Lobster with a view! We came in and asked to be seated in one of their many outdoor tables by the river. The view from the restaurant is absolutely stunning, from the butterfly's to the ducks and everything in between! Now after about 20 minutes the food arrives! We had delicious lobster rolls, a lobster grilled cheese, and their crab pot! Everything was delicious and the service was wonderful. And just when you thought you were done we had a big slice of blueberry pie that was the best i've ever had! Overall this place was incredible and I would recommend to anyone in the area! read more

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Apparently we got lucky and were seated right away though food took a long time to arrive anyway. Everyone at the table enjoyed their food whether it was lobster rolls, the lazy lobster dish or the steak tips with large chunks of meat. The baked stuffed haddock dish I got was okay. I didn't get much flavor from it. The garlicky mashed potatoes side was doing the heavier lifting on that front. It seems likely that I ordered the wrong thing. Service was just okay, with no apologies or acknowledgement for the long wait and a bit of time passed with empty cups before they offered drink refills as well. Ambiance is loud open restaurant style with live music in the patio and some lobster fishing related decor. Because the table enjoyed their food much more than I did, I would be disingenuous to rate it less than four but I was not impressed. One of our family members considers this place as their favorite lobster roll place so there's that. read more

Union River Lobster Pot - Baked Stuffed Haddock with Seafood Stuffing and Lobster Sauce - Seafood Near Me - Ellsworth, Maine

Wonderful time at the Pot. I had the Haddock and my wife had scallops, perfectly made. Before our main meal we both enjoyed the raw oysters, salty and sweet all together! Service was quick and helpful, no waiting in line this day around 5pm. If we're ever in this area again we will absolutely return. Thanks for the wonderful time. read more

Went here pretty late and the wait was still 45min-1hr. You can sit outside by the area that cooks the lobsters/crab etc. the cook outside was great and everyone was peacefully taking in the action and getting their pictures etc. Once sat inside the server was nice and prompt. We knew what we wanted because we looked while we waited. Things we ordered: clam chowder, lobster pot and crab pot. Clam chowder - this is the best clam Chowder I have ever had in my life. I still think about it. The most fresh and flavorful clam chowder ever. 5/5 stars Lobster pot - comes with steamers, corn and potatoes. It's what you expect. If you are expecting a west coast seafood boil that comes in a bag this is not it. It's simple and delicious Crab pot - 1 whole corn on the cob and a couple of potatoes and a couple of smaller clusters of crab. Again it's simple and delicious. I would come back here every single time to get the clam chowder. This place is a must for that alone. read more

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This was our first time visiting Maine and the first place we stopped immediately after exiting the airport and it truly set the tone for our trip! My mom and I came for lunch because they have a cute little set up to enjoy "lobster on the lawn" while overlooking the river. We ordered a hot lobster roll with butter and a cold lobster roll with mayo; they were both fantastic. I could have sat there all day since there is ample seating so you don't feel rushed. We were even lucky enough to see a seal pop its head up! The service is friendly and quick so it's a perfect spot to just relax and enjoy a yummy lobster roll. Would definitely visit again and recommend to anyone planning a trip to Maine. read more

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We hadn't tried this restaurant because the wait times during peak season have been challenging and they don't accommodate parties of 8 or more so that left it off the family gathering possibilities. We heard owners had changed but the menu touted well-loved "favorites." We arrived for a birthday dinner, just the two of us. Oysters are always a favorite, so we ordered a half dozen for $21. They were not labeled as being from a particular oyster bed and knowing where they are from is an important part of our experience. We shrugged that part of the experience off - and only cocktail sauce, no mignonette- and dug in. Although the oysters were served with a plate of ice underneath, no ice touched the oyster shells. And I so wished they were ice cold. These were lukewarm, air temp (no heat wave yet, thank goodness!) and they could not have been less appetizing due to the temp. For dinner I tried the surf and turf and my companion ordered a casserole style lobster, 5 oz of picked lobster served with a cracker crumb crust. The New York strip steak was cooked, as requested, medium rare. A stripe of gristle went the length of the entire cut, and the steak was unseasoned, tough, and nearly inedible. With my steak was a butterflied lobster tail with a full dark vein on top of half. There is no way anyone near that dish, from plate to service, missed seeing it. So I deveined my own lobster tail and enjoyed an otherwise perfectly cooked lobster tail. My dining partner's lobster dish, with the cracker crumb topping, looked dry as a bone and so heavily doused with paprika or other spice as to be inedible. She waded through half and found little lobster and we sifted through the remaining crumb for what should have been at least 3 oz more of lobster meet. Nope. Our server was another matter. He wasn't rude, but he never made eye contact and when we refused take out containers for what was clearly about half our meal, he avoided the obvious issues. Cashing out tableside with his handheld device should have felt easy and convenient but the automated tip options added an eye roll and some disgust to our already bad experience. Dining outdoors riverside? Lovely. The food, not so much. There are many outdoor venues and I encourage you to pass by this Ellsworth option. read more

Loved the outdoor picnic-table seating option overlooking the river. Food and service were excellent - would highly recommend.

Really great ambience! Service was prompt and food was great! Sitting out by the river was the perfect setting in a warm afternoon. First time trying the lobster roll and we split traditional and hot! read more

Went here during our recent trip to Acadia National Park in August 2025 wanting to eat some Maine lobster and other local cuisine. We waited about 30-40 minutes on a rainy evening. Was able to observe a lady cooking to order the lobsters while waiting for our table. The food was very good and the service was excellent. The restaurant was about average noise level and suitable for large groups. would recommend going to this lobster pound in Ellsworth. read more

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First of all there open 5-8:30pm 7 days a week. Maps is wrong. The food is amazing and well worth the money. read more

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We stopped by for lunch, the restaurant wasn't open but the outdoor patio was! We grabbed a lobster roll and it was delicious! The staff was so nice! The food came quick and it was a lovely seating area overlooking the river! Beautiful view! Lovely staff and wonderful food! Thank you! read more

Union River Lobster Pot - Lobstahhhh rollllllll - Seafood Near Me - Ellsworth, Maine

This place is exactly what you're looking for in Maine. Its location right by the river and the laid back vibe make it a must stop - we stayed in Ellsworth so it was walking distance from our rental, but I would drive here. Wait for the table outside, its worth the wait. Kids will love this - they can play like kids should play - on the river, in the grass. Their kids menu is good too! Food: we loved the lobster stew - it's not super thick and the chunks of lobster are good. The haddock was the star for us - (we aren't lobster people so maybe that's why). The stuffed haddock is a great way to experience Maine seafood. The clam chowder lives up to the hype. Vegetarians? The eggplant is delicious and the stuffed mushrooms were so good. Definitely a great spot to soak up the beauty of summer in Maine! read more

This place was highly recommended and I'm not sure why. My wife enjoyed the stuffed Haddock but the green beans were bland. I had the surf and turf (10oz sirloin and 8oz lobster tail.) neither of which were seasoned at all. $85 with tip was a bit much for disappointment. read more

Went for the riverside lunch on the lawn. Very cute, good selection. Really good lobster rolls, great chowder. Hubby had the hot dog...yum. Great French fries and blueberry pie. Lemonade not made with lemons....so not great. Otherwise very good food and a nice view. read more

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Oh my gosh where do I begin?? Hands down the best lobster I've ever had. The wait was around 2 hours when we got here but so worth the wait. We found out we were there on their last night open for the season and they were running a lobster special, so we were super fortunate. Everything was amazing and I also had to try the blueberry pie. To. Die. For. If we ever get up this way again, definitely stopping here!! read more

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We are lobster lovers, and my wife's family is from Maine. This place is a jewel. The lobster pot with 1lb of clams, the corn, and the red potato all boiled together in salt water is finger licking good. The best special in the menu! Make sure you walk to the lady cooking the lobsters in the patio and ask her about setting the timers and her techniques for pairing each lobster with each table. Amazing system! read more

The food and service were amazing! Plenty of seating and great views. Fast service so don't worry if theres a wait. We came from Ohio to find the best lobster dish and this was IT! read more

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We arrived around 4:20. They open at four. The covered patio was nearly full. They also have tables outside. We sat inside as it was a bit humid. Our server was Jen. They have 2 Jen's. Ours was the shorter one. She was fantastic. Very efficient!! We ordered a bowl of lobster stew to share. Neither of us had ever had it before. It was one of the best things we've ever tasted!! OMG! Order it!! We weren't super hungry, so we shared that and a Lobster Pie. We each got a house salad. The Lobster Pie was also delicious!! I would suggest ordering that on a different day than the Lobster Stew as both are SUPER rich and heavy. But SO good. A bit of a timing issue with the kitchen. Our salads were served first, ice cold and great. But we weren't even halfway finished with them before the steaming bowl of stew arrived. Then the same with the entree before we'd even made a dent in the pie. They were pretty empty inside with 3-4 servers most standing around, but that changed fast near 5 pm. They got swamped on a Wednesday night. The poor timing from the kitchen aside, it was a delightful experience with AMAZING food! Generous chucks of lobster in everything. Our stew had at least 3 full claws and knuckle meat in one bowl. Wow! read more

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What a unique spot to find in Ellsworth. Touristy but don't well. Nice lawn next to river to wait for table. Lobster is great, so many menu options! read more

Beautiful location on the Union River and wonderful food authentic to the area. The clam chowder was very good as was the blueberry pie. Baked haddock was good but I wish I'd ordered a lobster dish. Lines are long and they close for the season soon. read more

Union River Lobster Pot - Baked Stuffed Haddock with Seafood Stuffing and Lobster Sauce - Seafood Near Me - Ellsworth, Maine

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Being a visitor my waitress was very friendly and patient to explain the menu to me, staff was overall very welcoming, menu vast with selection and the food definitely hit the spot! 5/5! read more

Union River Lobster Pot - Lobster with salad and Cole slaw sides - Seafood Near Me - Ellsworth, Maine

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This was a fun, friendly, and relaxing experience. My partner and I stopped here on vacation and it was our first restaurant visit in Maine. The prices were good and the food was great. I would totally recommend the restaurant. read more

When the locals refer it, you know it has to be good. Having nothing else to compare to since it was our first night in Maine...we had no idea what a gem this was. Fabulous lobster and service! read more

Union River Lobster Pot - Dinner - Seafood Near Me - Ellsworth, Maine

This was a whole vibe. Beautiful yard for a waiting area with an outdoor bar. Service was super fast! The fried claims were the best I've ever had. They were thick, but didn't feel heavy with grease. The baked stuffed haddock was good. Although the stuffing was good, the haddock was outstanding. read more

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Hands down best meal in Maine so far after 5 days visiting around Bar Harbor and eating lobster every day. All of the food is fresh and service is amazing. The lobster pot is right outside the restaurant, so you can see that the lobster is alive until ordered. I would definitely come back! read more

Union River Lobster Pot - Lazy Lobster - Seafood Near Me - Ellsworth, Maine

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The food was very good and the service was too. Friendly staff and a great outdoor area

This was our first time back in years...that said, it definitely wasn't as good as we remembered. There was a 40 minute wait for a table. There's really nowhere to wait...so we went outside to watch the lobster boiling process. Thankfully it was a nice evening. Once we were finally seated...we waited with our menus down to signal we were ready to order...we didn't even have water at this point. Anyway when our server, Marcos arrived, he seemed frazzled and hurriedly ask if we'd like water...not asking if we'd like anything else to drink...after a while he brought back the waters...and asked if we'd had any questions about the menu...we said no and that we were ready to order. Still not asking if we'd like anything else to drink...I started out with my cocktail order and then my food. My husband did the same. Our drinks were good. Food wise, his lobster mac and cheese was good. My stuffed haddock was not. First off, my sides were completely wrong. But more importantly, the stuffing inside my haddock was cold. I mean cold. Not even a little bit warm. I couldn't eat it. The best part of that plate were the mashed potatoes that I didn't even order. Their saving grace was the blueberry pie! It was absolutely delicious. We hope Tuesday was just an off night and we will try them again before the close for the winter on October 13th. Here's hoping for a better experience! read more

We stopped by for lunch on our way to Bar Harbour and very much enjoyed it. They have a limited menu available on their outdoor space, which is big with a nice view of the stream off to the side. We shared the lobster roll, crab roll, fries, and New England chowder between two of us. Everything was perfect! Service was friendly. I'd definitely like to come for dinner next to try more from the full menu. read more

Union River Lobster Pot - Lobster Roll Traditional, Crab Roll, fries, New England Clam Chowder - Seafood Near Me - Ellsworth, Maine

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They have a pretty big menu. Service was friendly and good. We had a variety of food - broiled haddock, stuffed haddock, lobster pie and fish sandwich. Everyone really enjoyed the food. Several people had berry pies for dessert. Outstanding! Nice touch - when desert was late coming out for one person, he ended up with a generous slice of pie. Thank you Molly! Brian - the owner - came by and chatted with us before we left. Really a nice person. read more

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We ate dinner here last night for the first time. It's located right outside the Main Street downtown area of Ellsworth right next to a river. Great restaurant to go to for tourists. If you love lobster, you'll be able to see them cooking them in their outdoor kitchen area. They have indoor and outdoor seating as well as a designated parking lot and overflow lot after a certain time. We loved that they had an outdoor bar to get cocktails, beer or wine. Great views and ample seating outside. Service was good and their lobster poutine was absolutely delicious! read more

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We stopped here after visiting Acadia National Park. I ordered the Blue Hill Martini, hot buttered lobster roll, fish chowder, and we shared the shrimp and scallop skewer. I also tried my grandma's food which was the lobster pie and that was delicious. Her husband also said the burger was great. I enjoyed my food except I think lobster rolls aren't for me, but the lobster was fresh. I would order the fish chowder and skewer again and try something new for the entree next time but I'm confident it will be good. Sitting inside was nice because we still had a view of the water but outside would be better on a nice day. Service was also fast and friendly. Food came out quick and hot. I'll be back one day I hope! read more

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I had a lobster roll & the wife had salmon. Probably the best of either that we have ever had! I got the small lobster roll with just butter- it was perfectly prepared, hot & delicious. Wife gets salmon A LOT & was impressed with the size, preparation & taste. Our meal was great & we will miss this place when we go back home! And... the service was wonderful and a real cool Place!! Thanks!! read more

The Union River Lobster Pot has become our family's seasonal gathering place. During the summer we try to get together for at least one dinner and this is the place. Enough room and enough lobsters to satisfy all of us. Lobsters for the adults, specials for those who don't care for lobster (There are such people and even some from among us) and the stuff the younger kids will eat. Our servers know us when we show up and usually two or three pitch in to get everything to the table wild it is piping hot. Love 'em all! read more

I LOVE this place! I wish you folks would open a location in Pittsburgh so I could go there so much more often! Our server Rachel did a wonderful job and was very friendly. The food was delicious, not a single thing I would change. The owner does a wonderful job here and has a great thing going. Short review is certainly better here, otherwise i'd just continue talking about how much I love this restaurant!! Definitely go for the Surf & Turf, but don't forget that bacon wrapped scallop & shrimp skewer appetizer ;) ! Keep up the incredible work folks!! read more

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Food & Service were good. We had lobster pot and crab pot. But the prices are insane. That's the reason for 4 stars. Other than that I'd go again. Thanks for the experience! read more

If you're looking for a classic Maine seafood experience, Union River Lobster Pot in Ellsworth delivers the charm. There was 3 of us. We had the lobster pot, served with drawn butter and a side of corn, potatoes and clams, the lobster was good, but not as good as other places, in my opinion. The clam chowder was excellent, creamy but not too thick, with plenty of tender clams and a nice smoky flavor. The crab cakes, delicious! The lobster stew was lacking in flavor, just lobster cream, butter and salt. The stuffed mushrooms, they really should take off the menu, they were not good and the stuffing was lacking flavor, and in my opinion does not belong on the menu. The staff, Rachel our waitress was friendly, helpful, with awesome personality! We tried the blueberry pie, which had good flavor, the crust was flaky. The atmosphere is laid-back and it's easy to see why it's a favorite among both locals. Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars read more

The food, fried clams, crab cakes, lobster Mac and cheese and haddock was great. Service was spot on, very friendly and attentive. You could eat inside or on the lawn by the river. Either location was good with plenty of room to move. read more

My husband and I had dinner here and really enjoyed ourselves. Our server was so sweet and helped us learn how to deshell our lobsters. The manager stopped by to chat several times and the ambiance was cute-we ate inside, but there was also seating outside. The food was great, service was wonderful, and we felt the meal was worth the money!! Highly recommend!! read more

What's not to love? Whole steamed lobster with hot butter at a decent price. Wait! ...while enjoying a comfy summer evening on the back porch with a blueberry sangria from the ba read more

The food was delightful! We got the mussels to start and I got the lazy lobster and they were both amazing! The staff were very kind and attentive! Both the indoor/outdoor seating is very nice. I highly recommend this restaurant! read more

Union River Lobster Pot - Seafood Near Me - Ellsworth, Maine

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