Lobster rolls are one of the most iconic New England foods out there With its delicious mix of tender lobster meat, celery, mayo and spices served up in a grilled split-top bun, it’s no wonder why this sandwich is so beloved. As someone who grew up in Maine, I’ve eaten my fair share of lobster rolls over the years. And let me tell you, not all lobster rolls are created equal! The key to finding a really good one is knowing where to look
In this ultimate guide, I’ll share with you everything you need to know about where to buy lobster rolls so you can sink your teeth into the very best ones out there!
What Makes a Good Lobster Roll?
Before we dive into the where, let’s first talk about what makes a good lobster roll. In my opinion, here are the key elements:
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Quality Lobster Meat First and foremost, you need good quality lobster meat. It should be fresh, with big hearty chunks from the claws and knuckles. Avoid any rolls with stringy shreds of lobster — it’s a sign they are using low quality meat.
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The Right Lobster to Bun Ratio: You want a nice generous portion of lobster without overstuffing the bun. About 4-5 ounces of lobster is ideal for a standard split-top hot dog style bun.
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Simple Ingredients: The lobster should shine here. You just need a bit of good mayo, lemon juice, celery, parsley and a dash of salt and pepper. Nothing crazy.
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A Butter-Toasted Bun: Gotta love when the bun is crispy and golden brown from being buttered and grilled. Takes it to the next level.
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Shack Vibes There’s just something about getting your lobster roll from a seafood shack near the wharf or beach that enhances the experience Bonus points for plastic baskets and picnic tables!
Follow this lobster roll checklist and you are well on your way to finding lobster roll perfection! Now let’s get to the good stuff…
Where to Buy Lobster Rolls
1. Right at the Source in Maine
This may seem obvious, but if you want the absolute freshest lobster rolls, go right to the source and buy them in Maine. You simply can’t beat the taste of rolls made with lobsters caught right off the Maine coast that very day. Some of the best spots in Maine to buy lobster rolls include:
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Red’s Eats (Wiscasset) – This famous little seafood shack consistently tops “best lobster rolls” lists with good reason. Expect long lines but it’s worth the wait!
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Bagaduce Lunch (Brooksville) – Nestled on the Bagaduce River, this quintessential Maine lobster pound dishes up killer traditional Maine-style rolls.
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Ocean Point Inn (Boothbay Harbor) – For elevated dining right on the water’s edge, Ocean Point Inn does a Maine lobster roll topped with seared scallops that is out of this world.
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The Clam Shack (Kennebunkport) – When in the Kennebunks, hit up the iconic Clam Shack for lobster rolls served with spectacular river views.
2. New England Seafood Markets
If a trip to Maine isn’t in the cards, your next best option is to buy lobster rolls from a local New England seafood market or fishmonger. These folks know their seafood and often have great lobster roll kits available. Some top seafood markets to check out include:
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New Deal Fish Market (Cambridge, MA) – An old neighborhood favorite, they make fantastic no-frills lobster rolls packed with meat.
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The Lobster Trap Fish Market (Bourne, MA) – This Cape Cod market has fresh lobster rolls daily as well as DIY lobster roll kits to take home.
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The Friendly Fisherman (East Greenwich, RI) – Rhode Island-style warm lobster rolls are their specialty. Get ’em doused in butter!
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The Crab Shack (Madison, CT) – For Connecticut-style lobster rolls hot with drawn butter, this is a great option.
3. Coastal Lobster Pounds
For that true summertime lobster shack experience, head to one of the many lobster pounds dotting the New England coastline. Low key and casual, these seasonal spots are lobster roll heaven. Favorites include:
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Arnold’s Lobster & Clam Bar (Eastham, MA, on Cape Cod) – Featured on Food Network, Arnold’s has some of the Cape’s best classic lobster rolls.
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Lobster Landing (Clinton, CT) – Take in beautiful water views while eating their buttered lobster rolls overflowing with meat.
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Lobster Shack (York Harbor, ME) – This laidback BYOB joint overlooking the harbor has killer Maine-style rolls at fair prices.
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Chauncey Creek Lobster Pier (Kittery, ME) – At this weathered pier shack, enjoy simple yet perfect cold lobster rolls by the sea.
4. Lobster Roll Food Trucks
For lobster rolls on the go, track down one of the awesome lobster roll food trucks roaming cities across New England. A few to find include:
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Cousins Maine Lobster (Numerous Locations) – This popular food truck chain serves up classic Maine lobster rolls from California to New York City.
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Bite Into Maine (Various ME Locations) – Found at breweries, beaches and festivals across Maine dishing out yummy lightly dressed lobster rolls.
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Freshies Lobster (Boston, MA) – From lobster grilled cheese to tacos, this truck puts fun twists on lobster rolls around Boston.
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Lobsta Love (Worcester, MA) – This bright red food truck serves up fresh lobster rolls with homemade lemon aioli.
5. Direct from Lobster Companies
For fresh-from-the-tank lobster rolls, order them directly from the source — lobster wholesalers! Companies like GetMaineLobster.com, Maine Lobster Now and LukesLobster.com all ship overnight nationwide and sell ready-to-eat lobster rolls too.
How to Order Lobster Rolls Online
If you aren’t located near any of these spots, don’t fret! Many places now ship lobster rolls and DIY lobster roll kits nationwide, meaning you can enjoy these tasty sandwiches from just about anywhere.
When ordering lobster rolls online, here are some tips:
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Look for Overnight Shipping: To ensure freshness, only buy from places that ship your order overnight. Lobster is highly perishable.
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Check Cooking Instructions: If cooking yourself, verify if the lobster meat is pre-cooked or needs stovetop heating to avoid raw lobster.
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Confirm Delivery Date/Time: Make sure you or someone else will be home to quickly refrigerate when delivered.
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Have Proper Packaging: The lobster rolls should ship in insulated boxes with frozen gel packs.
Some reputable companies to order from include GetMaineLobster, LukesLobster, Maine Lobster Now and Goldbelly. Prepare for summer with lobster rolls shipped right to your door!
Make Your Own Lobster Rolls
While ready-made lobster rolls are delicious, it can also be fun and rewarding to make your own at home from scratch. Here’s a quick guide:
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- Lobster Meat – about 1 lb cooked fresh lobster meat per 3-4 rolls
- Hot Dog Rolls – top split New England style buns
- Mayo – 1⁄2 cup per lb of lobster
- Lemon Juice – 2 tbsp per lb of lobster
- Celery – 2-3 ribs finely chopped
- Parsley – 1-2 tbsp chopped
- Butter – for toasting buns
- Salt and Pepper
Steps to Make Them:
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Toast Rolls: Spread softened butter on inside of rolls, grill in skillet until golden brown.
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Make Lobster Salad: Gently mix lobster meat with mayo, lemon juice, celery, parsley, salt and pepper.
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Fill Rolls: Scoop 4-5 oz of lobster salad into each toasted, buttered roll.
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Enjoy! Dig into your freshly made lobster rolls with extra napkins on hand.
And that’s it! Now you can be your own lobster roll master.
Lobster Roll Etiquette
Since we’re on the topic of lobster rolls, I have to share my number one lobster roll pet peeve: eating them with utensils! Don’t be that person delicately picking at their lobster roll with a fork. Lobster rolls are han
Maine Lobster Rolls Add a Splash of Sophistication
People often think of lobster rolls as a more casual type of food, but their main ingredient makes them a bit more fancy. After all, lobster is one of the true delicacies of the world. When you order Maine lobster rolls from Maine Lobster Now, they are sent out quickly so you can get them in time for your event.
Order Lobster Rolls Online From Maine Lobster Now
The lobster roll is a delicacy — a must-have at many parties, picnics, events and casual dinners. We deliver very easy lobster roll kits right to your door at Maine Lobster Now, so you can enjoy the taste of Maine lobster rolls without going all the way to Maine.