Love Lobster? The Top Places To Buy Fresh Lobster Online
Lobster meat has had an interesting culinary history. At one point, it was viewed as food for prisoners, with the lobster getting the unsavory nickname ‘cockroach of the seas’. But in the 1800s, improved transportation allowed lobster to be accessed in more inland regions, where it quickly became seen as an exciting and flavorsome new delicacy, turning it into a luxury food.
Today, lobster is a meat still associated with fine dining, but online ordering options and faster shipping has meant that more of us can now enjoy it without ‘shelling out’. You can buy lobster in some groceries, but for increased freshness, online sellers tend to be a better choice – many are based right on the coast and are able to ship freshly-caught flash-frozen lobster overnight.
Below are just some of the top places to look when buying fresh lobster online.
1) Maine Lobster Now
Maine Lobster Now stands out as an all-round top-scoring supplier in terms of product range, freshness and sustainability. All their lobsters are caught off the coast of Maine – the lobster capital of the US prided for its cold, clean waters that result in firm, sweet meat.
A quick browse of their site reveals a lot of variety: live lobster in various sizes, lobster tails, lobster rolls, lobster ravioli and all kinds of other pre-prepared lobster dishes for easy cooking. They also sell a range of other seafood and even steaks for surf and turf.
Their next-day delivery service is excellent for last minute meals while also preserving freshness. They also provide clear cooking instructions for beginners.
2) Get Maine Lobster
The biggest competitor to Maine Lobster Now, Get Maine Lobster is another Maine-based lobster supplier with a greater focus on bundles and gifts.
They sell creative, curated boxes that include themed sets and seasonal meal kits. You’ll often find promotions on these boxes, making it possible to save money on top quality lobster meat.
All lobsters are caught in the waters around Maine, so you’re certain to get that distinctive sweet New England taste. While lobster products are definitely the focus on their site, they also sell other seafood, which you can check out in their ‘fresh catch’ section.
3) Fulton Fish Market
This massive New-York-based fish market has been selling seafood for over 200 years. They’ve recently gone online and are now one of the biggest suppliers of seafood throughout the US.
When it comes to lobsters, they sell live and frozen options with the option to pick from different origins from around the world. This allows you to try exotic lobster varieties fished or farmed in different waters. Detailed traceability info is provided on each lobster, so you know exactly where it’s coming from.
Beyond lobsters, you’ll find a huge variety of other seafood here – pretty much any fish or shellfish you can think of. They’re effectively a seafood one-stop-shop.
4) The Lobster Guy
In stark contrast to Fulton Fish Market, The Lobster Guy is a small and family-run supplier in New England run by fisherman Captain Tim AKA ‘the lobster guy’.
This company sells live lobsters, lobster dinners and clambake kits across the US. Each lobster is hand-picked for its high quality with the option to buy large lobsters up to 6 lbs!
If you like the idea of supporting a small family-run business that catches its own lobsters, then this could be the best option for you. Pricing on some lobster products is also very affordable compared to some other suppliers on this list.
5) Sizzlefish
Sizzlefish is a US seafood brand built around health and convenience. They offer subscription boxes on all kinds of seafood – which is portioned for you and handpicked for its high nutritional content and clean water sourcing.
They don’t quite have the same range of lobster products as some other suppliers listed here (no live lobsters), but they do offer a few lobster tail dishes and a Lobster Lover’s Gift Box. These lobsters are sourced in Maine, so you’re getting top quality meat.
If you regularly eat seafood and want to set up a subscription, then Sizzlefish is a good choice. They make buying fresh seafood easy and offer some great recipes and meal plans.
6) Lobster Anywhere
Lobster Anywhere was one of the first online mail-order lobster companies and they offer a great variety of lobster products. They’re Maine-based and make sure all their lobsters are caught off the coast of New England.
They excel at providing lobsters for special occasions and gifts. These come at a higher price tag than some other suppliers, but get excellent reviews, so are worth paying extra for.
They also sell live lobsters in different sizes. These are carefully packaged and shipped for those who are feeling brave enough to prepare live lobster.
7) Browne Trading Company
For restaurant-quality lobster, Browne Trading Company could be worth considering. They primarily market themselves at top restaurants (but also do home orders) and sell premium seafood. Think smoked fish, caviar and exotic seafood like octopus.
They don’t sell a huge range of lobster products – mainly just lobster meat and lobster tails. But their lobsters are Maine-sourced and expertly prepared to maintain as much freshness and flavor as possible.
Foodies and home chefs wanting to prepare a top-end meal should consider shopping here – not just for lobster, but for other seafood too.
Which lobster seller is right for you?
These are just a handful of some of the top US sellers. You can choose from many other sellers – some of which have cheaper prices – but you may have to sacrifice freshness and quality. Most lobster connoisseurs find that Maine-sourced lobsters provide the best taste. Buying live lobster can result in unbeatable freshness, but most people don’t want to have to deal with a still snapping crustacean, in which case focus on sellers that flash-freeze their lobster meat. Explore ready-to-cook lobster dishes if you want to save time in the kitchen – many of these come pre-seasoned and de-shelled, sometimes sold as part of a bundle with other foods.
