The Fried Shrimp At This New York Diner Is So Delicious, It’s Worth A Road Trip
Fried shrimp isn’t usually the thing you plan a drive around, but this New York diner clearly didn’t get that memo. It looks classic and low-key from the outside, the kind of place you’d expect solid comfort food and steady coffee refills. Then the shrimp shows up and suddenly the table goes quiet.
Golden, crispy coating. Juicy inside. Not greasy, not heavy, just perfectly done.
You dip one, take a bite, and immediately understand why people talk about it like it’s a secret worth protecting. In New York, where seafood can get fancy fast, this diner keeps it simple and absolutely nails it.
By the time the basket’s empty, the drive doesn’t feel dramatic at all. It feels completely reasonable.
Quick Snapshot
Name: Nick’s Lobster House.
Type: Casual seafood restaurant and raw bar specializing in fresh catches and live lobster. Setting: Waterfront dining with marina views and outdoor deck seating when weather cooperates.
Location: Southern Brooklyn at 2777 Flatbush Ave, tucked away where the neighborhood meets the bay.
Arrival: Free parking lot on site, which is basically like finding gold in New York City.
Portions: Generous enough that you will probably need a to go box, and the prices actually match what you are getting on your plate.
The restaurant operates on a slightly quirky schedule, closed on Tuesdays, opening at 2 PM most weekdays, and going full throttle from noon on weekends.
Why This Spot Is Worth The Drive From Anywhere In The Tri State
Look, Brooklyn has no shortage of places claiming to serve the best seafood. Every corner has some joint promising fresh catches and secret recipes passed down through generations. Most of them are lying, or at least stretching the truth until it snaps.
Nick’s Lobster House does not need to make big claims because the food speaks louder than any marketing campaign ever could. The fried shrimp here achieves what most restaurants only dream about: a coating so impossibly crispy it shatters at first bite, giving way to shrimp that are plump, sweet, and cooked just to the edge of perfection. Not rubbery, not overdone, not sitting under a heat lamp for twenty minutes.
People drive from New Jersey, Connecticut, and upstate New York specifically for these shrimp. They plan entire day trips around them. One bite explains why the restaurant maintains a 4.3 star rating across nearly 4,000 reviews, which is basically a miracle in the age of online complaints.
The secret is not actually that secret: they use quality shrimp, they fry them to order, and they do not cut corners. Revolutionary, right? Except most places cannot be bothered.
The breading has just enough seasoning to enhance without overwhelming, and the texture stays crispy even as you work through the basket.
The Lobster Rolls That Made Brooklyn Forget About New England
Maine can keep its tourist traps and overpriced seaside shacks. Nick’s Lobster House serves a lobster roll that will make you question why anyone bothers driving to Cape Cod. These are not the sad little rolls with three pieces of lobster and a mountain of mayo.
Each roll comes stuffed, and I mean genuinely packed, with fresh lobster meat on a pretzel bun that adds a subtle sweetness and perfect texture. The touch of Dijon mustard elevates the whole thing from good to “why have I been eating inferior lobster rolls my entire life.” Customers consistently mention being shocked by the portion size relative to the price, which is the opposite of most seafood experiences in New York.
The lobster rolls rank as one of the most popular menu items for good reason. The meat tastes like it was swimming that morning, sweet and tender without any of that weird fishy aftertaste that signals old seafood. They do not drown it in dressing or try to hide inferior quality behind fancy garnishes.
Pair your roll with their perfectly crispy, well seasoned fries, and you have a meal that feels like a mini vacation. Multiple reviewers specifically called out the fries, which tells you something because fries are usually an afterthought at seafood places.
Grilled Octopus That Converts Even The Skeptics
Octopus can go wrong in about seventeen different ways. Too rubbery and you are chewing on a tire. Underseasoned and it tastes like nothing.
Overcooked and you might as well be eating shoe leather. Nick’s Lobster House somehow nails it every single time.
Their grilled octopus comes out crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, with a balanced flavor that makes people order a second round even when they are already full. One reviewer called it hands down the best octopus they ever had, then complained there was not more of it on the plate. That is the kind of problem you want to have.
The preparation brings out the natural sweetness of the octopus while adding just enough char to create texture contrast. It works as an appetizer for the table or as your main event if you are one of those people who knows what they like and sticks with it. The dish showcases the kitchen’s technical skill without showing off.
Who this is for: Even people who normally skip octopus on menus find themselves converted after trying Nick’s version. The portion might seem small compared to the entrees, but octopus is rich and a little goes a long way. Save room for other dishes unless you want to roll out of there.
The Lobster Cream Pasta That Ruins All Other Pastas Forever
Some dishes are good. Some dishes are great. Then there are dishes that fundamentally alter your expectations for what food can be.
The lobster cream pasta at Nick’s falls firmly in the third category, and multiple customers have declared it SO GOOD in all caps, which is the highest compliment the internet can offer.
The pasta comes loaded, and I mean absolutely packed, with chunks of lobster meat swimming in a cream sauce that manages to be rich without being heavy. The kitchen does not skimp on the seafood, which is the fatal flaw of most lobster pasta dishes that charge premium prices for three sad pieces of lobster.
One reviewer admitted to stealing bites from her boyfriend’s plate even though she ordered her own entree, which tells you everything you need to know. Another person tried the lobster tail pasta out of curiosity and ended up regretting it because the lobster cream version was so superior. The cream sauce has enough flavor to stand up to the lobster without overpowering the delicate sweetness of the meat.
Side note: This is not health food. This is not something you eat before putting on a swimsuit. This is pure indulgence, the kind of dish that makes you understand why people become obsessed with restaurants.
Raw Oysters That Taste Like The Ocean In The Best Way
Oysters are one of those foods that separate the adventurous eaters from the “I will stick with chicken fingers” crowd. At Nick’s Lobster House, the raw bar serves oysters so fresh they practically taste like you are standing in the water yourself. Regular customers specifically come back for the oysters, ordering them by the dozen and pairing them with cold drinks on the waterfront deck.
The oysters arrive properly chilled on ice with all the classic accompaniments: lemon wedges, cocktail sauce, and that little fork that never quite works the way you want it to. One reviewer mentioned the oysters tasting lighter than usual, possibly overwashed, but that seems to be an outlier experience rather than the norm. Most people rave about the brininess and freshness.
Oysters make a perfect starter while you are deciding on entrees, or they can be the main event if you are one of those people who could eat oysters all day. The raw bar selection changes based on availability and season, so ask your server what is particularly good that day. They know their stuff and will steer you right.
Pro tip: oysters and a frozen drink on the outdoor deck during summer might be the closest you can get to a beach vacation without leaving Brooklyn.
New England Clam Chowder That Respects The Tradition
Clam chowder is one of those dishes that reveals whether a seafood restaurant actually knows what it is doing or just coasting on location and atmosphere. The New England clam chowder at Nick’s Lobster House falls firmly in the “they know what they are doing” category, even if one reviewer noted their bowl was not piping hot on arrival, which…okay?
The chowder follows the classic New England style: creamy, loaded with clams and potatoes, with that perfect balance between thick and soupy. It works as a starter to warm you up before the main event, or as a meal on its own if you pair it with some oysters or an appetizer. The kitchen does not try to reinvent the wheel or add weird fusion elements.
Traditional clam chowder is comfort food at its finest, the kind of thing that makes cold weather almost enjoyable. Nick’s version respects the tradition while using quality ingredients that elevate it above the canned soup most places serve. The clams taste fresh rather than rubbery, and the broth has enough seasoning to be interesting without overwhelming the seafood.
Temperature issues aside, the chowder consistently gets positive mentions in reviews, which means it is worth ordering.
Tip: Just maybe mention you want it hot if you are particular about soup temperature.
The Waterfront Views That Make Every Meal Feel Like A Vacation
Food tastes better with a view. Science probably backs this up somewhere, but even if it does not, anyone who has eaten at Nick’s Lobster House knows it is true. The restaurant sits right on the water with a marina full of boats bobbing in the background, creating an atmosphere that makes you forget you are still in Brooklyn.
The outdoor deck seating operates when weather permits, and getting a table out there during summer feels like winning a small lottery. The waterfront views consistently rank as a highlight in customer reviews, with people specifically requesting outdoor seating when making reservations. The setting adds value to the meal in a way that fancy decor never could.
Even the indoor seating maintains that light, airy, island feel that multiple reviewers mentioned. The restaurant is decorated in a way that enhances rather than distracts from the main event: great seafood and beautiful surroundings. Large windows ensure everyone gets some version of the view, even if you end up inside.
The location serves as a reminder that you do not need to leave New York to feel like you are on vacation. Sometimes you just need to drive to the edge of Brooklyn where the city meets the water.
Surf And Turf For When You Cannot Decide Between Land And Sea
Commitment is hard. Why choose between steak and seafood when you can have both on the same plate? The surf and turf at Nick’s Lobster House solves this eternal dilemma with a combination that one reviewer called their favorite entree on the menu.
The dish pairs a quality cut of beef with lobster, because sometimes you need protein from multiple ecosystems.
The steak comes cooked to your specification, and reviewers consistently praise it as divine and perfectly prepared. The accompanying lobster arrives fresh and properly cooked, not that sad rubbery texture that signals frozen or overcooked seafood. Together they create a meal that feels celebratory even if you are just eating dinner on a random Wednesday.
This is the kind of dish you order when you are celebrating something, treating yourself, or just feeling fancy. The portion size matches the price point, meaning you will leave satisfied rather than still hungry and resentful. Nick’s does not serve those tiny portions that look pretty but leave you stopping at a drive through on the way home.
Pair your surf and turf with sides and maybe one of their signature drinks, and you have yourself a proper feast. Save room for dessert though, because the lava cake situation demands attention.
Service That Treats First Timers Like Beloved Regulars
Great food matters, but service can make or break a restaurant experience. Nick’s Lobster House employs staff who consistently earn praise for being friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu. They treat regulars like family and first time visitors like future regulars, which is exactly the vibe you want from neighborhood spot.
Multiple reviews specifically call out how welcoming and professional the servers are, even when the restaurant is slammed on busy weekends. One large party of twelve raved about how the staff showed them love and was more than helpful, even cutting and serving a birthday cake the family brought from home. That kind of flexibility and genuine care is increasingly rare.
The servers know their menu inside and out, offering recommendations based on what is particularly fresh that day and what matches your preferences. They check in without hovering, refill drinks without being asked, and generally anticipate needs before you realize you have them. This is service that feels natural rather than scripted.
Even when the restaurant is short staffed, which happens everywhere these days, the team maintains friendly attitudes and does their best to keep things running smoothly. That kind of professionalism under pressure is worth noting and appreciating, especially in the restaurant industry.
What To Know About Pricing And Payment Before You Visit
Let’s talk money, because nobody likes surprise costs or confusing bills. Nick’s Lobster House falls into the moderate pricing category, marked with two dollar signs on Google. This means you are paying for quality without entering fine dining territory where entrees cost more than your car payment.
Most reviewers feel the portions and quality justify the prices, which is the sweet spot every restaurant aims for.
One reviewer complained about prices seeming higher than remembered and mentioned a merchant fee for credit cards, though the restaurant owner quickly responded clarifying they do not actually charge credit card fees. Always good to see management engaging with feedback and correcting misinformation. Prices have increased slightly over time, as they have everywhere, but multiple customers still call the experience worth it.
The restaurant does not offer free soda refills, which some people find annoying but is pretty standard for non fast food establishments. Factor that into your budget if you are a big drink person. Cash is accepted and might actually be preferred based on some payment confusion in reviews, but cards definitely work without extra fees despite one claim otherwise.
Overall: Expect to spend a reasonable amount for quality seafood in a waterfront setting. This is not cheap eats, but it is not trying to empty your bank account either.
Final Verdict
Nick’s Lobster House deserves its reputation and the road trip it takes to get there. The fried shrimp alone justifies the drive, but everything else on the menu ensures you will want to come back and try more. This is a restaurant doing seafood right in a city full of places that do it wrong or just okay.
Best strategy: Make a reservation for weekend lunch or early dinner to maximize your chances of outdoor seating. Start with oysters and the grilled octopus, then move on to either the fried shrimp or lobster cream pasta depending on your mood. Save room for the semi lava cake and order a Hurricane Nick because you are already committed to the full experience.
Who this is for: Seafood lovers, people celebrating special occasions, anyone who appreciates waterfront dining, and folks willing to drive to Brooklyn for exceptional food. Who this is not for: People on tight budgets, anyone who hates seafood, or diners who need things to be perfect rather than excellent with minor quirks.
The restaurant at 2777 Flatbush Ave in Brooklyn has earned its 4.3 star rating through consistency, quality, and genuine hospitality. Sometimes the best spots are not in Manhattan but at the edges where the city meets the water.