On our most recent trip to Bar Harbor in May 2025, we made it our mission to find the best lobster roll in Bar Harbor.

We personally ate lobster rolls at four of the most talked-about spots in town, took our own photos, and ranked them based on:

taste
portion size
value
overall experience.
If you only have time (or wallet) for one lobster roll in Bar Harbor, this guide will help you choose wisely.

Last updated May 2025 – we personally visited

Planning a Trip to Bar Harbor or Acadia National Park? Check out these blogs to plan your trip!

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How We Ranked the Best Lobster Rolls in Bar Harbor

Flavor & freshness of lobster
Amount of lobster meat
Butter vs mayo balance
Bun quality
Overall value for the price
Atmosphere & location

All four lobster roll spots are within or near Bar Harbor — perfect stops after a day in Acadia National Park.

Hot or Cold Lobster Rolls?

Here’s a really important thing to factor into the great debate of the best lobster roll in Bar Harbor: hot or cold?

When we were in Bar Harbor, we made it our mission to try both. Cold rolls have that refreshing, light taste that pairs perfectly with a squeeze of lemon and a sunny summer afternoon. They feel like a true nod to tradition, and there’s something about biting into a chilled lobster roll that screams “classic Maine.”

On the other hand, the warm and buttery roll is rich, indulgent, and melts in your mouth in the best way possible. It feels a little more decadent, almost like comfort food with a seaside twist.

The traditional Maine lobster roll is usually served cold, lightly dressed with mayonnaise, and tucked into a buttery warm bun. It’s classic, it’s simple, and it’s the way you’ll find it at most seaside shacks all along the coast.

But in Bar Harbor, you’ll also find plenty of places that shake things up a little by offering the lobster roll warm, tossed in melted butter, and served in that same golden toasted bun. And let me tell you, the debate over which is better could probably divide a dinner table pretty quickly.

Our personal preference? Honestly, we’ll happily eat a lobster roll any way it’s handed to us, but if we’re choosing favorites, the warm roll won our hearts.

The buttery lobster meat paired with that toasted bun was just too good to ignore, and it quickly became the version we kept craving again and again. That said, there’s no wrong answer here. Whether you’re team cold or team warm, the real win is that you’re eating fresh Maine lobster in Bar Harbor — and that’s an experience you can’t really go wrong with.

Before we tell you our all around favorite, I’ve organized our top contenders into a few categories: Biggest roll, Most affordable roll, and Best all around lobster roll of Bar Harbor.

Check out our ultimate Acadia Travel Guide- 4 day Itinerary

Best Overall Bar Harbor Lobster Roll: The Travelin’ Lobster

We had read a lot of people recommending The Travelin Lobster so we decided on our last day to finally give it a shot!

We’ve debated this quite a bit and can’t decide if it was good or bad that we waited until our last day to try what we are confident is the best lobster roll in Bar Harbor.

On the one hand, had we gone to The Travelin Lobster sooner, we could have gone back and experienced the lobster rolls again and again and we regretted not being able to go back. However, on the other hand had we gone earlier in our trip, our expectations and standards for lobster rolls would have been so high that I fear we would have been disappointed for the rest of the trip by every other lobster roll.

It was probably for the best that we didn’t experience the best lobster roll in Bar Harbor until our last night but if I were you, I’d head there as soon as I could!

Why The Travelin’ Lobster Ranked #1

We chose The Travelin’ Lobster as our #1 pick because it absolutely nailed everything that matters in a lobster roll. First, we loved having size options, which made it easy to order exactly what we wanted without overpaying or leaving hungry. The bun was perfectly toasted—buttery, golden, and sturdy enough to hold up to the filling without stealing the spotlight. The mayo was spot-on, not too heavy and not dry, letting the lobster shine instead of masking it. And speaking of lobster… the portion was generous, especially for the price. Big chunks of fresh lobster, well-balanced flavors, and solid value made this an easy win and the one we’d tell friends to get if they only had time for a single lobster roll in Bar Harbor. 🦞

Pro tip: We had some trouble getting a seat so leave some extra time to wait for a seat, just in case

One last point- The Travlin Lobster is the only place we went to that provided multiple options for size and price of lobster rolls- mini, small and large. This was a nice feature as I was able to order a small and Jackson got the large so we were able to save a little money.

Biggest Lobster Roll in Bar Harbor: Jordan Pond House

Insider tip: Jordan Pond House views are as memorable as the roll itself.

The biggest lobster roll we had in Bar Harbor just happens to also be in the most idealistic setting at Jordan Pond House. After biking through the carriage roads of Acadia, (check out our ultimate Acadia Travel Guide Here) we got to Jordan Pond House ready to eat!

After checking in as a walk-in (make reservations in advance if you can!) we waited just over an hour and half to eat but we didn’t mind much since we were able to wait on the observation deck above the restaurant.

We loved the amazing views while waiting

To be honest, waiting was so enjoyable I might prefer it. We sat on the observation deck and drank blueberry sodas after biking a few miles through Acadia. Truly the dreamiest day we could have had and the perfect anticipation builder leading up to Jordan Pond Lobster Rolls.

Enjoying our blueberry sodas while we waited for our table at Jordan Pond House

By the time we finally got seated we were eager to get our hands on a Jordan Pond House lobster roll! This was the most expensive lobster roll that we had on our trip so we were hoping it would be good and we weren’t disappointed!

One Drawback

Jordan Pond House only serves traditional cold lobster rolls and while we slightly prefer warm and buttery rolls more, we didn’t mind a bit. It was huge! Easily twice as much lobster than many of the other rolls that we had.

If you’re looking for the biggest lobster roll in Bar Harbor that you can enjoy with impeccable views of Acadia, Jordan Pond House is the place for you, just be prepared to pay more for this lobster roll!

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Most Affordable Lobster Roll in Bar Harbor: Fisherman’s Galley

Okay, so this lobster roll isn’t *technically* in Bar Harbor but I couldn’t make this list without mentioning one of our favorite Bar Harbor Lobster Roll experiences.

One day of our trip we took off for the Schoodic Peninsula (which I couldn’t recommend enough! Read more about our Schoodic Peninsula day, here!). As we were nearing Winter Harbor, about an hour outside of Bar Harbor when we started talking about trying to find a place to grab some lunch.

All of sudden we found ourselves driving toward and lobster shack on the side of the road and a sweet older man waving to us with a lobster hat on. It was everything that would ever make me want to stop and I’m so glad that we did!

After some confusion on where to park (behind the building) we ordered a hot lobster roll, homemade blueberry lemonade and a slice of blueberry pie.

What We Loved

The Lobster roll was to die for. Warm and buttery and the lobster had so much flavor (something the owner accounted to his pick of the best lobster every day!). We were surprised when our entire meal cost less than most of the other Bar Harbor lobster rolls did on their own! This lobster roll was just $25, which might shock you if you’re unfamiliar with the average going rate for lobster rolls in bar harbor these days!

What You’re Trading Off

This is not a place built around ambiance. It’s on the side of the road and feels very mom and pop but honestly that’s totally our vibe so we felt great about it. A very different experuence than Jordan Pond House!

We had a really enjoyable lunch, talking with the owners and enjoying the view of the coast right in front of us.

Going to Schoodic Peninsula is already a must, but the addition of being able to stop for this lobster roll on the way makes it even more of an essential day trip!

Honorable Mention: Lobster Nachos at Bar Harbor Lobster Pound

Okay okay I know this is all about the best Lobster Roll in Bar Harbor and these are not lobster rolls BUT the lobster nachos at the Bar Harbor Lobster Pound were so absolutely delicious that I needed to share about them somewhere.

Why This Isn’t a Traditional Lobster Roll

This is eactly what the name says - nachos smothered in cheese, tomatoes, some other good stuff and most importantly - so much lobster!

Who This Is Perfect For

This is a great option for those who still want traditional Main lobster but want to change it up a little bit! The nachos are $40 but easily fed both my husband and I. They are delicious and filling and absolutely worth a stop on your bar harbor lobster roll trek!

Quick Comparison: The Best Lobster Rolls in Bar Harbor

Best overall lobster roll: The Travelin’ Lobster
Biggest lobster roll: Jordan Pond House
Most affordable lobster roll: Fisherman’s Galley
Best non-traditional option: Lobster Nachos at Bar Harbor Lobster Pound

Lobster Roll FAQs (From Our Experience in Bar Harbor)

Butter or mayo — what’s more common in Bar Harbor?
From what we saw (and ate), mayo-based lobster rolls are the norm in Bar Harbor. Most places serve cold lobster lightly dressed in mayo on a toasted split-top bun. We usually gravitate toward butter at home, but after trying several rolls here, we understood why mayo is loved. When it’s balanced correctly, it enhances the lobster without overpowering it. Many spots offer butter or will accommodate if you ask.

Are lobster rolls worth the price in Bar Harbor?
In our experience, yes — but only if you choose the right spot. Lobster rolls in Bar Harbor aren’t cheap, but when they’re loaded with fresh lobster and not padded with filler, they feel worth the splurge. We treated it as a “pick one really good roll” situation instead of trying to sample everywhere, and that approach paid off every time.

What’s the best time of day to get a lobster roll?
We found that late morning to early afternoon worked best. Going a little before the lunch rush meant shorter lines, less waiting, and a much calmer experience overall. One of our favorite meals was grabbing lobster rolls early and eating them outside with a view — zero stress, maximum enjoyment.

Are lobster rolls kid-friendly?
This depends on the kid, but ours actually did better than expected. If your child already likes seafood or buttery bread, they may love it. We sometimes ordered smaller portions or asked for the roll lightly dressed, which helped. That said, if your kid is firmly in the chicken-nugget-only stage, this might not be the meal they remember fondly.

Can you get lobster rolls outside of peak season?
Yes, but with some planning. On trips outside peak summer, we noticed that many lobster shacks were closed for the season, especially the super casual roadside spots. You can still find lobster rolls at sit-down restaurants, but hours can be limited. We learned quickly that checking hours ahead of time saved us a lot of disappointment.

History of the lobster roll:

The history of the lobster roll in Maine is as rich and flavorful as the treat itself. Technically, the story starts back in the 1920s when a little seafood shack called Perry’s in Milford, Connecticut, claimed the first version. But if we’re being honest, it was Maine that really made the lobster roll what it is today. The fishermen and lobstermen here weren’t just hauling in fresh catches for the market, they were creating the foundation of what would become an iconic New England staple.

What I love about the Maine lobster roll is how simple it is. No frills, no unnecessary extras, just fresh, tender lobster meat piled high in a warm, buttery, toasted bun. A touch of mayo, maybe a squeeze of lemon, and that’s it. It’s the kind of food that doesn’t need dressing up because the flavor speaks for itself. And the experience of eating one is just as important as the roll itself. I think of picnic tables with peeling paint, salt in the air, kids running around barefoot, and the sound of seagulls overhead. It’s a meal that feels like summer, like slowing down and savoring the moment.

Over the years, the lobster roll has popped up everywhere, from no-fuss roadside shacks to fancy coastal restaurants, and while you can find it dressed up with truffle butter or tucked into brioche buns, the heart of it hasn’t changed. It’s still about celebrating Maine’s seafaring heritage and the simple joy of food that’s as authentic as the place it comes from. Every bite feels like a little piece of coastal Maine, and that’s what makes it so special.

Affiliate Disclosure

Some of the links on this website are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase or booking through them—at no extra cost to you. We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We are also a member of the Travelpayouts affiliate program, which allows us to earn commissions when you book travel services such as flights, hotels, and tours through our links. We only recommend products and services that we personally use, love, or believe will add value to your travels. Your support through these links helps us keep this site running—thank you!

Best Bar Harbor Lobster Roll in 2025