Best Lobster in New York City

Every foodie knows that best lobster comes from Maine. If it's not Homarus, it's not true lobster. Rock lobster, spiny lobster, Caribbean lobster—they all just wannabes, riding on the fame of the authentic Maine lobster, Homarus Americanus. You easily can recognize Homarus Americanus by its five sets of legs, including a pair of large, meat-filled claws. Beautiful state of Maine has thousands of places to eat and buy live lobsters traditionally called Lobster Pound. So, if you are in a mood for true lobster, Maine is place to visit. However, luckily for me, as a huge lobster lover, there are several great places in New York to enjoy authentic Maine lobster.

Luke's Lobster

For the small price, which you cannot find anywhere else in New York City, in Luke’s Lobster you can experience fantastic lobster roll prepared the way it is done in Maine. But it doesn’t take a master chef to make a great lobster roll, it takes great lobster. And the founder of this restaurant, Luke Holden, definitely knows where. Five distinguished Maine harbors supply the restaurant with delicious lobsters, shrimps and crabs. Add to that fact the lobster travel from trap to bun relatively quickly, one and a half to three days, so it is fresh - from ME to you! Besides lobster rolls, the venue offers traditional New England Clam Chowder and Maine Lobster Bisque, shrimp and empress-crab-claw rolls. Luke's Lobster

Location: East Village 93 E 7th St. (1st Ave), New York NY. phone: 212-387-8487 and Upper East Side 242 E 81st St. (2nd Ave), New York NY. phone: 212-249-4241

Open: Sun-Thu: 11am-11pm; Fri and Sat: 11am-12am

City Crab & Seafood Company

Famous for its Maryland crab, this popular Manhattan restaurant is also well-known place to enjoy whole lobster, steamed or stuffed. After all, for a long time City Crab was home to George the Giant Lobster. This 140 years old and twenty pounds lobster had been a favorite of City Crab customers and all New Yorkers for many years and last year was successfully released into Maine waters. Besides delectable live Maine lobsters, the venue features delicacies like Jumbo Stone crabs, soft-shell crabs, Alaskan King Crabs, oysters and clams. By definition, seafood is quite expensive, so City Crab is not cheap. But the prices are as gentle as can be expected given the product. City Crab & Seafood Company

Location: 235 Park Ave. South, at 19th St., New York NY. phone: 212-529-3800

Open: Mon-Thu: noon-11pm; Fri: noon-midnight; Sat: noon-4pm and 5pm-midnight; Brunch with live jazz on Sat-Sun: 11:30am-4pm

Red Hook Lobster Pound

If you don’t mind a short trip to Brooklyn, then for truly live Maine lobster, go to the Red Hook Lobster Pound. The Red Hook Lobster Pound specialized in fresh-catch lobsters, which come directly off the lobster boats from Maine few times a week. Founded by Ralph Gorham and Susan Povich, the Red Hook Lobster Pound is selling over 15,000 pounds of lobster a year as well as 15,000 lobster rolls, not only in a main location but also in Brooklyn Flea Market and Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory. The Red Hook Lobster Pound has an open seating area, where you can indulge yourself with freshest steamed lobster or lobster and shrimp rolls. Lobster rolls are prepared with homemade mayo on buns, which specially brought down from Biddeford Maine, to add to the authentic Maine experience. The Red Hook Lobster Pound

Location: 284 Van Brunt Street, Brooklyn NY

Open: Wed: noon-8pm; Thu-Sat: noon-9pm; Sun: noon-8pm

The Mark Restaurant

Recently opened new Jean-Georges Vongerichten venue in the Mark Hotel on Upper East Side New York, the Mark restaurant offers a beautiful setting, superb wine list, signature cocktails and great array of innovative dishes: from familiar Jean-Georges favorites like foie gras, gourmet burgers and soufflé to creative pizzas and pastas. The lunch and dinner menus have fantastic raw selection including perfectly presented Chilled Maine Lobster. The Mark restaurant is ideal for any occasion, from casual dining to special celebration. The only thing, make your reservation in advance. Like any new trendy restaurant in New York, the place attracts a lot of attention from the press, New Yorkers and sophisticated tourists. Therefore it is always packed! The Mark Restaurant

Location: 25 East 77th St. at Madison Avenue, New York NY. phone: 212-606-3030

Open: Mon-Fri: 7am-11am, 11:30am-3pm, and 5pm-11pm; Sat-Sun, 8am-11am, 11:30am-3pm, and 5pm-11pm

The Post House

Traditionally fine steak houses in the USA serve nicely prepared good quality lobster. The Post House is not an exception. This acclaimed steak house offers Maine lobster broiled or steamed with variety of delicious side dishes. If you are in a mood for a lobster in New York, but your dinner companion not, the Post House is a great solution. Beautifully situated in the Lowell Hotel in upscale area of Upper East Side New York, the Post House has a huge array of dinner options from chops and steaks to fish, raw shellfish and salads. The quality of dishes is impeccable and as well as the quality of wine and service. Pricey but it is really worth it! The Post House

Location: 28 E 63rd St., New York NY. Phone: 212-935-2888

Open: Lunch Mon-Fri: noon-5pm; Dinner Mon-Thu: 5pm-11pm; Fri-Sun: 5:30pm-midnight