The 6 best places in Phoenix to get a lobster roll, according to locals

Lobster rolls are a popular menu item because they’re so tasty, light, and guaranteed (usually) to be delicious.

Finding quality seafood in a landlocked state like Arizona can be challenging, but it’s far from impossible. Here are the six lobster roll hotspots in the Valley:  

Bluewater Grill

1525 E. Bethany Home Road, Central Phoenix

Photo courtesy of Bluewater Grill

Bluewater Grill is a chain of seafood-centric restaurants and the top spot on Tripadvisor for lobster rolls in Phoenix. Prompting one reviewer to write, “I had the Maine lobster roll and it was terrific!!” The lobster roll is one of the most popular menu items. Bluewater’s version is served hot and buttered or as a chilled salad on a toasted brioche bun with a side of French fries or coleslaw for $29.50.

“The Lobster Roll — a white-bread brioche piled with a mixture of sustainably harvested

Maine lobster, rinsed onions, celery and mayonnaise — has been hidden on the menu since we opened in 1996,” said Bluewater Grill Phoenix general manager Jeff Martineau in a December press release.

Angie’s Lobster

Multiple locations throughout metro Phoenix

Photo courtesy of Angie’s Lobster

A drive-thru restaurant from former Salad and Go owners Tony and Roushan Christofellis, Angie’s Lobster is the most mentioned place for lobster rolls on Yelp. The couple purchased a wharf on Bailey Island, where all the lobster is purchased from boats and processed in their own facility to keep costs low. How low? Each lobster roll costs just $9.99. All of the lobster served at Angie’s is exclusively wild-caught in Maine. The rolls come warm or chilled and are served with fries, Angie’s sauce, and a drink.

Yelp reviewer Rachael M. wrote, “The best lobster rolls and their fries are the best. You really can’t beat the deal and everything is surprisingly fresh for the value.”

Angie’s Lobster is named after Tony’s mother, who worked in seafood restaurants her entire life and had her own restaurant called Angie’s Seafood outside of Boston.

“I created Angie’s Lobster to honor our mother and make sure that the love we feel every day gets passed on to the next generation and to future generations. A company that will live every day like she lived her life—with love, courage, compassion, servant leadership, energy, fight, and fun,” wrote Tony on the website.

Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls

15257 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale Quarter 

Mason’s is a chain that focuses on simple lobster rolls served with lemon, butter, mayo, and sometimes celery. All of the lobster is from Maine, as is expressed in the company’s motto on its Instagram page: “Genuine Lobster Rolls from Maine to mouth.” At the Scottsdale location, diners can order varieties like classic, Connecticut, lobster salad, and lobster BLT—or the Bar Harbor, which is served in any of the aforementioned styles but with 50% more meat. Google reviewer Lisa Romano called the lobster roll “tasty,” adding that the “lobster was fresh and had good taste/texture.”

Nelson’s Meat + Fish

Two locations in metro Phoenix

Nelson’s Meat + Fish is where many residents flock to purchase fresh seafood and meat. The NMF Proper Lobster Roll is only available once a week but is worth seeking out. Lobsters are cooked live and shucked by hand to guarantee freshness. Check Nelson’s social media feed to see when you can get one, as they are served from 10:30 a.m. until they sell out. Yelp reviewer Andrea M. wrote, “The lobster roll is gently seared to perfection and stuffed tight with chilled chunks of lightly dressed lobster. This was more than we could of imagined. The lobster roll from Nelson’s is a dream come true in the Valley of the Sun, an absolute must try.”

Proof at the Four Seasons Scottsdale at Troon North

10600 E. Crescent Moon Drive, Scottsdale

Proof, the more casual restaurant option at the Four Seasons Scottsdale at Troon North, serves a lobster roll on its lunch menu that has earned some rave reviews. One OpenTable reviewer said, “The lobster roll is the best in the city and reminds me of being on the east coast!” Proof’s lobster roll costs $38 and is served on a butter brioche roll lined with a piece of lettuce filled with a tarragon lobster salad that is seasoned with Old Bay. For a side, choose from mixed greens, Arizona veggies, or seasonal fries.

Tarbell’s Tavern

3209 E. Camelback Road, Central Phoenix

Celebrated local chef Mark Tarbell’s more casual outpost—sister restaurant to his fine-dining establishment, Tarbell’s—Tarbell’s Tavern, serves up a lobster roll that one OpenTable diner described as “spectacular” and another said was the “best lobster roll west of, well, Maine.” Diners can look forward to a Maine lobster roll that is seasoned with house-made aioli or clarified butter and served with half a lemon.

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