Mabel's Lobster Claw

Mabel’s Lobster Claw is hands-down my favorite place to eat in Maine. From the moment you step inside, the cozy, welcoming atmosphere wraps around you like a warm hug. The staff is incredibly friendly, and the food… absolutely unforgettable. I ordered the clam chowder, and my husband had the Seafood Newburg — both dishes were perfection. Rich, flavorful, and clearly made with care. Every bite reminded us why this spot is so loved by locals and visitors alike. This is classic New England seafood done right — comforting, fresh, and delicious. But a word to the wise: make reservations ahead of time. This place stays booked and busy, and for very good reason. With its warm hospitality, coastal charm, and exceptional food, Mabel’s Lobster Claw isn’t just a restaurant — it’s a Maine experience. Five stars simply isn’t enough.

Parking is a nightmare but everything after that was wonderful. Our server, Jennifer, was superlative. Great personality and the desired amount of attentiveness. Our cocktails were enjoyable. We got a Maine Blueberry lemonade and a coconut Margarita. The appetizer stuffed mushrooms are crazy good! Stuffed with lobster stuffing, roasted red peppers, and Provolone. It come with two large mushrooms in a cast iron pan. Perfect for 2 to share. The entrees we got were the Duke, which was scallops / shrimp / haddock / lobster / garlic wine served in a cast iron pan. This came with rice, I subbed fries, and veg. My dining companion got Mabel's baked stuffed lobster, which was stuffed with scallops / shrimp / bacon / creamy clam stuffing. Both meals were absolutely delicious. I highly recommend this spot.

They take reservations but also seat walking in the front porch or bar. Friendly server. WiFi. Decent lobster roles and onion rings but wouldn’t get the Mac cheese again.

The food was mostly decent. I haven’t had so many lobster rolls yet, but the few i’ve tried were better than what we had here. Pasta was good, not overcooked. It had plenty of lobster. Fried fish was fresh. The most disappointing thing was the blueberry pie, which was served cold! That was atrocious. This places is around 4.3-4.4 starts and it does have some character. I would try it again if the pie wasn’t cold! (I did wonder if pie should be served warm… or maybe it’s just me, so asked ChatGPT, which confirmed that in Maine it’s usually served warm.)

I went here twice for dinner during my stay in Kennebunkport. Both meals were AMAZING! The Seafood Newburg was life changing!

Enjoyed a hot buttered lobster roll, and a haddock sandwich Cajun style and it did not disappoint. This cute restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating and has been visited by lots of famous people including George Bush. Pictures and articles inside are nostalgic. Service was great. Food was yummy. Walking distance to the Bay of Maine where the views are breathtaking.

Classic Maine vibes with a solid lobster roll. Stopped in for lunch at Mabel’s while passing through Kennebunkport. I had the clam chowder and a buttered lobster roll. The chowder was solid—very traditional, creamy, with good flavor, though nothing particularly standout. The lobster roll was the star: generous chunks of lobster, warm buttered bun, no unnecessary filler. Simple and well executed. It’s been my favorite roll so far this trip, and probably 4th best overall out of many I’ve tried over time. Friendly service, classic Maine atmosphere—worth a stop if you’re in the area and want a dependable, no-frills lobster roll.

The food was excellent. Great crab cakes, lobster rolls, and the fish & chips could feed 2. Atmospheres was ok, nothing special. Service was friendly and prompt. Parking could be tricky at busy times.

This place was incredible! Really cute & charming inside! The service was fast & friendly - we were in and out in an hour on Friday night. I know some people like to sit and linger but my husband & I prefer to get in & out so we loved that. For the food, we each got the 1 1/4 lb lobsters which you get two sides with. I chose slaw & fries (both great), my husband chose the vegetable of the day & fries (both great). We LOVED the lobster. It was so fresh! We also both got the clam chowder to start & I loved the chowder. It was perfect with chunks of potatoes & clams but still had a soupy consistency & great flavor. We had the pie for dessert which was also very good but the ice cream with it was so creamy & delicious. I definitely recommend Mabel's for your lobster fix - just be sure to get a reservation. I used Resy notify when I saw they didn't have availability for the day/time I wanted & was able to get in that way!

I was told Mabel's would be the best food we ate on our trip but alas we were kinda disappointed. The lobster was tough and a bit overcooked. The blueberry pie was just not anything to write home about despite being homemade and well known. The drinks were fire and the wine pour was large. My husband did love his chicken tenders and said they were his second favorite of the trip. If we end up back here I would like to try the lobster roll since so many people say it's great. The service was excellent and the establishment had the right vibes. We walked from our hotel the Nonantum Resort.

Very disappointed with our experience at Mabel's. We had a reservation for 7 pm and arrived at 7:02. There were two ppl in line waiting to speak with the hostess so by the time we got to her it was just after 7:05. An employee next to the hostess mumbled "I was just about to call you to see if you were coming", inferring that we were significantly late for our reservation. This is important to note as the timeline of our dinner was a bit of a joke. We brought our dog with us and called to confirm that would be ok which we were told was fine. There was a very large party of 10 that was seated and broken up between two tables so not only was our table cramped but the area we had to put our dog was also cramped. When our waitress arrived she glared at our dog and asked if he bit....why would we bring an aggressive and biting dog out to eat? We ordered drinks probably 5 minutes after we sat. My husband tried to order a beer and was told they were out of the one he wanted. About 20-25 minutes later we still hadn't received our drinks and had not ordered our food. If you were going to give my table away for being 2 minutes late then my drinks should not take 20 minutes. Finally our drinks came except my husband was given a taster of beer bc they were out of the one they ordered plus another....how do you run out of 3 beers? We were also told they had no chicken tenders, 2 lb lobsters as well as several other items including Pinot noir. It seemed like our waitress was trying to push what they DID have in stock to those around us since they were so limited. I don't understand how at 7pm a restaurant that closes at 9 is out of majority of the popular items. When our food arrived it was mediocre at best. I ordered the shrimp scampi and my shrimp were very undercooked, the pasta was stuck together like glue but the sauce was ok. My husbands fish sandwich was not crispy...again I don't understand how an item that is supposed to be fried is not crispy. TLDR: vibes are off, staff is rude, food is mid at best and it's not worth the price. Many including us felt uncomfortable by the service and lack of options on the menu.

We enjoy Kennebunkport and have eaten at Mabel's quite a few times. We ordered mussels as an appetizer, which we've enjoyed at many different restaurants. Unfortunately a significant portion of the order had shells that had not opened, which is a sign that the mussel was no longer alive when first cooked, and therefore should not be consumed. When the waitress came over I showed her the unopened mussels, and she agreed that they should not be eaten. I asked if the kitchen would replace these inedible mussels, as they were a fairly significant part of the order, and she said "No, that's the chance you take when you order mussels." So the restaurant is aware that they served us food that would likely make us ill, and their response is "no". Okay then, that's the chance that Mabel's takes when they are ungracious to customers. We will not be back; same dog don't bite me twice.

Not sure why a respectable family owned business would have such rude people working there. Called ahead for a party 10. Was told 30 minutes, great. Show up 10 minutes after calling and am told, likely closer to 45 minutes wait. Okay. We have 3 kids with us and it starts raining so we waiting outside in the rain hoping this table opens up. Nope. Instead of saying "hey sorry we can't accommodate a party of that size" or "we're sorry it's taking longer than expected," the extraordinarily rude hostess responds to our status checkin with, "do you see any tables open?". This is after. Waiting for 1 hour. Keep in mind, she sat 2 tops and 4 tops over and over. Really bad customer service. Given the food is good but nothing special and can get the same dishes at 20 other places in town, won't be returning. Really a shame the staff was so incredibly arrogant and rude.

Mabel's Lobster Claw is a dream come true for seafood lovers! Nestled on a picturesque street, it boasts a quaint patio that's perfect for soaking up the ambiance. We opted for outdoor seating, but the interior looked equally charming. Our waitress was very friendly and made our table feel comfortable, welcomed, and like family. Our meal started with a must-try appetizer: the Brussels sprouts. They were a delightful contrast of creamy blue cheese and crispy texture. For the main course, my husband and I shared Mabel's Baked Stuffed Lobster and lobster Mac and cheese. The lobster was cooked to perfection and bursting with flavor for both dishes. The stuffing was incredible - like a Thanksgiving stuffing with a delicious seafood twist. Both of these dishes were decadent game-changers. The kids' menu was a hit too! While our daughter wasn't a fan of the fish and chips' texture (just a personal preference), she loved the flavor. The cheeseburger was also a winner. The only minor improvement I could suggest would be offering nicer crystal wine glasses to match their lovely wine selection. Overall, Mabel's Lobster Claw is a gem. Highly recommend it for a delicious and charming Maine seafood experience and we will definitely be returning on our next trip!

I tried the Duchess today. It was a skillet of scallops, lobster and shrimp. It was delicious, but I probably wouldn't get it again. It was $36. I would get something less expensive or spend more and get the lobster Savannah which I have had before and loved. The atmosphere is adorable, and the server was great.

We had an ok time at this restaurant - had much higher expectations going in based on the reviews. We ate on the patio during sunset , and even though it was only 75 outside, it felt way hotter with the direct sun beating down on us. The service was ok, pretty absent most of the night. And we weren't given the option to get a dessert after the entrees -- it felt like they either misunderstood that we were done with our entrees or wanted to set up for the next party. The food was mediocre. The Maine fried cheese was tasty but needed salt. The fish and chips was not good -- the breading instantly came off the fish and the fish wasn't seasoned at all. It was really bland. I'm not one to add salt to my meals, and I barely use much when I cook, but this had no seasoning at all. But apparently the lobster roll was good. Once we were given the check, we asked if they had blueberry pie, which they're apparently known for. The pie was really good a la mode, but they could have offered to heat it up. Would've made it much better. But overall a tasty dessert. Can't really recommend this spot for dinner, but if you want a slice of pie, it's a great spot.

These Brussels Sprouts are to die for! A huge portion with bacon and blue cheese? What more could you ask for. The Lobster Mac is delicious as well and more than fit to serve two people or have leftovers with huge lobster chunks throughout. Friendly and efficient service as well! Make sure you snag a reservation to sit in their outdoor front seating area usually a day ahead during busy summer months. Highly recommend.

1.5 hr wait for fried seafood. Pass.... Walked all the way down and ended up just using the rest room. Very unwelcoming vibe. Expect locals like.

We had reservations for 2 at 6:30 and arrived early but were seated right away. Paige was our server and was prompt and good. We both started with clam chowder, hubby had the lobster risotto (large chunks of lobster) and I had crabcakes. All was very good. Too full for dessert! The only disappointment was I couldn't have an espresso martini because they were out of espresso vodka and kahlua. I know, third world problems!! Highly recommend Mable's Lobster Claw.

One of my Maine faves! Definitely can't go wrong but a few mentions, the lobster roll - come in for dinner or pop by the takeout window for one of the best hot and buttered. The dutchess, the clam chowder, the steamers, the mussels, and the lobster - all amazing! The service is friendly, warm, and kind. The ambiance is quaint and understated. I love this place.

In the "best lobster roll" rankings Mabel's definitely rates near the very top. While so many items on the menu sounded & looked delicious, it was hard to pass up their amazing lobster roll, packed with sweet juicy meat. We'll just have to make another visit to try the rest. Great service, sassy & cheery!

Staff great. Steamer tough over cooked as was lobster Fish and chips .. no so good either Way overpriced..

Lobster Mac and Cheese was great! Cute atmosphere as well. Service was timely and waitstaff was very nice!

Back for a second time in Kennebunkport ME and had to visit Mabels again. The food is so delicious. Our waiter was very helpful and knowledgeable about food choices. He also helped us with sizing for our tee shirts. I Recommend scooping up one if you're here ,they are nice and soft. We started with some Apps. New England Clam chowder, mussels , Caesar salad and Brussel sprouts. My favorite was the mussels in White wine with a delicious buttery sauce to dunk bread. Lobster rolls and lobster risotto were excellent and my Shrimp scampi linguine was . It's heavy though so you may want to take a goody bag home. Love the old fashioned Pub vibe in this spot and the Bush family photos on the walls gives you a family feel of the place. So happy we were able to visit again.

A decade after my first review. Mabel's still puts out good food but honestly, it's steadily gone downhill while prices keep going up. Each year is something else. This year they got rid of the bread service all together, which was a highlight of the visits! (See previous review). Honestly, we'd pay for that blueberry bread it was so good. Offer it on the menu! ... but it's gone now. I got the baked stuffed lobster and it's not cheap y'all. My memories are of it over flowing with seafood but this year my takeaway was a bunch of bready stuffing. Womp womp. That and some how there are always a few pesky flies inside. Highlight was definitely the chowder. Order the bowl -- you're worth it.

Background: Mabel's has been a family favorite for a long time. I took my husband, a chef, for dinner here over Father's Day weekend (June 2024) since we were up in Maine for the weekend. Location: The Restaurant is located off a small road that leads to town. It is in a quiet area, but the parking is very limited. There are spots across the street but on the side of the road, and limited. The best place to park is at The Colony Hotel which is a 1 minute walk to the restaurant. They do not charge for parking. Ambiance: The restaurant is VERY small as it has been there for a long time. They have outside seating under a clear tarp to block the wind, and inside seating with a few wooden booths and perhaps no more than 2-4 bar seats. The bar is not recommended. Outside or inside, the food will taste the same! Not recommended for large parties, 4 or under is best. Great date night spot. Service: Its best to make a reservation before coming here for lunch, but especially for dinner. Lorenzo was our waiter/bartender! Very nice guy from central Italy. His wife worked the floor as well. My husband also is from Italy so it was nice for them to chat it up. Lorenzo knew how to make an Aperol Spritz, of course! They do close early (8:30pm) so make sure you watch their hours. Food came out in a timely manner and you could tell the team worked together well (busser, waiter, host, back out house, etc.) I am also in the restaurant industry, so one could tell! Food & Drink: Ok! Finally, we had looked at the menu before coming as it was online on their website, so we decided on the mussels to start (get them in the red sauce!) I have never see my husband love someone else's marinara sauce THIS much! We each got our own app after, since we didnt each lunch. Small side Caesar for me and a bowl of chowder for him. The chowder was not watery, so good choice. The salad was just enough to get some greens in and had a great dressing. Finally, we each decided on our entrees which was the Lobster roll (in warm butter) for me marked market price ($34 at the moment) and he choose the house burger lol. He is not a Lobster fan. I believe they had Lazy man lobster (with breadcrumbs). I have had this before, but I was feeling like a Lobsta Roll (came with Fries and coleslaw). Drinks here they have Coke products and a nice wine list. They do indeed have a liquor license and some nice drinks on the menu, but its more for the food here. That's their showcase and specialty. They do not offer dessert other than the Maine blueberry pie with ice cream and they do have coffee. Overall, I would give them 5/5 stars but a 90%/100% rating for everything here. Still an A range restaurant. Well be back next time we come up to Maine! (from Boston). Pricy but worth a visit!

Out of this world lobster roll, fries and even the Cole slaw was good. Small but cool New England pub vibe inside. Delivered on all counts.

This was the quintessential Maine dining experience I was looking for when I came here. My waitress was super friendly and sweet. I got the lobster roll tossed in butter with coleslaw on the side. Generous portion of lobster in this roll. Compared to other places I tried lobster at, this roll is a winner. Lobster was well dressed but appropriately so so that the natural lobster flavors come to the forefront. Pickle pairs nicely with the roll. I'm not a pie fan but boy was the blueberry pie here good. If it can get me to like the pie then it's an exceptional slice of pie. The interesting thing about Maine blueberries, especially in pies, is how tart it is. It was a hefty slice so it helped that it was not actually that sweet. The tartness of blueberries cut through the buttery crust of the pie and sweet vanilla ice cream. I left this restaurant feeling super satisfied.

Our server Cassidy was very attentive and helpful. We had an amazing meal. The chowder was full of clams and delicious. My husband had the Dutchess which he enjoyed and I had the Milanese. Everything was amazing! Next time we visit this will be on the list for sure!

How can you not like Mabel's? It's a small place not too far from the water and the food is tasty. When we went there was a about a 40 minute wait but the food came out in a decent time. I had a seafood bake of some sort and it was filling and full of flavor. The lobster and scallops were soo good. I wish I had the chance to go back again. The crab cake were small and more breading than I usually like.

Awesome food in a storied spot in Kennebunkport. The stuffed lobster is as amazing. We finished it off with a homemade blueberry pie. Mabel's is a must-visit. Reservations strongly recommended. We arrived at 11:30am and the place was packed by noon, on a Wednesday!

This was the whole group's favorite meal in Maine! There weren't any tables for lunch without a res, so we ate at the bar. Cute interior and some outdoor seating as well. Cocktails were strong and the food was out of this world. I liked my clam chowder but I LOVED my lobster roll! My husb really liked the Cajun blackened salmon. The absolute star of the show was the blueberry pie ala mode for dessert. It was so good we just went ahead and bought a whole dang pie to go!! I think I'll dream of this pie for years to come. Please go to Mabel's and please eat this pie, for me.

Always a pleasure coming here. I travel from NY to Maine almost every summer and always find time to eat here. It remains as one of my favorite restaurants in Maine. You come here for the food. Plain and simple.

Over priced Over rated Long wait on food Then most of it cold Poor server with bad attitude Dont waste ur time and money plenty other places

Mabel's Baked Stuffed Lobstah 2lb $ 70.00 Scallops / Shrimp / Bacon / CreamClam stuffing Visited June 13th 2024 and was dissapointed. Lobster itself was OK, Menu says BAKED Stuffed Lobster which is not what I received. No clams in stuffing and it was not creamy. Simply prepacked non-descript bread stuffing with some herbs. Should have had vegtables and clams in it and then browned up from being baked. Brought to table within 10 mins of ordering, only slightly warm. No way it was prepared and baked and served in 10 mins. Simply just a steamed lobster belly up, with 3 scallops, 3 shrimp layed on it and stuffing piled on it, that's it, tail was completely in tact not sliced open. I scooped the stuffing off and ate it just like a steamed lobster. Come on, $70 ???

This place gets better every visit. By far the best, and our most favorite, restaurant in Kennebunkport. Mussel appetizer was delicious. Grilled salmon was great. So were the fried scallops, huge portion. Veggies cooked perfectly too. Kids enjoyed their meals as well. Service was very good. Just a fun place. Thanks for keeping it real Mabel's.

Great little place in Kennybunkport MA tonight for early dinner. The food was fantastic and service was as well. Lobster roll was the best I've ever had!

Yay! Mabel's is back open for the season! (We learned Maine restaurants are seasonal.) Delicious lobster rolls, crab cakes, and hospitality! It is quintessential Maine. The homemade blueberry pie a la mode is the perfect way to complete the meal. Great selection of beer, wine, and cocktails. Can't wait to return!

Good food in a wonderful setting. Mabel's didn't disappoint and I'd recommend them for lunch or dinner. The service was good.

Mabel's is the best!!! We eat there every other day when on vacation in Kennebunkport. Our favorite lobster rolls in town by far. Almost didn't want to write this review because I don't want it to be too packed when I'm come back

Best lobster! The steamers were great and the stuffed mushroom appetizer was delish! Excellent friendly service. Make a reservation and don't miss this place.

My lovely bride and I had lunch at Mabel's on Labor Day weekend 2023. This was easily the best lunch we had In Kennebunkport. Service is prompt and pleasant. We sat outside because the weather was nice. We each had a cup of clam chowder, and after finishing that off we both agreed that we should have ordered a bowl. Incredible clam chowder. I had the cold lobster roll with mayo, and my lovely bride had the warm version with lots of butter. Best lobster rolls in town. They were served with excellent french fries and coleslaw. We had to try the blueberry pie with vanilla ice cream, both of which tasted homemade. Highly recommended!

I could not visit this area without a stop at mables. The Butter Chardonnay was the perfect accompaniment to the lobster roll and crab cake. The lobster was warm, buttery, and the bun was perfectly cooked. Crab cakes were very good too. We were able to sit without a reservation but I would definitely recommend reservations.

Service, food and location were wonderful. The Bloody Mary was TO DIE FOR and the lobster stuffed mushrooms my absolute fave. Can't wait to go back.

I don't even know what to say...the food was legit. I got the lobster newburg and it was exquisite!!!! There was SO much lobster in it and the sauce was out of this world! The scallops and shrimp were cooked to perfection. My friend got the lobster roll and it was amazing as well. SO much lobster, served hot and even the bun was tasty! We also got the brussels sprouts and they were cooked extra crispy and so tasty!!!!! I'll be dreaming about this place for a while!

It's a small place that's comfortable and has a welcoming atmosphere. The service is friendly and helpful. Our party of five each ordered a different dish and we were all pleased. Some highlights were the Brussel sprouts and the chowder. I had the duchess which was the best of all of our meals. It was amazing! The seafood was fresh and tender and perfectly seasoned and prepared. Will definitely return on our next trip to Maine.

Great food and service I truly enjoyed the music I would recommend eating outside if you can

Everyone loved their meals but me. I had the duke, which had potential if it didn't have so much breadcrumbs on top. Others had the lobster roll, fish and chips, and fried shrimp. The blueberry pie was wonderful. Our server was very nice. Make a reservation, as the place is very small.

The crab avocado melt is delicious, but we did an online order for two sandwiches and a cup of chowder. It took 45 minutes to get the order ready and everyone working the to go area were not very pleasant. On top of that, got the food back to our place only to find out everything was missing on one of the sandwiches! How hard is it to read an order!? I opened the box to see if there was a sandwich but I guess I have to open the sandwich and check for all ingredients from now on.

First off....the food is delicious! Second...there was a tall beautiful young hostess who's always very professional and friendly. She's very fashionable and always remembers us whenever we visited. She made us feel welcomed! We've always sat on the Patio as we enjoy the outdoor scenery, the service was was good as well. We Hope nothing changes!

Great food! We were served quickly also. Wait staff were quick and friendly! We headed over from our hotel on a Friday night and expected a wait but we were seated right away with a table outside. Can't recommend enough.

Food was great service was really good. Ambiance was what we expected help started us in the right direction

I wish I had more photos to save of this place but it was just so good that we ate it all before any of it could be documented! Me and my boyfriend came here for lunch. There was a short wait about 15 minutes but then we were seated inside. I ordered a blueberry lemonade (spiked) which was delicious! My boyfriend got the lobster bake which was a 1 1/4lb lobster. He said it was the best one he's had in Maine so far! I got the lobster roll and was happy to see they offered the conneticuit style with butter as it's my favorite and it did not disappoint! Generous amount of lobster meat in a warm toasted bun. And french fries on the side which were delicious as well. This is a great place to get lobster if you're in the area and I definitely want to come back!

We went in on a Tuesday night at the end of May, before school was out and the start of tourist season. They were not busy, and there was plenty of staff seemingly walking around aimlessly. There were numerous tables which hadn't been cleaned off yet, so maybe they just had their rush, and we were pointed to an outdoor table without a salutation. We were starving for lobster, and we eagerly waited. And waited. And waited. Numerous employees walked by our table without a look or a word. After an excessive amount of time waiting and not even being acknowledged, we decided to leave. We were disappointed because the online menu looked so good, but alas, dinner there was not meant to be that night. Maybe they were just having a bad day, but we took our business elsewhere. Maybe next time, Mabel.

Good nostalgic place, not great but fun place to eat at. Portions very small for what they charge.

What's not to like, good service, good food and did I mention good food? We went for Maine Lobster Rolls and were not disappointed. We tried the Crab Cakes as an appetizer and found them loaded with crab and just enough filler to hold them together. Then the Lobster Rolls, wow. Highly recommended.

We had an amazing lunch here. Loved the cozy interior- a perfect mix - seemed like a cross between a tavern and Paris bistro in the best way possible. Normally I would choose to sit outside and they have a cute outdoor space but it was blazingly hot so we chose to sit inside we were not sorry. We enjoyed a nice rose wine and a cocktail. Hubs had lobster Mac n cheese, which was a generous portion. I had crabcakes with a garlic aïoli and a side salad. Salad was amazingly fresh, crabcakes were perfectly cooked. Topped it off with a slice of local blueberry pie with whipped cream for dessert. Service was friendly and efficient. Don't hesitate to come here.