Lobster West, Encinitas - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews

Is this a seafood restaurant?

Yes

No

Unsure

Details

About

Lobster West is a family-owned restaurant ideal for individuals, couples, families, friend gatherings or larger groups of people!

CUISINES

American, Seafood

Meals

Lunch, Dinner

FEATURES

Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Street Parking, Wheelchair Accessible, Wine and Beer, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Digital Payments, Accepts Discover, Accepts Credit Cards

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4.5

147 reviews

Excellent

78

Very good

51

Average

12

Poor

2

Terrible

4

scott w

San Diego56 contributions

almost great

Jun 2020 • none

I lived in Boston for 25 years and ate a lot of lobster rolls. I am not an expert, but I know a great one. The lobster roll here was good - fresh, perfectly cooked, and not too much mayo. The usual critique away from New England is that there is too much mayo. But here there is too little. They compensated for the lack of mayo with too much salt and pepper. My suggestion is eliminate the salt completely - the lobster is boiled in salty water, and cut back on the pepper. My other complaint is the the large roll for $22. is not large enough for the price. And if you add more lobster, you need a bigger roll. You cannot stuff 7-10 more little pieces of lobster in an already too small roll.

Written June 3, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Travel the World

San Francisco1400 contributions

Yummy Lobster Bisque

Oct 2020 • friends

We ate at the Lobster West inside the windmill food court in Carlsbad. I ordered the lobster bisque and it was delicious. The medium-size bowl was only seven dollars and was a generous portion. They had lots of options and plenty of seating both indoor and outdoor. The food court is a great place to go with a group because it gives you a wide variety of options. It is located across the street from the premium outlets.

Written October 4, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Liz B

Encinitas340 contributions

Best west coast lobster rolls

Jan 2020 • none

This is the "go to" spot for lobster rolls on the west coast. I love that they serve their rolls "hot" or Connecticut style instead of the usual cold salad lobster. Their bisque is tasty too. I've eaten a lot of lobster rolls for twice the price and this place can't be beat.

Written January 31, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jeanmarc3

San Diego150 contributions

Tourist trap

Jul 2021 • none

Went for the lobster salad. Tasteless lobster bits (probably in the fridge for way too long) and way overpriced. If only it was good... Also we paid for two bottled waters and got two glasses of tap water instead. Aside from this on the menu I believe they show "Maine lobster"... We found that weird considering the Pacific ocean is just a few blocks away. Oh well, just another tourist trap that is not worth the detour...

Written July 15, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

65oski

Irvine548 contributions

Best lobster roll in a long time.

Jun 2020 • none

Drove down for lunch just to get out of the house. No inside seating allowed but there are small table outside. We both had lobster roll and they were the best! No mayo or dressing, just chunks of lobster meat. The bun was not a hot dog bun or a brioche but an authentic New England bun toasted on the grill.

Written June 10, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Daddio54

Rio Rico154 contributions

Lobster Roll my way!

Sep 2022 • couples

Fresh red sweet lobster meat, with light pepper and very light mayo on a soft but nicely toasted roll. Best lobster roll! Order at the podium and sit inside ( A/C ) or some tables or outside deck. one hour free parking around the buildings

Written September 9, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

PhilFields

San Diego324 contributions

Worth the cost!

Jun 2020 • none

Boss it up to the lobster roll is 1.5 times the meat. 2 rolls $50 bucks and worth every dollar and penny. Go there all the time and get it to go. The wait is long and the service is slow. Best rolls in So Cal, not sure why they cant get it going quicker, sometimes an house wait.

Written July 27, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Nodoor

Irving445 contributions

Very good lobster roll

May 2023 • couples

Excellent lobster roll with the right amount of spice and light mayo. The roll is very good, i recommend cutting into it so more lobster fits inside. We had one regular roll and one with double meet and the bill was $72.

Written May 7, 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Rorojo79

Chicago108 contributions

Great day for lobster bisque

Sep 2024 • couples

I had double meat crab roll, my husband had lobster roll Cole slaw and lobster bisque. All of the food was delicious. I’m still getting used to the sticker shock in CA- $62. Good news is no tipping as they ask you to bus your own table. My only issue was the day we went was chilly and every window and door was open making it quite uncomfortable to eat there. No straws for my iced tea. Seems like more of a take out place. However it is definitely worth a try for the food.

Written September 23, 2024

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

lucycan

San Diego3608 contributions

Good lobster roll

Jun 2022 • none

Went here for a quick dinner. Sat on the patio as they are closed inside. Got the regular lobster roll with 50% more meat. $28 which is actually not that expensive for a lobster roll. Lobster was good. NOT mayo based. Some seasoning on it. Didn't try the sides.

Written June 22, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bob R

1 contribution

Feels like home

Dec 2023 • family

I’m a transplant from the East Coast and Lobsterwest transports me back. There’s nothing like their lobster. The prices are reasonable and the service is excellent. We enjoyed the feel of the place too. A small shop, much like what I’m used to on the East Coast. Bob R.

Written January 4, 2024

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

CeCe

Atwater4 contributions

Family beach trip

Sep 2020 • none

We stayed a a cozy hotel near Moonlight State Beach. In the evening we went for a walk and stumbled upon this place, what a great find. The Lobster Rolls were so tasty! We can't wait to come back for more!!

Written September 14, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bebe44

Long Beach727 contributions

Best seafood around!! And great value!

Nov 2023 • couples

After staying in LaJolla for a few nights, we headed north to return home & decided to take the South Coast Highway 101 for a more scenic drive. As we hit Encinitas which is a charming little beach town, we decided to stretch our legs & walk around. Whalla! We came across Lobster West Restaurant & carry-out. Small, nicely decorated, great music & advertising the best seafood plus, my favorite, lobster rolls! Hunger took over and we checked it out. Indoor & outdoor dining. Travis (a fabulous waiter & a hoot) greeted us. It just so happened the owner, Chad, was there & he introduced us to him. A young, gracious & extremely nice entrepreneur who migrated from the East Coast…as we did many years ago. We are fussy about good seafood as we grew up near the Chesapeake Bay. This little restaurant did not disappoint. I ordered the “Boss” (50% more meat then the classic) Lobster Roll. They served it properly on a toasted buttered roll with tons of succulent lobster meat. (Just as good as the lobster rolls we had in Maine last fall) My husband ordered a Maryland Crab Cake just to compare. Not quite Maryland style, but truly delicious. We each had a “scoop” (smallest cup of soup) of both the Lobster Bisque & the Maryland Crab Soup (totally Maryland style) both sooo delicious. Also a bottle of white wine of course. One of the best lunches we had on our trip! Bravo & thank you Chad!! He also has one in Coronado & just opened one in LaJolla. They also serve whole Maine Lobster & other entrees, salads, extras & dessert. Don’t miss this little gem!

Written November 8, 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

eppikureeus

Salt Lake City412 contributions

Really 2.5

Mar 2023 • family

I really don’t understand the positive reviews. Totally flavorless lobster grilled cheese and a smallish salad, both pretty pricey. Won’t be back

Written March 2, 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

007Jimmy

Schaumburg24 contributions

Good lobster roll

Sep 2021 • couples

Really tasty lobster roll with amazing toasted bread. Loved that it wasn’t over dressed with mayonnaise - it really let the fresh lobster shine through.

Written September 15, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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