New York City’s Best Lobster Rolls
Few things are more synonymous with summer than lobster rolls—and you don’t need to venture to coastal beach towns in Maine or along the Cape to enjoy this seasonal dish. Visitors will find that lobster rolls are sold all over New York City. And while we’re partial Refinery’s lobster rolls (served either warm, Connecticut-style or chilled Maine-style with Aleppo pepper for a little extra kick) there are plenty of other restaurants serving exceptional lobster rolls across the city. These are six of our favorites.
MARY’S FISH CAMP
MAYO OR BUTTER: Mayo
SECRET INGREDIENTS: Celery and chopped scallions
BEST FOR: Lunch—otherwise be prepared for a long wait.
PRICE: Market Price
Mary’s Fish Camp is a quaint and cozy fish shack tucked away in the West Village. Lobster rolls often sell out quickly, so come here early.
Mary’s Fish Camp, 64 Charles Street, New York; 718-783-3264
RED HOOK LOBSTER POUND
MAYO OR BUTTER: Both! Red Hook serves a warm butter Connecticut-style roll and a cold Maine-style roll.
SECRET INGREDIENT: Bacon
BEST FOR: The freshest lobster—delivered daily from Maine straight to Brooklyn.
PRICE: From $20
Husband and wife Susan Povich and Ralph Gorham run this famous Brooklyn lobster shack. While most places focus on one type of lobster roll, Red Hook makes terrific renditions of both. They even take innovative approaches to the classic dish with a BLT-style lobster roll with applewood smoked bacon, and a Tuscan-inspired roll with basil vinaigrette.
Red Hook Lobster Pound, Red Hook Location, 284 Van Brunt St, Brooklyn; 718-858-7650
PEARL OYSTER BAR
MAYO OR BUTTER: Mayo
SECRET INGREDIENT: A side of crispy shoestring fries.
BEST FOR: A romantic dinner date.
PRICE: Market Price
These lobster rolls are big enough to share—especially with a generous side of shoestring fries. Tucked away on one of the cutest streets in the West Village, Pearl Oyster Bar elevates the seaside snack with an excellent wine list.
Pearl Oyster Bar, 18 Cornelia Street, New York; 212-691-8211
LUKE’S LOBSTER
MAYO or BUTTER: Both mayo as well as lemon butter.
SECRET INGREDIENT: Blend of savory spices.
BEST FOR: Lobster on the go. With 12 locations scattered across New York City and a fleet of mobile outposts, Luke’s Lobster is easily accessible.
PRICE: $17
There’s no such thing as a lobster roll tour of NYC that does not include Luke’s. The famous Maine-style roll is light—owner Luke Holden opts for a swipe of mayo instead of smothering the meat in the creamy sauce, then drizzles the quarter pound of lobster meat in lemon butter and a batch of secret spices.
Luke’s Lobster, Midtown East location, 207 E.43rd St, New York; 212-657-0066
ED’S LOBSTER BAR
MAYO or BUTTER: Mayo
SECRET INGREDIENT: A side of Ed’s pickles.
BEST FOR: The lunch special—$44 for a lobster roll, soup or salad (go all-out with lobster bisque), and a glass of wine or beer.
PRICE: Market Price
Walking past Ed’s Lobster Bar in SoHo, you just might mistake the restaurant for a charming New England home by the water. But owner Ed Mcfarland is a native New Yorker who whips up one of the best rolls in the Tri-State area. His seafood sandwich is super simple—just a little salt and pepper, fresh lemon juice, and celery and chives. In addition to Maine-worthy lobster rolls, Ed’s menu boasts lobster burgers, lobster ravioli, and a plate of creamy lobster ravioli.
Ed’s Lobster Bar, 222 Lafayette St, New York; 212-343-3236
P.J. CLARKE’S
MAYO or BUTTER: Mayo
SECRET INGREDIENT: Butter lettuce and a touch of lemon zest.
BEST FOR: A summertime brunch. P.J. Clarke’s keeps their best-kept secret on every single menu.
PRICE: Market Price
P.J. Clarke’s, which has three locations in the city, isn’t known for their lobster roll. So you might consider this Maine-style sandwich one of their best kept secrets. Butter lettuce adds crunch to the creamy mayo-and-lobster salad (and may also keep that toasted brioche bun from getting too soggy). Plates come with a side of shoestring fries and a local Brooklyn pickle.
P.J. Clarke’s, 44 West 63rd Street, New York; 212-957-9700
