Lobsterman's Wharf

Lobsterman's Wharf is a no-frills seafood shack right on the harbor in Boothbay, where you order at the counter, grab a buzzer, and eat at picnic tables overlooking the water. The menu keeps it simple: lobster rolls and fried haddock shoulder the load, but they also do a solid pulled pork sandwich and burger. It's the kind of place locals and tourists pass through in equal measure, mostly for the view and the fresh catch.

• Haddock fried in thin batter, lobster landed same day
• Picnic tables right on the wharf with working harbor views
• Pulled pork and burgers punch above typical shack fare
• Bar on a boat adds character to the experience

Get the fried haddock if the catch is good that day. The lobster roll tastes like the ocean because it basically is. The pulled pork sandwich has a nice char and depth of flavor. Try the burger too if you're hungry. The clam chowder is solid and worth a bowl. Don't skip it.

Outdoor picnic tables on the actual wharf, open to the water and weather. It's clean and moderately quiet for a waterfront spot, with the hum of boats and gulls as ambient noise.

Pricing runs a touch higher than a typical lobster shack, and the limited parking is worth knowing about before you go. But if you're after fresh seafood eaten with a view, and you don't mind eating outside, this hits the mark. The clam chowder holds its own, and the pulled pork sandwich has enough char and flavor to stand on its own.

Guests consistently praise the view and freshness of the seafood, especially the haddock and lobster. The pulled pork sandwich and burger also draw praise for flavor and quality. One recent visitor called it a "surprise little gem." The main trade-off is price, which runs a few dollars higher than landlocked shacks, and parking can be tight.