The CT lobster roll is arguably the best in New England. No celery, no mayo, just fresh lobster bathed in hot butter. Here’s where we find ours…

Flanders Fish Market
What sets Flanders lobster roll apart? It’s served deconstructed. Hunks of lobster are swimming in a blend of warm butter and sherry, ready to be stuffed in a toasted brioche roll. The end result remains sturdy, not soggy and ridiculously delish. And, yes, order the clam fritters for an app!
22 Chesterfield Road, East Lyme
flandersfish.com

Lobster Landing
Many folks around here think that Lobster Landing is the ultimate roll, and I don’t disagree. A 1/4 pound of warm lobster meat tucked into a barely grilled sub roll (“imported” from Vermont), and drizzled with butter and lemon. That’s it. The secret? The roll is sturdy enough, so it doesn’t fall apart before you’ve had a chance to savor it, and the unadorned lobster, straight from the pot, is the star. BYOB.
152 Commerce Street, Clinton
facebook.com/LobsterLandingLLC

Fresh Salt at Saybrook Point
On a dreary afternoon, the idea of a lobster roll in a cozy room where the river meets the Sound, is just the ticket. At Fresh Salt, you can enjoy your roll outside or in, eliminating the necessity of a sunny day. Here, chunks of tender claw and tail are dipped in butter and overflow a grilled brioche bun. A basket of irresistible house-made, wisp thin potato chips, complete the experience.
2 Bridge Street, Old Saybrook
saybrook.com

Haring’s, Noank
It’s no easy task taking over a beloved restaurant, but the team behind Oyster Club, Engine Room, and Port of Call have just opened Haring’s at the old Ford’s. Named for the original owner, they’ve devised a locally driven and creative seafood menu. Yes, you can enjoy the perfect hot, buttered lobster roll here, overloaded with meat on a brioche roll, but do not miss the fried clams, dredged ever so lightly in cornmeal and simply the best I’ve had. Finish up with the key lime bar. Beautiful reno, new outdoor seating, and you can still arrive by boat. BYOB.
15 Riverview Avenue, Noank
haringsnoank.com 

Oyster Club’s Treehouse, Mystic
Head here for the freshest local raw bar, summer salads, the ultimate lobster roll, smash burgers and dogs. Happy hour features a $20 lobster roll! Veggie options, kids menu and fun cocktails.
13 Water Street, Mystic
oysterclubct.com

Captain Scott’s Lobster Dock
Captain Scott’s Lobster Dock is a no-frills eatery serving up lightly buttered chunks of fresh lobster in a classic New England-style toasted bun. Wedged between the train tracks and a marina, this popular spot has plenty of parking and picnic tables. A full menu of fried shore specialties, too, plus Gifford’s ice cream. BYOB.
80 Hamilton Street, New London
captscotts.com

Abbott’s
Abbott’s is more of a fast-food experience, though the lobster meat is fresh from the pot. Here it comes Maine style, a cone of meat on a buttered sesame seed bun, with Utz chips and slightly sweet slaw on the side. Outdoor seating on a summer day with a water view is sublime. Pick up a pint of Rhode Island broth-based clam chowder to go. In Mystic, visit Abbott’s outpost (around back).
3 Water Street, Mystic 117 Pearl Street, Noank
abbottslobster.com

Liv’s Shack
The drawback here is the parking lot location, but that’s my ONLY beef. Get in line and order up a hot buttered lobster roll, overstuffed with fresh-from-the-shell chunks, on a buttery, toasted bun. Do NOT pass up the hand-cut truffle fries. BYOB!
26 Bridge Street, Old Saybrook
livsshack.com

Guilford Lobster Pound
A simple deck lined with picnic tables and views of the Sound and Salt Island make the backdrop for this classic roll: a grilled and buttered hot dog roll, stuffed with sweet, juicy meat. It’s a happy alternative on a l ovely day to lunching on the Guilford Green, as it’s just down Whitfield Street.
505 A Whitfield Street, Guilford
guilfordlobsterpound.com

Lobster at Home

Thimble Island Lobsterbakes
Another entertaining option is even easier. Ring Thimble Island Lobsterbakes, and they’ll arrive in the Lobstermobile, ready to serve up lobster rolls or an entire Shore Dinner (steamers, lobsters, chowder, corn, and salad) for as few as eight, or up to 200 guests. 203-687-6441
thimbleislandslobsterbakes.com
Photo Credit:Thimble Islands Lobsterbakes

Atlantic Seafood, Old Saybrook
I don’t cook lobster at home anymore, but we know that out-of-town guests love a lobster roll, so here’s my method. I pick up a pound or two of boiled, just-picked-from-the-shell lobster meat at Atlantic Seafood in Old Saybrook, douse it in melted butter and stuff it in a mini Martin’s roll for a super simple summertime snack.
1400 Boston Post Road, Old Saybrook
atlanticseafoodmarket.com

Flanders Fish Market, Niantic
This family-run favorite has been clambaking since 1983. They’ll show up at the beach, pool, or backyard with their clambake wagon to get your clams, lobsters, and all the trimmings underway – for big events and intimate gatherings.
22 Chesterfield Road, East Lyme
flandersfish.com