Luke's Lobster Santa Monica

Having visited Luke's in New York and also ordered online to our West Coast home, was guardedly excited to see how this phenomenal product has translated out west. I was delightfully surprised with not only the consistently amazing food, but also the accommodating and attentive customer service. I took an order to go with about an hour and a half drive to my home from the Santa Monica location and everything arrived perfectly and we thoroughly enjoyed our dinner. Keep up the great work!!!!

Was just ok. I've had it at another location in Vegas and loved it. This time I liked it but not sure I would go back. I got the Mainer so 6oz lobster roll with clam chowder, chips and a drink. Also got the seafood flight which was 2oz of crab, 2 oz of lobster and 2oz shrimp. For the lobster, there was seasoning on top that I wasn't a fan of maybe if I do go back I'll order it warm just with butter. Staff was friendly and there as lots of seating both inside and outside. It's located a block or two from the Main Street near the beach.

Whoah. Damien and Armando, pure excellence in customer service and food quality control. Simply the best lobster roll and clam chowder I ever had. I’m from New York City and remember Luke’s Lobster in East Village. Damien and Armando greeted me with the biggest smile and their energy is what hospitality ought to be. They cared about my questions and guided me in the right direction as a solo diner. I was able to relax and enjoy my combo deal outside with my sweet little Cairn Terrier named Ralph! I’ve been to Lobster Rumble and very disappointed in the lobster rolls and clam chowders at seafood restaurants! Wish Luke’s Lobster participated back then! BIG S/O to Damien and Armando. You have a very special team at this Santa Monica location. They made me feel welcomed and appreciated, valued and I cannot wait to go back for more with the Lobster punch card on future orders! Thank you, Damien and Armando!!!!!!! Love and Light, MiJa

Nice place but I thought the lobster roll came with mayo. It was still tasty. Possibly a little over seasoned. Top notch brioche. Well done chaps.

Excellent service! Delicious food! Luke’s Lobster is a family-owned Maine seafood business, founded by third-generation lobsterman Luke Holden. Luke’s began as a tiny lobster roll shack in New York City, where Holden was unable to find an authentic, high quality Maine lobster roll to feed his craving for home in 2009. Luke’s Lobster serves the best tasting seafood, because they know how to care for it the Maine way, from the dock to you.

My friend and I had a lovely dinner at Luke's!! All of their food was fresh and delicious. We both got the seafood flight. The lobster and crab were so flavorful and I would go back for both. We also tried the chowder and it was such a treat on a cold evening. The team there was super attentive and sweet. Brent really took care of us. If you are looking for a chill place to meet up after work, look no further. This spot is great! There is also a Santa Monica parking lot next door with 90 min free parking.

I had Luke’s Lobster for the first time in NY and I’m hooked. After that any state that I visited and has Luke’s Lobster, I have to go there, and the closest one in West Coast is actually in Las Vegas. However, Luke’s Lobster eventually opened in LA. I would like to scream from the top of my lungs! Of course, I need to go there because I’ve been trying other lobsters rolls but no places can beat Luke’s Lobster tbh! I don’t know if others like their lobster rolls chilled or warmed but I always get it warmed with lobster bisque soup. Zero complaints just enjoyed my favorite lobster rolls in the whole wide world 😆🫶💯

We ate seafood flight as we wanted to try the lobster, the crab & the shrimp. It is fresh & delicious. The guys serving there are friendly.

While wandering Santa Monica with no lunch plan in mind--just the freedom of a train ride, some shopping, and a stroll to the pier--I stumbled upon Luke's Lobster, a fast-casual spot tucked into DTSM's busy scene. It turned out to be a pleasant little detour. I kept it light with a bowl of clam chowder and a root beer. The chowder isn't made in-house, but it's also not your standard food-service fare. It's made exclusively for the franchise, which is a decent compromise. Texture-wise, it leaned watery rather than creamy, but the clams were visible and generously portioned--definitely not stingy. The base flavor was mild, with small potato bits making up most of the body. I didn't find any other vegetables in my bowl. Not bad, just simple. The root beer, unfortunately, was a letdown. It lacked that classic punchy carbonation and felt a bit flat overall. Nothing to rave about there. Service was friendly and informative. The person behind the counter walked me through how they source their seafood--sustainably and directly from the coast. Always good to hear when a business knows (and cares about) where their ingredients come from. As a bonus, I was handed a punch card for future visits--ten stamps and there's a reward at the end. Noted. Would I go back? There's a good chance. Next time, I'll skip the soup and go straight for their signature lobster or shrimp roll, which looked like the real reason most people were there in the first place. Bottom Line: Luke's is a solid, casual stop if you're in Santa Monica and want seafood without the fuss. The chowder was okay, the root beer forgettable, but the atmosphere and service made up for it. Come for the rolls--or at least plan to next time.

I've been to both Luke's in LAS for a lobster roll. Each of those really didn't have a spot to dine in. This location is fabulous! Super helpful staff set me up with the sampler trio; lobster, shrimp, and crab. All had plenty of fillings. My lobster had a claw. Nice. The crab maybe my absolute favorite. Bay shrimp was okay. Now I have something to look forward to when shopping the 3rd Street Promenade!

I wanted to give this place a solid 3.5 but since Yelp doesn't let us live in decimals, I'm rounding up--because they did try, and honestly, that counts for something. The vibe? Great. Chill without trying too hard. Staff? Friendly, even when I had questions that probably sounded like I'd never been outside before. Food came out quickly, and most of it hit the mark. The LOBSTER ROLL was the real MVP, savory, balanced, and actually lived up to the hype. Other things? A little inconsistent. One dish felt like the chef gave up halfway through. Still edible, just... uninspired. Price-wise, it wasn't offensive, which these days is practically a miracle. Would I come back? Yep. Not Life changing :)

Was just ok. I've had it at another location in Vegas and loved it. This time I liked it but not sure I would go back. I got the Mainer so 6oz lobster roll with clam chowder, chips and a drink. Also got the seafood flight which was 2oz of crab, 2 oz of lobster and 2oz shrimp. For the lobster, there was seasoning on top that I wasn't a fan of maybe if I do go back I'll order it warm just with butter. Staff was friendly and there as lots of seating both inside and outside. It's located a block or two from the Main Street near the beach.

Luke's Lobster has a new spot in Santa Monica, and it's great to have this East Coast favorite on the West Coast. I ordered the Lobster Roll combo, which comes with chips and a soft drink for $41, and added the poppyseed slaw for an extra $2. The roll tasted just like it does back in NYC--fresh, flavorful, and packed with lobster. Prices are a bit higher than the East Coast locations, but not by much. I do miss the roll-only option they offered when they first opened, which was nice for a lighter or more flexible meal. Still, the quality is solid and it's a welcome addition to the area.

My mouth waters whenever I think or talk about this place. It really is that good! I've never had a proper lobster roll prior to my visit but have always wanted to try Luke's. I stopped by an hour before closing on a Friday night and the guys at the register were so friendly and helpful. I ordered the seafood roll flight so I could try a bit of everything for my first time and so glad I did. Although all three were delicious, I am a sucker for crab and liked that one better than the lobster or shrimp rolls. Everything was cooked to perfection though and I was surprisingly full afterwards. I also ordered a side of the truffle butter and hot honey butter. I thought the truffle butter was OK (I don't like truffle very much) but can see someone who loves truffle really enjoying it! Honestly, I found the hot honey butter a little too spicy for my tastes and preferred just adding a little hot sauce instead to get the heat and acidity to cut the richness of the roll. The lemon butter was really my favorite. They were sadly out of clam chowder when I went so I will have to go back to try it. Overall, it is a bit pricier than usual for a casual spot but: 1) it's seafood, 2) their seafood is sustainably sourced, and 3) it's delicious and very well-worth the price. This has definitely earned a spot in my regular rotation and can't wait to go back. Thank you, Luke!

Food was very fresh but found the roll on the crab roll quite dry. Service was excellent but ambience is quite sterile!

A brightly lit, cheerfully decorated store on the corner of Santa Monica Blvd and Second St, Luke's Lobster serves up fresh lobster, crab, and shrimp rolls. The food tastes plenty fresh but portion sizes for the price leave something to be desired. To put into perspective, my meal consisted of three two ounce rolls of lobster, crab, and shrimp, an 8 ounce cup of clam chowder, some chips, a pickle, and a bottle of Mexicane Cola. While I enjoyed the meal, it wasn't particularly the most filling and came out to be $51 after tax and tips. I understand that these types of seafood are not cheap, but damn did my wallet hurt after the meal. Overall, nice fresh seafood but I probably won't be back until I have some more dough in my bank account :')

I had Luke's Lobster for the first time in NY and I'm hooked. After that any state that I visited and has Luke's Lobster, I have to go there, and the closest one in West Coast is actually in Las Vegas. However, Luke's Lobster eventually opened in LA. I would like to scream from the top of my lungs! Of course, I need to go there because I've been trying other lobsters rolls but no places can beat Luke's Lobster tbh! I don't know if others like their lobster rolls chilled or warmed but I always get it warmed with lobster bisque soup. Zero complaints just enjoyed my favorite lobster rolls in the whole wide world

Great original lobster rolls .. Incredibly good and they dont load you up with mayonaise and no lobster.. The lobster is fresh and served on a delicious bun and the staff friendly and helpful. For sure the best Lobster roll in Los Angeles/Santa Monica!

best lobster rolls ever!! The bread was fresh,lightyear toasted with a crisp and lobsters was also fresh and juicy. The place was clean. Goid amount of tables. The service was so friendly. All smiles. Checking on us. Strongly recommend this establishment.

The lobster here is really good and fresh. The flight option is fun too, but I'll be honest, the flavors all taste about the same. I do think it's still worth it to get the flight, since it's only $1 more than a normal 6oz lobster roll. It also comes with a craft soda and chips. The service here is great and super friendly and there is a good amount of seating available inside and outside. There's also free parking lot around the corner.

The last time I had Luke's Lobsters was in New York. Was excited to have Luke's open up in Santa Monica. It was exactly as I remembered it. Fresh, tasty and just right. The staff were friendly and service was good. The store is clean and nice. The price is a bit expensive but I guess that is what it costs for fresh lobster.

I was stoked to hear my favorite NY-based lobster roll joint was opening up a location in Santa Monica. I've tried many lobster rolls from many different places throughout the country and Luke's has continued to remain my favorite. The really do have the BEST lobster rolls IMO. The quality of the food, service and ambience at the Santa Monica location stays true to the other Luke's Lobster locations. The best value is definitely the Mainer, which includes their famous buttery roll chocked full of delicious lobster, creamy clam chowder with oyster crackers, and crispy sea salt chips.

Let me start by saying that my husband and I literally chase around the Cousin's Maine lobster truck because we were so sad when they closed their WeHo location and until today, we've never been able to find a comparable lobster roll.. we've searched out the best lobster roll places in LA, Las Vegas and Oahu and we've always thought the truck beat everyone..... But today, Luke's changed all that! I ordered the medium classic lobster roll (I always order it hot, and add mayo). Luke's hit it out of the park!!! Perfectly juicy warm overflowing chunks of sweet lobster meat, sitting in a toasted buttered Hawaiian bun. Soooo good! Our search is over! My husband tried the Lobster Roll Flight, which is a sampler of the specialty rolls: lemon butter, spicy honey butter, and truffle butter: but we both agreed that the classic is the way to go. The flavored rolls feel over the top for us, feels like they're covering up a perfectly done lobster roll (but if you're into that stuff, I'm sure you'll enjoy) It's a little more pricey than some other lobster roll places, but they throw in chips and a drink, so it kind of evens out. You can order an 8 oz This will definitely be our new lobster roll spot, no more chasing the truck! Cute open location in Santa Monica, one block off of the promenade, easy parking, great place to stroll around. Friendly staff, clean and bright location..Try it, you won't regret it!

I've been learning all about Luke's Famous Lobster rolls via social media and vacationing in California, I have to make a stop and it is conveniently located by the Promenade Shops and Santa Monica Boardwalk made it super easy to walk to! I honestly cannot express how exceptional this place was, the guys behind the counter were patient, knowledgeable, caring and professional when curating my lobster roll together also let me know that the roll came with side of chips and drink. One of the guys even came over to offer oyster crackers for my toddler who really loved it and ate it all up! That simple gesture is why I really needed to write up this review! Now let's review the food, succulent moist and tender lobster lays between crisp, fresh and buttery bread, it was a buttery lobster bliss! Paired with sea salt chips and mexi cola and made for an eventful lunch! The ambiance is open space and gives you a near the dock atmosphere, was clean and bright inside. Overall, great lobster rolls, awesome staff, and very worth the visit, I'll be sure and drop by to Luke's if I am ever in Santa Monica area!

Really delicious lobster rolls on the Westside! I've had Luke's sandwiches on the east coast and was excited to see them open a spot in Santa Monica. The restaurant has a few seats inside but it's set up more for takeout and the lobster rolls make a great lunch or beach meal to go. I tried the lobster sampler and enjoyed the truffle roll and the lemon roll most. Portions were great and 6oz of lobster was filling for lunch. Great pickles!

I tried the one in Maine and I'm so glad they have opened a new location in Santa Monica! It is not cheap but so good! I got the largest size available and upgraded to truffle butter. It was so amazing and a hefty amount of meat. The staff members were really nice and the ambiance was airy. There is a parking structure nearby so parking is easy. It is free for 90 minutes. Go check out this place! Don't cry about the money just enjoy the lobster.

Love that's a new lobster roll place popped up in the West side. Been to the store in Maine, and it ranked #2 on our list of 10 places. Wish they would offer the hot open at check out, would've gotten it warmed even if it does cost $1 more

First off, despite the fast casual vibe, don't expect this to be a "cheap" meal...lobster is lobster and at Luke's you get pretty high quality, hefty portions (for the price). Since it was my first time, I tried the 3 lobster roll flight with the original lemon butter, spicy honey and truffle butter, plus a small bowl of clam chowder, bag of chips and soda (they had a fun selection of Maine sodas and the blueberry soda was delish!). They were all tasty but I thought the original lemon butter was the best. The clam clowder was hearty and tasted good but was gritty so I'd recommend skipping that (unless you don't mind the crunch).

The clam chowder is not good at all .. tasteless . The crab roll is just ok . Definitely go for Lobster Roll Flight.

Y'all. I can't believe that this delightful restaurant is here! And its as delightful as Boston! Service was friendly and engaging, food was fresh. The roll had the melt in your mouth quality with the crisp exterior and plush interior. The spicy honey had just the right kick. The cold shredded lobster was perfect. It's not a cheap meal but we'll worth it if you want that east coast lobster roll

Before we went to Santa Monica we had seen Luke's Lobster on social media! They have a restaurant in Seattle and we have been wanting to try. To our surprise Luke's was right up the street from the hotel. It was a must try. We were greeted immediately when we walked! We had a few questions in regards to the if we should try the flight or the full lobster roll. We tried the flight to try the lemon butter flavor, truffle butter and spicy honey. We also opted out of the shrimp one and two lobsters and one crab. One you took a bite you could taste the butter for the bread and the fresh fresh lobster and crab! It was if I was sitting on the beach in Maine eating lobster. Truly a bit of heaven. I fell in love with the truffle butter however my companion just loved the original butter. We couldn't decide which was better the crab or the lobster due to each were equally outstanding! The flights are small which consist of a bit or two for two people and we loved i4 so much we ordered another flight! I can't wait to get back to Seattle and try Luke's Lobster in the city. If it's like the one in Santa Monica I can bet this will be in our weekly rotation of our favorite spots.

Lobster is good. If you don't like Italian and herb seasoning ask for the roll without it. Lobster was cold but not frozen. Roll was butter and crisp. Chips were good. Great for a one time visit through the area. Rolls start at $17 for shrimp and $30 for lobster.

Excellent but pricey. What do you expect it's Lobster! Clam chowder very good, but small. Lobster roll itself very very good. I really liked their soda selection which seem to be soda water with fresh fruit flavoring. Service was excellent and i liked it was easy to find too. I'll be back when i can afford it. Again, great place to eat.

My friend and I had a lovely dinner at Luke's!! All of their food was fresh and delicious. We both got the seafood flight. The lobster and crab were so flavorful and I would definitely go back for both. We also tried the chowder, which was such a treat on a cold evening. The flavors were balanced and there was a good amount of clams and veg in the soup. The team there was super attentive and sweet. Brent really took care of us. If you are looking for a nice chill place to meet up after work, look no further. This spot is great! There is also a Santa Monica parking lot around the corner with 90 min free parking.

Overall, my spouse and I had a decent experience. The lobster was very fresh and delicious. Staff was friendly and helpful. This is a fast casual restaurant at a busy intersection. I had the 8oz lobster roll with the spicy honey butter add-on for $1. The combos come with a bag of chips and soft drink from the refrigerator. The roll was tasty and brimming with lobster. However, the bottom of the roll was soggy which was a little off putting texture wise. Lobster bisque was also watery and lacking in flavor a bit. Overall, the lunch was tasty and hit the spot for what we were craving. We paid $120 for what was shown- a bit pricey but what we expected for a lobster lunch

This is a phenomenal and modest restaurant in the heart of Santa Monica. I took the simple route and got the Luke's lobster Roll, with 6 oz of meat. Be warm though, it's very pricey. Come to the side of chips sending pickle, and your choice of drink if you opt combo. The seafood themed restaurant decor is inviting, and the staff are wonderful.

I had the snow crab roll and lobster roll. I enjoyed both. I just needed little more salt flavor. The atmosphere was inviting and the Customer service was good.

Great food my latest addiction! Great customer service! One of the kind I don't think you can find another place like this! Highly recommend!

Came down to 3rd Street to meet up a friend and get a little shopping done. Luke's Lobster just opened up so we checked out this place for some lunch. Got the lobster roll and the crab roll. I preferred the lobster roll with larger solid chunks versus shredded crab meat but they were both delicious and loaded to the top. I will say the crab meat (from the east coast) was sweeter than the usual crab meat I'm used to out here. Lastly, I'm a big bread person so absolutely loved the toasted buttered bun w/ a swipe of mayo and lemon butter! P.S. Thanks to the managers Chris and Matt for the grand opening hospitality!

Grand opening and no free samples nor discounts for Santa Monica employees. The rolls expensive they dont even look 6 inches and they charge you a bag fee...unbelievable! I just order a calm chowder the large sizw which looks like a child size. Additionally you have to pay for a side of beard. Definitely wouldn't be coming bk even though I work close by.

Not great if you are used to real Maine lobster rolls. They claim a "New England" style roll (i.e., cold, tossed with mayo), but that's served warm, soaked in popcorn butter... with a packet of mayo tossed in the bag. I asked if all the rolls are drenched in butter... yes, was the answer. Also...Portions are small. For $40. I really wanted this to be good, but not nearly as generous or tasty as Cousins, or the less expensive version right around the corner at Water Grill.

Roll had no flavor. Meat was watery and they only put butter and mayo on it. The rolls were tiny as well. Over-rated and over-priced. If you are in the area, then it is worth going to Broad Street Oyster company instead.

Good as always. I visited NY store about nine years ago, it's really amazing to find one here in Santa Monica Beach.

Lobster roll was just okay but not great value for money. Lobster & Beer is a better bet and not very far away.

Get the Lobster Flight! Don't let the price scare you, the taste and the full is well worth it!

Lobster rolls were delicious. Lots of claws & big pieces of lobster in the roll. 3 different sizes. Very friendly. I would prefer not to get the combo. It came with a bag of chips & a drink.

Food was awesome and customer service was amazing! Restaurant was very clean and organized! Definitely will be back!

I was looking for a good lobster roll place near the Santa Monica Pier so I thought Luke's Lobster would be the place. All in all..the restaurant is just okay. Portions were okay..price was reasonable...lobster roll taste was just okay. I would buy on passing but not make a special trip. The clam chowder was definitely not good. It felt like can chowder..super watery. We were the first customers Saturday morning. Three other tables arrived afterwards. It was very odd to see a female employee ask the others if they were local and provide stamp cards. She completely ignored us because maybe she heard us speaking in Korean and thought we were not local. We are local so that was interesting how stingy they are with stamp cards. If you want a card...remember to speak English so they can provide you with a reward card.

False advertisement on their website. Not sure if all of their stores use canned chowder but they do in the shop in santa monica. I was so excited when I saw they were opening cause i love clam chowder but was so disappointed. They claim online to have an "award winning recipe" for their chowder when it is in fact just canned clam chowder and just heated up. I found this out after I purchased. The "chowder" was watery and had no chowder consistency. I will post a picture of their online claim of it being their recipe and a picture of the watery soup that was sold to me.

Really good lobster rolls! Luke's has been a favorite ever since I tried them in Boston. The lobster is so tasty and fresh. Will definitely be back soon.

Cons: Expensive Loved the lobsters. Don't get the truffle butter it's way too truffly and spoiled the rest of dinner.

Best lobster rolls on the west coast!! Definitely a must try! The service is very nice. The truffle butter lobster is my favorite and has incredible flavor.

Honestly I got recommended here from my close friends Brian & Connor but experienced the worst customer service because I was in a wheelchair and never got the chance to order because the workers in the front let everyone cut in front of me . I served in the military and coming back home this is how I get treated as a white person. My own kind smh

Got the lobster roll flight warm and it was the best lobster rolls we've ever had. They give you all 3 types of butters and I would highly recommend trying them all! Not to mention it was some of the best service we ever had from Nikia. She made us feel welcome and had the brightest smile the whole time. I cannot recommend this place enough! And give Nikia a raise!

Outrageous pricing with tiny portions. Not sure how this place can survive at these rates. Yes I get it, you are selling lobster, but the profit margins are too high here, which is why they are not very busy. If they brought the price down more people would come. Attitude of owners is very dismissive. In one Yelp review they replied to a negative comment "We are not for everybody, and that's ok with us." Not sure what that even means, but it's certainly not the right attitude on the West Coast.

Food was good service excellent I had the crab sandwich my son had the lobster roll and soup and we both had a drink ended up close 90$ included the tip. Way to expensive but one and done for me

Generic chain restaurant that looks like a Subway sandwich shop and charges absolutely absurd prices. As a Santa Monica resident I was looking forward to this opening and it's a huge disappointment. My advice is to avoid this generic tourist trap and go a couple blocks over on Wilshire to Lobster and Beer where they have great food and an actual nice ambiance that doesn't feel like a Burger King for literally half the price. This place turned out to be a major bummer; very unfortunate.