15 best lobster roll restaurants in Connecticut

15 best lobster roll restaurants in Connecticut

If you love lobster and don't want to go through the hassle of breaking the shells, lobster rolls are for you. This traditional New England dish has its variations, such as the cold and hot lobster rolls. The difference is that Connecticut (aka Hot) Lobster Rolls have warm butter meat served in grilled buns, whereas Maine Lobster Rolls (aka cold) are served with mayonnaise. This list of top restaurants is curated with the help of online reviews and blogs.

15. Goni's Gourmet - Fairfield

Goni's Gourmet is not a restaurant per se but a food truck based in Fairfield. They serve a variety of seafood, from a 3/4 pound lobster to lobster tacos. According to online reviews, their products are often fresh and made on demand. Even people not fond of seafood tend to rave about seafood here.

14. Lenny and Joe’s Fish Tale - Madison

Warm Lobster Roll lovers mainly prefer this joint, as they are known to serve fresh and tender lobster meat doused with butter in a split top bun. According to a Yelp user, this place is a perfect stop while on a road trip, as they provide great food and service.

13. The Lazy Lobster - Milford

The Lazy Lobster's lobster roll is often served with Maine lobster meat on an in-house baked baguette, which tends to be a unique experience for lobster roll lovers. Like most lobster rolls, they are also doused in melted butter and even come with a hand-cut slaw.

12. Abbott’s Lobster in the Rough

This restaurant, founded in 1947, has been a favorite of many food bloggers. If you want to grab traditional buttery lobster rolls with great reviews while enjoying the sailboats on Mystic River, Abbott's Lobster is the place. Though closed for the 2024 season, they are said to reopen on May 4. According to a Yelp review, the butter in the lobster roll ooze into the plate.

11. The Lobster Shack - Westport

With multiple variations of the Lobster Roll ranging from the warm Connecticut style to Maine mayonnaise style and a spicy version served with arrabbiata sauce as well as a rare "Compo” of warm buttered lobster and avocado salad, the Lobster Shack has won the 2021 best lobster roll in Westport from the Chamber of commerce. According to a Yelp review, their Lobster Rolls are worth the price.

10. BRYAC - Black Rock

Dining at BRYAC is a unique experience for many, especially because of its interiors, which resemble a yacht club, and its dark theme. Beyond the interior, their war and buttery lobster rolls are also said to be very popular among the locals of the area. A perfect dining experience is even made better with live music.

9. Ford’s Lobster - Noank

They serve both Connecticut-style and Maine-style lobster rolls, and the meat portions in the rolls are described as generous by many reviewers. The only trouble you may face while visiting this restaurant is that the parking lot might be full. Besides Lobster rolls, one of their customers' recommended items is Bisque Bomb.

8. Captain Scott's Lobster Dock

The take-out window is situated in Hamilton St., New London, near the Thames River. They offer both hot and cold lobsters, so you can opt to have your lobster rolls with meat doused in warm butter or cold mayonnaise. You can get your food and then have a little picnic on the benches provided.

7. Nordic Fish - Fairfield

Though sushi is the most sought-after dish in the Nordic Fish market, they also serve good-quality lobster rolls. A Google reviewer who visited the place after hearing about their lobster roll being the best...was not all disappointed. They offer warm, buttery, chill salad lobster rolls served in a top split bun and add-ons like corn or fries.

6. Heibeck's Stand - Wilton

A small family-operated shack that has been serving good lobster rolls to Georgetown for over 90 years. Reviews say they sell relatively cheap but good lobsters with generous portions of lobster meat in a buttery roll. According to one reviewer, the food is above five stars and is instead is described as "last meal" worthy.

5. Jessica's Garden - Marlborough

Jessica's Garden is chosen not just for its buttery lobster rolls served on hot dog buns but also for the calm and scenic atmosphere with a little pond. And after savoring the seafood and other delicacies available here, you can also opt to have ice cream at their ice cream parlor.

4. Liv’s Dockside Grill - Clinton

If you love food as much as you like taking a stroll along sceneries or just having the cool breeze on you while you munch on your buttery and warm Lobster rolls, then Liv's dockside is your spot. A very satisfied customer even left a review on Google asking the restaurant to take all his money because the food was worth the money.

3. Knot Norms - Norwalk

The restaurant wants to offer its customers a "laid-back fast casual dining experience." Their lobster is unique as they serve lobster meat topped with their in-house lobster butter, and the rolls are topped with celery and lemon juice. But the only problem with Knot Norm's is that, according to the Connecticut Post, it is hard to find.

2. Guilford Lobster Pound - Guilford

This is considered a go-to spot by many who are looking for relaxing scenery with food that is worth the price you pay for. Since they also sell freshly caught lobsters, you can also take home some if you crave more lobster once you get back. A Yelp reviewer who traveled from NYC says it keeps up with its hype.

1. The Lobster Landing - Clinton

The locals and the online bloggers have mostly good things to say about their lobster rolls. Their lobster rolls are known for their juicy, perfectly cooked, buttery meat and homemade coleslaw. If you can wait in line for a bit, this spot is said to give you good lobster rolls paired with a good coastal view.