Sanders Fish Market | Where to Find a Good Lobster Roll in Portsmouth, NH
Sanders Fish Market offers up a Portsmouth, NH, lobster roll made with fresh lobster meat and served on a toasted and buttered roll.
By Aimee Tucker|Jul 25 2022|
Coffee By Design | Portland, Maine
Photo Credit : Katherine Keenan
The New Hampshire coastline is famously short, but despite its lack of miles it manages to have everything a good seacoast needs: picture-perfect water views, beautiful beaches, small towns, and at least one great little city for culture, shopping, and fine dining. In New Hampshire, that city is Portsmouth, and while it boasts some of the most talked-about eateries in the state, it’s also the ideal spot for enjoying a simple, fresh New England lobster roll. Just steps from the hustle and bustle of Market Square and the terrific Strawbery Banke Museum, you’ll find my favorite Portsmouth lobster roll at Sanders Fish Market.
Sanders Fish Market | Where to Find a Good Lobster Roll in Portsmouth, NH Photo Credit : Aimee Tucker
Featured in our Where to Find the Best New England Lobster Roll in Winterroundup for its year-round fresh lobster roll (or lobster sandwich, if you’re a stickler about lobster rolls being served only on New England hot dog buns), Sanders also nabbed a spot on our list of the 10 Best Seafood Markets in New Englandfor its daily fresh catch, including fish, shellfish, scallops, shrimp, lobster, crab, and seasonal items such as bluefish, shad roe, and smelts.
But let’s get back to the lobster roll, shall we? Here’s a look at my most recent lunch visit to Sanders Fish Market.
Sanders Fish Market | Where to Find a Good Lobster Roll in Portsmouth, NH
Sanders Fish Market sits on the Piscataqua River just a few minutes’ walk from Portsmouth’s bustling Market Square. Photo Credit : Aimee TuckerBeyond made-to-order lobster rolls, Sanders has a case full of fresh fish, chowder, fish cakes, and more. It also carries gourmet foods, produce, snacks, and beverages. Photo Credit : Aimee TuckerIn warmer months you can enjoy your food outside, but there’s a casual indoor seating area, too, with river and street views. Photo Credit : Aimee TuckerThe Sanders Fish Market lobster roll features ¼ pound of fresh (never frozen) meat and comes on a buttered and toasted round roll. When you order, they’ll ask if you want lettuce and/or tomato. I would never want the tomato but didn’t mind the single leaf of lettuce for a little texture and to minimize bread sogginess. Photo Credit : Aimee TuckerA pile of delicious and lightly dressed lobster meat. Photo Credit : Aimee TuckerThis is my favorite lobster roll I’ve had in Portsmouth so far. I even like that it’s more of a sandwich than a roll, because it lets me control the lobster-to-bread ratio in every bite. Photo Credit : Aimee Tucker
Have you ever visited Sanders Fish Market? What’s your pick for the best lobster roll in Portsmouth, NH? Let us know!
This post was first published in 2017 and has been updated.
I believe Sanders was previously known as The Blue Fin Fish Market. My Grandparents lived two blocks up Marcy St. and I went there often. I have not been to Sanders but will on my next trip home.
I’m sorry but a lobster roll is just not the same on a round bun. I guess I’ve lived in New England too long but some things just shouldn’t be changed.
I lived right around the corner for the best 10 years of my life ! I’ve lived all over the US and Portsmouth is the best little ” city” in America…the people, the food, the ambiance and the air…..I wish I was there now !
Today and ordered a lobster roll and a shrimp roll . Served on a toasted buttered round roll and they were delicious. Seafood was very fresh and so not over flavored by too much food additions like onions and celery. Also ordered crab cakes that were very much appreciated by our guests. Can’t wait to head back to NH to revisit Sanders. Also when my husband returns for fishing trip each summer in ME he arrives home home with a very large lobster and not only were they not tough but very tender and very tasty. So looking forward to warmer weather in order to head north.
I believe Sanders was previously known as The Blue Fin Fish Market. My Grandparents lived two blocks up Marcy St. and I went there often. I have not been to Sanders but will on my next trip home.
I’m sorry but a lobster roll is just not the same on a round bun. I guess I’ve lived in New England too long but some things just shouldn’t be changed.
I lived right around the corner for the best 10 years of my life ! I’ve lived all over the US and Portsmouth is the best little ” city” in America…the people, the food, the ambiance and the air…..I wish I was there now !
I agree..no round roll for me.
We went to Sanders Fish Market in October 2018. We went there twice for their lobster rolls. Loved it!! And I naturally took a lot of photos.
Today and ordered a lobster roll and a shrimp roll . Served on a toasted buttered round roll and they were delicious. Seafood was very fresh and so not over flavored by too much food additions like onions and celery. Also ordered crab cakes that were very much appreciated by our guests. Can’t wait to head back to NH to revisit Sanders. Also when my husband returns for fishing trip each summer in ME he arrives home home with a very large lobster and not only were they not tough but very tender and very tasty. So looking forward to warmer weather in order to head north.
It’s not in Portsmouth, but the lobster rolls at Sea View Company, just over the bridge in Kittery are great.