Thurston's Lobster Pound

Seafood restaurant · Hancock County

Thurston's Lobster Pound

Seafood restaurant · Hancock County

2

9 Thurston Rd, Bernard, ME 04612

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Thurston's Lobster Pound by null
Thurston's Lobster Pound by null
Thurston's Lobster Pound by null
Thurston's Lobster Pound by null
Thurston's Lobster Pound by null
Thurston's Lobster Pound by null
Thurston's Lobster Pound by null
Thurston's Lobster Pound by null
Thurston's Lobster Pound by null
Thurston's Lobster Pound by null
Thurston's Lobster Pound by null
Thurston's Lobster Pound by null
Thurston's Lobster Pound by null
Thurston's Lobster Pound by null
Thurston's Lobster Pound by null
Thurston's Lobster Pound by null
Thurston's Lobster Pound by null
Thurston's Lobster Pound by null
Thurston's Lobster Pound by null
Thurston's Lobster Pound by null
Thurston's Lobster Pound by null
Thurston's Lobster Pound by null
Thurston's Lobster Pound by null
Thurston's Lobster Pound by null
Thurston's Lobster Pound by null
Thurston's Lobster Pound by null
Thurston's Lobster Pound by null
Thurston's Lobster Pound by null
Thurston's Lobster Pound by null
Thurston's Lobster Pound by null
Thurston's Lobster Pound by null
Thurston's Lobster Pound by null
Thurston's Lobster Pound by null
Thurston's Lobster Pound by null
Thurston's Lobster Pound by null
Thurston's Lobster Pound by null
Thurston's Lobster Pound by null
Thurston's Lobster Pound by null
Thurston's Lobster Pound by null
Thurston's Lobster Pound by null
Thurston's Lobster Pound by null
Thurston's Lobster Pound by null

Highlights

Locally caught lobster & crab dishes with harbor views.  

Featured in The Infatuation
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9 Thurston Rd, Bernard, ME 04612 Get directions

thurstonforlobster.com

$30–50

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9 Thurston Rd, Bernard, ME 04612 Get directions

+1 207 244 7600
thurstonforlobster.com

$30–50

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Aug 23, 2025

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@infatuation

The 16 Best Lobster Rolls In Maine - Portland, ME - The Infatuation

"Thurston’s Lobster Pound is just a few minutes from Acadia’s most famous lighthouse, but it’s also far enough from the main town, Bar Harbor, that you can have a quiet meal alongside day laborers covered in paint having lunch on the deck. You’ll have a great view of boats bobbing up and down in the water, and the lobster itself is much better (and more affordable) in other spots more densely populated by out-of-towners. The roll is stuffed but manageable to eat, and comes with a bag of chips and a very snappy pickle spear." - anne cruz, carlo mantuano

https://www.theinfatuation.com/portland-me/guides/best-lobster-rolls-maine
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@infatuation

The 5 Best Restaurants Near Acadia National Park

"Lobster may as well be Maine’s unofficial mascot. Millions of lobster buoys float all along the coast, and it seems like everyone’s always ready for Lobster Roll Discourse™.  Luckily for you, there’s an excellent lobster roll spot just a few minutes away from Acadia’s most famous lighthouse on the western half of Mount Desert Island. The roll itself is less than $30, stuffed but not too unwieldy, and has the perfect amount of mayo. And since Thurston’s is about a 30-minute away from Bar Harbor, it’s quieter and has fewer tourists, so you can peacefully look out at the many boats anchored in the harbor with a cold beer." - anne cruz

https://www.theinfatuation.com/bar-harbor/guides/best-restaurants-near-acadia-national-park
View Postcard for Thurston's Lobster Pound

Jack Dwiggins

Google
Great place to get fresh lobster with a great view and vibe. Plenty of outdoor seating to view the water and lobster boats. Rolls were pretty reasonably priced compared to others on MDI and tasted the most fresh. I will say the lobster roll did but use a lot of mayo or other seasoning to let the lobster shine through, I can see this being a good thing or a bad thing depending on preference. Overall a great experience and it was cool to see the fresh lobsters up close!

Bryse Vrolijk

Google
Loved everything about this place! From the moment we walked in, the staff was incredibly friendly and welcoming. We started with the mussels, which were absolutely perfect. I went with the large lobster roll and it did not disappoint... loaded with fresh lobster and so flavorful. Also have to shout out the potato salad, some of my favorite I’ve had anywhere down east! Between the great food, wonderful staff, and stunning waterfront views, Thurston’s is the total package. Can’t wait to come back!

David Lipe

Google
This was my first visit to a lobster pound and it was great. Waited in a short line to select out lobsters, took a seat in the lower deck, and our food arrived shortly. Great meal and atmosphere. Our daughter and son in law walked out in the deck after we ate and ran into the owners who shared their story with them. Highly recommend.

Christine Cherney

Google
My husband and I stopped here after a hike. Oh my gosh! The bartender was amazing and the food??? Even better!! Highly recommend the Lobster Melt- I will dream about it for the rest of my life! Cannot recommend this place enough! The Bloody Mary was so good- love them with horseradish. See you next year!!

Valerie Tiffany

Google
If you want a genuine Maine lobster experience, this is the place to go. Amazing service, beautiful atmosphere, and OMG - the sweetest, yet simple lobster rolls with toasty rolls, great coleslaw, and amazing blueberry mojito to wash it all down . They even had a very tasty black bean burger for my vegetarian friends . Parking is challenging as it’s a popular place but you’ll just have to wind your way through until you find one - WORTH IT!!

Xuan Bui

Google
I think the food was a bit overpriced, but maybe the atmosphere of it all made up for some aspects of it. It was nice to be right by the waters, seeing the boats, and eating the fresh food. The service was also great, the girls that took our order were helpful and friendly. We got lobster rolls and the mussels. The lobster rolls itself were good, maybe a 7.5/10 and the mussels were subpar at a 6.5/10 as it was just cooked and came with a side of melted butter. Coming here was good for the experience, but the food could be a bit more flavorful.

Mark Pennington

Google
I've been around the World several times and this is the best, most authentic Lobster Pound anywhere. It simply does not get any better. From the 'fresh that morning lobster', to the view of a working harbor, once You've been here, You've been to the best. p. s. (the lobster stew is a local favorite and is incomparable)

Kurt D.

Google
Arrived at 1:30 PM and there was plenty of parking here today. About 90% of the seating is outside but covered with rain/wind screens if needed. Genuinely friendly service, very reasonable prices, and perfectly prepared food. They had 80s music playing and at the perfect volume where you could hear it and enjoy it, but still have a conversation. I will definitely be back here, I highly recommend.
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Jason L.

Yelp
I might be biased but to me this is the "g.o.a.t." of lobster pounds. I've been coming to Thurston's for a long time. I've tried a lot of "pounds" and this is still my favorite. This is a great working harbor and you're surrounded by the boats that are catching your food. This place packs up during the evenings so plan accordingly or be prepared to wait. Parking stinks and sometimes there's just no where to put your car. There's no reservations - you just hop in the line upon arrival. Feel free to meet your line neighbors -- some great conversations have happened in that line. All that said I don't think I've ever waited more than 20 minutes. If you're ordering lobster your meal is typically by the weight. I personally like them small - I think it tastes sweeter. You can add on the usuals (e.g. bread, corn, cole slaw, cake) or mussels, clams, oysters, etc. The key here is the blueberry cake - the greatest use of blueberry's next to blueberry pie =). We typically order 2 cakes, or more, for breakfast the next day. Most of the seats, on the various levels of the restaurant, have a good view of the harbor. This is a traditional lobster pound on a dock of the harbor. Maybe it's the bright yellow awning, or the blueberry cake, - I dunno - but this is the way!
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Madison L.

Yelp
For sure off the beaten path, but well worth it for the views and the lobster. We got a steamed lobster which was great and the haddock chowder. The chowder had great flavor and good chunks of haddock, but I wish it had other chunks of common chowder ingredients, as that was pretty minimal. Lots of viewing decks and opportunities to go on the dock. Wait staff was super nice and all things considered, the food came out pretty quick!
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Lisa S.

Yelp
We didn't want to leave Maine without the full lobster experience and Thurston's came with rave reviews. It was dark and pouring rain so no views beyond the tent that was keeping us warm and dry. You order at the counter where they chose a live lobster for you based on your preferred size. Felt a little sorry for the live lobsters desperately trying to escape to no avail. We got the plain dinner which included corn on the cob, slaw, a roll, and a HUGE piece of blueberry cake. Our meals were delivered boiling hot. Gotta wait before cracking into the seafood. Being our first time eating lobster this way, we did pretty good. The food was delicious. Boy, it's a lot of work for not a ton of meat but it was fun to have the total experience. I'd totally do it again.

The Reverse _.

Yelp
the service was horrible, i had to say "hello" 3 times before they greeted me. Then the cashiers started having a conversation and ignored me while they were talking about random things. Way too overpriced also for the quality of food.
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Daniel F.

Yelp
Perhaps my mistake was ordering steamed clams and not lobster. Either way, the clams were still full of sand and that was horrible. Lobster dip was good and the haddock chowder was average at best. Great location and a nice view. I will try again and order lobster or a roll next time.
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Jean Y.

Yelp
Surprising fast llne. First time back in 6 years and thee are remarked changes. It is less rustic but so much cleaner and well organized. I do miss the lobster cages filled with lobsters out front. Service is fast and efficient. We came out here for birdwatching and did see a few black guillemots and added plus. The

Jenn T.

Yelp
This place was recommended by a friend who knew we were coming to visit the area. I'm so glad we tried it. The lobster rolls were so good. My daughter loved the crab dip and I loved the blueberry cake too. Excellent service, atmosphere, and very friendly people. I would highly recommend.
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John M.

Yelp
All the rave. The location is great, as you're right at the docks next to the lobster boats. Typical, order your food up front and wait for quick delivery. In all honesty, the lobster rolls were just okay... generous lobster, but that's it, no butter, kind of cold & dry. Side order of corn was great ( and it came with butter). There are better options for me.

Z C.

Yelp
I was reluctant to have much lobster in Bar Harbor because I knew places like Thurstons were out there and I'm glad I waited! The view from the deck is awesome. The setup--order at counter and sit anywhere--is very relaxed. Staff were kind and welcoming. Toddler-resistant tableware means parents don't have to stress. Digging out the lobster meat was fun! The mussels were delightfully sea-salty. Slaw is perfect and blueberry cake is eggy and filling. Great value.
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Rachael H.

Yelp
I was super excited to finally eat a Maine lobster roll but was kind of let down. The service was pretty slow even though there weren't that many people there when I went (it took standing in line about 10-12 minutes until I got to order and there were only three people ahead of me), which would've been fine if the lobster roll was amazing, but it wasn't sadly, just average. There was a decent amount of lobster, but there wasn't any seasoning on it at all and the roll was dry and should have been buttered more. The pickle that came with it was tiny (like a 1/3 size of a normal pickle), and I had to eat the lobster roll with the chips that came with it to get some flavor. The view and area though are beautiful, I just really wished at the end of the day that I saved my $31 to eat a lobster roll at Hodgdon's down the street instead.
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J P.

Yelp
Most excellent meal here a wow what a view. You must check this place out. Parking lot looks large but it fills up, so allow time to find a spot. Having no waitress service is fine- you order at front counter and they'll deliver to your table that you've found. We arrived an hour before closing on a weekend night and had no prob with parking, seating or food coming out timely. And it's dog friendly for outdoor seating.
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Stephanie S.

Yelp
The food was so delicious! Everyone was so kind, food was quick and the lobster was absolutely perfect! Service was excellent and the bartender was so polite.
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Vicky K.

Yelp
Hands down the best lobster pound on the island. We make an effort to come here at least twice every trip. The last trip our oldest has gotten into eating lobsters and can now take them apart himself! The staff is very friendly and helpful in selection. Would highly recommend this to all our friends!
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Susan W.

Yelp
Last year visited on a beautiful day and looked forward to bringing our family back this year We had done a lot of hype - unfortunately we had a foggy cool day but heck the food is supposed to be amazing. We enjoy lobster a lot so we were looking forward to trying some of the other menu items. Crab cake sandwich, lobster BLT, Haddock chowder and lobster stew. The chowder and stew had generous portions of haddock/ lobster. The crab cakes and BLT sandwich were just OK. I guess the real draw here is the view and those that get a boiled lobster dinner Parking is tight and place gets busy so plan accordingly. Staff is very friendly.
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Amanda S.

Yelp
Full disclosure - I'm not a very experienced lobster eater, so take this review as you will. My husband and I choose Thurston's for the view, which was absolutely worth the drive and is totally a 10/10. It was a beautiful day. We sat on the deck, sipped our booze and enjoyed the various boats docked in the water. IMO, the lobster roll was just okay. It was barely tossed in mayo, but I'm not sure if that's how it should be? The description does say "lightly tossed in mayo", but I swear that was hardly any. The meat was sweet, however it was more fishy than the few other lobster rolls I'd eaten. I wished I'd just ordered the boiled whole lobster. That way I'd know it was fresh. A couple beside us had one each and they looked damn tasty. However, my husband thoroughly enjoyed his grilled crab and cheese. I agree, it was delicious! Here's where it really took a dive. To end the meal, I decided to enjoy a margarita. It was terrible. I don't think there was an ounce of tequila in the drink. I paid $9.00 for a tiny ass cup, +$3.00 tip. The bartender was definitely ready for the tourist season to be over. He did remake my drink without charge upon my request, but not without rolling his eyes and making it obvious he was annoyed. With so many places on Maine's coastline for outstanding food, it's hard to say if I'll risk returning to Thurston's. But I would like to give them a second fhanxeIf you go here, go for the views. I'd recommend trying something else besides the lobster rolls. For your sake, I do hope your bartender makes your drink right the first time. Maybe a 50% tip will do the trick. :(
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Sabrina Z.

Yelp
Food, service and Ambiance was amazing. Will come back to eat and new foods too. We ordered Lobsters
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Lucille H.

Yelp
Great lobsters and Amazing lobster soup. Sides are delicious too. Can sit large groups.
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Megan C R.

Yelp
Dinner was FANTASTIC! Lobster was amazing. Love the experience. The place is divey. Don't be dressing too fancy ladies, you might make a mess! Pick your lobster from the tanks up front. Get a bottle of coke or sprite. And please for the love of god, get the crab cakes... they are to die for!! I was also surprised how much I loved the coke slaw. Could have easily taken a bucket of it home. Service was thankfully easy to understand and they were SO nice! Not sure how to eat a lobster?? They have a step by step guide! Then take a number. They bring your food. When done, take your trash and plates to the marked station to help them cleanup if you are willing and able.

Michelle M.

Yelp
They let us hold a lobster and take a picture with it. Food was good, atmosphere was great. Great!

Nikolas C.

Yelp
Food was amazing! Atmosphere was top notch! Views incredible! Genuine lobster eating experience!
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Kim S.

Yelp
I loved the ambiance, the staff, the locals, and the food! We stopped in for a beverage and a view then came back for dinner because we enjoyed it so much. The lobster dip was great. The jumbo lobster roll was a lot of lobster and without the mess of the whole lobster option. The blueberry crisp was the perfect end to our meal. They have a good beer list and some fun cocktail offerings. Tip: You can order everything from the bar except for the whole lobster options. So if you don't want whole lobster or to stand in line, find a seat and order at the bar. They had a lot of covered seating and a half dozen tables outside. It wasn't too crowded on a Saturday night. The parking started to get full around 5 and when we went back later for dinner, it was the same. They said the line may get long but that it moves quickly. The tables would fill up but there never seemed to be folks waiting for a table. Go! Enjoy!
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Ryan K.

Yelp
This was the best vibe among the lobster dinners I had on Mount Desert. Seating was practically over the water but we were still warm and dry despite the downpour occurring outside and the whole place was surrounded by piles of lobster traps. They had tanks of lobsters separated by size and pulled out for weighing right in front of us while we ordered. This was our first lobster dinner of the trip so the instructions for how to eat on the trays was super helpful. The lobster itself was delicious along with most of the sides. The corn seemed kind of old, not very crunchy or bright yellow. It was also slightly more expensive than most of the other places we saw. Overall it was a great stop and highly recommended if you're on that side of the island.
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Robert B.

Yelp
This is our favorite place to go for lobster! Choice of sizes and a great location overlooking Bass Harbor.
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Laney L.

Yelp
Lovely local place, not a tourist trap like at Bar Harbor. Great service and staff. Great food. Great location. No imitation lobster here!
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Conor D.

Yelp
I only wish I had a picture to do the whole lobster justice. It was a triumphant experience. You eat it and feel like a winner. Also great bartender which matters
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Kristi M.

Yelp
Sometimes you have a place you go that you love so much, you don't want to tell anyone else about it. You want to keep it your little secret. Well, that's how I feel about this place, but the thing is - it's not a secret. Everyone knows about it, so why not take a moment and add why I love this place so much!! Okay, Mount Desert Island is chalk full of lobster pounds - places that tourists flock to to order lobster, steamers, corn on the cob, chowder, blueberry pie - all those staples of a Maine Dinner. And, frankly - they are a dime a dozen - nothing setting one apart from the other. Except, Thurston's. There is just something extra going on here. First, I should state - I do NOT come here for the steamed lobster dinner. I come here 100% for the cocktails on the deck and the view!! So, I bypass the line at the door where you place your order and I head right to the bar. And, given the touristy nature of the place, those seats on the deck looking at the harbor turn over quickly - until I claim mine!! I will sit there for 2 hours or more. The bartenders can place orders for drinks and most of the menu - just not the actual steamed lobsters. So, when I come here, I order a cocktail, sit and enjoy it on the deck while watching the lobster boats drop off their daily catch. Eventually, I will order some snacks - particular favorites include the hot lobster dip, the lobster stew, and the steamers. And, another cocktail. In short, this is my kind of place - especially while on vacation. A good drink with a great view and some solid snacks. It just doesn't get any better. The bartenders are VERY kind! The drinks are VERY good. The parking at this place can be overwhelming, but don't be fooled - just because the lot appears full, doesn't mean you won't find a seat.
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Pete F.

Yelp
One of our favorite lobster pound on our trip. It's on the other side of Mt Desert Isle so it's a little drive from Bar Harbor But the drive is worth it. You order from the counter and the food is brought to your table. You choose your lobster and it is weighed for you. I suggest getting the large ones, which are around 2 lbs. There are a couple of covered (tented) areas on the dock. There is also a bar where you can also order food.
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Kari K.

Yelp
Beal's or Thurston's - you can't go wrong! This is a lil' more touristy but it's fun you can see them throw the lobster in and take them out while you walk in for dinner. We were lucky with no lines, as I hear this place can get busy. I love the view - completely what I think of Maine! Easy parking around the pier and fast service - the food came fairly quick and was hot. Great drinks - the special was a Hot Honey Margarita- it was spicy good! Wow! Fun place, definitely would eat here again.
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Tia P.

Yelp
YUM! After reading the fantastic reviews we decided to stop in for a late afternoon lunch. I'm so happy we did. Situated right on the docks of Bass Harbor, the location is awesome. There was not any outdoor seating available so we sat inside right at the window in the bar. I thought it was perfect because we could look out over the beautiful scenery and it was a bit chilly outside for this Texas girl. The bar was full of fishermen and locals. Great vibe. You order at a counter when you walk in. The lady who took our order was friendly and helpful. We ordered 2 lobsters with all the fixings. The lobster was the freshest. The meat was sweet, succulent, rich and buttery. The sides were fantastic as well. We were actually full and took the blueberry cake back to our VRBO for breakfast the next morning and it was sooo good. This place is outstanding.
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Trent W.

Yelp
Excellent fresh lobster for everyone. Right on the water with great views. Grilled cheese lobster was one of faves of the week. If you're going to Pound, go to this one.
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Matt G.

Yelp
Outstanding! We ate here 3 days in a row for lunch, lobster and lobster rolls. Food is excellent, atmosphere (on the water) is amazing and service friendly and fast. This place is consistently great!

Deby C.

Yelp
Another top of the line, order your food, lobster restaurant. They are right off the boats and they know how to cook them. We stopped in just for an appetizer and got the lobster spread with crackers. Fabulous !! Loved the feel and the friendly atmosphere.
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Lynn N.

Yelp
Ok so you can't beat these views. Can you get any more Maine than eating lobster while overlooking the bay and admiring the lobster boats?? This place is first come first serve for seating so you first order at the counter and then find a seat. We didn't have a hard time finding the perfect spot and I could've stayed here for hours! The crab cakes and the lobster dip were perfect appetizers before we chowed into our lobster dinners, bibs and all! If I wasn't so full, I definitely would've wanted to order more but sometimes my eyes are bigger than my stomach. I'll be back!
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Bradley P.

Yelp
Amazing! This deserves 5 stars and more! Awesome location right on the water with the area giving you the whole lobster pound experience. I had a lobster roll that came with a pickle and chips and my family got cheeseburgers. My lobster roll was delicious although I did regretting not getting the live lobster like I did the night before at another restaurant! For drinks, I got a blueberry soda and my son got a craft ginger beer. He loved it! For dessert, we got 2 whoopie pies and blueberry spice cake with vanilla ice cream. Everything was awesome! The whole ambiance was perfect and service was great as well. You order at a window with live lobsters there to greet you and then you grab a number and they bring it out to you. The busses are always clearing tables for the next guests to be able to enjoy their food in a timely fashion. Love, love, love this place!
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Jeff K.

Yelp
Delicious. Great service. Totally amazing lobsters, lobster rolls, and steamers. Burgers good too. Would give more than 5 stars, if I could.
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Mackenzie W.

Yelp
Thurston's was a unique spot that is perfect for those seeking the traditional Maine seafood experience. I arrived around 1:30 pm and there was a small line, but it moved fast. The staff at the order counter was helpful and provided instructions since it was my first visit. There's tons of covered patio seating and it's right on the water so the view is great. I got a lobster melt, coleslaw, and corn on the cob. Definitely come hungry because the lobster melt was great, but very heavy. It was pricy but included tons of lobster so it felt worth it. The corn on the cob was exceptional and fresh. Overall, I recommend it for the food and view!

Elaine M.

Yelp
Great out-of-the-way place. You could tell it's a favorite with locals. Great food. The view was pure Maine. Only negative? They had a (male) bartender who wasn't friendly or helpful but who then manipulated you into a tip by asking, "Do you want any change back?" If you say yes, you look like a cheap skate, even when you have every intention of leaving a tip. But I want what & when I tip to be my decision, not his. He did it two different times, once to me, and once to my husband, - we didn't know this until I said something to him later - so we're pretty sure this is his normal behavior. (Or maybe he just does it to the tourists.) It didn't ruin the experience, but here's a thought: If you're THAT unsure that you're going to get a tip, maybe you should polish up your people skills instead of tip-shaming people.

Christine M.

Yelp
Loved it! Great food and beautiful views Efficient organization friendly staff and clean!
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Sherry S.

Yelp
Lobster was good and they have great potato salad. My husband had the mussels and said they were small and overcooked. Nothing about the food was impressive. It was just OK. The reason you go is for the view from the deck.

Michele C.

Yelp
The food, service and atmosphere were outstanding. Sitting on the deck by the rail overlooking the water. The mussels were delicious as were the lobster rolls we had. We are already planning another trip back before we leave. Hands down our favorite place for lobster so far.
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Jason P.

Yelp
The thing about being a restaurant so wildly popular that you have long lines, is that you have to deliver at a higher level than your area competitors. I've never eaten there, but I know people wait in long lines for brisket at Franklin BBQ in Texas. I've never heard of somebody saying Franklin's brisket wasn't up there with the greats though. According to my camera roll, I took my first picture from the end of the Thurston's Lobster Pound line at 4:47 p.m. on Tuesday August 3rd. When I was the next person to order, I snapped a pic of the lobsters next to the cash register at 5:37. So I waited in line a bit longer than 50 minutes. Thurston's handed me my takeout order around 6. If Thurston's produced a uniquely special meal, I could live with that kind of wait. Unfortunately, my meal, which is obviously colored to some extent by the long wait, was my third favorite out of three meals involving lobster on the "Quiet Side" of Mount Desert Island this week. I have absolutely no issues with Thurston's service. I can't blame Thurston's for being so popular that they have a long line. Good for them! The cashier was friendly. The person in the takeout area that spoke with me the most was attentive and great. The bartender who served me my "waiting around IPA" was awesome. Service was as good as as it could be given that many people all wanted Thurston's food at the same time. But it's not fun to wait that long, especially when you're trying a place for the first time and you don't know how long the line will take. Also, Thurston's location is awesome. It's on the water and there are all sorts of boats floating nearby. It would be a cool place to hang out and eat for sure. Thurston's food was generally very good, but there were a couple of hiccups, and their lobster rolls were not better than the lobster-related items I had at other places this week. To be clear, Thurston's lobster roll, which comes only cold with a bit of mayo to tie it together, was very good. It had quality lobster and there was a good amount of it. The roll was well grilled. However, the other lobster I had this week seemed a bit better in terms of flavor and consistency. Also, the other two places offered both cold lobster rolls and hot buttered lobster rolls, which is important in my family. (Pro Tip - Thurston's will make a cold lobster roll without any mayo, and give you a side of melted butter for self-assembly. That's what I ordered for my wife). I also ordered crab cakes. They were pretty good, but not up there with my favorites. They were a little heavy on outer breading and thin strands of crab meat, and a little light on finesse and lumps of crab meat. In terms of the food hiccups, both my wife and I thought Thurston's corn on the cob was overcooked, whereas the corn we had at another place this week was perfect. Also, I ordered a medium-well cheeseburger for my 9 year old son, who is a picky eater. I sliced the burger in half before giving it to him, and it was maybe medium rare. That would have been great for me, but that's not a battle I'm going to pick with him. I will not return to Thurston's during the busy Mount Desert Island season in light of the long lines, and other area options that are at least as good without similarly long lines. I would give Thurston's food about 4 Stars, but factoring in the very long wait and other area options, it's hard to call this a 4 Star experience. Let's say Thurston's gets 3.5 Stars overall and I'll round up to 4 Stars.
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Binnan O.

Yelp
Thurstons is a great place if you want a true lobster shack experience. They catch everything locally and you'll get to see them pull the lobster from the tank in the counter while you order. It's a nice scenic spot to eat your lobster while overlooking the bay. I will warn people this place is not for the delicate, there are some strong fishy smells due to the lobster cages and you have to be comfortable watching people eating whole lobster which entails a lot of shell cracking, ripping of lobster tails from bodies, and/or cooked lobster poop oozing from its GI tract (think shrimp with that vein in their back). It's not the most refined dining experience but it's sure authentic including the bib with your meal to protect you from lobster and butter splatters. I'd recommend getting a lobster roll if you're not into the whole lobster dismemberment experience. A tip for first timers is that the table numbers are collected after guests leave but the staff only do so periodically so if you see a perfect table that looks otherwise empty except for a number, you can likely snag it. We got a few lobster dinners and a jumbo lobster roll. The meals come with a whole cob of corn, a massive blueberry spice cake, a roll, and butter for dipping of course. The whole lobster comes freshly boiled without any seasoning or anything, you get to enjoy the unadulterated lightly sweet flavor of the meat with butter adding some richness to each bite. The lobster roll comes equally plain on a lightly butter French toast bun, a single leaf of lettuce, and heaping amounts of lobster. There is no mayo or fancy aioli of the trendier places. The sandwich only comes with a bag of Vickie's sea salt chips so is definitely a lighter meal. We did also get some local mussels to share which ere just simply boiled without any accompaniment as well. Overall I think Thurston's caters to seafood purists who don't want any fluff. Their food is super fresh, simply boiled, and served without any pretense. You seat yourself, bus your own table, get your own water, etc. This place does have a certain charm to it and might tick what you consider an authentic Maine lobster experience.
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emma l.

Yelp
The PERFECT place to eat for an authentic and delicious "Maine dinner. " Everything was wonderful and the views were stunning. Top highlights were the fish chowder and the lobster melt. Went twice in two days it was so good. 10/10

D. H.

Yelp
This is the place seafood dreams are made of. There's a reason why it's so popular! Everything is cooked to perfection, the view is beautiful, and the entire experience is so special. The staff are kind and helpful as well! I can't recommend Thurston's enough!
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Gygy S.

Yelp
We stopped here recommended by a friend and wow the food was incredible! We ordered the 1 1/4 LB lobster Mussel Dinner and it was delicious. Tried the Maine lemonade but wasnt a fan personally because it was sparkling. We spent $70 for two lobster dinners and drinks. Very friendly staff. Self sitting cans sit indoors or outdoors. Highly recommend! They also had a blueberry cinnamon bread that was very yummy we took that home and had with some coffee.
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Amy M.

Yelp
This was my favorite lobster on our trip and it so much more affordable than the restaurants in the town of Bar Harbor. It's definitely worth the drive out of town for much better prices. I like counter service and they had fun sodas. Their lobster was so flavorful and tender. We didn't get any side dishes but did try dessert. We enjoyed the blueberry crisp with strawberry ice cream. The blueberry cake was pretty good too. I took it back to the hotel to microwave it to make it warm.
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Jeab Thida T.

Yelp
So yummy with fresh stream lobsters and lobster stew , the dog can sit in lower level.
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Laura C.

Yelp
I don't even like lobster that much, but I had to have this authentic Maine lobster experience! PARKING/LINE: There is a lot at the end of Thurston Road that has a decent amount of parking. We came right around 5pm on a Tuesday and the line was long as expected. The bar is open if someone in your party wants to grab drinks while you wait in line. It ended up taking us exactly an hour to get up to the counter to order. They have the live lobsters right in front of you! FOOD: You order at the counter, get a number, and then you just find any open table upstairs or downstairs. It took about 10mins to receive our food. I got a pound and a quarter "Plain Dinner," which included a lobster, dinner roll, corn on the cob, coleslaw, and blueberry spice cake. This was the freshest lobster I had on the trip. It was sweet and not fishy at all! My family saved the cake for the plane ride home and decided to get a slice of blueberry pie with blueberry ice cream for dessert. There's a separate dessert window upstairs if you don't order dessert with dinner. Eating the lobster was very messy, but a great way to end our trip to Maine!
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Andy N.

Yelp
Best lobster we had on our Maine trip Nice views and atmosphere by the lohbster boats I recommend getting the steamed lobsters over the lobster rolls