Where to Get a Taste of New England in Los Angeles
Whether you like them cold with a zesty mayo or warm and drenched in butter, lobster rolls are the ultimate “sandwich” of summer. This simple yet decadent dish can be found on the menu at both upscale restaurants and laid-back seafood shacks. From brioche buns to caviar toppings, we’ve rounded up some of the best lobster rolls in LA so you can sit back, indulge and savor the last few weeks of summer. Best Lobster Rolls LA
Broad Street Oyster Co.
Broad Street Oyster Co. is a casual yet renowned seafood stand located in the heart of Malibu. The menu includes everything from oysters to the daily crudo, but the warm and buttery lobster roll can’t be missed. If you’re looking to make your lobster roll even more luxurious, you can request to have it topped with caviar or uni. Best of all, Broad Street Oyster Co. is pretty generous with the protein portion.
Location: Malibu
Best Lobster Rolls LA
Savida
Savida is a raw seafood bar that just made itself at home on Montana Ave in June 2022. Though Savida specializes in raw fish, the lobster roll sliders are an innovative and tasty take on this East Coast classic. The crème fraiche and coconut cream bring forth the natural sweetness of the lobster, while the lemongrass adds a hint of vibrancy that takes this dish to the next level. This small slider is the perfect bite-sized dish to cure your craving while still leaving room for some of Savida’s amazing crudos and desserts.
Location: Santa Monica
Best Lobster Rolls LA
Found Oyster
Rather than melted butter or a cold aioli, Found Oyster puts a decadent spin on the lobster roll by dowsing it in a rich and creamy lobster bisque. The lobster bisque roll also has a nice kick due to some serrano chili peppers, and it is served with a side of crispy french fries. For $25, this lobster bisque roll can be elevated with a topping of fresh caviar.
Location: Los Angeles
Blue Plate Oysterette
Located right off Ocean Ave, Blue Plate Oysterette can be recognized by its charming and East Coast-inspired blue and white exterior. All of the seafood here is bought directly from some of the most quality fisherman and oyster farms around the world and is picked up from LAX daily. Depending on what you’re craving, the lobster roll is available warm with butter or cold with a rich house aioli; both are served on a soft and slightly sweet brioche roll.
Location: Santa Monica
Best Lobster Rolls LA
Lobster and Beer
With two locations near the Westside, Lobster and Beer keeps things simple and casual with rustic wooden tables and classic serving trays. As the name suggests, lobster is the star of the show across several dishes, such as the lobster quesadilla and grilled cheese. However, the signature rolls on a brioche bun can’t be beaten. The Cali-style truffle roll combines chilled Maine lobster with rich truffle oil, allowing you to double the decadence.
Location: Santa Monica and Palms
The Albright
What could be better than fresh seafood and an ocean breeze right on the Santa Monica pier? The Albright offers this exact experience, serving everything from fresh-shucked oysters to crab by the pound. When it comes to lobster rolls, you can’t go wrong with the Connecticut roll—served in the traditional manner with melted butter, bright chives and a side of housemade potato chips. Thanks to the use of knuckle and claw meat, the texture is tender without being chewy!
Location: Santa Monica
Best Lobster Rolls LA
Quality Seafood
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Quality Seafood is a laid-back seafood shack located right on the harbor in Redondo Beach. In addition to boasting quality catches, Quality Seafood also has one of the largest selections of seafood on the entire West Coast. The Boardwalk lobster roll uses large chunks of Maine lobster that are dressed in a mixture of mayo, dill, lemon and celery. The zesty and cold concoction contrasts with the toasted and buttery roll, resulting in a balanced yet bold dish.
Location: Redondo Beach
Best Lobster Rolls LA
EMC Seafood and Raw Bar
Though they have since expanded across Southern California, EMC Seafood first laid roots down in Los Angeles in 2013. This modern and industrial seafood joint is famous for its uni pasta, and the menu has everything from shrimp tacos to king crab legs. That said, the lobster roll stands apart from the competition thanks to the tarragon butter, which adds a bittersweet taste that balances out the meaty lobster. It is also topped with flaky sea salt for extra flavor.
Location: Koreatown
Connie and Ted’s
Connie and Ted’s is a spacious West Hollywood staple that brings a taste of New England to the West Coast. In order to keep quality and freshness at the forefront, Chef Michael Cimarusti has Massachusetts lobsters flown in twice a week. The fresh Maine lobster rolls are available both hot and cold, served with either hot drawn butter or zesty mayonnaise. No matter which style you prefer, definitely indulge in a side of crispy and savory french fries.
Location: West Hollywood
Allie Lebos graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2017 with a BA in Communication. While in school she was a staff writer at The Daily Nexus for nearly two years. Since graduating she has written for The Palisades Magazine, as well as Hidden Hills Magazine. Currently living in Santa Monica, Allie loves to indulge in good food, hot yoga, and daily walks along the beach; writing articles on travel, special events, as well as features on local businesses and individuals.
