ComScore

Bibs Up: These Are the 18 Best Lobster Dishes in the U.S.

We’d be happy as a, um, clam eating nothing but lobster rolls. But why stop there? From lobster grilled cheese to lobster pho, restaurants across America have taken the crustaceans to a whole new level.

24 Best Lobster Rolls in America, Ranked


Truffle Mac And Cheese With Lobster At Elm Street Diner (stamford, Ct)

Um, do those claws count as a garnish? Known for its over-the-top desserts, this cozy eatery doesn’t mess around when it comes to “sides” either.

463 Elm St., Stamford, CT; 203-325-1141 or elmstreetdiner.com

Lobster Fries At Dos Chinos (santa Ana, Ca)

A bed of garlic fries topped with deep-fried lobster, cilantro, special sauce and other goodies.

201 E. Fourth St. #139, Santa Ana, CA; 714-383-0414 or doschinos.com

The Clobster Grilled Cheese At Slapfish (multiple Locations)

Once a food truck, the chain of fast-casual seafood restaurants brings you this outrageous grilled cheese sandwich filled with one part lobster and one part crab. Yes, this is real life.

Multiple locations; slapfishrestaurant.com

Lobster Pho At Red Envelope (santa Ana, Ca)

Brimming with fresh tails, claws, veggies, and homemade broth and noodles, this pho puts Santa Ana on the map for a second time.

4th Street Market, 201 E. Fourth St., Santa Ana, CA

Xl Lobster Taco At Highroller Lobster Co. (portland, Me)

From the hippest food truck in Maine: a taco shell made out of cheese crisps stuffed with avocado, shredded lettuce, red pepper, jalapeño mayo and tons and tons of lobster. Need we say more?

Old Port, Portland, ME; 207-712-7553 or thehighroller.me

Lobster Burger At Burger And Lobster (new York, Ny)

The hip, mainly U.K.-based mini chain serves only two options, but why not stack both on an airy bun with some truffle-and-tarragon mayo?

39 W. 19th St., New York, NY; 646-833-7532 or burgerandlobster.com

Boiled Lobster Dinner At The Clam Shack (kennebunkport, Me)

As fresh as it gets: You can’t create a lobster list without locally caught, saltwater-boiled, just-shucked Maine lobster. Oh yeah, it’s got locally made butter, too.

2 Western Ave., Kennebunk, ME; 207-967-3321 or theclamshack.net

Lobster Roll With Green Curry And Thai Basil At Hinoki & The Bird (los Angeles, Ca)

There’s the age-old debate: Maine versus Connecticut lobster rolls. And then there’s this SoCal stunner, dished up on a jet-black bun made from charcoal-enriched flour. The juicy meat inside is tossed with green curry aioli instead of plain mayo.

10 W. Century Dr., Los Angeles, CA; 310-552-1200 or hinokiandthebird.com

Wild Blue Seasonal Salad At Luke's Lobster (multiple Locations)

Slightly fancier than your average chopped lunch salad, this hearty bowl is brought to you by the lobster empire that originally came to fame in New York City and now stretches as far as Japan.

Multiple locations; lukeslobster.com

Classic Lobster Roll At Pearl Tavern (chicago, Il)

Poached Maine lobster, mayo and celery on a perfectly toasted petite brioche bun makes for the best lobster roll in the Midwest. The sublime seafood spot is also known for its legendary G&Ts.

180 N. Upper Wacker Dr., Chicago, IL; 312-629-1030 or pearltavern.com


Baked Stuffed Lobster At The Ordinary (charleston, Sc)

James Beard Award-winning chef Mike Lata fills this lobster shell full of sustainably caught scallops, lobster meat and breadcrumbs. We think you’ll be hooked.

544 King St., Charleston, SC; 843-414-7060 or eattheordinary.com

Scalibut At Gw Fins (new Orleans, La)

The famous seafood restaurant tops a hefty piece of halibut with tender scallops, roasts it so the two fish fuse together and serves it over melt-in-your-mouth lobster risotto.

808 Bienville St., New Orleans, LA; 504-581-3467 or gwfins.com

Lobster Claw Bloody Mary At Red Hook Lobster Pound (new York, Ny)

If there’s one thing New Yorkers know how to do right it’s brunch. This pint glass is garnished with not one but two whole Maine lobster claws plus tons of other pickled and acidic goodies. Hair of the—er—lobster?

284 Van Brunt St., Brooklyn, NY; 718-858-7650 or redhooklobster.com

Lobster Ravioli At Fiola Mare (washington, D.c.)

The most ladylike ravioli we’ve ever seen, dished up at a luxurious Georgetown waterfront restaurant known for its hushed ambience and stellar wine selection.

3050 K St. NW, Washington, D.C.; 202-628-0065 or fiolamaredc.com

Shellfish Platter At Island Creek Oyster Bar (boston And Burlington, Ma)

Your party of four really shouldn’t have to decide between lobster, shrimp or oysters. Especially when the restaurant that you’re buying them from literally owns it own oyster farm.

Multiple locations; 617-532-5300 or islandcreekoysterbar.com

Lobster Deviled Eggs At Mignonette (miami, Fl)

We’d eat these ultra-creamy, slightly tangy two-bite appetizers every single night of the year if we could. This cool seafood haven (a former 1930s gas station) straddles the line between high-end and down-home food.

210 NE 18th St., Miami, FL; 305-374-4635 or mignonettemiami.com

Fried Lobster Blt At Garbo’s Lobster (austin, Tx)

The BLT part of the roll is hiding underneath that giant pile of lobster…we promise.

14735 Bratton Ln., Austin, TX; 512-350-9814 or garboslobsteratx.com

Maine-style Lobster Roll At Bite Into Maine (cape Elizabeth, Me)

We’ll end you all on a high note: a classic with light mayo, fresh chives and a great lighthouse view. To get the goods, seek the food truck in Fort Williams Park.

1000 Shore Rd., Cape Elizabeth, ME; 207-420-0294 or biteintomaine.com

How to Eat Lobster Like a Pro



heathgoldmanheadshot 1

Food Editor

From 2017 to 2019 Heath Goldman held the role of Food Editor covering food, booze and some recipe development, too. Tough job, eh?