Neptune Oyster Lobster Roll

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Neptune Oyster Lobster Roll

Founded in 2004, Neptune Oyster quietly opened in a snug 37-seat space on Salem Street, quickly earning a reputation as a pioneer of New England seafood in Boston’s historic North End. Located at 63 Salem Street, the restaurant transformed a neighborhood known for Italian trattorias into a seafood mecca. Owner Jeff Nace, inspired by Parisian oyster bars and his own love of fresh shellfish, designed an intimate, pressed-tin-ceiling dining room that seats diners shoulder-to-shoulder under soft lighting.

Neptune Oyster’s menu focuses on raw bar offerings—Kumamoto and Blue Point oysters—alongside crudos and an ever-changing list of coastal wines. Its lobster roll, available both hot with butter and cold with mayo, has been lauded by Bon Appétit as “truly memorable” and “overflowing with sizable chunks of lobster.” The restaurant also surprises guests with its fluffy johnnycake—slathered in honey butter and topped with caviar—which Bon Appétit declared the best item on the menu.

Reviews on Tripadvisor consistently rank Neptune Oyster among Boston’s top seafood spots, with a 4.4-star rating from over 2,000 reviews. Despite its small footprint and no-reservation policy, patrons willingly queue for hours, drawn by both its warm hospitality and uncompromising quality. The restaurant’s influence extends beyond Boston; it has inspired a wave of intimate, seafood-focused eateries across the country.

By modernizing New England classics within the city’s oldest neighborhood, Neptune Oyster has cemented its status as a culinary icon and a must-visit destination for seafood aficionados.

NeptuneOyster.com

A Deep Dive Into the Delicious World of Lobster Rolls

There’s something about a Lobster Roll that feels like summer bottled up in a toasted bun. It’s a sandwich with swagger—simple, iconic, and deeply rooted in New England coastal culture. At its core, a lobster roll is freshly cooked lobster meat—claw, knuckle, tail—tucked into a split-top bun. But from there, the variations spark fierce local loyalty and plenty of delicious debate.

The Connecticut-style lobster roll is served warm with lobster meat bathed in drawn butter—rich, silky, and undeniably decadent. Head north into Maine, and you’ll encounter the cold version, where chilled lobster is lightly dressed in mayonnaise, sometimes with a dusting of celery or chives. Purists insist it’s all about the meat: sweet, tender, and kissed by the sea.

The roll itself is just as important. The classic New England split-top hot dog bun, buttered and griddled to golden perfection, is the traditional vessel—flat sides allow for that essential crispy exterior.

The lobster roll’s exact origin is murky, but many credit Perry’s restaurant in Milford, Connecticut, for popularizing the buttered version in the 1920s. Over the decades, it became a summer staple along the northeastern seaboard, especially in Maine, Massachusetts, and coastal New Hampshire, and has now spread to seafood-centric spots nationwide.

If you’re after the best, head to Neptune Oyster in Boston, Red’s Eats in Wiscasset, Maine, or The Clam Shack in Kennebunkport. For a hidden gem, try McLoons Lobster Shack in South Thomaston, perched on a dock with unbeatable views.

A good lobster roll is all about balance: rich but not heavy, indulgent but not overdone, familiar yet always exciting. Whether you prefer it buttered or mayo-slicked, one thing’s certain—it’s not just a sandwich. It’s a rite of summer, a bite of the coast, and one of America’s most craveable regional delicacies.

Luke’s Lobster Lobster Roll

Luke’s Lobster Lobster Roll is a pristine, no-frills masterpiece featuring sweet, sustainably sourced lobster meat piled high in a buttered, griddled split-top bun with just a whisper of lemon butter, mayo and their signature seasoning – letting the lobster shine like the star it is.

Make this Straight-From-the-Restaurant Luke’s Lobster Lobster Roll Recipe at home and your Lobster Roll will taste just like Luke’s Lobster.

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Carrabba’s Italian Grill Lobster Macaroni and Cheese

Carrabba’s Italian Grill Lobster Macaroni and Cheese is a decadent dish that combines tender lobster with creamy macaroni and cheese, creating a rich and indulgent flavor experience.

Make our Carrabba’s Italian Grill Lobster Macaroni and Cheese Recipe at home tonight for your family.

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Eddie V’s Prime Seafood Lobster Tacos

Made with butter-poached lobster flour tortillas, with grilled corn pico, avocado, remoulade sauce and cotija cheese, Eddie V’s Prime Seafood Lobster Tacos are some amazing high-end tacos.

Make this Straight-From-the-Restaurant Eddie V’s Prime Seafood Lobster Tacos Recipe at home.

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Red Lobster Shrimp Nachos

Red Lobster’s Shrimp Nachos are a flavorful appetizer featuring crispy tortilla chips topped with tender shrimp, creamy cheddar cheese sauce, fresh pico de gallo, and a zesty drizzle of sour cream.

Make our Red Lobster Shrimp Nachos Recipe at home tonight for your family. With our Secret Restaurant Recipe your Shrimp Nachos will taste just like Red Lobster’s.

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Be Sure to Try These Delicious Appetizer Recipes from Your Favorite Seafood Restaurants and Our Readers and Friends

Click on any Name below for the Recipe

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• Disney’s Cap’n Jack’s Oyster Bar Clam Dip Recipe
• Anthony’s Fish Grotto Grilled Shrimp Recipe
• Red Lobster Parrot Bay Coconut Shrimp Recipe
• Bonefish Grill Bang Bang Shrimp Restaurant Recipe and Party Recipe

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