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A lobster roll from Patsy’s
The lobster roll from Patsy’s American in Tysons Corner
Rey Lopez/For Patsy’s

12 Luscious Lobster Rolls to Sample This Summer

Get these rolls to-go

by Missy Frederick Updated
View as Map
The lobster roll from Patsy’s American in Tysons Corner
| Rey Lopez/For Patsy’s
by Missy Frederick Updated

There’s something about a lobster roll that’s transporting — eating one just feels a little bit like being on vacation. That’s why they’re a natural fit for a summer meal or snack. Several restaurants around D.C. are offering them to-go right now, either for pickup or delivery. Here are some of the highlights.

A number of D.C. area restaurants have resumed dine-in service. The level of service offered is indicated on each map point. However, this should not be taken as endorsement for dining in, as there are still safety concerns. The Washington Post is tracking coronavirus cases and deaths in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. More information can be found at coronavirus.dc.gov. Studies indicate that there is a lower exposure risk when outdoors, but the level of risk involved with patio dining is contingent on restaurants following strict social distancing and other safety guidelines.

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Nantucket Clam Shack

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This pandemic pop-up, operating out of the I’m Eddie Cano space, serves up lobster rolls with influences from Nantucket (chilled, with aioli and celery salt) and Long Island (celery butter) through the fall. They’re $27.95 with chips and cole slaw, and packed specially for takeout.

5014 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008
(202) 890-4995
(202) 890-4995
A lobster roll from Nantucket Clam Shack, pictured with cole slaw
A lobster roll from Nantucket Clam Shack
Tierney Plumb/Eater

Also featured in:

Millie's Spring Valley

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The Muskaget at this restaurant is their version of a lobster roll, with Maine lobster on a toasted, buttered roll accompanied by bibb lettuce, lemon and chive (it comes with cole slaw). The roll can be ordered for takeout or delivery via Doordash.

This restaurant is open for dine-in with a reservation.

4866 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016
(202) 733-5789
(202) 733-5789

Hank's Oyster Bar

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Three Hank’s locations (Dupont, the Wharf, and Alexandria) are currently open during the pandemic, and they’ve added lobster roll kits to the mix among their delivery options ($45 for two, $85 for four). Their classic roll ($27 with Old Bay french fries), with plenty of meat and a sturdy bun, is one of the city’s most iconic. Chef Jamie Leeds has also partnered with War Shore Oyster Company on the venture Current Catch to provide seafood deliveries during the crisis, including fresh lobster meat for make-at-home rolls.

All three locations have dine-in options.

1624 Q St NW STE 100, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 462-4265
(202) 462-4265
A lobster roll on a slate serving platter with a checkered napkin in the background
Lobster roll from Hank’s
Hank’s Oyster Bar [Photo: Facebook]

Also featured in:

Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls (Multiple Locations)

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These lobster rolls are now available via curbside pickup for those who place an order online. Both classic and Connecticut-style (with drenched butter) are available for the reasonable price of $15-16. There’s also a lobster BLT roll on the menu because, well, bacon.

1303 19th St NW, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 733-1450
(202) 733-1450
A lobster roll with chips and pickles from Mason’s Famous
A lobster roll with chips and pickles from Mason’s Famous
[Photo: Facebook]

Also featured in:

King Street Oyster Bar

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Lobster rolls come hot or cold (and therefore with either butter or aioli) at this D.C. destination (each priced $19). There are also outposts in further flung Leesburg and Middleburg. Order pick-up through the restaurant directly.

This restaurant is also open for patio seating, with the Virginia locations seating indoors at 50 percent.

22 M St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 621-8513
(202) 621-8513
A lobster roll pictured with fries
A lobster roll pictured with fries
King Street Oyster Bar [Photo: Facebook]

Also featured in:

Luke's Lobster (Multiple Locations)

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The majority of Luke’s Lobster locations have been closed during the pandemic, but the Penn Quarter and Bethesda outposts reopened for takeout and delivery only. This mini-chain’s lobster rolls start at $17; they’re also experimenting with delivery seafood.

624 E St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 347-3355
(202) 347-3355
Two lobster rolls from Luke’s, held in front of camera
Lobster rolls from Luke’s Lobster
Luke’s Lobster [Photo: Facebook]

Slapfish (Multiple Locations)

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Customers can order lobster rolls from this chain online for its Maryland or Virginia outposts, using their own system or through outlets like Doordash and Caviar. The traditional lobster roll is $25, and the chain also has a lobster “grinder,” spiked with shrimp for $15.

Level M1, Ballston Quarters, 671 N Glebe Rd #1274, Arlington, VA 22203
(571) 312-4610
(571) 312-4610
A roll from Slapfish with lobster sticking out of the bun
A roll from Slapfish
Slapfish [official site]

The Salt Line

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Kyle Bailey’s seafood-focused restaurant near the ballpark has been delivering a variety of foods, including lobster rolls, throughout the pandemic. Rolls can be done either with butter or mayo, and are priced at $28 (with a side). Get delivery or pickup through Caviar.

This restaurant is also open for patio dining.

79 Potomac Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 506-2368
(202) 506-2368

Also featured in:

Vola’s Dockside Grill and Hi-Tide Lounge

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This Alexandria waterfront spot offers curbside pickup and delivery through its website. They spike their lobster roll, which features large chunks of meat, with lemon-tarragon mayo and serve it with a side of Old Bay fries.

This restaurant is also open for dine-in.

101 N Union St, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 935-8890
(703) 935-8890

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The Walrus Oyster & Ale House

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Connecticut-style is the preparation of choice for this National Harbor restaurant, with a lobster roll that’s drenched in butter, with lemon and chives (they use more than a quarter pound of meat per roll). Fries come with the $27 sandwich, and gluten-free buns are an option. Doordash is the vendor to use for pickup or delivery.

This restaurant is also open for dine-in.

152 Waterfront St, Oxon Hill, MD 20745
(301) 567-6100
(301) 567-6100
A Connecticut-style lobster roll from the Walrus & Oyster Ale House
A Connecticut-style lobster roll from the Walrus & Oyster Ale House
The Walrus & Oyster Ale House [official]

Patsy's American

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The Great American Restaurants (GAR) flagship in Tysons Corner lists its Maine lobster roll for $22 on the carryout menu (order online). It comes with roasted corn on the cob and a side of fries.

This restaurant is also open for indoor or outdoor dining.

8051 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA 22182
(703) 552-5100
(703) 552-5100
A lobster roll from Patsy’s
A lobster roll from Patsy’s
Rey Lopez/For Patsy’s

Also featured in:

The Dabney

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James Beard award-winning chef Jeremiah Langhorne’s super-seasonal, wood-burning kitchen is running a patio pop-up called Summer Rental in Blagden Alley. The lobster roll there comes with brown butter citrus mayo, celery, and tarragon. Reservations are doled out on Tock.

122 Blagden Alley NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 450-1015
(202) 450-1015

Also featured in:

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Nantucket Clam Shack

5014 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008

This pandemic pop-up, operating out of the I’m Eddie Cano space, serves up lobster rolls with influences from Nantucket (chilled, with aioli and celery salt) and Long Island (celery butter) through the fall. They’re $27.95 with chips and cole slaw, and packed specially for takeout.

5014 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008
(202) 890-4995
(202) 890-4995
A lobster roll from Nantucket Clam Shack, pictured with cole slaw
A lobster roll from Nantucket Clam Shack
Tierney Plumb/Eater

Millie's Spring Valley

4866 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016

The Muskaget at this restaurant is their version of a lobster roll, with Maine lobster on a toasted, buttered roll accompanied by bibb lettuce, lemon and chive (it comes with cole slaw). The roll can be ordered for takeout or delivery via Doordash.

This restaurant is open for dine-in with a reservation.

4866 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016
(202) 733-5789
(202) 733-5789

Hank's Oyster Bar

1624 Q St NW STE 100, Washington, DC 20009

Three Hank’s locations (Dupont, the Wharf, and Alexandria) are currently open during the pandemic, and they’ve added lobster roll kits to the mix among their delivery options ($45 for two, $85 for four). Their classic roll ($27 with Old Bay french fries), with plenty of meat and a sturdy bun, is one of the city’s most iconic. Chef Jamie Leeds has also partnered with War Shore Oyster Company on the venture Current Catch to provide seafood deliveries during the crisis, including fresh lobster meat for make-at-home rolls.

All three locations have dine-in options.

1624 Q St NW STE 100, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 462-4265
(202) 462-4265
A lobster roll on a slate serving platter with a checkered napkin in the background
Lobster roll from Hank’s
Hank’s Oyster Bar [Photo: Facebook]

Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls (Multiple Locations)

1303 19th St NW, Washington, DC 20036

These lobster rolls are now available via curbside pickup for those who place an order online. Both classic and Connecticut-style (with drenched butter) are available for the reasonable price of $15-16. There’s also a lobster BLT roll on the menu because, well, bacon.

1303 19th St NW, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 733-1450
(202) 733-1450
A lobster roll with chips and pickles from Mason’s Famous
A lobster roll with chips and pickles from Mason’s Famous
[Photo: Facebook]

King Street Oyster Bar

22 M St NE, Washington, DC 20002

Lobster rolls come hot or cold (and therefore with either butter or aioli) at this D.C. destination (each priced $19). There are also outposts in further flung Leesburg and Middleburg. Order pick-up through the restaurant directly.

This restaurant is also open for patio seating, with the Virginia locations seating indoors at 50 percent.

22 M St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 621-8513
(202) 621-8513
A lobster roll pictured with fries
A lobster roll pictured with fries
King Street Oyster Bar [Photo: Facebook]

Luke's Lobster (Multiple Locations)

624 E St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

The majority of Luke’s Lobster locations have been closed during the pandemic, but the Penn Quarter and Bethesda outposts reopened for takeout and delivery only. This mini-chain’s lobster rolls start at $17; they’re also experimenting with delivery seafood.

624 E St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 347-3355
(202) 347-3355
Two lobster rolls from Luke’s, held in front of camera
Lobster rolls from Luke’s Lobster
Luke’s Lobster [Photo: Facebook]

Slapfish (Multiple Locations)

Level M1, Ballston Quarters, 671 N Glebe Rd #1274, Arlington, VA 22203

Customers can order lobster rolls from this chain online for its Maryland or Virginia outposts, using their own system or through outlets like Doordash and Caviar. The traditional lobster roll is $25, and the chain also has a lobster “grinder,” spiked with shrimp for $15.

Level M1, Ballston Quarters, 671 N Glebe Rd #1274, Arlington, VA 22203
(571) 312-4610
(571) 312-4610
A roll from Slapfish with lobster sticking out of the bun
A roll from Slapfish
Slapfish [official site]

The Salt Line

79 Potomac Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003

Kyle Bailey’s seafood-focused restaurant near the ballpark has been delivering a variety of foods, including lobster rolls, throughout the pandemic. Rolls can be done either with butter or mayo, and are priced at $28 (with a side). Get delivery or pickup through Caviar.

This restaurant is also open for patio dining.

79 Potomac Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 506-2368
(202) 506-2368

Vola’s Dockside Grill and Hi-Tide Lounge

101 N Union St, Alexandria, VA 22314

This Alexandria waterfront spot offers curbside pickup and delivery through its website. They spike their lobster roll, which features large chunks of meat, with lemon-tarragon mayo and serve it with a side of Old Bay fries.

This restaurant is also open for dine-in.

101 N Union St, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 935-8890
(703) 935-8890

The Walrus Oyster & Ale House

152 Waterfront St, Oxon Hill, MD 20745

Connecticut-style is the preparation of choice for this National Harbor restaurant, with a lobster roll that’s drenched in butter, with lemon and chives (they use more than a quarter pound of meat per roll). Fries come with the $27 sandwich, and gluten-free buns are an option. Doordash is the vendor to use for pickup or delivery.

This restaurant is also open for dine-in.

152 Waterfront St, Oxon Hill, MD 20745
(301) 567-6100
(301) 567-6100
A Connecticut-style lobster roll from the Walrus & Oyster Ale House
A Connecticut-style lobster roll from the Walrus & Oyster Ale House
The Walrus & Oyster Ale House [official]

Patsy's American

8051 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA 22182

The Great American Restaurants (GAR) flagship in Tysons Corner lists its Maine lobster roll for $22 on the carryout menu (order online). It comes with roasted corn on the cob and a side of fries.

This restaurant is also open for indoor or outdoor dining.

8051 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA 22182
(703) 552-5100
(703) 552-5100
A lobster roll from Patsy’s
A lobster roll from Patsy’s
Rey Lopez/For Patsy’s

The Dabney

122 Blagden Alley NW, Washington, DC 20001

James Beard award-winning chef Jeremiah Langhorne’s super-seasonal, wood-burning kitchen is running a patio pop-up called Summer Rental in Blagden Alley. The lobster roll there comes with brown butter citrus mayo, celery, and tarragon. Reservations are doled out on Tock.

122 Blagden Alley NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 450-1015
(202) 450-1015

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