The Lobster Shack

Kai Sani

Lobster rolls, lobster bisque, clam chowder, and seafood deviled eggs. The food was superb and the service was just as well. The pieces of lobster were plump full of flavor, almost like they just pulled this lobster out of the sea. Lobster bisque was buttery and has lobster shreds throughout the bisque and is full of flavor. Clam chowder was delicious as were the devils eggs. The service was phenomenal the owner is sweet as pie. My daughter made several comments and inquiries at which the owner just was so patient and kind, just so sweet. She checked on us consistently throughout our stay. It was a perfect day with an incredibly tasty lunch.

Carol S (石凱洛 Carol)

It’s our first time coming here since the shop moved to this new location. We ordered a few different dishes to try, and everything was still just as delicious and fresh as before. 😋 We also tried the soup for the first time—it was really good and packed with ingredients. We’ll definitely be back again next time!

Mike Moya

I ordered the Lobster Roll warm. It came with 2 sides and some melted butter. It was delicious. The toast was buttery, the lobster was buttery, the butter was buttery. Loved it. Friendly staff, clean restaurant. Would definitely come back.

Maria Yurova

I was craving lobster and my husband brought me to this place. Great service, we got to meet the owner and had a pleasant conversation during our wait. The lobster bisque was delicious and thick, I really tried not to lick my bowl haha the sandwich had a very generous amount of lobster meat. Thank you, We will be back!

Lenore Swan (Gilyard)

This tiny restaurant is, seriously, one of the best reasons to visit San Clemente. Two words - 'shell-free Cioppino'. OH MY WORD, filled with seafood, shellfish, veggies, and spices. It was so delicious I almost wished that I had ordered a bowl instead of a cup. But I'm glad I did because then I had room for the Seafood Deviled Eggs. Three eggs, six halves each filled with a spiced standard yolk mixture and topped with lobster claw meat, flaked crab, or large salad shrimp - so good! Dan, the owner, is as nice as can be. Genuine and kind. There are a few tables to enjoy the delicious food. Located in Old Downtown San Clemente, the Lobster Shack is definitely worth the drive if you're in Orange County, CA. I ate half my meal at the restaurant and then drove to the beach to enjoy the rest with my Arnold Palmer. Awesome afternoon 😎

Marakristine M

One of the best kept secrets in the OC. Lobster roll was amazing with huge chunky pieces of lobster straight from Maine. The clam chowder and lobster bisque was so good! The owner Dan was so nice and sweet! Check this place out!

Ally Hunter

Best lobster sandwiches in town! My husband got the, “lobster grilled cheese,” and I got the “lobster roll with coleslaw and beans!” The bread was cooked to perfection while also having a nice crunch. And the lobster was tender and juicy while also being extremely fresh! We would definitely recommend and we will definitely be returning. The restaurant is located in a nice little strip mall type thing with other restaurants and shops! The area doesn’t look like much but it was INCREDIBLE!!!

E F

I am so glad we found this sweet little place! The people who work here are so kind. We tried the shrimp roll, lobster roll, lobster bisque, clam chowder, beans, and grilled cheese. It was all very good!! I came here ready for a lobster roll but for me, the crab roll was the star! The bisque is very good too. The toasted brioche is really exceptional. We thoroughly enjoyed this little gem! Can’t wait to return next time we are in town

Joselyn Murguia

Delicious lobster rolls! I ordered the Trio for 2, which included one lobster roll, one crab roll and one shrimp roll. They were all delicious and tasted fresh, but my favorite one was definitely the lobster roll. The bread was fluffy and complimented the meat perfectly. They were filling as well. The staff was friendly and fast with orders. They have outdoor seating only. I will definitely be back for more.

Austin Simpson

Kim & Dan are the kindest people and their food is out of this world! Everything we had was delicious. We ordered the lobster roll with cole slaw & baked beans with a side of lobster bisque and cioppino soup. They took the time to talk with us about the surrounding area, which was really nice!

Tim Triemer

Awesome owners, super friendly... came out and talked to us made sure we actually enjoyed the food they just made. Could really tell they are proud of what they do and rightly so. My chick and I (Both of us are from Cape Cod, Mass. The Home of lobster Rolls) both got the lobster roll and shared the clam cowder. The roll, was awesome... I'm use to a little more mayo, but I think it lasted maybe 2 mins. The chowder was on par or better than Capt Parkers Pub in West Yarmouth, MA. We both will definitely be back.

Very generous lobster rolls with perfectly toasted buns! Our first time here. The outdoor seating was comfortable; we ordered inside and then got very nice service outside on a beautiful sunny afternoon. The owner was both charming and generous. Only one quirk -- all four of us would have preferred the coleslaw *without* the blue cheese. We are blue cheese fans, but it was a bit overpowering. And maybe a bigger helping? It's such a nice companion to the yummy richness of lobster -- more, please! We're from New England and are delighted to find authentic and tasty lobster rolls near by. Will try soups too -- next time!

As a Marylander, I can attest that their crab cake rolls are authentic, but with a spicy twist from the special sauce. I had a small sample of the lobster bisque, and it's delicious as well. The giant chunk of lobster meat was the perfect mix of sweet and savory. I look forward to visiting again to try the ceviche. Highly recommend!

We loved our delicious lunch here. The lobster rolls were great, as well as the chowder and bisque. The owner was very nice. Would definitely come back again when vacationing in the area.

Excellent clam chowder and lobster rolls! We had the Connecticut style with warm butter on brioche, delicious. We met the husband and wife owners, a very friendly couple, truly a welcoming, casual place.

Came in from Vegas and we love lobster rolls and came here because it was close to our hotel and we’re so glad we did. Best lobster rolls we ever had so fresh and the service was even better. Definitely will come here anytime I’m in town and might have them cater my wedding lol

Tim Somerville

As a Marylander, I can attest that their crab cake rolls are authentic, but with a spicy twist from the special sauce. I had a small sample of the lobster bisque, and it's delicious as well. The giant chunk of lobster meat was the perfect mix of sweet and savory. I look forward to visiting again to try the ceviche. Highly recommend!

TLS

Excellent clam chowder and lobster rolls! We had the Connecticut style with warm butter on brioche, delicious. We met the husband and wife owners, a very friendly couple, truly a welcoming, casual place.

Jayden&Jazmine

Came in from Vegas and we love lobster rolls and came here because it was close to our hotel and we’re so glad we did. Best lobster rolls we ever had so fresh and the service was even better. Definitely will come here anytime I’m in town and might have them cater my wedding lol

Irina Reshotkina

My favorite place - delicious. Nice that they moved to Laguna Niguel. I only personalky don't like coleslaw as I don't like blue cheese. The rest i love it.

Great lobster rolls. And on par with what you get in Maine, glad I went. I would definitely go back.

Got the trio for 2 to go. The rolls were good and they looked pretty however not worth in my opinion the price. However it is san clemente and lobster is never cheap. The lobster bisque was eh wont get it again. The bleu cole slaw was also just ok but not worth going out if my way for. If i am in the area and really want lobster on the go I may stop there.

Kris Kasprzak

Great lobster rolls. And on par with what you get in Maine, glad I went. I would definitely go back.

Ana

Got the trio for 2 to go. The rolls were good and they looked pretty however not worth in my opinion the price. However it is san clemente and lobster is never cheap. The lobster bisque was eh wont get it again. The bleu cole slaw was also just ok but not worth going out if my way for. If i am in the area and really want lobster on the go I may stop there.

Lobster rolls were good but not as good as Maine or other New England places in our experience. Lots of good meat but needed more seasoning and butter. Rolls were good.

Tom Simpson

Lobster rolls were good but not as good as Maine or other New England places in our experience. Lots of good meat but needed more seasoning and butter. Rolls were good.

I'm assuming it was the owner who served me. He was really nice and cracked a few jokes while I was ordering. It was my first time having a lobster roll. $30 seemed kinda crazy for 1 roll, it's size, and the amount of meat you get, but I had to try it while on vacation. Two small sides are included. The beans were ok, but the blue cheese slaw was great. The cioppino was a pretty small bowl, and the shellfish seemed a bit overdone. I had to try it though to see what the rave was all about. It just didn't hit the spot for me personally.

The lobster roll had good flavor, but the portion was small for $30. The lobster was placed on a slice of thick bread that was partially slit down the middle. So it looked like it was piled on, but the reality it was a lot smaller portion than it appeared. Portion of Cole slaw was small but tasty. Not a value for the money.

Tony Rico

I'm assuming it was the owner who served me. He was really nice and cracked a few jokes while I was ordering. It was my first time having a lobster roll. $30 seemed kinda crazy for 1 roll, it's size, and the amount of meat you get, but I had to try it while on vacation. Two small sides are included. The beans were ok, but the blue cheese slaw was great. The cioppino was a pretty small bowl, and the shellfish seemed a bit overdone. I had to try it though to see what the rave was all about. It just didn't hit the spot for me personally.

Alan Smallbone

The lobster roll had good flavor, but the portion was small for $30. The lobster was placed on a slice of thick bread that was partially slit down the middle. So it looked like it was piled on, but the reality it was a lot smaller portion than it appeared. Portion of Cole slaw was small but tasty. Not a value for the money.