Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Happy Clam Shack

    4.7 (183 reviews)
    ModerateSeafood
    Closed 12:00 pm - 7:00 PM
    Updated a few days ago

    Happy Clam Shack Photos

    HAPPY CLAM SHACK ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Divey
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

    You might also consider

    More like Happy Clam Shack

    Recommended Reviews - Happy Clam Shack

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Lobster bisque bread bowl
    Shannon R.

    Pretty good, especially if you are a bread lover like me! Not my favorite soup on the island, but the bread makes it worth it. Filling!

    Yummy
    BloodyExpert R.

    Good food! Cute spot. Order inside, eat outside. Had the clams which were so BIG! The corn on the cob was fresh and delicious. Clam chowder was good. Coleslaw was good too!

    Steamers and naked lobster roll
    Esther L.

    Omg, best lobster roll of our New England trip so far and I've had quite a few already. Portions are so generous and the naked lobster so fresh and CHUNKY! Just a little butter you drizzle on yourself and you are golden. Also the steamers are delicious.

    The roll lobster roll.
    Lucie A.

    this place is really adorable! We ordered a lobster roll, with coleslaw and chips. It was outstanding! We also ordered a piece of blueberry pie, which was delicious! The service was quick, and everyone was very pleasant! there are picnic tables outside to eat at.

    Naked Lobster Roll and Clam Chowder
    Steve D.

    We had driven by several times and it was always hopping. We read the reviews and decided to give it a shot. The naked lobster roll was amazing as was the clam chowder. The owner and server who took our order were very friendly and personable. The temperature was perfect for the outdoor seating. Will definitely be back next time in Maine.

    Hot lazy Lob roll.
    Shana Brooke W.

    Had THE BEST lobster roll at the Happy Clam. So much lobster on this roll compared to others we had. Visiting from out of town and the staff was so nice and friendly and the food was delicious. Fun vibe with outdoor picnic seating!

    Menu
    Lina W.

    I only was able to have 4 meals in Maine, and the Happy Clam Shack was by far my favorite. Three people shared 2lbs of clams, 3 corns, a slaw, 2 clam chowders and a lobster bisque. The seafood was super fresh and well prepared the seafood (not over cooked). This is the most reasonably priced seafood we've had in Acadia National Park vicinity. In the lobster bisque, the lobster meat was plentiful, juicy and sweet. I wish I had more room to try the blueberry pie, but I'll have to try next time I come back! Another bonus, it's not too busy with plenty of parking, BYOB and has lots of Instagramable angles.

    The restaurant sign
    Maureen J.

    Pick your own lobster! The lobster tanks were so fun. The clam dinner looked good, I am all about the lobster. I ordered a soft shell lobster dinner which came with corn and coleslaw. I also purchased blueberry pie and got it with vanilla ice cream. The soft shell lobster was DELICIOUS! The only difference was it was significantly cheaper and had quite a bit more liquid inside. The meat was so good! The blueberry pie was excellent. I recommend staying and eating outdoors at one of the tables. The mess you make can be easily handled. The staff was friendly and my meal was the best I had in Maine. I encourage you to stop here.

    Crab Roll
    Lucy S.

    We were in town visiting and decided to go to Happy Clam Shack at the recommendation of some locals. Wow was it a great decision! The restaurant itself is an unassuming "shack" on the side of the road, with seating outside as picnic tables under some umbrellas. At the request of the restaurant I did not take photos of the menu, but they were running a GREAT deal on soft shell lobster when we were there (I think it was $5.99/lb). The lobster was freshly cooked and the crab roll was stuffed full of crab and so flavorful! I especially enjoyed the clams. We ordered a few meals as well and they came with butter which complimented the seafood nicely. The only thing that was a little disappointing was the clam chowder-- it was pretty watery and we just weren't huge fans of it. The staff were very friendly and all in all it was a great experience. If we are ever in town again we'll be sure to come back!

    Outside of the Happy Clam Shack.
    John G.

    Vacationing in Maine, we were craving a good lobster roll and this is indeed a great place to get that or virtually any other seafood dish you wish. While ordering our rolls we noticed them cutting pieces of fresh blueberry pie, readying them for dessert. We later bought a slice and I have to say it was the very best either of us have ever had: Very little, if any, sugar was added and the crust was exceptionally light and flaky. All seating is outdoors; thankfully there's a huge area with plenty of picnic tables, each with their own umbrella for shade. The staff is very friendly; someone even came out to check that everything was perfect with our meals. As an added bonus, there's a sink on the side of the building for washing up before and/or after.

    See all

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    25 days ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Scp R.
    0
    10
    2

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Steve D.
    30
    37
    27

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lina W.
    102
    562
    1957

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of S D.
    13
    9
    0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jessica B.
    12
    101
    45

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    11 months ago

    Amazing food!! Price is good food is fresh. Don't miss it! Great assortment of sea food.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Amazing Clam Chowder. This is a must stop for a perfectly prepared boiled lobster and steamers dinner. Very impressed.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Paul C.
    16
    20
    32

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tulsa H.
    1366
    605
    1900

    5 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 11
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Pat K.
    0
    81
    12

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lisa R.
    71
    40
    41

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 5

    Ask the Community - Happy Clam Shack

    When is the last day of the season for happy clam shack?

    The owner told me it depends on weather and tourist. Give them a call to see if she has more info.

    View All 2 Questions

    You might also consider

    The Travelin Lobster - free popcorn

    The Travelin Lobster

    4.8(701 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    Sweet Baby Jesus. If…read moreyou're the sort of person who requires cloth napkins, tasteful lighting and a waiter named Chad who explains the provenance of every pea on your plate, don't go here. But if you want honest food at today's prices, pull up a chair. The lobster roll was a revelation. Not that mayonnaise-based lobster purée somebody scraped out of a tub and smeared onto a bun that had been sitting around since the Carter administration. This was real chunks of lobster, lightly seasoned, piled onto a fresh roll and left alone to taste like lobster. Then came the steamers. Sweet mercy. Those steamers were the best thing I have tasted since 1974, and I'm not entirely sure what happened in 1974, but apparently somebody knew how to steam a clam. The service was excellent--friendly, attentive and without the usual modern-day restaurant ritual of wondering whether your server has forgotten you exist. The décor? Let's just say aging fish camp chic. If you're looking for polished brass and a chandelier imported from France, keep driving. If you want the feeling that somebody might walk in carrying a cooler full of flounder, you're home. For the love of all that is holy, give this place a try. Come hungry. Leave happy. And if you encounter a cloth napkin, somebody has probably made a terrible mistake

    If you're in Bar Harbor, the Travelin Lobster is the lobster stand you need. We visited this great…read moreplace on our first night, we had lobster rolls and clam chowder that was exceptional, with generous portions and priced fairly. The employees were fun and they made the experience nicer. The next day it was time for lunch and my husband said lets go back to the Traveling Lobster, I said (and later regretted) no let's try somewhere else. We tried a place with a catchy lobster name and the teenage boy, behind the counter of the takeout as he handed us our change said, you're leaving me a tip - right? In unison we both said no. I added we don't tip workers at McDonalds, we're not tipping you and even if we did, we wouldn't tip you because of your demand, he walked away nonplussed, to add insult to injury the food was mediocre for the price. Later that afternoon we tried another lobster stand, and it was worse; the food was terrible for the price, we ordered a side of lobster mac and cheese and there was not a shred of lobster in it, we ended up taking it back and getting our money. Starving, we went back to the Traveling Lobster and had another great meal, listened to trivia and left satisfied. What we learned is if a stand isn't busy or has few cars, don't bother, there's a reason. By all means go the Travelin Lobster, the parking lot is busy, the line moves fast and the food comes out fast and excellent, the employees don't attempt to shame you into tipping them and when you order lobster mac and cheese, you get plenty of lobster. I also learned that my sweet husband is sometimes right :).

    Photos
    The Travelin Lobster
    The Travelin Lobster - Hot lobster roll with blueberry soda and a lobster bisque

    Hot lobster roll with blueberry soda and a lobster bisque

    The Travelin Lobster - Clam chowder bread bowl

    See all

    Clam chowder bread bowl

    C-Ray Lobster - homemade blueberry pie & blueberry ice cream

    C-Ray Lobster

    4.7(409 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    We came by after a LONG day of hiking and being insanely hungry and were thrilled to see they…read moreweren't busy at the moment, and there was hardly any wait time for our food. There's plenty of outdoor seating with shade & heaters. They bring your food straight to your table for you, and they were kind enough to turn on the heaters for us without us even asking. I hadn't even realized how chilly it was until then. We ordered the crabmeat roll, lobster roll, potato salad, clam chowder, and the blueberry pie. I honestly was impressed by their serving size and pricing. Definitely very fair pricing and the rolls are packed with meat. I was so hungry I didn't expect to be full, but their portion sizes definitely filled us all up. I don't have much experience with lobster rolls since I'm not from the Northeast, BUT I would say that these rolls were among the best I've had during my travels both on this trip and prior trips in the Northeast. It's also so convenient that they're right outside the National park so you don't even have to drive that far to find them. Great food and great pricing for being right outside a National park. If I ever come back to Acadia, I would 100% stop by here for some food again.

    The food was amazing! They had a cozy bonfire with outdoor seating and seating under a pavilion…read morewith heaters. Local brews and delicious blueberry pie. This is a must stop

    Photos
    C-Ray Lobster - Fresh fresh fresh!

    Fresh fresh fresh!

    C-Ray Lobster
    C-Ray Lobster - Blueberry Soda

    See all

    Blueberry Soda

    Bar Harbor Lobster Pound - Fish tacos

    Bar Harbor Lobster Pound

    4.6(368 reviews)
    3.1 mi
    $$$

    BACK FOR A SECOND YEAR…read more.. I see why this place is ###1 In Maine...... Great outdoor atmosphere, kid friendly, sit and relax under and massive shade canopy, away form the road, includes outdoor service.. (not just another roadside "lobsta" shop with a folding table on the edge of a parking lot) . OK- good vibe on property and location, I don' at all mind a walk-up window to order....saves money, time and you know exactly how many orders are in front of you. All good, but how is the food ? Family of 4 - We ordered a bit of everything for sharing....Lobster dinner to start...super fresh, large 2 + pounder bathed in hot butter.....add a side of lobster nachos....OMG, good call. Not a fan of corn on the cob, but the kids loved it. I am happy. Next .I ordered a straight up lobster roll - hot, butter only, No skimp on the lobster (see picture) with a added side of coleslaw which was a pleasant surprise....made fresh daily with owners secret recipe (he would not share BTW). ), I added garlic aioli sauce to everything because this place understands all food is enhanced with either hot butter or home-made aioli sauce....(never mayo) My kids binge ate french fri's which have a light coating, crispy and hot while they each ate lobster tacos...What the heck ? A Taco in Maine ? Delicious....all the way. Again no skimping on the lobster meat. Then came the real test.....a virtual dark horse (no they do not serve "horse") .The Ice Cream Boat (which also has a stern full of fresh blueberry pie). All locally made, fresh and large portions. I left 5 pounds heavier, asked my wife to drive so I could nap in the back of the rental car. Thanks to owners for a great food experience that represents Maine !

    Amazing food overall, nice employees, nice seating and amazing area. Waitress was nice and easy…read moregoing.

    Photos
    Bar Harbor Lobster Pound - Outside

    Outside

    Bar Harbor Lobster Pound - Hot roll & chips

    Hot roll & chips

    Bar Harbor Lobster Pound - Lobster tacos

    See all

    Lobster tacos

    Rose Eden Lobster

    Rose Eden Lobster

    4.8(112 reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$

    So I'm traveling with my daughter's family making an east coast loop from NC to Maine and back. The…read morelast two nights we have stayed in Acadia in Maine. I love lobster so we had it two nights in a row and we were not disappointed either night. Last iight was a bit more fancy in Ellsworth where we ate at Union River Lobster. Tonight we ate here. Casual. Eating in picnic tables. The food was great at both places. Tonight it was the family, four lobster, dinner with clams, corn on the cob and jambalaya. Food was great. Had the grandkids eating lobster, shrimp, and clams. Enjoyed it very much.

    Rating: 4.8 Came to…read moretry the famous maine lobster. There were few options around the area but we decided on this place as it's more of a small cozy shack. This place serve fresh lobster but not only that they also offer a cajun seafood as well. There is small parking available beside the shack. They offer variety of seafood including lobster roll, lobster dinner, mussels, clams, shrimps, cajun boil and blueberry pie. We decided to get the classic lobster dinner with two lobster. I decided to go for the biggest 1.5lb+. and we got a side of blueberry pie. They take the live lobster out of the water tank and weigh it in front of us which was nice. They then cook it right outside. We waited about 15minutes or so and the owner brought the lobster dinner out of us. It' 2 huge lobsters and 2 fresh corns, and mussels. They also give you lobster aprons, butter, cajun seasoning, de-shelling tool, and a paper with instructions as well. They do offer some condiments and hot sauces which you can grab as needed. We got prepared with apron and started digging into our lobster. We devoured every meat we can find in the lobster. It was plump and sweet and seasoned well with salt. Tasted delicious even without any butter or seasoning. We tried them with seasoning for some change of flavor but it's not necessary. My personal favorite was claw meat for sure. Tail meat was good but it was bit bouncy. Mussels and corns were delicious as well. The owner brought the blueberry pie at the end for us. It was sweet, tart and crunchy around the pie crust. I enjoyed it even though i've never been a huge fan of blueberry pie in general. Service was excellent. They cook the fresh lobster there right on the spot before you eat. Owner was very nice and friendly and checked in on us periodically. Overall the place was excellent and definitely a top spot for maine lobster. Compared to other place nearby it was 't that busy either. I think that this may be the best lobster i've had ever. Only down side is that it's in a bushy area so there were quite a bit of bugs flying around. They do have bug spray as well so definitely protect yourself if you are eating at the table there. Definitely a must stop for Maine lobster if you are in Acadia area. May have try the cajun version next time visiting.

    Photos
    Rose Eden Lobster - Two huge apple trees at the entrance.

    Two huge apple trees at the entrance.

    Rose Eden Lobster - So delicious.

    So delicious.

    Rose Eden Lobster - Once you pull off the road, look for this!

    See all

    Once you pull off the road, look for this!

    Downeast Lobster Pound

    Downeast Lobster Pound

    4.0(180 reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$

    Was looking for a lobster pound for reasonably priced lobsters and this place was okay. $15.95 per…read morepound that includes the jumbo soft shell lobsters. Was told it was a great deal.. so decided to order 2 lobsters and it was 4.9 lbs, $78 total with 2 corns. They were sweet and huge but not sure it was worth it. I still prefer the 1.25 pound lobster and just get 2. The steamers were expensive $20 for just a pound and will definitely not order it again.. but the clam chowder was great. For $125, it was too much money, we were satisfied but was hungry a few hours later. But its bar harbor, nothing is cheap and you have a great view of the Cadillac mountain. I live part time in Maine, so this review may have been biased because there's plenty of other places that's cheaper than this spot.

    Just went there this afternoon. Downeast is across the street from Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound…read more(which seems to be slightly more popular). I chose Downeast because I've heard good things about it. Overall, I'm very satisfied with my twin lobster combo (two smaller lobsters with corn & butter, $30 altogether). My husband had the $36 lobster melt, which someone else reviewed poorly and I sort of understand why. The lobster melt definitely seems to be overpriced. It's hard to understand why it's $6 more than the twin lobster combo. But they must price them with enough reasons. I'm not running the business, so I'm just looking at it from a customer's perspective.

    Photos
    Downeast Lobster Pound - Bathroom decor

    Bathroom decor

    Downeast Lobster Pound - 1 lb steamer $20 and bowl clam chowder $9

    1 lb steamer $20 and bowl clam chowder $9

    Downeast Lobster Pound - Menu & prices

    See all

    Menu & prices

    Abel's Lobster - Lobster stew with corn bread

    Abel's Lobster

    4.2(306 reviews)
    4.6 mi
    $$$

    Came for the ambiance and to splurge on what we hoped would be a fantastic last meal on our trip to…read moreMDI. The ambiance delivered - gorgeous setting! We showed up at dinner time and were quoted 1 hour but were sat in less than that - yay! Service was slow, friendly and spotty. Mussels were delicious. My husband had the lobster roll and said it was good - have had bigger and better for same price elsewhere in town. My daughter and I shared the burger and a Caesar salad. Yummy burger but soggy bun (they didn't ask how to cook it). The Caesar salad was such a disappointment for $17 (no protein). I appreciate that Abel's has a small menu, presumably so they can execute a handful of items really well. It is so easy to make a Caesar salad elevated but it was an absolute fail - grated cheese instead of shaved and a dressing with zero taste. Sadly the blueberry pie was also a miss. The filling was way too citrusy and the crust was chewy - all served with a whipped cream that added nothing to the experience. Our plates were never cleared, it took a long time when we asked for something extra (napkins, dressing) and we never received a box for our leftover cornbread. Overall just wish our dining experience matched the price of this fantastic location in MDI.

    I had lunch there with a friend today and it was absolutely delicious! We shared chowder fries,…read morewhich, if you've never had them , are unbelievable! And then we shared a fried clam plate and they were some of the best I've ever had ..not a bit of grease, w very very light breadingv.. The view is outstanding and the whole restaurant atmosphere screams "summer in Maine"! All the staff were very pleasant and The host was so accommodating asking us if we preferred sitting in the sun or the shade and made sure we got an available table with an umbrella... our waitress Jocelyn was very sweet , courteous and fast! ..service was amazingly quick.. and there was a young girl working scurrying around cleaning and tables and benches. Everything was spotlessly clean... and note that everything is made from scratch there ..all of their breads, crackers, dips ...everything! I'd give it 10 stars if I could .

    Photos
    Abel's Lobster - Beautiful lake view

    Beautiful lake view

    Abel's Lobster - Mussels are a must with their thai flair

    Mussels are a must with their thai flair

    Abel's Lobster - Mug of Clam Chowder!

    See all

    Mug of Clam Chowder!

    Mainely Meat - Max Platter, delish and HUGE

    Mainely Meat

    4.3(196 reviews)
    1.5 mi
    $$

    Mainely Meat is mainely AWESOME! My family and I love the BBQ from this place. First of all, I…read moredream about the Blueberry Ale from Atlantic Brewing, and then to have it along with some amazing food? It is sheer perfection. We went the first night we arrived in the Acadia area. Our VRBO was situated only minutes from the brewery and so we walked there the first night. As stated in a previous review of Atlantic Brewing, it is such a nice location. It has a great vibe, and I always appreciate the little playground where the kids can hang out while we drink beer or wait for our food. The service was wonderful and the food came out rather quickly. My daughter ordered the wings, which she absolutely loved (as did my husband and I). My son ordered the mac and cheese, which is cheesed to perfection. It was so creamy and delicious. My husband and I shared the sample platter and it was definitely enough food for the both of us. All the meats were smoked, juicy, and just delicious. We loved the jalapeno corn bread and I always love me a good bowl of baked beans. Everything was just top notch! I highly recommend Mainely Meats as a stop for lunch or dinner while you are on the island. You won't regret it!

    There are two experiences here to take into account: the BBQ ordered to go and the in person bar /…read moreambiance. The BBQ has potential, but it did not deliver. The chicken was smoky but not flavorful. The potato salad was missing seasoning and the cool sale was bland. The ordering process from the website is not optimal.... We stopped by the place to get a drink and the ambiance was casual and mostly friendly. Their beer selection on tap and cans was quite good. This is not Texas BBQ, nor is it is Carolina BBQ, nor is it St. Louis style BBQ. It's not even beach / backyard BBQ. It's its own style and for my taste.... Just not there.

    Photos
    Mainely Meat - Mainely Meat dining patio

    Mainely Meat dining patio

    Mainely Meat - Pork platter

    Pork platter

    Mainely Meat - Blueberry Lemonade, sweet and zingy

    See all

    Blueberry Lemonade, sweet and zingy

    Happy Clam Shack - seafood - Updated September 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...