The lobster roll is a classic meal in New England, where traditionally, the lobster roll is cooked in butter and served chilled on a grilled buttered bun. But you will find it served in many restaurants in the Connecticut style, which includes warm lobster salad with a mayonnaise base served on a bun.
Planning to go on a summer vacation to Nantucket? In that case, you should definitely check out the best local restaurants and places offering the traditional lobster roll prepared from the famous lobsters from Maine. You will no doubt love the local lobster roll, even though the island of Nantucket is probably better known for its fresh scallops and clams.
You can find and prepare fresh lobster, clams, scallops, and other seafood at the fish market, or rely on one of the following local experts to prepare and serve the lobster roll for you.
Here is a list of the best places to enjoy lobster rolls in Nantucket in the summer.
167 Raw Nantucket
Located on 167 Hummond Pond Rd., 167 Raw Nantucket is a fish market that has been selling fresh fish and seafood since 1978. Today, it offers fresh meat, wine, and gourmet foods.
More importantly, you can eat an absolutely stunning lobster roll at the Food Truck of 167 Raw. It costs $30 and is made with some mayo, a little lemon, and a tasty buttery brioche.
There is also a raw bar on the premises if you want to enjoy some freshly caught oysters, clams, shrimp cocktail, or all of them in a sample menu.
The 167 Raw is closed for the season, but the owners are scheduled to open again on April 27, 2023.
Meanwhile, you can check the website for the complete menus and Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter accounts for more current info and for the latest news by 167 Raw.
Cru
Cru is one of the most popular restaurants in Nantucket. The casually elegant restaurant is located at the waterfront of the island’s harbor and offers what most guests claim is the best lobster roll on the island.
When you get to this award-winning restaurant, you can also enjoy the oysters of the day at the oyster bar and the amazing selection at the raw bar. You can also indulge in some luxurious caviar with a glass of premium champagne.
The lobster roll is served either warm or chilled, buttered, and with mayo. Its price is $40.
Explore more about Cru on their website or on their Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter pages.
Millie’s Restaurant
Millie’s Restaurant is another place in Nantucket where you can enjoy delicious New England lobster rolls with some draft beer. Each of the rolls is made with an added 6-oz lobster salad. It is served on a toasted and buttered brioche with Bibb lettuce and chives, and along with it, you will get some chips and creamy coleslaw.
If you prefer, you can get a to-go family-style platter that includes 8 lobster rolls with the sides. You can also order the amazing Taco Box with 6 delicious servings of grilled steak and chicken, tortillas, salsa, jack cheese, tortilla chips, yellow rice, and lime cream sour cream.
It is a seasonal restaurant that works from the end of May to the end of September.
Check out their website for a full menu. You can also visit the restaurant’s Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter profiles and pages.
Queequeg’s
Queequeg’s is located in the Nantucket Downtown Historic District. The restaurant is named after the character from Moby Dick and is one of the most famous restaurants on the island.
It may be small-sized and quaint, but you will enjoy some of the best lobster rolls and the famous clam chowder if you decide to visit. Or you can choose from any of the freshest seasonal ingredients and meals on the menu.
The lobster roll portion contains 1/3lbs of Maine lobster, a New England Roll, Bibb lettuce, tarragon aioli, and fries.
Off-season, it is open for Lunch Daily 12:00 pm–3:00 pm, Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 5:30 pm–9:30 pm Fri, Sat 5:30 pm–10:00 pm. You can visit 7 days a week in the season and enjoy brunch, light bites, dinner, and a bar.
You can make a reservation online here.
You can also check out the menu and more about this place on Facebook and Instagram or at their website.
Sayle’s Seafood
This Nantucket fish market offers fresh lobsters, Nantucket bay scallops, clam chowder, and clambakes and has a take-out service. You can eat the freshest and most delicious lobster dinners of lobster served with clam chowder, corn on the cob, coleslaw, steamed red potatoes, and butter and lemon. You can order portions sized 1 ¼ lb. 1 ½ lb., 2 lbs. or 2 ½ lbs. of lobster.
Sayle’s Seafood also offers live lobsters and freshly picked lobster meat and will ship the live ones anywhere in the USA, so you can order some online or call them at 508 228 4599.
Something Natural
Unlike many others on this list, Something Natural is more of a bakery and sandwich shop than a restaurant.
Still, you can enjoy a lobster salad sandwich at an excellent price. You can combine it with various garnishes and salads, some of which are free. Best of all, the sandwich is made with freshly baked bread by Something Natural.
Their menu varies according to the season – spring menu and winter menu. You can check it for more information and follow this popular bakery and sandwich shop on Instagram or Facebook.
Straight Wharf Restaurant
Existing for over six decades at the Nantucket harbor, this stunning restaurant has a beautiful setting, and more importantly, some amazing lobster rolls. It is served in an elevated form, with brown butter and hand-cut kettle chips.
Dinner is served from 5:30 to 10 pm, and there is brunch every weekend in season from 11 am to 2 pm.
The restaurant is usually open for the summer season. You can follow them on Instagram for the latest information.
The Nantucket Lobster Trap
This seasonal restaurant and bar offer traditional New England-style lobster rolls and Connecticut-style lobster rolls.
The New England-styled one has cold lobster with mayonnaise, fresh lemon, diced celery, and red onion. The Connecticut-style one has warm lobster, which is smothered in herb-infused butter.
The restaurant also has a raw bar where you can eat some oyster samplers and others, and affordable starters, sandwiches, salads, seafood, pasta, and more.
Check their menu out here.
Walter’s Deli
This fast food deli is one of the least expensive and quickest ways to enjoy some amazing lobster rolls in Nantucket.
The lobster roll comes with heaps of fresh lobster meat, generous quantities of butter, and mayo and salad for a very affordable price.
The deli is conveniently located near where people get off and on the ferry for the island, so you can enjoy a lobster roll immediately after stepping onto the island or get one for goodbye next time you visit Nantucket.
Topper’s
Located at The Wauwinet Hotel, Topper’s is an award-winning restaurant. It is the only restaurant in Nantucket that received the AAA Five Diamond award.
Fresh oysters are on the raw bar menu, grown at about 300 yards in the ocean, so talk about sea-to-table. Also included are other seasonal local seafood and ingredients and some New England delicacies.
The lobster roll comes with freshly toasted brioche, mayo, and Boston Bibb lettuce. You can check the rest of the deck menu here.
When you go, you can pick one of the over 1,550 different wines served at the restaurant.
Brant Point Grill
The Brant Point Grill is located at the Harborside Hotel and offers a stunning view of the harbor.
You can enjoy all types of fresh seasonal seafood, as well as grilled steaks and raw oysters, to name a few items on the menu.
Best of all, you will get to taste some amazing lobster roll at Brant Point Grill too. You can enjoy it with the restaurant’s iconic Lobster Bloody Merry, too.
The Charlie Noble
At the Charlie Noble restaurant, you can have some traditional and mouthwatering Chilled New England lobster roll. It is served with celery and lemon aioli, and you can choose whether you prefer a 6-inch or a foot-long toasted brioche option. You can take a look at the other delicious entrees on the menu here.
Check out the official pages and profiles of this Nantucket restaurant on Facebook, Instagram, and Yelp.
Sandbar at Jetties Beach Bar & Restaurant
If you want to experience the best of Nantucket altogether – in other words – eat a lobster roll and enjoy one of the most beautiful beaches on the island, then you should visit the Sandbar at Jetties Beach.
You can go eat a snack and enjoy a drink in your beachwear or bathing suit there and sit on the beach.
The restaurant on the beach includes a raw bar and offers excellent sandwiches, burgers, seafood, and refreshing drinks.
With a cool and friendly staff and fast service, you will want to go back to the Sandbar over and over again when you are in Nantucket.
Check out the photos and posts on the official Facebook page of the restaurant and bar.