TOP 15 SPECIALTY LOBSTER ITEMS IN CONNECTICUT YOU NEED TO TRY THIS SUMMER
The iconic lobster roll may be CT’s bread-and-butter, but here are 15 twists on the New England staple that will have you re-mapping your summer seafood itinerary.
Check with each business’s social media or website before visiting to confirm updated information, availability, and pricing.
LOBSTER GNOCCHI- 29 MARKLE CT, BRIDGEPORT
Served with chili oil and caviar toast
PRICE: market price
AVAILABILITY: specialty menu item, menu changes often
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: award winning, upscale, culturally vibrant and cutting edge
LOBSTER CORN DOG- The INISHOR, COLCHESTER
Fresh lobster claw meat, battered and fried on a stick, then drizzled with light lemon aoioli. The corn meal and shaved corn is organic and comes from Colchester’s Savitsky family farm.
PRICE: market price
AVAILABILITY: Seasonal only and featured as a frequent, popular special menu item (the Inishor is hoping to be open by May 8th, 2026 and their hours will be Thurs- Sun 12-8pm)
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Offers outside dining, does not take reservations, their year round pub the Inishmor is up the road (the lobster corn dog is only available at the Inishor)
Most of their menu is sourced from local Colchester and Haddam farms, including organic beef, pork, and produce.
LOBSTER STUFFED AVOCADOS- DOG WATCH CAFE, STONINGTON
Fresh lobster salad, Pico de Gallo, Cilantro Lime Crema
PRICE: 18
AVAILABILITY: Year round, not seasonal
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: beautiful outdoor seating, located in a boatyard, other sister locations in the borough and Mystic, their merch sales support a local dog rescue ❤️
FULLY LOADED BLOODY MARY- Flanders Fish, East Lyme
Ketel citron, house tears of joy bloody mary mix, 2 shrimp cocktail, lobster tail, candied bacon, jalapenos, cheddar + an oyster shooter
PRICE: 40
AVAILABILITY: Year round
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Award winning seafood since 1983, restaurant and fresh fish market as well, outdoor seating, famous $8 fish and chips meal deal every Tuesday
LOADED LOBSTER BAKED POTATO- DRIFT, ESSEX
Overflowing with lobster, sour cream, cheese, bacon, and scallions
PRICE: market price
AVAILABILITY: *temporary, specialty item featured on their “Little E” fair-themed menu during late summer/early fall
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: waterfront restaurant on the CT river, “bold, creative coastal cuisine made from scratch, with a focus on fresh, local ingredients and vibrant flavors”. Other specialty lobster dishes on their menu include lobster rangoons (regular menu) and lobster guac (special)
LOBSTER & AVOCADO GRILLED CHEESE-FORD’s BLACK AND BLUE, NOANK
¼ lb of fresh picked lobster served on buttery grilled bread with American cheese. A Ford’s favorite!
PRICE: market price
AVAILABILITY: year round, not seasonal
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: it used to be ‘Ford’s Lobsters’ and then in 2024 moved/expanded to it’s current location up the street next at Spicer’s Marina, indoor seating
fun fact: 2010 Noankers will remember- Ford’s restaurant started out as a hot dog cart!
LOBSTER ENCHILADAS- Sayulita, South Glastonbury
Sherry habanero créme, caramelized onion and poblano rajas crema, sayulita rice, and black beans
PRICE: 39
AVAILABILITY: year round, not seasonal
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: typically busy and does not accept reservations, outdoor seating, casual and vibrant atmosphere, second smaller location also in Essex
LOBSTER PIZZA- NICKY’s PLACE, EAST HAVEN
Nicknamed “The Italian Lobster Roll”. Chunks of fresh lobster sauteed in garlic wine sauce on top of their award winning, hand-tossed, thin crust New Haven-style pizza
PRICE: 84
AVAILABILITY: Year round
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: vibrant, friendly atmosphere, voted Best Sports Bar in New Haven County for 2025
SEAFOOD POT PIE- The White Horse, New pReston
Shrimp, lobster, and sea scallops in a rich sauce with peas, corn, onions, fennel, *Pernod baked and topped with golden pastry
PRICE: 42
AVAILABILITY: Year round, not seasonal
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Yes, the pot pie comes with a tiny puff pastry horse on top.
Award winning British-themed tavern, picturesque outdoor seating with flowers and a waterfall, elegant food with a relaxed ‘country club casual’ atmosphere
*Pernod is an Anise flavoured liquer originating from France. Created shortly after the banning of Absinthe, a very strong anise flavoured moonshine strength liquer.
LOBSTER TOTS- Cousins Maine Lobster (truck), Greater Connecticut
Tater tots served with warmed, wild caught Maine lobster, cilantro lime sauce, pico de gallo
PRICE: 23.50
AVAILABILITY: Year round, not seasonal
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: No brick-and-mortar sports in CT, check their website for food truck calendar, available across the state, Cousins Maine Lobster was featured on Shark Tank and The Today Show
LOBSTER CREPE- TURTLE CAFE, WESTBROOK
Fresh lobster, sauteed spinach, and goat cheese loaded inside a light homemade crepe and finished with a lemon cream sauce
PRICE: 21.95
AVAILABILITY: Year round, not seasonal
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: cozy, beloved neighborhood cafe, outside seating, breakfast and lunch only, no reservations, lobster benedict and lobster omelet
LOBSTER NACHOS- Shanks, Clinton
Heaping pile of house-made chips, mango pineapple pico, cheddar cheese, avocado, tomatoes, & a side of butter
PRICE: market price
AVAILABILITY: Seasonal, opens May 21, 2026 this season
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: waterfront dining, live music, BYOB, dog friendly, transient boat slips available, they “offer classic New England fry, healthy choices, and land-lubber options”
oh AND Shanks is a literal boat! It’s a state-of-the-art commercial kitchen converted from a decommissioned 1974 research vessel- you order at the boat window and enjoy two levels of open air, dockside seating
LOBSTER MAC N CHEESE- Lobster Shack, East Haven
Creamy macaroni with tender lobster chunks, baked in a trio of melted cheeses
PRICE: 36
AVAILABILITY: Year round, not seasonal
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: waterfront with outdoor seating, originally in Branford, $10 fish and chips platter on Mondays, also owners of the delicious Coastal Crust pizza in East Lyme (Flanders) and the The Stand (powered by Coastal Crust) on Crescent Beach in Niantic
LOBSTER DEVILED EGGS- AbbotT’s In The Rough, Noank
Prepared traditionally and topped with fresh lobster
PRICE: 7,99 per 6 halves
AVAILABILITY: Seasonal (opens May 1 in 2026)
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Iconic, est 1947, casual, no reservations, BYOB, be sure to put ‘Groton’ in your GPS (it may not recognize ‘Noank’)
LOBSTER STUFFED MUSHROOMS- Sam the Clam, Southington
Mild earthy flavored Silver Dollar mushrooms with our house made lobster stuffing.
PRICE: 15
AVAILABILITY: Year round, not seasonal
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Cozy and whimsical with a nautical theme, patio with a tiki bar. They also have LOBSTER JALAPENO STUFFED MUSHROOMS
I KNOW WE SAID NO LOBSTER ROLLS BUTTTTTT
THE LOBZILLA- DONAHUE’S Clam Castle, Madison
The world’s biggest lobster roll, bursting with 2 lbs of fresh lobster warmed and dripping with butter in a 2 foot long toasted Lupi NE roll
PRICE: 180
AVAILABILITY: Seasonal
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: A beloved shoreline icon for over 60 years, outdoor seating as well, pairs perfectly with a day at Hammonasset
Check out our full database of every play cafe and indoor playground in Connecticut, searchable by town, ages, and special features.
