In New England, there may not be a “bad time” to enjoy a lobster but if you need an excuse to splurge on a fresh lobster, Saturday is National Lobster Day.
Though an unofficial holiday, some say National Lobster Day was established by Maine senators Angus King and Susan Collins to recognize lobsters’ place in American history and culture, D’Artagan, a meat and produce retailer, reported.
Last year, National Lobster Day was celebrated by the Collins and King administration on Sept. 25, though platforms like Forbes, Daysoftheyear.com and D’Artagan are celebrating Saturday, June 15.
Whether you’re looking for a fresh, warm, buttered lobster roll or one chilled and coated in mayo and lemon — Mass. has got you covered.
In 2021 alone, Massachusetts captured 17 million pounds of lobster, according to Mass.gov.
While there is certainly no shortage of lobster in the Commonwealth, MassLive has narrowed a handful of lobster rolls endorsed by lobster-lovers.
Whether it be the portion, texture, flavor palette or all three — these rolls are considered some of the best — having “made waves” across the internet.
Cape Cod
The Lobster Trap in Bourne, Mass. offers large servings of hot-buttered lobster, spilling out of the bun, or a cold version to stay “chill,” on a warm, summer day.The Lobster Trap
The Lobster Trap, Bourne
The Lobster Trap’s mission is “to bring you the true Cape Cod experience,” and what better way than to craft a top-tier New England classic?
The Lobster Trap offers two variations of the classic lobster roll — one rolled in hot butter and another chilled with mayonnaise. It costs $39 per roll.
“You can get a fresh lobster roll at The Trap all year round, but lobster rolls are a sure sign of summer — good vibes, warm weather and a great time,” The Lobster Trap General Manager Kyle Higgins told MassLive.
Side-dish options offered with the roll include Cape Cod potato chips, french fries, hand-battered onion rings, coleslaw and veggies.
“We give the people what they want,” Higgins said. Right now, The Lobster Trap also has “some jumbo lobsters in the house,” — just in time to celebrate National Lobster Day.
If you go:
The restaurant is open daily from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m.
The Fish Shop is open daily from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
290 Shore Road, Bourne
The Lobster Trap is serving up some jumbo lobsters, and what better time to get one than National Lobster Day?The Lobster Trap
The Raw Bar at Popponesset Marketplace, Mashpee
The Raw Bar at Popponesset Marketplace, located at 259 Shore Drive, Mashpee, is known across the web as having one of the Bay State’s best lobster rolls.
On Yelp.com, customers visiting this Bay State seafood joint rave about this spot having “the Cape’s best lobster roll.” Others say it’s delicious and worth every penny.
Many reviews comment on the generous amount of lobster on each roll, with one user saying they were ”very generously proportioned, overflowing with delicious lobster meat,” while another said they preferred The Raw Bar’s lobster roll to ones they’ve had from Maine.
Its website refers to The Raw Bar lobster roll as a “Classic Colossal.” Cost is market price.
If you go:
Thursday, 11:30 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Friday, 11:30 a.m. until 11 p.m.
Saturday, 11:30 a.m. until 11 p.m.
Sunday, 11:30 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Boston area
Shown are the two variations of Row 34 lobster rolls. The left roll is a cold option and the right is warm and buttered.Row 34
Row 34, Boston, Burlington, Cambridge
Row 34 was named Boston’s best lobster roll in 2021 by Boston Magazine, boasting a “generous portion of meat” and served hot with butter or cold with mayo.
Boston Magazine described this lobster roll as spilling over the bun, and served on a toasted brioche roll “sturdy enough to contain the meat but mild enough to let the lobster shine.”
Row 34 offers two lobster roll options — “Ethel’s Lobster roll,” which is a cold version, or a “Warm Buttered Lobster Roll.”
Row 34′s Ethel Lobster Roll is named after the chef’s grandmother, according to a spokesperson for the company.
The cold, creamy, classic is a Row 34 staple.
The roll features chopped celery, red onion, pickles, mayonnaise and creme fraiche, topped with fresh-squeezed lemon, celery and black pepper. The bun is a hand-rolled brioche seasoned with chopped rosemary.
The Warm Buttered Lobster Roll uses tail, claw and knuckle meat that is steamed and tossed in butter. The bread is a traditional New England soft roll. It is served with chips and coleslaw. It costs $42 per roll.
If you go:
Hours vary by location.
Here are the hours for the Boston, Burlington and Cambridge locations.
Yankee Lobster Co., Boston
Yankee Lobster Co., located at 300 Northern Ave., Boston, offers more than a dozen lobster dishes, including hot and cold lobster rolls, fried lobster rolls, lobster melts and lobster dinners in 1-, 2-, or 3-pound portions.
Yankee Lobster Co. has served fresh seafood to Bay Staters and beyond for nearly 75 years. It offers two variations of classic lobster rolls, including a “Hot Buttered Lobster Roll,” and a “Traditional Lobster Roll,” glazed in mayonnaise.
Its lobster roll is highly endorsed by guests on Yelp.com, with users from as far west as California commending the roll’s flavor, texture and portion. It is described as “stacked upon stacked of lobster,” and “very well made … lobster not rubbery, just fresh taste.”
If you go:
Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.
North Shore
Seaport Grille, Gloucester
Seaport Grille, located at 6 Rowe Square, Gloucester, was nominated as one of the top six best places to get lobster rolls on the North Shore by Northshore Magazine in 2019.
Seaport Grille offers a fresh, lobster salad-style roll, topped with lettuce and situated on a grilled and buttered New England roll.
Many Yelpers note its flavor, texture and portions.
One review said “the roll was super sapid, good texture and taste.” Another described the dish as having “big chunks of lobster,” and a fresh taste.
Another said its lobster rolls are generously portioned, “tender, gently supported on a small brioche roll.” Cost is market price.
If you go:
Sunday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. until 9 p.m.
Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m. until 10 p.m.
Central Mass.
Pinecroft serves a 6 oz portion of lobster on its rolls.Jeffrey Paquette
Pinecroft Dairy and Restaurant, West Boylston
Pinecroft Dairy and Restaurant has gained a following on Western Mass. food groups like Worcester Eats for its signature lobster rolls.
While guests have the option of ordering a cold or warm roll, owner Jeffrey Paquette said Pinecroft’s specialty is the cold roll.
“It’s a six ounce portion of fresh lobster meat on a toasted brioche roll … We treat it very gently,” he said. “We let the lobster shine.”
The lobster in the cold roll is dressed in very light mayo and very little lemon, Paquette said, adding there isn’t a lot of filler or dressing.
Pinecroft uses trail, claw and knuckle meat. Guests have the option of ordering a roll by itself or a lobster plate which comes with hand-battered onion rings, french fries and a side of homemade coleslaw.
If you go:
Restaurant hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Ice cream windows are open daily.
539 Prospect St., West Boylston
