You’re sure to eat well while vacationing on Cape Cod, as the area is loaded with excellent restaurants and fish markets. You won’t need to venture far from your vacation rental to find a local gem, either, because every town on the Cape has some options.
Of course, the lobster roll is a Cape cod delicacy, with many eateries offering a unique take on the sandwich. Multiple spots in Bourne serve lobster rolls, so you might want to sample a few before choosing your favorite.
You’ll find some wonderful restaurants with lobster rolls on the menu on both sides of the Bourne Bridge. Here’s a look at the venues serving the top five lobster rolls in Bourne, Massachusetts.
1) The Lobster Trap
The Lobster Trap has been a staple in Bourne since 1969, starting as a small fish market and evolving into one of Cape Cod’s most popular restaurants and catering companies. There’s still a fish market in the building, too, so you can grab some fresh seafood to take back to your vacation rental.
The restaurant’s menu features numerous seafood items like oysters, shrimp, clam chowder, fish tacos, crab cakes, and stuffed quahogs. You can also grab some non-seafood items like pulled pork, cheeseburgers, chicken, salad, and pasta.
The main attraction at the Lobster Trap, though, is the lobster roll. The sandwich comes with mayo and lettuce on a brioche bun and is served with fries, and is one meal you’ll remember for years, long after your Cape Cod vacation is over.
2) The Chart Room
Bourne’s Cataumet village is home to the Chart Room, another historic restaurant that first opened in 1966. This restaurant is unique because it was built on a converted New Jersey Central Railroad barge used as a machine shop during the Korean War. It later evolved into an integral part of the Cataumet Marina.
The Chart Room is a scenic spot to enjoy lunch or dinner in the spring or summer, as its waterfront location offers beautiful views over the harbor. It also has a diverse menu featuring crab cakes, shrimp cocktail, swordfish, prime rib, roast chicken, steak, lamb, and salad. The restaurant’s wine menu is extensive, too, ensuring you can find a glass or bottle that suits your tastes.
The lobster roll at the Chart Room makes it worth visiting, as it comes with mayo and celery and is served on sliced Portuguese bread. You can also order lobster salad stuffed inside a tomato, offering a completely different take on the lobster roll.
3) Cataumet Fish
Cataumet Fish is a local seafood market with a wide selection of products. Here, you can pick up locally caught or imported seafood, depending on what you’re looking for and the time of year, or choose from a selection of prepared items. These prepared items include lobster bisque, crab cakes, fishermen’s stew, and stuffed quahogs.
It’s also possible to pick up a tray of mini lobster rolls from Cataumet Fish if you’re planning a gathering during your Cape Cod vacation. These tiny sandwiches feature fresh lobster meat with mayo and chives and are served on small brioche rolls, allowing you to try something entirely different for a change.
4) The East Wind Lobster and Grille
On the mainland side of the Bourne Bridge is the East Wind Lobster and Grille, a small seafood shack and market sitting at the foot of the Dalton Memorial Bridge. You can purchase fresh seafood from this market to prepare at your vacation rental, including live lobster from the tank, but you’ll want to try their lobster roll while you’re in the area.
You’ll have three options when ordering your roll from East Wind Lobster, as they have a traditional cold option with mayo, a naked option with nothing on it, and a butter-warmed roll. The choice is up to you, depending on what you feel like trying, and every sandwich is served with Cape Cod Chips or fries.
5) The Stomping Grounds Grille
Also on the mainland is the Stomping Grounds Grille, a unique restaurant with home-style decor that makes it feel like you’re enjoying a meal at a friend’s house. The eatery’s menu isn’t overly extensive, but there’s enough to satisfy nearly everyone and one of Bourne’s best lobster rolls.
This lobster roll comes with organic greens and is served on a grilled potato roll, setting it apart from other rolls on this list. The restaurant is also very generous with its lobster servings, so you won’t leave hungry if you visit.
Enjoy a Lobster Roll on the Cape
You can’t go wrong visiting any of these local eateries for lunch or dinner because they all have delicious menu items, including some of Cape Cod’s best lobster rolls. Check some of these spots out if you book a vacation rental in Bourne in the coming months.
