While you can get lobster rolls year-round, we’re of the firm belief that it’s not officially summer until you sink your teeth into the iconic crustacean-and-hot-dog-bun combo. And believe it or not, you don’t have to travel to Maine to get your hands on some great ones, thanks to these local spots dishing out their own delicious takes. In a range of prices and neighborhoods throughout the five boroughs, here are 20 of the very best lobster rolls in NYC.
The 20 Very Best Lobster Rolls in NYC
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Published Jul 22, 2022
1. Mary’s Fish Camp
- Location: West Village
- Yelp Rating: 4 Stars
This West Village mainstay has been dishing out its famous lobster rolls for almost two decades. Full disclosure: This rendition is extra heavy on the mayo, so proceed with caution if that’s not your thing. Piled onto a toasted bun and topped with fresh chives, it’s served with a side of shoestring fries, slaw or mixed greens.
64 Charles St; marysfishcamp.com
2. Mermaid Inn
- Location: Multiple locations
- Yelp Rating: 4.5 Stars
While Mermaid Inn’s East Village location is temporarily closed, its Upper West Side and Chelsea locations boast plentiful outdoor seating and excellent seafood. It’s hard to walk by without craving the “nearly famous” lobster roll, served on a buttered brioche bun with Old Bay-seasoned fries. Oh, and if you’re looking for one of the best deals in town, don’t miss happy hour at all three locations—including the Greenwich Village oyster bar—where they serve up mini lobster rolls, cocktails, oysters and select $6 beers from 4:30 to 6:30 daily.
570 Amsterdam Ave; themermaidnyc.com
3. Greenpoint Fish And Lobster
- Location: Greenpoint
- Yelp Rating: 4 Stars
This Brooklyn storefront isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a full-service fish market specializing in sustainable and local seafood—so you know anything here will be super fresh. The lobster roll comes in two varieties: Maine style, piled high with fresh-picked lobster and jazzed up with just a touch of mayo, plus lemon, celery salt and tarragon; and Connecticut style, with lobster poached in warm butter and finished with chives—both options include a generous amount of claw and knuckle meat. The two rolls are also served at their second location in The Hugh’s food court in Midtown Manhattan.
114 Nassau Ave, Brooklyn; greenpointfish.com
Courtesy of Grand Banks
4. Grand Banks
- Location: Tribeca
- Yelp Rating: 4 Stars
It is an indisputable fact that a lobster roll tastes better when enjoyed in close proximity to a large body of water. And at Grand Banks, the Instagram-primed schooner docked at Pier 25, you can enjoy your high-end Maine lobster roll with herb-dulse emulsion and pickled cucumber on a griddled potato bun, on the Hudson River. There are also oysters and a long list of fresh, summery drinks that make Grand Banks a very easy place to spend an entire sunny afternoon. (Psst: It’s also one of the best outdoor brunch spots in NYC.)
Pier 25, Hudson River Park; crewny.com
5. The Clam
- Location: West Village
- Yelp Rating: 4 Stars
We’ll admit we’re usually lobster roll purists, but the lobster sliders at The Clam make us feel some type of way. They’re unconventional, to be sure: served on a round hamburger bun and topped with delightfully greasy fried clam strips, but the result is absolute bliss. Order these sliders as an appetizer to share with the table—or, better yet, make it your main dish and hoard them for yourself.
420 Hudson St; theclamnyc.com
6. Crave Fishbar
- Location: Multiple locations
- Yelp Rating: 4 Stars
If you notice a slight green tint to your lobster roll, don’t be alarmed: It’s just the avocado aioli. Unorthodox, yes, but so very tasty. The lobster gets tossed with pureed avocado, serrano pepper, lime juice, garlic and Dijon, then topped with chives, celery salt and a drizzle of warm butter—all on NYC’s finest Orwashers’ top-split bun. Find it on the dinner menu at both the Midtown and Upper West Side locations.
Multiple locations; cravefishbar.com
7. Pearl Oyster Bar
- Location: Greenwich Village
- Yelp Rating: 4 Stars
There’s no shortage of amazing lobster rolls in the West Village, but the one you’ll find at Pearl Oyster Bar just might be our favorite. We’d normally say lobster rolls are strictly finger food and that forks should be avoided at all costs, but you really need utensils to get started on this generously stuffed, heavily dressed roll, which is served hot with a side of shoestring fries.
18 Cornelia St.; pearloysterbarnyc.com
Courtesy of Lobster Joint
8. Lobster Joint
- Location: Greenpoint
- Yelp Rating: 4 Stars
This Greenpoint mainstay is the closest thing you’ll find to a New England-style seafood shack without leaving the city. This place offers not one but four different lobster roll creations including a mayo-based New England roll, a warm, buttery Connecticut roll, a lobster club served with avocado and bacon, and a Mexican-inspired variation roll that comes garnished with chipotle mayo, pico de gallo, jalapeños and guac. Feeling adventurous? We suggest trying the three-time Best of Brooklyn winning lobster claw Bloody Mary.
1073 Manhattan Ave., Brooklyn; lobsterjoint.com
Courtesy of Luke’s Lobster
9. Luke’s Lobster
- Location: Multiple locations
- Yelp Rating: 4.5 Stars
No matter where in Manhattan you find yourself, you’re never too far from a great lobster roll, thanks to Luke’s. This casual eatery focuses on sustainably-sourced lobster, crab and shrimp sourced directly from fishermen, and the rolls are some of the tastiest around. In addition to the classic New England style sandwich, keep an eye out for some seasonal additions, like a spicy mala lobster roll made with Omsom's Chinese mala sauce.
Multiple locations; lukeslobster.com
10. Lobster Place
- Location: Chelsea Market
- Yelp Rating: 4 Stars
This shop inside Chelsea Market is one of New York’s best places to buy seafood (and has been since 1974), but it also boasts a great menu of prepared food, including an outrageously good Maine-style lobster roll made with avocado and spicy sauce. If you find yourself near the Meatpacking District, hit up the Whitney, walk along the Hudson River, or stroll the High Line and end up here for lunch.
75 9th Ave (inside Chelsea Market); lobsterplace.com
11. Lure Fishbar
- Location: Soho
- Yelp Rating: 4 Stars
In NYC restaurant years, Lure Fishbar is something of a dinosaur. A Soho staple since 2004, this chic, upscale restaurant and raw bar is clearly doing a thing or two right. Case in point: the lobster roll. It’s served on a buttery brioche bun with tangy vegetable slaw and salt and vinegar chips for good measure. Naturally, you’ll want to lead up to this unbeatable main course with an order of crispy sushi rice. Yum!
142 Mercer St; lurefishbar.com
Courtesy of Jeffrey’s Grocery
12. Jeffrey’s Grocery
- Location: Greenwich Village
- Yelp Rating: 4 Stars
We wish every neighborhood had a restaurant like Jeffrey’s Grocery. It’s cozy yet refined, delicious yet totally unpretentious, and there’s something on the menu for everyone, whether you want to snack on some oysters, scoop up crackers piled high with warm crab dip, or chow down on their seasonal housemade ricotta gnocchi. And, of course, there’s the lobster roll: a toasted bun filled with sliced cucumbers, herb aioli, sweet lobster meat and chopped chives.
172 Waverly Place; jeffreysgrocery.com
Evan Sung
13. Mollusca
- Location: Meatpacking District
- Yelp Rating: 4.5 Stars
Mollusca is a new global seafood restaurant with Italian influence located in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District. Come one, come all, and dive into the eclectic menu featuring extensive raw bar selections, pastas and risottos, seafood-centric main courses, and the signature dish and namesake: mussels served in a whopping 35 unique sauces. Plus, of course, the reason you’re here—the classic lobster roll with sweet lobster chunks, butter lettuce, cilantro, green onions and a creamy sauce on a warm, toasted brioche roll.
1 Little W 12th St; molluscanyc.com
Courtesy of The Chick Inn
14. The Chick Inn
- Location: Harlem
- Yelp Rating: 4 Stars
While they (obviously) specialize in chicken dishes, Harlem’s The Chick Inn boasts an impressive sandwich selection, including the beloved lobster roll. Served with Maine lobster on a toasted butter bun with sriracha mayo for a spicy twist on the classic, their take is best served with waffle or seasoned fries, in our humble opinion. For those in Lower or Midtown Manhattan, don’t worry, they’re set to reopen their Kips Bay location soon.
3508 Broadway Ave; nychickinn.com
Courtesy of Pebble Bar
15. Pebble Bar
- Location: Rockefeller Center
- Yelp Rating: 4.5 Stars
You’ve probably heard of Pebble Bar, the hottest new bar and restaurant housed in the legendary four-story townhouse at Rockefeller Center owned by A-listers Pete Davidson, Nicholas Braun, Justin Theroux, Mark Ronson and Jason Sudeikis. While you might come for the exclusive, upscale ambiance (or the celeb sightings), we’re sure you’ll stay for the food and drinks—including the lobster roll, made with Maine lobster, tarragon and mayonnaise on a potato roll. Just make sure to keep your eyes peeled for your favorite SNL cast members.
67 W 49th St; pebblebarnyc.com
Courtesy of Coco Shack
16. Coco Shack
- Location: Soho
- Yelp Rating: 5 Stars
This ode to New England—complete with bright interior walls and beachy decor—is a little different from the rest. Coco Shack, Soho’s newest seafood restaurant from famed chef David Camara, serves its lobster roll with butter-poached lobster, little gem lettuce, Kohlrabi slaw, tomato, mint and lime, topped with emulsified melter butter, tarragon, lemon, and served with a side of pickles and tarragon potato chips. What’s not to love?
184 Prince St; cocoshacknyc.com
Courtesy of Jack & Charlie’s No. 118
17. Jack & Charlie’s No. 118
- Location: West Village
- Yelp Rating: 4 Stars
This lobster roll originally started out as a special for Mother’s Day, but it was so popular that Partner and Chef Ed Cotton decided to add it to the restaurant's Sunday brunch menu. Beautiful chopped Maine lobster is tossed with diced celery and a bright, herbaceous tartar sauce made with Duke's mayo, lemon, tarragon, parsley and chives. It's finished with celery leaves and a sprinkling of cayenne pepper and served on a griddled, buttered brioche bun with Old Bay-dusted potato chips. Sounds like a perfect Sunday brunch to us.
118 Greenwich Ave; jackandcharlies118.com
Courtesy of Oceans
18. Oceans
- Location: Gramercy Park
- Yelp Rating: 4.5 Stars
Did someone say live Maine lobster steamed daily? You heard that right. At Oceans, the lobster in the roll is steamed fresh, chopped and mixed with a touch of mayo and seasoned with diced celery, celery salt and a squeeze of lemon, all served in a butter-toasted brioche top-split bun made in-house and served with hand-cut fries. For just a few dollars extra, upgrade to the popular Parmesan truffle fries—you can thank us later. If you’re especially hungry and want to treat yourself, the signature three-tier seafood tower is a must-try.
233 Park Ave S; oceansnewyork.com
Courtesy of Burger & Lobster
19. Burger & Lobster
- Location: Multiple locations
- Yelp Rating: 4 Stars
Yep, it’s all in the name. Of course, you could go for the self-explanatory burger and lobster combo at either of the Flatiron or Bryant Park locations—or, you could opt for one of their two decadent lobster rolls: the classic, dressed in Japanese mayo and lemon and served in their signature toasted brioche roll with fries and salad; or the po’ boy lobster roll, featuring cornmeal-crusted fried clusters of lobster with homemade pickles, lettuce, tomato, onions and spicy remoulade. Land and sea have met in the most delicious union at this decade-old institution.
Multiple locations; burgerandlobster.com
Courtesy of Estuary at ONE°15 Brooklyn Marina
20. Estuary
- Location: Brooklyn Marina
- Yelp Rating: 3.5 Stars
Estuary is the newest go-to spot for spectacular panoramic views of Manhattan and sensational seafood dishes. Located on the Brooklyn Bridge Park waterfront, Estuary at ONE°15 Brooklyn Marina and its seafood-forward menu complemented by local fisheries is sure to impress visiting guests, coworkers or even dates. The lobster roll features fresh Maine lobster in a light tarragon, shallot and lemon dressing on a brioche top-sliced bun alongside shoestring fries. If the indoor floor-to-ceiling windows don’t impress you, the stunning private outdoor terrace sure will.
159 Bridge Park Dr., Brooklyn; estuarybrooklyn.com
