There is great debate over lobster roll supremacy between Maine style (lightly toasted buttered bun, cold lobster, mayo on the side or mixed in) and Connecticut style (warm buttered bun and lobster, melted butter). No matter where you fall, there are plenty of places across the county to savor this summer staple.
The Barley Beach House
95 Dearborn Ave, Rye, 914.481.5505
Have a New England staycation with beachside seating and endless Sound vistas and, while you’re at it, swan-dive into a Connecticut-style lobster roll that’s all about the triple B: butter and a brioche bun. In between those fluffy bookends, indulge in fresh, cold-cracked Maine lobster with celery, plus that butter and toasted brioche bun, and bon voyage all your cares away. You can also try out the New England-style lobster rolls, with cucumber and mayo instead of celery and butter.
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The Boathouse
46 Westerly Rd, Ossining; 914.923.6466
This lobster roll is as classic as they get: Chunks of claw meat slathered in tarragon aioli and served on a toasted and grilled New England-style hot dog bun, accompanied by a brandy and butter sauce. Come to The Boathouse for live music and a scenic view of the Hudson River, then stay for the lobster rolls.
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Bread and Brine
19 Main St, Hastings-on-Hudson; 914.479.5243
Using a hefty, buttered roll stuffed with whole chunks of lobster meat and creamy mayo, this Maine-inspired Hastings establishment is determined to bring quality seafood to the table. You can also order a hot lobster roll and get it with just butter and no mayo. Bread and Brine adds a slice of lemon on the side in case you want to zest things up further.
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Dobbs Ferry Lobster Guys
26 Main St, Dobbs Ferry; 914.625.8402
In addition to offering fresh live lobster for purchase, third-generation commercial fisherman Anthony DiMeglio is serving up both Maine-and Connecticut-style sandwiches in his seafood shop. It doesn’t get better than the catch of the day for lunch.
GO FISH by Eastchester Fish Gourmet
839 White Plains Rd, Scarsdale; 914.725.3450
The grab-and-go shop by beloved seafood purveyor Eastchester Fish Gourmet hits the right notes for a great bite. Loaded with Maine lobster on a buttered bun, the sandwich is served with coleslaw, seasoned, crispy sweet potato fries, spicy chipotle dipping sauce, and extra drawn butter.
Fjord Fish Market
134 Chatsworth Ave, Larchmont; 914.341.1437
Fjord uses buns sourced from Connecticut’s famous Flour Water Salt bakery for its lobster rolls, which gives every bite a hearty, sourdough crunch. Both the hot and chilled sandwich iterations are terrific and let the fresh lobster speak for itself—mayo and butter are used sparingly.
Kee Oyster House
126-128 E. Post Rd, White Plains; 914.437.8535
The Kee Oyster House roll is light on the mayo, heavy on the lobster.
Prepared hot or cold, Kee’s delicious lobster is infused with herbs and lemon zest, tucked into a toasted and buttered brioche bun, and served with Old Bay chips. Coowner Elvi Hoxaj emphasizes that the roll is “light on the mayo, heavy on the lobster.”
Kelly’s Sea Level
413 Midland Avenue, Rye; 914.967.0868
Kelly’s Sea Level offers two different lobster rolls to suit your cravings. If you’re looking for a cold sandwich, you can grab the all-meat Maine lobster roll, featuring North Atlantic lobster meat and Old Bay mayo on a buttered roll. If you’re more in the mood for a hot sandwich, you can instead go for the all-meat Connecticut lobster roll, which swaps out the mayo for warm, melted butter and features a toasted roll. Both of these sandwiches also come with a side of fries and coleslaw!
Ocean House
49 N Riverside Ave, Croton-on-Hudson; 914.271.0702
The Maine lobster roll at Ocean House has a generous amount of fresh lobster in a buttered and toasted side-split bun. Other than the lobster and lemon juice, this roll is nothing without Hellmann’s mayonnaise. Served with steak fries and coleslaw, this is a simple and delicious lobster roll. Pro tip: Check the day’s “Blackboard” page online before heading out, as this beauty makes an appearance once in a blue moon.
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Purdy’s Farmer and the Fish
100 Titicus Rd, North Salem; 914.617.8380
This north county farm-to-table restaurant knows to give the people what they want—and the people want the “Downeast” lobster roll two ways. Depending on your mood, order it “warm, naked, and buttered” or “cooled” with cucumber and fresh lemon aioli—both are excellent.
The Sailhouse
238 Green St, Tarrytown; 914.332.0517
Arrive at this spot right on the Hudson River by land or sea—there’s a dock where you can park your boat. Then dive into a fresh lobster roll with either mayo or hot butter and plenty of chives and secret seasoning. Choose fries or a salad as a side and relax to the sounds of lapping water. If lobster isn’t your thing, The Sailhouse also serves up shrimp and crab rolls in the same fashion.
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Sound Seafood & Sushi
1137 W. Boston Post Rd, Mamaroneck; 914.662.0099
Husband and wife duo Wayne Ivines and Becky Lusk might be Mamaroneck’s new kids on the block when it comes to seafood, but Ivines has been in the fish business since he was 13, working at markets with his uncle. The shop’s bestseller is the hot butter poached lobster roll served with a side of fries, chips, or corn (there’s also a gluten-free bun option). Lobster is brought in fresh every day, with Ivines inspecting each one himself for quality control.
Stew Leonard’s
1 Stew Leonard Dr, Yonkers; 914.375.4700
We know, we know—you’re probably wondering how a supermarket could have such a noteworthy roll, but trust us. On weekends, Stew’s cranks out hot lobster rolls with a heavy-handed coating of sweet cream butter. If you’re a cold lobster fan, get the Maine-style roll—large chunks of lobster on a fluffy potato bun—available daily at the seafood counter. The store also sells lobster salad on its own for DIY lobster rolls at home.
The Tavern at Croton Landing
41 North Riverside Ave, Croton-on-Hudson; 914.271.8020
Soak up the sun while enjoying these generously buttered, lightly toasted rolls filled with a refined ratio of lobster to mayo, combined with crunch from celery and side of pickle. For something a bit different, opt for the lobster BLT—fresh lobster salad on rustic bread with bacon, avocado, tomato, arugula, and garlic mayo.
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Wellington’s Soup Shack
110 Halstead Ave, Harrison; 914.315.1532
Wellington’s Soup Shack has an incredible assortment of sandwiches on its menu and, of course, lobster rolls make the list. The lobster rolls are served on a toasted bun with lettuce and come with a side of butter and lemon. That’s not all, though. Wellington’s also features an option for special requests on its sandwiches. Add a special request to your order, and Wellington’s will do its best to accommodate your desires.
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