Is there anything that screams summer like a warm, buttery lobster roll? No, there is not.
But where to find the absolute best of these decadent sandwiches? We asked Yelp for the best lobster rolls in America — which they measured using an algorithm that looked at the number of reviews plus the star rating for every eatery on Yelp.
So here are the 25 best spots in the US to get your hands on the unofficial sandwich of summer— straight from Yelp users who love rich, buttery lobster rolls just as much as you do.
25. Monahan's Clam Shack — Narragansett, Rhode Island
Come for the lobster, stay for the ocean views at this no-frills Rhode Island seafood shack. Order the stuffies (stuffed quahog clams) on the side; it's an Ocean State classic.
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24. Garbo's — Austin
If you need a break from all the brisket and barbecue in Austin, head to Garbo's. Both the restaurant and the food truck offer two styles of lobster rolls: one served cold with mayo and the other served hot with butter.
23. Lobster Landing — Clinton, Connecticut
Sure, the exterior might look a bit weathered, but this tiny shack has quite the reputation in Connecticut for some of the best hot lobster rolls around. Every roll gets a quarter pound of fresh lobster meat, garnished with butter and lemon and served in a grinder.
22. A Bite of Maine — Virginia Beach, Virginia
For a taste of New England in the South, look no further than this Virginia Beach food truck. Make sure to accompany your lobster roll with an order of whole-belly fried clams.
21. Morgan's Lobster Shack & Fish Market — Truckee, California
The owner of this Lake Tahoe hot spot is a Maine transplant who brought traditional New England fare to the West Coast. You can choose from a traditional lobster roll or the California version, served with avocado and Sriracha.
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20. New England Lobster Market & Eatery — Burlingame, California
Could it be the best shellfish in the Bay Area? The overwhelming consensus says yes. Grab a picnic table on the patio out back and choose from three rolls: dressed, naked, or seasonal (topped with avocado and bacon).
19. Caplinger's Fresh Catch — Indianapolis
Go in the early afternoon, because the jumbo rolls overflowing with lobster salad sell out at this Indy establishment, which is part seafood market and part eatery.
18. Row 34 — Portsmouth, New Hampshire
This upscale oyster and beer bar has a secret: The lobster roll is one of the best around (although it comes with a hefty $30 price tag).
17. Little Red Schoolhouse — Campton, New Hampshire
From the exterior, this tiny eatery doesn't seem like much. But step inside and you'll feel like you're sitting in a secret treehouse overlooking the White Mountains. This generously portioned lobster roll is exactly what you'll need after a day of hiking.
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16. Red Hook Lobster Pound — Brooklyn
Red Hook Lobster Pound's claim to fame is its food truck. One of the first vendors to appear at the weekly Smorgasburg food festival in Williamsburg, it quickly became one of the main attractions at food markets around the city. Red Hook offers four kinds of lobster rolls, like the BLT and Tuscan style, in addition to the classics.
15. Burger & Lobster — New York City
There are three unconventional lobster rolls on the menu at this Manhattan mainstay. The original is tossed in Japanese mayo and chives; the "Seven Samurai" is served with ginger-infused mayo, scallions, Napa cabbage, cucumber, and sesame seeds; and the "Fiesta" comes with chipotle mayo, corn, white cabbage, and pico de gallo.
14. Luke's Lobster Rittenhouse — Philadelphia
What started as a small restaurant in the East Village now has locations across the country. Locals line up at its sole location in Philly to get their hands on the "Luke's Trio," a seafood lover's plate that comes with half a lobster roll, half a crab roll, and half a shrimp roll.
13. Freshies Lobster — Park City, Utah
Lobster probably isn't the first food that comes to mind when you think of Park City, but Freshies has attracted quite the following for its fresh Maine lobster, shipped from the shores of New England in under 24 hours.
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12. Point Lobster Company — Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey
Purists will love this simple lobster roll: huge chunks of rich lobster meat drizzled with hot butter and stuffed in a potato bun.
11. Lobster Shack — Branford, Connecticut
When this food truck parked on the Birbarie Marina opened in mid-May, it quickly became one of the most popular spots in town. Sure, you could opt for the flagship hot lobster roll, but you should really just splurge on "The Whaler" ($32), made with an entire half a pound of lobster meat on a toasted sub.
10. The Happy Lobster Truck — Chicago
Lobster may not be the easiest meal to come by in the Midwest, but this food truck became an immediate hit when it opened in 2015. Choose between "The Happy Lobster," served with a drizzle of butter and a touch of mayo, or the more adventurous "Angry Lobster," topped with spicy mayo and hot giardiniera.
9. Cape Cod Lobster Rolls — Onset, Massachusetts
There's nothing as quintessential to Cape Cod summer like fresh lobster. The menu at this shack in Onset is limited, made up of mostly lobster-filled creations like quesadillas and bisque. The rolls, served with Cape Cod potato chips and a pickle, come in two sizes...and you're gonna want the big one.
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8. Neptune Oyster — Boston
For a haute take on New England seafood, this oyster bar on Boston's North End is where to go. Don't let the lines dissuade you from staking out one of the 42 coveted seats. The $29 roll, available with butter or mayo, is a meal you'll dream about.
7. Eaton Street Seafood Market — Key West, Florida
Turns out the Florida Keys are home to more than Key lime pie and grouper. At Eaton Street Seafood Market, the enormous East Coast lobster roll steals the show, and the side of plantain chips is a nice touch.
6. Cape Cod Fish Co — Ft. Meyers, Florida
Another Florida gem, this counter-serve spot in Ft. Meyers may be the closest thing to authentic New England seafood in the state. Despite the eatery's name, don't overlook the Connecticut style roll, sautéed in butter with a healthy dose of Old Bay seasoning.
5. Matunuck Oyster Bar — South Kingstown, Rhode Island
The picturesque scenery is the perfect complement to the fresh shellfish at this seaside Ocean State eatery. Start your meal with a dozen oysters, which come straight from Matunuck Oyster Farm on Point Judith Pond. But the star of the show: the chilled lobster sandwich served on a warm, buttery split-top roll.
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4. Thames Street Oyster House — Baltimore
This classic oyster house has been a Baltimore favorite since it opened its doors in 2011. The beloved bistro may be most famous for its raw bar, but the hot tail-and-claw lobster roll is another highlight.
3. Bill's Original Kitchen — Kittery, Maine
When it comes to lobster roll territory, Maine is the big leagues. Bill's version, lightly dressed but creamy meat served on a warm buttered roll, is arguably one of the best in the state.
2. 167 Raw — Charleston, South Carolina
Foodies flock to this tiny raw bar for great seafood (specifically, the seriously tasty lobster roll, which comes dressed in aioli and chives) and a New England vibe, a nod to its sister restaurant in Nantucket.
1. Bite Into Maine — Cape Elizabeth, Maine
This food truck is parked right in Fort Williams Park, overlooking the iconic Portland Headlight lighthouse. In addition to the traditional hot buttered Connecticut and cold Maine-style roll with mayo, Bite Into Maine offers some unconventional sandwiches dressed with wasabi, curry, and chipotle mayos.
