A working fish market with a counter attached, which is exactly how you want to eat lobster in Bangor. Get the lobster roll basket with fries or the fried clams, and it stays open year round unlike most of the coast.
Trenton Bridge Lobster PoundRestaurant · $$ · Trenton, near Bar Harbor, about an hour
Wood fired lobster cookers going since 1956, right on the causeway before Mount Desert Island. Hot lobster roll and steamers, and note dine-in service is summer season only, roughly late June to late October, with winter being retail pickup
1237 Bar Harbor Rd, Trenton, ME 04605
Eagles Nest RestaurantSeafood restaurant · $$ · Brewer, ten min over the bridge
Ten minutes over the bridge and the lobster roll is absurdly overstuffed for the money. The lobster grilled cheese is the sleeper order, and the all you can eat fish and chips is real.
1016 N Main St, Brewer, ME 04412
Union River Lobster PotSeafood restaurant · $$ · Ellsworth, about 45 min east
Riverside deck, no reservations, they text you when your table is ready. Thai curry mussels and the whole lobster dinner, and since most of the seating is outdoors it is really a warm weather play, so call before an off season drive.
8 South St, Ellsworth, ME 04605
The Lobstah BuoyRestaurant · $$ · Odlin Rd, near the airport
A food truck near the airport that people drive across town for, and the scallops come out barely breaded. Hours are tight, Tuesday through Thursday 11 to 5, so this is a lunch mission not a dinner plan.
268 Odlin Rd, Bangor, ME 04401
Steaks in Bangor
The TarratineRestaurant · $$$ · Downtown Bangor
The closest thing Bangor has to a real fine dining room, set in a historic club building with working fireplaces and a rooftop lounge. Order the filet mignon Oscar or the strip, and note they only open Wednesday through Saturday evenings.
Small chef-driven bistro that locals treat as the special occasion spot, with wine dinners and whiskey tastings on the calendar. Weeknights only, last seating around 8, so book by phone and go early.
Downtown room where the kitchen has fun, and the surf and turf mac and cheese is the move if you want steak and lobster in one bowl. No reservations, Wednesday through Saturday only.
11 Central St, Bangor, ME 04401
Timber Kitchen & BarBar & grill · $$ · Bass Park, near the arena
Wood fired kitchen a short walk from the arena, so it is the reliable pre-show or post-show room with an actual bar program. Get the lobster bisque first, then whatever is on the grill.
Maine family institution, open 6:30am to 9pm daily, and the giant cinnamon roll is genuinely the size of a plate. Big breakfast combo, haddock chowder, and take a slice of the lemon blueberry cake for the bus.
643 Broadway, Bangor, ME 04401
Bagel CentralBagel shop · $ · Downtown Bangor
Downtown bagel institution open at 6am with a serious vegan cream cheese lineup. Get a bagelwich on the blueberry bagel with bacon, and note weekends close at 2.
33 Central St, Bangor, ME 04401
Chase's Family Restaurant$ · Hammond St, Bangor
Where locals actually eat breakfast, open at 7 every day, with corned beef hash and omelets done properly. There is a lounge attached if you want a drink with it.
Unpretentious counter breakfast where the owner is usually the one cooking, and the home fries are the reason to go. Cash only, and it is only open Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings, so check the day.
293 Broadway, Bangor, ME 04401
Top Tables in Bangor
Timber Kitchen & BarBar & grill · $$ · Bass Park, next to the arena
The best proper dinner in town, wood-fired plates and a real cocktail list, two minutes from the Cross Insurance Center stage door.