25 Top-Rated Lobster Rolls Across America

Craving the perfect lobster roll but not sure where to start? Consider this your cross-country cheat sheet, spotlighting buttery buns, chilled Maine-style classics, and creative twists worth a detour. You will get insider cues on what to order, when to go, and how to make each bite unforgettable. Stick around so you do not settle for anything less than roll-of-your-dreams status.

1. Eventide Oyster Co. – Portland, Maine

Eventide nails the balance of tradition and ingenuity, and you taste it in every buttery bite. The brown butter lobster roll, tucked into a pillowy steamed bun, leans rich yet somehow light. You will notice how lemon and sea salt make the sweetness pop.

Stand at the counter, watch the shucking, and savor the bustle. Go earlier to skip the longest queues and snag a patio spot. If you like contrasts, pair with their tangy pickled sides and a briny oyster flight.

2. The Clam Shack – Kennebunk, Maine

The Clam Shack serves a roll that keeps it simple and unforgettable. Butter-dipped lobster piled onto a round, locally baked bun gives you juicy, warm sweetness with minimal fuss. You can choose mayo, butter, or both, which is the move.

Expect lines and plan to eat dockside with gulls cruising overhead. The roll is hefty, the flavor deeply Maine, and the vibe pure summer. Ask for extra napkins and do not overthink it.

3. Neptune Oyster – Boston, Massachusetts

Neptune Oyster offers both hot with butter and cold with mayo, and both are worth the splurge. The toasted brioche hugs sweet, perfectly cooked lobster with a slight caramelized edge. You will feel the room buzz while the first bite silences everything.

Lines are legendary, so arrive early or be ready to wait. The fries are crisp, salty perfection alongside. Ask your server which preparation sings with the day’s catch, then lean in.

4. Red’s Eats – Wiscasset, Maine

Red’s Eats is famous for a roll piled taller than the bun, claws and knuckles spilling over. You pick butter or mayo on the side so nothing masks the meat. The sweetness feels almost decadent, like you are tasting summer condensed.

Lines can snake down the road, and somehow it feels worth it. Grab a seat by the river, breathe in the salt, and take slow bites. Bring patience and an appetite.

5. Luke’s Lobster – Multiple Locations, USA

Luke’s showcases traceable, sustainably sourced lobster with clean, bright seasoning. The chilled meat rests in a buttered, toasted bun with a whisper of mayo, lemon, and secret spice. You get consistent quality whether you are in New York, DC, or Denver.

It is a gateway roll for purists and travelers alike. Add chips and a Maine beer for the full mood. Easy, reliable, and proudly transparent about where your lobster comes from.

6. Bite Into Maine – Cape Elizabeth, Maine

Parked by the Portland Head Light, this truck serves multiple styles that all hit. Classic Maine, Connecticut warm butter, and adventurous versions with wasabi or picnic mustard give you options. The view does half the seasoning.

Order a flight if you are indecisive, then chase it with sea breeze. The bun stays crisp and the lobster generous. It is the rare touristy stop that locals still love.

7. JR’s Lobster – South Portland, Maine

JR’s Lobster delivers a straightforward, big-meat roll without frills. The bun is toasted just enough to hold warm, buttery chunks that glisten. You taste clean ocean sweetness first, not condiments.

Stand by the window, chat with locals, and keep napkins handy. It is a fast, friendly stop when you want the classic. Affordable for the portion and easy to love.

8. Row 34 – Boston, Massachusetts

Row 34 plays to texture and temperature, serving a hot buttered roll that crackles slightly as you bite. The lobster stays tender, never rubbery, and the brioche edges are caramel-gold. A cold beer alongside makes the butter sing.

Book ahead, then ask for the freshest daily pick. The kitchen’s restraint lets the lobster be the star. You will want another roll immediately.

9. Belle Isle Seafood – Winthrop, Massachusetts

Belle Isle delivers a mammoth roll with downtown views if you sit by the windows. The meat comes in chunky, sweet pieces with light dressing, just enough to bind. If you crave value, this is the move.

Order at the counter and grab a basket seat. It is unfancy and totally right for a casual feast. You will remember the portion size and that ocean tang.

10. James Hook & Co. – Boston, Massachusetts

James Hook & Co. keeps it classic with a chilled roll that feels like Boston in a bite. The lobster is sweet, lightly dressed, and packed into a buttery split-top. It is lunch you can eat quickly but think about all afternoon.

Grab a lobster salad on the side if you are feeling extra. Seating is simple, focus is on the seafood. The legacy shows in every bite.

11. Pearl Oyster Bar – New York, New York

Pearl’s roll helped define New York’s lobster moment with a no-nonsense, richly buttered style. The brioche is crisp at the edges and soft beneath the load of claw meat. A heap of fries turns it into a feast.

Slide onto a bar stool and sip something cold between bites. It is indulgent, but not fussy. You will leave happy and slightly salty-lipped.

12. Mary’s Fish Camp – New York, New York

Mary’s serves a chilled roll with just enough mayo and celery crunch to keep things bright. The sesame bun adds aroma without stealing attention. You will catch yourself nibbling slowly to stretch it out.

Service is warm and the room easygoing. Pair with crisp white wine or seltzer and a view of the street. It is a city vacation disguised as lunch.

13. The Lobster Roll – Amagansett, New York

Out on the East End, this institution serves a creamy, herb-kissed lobster salad in a toasted bun. It tastes like beach traffic redeemed. You get big, cool chunks that never feel overdressed.

It is a family staple with nostalgia baked into every order. Sit outside if the breeze is moving and watch the parade. Summer in a handheld package, plain and perfect.

14. Abbott’s Lobster in the Rough – Noank, Connecticut

Abbott’s is all about hot butter and shoreline calm. The roll is soft, generously stuffed, and dripping in drawn butter that perfumes everything. You will want to lick your fingers, then probably the paper.

Find a picnic table and let the breeze slow you down. It is relaxed, unfussy New England at its best. Add chowder and make it a ritual.

15. Ford’s Lobster – Noank, Connecticut

Ford’s gives you that small-town harbor romance along with a deftly buttered roll. The lobster tastes clean and slightly sweet, finished with a gentle herbal note. You feel like lingering between bites just to watch the boats drift.

Service is friendly and pacing unhurried. Order a second roll to split if you hesitate. You will thank yourself later when the plate is empty.

16. Casamento’s Restaurant – New Orleans, Louisiana

Casamento’s is an oyster legend that occasionally riffs on lobster with Gulf spirit. Expect a roll that nods to po-boy heritage, maybe a light remoulade pop. It feels Southern without drowning the lobster’s sweetness.

The room’s vintage tiles and lively chatter set a celebratory tone. Check specials and go with the flow. When available, this roll becomes a story you tell later.

17. Hogfish Bar & Grill – Stock Island, Florida Keys

Down in the Keys, Hogfish leans tropical with hints of Key lime butter. The lobster stays front and center while citrus brightens each bite. You will find yourself watching boats and forgetting the clock.

Go at golden hour for breeze and color. The roll pairs beautifully with a cold lager or iced tea. Vacation energy, simple and satisfying.

18. The Lobster Shack – South Portland, Maine

This cliffside shack serves a straightforward roll with scenery that steals your breath. The lobster is sweet, the bun toasty, and butter drips just enough. Waves crash while you chase crumbs and smile.

Bring a sweater because wind happens. Order chowder, then linger until the light shifts. It is Maine distilled into a meal you can hold.

19. High Roller Lobster Co. – Portland, Maine

High Roller flips the script with sauces like lime mayo, jalapeno mayo, and drawn butter. The lobster is pristine, and you get control over the vibe. Want classic or playful? You choose.

The space feels like a party with sharp design and upbeat energy. Grab a flight of sauces and compare each bite. It is modern Portland with serious claws.

20. Sam’s Chowder House – Half Moon Bay, California

Sam’s serves a Connecticut-style roll that feels right against the cool Pacific air. The meat is warm, buttery, and lightly salted, tucked into a crisp-edged bun. You get that perfect hand-warmer effect on foggy evenings.

Find a patio seat with heaters and settle in. Waves, gulls, and a cold beer complete the experience. It is a West Coast hug in lobster form.

21. The Salt Line – Washington, DC

The Salt Line honors New England roots with a polished DC finish. The chilled lobster roll whispers lemon and herbs, never heavy. Old Bay fries on the side seal the deal.

Happy hour is lively, and reservations help. You will appreciate the careful sourcing and precise execution. It tastes like summer with a city suit on.

22. Woodhouse Fish Co. – San Francisco, California

Woodhouse gives you a faithful Maine-style roll with Bay charm. The bun is textbook, the lobster chilled, and the seasoning restrained. You will finish and consider ordering another before the server returns.

Pair with clam chowder and keep it classic. The room is cozy, service friendly, and pacing brisk. Ideal for a pre-theater bite or casual date.

23. Shaw’s Crab House – Chicago, Illinois

Shaw’s brings steakhouse polish to a comforting lobster roll. Buttered brioche carries chilled meat with light mayo and a whisper of lemon. You get generous chunks that hold their sweetness.

Slide into a booth, order a martini, and settle into the soundtrack of clinking glasses. It feels special without fuss. A Midwest classic with Atlantic soul.

24. The Ordinary – Charleston, South Carolina

The Ordinary often serves smaller rolls or sliders that punch above their size. The mayo is delicate, the chives bright, and the bun perfectly buttered. You get flavor concentration in every compact bite.

Make it part of a seafood spread and sip something crisp. The room is gorgeous, airy, and celebratory. You will want photos, then quiet time with your plate.

25. Casual Friday Lobster – Austin, Texas

This Austin truck leans playful, adding a gentle jalapeno kick to a buttered roll. The spice lifts the sweetness instead of smothering it. You will feel the Texas wink in every bite.

Order at the window and grab shade when the sun hits. Friendly, fast, and big on flavor. A fun detour that still respects the Maine blueprint.