The smell hits you before you even see the tank. Butter, brine, something smoky coming off a grill nearby. It’s the kind of smell that makes you forget every sad desk lunch you’ve ever eaten. National Lobster Day falls on June 15 this year, and if you’re in the New York area with even a mild obsession with seafood, this is your excuse to do it right.
Not “right” as in standing in a tourist-trap line in Midtown for a $45 lobster roll that’s mostly mayo. Right as in: a historic dish at one of the oldest restaurants in America, or a full afternoon on the water in Greenport with a cocktail that is technically also a seafood tower.
| KEY TAKEAWAY
For National Lobster Day, New York gives you two unbeatable options: dinner at Delmonico’s, where Lobster Newberg has been on the menu since 1876, or a weekend escape to Claudio’s Marina in Greenport, where the Captain Claudio’s Bloody Mary ($125) arrives with an entire 1.25 lb lobster in the glass. One is a history lesson. The other is a flex. Both are worth every dollar. |
Is Delmonico’s Lobster Newberg Worth Ordering in 2026?
Yes, without question — and the backstory makes it taste even better.
Delmonico’s at 56 Beaver Street is America’s first fine-dining restaurant, open since 1837. It’s the place that invented the Delmonico Steak, Baked Alaska, and Eggs Benedict. So when a dish has been on their menu since 1876, it’s earned its real estate.
The origin of Lobster Newberg is genuinely one of the better stories in American food history. A sea captain named Ben Wenberg showed up at Delmonico’s talking about this lobster preparation he’d encountered in his travels. Charles Delmonico was so intrigued, he had Wenberg cook it tableside in a chafing dish on the spot. It hit the menu as “Lobster a la Wenberg.” Then Wenberg and Delmonico had a falling out (details lost to history, honestly probably money), and rather than pull the dish, Delmonico quietly rearranged the letters: Wenberg became Newberg. The dish stayed. The man’s name did not.
| OUR EXPERIENCE
We visited Delmonico’s and ordered the Lobster Newberg as our main. Today’s version is built around Parsnip Mousseline, Puff Pastry, and a Cognac Lobster Reduction that is genuinely silky in a way that feels indulgent without being heavy. The puff pastry gives you something to drag through the sauce. It’s a dish that rewards slowness. Budget around $55-$65 for the entree and expect a room that feels like it has actual weight to it, not in a stuffy way, in a “this building has seen things” way. |
“After years of covering NYC’s food scene, we’ll say this plainly: Lobster Newberg at Delmonico’s is not a nostalgia dish. It’s a technically precise, deeply satisfying plate that happens to also be one of the most historically significant bites you can take in this city.”
What is Captain Claudio’s Bloody Mary, and Is It Actually Worth $125?
It’s a 35oz Bloody Mary loaded with Absolut vodka, a whole 1.5 lb lobster, six shrimp, bacon, olives, celery, and grilled jalapenos. And yes, it is worth it if you’re splitting it.
Claudio’s Waterfront in Greenport, NY is a Long Island institution. The marina is a full sensory event: boats knocking against the dock, cold drinks, live music on weekends, and sunsets over Greenport Harbor that will ruin you for rooftop bars forever.
The Captain Claudio’s Bloody Mary is only available at Claudio’s Waterfront, so note that before you make the trip. At $125, split two or three ways, it comes to around $40-60 per person for a cocktail that is also your appetizer, your entertainment, and your photo. The lobster is a whole cooked crustacean, not a garnish. The shrimp are full-sized. This is designed for sharing and for summer.
| PLAN YOUR GREENPORT TRIP
Before you head out to the East End, grab the NYSF Neighborhood Street Food Walking Route Map Pack so you know exactly where to eat, drink, and walk in Greenport beyond the marina. |
What Else Should You Order at Claudio’s for National Lobster Day?
Claudio’s marina has three distinct concepts running side by side, which means you can make a full day of it without doubling up.
At Claudio’s Waterfront and Claudio’s Restaurant, the lobster roll comes two ways:
- Connecticut style: warm butter-poached lobster, no filler, pure restraint
- Maine style: chilled lobster salad with fresh herbs and mayo (available at both locations)
- Lobster alfredo pasta at Claudio’s Restaurant if you want something more substantial
The newest spot on the marina is Saylor Beach House, co-founded by former STK co-founder Celeste Fierro and Grammy-nominated artist Taylor Dayne. Their National Lobster Day play is a 2 lb Whole Baked Lobster served with a baked potato, roasted corn, and butter. It’s a full feast plate and it’s exactly what you want when you’re sitting outside looking at harbor water.
Worth the Trip? National Lobster Day by Reader Type
| Reader Type | Delmonico’s | Claudio’s Waterfront | Do Both |
| Solo foodie | Yes | Yes (bar seating) | Weekend plan |
| Couple/date night | Yes | Yes | Yes, easily |
| Group of 4+ | Book ahead | Perfect (split the Bloody Mary) | Doable weekend |
| Budget traveler | Splurge-worthy | Split the $125 drink | Pick one |
| NYC tourist | Must-do history bite | Requires day trip | Greenport first |
| Local New Yorker | Overdue visit | Annual summer tradition | Yes |
OUR VERDICT
Most National Lobster Day content will point you at a lobster roll in some overlit fast-casual spot. We’re pointing you at 149 years of culinary history on Beaver Street and a dockside cocktail in Greenport that arrives wearing its own lobster. These are the two most interesting lobster experiences within striking distance of NYC right now, and they couldn’t be more different from each other. Do Delmonico’s when you want to feel the weight of American food history. Do Claudio’s when you need a summer afternoon to remember.
FAQ: National Lobster Day in New York
When is National Lobster Day?
National Lobster Day is June 15 every year.
Where can I eat Lobster Newberg in NYC?
Delmonico’s at 56 Beaver Street in the Financial District is the original home of Lobster Newberg, which has been on their menu in some form since 1876. Today’s version includes Parsnip Mousseline, Puff Pastry, and a Cognac Lobster Reduction.
What is the Captain Claudio’s Bloody Mary?
It’s a 35oz house-made Bloody Mary with Absolut vodka, a whole 1.5 lb lobster, six shrimp, bacon, olives, celery, and grilled jalapenos, priced at $125. It’s only available at Claudio’s Waterfront in Greenport, NY, and is designed for sharing.
How do I get to Claudio’s Marina in Greenport from NYC?
Take the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) from Penn Station to Greenport. The trip takes approximately two hours. Claudio’s Marina is a short walk from the Greenport station.
Is Delmonico’s open for National Lobster Day?
Yes, Delmonico’s is open for dinner service. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially around June 15. Check their current hours at theoriginaldelmonicos.com.
Are there lobster roll options at Claudio’s?
Yes. Claudio’s Waterfront and Claudio’s Restaurant both offer lobster rolls in two styles: Connecticut (warm butter-poached lobster) and Maine (chilled lobster salad with fresh herbs and mayo). Claudio’s Restaurant also serves a lobster alfredo pasta.
Why New York Is Still the Most Interesting Place in America to Eat Lobster
New York’s lobster story runs from a Financial District dining room in 1837 to a harbor-side cocktail in 2026, and the fact that both experiences are still this good is not an accident. Delmonico’s Lobster Newberg is a masterclass in what happens when a dish earns its place on a menu over 149 years. Claudio’s Captain Bloody Mary is what happens when a waterfront institution leans into summer theatrics with full confidence. Neither is trying to be trendy. That’s exactly why they work.
“The best National Lobster Day move in the New York area isn’t finding a new pop-up or a celebrity chef collaboration. It’s going back to the places that have been doing it right for generations, where the food has context and the setting has soul. Delmonico’s and Claudio’s are exactly those places, and June 15 is the perfect excuse to finally go.”
“The Jaded Traveler”. Ron Rossi was born and raised in New York. A globalist at heart, Ron is a marketing director by trade, and has lived and worked around the world including Asia, Europe, Africa, and South America. Food is one of the best ways to learn about a country, a people and a culture. So, Ron is always looking for the best in mid-range to budget and street food. He is always on the hunt for a good meal anyone can afford. It is the food of the average citizen that excites him. And with having visited close to 100 countries on 6 continents so far, there have been some pretty good meals.
