Lobster Rolls are LBI’s Newest Summer Staple

May 9

Until recently, lobster rolls were a *rare* delicacy on Long Beach Island. You’d count yourself lucky if you rolled up somewhere and found these buttery lobster-filled vessels as a daily special. Recently, though, lobster rolls are popping up on menus everywhere, from speciality lobster joints to established local restaurants.

Gone are the days we had to trek all the way up to Maine for a taste of 100% real lobster… and we are certainly not complaining! Welcome to the lobster roll renaissance on Long Beach Island. Do we sense a lobster roll festival happening in the future? Should we host it? We’ll start our product testing now just in case...

However you like your lobster roll — with butter, mayo, lettuce, tomato, bacon, avocado, all of it or none of it — here is where to get a lobster roll on LBI right now.

Where to Eat a Lobster Roll on LBI

Quincy’s Original

Quincy’s Original has been a lobster roll staple in the Cape May area and we are so excited they are finally here on Long Beach Island. Quincy’s keeps it simple with two classic lobster roll options, fresh lobster served hot and dripping with butter OR chilled lobster salad-style, all served on a toasty roll with kettle chips and a pickle. Make yours a jumbo for just 5 bucks more. You’ll be transported to the coast of Maine, but with all the benefits of the Jersey Shore ;)

Mystic Meat and Seafood

Across the street from Quincy’s you’ll find LBI’s OG hot spot for lobster rolls, Mystic Meat and Seafood. Locals compare this friendly competition to Philly’s famous Pat vs. Geno’s cheesesteaks debate. The only way to know for sure which place is your style is to try them both. Mystic whips up awesome Connecticut-style and Maine-style lobster rolls, but they also have a special menu with fresh takes on the classic, like the “The LBI” with slices of avocado and tomato all nestled in a signature split top bun and topped with the perfect amount of mayo.

Polly’s Dock and Clam House

We won’t go as far as calling Polly’s Dock and Clam House lobster rolls a “secret menu item,” but you won’t find this recurring special on Polly’s permanent menu just yet. The lobster here is as fresh as it gets and the shoestring fries and homemade coleslaw complement this lobster roll perfectly. If they were giving out awards for best lobster roll with a view, Polly’s Dock and Clam House would take the cake for their incredible waterfront dining.The relaxed vibes and BYOB policy make this restaurant a favorite at sunset.

Ship Bottom Shellfish

We love Ship Bottom Shellfish and all the ways they serve the freshest seafood to perfection, whether raw, seared, or fried, but our favorite menu item here has to be their lobster roll with a side of fries or coleslaw. While we absolutely love their new parking-lot-turned-outdoor-dining-room set up, we prefer to take our order to the beach and enjoy ourselves away from the crowds. Hot tip: place your order for takeout and you can too. ;)

Blue Water Cafe

Blue Water Cafe’s legendary clam chowder might be their main attraction but the lobster roll is the real reason we keep coming back to this BYOB gem. Their “Down East Lobster Roll” is overflowing with lobster salad and served on a New England-style split top bun. The piping hot Old Bay steak fries complement the chilled lobster salad perfectly. This is our favorite place to bring our non-seafood loving friends because the menu is huge, they can accommodate almost any dietary need, oh and everything is delish!

Abby Harr