Rockin' rolls: NYC's top lobster rolls

The Mermaid Inn

More of a sandwich than a roll, the flaky, buttered brioche bun that houses the soft Maine lobster chunks (dressed in mayonnaise, celery, chives, cayenne pepper and lemon juice) makes this version easier to pick up and eat with your hands. Plated alongside long, skinny fries dusted in Old Bay seasoning—a Chesapeake Bay mainstay—it’s served with a ramekin of malt vinegar for dipping. Bonus points: the free chocolate pudding that comes at the end of every meal. (Price: $26)

Rockin’ roll rating: 5 stars
Top-notch ingredients with a dash of New England make this flavorful enough to blow others out of the water.

The Mermaid Inn (568 Amsterdam Ave., 212-799-7400; 96 Second Ave., 212-674-5870)