25 Creative Lobster Dishes To Enjoy In Honor Of National Lobster Day

Forbes

a day ago

National Lobster Day is celebrated on June 15. While steamed lobster on a plate is always appealing – isn't this holiday a great opportunity to kick the creativity up a notch?
Restaurants nationwide are giving lobster the special treatment, as it so richly deserves. Spicy, fried, or with pasta – there's endless creative and delicious ways to enjoy the most luxurious of crustaceans as you never have before.
Seared Lobster Tails With a Cashew, Fennel Glaze, and Palak Sauce at LORE Brooklyn.
Delicate lobster is bursting with a blend of unexpected flavors that pair beautifully.
'This juicy lobster tail dish is seared with ginger and garlic for a bold kick, glazed with a creamy coconut sauce infused with fennel and smoked paprika. Served over sautéed spinach and mint, it's a mix of comfort, insane flavors, and fullness in every bite,' said Chef Jay Kumar, owner and chef of LORE Brooklyn.
Lobster Knuckles "Escargot Style" at Breva Brighton Beach in Brooklyn, New York.
At Breva Brighton Beach, a decadent twist on a French classic, this dish swaps snails for succulent lobster knuckles, prepared in a rich, Pernod-infused butter sauce and served with warm country bread.
'As we're just steps from the ocean, we wanted to create something that reflects where we are,' said Chef Travis McGinty. 'The lobster knuckles 'escargot-style' nods to a classic French technique, but swaps in local lobster, which feels true to our cooking and our style. It's a new dish on the menu, but it has quickly become a local favorite."
Maine Lobster Pot Pie at Bourbon Steak DC.
The Maine Lobster Pot Pie, with baby leeks, black trumpets, lobster dumplings is found at Bourbon Steak. A decadent twist on the classic pot pie, this signature dish features sweet, tender Maine lobster, earthy black trumpet mushrooms, and delicate lobster dumplings, all wrapped in a flaky golden crust and finished with a velvety lobster bisque.
'Bourbon Steak was born here in DC, and it's been incredible to see the Lobster Pot Pie become a hallmark of the MINA experience nationwide. It's one of those dishes that stops people in their tracks. When the crust cracks and that lobster bisque starts pouring in, there's this collective hush at the table. No matter where it's served, it delivers effortless indulgence and that unmistakable wow factor," said Quentin Welch, Executive Chef, Bourbon Steak DC.
Lobster BLT at Sailor's Choice, Hudson Yards in New York City.
At Sailor's Choice, Hudson Yards in New York City, the Lobster BLT is a a perfect union of crisp Applewood-smoked bacon, peak-season heirloom tomatoes, crunchy lettuce, and sweet, poached Maine lobster. Served on a griddled bun and finished with a bright tarragon aioli, it's both familiar and indulgent.
Kerry Heffernan, Culinary Director at Sailor's Choice says: 'We created the Lobster BLT as the ultimate mash-up — the soul of a classic BLT meets the lobster roll we've been perfecting for over a decade at Grand Banks. We use heirloom tomatoes at their sun-ripened best, Nodine's incredible smoked bacon, and our signature lobster roll base. It's everything we love about coastal summer days, packed into one killer bite.'
Lobster Rolls at Cathedrale.
At Cathedrale in New York City and Las Vegas, this dish featuring sweet Maine lobster is dressed in Calabrian chile mayo for a subtle kick, topped with fresh chives, and served on housemade Pain au Lait buns.
'We treat high quality ingredients like sweet Maine lobster, simply dressed and kicked up a notch with Calabrian chile-spiked mayo to offer the best of a Connecticut-style, lightly dressed and married with the just-warm-enough, buttery house-made pain au lait bun, to offer the decadence of a Maine-style roll all wrapped into one,' said Chef Jason Hall.
Chicken Fried Lobster at Phil's Steak House, located inside Treasure Island Hotel in Las Vegas.
At Phil's Steak House, located inside Treasure Island Hotel in Las Vegas, the chicken fried lobster dish includes chicken fried lobster served with truffle aioli and charred lemon.
'At Phil's Steak House, we enjoy putting a unique spin on classic flavors, and our Chicken Fried Lobster is a perfect example. Crispy, golden-fried chicken meets rich, buttery lobster in a dish that's pure comfort with a touch of luxury," said Chef Shaun Muldoon.
Lobster en Croûte at Carversteak at Resorts World in Las Vegas.
A two-pound Maine lobster wrapped in puff pastry, lobster-cognac cream at Carversteak at Resorts World in Las Vegas.
'En Croûte means baked in pastry or crust. The lobster en croûte is a dish that was created with two inspirations in mind. Having a heavy French culinary background, I took one of my favorite classic dishes known as Lobster Thermidor and combined it with one of my favorite childhood dishes, Pot Pie," said Carversteak Executive Chef Daniel Ontiveros.
Lobster Roll Éclair at Bar Collins at Loews Miami Beach Hotel.
At Bar Collins at Loews Miami Beach Hotel, twist on the traditional lobster roll, made in bite size, savory éclair form with Maine lobster, creamy mayonnaise, vanilla bean and diced apple, garnished with fresh ginger gelee and tarragon.
Loews Miami Beach Hotel's Executive Chef Christopher Aguirre says, 'This dish keeps the soul of a classic lobster roll - creamy mayo, butter, celery and Maine lobster, but reimagines it with a light éclair in place of the bun. Fresh vanilla bean in the mayo adds a floral sweetness that complements the lobster, while diced apple brings crunch and brightness. A citrus-ginger gel and fresh tarragon finish it with bold pops of flavor.'
Lobster Roll at Benny's on the Beach in Lake Worth Beach, Florida.
At Benny's on the Beach in Lake Worth Beach, Florida, they've been serving Maine lobster rolls for nearly 40 years at its landmark location perched above the Atlantic Ocean on the Lake Worth Pier. 'While we serve up both warm and cool temp versions at Benny's, our warm lobster roll on a split-top brioche roll complete with house made garlic butter is by far a best selling menu item, despite our warm climate year round. I attribute this to our house made tomato relish, an unexpected ingredient on our warm roll which most guests are surprised by, but end up falling in love with,' said Dylan Lipton, Co-Owner, Benny's on the Beach.
Loaded Lobster Grilled Cheese at Floridays Woodfire Grill & Bar in Anna Maria Island, ... More Florida.
At Floridays Woodfire Grill & Bar in Anna Maria Island, Florida, this restaurant is a fun experience, with seafood dishes inspired by Florida's Gulf Coast and quirky decor. 'Continuously one of our best selling items, Floridays' Loaded Lobster Grilled Cheese is an elevated take on a casual favorite. We're serious about the 'loaded' part, so our version features a generous portion of cold water lobster meat nestled in between golden grilled sourdough, with butter, cheddar, swiss cheeses and topped with applewood smoked bacon,' said Executive Chef Ken Gilcrest, Floridays Woodfire Grill & Bar.
Mezzelune Di Aragosta at Serena Pastificio (locations in Atlanta & Boca Raton).
At Serena Pastificio (locations in Atlanta & Boca Raton), lobster, ricotta and mozzarella filling, lobster meat, lobster tomato jus, confit heirloom tomato, charred cippolini, chive.
'Similar to a ravioli, our mezzelune pasta, which is house made, is stuffed with a delightful combination of lobster and cheese. It is rich, fresh and full of flavor,' said Stephane Buliard, VP of Operations.
Lobster & Smoked Bacon Mac 'N Cheese at Halls Chophouse in Greenville, South Carolina,.
At Halls Chophouse in Greenville, South Carolina, a signature lobster mac & cheese made with the house mornay sauce, al dente Cavatappi pasta and lobster claw meat. A white cheddar blend is melted over top before being finished with buttered parmesan bread crumbs and parsley.
Lobster Tortellini with Red Curry at Repeal 33 in Savannah, Georgia.
At Repeal 33 in Savannah, Georgia, this dish is made with red curry butter sauce, carrots roasted in coconut oil, and pomegranate seeds, with fried shallots.
Executive Chef Greg Garrison says: 'The tortellini is made with a classic, French-style lobster filling. As we were testing the dish, we really liked the combination of red curry and, ultimately, we ended up adding more and more. It is among our most bold and flavorful dishes and one of the most popular. It's now a mainstay on the menu.'
Spiny Lobster at Four Flamingos, A Richard Blais Key West Kitchen.
At Four Flamingos, A Richard Blais Key West Kitchen, the Spiny Lobster entrée is served as two lobster tails split with Jamaican curry and drawn butter, with a side of yucca fries.
Leo Minelli, Executive Chef: 'Sourced from the warm Caribbean waters, our Spiny Lobster tails are meaty, sweet and irresistibly tender. The vibrant Jamaican curry adds a bold and aromatic kick, beautifully balancing the lobster's natural sweetness. On the side, we serve crispy yucca fries which are crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, delivering an earthy, nutty contrast that perfectly complements the dish's tropical essence. The Spiny Lobster is a true celebration of the islands: juicy seafood, lively spices and comforting flavors that provide a little slice of paradise.'
Lobster Chirashi Don at Sake No Hana in New York City.
At Sake No Hana in New York City, from the all-night bar menu, this dish offers seasoned sushi rice topped with fresh lobster and adornments like yuzu and kizami nori for a perfect cocktail accompaniment.
Longevity Noodles at The Fulton at Pier 17 at The Seaport in New York City.
At The Fulton at Pier 17 at The Seaport in New York City, this dish is made with glazed Maine lobster, green chili and ginger.
'The vision for the Longevity Noodles is to celebrate the idea of sharing long, unbroken noodles as a symbol of health and good fortune. So we paired this tradition with the freshest Maine lobster, gently glazed to showcase its natural sweetness. The addition of green chili and ginger brings a vibrant heat and subtle warmth that balances the richness of the lobster, making each bite both comforting and exciting," said Chef Noah Poses.
The Whole Chili Lobster at Chops Lobster Bar in Boca Raton.
At Chops Lobster Bar in Boca Raton, the specialty Whole Chili Lobster is a unique lobster dish made with the 'Rolls Royce' of lobsters and served with spicy chili lobster sauce and grilled shishito peppers.
Chef Schumann says: 'Chili Lobster is a bold and spicy interpretation of a classic poached lobster. The buttery decadent lobster is presented with grilled Shishito peppers that bring a lovely umami contrast and finished with a bright squeeze of lime. This dish is lovely to share as an appetizer or enjoy as a main course.'
Lobster Ravioli at The Italiano in Scottsdale, Arizona.
This gorgeous dish, featuring butter-poached Maine lobster and herb-whipped mascarpone, served with a cognac-infused lobster bisque demi, can be found at The Italiano in Scottsdale, Arizona. "Why travel to the Amalfi Coast when you have the most delicate and delicious lump lobster ravioli, made daily and to die for at The Italiano?' said Joey Maggiore, chef and co-founder of The Maggiore Group and Chef Joey Concepts.
Spicy Whole Lobster at Tempe-based Filthy Animal.
At Tempe-based Filthy Animal, this dish channels the wild, open-fire spirit of the restaurant. A whole lobster is served over creamy Tteokbokki mac and cheese, layered with fermented kimchi and sweet corn.
'One of our owners, actually threw out the idea of Tteokbokki in a random meeting, and it stuck with me. Later, when someone suggested lobster mac and cheese for a revamp, I knew that wasn't us. I stopped by the local Asian market, saw the Tteokbokki, and it all clicked bringing in those known flavors and old memories but making them ours. I leaned into the process, bringing in the Filthy Animal edge and letting the dish come together with our mother house sauce, Mala. This wasn't just about reworking a dish, it was about creating something bold, fun, and totally Filthy Animal," said Chef Rene Vargas, Executive Chef of Filthy Animal.
Lobster Tagliatelle at Wren & Wolf in downtown Phoenix.
At Wren & Wolf in downtown Phoenix, the Lobster Tagliatelle involves delicate ribbons of pasta that are bathed in a white wine and garlic sauce, crowned with half a Maine lobster, stuffed with a sumptuous blend of king crab and Spanish chorizo.
'We wanted a pasta dish that celebrated multiple cuisines—the brininess of Italian puttanesca, the satin glaze of French beurre montè and the American delight of crab-stuffed Maine lobster. The pasta is buttery with olive and garlic, accented by the texture and smoked paprika of Spanish chorizo. The best part is finishing it off by dragging the lobster and crab cake stuffing through the sauce for a truly mouthwatering bite," said Chef Kyle Bateman, Executive Sous Chef Wren & Wolf.
Lobster Boil at The Boiling Crab.
The Boiling Crab isn't just about boiling crab, you can boil all kinds of seafood, including delicious lobster. Choose your shellfish of choice, along with spice level and sauce preference. It's like an interactive lobster choose your adventure.
'At The Boiling Crab, every day is a good day for lobster, but today, we crack a few extra claws in its honor. On National Lobster Day, we celebrate the timeless joy of sharing seafood around the table, and there is no better place to do it than with us,' says David Nguyen, COO.
Lobster Kale Caesar
Chopt Creative Salad Co. is known for their creative salads. In fact, it's part of their name. But their collaboration with Hamptons-based LUNCH brought their summer salad arsenal to the next level with the Lobster Kale Caesar. Made of crisp kale and romaine topped with LUNCH's lobster salad and served with a toasted bun and lemon wedge, it's kind of if a Caesar went coastal and it can make any lunchtime feel a whole lot more fancy. This limited time offer will only be available on Thursdays throughout the month of June at five select NYC locations.
Lobster & Shrimp Quesadilla at Friendly's Restaurants.
A star of the new summer menu at Friendly's restaurants, this seafood-centric upgrade on the classic quesadilla is made with mixed cheese, lobster, and shrimp wrapped in flour tortillas, served with salsa, sour cream, of course, a side of fries.
Athenian-Style Lobster Pasta at Estiatorio Milos at Hudson Yards.
At Estiatorio Milos at Hudson Yards (as well as other locations), this is a signature Milos dish, made with Athenian-style lobster pasta tossed with pasta, and finished simply with herbs and olive oil. Chef Costas Spiliadis says: 'Our cuisine is not based on recipes but on ingredients that the land and sea can provide us with.'