California Lobster Rush: The Best Spots for Maine Lobster

These days, minor indulgences that don’t break the bank are important. It doesn’t get any better than a dinner of fresh lobster – but even with its amazing, expansive coastline, finding the best lobster in California can be tricky.  

The Golden State is chock full of outstanding restaurants and fish markets, but where can a seafood lover find the best lobster at the most reasonable price? We investigated, and what we learned is that not all lobster joints are created equal. Here’s a summary of what we learned.

California Lobster and Seafood Restaurants

Northern California:

Bay Area and Surrounding Areas

Redwood City is the site of Old Port Lobster Shack (20 Woodside Rd).  They also have a joint housed in Portola Valley (3130 Alpine Rd #300).  Being an informal lobster restaurant, patrons place their orders and then find their own seats.  Their various lobster dishes sided with coleslaw are a little pricier than usual. A coffee cup-sized portion of lobster bisque is $8.75, with both cold and hot lobster in it.  We were confused.

Yankee Pier (3593 Mt Diablo Blvd) is another Bay area seafood restaurant located in the heart of historic Larkspur, CA. You can also find them at the San Francisco International Airport. Here, you can order a “Fresh Maine” Lobster Roll on a griddled brioche bun with housemade kettle chips and coleslaw served chilled or hot for a pricy $29 – $6.50 higher than what it used to be. They also serve their fried Ipswich clam platter.

Sam’s Chowder House (4210 Cabrillo Highway North) is a New England-style seafood restaurant overlooking Half Moon Bay. Sam’s West Coast version of the Lobster roll is its highly-noted signature dish. Unlike the real East Coast version, Sam’s does not use mayonnaise in the mix, just lots of butter on a warm brioche roll. It sells for $26.50 with potato chips and a dollop of coleslaw. Not so sure about the brioche roll with all the butter, but it is well-packed with good chunks of fresh lobster meat. The chowder was not bad, but a little thin compared to a good Boston chowder. For those who can’t manage a trip to Half Moon Bay, Sam’s has its own food truck in the San Francisco Bay area called the Chowdermobile.

Southern California:

King’s Fish House has nine locations throughout southern California (one in Nevada and one in Arizona). Most noteworthy of all its restaurants are its spacious booths and period décor with elegant dark wood.

A common complaint among customers, however, is that it is so loud in these restaurants that you can’t hear your dining companions over the din.  Though you might think this is worth it because of the incredible, budget-friendly prices at King’s Fish House, you’d be wrong.  The lobster is okay but pricey: $46.50-$62.50 per plate minimum.  Their menu is all over the place price-wise.  In the end, you’d probably be better off just cooking at home and turning the television up loudly to get the same quality and atmosphere for a lower price.

Los Angeles County

The Lobster in Santa Monica (1602 Ocean Avenue) boasts an incredible view of the ocean from nearly every table.  Unfortunately, an ocean view only goes so far as the lobster they serve is mediocre – which is somewhat to be expected in a place that looks like a tourist trap.  The prices and service are great but only during happy hour.  If you plan to dine outside of that narrow time window, be prepared to pay tourist prices while getting only cold to lukewarm service.

Another seafood restaurant in Santa Monica, CA, is the BP Oysterette (1355 Ocean Ave).  Besides a phenomenal raw bar, BP makes a Lobster Mac and Cheese with parmesan and truffle oil for $24 and a Lobster Roll on a brioche roll with your choice of side for $26.  You can also find Ipswich Steamers–New England soft shell clams. There’s also an outside patio to enjoy oysters and beer by the beach.

Food trucks have become a popular scene in the Los Angeles, CA, area. One food truck that travels within the LA area sells lobster rolls, aptly named The Lobsta Truck. The main attraction here is the lobster roll, made with fresh lobster meat on a toasted split-top roll with mayo or butter for $13. The bread and lobster meat are flown in from New England. Also on the menu is a crab roll and New England clam chowder.

Did you know who holds the largest Lobster Festival in the United States?  If you guessed the Maine Lobster Festival in Rockland, ME—you guessed wrong.  The Port of Los Angeles Lobster Festival claims to have the largest lobster festival in the world.  For their 201o festival held in September, over 32,000 Maine lobsters were flown in fresh, cooked, and served.

The Lobster Trap in Avalon (128 Catalina Avenue) has helpful, friendly staff and serves generous portions of lobster.  The lobster roll, however, was filled with virtually tasteless lobster (except for excessive amounts of salt) and was ice cold when served.  The rice was equally without flavor.  Because the roll wasn’t toasted, it began to fall apart after being soaked with its lobster filling.  The prices are reasonable, however.  It’s an okay place in a pinch, but don’t rush to The Lobster Trap if you’re hoping for top-notch quality bites to eat.

San Diego County

Oceanside’s Rockin’ Baja Lobster Bar & Grill (258 Harbor Dr) serves Baja lobster (not real Maine lobster) in many different forms, all with a Mexican cuisine flair.  If you prefer this style of lobster, the prices are reasonable at about $19 per person for their Lobster Tails Bucket.  The atmosphere is extremely casual – it’s not a bad deal if you don’t mind everything on the menu coming in a bucket (except the margaritas), and everything is cooked with Mexican sauces and spices.

Best Lobster Delivered to California

The best deal we found was LobsterAnywhere.com, which offers live Maine lobster delivered fresh to your door anywhere in the USA the next morning!

Located in New England (arguably, where all good lobster comes from), LobsterAnywhere.com gets its seafood directly from the Atlantic Ocean via trusted suppliers and ships it so it arrives at its peak freshness.

This company offers whole lobsters, tails, meat, and rolls in different portion sizes and weights. Other shellfish, shrimp, chowder, desserts and sweets, and a variety of scrumptious starters are also available for the full seafood experience. The prices are favorable, and the result is a high-quality dinner quickly delivered fresh to your door. Try it!

Best Lobster Restaurants USA: A State-by-State Guide

Do you live in a landlocked state, or are you traveling to the East Coast for seafood at a local lobster shack? We’ve listed our top spots for the best lobster in the United States. Plus, we have some fun information on the history of lobster rolls and recipes for more than just hot and cold Lobster rolls.

• Texas: Pinpoints top Texas locations for Maine lobster, from bustling cities like Houston and Dallas to coastal areas, for sourcing and savoring lobster.
• California: Find the best places in California to enjoy Maine lobster. While finding quality lobster at a reasonable price can be tricky, there are options in both Northern and Southern California. Some restaurants and markets include Old Port Lobster Shack, Yankee Pier, King’s Fish House, and The Lobster in Santa Monica. For guaranteed Maine lobster, LobsterAnywhere.com delivers fresh lobster anywhere in the USA.
• Ohio: Find quality lobster in landlocked Ohio by highlighting specialty seafood markets that ensure freshness through rapid delivery, live tanks, and restaurants with expert seafood preparation.
• Minnesota: Despite being a landlocked state, Minnesota offers delicious lobster dishes and fresh Maine lobster. The article highlights restaurants like 801Fish, The Oceanaire Seafood Room, and Smack Shack in Minneapolis, as well as markets such as American Fish and Seafood and Kowalski’s, where you can find high-quality lobster.
• Virginia: This guide on where to find the best lobster in Virginia highlights top restaurants in cities like Richmond, Virginia Beach, and Arlington. Don’t forget that LobsterAnywhere is a convenient option for fresh lobster delivery.
• Georgia: Find the best places in Georgia to enjoy lobster, including restaurants in Atlanta, Savannah, and St. Simons Island, as well as markets for buying live lobster.
• North Carolina: Find the best lobster in North Carolina, highlighting restaurants and seafood markets in major cities like Charlotte, Asheville, and Raleigh. Order top-notch lobster meat online and ship it to your home.
• Pennsylvania: Find the best places to enjoy lobster in Pennsylvania, highlighting restaurants and markets in cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. You can also order fresh lobster to be shipped directly to your home LobsterAnywhere.
• New Jersey: Find the best lobster in New Jersey, covering restaurants and markets from the shore to inland cities.
• Illinois: Despite Illinois’ landlocked location, you can find fresh Maine lobster in Illinois through reputable seafood markets that prioritize quick delivery and live tanks or by dining at restaurants known for their expertly prepared seafood dishes.
• Florida: While Florida has its own lobster, many restaurants across the state, from the Panhandle to South Florida, serve Maine lobster. Check out some Florida restaurants that serve Maine lobster.
• Boston, Massachusetts: This article highlights the best spots in Boston for lobster rolls, from well-known restaurants to hidden gems. They offer both classic cold and hot buttered versions. Don’t forget LobsterAnywhere’s lobster roll kits for at-home enjoyment.
• New England Lobster Shacks: Experience the quintessential New England tradition by exploring seasonal lobster shacks across Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Vermont, where you can savor fresh catches such as lobster, shrimp, scallops, haddock, clams, mussels, and crab in a relaxed atmosphere. This article highlights notable shacks throughout these states, emphasizing their unique offerings and the pleasure of dining on seafood with waterfront views.
• History of Lobster Rolls: Did you know the humble lobster roll started as a simple sandwich in Connecticut back in the 1920s? This iconic New England dish journeyed up the coast and evolved into a gourmet favorite enjoyed nationwide. Want to dive deeper into the delicious lobster roll history?
• Recipes for Lobster Rolls: Dreaming of the perfect lobster roll? This page offers more than just one way to enjoy this coastal delight, guiding you through a classic preparation and even suggesting variations for warm and cold options. Ready to explore all the delicious possibilities and learn how to make your own incredible lobster rolls? Discover the different lobster roll recipes!