When you hear Maine, what’s the first thing you think of? Maine lobster, right? I dare you to Google “what is Maine known for” and you’ll find right alongside lighthouses, L.L. Bean, and blueberries is Maine lobster. For good reason too! Today, Maine is the largest lobster producing state in the nation, harvesting more than 100 million pounds of this iconic Maine seafood each year.
So, when planning a trip Maine’s best coastal destinations like Bar Harbor, it’s no surprise lobster is on your checklist. But let us make the case to add a few more integral Maine seafood dishes to the menu, we promise you won’t be disappointed!
A Brief History of the Maine Seafood Industry
Perhaps you’ve heard that Maine lobster wasn’t always as popular or considered as luxurious as it is today. But did you know that Mount Desert Island played a key role in bringing this peculiar crustacean to the forefront of fine dining? Let’s roll back the clock and look at the history of the Maine seafood industry.
Long before colonists arrived in what we now call Maine, the native Wabanaki had been harvesting seafood as a central part of their diet for more than 5,000 years. Evidence of shellfish such as clams, blue mussels, and sea urchins appear in middens all along Maine’s coast. And while less common, among these were also lobster shells. In 1605, the first mention of lobster was recorded when English settlers catalogued their observations of native fishing practices.
Then, in the mid 1800’s technological innovations began to change how we saw lobster. First, came the lobster trap, invented in 1808 by Ebenezer Thorndike, allowing fisherman to cover more ground and spend less time monitoring lines or nets.
Well Smacks, larger fishing vessels with tanks that circulated seawater, helped lobstermen keep their catch fresh and travel longer distances. Starting in the 1840’s, Maine took up the canning of salmon, cod, and of course, lobster, which could then be shipped across the US and even internationally. The gears of the Maine seafood economy were turning.
But it wasn’t until the 1900’s that Maine lobster became what it is today, a culinary and cultural icon of the pine tree state. Beginning in 1910, the wealthy (and fashionable) Rockefellers made Mount Desert Island their summer home and with them came national attention to our little coastal town. There, they indulged in lobster often and served it to their visiting guests. Suddenly, Maine lobster was in vogue.
From there, the popularity and price of lobster continued to rise, boosting the status of Maine’s fishing communities. Over the past 15 years, the Maine seafood industry has averaged nearly $600 million in value. Communities like Bar Harbor continue to rely on their working waterfronts as well as tourism’s interest in Maine seafood to support their residents.
7 Best Maine Seafood Dishes to Try in Bar Harbor
Enough about history, let’s get to the good stuff—the food! You can find some of the best lobster in Bar Harbor, along with other must-try Maine seafood dishes. Below are just seven of our favorite items that you should sample on your trip to Mount Desert Island.
The Maine Lobster Roll
Of course, we had to start with the Maine lobster roll, perhaps the most infamous recipe for our bottom-feeding friends. A long-time staple of clam shacks and roadside stands, the Maine lobster roll gained momentum in foodie culture in the 1970’s at Red’s Eats. Now almost all Maine seafood restaurants boast a version of this summer sandwich on their menus.
What exactly is a Maine lobster roll? A traditional Maine lobster roll is made with cooked and chilled knuckle, tail and claw meat piled high inside a griddled bun, unlike the Connecticut lobster roll which is served hot. Beyond that, there’s room for debate. While some argue that true Maine lobster rolls are made with mayonnaise and crunchy greens like chives or celery, many Maine seafood restaurants offer their customers the choice of either mayo or butter.
Our opinion? Why not try them both! The Bistro restaurant at the Atlantic Oceanside Hotel offers this classic roll–both in the butter or mayo style. (And if you want to go really crazy, order it like our senior designers’ father, mayo-style with drawn butter on the side.)
Maine Bluefin Tuna
The bluefin is one of the most sought-after fish in the sea. They can grow up to 14 feet in length and weigh up to 2,000 pounds although most commercially caught tuna come inbetween 300-400 lbs.
And every summer, these voracious eaters (the fish, not you!) migrate to the Gulf of Maine to feed on mackerel, herring, and other baitfish. They are reel or line caught by hand from June through September and shouldn’t be missed on your trip to Bar Harbor.
The Maine Bluefin Tuna has a distinctive, full flavor and sumptuous firm flesh that makes it perfect for serving raw in sushi, tartar, carpaccio, or crudo. A quick sear adds flavor while preserving its luscious texture. You’ll find different preparations of this prized fish across Maine seafood restaurants.
For an elevated dish with this delicious fish, try the Ahi Tuna Tataki at the Bar Harbor Inn’s Reading Room restaurant, which features lime whipped avocado and compressed watermelon.
Fresh Maine Oysters
If you’ve never had an oyster before, your trip to Mount Desert Island is the perfect opportunity. Oysters here are grown to sweet, briny perfection in our cold, salty bays. While not much beats the freshest possible Maine oysters enjoyed raw with a scoop of mignonette or a squeeze of lemon, we do occasionally indulge in a basket of fried oysters. Either way, don’t let their appearance dissuade you from trying one of the ocean’s best treats.
Can’t fit Maine into your travel plans this year? Bar Harbor Oyster company will ship these briny seafood treats straight to your home!
Fried Haddock
Alongside thick cut fries, or stacked between soft hamburger buns, fried haddock is a staple dish at Maine seafood restaurants. This mild, flaky fish is a crowd-pleaser and gets even more tempting when battered and fried till crispy. Add a refreshing pile of coleslaw and some tangy tartar sauce, and few can resist. Consider this a go-to lunch when visiting Bar Harbor. Leary’s Landing classic pub-style restaurant features a fried haddock entrée with hand-cut fries and house made slaw.
Maine Clam Chowder
You won’t find red clam chowder anywhere around here. In Maine, we’re all in on the luscious, creamy white clam chowder that is typical of New England. Made with potatoes, salty bacon, cream or milk, and of course, fresh chopped clams, to us Mainers this is comfort in a bowl. No matter the time of year, you’ll always find Maine clam chowder on the menu, often at a great price! Top with oyster crackers and give it a try. Geddy’s, which opened in 1974, is a downtown Bar Harbor icon and they always feature a New England Clam Chowder on the menu.
Seared Maine Scallops
Most scallops you find in the grocery store outside Maine are caught by longer trip vessels and frozen at sea or treated with preservatives. Not here. We have the luxury of Maine scallops, which are harvested and landed the same day. The result is absolutely incredible, perhaps even life-changing! These ultra-fresh dayboat scallops have a silky, buttery texture with just the right amount of firmness to make every bite satisfying. They boast the pure, sweet flavor of the sea with a mild brininess.
While delicious raw in a crudo, we can’t recommend enough Maine scallops seared quickly in butter and dressed simply with lemon. You’ll find some of the best preparations of these ocean gems at the Reading Room.
Steamed Maine Mussels
In your walks along the Shore Path, or visit to Sand Beach you’re likely to find the empty blue and purple shells of Maine mussels. They grow in dense beds in the intertidal zones around Mount Desert Island and are a delicious snack for people and seabirds alike. Elegant yet simple, we love Maine mussels steamed in a garlicky white wine bath and served with crusty bread to sop up maximum flavor. They have a rich, savory taste and firm but tender texture that can be a great introduction for first timers to the world of mollusks. A downtown restaurant aptly named, Dinner, offers a fun twist with their Coconut Green Curry Mussels with preserved lemon and Thai basil.
Bonus: Maine Seaweed
Fish, mollusks and lobster aren’t the only things Maine’s coast has to offer. All along the state’s coast grows seaweed, feeding and protecting the marine wildlife that we treasure so deeply. In recent years, the market for Maine seaweed has grown and 10 varieties of edible seaweeds can be harvested across the state. Some of our favorites include Nori, Dulse, and Irish Moss. Care to explore a new flavor of the sea? Check out Maine Coast Sea Vegetables for locally produced seaweed products and recipes to try at home.
Hungry yet? This is only scratching the surface of the abundance of delicious seafood in Maine. On your next visit to Bar Harbor our best advice is to keep an open mind, chat with locals about their favorite Maine seafood dishes, and stay hungry!
If you’re planning a trip to Acadia, you’ve probably considered catching a sunrise at Cadillac Mountain, and for good reason! Not only is Cadillac the highest peak in the park, it’s also the highest point on the eastern seaboard and provides visitors with magnificent, sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean, glacial coastline, and island landscape.
