Hot and Buttered: Connecticut or Maine, the Lobster Roll Debate
By: Stavros
When you think of New England Seafood, the first thing that comes to mind is likely the lobster roll. A relatively simple food that carries with it a lot of weight in the form of a big decision. Do you go for the Connecticut Style roll with steamed lobster meat sautéed in butter served on a toasted split top bun, or do you opt for the Maine Style roll, which comes with chilled lobster salad; steamed and then chilled, the lobster meat is lightly tossed in mayonnaise, a squeeze of lemon juice, and some finely chopped celery. This choice has weighed on all hungry eaters up and down the New England coast and has divided many a family and friend group alike.
Throughout our travels of the six majestic states that make up our corner of the United States, we had the opportunity to seek out and sample several lobster rolls, and we want to share some of our favorites with you. By no means is this list intended to cause any establishment to feel snubbed if they’re not mentioned; we simply want to take the opportunity to relive some delicious moments in our past.
Starting off, we head to the Connecticut shoreline for a staple seafood shack in Clinton. Easily one of the most recognizable seafood destinations in the state, Lobster Landing is known for its signature red roof shack and its sign with the precariously hanging letter “O,” which looks like the next gust of wind will blow it away. The menu is focused and includes one type of lobster roll, CT style. This time the choice has already been made for you, but you won’t give it a second thought. Easily one of our favorite hot buttered rolls, Lobster Landing is a place we visit a few times of the year. During the summer, it’s an obvious choice as we head home from a long day at the beach. What most people aren’t aware of is that Lobster Landing is open late into the year. For a few Decembers in a row, we visited just before the New Year holiday and their last day before closing for the season. A hot buttered roll with a steamy cup of clam chowder will heal your soul on a frigid winter day.
On one such visit, we were lucky enough to meet one of the owners, Enea Bacci. We recognized him as he is a local celebrity on the CT coast and took the opportunity to say hi. He greeted us with a big smile and, after a quick introduction, told us the whole backstory of the restaurant and how he and his wife opened shop in 1995. After our conversation, we walked to the storefront and posed for a picture; he thanked us for coming and gave us a hug before continuing on his way to serve more of their delicious seafood.
During one of our many visits to Maine, we happened to find ourselves on Colony Beach at the outskirts of Kennebunkport. Away from the busy Western Ave and the Mathew J. Lanigan Bridge, we were enjoying watching the different types and sizes of boats coming in and out of the Kennebunk River. As lunchtime approached, we didn’t want to leave the beach but could not ignore our empty stomachs. Luckily for us, Mabel’s Lobster Claw is a short walk up Ocean Avenue and offers takeout.
We ordered at the window, waited briefly at one of the picnic tables, and then made our way back to our beach chairs to soak up more sun. To this day, this is one of the most memorable lunches we have had. We devoured our lobster rolls on the beach while gazing into the Atlantic Ocean and feeling the refreshing breeze was a core memory and one we plan to relive many times.
Having the option between both styles, we chose the Maine lobster salad roll this time. Our meal came with the chilled lobster meat spilling out of a buttered and toasted split-top bun. To this day, this is one of the few places we know of that gives you what is the perfect middle ground between the two styles. No celery in the lobster salad, just light mayo and a light lemon squeeze. On the side, crispy shoestring fries and tangy coleslaw that balance out the meal perfectly. Our very own recipe is inspired by the one we had at Mabel’s, chilled lobster salad served on a buttered and toasted split top. There’s a good chance we will share that recipe one day soon, so be on the lookout!
Mabel's Lobster Claw - Angie B. Yelp
It goes without saying that great meals are made even better by a great view, and that’s the case at Fox’s Lobster House. Located at the tip of the Cape Neddick peninsula, Fox’s might just have one of the most impressive views, overlooking the Nubble Lighthouse. The combination of lobster rolls and a lighthouse view is just as iconic in New England as a peanut butter and jelly sandwich is for most people (looking at you non-New Englanders). With ample amounts of parking around and plenty of seating indoors and picnic tables outside, Fox’s is worth a visit if you’re in the area.
We’ve visited at least two times over the years, and their Maine-style rolls are bursting with plenty of claw and knuckle meat. They are served as expected, lightly dressed in mayo and with a squeeze of lemon juice, but their unique twist is that the lobster meat sits on a crisp leaf of lettuce inside their toasted and buttered rolls. The lettuce adds a nice and unexpected refreshing bite.
The rolls are a must-try, and the views of Nubble are a can’t-miss! We do recommend you either get there before or after peak mealtimes, as the parking situation is a bit limited by the fact that Fox’s shares a road and parking with the lighthouse viewpoint at Sohier Park. Don’t fret if you can’t find a spot right away; this is a stop worth every ounce of patience you can gather.
Our visit to Boothbay Harbor had everything you would expect for a weekend getaway in New England. A hotel room on the wharf above the water, sunsets from the balcony overlooking all the boats docked for the night, ice-cream parlors within a few steps in any direction, plenty of freshly caught seafood, and a boat trip through the bay. Although we stayed right at the heart of Boothbay Harbor, one of the must-visit spots on our list was the Lobster Wharf across the bay. One late morning, we started our nearly one-mile trek across the footbridge and down Atlantic Avenue until we reached our destination.
A combination of a seafood distributor and seafood restaurant, the Boothbay Lobster Wharf serves every type of freshly caught seafood you would expect in New England. There is indoor and outdoor seating, and they even let patrons peek inside their lobster room, which holds all the newly caught crustaceans ready to be chosen for a meal. The outdoor seating is several rows of picnic-style tables covered by umbrellas to help keep you cool under the peaking sun. From your seat, you have views of the bay and all the fishing boats docked or moored on one side, and on your other side, trays of delicious food speeding by you to be served to your neighbors.
We visited because the Lobster Wharf is known for its jumbo lobster roll, which comes with over half a pound of freshly picked lobster meat. You do get your choice between Maine and CT style, and your meal comes with coleslaw, potato salad, and a bag of chips. The other differentiator for this roll is that chunks of lobster tail are also included with the claws and knuckle meat. Being seafood and lobster aficionados, this did not bother us one bit, as the tail meat is just as delicious as the rest of the lobster. A jumbo roll may scare off the meek and easily intimidated, but there are plenty of brave souls around to take on this roll.
On our second stop in Kennebunkport during this publication, we reminisce on a few different styles of rolls we’ve tried. At Allison’s, they have the classics, Maine and CT style, but they also have a lobster roll flight. Yes, you read that right: a lobster roll flight, which we would argue is even better than any beer or wine flight. We must also make an honorable mention for the lobster pizza, which came with seven claws, a garlic butter sauce, and plenty of melted mozzarella cheese.
Located on Dock Square Road and directly across from the Soldiers and Sailors Monument introduced in The Nor’easter: No. 2, Allison’s is a staple of Kennebunkport center. Out of the many options for delicious food in the area, we have visited here on multiple trips because of how unique their food selection can be.
Allison’s Restaurant - Frank W. Yelp
During our first visit, we ordered a Maine-style roll served with fries and pickles on the side and the featured flight. The lobster roll flight came with one CT-style roll topped with lobster bisque, one Mexican-inspired roll which was served with buttered lobster meat, spring greens, candied bacon, avocado chunks, and a chipotle mayo, and finally one classic Maine roll. For those that lost track of all that lobster, we’re talking almost three-quarters of a pound of lobster meat in the flight. If anyone tells you that you cannot finish all this in one sitting, remove them from your life immediately. No one needs negative people like that around. Instead, find a friend that will also indulge in a lobster roll flight with you. On our return visit for the lobster flight, we had the same lobster bisque roll, the Maine roll, and the seasonal roll, which was summer-inspired, served in the Maine style and topped with diced tomatoes and extra greens.
Over our many years of traveling New England and trying as many lobster rolls as we were able to, we know that we haven’t scratched the surface when it comes to discovering the most delicious spots out there. We’re looking forward to the years to come where we attempt to try them all.
Featured Photograph: Wolfeborough Train Station (New Hampshire)
No longer operating as a train station, the building serves as the Wolfeboro Chamber of Commerce along with a couple of other businesses on the premises.
The Observation Deck
Acadia National Park - Bar Harbor, Maine
For years we planned our trip to Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor; we made our lists, watched all the videos online that we could, and counted down the days until we could make the drive. We spent about eight days in the Bar Harbor area, walking the streets of downtown, enjoying the many restaurants and ice-cream shops and even doing a fair bit of window shopping for gifts for ourselves and our loved ones. Yet one of the most memorable experiences we had was on the many hikes we embarked on within the park. There are a myriad of options for all levels of fitness and nerves, from the easy-going 3.5-mile flat loop around Jordan Pond, to the more adventurous and demanding hikes on the Beehive Trail.
Bar Harbor and Acadia are such a special place to visit, and it quickly became one of our favorite destinations in New England. There are many sites to visit; one can opt for staying in the heart of the town for easy access to all of the popular spots, or can rent a house a little ways out for a quieter and more relaxing experience. There are times of the year when the crowds can hinder a relaxing experience, so it’s very important to plan ahead based on your preference of vacation.
From the peak on the Beehive Trail at Acadia National Park, overlooking Sand Beach just as the fog lifts.
The Castle In The Clouds (New Hampshire)
Perched high above Lake Winnipesaukee, Castle in the Clouds feels like something pulled from a dream. Built in 1914 as the mountaintop estate of shoe magnate Thomas Gustave Plant, the mansion blends old-world craftsmanship with sweeping views that stretch for miles across forests and water. Winding roads lead visitors through waterfalls, quiet trails, and open skies before revealing the stone and shingle home itself, standing timeless against the horizon. Today, it remains a place where history, nature, and imagination meet, offering a glimpse into a more elegant, unhurried era of New England life.
Fire Towers
Scattered across the peaks of New Hampshire and throughout New England, obsolete fire towers stand as quiet relics of a time when watchmen scanned the horizon for the first signs of smoke. Before modern technology, these towers were vital for protecting vast forests, and many still remain, weathered but proud, offering hikers sweeping views once reserved for those on duty. Today, they serve as historic landmarks, blending the region’s natural beauty with a lingering sense of purpose and past vigilance.
Sweet Treats
On a warm summer evening by Lake Winnipesaukee, there’s something timeless about sharing ice cream with family and friends as the sky melts into cotton-candy shades of pink and orange. Laughter drifts through the air, mixing with the gentle lapping of the water, as each scoop and sweet bite feels like a small celebration of the moment. It’s simple, fleeting, and somehow perfect—the kind of memory that lingers long after the sun has disappeared.
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The Nor’easter: No. 5 - Publish Date: August 6
About the Nor’easter
The Nor'easter - Stories of New England. The people, seasons, places & traditions. Building a community for those who are New England.
The Nor’easter is a publication of the New England Travel Journal