Friends and neighbors,

Due to a recent craving, I went in search of Naples’ best lobster rolls. What I found wasn’t a single winner, but a whole ecosystem of styles from purist Maine Shack rolls to waterfront sit-down versions. I’ve mapped out the 5 spots worth your time, complete with the price tags that come with this delicacy, and the styles they serve. There’s also a new bonus maybe some of you will check it out.

I’ve also covered the lunch fix I’ve been relying on lately: Thank You Kindly Cookshop, a grab-and-go counter inside Bicyclette where Chopped champ Kayla Pfeiffer is turning out brilliant sandwiches under $20. It’s the answer to the “what’s for lunch?” slump, and it’s ready in five minutes.

A generous thank you to our sponsors, which makes this coverage possible. Naples Florida Rentals is run by Naples locals, where you can book by speaking to a real person and support a local business.

Thanks for being here,

If you’re sick of sad salads or your usual deli sandwich, I’m here to let you know of an elevated grab-and-go lunch under $20. Thank You Kindly Cookshop is a grab-and-go counter out of Bicyclette that is churning out brilliant sandwiches to revive your afternoon slump or improve your beach picnics. 

Chef Kayla Pfeiffer, the Chopped champ and James Beard semifinalist running the show, treats the format with the same rigor she brings to her Bicyclette menu. The menu shifts often, but the hits remain: “Ain’t No Thang” piles buffalo chicken and pork cracklins onto a French roll; “Duck, Duck, Oops” bends a Cubano into something unrecognizably good with duck burnt ends; “Adult Bologna” swaps bologna for house-cured tuna mortadella and crushes potato chips into the mix for crunch. Cold cuts get the same attention: chimichurri turkey, brine-heavy cured meats, pickled green tomatoes that cut through the fat like a knife. The menu continually has new, limited-edition sandwiches too, for anyone who needs something new.

Sandwich prices range from $15-18, which feels reasonable coming out of this kitchen. Order online, swing through the side door, and you can turn a Monday around or get ready for a beach lunch. It’s the perfect fix for office workers fleeing cubicles, beachgoers who need a lunch stop, and anyone who's tired of the same old rotations. Pfeiffer didn’t open a lunch counter but she did solve a lunch problem.  

819 Vanderbilt Beach Rd (inside Bicyclette) | thankyoukindlycookshop.com | Daily 10:30 AM–3 PM

If you’ve been following our tour of the town’s classic seafood shacks, you already know Naples does casual waterfront dining better than most places. But there’s one item that doesn’t always make the main menu at those old-school spots: the lobster roll. Thankfully, there are gems to be found all over town—if you know where to look. This list is less about ranking than finding the perfect lobster roll in the style you prefer. 

Maine Shack is the closest thing Naples has to a dedicated lobster roll house, and as far as ranking goes, this one is the crème de la crème. They claimed the Naples’ Choice Best Lobster Roll for 2025. 

Located in an unassuming industrial park off Airport Pulling Road, this is more like a high-end food truck that found a permanent address than a traditional restaurant (because it is—they used to have a truck in Celebration Park). They fly in wild-caught lobster from Stonington, Maine a few times a week, so keep that in mind when you see the prices. Their menu has a bunch of New England favorites too, like fried clams, clam chowder, and steamers. 

The build: top-split buns toasted on the griddle until golden, lobster meat left in generous chunks, and in any style you could want. You can order Maine style (cold with a light touch of mayo), Connecticut style (warm, poached in clarified butter), a brown butter version, or grab the trio to try all three. Portions range from 6 to 12 ounces and are served with chips. 

The damage: $30 (small), $39 (regular), $48 (super) 

6434 Naples Blvd., Unit 404, Naples, FL 34109
maineshack.com/naples
Daily 11 AM–9 PM

You’ve likely already read about Captain & Krewe as a market-first operation, but its lobster roll deserves its own mention. This seafood counter moves enough product to keep the lobster turnover high, and that freshness shows up in the sandwich, which is more lobster salad than traditional lobster. The raw bar means you’re eating at a counter, talking to the staff about seafood, and starting with a dozen oysters. It’s less about the ambiance and more about the product. 

The build: toasted bun, fresh lobster with cherry tomatoes, avocado and frisee. An unusual addition, but it adds a creamy brightness to the roll.  

The damage: $35

629 8th Street S, Naples, FL 34102
cknaples.com
Daily 10 AM–8 PM

Steamers has built its reputation on steam pots and messy, communal platters, but the lobster roll here is a local favorite. The vibe matches the food. It’s a solid, consistent option in a room where the priority is having a good time, not impressing anyone. If you’re already planning a steam pot for the table, add a roll for anyone who wants something a little more contained. 

The build: hot with butter or cold lobster, generous mayo, toasted bun, and best with their onion rings. 

The damage: MP 

5317 Airport Pulling Road N, Naples, FL 34109
steamersofnaples.com
Mon–Sat 11 AM–9 PM (closed Sundays)

M Waterfront Grille operates in a different register than the shacks and counters on this list. This is a sit-down restaurant with a wine list and a view of Venetian Bay, perfect for the evening when you want the sandwich but also want to sit by the water and order a glass of Sancerre. It’s pricier than the counter-service spots, but you’re paying for the setting, the service, and more menu offerings for your guests.

The build: Hot with butter and herbs or cold with mayonnaise, celery, herbs, and fries.

The damage: $37 

4300 Gulf Shore Blvd. N, The Village Shops on Venetian Bay, Naples, FL 34103
mwaterfrontgrille.com
Lunch Mon–Sat 11:30 AM–3 PM; Dinner daily from 5 PM

Flo’s is a Rhode Island import that has managed to transplant the clam shack aesthetic to East Naples without losing the soul of the original. This is a place where you eat at picnic tables, order from a counter, and accept the smell of fried clams. The “lobsta roll” is part of a larger menu that includes other New England classics. They were the old favorite -Naples Choice of lobster roll in 2024. Come for the roll, stay for the chowder, the fried clams, the hush puppies, and the feeling that you’ve been transported to a shoreline shack in Narragansett. 

The build: cold lobster, mayo served on the side so you can control the sogginess, toasted bun. It’s generous with the lobster. 

The damage: $27

2464 Tamiami Trail E, Naples, FL 34112
flosclamshacks.com
Tue–Sun 11 AM–8 PM (closed Mondays)

Remember that place literally called Lobster No. 1? It closed and reopened as BRU Bistro with an expanded menu. It’s a good option for a weeknight dinner when you want something better than the usual rotation but don’t feel like dressing up. 

The build: You can choose hot (butter-poached) or cold (light mayo), and both versions arrive with a solid lobster-to-bun ratio. The sides are a step above the standard: shoestring fries or a well-made Caesar. 

The damage: $24 

7083 Radio Road, Naples, FL 34104 (Berkshire Commons) 

brubistronaples.com
Mon–Sat 11:30 AM–9 PM (closed Sundays)

Last week we asked: Where do you go when you want an affordable dinner with a view?

Here’s where you landed: 

CJ’s on the Bay led with 27.27% of votes! You also had great suggestions: 

I’m a huge fan of a DIY picnic on the beach - and definitely this is the most affordable option! Thank you for all the feedback. I love hearing from our readers. 

This is not just about a lobster roll or a lunch spot -- it is about knowing where Naples still feels local, easy, and worth paying attention to. The best places are not always the flashiest ones.

They are the spots that quietly make everyday life here better.

Elizabeth Bellotti
Editor-In-Chief
Naples, Florida
The Naples Florida Review

P.S. - Check out our sponsor’s vacation homes, comfortable for you, your family, and even your pets. Find out why they currently have more than 600 reviews (all 5 stars!). For more information and to book that perfect vacation, click here.

Put your brand in front of 100,000 passionate Naples Florida Review readers. Let's partner.