Unearth The Voyage
Portland, Maine is famous for fresh seafood, and nothing beats a perfectly stuffed lobster roll. When you visit this coastal city, you’ll find restaurants competing to pack the most succulent lobster meat into their buttery buns. We’ve rounded up twelve spots where the lobster literally spills over the sides, giving you the ultimate taste of Maine’s ocean bounty in every bite.
1. Luke’s Lobster — Portland Pier
Business Insider crowned this waterfront gem a must-try in 2024, praising the 6-ounce roll for lobster that practically tumbles out. The secret? Luke’s sources from sustainable fisheries and keeps seasonings minimal—just a brush of butter and mayo to let the sweet meat shine.
Grab the larger size if you’re truly hungry. Snag a window seat overlooking the working harbor, where fishing boats bob alongside pleasure crafts. The view pairs perfectly with each buttery, overflowing bite.
Prices reflect the generous portions, but regulars swear it’s worth every penny for the quality and atmosphere combined.
2. Portland Lobster Company
Right on the pier, this spot earns its stripes as a local favorite year after year. Southern Maine coast guides consistently rank it at the top for one simple reason: the roll arrives piled so high you wonder how they close the bun. Traditional preparation means butter-grilled bread hugging cold lobster salad or warm butter-drizzled meat—your choice.
On-the-water views make every meal feel like a celebration. Seagulls circle overhead while you crack into the tender chunks. Expect a line during peak summer hours, but the wait moves quickly and the payoff is real.
3. Bite Into Maine (Allagash Brewing Co. taproom)
Award-winning and unapologetically hefty, these rolls have earned cult status among Portland foodies. You’ll find them at Allagash Brewing Company’s tasting room, where craft beer meets seafood perfection. Recent tastings rave about portion sizes that make your jaw drop.
What sets them apart? Multiple style options let you customize your experience—go classic with mayo, adventurous with wasabi, or decadent with truffle butter. Each version arrives overloaded with knuckle and claw meat that spills onto the plate.
Pair your roll with a cold Allagash White for the ultimate Portland lunch combo.
4. The Highroller Lobster Co.
House-baked brioche elevates the humble lobster roll to something extraordinary here. The slightly sweet, buttery bread provides the perfect vessel for mountains of fresh-picked meat. Photos from happy customers flood social media, showing rolls so packed the lobster forms a dome above the bun.
Customization is king—choose from lobster ghee, garlic butter, or zesty lime dressing. Each sauce complements without overpowering the star ingredient. Best-of lists regularly feature this spot for good reason.
The brioche toasts to golden perfection, adding textural contrast to tender lobster in every forkful (yes, you might need utensils).
5. Becky’s Diner
Since opening decades ago, this Old Port institution has served breakfast all day and lobster rolls that defy gravity. Walk in and you’ll smell coffee brewing alongside seafood sizzling on the griddle. The atmosphere screams authentic Maine—no frills, just honest food done right.
Their lobster roll showcases a bun stacked so high it leans to one side. Butter drips down your fingers with each bite, mixing with sweet lobster juices. Waterfront views through salt-stained windows complete the experience.
Locals and tourists crowd the counter stools, united by their love for Becky’s generous portions and old-school charm.
6. The Porthole Restaurant & Pub
Tucked on a working wharf, this casual pub delivers what one ecstatic diner called the best lobster roll of their life—double exclamation points included. The setting feels authentically maritime, with fishing nets decorating walls and the smell of salt air drifting through open doors.
Big doesn’t begin to describe these rolls. Claw and tail meat tumble out in chunky pieces, lightly dressed to preserve the natural sweetness. Portland food roundups consistently spotlight this hidden gem.
Grab a local beer and settle in at a wooden table worn smooth by decades of satisfied customers. The vibe is laid-back, but the lobster quality is anything but casual.
7. DiMillo’s On the Water
Dining aboard a permanently docked ferry adds theatrical flair to your lobster feast. DiMillo’s has anchored Portland’s waterfront dining scene for generations, serving seafood with serious portions and postcard-worthy panoramas. The restaurant literally floats, gently rocking with harbor waves.
Their classic lobster roll honors tradition—toasted bun, generous heap of meat, minimal interference. Long-time visitors return year after year, knowing the quality remains consistent. Sunset dining here turns a meal into a memory.
Large windows surround the dining room, so every seat offers water views. It’s touristy, sure, but locals understand why—the setting and seafood both deliver.
8. DiMillo’s on the Roll (food stand/truck)
The street-side sibling to the famous floating restaurant brings the same quality to a grab-and-go format. Perfect for lunch on the run, this stand attracts office workers and tourists who crave DiMillo’s lobster without the sit-down commitment. Recent reviews highlight it as a lunchtime favorite for good reason.
Rolls arrive packed tight in paper wrapping, barely containing the mound of meat inside. The casual format doesn’t compromise on portion—expect the same generous fill as the main restaurant. Prices run a bit lower too.
Find a sunny spot along the waterfront and unwrap your lunch. No tablecloth needed when the lobster tastes this fresh.
9. Boone’s Fish House & Oyster Room
Operating since 1898, Boone’s carries more than a century of lobster expertise in its DNA. The building itself whispers history, with exposed brick and weathered wood beams overhead. During Maine Lobster Week, this landmark shines brightest, showcasing heritage recipes alongside modern twists.
Portions match the grand setting—your roll arrives heaped with meat that reflects generations of perfecting the craft. The oyster room offers a raw bar bonus if you want to start with bivalves before your main event.
Waterfront location means fresh catch comes straight from boats you can see from your table. History tastes delicious here.
10. Gilbert’s Chowder House
No pretense, just pure Maine seafood done the way locals prefer it. Gilbert’s built its reputation on chowder bombs—bread bowls brimming with creamy chowder—but the lobster roll holds its own as a menu star. Simple preparation lets quality ingredients speak for themselves.
Lightly seasoned meat fills a toasted New England-style bun, achieving that perfect ratio of bread to seafood. Recent diners praise the well-stuffed result that doesn’t drown in mayo or butter. The focus stays squarely on sweet lobster flavor.
Casual atmosphere and reasonable prices make this a neighborhood favorite where you can wear your beach clothes and nobody blinks.
11. J’s Oyster
This old-school harbor bar proudly declares it serves some of Portland’s finest lobster rolls, and the proof sits steaming on your plate. Locals crowd the bar stools, swapping fishing stories between bites of fresh-picked meat sourced from nearby waters. The vibe is authentically salty—literally and figuratively.
Rolls here prioritize local sourcing, with plenty of meat per serving. Traditional preparation means you taste ocean sweetness in every chunk. Fishing nets and weathered buoys decorate the walls, reminding you this place lives and breathes maritime culture.
Come for the lobster, stay for the harbor atmosphere and cold beer selection that pairs perfectly.
12. Andy’s Old Port Pub
Pub classics get the seafood treatment at this affordable waterfront standby. The menu lists both a Traditional Lobster Roll and a creative Lobster BLT, giving you options depending on your mood. Either way, you’ll find the filling arrives amply portioned, justifying this spot’s loyal following.
Done the traditional way means respecting Maine’s time-honored recipe—no fancy twists required. Warm butter or cold mayo dressing, your choice, with meat that overflows the grilled bun. Prices stay reasonable compared to fancier competitors.
The pub atmosphere welcomes families and solo diners alike, making it perfect for a casual lunch after exploring the Old Port district nearby.
