Although you can buy lobster rolls all year long, we firmly believe that summer isn’t quite here until you’ve had the infamous crustacean-and-hot-dog-bun combination. And, believe it or not, owing to these local establishments serving up their own delectable interpretations, you don’t even need to go to Maine to get your hands on some outstanding ones. Here are the top 20 lobster rolls in New York City, with pricing and locations varying throughout the five boroughs.
1. Mary’s Fish Camp
Location: West Village
Rating on Yelp: 4 stars
For over 20 years, this West Village institution has been serving its renowned lobster rolls. The mayo in this version is especially hefty, so continue with care if you don’t like mayo. It comes topped with fresh chives, piled high on a toasted bun, and accompanied with a side of shoestring fries, slaw, or mixed greens.
64 Charles St; marysfishcamp.com
2. Mermaid Inn
Location: Several places
Rating on Yelp: 4.5 stars
The East Village branch of Mermaid Inn is currently closed, but its Upper West Side and Chelsea locations have a ton of outdoor dining and fantastic seafood. It’s difficult to pass by without wanting the Old Bay-seasoned fries and the “nearly famous” lobster roll on a buttered brioche bread. Oh, and don’t miss happy hour at all three locations, including the Greenwich Village oyster bar, where they offer small lobster rolls, cocktails, oysters, and select $6 beers every day from 4:30 to 6:30. This is one of the finest discounts in town.
themermaidnyc.com; 570 Amsterdam Ave.
3. Greenpoint Fish And Lobster
Location: Greenpoint
Rating on Yelp: 4 stars
You can be sure that everything at this Brooklyn boutique will be very fresh since it doubles as a full-service fish market with a focus on sustainable and local seafood. There are two types of lobster rolls: the Maine style, which is stuffed full of freshly-picked lobster and dressed up with a little mayo, lemon, celery salt, and tarragon; and the Connecticut style, which features lobster poached in warm butter and garnished with chives. Both varieties come with a lot of claw and knuckle meat. The Hugh’s food court in Midtown Manhattan’s second location also offers the two rolls.
Brooklyn’s 114 Nassau Avenue; greenpointfish.com
4. Grand Banks
Location: Tribeca
Rating on Yelp: 4 stars
It goes without saying that eating a lobster roll beside a vast body of water enhances its flavour. Additionally, you may have a premium Maine lobster roll with herb-dulse emulsion and pickled cucumber on a griddled potato bun on the Hudson River at Grand Banks, the Instagram-famous schooner anchored at Pier 25. Grand Banks is a great spot to spend a whole sunny day since there are also oysters and a broad range of fresh, summery cocktails. (Spoiler alert: It’s also one of the greatest places in NYC for outdoor brunch.)
Pier 25, Hudson River Park; crewny.com
5. The Clam
Location: West Village
Rating on Yelp: 4 stars
We’ll confess that we’re purists when it comes to lobster rolls, but The Clam’s lobster sliders give us a strange feeling. They are unorthodox, to be sure: topped with deliciously oily fried clam strips and served on a spherical hamburger bun, but the outcome is pure ecstasy. These sliders are great as an appetiser to share with the group or, even better, as your main course and keep them all to yourself.
420 Hudson St; theclamnyc.com
6. Crave Fishbar
Location: Several places
Rating on Yelp: 4 stars
It’s simply the avocado aioli if you see a very small green colour to your lobster sandwich. Unusual, certainly, but so delicious. On the top-split bun from NYC’s best Orwashers, the lobster is topped with chives, celery salt, and a drizzle of heated butter after being mixed with pureed avocado, serrano pepper, lime juice, garlic, and Dijon. Both the Midtown and Upper West Side restaurants have it on the supper menu.
There are several locations; cravefishbar.com
7. Pearl Oyster Bar
Location: Greenwich Village
Rating on Yelp: 4 stars
There are several fantastic lobster rolls to choose from in the West Village, but we think the one at Pearl Oyster Bar is the best. Normally, we would advise against using forks while eating lobster rolls since they are strictly finger food, but this hot, amply loaded, lavishly decorated roll that is served with a side of shoestring fries requires tools to begin eating.
Website: pearloysterbarnyc.com; 18 Cornelia St.
8. Lobster Joint
Location: Greenpoint
Rating on Yelp: 4 stars
The closest you’ll get to a New England-style fish shack within the city is at this Greenpoint institution. A mayo-based New England roll, a warm, buttery Connecticut roll, a lobster club with avocado and bacon, and a Mexican-inspired variation roll with chipotle mayo, pico de gallo, jalapenos, and guacamole are among the four different lobster roll creations available at this establishment. Are you feeling daring? Try the three-time Best of Brooklyn winning lobster claw Bloody Mary, we recommend it.
Brooklyn’s 1073 Manhattan Avenue; lobsterjoint.com
9. Luke’s Lobster
Location: Several places
Rating on Yelp: 4.5 stars
Thanks to Luke’s, a fantastic lobster roll is never too far away from you no matter where you are in Manhattan. The lobster, crab, and shrimp served at this informal restaurant are sustainably caught, and the rolls are some of the best around. Keep a look out for seasonal extras like a fiery mala lobster roll cooked with Mom’s Chinese mala sauce in addition to the traditional New England style sandwich.
Several places, lukeslobster.com
10. Lobster Place
Location: Chelsea Market
Rating on Yelp: 4 stars
Since 1974, this store within Chelsea Market has been one of the greatest locations to purchase seafood in New York. It also offers a fantastic prepared food menu, which includes an amazingly delicious Maine-style lobster roll filled with avocado and spicy sauce. If you happen to be around the Meatpacking District, stop by the Whitney, stroll down the High Line, or take a stroll along the Hudson River before coming here for lunch.
(Inside Chelsea Market) 75 9th Avenue; lobsterplace.com
11. Lure Fishbar
Yelp Rating: 4 Stars
Location: Soho
Lure Fishbar is kind of a dinosaur in terms of NYC restaurants. This stylish, premium restaurant and raw bar has been a Soho institution since 2004 and is obviously doing something right. Take the lobster roll as an example. It comes with zesty vegetable slaw, salt and vinegar chips, and a buttery brioche bread. Naturally, you should have some crispy sushi rice to accompany this outstanding main meal. Yum!
Mercer Street, 142; lurefishbar.com
12. Jeffrey’s Grocery
Location: Greenwich Village
Rating on Yelp: 4 stars
We wish there was a Jeffrey’s Grocery in every community. There is something on the menu for everyone, whether you want to nibble on some oysters, scoop up crackers heaped high with warm crab dip, or chow down on their seasonal housemade ricotta gnocchi. It is snug but sophisticated, tasty yet completely unpretentious. Of course, there is also the lobster roll, which consists of a toasted baguette stuffed with delicious lobster flesh, sliced cucumbers, herb aioli, and chopped chives.
172 Waverly Place; jeffreysgrocery.com
13. Mollusca
Location: Meatpacking District
Rating on Yelp: 4.5 stars
New international seafood eatery Mollusca, with Italian influences, is situated in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District. Come one, come all, and indulge in the varied menu that offers a wide variety of raw bar options, pastas and risottos, main dishes that focus on seafood, and the restaurant’s hallmark dish and namesake: mussels served with an astounding 35 different sauces. The iconic lobster roll, complete with delicious lobster pieces, butter lettuce, cilantro, green onions, and a creamy sauce on a warm, toasted brioche bread, is of course another reason you’re here.
molluscanyc.com; 1 Little W 12th St
14. The Chick Inn
Location: Harlem
Yelp 4 out of 5 stars
The Chick Inn in Harlem offers an outstanding assortment of sandwiches, including the well-known lobster roll, even though they (clearly) specialise in chicken cuisine. In our humble view, their version is best served with waffle or seasoned fries and comes with Maine lobster on toasted butter bread with sriracha mayo for a spicy twist on the traditional. Don’t worry if you live in Lower or Midtown Manhattan; they’re about to reopen their Kips Bay store.
nychickinn.com; 3508 Broadway Avenue
15. Pebble Bar
Location: Rockefeller Center
Rating on Yelp: 4.5 stars
You’ve definitely heard about Pebble Bar, the trendiest new bar and restaurant located in the storied four-story Rockefeller Center townhouse owned by celebrities Jason Sudeikis, Justin Theroux, Mark Ronson, Nicholas Braun, and Pete Davidson. We’re certain you’ll stay for the cuisine and beverages, including the lobster roll, which is cooked with Maine lobster, tarragon, and mayonnaise on a potato roll, even if you may come for the swanky, exclusive ambience (or the celebrity sightings). Just be sure to keep an eye out for your favourite Saturday Night Live cast members.
67 West 49th Street; www.pebblebarn.com
16. Coco Shack
Location: Soho
Yelp 5 out of 5 stars
This tribute to New England stands out from the others because of its light interior walls and seaside accents. The lobster roll at Coco Shack, the acclaimed chef David Camara’s newest seafood establishment in Soho, is made with butter-poached lobster, little gem lettuce, Kohlrabi slaw, tomato, mint, and lime. It is then topped with emulsified melter butter, tarragon, and lemon and is served with a side of pickles and tarragon potato chips. Why not adore it?
cocoshacknyc.com; 184 Prince St.
17. Jack & Charlie’s No. 118
Location: West Village
Rating on Yelp: 4 stars
Originally intended as a Mother’s Day special, this lobster roll became so well-liked that partner and chef Ed Cotton decided to include it on the restaurant’s Sunday brunch menu. Gorgeous Maine lobster chunks are cut and combined with sliced celery and a tartar sauce prepared from Duke’s mayo, lemon, tarragon, parsley, and chives. It is garnished with celery leaves and cayenne pepper, then placed on a griddle-buttered brioche bun and served with potato chips coated with Old Bay. To us, brunch on Sunday would be ideal.
jackandCharlies118.com; 118 Greenwich Avenue
18. Oceans
Location: Gramercy Park
Rating on Yelp: 4.5 stars
Did someone mention daily steaming of fresh Maine lobsters? You heard correctly. At Oceans, the lobster is served on a top-split bun that is butter-toasted in-house, served with hand-cut fries, and seasoned with diced celery, celery salt, and a squeeze of lemon. The lobster is also steamed fresh. Upgrade to the well-liked Parmesan truffle fries for only a few bucks more; you’ll thank us later. The famous three-tier seafood tower is a must-try if you’re extremely hungry and want to reward yourself.
233 Park Ave S; oceansnewyork.com
19. Burger & Lobster
Location: Several places
Rating on Yelp: 4 stars
Yes, the name says it all. Of course, you could choose the self-explanatory burger and lobster combo at either the Flatiron or Bryant Park locations. Alternatively, you could choose one of their two decadent lobster rolls: the classic, topped with Japanese mayo and lemon and served in their trademark toasted brioche roll with fries and salad; or the po’ boy lobster roll, which includes cornmeal-crusted fried clusters of lobster with homemade pickles, lettuce, tomato, onions, and spicy remoulade. This ten-year-old establishment is where land and water have come together in the tastiest combination.
Burgerandlobster.com; many places
20. Estuary
Location: Brooklyn Marina
Rating on Yelp: 3.5 stars
The newest hotspot for breathtaking panoramic views of Manhattan and delectable seafood delicacies is Estuary. Estuary at ONE°15 Brooklyn Marina, which is situated on the shoreline of Brooklyn Bridge Park, is guaranteed to amaze any visitors, employees, or potential dates with its seafood-heavy cuisine that is enhanced by regional fisheries. Fresh Maine lobster in a light tarragon, shallot, and lemon vinaigrette is served in a lobster roll with shoestring fries on a brioche bun. The magnificent private outside patio will definitely amaze you if the floor to ceiling windows within don’t.
Brooklyn, 159 Bridge Park Drive; estuarybrooklyn.com
