About Time You Tried: Best Lobster Rolls in LondonBy Joanne Gould
It’s official: London’s lobster scene has exploded with colour, vibrancy and deliciousness. With New England style eateries littering the city and even the big boys getting in on the action, everyone has gone crustacean crazy for lobster rolls. We narrowed down the best of the bunch for you to get your claws into – here’s 5 of the best lobster rolls in London:
1. For a Lobster Feast: Fraq’s Lobster Shack
What: Boston Lobster Roll (£14.90)
The Lowdown: Fraq’s Lobster Shack is a cute little Boston themed hideout on busy Goodge Street. Their seaside vibes make you feel immediately chilled, and if not then just take them up on their 2 lobster rolls, 2 sides and ½ bottle of champagne which we guarantee will do the trick. Generous sized brioche rolls are filled to the brim with sweet lobster meat and topped off with your choice of (more) butter, garlic or spicy sauce. There’s a lovely lemony mayo and spring onion spiked salad too, which works perfectly and means you can totally justify those courgette fritters on the side. Now get it all delivered straight to your doorstep at the click of a button for the ultimate in lazy lobster love.
Where: Fraq’s Lobster Shack, 55 Goodge Street, W1T 1TQ
2. For a Foot-Long: Lobster Kitchen
What: Foot-long Sharer Lobster Roll (£20 for 2 with sides)
The Lowdown: Lobster Kitchen is Maine-style fancy fast-food in the middle of town. Here, the ubiquitous brioche bun is crammed with big juicy chunks of lobster claws and knuckles and then Lobster Kitchen lets you choose to finish it off with traditional garlic, spiced up or drizzled with a retro Marie Rose. The foot long also comes with two sides, so you may as well go all out with their much-lauded lobster mac’n’cheese and some lobster croquettes whilst you’re at it.
Where: Lobster Kitchen, 111 Great Russell Street, WC1B 3NQ
3. For Lobster on a Rooftop: Nantucket Beach at Sky Lounge
What: Nantucket Lobster Roll
The Lowdown: Enjoy a slice of East Coast island life with Sky Lounge’s current summer makeover transforming this city rooftop into a summer beachside haven. Shellfish is the name of the game here and the aptly named Seafood Survival Buckets – complete with lobster tails and instruction kit – have to be seen to be believed. Those not wishing to get their hands dirty should dive straight into a delicious lobster roll for a taste of authentic New England cuisine, and be sure to chase it down with a signature Lanson champagne cocktail; this is the City after all.
Where: Nantucket Beach Club at Sky Lounge, 7 Pepys Street, EC3N 4AF
4. For Japanese Lobster: Hawksmoor Knightsbridge
What: Tokyo Lobster Roll (£25)
The Lowdown: Steak experts Hawksmoor reckon they were one of the first London restaurants to serve lobster rolls back in 2010 – they proved a huge hit and their now many branches have several available. It’s hard to resist their heavyweight classic of garlic buttered whole lobster roll with béarnaise on the side, but if you can then try the Tokyo at Knightsbridge. This luxury lobster roll packs a proper punch with spicy sriracha, Japanese mayo (made with rice vinegar for a lighter touch) and drizzled with yuzu for a deep citrus twang. Superb.
Where: Hawksmoor Knightsbridge, 3 Yeoman’s Row, SW3 2AL
5. For Deep-Fried Lobster: Randall & Aubin
What: Lobster Po Boy (£11.25)
The Lowdown: This swanky number from iconic Soho seafood stalwarts Randall & Aubin is stuffed with delicious fresh lobster in a buttery brioche torpedo along with home-made coleslaw and Randall & Aubin special sauce. As if this wasn’t enough, they deep fry the lobster in secret house batter which gives it a crispy outside with a soft and juicy centre in each bite. Just try not to have one every day.
Where: Randall & Aubin, 16 Brewer Street, W1F 0SG
