Guide To CT Lobster and Clambake Caterers For Your Next Party

Crack ‘em, steam ‘em, grill ‘em, looooove ‘em. Lobster, lobster, oh sweet lovely lobster, you make our hearts swoon. Summer is here, the living is easy and to make it even easier, why not throw a good ol’ New England Lobster Bake catered to your venue of choice? You’ll feel like you are oceanside (minus the Great Whites trolling the shores) no matter where you decide to hold your bash. Draw that buttah and color yourself happy! We’ve compiled a whole boatful of vendors that will cater to every whim you might have in order to create a memorable and gloriously fun time. We may even need a bigger boat, the list is so long (ok, who got the reference?). Two big claws up to great companies that are attentive to their customers’ needs and desires and strive to make every Lobster and Clambake a delicious event. Having just used up all the lobster-talk I have up my sleeve, please read on and enjoy…

LobsterCraft

www.lobstercraft.com

What’s one of New England’s quintessential party “must dos”?  Of course, it’s the classic New England Lobster Bake. Gather up a group friends, pick a date and give LobsterCraft a call to deliver amazing fresh lobsters, corn on the cob, new potatoes, oysters, and clams steamed to perfection for you and your guests. Why LobsterCraft?  Well, Captain Mike, the founder of LobsterCraft, is a commercial lobsterman with over 18 years of experience harvesting these tasty creatures and since 2012, drives the culinary vision for their business. They are best known for award-winning lobster rolls, and lobster mac-n-cheese are humbled and honored to have been given accolades both locally, regionally, and nationally for their food across various media outlets and peoples’ choice awards. Lobster Bakes are just one of the custom catering menu options that are available when you hire the team at LobsterCraft to provide exceptional service with top-notch, fresh, hot, and local food for your party.  LobsterCraft is available for private functions throughout the tri-state area and they have also done bespoke events for clients at their homes on the other side of the country (have lobster, will travel!). LobsterCraft is open all year round so give them a ring about your fall and winter event plans soon! 

Fjord Catering x Fjord Fish Market

www.fjordfishmarket.com

There’s a reason why Fjord Catering has been in the clambake game for over 25 years in Fairfield County. Serving up a premium experience of quality ingredients and once-in-a-lifetime experience to recreate New England’s finest traditional clambake. They offer three options to choose from, each including steamed Maine Lobster, Littleneck Clams, PEI mussels, corn on the cob, potatoes, and sliced watermelon. If a standard classic clambake experience isn’t enough, they also have a variety of add-ons to complete your experience including a raw bar, sushi station, signature seafood platters, Hawaiian Poke Bar, and hors-d'oeuvres that are sure to please! And when we talk about an experience, it begins from the first phone call with their catering team. Fjord makes sure you are taken care of in every step of the process from planning to partying by appointing a personal event planner to cater to all of your needs. Fjord works to meet all your expectations and provides the cooking equipment, buffet tables, linens and more, including staff if you need them. Whether in your backyard, on the beach, your child’s graduation party, rehearsal dinner or even a bachelorette party, Fjord can help you host an unforgettable seafood feast!

Lobster Shack at Rizzuto’s 

www.ctlobstershack.com

What says summer more than a traditional New England Lobster Bake…the smell of the sea air, sand between your toes, steamers on the grill and lobsters steaming, drawn butter, red potato salad, corn on the cob, a raw bar with fresh local oysters, ceviche, freshly caught snapper, clams on the half shell, and your friends with which to enjoy it! The Lobster Shack specializes in traditional New England style lobster bakes but they are far from just a typical lobster bake company. From casual backyard gatherings to rehearsal dinners and weddings, corporate events, or a simple family celebration, their relationships with local fishermen mean the freshest locally caught seafood for your event. They cater events of all sizes and can customize your event, whether it be a simple buffet or a full service sit-down meal. In addition, they offer raw bars, appetizers, a selection of meats for a little surf and turf, side dishes, as well as many vegetarian options for those non-seafood eaters so that everyone has something to enjoy. Their knowledgeable event staff has many years of experience which ensures a top-notch event! Call or visit their website for more information or to schedule your Lobster bake.

Szabo’s Seafood

www.szabosseafood.com

This small, family-run business, owned/operated by Dan Szabo, has been serving the community for over 60 years. Their Little Red Seafood Truck offers many popular packages: The Famous Lobster Clambake (1½ lb. Steamed Lobster or Lobster Rolls, NY Strip, Cocktail Shrimp, Steamed Clams and Chowder with all the fixins), Fish & Chips, Fried Shrimp, and Fried Scallops. Szabo’s is well known for their Hot Buttered Lobster Rolls, Fried Shrimp Dinners, and their New England Clam Chowder. Is your mouth watering yet? Meals also include crunchy coleslaw, tartar and cocktail sauces made from family recipes. New Haven voted Szabo’s as serving one of the Best Lobster Rolls in the area. The family now books private events such as weddings, corporate & family functions, block parties, and fundraisers throughout  CT, NY, MA, and RI.  Also, look for the truck at area festivals, concerts and farmers markets throughout CT.

Szabo’s also operates a retail shop stocked with prepared seafood, fresh fish and cooked foods in Shelton, so stop by and visit Dan and his family! 

Flanders Fish Market

www.flandersfish.com

Connecticut Restaurant Association Hall of Fame member Flanders Fish Market keeps it fresh wherever you are. With a custom clambake wagon brought straight to any location, Flanders Fish brings classic New England style clambakes right to your home, beach, venue, or anywhere in between! With catering packages for all size events, clambakes are the most popular, fun way to enjoy delicious New England seafood fresh from the Boston Fish Pier. Elect to add a raw bar shucker to supplement the sweet and delicious live Maine lobsters, or throw in a lobster roll platter to double up on the seafoody goodness.  Perfected since 1983, Cappy’s Clambakes by Flanders Fish are interactive and fun for any event while remaining affordable, easy for hosts, and delicious for all! Coastal Living Magazine agrees, including Flanders Fish in their list of "The Best Clambake Companies in America," saying, "Your best bet for a catered clambake in Southern New England is this delightful fish market & restaurant." Take their word for it and keep it fresh with Flanders Fish!

Cap’t Johns Clambakes 

www.captainjohns.com

Four decades of clambakes and fun-that’s a whole lot of drawn buttah! Try their Travelin’ Clambakes (they pack it, you cook it) or have them cook up and serve a traditional New England Clambake, a Texas Style BBQ, a Picnic Party or a Surf & Turf shindig. Hard to decide, right? They will arrive with fresh food, cook onsite, clean up and take away any hint of even being there. There is something for every party you could dream of having.

Clambake Connection 

www.clambakeconnection.com

BBQs and pig roasts, so there is absolutely no excuse for not that throwing that party. Who knew you could even get a pig roast to-go? Charcoal, spit, pig, instructions…done!Clambake Connection also happily caters events and can help you round out all aspects of your event, from entertainment to rentals of linens, plates and tents. Their menus offer a variety of sides and cover various dietary preferences, so all can and will enjoy the fun.

Clambakes of CT

www.clambakesofct.com

This full-service catering company offers everything from lobster bakes and BBQ to pig roasts, Luaus and holiday parties. They offer an expansive catering menu to suit your tastes and can provide all the assistance you need with bartending, waitstaff, and planning. Think cheese and veggie platters, shrimp skewers, smashed potatoes, steamed lobster and clams, Black Angus steak, and chowders-from appetizers to desserts, they will provide a comprehensive, delicious memorable meal. They combine creative and delicious cooking with beautiful presentation and decorations for all of your events.

Cyr BBQ

www.cyrbbq.com

CYR BBQ is a mobile catering service that offers several tempting and lip-smacking packages to choose from (BBQ, pig roast, Clambake) that will fit any of your summertime catering needs. For their Clambakes, they create a beach clambake but without the hassle of the sand and that pesky pit. How? Pitmaster Chad Cyr layers all the goodies in his smoker and before you know it, you have a clambake. Want a bit of a Portuguese flair with those bivalves, lobsters, corn and potatoes? They will pile on chicken and Linguica sausage, too.

Lady Katharine Cruises

www.ladykatecruises.com 

Cruising on the beautiful Connecticut River, with breezes in your hair, and a delicious lobster bake dinner for you to enjoy. Step aboard the fair Lady Katherine and partake in  a night of music, dancing and classic New England food with friends and family. This is a unique evening out and a fun way to see a beautiful part of our Nutmeg State, so make reservations soon!

The Lazy Lobster 

www.thelazylobsterrestaurant.com

The Lazy Lobster will come to you, ALL YEAR LONG, so now’s your time to plan a killer holiday party (or, if you can’t wait, a summer party) like none other. Succulent, sweet Maine lobsters steaming amongst the seaweed, mussels and steamers, scallops (remember, they are pronounced “scah-lops”), 48-hour dry rubbed BBQ ribs, Rib-eye steaks, Citrus and Garlic Chicken, salads, creamy chowder, flavorful lobster bisque, sourdough rolls, lemonade, watermelon...it’s what they call “The Lazy Lobster Lifestyle”. 

Liberty Rock Food Truck 

www.libertyrocktavern.com

Creative and delicious food items from the The Liberty Rock Tavern, but in their food truck! Serving hot items from the tavern along with some new party packages to choose from: BBQ (Southern fried chicken sandwich, mac n’ cheese, ribs, cornbread, spicy coleslaw, Brussels and cauliflower), Lobster Bake (shrimp cocktail, steamed lobster and clams, stead, chicken, roasted potatoes and corn), Picnic (mac n’ cheese, fried chicken sandwich, house-smoked Bratwurst, salad, Brussels and cauliflower) or Build-Your-Own. 

Outdoor Cookers 

www.outdoor-cookers.com

This boutique catering company that serves Fairfield and Westchester Counties also serves up an array of festivities; Luaus, BBQs and the forever popular, Lobster and Clam Bakes, complete with crowd-pleasers such as steamer clams with broth, mussels, NE clam chowder, chilled gazpacho, steamed lobsters and many delicious accompaniments. They will also take care of the exterior decor and entertainment at your bash, too! 

Pagano’s Seafood

www.paganosseafood.com

Simple, fresh, classic clambakes to go! Call in advance and Pagano’s will have it all ready for you…fresh Maine Hard shell lobster, mussels and Littleneck Clams, corn on the cob and creamy, crunchy coleslaw. Pick the size lobsters you want (ranging from 1/4 lb to 2 lb) and a tasty summery dinner will be yours in a flash. Note: Closed Sundays.

Sea House Clambakes and Catering

www.seahouseclambakes.com

Superior and affordable. With super-duper fresh seafood. These guys love local, organic and high-quality food and at Sea House, all the recipes are created by them, so add “truly homemade” to their list of positive traits. Sea House will gladly help you find venues, supply all dinnerware and even cook all their seafood separately so as not to muck up the enjoyment for those with allergies. Choose your entrees (lobster, swordfish, surf & turf…), your appetizers (chowder, mussels, steamed littenecks…) and along with sides (corn, rolls, watermelon…) and a hefty raw bar with all the usual suspects, you have the makings of a darned fine party.

Sheffield Island Clambake and Boat Ride

www.seaport.org

If it’s a Thursday evening from late June to early September, that means that Lobster bakes and boat rides are the on the horizon. Cruise on the Seaport Ferry through picturesque Norwalk Harbor to your destination: Sheffield Island for a New England clambake! Enjoy lobsters, clams and traditional clambake fare under their tented pavilion on the lawn of this beautiful historic Norwalk lighthouse. Non-seafood and vegetarian options are available and then cap it off with summery Strawberry Shortcake under the stars and a boat ride back to land.

Westfair Fish & Chips 

www.westfairfishandchip.com

Westfair offers the traditional spread of clambake yummies (Maine lobster and steamers with broth and butter, steamed mussels, salad, rolls, corn, baked potato, watermelon) but  substitutions of tenderloin, swordfish, tuna, salmon, or chicken can happily be made. Sides such as seafood bisque, baked stuffed clams, crab cakes, baked zit, Baby Back Ribs, grilled tenderloin can also round things out perfectly. You design your feast! And for parties of fifty or more, raw bar is also offered.