Boston Lobster Roll Prices Push Toward $50, As Expenses Rise

If you're craving a lobster roll anytime soon, don't be surprised when you take a look at the price.

Lobster rolls aren't quite $50 in Boston, but they're moving in that direction. The rising price of this New England seafood favorite is putting restaurateurs in an awkward spot over a menu item coveted by locals and visitors alike.

“I can't really charge you $100 for a lobster roll, even though, over the last two weeks, maybe I should be charging $70 or $80,” said Jeremy Sewall of Row 34 in a statement shared with The Boston Globe.

Today's rise in lobster roll prices is due to several factors. The Boston Globe noted that Maine lobster landings have declined for the fourth consecutive year, according to state fishing regulators. 

The lobster industry is struggling with rising expenses, including inflation and climate change, which have driven more lobsters northward into Canadian waters.

In addition, the late winter months are a difficult time to obtain lobsters. They tend to move more slowly in cold water and burrow into hiding places, making them difficult to catch. Finally, unpredictable winter weather can also wreak havoc on lobster fishing schedules.

Making a lobster roll isn't for the faint of heart. According to the Globe, the average lobster roll requires a great deal of lobster meat — approximately six lobsters will only yield a pound of meat. Current wholesale prices are about $15 per pound for small “chick” lobsters. At retail, Wulf's Fish is currently charging close to $80 per pound for claw-and-knuckle meat, according to the Globe.

Despite the rise in lobster prices, several restaurateurs said they wouldn't think of pulling the lobster rolls from their menus anytime soon.

At Cambridge's Puritan Oyster Bar, chef Will Gilson told the Globe he's spending between $42 and $47 per pound for shucked lobster meat. His lobster rolls are listed on the menu for between $45 and $48, with fries. 

In Back Bay, The Banks Seafood and Steak chef Robert Sisca said he's not going to remove his $48 buttered lobster roll from the menu for fear of alienating his business clients and tourists. However, Sisca is being more upfront about his prices with customers. “We tell them what the price is, which is expensive, but there's nothing we can really do about it,” he said.