You've got ten minutes and a hungry table. Here's how to read a lobster spot before you even sit down.
1. There's a tank — and it's busy
A live tank out front means fresh, and a tank that's constantly being raided means turnover. Full tank, no movement? Walk on.
2. The locals are in the line
Tourists follow signs; locals follow flavour. A queue of people who clearly drove there on purpose beats a pretty harbour view every time.
3. The price is "market," not fixed
Whole lobster sold at market price is a good sign — it means they buy fresh and price with the season. A suspiciously round, never-changing number means frozen.
4. The menu is short
A great lobster spot does a few things perfectly. A four-page menu with lobster buried on page three is a spot that does nothing perfectly.
5. It smells like the sea, not the fryer
Clean, briny, a little sweet. If the first thing you smell is old oil, that's what your lobster will taste like.
"Lobster pounds" — open-air spots where you pick your lobster straight from a saltwater tank — are a New England institution you'll rarely find anywhere else on earth.
Got a sixth tell we missed? We're listening.
Real food tours, tastings and experiences, with photos and prices.
As an Amazon Associate & GetYourGuide partner, we earn from qualifying purchases.