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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

18 Luscious Lobster Rolls to Sample Around D.C.

Where to find the seafood-stuffed sandwich this spring

by Missy Frederick and Vinciane Ngomsi Updated
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The lobster roll from Patsy’s American in Tysons Corner.
| Rey Lopez/for Patsy’s
by Missy Frederick and Vinciane Ngomsi 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 meal or snack when temperatures start to rise. Several restaurants around D.C. offer them to-go, the traditional way, or a unique iteration of their own. Here are 18 highlights.

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Willie T’s Seafood Shack

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Choose from a regular or large lobster roll, available for $27 and $36, respectively. Both come topped with a seafood dressing and a side of slaw.

9326 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20910
(301) 328-0175
(301) 328-0175

Millie's Spring Valley

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The Muskeget 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 coleslaw).

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

Patsy's American

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The Great American Restaurants (GAR) flagship in Tysons Corner comes with roasted corn on the cob and a side of fries.

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:

Hank's Oyster Bar

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Three Hank’s locations offer the classic roll ($31 with Old Bay french fries), with plenty of meat and a sturdy bun, making it one of the city’s most iconic.

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]

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Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls (Multiple Locations)

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Both classic and Connecticut-style (with drenched butter) are available for the reasonable price of $19 at this Annapolis-born chain that’s about to debut at the Wharf. There’s also a lobster BLT roll on the menu because, well, bacon. Area locations include Foggy Bottom, Dupont, Georgetown, Arlington, and Reston.

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. There are also outposts in further flung Leesburg, Middleburg, and Potomac.

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]

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Georgetown Seafood

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Served chilled or warm ($21), choose from either the Connecticut or Maine iteration. Add on a side of fries, chips, coleslaw, salad or hush puppies for $3 more.

1211 Potomac St NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 629-4119
(202) 629-4119

Parlour Victoria

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Downtown’s chic new seafood spot in the Moxy hotel sends out Maine lobster rolls for lunch and dinner made with drawn butter, chives, celery leaf, toasted split-top bun, and choice of spring salad or fries ($39).

1011 K St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(771) 999-3900
(771) 999-3900
A Maine lobster roll and fries at Parlour Victoria. 
Charlotte Thomsen/Atlas Restaurant Group

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Truluck's Ocean's Finest Seafood and Crab

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For $29, lobster rolls at the upscale surf and turf mainstay come tossed in a creamy dressing on a buttered roll. Surprisingly, it’s only available during brunch.

700 K St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 898-0680
(202) 898-0680

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Brine (Multiple locations)

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Brine prepares their lobster rolls New England style ($35), tossed in mayonnaise and topped with scallions inside of a sweet brioche roll. Shoestring fries come on the side. Available at both the H St NE and Dupont posts.

1359 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 591-1739
(202) 591-1739

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Vue Rooftop

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Atop Hotel Washington, the new and improved Vue rooftop restaurant is dishing out their version of the seafood dish drenched in house mayo for $36.

515 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 661-2437
(202) 661-2437

Also featured in:

Luke's Lobster (Multiple Locations)

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This mini-chain’s lobster rolls start at $17, and come dressed with a secret seasoning. They also feature crab and shrimp rolls, along with the option to try all three in a mini trio for $27.

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]

Seamore's Arlington

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Clarendon’s sustainability-centric seafood newcomer by way of New York makes a Maine lobster roll with mayo, celery, Old Bay, coleslaw, and fries or salad ($34). Lobster also works its way into a decadent mac and cheese with rigatoni, three cheeses, breadcrumbs, and chives.

2815 Clarendon Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201
(703) 721-3384
(703) 721-3384

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THE GRILL

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Down near the Wharf, The Grill offers the beloved handheld buttered and toasted on a brioche roll, with a tarragon lobster salad and herbed fries (market price).

99 Market Square SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 916-5996
(202) 916-5996

Also featured in:

The Salt Line (Multiple locations)

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Chef Kyle Bailey’s seafood-focused restaurant near Nationals Park and in Ballston deliver a variety of seafood favorites, including lobster rolls. Rolls can be done either with butter or mayo, and come with a side of crispy fries or greens.

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

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Ned's New England Deck

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Co-owners and longtime friends Steve Forbes and Anthony Gallotto just brought a taste of their native New England to Fairfax City with the March opening of Ned’s. Live Maine lobsters are cooked and cleaned in-house daily, and each large roll arrives on a buttered Connecticut bun with celery, bibb lettuce, and Ned’s house dressing ($29); add double claws for $9 more.

10655 Fairfax Blvd, Fairfax, VA 22030
(571) 407-5217
(571) 407-5217
Each roll comes on bread baked fresh daily or a Connecticut bun, per request.
Ned’s New England Deck

Vola’s Dockside Grill and Hi-Tide Lounge

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This Alexandria waterfront spot spike their lobster roll, which features large chunks of meat, with lemon-tarragon mayo and serve it with a side of Old Bay fries ($29).

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

Also featured in:

The Walrus Oyster & Ale House (Multiple locations)

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Connecticut-style is the preparation of choice for 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 $37.50 sandwich, and gluten-free buns are an option.

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]

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Willie T’s Seafood Shack

9326 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Choose from a regular or large lobster roll, available for $27 and $36, respectively. Both come topped with a seafood dressing and a side of slaw.

9326 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20910
(301) 328-0175
(301) 328-0175

Millie's Spring Valley

4866 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016

The Muskeget 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 coleslaw).

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

Patsy's American

8051 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA 22182

The Great American Restaurants (GAR) flagship in Tysons Corner comes with roasted corn on the cob and a side of fries.

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

Hank's Oyster Bar

1624 Q St NW STE 100, Washington, DC 20009

Three Hank’s locations offer the classic roll ($31 with Old Bay french fries), with plenty of meat and a sturdy bun, making it one of the city’s most iconic.

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

Both classic and Connecticut-style (with drenched butter) are available for the reasonable price of $19 at this Annapolis-born chain that’s about to debut at the Wharf. There’s also a lobster BLT roll on the menu because, well, bacon. Area locations include Foggy Bottom, Dupont, Georgetown, Arlington, and Reston.

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. There are also outposts in further flung Leesburg, Middleburg, and Potomac.

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]

Georgetown Seafood

1211 Potomac St NW, Washington, DC 20007

Served chilled or warm ($21), choose from either the Connecticut or Maine iteration. Add on a side of fries, chips, coleslaw, salad or hush puppies for $3 more.

1211 Potomac St NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 629-4119
(202) 629-4119

Parlour Victoria

1011 K St NW, Washington, DC 20001

Downtown’s chic new seafood spot in the Moxy hotel sends out Maine lobster rolls for lunch and dinner made with drawn butter, chives, celery leaf, toasted split-top bun, and choice of spring salad or fries ($39).

1011 K St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(771) 999-3900
(771) 999-3900
A Maine lobster roll and fries at Parlour Victoria. 
Charlotte Thomsen/Atlas Restaurant Group

Truluck's Ocean's Finest Seafood and Crab

700 K St NW, Washington, DC 20001

For $29, lobster rolls at the upscale surf and turf mainstay come tossed in a creamy dressing on a buttered roll. Surprisingly, it’s only available during brunch.

700 K St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 898-0680
(202) 898-0680

Brine (Multiple locations)

1359 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002

Brine prepares their lobster rolls New England style ($35), tossed in mayonnaise and topped with scallions inside of a sweet brioche roll. Shoestring fries come on the side. Available at both the H St NE and Dupont posts.

1359 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 591-1739
(202) 591-1739

Vue Rooftop

515 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20004

Atop Hotel Washington, the new and improved Vue rooftop restaurant is dishing out their version of the seafood dish drenched in house mayo for $36.

515 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 661-2437
(202) 661-2437

Luke's Lobster (Multiple Locations)

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

This mini-chain’s lobster rolls start at $17, and come dressed with a secret seasoning. They also feature crab and shrimp rolls, along with the option to try all three in a mini trio for $27.

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]

Seamore's Arlington

2815 Clarendon Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201

Clarendon’s sustainability-centric seafood newcomer by way of New York makes a Maine lobster roll with mayo, celery, Old Bay, coleslaw, and fries or salad ($34). Lobster also works its way into a decadent mac and cheese with rigatoni, three cheeses, breadcrumbs, and chives.

2815 Clarendon Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201
(703) 721-3384
(703) 721-3384

THE GRILL

99 Market Square SW, Washington, DC 20024

Down near the Wharf, The Grill offers the beloved handheld buttered and toasted on a brioche roll, with a tarragon lobster salad and herbed fries (market price).

99 Market Square SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 916-5996
(202) 916-5996

The Salt Line (Multiple locations)

79 Potomac Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003

Chef Kyle Bailey’s seafood-focused restaurant near Nationals Park and in Ballston deliver a variety of seafood favorites, including lobster rolls. Rolls can be done either with butter or mayo, and come with a side of crispy fries or greens.

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

Related Maps

Ned's New England Deck

10655 Fairfax Blvd, Fairfax, VA 22030

Co-owners and longtime friends Steve Forbes and Anthony Gallotto just brought a taste of their native New England to Fairfax City with the March opening of Ned’s. Live Maine lobsters are cooked and cleaned in-house daily, and each large roll arrives on a buttered Connecticut bun with celery, bibb lettuce, and Ned’s house dressing ($29); add double claws for $9 more.

10655 Fairfax Blvd, Fairfax, VA 22030
(571) 407-5217
(571) 407-5217
Each roll comes on bread baked fresh daily or a Connecticut bun, per request.
Ned’s New England Deck

Vola’s Dockside Grill and Hi-Tide Lounge

101 N Union St, Alexandria, VA 22314

This Alexandria waterfront spot spike their lobster roll, which features large chunks of meat, with lemon-tarragon mayo and serve it with a side of Old Bay fries ($29).

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

The Walrus Oyster & Ale House (Multiple locations)

152 Waterfront St, Oxon Hill, MD 20745

Connecticut-style is the preparation of choice for 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 $37.50 sandwich, and gluten-free buns are an option.

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]

Related Maps