We stopped in for lunch on a weekend and enjoyed some lobster rolls and lobster Mac and cheese! The rolls were nicely warm and buttery with fresh lobster. Served with fries, which you can substitute for other sides. We devoured it all while enjoying the beautiful view of the beach from the upper level. There is also a nice balcony patio with outdoor seating. The servers were very friendly. read more

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The only reason this review is 3 stars instead of 1 is because we've had a good meal here before. The mussels, crab cake, shrimp cocktail, and lobster roll are all very good. The service has also been excellent, and it's hard to complain about the beautiful patio seating overlooking the water. Now, let's get to the meat of the issue--no pun intended. My girlfriend ordered the NY Strip steak medium rare. It arrived completely well done--not even remotely close to what was ordered. We politely asked our server (who was great throughout the entire experience) if the kitchen could remake it medium rare. A few minutes later, a replacement steak arrived that was somehow even more overcooked than the first one. At that point, I asked to speak with a manager. We were initially offered 50% off the steak, but in what world should anyone pay even a penny for a $40 steak that was overcooked twice? Unfortunately, the manager was combative from the start and essentially implied that he didn't believe my girlfriend hadn't eaten the steak. Anyone who enjoys steak rare or medium rare knows that a well-done hockey puck isn't exactly appetizing. After he stormed off, the steak was ultimately removed from the bill. However, the entire interaction felt unnecessarily aggressive and unprofessional. As a former restaurant manager myself, I would have immediately comped the steak and apologized for the mistake. In fact, given that the kitchen failed twice to cook a steak anywhere near the requested temperature, I would have strongly considered comping the entire meal out of embarrassment. It's unfortunate because the food is generally very good and the location is beautiful. What should have been a simple service recovery turned into a disappointing experience because of how management handled the situation. read more

Left the beach in New Haven and decided to look for a place close by to have an early dinner. We found The Lobster Shack--Nestled in a quaint neighborhood. We were seated immediately as the patrons started coming in. It was a great place filled with windows all around. We ordered beverages and food. The lobster roll, mussels and for our carnivore, the prime rib special. Being from the southwest, fresh seafood is a luxury. After some brief conversation, food came out. The lobster roll and fries did not disappoint. Made perfectly. Mussels were oozing in butter and garlic with a few pieces of toast to soak up the juices. Delicious. The prime rib, filled the plate. We left nothing. A great place to sit and dine. read more

The Lobster Shack - View from inside restaurant. - Seafood Near Me - East Haven, Connecticut

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Came in at 2 PM on a Saturday. The place had a few people enjoying a late lunch or happy hour, but there was ample seating. I was asked where I'd prefer to sit and I chose wherever, and had my pick of tables. The space is super light and airy, with a nice view of the sound and the beach right out the window! There's some outdoor seating people were occupying, but it was a tad chilly out so I stayed indoors. Within a few min someone came to take my drink order, and I ended up ordering immediately. I of course went for the hot lobster roll, my first ever roll, with fries and slaw. This was delicious, very buttery, and a good helping of lobster. The slaw was mayo heavy, and the fries were crispy and lightly seasoned, coming with ketchup. The chicken tacos also ordered were quite good. The fried chicken actually tasted like fried chicken (rather than chicken tenders) and were quite filling, much bigger than expected, for those who don't care for seafood. Really cute spot that I'll definitely bring people to try again! read more

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Great lunch with great service (thank you Alison) and a great view on a wonderful day.

Great first time dining at the Lobster Shack. Our waitress was very friendly and hospitable. The food was flavorful and came out hot. The fried fish was lightly battered and the lobster roll was fantastic. We loved the ambience of the restaurant setup for Christmas. Very cozy and festive! read more

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Service was excellent... had the crab cakes as an appetizer. They were crunchy, and tasty.... I had a lobster roll for dinner. The French fries were delicious, fried nice and crunchy!!! The lobster roll was good. The roll was nice, toasted, and buttery. This was the 1st time though I have received a lobster roll with no side of melted butter! For dessert a piece of tiramisu which I would not recommend. The waitress stated it was homemade. If you know about Tiramisu you would know it's soaked in coffee/espresso. You did not taste one hint of coffee. The top was creamy almost like a cheesecake. read more

The Lobster Shack - Hot lobster roll - Seafood Near Me - East Haven, Connecticut

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Great views !!! Million dollar ocean views for a very depressed area of the United States ! The attraction is you get to see a beautiful piece of the ocean because the city planner blocked the most beautiful ocean views from the public. My $32 lobster roll was not impressive. What people like is the bread. The lobster is tasteless like the people. Just butter up some Texas toast and put some tofu between the slices. Don't forget to sprinkle a little ocean water on the tofu ! Overall Gross. read more

The Lobster Shack - Texas buttery toast: What the actual delicious taste comes from ... - Seafood Near Me - East Haven, Connecticut

Overpriced and undersized meals. This place used to be reasonable and decent. Not sure when the changed occurred though they now provide minimal value. I expect to pay a slight premium for certain seafood, but this is ridiculous. If you are on a strict diet and want less food for more money, this is your dream spot. read more

Stumbled upon this gem while traveling, and it's already on our list to try again! The Lobster Shack menu is packed with unique lobster options and has the best patio to spend an evening on. Our waitress was so kind and provided great recommendations. The hot lobster roll was flavorful and buttery. Sweet potato fries were crisp to perfection, as well. read more

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AMAZING spot for lobster rolls in East Haven. Beautiful views (especially sitting outside), excellent and friendly staff, quick turnaround, and incredibly delicious food. We split multiple hot and cold lobster rolls, both so yummy! The coleslaw was a sleeper as well - we all loved it more than we thought we would! Clam Chowder was super tasty as well. I would absolutely come back and highly recommend! read more

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Gorgeous views, delicious food, and friendly staff. Lobster shack checked all the boxes. The lobster roll and lobster grilled cheese were the stars of the show. I also loved the shrimp over coleslaw( and I usually don't like coleslaw)! Drinks were strong and good. Portion sizes were perfect we were especially impressed with the amount of mussels we got. We will definitely be back. A great summer restaurant! read more

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A beautiful spot at the end of the road see the lobster boats come in with a fresh catch 10 minutes later you've got a delicious lobster roll on your plate. Place your order wait for your number to be called. Sit down and enjoy the best lobster roll you've ever had in your life. The water views and fresh salt air really help bring out your appetite beautiful spot for a sunny afternoon. read more

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We spent 65.00 for an order of fried shrimp and an order of fried scallops. There were 6 shrimp and 7 scallops! WTF?! I can only assume the sweet potato fries that came with them were made from REALLY expensive potatoes. NEVER going there again . Shame on you. read more

We went here on Sunday it was fabulous . There is beautiful outside seating but we were inside. Our server was very attentive and did not rush us at all we had shrimp sliders they are fire!! Crab cakes and mussels . All great wedge salad & Tuscany salad. Also very good then lobster grill cheese that was amazing , ginger salmon& chicken sandwich there was not a complaint from us. The only thing I would change is to sit outside or upstairs I really don't care for down stairs dining room. The bar would be fine but I have had enough of that dining room. read more

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I love the food me and my husband tried it for the first time last week. The food was amazing the lobster mac and cheese, broiled scallops, cod and crab and lobster cakes were delicious. Everything came out quick and nice and hot. It was a very cozy setting we sat on the top floor. We could see the beach from the windows. It wasn't over priced at all we will definitely come back. read more

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I always check reviews for places never been. I read Susan F's review and thought it was just mean, to the community and the restaurant. So, I went open minded. We had a great dinner, better than other seafood places in the area. You go through a working class neighborhood, which being so close to the water is rare. It's an area most anyone could afford if they want to live by the water. As for the view, it's beautiful, surrounded by a big salt marsh lined with nice homes. Across the street is typical big homes and condos, yet the front of the restaurant is all windows. I'll be back, affordable and above average. read more

Ordered the fried fish& chips. They don't specify what type of fish, taste like cheap cod fish. The two filets were more like oversize fish sticks, lightly breaded but tasteless Kind of like you would buy in the local grocery store , nog impressed for the money , the filets were thin and flat like fish sticks , the rice pilaf was ok. No flavor will pass on ordering again for sure read more

The Lobster Shack - Cod ? Filets fish and chip - Seafood Near Me - East Haven, Connecticut

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Location/Ambiance: This small but nice restaurant is located in Cosey Beach in East Haven, CT. It has a wraparound porch for outside seating as well as indoor seating. I was seated inside. I could have been seated outside, but was a little concerned about outside seating due to flies, etc. But I did not see any during this visit. I will try outside seating on my next visit. Service: The server was very attentive and friendly. Service was fairly quick. Food: I was here for lunch. I was in the mood for a good burger. I had a burger with French fries. It was one of the best burgers I have had. I asked for medium well, and that's exactly what I got. The fries were crispy just the way I like them. I had water with lemon. The whole meal was great. The price was just right. Two women seated in my table had the fish and chips. It looked great. Next time, I will try that. After lunch, I walked around the restaurant and took in the sights. It was a warm day and great to be outside enjoying the sun. The ambiance was nice. People really enjoying their meal, like me. You need to try to this great little gem in Cosey Beach. You will be glad you did. Final Rating: 4**** Would I recommend this restaurant? Absolutely. Would I visit this restaurant again? Absolutely. Until next time, buen provecho / bon appetit! Miriam #travelingtheworldwithmiriam - Look for my group in Facebook https://travelingtheworldwithmiriam.cruisebrothers.com/cb/ read more

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Tucked away along a sunny outlet with a breeze off the Long Island Sound is this little gem. Scene is relaxed, tall windows, two bars, and wrap around modern deck, is very busy on sunny summer weekends. Vibe is coastal. Music is Gen X 80s It's all seafood here, with a 1/2 dozen beef, chicken, pasta, and salads options. Ample menu with both traditional and a modern approach on New England seafood classics. The lobster roll was certainly a stand-out.Traditional, hot drawn butter on a fluffy buttery grilled split hotdog roll with chunks of claw and knuckle meat and no tail meat, which we prefer. Clams casino was a 10. Plump perfectly steamed large shrimp cocktail with very spicy horseradish, cocktail sauce & lemon. Unfortunately the clam cakes, thick with too much breadcrumbs, pasty, missing lumps of tender crab, were a disappointment. Staff is peppy, knowledgeable about menu items and preparation, efficient and friendly. read more

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I'm writing to give my feedback on a recent dining experience at Lobster Shack. My family and I visited lobster shack where we ordered the Crab Cakes Hotdog, Lobster Roll, and in my case, the Cod Florentine. As someone who frequently dines out, I am usually lenient when it comes to the fluctuations in food quality that can happen from time to time. However, the Cod Florentine was so disappointing, it compelled me to bring to their attention. The dish was palatable in the least; it tasted like anything but Cod, it had a rubbery texture and definitely gave off the vibe that it wasn't fresh. In addition, the Crab Cake was served warm- another letdown. In spite of these hiccups, I would like to give credit where credit is due. The manager on duty Lauren, handled this mishap with absolutely stellar customer service skills. She was gracious enough to acknowledge the issues, apologize, and offered me an alternative of fresh mashed potatoes and salmon. Even as we were leaving, she again asked how was the Salmon, and apologized for the shortcomings in our experience. It's often said that people make the place and in this case, Lauren certainly holds that to be true. She saved the day. Therefore, it's the people like her that make me willing to return to establishments in spite of negative experiences. In hopes that feedback like this will help you improve your food quality, I wanted to bring these issues to your attention. I expect that our next visit will prove to be a delight rather than a disappointment. read more

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I've been coming here annually for about 14 years now and they always come through. They are open seasonally. Great fried fish all fresh, market price. They're known for their lobster rolls. I can't give a review as I don't eat them but my fiancé says this place is the best she's ever had. Great views from the outdoor seating. My only negatives are...Parking can be a struggle. Long lines that do move steady through. And I think they are a victim of "shrink-flation". This year's portion seemed smaller. read more

I was really craving a lobster roll! Came across this place on yelp so decided to give it a shot. The lobster roll was definitely tasty with a decent amount of meat, but $32 is a bit steep to me. It came w/fries that were mediocre (too crispy & oily) but the coleslaw was tasty. I love the location. It's a peaceful area near the water. The ambience was welcoming with ample outdoor seating for me to sit with my pup. Very friendly service. read more

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The Lobster Shack is a beloved favorite during the summer, but this gem really impressed us this winter with their beautiful Christmas decorations and recently expanded menu! Everything we ate was absolutely delicious. I couldn't believe they even had sushi! Their drinks were super creative, and the staff was so kind and told me they'd be happy to make any of them into a mocktail, which I really appreciated. Including the Christmas cake was such a fun touch in the eggnog drink! Every staff member we encountered was so friendly, and one even made sure I didn't forget my leftovers before I left! I can't wait to come back and will certainly return during the summer! read more

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After reading the reviews, we decided to give this place a try. We were immediately seated after arriving. The restaurant is small with a homey vibe, with white string lights covering the ceiling and hanging over the wall-length windows. The place follows a generally white color scheme and the tables seat 2-4 patrons. Originally, we were aiming to get to a seafood place in Rhode Island but traffic and weather got in the way and we were going to be able to get there on time before they closed. We ordered a bowl of New England Chowder and daughter liked it. She thought it was nice and creamy. Hubs liked it but he would've preferred it to be less creamy. We also ordered The Wedge, which is iceberg, bacon, pickled red onion, gorgonzola crumbles, blue cheese dressing and pork belly croutons. This was good. Lettuce was nice and fresh and crispy. The pork belly croutons was a nice change over bacon. Pork belly and bacon are the same thing but these are chunkier. Daughter ordered Soy and Ginger Salmon and topped with soy and ginger rub. The entree was served with rice pilaf and chef choice vegetable, which was squash. She ordered the salmon rare but got it medium rare.She said it was really good and thought that the texture and flavors were really nice. Hubs ordered Cippino, which has mussels, calamari, shrimp, scallops and clams in white wine or red sauce over pasta. He ordered it with red sauce. Hubs liked it and said that there weren't any surprises. He loved that he got full size little neck clams because most places serve cheaper smaller manila clams. Lastly, I ordered Hot Lobster Roll with French fries, which has fresh lobster meat served with lemon and butter on a toasted New England style roll. Hubs is starting to like the hot lobster roll over the cold New England style with mayo. This was nice. Fries were also nice and crispy. Service was quick and friendly. Glad we got to give this place a try. Will return, when in the area, to try other items on the menu. read more

Can't beat the view & staff pleasant & helpful. Menu reasonable size but basic - nothing fancy, but good!

I love this place, it site right on the water. The atmosphere is amazing and service was great! I got the lobster Mac and cheese and it was LOADED with lobster. The service was phenomenal and the food was great too. Definitely will be back read more

The Lobster Shack - Lobster Mac & Cheese - Seafood Near Me - East Haven, Connecticut

This was a great lunch spot, and decorated in Christmas decor so beautifully. The Christmas details were so pretty. They have a photo area where you can have your picture taken. Waitress was very attentive, food and drinks were delicious. You'll definitely enjoy this gem! read more

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Such fresh massive chunks of lobster, a beautiful spot, and great service. Traveling from out of town and this felt like the perfect CT treat! read more

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I am going to add to the other excellent reviews. This establishment has truly put the work in to become a notable restaurant. It's December and it is decorated with taste and beauty, top to bottom. The hundreds of Xmas balls, Xmas trees, lights and additional decorations makes this a step above the rest. We have been here several times in the past, enjoying both the summer, fall and now winter experiences. Tonight we had, clam chowder, calamari, fish and chips and fried shrimp. The chowder is delicious with a creamy and filling base. The calamari is lightly battered and tender with a great taste. The fried shrimp was exceptional. They were large with a light batter. I would definitely get that again. The fish and chips were cooked well.. The coleslaw side was home-made and very tasty. In the past we have had the rib eye -outstanding, and the lobster roll -another excellent choice. Ready for the kicker? We were handed a beautiful ornament with our check with a $10 coupon for the next time we come in. Very clever. I asked to speak with the owner, Lauren. I wasn't surprised to find her bright, creative and a diligent overseer of this amazing restaurant. It's with our over 30 minute drive!!!! read more

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Charming seaside restaurant with beautiful ocean views from second floor. Food was delicious, especially the salads and the salmon. Did not try the lobster, but it looked like it was a popular choice. Very friendly host and waitress. They also have a varied kids menu. read more

Service - Fantastic, very attentive and professional Ambiance - Gorgeous ocean view, newer exterior and interior Food - Taste of food doesn't match the look and service of this place. The fried sea food was very bland although had a nice light fried coating. Overall take - don't expect 4 star food from this place read more

Great place right on the water. Sisters got the shrimp cocktail. Huge shrimp and so plump with a good snap when you take a bite. Mom & I split the clams and sweet potato fries. Very, very good. Cole slaw not great. I'm pretty picky and I like it nice and creamy. Theirs is too vinegary for me. All in all a great experience. We will be back! read more

The Lobster Shack - Seafood Near Me - East Haven, Connecticut

First time here no aps we were a table of four so we all got something different. COD Florentine crispy chicken tacos broiled scallops blacken chicken and shrimp salad all was good. Not really into lobster for me it tastes like the bitten of the ocean. But dinner was ok wait staff was good dessert was good key lime pie the ship from FL read more

Off street parking, great location. Quickly seated on this Wednesday afternoon. Jennifer was our server today and she was very pleasant and helpful with the menu. Lobster roll was delicious and $32, which seems to be the going price these days. read more

The Lobster Shack - Hot lobster roll with fries and Coleslaw - Seafood Near Me - East Haven, Connecticut

Lobster rolls in the summer used to be a weekly indulgence. A few years ago, there was a lobster shortage, and the prices doubled. Now due to inflation, the prices have tripled. At this rate, my affinity for lobster rolls will be limited to an annual event. The Lobster Shack is a great spot in East Haven. The river is behind it, and the ocean is in front of it. The service was good, the restaurant was clean and the staff was well organized. The $30 lobster roll was delicious but the actual lobster was more the size of an appetizer, then a meal. The extremely small portions of coleslaw and onion rings were wonderful. However, at these prices, it is very disappointing to leave a restaurant still hungry. read more

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Food was great and so was the view. Came here to visit my daughter at school. We ordered the calamari, lobster roll and a shrimp dish. Perfect read more

The Lobster Shack - Calamari - Seafood Near Me - East Haven, Connecticut

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The food, service, and overall hospitality was all beyond amazing. Sat at the bar on a rainy Sunday afternoon, chatting with some of the regulars and the bartenders and we just felt like we had known everyone for years. Obviously the lobster is fantastic or they wouldn't have the reputation that they do. I had the potato chip encrusted cod and it was One of the best seafood meals I've ever had. Can't wait to go back. read more

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Seafood restaurant with waterfront views of the Long Island Sound. We sat outside on their rooftop and the scenery was quite pretty. I had the fried whole belly clams while my wife had the Connecticut style lobster roll (butter, no Mayo). The clams had a distinct taste given they were whole belly. It's tough to describe aside from oceany and brine. If you're a clam fan, then I'd highly recommend it. I wouldn't recommend it for someone first venture into clams as the flavor is bold. Both orders came with breaded fries making them more crispy and textured. We also had a side of Cole slaw which complimented all the fried food. There were four beers on draft. All macros. Wines and full bars too. I believe all macros as well. Service was polite and attentive. There were two single occupancy restrooms; the one I used was handicap accessible. read more

We will be back to this very clean, well priced nook in East Haven, CT. The hot lobster roll and lobster sliders, along with lobster bisque and clam chowder completed what was a rainy, foggy beach day. The drink menu is equally fabulous! read more