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Lobster Roll at Sawyer
Lobster Roll at Sawyer
Crystal Coser

21 Fancy Lobster Rolls to Try in Los Angeles, 2017 Edition

The fanciest of sandwiches, just in time for warm weather

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Lobster Roll at Sawyer
| Crystal Coser

With a buttered bun, fresh lobster meat, and boatload of drawn butter or mayonnaise, the lobster roll has all the makings of a decadent meal. While the luxurious sandwich has been popular on the East Coast for nearly a hundred years, its rise in popularity in Los Angeles has been a relatively recent phenomenon. L.A. eateries have embraced a variety of takes on the classic dish: warm meat drenched in butter, cold with mayonnaise, and unique approaches that are entirely the restaurant's own. Here now, 21 of the best in the City of Angels.

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With warm lobster rolls dressed with beurre monte, tarragon, and parsley served in Sawyer’s pleasant patio, it’s no wonder happy vibes abound in the hip Silver Lake eatery.

Laurel Point Restaurant

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Studio City seafood haven Laurel Point serves warm, butter-poached lobster with a side of grilled lemon housemade dill waffle chips for textural contrast.

Bottlefish

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Brentwood’s Bottlefish adds an extra kick to its lobster by tossing it with lemon-chili mayonnaise before sandwiching the delicate meat in a brioche bun.

Captain Kidd's

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Redondo Beach landmark Captain Kidd’s has been a South Bay seafood staple for 40 years, and with its massive housemade roll comprised of North Atlantic lobster mixed with mayonnaise and topped with crispy lettuce, it’s no surprise why.

Captain Kidd's

Joan's on Third

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While technically only a special, it isn’t hard to find Joan’s on Third’s lobster roll available on most days of the week. This extra-long roll is more of a lobster salad, doused in mayo with nice bits of crunchy vegetables.

Cape Seafood and Provisions

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Not only can you get chef Michael Cimarusti’s iconic lobster roll at Connie & Ted’s, but you can also get it at his seafood marketplace, Cape Seafood Provisions. Unlike the Connie & Ted’s roll that is simply served with drawn butter or mayonnaise, this one mixes it up with celery and chives blended into the mayo. Buns for both lobster rolls are made in house at Connie & Ted’s.

Nelson's

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Drive down to Terranea for stunning Cliffside views and citrus aioli-dressed lobster roll that can be had with exceptional sweet potato fries.

The Anchor

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Is the standard issue lobster roll not fancy enough for you? Venice’s The Anchor serves theirs topped with black truffle for a real study in decadence.

The Lobster

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Santa Monica’s iconic restaurant The Lobster underwent a fresh facelift, making it a sleek new spot to enjoy its namesake roll with little gem and Japanese mayo on a toasted butter roll.

Playa Provisions

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Brooke Williamson’s family of Playa Del Rey restaurants offers its take on the lobster roll with pickled mustard seed, celery, and crushed potato chips at the restaurant’s grab-and-go market counter King Beach and seafood spot Dockside.

The Albright

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Located right on the Santa Monica Pier, The Albright is quite the picturesque spot to enjoy its straightforward lobster roll with light mayo, chives and celery.

Connie and Ted's

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It is no surprise that Providence’s Michael Cimarusti puts out a perfectly executed lobster roll. Connie & Teds embraces the two classic variations of the dish and offers it hot with drawn butter or cold with mayonnaise.

Hinoki & The Bird

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Perhaps the most unique in the city, Hinoki & The Bird’s lobster roll is a visual stunner: sweet lobster meet is accented with a touch of green curry and Thai basil and enveloped in a black charcoal bun for a sandwich that exhibits extraordinary contrast in color and flavor.

Son of a Gun

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The Animal duo can seemingly do no wrong, and their itsy bitsy lobster roll is no exception. Buttery buns are piled high with lobster meat and accented with potato chips for a nice crunch. Just be prepared to inhale the sandwich in about two bites, and don’t attempt to share.

Lobsta Truck

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One of the most affordable options priced at $13, the Lobsta Truck’s lobster roll comes dressed with butter or seasoned mayo. Check Twitter for locations.

Hungry Cat

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While The Hungry Cat’s lobster roll deviates from the purist drawn butter varieties, the lobster salad filing composed of lemon aioli, herbs, and celery is undeniably delicious, especially when encased in its buttery challah roll.

The Water Grill

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The Water Grill offers a purist’s version of the sandwich. Simply dressed in butter and topped with a little chive, this roll is all about savoring the lobster meat.

Santa Monica Seafood

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There’s something that just feels right about enjoying a lobster roll in a fish market. Here the straightforward roll is flavored with lemon aioli and chives and is served with fries.

Cousins Maine Lobster

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Shark Tank darlings and, as the name would have it, cousins Jim Tselikis and Sabin Lomac have enjoyed a good deal of success with a fleet of lobster roll trucks roving throughout the country. Those looking for a sit down meal can enjoy their rolls in their new brick and mortar in West Hollywood.

Blue Plate Oysterette

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This Santa Monica seafood haven serves its lobster rolls on an ultra buttery brioche bun stuffed with a heaping portion of lobster. Each order comes with Old Bay fries and a side of butter for ultra-indulgent dunking.

EMC Seafood And Raw Bar

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Want a mini roll to accompany your seafood feast? EMC offers both regular and mini-sized lobster rolls that are made with tarragon butter and a healthy sprinkle of sea salt.

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Sawyer

With warm lobster rolls dressed with beurre monte, tarragon, and parsley served in Sawyer’s pleasant patio, it’s no wonder happy vibes abound in the hip Silver Lake eatery.

Laurel Point Restaurant

Studio City seafood haven Laurel Point serves warm, butter-poached lobster with a side of grilled lemon housemade dill waffle chips for textural contrast.

Bottlefish

Brentwood’s Bottlefish adds an extra kick to its lobster by tossing it with lemon-chili mayonnaise before sandwiching the delicate meat in a brioche bun.

Captain Kidd's

Redondo Beach landmark Captain Kidd’s has been a South Bay seafood staple for 40 years, and with its massive housemade roll comprised of North Atlantic lobster mixed with mayonnaise and topped with crispy lettuce, it’s no surprise why.

Captain Kidd's

Joan's on Third

While technically only a special, it isn’t hard to find Joan’s on Third’s lobster roll available on most days of the week. This extra-long roll is more of a lobster salad, doused in mayo with nice bits of crunchy vegetables.

Cape Seafood and Provisions

Not only can you get chef Michael Cimarusti’s iconic lobster roll at Connie & Ted’s, but you can also get it at his seafood marketplace, Cape Seafood Provisions. Unlike the Connie & Ted’s roll that is simply served with drawn butter or mayonnaise, this one mixes it up with celery and chives blended into the mayo. Buns for both lobster rolls are made in house at Connie & Ted’s.

Nelson's

Drive down to Terranea for stunning Cliffside views and citrus aioli-dressed lobster roll that can be had with exceptional sweet potato fries.

The Anchor

Is the standard issue lobster roll not fancy enough for you? Venice’s The Anchor serves theirs topped with black truffle for a real study in decadence.

The Lobster

Santa Monica’s iconic restaurant The Lobster underwent a fresh facelift, making it a sleek new spot to enjoy its namesake roll with little gem and Japanese mayo on a toasted butter roll.

Playa Provisions

Brooke Williamson’s family of Playa Del Rey restaurants offers its take on the lobster roll with pickled mustard seed, celery, and crushed potato chips at the restaurant’s grab-and-go market counter King Beach and seafood spot Dockside.

The Albright

Located right on the Santa Monica Pier, The Albright is quite the picturesque spot to enjoy its straightforward lobster roll with light mayo, chives and celery.

Connie and Ted's

It is no surprise that Providence’s Michael Cimarusti puts out a perfectly executed lobster roll. Connie & Teds embraces the two classic variations of the dish and offers it hot with drawn butter or cold with mayonnaise.

Hinoki & The Bird

Perhaps the most unique in the city, Hinoki & The Bird’s lobster roll is a visual stunner: sweet lobster meet is accented with a touch of green curry and Thai basil and enveloped in a black charcoal bun for a sandwich that exhibits extraordinary contrast in color and flavor.

Son of a Gun

The Animal duo can seemingly do no wrong, and their itsy bitsy lobster roll is no exception. Buttery buns are piled high with lobster meat and accented with potato chips for a nice crunch. Just be prepared to inhale the sandwich in about two bites, and don’t attempt to share.

Lobsta Truck

One of the most affordable options priced at $13, the Lobsta Truck’s lobster roll comes dressed with butter or seasoned mayo. Check Twitter for locations.

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Hungry Cat

While The Hungry Cat’s lobster roll deviates from the purist drawn butter varieties, the lobster salad filing composed of lemon aioli, herbs, and celery is undeniably delicious, especially when encased in its buttery challah roll.

The Water Grill

The Water Grill offers a purist’s version of the sandwich. Simply dressed in butter and topped with a little chive, this roll is all about savoring the lobster meat.

Santa Monica Seafood

There’s something that just feels right about enjoying a lobster roll in a fish market. Here the straightforward roll is flavored with lemon aioli and chives and is served with fries.

Cousins Maine Lobster

Shark Tank darlings and, as the name would have it, cousins Jim Tselikis and Sabin Lomac have enjoyed a good deal of success with a fleet of lobster roll trucks roving throughout the country. Those looking for a sit down meal can enjoy their rolls in their new brick and mortar in West Hollywood.