Lobster rolls have been steadily gaining popularity here in Singapore. Traditionally a dish from New England, lobster rolls consist of chunks of lobster meat tossed in a creamy yet light dressing that usually includes mayonnaise, and stuffed on a pillowy brioche or hotdog bun.
The dish might sound pretty luxurious and indulgent, but it isn’t just confined to upscale restaurants with a hefty price tag. Today, many lobster roll experts have entered our local market, bringing the iconic New England sandwich to us at accessible prices.
So today we’re sharing some of the most popular places to try lobster rolls! If you’ve already been to any of these places, don’t forget to vote for your favourite ones and stand to win $100 GrabFood vouchers!
Pince & Pints
Pince & Pints was a forerunner and one of the first restaurants to bring the lobster roll to our shores years ago. They are dedicated to everything lobster, serving up a collection of lobster roll dishes that draw inspiration from all over the world. The original roll by Pince & Pints is served with garlic butter sauce ($58++), but if you’re feeling adventurous, try out their nonya chilli dressing ($58++)! Or perhaps the more indulgent truffle version that comes with freshly shaved truffle, truffle caviar and truffle butter sauce ($68++)?
Burger & Lobster
The London-based restaurant made waves when it arrived on our shores, and it isn’t hard to understand what the hype is about once you’ve tried their lobster rolls! Burger & Lobster goes for utmost freshness and quality, which means seafood that are freshly caught from Nova Scotia, Canada. The lobster chunks here are simply tossed with Japanese mayonnaise and chopped chives, and then stuffed in a toasted brioche bun and served with a side of crispy golden-brown fries and house salad ($34++).
Chunky Lobsters
Chunky Lobsters is the first in Singapore to make lobster rolls seriously affordable as a weekly treat, rather than something reserved for a special occasion. “Seafood made affordable” is their motto, and that’s something we can all get behind! Granted, Chunky Lobsters is more of a takeaway kiosk than a restaurant, but prices start from just $16 so we’re not complaining. Not to mention, their lobster rolls also come in different flavours, such as the Original, Connecticut, Cheezy, Mentaiko and more!
The Market Grill
Everything about the lobster roll at The Market Grill screams premium quality, and an entire lobster goes into the making of each roll! Lobster chunks are first grilled for maximum flavour on a specially-imported Wood Stone charbroiler, then tossed together in a mix of herbed mayo and Pommery mustard. The light seasoning allows for the sweetness of the fresh lobster meat to come through, and the meat is completed with a small salad and fries on the side ($48++).
Humpback
Humpback is known for their oysters but their lobster roll ($45++) is also a standout. Found on both their a la carte and Sunday brunch menu, their dish is generously topped with flying fish roe (tobiko) and served with yellow frisee salad and crunchy fries on the side. Goes great with the restaurant’s take on a Bloody Mary that’s mixed with lobster tomato juice and garnished with lobster tail!
The Naked Finn
The Naked Finn is named as such because of their focus on serving excellent seafood, only lightly seasoned to highlight their quality. Serving a Connecticut-style lobster roll for lunch, here the lobster meat is grilled and tossed with unsalted butter and crème fraîche or house-made mayonnaise, then served with locally farmed mesclun salad and shoestring truffle fries (from $35).
Dancing Crab
Dancing Crab might be best known for their indulgent platters of seafood drenched in cajun sauce, but do you know that they also whip up a decent lobster roll? You might think that $36++ isn’t that cheap, but be assured you get great value-for-money because the lobster rolls are served in twos and come with cajun fries. They're perfect for those days where you want something indulgent, yet too lazy to put on a pair of gloves and crack open some shells by yourself!
Anti:dote
Anti:dote might be a stylish cocktail bar boasting a dizzying range of cocktails, but the food here also tastes as good as it looks! Their rendition of the lobster roll sees an entire claw of fresh Maine lobster draped with mayo and a bit of caviar, then served in a jet black charcoal bun or a multigrain bun ($28++). Your pick! Completing the magic is pearls of caviar for pops of brininess and housemade potato chips!
The Clifford Pier
Located in the lobby of The Fullerton Bay Hotel, The Clifford Pier serves up decent lobster rolls too! Here, an entire Boston lobster is poached in butter and tossed in a light mayonnaise dressing with chopped chives, served in a brioche bun with a side of truffle fries and garden salad ($33++). Makes for a really hearty meal!
db Bistro & Oyster Bar
db Bistro & Oyster Bar is renowned French-American chef Daniel Boulud’s first venture into Singapore. Although their main focus is on oysters, they also serve up a pretty mean lobster roll. Daniel Boulud’s rendition of the American classic is tossed in mayo with creamy avocado and smoky paprika, all in a perfectly toasted brioche roll (that’s baked in house, of course) and served with a side of salad ($42++).