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When it comes to food, there is no food more emblematic of the northwest of the United States than the lobster roll. Eateries in the Hamptons have been making incredible lobster rolls for years, but not all of them are made equal. The best lobster rolls in the Hamptons stand out above the rest – and they’re not always to be found in the institutions that you’d expect to find them in.
It’s not a stretch to say that a trip to the Hamptons isn’t quite complete without enjoying a lobster roll in the sunshine, either sitting at a restaurant or beachside. But no matter where you enjoy your lobster roll, if you get your lobster roll from one of these eateries, you’ll be guaranteed a fresh and super tasty lobster roll. And eating a lobster roll is one of the essential things you must to do in the Hamptons.
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Best Lobster Roll in Amagansett
LUNCH
The quintessential lobster roll eatery, LUNCH has been serving up some of the best lobster rolls in the Hamptons for quite literally half a century – in fact, even their website domain is lobsterroll.com, so you know they take the lobster roll very seriously.
We’re glad to say that it’s not just all talk and no (tasty) bite at LUNCH: the team really does know exactly what they’re doing, so you’re going to get one of the freshest and tastiest lobster rolls every single time. LUNCH also makes lobster rolls in many different ways, so if you want a cold roll, hot roll or a roll with a bit more pizzazz (check out their special), LUNCH will keep you very satisfied.
We recommend you go to LUNCH before or after lunch rush. After all, this is an institution in the Hamptons.
Don’t expect anything fancy; rather, this is a no-frills lobster roll establishment that knows what they’re doing and knows how to do it well. LUNCH now has two locations: the original in Amagansett (which is also the location that the diner in The Affair was based on), and Southampton. Either way, it’ll be busy – and the lobster roll will be very, very good.
Clam Bar
Another institution in the Hamptons, the Clam Bar sits basically directly across the road from LUNCH on the Montauk Highway in Amagansett. (I think this narrow stretch of land needs to be studied given it is home to two of the best lobster rolls in the Hamptons.)
Hamptons locals will often tell you that if you can’t get a seat for a lobster roll at LUNCH, go to the Clam Bar instead – and maybe, just maybe, the entrepreneurial proprietor of the Clam Bar strategically positioned their eatery in front of LUNCH for that reason. But having tried both the lobster roll at LUNCH and at Clam Bar, it’s simply not fair to say that the lobster roll at the Clam Bar is second to that of LUNCH.
Our view is that you will be getting an incredibly tasty lobster roll at the Clam Bar that is at least as good as that of LUNCH. The décor and vibe at the Clam Bar is also super cool. If you want the best lobster on something other than a brioche roll, the lobster BLT at the Clam Bar is made to perfection.
Best Lobster Roll in Montauk
Duryea’s
Duryea’s offers probably the most upscale reservation for a lobster roll (and upscale does also mean a higher price tag of about US$50). We’re glad to say it’s not just the stunning location on the water in Montauk that you’re paying for: the lobster roll itself really is incredibly well done and holds its own against the best lobster rolls in this list.
The space that you’ll want to ask for a reservation at is the called the Lobster Deck. When a restaurant decides that just one food is its speciality, you can usually expect that they’re going to put in a lot of effort. Duryea’s is also very popular with locals in the Hamptons, which means they aren’t just getting away with a basic lobster roll – locals expect the best if you expect their return custom.
But above all, Duryea’s offers unequivocally the most beautiful of settings to enjoy your lobster roll. We recommend that you go at noon for the best experience. And if you need something more than a lobster roll, the Cobb salad at Duryea’s is also impressively good.
Gosman’s
Beyond serving one of the best lobster rolls in the Hamptons, Gosman’s is also a cool experience. The restaurant is located at the edge of Montauk Harbor so you can get your lobster roll to take away and walk around the area. Unlike Duryea’s where eating the lobster roll on site is part of the experience, Gosman’s Clam Bar is a great place to get a quick and reliably tasty lobster roll without the bells and whistles.
One of the best things to do in Montauk is simply to grab a lobster roll and walk around the marina. You’ll find many options for a lobster roll in the area, but we think one of the best lobster rolls in the Hamptons (and in Montauk specifically) is at Gosman’s. You won’t be disappointed with the Gosman’s lobster roll.
Best Lobster Roll in Sag Harbor
The Dock House
We think that that Sag Harbor has some of the best restaurants in the Hamptons generally, so when the bar is set so high, you can fully expect an incredibly tasty lobster roll when dining in Sag Harbor. We think the best of them is to be found at The Dock House. The lobster itself is fresh and full of flavor, but there is also something to be said for the stunning location on the wharf in Sag Harbor.
What is particularly inviting about The Dock House is that the building the restaurant is housed in truly looks like the traditional American lobster shack of a bygone era which just can’t be replicated. Eating a lobster roll at The Dock House is an experience, if for no other reason than its yesteryear charm (and, of course, the consistently tasty lobster roll).
And 1 to Reconsider
Bostwick’s Chowder House left us a little wanting. We were absolutely sure that Bostwick’s should make the list of the best lobster rolls in the Hamptons, but we didn’t think it lived up to expectations. That’s not to say that it’s a bad lobster roll by any means, but rather than it didn’t stack up against the best lobster rolls in the Hamptons (and when there are so many great options, why go with a less-than-great option).
Having said that, Bostwick’s has a great setup and vibe. The decoration of the space is really well done – it feels like a modern lobster shack but without the pretentiousness you might otherwise expect. They’ve created a more casual, laidback atmosphere which is perfect for those summertime days where it feels a little too hot to be fancy.
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