Young’s Lobster Shore Pound Wharf
4 Mitchell St, Belfast, ME, 04915
Young’s Lobster Shore Pound Wharf Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Belfast for healthy meals suggestion.
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Visit below restaurant in Belfast for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
4 Mitchell St
Belfast, ME, 04915 - Phone (207) 338-1160
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Opening Hours
- Mon :7:30 am - 7:3
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes
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Leslie T.
Pick your own lobster, byob (and tablecloth, flatware, condiments and sides, wineglasses, vases and flowers, if you like...) Admittedly, the lobster and the lovely environment on the bay are the thing, since they are wisely minimal when it comes to preparation. Simple simple simple, but highlighting the seafood. Lobster stew was a case in point. Light milky broth, with plenty of large pieces of super fresh lobster meat, served up in a plastic takeaway container with oyster crackers and a few pickle chips. Also props to the helpful Ziggy and staff (serving up Jamaican cheer) who explained that you order first, remember your number, and grab your spot on the deck or in the dining room, wait to be called, pick up your food, THEN pay. If you can get the 2nd floor deck table, you have scored big time, the couple that was occupying it when I was there looked like they were prepared to stay all night long. Aim for pre-sundown arrival.
(5)Monica L.
While the location and lobster were good, the customer service was some of the worst I have ever had in a restaurant: No broth was served with my steamed clams, as is traditional, so they were a bit gritty. My lobster stew was lukewarm. You get one small, thin napkin with a shore dinner (are you kidding me), and they don't have napkins on the tables, so you have to go back to the counter and ask for more. The corn on the cob was WAY overcooked. I spent $39 for a shore dinner and they didn't want to give me a cup for water without charging me $2!!! I live in Maine five months of the year, and I most definitely wouldn't go back.
(2)Bri C.
Not sure what all the hype is about here. Lots of old people with picnic baskets and their own checkered tablecloths taking up space in back, which made it seem more like a seniors' campground mixer. Clam chowder wasn't really chowder - to be fair, it had lots of clams, but they were just thrown in a kind of a broth that wasn't very tasty. No skill used in putting it together. We each got "sauteed"dishes (lobster and scallops) which weren't really sauteed - they were sitting in too much sauce, which made them mushy. Tasted fine, but the people here don't seem to know how to *cook*, or at least not well. They just steam. The amosphere at any other lobster shack in Maine is just as charming and scenic, you can do better.
(3)Christie D.
What a fabulous find! Crazy place with beautiful views of the harbor! Loved the BYOB philosophy, wished we'd known ahead of time. Will definitely go back packed up with picnic extras!
(5)Annie B.
Sweet, sweet lobster. You pick out your own lobster. And they boil it for you. They did not serve any alcohol but they did allow you to bring your own bottle and there was no corkage fee. Dogs were welcomed.
(4)Heather J.
First of all thank you Yelp! For all you help...everyone's reviews lead us here...I don't know why you would want to eat Lobster anywhere else in Belfast! The meal was outstanding (bucket list for two) and Huge! Everything was so fresh! The atmosphere was outstanding...sat RIGHT on the water! BYOB or bottle of wine for an outstanding dinner!
(5)Tom J.
How can you not like this place? Bring napkins, table cloth, wine, and a great attitude. Can't beat the lobster; the guys are fun what more do you need? Yes you have to bus your own food. Get over it!
(5)D M.
I returned and wasn't starving, so I only had a bowl of NE clam chowdah. It was not as thick as you might get it elsewhere, but it was still very good. Because of the very scenic setting, this is a tourist trap, and so you're gonna pay like one... Pro tip: go to MJEK a few minutes away and pay less, get more. Search Yelp reviews for that, cause I think I may have missed writing them up last year when I visited.
(4)Jean P.
Thank You YELP ! After reading review, we put this as our destination when family arrived from flight in Bangor. Beautiful weather, delicious lobster. Picnic tables on the water....breeze... Kids can dig for lobsters. The whole Maine experience. !!! Loved it. Would recommend byob ( bottle and bibs) and desired picnic accoutrements. Fun !
(4)Ron R.
What a cool place this is.. More lobsters than I have ever seen before in one place. We were in the area for a wedding and were invited to meet friends at Young's and we could not have been more pleased and I don't even eat lobster. but my wife picked out one to her liking and I ordered a delicious halibut dish and as we sat on the out door deck looking over the beautiful water and city behind it, the meals were brought to us and we felt we were having the ultimate Maine experience.
(5)Keri B.
This place was SO COOL. A must go if you are in Belfast!!! There are tanks of lobster surrounding where you order your food and they boil the whole lobsters right in front of you! I got the lobster roll which was fantastic ($15.95) and my fiance got the seafood platter which included a lobster tail, crab dip (so good!!!), shrimp cocktail and potato chips ($19.95). My lobster roll had tons of meat but a bit too much mayo so if you're not a fan I would just ask for no mayo. Being as my fiance and I are tourist we did not realize you could bring your own drinks and even side dishes. There were groups there that really made an evening out of it with table clothes and centerpieces and everything! Very cool place to stop, definitely recommend.
(5)Jasmine X.
This place is fantastic. Bf and I came during off season though and based on all the Yelp reviews and just about everything you read online about best lobsters in Maine, Young's Lobster shows up everywhere. You order downstairs and then wait around and then fetch your lobster after they do whatever they do with it. We got one lobster and 1 1/4 lb clams for about ~$25 or so since we were going for a light lunch. The clams were DELICIOUS and gigantic. The lobster was also pretty good. It's a simple place. No frills or anything, but it's definitely great lobster. Not sure if it's the cheapest lobster I've ever had, but then again, we came during off season so that probably inflated our prices a bit. There's tons of picnic-table style seating and it's byob. tldr; awesome lobster and fresh seafood
(5)James D. H.
Oh My Lobster..... This is the place to come for great Maine Lobster, with great views and service. A picnic style restaurant where you can bring your own beer or wine! Come enjoy eating your lobster dinner outback on the deck and even watch the sun set. Pick out your own lobster from a 30,000 lb. capacity aquarium! Eat-in or Take-out cooked or alive. Dine while overlooking beautiful Penobscot Bay. Inside the restaurant or outside on the deck has accommodations for up to 500 people. Don't forget to BYOB! You are welcome to bring your own drinks, snacks or appetizers. Even bring something for your non-seafood eating guests. They can ship anywhere in the U.S. through FedEx overnight to your door. They do not put prices on here because prices change very often, so please call for daily Market Prices or to place Take-Out orders, or to check hours of operation.
(5)Annie W.
This is a big place and has lots of seating. However, the steamed whole lobster was only average. The meat tasted salty and grainy.
(3)Helen L.
The whole lobsters and steamer clams were absolutely wonderful. It is also fun to pick your own lobster from the tank and to watch the boat come in with the newly caught lobsters. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit here and it was easy to find. The view from the picnic area is also very nice.
(5)Sharon S.
Great food and location. Hard working people making it happen. Has the energy of Pikes Market in Seattle - only with lobster. Reviews are spot on: - lots of lobsters - clam chowder is made with steamer clams vs chowder clams, and the broth is a little lighter/thinner than usual - still good - yes, you can bring your own sides, yes there were people there with table cloths, hurricane candles, and wine making a night of it - they seemed fun and festive - it's a lobster pound, come expecting that and you won't be disappointed They get busy, each meal is cooked to order, so come with your patience... Enjoy the energy and the view while you wait. Son loved his lobster DH had swordfish - it was on the smaller side, but very fresh, and perfectly cooked I had the halibut - freshest I've had since Alaska, also perfectly cooked Corn fresh Coleslaw fresh (and very little mayo - good) Dinners come with a huge amount of potato salad; not my thing, DH liked it
(5)Benjamin M.
Love this place. Best and freshest seafood possible. It amazes me how much I feel the need to come back. It's like they put crack in the lobster and oysters. It's pricey, but if you can afford the price it's worth every penny. Not classy. It's Byob. But the freshness of the food and the view is worth every star. Will return often.
(5)Chris C.
Just pure perfectly cooked lobster and seafood. The is the closest u can get to just taking out of the water yourself and cooking them.
(5)Michael N.
I discovered a meal between breakfast and brunch. Lobster rolls. We stopped in here on our way from Camden to Bar Harbor at about 1030 in the morning. The place was empty (as expected) and we picked up a sweet and delicious lobster roll to put in the cooler for "lunch." Well that idea lasted about 3 seconds after seeing the large lobster roll on a kaiser bun. It was overflowing with lobster meat and was just too much to resist. Based on the reviews and the size of this place I'm guessing it gets pretty crowded during the lunch and dinner hours. Definitely a great spot for fresh lobster.
(5)Elsie W.
A great place to stop by and get whole lobsters by the pound. Saw some huge 4-5 lb lobsters but opted for the "bucket list for 2" for $49.95, which came with two 1 1/2 lb lobsters, clams, mussels, shrimps, oysters, corn on the cob, lemon, butter, cocktail sauce. Make sure you tell them to put the whole tray in a plastic bag before you put it in a box to bring home in the car... or else your car will get ruined by salt water and lobster juice.
(5)Stephanie L.
Freshest lobster you'll ever taste. The clams were amazing. The staff was extremely friendly. Tons of lobster tanks. You can hold one of you like. The back deck has a great view of the water as you enjoy your ocean treat. A must do if your in this area
(5)Vince T.
My gf and I stopped by for an early lunch, and since there were no other customers at the time, we spent a little time chatting with the staff. One of the, Patrick, recommended we try the lobster roll and haddock sandwich, which we were glad we did! The lobster roll was good, but the haddock sandwich was to die for and highly recommended! Patrick and another of his coworkers whose name we didn't get (but is in the pictures here with the blue tshirt) were a great pleasure to chat with and made our visit really memorable. We are definitely coming back!
(5)Ashley L.
Cool place with a fun vibe on the water. Lots of outdoor seating as well as indoor seating. I had my best lobster roll to date here. 5 stars for the lobster roll! The lobster stew was good, but not the best. Overall extremely good experience!
(4)Corina M.
I am so happy we stopped here! We were on our way back to south Florida from Arcadia National Park and decided to stop for a last lobster taste. It was well with it. The price was much cheaper than in Ellsworth and the place is very cool. Beautiful view from the patio and friendly staff. A must go place if you are around! 5 stars is too little for this place!
(5)Deanna L.
Amazing!!! The best lobsters we've ever had. It's the perfect seafood place with the freshest no frills seafood and the view is breathtakingly spectacular. We sat outside with our doggie n didn't want to leave but we will definitely be back.
(5)Jeanice C.
Clam chowder was terrible. Thin, watery, cold, a few lone bits of clam and 95% potato for $14. I've had better out of a can. Staff was friendly, but I would not return.
(1)Peter K.
This place is full of excitement! And lobster! You enter through the barn and automatically come to the counter with the menu above. They do have other things besides lobster (I hear the scallops were quite good). The man behind the counter taking your order is very patient, especially when you have four other people yelling in your ear deliberating on how many pounds of clams that are needed. Always go for the soft shelled lobster if you have the option. They are much easier to eat and are tastier. There really is not much that you can talk about how they prepared the thing, but they did it well. The meat toward the body was a little too salty, but that is the way they do it up here. The clams were good. I think they did a process to de-sand them before steaming them, because there was very minimal grit. I would go for the lobster feast if you can. It looked like eating it was an event. Be patient, due to the volume of people, these do take time to prepare. Prices are a little high, but not the worst around.
(4)Chris M.
What a great place. All the pictures don't lie. Right on the bay, lots of picnic tables, all the fresh seafood and a great menu. I had the lobster roll, potato salad and cole slaw. The lobster roll was huge, the most generous that I've encountered. Price was right. Light on the mayo which was good. Sandwich bun is different. I like a toasted buttered roll better, but the bun does allow them to heap on the lobster. A couple pieces were a bit chewy but overall excellent. Potato salad was tasty but a bit bland. Did not like the cole slaw but it must be me because I just haven't liked it in general as we've been working our way thru lobster shacks in New England.
(4)Al B.
As advertised by other reviews. Lobster roll was great, sautéed lobster was excellent, with cole slaw and potato salad good as expected. Blueberry Pie was said to be excellent - close to the classic Maine Blueberry Pie you are craving. This is a no frills place...and prices are low, view from the picnic tables ion the wharf are awesome. Staff is fast and friendly. The lobster pound operation is pretty impressive to see. They do fresh lobsters and other shellfish at great prices. We are thinking about stopping by next time we are in the area and bringing back some lobsters to have with friends. Today there was a cash soft shell special for $4.99 a lb. Pretty impressive...and as far as fresh, the boats unload at the dock...so it doesn't get better unless you have your own traps.
(5)Lixin Z.
Wow Wow Wow!!!! It is typically expected that street vendor has a better food than restaurant, mainly cuz it's really hard to screwed up the service part (as there will be minimal service involved), and Young's did not fail the expectation. We ordered the two people dinner thingy that contains two lobsters, 4 oysters, 4 shrimps and a bed of shell fishes (mussels?). The guy at the Wharf took his time prepared and arranged the food which was very neat. Food was quite overwhelming. After visited another local restaurant who charges a 19.99 for a 1 1/4 lbs lobster (not complaining about the price it is considered super cheap by the standard of where I'm from), this was not only reasonable but somehow taste better. Oyster was very fresh and delish, although mussels were so so probably since there were soooo many of them... I think the place was able the maintain the original and authentic lobster/seafood sensation because of it great location, and also of the simplicity of they way they prepare their fresh goodies. Sometimes restaurants were so busy making elaborated things but forgot what their business really is for, so bravo to you Young's Lobster Shore Pound Wharf!!!
(5)E. A.
I LOVED this place. It was so fresh and great that me and my bf went here 2 times while on vacation in Searsport. The first time we went it was packed which is always a great sign. It was a bit confusing to order at first but watching other people we got the hang of it. The shrimp cocktail and of course the lobster were sweet and tender. The price wasn't too bad either. I wouldn't mind ordering online for shipment if the price is right. The people were quick, nice and knew their seafood. They even cracked the lobster perfectly for you :) definitely recommend this place!
(5)Angela C.
Maine lobster, is there any other lobster? After trying it the answer is no. I will not eat lobster unless it is fresh off the Maine coast from here on out. Youngs Lobster Pound was an experience like none other. You walk in and there are nothing but rows upon rows of saltwater tanks filled with live seafood. Out the back door on the other end of this barn style building is the harbor and rows of picnic tables. Absolutely beautiful. Upstairs also provides rows of picnic tables if you are looking to eat indoors. The lobster was delicious, the best I've ever had. The family ordered the all you can eat crabs (only order if you have HOURS to devote to lots of work with hardly any meat), the clam chowder (freshest I have ever tried) and a haddock sandwich (also delicious). The food, atmosphere and location joined together made for an epic experience. Why the missing star? Oh my goodness the price!! We paid 5 star, Chef Ramsey signature restaurant kind of prices. Where they serve you, clean away dirty loaded plates of empty shells and you might see a celebrity walk in the building. All for a "seafood shack" vibe where the staff isn't even really friendly. You would assume that being directly off the harbor, seafood prices would be a little more reasonable. Nope. We paid over $160 for 7 of us. And the only sides that came with the lobster were butter and a small bag of chips.
(4)David E.
I bought 14 pounds of steamers (clams) to go. The person assisting me was extremely helpful and friendly. They even gave me two jugs of sea water to help with the cooking at home. The local park ranger said it was the freshest seafood around, even if the price was above other places.
(5)Joseph C.
We ate here twice while visiting and we are stopping on the way home to get lobster and crab to go! Lobster and crab rolls are excellent as is the grilled plates and the potato salad is good too. Put this one in your list.
(5)Joe C.
Wow, just wow, this place is ginormous. This shoreline facility can accommodate up to 500 seafood loving customers. However when I visited there were just two other families visiting. So I don't know if the employee who prepared my lobster roll was generous with my lobster meat because he was happy to see a customer or if he normally serves that amount. The quantity of meat was the most I've ever received on a lobster roll. Not that I'm complaining. My $14 lobster roll was the "round" bun type and contained mayonnaise smeared on the underside of the bun. The mayonnaise was a little bit too much for this Connecticut boy so I scraped most of it off the bun (Nutmeggers traditionally eat them warm and without mayonnaise). The meat was both tender and sweet. It all was absolutely divine! The first floor of the building contains many lobster tanks and the second floor contains tables/chairs for casual dining. There's also picnic tables outside on the wharf and the grassy area. What's very cool is that they don't just serve lobsters. They also serve clams and several fish dishes. Everything is grilled or boiled, not fried. I could eat here 7 days a week. Seriously. Hmm while writing this and thinking about it, I'm getting a huge urge to make a 7 hour drive for a return visit to Youngs. Now let me see, where did I put my car keys?
(5)Miriam H.
I adore Young's! I came here 3 years ago on a visit to Belfast and fell in love. The lobster and crab dip were amazing and I loved how people brought their wine and table cloths to set up on the dock. We came back a couple days ago and it was just as awesome as I remember. We have been twice in 2 days. The first day we got the bucket list (2 lobsters, clams, mussels, oysters, shrimp and corn), crab dip and 1/2 dozen bay crabs. Everything was fabulous and the price was so good for the amount and quality of seafood. We came back for some clams to use for bait and some more crab dip and the counter-men welcomed us back like old friends! We are from New Orleans and really take seafood seriously and this place is top notch.
(5)Jessica H.
Obsessed with this place. We went on a gorgeous evening and the ambience was exactly what we were looking for-- delicious food, casual, right on the water, nice people, byob. Loved it!
(5)jessica k.
Great lobster. Incredibly friendly and helpful staff. Awesome setting. My fiancé and I came here and left with two lobsters cooked and cracked and more, all packaged neatly in a box for under $40. Can't wait to come back and eat more.
(5)J C.
My friend and I split the lobster, clams, mussels, shrimp, oysters, and corn bucket, cajun style, for two for $50. You get two small containers of melted butter and one small container of cocktail sauce. Overall, the platter was excellent and more than enough food for two people. Cajun style is really cajun seasoning poured into boiling seawater, then dumped over all the shellfish. The bivalves are at the bottom of the platter, so they sit in them while you munch on the lobster, picking up all that cajun flavor. The lobster was perfectly done and the guy cracked the shell in all the right places, cutting all the right joints, making the lobster very easy to open up. Dude was an expert. The lobster was very well cooked, with the meat perhaps slightly overcooked, but in the end, still had that sweet lobster flavor you look for. The bivalves and shrimp were equally excellent.
(4)David K.
Really enjoyed picking out lobsters and eating them out on the dock. Found the place almost by accident but we enjoyed it a lot.
(4)David M.
Too much of an assembly line. Not cheap. Lobster wasn't that tasty. Better than not going to a lobster pound if you can't get to McLoons or Millers.
(3)Fred N.
Great atmosphere, and number 1 on the list of a mission to find the best Maine lobster roll. Coming back tomorrow. Worth the trip.
(5)Kyle A.
Amazing!!! I never had a lobster roll before and being from PA we don't often get to experience fresh seafood so it was was on my list of things to do. Everyone told me to go to Young's and they were absolutely right. Fresh & delicious!!! If you have a while or from the area and never visited the establishment yet grab a six pack, get some food, and enjoy the view at the picnic tables. I can't wait to visit again!!!
(5)David D.
I would not return. While the lobster itself was fine, the basic $16.95 dinner included no sides except a small bag of potato chips. Nor could any sides be ordered ala carte. I had wanted an ear of corn and cole slaw with my lobster, but that could only be obtained by ordering a much more expensive dinner. The staff, while friendly, spoke heavily accented English (not a Maine accent) that was difficult to understand.
(2)Judy W.
Followed the reviews and came for chowder and lobster. I got the lobster salad - woah!: lettuce covered with excellent, non-greasy potato salad, a cup of slaw and what looked to be the meat from more than one lobster. I think it was $21 or some such - a real deal, enough for two people. Fast, good prices, gorgeous sunset. Only 3 stars because the bowl of fish chowder did not contain a single piece of fish, it was just broth and potatoes - maybe server error, but still: that was our experience.
(3)Mark A.
Definitely a destination lobster pound for lunch or afternoon as this place was a truly "Maine" cultural experience. Young's is a mini-seafood market within a bayside barn that offers a variety of sandwiches and plates. The chaos ordering reminded me of Seattle at Pike's Market, but the fishermen will give you a number, and your order will be ready in a jiffy. Seating consists of communal benches on the docks out back, and the view is killer (think gorgeous shots of the water, coast, boats, and a small town. One bonus is that it is BYOB -- and people definitely take advantage of this, bringing massive coolers of beer or sophisticated wine chillers. Of note, the lobster roll here is more of a sandwich as it is served on a hamburger bun and comes with pickles. It was fantastic. I didn't have the 1 1/4 lobsters (or larger) but all I heard from the surrounding crowd outside cracking up claws were "oohs" and "aahs." If you're traveling up or down route 1, make this spot a pitstop.
(5)José C.
This place serves lobster with no frills and we loved it. So much so that we ate there three nights in a row until we overdosed on lobster. Price wise it's not a huge value savings compared to a table service restaurant serving lobster but the ambiance and view of belfast bay as well as the tastiness if the meal make it a value. We tried several different combinations of sides with our lobster and they were all good so no specific recommendations offered except, order the lobster ! Some suggestions: It's byo so bring a bottle or two of any wine you find And bring your own plastic glasses Buy a cheap plastic tablecloth from somewhere and bring it so you don't get yourself dirty from the butter on the tables. We bought some fresh bread and good tasty stinky cheese in bar harbor and used that as our appetizer while waiting the 20 minutes for our lobsters to be ready. Sit on the side where the ac condensers are since its windier and fewer Mosquitos to bother your meal. Bring candles or a lantern for romantic ambience since it is lobster you know.
(5)Yoshi K.
Yes. Yesyesyes. These guys are fantastic. Delicious, great super casual atmosphere, an awesome place to go to as a resident (I assume you already have a weekly meet up time with your friends here) or as a tourist. Being a tourist, we came with empty stomachs and a six pack. Others came much more prepared with picnic sets including a tablecloth, fancyshamncy! Their food while not fancyshamncy was really great! Fresh seafood, great variety, awesome. We came here with five (and one pizza, seven year olds aren't big on lobster) and got one twin dinner, one bucket for two, and an order of oysters, totaling to ten oysters, four lobsters, two ear of corn, and a ton of oysters/clams. We stuffed ourselves while the seven year old ate his pizza and wandered the nearby rocks. TLDR: delicious, eat here.
(5)John D.
One star for the view. Zero for the expensive food. So much salt on the lobster roll that it was nearly inedible. Meager amount of meat, given the price. Soggy hamburger bun. Supermarket pickles from a jar. Expensive. One star for the view. Expensive. Not worth the detour from the hiway, , at all.
(1)Sven V.
Great Lobster pound! The fellow all Jamaican staff makes it warm and sweat like I was in Boston Bay Jamaica. they use real butter and the Lobster bisque is Amazing!!! I took a 4 pounder home with me!
(4)Roger W.
This place was a lot of fun. We went in the off season so it was more expensive than I expected and there was not a lot of choices. We got like 5 pounds in lobster for $60 and were still hungry afterwards. I would go back. Good experience
(4)Rebecca R.
Maine, in my book, is certainly "The way life should be". On a recent camping trip to Maine, I was in heaven seeing all of the local lobster restaurants around. On our way home, my dear husband, surprised me by pulling up to this local gem. First of all, the views are breathtaking - make sure you bring a camera. The setup of this place is fantastic. You literally are walking into a lobster pound. See all the different mechanisms, tanks of lobsters, crabs, etc. Menu has everything a seafood lover needs in life. I kept it simple, lobster roll and mussels. Lobster roll was perfect, sweet chunks of lobster. Wish it was on a roll versus a hamburger bun. Only complaint. Steamed mussels were to die for. So sweet and delicious no butter or extra seasoning was needed. We polished the pound off in minutes (wished we ordered more) I completely recommend stopping here if you love beautiful views and local fresh seafood!!
(5)Ellen C.
Doesn't get any fresher.... Sea to table. The outdoor seating at night is awesome - couldn't ask for a prettier view. My boyfriend got the scallops, and they were meh - watery and small. Get the lobster and only the lobster - they know what they're doing... so fresh!!! Great prices for fresh lobster! I even packed up some par cooked lobster home and took them home on the plane. They were still awesome after their travels - it was so fresh and sweet that you don't need butter or lemon!
(4)Sarah F.
Great views, delicious foods, and friendly staff, what isn't to love about Young's?...the piles of STYROFOAM. A simple meal came with numerous styrofoam plates. For a restaurant that celebrates our beautiful and vibrant state by the foods it offers, please help protect it.
(1)Matthew M.
I visited family in Maine for the third time this summer and was determined to try a lobster roll. The family members always deterred me in the past as they insisted I have to go to the right place. Only the best, they insisted, so on this visit we took a day trip to Belfast which is a really cool fishing village and home to Young's Lobster Pound. I'm not sure if it was the best lobster roll in Maine but it was damn amazing. A ton of top shelf lobster meat was packed inside a soft roll with a tough of mayo and a little lettuce...so simple yet so perfect. This sandwich along is worth a return trip to the very edge of America.
(5)Emily C.
Uh, eat here. I mean it. Eat here and get the lobster. I don't know what fool thought this place was over priced, but it's not. It is amazing. And the staff are great too! Eat here.
(5)Nic P.
Love love love this place. I used to come here a lot as a child. So this had to be our first stop on this trip. It's exactly like how I remember. Had an amazing 3 lb lobster with some clams and mussels. The guys that work here are nice & friendly. Extra butter is 75 cents! Visa or MasterCard only, no American Express.
(5)Dennis B.
This was our second time and it was as good as we remembered. BYOB, excellent prices.
(5)Phillip F.
The best Lobster Pound in the Bangor area.
(5)Brian C.
Great fresh seafood and good prices in a laid back atmosphere. Picnic tables by the water. Just beautiful!
(5)Jessica L.
Came here 3 times during our trip to Belfast. My parents are HUGE lobster lovers. We enjoyed the whole lobster plates. The meat was so succulent and came right off the shell. The location is right along the water and the view is gorgeous. It's not a date place by any means but it's a place to get your eating on, get messy and enjoy a nice sunset. There actually are a ton of Jamaican workers there which is pretty surprising. My dad is Chinese Jamaican and he said to these workers, "How 'bout our guy, Bolt?" The workers busted out from behind the counter a newspaper showing Usain Bolt winning gold yet again. Was a hilarious scene at a lobster pound in Maine. All the staff were really friendly and patient, even with my mom being very particular with her order.
(5)Richard F.
It's hard to add any more than what's already been written here about Young's. I ordered the lobster and clams. They were cooked perfectly. My wife had the fish sandwich. We've been traveling around Maine and have eaten lobster and fish several times but, nothing has been as good as as what we had here. Maybe it's the thrill of picking out your own special lobster, seeing it dipped in the steaming sea water and then enjoying it out on the deck. Whatever it is, this a must stop if you are in the area.
(5)Jim D.
You pay more for lobster here than most restaurants in Maine and here it's coming right off the boat. Limited menu, with lobster, claims, corn, cole slaw, crab and a hot dog for non-seafood eaters. No bar, no drinks except soda, eat off picnic tables, no table service, no table cloths, gravel parking lot. So why the Five Stars? Well it happens to be the best place to eat lobster in Maine. You walk into the barn pick your lobster out of the tank, put it on the scale, too big or too small, put it back and pick another. They put your lobster in a netted bag and toss it in boiling seawater along with seaweed, corn goes in also if you ordered it. Here is the cool part, go out back choose your picnic table over looking Belfast Harbor. Lay out your table cloth, pull your beer, rum, pitcher of margarita's, chips, salad, or what ever else you brought out of your cooler, and wait for them to call your number that your lobster is ready. While you're eating your lobster watch the boats pull up and unload their catch, or just enjoy the terrific view of Belfast Harbor. Be sure to bring your own lobster cracker and picks. The lobster couldn't be any fresher, and on a nice sunny day the ambience is a 10+. This place is only 15 minutes from our house in Maine.
(5)Kris R.
Really good place is you just want to be elbow deep in lobster, breaking down yourself and drenching yourself in butter. Bibs available. Kind of pricey but totally worth it. You get to pick out your own seafood, get a number, and wait for them to call you. Steamed is really the best option (and only). You sit out on the wharf and just dig in. It's awesome, and it's BYOB, so come prepared.
(5)Dave S.
Outstanding. You walk up order your super fresh lobsters (or other seafood) go out back to the picnic tables overlooking the water and wait for your food to be ready. It is BYOB and people bring table clothes and make it an event. This is the best lobster that I've ever had an overall well worth a dinner.
(5)Kirk E.
Awesome place. The lobster is SO fresh and the views are gorgeous. If you're in the area, there's not much better for lunch.
(5)Nadine G.
Amazing! Super friendly staff will walk you through recommendations, and educate you on lobster! I had the seafood sampler $19.99 - lobster tail, fresh large shrimp and crab dip. Also came with chips. My friends had lobster rolls that came on sesame buns and really enjoyed their meals as well. The clam chowder was so-so. I would definitely stop here if I was ever in the area again! Enjoy!
(5)Stephen M.
We eat here every night we're in Belfast except one night for Lang Shaan. Our family gorges on pounds and pounds of seafood for shockingly little money. Bring plyers/ crackers, paper towels, wine or beer, plates, wipes and then order by the pound. The bucket list is fun. Delicious!
(5)Daniel V.
Talk about the Maine lobster experience, if you are every in Belfest, ME you must stop by Young's. You can bring you own sides, drinks and alcohol. They sell the sides there but they do not care if you bring your own, after making you choice for your food you walk in the back to the picnic tables that overlooks the bay. Im telling you once in a lifetime experience. I recommend the soft shelled lobster! More bang for your buck!
(5)Jon S.
A home run for Maine food and setting. It doesn't get more authentic than Young's. Stopped in here after 7hrs on the road. Situated on the bay, it's ideal for chowing on just about any seafood. I recommend any of the whole lobster plates. You'll still be hungry afterwards, but you will know the standard for our beloved crustacean delicacy. Even the shrimp plate was sweet - fat and fresh pieces of great seafood. Order downstairs off the 1980's style overhead menu and the staff goes to work. You hang out, they call your number, and you head upstairs to a covered picnic table area for seating. Outside deck seating available too. BYOB is very popular (all the locals bring their picnic baskets full of supplies), but there's a $25 corkage fee. But you know, it's probably worth it.
(5)Nina A.
Young's Lobster Pound is the quintessential Maine dining experience. The steamed clams were perfectly succulent. The lobster was expertly steamed and the shells were cracked so the eating was easy. The beautiful view cannot be beat, and there's even an indoor seating area upstairs for inclement weather. Excellent food, traditional picnic tables and paper plates, bring your own drinks, the perfect ambience , and fast service make Young's my favorite place to get a lobster or clam fix when I am in Belfast. Good summer memories of this place will help me to get they winter.
(5)Stephen D.
There is not much more can be added to what has been said in previous reviews. Just a great Maine dining experience. Some tips - bring your own sides - salads, etc - BOYB - they do have hot dogs for the picky kids (or adults) that don't like seafood - clam chowder is nothing special - stick to the lobster, clams and mussels
(5)Victoria W.
Couldn't beat it! Would've given more stars, but the limit is 5! Location right on water and boats unloading lobsters makes it exactly the experience you'd want. Had the "bucket list for 2", and it was perfect! Added some crabs that we got to pound with a mallet-what more can you ask for! Don't miss this place, especially if you're going to bar harbor!
(5)John B.
I was told that this is the best lobster pound in Maine. I'm inclined to agree. I ordered a seafood special that promised two lobsters, shrimp, oysters, clams and mussels. Oh, yeah, and corn. Because these places always feel obligated to give you wet, overcooked, gross corn. I assumed I'd be served two lobsters, two oysters, two shrimp, a few piss clams, and maybe a half dozen mussels. Wrong. I was wrong by a factor of two on the oysters (pretty good) and the shrimp (excellent), and by a factor of about 17 on the clams and mussels. I was right about the corn. The lobster was the best I've ever had. Sweet and perfectly cooked. If you're wondering, that's better than fibrous and overcooked. If cooking in seawater is the trick, I might have to start doing that. Now that I've been to Maine twice, I can't imagine that I'll be back before I knock off those pesky 12 final states. But I might also be persuaded to make another run up the coast if I can go back to Young's.
(5)Paul V.
Wife and I had the "bucket list" and tore through it like there was no tomorrow. There wasn't anything left when we were done. Yum.
(5)Ted R.
This place is the best! Take your wine, a couple of side dishes and a roll of paper towels and you're set. They have live lobsters up to 4.5 pounds. We went there twice on our lobster holiday of 4 days. They boil the lobster in a big tank and it is great. Fresh, tender and delicious. They also have chowder and clams, but we just had lobster. The service is really helpful and friendly. They go out of their way to help the "newbies" find their way. Even when they close at eight, they don't rush you out so going at sunset is the ticket. They do charge for everything, so if you want plates you gotta pay. However, that's the deal and you can always take your own. They don't give you the little lobster fork things, but the way they crack the shells you don't need them. Although it's not cheap, the prices are very reasonable. I highly recommend this place.
(5)J G.
Wonderful!! Well worth the drive from Bangor. Totally NO frills, but who needs frills when enjoying lobster on the water?! Bring your own everything. People bring in coolers with drinks, salads, sides for a picnic like meal. The staff is so friendly and even teach newbies how to crack and eat lobster. Fun place for families.
(5)Aaron Z.
Seafood is fresher than fresh ... but ordering is a chaotic nightmare. Getting your order in is nearly impossible and intimidating. It's so bad I don't want to go back there. There are too many places in Maine to get fresh lobster and/or oysters to be aggravated by a miserable ordering experience.
(1)Stephanie B.
BYOB Live lobster tanks, fish sandwich, steamed mussels, clams, oysters. All wonderful in so many ways. The people were nice and the food was fast. This place is literally a dock into the ocean. The prices seem high until you realize the quantity they are giving you. Perhaps share something and then order more in the end. Most of the seating is on the second floor and there are only stairs to get there.
(5)Tay H.
Shhh...don't tell anyone. This is the best semi-secret in Maine. BYOB, outdoor picnic tables overlooking the harbor, and you can hold your lobster before you eat it (or not if that weirds you out). The staff is very friendly with families and kid-like adults who want to look at all the live shellfish, they'll hold them up for pictures and pose them for you. I love getting the full meal- clams and lobster. So amazing!
(5)Rachel Y.
I didn't need any sides. I didn't need any drink. All I wanted was that big, fat steamers!! They were so good and had to go back to Youn's Loster shore again and again while I was visiting ME. Lobsters were also good at reasonable price but I really enjoyed steamers. Now I am back in Ca. and oh boy!! I miss steamer clams so much.
(5)Ben D.
This place was a little weird. It's very loud, because of all the moving water. The setup is a little weird: you order, and they give you a number, and you wait for your number to be called, and then you come get your food. It was very pricey for what it was. My wife and I both got the lobster roll and clam chowder. The chowder was weird, like a butter sauce more than a creamy chowder. The lobster roll was full, but instead of being tossed with mayo, the mayo was globbed on in a way that made it not consistent. So some bites were full of mayo and others had hardly any... All in all, I was not impressed. I would not go here again.
(2)Jan l.
Sissies should stay away! This is not fine dining! It's the freshest, most authentic way to eat a Maine seafood. I have been coming here for over 15 years and love it. Bring your favorite beverage, tablecloth, sides and pay for someone to steam a lobster for you. It's right on the water and is simply gorgeous. It is not weird. It's the way things were and should be.
(5)Lenny P.
My wife and I like to stop at Young's on our way to Bar Harbor in the spring . The last two times there, was very disappointing. The Grilled fish sandwich with very soggy bread, Oysters on the half shell were devoid of their liquor and warm, with a very sloppy presentation. Doesn't seem to be much care in the presentation . Last time we were there my wife ordered a fish chowder with hardly any fish in it . Won' be back. Too many other great places to stop along the coast in Maine in the summer.
(2)Dan H.
Best lobster, expertly cooked, very friendly and first time pound visit. Exceeded expectations. Great prices.
(5)Susan A.
No frills my food just came off the boat, steam 'em up good and serve it up on a plate for me so I can go upstairs, eat on the picnic tables and stare out into the ocean, yum. Opted to do clams and crab instead of lobster... for one person the entire thing of clams was a bit much, but... ya definitely don't want great food to go to waste! The crab chowder was done well (w/ sherry, Maine style) but being a traditional New Englander I must say the sherry chowder was throwing me off left and right. In short, goood food, but pricey. If you have access to kitchen, would be equally good to just steam 'em up yourself cuz babe, it ain't cheap.
(4)James N.
This place is the real deal. BYOB, that's been mentioned enough, but just in case. There is no fried seafood- which is great, but thought you should know. If you have a younger eater, i.e. like my three year old, feel free to bring what they will eat. I tried him on the grilled fish sandwich, but he wasn't so interested. Next time I may bring him a back up, even though it's good to have kids try new things. Anyhow, this place is as reviewed- the ordering may seem a bit tricky at first, but the people that work there really are cool and helpful. We had lobster roll, which is great sized on a bun. The way they do it here is a bit of mayonnaise on the bun, but none really on the lobster. The bun is lightly grilled and there is a bit of lettuce. I have to say, this is one of the best lobster rolls I've had. I also order the steamers. They are so fresh and good using the drawn butter seems a bit of a sacrilege. I like steamers, what can I say. Definitely stop here. Also, seating is awesome. Right on the water with a great view Belfast Harbor.
(5)Smiling Bob H.
A classic Mew England roadside lobster shack. Except CLEAN and Modern cooking area and a nice picnic area to enjoy the feast. Lobster meal all cooked for eighteen bucks. How can you beat it. Reminds me of the type of places the Jersey shore was famous for when I was a teenager growing up there. I would give this place ten stars. one issue. BRING CASH.
(5)Christopher R.
I grew up in nearby Searsport, and I've been to hundreds of lobster pounds all over the state from Kittery to Calais, and there's just something about Young's that makes the lobster taste better here. Maybe its the saltwater of Penobscot Bay that they cook them in, maybe its the butter they use, maybe its the quality of the clams that come with the shore dinner, I don't know, but I literally ate about two lobster dinners a day for the past week on a vacation in Maine and the one from Young's stands out as being extra delicious and extra memorable. The outdoor seating allows you to watch lobster boats and personal boats come up to the dock, and you have an amazing view of downtown Belfast as well. The only downside to the outdoor seating is that there's no real shade to speak of, so all the tables are in bright sunlight. But if its a slightly cloudy day or if there's a strong breeze, then its absolutely the perfect lobster in the perfect spot.
(5)Roy W.
Treated rude when ordering. Lobster was excellent but seemed smaller than listed on menu. Don't think I would eat there again.
(3)Anna P.
Very unique experience,not sure I want it again,but definitely unforgettable,literally my hands smell fishy whole evening after 5 washes.(they don't provide utensils ,not every lobster is cracked good,mine had claws absolutely unbroken)Lobsters are fresh and sweet,corn is good but anything else is just ok at the best.View is nice,but in sunny day wait until sunset .
(4)Ross B.
Brother-in-law said he never had good oysters on half shell so we tried it here. They were awesome. Also the four of us had a lobster feast. 4 lobster dinners, dozen oysters on the half shell, and grilled scallops with soft drinks for $129. Great prices and the view of the bay is also excellent. Give this place a try the next time your in Maine.
(4)Melissa B.
Why any self professed Lobster Lover would bother with sides at a Lobster Pound confuses me. Why you would waste space with some chowder (unless it's pretty chilly out), confuses me even more. In my experience, this was one of the best Lobster Pounds I've been to in Maine and I've visted a good handful on my few trips throughout the years. It's BYOB too. First off, the itself space is great. Its gigantic & therefore seats a ton of people for those pesky high season months. It has a fantastic outdoor area with a panoramic view over a pretty body of water with some outdoor seating. The lobster is super fresh, cheaper than any white table cloth restaurant & here's a super helpful tip: order a lobster by the pound. Not off the menu. It's a rip off. We noticed this the one & only time we went, so there's really no excuse for you to fall for it. The best part? It's open well into October, including peak foliage week! If you don't think it's a big deal, think again because MOST places close up shop on Columbus Day weekend. I'm not quite sure WHEN it closes for the season, but my guess is November. I look forward to returning here to crack some lobster & wash it all down with a few Blue Paw Blueberry Ales. P.S. *bring your own cracker* we were stuck trying to open a super hard claw & a nice local couple seated nearest to us lent us theirs. the claw would have gone uneaten had it not been for the experienced locals who know to bring your own tools.
(5)Anna S.
If you're anywhere in coastal Maine, try to visit. Totally, totally worth it. Once you arrive, you park in a huge gravel parking lot. The smell of the ocean and fish greets you. Seriously, the lobster could not get any fresher. They are literally hanging out in giant plastic tubs all around the building. Definitely get the lobster roll--it's probably one of the best you will ever have. Every other lobster roll I've ever had has been inappropriately overdressed in mayo. Here, no such indecency occurs. Your lobster roll comes on a toasted sesame seed bun, which is lightly mayo-ed. There's some iceberg lettuce. But the star is the lobster, recently steamed, salted, and peppered. Served with Cape Cod kettle chips and bread and butter pickles. Simply amazing. Party in your mouth. And there is SO MUCH lobster meat. Easily 12 ounces or more. Honestly, I was seriously considering getting another one, but I held back because I was going to be in Maine for another five days. This restaurant will definitely be on my list for every future Maine trip.
(5)Lydia R.
Wow! All of the great stuff other that reviewers have said is true! We could not believe this place! Went back 3 times while staying in Belfast.
(5)Annette S.
The bucket list for 2 was awesome!! Wouldn't recommend the clam chowder but the lobster was amazing!!
(4)James B.
Expensive? Yes. Amazing? Yes. Ideal lobster pound experience? Certainly. The staff knows their stuff, the lobster is always perfectly boiled, not overboiled like at a lot of other places. The lobster is fresh-caught, the views on the back deck are amazing, all it all it's an awesome place to get a lobster, probably the best on the midcoast. A perfect place for dinner.
(5)Ron C.
From previous posts had to stop. 4 Midwesteners who seldom get to enjoy fresh lobster. OMG! Watching the guys prepare to cook our feast was interesting and entertaining. 20 min later we are enjoying fresh Maine lobster on wharf. No extra sides needed. 2 -11/2 lb boys for $28 . Delicious. We saw a local family that comes often bring in their own tablecloth and wine to enjoy a lobster picnic. Only thing holding back 5 stars is its our first stop in maine.
(4)Keelan P.
Keep your eye out for this gem or you will Miss it. It's as rustic as it gets and BYOB, but the seafood doesn't get any fresher. The lobster, crabs and clams are literally right off the boat. WOW.
(4)Ryan B.
Not a bad place to enjoy a fresh lobster in the Belfast area. A little more pricey than other lobster pounds in the area (see my list). The view of Belfast harbor is spectacular for their outdoor patio; on rainy days they have ample seating indoors on the second level. As recommended by others: Bring your own drinks, chip, potato salad, or whatever side dishes you might enjoy with your lobster.
(4)Charlie C.
Might or might not have good food. We couldn't get past the ridiculously high prices. The chick lobsters could be bought live for about $4/pound but if you wanted one cooked it would set you back about $25. $21 is a lot of money to sit outside at a picnic table and eat off of plastic plates with a little cup of so-called drawn butter. Not far down the road you could get the same cooked fresh lobster in a nice restaurant for under $15. If you have the time to go to Bucksport you can get decent sized lobsters (not baby chicks) served for under $7/pound. You decide. But if you enjoy going to coastal Maine to get ripped off, this is the right place for you!
(1)Lacey W.
Service was very inviting and helpful! This was our first lobster pound and we were a bit timid...the employee who helped us was patient, warm, and friendly. He encouraged us to look around and make ourselves at home. We had the clam chowder and lobster roll......heavenly! Lobster was fresh and sweet and the chowder had a ton of clams and flavor!! Stop here!!
(4)Amy G.
Right on the water. Pick your own lobster. Sit inside or outside. Feel the sun on your face or stay shaded and enjoy the views. Eat excellent food. Kids get to pick (and pick up) their own lobsters. You can eat there or get it to go. Prices better than restaurants (although still not cheap). A perfect vacation tradition.
(4)Michael N.
Get some white wine, or better yet, a sixer of Allagash or facsimile. Order your lobster or various other sea creatures, and walk toward the back, by the water. Sit. Groove on the beautful view. Pause briefly to think about friends and loved ones, and reflect on how much luckier you are at just this moment. Wait for your food - the lobster is the finest. Eat, drink, savor. There aren't that many things that are better in life.
(5)Sonia C.
Very fresh no frills seafood. BYOB is also nice. May want to pass on the clam chowder, lobster stew or anything not steamed fresh. But the lobsters, clams and mussels, so fresh, some may find them insulting :).
(5)Gena Z.
Best lobster in Maine! Our all time favorite place eat and enjoy the beautiful views of the water.
(5)Annie F.
As good as it gets for simple lobster, the freshest. You walk in, pick one out, go upstairs to a picnic table and they call your number when it's steamed. No beer or wine but you can carry in your own. Simple sides like potato salad and slaw. Closes around 7pm but will usually fix something for you until 7:30 or so. No heat so dress for the weather. We were late so the steamer was off, he sautéed us lobsters in butter to go, not bad huh?
(5)Charles J.
OK, two simple rules to live by. 1. You don't go to Maine and not have lobster. 2. You don't have lobster while in Maine without visiting Young's! Of course the lobster is fantastic a fresh. They practically just pulled it off one of the lobster fishing boats that pull up to unload, for goodness sake. But if you take the time to wander around, it's a lesson in the lobster business. What an interesting place to visit! Inside are several tanks FULL of recently caught lobsters, thousands of them (not exaggerating here!). You pick the one(s) you want, and they steam it for you right there while you watch. Some folks are there to eat in the dining area (a picnic area in the back) while others are grabbing some live critters to go. Either way, it's a VERY popular place! Believe it or not, there are other things on the menu besides lobster. Other fresh seafood items include clams, scallops, haddock and chowder. Even hot dogs for the kiddies. Prices are a little high, despite the current low cost of lobster. They are definitely making a profit but it's not going to break the bank and it's worth every penny!
(5)Shawna K.
I have only been to Young's in the summer. So to answer your question why I am writing this review in January first: it's because I dream about it all winter long! Last summer we made it our new mission to stop at every lobster pound/decent looking seafood restaurant up the coast of Maine on our way to Bar Harbor. To which yes, 5 days of lobster+butter+lobster bisque=your pants will definately feel snug by the end of vacation. Young's makes it all worth it though......... Conclusion: save your money by skipping elsewhere and go to Young's!
(5)Martha C.
Very basic steamed shore dinners and extremely pricey. Down a short lane off Route 1. If you're a native Mainer on a staycation, be prepared for lotsa tourists. It's just kind of amusing to watch people for whom eating lobster is a novelty wrangle the meat out of a lobster claw. It's also amazing how much waste just one order creates - napkins, plastic utensils, small cups for both butter and broth, trays, straws and, of course, the detritus from the shellfish that could be composted but there isn't a separate receptacle for it. The building is barn like and you enter into the dark, cavernous maw replete with holding tanks for the lobsters. It's kind of loud with all the water gushing. It appears that the owners have found a great bunch of guys from, I think, Haiti, or at least the Caribbean to man the order taking/filling while some local manages the operation. Customers mill about trying to figure out the best combination that would fulfill all their seafood fantasies. We settled on the special that included steamed lobster, clams, mussels, shrimp and corn - it kind of reminded me of a mid-Atlantic crab boil. It seemed to take forever, though and after waiting at the picnic table on the cement deck getting beaten by the sun, I decided to change location and move to the side. I also observed a pregnant woman devouring her shellfish...I was under the impression that shellfish was a no-no during pregnancy? Finally my DC came bearing an aluminum foil trail containing our meal. We shared and after all was said and done, I was still hungry. Mind you this kind of eating in the raw seems simple and cheap but there is a very high profit margin so I was a little disappointed that I wasn't sated. Pre-consumption shore dinners appear copious but once you get at the actual lobster meat and clams there isn't a lot of substance. One thing to keep in mind though is that you can BYOB and I would recommend bringing a roll of paper towels as well.
(3)Tom T.
If you eat there plan on along wait. DO NOT have them ship anything ever. They do not stand behind the packaging or shipping. They will tell you different. They packed me 12 lobsters to take home and only 3 made it alive and they almost died. I will never darken the door again.
(1)James M.
The place to be, on the water, fresh lobster, wine, beer and an awesome view overlooking the channel it can't be beat!
(5)David E.
For simple boiled lobsters and clams this place is great. I think the key is that everything is not only extremely fresh and not shipped in from anywhere, but that the preparation is simply taking your live lobsters or clams and maybe corn on the cob, putting them in a net with a number, and then boiling it all in a cauldron of sea water as opposed to steaming or boiling in restaurant tap water. The result is a salty/briny crustacean or bivalve that is out of this world. Working your way through a lobster like this is light years better than my lobster at Legal Seafood because the lobster didn't have to travel, and the seawater flavor permeates the whole thing. I saw diners doing BYOB, bringing nice stem ware, and making a special meal there. I tried the clam chowder...that was less inspiring, stick to the boiled lobsters and clams. If I lived closer I'd be a regular.
(5)Kathy C.
Okay, okay, I know this place is famous for lobsters and clams but I was not in the mood for those and wanted fried clams but they don't fry anything. I opted for the grilled haddock sandwich. The bun was so soggy as to be inedible. The fish as okay but had to steal lemon from my fellow diners. The others in my group had crabmeat (expensive but there seemed to be lots of it) and shrimp with lobster tails. That looked good. I would not go back unless bringing out of town guests for lobster.
(2)Scott B.
Best clams ever. No grit. Excellent view of Belfast and Penobscot bay. Bring your own beer, appetizers, chips, etc. I am not sure why another reviewer mentioned corkage. I have never paid any. Price is high though compared to other spots along rt 1.
(4)Taylor E.
The lobster was super good! We brought some side dishes to enjoy out on the picnic tables and we brought drinks as well. I recommend doing that too!! There was a large party ahead of us so it took a bit of time to get our food but we enjoyed the view and took some pictures while we waited! It started to rain for about 15 minutes and all the peeps moved upstairs to a covered area but my Aunt and I just braved the weather and ate away! It was a blast!
(4)Jane G.
delicious fresh lobster. they do all the work (cooking, cracking, packing) so you can pick it up or eat it there.. you can eat outside and you're right on the water. perfect. people can pull up to the dock and eat on their own boat! maybe someday!
(5)Walter H.
Take your friends visiting from away! We had a Fathers Day early supper after riding bikes in acadia all day, perfection! Seriously, steamer clams, fresh lobster and we brought our own beer, on a sunny evening. It doesn't get any better than this.
(5)Wallin B.
Such a Maine lobster experience. The entire meal was beyond good. We took the food back to our rental house - the staff went beyond to make sure the lobsters, steamers, etc were packed well and stayed hot during the trip. Would go back.
(5)Josh S.
If you're looking for seafood in the belfast area, you owe it to yourself to check this place out. For lobster, you cant get much fresher. Young's is right on the water, and the lobsters are brought in fresh, literally by the boatload. Everything here is great - I was a big fan of the lobster stew. It was very warm and satisfying on a cold, rainy day.
(4)J S.
Young's is exactly what you want on a trip to maine -- if you are in Belfast and you like seafood you absolutely have to go!! Go for the "Shore Dinner" -- You get an absurd lobster, an absurd pile of claims, an absurd lobster stew, absurd butter sauce, and some other goodies like corn or cole slaw and Cape Cod potato chips for something like $32. Then you take that and you eat it out on some picnic tables overlooking Belfast's harbor (they also have some indoor seating if it is cold/rainy). Amazing. The guys who work there are great at cutting/cracking the lobster for you, so it is very user friendly. My only suggestion is to come somewhat prepared. The big thing is that Young's doesn't serve any alcohol--but everyone BYO's--so bring some wine or beer along with you and enjoy it while they cook your lobster. Some people go extra fancy and bring real plates (Young's only gives you styrofoam trays), forks, etc. Last time I was there some people had even brought real table cloths, napkins, and votives, to make it an extra-special affair. Not that those are necessary, but it did make things look rather civilized. Really, if you are in Belfast you have to go. One of my favorite meals of all time (each time I go!). **Some guidebooks I saw said that Young's does not take credit cards, but they take Visa and Mastercard, so don't let that deter you**
(5)Robbie M.
This lobster pounds is a must stop eatery for lobster fans.
(4)Jas. K.
Time it right-- around 1 hr or so before sunset -- and you've got one of the classic, Maine midcoast al fresco locations for lobster in the rough dockside as the boats pull up to have their catches weighed. A gem.
(4)Alex M.
Awesome down to earth real no frills FRESH seafood. This is the place to go for Maine lobster. BYOB
(5)Jane K.
on my recent trip to maine i had hoped to find a place like young's. no frills. pick your lobster etc. and have a seat outside overlooking the water. out of all the steamers i had in maine this trip -- and i had way too many since i can't ever get them in the midwest -- young's were by far the best. they were definitely the cleanest. often times they can be muddy and gritty when people don't take the time to really clean them. often they can be overcooked since it barely takes any time at all to cook them. these were perfectly clean and perfectly cooked. the lobster wasn't so shabby either! and the prices were great. i recommend this place to everyone who is traveling nearby. make a stop here and you won't be disappointed.
(5)Bill M.
Easy to pass - but a good choice to stop. A true lobster pound with the tanks to prove it. More about the experience than the food. Take your time and upgrade the size of your lobster from the special... a little too small and you can always bring your own bag of chips.
(4)Jessica V.
After completing a trip up the coastline of New Hampshire and Maine, I came away with the best gastronomic experience being at Young's. I went with the shore dinner for $28, which included a 1 - 1 1/2 lb lobster, steamers (fresh clams), clam chowder (you can choose stew if you'd prefer), coleslaw (fresh corn also an option) and as if all that wasn't enough, a bag of chips. First off, the value was amazing. All of that food, they were very generous on the clams, for a mere $28. This was a great price compared to all other eateries I visited on my trip. The best part of the meal was the lobster, obviously, and it didn't disappoint. This was, hands down, the best lobster I have ever had. I was able to eat without crackers because they prepped the lobster for me, however, it may have made the knuckles slightly easier to eat with them. The setting is amazing, get a table outside on the water and don't forget to byob or wine, as in my case. As we ate, we watched the fisherman sort the lobster as the sun set over the water. Couldn't have asked for a more authentic New England experience. The only reason I'm not giving this 5 stars, is I was a little disappointed in the clam chowder and the coleslaw - however, it really isn't a big deal, since you should be there for the lobster anyway. The "chowder" was a bit on the brothy side but did have the freshest and most generous clams I've had in a soup. The coleslaw was a tad too vinegary so the corn was probably a better option. All-in-all, this place is top notch and should not be missed on your trip to Maine.
(4)Whiskey C.
Ah Youngs. I've been coming here since I was a kid, and will be back this summer. Delish!
(5)Aga J.
Amazing! Once again thanks to yelp we found this gem . We were traveling in maine and decided that we needed lobster so we drove an hour and a halt to young's and it was so worth it. We both agree that the lobster stew alone was worth the 4 hr drive from rhode island!
(5)Kimberli M.
YUM! You can't go to Maine with out a lobster boil!!! Young's is a great option! All they do is shell fish (Lobster, clams, scallops, crabs, shrimp etc...) There are row and rows of the tubs with live lobster awaiting your purchase! Pick your poison, order it up, get your number and wait! You can buy them live and take them home to steam or have them cooked up to enjoy either at your own home or there on the picnic tables on the docs. Lobster eating can be a contact sport - so wear clothes you won't mind smelling like lobster! We all enjoyed the lobsters and corn-on-the-cob! I had some steamers too! Bring a table cloth, bottle of wine (it's BYOB)/glasses and your camera to snap some shops of the BEAUTIFUL sunset!! Take a pass on the watery clam chowder... it just wasn't very good compared to so many great ones we had on the trip!
(5)Wendy D.
Fresh "Lobsta" and a bag of steamers to go. What a feast! YUMMO
(5)Jason F.
I'm not really sure how to review a Lobster Pound because this was my first experience with one. The lobster was as fresh as you can get and I was quickly educated on how to tear it apart and what to eat (and what not to eat). The sides were all good, the lobster was amazing, and the view of the Searsport area harbor was phenomenal. Overall a very enjoyable experience.
(4)Christiaan H.
This was some of the most expensive chowder I have purchased. The fish chowder seemed to me made with frozen fish, and the clam chowder was bland. The crab stew was better. Visited 6/08.
(2)Solo S.
As close to the platonic ideal of a lobster pound as one can imagine. Perfect.
(4)Noreen K.
I'm not a huge lobster fan, but I was in Maine and had to give it a try. The food was as I expected, having seen the restaurant profiled on the Food Network. The location was great; it was right on the water with picturesque views of what I imagined Maine to be. A great stop on our drive to Acadia.
(4)John D.
This was actually in October of 2007. We are going back this October so I wanted to visit the site and thought I would leave a review. This was an amazing "Maine" experience. we went twice during our week there and loved it both times. I had the twin lobster meal for about $20 and my wife had the lobster and clam meal for a bit less. We both were in heaven. I gave the guy who cooked our food a few bucks and he perked up and offered to carry the food out back to the picnic tables for us. As for the food, it was excellent. It's BYOB so we will know for next time. The view was just amazing! We took pictures and video of the boats coming in and had just a great experience. I recommend it to everyone.
(5)Suzanne K.
Perfect for what we had in mind - lobster. Period. Okay, so we had a few sides, but the Maine attraction lived up to it's reputation - delicious, fresh cooked while we waited, and cracked for us. Dining is at a picnic table or to go. BYOB is a nice touch, and one that comes with a $25 corkage fee in Northern California. Here, it's all about the lobster, so if you can open it, you can drink it. We will be back. If you're in the area, definitely worth a stop!
(5)