Some of the Best Lobster Rolls in RI

Allow us to stir up some controversy—because for some reason any time the idea of lobster rolls comes up in conversation, you’re sure to encounter some strong opinions. Hot or cold, Connecticut-style or mayo all the way? But the real beauty of Rhode Island is that we’ve got plenty of places that serve up their own take on the classic. So, while we’re not saying any one of these places has the best lobster roll, we can say that the one’s that made this list are pretty sought-after and will satisfy your cravings. Here are some places you should check out if you’re looking for a lobster roll while you’re in Rhode Island:  

Easton’s Beach Snack Bar
Newport, Rhode Island 
@EastonsBeachSnackBar
Home of the famous twin lobster roll at Easton’s Beach Snack Bar—this is definitely the best value you’ll find for lobster rolls! Just a note, locals call this First Beach. The snack bar offers two different types of rolls: their twin roll, with two buttered hot dog buns, filled with chunks of lobster lightly tossed in real mayo or their plain & simple roll with sweet and tender lobster claws and tails, on a buttered and toasted nine-inch roll and served with a side of warm drawn butter. Both options are served with fries too! 

Anthony’s Seafood
Middletown, Rhode Island
@Anthonys_Seafood
A local hot spot for around seventy years now, Anthony’s started a wholesale lobster company in 1956, and evolved into a restaurant and market, moving to their current location on Aquidneck Ave in 1998. Serving everything from fried classics to baked, grilled, or boiled favorites, you have to try their Lobster Salad Roll. Freshly picked and never frozen, their lobster meat is mixed with mayo on a grilled hot dog bun and served with fries.  

Blount Seafood
Warren, Rhode Island
@BlountRetail
Blount Fine Foods is a Rhode Island favorite, they craft gourmet foods, selling their products, particularly their delicious soups, at local grocery stores. For fresh seafood you can visit one of their two locations on Water Street in Warren, the Blount Clam Shack on the Waterfront (come by sea or by land) or their Blount Clam Shack and Market. They’re known for their incredible giant lobster roll with a whopping ½ pound of lobster either lightly tossed in a house made dill mayo or served with warm butter on an extra-long grilled roll; if that sounds to be a bit much for you, you can also try their small lobster roll with a ¼ pound of lobster.  

Gurney’s Resort & Marina
Goat Island in Newport, Rhode Island
@GurneysNewport
Come try a lobster roll from one of the several restaurants at beautiful Gurney’s Newport, located just outside downtown on Goat Island. With rolls offered at the Showfish Montauk pop-up restaurant, the Pineapple Club and the Lounge & Fire Pit, your ambiance can be fancy, pool-side and poppin’, or relaxed and casual. The views of Narragansett Bay and the Claiborne Pell Bridge mean you can fully indulge in a traditional, spicy, or garlic butter poached lobster roll, with a side of a breathtaking sunset you won’t soon forget. 

Midtown Oyster Bar
Newport, Rhode Island 
@MidtownOysterBar
Newport’s premier oyster bar goes in on their selection of the best seafood and ingredients around. Stop by for their signature lobster roll, tossed in lemon and served warm on a butter poached and toasted roll, it won’t disappoint! On weekends they additionally often have live music playing, being a hot spot for bar-goers, making for a super fun and lively atmosphere. 

Matunuck Oyster Bar
Wakefield, Rhode Island
@MatunuckOysterBar
Matunuck Oyster Bar prides themselves on offering fresh farm-raised and wild-caught seafood. Their oysters are grown directly off of their patio in the pond, and some of their locally sourced produce also comes directly from their own organic vegetable farm that is right by the restaurant. Providing indoor and outdoor dining with beautiful sunsets and water views, their special lobster roll comes with chilled lobster meat that is lightly dressed with mayonnaise and chopped celery, and is served on a grilled buttery split-top roll. 

Belles Cafe
Newport, Rhode Island
@BellesCafeNewport 
Belles Cafe is one of Newport’s best kept secrets, with quaint dockside dining located right inside the Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard. Offering both indoor and outdoor dining (though we highly recommend an outdoor table on a sunny summer day), Belles has two different lobster roll options on their menu for lunch and dinner. Their signature Belle’s twin lobster rolls order has fresh lobster meat with a citrus aioli on two buttered and toasted rolls, which can also be ordered as their second option, which is just a single roll with that same signature recipe. 

The Lawn at Castle Hill Inn
Newport, Rhode Island
@CastleHillInn
Dubbed “quite simply, the best spot in town” by the New York Times, the lawn at the historic Castle Hill Inn located on iconic Ocean Drive will offer you a timeless al fresco Newport dining experience. Enjoy their lobster roll that is served with five ounces of chilled lobster meat and a tarragon crème fraîche, with a side of fries and a fabulous seasonal cocktail, before taking your drink and heading over to their Adirondack chairs. 

This beautiful lobster roll capture is courtesy of @atasteofrhodeisland! For more fun food finds around the state go follow them on Instagram.

Evelyn’s Drive In
Tiverton, Rhode Island
@EvelynsDriveIn
Featured on the Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives on the Food Network, Evelyn’s lobster roll comes with a quarter pound of fresh tender lobster on a toasted roll, served with a side of fries and the option of either mayo or warm butter. Arrive by boat or car, with boaters parking at their dock on Nanaquaket Pond, and experience the fun, family-friendly atmosphere visitors have been raving about since Evelyn’s debut in 1969. 

Flo’s Clam Shack
Drive In in Portsmouth, Rhode Island
Clam Shack in Middletown, Rhode Island
@FlosClamShacks
Flo’s is not only famous for its fresh seafood and seaside locations, but also for its commitment to serving locals for over eighty years despite hurricane after hurricane forcing them to physically rebuild their business—five times to be exact. At both locations, they offer their individual classic lobsta roll with lobster meat perched atop a toasted buttered roll, with mayo on the side or topped with a drawn butter, or a Flo’s No-Nonsense “Lobsta” Roll Platter that has several for sharing. 

Looking for more fun things to do during your stay with us? Check out some of our favorite local shops in Tiverton, the best boat charters, or grab the most beautiful produce from our favorite farm markets!

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What’s your favorite place to grab a lobster roll? tell us in the comments.  

Lobster image: Erin McGinn Photography

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