Kennebunkport is a fishing village first and foremost. Hard working fishermen make their home here and go out to sea most days to haul in lobster, catch fresh fish, scallop, and providing local restaurants and lobster pounds the freshest seafood, some of which is shipped world-wide.
Cape Porpoise is the epicenter of Kennebunkport’s fishing, a magical little fishing harbor in Maine. It’s stunningly beautiful, and loaded with lobster boats, and lobster cars. Row boats are the life line that fishermen use to paddle out to their “pride and joy” vessels awaiting in the cold calm waters
Afternoons out on Cape Porpoise Pier you can often witness the enduring efforts of these lobster fishermen bringing in their yield, fueling their boats, loading up bait, washing and cleaning their decks to prep for their next early morning outing. They go out in the frigid cold, in the fog, and in the dead of winter, in hail, without fail or hesitation. Summer Sundays when they might prefer to hit the beach, or take a mere day off, they often go out as well – into the sea swells. It’s clearly a labor of love. Its rare but rewarding to see them enjoying a leisure day on their boats with family members.
The Kennebunk River is another fishermen’s harbor, with colorful lobster boats lining the brackish channel – pointing into the incoming tide, or turned in a row to the outgoing flow, eagerly tugging at their moorings, when they aren’t out to sea. My favorite time of day is slack tide, when the lobster boats and fishing vessels bob gently and face in all directions, as if not knowing where to go without their owners on board at the helm to direct them to the best fish spots or the loaded pots.
Your time in Kennebunkport should absolutely include cracking into Maine’s crustacean. You’ll find some of the best Lobster serving restaurants in the Kennebunks. You can enjoy fresh Maine lobster served at a restaurant, steamed, baked stuffed or served Lazy Man style all prepped, cracked and basted in butter. There are so many delicious ways to enjoy lobster, its like Bubba Gump’s shrimp – versatile and delicious, and nutritious (low cal, high protein, loaded with healthy selenium and vitamins). See more reasons to love Maine Lobster! You simply must feast on this Atlantic treat.
While visiting K’port, you should take a scenic Lobster boat tour, to see how fishermen harvest from the sea, pull a trap. You may even get to hold a live Maine lobster yourself aboard The Rugosa with Captain Bob. Or go fish with Captain Bruce aboard Libreti Rose on your own charter fishing excursion. Both these boats leave from the docks of the Nonantum Resort in season.
A few local faves featuring Maine lobster in Kennebunkport:
Alisson’s Lobster Bisque is very good. Lobster Roll varies!
Boathouse Lobster fried rice & their Lobster Bar!
Earth’s Lobster Risotto
Hurricane’s Lobster Cobb and their Mediterranean Seafood Stew
Nonantum’s Lobster mac n’chese or just good ole fashioned Lobster
Nunan’s classic lobster served in a family-owned and operated shack, since 1953
Striper’s Lobster pasta and their outdoor Lobster Bake on the riverfront lawn in season.
We love Maine lobster in the rough. At a picnic table on Cape Porpoise pier is a pretty perfect setting for a steamed lobster or a tasty lobster roll.
Rhumb Line Resort serves a traditional Down East Feast in season, by their pool at the happy humble Admiral’s Table.
You can pick up Maine lobster from a local lobster pound or fish market, or have it shipped to your doorstep overnight out-of-state
Purveyors of Lobster in Kennebunkport for take out in town:
Three Sea’s Lobster is in Cape Porpoise a family affair of fishermen, seafood market with fresh veggies and bread too.
Langsford Road Lobster & Fish House is on Cape Porpoise harbor, selling the freshest shellfish and seafood right from the source.
Port Lobster on Ocean Ave Kennebunkport is a wonderful little fish market, they sell fresh live Maine lobsters, local fish and shellfish, you can take out a handmade lobster roll, or clam chowder. They’ll cook your Maine lobster at no extra charge. They even sell beer and wine, and delicious local baked goods like blueberry crisp and pie to complete your lobster feast.
Cape Porpoise Lobster Co. is a shipping outfit, selling fresh Maine lobster, mussels, clams and scallops, even homemade lobster bisque that can be shipped.
We’d argue that Maine lobster is the best in the world…but we’ll let you try and then decide. We’re confident you’ll soon “sea” our side. Eat a Maine Lobster today, its good for you, good for our local economy, improves your mood and makes for fun photos too! Share on our Facebook or Instagram! If you are from away, ship yourself some fresh Maine Lobsters today!