Find Lobster Rolls at These 9 Honolulu Eateries

Update as of March 31, 2021: Earl Kaka‘ako discontinued its lobster roll special as of March 21, 2021.

Within these United States, Hawai‘i is as far from Maine as you can get. And yet, like an inexorable tide, something has emerged that unites us as firmly as the grip of a crustacean’s crusher claw: our growing appetite for lobster rolls. It started as a weekend special at Earl sandwich shop. Then Jolene’s Market in Chinatown came out with one. And now, in the middle of a pandemic, lobster rolls are a micro trend in Honolulu. Here’s the claw-some lineup.

Photo: Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

12th Ave Grill & DeliCafe

12th Ave Grill’s new deli has a 12th Ave B.L.T. and the L stands for lobster. This sandwich features nearly 4 ounces of butter-poached Kona Maine lobster with a relish of avocado, roasted tomato, basil and garlic on house-made bacon bread. Our server pre-cut our sandwich since our group of four all wanted to try it. This one looks more like a panini compared to the fluffier rolls below, but the savory medley—with meaty lobster chunks and especially that bacon bread—is to die for.

Open Wednesday to Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., 1120 12th Ave., (808) 732-9469, 12thavegrill.com, @12thavegrill 

Photo: Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Chocolate + Vanilla Bakery

On Thursdays and Saturdays, this Kaimukī bakery features savory dishes on its menu, including a $15 lobster roll.

This roll features a lobster mix with lobster, Old Bay seasoning, celery, lemon and pepper in a brioche bun. You can upgrade to taro bun for $1.

Check the bakery’s Instagram for updates on featured savory dishes.

Open Tuesday to Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; 1115 12th Ave., (808) 737-2462, @chocolateandvanilla808

Earl’s

While the East Coast sandwich specialist sometimes has lobster rolls as a special at its Kaka‘ako locale—where it’s so popular that some weekends all 700 sell out—this weekend it’s selling them in Kaimukī. The $24 sandwich has 4.5 ounces of lobster, sauteed garlic, bacon and brown butter. It’s served with coleslaw, a pickle, lemon wedge and potato salad.

Open Monday to Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 1137 11th Ave., (808) 200-4354, @earlkakaako

SEE ALSO: Taste Test: We Tried Every Sandwich on the Menu at Earl Kaka‘ako and Ranked Them

Photo: Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Et Al

The lobster roll at Foodland’s new Kāhala restaurant is a must-have. It’s made with 4 to 5 ounces of lobster claw and knuckle meat tossed with curry aioli and brown butter in a toasted bun. The lobster is treated simply, without much filler, and the curry aioli gives it an oomph.

Breakfast daily 6 to 11 a.m., lunch Monday to Friday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., dinner daily 4 to 8 p.m., brunch Saturday and Sunday 6 to 11 a.m.; 4230 Wai’alae Ave., (808) 732-2440, @etalhawaii 

SEE ALSO: Sneak Peek at Foodland’s New Restaurant and Kāhala Store 

Photo: Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Fat Cheeks Hawai‘i

This Ohana Hale Marketplace vendor introduced a lobster roll to its menu in January 2021. This lobster roll and chips combo is $15 and Fat Cheeks Hawaii gets its lobster from Canada. The sandwich features a French bread bun stuffed with 3.5 ounces of lobster knuckle and claw meat. For seasoning options, choose from dressed, butter or plain: the butter option features lots of garlic and herbs, while the dressed option is a light mayo dressing with celery.

Open Tuesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or sold out, 333 Ward Ave., (808) 773-4129, fatcheekshawaii.com, @fatcheekshawaii 

Photo: Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Feast by Jon Matsubara

This $21 Maine lobster roll started as a weekly special at Feast and did so well it’s there pretty much every day now. Four ounces of chilled lobster meat are mixed with umami mayo and brushed with butter, then sprinkled with scallions, dill and Shinsato Farms Meyer lemon juice. It’s served on toasted King’s Hawaiian rolls and comes with shoestring fries. This is the closest thing I’ve had to the meaty lobster roll I devoured a few summers ago in Boston.

Open Tuesday to Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m., 2970 E. Mānoa Road, (808) 840-0488, feastrestauranthawaii.com, @feast808

SEE ALSO: How a Lobster Roll Changed the Game at Feast in Mānoa

Jolene’s Market

Jolene’s Market’s buttah lobster rolls swam onto the scene in summer 2019 with an Asian twist: They’re topped with Cajun sauce, lettuce, onions, carrots, butter, slaw, mayo—and lemongrass, garlic and cilantro. The $16 lobster roll weighs in with 5 ounces of Maine lobster meat from Chun’s Meat Market on King Street; the rolls are baked in-house.

Jolene’s Market followed up with lobster melts ($16) that feature meaty chunks with ooey, gooey melted mozzarella and cheddar.

Open Monday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday to Sunday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; 100 N. Beretania St., (808) 540-1000, @jolenesmarkethnl

SEE ALSO: Honolulu’s Newest Lobster Roll Is in Chinatown

Photo: Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Livestock Tavern

The Maine lobster roll from Livestock Tavern’s dinner menu is now served at its weekend brunch for $23: 3.5 ounces of lobster meat and green onions, celery and parsley all mixed with lemon aioli in a buttery, grilled, house-baked brioche bun. There’s also a $45 takeout lobster roll kit for two with lobster, brioche buns and side salads packaged separately; you’ll need to preorder these a day in advance.

Open Monday to Sunday 5 to 10 p.m., brunch Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; 49 N. Hotel St., (808) 537-2577, @livestocktavern

Photo: Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Medium Rare

You can find this Instagram business at pop-up events. Medium Rare’s lobster roll is called “lobster chopped cheese” on its menu and features three ounces of butter-poached Maine lobster in a King’s Hawaiian sweet roll. It’s topped with a white cheddar truffle béchamel sauce, dill and sunflower seeds with herbs. Each pack cost $20 and includes two petite rolls.

mediumrarehi.com, @mediumrarehi

SEE ALSO: Livestock Tavern Makes a Case for Weekend Brunching in Chinatown

Photo: Melissa Chang

The Espresso Bar at Neiman Marcus Hawai‘i

The menu at Espresso Bar at Neiman Marcus Hawai‘i features entrees like this $22 lobster salad sandwich served with potato chips. Four ounces of lobster claw and knuckle meat are seasoned with mayonnaise, garlic, lemon juice and herbs and follow a Neiman Marcus recipe. It’s served in a buttery, flaky croissant baked in-house daily.

Open Monday to Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Sunday 12 to 3:30 p.m.; 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., (808) 951-3445