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

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

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

See all

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

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

See all

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

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

See all

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

See all

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

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

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

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

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

See all

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

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

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

See all

Lobster roll with the "rare" gf vegan bun. My husband loved the lightly breaded fish and chips. The service was top notch and the cocktails were yummy (and my husband's beer). Definitely worth the stop on our way to Boston before catching our flight home tomorrow. read more

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

See all

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

Love love love this cute kitschy delicious restaurant!! I'm so glad we made a special stop on our road trip through. The lobster roll was amazing & my kids had the Maine red hot hotdogs and raved about them. Such an incredible view while enjoying our lunch at the picnic tables. Definitely a place I will recommend over and over! read more

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

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

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

See all

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

See all

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

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

See all

Shut the front door, the back door and your mama's car door - HANDS DOWN the best fish n chips I've ever had as a world traveler. Stop looking for your typical, bland, boring beer battered fish n chips and have a seat in the fall sun to experience a savory, perfectly cooked Haddock breaded in the most flavorful, harmonious blend of seasonings and light breading you'll ever have. The crunch is perfection! Not a soggy sock in sight. Crisp, light, delicious. Tartar sauce is house made, herby and wonderfully tangy. I'm not even a coleslaw fan and the cup certainly does not runneth over. So good! Cannot wait to come back. read more

First lobster roll in Maine. Was delicious and fresh. We had the lemon mayo and butter both on the side to try both ways to see which we liked most. It ended up being the butter. So we can enjoy the lobster meat on its self. Fries were crisp and delicious. Service was excellent and we enjoyed sitting by the water. Things look so different here compared to the city of Tampa we just moved from. The menu is simple -and I love that they use haddock for their fish and chips. Probably the best fish and chips I've had in a long time. Some seating on the patio and mainly outdoors. It was a perfect day to try some fresh made seafood and great location on the water for some awesome views read more

See all

Food is amazing and fresh! We came in at 5:20pm and there were several people finishing their meals and we got seated but had to wait awhile before getting our order in. We had the crab roll, clam chowder and fish and chips. So tasty! Great views! read more

See all

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

Cool little place with a smooth operation. Set up to satisfy. The food offerings were hard to pick from - sounded all too delicious. When we ordered, the food was up quick and cooked to perfection. We chose the Lobster BLT and the Lobster Grilled Cheese. My Grilled Cheese would have been extraordinary even without the lobster! Buttery and crispynsourdough bread encased nice melty cheese - and loads of lobster! Sorry we missed picking the fries. Keep up the good work, Ladies! ps - sweetest red setter greeted us. read more

See all

Stopped for mid- afternoon chowder with a view. Seating inside for 10 at most, deck and picnic tables outside. Both the clam chowder and the lobster bisque were fine. Bisque was a bit thin but had a slight sherry flavor and plenty of finely chopped lobster. The clam chowder was Smokey flavored, with large chunks of potato. Service was friendly and parking ample. read more

Food was very good, batter for chicken and onion rings was light and nice taste My wife had lobster roll and was excellent The only good draw back was clam chowder, different taste than I'm used too and I've had better Service not a complaint on top of everything The indoor seating was a small area and it was cold foggy and raw so it was difficult to gauge but plenty of seating outside. Definitely would make a return trip but I'll wait for good weather, looks like alot of waterway sights to take in. read more

Best Lobster Roll in Maine! Great service and friendly people, fantastic view! Can't wait to come back.

Great atmosphere in summer. Sitting along the river, great food and cocktails. Loved it.

This was the perfect spot to the start of my wife and my route 1 trip through Maine! A beautiful location worth stopping at for pictures. A beautifully small space with a good looking menu and lots of beer and other drinking options. Will for sure return in the future for a more in depth visit. But we stopped in and split their Lobster Empanadas! Only $15 for an order of three and they came out hot with a delicious sauce. I do wish they had a little more lobster per empanada but what we got was delicious and quite cheap for something lobster related on the coast. Staff was friendly and ready to answer any questions. You can even see and take pictures of the buoy shack that their name originates from! Lots of outdoor seating to enjoy the view while eating your food! read more

Very cute establishment, it's the size of a trailer, perhaps smaller. There is plenty of outdoor seating in the warmer weather but only 5 or 6 tables inside. The beer selection is great and they have a decent cocktail list. The food is ordinary. My lobster roll was delicious but nothing about it stood out. The bisque was watery and totally meh, I wouldn't order this again. The beignets had microscopic traces of lobster and were sour tasting. I'd come back just to sit outside and have a beer, nothing else. Service was fine and bathroom was clean read more

See all