Such a great spot. Always great music playing. Lovely outdoor vibe. Amazing sunsets! Eating dinner here makes for an incredibly scenic evening Outstanding lobster rolls. Maine red dogs are a must. Lunch on tap! Walking over the bridge to get there is quite an awesome experience. read more

Buoy Shack - Seafood Near Me - Kittery, Maine

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We walked over (we're on Badger's Island) hoping for a great meal. When we arrived, the hostess informed us there would be a wait, which was perfectly fine, so we decided to stay. Unfortunately, only after we had waited and were seated did our server tell us that the fryer was broken. That meant no fries, no house-made chips, no fish and chips, and essentially a significantly limited menu. We were also told they had run out of oysters. None of this was mentioned by the hostess when we checked in. Had we been told upfront that much of the menu was unavailable, we simply would not have waited. At that point, having already invested the time, we decided to stay and ordered lobster rolls, which came with a bag of packaged chips rather than the sides we had expected. What was most disappointing was not that equipment broke or that the restaurant ran out of oysters--those things happen. The problem was the complete lack of hospitality surrounding it. Guests should be informed of a substantially limited menu before being asked to wait for a table, particularly when the limitations affect some of the restaurant's signature offerings. It was difficult not to feel that this information was intentionally withheld to avoid losing our business. Even after we were seated and learned of the situation, there was NO acknowledgment OR ATTEMPT from management and no effort whatsoever to make up for the diminished experience--not even a small courtesy. We paid full price for lobster rolls and BAG OF CHIPS, despite that being far from the meal we had come for. We still left our server a good tip because none of this was his fault. But with so many other options within walking distance, the lack of basic communication and hospitality means we will not return. read more

The cold lobster roll had a good amount of lobster. A bit more mayo than you usually see. The menu said it was lemon mayo but I didnt taste lemon without squeezing lemon onto it. The lobster today wasnt very flavorful. Its a nice place near the water but parking at peak times is a challenge (small lot) as is finding a seat (few seats). read more

Buoy Shack - Cold lobster roll - Seafood Near Me - Kittery, Maine

Summary- Really good food and drinks in a charming location. Food- 4.5 stars Chicken tenders and fries- solid Lobster dip- meeeeeh not a lot of flavor/lobster. Felt like it was better/different last time we were here. Lobster rolls- excellent... we like buttered here more than their cold mayo one. Both are very good thou. Really good coleslaw... it matters!!! Drinks- 4 stars Decent beer menu and good punch and boozy lemonade. Service- 4 stars Friendly and generally pretty quick but can get overwhelmed when it's mobbed (kitchen can get slow too). Atmosphere- 4 stars Great location on water/next to cool vertical lift bridge with boats going by. Parking lot kinda in the seating which sucks a little. Value- 3 stars Ain't cheap but it's good! read more

Buoy Shack - Beer and Water and bridge - Seafood Near Me - Kittery, Maine

Met up with a college friend who was coming from Boston and we were on vacation in Maine. We sat outside on a beautiful day. Food was good, cocktails were delish, and our server was personable. Plus we got to see the bridge go up a few times. Would recommend! read more

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I am still thinking about this meal, weeks later! Lobster roll was exquisite, and house made chips were so good, I brought the leftovers with me. We also had a crab roll which was excellent. Wait staff was attentive and the vibe is so chill, it was so nice to just sit by the water on a beautiful day and eat here. There's an actual shack with buoys hanging all over it, and some gorgeous hydrangeas as well. Would definitely return! read more

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This is a great spot to sit outside, hang out and bring your furry friends! Popped in on a Sunday, got a picnic table and a bowl of water for my pooch. Staff is attentive & friendly. Tried the fish sammie, batter is light and wasn't oily. It is a nice lunch spot, I do wish they offered oysters. read more

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the view is amazing ! probably one of the best on the seacoast. Food was good! I liked that they have a large and small lobster roll. Plenty of outdoor seating by the water and up by the shack (and covered) but no true "inside seating". Parking was sparse but it's worth a little walk! read more

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Best lobster rolls in New England! The bread was crisp and buttery. I ordered a double portion of lobster. So, I probably could have skipped the oyster appetizer. But when the seafood is this fresh it's hard to pass up. Great ambience and atmosphere. We will definitely be back. read more

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Went back to the Buoy Shack. Had the fish and chips again and it was very good with perfectly cooked batter. Food was a 4/5 but what brings the score down is that all plates and cutlery is single-use paper/plastic. That is just unacceptable and I will not be returning before such waste stops. read more

Quick service. Nice chill place on the water, solid outdoor space. Reasonably priced. Food was pretty good. They did screw up my order which is why I wouldn't give them 5 stars. Would return and try something different. read more

Cute little lobster shack tucked under the drawbridge on Badger Island. There is an online wait list which is nice but it doesn't seem like it is well respected. There were several people who sat themselves and the staff didn't seem to mind that they skipped the line. The food was great though! There was a lot of lobster on the roll and in the dip. It was very fresh and tasty, just very pricey! read more

Fish & chips is what I ordered- fish was fantastic & breading is super lite yet good. Fries- ok at best. You can get your lobster rolls either with mayo or just butter. Service very good. Nice views. I would go back. read more

My favorite summer spot. Their margaritas are so fresh, the lobster roll is the best around, and the service is incredible! Not to mention the gorgeous views. I love the community vibe here, I almost always see someone I know. read more

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Lobster roll was on point. A ton of lobster served on perfectly toasted buttered breads. Coleslaw was delicious and draft beer was refreshing. We had an awesome server and the atmosphere was perfect for us and our two boys. Highly recommend. read more

This is my go to spot for lobster rolls near downtown Portsmouth when I visit. I also take all my coworkers here who never been when we visit. When the weather is great, sitting down in the grass tables is beautiful. You get to watch all the boats passing by and soak up the sun. They have a great beer and wine selection and good mixed drinks as well. Tip: ask the price of the market price for your Lobster so you aren't shocked at your bill. I have seen it a few times my coworkers order the big lobster roll and it's usually anywhere from 50-65 bucks for your roll for the larger one. So just ask before you buy. They don't put the market price on the menu. But the quality of the lobster here and any of their food is great. I will continue to come here and recommend it to others who are looking for that lobster fix while in town read more

Buoy Shack - Lobster roll (jumbo) - Seafood Near Me - Kittery, Maine

The Buoy Shack is right past the Bridge to the island from Portsmouth. It is fairly easy to walk the bridge if desired, with a slight bit of cool from the water below. We sat at the rail which was nice at 6pm. The lobster roll was small but delicious. Fresh homemade chips and fries were good. I did not care for the fish sandwich due to the spice unfortunately. Celery salt maybe? But it was real fish, not a rectangle. The roll was good. During the day, we went back and "sat inside," out of the sun. The oysters small but the same as at another restaurant. All of the staff were super friendly and nice. This is a casual outdoorsy place that we do recommend. read more

Small place with predominantly outside seating and limited parking. Many reviews compliment the river views however our table was behind a bush so we couldn't see much unless we stood. The servers were friendly and attentive. The menu was fairly limited and didn't have much in way of offerings. The lobster roll looked very good with nice chunks of lobster. Otherwise the food was very ordinary. Much better around the Portsmouth - Kittery area. read more

The lobster roll with butter was really great and the picnic tables by the water were a sweet way to enjoy the scenery. Only taking off a star because the 6oz lobster roll we ordered ended up being $55 each which was a huge sticker shock. Incredibly overpriced given that we have traveled all over New England and that was the most expensive price we've seen so far. I just ate a lobster roll today at a fine dining restaurant in Bar Harbor and it was only $35. However I will say the lobster roll at The Buoy was the best roll we've had so far but I wouldn't go back again given the hefty price tag. read more

Buoy Shack - Outside - Seafood Near Me - Kittery, Maine

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Wonderful food, beautiful views, and service that exceeded every expectation! We had the pleasure of stumbling across this hidden gem, and we're so glad we did. The staff was incredibly accommodating, even with our large dog. They seated us at the perfect table--right by the water, in the shade, with a gorgeous view. They brought out water for us, water bowl for the dog and our dog's "order" almost immediately, which was such a thoughtful touch. We both ordered the lobster rolls, and they were hands down the best we had on our entire East Coast trip. Everything about our visit was truly delightful. From the warm hospitality to the outstanding food and waterfront setting, The Buoy Shack made for a memorable experience. Wish we could give it more stars, as well deserved + we highly recommend it and will definitely return if we're in the area again! read more

Nice little place. Good view of the water. I was in New Hampshire and wanted to tick Maine off the visited list. Easy to find. Staff were friendly and the food was good. I'd go back. read more

Nice, local place, to grab a drink and have a great view! They have soups, salads and bar type food as well. read more

Buoy Shack - Seafood Near Me - Kittery, Maine

Our experience was 10/10. My child is celiac and i am Gluten Intolerant, so to find a good place where our family can eat together, it's rare. And even more rare, is to find a place that is GF and delicious! All my 4 kids (even the picky ones) loved the food. We ordered the lobster rolls, chicken tenders, clam chowder, and lobster dinner. Everything came out quick and tasted amazing. Server was great! Parking was hard, we had to wait a while before we could get a parking because spaces are limited. But other than that, our experience was amazing! Will definitely return! read more

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This is exactly what I was looking for! Best fish sandwich I've had in ages- might have fooled me, but I'd swear it was fresh and hand battered. Great view, very friendly staff. I dig this place. read more

The BEST lobster roll I have had in a long time. The roll was buttery and crisp yet soft. The Maine red hot dogs were bright red which were interesting and delicious. The staff was attentive and we got seated quickly right outside on the patio. It overlooked the river which was beautiful to watch the ships coming in. Pharmacist approved! read more

Buoy Shack - Lobster roll, Maine red hot dogs, side salad, fries - Seafood Near Me - Kittery, Maine

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We went to the Buoy Shack on a cool and rainy summer day. The inside seating area was nice and cozy with nice coverage from the elements and heat lamps to keep us warm. For nicer days there is a larger outside seating area with picnic tables and umbrellas. There is a nice selection of local beers and sodas to quench your thirst. I tried the crab roll which was generously sized and delicious. The homemade potato chips were crunchy and complimented the food well. The service was nice and quick, and we were not rushed while enjoying the meal. read more

Buoy Shack - Crab roll and potato chips - Seafood Near Me - Kittery, Maine

Great little place on the Portsmouth River front- excellent fish and chips and good lobster rolls- Service is fantastic and the women working there seem to be enjoying their work and taking care of customers. Will be back next summer read more

Stopped here on Memorial Day weekend on our way out of Maine. It was cool but had thankfully stopped raining. Too cold to sit outside and the spots with heaters were already packed but we squeezed in by the bar & ordered drinks & lobster rolls. There is nothing groundbreaking at the buoy shack and that is a great thing! Just plain delicious lobster on a soft roll. I don't care for the clam chowder, I find it under seasoned and just "okay". Service was fast and friendly. We will stop here whenever we have a chance. It's great!! read more

What a nice, relaxing stop for us! We were heading out of Dodge (Boston) and headed to Portland. We popped into Portsmouth for coffee but decided to head on over the bridge to have lunch at Buoy Shack. We were afraid we wouldn't find parking but thankfully, we found a (legal) spot and were able to park close by. It's noteworthy they have off-site parking a little ways north in case it ever gets super busy. We found a nice table for ourselves and were immediately greeted by the server. We ordered a beer and a diet Coke. For lunch, we went with a small order of the lobster roll, the crab roll and two red dogs. We also threw in a clam chowder. The crab roll was all that I imagined it to be and the lobster roll was nice and fresh - I opted for the cold version. Hubby thoroughly enjoyed his non-lobster hot dogs lol. It was relaxing and a nice, scenic time for us. Check it out! read more

Buoy Shack - L to R Crab roll, lobster roll (small), hot dogs - Seafood Near Me - Kittery, Maine

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Wanted to update my review now that this restaurant has had some time to mature. Happy to report that the service issues we previously had seem to be fixed. We had a wonderful waitress who had experience waiting tables. All of our food came promptly, was tasty and hot. As mentioned in my prior review and in many others, the location is great. Parking can be challenging. Don't overlook the onion dip and chips, really great! Glad this spot has found it's way! read more

Buoy Shack - The buoy shack - Seafood Near Me - Kittery, Maine

We sat outside and had the best time -- the view was perfect, and the fresh caught seafood was even better! I had my very first lobster roll here, and it was absolutely incredible. The fish and chips were just as delicious, perfectly crispy without being greasy. Such a great spot to relax, enjoy the ocean breeze, and have amazing seafood with excellent service. Highly recommend! read more

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Fun location and yummy food. We walked across the bridge from Portsmouth to eat here and watched an oil tanker go by as we ate. Unique experience read more

Buoy Shack - Seafood Near Me - Kittery, Maine

Took an impromptu trip to Kittery and saw this place listed. So glad we stopped in! Nick was terrific in greeting us and making sure we got seated. Our waitress ( sorry we didn't catch her name) was great as well! We had the lobster roll with coleslaw and the lobster grilled cheese with fries. Outstanding!!! The views were fantastic and a perfect place for lunch!! We'll be back!! read more

Food was ok, lobster dip was basically sour cream, no lobster. Definitely overpriced. We then paid our bill and were leaving when the bartender accused us of not paying our bill. So embarrassing. It was an error on their end. Probably won't recommend or return. read more

After a fantastic Fill the Hall event for www.gathernh.org, and a fantastic Pride Parade, my husband and I debriefed at the Buoy Shack on Badger's Island. Although the weather wasn't 100% on our side, look at the view! We weren't complaining. The salad and chicken was just right. Plenty, the chicken cooked really well and the seasoning was delicious. My husband's fish sandwich was delicious with flaky white fish, crisp on the outside and super moist inside. Note: I also had the clam chowder but it came out cold. With that said, it was so delicious (think a thinner chowder, not the wallpaper paste you sometimes get), that I ate it all in spite of the temp. There were bits of genuinely crisped bacon, small pieces of onion, the broth was light and the clams not overwhelming in size or taste. No shade cast to the staff. They were shorthanded, so I didn't want to make a fuss. And it truly was delicious....I didn't even tell my husband because I was too busy eating the chowder! Def check this little piece of paradise out. It's like being on vacation, even when you live 20 minutes away! read more

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We had a great experience trying this place while on vacation. The restaurant is right off the water so you have a view while you dine. The food was really good and reasonably priced. I tried the blueberry pop and it was really good! Its from a Maine company and we wanted to try it but I was afraid it might taste medical. Nope tasted like blueberry. The service was good. The food came out in a timely manner and the server was great. Also there was a super cute Irish Setter hanging around outside that was well behaved and didn't bother the customers or run out in front of the cars. If we visit Maine again, we will for sure go back. read more

Cannot beat the location and the service was excellent. Plenty of parking to sit, sip and enjoy delicious food while you watch the sunset on the Piscataqua river. I highly recommend the lobster roll and the onion dip was amazing with their homemade chips. read more

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Amazing lobster rolls! We also loved the Lobster Bisque and Fish & Chips. Such a beautiful location and relaxed vibe. read more

Buoy Shack - Lobster roll - Seafood Near Me - Kittery, Maine

We got take out. The lobster rolls and French fries were delicious. The lobster rolls were easy to eat and didn't fall apart. I liked the butter on my bread but it was a little burnt and I was hoping for a little more lobster. The fried fish was giant, moist, and perfectly cooked. The chips and coleslaw were just okay. The salads were good, but they were the only option for vegetarians. read more

Perfect place to enjoy a lobster roll. Sunny day, ocean nearby, dog at our feet, friendly waitress. read more

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