The results are in: Find out which PEI Lobster Rolls have been named best in the GTA

Fresh, tender, buttery Prince Edward Island lobster nestled between two toasted buns—it’s truly the perfect meal to round out a gorgeous summer day. For nearly 50 days, restaurants across Toronto competed to craft the top lobster roll in the city during the PEI Lobster Roll Call contest. 

Lobster rolls are very special summer sandwiches, combining the freshness of the ocean with a perfect crunch and a tasty sauce to wash it all down. They’re steeped in history, too; Prince Edward Island lobster fishers have been hauling in their traps for over 150 years. Indeed, Canada’s East Coast is home to some of the best seafood you can find worldwide. And while we’ve been hunkering down at home instead of travelling, we’ve been missing those tasty treats. Luckily, Toronto has mouth-watering options right here at home.

You’ve tasted your way around the city, trying tons of lobster rolls. Now, the results are in. While it’s hard to go wrong with any kind of lobster roll, there were three creations that had us coming back for more.

Jake’s Grill & Oyster House

Jake’s Grill and Oyster House has absolutely nailed the perfect lobster roll and took home first place for the second year in a row. Known for fresh fish, fine shellfish, wood-grilled steaks, burgers and more, Jake’s has been a Burlington tradition for more than 35 years. Their winning culinary creation starts with a freshly baked and grilled brioche bun made just for Jake’s by local artisanal bakers Saving Thyme and comes loaded with lobster salad from a fresh-out-of-the-steamer PEI lobster. What could be better than that?

Lobster Burger Bar

With locations in Toronto (King St. W.) and Waterloo, this contemporary Canadian comfort food hotspot saw its first time on the winner’s list this year. They serve delicious dishes that focus on fresh, high-quality ingredients sourced from local Canadian farmers and producers. Of course, this includes hormone- and antibiotic-free wild-caught PEI lobster brought weekly from Canada’s Food Island, Prince Edward Island. 

Their current menu features two different lobster rolls: their Classic Lobster Roll and Crispy Shrimp & Lobster Roll. It’s a place many people refer to as “lobster paradise,” which is probably why they took home the coveted second-place prize.

Tide & Vine Oyster House

Tide & Vine was established in 2012 when owners Mike Langley and Kat Steeves started shucking oysters out of their 1974 VW Camper. Since then, the Toronto staple has garnered a long list of accolades — including the two-time top-three winner of the PEI Lobster Roll Call.

This year, scoring third place, their succulent lobster roll features four ounces of fresh PEI lobster mixed with housemade mayonnaise with capers and tarragon on top of a freshly toasted, buttery bun.

See below for a list of restaurants in the GTA serving PEI Lobster:

• Antler, 1454 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1Y6
• Phancy’s Bodega (pre-order & take-out only), 848 King St W Toronto, ON M5V 1P1
• Cafe Belong, 550 Bayview Ave, Toronto, ON M4W 3X8
• CLOCKWORK Champagne & Cocktails, 100 Front St W, Toronto, ON M5J 1E3
• John & Sons Oyster House, 56 Temperance St, Toronto, ON M5H 3V5
• Lobster Burger Bar, 214 King St W Toronto, ON M5H 3S6
• Buster’s Sea Cove, 93 Front St E (St. Lawrence Market), Toronto, ON M5E 1C3
• FISHINN, 2392 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M6S 1P5
• Market Street Catch, 14 Market St., Toronto, ON M5E 1C3
• Oyster Mine, 2035 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4S 2A2
• Tide & Vine Oyster House, 3491 Portage Rd, Niagara Falls, ON L2J 2K5
• The Wilcox Gastropub, 30 Eglinton Ave W, Mississauga, ON L5R 3E7
• Jake’s Grill & Oyster House, 950 Walkers Line, Burlington, ON L7N 2G2