— When you buy through a link on our site, 10Best may earn a commission. Our editors operate independently of affiliate relationships.
The lobster roll is not a sandwich made for penny pinching with most of the nominated sandwiches coming in around the $20 mark. But as they say, you get what you pay for, and if sweet chunky lobster is what you want it is well worth the price.
There is more debate about the history of and the proper way to make a lobster roll than perhaps any other Readers' Choice sandwich. Some claim it was invented in Maine, considered home to the best lobsters in the world, at Bayley’s Lobster Pound at Pine Point. Others claim it was the Nautilus Tea Room in Marblehead, Massachusetts that came up with the idea.
The debate doesn’t stop at the origins. Should it be dressed in mayonnaise or butter? Does it need celery and paprika or is it better served plain? The most consistent features of a lobster roll are the flat sided, open topped “New England Style” hot dog bun that is buttered and toasted and the lobster chunks – never shredded – to maintain the delicate sweetness of the meat. Several of the region's best lobster rolls are only available in summer and fall as the venues close during the off-season, while others are offered in more upscale establishments year round.
We asked 10Best and USA TODAY readers to help us name the best lobster roll in Maine and Massachusetts. After four weeks of voting, the results are in, and according to readers, Maine wins the battle of the lobster rolls with seven of the top 10 representing the state.
The top 10 winners in the category Best Lobster Roll in Maine/Massachusetts are as follows:
- Bayview Takeout - Beals, Maine
- Bramhall's Country Store - Plymouth, Mass.
- The Clam Shack - Kennebunkport, Maine
- Bite into Maine - Cape Elizabeth, Maine
- Perkins Cove Lobster Shack - Ogunquit, Maine
- Bagaduce Lunch - Penobscot, Maine
- The Lobster Pool - Rockport, Mass.
- Red's Eats - Wiscasset, Maine
- Eventide Oyster Co. - Portland, Maine
- Periwinkles Restaurant - Essex, Mass.
Other eateries nominated in this category included B&G Oysters in Boston; Belle Isle Seafood in Winthrop, Mass.; Chatham Pier Fish Market in Chatham, Mass.; Eagles Nest Restaurant in Brewer, Maine; Five Islands Lobster Co. in Georgetown, Maine; Ipswich Clambake in Ipswich, Mass.; Neptune Oyster in Boston; Roy Moore Lobster Co. in Rockport, Mass; Thurston's Lobster Pound in Bernard, Maine and Windward Grille Restaurant in Essex, Mass.
Congratulations to all our wining restaurants, and remember to keep this list handy next time you're visiting New England!
License the 10Best Readers' Choice Award Logo
The Experts
Jennifer Daskevich
After winning the World Sandwich Championships,... Read More
After winning the World Sandwich Championships, Jennifer took her love of America’s first and still favorite “hand held device” better known as the sandwich, and founded Sandwich America, America’s comprehensive sandwich driven meal occasion platform. Jennifer believes that “a sandwich is the only food genre that is good for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, or a snack.” Jennifer has won numerous cooking competitions and is a restaurateur, wine sommelier, award winning food photographer, TV food personality with NBC Affiliate WFLA in Tampa and appeared on FYI’s original series World Food Championships. She looks forward to embarking on The Great American Sandwich Trail this summer. Socialize with Sandwich America on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Jennifer Daskevich

After winning the World Sandwich Championships, Jennifer took her love of America’s first and still favorite “hand held device” better known as the sandwich, and founded Sandwich America, America’s comprehensive sandwich driven meal occasion platform. Jennifer believes that “a sandwich is the only food genre that is good for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, or a snack.” Jennifer has won numerous cooking competitions and is a restaurateur, wine sommelier, award winning food photographer, TV food personality with NBC Affiliate WFLA in Tampa and appeared on FYI’s original series World Food Championships. She looks forward to embarking on The Great American Sandwich Trail this summer. Socialize with Sandwich America on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Terry French
Terry French, The World’s Extreme Chef, has cooked... Read More
Terry French, The World’s Extreme Chef, has cooked in 86 countries and traveled around the world 8 times. His global-to-local cuisine perspective and belief that “ hand-held ” food is the carrier of food culture may seem in stark contrast to his being born and raised in Evansville, Indiana. But diversity and uncommon is Terry defined. Winning Food Network’s World Extreme Chef in 2012 celebrated his amazing and adventurous life and his “French’s KISS” belief to food – Keeping it simple and sustainable. From Ice fishing with his father and cooking with his mother as a boy to hosting Taste Asia in Times Square, Terry French makes every meal a cuisine adventure. Terry believes that “Hand-held foods and sandwiches are the global cuisine language. From Thai street food to Philly cheese steaks – the world eats with our hands for centuries and now more than ever”. Follow Terry’s Extreme Chef adventures on Facebook and Instagram .
Terry French

Terry French, The World’s Extreme Chef, has cooked in 86 countries and traveled around the world 8 times. His global-to-local cuisine perspective and belief that “ hand-held ” food is the carrier of food culture may seem in stark contrast to his being born and raised in Evansville, Indiana. But diversity and uncommon is Terry defined. Winning Food Network’s World Extreme Chef in 2012 celebrated his amazing and adventurous life and his “French’s KISS” belief to food – Keeping it simple and sustainable. From Ice fishing with his father and cooking with his mother as a boy to hosting Taste Asia in Times Square, Terry French makes every meal a cuisine adventure. Terry believes that “Hand-held foods and sandwiches are the global cuisine language. From Thai street food to Philly cheese steaks – the world eats with our hands for centuries and now more than ever”. Follow Terry’s Extreme Chef adventures on Facebook and Instagram .
Laurie Lufkin
Growing up on the water in Essex, Massachusetts,... Read More
Growing up on the water in Essex, Massachusetts, is a born and bred Yankee and lover of all things New England, especially the local seafood and the iconic lobster roll. Laurie comes from a long line of excellent home cooks and was raised to appreciate the simple pleasure of a home cooked meal with family and friends around the dinner table. Laurie is a local and national recipe contest and cook off winner, a published cookbook contributor, local television cooking show host and has appeared on Food Network and Cooking Channel. Her undisputed favorite lobster roll is at her mother Sue Lufkin’s house “nobody makes better lobster salad than my mom!” Follow Laurie on Facebook and Twitter.
Laurie Lufkin

Growing up on the water in Essex, Massachusetts, is a born and bred Yankee and lover of all things New England, especially the local seafood and the iconic lobster roll. Laurie comes from a long line of excellent home cooks and was raised to appreciate the simple pleasure of a home cooked meal with family and friends around the dinner table. Laurie is a local and national recipe contest and cook off winner, a published cookbook contributor, local television cooking show host and has appeared on Food Network and Cooking Channel. Her undisputed favorite lobster roll is at her mother Sue Lufkin’s house “nobody makes better lobster salad than my mom!” Follow Laurie on Facebook and Twitter.