What to Order at Weathervane [A First-Timer’s Guide]

A great seafood menu means options, and at Weathervane Seafood Restaurants, we have plenty of them. Fried or broiled? Lobster roll or lobster mac? Chowder to start, or save room for the main course? (That last one has a clear right answer, but we’ll get to it.)

Whether you’re planning your first visit or finally making good on a promise you’ve been making to yourself to stop in, here’s what to know.

Start With the Chowder

Here’s a piece of advice that Weathervane regulars give out freely: start with the chowder. Always.

Weathervane founder Bea Gagner put her family recipe on the menu when she and her husband Ray opened a simple seafood stand in Kittery, Maine, in 1969 — and it has stayed there ever since. Our locations serve both a creamy New England clam chowder and a rich haddock-based fish chowder, available by the cup or bowl.

Fried or Broiled?

This is the question. We’ve been told that we do both beautifully, and first-timers tend to discover pretty quickly which camp they fall into.

For the quintessential New England seafood experience (think crispy, golden, perfectly battered haddock, scallops, shrimp or calamari) fried menu items are the way to go.

Guests who prefer something lighter, where the quality of the fish really shines through, often choose a broiled dish. The best part? Most of our entrees are available either way.

The Signatures

A handful of dishes have earned near-legendary status among Weathervane Seafood Restaurants regulars, and first-timers would do well to take note.

The classic Maine lobster roll is the one that keeps guests coming back — succulent lobster in a toasted New England roll, served cold with mayo and celery or hot with melted butter. The baked stuffed seafood combo is the order for guests who decide that choosing just one seafood is not a possibility. And the lobster mac and cheese has built a devoted following that keeps folks coming back to reorder.

For something on the lighter side, the grilled swordfish and grilled salmon sandwich are both standouts that guests return for again and again.

Something for Everyone

It’s important to us to feed your entire family, and that includes people with strong opinions about seafood. Each location keeps char-grilled burgers, chicken and Signature Marinated Steak Tips and a solid lineup of salads on the menu for exactly this reason. There’s even an eclectic Kid’s Menu for those 10 and under. Nobody gets left out, nobody goes home hungry and everyone leaves happy. It’s a formula that has worked since we first opened our doors.

Don’t Skip Dessert

When it comes to dessert, we like to keep it classic. Choose from strawberry shortcake stacked with sweet ripe strawberries and whipped cream on a fresh baked biscuit or the colossal hot fudge sundae that earns its name.

And if there happens to be a debate at the table about which dessert to share, the wicked molten lava cake tends to settle it with layers of chocolate sponge and piping-hot chocolate sauce, all served with vanilla ice cream.

Plus, each location rotates a seasonal dessert, so there’s always a reason to see what’s new.

Ready to see the full menu? Browse everything we offer, or place an order online and skip straight to the good part.