5 Massachusetts Lobster Rolls To Skip & 5 That Overflow With Meat
As a New England native who’s spent years hunting for the perfect lobster roll, I’ve had my share of disappointments and delightful surprises along the Massachusetts coast.
Nothing hurts more than dropping $30+ on a roll that’s mostly mayo and celery, with barely a claw in sight.
On the flip side, finding a sandwich bursting with sweet, tender lobster meat can make your whole summer.
Here’s my honest take on which spots to avoid and which serve rolls worthy of your hard-earned cash.
1. Kelly’s Roast Beef: All Filler, No Thriller
I remember my first Kelly’s lobster roll experience vividly—mostly because of the crushing disappointment. The famous roast beef chain might excel at their namesake sandwich, but their lobster game falls tragically short.
The roll arrived looking promising but revealed a sad interior: minimal chunks swimming in excessive mayo with too much celery filler. What little meat I found lacked freshness, tasting like it had been sitting in the cooler far too long.
For nearly $30, you deserve more than this skimpy offering. Save your appetite and money for a place that respects the lobster tradition. Kelly’s should stick to what they know best—beef, not seafood.
2. Yankee Lobster: Tourist Trap Troubles
Located strategically near Boston’s cruise terminal, Yankee Lobster has mastered the art of serving mediocre seafood to tourists who don’t know better. My aunt from Indiana raved about it, which should have been my first warning sign.
The lobster roll here commits the cardinal sin of being forgettable. Lukewarm meat with minimal seasoning sits in a soggy bun that disintegrates halfway through. The portion size wouldn’t satisfy a seagull, let alone justify the premium price tag.
Worst of all, the meat often contains those unpleasant cartilage bits that require discreet spitting into your napkin. Skip this tourist trap and venture further into the city for authentic seafood that locals actually enjoy.
3. Barking Crab: All Bark, No Bite
The waterfront views at Barking Crab might be Instagram-worthy, but their lobster roll is anything but photo-ready. Last summer, I brought out-of-town friends here, hyping up the “authentic Boston experience”—talk about embarrassing!
Their roll features chopped (not chunked) lobster meat that’s drowning in a sea of mayo, with random bits of unidentifiable vegetables mixed throughout. The bun arrives either stale or overly toasted to the point of scraping your mouth. For a place with “crab” in its name, they should understand seafood better.
The hefty price tag feels like highway robbery when you realize you’re paying primarily for the harbor view. Boston has too many excellent seafood options to waste your time and money here.
4. Lobster Claw: Clawfully Underwhelming
My family’s Cape Cod tradition always included a stop at Lobster Claw in Orleans—until we finally admitted the quality had plummeted. The name suggests lobster abundance, but reality tells a different story.
Their roll features suspiciously uniform pieces that lack the sweet, ocean flavor of fresh lobster. The meat-to-bun ratio is criminally imbalanced, with the bread dominating every bite. Add to this the heavy hand with mayo and chopped onions that overpower any seafood flavor.
The outdoor seating area next to the parking lot doesn’t help the experience either. After three consecutive disappointing visits, I’ve crossed Lobster Claw off my Cape Cod seafood circuit permanently. Some traditions are meant to be broken.
5. Boston Chowda Co.: Fast Food Disappointment
Food court seafood rarely impresses, but Boston Chowda Co. manages to underperform even those low expectations. During a rainy afternoon at Faneuil Hall, hunger clouded my judgment, leading to a $25 mistake I won’t repeat.
Their lobster roll arrives suspiciously quickly, featuring meat that’s been pre-mixed hours earlier and refrigerated to the point of losing all texture and flavor. The cold, rubbery chunks sit in a pool of watery mayo that soaks through the bun within minutes. The portion size would make a New Englander weep.
Even tourists deserve better than this sad approximation of our regional specialty. The chowder might be passable, but the lobster roll should be permanently removed from their menu as a public service.
6. Neptune Oyster: The Gold Standard
Worth every minute of the notorious wait, Neptune Oyster serves what I consider the Rolls Royce of lobster rolls. My first bite here five years ago ruined me for most other versions—I still dream about it during landlocked winters.
Their hot buttered roll features impossibly tender chunks of claw and knuckle meat, perfectly poached and glistening with clarified butter that drips deliciously down your fingers. No filler, no mayo, just pure lobster bliss. The griddled brioche bun provides the ideal vessel, with just enough structure to hold the generous portion.
Yes, it’s expensive at market price (often $38+), but the mountain of meat makes it a legitimate meal rather than a snack. This North End gem represents everything a Massachusetts lobster roll should be.
7. James Hook & Co.: Waterfront Wonder
Family-owned since 1925, James Hook & Co. brings wholesale quality directly to seafood lovers from their humble waterfront shack. My grandmother introduced me to this spot decades ago, and it remains my go-to recommendation for visitors.
Their cold lobster roll achieves perfect balance—lightly dressed with just enough mayo to bind together the generous chunks without overwhelming them. Every bite delivers that sweet, clean lobster flavor that reminds you why these creatures are so prized. The no-frills presentation (plastic basket, paper liner) keeps costs reasonable while focusing on what matters.
The meat-to-bun ratio is spectacular, with large pieces of tail, claw, and knuckle spilling out the sides. This unpretentious spot proves you don’t need white tablecloths to serve seafood perfection.
8. Row 34: Chef-Driven Decadence
“Work beer, everyday oysters” might be Row 34’s motto, but their lobster roll deserves its own slogan: “life-changing seafood indulgence.” During a rainy afternoon in Fort Point, their warm buttered version single-handedly salvaged my terrible day.
Unlike many upscale restaurants that prioritize presentation over portion, Row 34 delivers on both fronts. Their roll features impossibly sweet meat, sourced from carefully selected boats and handled with chef-like precision. The warm butter infusion highlights the natural flavor without drowning it.
The lightly toasted brioche roll provides the perfect textural contrast to the tender meat. While their cold version with light mayo is excellent, the warm buttered option showcases the lobster’s natural sweetness in a way that justifies the $36 splurge. Make reservations well in advance—this place stays packed.
9. The Lobster Pool: Rustic Rockport Treasure
Perched on the rocky coastline of Cape Ann, The Lobster Pool in Rockport offers sunset views that would make the meal memorable even if the food were mediocre. Fortunately, their lobster roll is as spectacular as the scenery.
This BYOB spot serves what might be the most generously portioned roll in Massachusetts. Fresh-picked that morning, the meat maintains perfect texture—never rubbery or mushy. They offer both styles, but their minimalist cold version with just a whisper of mayo lets the sweet, clean flavor shine through.
The unpretentious split-top bun can barely contain the heaping mound of meat. Eating at the picnic tables as the sun sets over Ipswich Bay elevates the experience from mere meal to quintessential New England memory. Worth every penny of the market price and the drive from Boston.
10. Alive & Kicking Lobsters: The Secret Sandwich
Technically not even a roll, Alive & Kicking’s lobster sandwich breaks all the rules and creates something even better. Hidden in a residential Cambridge neighborhood, this tiny market serves what locals protect as a well-guarded secret.
Their creation arrives on lightly buttered Scali bread (not a hot dog bun), stuffed with chunks of perfectly cooked tail and claw meat. The light mayo dressing includes a hint of lemon that brightens the flavor without masking the star ingredient. No celery, no unnecessary fillers—just impeccably fresh lobster.
The sandwich contains nearly twice the meat of most competitors for a more reasonable price. Eating at their few outdoor tables feels like being invited to a neighborhood insider’s club. This unconventional approach might offend purists, but one bite will convert even the most traditional lobster roll aficionados.