s Best Lobster Joints. Or come visit Five Islands Lobster Co. and experience what so many others have—some of the most delicious and sought-after lobster rolls anywhere (Food & Wine, Yankee Magazine, and more). You’ll find the shack perched out on a fishing wharf, on the edge of Sheepscot Bay, dishing up exceptional food in a classic Maine atmosphere. Five Islands Lobster Co. is at: 1447 Five Islands Rd., Georgetown, ME.

Eventide Oyster Co.

A nod to Eventide Oyster Co.’s is in order once again. Making the list for the second year in a row, the accolades for the famed oyster bar continue to grow (Bon Appétit, Zagat, Town & Country, Better Homes & Garden, Maine Magazine, James Beard Award Winning Chefs, and on and on). With the sautéed lobster nestled in a steamed bun, its Brown Butter Lobster Roll has become a Portland fixture—so delicious and popular that Food & Wine produced a video on it! Eventide Oyster Co. is located at: 86 Middle Street, Portland, ME.

Natalie’s at Camden Harbour Inn

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It’s no secret that Camden is the place to visit during the summer months in Maine. While there, experience Natalie’s at Camden Harbour Inn, an award-winning restaurant featuring Maine Lobster Chef of the year, Chris Long. With views of overlooking the harbor, Natalie’s defines elegance and innovation in fine dining. Known for using the abundance of the Maine coast and farmlands, Natalie’s refined cuisine is an unparalleled culinary journey. Natalie’s is located at: 83 Bay View St., Camden, ME

"We celebrated a reunion at the Camden Harbour Inn. The hotel is beautiful, everyone is there to make you feel special and pampered. Top notch service , food, attention to detail and grace! Will definitely come back!"

timroshka Florida

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