In Nova Scotia, you can find a lobster roll in almost every corner of the province – but not all lobster rolls are created equally. 

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I am literally and physically a lady who loves lobster! I grew up surrounded by lobster traps and lobster boats and it has always been one of my favourite foods. So naturally, I’m often asked where to find the best lobster roll in Nova Scotia?  Although all lobster rolls are awesome, not all lobster rolls are created equal.

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As simple as they are to make, the best lobster roll always comes down to two things: butter and mayonnaise. Classically, lobster rolls are really sandwiches that mount chunks of fresh lobster meat onto a buttered and griddled split-top hotdog bun. But just because it’s simple doesn’t mean it’s easy.

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The key is to seek out and use the best, most tender meat possible and most will argue that meat comes from the lobster knuckle. And while the meat is the most important part of a lobster roll, the bun is priority #2. The classic choice is a split-top hot dog bun. But no matter what you choose, a soft, squishy and slightly sweet roll is ideal. I like a toasted bun exterior brushed with a bit of garlic butter. Keeping the inside soft and the outside golden and crusty makes for some nice textural contrast against the tender lobster.

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Then to dress or not to dress? Another hotly debated element of the perfect lobster roll, the dressing is usually mayonnaise but melted butter is also a perfectly acceptable choice. In my opinion, there is no answer to which is better, but one thing’s for sure: don’t let the butter or mayo overpower the meat.

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Only you can decide which version of a lobster roll you like best, so I strongly encourage letting your taste buds roam. Eat a tonne of lobster rolls… there are no calories involved when it’s done so in the name of research! And believe me, I have conducted a lot of lobster roll research!

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Keep in mind, I’m a purist when it comes to my lobster roll: loads of meat seasoned with just the right amount of mayo, salt and pepper nestled into a soft and lightly toasted bun. That’s it! But some have taken the classic lobster roll and stepped up the flavour combos… so you be the judge and see if you feel they are worthy of a five-claw rating!

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Happy Lobster Rolling!

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TOP 5 FAVOURITE LOBSTER ROLLS in NOVA SCOTIA

1. Longfellow Restaurant (Grand Pre):  WOW!  Loads and loads of fresh lobster meat tossed in an herb dressing and served on a sweet, butter-toasted bun and topped with a bit of fresh dill. Truth be told, I hesitated a bit at the sticker price ($34 at the time) but there was 7 OUNCES of chunky lobster meat on this bun … that’s pretty much the meat from a whole lobster! With every bite, pieces of meat would fall off the bun. Normally I’m not a fry lover but these hand cut beauties were cooked perfectly and there was plenty of them. This won’t be my last Longfellow Lobster Roll. 2-Claws Up! 

2. Dave's Lobster Shack (Halifax):  The ½ & ½ lobster roll - half the roll was traditional cold lobster with celery and mayo (called the local); the other half was warm lobster with garlic and lemon (called the fancy). Winner for me was the “fancy” half but I loved the option of having both in one roll!  

3. Tom's Lobster Shack (Peggy's Cove):  Generous (and by generous I mean HEAPS) of lobster lightly tossed with mayo. I’m not a fan of crunch in my lobster rolls but this one, the Classic Roll, had just the right amount of celery, shallots, green onions and lettuce to provide a lovely flavour so that I didn’t mind the tiny bit of crunch. Mostly because there was so much delicious lobster!

4. BMC Seafoods & Take Out (Meteghan):  Was like a kid in a candy store when I discovered this seafood market and take out. The special of the day?  Lobster roll and fries for $16.99. It was perfect for this lobster roll purist - lots of chunks of fresh lobster meat lightly dressed on a toasted hot dog bun. No green or crunchy bits to be seen!  Other menu items included creamed lobster roll, bar clams, seafood platter and more. Great take home market selection too - from cooked lobster to lobster dip, crab legs to pickled clams, kippers, smoked salmon and more! Lots of outdoor and indoor seating.

5. Captain Kat's Lobster Shack (Barrington Passage):  Fresh local lobster with a few small pieces of baby spinach, celery and green onion tossed with some mayo and served on a buttery grilled bun. Your choice of fries or salad on the side. It's won the Lobster Crawl Festival Lobster Roll-off Competition 3X so definitely worth the drive to Barrington, the Lobster Capital of Canada!