Our Story

Know your fishermen.

Off the Boat Lobsters offers live and cooked lobsters directly from the fishermen who catch them. Our friendly, open-air storefront operates from our family-owned fishing pier – the Sewall’s Bridge dock – a historic working waterfront located on the York River.

Taking to her heritage, owner and founder Lindsey Ramsey opened Off the Boat Lobsters in the summer of 2009 with just a pop-up tent and a cooler! Her intention has always been to provide fresh lobsters at the best prices from sustainable fisheries in Southern Maine. More than just a family tradition, the lobster business is their livelihood. Lindsey’s father, Jeff Donnell, docks his fishing boats daily with catch.

And as fate would have it, Lindsey met her husband Christopher on the Sewall’s Bridge dock while he was working for a local shellfish wholesaler based right here in York, Maine. Today, their children are often at the dock, learning the ropes and helping out!

A true Atlantic-to-plate lobster shack

Our seasonal business has grown slowly and steadily over the years as people have come to value local goodness and sustainably-sourced food. Depending on price and supply, Off the Boat Lobsters opens weekends starting in May and closes after Columbus Day. We’re open 7 days a week during our peak summer season.

Because preparing lobsters can be messy and challenging to cook, we offer our tender and sweet lobsters cooked right on site in seawater from our location. Off The Boat Lobsters is a true Atlantic-to-plate lobster shack. We’re not tied to any restaurant or major wholesaler. You can’t beat supporting your local lobstermen!