The Crabby Lobster: One of Phippsburg's Best Hidden Gems
- Kate Curcio
- Jun 29
- 4 min read
Some places are worth going out of your way for, and in Phippsburg, Maine is absolutely one of them. Tucked away beside owner Shelly Hunt's home, this woman-owned, family-run lobster shop is everything you hope to find when you're searching for an authentic Maine experience. Shelly is a proudly married to a lobsterman, and together with her husband she brings fresh lobsters straight from the traps to her customers. It doesn't get much fresher than that.
As Shelly puts it on The Crabby Lobster's website:
"At Crabby Lobster, we're more than a seafood shop — we're a true piece of Phippsburg's fishing tradition. Our values are built on the strength of family tradition, the freshness of every catch, and the authenticity of our community roots. With each lobster and every guest, we uphold the pride and resilience of Maine's fishing village spirit, supporting artisans, protecting our coastal environment, and celebrating the connections food creates between people."
After visiting, I can honestly say those aren't just words they're exactly what you'll experience.
The adventure started before we even arrived. Shelly has handmade signs scattered along the roads leading you to The Crabby Lobster, making it easy to find and adding to the charm before you even pull in.
Our first stop was the nearby dock where Shelly's husband heads out on his lobster boat each day. It was quiet, peaceful, and breathtakingly beautiful. The kind of place that reminds you why so many people fall in love with coastal Maine.
Standing there, I told Shelly that her life felt like something out of a movie. A woman living in a picturesque fishing village with her lobsterman husband, surrounded by family and generations of fishermen. She smiled and said she never takes it for granted. She knows just how special her life is, and that appreciation shines through in everything she does.
Shelly welcomed us like old friends and brought us over to her home, where The Crabby Lobster is located inside a garage next to the house.
I'll admit, I wasn't quite sure what to expect.
Then the garage door opened.
Inside was one of the cutest little gift shops I've ever seen.
The space was filled with locally made treasures. Shelves overflowed with Maine books, jewelry, stickers, Crabby Lobster merchandise (which, of course, I couldn't leave without), handmade bags, and beautiful gifts created by local artisans, including adorable oyster shell ornaments crafted by Shelly's own mother.
It felt less like a gift shop and more like a celebration of the community.
Then, toward the back, were the lobster tanks.
Filled with lively lobsters of every size, many had come straight from the ocean just down the road only hours before. Customers can pick out their own lobsters to cook later or have Shelly steam them fresh on the spot to take home.
She told us that during the busy summer season, she's steamed more than 100 lobsters in a single day.
Many of her customers return year after year. Some spend summers in nearby cottages or rentals, and Shelly said she can practically tell what week of summer it is by which familiar faces walk through the door. She supplies annual family parties, and some loyal customers even drive several hours every year to pick up large orders of lobsters for special gatherings.
Some have even packed them up and flown them home on an airplane!
If you're planning a picnic, The Crabby Lobster couldn't be in a better location. Shelly can have your lobsters steamed and ready within minutes, making it easy to grab lunch before heading to one of the area's beautiful spots like Popham Beach, Popham Beach State Park, Sewall Beach, or the trails at Morse Mountain.
Of course, we had to try the lobster ourselves.
Shelly steamed ours in salt water, and they were honestly some of the best-tasting lobsters I've ever had.
Now... I have a confession.
Despite spending so much time in Maine, I completely embarrassed myself trying to crack into my lobster. Thankfully, Shelly patiently walked me through it with a smile. Apparently I still have some work to do before I earn my Maine credentials!
But that's exactly who Shelly is.
Warm.
Welcoming.
Patient.
The kind of person who makes you feel like you've been stopping by for years.
The Crabby Lobster isn't just a place to buy seafood. It's a chance to meet the people behind Maine's lobster industry, support a local family, discover talented local artists, and experience the kind of genuine hospitality that's becoming harder to find.
If you're visiting Phippsburg, or even just passing through, you owe it to yourself to stop.
Give Shelly a call ahead, and she'll have your lobsters steamed and ready in just minutes.
Hidden gems like this are exactly what Maine Scuttlebutt loves to share. And trust me, The Crabby Lobster is one you'll be talking about long after the last lobster claw is cracked.
-Kate
Crabby Lobster Seafood LLC.
106 Ridleys Landing, Phippsburg, ME 04562
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