Eating fresh lobster and seafood evokes wonderful memories of seaside vacations and delicious meals over the water. If you’re feeling nostalgic for wild-caught lobster meat or Alaskan crab and salmon, you’ve come to the right place. You don’t have to go to the ocean to enjoy fresh seafood; all you need to know is the best places to order from.
Unfortunately, trying to figure out how to buy lobster online and weed through all of the options before landing on reputable sources can be a lengthy and discouraging chore.
When you research what you hope are reputable companies to try to understand their shipping policies, you might end up spending more time than you want filtering the good from the bad. Your plate is probably full enough with the rest of your life.
As luck would have it, this short guide will help you order seafood online and determine which company is right for your eating, shopping, and sustainability preferences. We’ve sorted through the options so you can click to order quickly.
1. Maine Lobster Now – The Best Fresh Maine Seafood Delivery Brand in America
Maine Lobster Now is a trusted source for ordering lobster online. For discerning consumers looking for authentic wild-caught Maine lobster, Maine Lobster Now is the winner. They have a long-standing reputation for delivering fresh and sustainably sourced seafood nationwide. Whether it’s real Maine lobster from the locals or Alaskan fisherman, customers are connected to authentic Maine seafood delivered directly to their door.
With a clear focus on responsibly sourced seafood, Maine Lobster Now’s team adheres to the tenets of sustainability, traceability, and freshness with everything they do, from working with local fishermen to ensuring their products are packed to withstand shipping so they arrive on your doorstep just as fresh as the moment they were caught.
Maine Lobster Now is a family-run business founded in 2012. Not only do they have a strong heritage and history in the seafood business, but they have also become an invaluable part of the community through their dedication to hiring people who have struggled with addiction. Through access to a stable and supportive workplace, those individuals have an opportunity to grow and thrive while serving their customers the best seafood in the country.
PROS:
- Excellent reputation for quality seafood
- Longstanding sustainable practices
- Quick shipping and delivery time
- Provides a Cooking/How To section on their website
- Good customer reviews
- Reasonable prices
CONS:
- No physical stores
- Potential for delivery concerns if carrier is delayed due to weather
2. The Lobster Guy – Ideal for an In-Person Shopping Experience
The Lobster Guy company has a storied history that includes a turn on The Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Catch Series, Lobstermen. With family beginnings in 1959 and the founding of the website in 1996, this has been a longstanding business that continues to include the founder’s family to this day.
With both an online storefront and an in-person store, anyone searching for delicious seafood has the option to access it however they like. Consumers can even visit the fishing boats.
Their website is easy to use, if not sometimes visually overwhelming, but they make up for it by offering ease of delivery scheduling and even rescheduling when necessary.
PROS:
- Wide selection of products
- Convenient overnight shipping option
- Advance ordering option
- Online and in-store options
CONS:
- Inconsistencies in customer service
- High shipping costs
3. Lobster Anywhere – A Great Source for a Lobster Rewards Program
Lobster Anywhere, established in 1999, is another competitor in the seafood delivery world. They offer quick delivery on customer orders and boast a helpful customer service page with lots of contact information and pointers for the best service and results.
Lobster Anywhere offers a loyalty program called Sand Dollar Rewards. The program is easy – every time consumers complete a purchase, they receive points that can be redeemed on future purchases. In addition, they have a page of lobster specials on their website that changes frequently and is filled with good deals.
PROS:
- Quick order turnaround time
- Competitive pricing
- Offers loyalty program
- Offers a Recipes & Tips section online
CONS:
- Potentially high shipping costs
- Short refund claim window
4. Luke’s Lobster – Focused on Sustainability
With a clear focus on sustainability, Luke’s Lobster shines through its B Corp certification. This is a unique designation that for-profit companies can earn through their sustained environmental practices, such as accountability and transparency. On top of that, they offer a wide selection of lobster and seafood that receive positive reviews online.
PROS:
- Pickup, delivery, and online ordering options
- Offers free shipping on certain orders
- Certified B Corp
- Offers discounts on large orders
CONS:
- No red meat options like other sites offer (e.g. surf and turf)
- Inconsistent portion sizes reported in reviews
In addition, Luke’s offers a variety of ways to bring their products to consumers. They offer online ordering with national delivery, catering services, in-person Luke’s Shack locations, and even have their products available at participating grocery stores.
5. Goldbelly – Best for Prepared Lobster and Seafood
In searching for lobster and seafood delivery services, one unusual name kept popping up: Goldbelly. This unique business model was started in 2013 and is essentially a marketplace that brings restaurant food directly to consumers, no matter where they are in the country
To be clear, Goldbelly doesn’t catch or prepare any lobster or seafood, but they partner with some fan favorite restaurants and help them ship the prepared dishes directly to consumers. This is a fun way to get your seafood craving fix shipped directly to your door without the work of preparing the meal.
PROS:
- Access to foods outside of local area
- Unique Selection
- Good customer service reviews
- Wide variety
CONS:
- High cost
- Limited customization, may be difficult for those with food allergies or restrictions
Final Thoughts
Purchasing mouthwatering and delectable fresh lobster shipped from Maine has never been easier. By shopping at reputable sites with good reviews and a commitment to the environment, not only will discerning consumers receive an amazing selection of lobster and seafood delivered directly to their homes, but they will also do their part to support businesses that benefit the local community and the environment, so seafood can continue to thrive.
