Best Maine Lobster

[kruisingKamper]

I will be cruising to Maine the first week in September on the Explorer. We will be porting in Bar Harbor and Portland. During one of these stops I would like to get a good Maine lobster. Would you suggest Portland or Bar Harbor, and what restaurant?

[flyawayca]

On my cruise last September my ship stopped in Portland and my group went to Gilbert's Chowder House. I ordered a lobster and it was the most amazing tasting lobster I have ever had in my life. At the time the lobster prices were very cheap and I only paid $17 for a full lobster with sides.

 

http://www.gilbertschowderhouse.com/menu1.html

 

Gilbert's Chowder House is a small casual style restaurant.

 

For a slightly more formal place in Portland Di Millo's comes recommended (though I have never had it myself). It's more touristy. But get's decent reviews.

 

http://www.dimillos.com/restaurant/

 

My cruise didn't stop in Bar Harbor so I have no recommendations for there. But I can guarantee you won't have a hard time finding good Maine lobster in either port :D

[flyawayca]

My lobster from Gilbert's:

 

 

[rubrrick]

In Bar Harbor, it's the West End Cafe.

 

Rick

[MommaBear55]

Other places in Portland are Portland Lobster Company within walking distance and Two Lights lobster a 5 mile cab ride away.

 

A mile from my house, 5 lobsters cooked for $25. Dinner tonight was delicious! Too bad it's 30 minutes from the port.

[Big_G]

On my cruise last September my ship stopped in Portland and my group went to Gilbert's Chowder House. I ordered a lobster and it was the most amazing tasting lobster I have ever had in my life. At the time the lobster prices were very cheap and I only paid $17 for a full lobster with sides.

 

http://www.gilbertschowderhouse.com/menu1.html

 

Gilbert's Chowder House is a small casual style restaurant.

 

For a slightly more formal place in Portland Di Millo's comes recommended (though I have never had it myself). It's more touristy. But get's decent reviews.

 

http://www.dimillos.com/restaurant/

 

My cruise didn't stop in Bar Harbor so I have no recommendations for there. But I can guarantee you won't have a hard time finding good Maine lobster in either port :D

 

Agree, DiMillo's in Portland was outstanding but it is a little upscale. In 'Baa Haabor' we ate at the West Street Cafe. Great lobster dishes. Check out the desserts at West Street too. UNBELIEVABLE!

 

http://weststreetcafe.com/menu-1-1-1/

[rubrrick]

Agree, DiMillo's in Portland was outstanding but it is a little upscale. In 'Baa Haabor' we ate at the West Street Cafe. Great lobster dishes. Check out the desserts at West Street too. UNBELIEVABLE!

 

http://weststreetcafe.com/menu-1-1-1/

 

Thanks for the correction..........it is the West Street Cafe, in Bar Harbor.......not "West End".

 

Rick

[Merion_Mom]

I will be cruising to Maine the first week in September on the Explorer. We will be porting in Bar Harbor and Portland. During one of these stops I would like to get a good Maine lobster. Would you suggest Portland or Bar Harbor, and what restaurant?

 

Both. After all, you must do a comparison.

 

:)

[1ParticularHbr]

I love going to Portland on RCI Port days. It's fun to see all of those cruise guests in port...Anyway...Having eaten at all of those suggested: West St Café in Bar Harbor, Gilberts, Portland Lobster Co & DiMillo's in Portland, I can tell you that if you're having a basic, boiled Maine lobster, it will taste the same everywhere because the cooking method is so simple...boil salt water, toss in Maine lobster. What will vary are the side-dishes. I'd recommend all mentioned except DiMillo's...not because it isn't good...it's a nice restaurant...too nice to don a bib, roll up your sleeves, crack open a steamy hot Maine lobster and dunk it in melted butter:p

If the ship offers a "Lobster Bake" excursion in Bar Harbor, I'd suggest that. On a lobster bake, the lobster is steamed in layers of seaweed on top of super-hot wood fire. It's a unique experience and, as you can imagine, does give the lobster a slightly different taste. Enjoy your Royal Caribbean cruise and your visit to Maine.

[Big_G]

Thanks for the correction..........it is the West Street Cafe, in Bar Harbor.......not "West End".

 

Rick

 

Sorry Rick, missed your post. It is in the west end. :)

[Big_G]

I love going to Portland on RCI Port days. It's fun to see all of those cruise guests in port...Anyway...Having eaten at all of those suggested: West St Café in Bar Harbor, Gilberts, Portland Lobster Co & DiMillo's in Portland, I can tell you that if you're having a basic, boiled Maine lobster, it will taste the same everywhere because the cooking method is so simple...boil salt water, toss in Maine lobster. What will vary are the side-dishes. I'd recommend all mentioned except DiMillo's...not because it isn't good...it's a nice restaurant...too nice to don a bib, roll up your sleeves, crack open a steamy hot Maine lobster and dunk it in melted butter:p

If the ship offers a "Lobster Bake" excursion in Bar Harbor, I'd suggest that. On a lobster bake, the lobster is steamed in layers of seaweed on top of super-hot wood fire. It's a unique experience and, as you can imagine, does give the lobster a slightly different taste. Enjoy your Royal Caribbean cruise and your visit to Maine.

 

We cheated and went for the baked stuffed. :D

[Donut23]

Bar Harbor - you will need a taxi. The best on the planet.....used to live there, we all know.

 

The men catch the lobster, the ladies/wives started the restaurant. Cooked in sea water over a wood fire.

 

Ready..........

 

Abel's Lobster Pound

 

 

 

 

 

Also, if you can do it.....Jordan pond House for afternoon popovers and tea on the lawn. You will never forget it.

[kruisingKamper]

Thank you everyone for the suggestions, I will research all your recommendations and I am looking forward to the trip.

[ace1zoe2]

From my Canada/New England trip report:

 

Portland continued...

 

Downtown area

 

 

 

There was a lobster place right where we were dropped off that a lot of folks went to. The 1 1/4 pound lobsters served on paper plates with plastic ware and you set in an enclosed room out back on picnic tables. I had planned for us to eat at the Old Port Tavern and we could see the sign just half a block up the street so we walked there instead.

 

 

It was a nice sit down restaurant with real forks and china. I had a 1 1/4 pound lobster, salad & French fries for $15, hubby had a fried haddock sandwich with onion rings and I had a glass of wine all for $31! Plus a $6 tip. It was awesome and I was so glad that we stuck to our original plans. You could also have a double lobster plate for $21! These were whole lobsters, not just the tail.

 

 

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Charlie & Cindy

[Tytus]

West Street Cafe in Bar Harbor would be my recommendation as well. They have an online menu. I like their lazy man lobster, wife likes the twin lobsters. We go about 4-5 times a year, but mostly in the off season. Great beer selection as well :D

[EVALUATOR]

My lobster from Gilbert's:

 

 

 

Was that bottom photo a rubberband they put on the lobster's claws?

 

I thought they made them in a factory. Had no idea they grew in the wild.:D

[aurelius180]

Another vote for DiMillo's in general as I haven't had their lobster. Although I wouldn't necessarily consider it formal unless you're comparing it to clam shacks.

 

I'll be there Saturday for an early dinner. :D

[Big_G]

Another vote for DiMillo's in general as I haven't had their lobster. Although I wouldn't necessarily consider it formal unless you're comparing it to clam shacks.

 

I'll be there Saturday for an early dinner. :D

 

I wouldn't call it formal either but it is a little upscale compared to the mostly pub type places in the area. Enjoy! :)

[aurelius180]

I wouldn't call it formal either but it is a little upscale compared to the mostly pub type places in the area. Enjoy! :)

 

 

I believe shorts are allowed in the dining room. :eek:

 

There are other restaurants in Portland that are a little more "upscale" in that they're stuffy. Street and Company comes to mind, which is a local favorite. We found it to be a very attractive restaurant but not the type of food we were looking for, particularly in Maine.