I've never eaten lobster. Does it taste the same as crab?

Crab meat tends to have a sweeter taste than lobster. Crab is usually flaky, while lobster meat is dense.

How do you prepare lobster?

That depends on if you're cooking a live whole lobster or a precut tail. Most stores that sell lobster will give you instructions for cooking it in several different ways, but most involve putting the live lobster into boiling water, headfirst. (If you prefer a more humane approach, put the live lobster in a freezer for two hours just prior to cooking.)

Does it really "scream" when you cook it?

Yes and no. When you cook a whole lobster, you'll hear a high-pitched sound like a whistle being blown or a scream. That's the sound made as a cooking lobster overheats: it's the air rushing out of the holes in the body. But, that sound happens whether the lobster is alive or dead, so it's not actually screaming.

My lobster looks blue. Why isn't it the red color I was expecting?

That's an easy one: it only turns red after you cook it! Most live Maine lobsters are a black-green color, but other varieties can be yellow, calico, blue and white.

I ordered a live lobster, but I think it's dead. Can I still eat it?

The first question is, "Is it really dead?" It might just be sluggish after being shipped, so try touching its eye and see if it responds (weird, right?). But yes, you can cook lobster within 8 hours of when it likely died. After you prepare it, check the tail meat: if it's firm, you're good to go. If it's watery, mushy or loose, you should probably throw it out (and request a refund!).

How do I eat lobster?

The most traditional way is to dip the meat in melted butter. Other popular options are soups and chowders, pasta (especially ravioli and macaroni), or with steak as a surf-and-turf combo.

Is it safe to buy lobster online?

Absolutely! Many online retailers have been successfully delivering lobster around the nation for decades. They know exactly how to package your lobster so that it arrives in perfect condition - and most of them have rock-solid satisfaction guarantees if anything happens in transit.

Is lobster a good gift-giving idea?

Yes! Some lobster companies specialize in gift-giving options, like surf-and-turf packages or complete dinners with appetizer, main lobster course, and dessert. Almost every online lobster business has gift certificates, so that your lucky recipient can choose their own lobster package and delivery date.

Best Lobster Stores for November 2025

Item: The Best Lobster Stores - Summary Reviews
Rating: 5
Author: Top Consumer Reviews

Monday, November 10th We evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.

2025 Lobster Store Reviews

What is the Best Online Lobster Store? If you're craving the sweet, succulent taste of fresh Maine lobster but don't live near the coast, online lobster delivery services can bring the ocean's bounty right to your door.

5.0

EXCELLENT

Best Option

Luke's Lobster

Lobster roll kits range from $184 to $239, with individual live lobsters around $55 each (1.25-1.5 lbs)
Minimum order is $65
Vertically-integrated operation from dock to doorstep, ensuring quality control throughout

Read Full Review

EXCELLENT

5.0

On the Luke's Lobster website

If you're looking to enjoy premium Maine lobster while supporting sustainable fishing practices, Luke's Lobster offers a seamless dock-to-door experience that sets them apart from typical seafood retailers. Founded by third-generation lobsterman Luke Holden, this certified B Corporation handles everything from purchasing directly from trusted fishermen to final preparation, ensuring exceptional quality throughout the entire process. You'll appreciate their thoughtful touches like free carbon-neutral shipping, eco-friendly packaging, and a rewarding loyalty program that lets you earn points toward free seafood. While their menu focuses primarily on lobster products rather than offering a wider variety of seafood, they excel at what they do best: delivering restaurant-quality Maine lobster right to your doorstep. With their impressive 4.8-star rating from over 3,000 customer reviews and comprehensive commitment to sustainability, Luke's Lobster earns our top recommendation for fresh Maine lobster delivery.

4.5

GREAT

Great

Lobster Anywhere

Live Maine lobsters start at $46 for 1.25 lbs, with premium packages like the Kennebunkport Surf & Turf Dinner at $249
30+ years of experience delivering premium seafood across the US
Direct partnerships with local fishermen ensure maximum freshness through sophisticated holding systems

Read Full Review

GREAT

4.5

On the Lobster Anywhere website

When you want to experience the authentic taste of Maine lobster without leaving home, LobsterAnywhere delivers premium seafood straight to your doorstep. Working directly with local fishermen for over 30 years, they ensure maximum freshness through sophisticated holding systems that put ordinary supermarket tanks to shame. Not only do they offer live lobsters at competitive prices (starting at $46 for 1.25 lbs), but they also provide an impressive selection of prepared seafood, from their renowned lobster bisque to complete dinner packages that arrive beautifully presented. Their thoughtful packaging, reliable delivery, and generous Sand Dollar rewards program make them an excellent choice for both treating yourself and sending impressive gifts. Based on their consistent quality, extensive selection, and dedication to freshness, LobsterAnywhere earns our #2 spot for lobster delivery services.

4.0

VERY GOOD

Very Good

Lobsters Online

1-pound live lobsters start at $20, with 5-pounders at $100. Boat Run Box offers 15-30 pounds of assorted lobsters ($239 to $479).
50+ years of experience since 1972, with impressive storage capacity of up to 2 million pounds annually
Multiple facilities across Massachusetts, Maine, and Canada for consistent supply

Read Full Review

VERY GOOD

4.0

On the Lobsters Online website

At Lobsters Online, also known as Lobster Trap Co, you'll find high-quality seafood from a well-established company that's been perfecting their craft since 1972. Their impressive selection ranges from live lobsters to prepared seafood dishes, all shipped fresh to your door with next-day delivery available Tuesday through Saturday. This service is ideal for seafood enthusiasts planning special occasions or bulk orders who value quality and reliability over cost: while their base prices are competitive, the overnight shipping fees mean you'll want to make your order count.

3.5

GOOD

Good

The Lobster Guy

Competitive pricing: Live Maine lobster ranges from $19.99 for 1.25-pound to $103 for 5-5.5-pound specimens, with bundled dinner options starting at $118
Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified sustainable fishing practices
Family-owned business featured on Discovery Channel's Deadliest Catch

Read Full Review

GOOD

3.5

On the The Lobster Guy website

If you're looking for fresh Maine lobster delivered to your door, The Lobster Guy offers competitive prices and impressive sustainability practices, with live lobsters starting at just $19.99 and certification from the Marine Stewardship Council. Their family-owned operation, featured on Discovery Channel's Deadliest Catch, handles everything from catch to delivery, passing along their FedEx shipping discounts to keep prices low. While their website could use some modernization and their customer service doesn't always hit the mark (especially when special occasions go wrong), they maintain good quality control for their core products. After weighing the pros and cons, The Lobster Guy is a solid choice if price and sustainability matter most to you, but consider looking elsewhere if you're planning a can't-fail special occasion.

3.0

AVERAGE

Average

Maine Lobster House

1.5 lb Maine Lobsters start at $79.95, with other sizes ranging from $69.95 to $89.95
Wide variety of seafood products including live lobster, lobster tails, fish, shellfish, and more
Follows basic sustainability practices including proper lobster size regulations

Read Full Review

AVERAGE

3.0

On the Maine Lobster House website

Maine Lobster House is an online seafood retailer that's actually an offshoot of Chicago Steak Company, offering live lobsters and other seafood products for home delivery. While their website is straightforward to navigate and they promise overnight shipping, you'll find their prices are significantly higher than competitors - for example, their 1.5 lb Maine lobsters start at $79.95, while top-rated competitors offer similar sizes for much less. Though they claim to follow basic sustainability practices and offer satisfaction guarantees, the lack of customer reviews and higher prices make it difficult to justify choosing them over other options. We give Maine Lobster House an average rating, but recommend checking out our higher-rated lobster stores instead.

2.5

FAIR

Fair

Lobster Order

Live Maine lobster starts at $19.99 for 1.0-1.15 lb chix, with various size options available
Free overnight shipping available on most orders to all 50 US states
Next-day delivery for orders placed before 2 PM EST

Read Full Review

FAIR

2.5

On the Lobster Order website

Lobster Order offers competitive pricing starting at $19.99 with free overnight shipping to all 50 states. While their website desperately needs a professional redesign (suffering as it does from AI-generated images and flashing sale banners), they've surprisingly managed to maintain a 4.8-star rating from over 100 Google reviews. Their product selection is extensive, featuring everything from live lobsters to Maine specialties like whoopie pies and red hot dogs, though you'll need patience to navigate their cluttered product pages. The refund policy raises some eyebrows, considering they consider a 5% death rate "normal" and offer limited recourse for issues. Given these mixed signals, we recommend trying their easier-to-shop competitors first.

2.0

SUBPAR

Subpar

Lobster Gram

Pricing: 1-pound live Maine lobsters start at $47.50 each (minimum order of 2)
Extensive variety of lobster tails from different regions (Maine, South Africa, Australia)
Full seafood selection including crab, scallops, shrimp, and mussels

Read Full Review

SUBPAR

2.0

On the Lobster Gram website

If you're looking to send premium lobster as a gift, you might want to think twice about Lobster Gram. While they offer an impressive variety of lobster tails from around the world, their steep prices and hefty shipping fees (even on large orders) make them one of the priciest options out there. You won't find any bargains here, and with consistently poor customer reviews citing issues like tough meat and dead-on-arrival lobsters, we can't recommend this corporate-owned service that seems to have lost its way since being acquired from its family business roots. Our verdict: skip Lobster Gram and look elsewhere for your seafood delivery needs.

1.9

SUBPAR

Subpar

Legal Sea Foods

Price range: Lobster tails $50 to $175, prepared dishes $35 to $225 (lobster mac & cheese $60, lobster bisque $35/quart)
70+ years of experience in seafood industry
Nationwide delivery service available

Read Full Review

SUBPAR

1.9

On the Legal Sea Foods website

If you're looking for prepared seafood dishes from a well-known restaurant brand, Legal Sea Foods offers some New England favorites for home delivery - but you'll pay a premium for the name. While their selection includes items like lobster mac & cheese and bisque, their prices run significantly higher than competitors, and their slow shipping times and concerning customer service record give us pause. You'd be better off exploring other online seafood retailers that offer fresher products, faster shipping, and better value.

1.5

WEAK

Weak

Get Maine Lobster

Live Maine lobsters from $105 each (1.21-1.45lb), with quantities available from 2-20 lobsters per order
Founded in 2010, with significant growth including 600% expansion during pandemic
Located at 48 Union Wharf in Portland, Maine with direct dockside access

Read Full Review

WEAK

1.5

On the Get Maine Lobster website

Get Maine Lobster, founded in 2010, promises to deliver fresh Maine lobster straight to your door, and while they've grown impressively (including a 600% expansion during the pandemic), their prices are significantly higher than competitors - with individual lobsters costing up to $105 each. While their marketing emphasizes Maine heritage and dock-to-door freshness, customer experiences reveal concerning issues with both product quality and customer service. The company's aggressive sales tactics, including frequent pop-ups and "urgent" messaging, combined with strict return policies and limited customer support, create a less-than-enjoyable shopping experience. Given the combination of sky-high prices, questionable customer service, and concerning reviews, we cannot recommend Get Maine Lobster above their more reliable and affordable competitors.

1.0

POOR

Poor

Maine Lobster Now

Live Maine Lobster starts at $19.31 each, which is competitively priced
Free shipping on orders over $150
Standard delivery available Tuesday through Saturday

Read Full Review

POOR

1.0

On the Maine Lobster Now website

Think twice about Maine Lobster Now. While their prices are competitive and they offer a decent variety of seafood products, the company's extremely poor customer service track record and numerous reports of spoiled products should give you serious pause. This service isn't recommended for anyone, regardless of budget or needs - even if you're home to inspect your delivery within their strict 4-hour complaint window, you're likely to face resistance when seeking refunds for compromised products. We've given Maine Lobster Now our lowest possible rating, and strongly suggest looking elsewhere for your seafood delivery needs.

Continued from above...

What is the Best Online Lobster Store?

If you're craving the sweet, succulent taste of fresh Maine lobster but don't live near the coast, online lobster delivery services can bring the ocean's bounty right to your door.

Whether you're planning a special dinner, hosting an event, or just craving seafood, online lobster stores offer something for everyone. Beyond just live lobsters, you'll find pre-cooked lobster meat, ready-to-heat tails, gourmet lobster roll kits, and chef-prepared meals like lobster mac & cheese and bisque. Many stores also offer complete dinner packages that include appetizers, sides, and even desserts. These services are especially valuable for inland residents without access to fresh seafood, busy professionals seeking convenience, and restaurants or caterers needing reliable suppliers.

However, not all online lobster retailers are created equal. One subtle distinction lies between corporate operations disguised as small fisheries and genuine small-scale operations. Corporate sellers often prioritize volume and profit margins, potentially compromising on freshness, quality, and customer service. In contrast, authentic small fisheries typically maintain direct relationships with local lobstermen, ensuring fresher products and supporting coastal communities.

For example, some corporate retailers may store lobsters for weeks in holding facilities, while small fisheries often ship lobsters that were in the ocean just days before. Small, family-owned lobster fisheries are also more likely to care about resolving issues with your order if something goes wrong.

With so many options out there, how do you make the best choice? Here are a few things to keep in mind when ordering lobsters online for delivery:

Sourcing transparency. Look for lobster stores who are upfront about their relationships with fishermen and their lobster sourcing practices. The best providers work directly with local lobstermen and maintain sophisticated holding systems for maximum freshness.
Price and value. Compare prices across different providers, but remember that the cheapest option isn't always the best value. Quality lobster retailers typically offer competitive pricing while maintaining high standards for freshness and service. Also be aware that high shipping costs can negate what you might save on low-priced lobster, so look for a lobster store with free shipping on orders over a certain dollar amount.
Shipping practices. Consider how quickly the lobster store can deliver to your location and what measures they take to ensure lobsters arrive alive and fresh. Overnight shipping is standard for live lobsters, while some providers may take longer for frozen products.
Customer service and guarantees. Look for clear policies regarding delivery issues, returns, and customer satisfaction. The best lobster providers typically offer specific guarantees and responsive customer service to address any concerns.
Product range. Consider whether the retailer offers the specific products you're looking for, whether that's live lobsters, frozen tails, prepared meals, or companion items like seafood tools and seasonings.

Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated and ranked the best lobster delivery services available online. We hope our reviews help you find the perfect lobster provider to satisfy your lobster cravings with confidence.