We know where to go if you want prawns, lobster, or crabs. From Norfolk to Nova Scotia, these are the world’s best seafood destinations.
As a seafood lover and travel enthusiast, I’m always on the hunt for the most delicious and fresh lobster dishes around the world. Lobster, with its sweet, succulent meat and delicate texture, is one of the most prized seafood delicacies that people across the globe crave When cooked to perfection and served fresh, lobster is an unforgettable culinary experience
In my opinion, the best lobster hails from cold, pristine waters that provide the ideal environment for these crustaceans to grow and thrive. After much research and several lobster-focused trips, I’ve discovered some of the top destinations for savoring the world’s finest lobster.
The Cold Waters of Maine
One place that repeatedly tops the list for exceptional lobster is the rugged coastline of Maine. This northeastern state in the United States has built a reputation for having the best lobster in not just America but the entire world. There are several key reasons why Maine lobster is so mouthwateringly good
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The Atlantic Ocean Habitat – The frigid waters of the Atlantic along Maine’s coast are flush with nutrients allowing lobsters to flourish and grow. This cold habitat promotes a sweeter meat and firmer texture.
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Freshness – Much of the lobster caught in Maine is delivered and cooked locally within hours, lending an unbelievable freshness and flavor.
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Sustainability – Maine lobster fishing practices are sustainable, so you can eat guilt-free!
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Seasonality – Late summer is peak season, when newly molted lobsters are most plentiful after shedding their old shells.
Some of my favorite lobster shacks to visit in Maine include Red’s Eats in Wiscasset, Thurston’s Lobster Pound in Bernard, and Cape Porpoise Lobster Co. in Kennebunkport. Order classics like lobster rolls, lobster bakes, and steamed lobsters with drawn butter.
Maritime Canada
The waters off Canada’s Maritime Provinces – including Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and New Brunswick – also produce incredible lobster. This is thanks to the mix of cool water temperatures and abundant marine life.
Two particular regions stand out when it comes to Canadian lobster:
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Bay of Fundy – Known for dramatic tides, this bay between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia yields tasty lobster.
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Îles de la Madeleine – A chain of islands in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, where you can savor fresh lobster prepared Acadian-style.
Don’t miss lobster rolls and chowder in Halifax, or sample buttery lobster with Malpeque oysters in Prince Edward Island.
Western Australia
On the opposite side of the world, Australia’s west coast provides perfect conditions for harvesting incredible rock lobster, also known as western rock lobster or spiny lobster. Two key factors contribute to the excellence of Australian lobster:
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Pristine Waters – The clear waters off western Australia have an unspoiled ecosystem and are unpolluted. This allows the lobsters to grow slowly and develop excellent flavor.
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Sustainability – Strict fishing regulations help maintain healthy lobster stocks.
The coastal town of Cervantes is a top spot for indulging in western rock lobster, whether barbecued, grilled, or used in salads and rolls. You can even go on a lobster fishing tour from Perth for the freshest experience!
Honolulu, Hawaii
The Hawaiian islands are famed for fresh seafood, including delectable lobster sourced from the surrounding Pacific waters. Two prime spots for tasting Hawaiian lobster include:
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Kona – On Hawaii’s Big Island, lobster tail grilled in Macadamia nut butter shines here.
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Honolulu – On Oahu, lobster stars in sushi rolls or seafood platters paired with tropical flavors.
Some of my favorite lobster dishes in Hawaii include lobster salad rolls at Ono Seafood in Honolulu, or the parmesan lobster pasta at Roy’s Waikiki.
New England, USA
While Maine takes the top prize for American lobster, the broader New England region also shines for tasty lobster sourced from the Atlantic. Other spots in New England I love for lobster include:
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Boston, Massachusetts – Order lobster ravioli or stuffed lobster from seafood institutions like Legal Sea Foods.
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Rhode Island – This tiny state boasts big lobster flavors, especially in bisques and sandwiches.
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Connecticut – Lobster shacks dot the Connecticut coastline, serving generous lobster rolls.
Cornwall, England
Europe also lays claim to incredible lobster, with the coastal county of Cornwall in England being particularly renowned. Two key reasons Cornish lobster shines:
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Wild-Caught – Cornwall’s lobsters are wild and sustainably caught in pots off the coast.
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Seasonality – Like Maine, summer is peak season for the sweetest, most tender lobsters.
I recommend indulging in lobster when visiting Cornwall’s fishing villages, like Padstow, where you can sample lobster grilled in garlic butter or tossed through fresh pasta.
Exploring the Lobster World
While these destinations represent the cream of the crop when it comes to incredible lobster, there are plenty more spots around the world to taste these tender, delicious crustaceans. From temperate coastal waters to tropical island habitats, lobsters thrive and offer a delightful culinary experience.
Part of the fun is exploring this global range of lobster varieties and cooking preparations as you travel. Keep an open mind, be willing to try new lobster dishes, and always order it fresh and local for the best flavor. Bon appétit on your worldwide lobster tasting tour!
West Sweden – for oysters
West Sweden’s Bohuslän Coast home to some of the best seafood in Europe. A lot of tasty seafood, like mussels, oysters, lobsters, langoustines, crabs, and prawns, grows well in these deep, cold, and very clean waters. The low temperatures cause the crustaceans to grow slower than in warmer climates, consequently producing an exceptional taste. Visitors can enjoy the area’s “Shellfish Journey” all year long, eating the many tasty foods grown just offshore and learning how to catch and cook them on a one-of-a-kind seafood safari.
Grebbestad is oyster country par excellence with 90% of all of Sweden’s oysters coming from here. People say that these oysters are the best in the world. If you want to see them, come in May, when the Nordic Oyster Opening Championship is held every year. Gothenburg is also becoming known for its high-class dining. Many of the city’s best restaurants serve western Swedish food that is inspired by the sea. Oysters served with thin slices of sour lime and ginger could be one of the specialties on the menu.
The Peloponnese – for octopus
In this part of Greece, seafood is a must, and if you stay away from the tourist spots, it’s not too expensive. In a real fish tavern, the catch of the day is put out on ice so that the customer can pick out which fish he wants and then choose how he wants it cooked (usually just fried or grilled). When it comes to seafood, you can choose from octopus, red snapper, swordfish, red mullet, anchovies, sardines, whiting, mussels, and more. But if you want to try the best seafood, go with the octopus.
Greeks like to eat octopus in stews, with pasta, or in a salad with olive oil and wine vinegar. But when you eat it out, it’s usually just grilled or boiled and served with oil and vinegar. The octopus needs to be made tender before it can be cooked, and fishermen often do this by beating it against rocks, concrete piers, or even the pavement.
Traditionally, the octopus should be beaten 40 times. By law, taverns have to tell you if your food has been frozen. If you see a line of octopi drying in the sun, that’s a good sign that it hasn’t been frozen. This is done to draw out the water from the octopus, which is particularly important when grilling. The end result is well worth it. The Greeks are some of the world’s greatest octopus chefs.
The Ultimate LOBSTER ROLL Tour!! Best Lobster Shacks in Maine, USA!!
Where can you eat fresh lobster?
There’s no better place in the world to enjoy fresh lobster than the state of Maine. Thousands of scrappy, independent lobstermen ply Maine’s cold coastal waters, trapping millions of pounds of the coveted crustacean annually.
Where to eat lobster in Maine?
Here are 20 of the best places in Maine to enjoy fresh-cooked lobsters, fresh-picked lobster rolls, and other lobster goodies. Said to be the birthplace of the Maine lobster roll, Bayley’s in Pine Point, Maine, is a busy lobster wholesaling operation with a lovely restaurant and bar on an open-air pier overlooking the marshy Nonesuch River.
Where is Maine lobster found?
The Maine Lobster is found in the North Atlantic, off the east coast of the United States, with the highest concentrations being close to New England and Maine specifically, hence the name. The Maine lobster itself is smaller than the similar Canadian lobster, due to the slightly warmer waters it inhabits.
Why is lobster so popular?
Lobster is one of the world’s most popular luxury dishes. Originally seen as a food for prisoners and the poor, the crustacean’s popularity and status surged when preservation and transportation methods advanced to a point where it could be moved from places like the New England coast to the restaurants of affluent Manhattan.