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Restaurant in Salem, Massachusetts
What should I order at The Lobster Shanty?
What to order
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Lobster Roll
Most frequently praised dish; multiple reviews call it the best, amazing, scrumptious, and worth the price, with notes about generous lobster portions, buttery soft buns, and fresh, tender lobster meat.
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Steak Tips
Recommended several times for being phenomenal, amazing, and excellent, with reviewers highlighting the flavorful meat and satisfying portions.
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Spicy Crab Cake
Mentioned positively for its great flavor and enjoyable lingering spice, and described as excellent alongside other standout dishes.
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4
Fish And Chips
Praised for being good and even tempting a non-fish eater, with comments that it looked appealing and had a satisfying fried fish filet.
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5
Clam Chowder
Recommended for its flavorful, less-bland style with extra spices and a broth-forward version that reviewers enjoyed.
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6
Tater Tots
Frequently mentioned as a great side, described as crispy, seasoned, and among the most delicious tots reviewers had ever eaten.
Details
Hours
| Monday | 12 PM to 12 AM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 12 PM to 12 AM |
| Wednesday | 12 PM to 12 AM |
| Thursday | 12 PM to 12 AM |
| Friday | 12 PM to 12 AM |
| Saturday | 12 PM to 12 AM |
| Sunday | 12 PM to 12 AM |
About The Lobster Shanty
Bustling, informal eatery & bar with classic seafood & outdoor tables, plus live music on weekends.
Amenities
From the business
- Identifies as women-owned
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- Onsite services
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Live music
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Hard liquor
- Late-night food
- Wine
Dining options
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Restroom
- Wi-Fi
- Free Wi-Fi
Crowd
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Transgender safespace
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Parking
- Paid parking lot
- Paid street parking
- Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
Pets
- Dogs allowed
- Dogs allowed outside
Frequently asked
What is The Lobster Shanty known for?
It is best known for lobster rolls, especially the traditional and Connecticut styles, which reviewers repeatedly call some of the best in New England. People also praise the clam chowder for being well seasoned and the lobster mac and cheese for being rich and very cheesy.
What dishes are most recommended at The Lobster Shanty?
The most frequently recommended items are the lobster roll, clam chowder, lobster mac and cheese, and tater tots. Reviewers also highlight the poutine, lobster grilled cheese, lobster pie, fried shrimp, and onion rings as standout orders.
What is the atmosphere like at The Lobster Shanty?
The vibe is described as casual, cozy, and a little dive-bar-like, with outdoor tables and occasional live local music that adds to the ambiance without being too loud. Reviewers say it works well for couples, families, and groups after exploring downtown Salem.
Is The Lobster Shanty good value?
The price range is listed at $20 to $30, and many reviewers describe the food as reasonably priced or fairly priced for Salem, though one review noted lobster rolls could run higher during busy times. Even with waits, people say the portions are generous and the quality makes the cost feel worth it.
When should you visit The Lobster Shanty if you want a shorter wait?
Several reviews say the line can get long in Salem during Halloween season, and getting there right when it opens helped avoid hours-long waits later in the day. In quieter periods, especially late in December, reviewers reported little to no crowding.
Is parking available at The Lobster Shanty?
Yes. Paid parking lot, Paid street parking, Usually somewhat difficult to find a space is available.
