In Pursuit of the South Shore’s Best Lobster Rolls

To me, a hot lobster roll is perfection. I grew up in Southeastern Connecticut, so get outta here if you even think about serving your lobster roll cold or with mayonnaise! Adapting to lobster roll-life in Massachusetts was difficult. Even though the crustacean is thought of in terms of the Boston area, many of the lobster rolls in this region are served cold and with mayo. Never fear, Backyard Road Trips is here! I scoured the South Shore, from Hingham to Plymouth to bring you the South Shore’s best lobster rolls.

The idea of the pure “hot lobster” roll seems to be relegated to Southeastern Connecticut and creeps into Rhode Island. Although some of my favorite local haunts serve ‘em cold, they still make the cut of the South Shore’s best lobster rolls. I often opt for the lobster roll often rather than the full lobster in the shell. For one it’s easier to eat, and for two, it’s easier to eat. (Unless I’m my friend Adam, who consumed 19 lobsters in two hours at the Nordic Lodge in Rhode Island..)

Green Harbor Lobster Pound

In pursuit of the South Shore’s best lobster rolls, this was the place that everyone suggested to me. I finally got there, summer 2019. Oh man it did not disappoint! A friend who enjoys his food told me I couldn’t finish a jumbo. The $35 or so price tag was steep but we heeded his words and my wife and I split it. He was right, it’s huge! Along with a side of onion rings, this lobster roll was the real deal. It was simple on a buttered bun; technically the meat was cold, but it didn’t matter, it was so damn good. 

The waterfront view is authentic. The Green Harbor Lobster Pound is basically a fish shack in a beachside residential neighborhood in Marshfield. Clearly not the usual tourist destination, the experience of sitting at one of the handful of picnic tables on the cove and chowing down on their lobster roll was perfection. The onion rings were lightly battered shoestring and amazing. The critics were right, this place (and the lobster roll) were awesome! The lobster roll was huge, definitely good to split with a friend. It’s only open in the summer.

Hingham Lobster Pound

I must have a thing for lobster pounds. The Hingham Lobster Pound is located just north of downtown Hingham in an unassuming shack. I’d been here before but had never tried the lobster. This one was shocking to me. As previously stated, I don’t do the mayo or the cold lobster. This actually had both but hit on all cylinders. It was more like a sandwich, presented in a hamburger bun. 

A little mayo and a cooler temperature didn’t matter because this lobster meat is fresh! I ate it in the parking lot near Sandy Beach in the center of the town. Mowing down on this treat while overlooking the Hingham Harbor is a site to be had.

Bramhall’s Country Store

I’ve written about Bramhall’s before. Last year they hosted the beer garden of Second Wind Brewing Company in Plymouth. It’s such a neat place, with fresh produce and locavore products such as honey, meat, and maple syrup for sale, along with a take-out window. They only serve lobster rolls, ice cream, and tacos; you can’t really argue with that! 

Bramhall’s is located in the village of Chiltonville. Quintessential New England, the village consists of a church and the general store. Bramhall’s lobster roll comes directly from the lobster tanks that are viewable by the customer right outside the store (well the lobster does, not the roll). Their take is build-your-own. A container of super fresh lobster meat is included in your pack, along with a bun, mayo, salt, and pepper. I withhold the mayo. Shove the tender lobster meat in the bun and go to town. They also serve regular and jumbo sizes. I often opt for the jumbo, just for myself. Don’t judge. 

Cabby Shack

Plymouth’s Cabby Shack is known for its clam chowder, so thick that a spoon sticks straight up in it. They are also, surprisingly, known for their bar pizza. Typically, I’m suspicious of touristy places as far as seafood. In pursuit of the South Shore’s best lobster rolls, I tried many at spots known for their out-of-state visitors, and many did not make the cut. This place did though. This is a great lobster roll. It has some mayo and is served cold, but it’s really tasty. This lobster roll is just succulent meat inside a bun and it simply works. Take that with the ocean view here and wow, this is a winner!

Black Raspberry Pub

Color me surprised on this one. Yes, I truly love Black Raspberry Pub, located in Cordage Park in Plymouth. With its amazing bar pizza, it’s a great take-out spot. A good friend mentioned their lobster roll to me recently. Honestly, I was relieved since it had been a good year since I began the quest for the South Shore’s best lobster roll and still needed one more to make the cut. This is a special, not on their everyday menu.

I associate The Black Raz with pizza, salads, and pub grub. Now I associate it with lobster rolls as well! Served in a warm bun, the meat is cold with just a dash of mayo. The lobster meat overflows from the bun and is so fresh and tender. This truly is one of the best lobster rolls in the area. You can tell that this lobster was just out of the water, so fresh. Highly recommended!

In Pursuit of the South Shore’s Best Lobster

Sure the task of finding the South Shore’s best lobster rolls seems like an easy one. Lobster is one of the foods that taste best simply served, fresh with a squirt of butter. It was more difficult than it sounds though. Most I tasted did not make the cut. These five seaside favorites are my pick. Now that it’s summer, go grab yourself a lobster roll and enjoy! What are your favorite lobster rolls in the South Shore or anywhere, for that matter?