Stopped in last night for our First Meal on our 2026 Maine vacation. Union River Lobster Pot has set the bar high, everything was excellent. My wife had a cup of the Lobster stew and I went with a cup of the Clam chowder -- both were outstanding, but we felt the chowder was the better. Still, the Lobster stew was loaded with claw meat. For our meals, my wife had the Lobster roll, I had Blue Hill Bay Herb Butter Mussels, and my Mother In Law went with Three Beef Burger (she doesn't eat seafood). All our meals were superb, they really hit the spot after a 6 hour drive up from Connecticut. My mussels seemed to have a smoky flavor to them, and the white wine sauce complemented the dish well. My wife's Lobster roll was meaty, she enjoyed it. To finish it all off, we shared a slice of homemade raspberry pie a la mode -- that was certainly one of the best pieces of pie we've all ever had. The crust was buttery with a hint of sweetness, it was just simply delicious. Service was also stellar, Dennis was very personable & attentive. We definitely would come back to the Union River Lobster Pot in Ellsworth, we are even thinking about doing so on our current vacation, it was that good. An Easy 5 Star review, well deserved. read more

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Lobsters and chowder were very good. Casual ambience. The back yard area is quaint and the ducks are cute. My blueberry sangria was also awesome. And everyone raved over the blueberry pie. So good we went back a second time during our week stay. Service was so friendly. read more

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It was so good we came back a second time. Enjoyed the Lobster Pot. Switched the clams for mussels. Everything was so delicious. Make sure you try the open face blueberry pie. It was out of this world. It sells out quickly and after you try it you will understand why! read more

Outstanding lobster rolls in addition to their lobster offerings. Their 1.25 lb lobster came out perfect. Abby was our server today. They have three seating options: inside (air conditioned) outside with a screened in porch, or outside with picnic table seating by the Union River. I like the River option on cooler days, but you can also see what the drought has really done to the water level. Tip: Their Lobster Pot Red Ale is a must try. read more

Union River Lobster Pot - Seafood Near Me - Ellsworth, Maine

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Absolutely delectable lobster and such a fun, lively atmosphere! The staff was wonderful, and the place always seemed to be buzzing. The clams and mussels were a big hit too--the mussels were especially sweet and delicious and definitely a favorite. And if they still have the blueberry pie, don't leave without ordering it. It was incredible! Everything was so good that we came back three nights in a row. That probably says it all! read more

Union River Lobster Pot - Seafood Near Me - Ellsworth, Maine

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My wife and I went here for lunch and our eyes were bigger than ours stomach. We ordered the sampler platter and lobster poutine. This is a ton of food. The clams and scallops were delicious and very tender and so flavorful. The poutine was full of lobster with a cheesy and cream sauce that is to die for .Our server was amazing. The restaurant is very basic. The food was delicious. I can highly recommend this place. read more

Union River Lobster Pot - Lobster poutine - Seafood Near Me - Ellsworth, Maine

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Great place! The lines moved pretty quickly. I got the Halibut with cilantro cream, it was cooked to perfection, juicy with nice edges. The mango salsa gave it a nice sweet, tangy, spicy kick. My husband got the fried haddock and fries. Not greasy at all, delish, only thing that would take it to the top is a bit more seasoning. The clam chowder tasty, only critique is it has a lot of potatoes! The service was excellent! It's a chill vibe, lots of people enjoying good seafood! read more

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Excellent lobster in a beautiful location on the Union River in Ellsworth, ME. Dennis provided great service. Wonderful views, food and service. read more

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Apparently we got lucky and were seated right away though food took a long time to arrive anyway. Everyone at the table enjoyed their food whether it was lobster rolls, the lazy lobster dish or the steak tips with large chunks of meat. The baked stuffed haddock dish I got was okay. I didn't get much flavor from it. The garlicky mashed potatoes side was doing the heavier lifting on that front. It seems likely that I ordered the wrong thing. Service was just okay, with no apologies or acknowledgement for the long wait and a bit of time passed with empty cups before they offered drink refills as well. Ambiance is loud open restaurant style with live music in the patio and some lobster fishing related decor. Because the table enjoyed their food much more than I did, I would be disingenuous to rate it less than four but I was not impressed. One of our family members considers this place as their favorite lobster roll place so there's that. read more

Union River Lobster Pot - Baked Stuffed Haddock with Seafood Stuffing and Lobster Sauce - Seafood Near Me - Ellsworth, Maine

It's nice to have this restaurant open for lunch. Went on a Saturday afternoon for 2 lobster rolls and a haddock sandwich. They were all enjoyed, and the outside patio was quiet. Our server did a nice job. Particularly appreciate that she did not look over my shoulder when I applied the tip. Was surprised that the tip choices began at 20%. read more

The clam chowder is good & creamy with lots of potatoes! The broiled scallops were delicious! The hot butter lobster roll was great! The service was prompt and friendly. The restaurant has a nice homey feel. read more

Union River Lobster Pot - Hot buttered lobster roll - Seafood Near Me - Ellsworth, Maine

Lobster with a view! We came in and asked to be seated in one of their many outdoor tables by the river. The view from the restaurant is absolutely stunning, from the butterfly's to the ducks and everything in between! Now after about 20 minutes the food arrives! We had delicious lobster rolls, a lobster grilled cheese, and their crab pot! Everything was delicious and the service was wonderful. And just when you thought you were done we had a big slice of blueberry pie that was the best i've ever had! Overall this place was incredible and I would recommend to anyone in the area! read more

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Went here pretty late and the wait was still 45min-1hr. You can sit outside by the area that cooks the lobsters/crab etc. the cook outside was great and everyone was peacefully taking in the action and getting their pictures etc. Once sat inside the server was nice and prompt. We knew what we wanted because we looked while we waited. Things we ordered: clam chowder, lobster pot and crab pot. Clam chowder - this is the best clam Chowder I have ever had in my life. I still think about it. The most fresh and flavorful clam chowder ever. 5/5 stars Lobster pot - comes with steamers, corn and potatoes. It's what you expect. If you are expecting a west coast seafood boil that comes in a bag this is not it. It's simple and delicious Crab pot - 1 whole corn on the cob and a couple of potatoes and a couple of smaller clusters of crab. Again it's simple and delicious. I would come back here every single time to get the clam chowder. This place is a must for that alone. read more

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We found this establishment using Yelp, after exploring Acadia National Park. We were not disappointed. Great selection of seafood and excellent service. read more

The lobster is great and good price but can't recommend the clams or oysters. Clams were gritty, gritty and oysters were small and somewhat dry. Would go back but would not get those items. read more

Union River Lobster Pot - Outside - Seafood Near Me - Ellsworth, Maine

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The clam chowder was delicious, and the lobster rolls were fresh and flavorful! Everything tasted fresh and authentic to Maine. A great spot to enjoy classic New England seafood. Highly recommend! read more

We arrived right when they opened, and the place filled up quickly, but the service never missed a beat. I ordered the fish tacos, while my friend had the lobster cobb salad, and both were fresh, flavorful, and generously portioned. I didn't love the street corn but the dessert got me back on track. LOL. The blueberry pie disappeared so fast we didn't get a chance to snap a photo. Definitely worth a visit. read more

Union River Lobster Pot - Fish Tacos with Street Corn - Seafood Near Me - Ellsworth, Maine

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This was our first time visiting Maine and the first place we stopped immediately after exiting the airport and it truly set the tone for our trip! My mom and I came for lunch because they have a cute little set up to enjoy "lobster on the lawn" while overlooking the river. We ordered a hot lobster roll with butter and a cold lobster roll with mayo; they were both fantastic. I could have sat there all day since there is ample seating so you don't feel rushed. We were even lucky enough to see a seal pop its head up! The service is friendly and quick so it's a perfect spot to just relax and enjoy a yummy lobster roll. Would definitely visit again and recommend to anyone planning a trip to Maine. read more

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This place is amazing. The food is fantastic. I'n happy I arrived early before it git really busy. The parking was packed by the time I left. read more

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Fast service, great views, live music, and absolutely delicious food. We would order the fried shrimp and lobster pie again and again. Highly recommend. read more

Union River Lobster Pot - Top is Fried Shrimp and Rice Pilaf. Bottom is Lobster Pie and garlic mashed potatoes. SOOOO GOOD. - Seafood Near Me - Ellsworth, Maine

Lobsters fresh and delicious. Service prompt and friendly Great location with plenty of parking read more

Hard to understand all the rave reviews. We went for lunch and didn't have a good experience. The waitress seemed like she really didn't care. Asked us what we wanted before we had even looked at the menu. When I asked if they had N.A. beer she said yes and waited without telling us what the beer was. The food was strange. The fish taco was just fried fried fried, leaving a salty taste in your mouth. The clam chowder was OK but we didn't feel like finishing it. There was also a salty corn concoction that tasted like last week's corn. read more

My husband and I had a wonderful lunch at Union River lobster pot a few days ago. We traveled through Ellsworth, and stopped for lunch, looking for lobster rolls. And this place did not disappoint! We had a table with a view of the river, and our lobster rolls were delicious. The blueberry pie was perfect, and our waitress was so friendly and perfectly attentive. Her sense of humor and warm welcome were much appreciated. We have had other lobster rolls since that day, but for us the lobster rolls at Union River lobster pot were the best! read more

Went here during our recent trip to Acadia National Park in August 2025 wanting to eat some Maine lobster and other local cuisine. We waited about 30-40 minutes on a rainy evening. Was able to observe a lady cooking to order the lobsters while waiting for our table. The food was very good and the service was excellent. The restaurant was about average noise level and suitable for large groups. would recommend going to this lobster pound in Ellsworth. read more

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Cozy atmosphere. Great selection of Maine dishes and desserts. We sat inside since it was cold and rainy, but the outdoor seating was inviting if not raining. read more

We stopped in for lunch right as they opened. We shared crab cakes and fish tacos. The crab cakes were excellent. The fried haddock in the tacos was wonderful. The slaw in the tacos was too sweet, but maybe that's a regional thing. The service was excellent and fast. read more

We have guests from New Jersey and decided to take them here. We enjoyed a marvelous supper this afternoon. Two of us had appetizers: one cup of lobster stew, one bowl of clam chowder. One of the women had steamers, my wife didn't desire an appetizer. For entrees, the ladies had broiled scallops, us men folk had the crab cakes. Of course, we also enjoyed decadent desserts. The food and the servicecwere truly excellent! read more

First of all there open 5-8:30pm 7 days a week. Maps is wrong. The food is amazing and well worth the money. read more

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Wonderful time at the Pot. I had the Haddock and my wife had scallops, perfectly made. Before our main meal we both enjoyed the raw oysters, salty and sweet all together! Service was quick and helpful, no waiting in line this day around 5pm. If we're ever in this area again we will absolutely return. Thanks for the wonderful time. read more

We shared an excellent and huge bowl of clam chowder. Husband ordered the stuffed Haddock w green beans & mashed potatoes and I the mussels and steamer clams combo. My husband's fish was very good, but the mashed potatoes were only lukewarm. The clams in my combo were excellent, but the mussels were very overcooked and tiny. 8 of the mussel shells were empty. I did find 4 of the mussels in the bottom of the pot, but that still left 4 empty. Service was very slow. Our waiter kept vanishing for extended periods of time. We did not get bread plates and finally I ended up asking another server for them. Ditto for our "to go" boxes. While I would not go out of my way to go back, if we were in the area again, I might give them another try. read more

We stopped by for lunch, the restaurant wasn't open but the outdoor patio was! We grabbed a lobster roll and it was delicious! The staff was so nice! The food came quick and it was a lovely seating area overlooking the river! Beautiful view! Lovely staff and wonderful food! Thank you! read more

Union River Lobster Pot - Lobstahhhh rollllllll - Seafood Near Me - Ellsworth, Maine

This place is exactly what you're looking for in Maine. Its location right by the river and the laid back vibe make it a must stop - we stayed in Ellsworth so it was walking distance from our rental, but I would drive here. Wait for the table outside, its worth the wait. Kids will love this - they can play like kids should play - on the river, in the grass. Their kids menu is good too! Food: we loved the lobster stew - it's not super thick and the chunks of lobster are good. The haddock was the star for us - (we aren't lobster people so maybe that's why). The stuffed haddock is a great way to experience Maine seafood. The clam chowder lives up to the hype. Vegetarians? The eggplant is delicious and the stuffed mushrooms were so good. Definitely a great spot to soak up the beauty of summer in Maine! read more

We ordered the lobster Mac and cheese and the lazy lobster entrees. They came with only claw meat so we were very disappointed. We've eaten here many times before and this was our first experience under the new owners. I hope our experience doesn't mean that the food quality has gone down hill, but it sure seems so. Sorry but Not sure we will visit again. read more

We were here about 4 in the afternoon on a Saturday. Nice patio dining however not dog friendly as stated on web. Lobster and clams were very tasty...however, if you're at a lobster establishment, you would think you would be provided with all the things you need to pick the lobster from shells..we had to ask and got 1 set and 1 wet wipe. The butter for the Lobster didn't harden as it cooled.. therefore not real butter. Their "famous" clam chowder was no more than potato soup. As we left we noticed all the wait staff on their phones which explains our less than par service. Think we can spend over $100 better somewhere else. read more

Waterfront experience no one should miss. Stumbled on to this place while camping in Bar Harbor. Food was super fresh, excellent and reasonably priced. I'd go back in a heartbeat. Went with the 1 1/4 cooked in large pots right outside. Clam chowder was outstanding. Mrs. got the lobster roll served on potato roll and seared with butter. Great stop. read more

We hadn't tried this restaurant because the wait times during peak season have been challenging and they don't accommodate parties of 8 or more so that left it off the family gathering possibilities. We heard owners had changed but the menu touted well-loved "favorites." We arrived for a birthday dinner, just the two of us. Oysters are always a favorite, so we ordered a half dozen for $21. They were not labeled as being from a particular oyster bed and knowing where they are from is an important part of our experience. We shrugged that part of the experience off - and only cocktail sauce, no mignonette- and dug in. Although the oysters were served with a plate of ice underneath, no ice touched the oyster shells. And I so wished they were ice cold. These were lukewarm, air temp (no heat wave yet, thank goodness!) and they could not have been less appetizing due to the temp. For dinner I tried the surf and turf and my companion ordered a casserole style lobster, 5 oz of picked lobster served with a cracker crumb crust. The New York strip steak was cooked, as requested, medium rare. A stripe of gristle went the length of the entire cut, and the steak was unseasoned, tough, and nearly inedible. With my steak was a butterflied lobster tail with a full dark vein on top of half. There is no way anyone near that dish, from plate to service, missed seeing it. So I deveined my own lobster tail and enjoyed an otherwise perfectly cooked lobster tail. My dining partner's lobster dish, with the cracker crumb topping, looked dry as a bone and so heavily doused with paprika or other spice as to be inedible. She waded through half and found little lobster and we sifted through the remaining crumb for what should have been at least 3 oz more of lobster meet. Nope. Our server was another matter. He wasn't rude, but he never made eye contact and when we refused take out containers for what was clearly about half our meal, he avoided the obvious issues. Cashing out tableside with his handheld device should have felt easy and convenient but the automated tip options added an eye roll and some disgust to our already bad experience. Dining outdoors riverside? Lovely. The food, not so much. There are many outdoor venues and I encourage you to pass by this Ellsworth option. read more

Went for the riverside lunch on the lawn. Very cute, good selection. Really good lobster rolls, great chowder. Hubby had the hot dog...yum. Great French fries and blueberry pie. Lemonade not made with lemons....so not great. Otherwise very good food and a nice view. read more

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Oh my gosh where do I begin?? Hands down the best lobster I've ever had. The wait was around 2 hours when we got here but so worth the wait. We found out we were there on their last night open for the season and they were running a lobster special, so we were super fortunate. Everything was amazing and I also had to try the blueberry pie. To. Die. For. If we ever get up this way again, definitely stopping here!! read more

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We arrived around 4:20. They open at four. The covered patio was nearly full. They also have tables outside. We sat inside as it was a bit humid. Our server was Jen. They have 2 Jen's. Ours was the shorter one. She was fantastic. Very efficient!! We ordered a bowl of lobster stew to share. Neither of us had ever had it before. It was one of the best things we've ever tasted!! OMG! Order it!! We weren't super hungry, so we shared that and a Lobster Pie. We each got a house salad. The Lobster Pie was also delicious!! I would suggest ordering that on a different day than the Lobster Stew as both are SUPER rich and heavy. But SO good. A bit of a timing issue with the kitchen. Our salads were served first, ice cold and great. But we weren't even halfway finished with them before the steaming bowl of stew arrived. Then the same with the entree before we'd even made a dent in the pie. They were pretty empty inside with 3-4 servers most standing around, but that changed fast near 5 pm. They got swamped on a Wednesday night. The poor timing from the kitchen aside, it was a delightful experience with AMAZING food! Generous chucks of lobster in everything. Our stew had at least 3 full claws and knuckle meat in one bowl. Wow! read more

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We are lobster lovers, and my wife's family is from Maine. This place is a jewel. The lobster pot with 1lb of clams, the corn, and the red potato all boiled together in salt water is finger licking good. The best special in the menu! Make sure you walk to the lady cooking the lobsters in the patio and ask her about setting the timers and her techniques for pairing each lobster with each table. Amazing system! read more