The Best Lobster Rolls in Connecticut: Where to Find the Real Thing Along the Shoreline
Discover Coastal Connecticut’s Must-Visit Lobster Rolls
When it comes to lobster rolls, Connecticut doesn’t just join the conversation — it started it. Before buttered buns piled high with fresh lobster meat became a summer staple up and down the East Coast, it was right here along the Connecticut shoreline that the lobster roll first made its debut.
A Brief History of the Connecticut Lobster Roll
In 1927, a little seafood joint called Perry’s in Milford is said to have served the very first lobster roll. Unlike the chilled, mayo-drenched versions popularized later in Maine, the Connecticut original was pure, honest, and warm — fresh lobster meat tossed with melted butter, stuffed into a griddled split-top bun. No celery, no filler. Just the taste of the sea, captured between two golden sides of a buttered bun. It’s a tradition that’s lived on, perfected in shingled clam shacks, roadside stands, and salt-sprayed restaurants lining the Long Island Sound.
Today, the Connecticut shoreline remains the ultimate pilgrimage for lobster roll purists. Here’s where to find the best of the best.
Abbott’s Lobster in the Rough — Noank
The classic, perfected.
No list is complete without a stop at Abbott’s, an institution since 1947. Nestled along the Mystic River in Noank, Abbott’s serves up their famous lobster roll just the way it should be — warm, buttery, and brimming with sweet claw and tail meat. Order a seat at one of the picnic tables overlooking the water, crack open a cold beer, and dig in.
Pro Tip: Their lobster roll has repeatedly earned Connecticut Magazines “The Best of Connecticut” award!
https://www.abbottslobster.com/
Ford’s Lobster — Noank
A hidden gem, worth finding.
Just down the road from Abbott’s, Ford’s Lobster started as a bait-and-tackle shop and morphed into one of the shoreline’s best-kept secrets. Their lobster rolls are straightforward and sensational: fresh lobster, warm butter, grilled roll. For those who dare to branch out, Ford’s also offers a “Lobster BLT” that just might make you a believer.
Don’t Miss: Their seasonal outdoor seating — it’s pure Connecticut coastal charm.
https://www.fordslobster.com/
Lobster Landing — Clinton
A shoreline legend.
Walk through the weathered screen door at Lobster Landing, and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Owner Enea Bacci and his team serve one thing: lobster rolls done the old way. Generous heaps of hot lobster, drizzled with lemon butter, tucked into a perfectly grilled sub roll. No mayo. No distractions. Just simple perfection.
Local Secret: Pair it with a bottle of Foxon Park soda for the true Connecticut experience.
https://lobsterlandingct.com/
The Place — Guilford
Lobster with a side of nostalgia.
At The Place, you won’t find white tablecloths or even plates. Instead, you’ll sit on tree stumps around brightly painted tables while seafood roasts over open flames. Their lobster roll is a standout — buttered, toasted, and stacked with juicy lobster — but the rustic, barefoot atmosphere is what makes it sing.
What to Know: Bring cash, a cooler of beer, and your appetite.
https://theplaceguilford.com/
Captain Scott’s Lobster Dock — New London
A dockside dream.
Set right on the edge of Shaw’s Cove, Captain Scott’s serves a hot lobster roll that’s the very definition of seaside comfort. Overflowing with tender meat and dripping in butter, it's everything you want after a day at the beach or a long drive up the coast.
Worth the Trip: Their lobster bisque is creamy, rich, and not to be skipped.
https://captscotts.com/
Why Connecticut’s Lobster Roll Still Reigns Supreme
Unlike their mayonnaise-laden cousins to the north, Connecticut’s hot lobster rolls honor the lobster itself. It's a celebration of simplicity — buttery, sweet, briny — and a testament to the shoreline towns that have kept the tradition alive for nearly a century. Whether you’re grabbing a roll from a dockside shack or a waterside restaurant, each bite tells the same story: of fishermen, family-owned eateries, and the rich maritime heritage that makes the Connecticut shoreline so special.
So next time you're craving the best lobster roll in Connecticut, skip the debate and head straight for the shoreline — where it all began, and where it’s still done best.
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