Boston’s seafood restaurants are some of the best in the country, and without question, one of the most popular summertime dishes would have to be lobster. While some enjoy crunching open claws and tear apart these armored creatures in full view of polite company, others prefer the more subtle approach. Lobster rolls are sandwiches piled high with fresh, pre-shucked Maine lobster that’s been mixed with a dressing or mayonnaise, and often bits of celery, lettuce, and spices, on some sort of bread or roll. With so many options to choose from when dining out, we’ve broken down for you some of the best places in Boston to enjoy a great lobster roll.
Seafood is only at its best when its fresh. With a deck view overlooking the harbor, the Barking Crab’s menu is stocked with every kind of fish, shellfish, and crustacean you might find off of New England’s coastlines. Their lobster roll is a generously heaped portion of cold lobster meat, dressed in mayonnaise and simple seasonings, served on a split hot dog roll, with fries. Maximize the Beantown summertime ambiance by grabbing a seat at one of the picnic tables under the red and yellow-striped open air tent, which at night is illuminated by lobster traps tangled with white Christmas lights hanging from the wooden rafters. There, in addition to sweet sea breezes, you’ll also be able to catch some tunes by any of the local musicians that play every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday.
The Barking Crab (Boston waterfront location)
Fort Point Landing
88 Sleeper Street
Boston, MA 02210
617-426-CRAB (2722)
If you’d like your lobster roll with a little bit of history, the Union Oyster House is the oldest restaurant in Boston, and the oldest continuously in service in the United States. Their lobster salad roll is made of cold lobster meat, mixed lightly with mayo and lettuce, and is served with cole slaw, tomato, and a dill pickle.
Union Oyster House
41 Union Street
Boston, MA 02180
617-227-2750
For a lobster roll on the swanky side, head over to the Oak Room at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel. Served with a side of salad greens or home fries, this sandwich is featured on the lunch or Sunday brunch menu, and hardly needs anything added, as the lobster is mixed with cilantro, celery, and a champagne dressing.
The Oak Room (at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel)
138 St. James Avenue
Boston, MA 02116
617-267-5300
Famed chef and restauranteur Todd English’s Kingfish Hall in Quincy Market has 3 floors for both Boston regulars and out-of-town tourists to come and experience some high class cuisine. Grab a seat at one of the large, white, clam shell-shaped booths, and order up a lobster salad roll, piled high with fresh shucked lobster meat in a light dressing on toasted brioche roll with a hint of butter, with a side of house-made baked beans, old bay chips, and cole slaw.
Kingfish Hall
188 Faneuil Hall Market Place
Boston, MA 02109
617-523-8862
If you’re up for a little more spice, Blu at the Sports Club/LA next to the Boston Ritz Carlton features a lobster club sandwich on their lunch menu, made with arugula, tomato pancetta, and a slightly spicy chipotle aioli on brioche bread, served with a side of lettuce greens. The sandwich on the whole is rather large and filling, thanks to equal portions of bread and lobster, and might even make itself enough for 2 lunches.
Blu (at the Sports Club/LA)
4 Avery Street
Boston, MA 02111
617-375-8550
