Food was excellent, service was excellent and the ambience was right on the water, so perfect. We had one jumbo lobster, one pound and a quarter lobster, a dozen steamed clams, two corn cobs, one jumbo lobster roll, one cheeseburger. All was done perfectly. The owner even stopped by and had a chat and she was great. Can't say enough about it was a very good time with good food. read more

Located about a mile and a half from Bass Harbor Lighthouse, the location has ample seating options to be either inside, outside, or in a screened in porch. Parking is tight and the approach into the restaurant is single lane, 10MPH. I decided to try (it) based on the recommendation of author James Kaiser, who published an outstanding guide book about Acadia's attractions, and listed Thurston's on his list of eateries in the area to try. Plenty of other options including burgers and BLT Chicken. While Whoopie Pies are also available for dessert, our lobster already came with a moist blueberry loaf cake which was surprisingly good. Staff were very good; place is kid and pet friendly so what more could you ask for. Again, scenery is about a 10/10. read more

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If you're visiting Bar Harbor you have probably seen brochures for Thurston's around town like we did. after looking at reviews and the menu online we visited on a Saturday for an early dinner/late lunch. There was a long line at the door to order but the line moved fairly quickly. After ordering you seat yourself and your food is brought to the table. We sat in the bar area which was very nice. It seemed like all menu items except for lobsters could be ordered from the bar directly so if you are not planning to order a lobster this could help you skip the long line. We had one lobster dinner and one sandwich with a blueberry cider and strawberry rhubarb margarita. The food was great and service was friendly. Prices seem standard for the area. read more

Thurston's Lobster Pound - Outside - Seafood Near Me - Bernard, Maine

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We had a lobster dinner, lobster roll, and steamers! The steamers came with corn, a roll, and blueberry cake. The steamers were delicious. The lobster roll was fresh with a lot of meat. The lobster was a soft shell, so it was easy to crack open. We sat by the water at first but there were so many mosquitos so we moved inside. Love eating lobster in Maine! read more

Thurston's Lobster Pound - Blueberry cider - Seafood Near Me - Bernard, Maine

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Talk about fresh! Thurston's Lobster Pound is a great way to enjoy fresh-caught Maine lobsters. Talk about delicious! They weigh the lobsters right before your eyes when you order, then prepare them to your liking. We loved the outdoor seating on the deck overlooking the bay. The lobster was so delectable and the crab cakes came with chipotle aioli sauce to add that special touch of flavor. We ordered grilled cheese for the kids and we liked the family-friendly atmosphere that was kid-friendly and a place for the whole family to enjoy a night out. The servers and staff were attentive to our needs and helped us navigate ordering for the first time, as well as finding a table in the shade, getting table service and waters, as well as directing us to the very clean restrooms and bar for drinks. This was a great family dinner night out and we all truly had a great time at this restaurant. The food, atmosphere and service were top-notch and we look forward to doing it again soon! read more

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This place was almost immediately busy when they opened at noon. We arrived at 12:15 and many tables in the main eating area and bar area were already filled. They were very friendly and personable and ready to answer questions. This was a very pleasant experienceand the, the ambiance is typical lobster pound dining. It was also enclosed, high top tables that day four or more people and there were lots of families. The food was cooked perfectly, the Lobster was chosen from a tank right in front of us, weighed and then taken off to cook. They have is a number and delivered out food to our tables. Most things on the menu are ala carte, so you end up spending some cash if you order lobster, salad, cole slaw and a drink. But the experience is so nice... read more

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We love Thurston's!!! A Maine establishment. A dinner is always a win. Fresh lobster and quick service-- once you wait in line... it can be a while. read more

Thurston's Lobster Pound - Jumbo lobster - Seafood Near Me - Bernard, Maine

Really enjoyed our experience at Thurston's! It was nice to find a vegetarian option (black bean burger) and multiple vegetarian sides. My boyfriend enjoyed his mussels and haddock chowder. And we absolutely loved the strawberry rhubarb crisp with ice cream. Service was fast and friendly, and the view over the water was so lovely for dinner. read more

Thurston's Lobster Pound - Strawberry rhubarb crisp and Whoopi's pie - Seafood Near Me - Bernard, Maine

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Took a drive to go see Bass Harbor lighthouse and decided to eat here. It's a neat place, has a good vibe. It just wasn't my favorite here in Maine. We had an assortment of lobster, lobster dip, mussels, cheeseburger. It was all OK, nothing knocked my socks off. There's not a ton in the immediate area to pick from, so it's worth checking out once. Everyone was friendly and there are copious opportunities for photo ops outside. read more

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Giving four stars because my husband loved this place. I'm a vegetarian so all the seafood along the US coast is a little bit more than to take sometimes. I have suffered through a number of lobster pots in this area. At least they all seem to offer a black bean veggie burger now, big change from 10 years ago for sure. We went to a few of the other lobster places, but this one was best quality, best prices, and also the nicest, cleanest setting. Right on the water but there's basically nothing else around at all. Scenic marina/boat dock. Please note that it is closed on Sundays and Mondays. It's a little out of the way. The Explorer bus shuttle will drop you there and pick you up. Black bean veggie burger is sort of deep-fried but tasty. Corn on the cob was good. read more

I absolutely love it here. I am not local but got this pound as a recommendation. We ate here twice during our stay. Our favorites were the fresh steamed lobster, lobster roll, & hot lobster dip. Amazing! Staff was kind, friendly, and helpful with ordering suggestions! read more

I might be biased but to me this is the "g.o.a.t." of lobster pounds. I've been coming to Thurston's for a long time. I've tried a lot of "pounds" and this is still my favorite. This is a great working harbor and you're surrounded by the boats that are catching your food. This place packs up during the evenings so plan accordingly or be prepared to wait. Parking stinks and sometimes there's just no where to put your car. There's no reservations - you just hop in the line upon arrival. Feel free to meet your line neighbors -- some great conversations have happened in that line. All that said I don't think I've ever waited more than 20 minutes. If you're ordering lobster your meal is typically by the weight. I personally like them small - I think it tastes sweeter. You can add on the usuals (e.g. bread, corn, cole slaw, cake) or mussels, clams, oysters, etc. The key here is the blueberry cake - the greatest use of blueberry's next to blueberry pie =). We typically order 2 cakes, or more, for breakfast the next day. Most of the seats, on the various levels of the restaurant, have a good view of the harbor. This is a traditional lobster pound on a dock of the harbor. Maybe it's the bright yellow awning, or the blueberry cake, - I dunno - but this is the way! read more

Thurston's Lobster Pound - Seafood Near Me - Bernard, Maine

Nice Whole Lobstah selection and great sides and stews/chowders. Good selection of Local Maine beers(IPA's and blueberry) and blueberry desserts and Ice Cream. Not just a Fabulous lobster pound. Great view of a working lobster pier with boats and lobster traps from the day's catch. read more

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Thurston's Lobster Pound was hands down our favorite stop on our Acadia trip. Located on the quieter side of the park, it offers amazing food and a far better ambience than the busier tourist spots. We sat right on the dock and ordered live lobster, which is cooked fresh on site. Be prepared to wait a bit, but it is absolutely worth it. The lobster was the best we had the entire trip, enjoyed with ocean views and a beautiful sunset. One tip: get the blueberry pie if they aren't sold out. We ordered a few to share and immediately regretted not getting our own because it was that good. By the time we realized, they were already sold out for the night. read more

Thurston's Lobster Pound - Lobster - Seafood Near Me - Bernard, Maine

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Hmmm. Not sure about the hype for this one. We drove from Bar harbor to experience... I don't think we would come again. The food was good, especially the crab meat roll, but there was something off about the service. A group was treated poorly for putting two tables together to accommodate their 8 people. It was odd. I got the feeling if they looked different they would have been treated better... read more

For sure off the beaten path, but well worth it for the views and the lobster. We got a steamed lobster which was great and the haddock chowder. The chowder had great flavor and good chunks of haddock, but I wish it had other chunks of common chowder ingredients, as that was pretty minimal. Lots of viewing decks and opportunities to go on the dock. Wait staff was super nice and all things considered, the food came out pretty quick! read more

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We didn't want to leave Maine without the full lobster experience and Thurston's came with rave reviews. It was dark and pouring rain so no views beyond the tent that was keeping us warm and dry. You order at the counter where they chose a live lobster for you based on your preferred size. Felt a little sorry for the live lobsters desperately trying to escape to no avail. We got the plain dinner which included corn on the cob, slaw, a roll, and a HUGE piece of blueberry cake. Our meals were delivered boiling hot. Gotta wait before cracking into the seafood. Being our first time eating lobster this way, we did pretty good. The food was delicious. Boy, it's a lot of work for not a ton of meat but it was fun to have the total experience. I'd totally do it again. read more

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Absolutely amazing experience at Thurston's Lobster Pound! Visited while staying in Southwest Harbor and had such a blast during our dinner. Upon arrival on a Thursday evening, we waited in line (this spot is evidently beloved by the community), but things moved quickly. You order at a counter (where you can see the fresh lobster that they select for you as you place your order), and they hand you a table number and send drink orders to the bar for pickup. There are multiple seating areas, all with great views of the harbor and cozy ambiance! You can see patrons dock their boats and enter from the docks surrounding the restaurant, and you can see the lobster boats working in the harbor as well. They boil seafood to order, so everything is fresh and pretty quick! We enjoyed steamed clams and mussels, as well as the traditional lobster dinner for both of us. The lobster was SO tasty, and the corn was fantastic. They have a helpful handout that shows you how to eat a whole lobster if you need help! Great coleslaw and blueberry cake as well! The blueberry cake is like a coffee cake, with some cinnamon sugar on the top and an allspice/nutmeg-forward cake flavor. We also tried the blueberry crisp with blueberry ice cream, which was SO good! We loved the experience, and the service was so friendly and warm. We also enjoyed chatting with other patrons and enjoying the company of those around us. What a truly special place! read more

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Beyond excellent! We traveled from Bar Harbor through the countryside. It was an experience just to get there and see the whole operation! The lobster tanks were filled with daily caught lobsters. You pick out of a tank which one of the 60-70 lobsters you want and they cook it. The flavor was incredible! The sides were also good and more than we could eat!! DONT MISS THIS ONE, I know there is a hundred choices but this one is one you don't want to miss!! All servers and hostess people were extremely helpful and happy, smiles go a long way! The restaurant is very coastal in nature , makes you feel like the boat just left?! read more

I almost died I had such a good time. Beer? Check. Quick service? Check. Outdoor seating close to the bar? Check. We ordered lobster 3 ways, and were impressed that the order didn't break the bank. Absolutely phenomenal overall, would certainly recommend to a friend and we would love to come back! For a lobster pound experience while visiting, this is an easy choice above the rest. read more

Thurston's Lobster Pound - Lobster, lobster dip, jumbo roll - Seafood Near Me - Bernard, Maine

Surprising fast llne. First time back in 6 years and thee are remarked changes. It is less rustic but so much cleaner and well organized. I do miss the lobster cages filled with lobsters out front. Service is fast and efficient. We came out here for birdwatching and did see a few black guillemots and added plus. The read more

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Full disclosure - I'm not a very experienced lobster eater, so take this review as you will. My husband and I choose Thurston's for the view, which was absolutely worth the drive and is totally a 10/10. It was a beautiful day. We sat on the deck, sipped our booze and enjoyed the various boats docked in the water. IMO, the lobster roll was just okay. It was barely tossed in mayo, but I'm not sure if that's how it should be? The description does say "lightly tossed in mayo", but I swear that was hardly any. The meat was sweet, however it was more fishy than the few other lobster rolls I'd eaten. I wished I'd just ordered the boiled whole lobster. That way I'd know it was fresh. A couple beside us had one each and they looked damn tasty. However, my husband thoroughly enjoyed his grilled crab and cheese. I agree, it was delicious! Here's where it really took a dive. To end the meal, I decided to enjoy a margarita. It was terrible. I don't think there was an ounce of tequila in the drink. I paid $9.00 for a tiny ass cup, +$3.00 tip. The bartender was definitely ready for the tourist season to be over. He did remake my drink without charge upon my request, but not without rolling his eyes and making it obvious he was annoyed. With so many places on Maine's coastline for outstanding food, it's hard to say if I'll risk returning to Thurston's. But I would like to give them a second fhanxeIf you go here, go for the views. I'd recommend trying something else besides the lobster rolls. For your sake, I do hope your bartender makes your drink right the first time. Maybe a 50% tip will do the trick. :( read more

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I was super excited to finally eat a Maine lobster roll but was kind of let down. The service was pretty slow even though there weren't that many people there when I went (it took standing in line about 10-12 minutes until I got to order and there were only three people ahead of me), which would've been fine if the lobster roll was amazing, but it wasn't sadly, just average. There was a decent amount of lobster, but there wasn't any seasoning on it at all and the roll was dry and should have been buttered more. The pickle that came with it was tiny (like a 1/3 size of a normal pickle), and I had to eat the lobster roll with the chips that came with it to get some flavor. The view and area though are beautiful, I just really wished at the end of the day that I saved my $31 to eat a lobster roll at Hodgdon's down the street instead. read more

Thurston's Lobster Pound - Lobster roll - Seafood Near Me - Bernard, Maine

I loved the ambiance, the staff, the locals, and the food! We stopped in for a beverage and a view then came back for dinner because we enjoyed it so much. The lobster dip was great. The jumbo lobster roll was a lot of lobster and without the mess of the whole lobster option. The blueberry crisp was the perfect end to our meal. They have a good beer list and some fun cocktail offerings. Tip: You can order everything from the bar except for the whole lobster options. So if you don't want whole lobster or to stand in line, find a seat and order at the bar. They had a lot of covered seating and a half dozen tables outside. It wasn't too crowded on a Saturday night. The parking started to get full around 5 and when we went back later for dinner, it was the same. They said the line may get long but that it moves quickly. The tables would fill up but there never seemed to be folks waiting for a table. Go! Enjoy! read more

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Most excellent meal here a wow what a view. You must check this place out. Parking lot looks large but it fills up, so allow time to find a spot. Having no waitress service is fine- you order at front counter and they'll deliver to your table that you've found. We arrived an hour before closing on a weekend night and had no prob with parking, seating or food coming out timely. And it's dog friendly for outdoor seating. read more

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The food was so delicious! Everyone was so kind, food was quick and the lobster was absolutely perfect! Service was excellent and the bartender was so polite. read more

Thurston's Lobster Pound - Lobster roll extravaganza! Jumbo and regular - Seafood Near Me - Bernard, Maine

This was the best vibe among the lobster dinners I had on Mount Desert. Seating was practically over the water but we were still warm and dry despite the downpour occurring outside and the whole place was surrounded by piles of lobster traps. They had tanks of lobsters separated by size and pulled out for weighing right in front of us while we ordered. This was our first lobster dinner of the trip so the instructions for how to eat on the trays was super helpful. The lobster itself was delicious along with most of the sides. The corn seemed kind of old, not very crunchy or bright yellow. It was also slightly more expensive than most of the other places we saw. Overall it was a great stop and highly recommended if you're on that side of the island. read more

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Hands down the best lobster pound on the island. We make an effort to come here at least twice every trip. The last trip our oldest has gotten into eating lobsters and can now take them apart himself! The staff is very friendly and helpful in selection. Would highly recommend this to all our friends! read more

Last year visited on a beautiful day and looked forward to bringing our family back this year We had done a lot of hype - unfortunately we had a foggy cool day but heck the food is supposed to be amazing. We enjoy lobster a lot so we were looking forward to trying some of the other menu items. Crab cake sandwich, lobster BLT, Haddock chowder and lobster stew. The chowder and stew had generous portions of haddock/ lobster. The crab cakes and BLT sandwich were just OK. I guess the real draw here is the view and those that get a boiled lobster dinner Parking is tight and place gets busy so plan accordingly. Staff is very friendly. read more

Thurston's Lobster Pound - Crab cake sandwich - Seafood Near Me - Bernard, Maine

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Awesome time. This place is a great spot and even better food. The blueberry loaf that comes out with the meal is great. Had a 3lbs lobster my last night. Out of this world. read more

Atmosphere was super. The lobster fell out of the shell almost. Delicious and simple. So fun to be on the water! Thank you!

Perhaps my mistake was ordering steamed clams and not lobster. Either way, the clams were still full of sand and that was horrible. Lobster dip was good and the haddock chowder was average at best. Great location and a nice view. I will try again and order lobster or a roll next time. read more

Sometimes you have a place you go that you love so much, you don't want to tell anyone else about it. You want to keep it your little secret. Well, that's how I feel about this place, but the thing is - it's not a secret. Everyone knows about it, so why not take a moment and add why I love this place so much!! Okay, Mount Desert Island is chalk full of lobster pounds - places that tourists flock to to order lobster, steamers, corn on the cob, chowder, blueberry pie - all those staples of a Maine Dinner. And, frankly - they are a dime a dozen - nothing setting one apart from the other. Except, Thurston's. There is just something extra going on here. First, I should state - I do NOT come here for the steamed lobster dinner. I come here 100% for the cocktails on the deck and the view!! So, I bypass the line at the door where you place your order and I head right to the bar. And, given the touristy nature of the place, those seats on the deck looking at the harbor turn over quickly - until I claim mine!! I will sit there for 2 hours or more. The bartenders can place orders for drinks and most of the menu - just not the actual steamed lobsters. So, when I come here, I order a cocktail, sit and enjoy it on the deck while watching the lobster boats drop off their daily catch. Eventually, I will order some snacks - particular favorites include the hot lobster dip, the lobster stew, and the steamers. And, another cocktail. In short, this is my kind of place - especially while on vacation. A good drink with a great view and some solid snacks. It just doesn't get any better. The bartenders are VERY kind! The drinks are VERY good. The parking at this place can be overwhelming, but don't be fooled - just because the lot appears full, doesn't mean you won't find a seat. read more

One of our favorite lobster pound on our trip. It's on the other side of Mt Desert Isle so it's a little drive from Bar Harbor But the drive is worth it. You order from the counter and the food is brought to your table. You choose your lobster and it is weighed for you. I suggest getting the large ones, which are around 2 lbs. There are a couple of covered (tented) areas on the dock. There is also a bar where you can also order food. read more

Thurston's Lobster Pound - Jumbo + clams - Seafood Near Me - Bernard, Maine

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Great lobsters and Amazing lobster soup. Sides are delicious too. Can sit large groups.

Food, service and Ambiance was amazing. Will come back to eat and new foods too. We ordered Lobsters read more

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All the rave. The location is great, as you're right at the docks next to the lobster boats. Typical, order your food up front and wait for quick delivery. In all honesty, the lobster rolls were just okay... generous lobster, but that's it, no butter, kind of cold & dry. Side order of corn was great ( and it came with butter). There are better options for me. read more

YUM! After reading the fantastic reviews we decided to stop in for a late afternoon lunch. I'm so happy we did. Situated right on the docks of Bass Harbor, the location is awesome. There was not any outdoor seating available so we sat inside right at the window in the bar. I thought it was perfect because we could look out over the beautiful scenery and it was a bit chilly outside for this Texas girl. The bar was full of fishermen and locals. Great vibe. You order at a counter when you walk in. The lady who took our order was friendly and helpful. We ordered 2 lobsters with all the fixings. The lobster was the freshest. The meat was sweet, succulent, rich and buttery. The sides were fantastic as well. We were actually full and took the blueberry cake back to our VRBO for breakfast the next morning and it was sooo good. This place is outstanding. read more

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This place was recommended by a friend who knew we were coming to visit the area. I'm so glad we tried it. The lobster rolls were so good. My daughter loved the crab dip and I loved the blueberry cake too. Excellent service, atmosphere, and very friendly people. I would highly recommend. read more

Thurston's Lobster Pound - Family enjoying lobster rolls. - Seafood Near Me - Bernard, Maine

Beal's or Thurston's - you can't go wrong! This is a lil' more touristy but it's fun you can see them throw the lobster in and take them out while you walk in for dinner. We were lucky with no lines, as I hear this place can get busy. I love the view - completely what I think of Maine! Easy parking around the pier and fast service - the food came fairly quick and was hot. Great drinks - the special was a Hot Honey Margarita- it was spicy good! Wow! Fun place, definitely would eat here again. read more

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