
Best lobster rolls on Long Island: Critics' picks
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Once upon a time, you had to go to Maine to enjoy a lobster roll. Now you can go to Panera. But, as the old saying should go, the price of ubiquity is mediocrity — it’s a lobster roll jungle out there, and that’s why FeedMe curates this list of Long Island’s best.
Lobster rolls are priced according to the market, which fluctuates throughout the year. And you will find a wide range of prices out there, from the mid $20s up to the $50 mark. Price can be related to size, but not all similar-size lobster rolls are created equal.
Some restaurants cook and shuck their own lobsters, an expensive proposition. Some buy freshly picked meat from a supplier (an even more expensive proposition) and some buy frozen lobster meat, which varies in quality depending on how it was frozen and defrosted and which part of the lobster it comes from: Big chunks of claw and knuckle command the highest price. The more shredded the meat (and the more meat there is from those skinny legs), the lower the price.
Driftwood
1 Grand Blvd. and the boardwalk, Long Beach
Lobster rolls with an Anthony Bourdain seal of approval? Former food truck owner Remy Watts says the famous late chef came back for seconds. Now Watts has converted Beach Burger on the Long Beach boardwalk into a lobster roll shack, putting out moderately priced rolls for $29 with a side of fries. The Connecticut style roll is beautiful with 4 ounces of meat glistening with butter. There's also a Maine style as well as an "angry" version with paprika and hot honey. More info: driftwoodlbny.com
Lazy Lobster
10 Front St., East Rockaway

The warm Connecticut roll with tarragon citrus butter, coleslaw and shoestring fries at Lazy Lobster in East Rockaway. Credit: Daniel Brennan
The Lazy Lobster's rolls are studies in proportion, featuring heaps of claw meat on deeply toasted, buttered split-top buns. Choose from four versions: traditional style with mayo; Connecticut-style (aka warm) with tarragon-citrus butter; "Bayou lobster" with Cajun honey butter and topped with chives; and "angry," with a touch of spice. All come with coleslaw. More info: 516-837-8484, lazylobsterny.com
Jordan Lobster Farms
1 Pettit Place, Island Park
When your stock in trade for decades has been lobster, you'd better turn out a fine lobster roll. Jordan's makes a version stuffed with a time-tested, coral-hued salad of lobster meat, mayonnaise, lemon juice, celery and scallions, served with fries. Dig in on the waterside dining area, at home or in the car on the way home. More info: 516-889-3314, jordanlobsterfarms.com
Sea Bar
7 Great Neck Rd., Great Neck Plaza
As the name suggests, this stylish spot (clad in tiles and nautical hues) is dedicated to all stripes of oceanic life, including two spins on a lobster roll — a warm, butter-kissed Connecticut-style version and another served chilled with herb mayo. Both come on toasted brioche buns, and both come with hand-cut fries. More info: 516-441-5708, seabar.life
Butler’s Flat
86 Orchard Beach Blvd., Port Washington
The lobster roll at Butler's Flat in Port Washington. Credit: Yvonne Albinowski
This stylish clam shack on Manhasset Bay serves up plenty of fried whole-belly-and-strips, but the lobster rolls are also a powerful draw. The menu advertises a chilled, Maine-style roll, but if you ask nicely — and Butler’s isn’t too busy — the kitchen will happily whip up a warm one of meat and drawn butter on a toasted bun. Wash it down with some Wölffer rosé. More info: 516-883-8330, butlersflat.com
D.J.'s Clam Shack
Locations in Wantagh, Huntington and Stony Brook
Made with big hunks of knuckle and claw meat and butter-griddled top-split buns, lobster rolls here are available either warm (dressed only with butter) or cold (blended with celery and tarragon-scented mayonnaise). Both contain a full quarter-pound of meat, but for sheer crustacean decadence, you can get an overstuffed lobster roll with twice the filling. More info: djsclamshack.com
Schultzy's
265 Bayville Ave., Bayville
Both Connecticut- and New England-style rolls are on offer at this sea-to-table establishment run by local fishing legend Jimmy Schultz. The former features a generous pile of claw meat that arrives glistening with butter, while the latter is a mélange of smaller pieces served on a dry bun. Still, the mayo-heavy filling more than makes up for its simple presentation. More info: 516-588-6240, longislandrawbar.com
The Clam Bar at Bridge Marine
40 Ludlam Ave., Bayville
At the entryway to Bridge Marine, a small sign reading "Clam Bar" is the only indication of this outdoor spot, where you eat under a canopy cooled by equipped with overhead fans. Here, the excellent lobster roll is made with lots of shellfish, some mayo, plus a little celery and chopped onion. More info: 516-628-8688, bridge-marina.com
Steamed lobsters at Clam Bar at Bridge Marine in Bayville are cleaned and turned into lobster rolls. Credit: Steve Remich
Maldon & Mignonette
243 Glen Cove Ave., Sea Cliff
The eatery's name refers to salt (Maldon, the English sea salt) and pepper ("mignonette" is a blend of peppercorns). These are the primary seasonings in its lobster roll, along with tarragon, lemon and lime zest. The buttery meat is piled into a tender brioche roll and the accompanying fries are ingeniously seasoned with a vinegar salt that bestows the tang of vinegar without getting the fries wet. More info: 516-801-3250, maldonmignonette.com

The lobster roll at Maldon & Mignonette in Sea Cliff is seasoned with salt, pepper, tarragon, lemon and lime zest. Credit: Newsday/Erica Marcus
317 Main
317 Main St., Farmingdale
Since lobster rolls hit Long Island’s big time, chefs have endeavored to break out from the hot (Connecticut) and cold (Maine) packs with spicy lobster rolls, bacon-flecked lobster rolls, Cajun lobster rolls, you-name-it lobster rolls. Eric LeVine, chef-partner at 317 Main in Farmingdale, took another approach. Wanting to make a big splash, he had a big idea: Big. He’s introduced a lobster roll that measures 3 feet across and contains about 3 pounds of meat. With its onion-flecked crust, the roll breaks with tradition, but its contents are simple and classic: To freshly cooked and shucked lobster meat, LeVine adds just enough mayonnaise to bind it together, along with lemon juice, lemon zest and salt. It’s garnished with sunflower sprouts and served with seasoned potato chips. Serving four to eight people, the $135 price is a bargain. An individual roll (same filling and garnish, split-top brioche roll) is $32. More info: 516-512-5317, 317mainstreet.com
Whiskey Down Diner
252 Main St., Farmingdale
The modern diner's buttery lobster roll arrives warm, laden with a row of picture-perfect whole claw meat atop smaller chunks piled into a soft oversize bun. It is served with a side of still-more melted butter and crispy fries. Enjoy it outside in a charming alleyway dining area. More info: 516-927-8264, whiskeydowndiner.com
The lobster roll at Whiskey Down Diner in Farmingdale is served with extra melted butter. Credit: Linda Rosier
Babylon Burger Bar
1 W. Main St., Babylon
Co-owner Roy Feicco grew up in New England and felt it was his Yankee duty to offset the burgers with a classic lobster roll (mayo-dressed in a toasted potato roll, with chips). It's on the menu from Memorial Day through Labor Day, when it accounts for up to half of all orders. More info: 631-620-3362, babylonburgerbar.com
Jackson Hall American Bar & Grille
335 E. Main St., East Islip
This large, easygoing eatery with an outdoor patio full of colorful Adirondack chairs might have the best deal on Long Island for a year-round lobster roll. At $33.95, these bad boys are piled high with meat and offer more than just your classic New England style with mayo. Opt for a surf and turf roll with filet mignon, the Long Island roll, a Cajun honey butter, jalapeño and "secret spices" alternative, or a simple Connecticut style, butter poached on a perfectly toasted, equally buttered roll. More info: 631-277-7100, jacksonhallny.com

Salt & Barrel
61 W. Main St., Bay Shore
The version at this oyster bar and seafood restaurant involves warm, butter-poached lobster with pickled celery and tomato aioli; and the cold with mayonnaise, corn, tarragon and lemon; it's served with housemade chips. More info: 631-647-8818, saltandbarrel.com
The Connecticut lobster roll at Salt & Barrel in Bay Shore. Credit: Corey Sipkin
Salted. On the Harbor
14 Woodbine Ave., Northport
The "Lawbsta Roll" at this harborside bistro is a study in largesse and can easily feed two. The kitchen stuffs a toasted, buttered brioche bun with hunks of lobster meat until they can't fit anymore; the claws reach skyward, the mayo-based dressing is creamy and studded with slivered celery, and a layer of Bibb lettuce gives the entire thing extra crunch. More info: 631-651-2600, saltedontheharbor.com
Flo's
302 Middle Rd., Blue Point
Florence Kimball founded Flo's in 1926, just steps from Blue Point's Corey Beach. Since then it's become a local landmark — due, in no small measure, to classics like the chunky lobster roll, served warmed or cold on a hot dog bun. More info: 888-356-7864, flosfamous.com
Catch Oyster Bar
63 N. Ocean Ave., Patchogue
A warm roll generously laden with knuckle meat is the specialty of this small, friendly seafood eatery. Sparked with lemon mayo and served with chips or fries, the sandwich makes for good last-minute fortification on the way to Patchogue’s nearby Fire Island ferry to Davis Park. More info: 631-627-6860, catchoysterbar.com
The lobster roll at Catch Oyster Bar in Patchogue features lemon mayo. Credit: Linda Rosier
Claws Seafood Market
20 Main St., West Sayville
One of Long Island's best fish markets maintains fish-shack favorites, including the classic, mayo-dressed lobster roll on a lettuce-lined toasted bun. In 2021, Claws added a triple roll with nearly a pound of lobster meat that currently goes for $68.95. There's also the "Roddy" roll with bacon, a "naked" roll with butter instead of mayo, and a "firehouse" roll with jalapeños and sriracha. More info: 631-256-5900, clawsseafoodmarket.com
Porters on the Lane
19 Bellport Lane, Bellport
The lobster roll at Porter's on the Lane in Bellport is stuffed with house-shucked, butter-poached meat. Credit: Newsday/Erica Marcus
Bellport, one of Long Island’s most picture-perfect villages, has a friendly tavern to match. Have a seat on Porter’s front porch and enjoy a warm lobster roll stuffed with house-shucked, butter-poached meat. The split-top bun has a layer of lettuce and tomatoes underneath the lobster, and a drizzle of dill aioli on top of it. More info: 631-803-6067, portersonthelane.com
Loco Lobster
223 Montauk Hwy., East Moriches
The lobster roll is among the least loco items at this casual eatery: The enormous menu boasts lobster-topped everything: grilled cheese, mac-and-cheese, fried chicken sandwiches, scampi pizza, tacos and quesadillas. But the lobster roll is a simple classic — tail, claw and knuckle meat and very little else except butter (for the hot) or mayo (cold) in a butter-griddled roll. More info: 631-909-3737, locolobsterseafood.com
The roll at Loco Lobster in East Moriches is a simple classic. Credit: Newsday/Erica Marcus
Varney's
2109 Montauk Hwy., Brookhaven
You can't miss Varney's sign proclaiming "lobster rolls" in letters larger than the restaurant's branding — and you shouldn't miss the lobster rolls, available either chilled with mayo or warm with butter. Both are served on split-top, toasted brioche rolls. Served with homemade coleslaw and crinkle-cut fries. More info: 631-286-9569, varneysrestaurant.com
Brewology
295 Montauk Hwy., Speonk
Chef Roberto Carlos Leon's beer-friendly lobster roll is hot, overstuffed into a brioche roll, sprinkled with smoked paprika and accompanied by chipotle-ranch aioli and hand-cut french fries. Cold-roll partisans needn’t despair: On Thursday nights Leon tosses chilled lobster with celery and herb aioli on a bun and serves with fries. More info: 631-801-6221, brewology295.com
Little Gull Cafe
54 N. Phillips Ave., Speonk
This charming cafe inside Speonk's old train station is not open for dinner, but you'll be tempted to get the lobster roll even at breakfast. Chef-owner Will Pendergast not only poaches his own lobsters and fries his own potato chips, he also makes the split-top buns that, buttered and griddled, are overstuffed with sweet, tender chunks of meat lightly dressed with mayo and chives. More info: 631-801-2176, littlegullcafe.com
Jerry and The Mermaid
469 E. Main St., Riverhead
This riverside stalwart has been serving local seafood and more since 1994. The hot and cold lobster rolls are both made with freshly picked meat piled into brioche rolls, served with coleslaw, pickle and waffle fries. The cold roll is dressed with mayo and celery, the hot with clarified butter. More info: 631-727-8489, jerryandthemermaid.com

Jerry and The Mermaid in Riverhead serves hot and cold lobster rolls. Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa Loarca
The Old Mill Inn
5775 W. Mill Rd., Mattituck
Lovingly restored and packing crack front- and back-of-house teams, Mattituck’s The Old Mill Inn has reopened under new ownership. Chef Kyle Bloomer’s food manages to compete favorably with one of the North Fork’s loveliest views, and the lobster roll is a lunchtime treat: mostly lobster, a little celery and mayonnaise, a toasted brioche roll, hand-cut fries. More info: 631-621-2251, oldmillnorthfork.com
The lobster roll at The Old Mill Inn in Mattituck is dressed with a little celery and mayonnaise on a toasted brioche roll. Credit: Newsday/Erica Marcus
North Fork Table & Inn
57225 Main Rd., Southold
The landscaped seating area adjacent to the restaurant's food truck is an idyllic setting to indulge in either the hot "CT Lobby Roll" — served with drawn butter, confit fennel, celery salt and wild chives — or the "ME Lobby Roll" with mayonnaise, celery and fennel sea salt. More info: 631-765-0177, northforktableandinn.com
Southold Fish Market
64755 Rte. 25, Southold
Half this exemplary fish market is occupied by a counter-serve eatery, and there are tables out on the lawn. A highlight is the lobster roll containing big hunks of freshly picked claw and knuckle meat from a 1¼-pound lobster, mixed either with mayonnaise and celery (cold) or melted butter (warm). Both come with coleslaw and your choice of salad (perfectly good) or french fries (fantastic). More info: 631-765-3200
Lobster roll with coleslaw and salad at the Southold Fish Market. Credit: Doug Young
Billy's by the Bay
2530 Manhanset Ave., Greenport
This casual spot prepares plenty of seafood, from steamers and oysters Rockefeller to oyster tacos and including lobsters up to 4 pounds. Lobster rolls are available hot (sautéed) or cold, both on white toast or in a toasted bun. And if you're on patrol for Cajun-spiced flounder, Billy's has it. More info: 631-477-8300, billysbythebayrestaurant.com
Lobster Roll
1980 Montauk Hwy., Amagansett and 32 Montauk Hwy., Southampton
Roll lovers everywhere rejoiced in December 2021 when a second location of the beloved East End landmark — a year-round one! — opened down the road in Southampton. The Amagansett original, popularly known as "Lunch" owing to its landmark sign, has featured a lobster roll on the menu since its inception in 1965. Both places showcase a classic take — just lobster, celery and mayo on a toasted bun — as well as a hot version made with butter rather than mayo. More info: 631-267-3740, 631-283-3460, lobsterroll.com
Shinnecock Lobster Factory
42 Montauk Hwy., Southampton
If you’re heading to the Hamptons, it’s worth getting off Route 27 once you cross the Shinnecock Canal. Not only will the scenery improve, but you’ll also pass right by Shinnecock Lobster Factory, a collaboration between Shinnecock tribal leader Lance Gumbs and Sicilian-born chef-caterer Marco Barrila. Lobster rolls here come in guppy, shark and whale sizes and in six varieties, from classic or BLT-style to diablo (with spicy tomato sauce) or "Shinnecock" (with extra-virgin olive oil and lemon). There’s also lobster bisque, lobster salad, lobster tacos ... you get the idea. Dine on the porch or at picnic tables on the lawn out back. More info: 631-259-3334, shinnecocklobsterfactory.com
Haskell's Seafood Market
77A Main St., Westhampton Beach
Haskell’s is the rare fish market that serves only local fish — no salmon, no Chilean sea bass, no Gulf shrimp. For the lobster rolls, Montauk lobsters are shucked and chunked, the meat nestled into top-split buns. More info: 631-288-7287

The hot lobster roll at Haskell's Seafood Market and Cafe in Westhampton Beach contains little more than local lobster meat and butter. Credit: Newsday/Erica Marcus
Bostwick's Chowder House
277 Pantigo Rd., East Hampton
East Hampton's O.G. casual seafood spot scores with two classic rolls, cold or hot, both stuffed with lobster and served on griddled hot dog buns with your choice of coleslaw, fries, potato salad or chips. (The cold version is also available at Bostwick's on the Harbor; 39 Gann Rd., East Hampton). More info: 631-324-1111, bostwickschowderhouse.com
With Andi Berlin, Dorothy Guadagno-Levin and Marie Elena Martinez.
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