Maine Crab Rolls
When summer tourists flock to Maine’s coastal villages in search of sandy beaches and seafood specialties, it’s often the iconic Maine lobster roll that steals the spotlight. However, there’s another sandwich that garners an equally devoted following for those in the know: the Maine crab roll.
What is a Maine Crab Roll?
The best Maine crab rolls don’t need much. They start with freshly harvested, hand-picked lump crabmeat, which is so naturally sweet and lightly salty that only the slightest dressing is called for. (In fact, some purists call for only a squeeze of lemon.) Gently folded with a touch of mayonnaise, a whisper of Old Bay seasoning, a spritz of fresh lemon juice and a sprinkle of chives, the crab mixture is piled into a buttered and grilled New England-style (split-top) hot dog bun. See if you can get a side of handmade potato chips for a lunch that’s truly made in Maine.
Crabbing and Crab Picking in Maine
It may be hard to believe, but there was a time when crabs were seen as a nuisance in Maine—an unintended catch that lobstermen found in their traps and simply tossed overboard or crushed to use as bait. Sometimes, fishers would save a few for their own lunch or supplement the day’s catch if lobsters were scant.
Over time, the consumer demand for crabs grew, as did the need for processing. Crab-picking became a thriving cottage industry in small fishing communities along the coast, particularly in Deer Isle and Stonington, where fishermen’s wives picked and packaged crab in their kitchen sinks.
Picking crab is an art—a meticulous process that rewards patience and know-how. Every crab must be disassembled, each piece of shell fished out, every flake of meat handled with care. Unlike lobster, which offers thick, muscular knuckles and tails, crabmeat is fine and feathery, requiring attention to detail.
Jonah crab and rock crab (also known as sand crab or peekytoe crab) can be harvested in Maine year-round, though peak season is considered September to November, when crabs are full of their sweet, tender meat. Rock crabs come from the shallower waters between islands, while the desirable Jonah crabs come from the deeper Atlantic waters and boast sweeter, flakier meat than even lobster.
Where to Eat a Perfect Crab Roll in Maine
Crab rolls may not be ubiquitous as their lobster-laden counterparts, but if you know where to look, you’ll be rewarded. Get the goods at these hidden gems along the coast.
Day’s Crabmeat & Lobster
Walk up to the window at Day’s Crabmeat & Lobster, a no-frills seafood shack open seasonally in Yarmouth, and sit at a picnic table overlooking the surrounding marshes. The classic Jonah crab roll can be ordered tossed with mayo or without and is served with homemade potato chips seasoned with their signature spicy and smoky Lobster Love seasoning.
Thirsty Whale Tavern
At the Thirsty Whale Tavern in Bar Harbor, pair a crab roll with your choice of sides—French fries, coleslaw or Greek pasta salad—and a pint of crisp, locally brewed beer like Lone Pine Portland Pale Ale or Mast Landing Champ Lager.
Pinkham’s Gourmet Market
Before a day of adventure, stop by Pinkham’s Gourmet Market in Boothbay Harbor for your day’s provisions and have a seat on one of the outdoor picnic tables to enjoy a generously portioned crab roll.
Lobster Shack at Two Lights
Perched along the craggy coastline, the seasonal Lobster Shack at Two Lights in Cape Elizabeth offers a crab roll with an open-air view that’s just as breathtaking as the food.
Make Maine Crab Rolls at Home
Bring the flavors of Maine to your kitchen with crab roll kits delivered straight to your door. Several seafood purveyors ship freshly picked Maine crabmeat along with all the fixings you’ll need to recreate this coastal classic.
SoPo Seafood
Coming in fresh from SoPo Seafood market in South Portland, the Maine Crab Roll Kit comes with 1lb of fresh crabmeat and four split-top buns from Biddeford-based Little Spruce Baking.
Cousins Maine Lobster
Best known for their food trucks with multiple locations throughout the United States, order the Cousins Maine Lobster At-Home Crab Roll Kit for 1lb of frozen crabmeat, six New England-style buns and a stick of butter.
Maine Lobster Now
Order the Maine Crab Roll Kit from Maine Lobster Now in Saco for a whole spread of deliciousness. This kit includes 1lb of Jonah crabmeat, six split-top New England-style rolls, six bags of Maine-made Fox Family Potato Chips and one stick of Kate’s butter made from grass-fed dairy in Arundel.