Did you know that as late as the 1850’s, lobster sold for less than a can of Boston baked beans?
In 2024, the days of 11 cents per pound lobster are fixed firmly in the rearview mirror, and in their place stand posh restaurants serving perfectly cooked crustaceans for hundreds of dollars.
For example, Chicago, one of the nation’s finest culinary cities, dishes out countless restaurants offering the best place to buy lobster in Illinois.
If you’re craving buttery, meaty, mouth-wateringly good lobster in Chicago and the state, dive into the following picks for where to buy lobster in Illinois.
The Best Restaurants to Buy Lobster in Illinois
Best Place to Buy Lobster in Chicago
Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab: Joe’s in Chicago is beloved for its famous Florida Stone Crab dishes, but its Grilled Seafood Platter serves up some of the best lobster tail in Chicago. The dish starts at $59.95.
Bob Chinn’s Crab House: Located just north of Chicago in Wheeling, locals love the lobster meat they get from Bob Chinn’s. Their popular tender morsels of South African lobster meat are paired with your choice of fried rice, stir fry, lo mein, or pasta for just $32. You can also grab their Lobster Roll Sandwich made from New England lobster meat, and their South African Lobster Tails, starting at $50, are also popular picks from Bob Chinn’s.
Boston Fish Market: In Des Plaines, IL, near Chicago, is the Boston Fish Market. Their menu includes decadent lobster dishes like their Australian lobster tail and crab leg Surf & Turf, starting at $169.99
RMP Seafood: Another excellent option for chilled Maine lobster is RMP Seafood. This chic multi-level restaurant offers social media-worthy lobster options, from butter-poached to Maine lobster tempura. This is a date-night-friendly place to buy lobster in Chicago. Dishes start at $53 per plate.
Best Place to Buy Lobster in Springfield
Robert’s Seafood Market: Perhaps the best and only spot to grab lobster tail in Springfield, they also offer live lobster and frozen lobster at Robert’s Seafood Market for great prices. If you live in Springfield, Illinois, and craving fresh lobster, check out Robert’s.
Hidden Lobster Gems & Local Favorites in Illinois
Sometimes, the best lobster is found in hard-to-find spots. If you’ve been searching, where can I buy lobster in Illinois? These hidden spots might be just what you’ve been looking for.
Trivoli Tavern has an incredible location in Chicago and an outstanding ambiance. The main restaurant also owns the Lobster Bar, which serves melt-in-your-mouth lobster mac and cheese, among other popular lobster dishes. Customers rave about the old-Chicago-style ambiance and location.
Shaw’s is a killer spot for Lobster Bisque, Lobster Macaroni & Cheese, and the must-experience Grand Seafood Tower featuring everything from crab claws to Maine lobster tails for $180. Shaw’s is located at 21 E—Hubbard St in Chicago.
The Happy Lobster Seafood Truck is quite literally difficult to find. Their menu serves patrons fresh-caught and flown-in Maine lobster and locally baked bread. Choose from lobster grilled cheese, Maine lobster rolls, and much more. Visit their site to find their truck.
Seafood Markets to Buy Lobster in Chicago, Illinois
Want to buy the best place to buy lobster in Illinois? DiCola’s Seafood market is open six days a week at 10754 S Western Chicago, IL.
The Fishguy market sells your choice of live lobster from a saltwater tank. Their seafood is so fresh you can pick it out yourself! You can visit this seafood market at 4423 N. Elston Ave in Chicago.
Events and Festivals to Buy the Best Lobster in Illinois
The best place to buy lobster in Illinois might be a festival. The Great American Lobster Fest in Chicago happens once a year at the city’s iconic Navy Pier.
Explore their selection of tasty live lobster flown in fresh from the East Coast alongside a hearty selection of cold beverages, craft pop-ups, and live music.
Buy high-quality lobster at the festival as you enjoy incredible views of Lake Michigan on August 10th and 11th, 2024. Check the site for more information.
Where Can I Buy Lobster in Illinois from Home?
The best place to buy lobster in Illinois might be your computer. LobsterAnywhere offers a healthy selection of fresh lobster. We go beyond lobster tails and provide a variety of lobster-inspired dishes, like lobster bisque and lobster rolls, all in one convenient spot.
Based out of New England, our lobsters are better than any in Illinois. We ship quickly to provide exceptional freshness. Our prices are highly competitive, making us a great place to shop for gifts. You can try our lobsters or ship them to a loved one with a few short clicks.
Check out our selection of lobsters to learn more!
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.
- Connecticut: Showcases top-notch lobster rolls across Connecticut, emphasizing the popular Nutmeg State preparation featuring warm, buttered lobster in a grilled split-top bun, typically skipping the mayo. Several restaurants renowned for their delicious Connecticut-style rolls are mentioned.
- 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!