We were staying in South Thomasston for a month and this place was recommended by the owner of the VRBO for lunch. I would say that was a miss...I wouldn't go out of my way for lunch here but at least the wait wasn't like that of the Scratch Kitchen down the street. I'm giving them four stars because it was clear they were hustlers, short staffed, and trying their guts out to satisfy stupid questions by entitled baby boomers that wondered in and I felt for them. Food was basic and taste was decent, but pricey for the digs and felt they should've had on their website that it was cash only so we could be better prepared. So yes, the rating is based on empathy and not experience. read more

Love the food. The fish is always fresh and delicious. The service is pleasant and attentive and the prices are fair.

This local spot is clean, friendly and makes you feel at home. The food was wonderful and you could tell it was made with love. We will be coming back for sure. Wonderful service as well. Everyone's so friendly and we had zero issues bringing out autistic teenager in there. He was welcomed just like everyone else read more

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It's a diner style restaurant in downtown Rockland, nothing fancy but has a homey feel to it. We came in for late lunch and service was good. I had the clam chowder bowl, unfortunately, this was not good at all. Didn't taste the clam broth, it was bland, loaded with potatoes. However, BF's seafood chowder was excellent. He enjoyed his Black Russian sandwich and I had the seafood lasagna, really tasty but super rich. I only ate a quarter of the dish and had to take it home. Menu has some good options and pricing is quite fair compared to other restaurants in Maine that can be really expensive. Will I come back? Maybe in the winter when other places are closed for the season. read more

Old time historic cafe with delicious fish cakes, chowder and an upscale salmon grain bowl. Great service. Relaxed vibe.

We ate here on an evening where many towns, including Camden, where we were staying, lost power during the rain storm on 9/16/23. Our hotel suggested we go to Rockland where they still had power, so we decided to swing by Rockland Cafe as they weren't too incredibly busy. My friend ordered a seafood chowder and salad while I had the fried whole clam basket. Food was OK -- we've both had better chowder and fried clams. But service was lackluster and inattentive. We had to call for service as well as our check in the end. No one ever came by asking if all was OK. They simply took your order and dropped off your food and that was it. What was very disturbing was watching our server, an older female brunette, eat in the kitchen and LICKING HER HANDS during her shift within view of her customers. She had her back to us, but we could see what was going on the kitchen. This is UNPROFESSIONAL. How about you take a break from your shift and then eat?? On top of this, she did NOT wash her hands afterwards but instead proceeded to touch plates of food and bring these said plates to her customers. Yuck!! We also witnessed the chef scratch his head while handling food. He too, did not wash his hands. And there was an older female blond server who wore her hair down. We think whenever you deal with food, hair should be tied up and kept back somehow so that hair does not get in people's food. The menu is nothing special -- pretty run of the mill offering a little of everything to try and satiate all palates. You can find most seafood plates offered here at all the restaurants in town and beyond in Midcoast Maine. Definitely consider sanitation and cleanliness before you dine here. The staff does not seem to take this seriously. read more

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Happened upon this by mistake visiting the area for the day. Staff were friendly and considerate. The best burger I have had anywhere and I am always a sucker for homemade fries. read more

Well 3 stars was a tough one to give, mostly because I liked the place! I liked the service, the layout and the establishment itself was clean. I only tried the crab stuffed haddock. It came with a potato and green option. I got fries and a garden salad. The fries are delish. Hot and fluffy inside. The salad was your basic side salad with onion, peppers, tomato and cucumber. The haddock, sadly, was over cooked and the edges dried. The stuffing was bland and very wet. I would've liked it to of had more depth .... Maybe a hint of garlic, parm cheese, parsley and a splash of sherry with more cracker base (ritz? Or a buttery cracker crunched up). This may sound weird but the ketchup and tarter sauce were great! I'm finding more places lacking in the condiment department these days. Anyhoo... the queer o meter was a solid 10. Our server couldn't of been nicer. I sooooo want to give this place more stars but I can't. I have a feeling their fried food seafood is much better. This place struck me as more of a comfort food establishment. Unfortunate we live in the morning and so I'm unable to try it again. I will post a follow up if I can ever make it back to try. Thank you for a pleasant dinner time for our last night in town! Cheers. read more

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Seafood chowder was so over done like it sat on the stove all day. The flavor was ok but all the seafood was so over done like cat food. I could not identify what each one was. I would NOT get it again. My husband said his sandwich was ok. The Blueberry pie was good she said it was homemade but did not taste homemade. The peanut butter pie was good but he knew that was not homemade but was pleased with it. I always try a place atleast 2 times so I'll try them again to see if it was just that dish. Atleast I didn't get sick. read more

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A real gem. It has a homey feel and the staff are attentive and friendly. We ordered seafood chowder, a lobster roll (comes with fries and coleslaw), and a fish cake which comes with choice of seafood chowder or clam chowder. The seafood chowder was delicious and hearty. They don't skimp on the ingredients. All else was excellent - the lobster roll was on very tasty bread, sandwich style. The clam chowder was good but has lots of potatoes and not many clams. Overall, a fantastic place that we would love to return to. read more

Rockland Cafe - Seafood Near Me - Rockland, Maine

We were not disappointed in the food or service at the well-rated Rockland Cafe on Main St in quaint Rockland. My party enjoyed fried clams, seafood chowder, haddock wraps, haddock Reuben and grilled salmon sandwich. All were cooked perfectly and delicious! Darlene was efficient and helpful with my questions. read more

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A comfortable, nostalgic restaurant experience. Food is very good, prices are reasonable, and the service is nonchalant.

Went to Rockland today to visit the Farnsworth Museum (always a wonderful experience). After the museum we selected the Rockland Cafe for lunch. Construction impedes Main Street but we found a parking spot around the corner on Oak. One of the reasons for picking this Cafe was their online menu showing various chowders. Well, imagine our disappointment when the posted menu doesn't match the online information. We were really geared up for chowder - bummer. The Reuben and Roast Beef sandwiches were very tasty just not what we had our taste buds set for. The overly LOUD music was annoying. read more

I ordered a burger to go. I took one bite and knew the beef was bad. I didn't eat any more but still got sick. 0 out of 5

Locals place, good food and reasonably priced. We seemed to be one of two families eating that were not local which is always a good sign. Had the fish and chip basket, was very good. Service was great as well. read more

Rockland Cafe - Menu - Seafood Near Me - Rockland, Maine

My wife and I had the seafood chowder for dinner and shared a strawberry shortcake dessert. We agreed it was the best chowder we've ever had. The dessert was very good too! read more

Wowsa. Don't walk by this cash-only cafe. You will miss the best meal of your life. We stopped in on a Thursday, and each of our lunches was exceptional. Daughter #1 had their award-winning Seafood Chowder, and it was buttery and delightful and full of seafood. Daughter #2 opted for chicken nuggets and fries and claimed them yummy. And on point. Husband opted for the pulled pork bbq sandwich and enjoyed it. I had a wonderful haddock BLT. It was truly a perfect BLT. We all had French fries, which were perfectly cooked and seasoned. This was a great meal in a simple storefront. Don't walk by!! read more

Rockland Cafe - Front entrance. - Seafood Near Me - Rockland, Maine

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We were part of a film festival so the crowd was probably much dense than usual. Had the famous seafood chowder that I thought was kind of dry actually. But the place was a respite from the rain and cold and the hilarious lobster poster made up for half of it. read more

Stayed in Rockland for a few days and I really wanted lobster. Do NOT order the lobster roll. I've had them before and saw them at other places since with lobster overflowing from the long roll. This was finely chopped lobster (I hope) smothered in mayo on a hamburger bun. My husbands fish and chips looked good, and it was plentiful. Mine was just so disappointing...definitely not the experience I wanted for our first Maine meal. Of course, the roll was market price, and the waitress kept upping the price like Diane Keaton in Baby Boom selling her baby food in the Vermont gift shop. I could have gotten a whole lobster for the same $31.99 price. I know...my fault. I really liked the pictures and Lobster Festival posters on the wall. I'd go back...I'd just order something with a photo on the menu. read more

Rockland Cafe - Inside with Lobster Festival posters - Seafood Near Me - Rockland, Maine

What a find for lunch! I had the Spicy Breakfast Sandwich on sour dough. Fantastic. Hand crafted and delicious.

Really great and friendly staff and a really cozy bar to sit at for lunch when the restaurant is crowded. I was able to talk with those around me and look at all of the memorabilia. Really an incredible place really great food. Try the Montecristo! read more

I understand we're all adjusting to the new normal but unfortunately I was very disappointed in the restaurant's lack of care to their customers regarding covid precautions. Our waitress and all of the cooks were wearing their face masks as chin straps. I was incredibly uncomfortable the entire time we were in the restaurant. At one point, the waitress finally put her mask on and then proceeded to serve my husband by leaning and reaching over me putting zero space between us. It doesn't matter how the food tasted, we wouldn't return due to this careless behavior. The food was ok. Pancakes were good and are plate size. The home fries are slightly mushy and the sausage wasn't flavorful. read more

Rockland Cafe - Seafood Near Me - Rockland, Maine

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Very satisfying lunch. Rockland Cafe is an old-school diner. Their seafood chowder is heavily promoted and for good reason. It was really good. Rich, packed with goodies, and very flavorful. Their fried seafood platter was very satisfying, with nice flaky pieces of fish, juicy scallops, and much. The fries were surprisingly good too. Next time I'll try the very tempting fish cakes. read more

Service was fine but the food, not fine. Clam chowder was gritty (like undissolved potatoes) and tasted like vinegar. The fish and chips were tiny pieces of fish covered with too much bland coating. Not a good experience. read more

Will go back for the seafood chowder. It's literally one of the best things I've ever had. It's a huge serving, a meal in and of itself.

I struggled with this review because the place was clean the portion of food was good the service was a little slow but it is as 11:00 on a weekday so possibly the lunch crowd was there. The crab salad was good but not great I was hoping for a stronger crab flavor. Nice smaller place near the end of town. I would come back if it was closer to home. read more

Rockland Cafe - Seafood Near Me - Rockland, Maine

We stumbled onto this diner while hungry but not quite ready to go back to our ship. Thank goodness we did because the food was delicious. It's one of those places you would find on Triple D with Guy Fieri.....kind of a diner/dive. But oh that crabmeat roll was delicious with fresh crab and bigger and more filling than you would first think...perfect to share with someone. We also tried the seafood chowder which was loaded with fresh seafood in a mostly tomato base but with a tiny amount of cream. Much less rich than the lobster bisque so a perfect choice per our server's recommendation. This isn't fancy food but it's fresh seafood and the locals are dining here too. Would definitely return if in the area. read more

Our second trip and if I lived nearby I would come a lot. The seafood chowder is awesome and the fish cakes divine. Great service and they were nice to us tourists. It's not often that you find locals and tourists together. We love the no frills, just great food, and the homey decorations of painted lobster claws. Especially enjoyed were the wooden menu holders cut out and painted like different fishing boats. read more

Quaint little cafe with Maine charm. Reasonably priced meals including lobster dinner, homemade seafood chowder, varied seafood baskets, steak and egg, etc. Food is tasty and well prepared. Portions are generous for the price. Staff is friendly and professional read more

Rockland Cafe - Dining area - Seafood Near Me - Rockland, Maine

If I could give this place 6 stars I would. Great atmosphere. Great prices. Incredibly fast service. Delicious food. Attentive server. I will be back for sure. He said it was the best Reuben he's ever had. The fish and chips were delectable. They were the pollock ones! read more

Rockland Cafe - Fish and chips (pollock) and Reuben - Seafood Near Me - Rockland, Maine

Horrible food. Worst in Maine. Won't be back. The service was also bad. Avod this place

Good food & counter service. Love that they have vegan options for food & milk substitutes for the coffee drinks.

My sister and I have eaten there half a dozen times, but the last 3 experiences we had last night & today will assure we never will again. Several weeks ago, we went there for our usual lobster Sunday brunch. The first few times I had lobster it was perfect. Then, the 4th time, it was tough, rubbery, and tasteless; the green substance inside was black, indicating it had been cooked before (as if the taste wasn't confirmation enough). When I pointed this out to the server, I was told, "Oh, that's too bad" & she went about her merry way. Last night, my 16-yr-old went out for dinner w/her best friends' big brothers, who were home from college, & cane home drunk. This detail will become relevant in a moment. I was so upset about this, my sister drove down to take me out for a brunch. Afterward, we went to your cafe for a cocktail. The server was nice, but it was impossible to find her when we needed her. She took our order for cocktails, brought them, then disappeared. My sister actually had to hunt her down (the cafe had 5 empty tables, so it wasn't that busy.) Then my sister was informed, "You'll have to order food if you want cocktails," erroneously informing her, "It's state law". First of all, my sister and I go for cocktails on Sundays at least twice a month. We prefer restaurants and cafes to pubs and taverns. Never once has anyone claimed we couldn't order cocktails if we didn't order food. Not to mention, if that was restaurant policy, why did she not mention it when we got our first drinks? My sister and I never before had a tab of less than $100, & she's a monster tipper---35/40% each and every time, even the time I got the previously cooked lobster that wasn't replaced, that I couldn't eat, & wasn't taken off the tab. When I came home today, I was speaking to a friend about our bad experience, when my youngest told me, "That's where I got served. I didn't even order it--they just brought me the same drink my friends' brothers were drinking." Needless to say, we will never be back, and will tell the story of our horrific experiences often, especially to friends & family who come in for the summer. read more

The staff was sweet and super nor'eastern... But the food was NOT. I would come here for the vibe, the convos, and possibly the breakfast/pie... And even then you might find better breakfast elsewhere. We WANTED to love it... We did!!! But.... Just no. read more

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Ambiance was not great, stuffy. Service was alright. Clam chowder was bad, literally uncooked potato cubes in unseasoned cream with whole clams. The baked potato was good though, but yeah just a baked potato. read more

Bad experience of horrible service. The huge menu and tiny kitchen makes me think of a lot of frozen or prepackaged meals.

Rainy, cold, and dull ambiance as well as service. They refused our order when I am pregnant and only wanted pie and to go. Rudest people. Traveling and nothing else was opened. Don't recommend. Also, I'm in the hospitality industry...and they have "HELP WANTED" signs. Best of luck when you meet people at the door saying were not serving you-with no smile, or apology. You'll never find people to work in a place like the weather outside even if the food is decent. read more

Tonight these folks went above and beyond staying open on a Sunday night for all the stragglers that didn't leave town once the Lobster Festival was over. The food and service were both good despite being well past normal closing hour of 8:00 pm on Sunday night. The seafood chowder was excellent followed by a shared basket of fried scallops (yum) and another of whole clams, also very good. The French fries were made from those slightly sweet Idaho potatoes that not many places use anymore. Special shout out to our server Shalla who could not have been nicer. The chocolate chip cookies are awesome too. Would definitely stop in again thank you Rockland Cafe for saving us from having to eat at McDonald's our last night in Maine! read more

Nice little place in downtown Rockland. Was busy when we were there at 11am. Starbucks has nothing on this place. Seating is limited. They serve food and there were a lot of people ordering it and it looked good, but we were there for the coffee and a very good lemon muffin. read more

Dinky hole in the wall with absolutely no privacy at tables. If someone coughs in here everybody is going to get sick . Make sure you have your Tetris shots up to date !! Incredibly slow service as well read more