Luke's Lobster Upper East Side Introduce
New York City's culinary scene is a global melting pot, but sometimes, a taste of a specific regional delicacy is what truly hits the spot. For New Yorkers craving the authentic flavors of New England, Luke's Lobster Upper East Side is the premier destination. This seafood restaurant is a beloved "shack" that brings the genuine essence of a Maine lobster joint right to the heart of the city. With a strong commitment to serving sustainably sourced seafood, Luke's has built a reputation for providing some of the freshest and most delicious lobster, crab, and shrimp rolls in the metropolitan area.
Luke's Lobster is a standout for its straightforward yet exceptional approach to seafood. They focus on what they do best: serving high-quality, wild-caught seafood with minimal fuss. The core of their menu revolves around their signature rolls, which are prepared "Luke's Way"—chilled seafood with a swipe of mayo, a drizzle of melted lemon butter, and a sprinkle of their "secret seasoning" on a toasted, buttered split-top bun. This simple recipe allows the natural sweetness and freshness of the seafood to shine through. The casual and cozy atmosphere, reminiscent of a classic New England seafood shack, makes it the perfect escape from the urban hustle. It's a place that feels like a mini-vacation to the coast, with a vibe that is both trendy and approachable.
The quality of the seafood and the commitment to serving local specialties are what truly set Luke's Lobster apart. As one customer noted, a visit to the restaurant "brings back memories in Maine." This authenticity, combined with a focus on fresh ingredients, ensures a delightful and satisfying meal every time. It’s an ideal spot for a quick and delicious lunch, a satisfying dinner, or a casual get-together with friends and family.
Luke's Lobster Upper East Side is located at 242 E 81st St, New York, NY 10028. This spot on a quieter street off of a main avenue offers a perfect escape from the crowds, while still being easily accessible. It's nestled in a vibrant residential part of the Upper East Side, making it a convenient go-to for locals. Its proximity to some of the neighborhood's key attractions also makes it a great spot for tourists and visitors to stop by for an authentic taste of New England.
In terms of accessibility, the restaurant features a wheelchair-accessible entrance and wheelchair-accessible seating. This commitment to inclusivity ensures that the delicious seafood is available to everyone. The layout of the restaurant is designed for a comfortable and efficient experience, whether you choose to dine in or grab your food to go.
Luke's Lobster offers a variety of services to suit different dining needs, from quick bites to larger events.
Dine-in: Enjoy a meal in the casual and cozy atmosphere of the restaurant, with comfortable seating available for individuals and small groups. The space is perfect for a relaxing lunch or dinner.
Outdoor Seating: When the weather is nice, you can take advantage of their outdoor seating to enjoy your meal while taking in the neighborhood's charming streetscape.
Takeout & Delivery: For those on the go, Luke's offers quick and efficient takeout service. They also provide no-contact and standard delivery options, bringing their famous rolls right to your door.
Catering: As a professional caterer, Luke's can bring their seafood delights to your next event, making it a unique and memorable catering choice for gatherings and parties.
These services, combined with their focus on fast and friendly service, make for a seamless and enjoyable experience.
Luke's Lobster Upper East Side is celebrated for a number of features that contribute to its popularity and reputation.
Signature Rolls: The menu's highlight is undoubtedly the rolls. The "Lobster Roll Flight" and "Seafood Roll Flight" offer a great way to sample their three classic rolls: lobster, crab, and shrimp. The lobster roll, in particular, is a must-try, consistently praised for being fresh and flavorful.
Authentic Maine Flavors: The restaurant takes pride in serving a "local specialty" with its New England-inspired menu. This includes their award-winning "New England Clam Chowder" and "Lobster Bisque," both of which are made in small batches in Maine.
High-Quality and Sustainable Seafood: Luke's is known for its commitment to serving wild-caught, sustainably sourced seafood. This focus on quality and environmental responsibility is a major highlight for conscientious diners.
Variety of Offerings: While seafood is the star, the menu also includes options for everyone. The "Little Mainers" kids' menu offers simple favorites like "Kid's Grilled Cheese" and "Kid's Hot Dog," while the main menu has vegetarian options and small plates like "Poppyseed Slaw" and "Kettle Chips."
Welcoming Atmosphere: The casual, cozy, and trendy ambiance, along with a staff that is consistently praised for being polite and attentive, makes this a comfortable and inclusive space for a wide range of customers, including families and the LGBTQ+ community.
These features make Luke's Lobster a top choice for a casual, high-quality seafood meal.
For questions about the menu, catering, or hours of operation, you can contact Luke's Lobster Upper East Side at the following.
Address: 242 E 81st St, New York, NY 10028
Phone: (212) 249-4241 or +1 212-249-4241
The staff can provide information on their menu and services to help you plan your visit.
What is truly worth choosing at Luke's Lobster? It's the unparalleled freshness and flavor of their seafood, which transports you to the coast of Maine with every bite. The "freshest most tasty lobster roll" a customer had ever had is a testament to their dedication to quality. The "Luke's Trio" and "Seafood Roll Flight" are fantastic options for experiencing the unique, delicious flavors of their different seafood rolls all in one meal. While a warm lobster roll may require a small upgrade, the quality of the ingredients makes it well worth it. Beyond the food, the friendly service and pleasant ambiance create a relaxed and enjoyable dining experience that is perfect for a quick and satisfying lunch or a casual dinner. The simple yet perfectly executed menu, combined with a genuine commitment to quality and a welcoming atmosphere, makes Luke's Lobster Upper East Side a must-visit spot for anyone in New York looking for an authentic and delicious taste of New England.
Luke's Lobster Upper East Side Food & drink
Roll Flights
- Lobster Roll Flight $40.00
lobster roll sampler of three half-rolls: lemon butter, spicy honey butter, and truffle butter w/ chips and a soft drink
- Seafood Roll Flight $31.00
seafood roll sampler of three half-rolls: lobster, crab, and shrimp w/ chips and a soft drink
Seafood Roll Combos
- Lobster Roll $28.00
served Luke's Way w/ chips and a soft drink
- Shrimp Roll $15.00
served Luke's Way w/ chips and a soft drink
- Crab Roll $20.00
served Luke's Way w/ chips and a soft drink
- Upgrade Your Lemon Butter $1.00
Swap your roll's lemon butter to white truffle butter or spicy honey butter
A Taste of Maine
- The Mainer $45.00
a taste of Maine! Select (6oz) lobster roll served Luke's Way w/ a cup of New England clam chowder, chips, and a soft drink
Add a Side to Your Roll Combo
- Add Lobster Bisque $10.00
- Add New England Clam Chowder $7.00
- Add Poppyseed Coleslaw $2.00
Maine-Made Soups
- Lobster Bisque $11.00
choose from 8oz or 12oz
- New England Clam Chowder $8.00
choose from 8oz or 12oz
Sides
- Poppyseed Slaw $3.00
- Kettle Chips $2.00
- Soft Drinks $3.00
Little Mainers
- Kid's Grilled Cheese $6.00
served w/ chips and a kids drink
- Kid's Hot Dog $6.00
served w/ chips and a kids drink
- Kid's Lobster Roll $17.00
served w/ chips and a kids drink
- Kid's Shrimp Roll $10.00
served w/ chips and a kids drink
- Kid's Crab Roll $12.00
served w/ chips and a kids drink
Luke's Lobster Upper East Side Details
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- No-contact delivery
- Delivery
- Onsite services
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fast service
- Serves local specialty
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Comfort food
- Organic dishes
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
Dining options
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Dessert
- Seating
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Trendy
Crowd
- College students
- Family-friendly
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Tourists
- Transgender safespace
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Children
- Kids' menu
Luke's Lobster Upper East Side Photos










Luke's Lobster Upper East Side Location
Luke's Lobster Upper East Side
242 E 81st St, New York, NY 10028, USA
Luke's Lobster Upper East Side Reviews
lobster rollclam chowderclawslobster bisquesodatrufflegrilled cheesesustainablecrab rollbuns
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1It brings back memories in Maine. You need to pay $1 if you want a warm lobster roll.
July 30 · Haemin RyuGreat little lunch spot. Freshest most tasty lobster roll I've ever had. I ordered Luke's Trio which is a trio of rolls with crab, prawn and lobster. Each roll was delightful, all with equally unique different delicious flavours. Nice ambience in the place and service was very good.
January 18 · K RHonestly, would’ve given them a 5-Star rating if we just had the lobster roll. It was absolutely stuffed with thick CHUNKS of soft sweet sweet lobster and it was just delicious, especially if you enjoy being able to actually taste the lobster and not be overwhelmed by the butter and sauces/mayo that some places tend to stuff their rolls with to overcompensate for the lack of lobster meat. NOT here.Yes, the portion size is slightly small for the price BUT the flavour more then compensates for it.The lobster Mac and Cheese, on the other hand, lacked much lobster. There were only two pieces in ours, in fact. But the m&c was creamy and soft so it wasn’t bad overall, just expected more lobster.Staff are super friendly and amazing too!
April 21 · Gaurav Deep Singhlobster can't taste bad so obviously it was delicious. the sampler was a good way to try out the shrimp, lobster, and crab (each piece was 2oz whereas the regular size was 4oz & larger size was 6oz which just has more meat). this place is if you're willing to spend a good amount of money for yummy sandwiches. understandable for fresh seafood. but hey at least they give you a free bag of chips lol
May 16 · CarolineI’m not a lobster/seafood fanatic but the lobster rolls are 5 stars, perfectly seasoned, full of flavor and not overdone on the butter. Shrimp and crab rolls were good but nothing crazy.As some have mentioned, the portion sizes are small and did not fill me up. Lobster roll is on a hot dog size bun. Given the price point I was expecting a bit more, would have paid an extra $5 for a hero sized roll. Better for a lunch or someone who prefers a smaller portion.Decor was inviting, small place, normal service. Hybrid of casual fast food and sit down style (waited 8-12 min for food to come out). It’s in the category of ‘am I suppose to tip or not?’5* for the lobster roll quality and visual appearance of food.4* for the rest of the food and atmosphere3* for the price to portion ratio ($$$ is probably more accurate)
February 02 · Christopher Johanning
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