Where To Find New England-Quality Lobster Rolls In Los Angeles

I grew up living in historic Massachusetts, where a lobster roll is just as much a summertime staple as a day at the beach. In my prime, I ate a lot of them. My parents remember not-so-fondly when I would turn down the kids menu in lieu of the expensive stuff. I wasn't paying, right?

I thought Los Angeles had it all when I moved here from Massachusetts at the age of 22. What I didn't know at the time is that all the city's best lobster comes from back east. Because of the miracle of modern aviation, it's possible to get Los Angeles lobster rolls that are just as good as Maine's. Now that I've lived in Los Angeles for a decade, and after making it a mission to find the best in the west,  I've found the top New England-quality lobster rolls money can buy — they're just more of a delicacy now that my parents stopped footing the bill. I'm not paying for anything other than top notch, and neither should you. When you're in Los Angeles and want a little taste of New England, here's where to go for the best lobster rolls. 

Originally a Boston-based restaurant, Saltie Girl is the first place that comes to mind when I think of New England-quality lobster rolls in Los Angeles. Like myself, Saltie Girl headed west from Massachusetts, opening its second location in West Hollywood in December 2022. Since then, its been serving some of the absolute best lobster rolls in Los Angeles on top of one of the best brioche buns I've ever had. The claw meat is always my favorite part, and Saltie Girl never skimps on that tender delicacy. It's hard to say whether the hot or cold lobster roll here is better, both stuffed to the metaphorical gills with fresh, plump lobster. While I love the cold version, I think about that hot, buttered brioche bun quite often.

During my most recent visit to Saltie Girl, I tried an inventive twist on a lobster roll — a creation born through the partnership of Saltie Girl and Fly By Jing. The chili crisp brand's signature sweet-and-spicy oil topped a heaping portion of fried lobster, charred scallion ranch, and a pinch of caviar. Like all of the restaurant's lobster rolls, it was served with homemade salt and vinegar potato chips. The novel sandwich was delicious, but nothing beats the original. If I'm eating one Los Angeles lobster roll for the rest of my life, it's Saltie Girl's.

Saltie Girl is located at 8615 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, California 90069.

Hailing from the great state of Hawaii, Royal Lobster has two locations in Los Angeles: one in Koreatown and one in Beverly Hills. The Koreatown location is my favorite; transformed from a once-functioning Texaco gas station from the 1940s, customers order at the counter and sit outside along the retrofitted facade. The Beverly Hills location is just half a block away from Rodeo Drive, which is fitting; like the clothes that line this iconic street, you pay a pretty penny for the specialty rolls here.

Simplicity is key; the menu consists only of lobster rolls, lobster bisque, lobster salad, and 1- or ½-pound orders of fresh lobster. However, Royal Lobster gives customers the royal treatment with each of its king-sized lobster rolls. The normal roll is stuffed with fresh, never-frozen Maine lobster and just a sprinkle of lemon. It's probably the largest lobster roll on this list, but The Maine Event, Royal Lobster's specialty roll, takes it to a whole new level. It's absolutely packed with meat from two lobsters, including a full tail, plus claw and knuckle meat. All this fresh lobster is imported daily from Maine, and supply often runs out well before closing time due to high demand. I recommend going earlier in the day to secure yours. Thankfully, the line isn't as bad as it once was. I tend to avoid lines, especially for trendy food places, but I happily wait any amount of time in line for Royal Lobster.

Royal Lobster is located at 4450 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, California 90004 and 9533 Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills, California 90210.

Unbothered by stuffy New England traditions, Lobster & Beer takes a creative turn on the lobster roll with inventive sandwiches, such as the Cali Style Truffle Roll with avocado, red onion, and truffle oil. It's not technically a roll, but the lobster grilled cheese is a personal favorite. Sourdough bread adds an excellent crunchy bite to otherwise soft, tender lobster. The layers of three cheeses — Gruyère, cheddar, and Jack — certainly doesn't hurt either. A cup of tomato soup accompanies the sandwich, making lobster an excellent choice even on a dreary day.

Not all traditions are lost at Lobster & Beer. The New England-style top-split hot dog bun is the bread of choice for each of its rolls, all stuffed with Maine lobster. The Connecticut Style roll is more of a traditional warm lobster roll with butter, mayo, green onions, and Old Bay seasoning. The Maine style, likewise, is a cold lobster roll with celery and lemon aioli.

Additionally, this is the only restaurant on the list to actually originate in Los Angeles, first opening in the Palms neighborhood before expanding seaward with a second location. Half sports bar and half fast-casual restaurant, Lobster & Beer also has the most affordable rolls on this list, starting at just $23.25. The cost alone makes it an easy choice for me whenever I'm in Santa Monica for suppertime.

Lobster & Beer is located at 3456 Motor Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90034 and 530 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, California 90401.

Connie & Ted's is something of an institution in Los Angeles. The popular New England-style crab shack in West Hollywood draws people from all over. The namesake behind Connie & Ted's comes from the owners grandparents. They lived in historic Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and spent the latter half of their lives passing on their love of fishing to their children and grandchildren.

Connie & Ted's serves up a lot more than just lobster, but the hot or cold lobster rolls here are some of the best items on the extensive menu. The warm version is made with Maine lobster and drawn butter for a rich, velvety meal. The cold sandwich, made with mayonnaise, is the perfect bite on a hot summer day in Los Angeles, especially when eaten while sitting on the restaurant's large outdoor front patio. I love these lobster rolls because they remind me the most of the classic sandwiches you find at a seaside fish joint in New England. The toasted top-split roll offers a nice crunch in every bite, and it's all served alongside your choice of fries, coleslaw, or potato salad. Though the place can be kind of pretentious, Connie & Ted's deserves its all-star reputation for just its lobster rolls alone. 

Connie & Ted's is located at 8171 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, California 90046.