KENNEBUNKPORT – Mabel’s Lobster Claw may be under new ownership, but the spirit remains post renovation.
Nestled on Ocean Avenue near the Kennebunk River, Mabel’s has been a staple in Kennebunkport since the 1950s.
Since opening in 1954, Mabel’s Lobster Claw has a storied history in Kennebunkport. The restaurant is known for its seafood selection and decadent lobster dishes, even earning the honor of being named Rachel Ray and Men’s Health Magazine’s “Manliest Meal” for its Lobster Savannah; a baked lobster stuffed with scallops, shrimp, and mushrooms, topped with a creamy sherry Newburg sauce and roasted red peppers and covered in cheese. Mabel’s Lobster Claw was a favorite of the Bush family, and the walls inside were dotted with photos of the staff with both Barbara and President Bush throughout the years.
In January, ownership of the restaurant officially changed hands from longtime proprietor and chef Robert Fischer to the First Serve Hospitality Group, which also owns the Edgewater Inn next door. What followed in the coming months was a breakneck renovation to overhaul the restaurant in time for the season, and successfully opened on April 15.
“They broke ground within day of the sale closing,” said Jami-Lee Nelson, general manager of Mabel’s. “It’s amazing what they got done in such a short period of time.”
When visiting the newly renovated restaurant, one could assume that with the foundation-to-ceiling overhaul that the soul of the restaurant would be lost in translation. After all, how can a 70-year-old institution retain any of the charm that both locals and tourists alike know and love?
Walking in, however, feels akin to stepping back in time. First Serve Hospitality Group was intent on retaining the 1950s aesthetic within the renovation, and it shows immediately. While the walls have been repainted and the floors and tiles have been given an upgrade, looking around the restaurant shows an attention to detail to ring true with the spirit of the restaurant. There is a nautical theme as a through line of the design, with dark wooden features and curved lines contrasting against bright white tiles on the wall and black and white checkered tiles on the floor.
“This was really a passion project for the new owners,” said Nelson. “While the building really needed updates, they stayed loyal to the style and tradition of the original restaurant.”
One notable feature is the light fixture over the bar, a canoe that has been retrofit with hanging lights to create a pseudo chandelier that rings true for its riverside location.
Hanging proudly against the new paint are the old photos and art from the original decor, a nod to the building’s long history.
The food, as always, is the standout in the restaurant. The kitchen, upgraded with all new appliances, is now run by Head Chef Brandon Doig and Sous Chef Kim Doig. Fischer has remained as a consultant for the menu to ensure that the food coming out is true to the standard Mabel’s has always been known for.
“Everyone is well versed in great cuisine, and they all know how to make a dish really successful,” said Nelson.
The restaurant has retained many of its local favorites, including “Manliest Meal” Lobster Savannah and its collection of signatures, which include the Milanese, a split lobster topped with shrimp, garlic, and cayenne pepper, and the Mabel’s Stuffed Baked Lobster, filled with scallops, shrimp, bread stuffing and bacon. Tried and true “Seafood Shack Faves” like fried scallops, fish and chips, and lobster rolls have also been retained, as well as the “Steamed Lobstah.”
“We’re continuing to change and update the menu, and we’re listening to the people who are coming in and telling us ‘we miss this, we wish you still had that,’” said Nelson. “That’s why we brought back the mushroom caps, people missed them and we want to stay true to our guests.”
The traditional dishes now pair hand-in-hand with the new, like clams stuffed with chorizo and breadcrumbs and charred Brussels sprouts with bleu cheese, pecans, and scallions.
One standout on the menu is the lobster slider, which can be ordered either individually or in a set of three, with lobster stacked on a buttermilk biscuit, a twist on an old favorite.
A testament to the continuation of the true spirit of Mabel’s as it moves forward into the new phase is the overwhelming retention of staff from the previous owners, with over 90 percent of employees choosing to stay with the restaurant, meaning that those visiting a long-time favorite will still see the familiar faces they know.
“We really want to do everything right, by both Mabel’s and our guests,” said Nelson. “We’re happy to be able to bring Mabel’s into another successful 70 years here in Kennebunkport.”
The restaurant is now open for business every day 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and the “shack,” the walk up service window located directly to the left of the restaurant, is expected to open in the next few weeks.

Contact Staff Writer Abigail Worthing at news@inthecourier.com.

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