The Best Lobster Rolls In Melbourne For 2023

Written by: Rick Stephens

10th Aug 2023

It's a simple pairing, a match made in heaven, the decadent combination of rich shellfish and soft buttery bread is one of life's greatest gifts.

In Melbourne there are several operators that have made their bones on their interpretation of the dish, be it a bouncy brioche or stuffed alongside Kewpie mayo, here's where you'll find the best lobster rolls in Melbourne for 2023:

Supernormal

CBD

The lobster roll Melbourne discussion typically starts and ends with Supernormal. These bad boys are just $23 a pop at the jewel in Andrew McConnell’s culinary crown and have grown in notoriety that they've remained on the menu since the venue's inception. Wash them down with a signature Supernormal martini and you're in for a good time.

Ascot Food + Wine

MOONEE PONDS

A Western suburb favourite, Ascot Food + Wine is the black-shaded diner on the corner of Ascot Vale Road in Moonee Ponds. Alongside a selection of Euro-leaning dishes here, for $28 the lobster roll is a standout; housed in a dense golden-topped milk bun which is then stuffed full with a mix of chopped lobster, Kewpie mayo, sliced celery hearts and then topped with watercress. It's rich but offset by the freshness of the celery and watercress, making it incredibly tempting to put more than one to the sword.

Editors note: Ascot Food + Wine is temporarily closed, keep an eye out here for all updates.

A white table with a small plate and a best lobster Melbourne has on it.

Unabara

CBD

The city-based oyster and lobster bar have quite the selection when it comes to the cray roll. Offering two very distinct and now notorious lobster rolls; the first a New York-style creation, a simple combination letting the lobster shine with diced celery, red onion, mayo and chives, as well as Unabara’s Tokyo edition with nori, avocado, tobiko, cucumber and wasabi mayo. Each as memorable as the other and both will run you $32.90.

Pinchy’s

CBD

Lobster rolls and champagne anyone? That’s the iconic combo Pinchy’s is known for. For just $20, you can dig into their famous Lobster rolls served with decadent truffle fries and truffle aioli. There are plenty of other bite-sized offerings to tempt you—how about a Snapper Croquette or King Crab Taco? You’ll want to get your pincers on a bit of everything at this San Sebastian-inspired hangout.

The Fishmonger’s Son

CARLTON NORTH

A lobster roll with legacy, two generations of dedicated fishmonger knowledge has poured into this handheld masterpiece. The lobster roll is a sensation, stuffed into a soft potato roll or baguette is a decadent combination of crayfish and prawn with baby cos, Japanese mayo, dijon, freshly torn herbs, lemon zest and topped with thinly sliced Spanish onion and cracked pepper. At just $20 it's a hard lunch option to pass up.

Arbory Bar & Eatery

CBD

The city's favourite platform-dwelling saloon, Arbory Bar & Eatery is home to one of the best lobster rolls in Melbourne. A real meal in itself, the weighty toasted milk bun is stuffed full of New England shellfish, accompanied with a zesty mayonnaise and topped with finely cut chives. Alongside it is the equally umami-forward shoestring fries with truffle salt, a real dance in decadence that still doesn't break the bank at $32.

Showroom Bar

CBD

Housed in the very opulent Royce Hotel, you'll find this showstopping lobster roll in 'The Showroom' the in-house diner and the fully remodelled car showroom. Thick pieces of butter-poached rock lobster have been carefully sandwiched between a sweet golden brioche roll with iceberg lettuce and thinly-sliced celery which has then been topped with smoked salmon pearls and a saffron aioli ($36). Of course, by default, this decadent number is also served up with shoestring fries to round out the experience.

Check out Melbourne's best bars over here.

Image credit: Supernormal (Nikki To)

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