Technically this term referrs to the saltwater holding areas in which lobsters are literally impounded, but in tourist talk a lobster pound is a no-frills seaside restaurant serving lobsters and clams steamed in seawater and consumed outside, with a nearby sink for washing off. Short of a lobster bake or boil on a beach, this is the only way to eat lobster in Maine. We have grouped lobster pounds, describing them in detail within each relevant chapter, but here’s a quick overview of our favorites. The Pemaquid Peninsula (see “Damariscotta/Newcastle”) is especially blessed: Check out Shaw’s in New Harbor; the nearby Harbor View Restaurant at the Pemaquid Fisherman’s Co-op; and, in Round Pond, Muscongus Bay Lobster and the Round Pond Lobster Co-Op. Near Rockland look for Cod End in Tenants Harbor. Miller’s Lobster Company on Spruce Head, and Waterman’s Beach Lobsters in South Thomaston are both good. In the Harpswells south fo Brunswick the two standouts are Allen’s Seafood (exceptional clams too) and Morse’s at Holbrook Wharf. Other lobster-eating landmarks include Robinson’s Wharf at Townsend Gut near Boothbay, the Lobster Shack in Cape Elizabeth near Portland, Young’s Lobster Pound in East Belfast, the Lobster Pound in Lincolnville Beach, and Union River Lobster Pot in Ellsworth. At the entrance to Mount Desert Island, the Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound has been in George Gascon’s family a long time and the view is great. On Mount Desert Beal’s is in Southwest Harbor, and Thurston’s, which we prefer, is in Bernard. Minutes from Freeport’s outlets, the Harraseeket Lunch & Lobster Company in South Freeport is a find. On the Southern Coast the Ogunquit Lobster Pound on Rt. 1 in Ogunquit is now a full-service restaurant, but waterside Chauncey Creek in Kittery is still no frills (BYO everything from salad to wine) and a good value. Nunan’s Lobster Hut in Cape Porpoise and Fisherman’s Catch in Wells Harbor are also the real thing. The fartherest Down East lobster pound is Tidal Falls Lobster Restaurant in Hancock, sited by tidal reversing falls.

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