Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Thurston's Lobster Pound

    4.4 (662 reviews)
    ModerateSeafood

    Thurston's Lobster Pound Photos

    THURSTON'S LOBSTER POUND ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

    You might also consider

    More like Thurston's Lobster Pound

    Recommended Reviews - Thurston's Lobster Pound

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Rainy night for dinner
    Lisa S.

    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.

    Lobster dinner plus mussels and clams
    Molly H.

    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!

    Lobster, lobster dip, jumbo roll
    Michael M.

    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.

    Lobster roll
    Rachael H.

    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.

    Table view
    J P.

    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.

    Lobster roll extravaganza! Jumbo and regular
    Stephanie S.

    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.

    View
    Kim S.

    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!

    Crab cake sandwich
    Susan W.

    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.

    Bass Harbor from our table
    Ryan K.

    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.

    Sabrina Z.

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

    Wall menu
    Jean Y.

    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

    Family enjoying lobster rolls.

    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.

    See all

    Photo of T. E.
    173
    21
    12

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lisa S.
    406
    1702
    5474

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 4
    Oh no 1

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Susan W.
    1
    125
    104

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

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

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Daniel F.
    16
    58
    16

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sabrina Z.
    51
    226
    332

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

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

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of John M.
    6
    28
    16

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 1
    Love this 4
    Oh no 3

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Pete F.
    375
    855
    3061

    3 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 1
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Laney L.
    17
    22
    21

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Z C.
    1
    46
    4

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jason P.
    341
    1214
    8251

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Food was amazing! Atmosphere was top notch! Views incredible! Genuine lobster eating experience!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Alex L.
    4363
    2469
    6756

    6 years ago

    Helpful 18
    Thanks 0
    Love this 15
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Matt G.
    16
    33
    5

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 17

    Thurston's Lobster Pound Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Thurston's Lobster Pound

    Are dogs permitted?

    Yes, there are open air tables surrounding the bar, which is the preferred space for dogs :)

    When do they close for the season?

    Hi Maria, I think it is best that you give them a call. Schedules change a lot in October and later on the island. Good luck!

    Are dog's allowed on the patio?

    Definitely!!! I bring my Male German Shepherd in there every year we are up!

    Hello Christina - can you accommodate a group of 50 people?

    They could fit 50 I think between in and outdoors but it would be tight!

    Can we buy and take home ? What is the price?

    We sell lobsters live or cooked to go. Lobster prices are based on the market value and change frequently. You are welcome to call the restaurant any time to find out the current price!

    View All 6 Questions

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Seafood 409 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Seaside Dairy Bar - Cheeseburger

    Seaside Dairy Bar

    4.4(21 reviews)
    0.9 mi

    Guys! I'm so mad that we didn't order more food while here because seeing what other people got…read morearound us, it looked FIREEE! I saw this place when we first got to Maine and never forgot about it because I am a giant soft serve fan and they boast 24 different flavors of soft serve!!!! This was our 4th and last stop on our Maine Ice Cream Trek and it did not disappoint. After very long and drawn out deliberation, I decided to try the English Toffee flavor and my wife got the Dragon's Blood soft serve flavor. Both were so good but that Dragon's Blood was out of this world!! I had never had the flavor before and it blew my mind. We also got fries to make sure we made it home to eat and they were the best fries we had in Maine for our entire trip and my wife LOVES fries so that's a very nice compliment. We almost ordered a second serving. There is plenty of covered seating outside but no inside seating so it gave a well catered picnic vibe. I will say it was hard for us to find because the map didn't realize where it was. We had to drive around a bit to find it but it's next to the gas station/convenience store that Maps takes you to. I would absolutely go out of my way to go to Seaside Dairy Bar the next time we're in Maine. It's well worth it!

    This is a hole in the wall place. It was amazing food for soft serve…read more The seafood here is spectacular with the Mac n cheese, and fish. Really loved it. The people here are very kind. Please make sure to check this place out.

    Photos
    Seaside Dairy Bar
    Seaside Dairy Bar
    Seaside Dairy Bar - Menu

    See all

    Menu

    The Travelin Lobster - free popcorn

    The Travelin Lobster

    4.8(674 reviews)
    11.7 mi
    $$

    Favorite lobster rolls of our trip to Acadia National Park were here at Travelin Lobster! They…read moreserve hot and cold lobster rolls in various sizes (mini for half a lobster, small for full lobster, and large for 1.5 lobsters) - appreciate having those options depending on how hungry you are. We ordered the hot lobster rolls (covered in butter) which were packed with meat and tasted fresh and sweet. The rolls come with a side of chips. We enjoyed the rolls at a shaded table outside, and the food came out quickly. Ended the meal with a chocolate whoopie pie that was packed with icing - the cake part was delicious, but a little bit too much icing for my preference.

    Small roadside places are the way to eat in Bar Harbor…read more The best meal we ate on the island and it's not even close They have plenty of outdoor seating (nothing indoors) and a cute outdoor bar as well. Plenty of staff working hard and food came out quickly. Food: - Best: lobster Mac and cheese and lobster dinner. IT COMES WITH MUSSELS. The lobster was delicious and the mussels were some of the freshest we had. Absolute 10/10 of a meal. Quality and price can't be beat - good: lobster roll. It's good. But not as good as dishes above. The bread for the hot roll doesn't add to the lobster which is by far the star of the show. It's delicious and fresh and you're better off eating it by itself (or covered in Mac and cheese but I digress) Oysters - ehhh: lobster bisque Didn't get the pie... guess I have to go back FYI: check hours before you go. It closes early!

    Photos
    The Travelin Lobster
    The Travelin Lobster - Hot lobster roll with blueberry soda and a lobster bisque

    Hot lobster roll with blueberry soda and a lobster bisque

    The Travelin Lobster - Clam chowder bread bowl

    See all

    Clam chowder bread bowl

    Beal's Lobster Pier

    Beal's Lobster Pier

    4.3(952 reviews)
    3.1 mi
    $$$
    Family-owned & operated
    90 years in business

    Without a doubt, after visiting 8 different lobster roll spots up and down Maine - THE BEST ROLLS…read morein the state. Absolutely incredibly views eating, quick service after you order at the counter. The lobster meat itself felt like it was caught 30 minutes prior the menu is a bit bigger than other spots they offer a lot of different sauces but I just went with the regular butter. It was so incredibly good. Perfect bun. Thick chunks of sweet lobster meat, a succulent claw. It was incredible.

    Looking for a bite to eat within walking distance of my bed and breakfast, I found myself at Beal's…read morelobster pier on a Monday night. The line was long, but it moved quickly and the service was fast and friendly. Since I had eaten a later lunch, I wasn't necessarily starving, but I did still want to enjoy some fresh lobster. I settled on the lobster bites which were deep-fried pieces of lobster, and a slice of blueberry cheesecake - because, when in Maine!! Talk about a decadent girl-dinner. The fried lobster bites were absolutely delicious and the accompanying dipping sauce was creamy and paired perfectly. The blueberry cheesecake had the perfect amount of blueberry while still maintaining the integrity of the cheesecake. Definitely one of my favorite dinners I had while visiting the area and would absolutely come back and visit Beal's lobster pier again. Bonus points for getting to enjoy a beautiful sunset on the pier while I had my meal.

    Photos
    Beal's Lobster Pier
    Beal's Lobster Pier
    Beal's Lobster Pier

    See all

    Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound - I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE

    Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound

    4.1(670 reviews)
    13.4 mi
    $$

    After a day in Arcadia National Park, we saw Trenton Bridge Lobster pound as we were driving home,…read moresaw bunch of lobster pots outside with steam coming out of it and we knew we had to stop by and oh boy we sure glad we did. We ordered crab cakes, 2 large whole lobster, clam chowders, cocktail shrimp, blueberry pie and ice cream. Crab cakes- The crab cakes were the best crab cakes I have ever eaten in my life. TONS of crab in the crab cakes, not just bread. I had to saver each bite. The owner, she told us she is the one who makes the crab cakes every day. Cocktail shrimp and clam chowder- both were ok, nothing special, I wouldn't order it again. 2 Whole Lobsters- Both lobsters weighed in a total of 5lbs all together. Oh man, the boiled lobsters were absolutely amazing and delicious. Tons of meat in the lobsters, great texture, firm and tender. Highly recommend getting a lobster. Blueberry pie and ice cream- To end off a great dinner, the blueberry and ice cream definitely hit the spot. Lots of blueberry, crust was good, and I love how the pie isn't too sweet. OVERALL, I was so happy we stopped and tried Trenton bridge lobster Pound. The staff were great, talked to the owner and she said Saturday was going to be the last day of the season, so we really got lucky stopping by on a Friday right before they were going to close for the season. I enjoyed the food so much, I even bought a hoodie to support, The hoodie is embroidered with there logo on the front. Thank you again for a wonder meal, and I will definitely come back!!

    Our 1st Lobster pound this trip!…read more And the view is great! Lobster roll is stuffed, crab cakes are flavorful and good Chardonnay. Had to get a piece of blueberry pie to try ! Lots of outdoor seating and decent parking lot.

    Photos
    Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound - Lobsters picked out

    Lobsters picked out

    Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound - Lobster Roll

    Lobster Roll

    Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound - Hot lobster roll, lobster stew, and blueberry pie

    See all

    Hot lobster roll, lobster stew, and blueberry pie

    Batson River Fish Camp - Their "soon to be famous" lobster roll !

    Batson River Fish Camp

    3.8(18 reviews)
    3.4 mi

    I tempted to give Batson River Fish Camp 5-stars based on the location--overlooking the western…read morepassage around Greening Island as you enter Mt. Desert Island's Somes Sound--alone, but the service and food were fantastic, too. We stopped in for a late lunch / early dinner during our Acadia vacation based on a recommendation from a co-worker and we are very glad we did. I had the fish sandwich with fries and a specialty cocktail made with bourbon, ginger beer and honey (I forget the name). The fish sandwich came for way more than enough perfectly cooked haddock and a crunchy and delicious beer-batter crust. The fries we excellent, too (they can so easily be bland and boring, but these were not!) The cocktail was ice-cold (perfect for this hot summer day) and delicious, if a little sweet. My partner had the Mediterranean Plate which came with Grilled Flat Bread, Hummus, Tzatziki, Marinated Cucumber Salad, Marinated Olives, and Feta. She loved all 'the subtle and distinct flavors that went together so well!' Note that Batson River Fish Camp has two locations and is part of Batson River Brewing and Distilling. This location is on the beautiful grounds of the Claremont Hotel in Southwest HarbFor, ME.

    Beautiful view of the south west harbor, but the drinks aren't very good and the clam chowder and…read moreCaesar salad was also just okay.

    Photos
    Batson River Fish Camp - View of the kitchen

    View of the kitchen

    Batson River Fish Camp - The Mediterranean Plate

    The Mediterranean Plate

    Batson River Fish Camp - Outside dining area with a beautiful view

    See all

    Outside dining area with a beautiful view

    Thurston's Lobster Pound - seafood - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...