While many North Shore residents enjoy fresh Atlantic lobster all year long, National Lobster Day only comes once per year on September 25, and it is not too late to celebrate. A holiday to seek out and dine on lobster in its many glorious culinary forms is something we love to celebrate here at Northshore magazine. From lobster rolls, steamed lobster with butter, creamy lobster bisque, spicy lobster pasta, and more – here are eight places offering up the perfect National Lobster Day meal.
CK Pearl, Essex
CK Pearl offers an array of sumptuous lobster dishes from their lobster roll with mayo or warm with butter on a potato roll to lobster carbonara with hand cut spaghetti, bacon, tomatoes, peas, red chili flake, parmesan and soft egg. Looking for a lobster option for brunch? Try their lobster eggs benedict with eggs and spinach
112 Main St., Essex, 978-890-7378, ckpearl.com
1606 Restaurant & Oyster Bar, Gloucester
Located inside the Beauport Hotel, 1606 Restaurant & Oyster Bar offers lobster right on the waterfront with the scent of salt air. Their lobster choices start with lobster bisque, Cape Ann lobster roll with drawn butter or lightly dressed, lobster tail with 1606 lime mustard, and lobster tortelloni with North Atlantic lobster, shishitos, variations of corn, cherry tomatoes, spinach, pancetta, sauce américaine, and fine herbs.
55 Commercial St., Gloucester, 978-491-5090, 1606restaurant.com
Turner’s Seafood, Salem and Melrose
If you want to go big for national lobster day Turner’s Seafood at Lyceum Hall in Salem serves up a steamed 2.5 lb. lobster. Other offerings are a lobster cocktail with .5 lb lobster meat, lobster bisque, lobster pie, and a lobster risotto cake with Panko crusted parmesan and lobster risotto cake finished with a lobster basil cream sauce.
43 Church St., Salem, 978-745-7665; 506 Main St., Melrose, 781-662-0700; turners-seafood.com
Little Harbor Lobster Company, Marblehead
Made with a third of a pound of fresh lobster meat and served on a griddled brioche bun, Little Harbor Lobster Company’s lobster roll—where the meat is sourced directly from local fishermen and shucked onsite—is a North Shore legend. Have yours dressed in mayo, the New England standard, or Connecticut-style, with a side of drawn butter. The restaurant will even make them “deconstructed,” packaged with roll and lobster separate, should you need to assemble them at home. Freshness at this spot, after all, is key. Little Harbor was recently voted BONS 2026 Reader’s Choice for lobster rolls.
3 Beacon St., Marblehead, 781-639-1961, littleharborlobster.com
Bob Lobster, Newbury
This Newbury stalwart serves lobster rolls by the quarter pound and half pound, and diners can also order them spicy (with the addition of banana peppers and sriracha); avocado-inflected; extra fat (with fried clams); and with lemon-tarragon aioli and fried shallots. Perched on Plum Island’s marsh, the setting offers even more reason to pull in and grab the roll of your dreams.
49 Plum Island Tpke., Newbury, 978-465-7100, boblobster.com
Roy Moore Lobster Company, Rockport
Located on Bearskin Neck in Rockport, Roy Moore Lobster Company was recently voted BONS 2026 Editor’s Choice for quintessential summer lobster dinner experience. Enjoy hot boiled lobster or a lobster roll with hand shucked lobster meat served on a grilled Bonny Breads bun either cold with house-made mayo or hot with butter.
39 Bearskin Neck, 978-546-6696, Rockport, roymoorelobster.com
Brine, Newburyport
Brine in the heart of downtown Newburyport offers a twist on their lobster roll. They start with a traditional brioche bun then add yuzu kosho butter, scallions, and potato chip furikake,. They also offer twists on their lobster salad, rice, and pasta. Sit outside on their patio while we still have some warm days and enjoy the lobster dish of your choice.
17 State St., Newburyport, 978-358-8479, brineoyster.com
Seaport Grille, Gloucester
The Seaport Grille’s fresh lobster salad is served with lettuce on a buttered and grilled New England roll. While their lobster roll is traditional the twist on their menu is the lobster BLT with lobster salad, avocado, bacon, lettuce, tomato, on a brioche roll. Enjoy a harbor view on one of their two decks overlooking the oldest working waterfront in America.
6 Rowe Square, Gloucester, 978-282-9799, seaportgrillegloucester.com