Ordering seafood online can be a gamble, but live Maine lobster delivery is always worth taking the chance. That said, there are a few things buyers can do to get the most out of their live Maine lobster delivery. The most important? Buying from a reputable company. The providers in the grid below have been vetted for the quality of their product and customer experience. If you’re ordering live Maine lobster delivery – whether this is your first or tenth time – any of these companies is a sure bet.
Our Top Maine Lobster Delivery Companies
| Category | Company | Most Popular Size | Average $/Lobster Dinner* | Customer Ratings | Go To |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highest Customer Ratings | Lobster Anywhere | 2 lb. | $335 | 5.0 | |
| Best for Sustainability | Crab Place | 2 lb. | $280 | 4.5 | |
| Best for Lobster Tails | Cameron’s Seafood | 12 oz. | $350 | 4.7 | |
| Best Variety | Fulton Fish Market | 2 lb. | $270 | 4.6 | |
| Best for Lobster Meat | Wulf’s Fish | 1 lb. | N/A | 4.8 | |
| Most Frequent Discounts | Get Maine Lobster | 1.5 lb. | $275 | 4.9 | |
| Best Website Experience | Winter Harbor Lobster Co-Op | 1.5 lb. | $335 | 4.6 | |
| Best for Smaller Lobsters | Sanders Lobster Company | 1.5 lb. | $270 | 4.5 |
*Estimated cost of one item in the company’s most popular size. For different sizes, check out our Maine lobster company directory.
Making a Smart Live Maine Lobster Delivery Purchase
In addition to making sure your live Maine lobster delivery purchase goes to a reputable company, there are a few things buyers can do to make smart purchases. Importantly, you’ll want to buy your lobster at the right time of year. Lobster season peaks from mid-September to mid-November, then again from April through early June. To get the best price and the most meat from your live Maine lobster delivery, we recommend buying during these times. If this sounds too complicated to remember, sign up for our email newsletter. We’ll send you updates when prices drop.
Additionally, you’ll want to purchase your lobster when shells are at their hardest, usually from December to May. Lobsters with harder shells, or shells that have had time to develop, have a higher meat yield and less water. If you buy a younger lobster with a softer shell, the meat will be more delicate, but you will end up paying more per ounce because of the higher water content.
Prepare for Your Delivery
Once you put in your order for live lobster, you’ll want to ensure you have the products you need to have a flawless meal. Often, this includes gathering some additional materials. Here are a few that we recommend you have ready before your lobster arrives.
- Extra ice and/or refrigerator space. You’ll want to keep your lobsters as chilled as possible between their arrival and your meal. After checking to ensure the animals are alive, place the box in your refrigerator. If you don’t have enough fridge space, add some ice to the box to keep the temperature low.
- A pot large enough for cooking lobster. Generally, a stock pot that fits between 12 and 30 quarts should work.
- Metal tongs. Handling the lobster isn’t easy, especially when it’s just out of the cooking pot. Tongs make the process easier.
- A cutting board or other heat-proof surface. Cooked lobster needs to rest for several minutes before eating. Make sure you have a designated spot for this.
Live lobster should be cooked soon after it arrives at your doorstep. If you don’t have the materials necessary to prepare your meal, wait until you’ve gathered everything – especially cooking equipment – before putting in your order. Most live Maine lobster delivery companies provide overnight shipping, so you don’t want to be caught off guard when your order arrives in 36 hours and you don’t have a large enough cooking pot.
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