Are you ready to feast? Check out these mouthwatering New England joints serving up some of the best meaty and buttery lobster rolls in the region!
LessIf you're looking for some of the best lobster in New England, The Lobster Shack in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, is where it's at. Take a seat at one of the iconic red picnic tables oceanside at this 100-year-old local favorite and soak up the fresh sea air as you bite into jumbo rolls packed with buttery lobster. Enjoy the ambiance of the mesmerizing wind sculptures outside with lighthouses in the distance. And don't miss out on a slice of the oh-so-sweet strawberry rhubarb pie.
Family-owned restaurant Red’s Eats in Wiscasset, Maine, holds the title of the most famous restaurant on Route 1, thanks to their overstuffed lobster rolls (we’re talking more than a whole lobster) that have been featured on the Travel Channel and Netflix’s Somebody Feed Phil. Grab a succulent tail-topped roll with a side of butter, fried sea scallops, and a honey soda from the walk-up window before heading around back for a table overlooking the Sheepscot River. FYI - expect a line.
Located on the dock above the Kennebunk River, The Clam Shack and the connecting fish market have been serving fresh seafood to locals (and visitors) for over 50 years. Stop by for one of the iconic lobster rolls stuffed with lobster boiled in ocean water - it brings out the sweetness - and served burger-style with mayo and butter. Don't miss out on other popular items like the fried clam strips and fresh-squeezed lemonade.
It's all about the Brown Butter Lobster Roll at Eventide Oyster Co. in Portland, Maine. A unique twist on a New England staple, this lobster roll features Gulf of Maine lobster sauteed in brown butter and served on a light and airy steam bun with chives. Let's just say this ain't your mama's lobster roll. Pull up a chair at the colorful bar or sit out on the patio when the weather is nice and sample the 12 types of Main oysters from the ice bar.
This no-frills joint in Clinton, Connecticut, resembles a quaint fishing cottage, but don't be fooled—it knows how to pack in the flavor. Sit outside and fill up on a double-meat lobster roll basted with butter. When the weather is cooler, savor rich and creamy lobster bisque and clam chowder. Or, kick back and watch the sunset over Clinton Harbor. Not a seafood fan? BYOB and order a hotdog or a spicy sausage sub smothered in peppers and onions.
Head to nostalgic 60’s roadside diner, The Lobster Roll – aka LUNCH – in Amagansett, New York, for retro seaside vibes, lobster rolls, and other classic New England dishes. Sip on a Blood Orange Margarita on the shady patio overlooking the scenic Napeague Harbor Tidal Wetlands. Try Paul’s Famous Seafood Chili, loaded with spicy shrimp, scallops, and lobster. And, of course, you can't skip a classic lobster roll. Order one cold with mayo and celery, or go for the hot roll served in drawn butter.
In New London, Connecticut, Captain Scott's Lobster Dock serves up delicious seafood from its walk-up window on the Shaw's Cover waterfront. Once an old garage on the docks, Captain Scott's has transformed into a popular local landmark. Grab a seat at a picnic table overlooking the marina and enjoy clam fritters, steaming bowls of chowder and an iconic lobster roll! Feeling adventurous? Order the ooey and gooey lobster grilled cheese. It's simply decadent.
Get your food truck fix at Bite Into Maine in Cape Elizabeth. Stop by the original food truck in Fort Williams Park for lobster rolls with a flavorful twist. Choose from buttery Connecticut-style lobster, or Maine-style rolls with mayonnaise, or spice things up with Smoky Chipotle, Indian Curry, or Zingy Wasabi mayo. With your roll in hand, stroll through the park to see the nearby Portland Head Light and check out the view of Ship Cove’s rocky shoreline from Battery Blair.