The Search for the Best Lobster Roll in Freeport, Maine

I feel like an important thing to note right upfront is that I was vegan for eight years of my adult life. But having spent my entire life coming to Maine each summer, I do have a fair amount of experience with lobster. I just don’t have much experience with lobster rolls. Yet I quickly learned after starting this build that those outside of Maine are VERY interested in specifically the lobster ROLL. So I decided we should probably do a little research, resulting in the 2021 hunt for the best lobster roll in Freeport, Maine.

Real time reporting was done in our IG stories over at @cozyrockcabin… don’t worry it’s all saved in a highlight at the top.

Lobster Roll Style Comparison: Connecticut or Maine?

Something to keep in mind when on a quest to find the best lobster rolls wherever you are in New England is that there are TWO styles of lobster rolls: Maine and Connecticut (the lobster roll actually got its start in Connecticut). The primary differences between the two styles are the temperatures they are served at and the condiments.

The Maine lobster roll is served cold and the lobster meat is seasoned with salt and pepper, and lightly dressed with mayonnaise (sometimes with chopped celery). Connecticut style, the lobster meat is served coated in warm butter. Both are served on a top-sliced New England hot dog bun, and both are pretty delicious depending on what type of mood you’re in.

Cindy’s

Stop #1 we decided to hit up Cindy’s. A newer spot in town, it’s located right on Route 1 about 7 minutes from Cozy Rock. It looks like your typical lobster shack with a giant menu, and you order at a counter. All seating is outside at picnic tables, and we quickly found ourselves grateful we got there right when they opened as the tables filled up FAST. Their sign advertises that this is where the locals eat, but I’ll be honest of all the locals I interviewed none had been there.

We decided to try both the traditional Maine-style lobster roll (with mayonnaise) and the Connecticut-style (with butter). I grew up on fresh lobster plain, so the Connecticut-style with butter felt like the better choice to me. But I’ll admit after trying both, I liked the traditional better and would definitely order that next time.

PROS: Overall the roll was pretty good, and the extensive menu made me excited to try some other dishes in the future. Close to the cabin and conveniently located on Route 1!

CONS: While the roll was good, it didn’t blow either of us away. And while convenient it has 295 on one side and Route 1 on the other- lots of traffic noise and not very scenic.

Harraseeket Lunch & Lobster

Harraseeket lunch and lobster steamers with butter on a tray

I was a little nervous to give this spot an honest rating because Harraseeket Lunch & Lobster is my spot. Growing up my Mom loved stopping here for fresh lobster and steamers that we’d eat out on the dock. It’s right on the water, and lobster boats literally dock here to unload their fresh catch. Not only is the setting perfect, but the menu is huge and they have the best fresh haddock sandwich in town*. However, this was my first time trying the lobster roll, and honestly this was our least favorite so far. It had a distinct seasoning that made it different from the other two and was served with lettuce. While it wasn’t a bad seasoning, I didn’t love that it covered the taste of the lobster.

Still worth going here (it’s the #1 spot I recommend in town), but I’d suggest fresh lobster with steamers rather than the roll.

PROS: You can’t beat this location. Right on the water, you can watch as lobster boats come in with their fresh catch. It smells like the ocean, and you can even eat right out on the docks. Their menu is large and they have a lobster plate you can get with a fresh lobster, steamers and corn. This, along with the fresh fish sandwich, would be our recommendation.

CONS: In the summer months the line can get a bit long, so make sure you’re not in a hurry or hit it during the off hours. While the parking lot is small, I’ve never had to leave because I couldn't find a spot. The lobster roll itself wasn’t my favorite, so if you have heart set on that I’d head elsewhere, but still come back for another meal. Also, it’s cash only, so come prepared or be ready to spend an extra $6 at the ATM.

Day’s Crabmeat & Lobster

Day's lobster rolls with french fries, ketchup, coleslaw and pickles on a tray

Sean eating a Day's lobster roll sitting at a picnic table

Right down the street from Cindy’s, also on Route 1, is Day’s. This spot has been here a lot longer, and because it’s on the opposite side of the road, it isn’t bordered by 295. The back of the restaurant faces a beautiful marsh. On a nice day, this is a pretty great setting (although you can still hear the highway). Again, we soon learned that we were glad to have arrived early, as it also filled up fast. (Despite being the first ones there, we STILL got cut in line by some over-eager tourists.)

We ordered two lobster rolls with fries, both traditional this time, and again the roll was good (it didn’t blow my socks off), but the fries were GREAT. It’s probably worth mentioning that french fries are definitively my favorite food, which either makes me easy to please or extremely picky. Either way, the fries and beautiful scenery made the meal.

PROS: The view! While only right down the street from Cindy’s, it’s on the other side of Route 1 and it makes a world of difference. We loved relaxing in the Adirondack chairs out back while we waited for it to open. The lobster roll was pretty good, but the fries were AMAZING. Put ‘em together and you’ll definitely leave happy.

CONS: Still surrounded by Route 1 and 295 so the view will be accompanied by the sounds of a highway.

Jameson Tavern

While I’ve been to Jameson Tavern many times before (it’s the most historic tavern in Freeport, conveniently located right next door to LL Bean), I’ve never thought to order their lobster roll. But thanks to our friends over at The Chal-A Vermont, we were told their lunch special was not to be missed. For $25 you get a lobster roll and a cup of chowder (one of my favorite foods of all time), and they specifically noted we should dip the lobster roll IN the chowdah. And HOLY. SHIT. were they right.

The lobster tasted just like lobster, no over seasoning getting in the way. The roll was perfectly buttered and toasted, and one of my favorites. Then when dipped in the chowder it was just hands down the most pure and delicious lobster roll I’ve had yet. I visited with a friend and on the way out she whispered ‘I think we should tell everyone waiting in line that if they order anything besides the lunch special they’re making a BIG mistake.’

PROS: THE LOBSTER ROLL. It’s the best. Plus, I loved eating it with chowder, which I never would have ordered if they hadn’t suggested it. Also so convenient right downtown.

CONS: It doesn’t have a scenic ocean view, but honestly that’s the only con I can come up with. Also that because we love it so much we drop $75 on lunch every time we’re in town… that’s definitely a con (but worth it!).

Gritty’s

I’ll admit, after the huge win at Jameson Tavern I got a little too excited about the lobster roll/chowdah combo and the next night decided to try the same thing at Gritty’s, a local pub right down the street from the cabin. I don’t have a lot to write about this one other than I woudn’t recommend it. Doesn’t mean don’t go to Gritty’s (Sean swears by their mac ‘n cheese and I LOVE their seafood chowder), but if you’re looking for a lobster roll/chowder combo don’t look any further than Jameson Tavern.