Finding the best lobster roll in Bar Harbor was maybe one of the most enjoyable missions that we’ve ever taken on!

Lobster rolls in Bar Harbor are abundant and we were determined to taste our way through many of them to narrow down the best of the Bar Harbor lobster rolls!

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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.

Hot or Cold?

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

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.

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.

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.

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Biggest Lobster Roll: Jordan Pond House

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.

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!

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: Fishermans 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.

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!

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!

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!

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.

Honorable Mention: Lobster Nachos at The 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.

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!

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