The Lobster Pot

The Lobster Pot at 321 Commercial Street in Provincetown, Massachusetts has served as the Cape Cod town's most beloved seafood restaurant since 1979, positioned on the harbor with views of Provincetown Bay and the fishing fleet that supplies much of its menu. The restaurant occupies a historic building steps from MacMillan Pier and has fed several generations of visitors to what is simultaneously Massachusetts's most celebrated fishing community and one of New England's most distinctive cultural destinations. The menu is built around what the boats bring in: steamed whole lobsters, chowders of both clam and corn varieties, fresh fish preparations, and a seafood casserole that has become a Provincetown institution. The lobster bisque — enriched with cream and sherry and deeply flavored from long-simmered shells — is considered the restaurant's signature preparation and is requested by regulars on every visit. The outdoor deck with its direct harbor views makes summer dining at The Lobster Pot one of the quintessential Massachusetts dining experiences; the visual backdrop of the bay, the fishing weirs, and the Pilgrim Monument visible on the hill above town sets a scene that no other restaurant in the state quite replicates. The restaurant operates seasonally from May through October, and summer weekends require advance reservations, particularly for deck seating.