Robert’s Maine Grill: The Hyped Seafood Spot in Kittery That Left Me a Bit Underwhelmed (But Here’s Why You Might Love It)

Robert’s Maine Grill: The Hyped Seafood Spot in Kittery That Left Me a Bit Underwhelmed (But Here’s Why You Might Love It)
Address 301 US-1 One, Kittery, ME 03904
Phone number-207-439-2700

On my drive back from Freeport to Boston, I made a pit stop in Kittery, Maine highly recommended by friends and neighbors. Everyone kept saying the same thing: “You have to go to Robert’s Maine Grill and Raw Bar. It’s incredible.”

I made a reservation (smart move, as it turned out), and when we arrived, I understood the hype immediately. The place was packed. There was a line out the door with people waiting for tables. I felt a little smug walking past that crowd directly to our reserved seating. Score one for planning ahead.



The Food: A Reality Check

Their menu

I went all in with my order. Five different flavors of raw oysters, two raw littleneck clams, a steamed lobster, calamari, fried onion rings, and a salad. I was ready to have my mind blown.

Here’s my honest take: it was… fine.

The Oysters: They tasted pretty much the same to me, regardless of the different “flavors.” Maybe I’m not sophisticated enough to detect the subtle differences, or maybe the cocktail sauce was doing all the heavy lifting. Either way, I wasn’t blown away.


The Raw Littleneck Clams: This is where I hit a snag. They came with cocktail sauce, and when I bit into them, I got an unpleasant surprise—sand. Not a lot, but enough to be noticeable and genuinely off-putting. Raw clams with sand and cocktail sauce? That’s not the experience I was hoping for.


The Steamed Lobster: This was solid. Tender, sweet, and perfectly complemented by the melted butter and sautéed squash with potato salad on the side. It was genuinely good, though I’ve had equally good lobster elsewhere.


The Calamari and Onion Rings: Standard stuff. They tasted like calamari and onion rings from pretty much any other decent seafood restaurant. Nothing special, nothing terrible.

The Real Question: Why Is This Place So Hyped?

Honestly? I left wondering why so many people rave about Robert’s. Maybe I ordered the wrong dishes. Maybe the hype got to me and I was expecting fireworks. Or maybe—and I say this without judgment—I came from Boston, where we have access to an abundance of seafood restaurants with different price points and quality levels. My expectations might be calibrated differently.

But here’s the thing: This restaurant does have a genuinely nice vibe. The atmosphere is lively without being chaotic. The service was attentive. And most importantly, their restroom was spotless—which, in my experience, is a good indicator of how clean they keep their kitchen. If they take that kind of care with the front-of-house, I trust they’re being equally meticulous with food preparation.

Who Should Definitely Go to Robert’s?

If you’re coming from an area without much access to quality seafood, Robert’s Maine Grill is absolutely worth the trip. It’s a legitimate seafood restaurant with fresh ingredients and a fun atmosphere. The experience alone—eating raw oysters and lobster at a bustling Maine seafood spot—is worth the visit.

It’s also genuinely nice if you just want to enjoy good food, drinks, and good vibes without overthinking it.

Who might be disappointed: If you’ve got access to multiple high-end seafood restaurants and you’re coming in with really high expectations, you might feel like I did—pleasantly surprised, but not blown away.

After Lunch: Kittery Trading Post


After our heavy meal, we wandered over to Kittery Trading Post, a massive shopping complex right nearby. It’s basically everything you could need under one big roof—outdoor gear, clothing, home goods, you name it. The selection is impressive, and it’s genuinely a fun place to browse and burn off some calories after a big lunch.

Fair warning though: The prices aren’t cheap. But that’s because they carry well-known brands and quality goods. If you’re looking for bargains, this isn’t the place. But if you want quality items from trusted brands, it’s worth spending time there.

The Drive Home and the Perfect Ending

The drive back to Boston was rainy and a bit exhausting after three days of adventure. By the time I got home, I was ready for something simple and comforting. I made myself a big bowl of noodle soup, and honestly? It was exactly what I needed.

Sometimes the best meals aren’t the hyped-up experiences at fancy restaurants. Sometimes they’re the simple, warm, homemade meals you make for yourself after a long day.

The Verdict

My three-day Freeport and Kittery adventure was exactly what I needed—a break from routine, good food, interesting experiences, and plenty of stories to tell. Robert’s Maine Grill lived up to the hype in terms of atmosphere and freshness, even if it didn’t knock my socks off with the food itself.

If you’re planning a Maine escape, hit up Freeport for that amazing Buck's Naked bbq and budget-friendly accommodations, explore Portland (if you can handle the fish smell), and make the Kittery stop for Robert’s and some shopping. It’s a solid weekend getaway.

And if you’re coming home tired and hungry? Make yourself some noodle soup. You’ve earned it.

Have you been to Robert’s Maine Grill? Did you have a different experience than me? Drop your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear what dishes you loved!


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