The Best Lobster Rolls in Montreal: Our suggested addresses
Lobster roll season is finally here! This gourmet snack is one of our greatest pleasures when summer rolls around. Lobster fishing is a historically important industry, especially in Gaspésie and other Canadian maritime regions. However, it is on the coast of the American northeast that lobster rolls were born around the 1930s, during the New England era. Eating a lobster roll in this American region, located on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, is a staple of any visit.
Whether in the Gaspé, the Maritimes or the United States, lobster rolls are typically found in small local canteens where you can also find a variety of dishes featuring seafood products. In its most classic form, there are two central elements to this dish: a hot dog style bun filled with a generous amount of fresh lobster meat. Variations can then be added to enhance the taste: mayonnaise or melted butter, celery, tarragon, lettuce, green onions, fresh or toasted bread, and more.
Here are a few places in town where you can eat great lobster rolls!
Lucille’s Oyster Dive
Lucille’s Oyster Dive welcomes you in a rustic decor reminiscent of a seaside snack bar! This Notre-Dame-de-Grâce neighbourhood restaurant is known for its warmth and friendliness. Here we enjoy a good lobster roll, served in its most classic form: a generous portion of lobster meat in a brioche bun, with mayonnaise and fries on the side.
Montréal
Monopole
Monopole is a small cafe/restaurant in Old Montreal near Griffintown. In their beautiful space, the establishment offers delicious and well executed dishes and very good organic wines. Their menu changes frequently to make room for seasonal ingredients; during lobster season, you can savour an excellent lobster roll that is well worth a visit! We like the very relaxed atmosphere of the place, ideal to be able to hear each other talk.
Montréal
Chez Delmo
Originally opened in 1932, Chez Delmo offers a fine menu featuring excellent fish and seafood. Over the years, the place has built a very good reputation and attracted a loyal clientele. In a chic and friendly atmosphere, we savour lobster in all its forms (Bellevue, Newburg, Thermidor) and in a delicious home-made roll.
Montréal
Icehouse
Opened in 2011, Icehouse is an establishment with a Texan accent located in the Plateau Mont-Royal. With its warm and festive atmosphere, the establishment is known for its delicious Tex-Mex food that is savoured in a very friendly and unpretentious setting. Its tasty and simple menu will give way to a good lobster roll in June; to try!
Montréal
Chez Victoire
The upscale neighbourhood eatery on Mount Royal Avenue East offers four-course menus for two or four people this quarantine season. The menu also includes nordic shrimp rolls served with pickled cucumbers, tarragon mayo, hot sauce and fries!
Montréal
Beau Mont
Located on Beaumont Avenue at the junction of the boroughs of Parc-Extension, Town of Mount Royal and Outremont, the establishment of the brilliant duo Normand Laprise and Christine Lamarche opened its doors in June 2019 and is named after the avenue on which it is located: Beau Mont. On the kitchen side, the menu will evolve with the seasons with a constant renewal of products to respect the production capacity of the artisans. Among these seasonal products, we now find the lobster roll… a delight!
Montreal
Venice MTL
Venice, like Venice Beach comes from owner Charles Manceau’s (Nini Meatball House, Greasy Spoon, Buonanotte, Time Supper Club) love of California and its culture. The concept of Venice MTL was to offer a place open during the day, in the Old Town and downtown, offering healthy, but above all very affordable food. We’re talking salads, toast, soups, tacos, pizzas, pokes, and desserts. Gluten-free, vegetarian, and lactose-free options dot the menu, and everything is as the place says: beautiful, good, and cheap. Among their options, the lobster roll makes its way onto the menu when lobster is in season.
Montréal
Le Darling
The Darling is both a great Montreal café, a bar (now on our list of the most beautiful cafés, places to celebrate, fairytale addresses, and the most beautiful bars in Montreal) and now a restaurant with great food. They will soon be adding lobster guédille to their menu!
Montréal
