The Best Little Lobster Shack in Maine

Four years after first sharing this favorite, I’m revisiting McLoon’s Lobster Shack on Spruce Head Island, where fresh lobster, ocean views, and blueberry bread pudding make for the quintessential Maine summer experience.

My first summer house guests arrive this weekend. It’s high season, and I am oh-so ready for it.

Time for me to put aside the everyday and enjoy Vacationland as, well, a vacationer.

Climbing the steps of lighthouses to take in the vast ocean view.

Exploring small coastal villages, their main streets unexpectedly home to galleries and independent boutiques.

Mornings spent at the farmers market and dinners made with ingredients straight from the fields.

Lingering on the deck with coffee to take in the familiar view with fresh eyes.

Afternoons spent in world-class museums learning about Maine artists.

Driving the back roads — a field of purple lupine on the left and colorful lobster boats bobbing in a harbor on the right.

Island hopping and boat trips.

A day at the beach.

And of course no visit to Maine would be complete without at least one meal at a classic Maine lobster shack.

Four years ago, my first summer with this blog, I shared my local spot with you, one I (and others, including Yankee Magazine) consider the best little lobster shack in Maine. With summertime upon us again, I thought it was time to bring this favorite post back. I’ve refreshed it a bit for a new season, but McLoon’s remains the place I always bring my guests for that quintessential Maine lobster experience.

McLoon’s Lobster Shack

Maine is probably best known for lobster –those bright red crustaceans fondly called sea “bugs”. And I happen to live in a small fishing village smack dab in the middle of lobster country.

I wake each morning in summer to the low rumble of boats hauling traps in the waters just off the coast from my home. I can purchase lobster fresh from the dock at any number of local spots, and just about every restaurant has at least one lobster dish on the menu.

While I regularly eat a vegetarian diet, I couldn’t live in Maine without enjoying the occasional lobster. However, the whole process of picking meat from the shell is just not my thing. So my lobster dish of choice is a good old fashioned lobster roll — tender chunks of (already picked) lobster meat on a buttery toasted hot dog bun.

In 2017 Yankee Magazine, the premier New England lifestyle magazine, published an article on where to find the best lobster roll in Maine. It turns out the place they selected is just a short drive from my home — McLoon’s Lobster Shack on Spruce Head Island.

An evening outing to McLoon’s is now a tradition when the family comes to visit. Last summer even James and Poppy (then just 2 1/2) had some lobster.

McLoon’s is a bit off the beaten track, but if you’re driving through the Rockland/Camden area, it is definitely worth a detour. Here’s why.

The Setting

Part of the Maine lobster experience is the view. And boy, does McLoon’s have a great view! Situated on a working harbor, the setting of ocean, spruce trees, rocky coastline, and bobbing lobster boats doesn’t get any more classically Maine. You might even catch a lobster boat unloading its catch at the dock next door while you’re eating.

The Meat of the Matter

Now let’s get to the meat of the matter — literally.

The most important ingredient in a great lobster roll is, obviously, the lobster. So it goes without saying that the fresher the lobster, the better the roll. McLoon’s is situated right next to the dock — when they need more lobster, they pull up crates of them from the ocean water.

With meat this fresh, it is best to keep things simple allowing the lobster to shine.

McLoon’s lobster roll consists of large chunks of tender lobster meat with your choice of mayo and/or butter as condiments. That means a little mayo on the bottom of the bun (not slathered all over it) and a drizzle of melted butter. That’s it. No slimy lettuce! No lemon! No celery!

The bun is also a very important element in creating the best lobster roll. It must be a split-top hot dog roll, buttered, and toasted on a griddle until each side is crisp.

One of the things I love about McLoon’s lobster rolls is that the lobster fits nicely into the bun, making it easy to pick up and eat. I know that a true Mainer would probably say there is no such thing as too much “lobstah”, but as the Yankee Magazine article aptly says, each bite should be a “medley of sweet meat, buttery bun, and sauce.” For those who embrace the Mainer’s attitude towards lobster, though, McLoon’s serves the Rolls Royce, with a half pound of meat piled onto a larger bun.

Simple coleslaw, chips, and a pickle on the side are a must.

What Else to Eat at McLoon’s

Don’t worry if someone in your group doesn’t want a lobster roll, McLoon’s has everyone covered.

They serve a 1 1/4-lb steamed lobster for those who want the no-frills pick-your-own experience.

I have heard good things about both their clam and corn chowder, and for those who prefer other shellfish, there is a crab roll.

And if you want to forego all sea creatures, there is a burger or a grilled cheese sandwich.

Be sure not to skip the dessert trailer.

(You’re on vacation, right?)

While you might be tempted by the pies (whoopie and fruit) or Maine’s Gifford ice cream, I recommend the blueberry bread pudding topped with vanilla ice cream. Don’t just take my word for it, though, last year the New York Times named it one of “The 14 Best Restaurant Desserts We Ate Across the U.S. in 2025.”

It’s just one more reason McLoon’s is such a gem.

They are open daily from 11:30 to 7 and are BYOB for alcoholic beverages.

Make Your Own Lobster Roll

I know most of you don’t call this beautiful little corner of the world home, just a quick drive to McLoon’s Lobster Shack. No worries! Here is their recipe, so you can make your own. Plus, how to cook a lobster the McLoon’s way.

I won’t tell if you change it up. Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa, serves hers Connecticut style, warm with dill, parsley, and celery. Who am I to argue with Ina (or the state of Connecticut)?

Order Online

Don’t feel like cooking? McLoon’s ships overnight, so you can order your own taste of Maine delivered right to your home. You can even get some cool swag, so your friends will think you actually made the trip here.

Other Great Lobster Rolls

McLoon’s might be my favorite lobster shack, but there are many others here in Maine serving delicious lobster rolls too. If you are visiting another part of the state, check out the Yankee Magazine article Where’s the Best Lobster Roll in Maine? | Expert Yankee Picks to find their top-rated local shack.

Some of the places I have heard good things about or enjoyed myself over the years:

Reds Eats, with a village setting in Wiscasset, serves up lobster rolls literally overflowing with the red meat. Waits can be 1-3 hours long. Cash only.

Two Lights Lobster Shack is perched above the rocky coastline in Cape Elizabeth. Unlike many lobster places, it has indoor seating and a more extensive menu.

Barnacle Billy’s in Ogunquit is actually two side-by-side restaurants, one with a walk-up counter and the other with full-service dining. My sister went to college in Maine and we always stopped here for a meal when we visited her. I haven’t been since I was young, but it still gets rave reviews.

Luke’s Lobster on the pier in Portland is a nice option if you are exploring downtown. I wrote more about it here.

Set a Lobster-themed table

For the July 4th holiday I like to decorate the dining area with shades of lobster red, cloud white, and ocean blue, including the table.

I keep it simple by adding a few accent pieces to existing decor.

Starting with a hand-made quilted lobster runner I ordered from Etsy several years ago, I layer on red placemats (not true red, slightly orange, like the critters), and custom napkins printed with lobsters gifted to me by an Instagram follower. I fill the stacked pottery bowls with painted red starfish, scatter a few raffia lobsters I found at a local store on the runner, and call it a (holi)day.

Sometimes I will use floral block print napkins in these same colors, and I have some small lobster plates that I might mix in with my everyday blue and white.

As always, it is more about mood and a spirit of fun than setting the “perfect” table.

I’m linking some lobster-themed pieces below to bring a bit of Maine to your table.

This Week Into Next

We had some beautiful weather this week, and then rain forecast for today — perfect for writing, I thought. I was not, however, expecting the gale conditions currently raging outside my windows and inducing mild alarm as things started flying around on the porch. I nipped outside quickly in the wind to secure any possible projectiles. Such is life on the coast.

I realized that, amid all the grandchild birthday celebrations over the past several months — and then the arrival of number four six weeks ago today — that I never shared with all of you that my fifth grandchild will be arriving in early October. This will be my son and daughter-in-law’s first child and we are all overjoyed for them. It is a bit of a different feeling, though I can’t describe exactly how, when your only son, and youngest child, is going to be a dad. I do know that my heart is truly full.

And speaking of family, my two sisters arrive on Saturday, and my dad and his friend on Sunday. The guest rooms and hall bath in the house are prepped. Tomorrow I’ll get to the guest cottage.

I’ll be out and about with all of them next week, so no dispatch from me the following weekend. And then before we know it, July 4th will be upon us.

Until then, be well, friends!