Awesome little seafood spot in fabulous Encinitas. Lobster rolls are very good. Actually, everything was very good and the clam chowder was my favorite! Sorry Sebastian. Maybe next time. LOL Parking was not bad in the center, I guess it depends on the time of day. I arrived at 1130 am. Pretty small place but plenty of seating between inside and outside. Very well organized, order at the door, find a seat and they bring you the food. Customer service was great. Very friendly and helpful and food was prepared rather quickly and correctly. The food was good! Ordered: Lobster roll - Filled with lots of meat, not a ton of seasoning, buttered roll. Maybe the roll was a little thick but small issue and probably just my carb shaming. Lobster Bisque - Good. I have only had lobster bisque a few times so I am not a pro at what it should or can taste like. This was good. Tasted like lobster and thick and creamy. Clam Chowder - YUM. So much clam, thick and had a wonder flavor. This was my favorite part of the meal. I would maybe try a different roll or sides but will get the CC again for sure. Sides - Slaw - no thanks, dry and no flavor or sweetness or sourness or anything. Beans were pretty good. Nice baked beans nothing special and exactly what I expected when ordering. Overall this was a good lunch. The price wasn't too crazy. I went in expecting to pay some decent $$ for food here and it wasn't outrageous. For the quality and amount it was well priced. I will be back here to try the other rolls and more clam chowder! read more

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I dont often leave bad reviews. I have been coming here for 10 years. It was a treat to eat their buttery crisped bread with fresh lobster but this last time we went the cole slaw was old and the oil on the buns had a horrible bitter after taste. We ate it because we were hungry and in a hurry to drive a long distance but had we known we could have asked them to make new rolls we would have. We were offered some soup coupons for a return but after spending over $23 per roll for 5 people this didn't seem right. Now my sister just told me she felt ill afterwards. I don't know what happened to this place. read more

It's a great place to grab a lobster roll. They have a pretty good one. I might be a little snobby about my rolls coming from the East Coast- this is the best I've found so far out in CA. I'm still tasting my way through. Lobster west has other seafood options on their menu, but I've only come for the roll so far. I enjoyed it on their patio while I was trying to kill some time before a meeting nearby. I'll share an update when I have more to review. read more

Disappointing is the most accurate description I can think of. A grilled cheese (soooo tiny), a 3 soup sampler was fine (lobster bisque, clam chowder & (something else). Shrimp roll ($16) was ok, and a bowl of clam chowder. Paper bowl. Plastic ware & napkins on the table. Place your order at the front door (why did we leave a tip?) it's a 'bus your own table'. There is no service. None. Food is delivered to the table. That was NOT a $50 dinner. Tiny portions. No service. read more

Lobster West - 3 soup sampler, teeny tiny grilled cheese. - Seafood Near Me - Encinitas, California

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So what's good here? Lobsters, its kinda in their name. How were they? Not good. But that's a matter of perspective I suppose. Lets start with a serious topic first, parking. Its in a really busy area but luckily there are plenty of parking spots for customers around the back. Phew... Now onto the food. What did we order? Two loster rolls (epic, meaning double meat) and a lobster bisque. The lobster bique was pretty good. Came with a packet of biscuits to go with the soup. The lobster rolls were quite fully stuffed. Was the amount of lobster worth the $$$ you're going to shell out? Probably not. Especially if you've had this stuff from Maine. How were the lobsters and how were the rolls? Lets start with the roll. It wasn't too bad. Fairly garlic-y and well toasted. The lobster. I would've preferred hot lobster in my lobster roll, especially with butter. Or if it was cold, came with a bit of flavoring to help it along. It was just straight up cold lobster with a sprinkle of seasoning on top. Its all preferences but it didn't sit right with me. There's no ding on their part, its only matter of preference. read more

Lobster West - Epic lobster roll (2x the lobster vs standard) with a cup of lobster bisque. - Seafood Near Me - Encinitas, California

This place is a cozy small indoor and outdoor restaurant with premium seafood sandwiches. The lobster roll on a perfectly toasted sweet bun was a very nice sandwich with tons of big chunks of lobster meat. It kind of pricey at $19 for a small sandwich but it's worth its price in taste. We also tried their crab and shrimp sandwiches that are also packed with meat. Both were good sandwiches but the lobster roll was the best sandwich. We loved their crunchy fresh coleslaw and added lots of crunch when added to a sandwich bite. The restaurant has a small selection of beer and wine which is great. Service was friendly and fast. They say you get what you pay for. We loved it here. read more

Lobster West - Lobster feast here - Seafood Near Me - Encinitas, California

We decided to get takeout for our 32nd anniversary at Lobster West in Encinitas to take to the beach. The "Boss" lobster rolls were melt in your mouth delicious! . We sat down at Cardiff Reef and enjoyed the sunset while eating our favorite food. Thank you Lobster West! read more

Today i had the best experience at the lobster west! omid really took care of me! i was tired so he took the time to see how my day was i told him i was coming from Temecula an i was down here for business and it was my first time ever being here. i think i found my favorite restaurant out here i highly recommended to everyone to visit , good clam chowder soup and lobster roll was yummy and fresh . read more

I will utter no critique of Lobster West's prices in this day and age: inflation, location and the main ingredient itself inevitably make the cost of a meal here more expensive than other spots along the 101. But the irony of this establishment comes in its lackluster signature dish itself: the lobster (and other assorted) rolls. The soups are actually quite good. The bisque and chowder are both first rate, with ample flavor and texture. The slaw and baked beans are great sides. But when it comes to the rolls? Frankly, they underwhelm. The meat is a bit thin on the ground unless you order extra or double portions. The accompanying spices might stand reconsideration. While perfectly edible, they did not generate enough enthusiasm with either my wife or I to make it part of our regular rotation of favorites. A small last point. I recognize this is a no-frills, beachy sort of spot, but the place really lacks any sort of ambiance. While the service was good and the staff friendly, this eatery looks like it was stuck in the early 00's. If you're going to charge premium prices, a remodel really is in order. OK place to go if the urge for East Coast seafood is too great to resist. read more

From start to finish it was fantastic! The lobster and crab rolls were super meaty and filling. The bread toast to crispy just how we like it w butter. Ask for butter in the side to drip it over your roll. Sooo good! We would come again! 10/10 in our books. New England clam chowder was also amazing! read more

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Short one day trip to Encinitas and enjoyed for food here after 2hr drive from OC.. and yea we were HUNGRY and HANGRY..... To put all emotion aside. Ambiance: Space and table are little, so it can be crowded on a peak hour. And yea thanks to the traffic we got there at 1:30pm so we were able to find table (cray cray) Food: I ordered Nor's Easter which consisted of 3 half roll of lobster, shrimp and crab. The portion is good and meat is plenty for the price I think it is worth it. The meat is fresh and bread was grilled and tasty! Also Yelp had a check in for free small soup, the crab soup is good in taste but just fell a little short under lobster bisque and clam chowder. Will definitely visit next time when in town, Miles loves it! read more

Lobster West - Nor' Ester with Maryland crab soup - Seafood Near Me - Encinitas, California

Came here with my brother and his girlfriend who's been wanting to try a lobster roll!! We used the yelp check in and got a scoop of clam chowder to go along with our boss lobster roll. We ordered at the stand and then seated ourselves in the dining room. The rolls came out quickly and the first thing I noticed was the toasty buns!! Perfect toasted with butter and stuffed to the brim with lobster! It was a very good lobster roll and I'll definitely be back if I'm in the area! read more

Lobster West - New England Clam Chowder and Boss Lobster Roll - Seafood Near Me - Encinitas, California

Amazing light, buttery, and flaky buns for the dense, cold lobster. The clam chowder is on the thicker side, but I can definitely enjoy this type of chowder. read more

Lobster West - Classic lobster roll and a scoop of chowder. - Seafood Near Me - Encinitas, California

Best Lobster Rolls I've ever had! Seriously.. after you get the lobster rolls here, it's hard to enjoy lobster rolls anywhere else. I got both the Boss (+50% lobster meat) and Epic (+100% lobster meat) for comparison purposes. I like how their lobster rolls are not drenched in sauce and they use sustainably fished lobsters from Maine. Their lobster rolls are also super fresh. Their clam chowder is also amazing if it is hot. If it is cold, it is not as good. Their lobster bisque is just okay to me. Service is good, the employees are very friendly and constantly making sure everything is clean. There is a table set up at the entrance and you can order there. Highly recommend!! The original restaurant is in Coronado, but this one is just as good!! read more

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Checked this place out on our drive to San Diego and we were surprised at the $19 for a lobster roll. I get it....things are a bit pricey but woah! I still tried it though and it was soo good! Also, try their soups, they're so delicious, despite the price, I will be back haha read more

Lobster West - Seafood Near Me - Encinitas, California

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We walked up and just got a couple cups of soup - (lobster bisque and clam chowder). Both did the trick. Ate them outside on a rickety table, and went on our way. read more

I came here before many years ago and I vaguely recall it being larger in space so I think they consolidated or something. We were craving for some good lobster roll and this place seemed to fit the bill. Most places these days charger well over $20-$25 a lobster roll and figured to see how this place would fair. One thing I observe is restaurants that have a smaller menu and have a focussed signature item tend to provide better quality and better pricepoint. This is what I got when I had their lobster rolls recently. No fancy stuff, just simple ingredients done right. I would come here again for my lobster roll cravings. Seating is very limited and most people seem to get it to go and maybe eat at home or some public space. I also liked their soups, very flavorful. Tried both their clam chowder and lobster bisque. It's very nice and creamy. Is it my favorite clam chowder, probably not, but it's still pretty decent. I have seen quite a few people complaining about finding hair in their food, thankfully I have not encountered that yet and hope maybe they should spent a little more care with hair nets and finding a better way to avoid this from happening. read more

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I was pretty excited to try this place out. I saw it on TikTok. I happened to be passing through the area. So I gave it a go. It's a cute little spot located right on coast highway. The guy taking our order was super nice. Gave us suggestions on what to order since this was our first time here. But ultimately, we went with just the lobster rolls and a scoop of soup. Which you get free when you check in on Yelp, 1 free scoop of soup. I really loved that. So I picked lobster bisque! The lobster roll was amazing. Everything you want in a lobster roll. The bread was nice and toasted. The lobster was fresh. It was good. I guess now I have to explain why I gave it such a low rating when I had nothing but nice things to say about this place. I was enjoying my lobster bisque soup. I kept telling my husband how good it tasted. I didn't noticed right away. That's when I saw the hair on the side of my container. I got so grossed out. I took a picture before I opened the soup. I didn't even notice it. You can see the hair in my picture. I just hate how I didn't even see it. And I ate from it. Finding a hair in food is automatically a low rating for me. I couldn't even go back to get a new one. I took my order to go and I live in Oceanside. So it's a little drive. but it just sucks that this happened. I'm glad the lobster bisque was free... because I would be upset had I paid for it. read more

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Our first time at this location. Lobster west is consistently great food . Young man who took our order was friendly and the lobster rolls (Boss size). Were amazing!! I got the gluten free bun and mmmmm... That's all I needed for lunch. Hubby had the NE clam chowder and says he loves it Will come here again read more

After oral surgery recently I had to eat soft foods for a few days and once I was able to have hot food, I was ready for soup. I'm obsessed with lobster bisque. At any restaurant I go to that has it on the menu, I have to order it. The lobster bisque is one of my favorites! It was so creamy and the flavor was delicious! They also serve it with a buttered roll! I could dip it in the soup to make it soft enough to eat. It was the perfect meal when my options were limited! This was a takeout order so not too sure about the space but I'm definitely going to give it a try when I can enjoy a lobster roll! read more

Great lobster sandwich, loved it. You taste the lobster chunks first, but the bread was also a favorite being fresh and a perfect fit with the lobster. Reminded me of lobster sandwiches in the North East. No mayo, just a truly delicious sandwich which I like better than other SD upscale restaurants who offer lobster sandwiches. The clam chowder...also a wow. Service was friendly, clean place. We were shopping in town, this place was recommended, and it lived up to the recommendation. read more

I had never had a lobster roll before. I wanted my first one to be a legit one. My first one at Lobster West set the bar VERY HIGH... It came highly recommended by a good friend who frequents the Encinitas area often. We were at Beacon's catching the sunset and I just happened to send a pic from there to my friend. He insisted we try Lobster West because he and his wife love it and never miss an opportunity to go there whenever in town. That was all I needed to hear. We walked up and ordered 2 classic lobster rolls. $16 each. They are made with authentic Maine lobster lightly tossed in mayo, butter and a spice blend that comes all in a freshly baked bread roll... Everything about this roll was perfection. The bread was toasted on the outside. It was buttery. It was soft inside. And the lobster.... wow. It was amazing. It tasted so good. Lightly dressed, as they described it and that was perfect because you let the lobster speak for itself. It was SO GOOD. Love that rich lobster flavor... You have to get it. 2 would be great. 1 was perfect but leaves you wanting more.... Delicious. Free parking on their shared lot. April 2021 Covid precautions still in effect. No indoor dining yet. Take-out or outdoor dining at the tables located just outside their entrance. BEST lobsta roll ever... FIRST lobsta roll ever. Claiming it now. read more

Seriously good! This is a super tiny spot, with just about a few tables/chairs inside and outside. You walk up, make an order, and they give you a number. They will bring out your food to your table. We were in a rush, with a baby that was approaching bedtime, but Lobster West delivered. Service was decently speedy. We went for one shrimp roll and one lobster roll. Both were amazing! I knocked off a star because I wasn't as huge of a fan of their baked beans which were on the sweeter side, and the coleslaw was good but not outstanding. The rolls that the sandwiches were served on were perfectly buttery. I kind of wish the seafood on top was warm, but it was still good. Portion sizes were decent, but not on the larger side. Overall, very delicious fast-casual spot in the heart of downtown La Jolla if you are looking for a cozy seafood meal! read more

My son asked for a lobster roll again. Kinda shocked so see the price increased from $16 to $19.50, but I certainly don't blame them. Inflation is not a joke! The rolls and chowder are still just as good! read more

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Yummy lobster roll for our son's 20th bday. Heads up- La Jolla location is limited on seating

Lobster West brings a touch of Maine to the west coast. If you're a fan of lobster rolls and you're near Encinitas, then you should give this place a try. Food The lobster roll is served in a red seafood basket with a simulated newspaper lining, and cradled in a pastry wrapper. The brioche roll is soft, fluffy, and crispy like a thick piece of warm buttery French toast. The lobster is a generous mix of claw and tail meat - nice and chewy. The lobster is cool and refreshing with a sprinkling of thyme and black pepper. Parking There's a nice big parking lot. Ordering There's a table set up by the front door where you place your order, pay, and pick up. Dining Area There are plenty of tables in the patio area along the walls by the walkways. read more

Lobster West - Lobster roll - Seafood Near Me - Encinitas, California

Covid responsible, no dining in yet, a few outdoor tables. Set up keeps customers outside the building. Appreciated all that, including super service. My wife said this is one of the best lobster rolls she's had. Very flavorful. I'm not a seafood roll person but i gave the shrimp roll a shot and was not a fan. Fishy tasting cold cocktail shrimp w seasoning? Don't get it. Toast bun was delicious though. But since I shouldn't judge them for something they may do right but I just don't enjoy, I instead make my review primarily on the clam chowder which was edible, but lackluster. Clams were tiny chopped bits I cant confirm for sure were even there. Potatoes could have been boiled softer. Flavor just ok. Wife will be back, said its far better than the popular spot at Liberty but Ill pass. read more

Lobster West - Shrimp Roll (big version), New England Clam Chowder - Seafood Near Me - Encinitas, California

This was such an amazing stop. I got the boss wanting more lobster meat and usually am Disappointed when I get rolls when I travel however this was a very wonderful filling surprise.. here for a week and I will stop back because the soup also looks Wonderful. Good value for good food considering the location read more

Lobster West - Boss Lobster Roll - Seafood Near Me - Encinitas, California

My son loves loves lobster rolls & they are super good here. Like New England level good. Highly recommend! Enjoy!

Great spot located in the Encinitas Lumberyard. Very simple menu, it's not hard to make up your mind. Waitress very friendly and takes your order at the walk up podium at the entrance to the restaurant. It's a nice spot right on PCH to hang out and have some delicious lobster rolls. The buns were soft and crispy at the same time, the lobster was perfectly buttered and well seasoned. The BBQ beans were delicious, as was the cole slaw. You have your choice of various sides with whatever size roll you order (S,M,L). You also can get shrimp and crab rolls. Doesn't seem like you can go wrong here, they have all their ducks in a row for simple, quick, and delicious. read more

One of my favorite lobster rolls in San Diego. The flavor is always consistent and perfectly seasoned. Sometimes the wait times can be be quite long but well worth it! The lobster is tender and sweet and when you squeeze a dash of lemon on top, it makes for a perfectly delicious lobster roll. Remember to make it a "Boss" to get those few extra pieces of lobster to make your roll complete! Their bowl of clam chowder is also to die for. Perfectly flavored and not too salty and most importantly, it is piping hot and not lukewarm! Now if they would only open a location more centrally located in San Diego! read more

Lobster West - "Boss" Lobster Roll - Seafood Near Me - Encinitas, California

I love this place they are so smart they have a very they have a very small and simple menu. Everything is great delicious. The Lobster roll large or small is full of freshly cooked lobster with the wonderful butter taste throughout. We also ordered the shrimp roll and omg it was so good, they were the smaller bay shrimp and were so tasty. The rolls are fresh and buttery which just makes every sandwich extra good. Make sure you get the kettle chips they are out of this world, I know they make them fresh because they are so good. We will be back real soon! I've got to try the crab! read more

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Buttery garlic toasty buns filled with fresh lobster and a light smear of mayo sprinkled with lemon and old bay. That's how a lobster roll is done! Lobster west offers Maine Lobster Rolls that are fresh and delicious. It's light and delicate. So simple yet so good! Tried the crab roll for kicks and the flavor was clean and yummy! It is a little expensive for a roll, but get the regular first and a Boss if you want more meat. That's $5 more. If you want to sample it all, get the Junior Combos. I believe it's 1/3 or 1/2 a sandwich with different proteins. read more

Lobster West - Left-crab, Right-lobstaaa - Seafood Near Me - Encinitas, California

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The lobster was so fresh and tasty. It was so good that is was truly butter in your mouth. Got the coleslaw and I enjoyed it, bit too much mayo for many, but excellent for me. And the clam chowder was so thick you could walk on it (yes it aaa probably 2m calories- but sooooo good) read more

I got my lobster roll fix here. I came on a weekend for an early lunch and had no trouble finding a parking spot in the lot. I ordered at the counter by the door and was given a number to place on the table I selected. They have indoor and outdoor seating options which is great. They honored my Yelp check-in offer for a free scoop of soup. My favorite of the three soups was the Clam Chowder because it had a decent amount of clams and wasn't overly salty like a lot of places make them. I had the lobster roll boss style which means it comes with 50% more meat. The bun was toasted warm and the lobster meat was served cold. I would've preferred warm lobster meat but overall I was happy with my meal. read more

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Excellent lobster rolls. As always, the lobster is delicious but the roll itself (toasted and buttered) is truly outstanding. The side of coleslaw, just slightly sweet, was also nice. For a splurge, this place hits the spot. read more

Lobster West - Absolutely delicious. The lobster is wonderful but don't overlook the EXCELLENT bun. - Seafood Near Me - Encinitas, California

Lobster roll was good but pricey at $28. It was fresh and the roll was buttery. Beers are $7.00. read more

Lobster West - Lobster Roll - Seafood Near Me - Encinitas, California

Just the perfect amount of lobster to bread ratio in the classic! Service was meh! You order from a machine out front. They just bring you your food. There's a sign that says bus your own table. Wait what?!? And you want a tip? Come on! The place was busy and clean but since they keep the door open it was really cold and windy. Not the best atmosphere. read more

I was excited to try out the Lobster roll here as I have read and heard a lot of great things. My first experience eating a lobster roll was in Maryland about 9 years ago and it was amazing. I was surprised and disappointed at the small size of the roll based on the $21 charged for each. We paid for extra lobster but it did not look like it. The roll was lightly toasted and buttered to perfection and that was nice. I could not understand why the roll was stuffed with cold lobster meat. Maybe that's a thing but it was pointless to me. Overall, the roll was good but it's not worth the price to me and I definitely was not wowed. read more

Lobster West - Seafood Near Me - Encinitas, California

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Tripped across this venue and I'm always glad when we find new favorites in the area. Excellent service! We enjoyed all their recommendations. Just as enticing as their photos and reviews, enjoyed their delicious Maine Lobster Roll and I was pleasantly surprised (and contentedly full) on this decadently buttered and crispy roll overflowing with sweet lobster meat. It's a must-try! Vanilla shake was a family favorite as well. Looking forward to visiting again soon. read more

Lobster West - 6/2022 Delicious!!! On a Savory,Buttered,Crispy,Sweet Roll & so perfectly filling!! - Seafood Near Me - Encinitas, California