Where to Buy Live Lobster in Boston

Boston is famous for its fresh, delicious seafood, especially live lobster. As a major port city on the East Coast, Boston has access to some of the best lobster coming straight from the cold Atlantic waters of New England. Locals and tourists alike flock to Boston’s many seafood restaurants and markets to get their fix of fresh lobster. But where are the best places to buy live lobster in Boston?

James Hook & Co.

One of the most renowned lobster suppliers in Boston is James Hook & Co This family-owned company has been operating since 1925, providing fresh seafood to restaurants, retailers, and direct to consumers Their retail store and seafood market is located right in the heart of Boston at Atlantic Avenue.

James Hook & Co. has an extensive selection of live lobster available for purchase. You can buy live lobsters in various sizes like small (1.25 lbs), medium (1.5 lbs), large (1.75-6 lbs), jumbo (7-8 lbs), and monster (8+ lbs). Their live lobsters are kept in crystal clear 20,000 gallon holding tanks to ensure peak freshness. Prices range from $24.99/lb for small lobsters up to $199.92 each for 8+ lb monsters.

In addition to their retail location, James Hook & Co. also offers overnight shipping of live lobsters nationwide. This means you can order fresh live lobsters on their website and have them delivered to your doorstep anywhere in the USA. The live lobsters are expertly packaged and shipped overnight to guarantee they arrive alive and in perfect condition.

So if you want to buy live or freshly cooked and picked lobster meat straight from one of Boston’s most famous and long-standing seafood companies, check out James Hook & Co.

Boston Lobster Company

For live lobster and lobster products shipped overnight worldwide Boston Lobster Company is a top choice. Their facility is located near Logan Airport which allows for quick live lobster shipments to domestic and international destinations.

Boston Lobster Company sells a variety of live lobster sizes including CXS (1 lb), 1 1/4 lbs, 1 1/2 lbs, 1 3/4 lbs, 2-3 lbs, 3-4 lbs, and 4-6 lbs. Their hard shell live lobsters are sustainably sourced from cold North Atlantic waters. You can order live lobsters individually or in bulk volumes.

In addition to whole live lobsters, you can also buy fresh lobster meat frozen lobster tails, lobster claws, legs, and knuckles from Boston Lobster Company. Their processed lobster products are picked packaged, and frozen at the peak of freshness.

For seafood lovers visiting Boston, you can place an order on their website to have live lobsters or lobster products shipped overnight to your home or hotel. Boston Lobster Company has been in business for over 50 years and their expertise really shines through in their quality offerings.

Legal Sea Foods

No list of where to buy lobster in Boston would be complete without mentioning Legal Sea Foods. This popular local restaurant chain started as a fish market in the 1950s before expanding into multiple locations across Boston and beyond. While no longer primarily a seafood retailer, you can still buy fresh live lobster and seafood at Legal Sea Foods fish markets.

There are fish markets connected to Legal Sea Foods restaurant locations in the Prudential Center, Chestnut Hill, Harvard Square, and Logan Airport Terminal C. Their fish markets have rotating selections of live lobster, clams, oysters, crabs, and fresh fish. Live lobsters are available in a range of sizes up to 3-4 lbs. You can also order cooked lobster rolls, lobster dinners, and other lobster dishes to-go from their restaurant menus.

Beyond their fish markets, Legal Sea Foods is one of the best places to enjoy lobster rolls, lobster mac and cheese, steamed lobsters, and other New England lobster classics in Boston. It’s a can’t-miss spot for enjoying fresh lobster dishes while visiting the city.

Yankee Lobster Company

Forthose looking for dock-to-door fresh lobster delivery in Boston, Yankee Lobster Company is a great choice. This seafood company operates their own lobster boats that fish for lobsters in the waters of Cape Cod. They own the whole supply chain from boat to customer which enables them to provide quality lobsters and seafood.

Yankee Lobster Company’s retail store and restaurant is located near the Children’s Museum on Northern Avenue in the Seaport District. Their daily seafood selections rotate based on what their fishing boats harvest each day. You can buy a variety of live lobster sizes as well as cooked lobster meat by the pound.

In addition to their retail location, Yankee Lobster offers direct delivery of live and cooked lobsters in the Boston metro area. You can order lobster rolls, lobster dinners, whole cooked lobsters, and live lobsters for delivery through their website or apps like Grubhub and DoorDash. It’s some of the freshest lobster you can get delivered in Boston.

Liberty Market

The Italian specialty market Liberty Market has a surprising but excellent selection of live seafood including lobster. Their Beacon Hill retail shop has a tank that stocks live lobsters, oysters, mussels, clams, and crabs. The quality is extremely high given their small inventory that turns over rapidly.

Liberty Market provides a taste of the North End right on Charles Street. You can watch them butcher whole tunas, make fresh pasta, and pick out your own lobster from their tank. Live lobster prices are very reasonable too considering the prime location. Beyond seafood, they have a gourmet deli, bakery, grocery, wine selection, and prepared foods.

It’s a bit unexpected to buy fresh live lobster at an Italian market but that’s part of what makes Liberty Market such a special place. Don’t miss their delicious lobster rolls at the deli counter too.

Aqua Harbor Fish Market

Aqua Harbor Fish Market is Boston’s premier Asian seafood market, offering live lobster along with many other seafood delicacies. Their massive 30,000 square foot market is located in Chinatown and supplies many local restaurants, retailers, and consumers.

You can find dozens of tanks stocked with live lobster as well as tanks with fish, crabs, snails, eels, and more. Prices are very affordable and the turnover is extremely high given the sheer volume they sell. Beyond seafood, Aqua Harbor has a full Asian grocery selection including produce, meat, frozen foods, dry goods, and more.

Aqua Harbor Fish Market provides an authentic Asian seafood shopping experience right in downtown Boston. It’s a must-visit spot for adventurous seafood lovers seeking diversity beyond just American staples. Don’t miss exploring their impressive live seafood selection when looking for lobster in the city.

Online Direct from Lobster Fishermen

Beyond traditional fish markets, another way to buy fresh live lobster is directly from the source – lobster fishermen themselves! Thanks to the internet, you can now order lobsters shipped overnight direct from lobster boats up and down the New England coast.

Some popular companies that ship live lobsters overnight include Maine Lobster Direct, Cape Cod Lobster Company, East Coast Seafood, and Lobster Anywhere. You can choose your lobster quantity and sizes then have them packed and shipped from the dock for next day delivery. Ordering direct from lobstermen eliminates the supply chain and gets you lobsters as fresh as possible.

Keep in mind shipping live seafood does come with some risk and the lobsters are more expensive than local retail pricing. But for the freshest lobsters delivered from the ocean to your doorstep, it’s worth trying live shipping direct from lobster fishermen.

Lobster Prices in Boston

Lobster prices in Boston can vary significantly based on the retailer, lobster supply that season, and size of lobster. Here are some typical prices you can expect when buying live lobster in Boston:

• Small 1-1.25 lb lobsters: $12-$15 per lb
• Medium 1.25-1.5 lb lobsters: $15-$18 per lb
• Large 1.5-2 lb lobsters: $18-$22 per lb
• Jumbo 2-3 lb lobsters: $22-$28 per lb
• Premium 3-4+ lb lobsters: $28-$35+ per lb

Lobster prices are generally cheapest in the late summer and fall which is peak harvesting season. Winter and spring prices are higher when lobster supply is lower. Buying directly from lobster docks instead of retailers can sometimes save a few dollars per pound.

When eating out, lobster rolls in Boston cost $15-$28 and lobster dinners range from $25-$45 depending on the restaurant. Of course high end spots charge even more per pound for their lobster dishes.

So that covers the top places and different options to buy live lobster in Boston! The city offers everything from traditional fish markets to direct lobster shipping to satisfy any fresh lobster craving. Locals have been enjoying the bounty of the North Atlantic for centuries and Boston remains one of the best cities for lobster lovers today. Just wander down to the waterfront and you’re sure to find fantastic fresh lobster waiting.