The Montsweag Restaurant in Woolwich, Maine

The Montsweag is an American restaurant in Boothbay Harbor that takes its seafood seriously. You'll find locals and travelers crowding the tavern area and dining room, ordering oysters, lobster rolls, and fish tacos alongside comfort dishes like fried chicken and steak tips. The kitchen doesn't cut corners, and the staff seems genuinely glad you showed up.

• Oysters are genuinely fresh and briny, worth the trip alone.
• French onion soup bursts with flavor, not oversalted like chains.
• Blackened haddock tacos beat most restaurant versions by a mile.
• Staff notices what you need before you ask.

Start with the Angry Mussels or raw oysters. The blackened haddock tacos are excellent, and the lobster roll is solid if you're craving the classic. For heartier appetites, try the steak tips or fish and chips. Don't skip the clam chowder (thinner and fresher than the typical thick version) or the French onion soup. Finish with the chocolate chip cookie in a skillet with ice cream on the side.

The tavern area has character with its chalk wall drawings and a quieter feel than you'd expect. It fills up quickly, especially at dinner, but the noise stays manageable.

The menu leans into what works: fresh oysters (ask for lemon), blackened haddock tacos, lobster rolls, and housemade soups that stand out. Fried chicken divides opinion on saltiness, but the mashed potatoes and hot brownie dessert don't disappoint. One diner called their server Victoria "a queen" for how she read the room and took care of the details.

Guests rave about the freshness and flavor of the seafood, particularly the oysters and soups. One recent visitor called their server "a queen" for her attention and humor. A few note that service can lag during busy dinner hours, but the food quality keeps people coming back the next day.