My wife and I recently spent a week in Cape Cod. We spent time relaxing on the beach, fishing, and exploring lighthouses. We also managed to eat a ton of lobster. More specifically, lobster rolls! It's one of our favorite foods and it's very plentiful in the New England area.
One Dish, Many Types
For a summary on the different types of lobster rolls in New England, see this article by Tasty Island! In short:
Now, I don't claim be an expert on lobster rolls, or any food for that matter, but I wanted to share our thoughts on seven lobster rolls we were fortunate enough to try while in Cape Cod!
- Maine-style: meat tossed lightly with mayonnaise
- Connecticut-style: meat sauteed with clarified butter
- New England-style: Maine-style meat, but with celery and green onion added
Now, I don't claim be an expert on lobster rolls, or any food for that matter, but I wanted to share our thoughts on seven lobster rolls we were fortunate enough to try while in Cape Cod!
Quahog Republic
97 Spring Bars Rd Falmouth, MA 02540
https://quahogrepublic.com/
Deep in the heart of Provincetown, Vorelli’s is little-known for its lobster rolls. However, I wanted to get a feel for what other restaurants were serving compared to more popular destinations.
The lobster roll meal was very reasonably-priced and even came with a side of clam chowder. However, as the old saying goes, “you get what you pay for.”
The lobster meat was on the lighter side and it appeared shredded. Although it looked very underwhelming, the mayo and lobster combination actually tasted nice and fatty.
The bread was unseasoned, un-toasted, and as generic as a hot dog bun. Vegetables are important, but the lettuce was really big compared to the bread or the meat.
Vorelli’s is a great place to grab dinner in an otherwise busy town. However, for a lobster roll, it’d probably be best to look elsewhere.
Falmouth lies south of the entrance to Cape Cod. Hidden behind a strip mall is an old-school watering hole named Quahog Republic. It’s a typical bar up front, but further in the back, it feels more like a family-style restaurant.
At the time we arrived, it wasn’t too busy and we were seated almost immediately at a table. After a quick gaze at the menu, we put in an order for the “Monstah” roll to share, no sides.
When it was served, we were blown away by its enormous size! The chunks of claw meat were as hefty as the roll it came on. It definitely lived up to its name.
Interestingly, this turned out to be the only Connecticut-style lobster roll during our visit to Cape Cod. There was little-to-no seasoning on the warm, juicy lobster meat. It came with melted, unsweetened butter on the side.
The roll was heavily buttered and lightly toasted, making the outside nice and crispy. It managed to hold together despite the mound of lobster on top. The lettuce was fresh, but a bit on the squishy side.
Having never had a Connecticut-style lobster roll before, the “Monstah” at Quahog Republic was a fantastic and filling introduction!
At the time we arrived, it wasn’t too busy and we were seated almost immediately at a table. After a quick gaze at the menu, we put in an order for the “Monstah” roll to share, no sides.
When it was served, we were blown away by its enormous size! The chunks of claw meat were as hefty as the roll it came on. It definitely lived up to its name.
Interestingly, this turned out to be the only Connecticut-style lobster roll during our visit to Cape Cod. There was little-to-no seasoning on the warm, juicy lobster meat. It came with melted, unsweetened butter on the side.
The roll was heavily buttered and lightly toasted, making the outside nice and crispy. It managed to hold together despite the mound of lobster on top. The lettuce was fresh, but a bit on the squishy side.
Having never had a Connecticut-style lobster roll before, the “Monstah” at Quahog Republic was a fantastic and filling introduction!
Quick Summary:
- $36 for Connecticut-style "Monstah" lobster roll
- Very large serving of lobster
- No seasoning on the meat, warm butter on the side
- Dive-bar feel with family restaurant-style seating in the back
Arnold's Lobster and Clam Bar
3580 US-6 Eastham, MA 02642
https://www.arnoldsrestaurant.com/
Located right along Route 6, Arnold’s Lobster and Clam Bar is one of the most well-known seafood shacks in all of Cape Cod. Not only does it serve up great seafood, it’s frequented by mini-golfers and ice cream lovers alike.
When we arrived, the line extended just a bit out in front of the entrance. It moved quickly, with the staff taking orders and handing out buzzers. When our food was ready, we picked it up at the counter and brought it to the seating area.
The lobster roll looked very appetizing! The red lobster meat, the green lettuce, and golden bread made for a well-presented roll.
After taking a bite, the rich flavor mayo and fresh lemon took over our taste buds. The amount of meat was substantial, but not too overwhelming.
The roll held together well, but lacked any butter, inside or out. It didn't have the notable crisp from butter-toasted bread, but the lettuce made up for it. It added a fresh, cool crunch to each bite.
Conveniently located along the highway, Arnold’s Lobster and Clam Bar is definitely worth pulling over and giving a try!
Located right along Route 6, Arnold’s Lobster and Clam Bar is one of the most well-known seafood shacks in all of Cape Cod. Not only does it serve up great seafood, it’s frequented by mini-golfers and ice cream lovers alike.
When we arrived, the line extended just a bit out in front of the entrance. It moved quickly, with the staff taking orders and handing out buzzers. When our food was ready, we picked it up at the counter and brought it to the seating area.
The lobster roll looked very appetizing! The red lobster meat, the green lettuce, and golden bread made for a well-presented roll.
After taking a bite, the rich flavor mayo and fresh lemon took over our taste buds. The amount of meat was substantial, but not too overwhelming.
The roll held together well, but lacked any butter, inside or out. It didn't have the notable crisp from butter-toasted bread, but the lettuce made up for it. It added a fresh, cool crunch to each bite.
Quick Summary:
- $22 for Maine-style lobster roll
- Excellent lobster-to-roll ratio
- Well-balanced mayo and lemon seasoning on meat
- Fast and casual, open cafeteria seating
Vorelli's
226 Commercial St, Provincetown, MA 02657
Deep in the heart of Provincetown, Vorelli’s is little-known for its lobster rolls. However, I wanted to get a feel for what other restaurants were serving compared to more popular destinations.
The lobster roll meal was very reasonably-priced and even came with a side of clam chowder. However, as the old saying goes, “you get what you pay for.”
The lobster meat was on the lighter side and it appeared shredded. Although it looked very underwhelming, the mayo and lobster combination actually tasted nice and fatty.
The bread was unseasoned, un-toasted, and as generic as a hot dog bun. Vegetables are important, but the lettuce was really big compared to the bread or the meat.
Vorelli’s is a great place to grab dinner in an otherwise busy town. However, for a lobster roll, it’d probably be best to look elsewhere.
Quick Summary:
- $17 for Maine-style lobster roll
- Very basic meal overall
- Small chunks of meat, shredded texture, mayo seasoning
- Cozy, private bar seating
Lobster Pot
321 Commercial St, Provincetown, MA 02657
https://www.ptownlobsterpot.com/
The Lobster Pot is a very well-known establishment in Provincetown. Fitting to its name, it serves up some of the best lobster dishes in the area. With its large, neon sign shining brightly outside, it attracts many hungry visitors walking down Commercial Street.
To avoid a long wait during the dinner rush, we opted for lunch. It was still a one-hour wait for a table in the restaurant. Fortunately, we managed to grab a small table at the bar to order our lobster roll.
When it arrived, we immediately noticed the heavily-seasoned lobster meat. Huge chunks of claw meat were drenched in mayo. Little bits of celery clung to the meat and green onion were sprinkled on top.
At first glance, it looked a bit messy, but we quickly forgot about its appearance after the first bite. The rich mayo, crispy crunch of the celery, and fresh lobster meat filled our mouths. There was a decent amount of salt on the meat, which added even more flavor overall.
The bread was unseasoned, but toasted enough to give it some crunch on the outside. It was also on the sweeter side, which counter-balanced the saltier lobster meat.
While the wait might be long and the seating a bit crowded, the lobster roll at the Lobster Pot definitely lives up to its name!
The Lobster Pot is a very well-known establishment in Provincetown. Fitting to its name, it serves up some of the best lobster dishes in the area. With its large, neon sign shining brightly outside, it attracts many hungry visitors walking down Commercial Street.
To avoid a long wait during the dinner rush, we opted for lunch. It was still a one-hour wait for a table in the restaurant. Fortunately, we managed to grab a small table at the bar to order our lobster roll.
When it arrived, we immediately noticed the heavily-seasoned lobster meat. Huge chunks of claw meat were drenched in mayo. Little bits of celery clung to the meat and green onion were sprinkled on top.
At first glance, it looked a bit messy, but we quickly forgot about its appearance after the first bite. The rich mayo, crispy crunch of the celery, and fresh lobster meat filled our mouths. There was a decent amount of salt on the meat, which added even more flavor overall.
The bread was unseasoned, but toasted enough to give it some crunch on the outside. It was also on the sweeter side, which counter-balanced the saltier lobster meat.
Quick Summary:
- $23 for New England-style lobster roll
- Heavily-seasoned chunks of meat on a sweet, flavorful roll
- Meat mixed with mayo and celery, green onion sprinkled on top
- Very popular, hard to get a table in the restaurant, better luck at the bar
The Friendly Fisherman
4580 US-6, North Eastham, MA 02651
https://friendlyfishermaneastham.com/
After a morning workout at Willy’s Gym, we built up quite an appetite. Lucky for us, the Friendly Fisherman was close by! Located just off Route 6, this seafood shack has lots of outdoor seating and very quick service.
We arrived just after it opened for lunch, with a few others already in line. The friendly cashier took our order, gave us a number, and moved us along to another window to pick up our food.
When we received our meal, we were pleasantly surprised by how comically large the lobster meat was compared to the rest of the roll! Huge chunks of claw meat were carefully balanced on top of a roll much to small to hold it.
When we finally managed to get a bite, we noticed the meat had very little mayo mixed in. It makes sense, since the star of the show was the lobster meat itself. It was fresh, cool, and extremely plentiful.
The bread was buttered on the outside and lightly toasted. It was on the softer side, but with the help of the lettuce, managed to hold together under the tower of lobster meat.
For those who are looking for a hearty, protein-filled meal after a workout, the Friendly Fisherman is an excellent choice!
After a morning workout at Willy’s Gym, we built up quite an appetite. Lucky for us, the Friendly Fisherman was close by! Located just off Route 6, this seafood shack has lots of outdoor seating and very quick service.
We arrived just after it opened for lunch, with a few others already in line. The friendly cashier took our order, gave us a number, and moved us along to another window to pick up our food.
When we received our meal, we were pleasantly surprised by how comically large the lobster meat was compared to the rest of the roll! Huge chunks of claw meat were carefully balanced on top of a roll much to small to hold it.
When we finally managed to get a bite, we noticed the meat had very little mayo mixed in. It makes sense, since the star of the show was the lobster meat itself. It was fresh, cool, and extremely plentiful.
The bread was buttered on the outside and lightly toasted. It was on the softer side, but with the help of the lettuce, managed to hold together under the tower of lobster meat.
For those who are looking for a hearty, protein-filled meal after a workout, the Friendly Fisherman is an excellent choice!
Quick Summary:
- $23 for Maine-style lobster roll
- Extremely large chunks of claw meat, barely fit on the roll
- Very light seasoning of mayo, doesn’t get in the way of the lobster
- Large outdoor seating area with playground for kids
Chatham Pier Fish Market
45 Barcliff Avenue Extension, Chatham, MA 02633
http://www.chathampierfishmarket.com/
Along the eastern edge of classic town of Chatham is the Chatham Pier Fish Market. It’s a true seafood market, with the daily catch on display for customers to browse and purchase.
It wasn’t too busy when we arrived and didn't take too long to put in our order. We waited for our food outside on the pier. The view of the water was nice! When our lobster roll was ready, we took a seat on a picnic table nearby.
The lobster meat was seasoned in the traditional New England style: mayo and celery. It also had some paprika sprinkled on top, which was a unique touch.
The lemon-infused mayo was well-balanced, with just a subtle hint of citrus. The large chunks of celery along with the fresh lettuce gave each bite a nice, crispy crunch. In fact, everything down to the fries were extremely crispy, which was great!
The lobster meat was substantial, but the roll itself was the star. It was buttered on both sides, toasted perfectly on the outside, and very soft in the middle. It held together all the way down to the last bite.
Along the eastern edge of classic town of Chatham is the Chatham Pier Fish Market. It’s a true seafood market, with the daily catch on display for customers to browse and purchase.
The lobster meat was substantial, but the roll itself was the star. It was buttered on both sides, toasted perfectly on the outside, and very soft in the middle. It held together all the way down to the last bite.
There’s a lot to see in Chatham, but the lobster roll at the Chatham Pier Fish Market is definitely worth a visit!
Quick Summary:
- $27 for New England-style lobster roll
- Large, well-buttered and well-toasted bread roll
- Good-sized chunks of celery in the mayo with a dash of paprika on the top
- A true seafood market, with fresh catches on display available for purchase
Sesuit Harbor Cafe
357 Sesuit Neck Rd, Dennis, MA 02638
https://sesuit-harbor-cafe.com/
The town of Dennis sits on the northern, bay side of Cape Cod. Along these calmer waters is the Sesuit Harbor, a small inlet where yachts and fishing boats can launch and park. Adjacent to the inlet is a seafood shack named the Sesuit Harbor Cafe.
We parked our car in the gravel parking lot and walked inside to make our order. We were given a number and told to have a seat out in the large seating area. When our food was ready, a server came outside and shouted our number. With a simple hand raise, our lobster roll arrived.
We opted to have the roll sliced in half so it'd be easier to share. There was an decent amount of fresh, bright red chunks of claw meat. It looked very appetizing! It was mixed with a heavy serving of mayo with bits of celery scattered throughout. The mayo took on a buttery taste, a very welcome flavor.
The roll was lightly seasoned and well-toasted. Hidden withing the roll was a fresh slice of tomato. It was a pleasant surprise! The tomato really helped balance the sweet and salty flavor of the overall roll.
Before sailing out on the water or laying out on a nearby beach, Sesuit Harbor Cafe is a great place to stop in for some delicious lobster!
The town of Dennis sits on the northern, bay side of Cape Cod. Along these calmer waters is the Sesuit Harbor, a small inlet where yachts and fishing boats can launch and park. Adjacent to the inlet is a seafood shack named the Sesuit Harbor Cafe.
We parked our car in the gravel parking lot and walked inside to make our order. We were given a number and told to have a seat out in the large seating area. When our food was ready, a server came outside and shouted our number. With a simple hand raise, our lobster roll arrived.
We opted to have the roll sliced in half so it'd be easier to share. There was an decent amount of fresh, bright red chunks of claw meat. It looked very appetizing! It was mixed with a heavy serving of mayo with bits of celery scattered throughout. The mayo took on a buttery taste, a very welcome flavor.
The roll was lightly seasoned and well-toasted. Hidden withing the roll was a fresh slice of tomato. It was a pleasant surprise! The tomato really helped balance the sweet and salty flavor of the overall roll.
Before sailing out on the water or laying out on a nearby beach, Sesuit Harbor Cafe is a great place to stop in for some delicious lobster!
Quick Summary:
- $24 for New England-style lobster roll
- Rich, fatty-tasting mayo with small chunks of celery
- Freshly-sliced tomato balances overall sweetness and saltiness
- Ample seating and parking for cars and boats alike
Conclusion
If we had more time and unlimited funds, we would have tried all the lobster rolls in Cape Cod. In fact, we would have loved to try all of the seafood in New England!
Hopefully, we can visit again soon!
Hopefully, we can visit again soon!
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