Best Lobster Rolls in New England
Every region has its signature dish – and the best lobster rolls in New England only serve to reinforce the area’s commitment to serving up some of the finest seafood in the entire world. After all, if you find yourself traveling in the vicinity, there’s no dish more quintessential—and delicious—than this celebrated treat.
All along the coast, you’ll see bobbing buoys and brightly colored lobster boats hauling the day’s catch from the icy Atlantic, supplying everywhere from quaint seafood shacks to white-tablecloth restaurants with the world’s most mouth-watering lobsters. Of course, while a lobster roll is a thing of beauty, not everyone agrees on how it should be made.
However, whether you’re a fan of hot buttered lobster on toasted bread, a purist looking for cold claw and tail meat tossed in mayo on a hot-dog bun, or a foodie in search of something more adventurous, you’ll find what you’re looking for here on our guide to the best lobster rolls in all of New England.
86 Middle St. Portland, ME
This award-winning oyster bar is known for its creative update to the classic roll, with a house-made steam bun replacing toasted bread and brown butter instead of mayo. It’s a miniature work of art, served warm on a wooden slab, and it pairs perfectly with Eventide’s craft cocktails and local beers on tap.
315 U.S. Route 1, Kittery, ME
As the name suggests, this hut isn’t fancy. But the lobster rolls—served hot dressed in butter—are exactly what you’re hoping for on a summer day in Maine. The menu is simple and straightforward, and the toughest choice you’ll have to make at Bob’s is between small and large portions.
440 Atlantic Ave., Boston, MA
Every restaurant on our list of the best lobster rolls in New England uses fresh catches in their rolls, but it doesn’t get any fresher than catching your own. This little shack in the heart of downtown has been catching and selling seafood since 1925, and you can still buy live lobsters fresh off the boat, but they also offer heaping classic (with mayo) rolls you can take to go while you’re exploring Boston’s Seaport.
407 NH Highway 286, Seabrook, NH
Lobster pounds are no-frills affairs, and a quintessential New England summertime experience. Brown’s has everything you need—outdoor seating, huge tanks filled with today’s freshly caught live lobsters, and an enormous menu of fresh seafood including a heaping lobster roll. Just remember: It’s cash only and BYOB, so come prepared.
5 Portwalk Place, Portsmouth, NH
Mayo or butter? Most joints specialize, but Row 34 executes both flawlessly, and your best bet is to do a side-by-side and settle this debate once and for all. The menu is full of high-concept seafood as well as an exceptional selection of New England oysters, but the lobster rolls, served with chips and slaw, get a section all to themselves, proving that sometimes it’s good to play the hits.
99 Washington Extension, Nantucket, MA
Sayle’s is a Nantucket staple, providing the Grey Lady with fresh seafood (and shipping it all over the world). In addition to wholesale, they also serve takeout, so you can enjoy your 1/3 lb. lobster roll on the porch or at the beach. Served with chips and coleslaw.
4 Wave Ave., Middletown, RI
Don’t let the name fool you. While you definitely shouldn’t miss the clams, Flo’s has been stuffing “Lobsta Rolls” for Rhode Islanders since the 1930s, and they know a thing or two about how it’s done. Eat upstairs at the raw bar for a dignified dining experience, or dig in with abandon on the picnic tables outside.
If you’re headed for Cape Cod or Martha’s Vineyard, also be sure to check out:
· Cobie’s
· Menemsha Fish Market
· Larsen’s Fish Market
· The Friendly Fisherman
· Moby Dick’s
· The Net Result
· The Lobster Pot