Making its Asheville debut in 2005, The Lobster Trap has since become an icon for fresh aquatic eats. From fresh crustaceans to mollusks to fish, each dish is prepared by passionate chefs who know how to bring out the flavors and textures of the sea. You won’t find chicken sandwiches here; The Lobster Trap is faithful only to the waters and the tasty creatures that inhabit them.
Our one caveat with The Lobster Trap is portion size. While it’s understandable for expertly prepared seafood to command a premium, we thought the price-to-portion ratio here could use some tweaking. Even some of the simpler soups and salads ran up quite the bill, and entrées like the snow crab legs and lobster left our stomachs yearning for more. If you’re looking to eat your fill, prepare for your wallet to be plundered aplenty.
Beers on draught include the signature Oyster House Moonstone Stout, Seven Clans Mothertown Blonde Ale, and Rock Carolina Apple Cider. You’ll also find familiar brews such as the Green Man Porter and Sierra Nevada Kellerweis.
With a medley of marine motifs, The Lobster Trap sports a casual, inviting atmosphere. Warm colors and wood fixtures give the feel of dining on an actual ship. Large windows let in natural daylight for enjoyable lunches, while ambient lighting further inside the restaurant sets the stage for intimate dinners. The staff are happy to strike up casual conversations and indulge your curiosities. You won’t find a more knowledgeable or passionate group of seafood enthusiasts.
Local musicians light up the evenings seven days a week. You can check The Lobster Trap’s event calendar to see who will be performing and show support for your favorite talent.
If you’re looking for exquisite seafood delicacies in a casual setting, then ensnare yourself in The Lobster Trap. You won’t be disappointed.
The Lobster Trap stands out with meticulous preparations of fresh seafood. These are some of our favorites:
Sunburst Trout
This award-winning trout is graciously moist, tender, and flavorful. You get a grilled filet served atop beluga lentils, roasted wild mushrooms, and arugula. Fried capers, corn kernels, and a rich sage butter sauce complete this seafarer’s delight.
Sea Scallops
Wrapped in crispy bacon, these scallops bring the best of the sea and the south. The scallops are pan-seared to perfection and seated atop a mellow lemon artichoke stew and grilled local ramps. A terrific blend of flavors overall.
Blue Ridge Shrimp and Grits
A unique take on a southern classic, The Lobster Trap’s shrimp and grits marries sauteed sweet shrimp and creamy white heirloom grits. Cheddar cheese and bacon complete the ceremony.
Surf and Turf
If you’d like to explore the flavors of the sea with one foot on land, this is your dish. A sumptuous grilled New York strip steak meets your choice of a whole Maine Lobster or Alaskan King Crab Legs. The grilled broccolini and fingerling potatoes are surprisingly flavorful and worthy of sharing the stage with the proteins.
Lobster Newburg
You won’t know what The Lobster Trap’s all about until you try a fresh whole lobster. Sauteed in sherry cream, the Lobster Newburg comes with a puff pastry, pecans, and tender haricots verts (French green beans).
Insider Tip:
Weekends tend to be crowded, so expect a half-hour wait. While The Lobster Trap does not take reservations, you can call ahead to minimize your wait time.