• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Champagne Tastes®
  • About
  • Travel
    • Food Travel
    • Outdoor Adventure
  • Recipes
    • Garden To Table
    • Seafood
    • Camping Recipes
    • Ferment
    • Backyard Foraging + Wild Game
    • Cooking Basics
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • Garden To Table
  • Seafood
  • Ferment
  • Foraging + Wild Game
  • Cooking Basics
  • Camping Recipes
  • Outdoor Adventure
  • Food Travel
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Travel » Food Travel

    The Travelin Lobster (Bar Harbor, Maine)

    Published: Oct 4, 2021 · Modified: Mar 10, 2023 · Leave a Comment

    Visiting Bar Harbor? Check out the Travelin Lobster, a tiny, no-frills lobster pound with all outdoor seating and classic (delicious!) Maine seafood.

    The Travelin Lobster Sign
    The Travelin Lobster

    When I think of Maine, I think of lobster.

    Of course, Maine is also famous for its blueberries, oysters, haddock, whale watching and incredible ocean views.

    But we all know that Maine means lobster!

    When we traveled to Maine this past fall, I was determined to eat as much lobster as possible.

    One of our favorite lobster stops was The Travelin’ Lobster, a roadside lobster pound just outside downtown Bar Harbor.

    If you’re visiting nearby Acadia National Park, check out the Bubble Mountains, the Beehive Trail, or Cadillac North Ridge Trail for a challenge, and The Wild Gardens of Acadia or Jordan Pond Path for a slower pace.

    What is a Maine Lobster Pound?

    If you’re looking for lobster in Maine, head to a lobster pound.

    A lobster pound, or lobster shack, is usually a small building where you walk up to a window, order lobster (maybe a whole lobster, maybe a lobster roll) and then sigh with happiness as you dig into your food.

    There’s usually a limited menu, because it’s all about the lobster.

    Basically it’s a lot like a lobster food truck, but without the truck.

    Why Visit the Travelin’ Lobster?

    The family behind this particular lobster pound has been serving up delicious seafood for decades in Bar Harbor.

    Unlike some lobster pounds, the Travelin’ Lobster isn’t right on the water, but fresh lobsters are delivered every day! You’ll always be eating today’s catch.

    For waterfront dining, we also loved Abel’s Lobster, a few miles away!

    The Travelin’ Lobster gets lots visitors, and lots of rave reviews. In fact, it’s so popular that its website even posted a video about how to navigate peak hours.

    Hours vary by the season, but the Facebook page has current information. When they’re not super busy, they also make online ordering available for meals to go.

    We arrived right after opening and there was already a small line!

    A sign warns customers to arrive early, because they often run out of food before closing time. And the wait line closes an hour before actual closing time, just so they can make sure to get everyone taken care of by then!

    There are lots of outdoor tables, so it’s easy to space out if that’s your style. And there aren’t servers in the usual sense — just someone that drops off your food to your table and leaves.

    In an era where indoor dining can feel a little iffy, we appreciated the outdoor setup!

    Line to order outside food stand.
    Line to Order at The Travelin Lobster

    The menu was small, but, even so, it was still hard to choose! They also had some local beer and cider options.

    We figured it was only right to try what The Travelin’ Lobster is most famous for, so we opted for a classic roll with garlic aioli and one whole lobster with mussels.

    Menu with Market Prices.
    Menu with Market Prices

    The lobster roll was incredible.

    I’m pretty sure it was the biggest lobster roll we ate on our trip, and this was the small size roll, not the large!

    The garlic aioli pushed it over the top — just so incredibly good.

    In fact, I was so impressed by the garlic dipping sauce that I’ve since recreated the experience with homemade langostino lobster rolls. (Langostino is also delicious in risotto!) I also worked out some versions of lobster butter sauce. Since, sadly, we can’t always be in Maine.

    Classic Lobster Roll, Garlic Aioli + Chips.
    Classic Lobster Roll, Garlic Aioli + Chips

    The whole lobster that we ordered came with corn on the cob, melted butter and mussels.

    And of course, a lobster bib, lobster crackers, seafood picks and a wet towelette. This can be a bit of a messy operation!

    Whole Lobster Meal with butter sauce and seafood cracker.
    Whole Lobster Served at The Travelin Lobster
    Lobster Dinner with Corn, Mussels + Butter.
    Lobster Dinner with Corn, Mussels + Butter

    It even came with instructions for shelling the lobster!

    So if you’ve never eaten one, you don’t need to be intimidated. This place has you covered.

    How to Shell a Lobster Directions.
    How to Eat a Lobster Directions

    We finished our meal with a slice of classic Maine blueberry pie.

    Trust me, don’t skip the pie.

    Slice of Maine Blueberry Pie.
    Slice of Maine Blueberry Pie

    So, yes, my goal for Maine was to indulge in lobster as much as possible. And this place was the real deal.

    If you’re traveling around Bar Harbor or Acadia National Park, be sure to stop by! Your taste buds will thank you.

    « Biking the Schoodic Peninsula (Acadia National Park)
    Evangola State Park (Irving, NY) »

    About Sarah Trenalone

    Sarah is the primary creator at Champagne Tastes. She's a photographer, food writer and traveler, and is certified in Backcountry Kitchen and Backcountry Navigation from the Colorado Outward Bound School and Identifying Wild Plants from Backpacker.

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Comment: Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    bio

    Hi, I'm Sarah! I'm a traveler who loves to eat.   Follow along to join me on my next adventure-- in food or on the road.

    Learn More →

    Currently Trending

    • Sardine Fish Cakes in a stack with sauce on the serving tray
      A Canned Sardine Recipe: Mini Fish Cakes
    • pan-seared rockfish on a plate
      Pan-Seared Rockfish
    • pan-seared red snapper on plates
      Pan-Seared Red Snapper
    • crab butter sauce on a platter with crab legs
      Crab Butter Sauce

    Footer

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Supplemental Privacy Notice For California Residents
    • Supplemental Privacy Notice For Nevada Residents

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Recipe and Photo Reuse Terms + FAQ

    Copyright ©2015-2023 Champagne Tastes
    All Rights Reserved.