Searching for the best lobster roll on Cape Cod
Lobster roll plate at Sesuit Harbor Cafe in Dennis, MA.
What’s the best lobster roll on Cape Cod? It’s hard to say and many local spots have their partisans. I’ve had the good fortune to perform a broad sampling–all in the name of science!–and offer you my top picks. For those of you who have not sampled its ineluctable charms, the lobster roll is one of those high-low pairings of lobster chunks dressed with a a mayonnaise sauce, loaded in a hot dog bun adorned with lettuce; often fries (double fried!) and/or coleslaw accompany the roll (which is sometimes seared).
Since this is a wine blog and not a lobstah blog, it’s worth noting that the Cape’s many clam shacks are terrific for wine lovers: the seafood is fresh (and local) and the BYOB policies are friendly. Most are extremely casual, delighting in a nostalgic, rustic, maritime vibe, with outdoor seating. Bring your own wine, bring your own glasses (Govino) and dig in.
Honorable mention: Chatham Pier Fish Market. Abundant lobster and double fried fries make this a great spot–no photo since I wolfed it down. It’s right at the pier, the kids loved watching the seals and the fishing boats coming in with their loads of dogfish and skate. A few picnic tables under a tree.
Mac’s on the pier in Wellfleet: Mac’s is a gem of a spot that has lots of seafood available right off of the local boats. The location is atmospheric at any time of day with sweeping views of the harbor; at dinner time, the setting sun slants over the dining ara and a stretch of beach adjacent to the tables completes the scene. The lobster roll gets high marks.
Now in its 37th season, Captain Frosty’s in Dennis has a terrific plate that includes super-crispy fries, good coleslaw and some clam dough balls that could displace funnel cakes at airports and carnivals or wherever they are sold. The lobster roll is a very manageable size for one person and has tender meat, with tasty claw in each one I’ve had.
Sesuit Harbor Cafe has lobster rolls so full of lobster that the seared bun is barely visible. Nestled in a marina in Dennis, with only outdoor seating (it closes when raining), it’s sort of under-the-radar if you can say that about a place that usually has a 15-minute wait. Cash only.
So which wine pairs with lobster roll? I say Chablis, Champagne, Muscadet, Txakoli, or godello. I show a couple that I have paired below.
Which are your favorite lobster rolls on Cape Cod?
Captain Frosty’s lobster roll
Mac’s lobster roll
The delicious Thomas Pico Chablis, Montmains, 2009
And the 2010 Clos des Briords Muscadet from Domaine de la Pepiere.
View from Sesuit Harbor Cafe.
On August 17th, 2012 at 10:31 am ,Gerry Dawes wrote:
I was there last year and I am going there next week. Love lobster rolls and scallops, so I will send you some of the best. Here is the “famous” lobster roll at Maurice’s Market in Wellfleet. https://picasaweb.google.com/112779314756438115778/CapeCodLobsterRoll6272011?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCP7WwJT3ptHZNQ&feat=directlink
On August 17th, 2012 at 10:44 am ,Gerry Dawes wrote:
And scallop, clam and lobster rolls at the casual Swan River Seafood Restaurant on Lower County Road in Dennis Port, overlooking Swan River and its kayakers. swanriverseafoods.com‎
On August 17th, 2012 at 6:21 pm ,RobinC wrote:
I’ve never had a lobster roll or been to Cape Cod, but I feel an intense nostalgia for all of it.
On August 17th, 2012 at 8:59 pm ,Carole wurster wrote:
I am going to be in Chatham, on the Cape, soon for a wedding. I look forward to trying all the suggestions. I love the Cape and a delicious Lobster Roll. Thank you! Great insider tips-especially the BYO- for my trip.
On August 17th, 2012 at 9:04 pm ,jerry x wrote:
We did a lobster roll from Native Cape Cod in Provincetown’s Aquarium Food Court and a bottle of Ayala Champagne from Glass Half Full on the beach last night. It was a sublime combination after the Carnival parade.
On August 17th, 2012 at 9:51 pm ,Philippe newlin wrote:
In a perfect world?? A Meursault Genevrieres from a high-acid year. And on a budget: Errazuriz’s Wild Ferment Chardonnay from Casablanca Chile.(full disclosure: I used to represent the latter in New England).
On August 18th, 2012 at 11:16 am ,Martha wrote:
We were there last year and loved “The Lazy Lobster” in Chatham.
On August 18th, 2012 at 11:28 am ,Gerry Dawes wrote:
When I go to Cape Cod next week, I will be taking some of my artisan Albariños, Godellos and the superb Treixadura-based Finca Teira, all of which go incredibly well with shellfish dishes. They all come from Galicia, which many culinary experts consider to have the best shellfish in the world.
On August 20th, 2012 at 9:33 am ,Dave Erickson wrote:
Weekend before last we went to a place in Woods Hole called Captain Kidd that offered really fresh lobster meat, except the roll was a brioche, which is just silly. Grilled hot dog roll slathered with butter is the only way to go. They redeemed themselves in part by having a very pleasant white Rueda by the glass which paired nicely.
On August 20th, 2012 at 11:34 am ,Gerry Dawes wrote:
Photos of Swan River Seafood Restaurant & Fish Market on Swan River in Dennisport.
https://picasaweb.google.com/112779314756438115778/CapeCodSwanRiverFishPiratesCoveGolfTraderEds6292011?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCIHU1tzC4IbYbQ&feat=directlink
On August 20th, 2012 at 11:45 am ,Gerry Dawes wrote:
Cape Cod Hyannis Marina, Trader Ed’s Cheeseburger in Paradise. Wine / Food Pairing
Margarita!!
https://picasaweb.google.com/112779314756438115778/CapeCodHyannisMarinaTraderEdS?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCMKFhNTntuuHxAE&feat=directlink
On September 13th, 2012 at 11:52 pm ,ew wrote:
Mac’s is a great place, and the oysters are generally first rate, but for lobster rolls, I prefer PJ’s, out on the less-scenic rt 6. Get em to go.