Shaw's Fish & Lobster Wharf

We went for lobster rolls and boy did we get lobster. So much lovely fresh lobster. Had we known HOW much, we’d have shared a lobster roll. $50, and could have been shared between 3. Sitting in the sun watching the fish boats come in, heaven. Apparently this is usually served with mayonnaise but we had been warned that the Connecticut version (melted butter) was better, and for us at least it was. Would very happily return!

We were in the area for the Puffin tour and wanted lunch before heading out. I was particularly looking for something non sea food as we were eating lots of seafood that week being in Maine. Craving a BLT, and they had one and it was a huge disappointment. Only 2 pieces of bacon, lots of lettuce, and tomato was about right. Wish I got some seafood or a burger. Everyone else in my party was very pleased. I would have given a 2-3 for this place but since it was only my food I decided on a 4. French fries were amazing!

Came to Shaw’s on our last night of vacation, and simultaneously their last night for the season. We had a large group of 5 kids and 4 adults and nobody left disappointed! Lobster was some of the best around and at a reasonable price. Scallops and chowder were also favorites. There are several great non-seafood items on the menu and truly everything was so delicious and fresh. Ate indoors on a cold night and it was a very warm and cozy atmosphere with gorgeous views. Will definitely be back!

Great food and a very welcoming atmosphere. An authentic wharf setting with stunning views and some of the freshest seafood you’ll find. It’s perfect for the whole family, and the live music adds a fun, lively touch to the experience.

The seafood was super fresh! Cannot dispute that. However, very small portions of seafood for the price that you pay (only 5 scallops). The menu states that meals come with rolls but they didn't and we had to request them. Blueberry pie was good but they do not offer whipped cream or ice cream for it. We sat inside to eat, which was lovely with a beautiful view. The tables (and things on the table such as salt & pepper shakers) were not the cleanest. Visit: June 2023.

Different seafood shacks in Maine excel at different things. Some have great haddock burgers, others oysters. And you don't want to buy the wrong thing at the wrong shack, because it'll be disappointing! At Shaw's what you want is the lobster rolls -- as of August 2025 they're $42, but they're huge. And you can get it however you want -- with mayo (Maine style), or my preference, plain with some butter on the side. Unlike other places, they don't fluff up the size with tons of lettuce in the bun, just lots and lots of meat. They used to have great scallops and onion rings, and while the portions are still large (they gave us so much food we had to toss some of it), neither are as tasty as they were in years past. A little added salt helped, but the batter was just sort of dry, crumbly, and mushy -- a combination i didn't think was even possible, but it's not great. Not that it's bad, but just not the best thing on the menu. Save the scallops for another seafood shack -- get the lobster here!

The micro-sized shrimp was $25, and the lobster roll was very basic—you can get a much better one at a nicer restaurant for a lower price. The prices are outrageous and not worth it, especially considering there’s no service, yet they charge like a high-end restaurant.

All around, good experience. The food was very fresh and came out quickly, even during a busy evening hours. I had the Thai coconut shrimp and they were amazing! They have a large patio outside with great views of the surrounding areas , just be sure to not leave your food unattended as there are seagulls in the area.

A group of us were visiting Maine and were told to visit Shaw's. I am absolutely lobster obsessive, so I was game. My friends ordered the whole lobster dinner but I wanted a bigger one. I had to go downstairs and pick out my dinner. I chose a 3-pounder and he wasn't happy about being pulled out of the tank. Tough! He was going down. Upstairs, you order the rest of your meal at the counter and pick it up when your number is called. The kids at the cash register need some direction in customer service (and they want a tip for punching in the order?). Borderline rude and not at all helpful. My lobster was yummy and I needed help cracking the shell, so the employees in the back were happy to do that. Paper plates and plastic cutlery was a disappointment for a place that's so pricey. I also had a salad and fries with my lobster. Roughly $70 for my meal with no table service and you are expected to clear your table was a bit too much. I won't be back, probably because I doubt that I will be back in that part of the country again. My friends were disappointed in their lobsters. They said they were a bit tough. Overall, I was happy to indulge in that 3-lb beast. It was fresh off the boat.

Tried to eat here yesterday early evening but the teenagers working there couldn't be bothered to stop being glued to their phones to wait on us. There wasn't an adult in sight. In addition , the prices on the food were laughingly high for being prepared by kids and no table service. Went and spent our money elsewhere. It's your money so it's your call. Food is in general expensive in Maine no matter where you eat but the experience and how you're treated matters.

Ok. I have to be real for all my fellow foodies. This was a major disappointment. Here I am in Maine trying some fresh seafood each day. We stop at this place and are so excited to try some more. Well. What I can give props for is the haddock nuggets. They were tasty. Although all together they needed to change their frying grease. Yet even worse we tried the lobster stew. Do not try this just walk away. From the picture you would have thought I knew better and I should have just turned it back in. Well I didn't and I took one bite and said never again. I don't know what I ate but it was not good and it was extremely greasy and the most expensive thing I bought that day. Bummed. Service was so so. The place was big but not full. That should have been a warning sign. Oh I tried the crab cake and only ate one bite of that too. Fortunately I had also bough haddock nugget. They saved the day but again too much grease so tummy was little upset. Just not my cup of tea!!

Wasn't sure what to expect due to the reviews but we stopped in here on a rainy weekday and man did it hit the spot! It's a no frills seafood shack in an absolutely gorgeous location. Everything tasted extremely fresh and staff were all helpful and efficient. The oysters from the raw bar were excellent! We loved their clam chowder - tasted like homemade. Also had solid fish & chips, great steamers, and my husband's lobster was fresh and succulent. Great way to warm up on a rainy day! Even the view from inside was lovely. Though we were there in the afternoon, it looks like it could be fun on weekend nights with the bar downstairs and deck overlooking the water.

32 dollars for a CRAB roll full of shells. Lazy picking! My first and last time at Shaw's Wharf. First strike was the bored and condescending cashier who took my order. Second strike was the ladies room door that wouldn't close properly (had to post a guard outside the door.) Third strike, We wanted to eat outside but the sun was blazing and there were no umbrellas over the tables Last straw was a 32 dollar crab roll with no sides, just a bag of chips and two pickle slices. And the crab roll was full of crab shell. I can't count how many bites I had to remove from my mouth and put in a napkin.. one star for good view

We went in May and it was super accessible and lovely but I could see how it gets slammed in the summer! Its just about the only place to eat down here but it IS worth it. Right on the water with lovely views. Dog Friendly patio - and 2 bars to keep you entertained. We got the clam chowder and were SO underwhelmed but everything else was great I got the whole belly clams (first of the season) and they were pretty good. The sides were great - I enjoyed the potato salad and coleslaw. You're really here to sit on the deck in the sunshine though so the foods spendy but the vibes great and a fun experience overall.

Absolutely delicious and fresh lobster! I ordered a lobster roll with potato salad and a local brew. The amount of lobster was insane! It was perfectly prepared and best of all I enjoyed my meal right on the deck where all local lobster boats were docked. Indoor and outdoor seating available if you want to enjoy the sunset and be entertained by curious seagulls. The prices were great and service was friendly and quick. It was truly an authentic experience.

Seafood doesn't get any fresher than eating at a commercially active wharf. Shaw's is a large facility with dock, restaurant, bar, kitchen, a counter to buy seafood to cook at home, a T-shirt shop, and bathrooms. For starters, we had the Mussels with white wine and garlic. For entrees, the ribeye steak with lobster tail and the 3 pounds of steamed clams. Everything was very good. Service was friendly and helpful.

Compliments to the chef! I had the pleasure of chowing down an exceptionally fresh & tasty Haddock Sandwich at Shaw's Fish & Lobster Wharf. Wanna know some more? Ok, Judge Judy - the crispy golden-brown coating on the haddock fillet was perfectly executed; providing a satisfying crunch with every bite. Crunch! Chow! Caught & sourced by Shaw's themselves - the fish was tender, moist & succulent - showcasing its freshness & high quality. The fishy-wishy's delicate (and delicious!) flavor paired wonderfully with the light seasoning, allowed the natural taste of the fish to shine through the potato bun. The portion was huge & the tangy tartar sauce was served on the side. A+ for that condiment as well. I didn't speak to the owners or the chef (sometimes I'm shy, you guys)--but the tartar sauce may have even been homemade. Located on the waterfront with plenty of indoor & outdoor seating, Shaw's is an absolute delight. Plus, it's one of the only restaurants that was open in the area around lunchtime. Next time I go, I'll try a different breed of fish & will report back. Fun, laidback spot! Cool views, too.

I left unhappy. I ordered chowder and steamers. the chowder was a $15 bowl of watery soup with congealed butter on top. worst I've had in Maine, and I've had a lot of chowder. The Clams ($25) came lukewarm, rubbery and without the taste of clams. It was sad.

Table for 4 on this rainy and stormy evening... very short wait... and 2 orders of twin lobsters (4 lobsters), a sack of mussels and a sack of steamers... a few beers and we had a blast... once our numbers were called it got very quiet at our table as we went about dismantling the lobsters and enjoying the mussels and steamers. The on tap pemaquid ale was great. Looking around to take some home to Iowa. They have a sink in the open area to wash your hands and to wash out the lobsters if you are so inclined - we did... wanted to enjoy all parts of the lobster... yum!

We were excited to get the fresh off the boat fish. What we got was good, not great. The staff was rude and condescending. The ambiance looked sad and run down. We were totally underwhelmed and will not be back nor recommend to friends.

The prices here have gotten out of control. You can go to Pemaquid or Round Pond and get better food cheaper. I had fried shrimp, and if you remove the thick batter, the shrimp were pinkie nail size. Ok, the surrounding is great, but it loses some points in cleanliness. Because of the location, they will always attract crowds, so there's little motivation to improve.

Locally owned and a true to form lobster pound. Beautiful area. Not crowded. Pemaquid beach and lighthouse are close by.

Service was fast but mid afternoon so we missed the lunch crowd. Clam chowder was good but little to no cream in the chowder so a bit thin but tasty with plenty of clams in the chowder. Wife has a salad and said it was good. Very casual place, order and pickup at the counter.

We ordered the Halibut and scallops. The food and service was great. You get enough for the price too. Would definitely recommend.

3.5 stars is crazy low for what is a quintessential Maine experience. Eat terrific seafood right on a lively wharf. It's a 10, and the exact place you should bring all your out of town friends to show them coastal Maine.

We loved this stop on the way back from seeing the lighthouse. Two lobsters each and didn't regret it. There's some harbor tour that boards around here making it crowded at times. Parking was full when we left dinner in July.

I had the lobster roll, it was delicious. I highly recommend it. This is a very chill spot, great vibe and Great views of the water. Friendly staff.

We were visiting local friends here and they brought us here. Our friends say that we haven't been to Bristol Maine until eating fresh lobsters from Shaws so we agreed to come visit with him. They have parking outside for all types of vehicles, so plenty of space on the hill. When you walk towards the Lobster wharf, you notice Shaws is right above the water, so you know your seafood will be fresh. We entered and they had the tanks divided by lobster sizes on the right side of the building and on the left corner they had their small shop of memorabilia to buy...from tshirts to stickers and jewelry. Great service as well. You can choose your lobster and they steam it there as well if you like, or take them live to cook at home.

Foods good. So much is fried. Downstairs has fresh oysters and it's fun and alive. Definitely got the feeling the staff was tired of dealing with tourists. Wine is dicey, beer selection is un exciting. Orange crush is definitely the way to go!

I ordered broiled haddock, and a small serving of onion rings, and the bill came to nearly $40. Outrageous, especially since the haddock seemed like merely a small slab of fish covered with paprika and warmed in an oven for a few seconds. No flavor, no broiled goodness. Maybe I am wrong, but it certainly could have been frozen at one time. The fries that came with it were soggy. The cole slaw was passable. The onion rings were ok - maybe 6 on a scale of 1-10. The bottled beer I got downstairs was warm and skunky and set me back almost $8 with tip. My dinner guests were also not pleased with their expensive, low quality meal. The place felt dirty. Not going back.

It doesn't really matter what they served. They would have gotten a bad review anyways. The cashier and other girl behind the counter were wearing their masks around their necks. They could answer zero questions about the menu- it was like they didn't know what the restaurant served. The kitchen is open and visible to the ordering window. Not a single person was even wearing a mask- not even incorrectly!! Just straight up not wearing one. God alone can even imagine what the rest of their health and cleanliness policies look like. There is no limit to seating, no social distancing in the restaurant. I got the haddock crumble broil. It was so dry, I was gagging trying to get it down my gullet. I can't describe how much I wish I had not crossed paths with this hunk of fish. The lobsters were fine- I mean its fairly o possible to screw it up. But! For twin lobsters- you only get one roll and one thing of coleslaw. Not sure the logic there. The view is beautiful, it's a gorgeous spot. I wish a better restaurant with more responsible owners would take over this location.

This is my family's absolute favorite fish and lobster wharf/restaurant in the area. My family has been coming to this peninsula in Maine for at least 25 years now, and Shaw's has always been a staple. The amazing view is impossible to beat. Coming at happy hour/pre-sunset time is the best, and definitely not as hot in the summer. If you're coming here, just know that it is a more traditional seafood/lobster shack, not fine dining by any means. You're not here for the service or the presentation - just some solid fried seafood, steamed lobsters, a nice drink at the bar, and the view/experience. The food is ordered at a counter in the greasy shack upstairs and the food is served on plastic trays and disposable plates, and they call your number to come get it. If you want lobster, you can order it downstairs at the lobster tanks. Tips: You have to sit outside to get the best experience. The inside ambiance is nothing to write home about. Go for the fried foods here, rather than the baked fish/burger/chicken dishes. They are best at fried seafood and a basic Maine steamed lobster dinner. If you're choosing between french fries and onion rings, go with the onion rings. I'm not a chowder gal, but my family always goes for the chowder at other places, rather than Shaw's. It's nothing special here. Finally, use the restroom before you come here, because the facilities are sub-par. But, it is a restaurant on a pier, so I don't expect anything more.

Worst lobster shack we've ever been to. The place is past its prime, dingy, sticky, stinky and in need of good cleaning. Maybe a sand blasting, painting, new furniture, umbrellas at the outside tables, and updating the interior "dining" area so it's no longer dark, unappetizing and stuck in the 1970's. Haven't even mentioned the food yet - which is nowhere near the quality of any lobster or crab shack I've ever been to. Forget any of that "dockside charm" - the fishy/trash smell on the way into the wharf never seems to leave your sense of smell or taste until after you've left and you're about an hour away. If you've read this far, you can probably guess that I'd give this place a hard "pass!"

I had lobster in many other places in Maine and I do not recommend this business because of the price. $35 for a lobster roll served with butter and a small bag of Frito chips is totally outrageous. We also ordered clams which literally come in a net and out of the boiling pot. The price you pay is the price of a 5 star restaurant and this is not. 3 lobster rolls and a plate of clams, $135. The lady taking orders was super rude. Place should be closed because of lack of hygiene.

My second favorite place for lobsters in mid-coast after Five Islands Lobsters. There are abundance of tables that overlook the water. We tried the fried clams, steamed lobsters and the blueberry pies. The fried clams were delicious with just the right amount of breading and seasoning, actually I think it was one of my favorite fried clams in Maine (we tried a lot of them across different lobster shacks). The lobsters were great, extremely meaty and well cooked. The blueberry pies were the least memorable part of the meal, it was just average. The flavor of the blueberry filling was a bit bland. However, I am glad that it offered blueberry pies, as most of the other places we went to didn't, i.e. Five Island Lobsters and Boothbay Lobster Wharf. Overall, it was a great meal and one of the prettiest settings for a lobster shack. Quick tip, if you had issues with the GPS like I did, make sure you don't miss the sign, which is only visible from one way on the main road. We had to circle around a few times and flagged down locals in order to find the small road to turn in.

Amazing setting and good vibe. The lobster roll was new shell so not full but very tender.

Coming back to a place that my wife and I consider a gem for lobster alongside a gorgeous inlet full of lobster boats Had a terrible meal ... lobsters devoid of lobster meat plus FF that went straight to the garbage The only star given is the lobster boats still there

We have been coming to this place in Maine for a long time and we like it a lot. It fits the bill for a pretty traditional Maine lobster shack although this is a bigger place than many. They have a great seafood menu including boiled lobsters, lobster rolls and really delicious fried clams. You order inside at a counter which is never my favorite thing but it seems appropriate here. Service is generally pretty quick. You can eat inside or outside at picnic tables. We always eat outside and enjoy the water view usually dotted, at it was on this visit, with lobster boats. During this latest trip I ordered steamers and a boiled lobster. Absolutely delicious. If you're not familiar with steamers they are simply clams (or quahogs as we sometimes call them here in New England) that have been steamed. You eat them as is or better yet, dipped in melted butter. My biggest issue with this place is the bathroom situation. It's a pretty big and busy place yet there are only two loos. One for men and one for women. They most definitely could be cleaner and there should be a few more available as there is always a line. And the "alleyway'' where the bathrooms are located is simply an unpleasant place to be. That said, use a bathroom elsewhere on your travels...and just go to Shaw's for great Maine seafood.

Just finished wandering around Pamaquid point so we stopped in for lunch. 10 minute wait for our shore dinner. 1 1/4 lb lobster and 1 1/2 lbs steamers. So delicious. Side of salad, extra butter and a roll. The clam juice was definitely lacking, more like warm water. Everything else was delish.. Plenty of on-site parking. The warning signs concern parking for the boat tours.

Bottom of our list for our 2022 Maine lobster crawl. The place was packed but service flowed. We found seats outside. The table had not been cleaned. Food came and we dove in. There were absolutely no flavors. I panicked wondering if I had COVID. I could not taste the steamers, the butter and the lobster, nothing. Thank God for the Lay's chips. The loo was filthy.

Went there today and ordered a crabmeat roll that comes with chips and a "pickle". 28.00 for a hot dog bun with crabmeat in it, a bag of plain chips and 3 very dry pickle "chips". Not the best I've had but certainly was the most expensive crabmeat roll I've had. The dark haired lady that takes orders tossed a side of onions at my friend when she asked for them for her burger, and had an attitude. Burger was cooked to death. We won't be back. First and last visit.

If you want a true wharf experience and fresh seafood, this is your place. We asked a local for a recommendation when visiting the nearby lighthouse. There is indoor and outdoor seating. The seafood is fresh as you can get and mighty good.

This is what I expected when I said I wanted lobster and beer on my trip to Maine. The lobster was tasty. The beer (Lone Pine pilsner) was excellent. But, the steamed clams were the star of the show.

We have been going to Shaw's for many years but its time to say buh by. 36 dollars for a lobster roll. YES 36 DOLLARS. And a credit card service fee charge. YES A CREDIT CARD SERVICE FEE CHARGE. The fried seafood is good and reasonably priced. Cole slaw had no taste. The view of the harbor is spectacular. But CREDIT CARD SERVICE FEE. Come on man.

Compared to other Maine food, not quite up to par. Clam strips and coconut shrimp were pretty good,3, slaw, clam chowder and fries, we threw out. Would not go again

View from deck is beautiful and has a wonderful atmosphere. However, this means very little when staff behavior is far less than adequate. Samantha was extremely short and rude off the bat, and seemed to not know how to properly treat customers. Her knowledge in terms of the menu and pricing was not proficient, and she did not show any desire to help us when ordering. Her language was impolite and her overall demeanor was unpleasant. Hopefully she was just having a bad day, but it put a damper on the experience, and I wish we had a better one.

Can't beat the view and the food is great, too! Shaw's is a classic lobster shack and one of the best spots to enjoy summer in Maine.

We ate there in June great place for lobster and fresh clams. We were visiting from Las Vegas what a treat and a view.

After another change in ownership we wondered if Shaw's would slip lower or go through a gifted transformation. We found it to have gotten worse. Fried seafood is an art which I believe is supported by the public but old oil taste and inconsistent fry batches from undercooked to burnt make it hard to enjoy. Fish fillets broiled are rubbery and breaded filets are dry and tasteless indicating previously processed and frozen food. Cleanliness is another issue when the table bears the previous diner's grease and lobster juice on top of the table and no one can provide a damp towel and cleaning solution. Garbage barrels over flowing and grease on the floor from spilled butter. It's too bad as the old Shaw's was about getting lobster and your fry on with family and friends but I'm not sure it's the food or place I would take them to any more.

Thank you for having the best lobsters in town. One of favorite places to visit when we are in town. You are always busy and everyone gives service with a smile.

Shaw's seems to be a bit of a tradition for us. It is a local seafood restaurant that makes no attempt to be anything more than a place to get good food at a reasonable price. The fact that it is on the water, and frequented by a lot of locals, is just a bonus. Pricing is reasonable - for a party of six that included three lobster meals, the total bill came to about $110. The people in our party all enjoyed their food, though my halibut and shrimp plate was mediocre. Depending on when you are there, you may have to clean up a table before you can sit. They can get busy. There is dining on a back deck and inside. Dining is not fancy and is pretty self-serve. There will not be any waitresses coming around checking on you. The restaurant is upstairs while a working fisherman's landing is below. You can watch as lobstermen bring in their pots and load them into trucks. Also downstairs is a small gift shop with reasonably priced t-shirts. One of the really offputting things is that you MUST walk past two dumpsters to get into the restaurant. I don't mind dumpsters, per se, but I do mind the rotting sewage smell that is coming out of them. It is not a way to be introduced to eating here. Bottom line: There are tourists here, but plenty of locals as well. The price is reasonable and the atmosphere is very casual. I've eaten here a bunch and will be back again..

Great local joint on the water. Beautiful view for outdoor sitting and enjoying the boats coming into shore, but sadly we were there in the rain. We split the Buffalo shrimp, clam chowder and blueberry pie. Would love to go back and get it all again!

We took a Hardy Boat Cruise and then wanted supper after, so we ate here. The atmosphere was fun (live music downstairs, which we didn't want, with an indoor seating area upstairs) and everyone was friendly. The food was warm and delicious, and pretty quick. It is definitely expensive, considering that it's a fast-food experience. We ended up spending $60 for three people, which would be normal if it were a real restaurant, but this is a place where you walk up and order at a counter. However-- they met our needs in that moment (the Contented Sole is closed on Tuesdays, as we found out) and we enjoyed our meal.

I have loved Shaw's for 30 years but this year we ordered 2 lobster rolls and an order of chicken strips and the total came to $97. $97!!!!! After ordering our beers the total for the day came to about $125. Hopefully they will reconsider the prices, felt like it went full-tourist trap this year. Bummer.

I visited Shaw's this past weekend, and I was supremely disappointed. We were lured in by the beautiful location and deck overlooking the small harbor, but I really wish we had just had a drink and left. The food was honestly disgusting. I hate to say that about a small business, especially in a place like New Harbor where I've been visiting grandparents my whole life (I should have listened when they said don't go there!), but it was almost comical how bad it was. The haddock was like tough rubber, the steak tips were strangely mushy and tasteless (both were inedible), the lobster stew did have a good amount of lobster, but was oil swimming in cream, and the salad was your mediocre house salad (fine). The fries were good at least! Maybe we should have only bought fried food which masks the low-quality of the fish. We came here because we'd already had lobsters the night before and wanted to have something different, and I thought their extended menu would hit the spot, but unfortunately we spent $50 on food that largely went uneaten. Two stars for the view and outdoor deck area, and because I can't bring myself to give one star to a local business.

Buyer beware. Local fave Raw bar downstairs densely packed. Masks & social distancing nonexistent. Everyone milling about the crowded space with zero regard for traffic management signs. Millinocket wedding on the water. C'mon people.

Scruffy stinky and tasty Shaw's Lobster Restaurant definitely qualifies as a classic seafood shack. The stinky dumpster right in front is a dead give away. Used to be lots of places like this scattered around New England but they have been slowing disappearing. Nothing fancy, this is about as casual as it gets. You order your seafood at the counter and then take it to one of the picnic tables, either inside or out on the deck. The views from the deck are pretty impressive. You can watch the fishing boats go by or the seagulls fight over scraps. Since this is a real fishing area with lots of dead fish hanging around it has a distinctive odor at times but that is part of the appeal. Nothing about this place is fake or phony, this town still makes it's living from the sea. The food, especially the lobster and lobster rolls are great with the prices just what you expect for good seafood. Downstairs you can buy crummy t-shirts and check out the lobsters people are about to eat and really get a feel of what seafood is all about. The place gets packed in the summer and the same people come from long distances every summer just to eat here. You might have wait for a table if you come during the peak time of the year but in the cooler weather you can pretty much sit outside with just the seagulls for company. A classic and iconic seafood joint that just goes on doing what it has been doing for decades. If you want personal service, fine ambiance and food with names you can't pronounce find somewhere else. Shaw's might be crowded, a bit stinky at times and simple but it does what it does about as good as it can be done.