These days, minor indulgences that don’t break the bank are important. Fresh lobster for dinner is the best thing ever, but even though California has a beautiful, long coastline, it can be hard to find the best lobster.
There are a lot of great restaurants and fish markets in California, but where can a seafood lover get the best lobster at the best price? We looked into it and found that not all lobster joints are the same. Here’s a summary of what we learned.
Lobster is one of the most coveted seafood delicacies. With its tender sweet meat and iconic claws, lobster is a luxury meal many people dream of indulging in. While fresh lobster can be enjoyed across coastal cities in the U.S., some destinations are particularly renowned for serving up fantastic lobster dishes.
From lobster rolls to steamed lobsters to lobster bisque, here is a guide to some of the top spots across America for savoring fresh lobster preparations.
New England
New England is the lobster capital of the U.S. Unsurprisingly, this northeastern region boasts many of the country’s top restaurants for lobster.
Maine
Famous for its lobster fishing industry, Maine is a prime place to try fresh-caught local lobster.
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The Clam Shack (Kennebunkport, ME) – A classic lobster shack serving up Maine lobster rolls overflowing with meat.
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Thurston’s Lobster Pound (Bernard, ME) – For an authentic lobster dinner overlooking the ocean this seafood pound’s Maine lobsters are a must.
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Mabel’s Lobster Claw Restaurant (Kennebunk, ME) – A local favorite for lobster with views of the scenic Kennebunk River.
Massachusetts
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Legal Sea Foods (Multiple locations) – This popular chain is renowned for lobster bisque and giant lobster dinners
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Saltie Girl (Boston MA) – Creative lobster rolls like the “Stuffed” with Maine lobster salad.
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Island Creek Oyster Bar (Duxbury, MA) – Lobster rolls and oysters with harbor views.
Rhode Island
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The Mooring Seafood Kitchen (Newport, RI) – Fresh Rhode Island lobster in dishes like Lobster Thermidor.
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Matunuck Oyster Bar (Matunuck, RI) – Local oysters and lobster rolls by the pier.
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Aquidneck Lobster Company (Middletown, RI) – Casual spot for Rhode Island-style lobster rolls.
Connecticut
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Abbott’s Lobster in the Rough (Noank, CT) – Al fresco lobster shack with award-winning Connecticut lobster rolls.
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Lenny’s Indian Head Inn (Branford, CT) – Clawed lobsters and lazy man lobster (lobster meat with drawn butter).
West Coast
While the East Coast may be more renowned for lobster, the West Coast also offers top-notch lobster if you know where to look.
California
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The Lobster (Los Angeles, CA) – Cajun-style lobster rolls and lobster tacos in trendy Los Angeles.
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The Boiling Crab (Multiple locations) – Casual Cajun seafood chain with whole lobsters and lobster tails.
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Splash Cafe (Pismo Beach, CA) – California-style lobster rolls and seafood dishes overlooking the Pacific.
Washington
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Elliott’s Oyster House (Seattle, WA) – Legendary oyster bar serving a delicious lobster mac and cheese.
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Ivar’s Acres of Clams (Multiple locations) – Local chain offering lobster rolls, steamed lobsters, and cioppino.
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Duke’s Seafood (Multiple locations) – Pacific Northwest chain with weekly “LobsterFest” specials.
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The Crab Pot (Multiple locations) – Get steamed Maine or Dungeness crab buckets with added lobster.
Other Notable Spots for Lobster
Beyond the coastal states, other cities also serve up tasty lobster dishes.
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Yabbie Road (Miami, FL) – South Beach spot for beautifully plated whole Maine lobsters.
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Commander’s Palace (New Orleans, LA) – Elegant Creole restaurant with a legendary Louisiana lobster creole.
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The Boiler Room (Chicago, IL) – Heated rooftop bar/lounge/oyster room with lobster rolls and lobster tacos.
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The Lobster Place (New York, NY) – Counter-service market in Chelsea Market with lobster rolls.
Tips for Ordering Lobster
To make the most of a lobster meal, here are some helpful tips:
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Choose live lobster or lobster freshly cooked that day for the best texture and flavor. Avoid pre-cooked then frozen lobster.
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For whole lobsters, select ones about 1.5 pounds to get the most meat. Larger lobsters tend to be tougher.
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Opt for hard-shell versus soft-shell lobsters to enjoy easy cracking and full meat. Soft-shells have thinner shells from pre-molting.
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Lobster rolls should feature big chunks of lobster with just enough mayo or butter to enhance, not overwhelm, the lobster.
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For bisques and entrees, make sure lobster is the star ingredient, not just token shreds in a creamy soup or dish.
Savor the Shellfish Delicacy
Lobster is a memorable meal, whether enjoying beachside lobster rolls, elegantly plated lobster tails, or a backyard clambake with steamed lobsters dripping in butter.
By seeking out renowned local spots focused on quality preparation and fresh lobster, you can truly experience the full flavors and textures of this luxurious shellfish. So next time lobster is on your mind, consult this guide and head to the best destinations for memorable lobster dishes.
California Lobster and Seafood Restaurants
Redwood City is the site of Old Port Lobster Shack (20 Woodside Rd). They also have a joint housed in Portola Valley (3130 Alpine Rd #300). Being an informal lobster restaurant, patrons place their order and then find their own seat. Their various lobster dishes sided with coleslaw are a little pricier than usual. A coffee cup-sized portion of lobster bisque is $8. 75, with both cold and hot lobster in it. We were confused.
Another seafood restaurant in the Bay Area is Yankee Pier, which is at 3593 Mt. Diablo Blvd. and is in the middle of historic Larkspur, CA. You can also find them in the San Francisco International Airport. For a pricey $29 to $6, you can get a “Fresh Maine” Lobster Roll on a grilled brioche bun with house-made kettle chips and coleslaw, which can be served hot or cold. 50 higher than what it used to be. They also serve their fried Ipswich clam platter.
Sam’s Chowder House (4210 Cabrillo Highway North) is a New England style seafood restaurant overlooking Half Moon Bay. Sam’s West Coast version of the Lobster roll is its highly-noted signature dish. Sam’s doesn’t use mayonnaise in the mix like the real East Coast version does. Instead, they put lots of butter on a warm brioche roll. It sells for $26. 50 with potato chips and a dollop of coleslaw. That brioche roll with all that butter? Not sure about that, but it’s full of nice chunks of fresh lobster meat. The chowder was not bad, but a little thin compared to a good Boston chowder. If you can’t make it to Half Moon Bay, Sam’s has a food truck in the San Francisco Bay area called the Chowdermobile.
King’s Fish House has 9 locations scattered throughout southern California (and one location in Nevada and one in Arizona). Most noteworthy of all their restaurants are their spacious booths and period décor with elegant dark wood.
A common complaint from customers, though, is that these restaurants are too loud for you to hear your friends over the noise. As much as the great, low prices at King’s Fish House might make you think this is worth it, you’d be wrong. The lobster is okay, but pricey: $46. 50-$62. 50 per plate minimum. Their menu is all over the place price-wise. To get the same quality and atmosphere for less money, you might be better off cooking at home and turning up the TV loud.
A beautiful view of the ocean can be seen from almost every table at The Lobster in Santa Monica (1602 Ocean Avenue). The ocean view is nice, but the lobster they serve isn’t very good. That’s kind of to be expected in a place that looks like a tourist trap. The prices and service are great but only during happy hour. If you want to eat outside of that small window of time, be ready to pay tourist prices and get unfriendly, cold service.
Another seafood restaurant in Santa Monica, CA is the BP Oysterette (1355 Ocean Ave). They have a great raw bar and for $24 they serve Lobster Mac and Cheese with Parmesan and truffle oil. For $26 they serve a Lobster Roll on a brioche roll with your choice of side. You can also find Ipswich Steamers–New England soft shell clams. There’s also an outside patio to enjoy oysters and beer by the beach.
The food trucks have become a popular scene in the Los Angeles, CA area. One food truck that travels within the LA area sells lobster rolls aptly named The Lobsta Truck. At $13, the lobster roll is the main draw. It comes on a toasted split-top roll with mayo or butter and fresh lobster meat. The bread and lobster meat are flown in from New England. Also on the menu is a crab roll and New England clam chowder.
If you thought the Maine Lobster Festival in Rockland, ME was the biggest lobster festival in the US, you were wrong. The Port of Los Angeles Lobster Festival claims to have the largest lobster festival in the world. For their 201o festival held in September, over 32,000 Maine lobsters were flown in fresh, cooked and served.
The Lobster Trap in Avalon (128 Catalina Avenue) has helpful, friendly staff and serves generous portions of lobster. But the lobster roll was filled with lobster that didn’t taste like much (except for a lot of salt) and was served ice cold. The rice was equally without flavor. Because the roll wasn’t toasted, it began to fall apart after being soaked with its lobster filling. The prices are reasonable, however. The Lobster Trap is a good place to eat in a pinch, but don’t rush there if you want the best food possible.
The Rockin’ Baja Lobster Bar in Oceanside If you like this kind of lobster, the Lobster Tails Bucket costs about $19 per person, which is a fair price. The vibe is very laid-back, and the deal isn’t bad if you don’ mind that everything on the menu comes in a bucket (except the margaritas) and is cooked with Mexican spices and sauces.