New York City’s culinary scene is on a roll, and our seafood is no exception.
While we don’t discriminate when it comes to seafood, lobster rolls are always the superior choice.
See Also: The Most Decadent Raw Bars On The Island: From Oysters To Lobster
So let’s get down to the important questions. Hot or cold? Butter or mayo? Traditional or with a twist?
The correct answer: all of the above.
Lucky for you, we’ve got the inside scoop on the most mouthwatering lobster rolls in town.
Warning: you’re guaranteed to be rolling all the way home.
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155 Grand St, Manhattan/Website
Famous for their delicious seafood and old-school New England vibe, it should come as no surprise that Ed’s serves some of the best lobster rolls in the city. Ed’s signature lobster roll is prepared the classic way with mayo, minced celery, lemon juice, and ground pepper. Oh, and how could we forget about the generous heapings of juicy, succulent lobster? If you’re lobster enthusiasts like us, you’ll want to try the lobster BLT and grilled cheese, too.
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75 9th Ave, Manhattan/Website
You’re craving a lobster roll but can’t decide if you want it hot or cold. For us foodies, this is a life or death decision. Don’t fret! At Cull and Pistol, a Michelin-acclaimed oyster bar nestled inside of Chelsea market, you can have the best of both worlds! The seafood joint offers a Maine lobster roll, made with chilled lobster salad, mayo, and scallion, and a Connecticut lobster roll, made with warm buttered lobster meat, lemon celery, and tarragon. Both are served on a toasted top-split bun with the most addictive Old Bay fries you ever did eat. Why choose when you can have both?
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89 South St, Manhattan/Website
Helmed by world-renowned chef, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, the Fulton has earned its spot at the top of the New York City food chain. Is there anything this culinary genius can’t do? Unsurprisingly, this upscale waterfront restaurant serves a lobster roll so divine that it may as well be made out of gold. Simple yet elevated, the Maine Lobster roll is melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Served with a side of homemade potato chips, this dish masters the art of understated luxury. Chef’s kiss!
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Multiple Locations/Website
Not including Luke’s Lobster on this list is the equivalent of not putting Via Carota on a list of the best Cacio e Pepe. Truly criminal. With multiple locations across Manhattan, Luke’s has become New York City’s leading seafood shack. The famous lobster roll is served with 4 or 6 oz of chilled wild-caught lobster and toasted in a buttered bun with mayo, lemon butter, and Luke’s special seasoning. All of the ingredients are locally sourced from Maine, paying homage to Luke’s hometown and the fisherman industry. It doesn’t get much more authentic than this!
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18 Cornelia St, Manhattan/Website
Much like the other spots on this list, Pearl Oyster Bar is home to one of the most talked about lobster rolls on the island. And for good reason! This no-reservations clam-style shack is super laid back, perfect for grabbing some seafood and a beer with friends. Pearl’s lobster roll is prepared the traditional way, but what sets it apart from the rest is the quality of the lobster. The meat is so velvety and luscious that it practically melts in your mouth like a stick of butter.
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1073 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn/Website
This nautical-style seafood spot transports you out of Brooklyn, and into a magical land far away. It’s giving Nantucket, and we are here for it. This Greenpoint hotspot serves a wide variety of rolls, ranging from traditional New England to Connecticut. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the Mexican Lobster roll made with chipotle, pico di Gallo, guacamole, and jalapeno. And, if you’re looking to push the boundaries even further, order the BLT lobster roll served with bacon, lettuce, and tomato.
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172 Waverly Pl, Manhattan/Website
Known for its extensive raw bar offerings, hangover-approved bagel spreads, and spicy Bloody Marys, Jeffrey’s Grocery is the place to be after a night out with the girls. And if you’re not getting the lobster roll (we don’t care how nauseous you are!), you’re seriously missing out. Prepared with herb mayo, pickled cucumbers, and crunchy house chips, this dish is worth writing home about to mom and dad. The herb mayo is pungent and zesty, but just enough where it’s not overpowering, After all, we are still working on our hot girl summer bods.
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64 Charles St, Manhattan/Website
Serving a lobster roll you’ll dream about for days, this New England-inspired shack knows a thing or two about seafood. The best part about Mary’s lobster roll is that it doesn’t try to be something it’s not—it honors the traditional recipe and executes it to sheer perfection. In that vein, we respect them for mastering the “less is more” mentality oftentimes absent in contemporary cooking. Except when it comes to the mayo. They lay it on quite thick, but it’s nothing short of amazing. Oh, and the shoestring fries are pretty great, too. If you order the side salad, we hate you.
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284 Van Brunt St, Brooklyn/Website
We would literally consider moving to Brooklyn if we meant we could have Red Hook’s lobster roll every day. This no-frills eatery could probably make their classic lobster roll with their eyes closed, but we’re most impressed by their inventive spins on the New England classic. Red Hook’s fried lobster roll is a must-order. Made with juicy fried lobster meat, caramel sauce, and kewpie mayo, this dish is a true culinary masterpiece. No seriously. If you told us Picasso had something to do with this, we would believe you.
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Multiple Locations/Website
Mimicking a New England fish shack, Mermaid Inn captures the essence of Cape Cod, without ever leaving the concrete jungle. And why trek all the way out to the Cape, if you can enjoy its finest pleasures in your own backyard? Mermaid Inn’s “Almost Famous” lobster roll has become a New York Staple for locals and tourists alike. Served on a grilled brioche bun and with a side of highly-addictive fries, this lobster roll is truly worth all of the hype.
Photography by: Rebecca Fondren
