The oysters steamed are AMAZING. These are the best I have ever had. The restaurant has great vibes, and service is on point. read more

The Lobster Trap - The Lobster Trap Feast - Seafood Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

Another terrific meal at the Lobster Trap. Had our usuals and added the steamed bowl this time. Outstanding quality! read more

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Omg- some of the most amazing food that's in a long time. The scallops were cooked to perfection. They had a special on oysters that were fresh and delicious. The lobster roll was filled lobster and the buttery roll did not disappoint. This place is definitely the highlight of our trip to Asheville. read more

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The atmosphere is really nice. Staff is super nice. I love seafood and for the price I was expecting the best seafood I can get in Asheville. The only thing I liked was the mushrooms . The lobster bisque and the lobster Mac and cheese was a little bland to my liking. Honestly probably needed a little kick and more cheese. read more

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Bartender added tip money to my receipt. This is why I always take pictures. Credit card company fixed it already. Won't be returning. Some employee comments below saying the bartender has been there a whopping two years and he's reviewed all his receipts. I didn't tell you when it was, didn't tell you the amount, but somehow you've reviewed the receipt. Maybe reach out to confirm the situation first before refuting it blindly. read more

Cozy, casual restaurant in downtown Asheville with killer seafood We went to The Lobster Trap for the first time, for our anniversary. I was expecting it the atmosphere to be a little fancier -- I would've been a-ok staying in my sweatshirt and jeans. (This is not a complaint.) We started with the steamed shrimp. It came with drawn butter and cocktail sauce and was really well seasoned and delicious. All it needed was an extra wet-wipe or two, because I made a mess tearing into the shrimp. For our entrees, I had the crab cakes and my husband had the lobster roll. The crab cakes were outstanding -- all crab, hardly any filler, really nice crisp outside. They came with a corn pudding and coleslaw, both of which were lackluster. The corn pudding was excessively sweet and the coleslaw lacked flavor and looked pretty anemic. The lobster roll was terrific. The lobster was lightly dressed and had a great flavor, and the bread was perfect. He subbed out the chips for grilled broccolini, which was tender and tasty. Next time I'll skip the sides, but overall we really enjoyed our meal. I'm glad we finally tried The Lobster Trap! read more

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Excellent food: this is why we returned. This place never fails. Great music for a wonderful upbeat atmosphere. This service from Janie was superb. We had the lobster roll and the oysters Rockefeller. The last time we had the lobster and it was the best. The LAVENDER MULE was my favorite. Best drink of the trip. read more

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Seafood in the mountains!! We tried the lobster roll and the steam bowl with mussels and clams. The bowl was a large portion for the price/ definitely comfort food in a bowl. White wine butter broth, served with a fresh baguette. Love the ambiance. Bar seating- we were served by the best bartender! Proving us a little high for some dishes. However food is delicious!! read more

The Lobster Trap - Seafood Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

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Amazing seafood! This place is a gem! Everything was great and fresh the smoked trout dip was amazing! Definitely a must try read more

The Lobster Trap - Maple Bacon Scallops City Bakery Barley Baguette - Seafood Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

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Came here on a random Tuesday after finding it on yelp. I was by myself so I took a seat at the bar. The bartender was friendly and made me a sangria. Surprisingly it was $1 oyster night, so I started off with 6 oysters. They were good for being only $1! The restaurant was quite busy but everything came out quickly. I got the steamed mussels as my meal, the broth could have been more flavorful, but overall a good meal. read more

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Perfect Birthday Dinner! We had an absolutely wonderful experience here for a birthday celebration. Everything--from the service to the food--was spot on. It felt special without being stuffy, and the staff made us feel truly welcome. We hope to return the next time we're in Asheville read more

The Lobster Trap - Lobster - Seafood Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

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Table for 2 for Dinner We had just wrapped up our tour and took a short stroll over to the restaurant. As we walked in, I let the host know we had a reservation. Within minutes, we were seated in a spacious booth--perfectly situated near the live band with a clear view of the open kitchen. Our server came by promptly to take our drink orders. I went with a Voodoo Ranger IPA, while wifey ordered a lemonade. We took a few moments to browse the menu before placing our entrée orders. I chose the crab cakes with a side of broccolini, and Wifey went with the lobster roll. Our server gave the option for a hot or chilled lobster preparation and she quickly chose the hot version--definitely the right call. While we waited, we soaked in the atmosphere. The live music was on point, the dining room was buzzing, and the open kitchen added a nice touch of energy. Our food came out soon after. My crab cakes were spot-on--crispy outside, flavorful inside--and Wifey really enjoyed her lobster roll. From start to finish, the experience was excellent. Great ambiance, quality service, live music--it all came together seamlessly. No doubt about it, we'll be coming back the next time we're in town. read more

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Another wonderful visit to Lobster Trap tonite. I had a craving for cioppino, and it is back on their menu. Sadly they've replaced the Dungie crab on the menu with snow crab. It worked fine in the cioppino, but my wife opted for the peel and eat shrimp instead of snow crab legs. I opted for the bacon wrapped scallops with maple syrup as my starter, and the scallops were fresh and perfectly cooked. I lived for 30 years on California's central and north coasts, and have spent entire vacations chasing the best cioppino, and Lobster Trap's is right up there with the best - the broth is just out of this world. And this trip they had Fat Tire Amber ale to wash it all down with. Yay! As always, their service was top notch, our waitress was friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive without being overbearing. My only complaint was the live music. It's a small place, and even seated as far away from the musicians as possible, I found the music way too loud. But as long as the food is as good as it is, I'll keep finding my way back. read more

Man, what a great find! Fair pricing for high quality meals. We found it by searching for live music at livemusicasheville.com, hoping for good food and a show. We were not disappointed. After a pleasant greeting from the hostess, you walk into a logistically well-designed space, long and narrow (shaped like a lobster trap), with tasteful sea photos and a lovely vibe. The appetizer menu is extensive. For us, incredible oysters came first - displayed well on an ice tray with labels for each variety, shucked expertly (not a single piece of shell; all feet cleanly dislodged; brine intact). We've been out of the South for a minute, so we nearly wept with appreciation when crackers were served along with. The one-man band was sweet, talented. His volume was perfect, and he really added to the experience. The only stumble was really our fault; we tried to get one of the cocktails made wine-spritzer style, and failed. Stick to the cocktail menu and you'll be fine. Or the wine list, which is well-planned for the restaurant's offerings. We had the Double with lobster and crab and found both perfectly -- PERFECTLY -- cooked. A luscious blend of sweet and salty; nice and warm, juicy, tender. Ditto the corn and potato accompaniments. Service was excellent: our server was prompt, friendly, even genuinely connected to us and our experience. A treat on every level. read more

The Lobster Trap - We opted for three of the four fresh oyster options; the Frosties and Moon Shoal were best. Mild, sweet, a perfect size. - Seafood Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

Nice place for seafood in Asheville. The lobster stuffed mushrooms were just ok to me but seem to be very popular. The casino oysters were really good but small. The drinks and service were both amazing! read more

Everything was Awesome. From the food to the service. Atmosphere is Great! Loved the live Lobster Tank..

The Lobster Trap should be featured on a Best Thing I Ever Ate episode. Absolutely nailed it. read more

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Average at best. The bad: No private parking Food was average especially for what you pay. Way too hyped up. I expected more The good: great service, great band play that nice and they had a wide selection of drinks. But for what it was I have had better. This is a one and done. read more

We came here for my birthday with my in laws, looking for some good seafood action . Thanks to Emily for making sure my wife got a table (we made the reservation with her a week in advance. It was busy but our server Jordan was a ROCK STAR. He works the bar but was a server that night as well. He was everywhere, running back & forth from floor to bar . When he had to mix drinks the other servers would check on our table. We never wanted for a thing! The restaurant has an open case area where you can see the chefs making the food and where the lobsters are. We started with the seared scallops in a pesto sauce & bowl of steamed mussels which was wonderful. My main was Cioppino which was a selection of crab/mussels/clams in a seasoned broth & came with toasted baguette for dipping. Was fantastic. Wife had grilled salmon with gnocchi in a mouth watering sage butter sauce & fresh asparagus. Sister in law had shrimp & grits. Bro in law had the surf & turf platter, which turned out to be a really generous portion. Everything cooked PERFECTLY. The food was phenomenal and the cocktails were delicious! The atmosphere is casual & had two guitarists playing an acoustic set of light tunes. Hands down the BEST restaurant experience we've had since moving south. Don't pass up a chance to eat at the Lobster Trap. read more

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Solid food in downtown Asheville. Was in town for a girls weekend and this place was suggested by a local. Parking was easy to find for across the street. Upon arrival we were immediately sat for our reservations. The drinks came out promptly. Everything was tasty and portion sizes were great. My only complaint is my lobster bisque had no visible lobster in it. That was a little disappointing. The live music was the perfect background. It wasn't too loud and we could still have a normal conversation. Next time in Asheville, I'll be back to try something new. read more

The Lobster Trap - Seafood Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

Such a cute place. We LOVED the trout & risotto dish. I personally don't care for risotto but this dish was AMAZING! If you like risotto this dish is a must! read more

The Lobster Trap - Trout, risotto, chorizo, wilted spinach. - Seafood Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

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The Awesome - the red snapper dish was unctuously delicious - mousse was sinful - the salad and soup - wow! Prepared and seasoned so well! - the corn and potatoes that came with the lobster was cooked perfectly. - the music - very jazzy, and eclectic but not obtrusive. - service and reservation process - attentive. The reservation was virtually effortless. The price - not outrageous considering what we ordered The Good - the lobster was a little too firm - decor and space was a little tight and almost shoulder to shoulder with other guests but despite that, I was pleasant. The decor could use a splash of another color as the red can be a little overwhelming. The Not-So-Good Parking - get an Uber instead of finding parking. Best advice my concierge gave me. I wish I could give a 4 and a 1/2 stars instead of five. So I will leave it at 4 even though they deserve a higher score. But I will say I will return when I come back to Asheville. Truly enjoyed our time. PS - this was our 27 year anniversary dinner! read more

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Fresh seafood. Good size lobsters, king crabs, snow crabs legs. Service is on 3.5 Authentic atmosphere, nice interior designs Free parking lot if you will find it read more

We ate exceedingly well on this little Asheville getaway, and The Lobster Trap was the favorite for both of us. We had the bacon-wrapped scallops and oysters as our apps. Both were delicious. My husband thoroughly enjoyed his lobster roll. I had the cioppino which, while good, was different from the San Francisco style I expected. I prefer the SF style but that didn't stop me from eating every bite. Our experience was made even better by the excellent band and our server Matt. Matt had a lot of tables to serve, and stayed on top of it all beautifully, including taking the time to chat about ingredients and sourcing. read more

If we come to Asheville, we go at least once to Lobster Trap. We've been in 2014, 2018, and now in 2023. (We currently live in Idaho) Never disappointed, nor were we this time. We love the raw oysters, and this time splurged on a gigantic dinner (lobster, clams, mussels, shrimp, corn, potatoes) - couldn't "quite" eat it all, but ice was provided to preserve some for the next day. Service fantastic, they even worked to seat us earlier (as we had driven an hour to make it on time, and their reservation for us said an hour later than we had made it (in our opinion, who knows?) Fantastic place... see you in 2027, or maybe earlier this next time? read more

The Lobster Trap - I guess I'd call this the "Lobster Bake" but I don't know specifically. - Seafood Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

Our meal here was delicious! Stopped by just to check out the oysters, so glad we tried more than that! I definitely recommend sitting at the seafood bar. Everything we had was delicious. From the raw oysters, to the cooked, to the bacon wrapped scallops, the lobster roll, the bisque, and even the bread and whipped butter was amazing. It all went along perfectly with some bubbly. Anytime I'm in Asheville, I'll be sure to make a stop here for some deliciousness!!! read more

We've heard a lot about The Lobster Trap and are happy that we finally decided to give it a try. Our first impression was of the fresh seafood counter with oysters and live lobsters. Our server was friendly and efficient and food arrived without much delay. Our table of four guys made ordered a table full of food including appetizers, entrees and three full side dishes. The lobster stuffed mushrooms and maple bacon scallops (small dishes) were tasty but both included maple syrup that was a bit heavy for my taste. Two of us had the shrimp & grits that had a nicely spiced sausage gravy, one had fish, and the other a large salad. Sides included broccolini, mac & cheese and brussel sprouts. Seating in the back beyond the bar was on hard benches that were too low for the table. Next time I'll ask to be seated up front. Noise level was average and the lighting was a bit bright. All in all we'll definitely go back. read more

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My Uber driver passed this tip to me this afternoon. He was spot on. I had six oysters three from Duxbury and three I don't remember, but all Massachusetts. They were fresh and tasty and for dinner I had crab cakes, which were also fresh and very tasty. Who would have known fresh fish. Asheville. It was quiet tonight, but supposedly Friday and Saturdays gets a nice crowd. The bartender whose name is Jorden was on top of his game and very friendly and nice. read more

Waiter Scott was ON top of the service for celebrating 4 major happenings in our lives so accommodating and fast with our dinner, dessert! The table was perfect , hostess great, restrooms nice! Hope to come back soon we're from Jersey! 5 Stars to this restaurant! read more

we ordered the lobster bisque and two lobster entree. The lobster bisque was very good with a couple small lumps of lobster meat. The two lobsters were very fresh and steamed. I always wish that seafood restaurants that offer lobster and crab would have but the pictured implement. it makes the eating process so much more efficient. we requested a table away from the live music and they graciously complied. read more

The Lobster Trap - the best lobster for reaching all those delightful tidbits - Seafood Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

After being in North Carolina on and off since 1974, I finally decided to take my lazy ass to Asheville for the weekend and see what all the hubbub is about. Boy, am I glad I did! Although it took longer to travel via the Blue Ridge Parkway, that was my favorite part of the whole trip. I would love to park the car at a designated overview and sit and look at the marvel of the lush hills and valleys and mountains. I found an affordable and nice hotel walkable distance to downtown Asheville and decided for once in my life to go to restaurants and order what I want to order and not always look at the price. I searched Yelp to see what the options were and my eyes kept gravitating towards The Lobster Trap. I remember my daughter Devon telling me that the ability to get a whole lobster in Greensboro is quite limited and so I was intrigued by having one in Asheville. The last time I had a whole lobster was when I graduated Middle School! Don't you think it was time for a second one? The frugal me clutched my pearls when I saw that it was $43, but then I know that my kids would spend that in a heartbeat if that's what they wanted. It was time to learn from them and treat myself. If they inherit $43 less for me when I die, they will survive! The Lobster Trap is located right in the heart of downtown Asheville. It just took me 10 minutes from my hotel to get there by foot. The ambiance was fine, spacious with lots of tables and a full service bar. I was able to make a reservation and so my table was waiting for me when I arrived at 7:15. Jordan I believe was his name, was the bartender and my waiter. He had a hard job handling both tables and bar but I found him very pleasant and really working as hard as he could to be there for everybody! Jordan suggested the bacon-wrapped scallops for an appetizer. It did not sound very kosher to me but then again I was having lobster as the main course LOL. The scallops were indeed scrumptious, covered in a maple-like syrup that gave it an extra zing. I enjoyed it it . I usually NEVER order an appetizer; especially one that is $13. What the hell!! Then came the long-awaited whole lobster adorned with corn and potatoes. The bib came on, the tools were in hand and I began to devour that baby from head to toe. I even allowed myself to dip everything in the melted butter. I had a ball. Lobster sure is delicious and I wish it were cheaper because it has an amazing taste. I devoured it all including the corn and potatoes. I included a photo of the menu because there were some other amazing things including a whole lobster that is smothered in other seafood. That's for my next visit! The bill was a little high for me, but not really when you consider I had a whole lobster and a large appetizer and drink and tax and tip. And that's when I told myself to stop being so frugal and enjoy the meal... Which I most definitely did! After dinner, it's so nice to stroll through downtown Asheboro and see all the wonderful shops, boutiques, stores, hotels and restaurants. Quite a charming downtown, if I may say so. So next time you are in Western Carolina and craving one of the sea's delicacies, I highly recommend you head over to The Lobster Trap, strap on that bib and dive in! read more

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Anytime we are in Asheville. We always make a point to go to the lobster trap. Even after hurricane Helene when they reopened, it was not to disappoint. We had a three different selection of oysters on the half shell that were delicious and we had the lobster dinner With the potatoes and corn on the cob. Everything was just as we remembered. We will definitely be coming back. Our waiter was awesome and took care of us from beginning to end. It's always a fun place to go, especially when they have live music. read more

Oysters were well recommended and very fresh. Ordered the whole lobster grilled and it was cooked perfectly. Sometimes grilling it gets overdone, but not here. The green salad was tasty, but pretty small for the price. Wait staff was very nice and super refreshingly honest about menu likes/dislikes. I'd call it 4.5 stars if Yelp did halvsies. read more

The Lobster Trap - Seafood Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

Delicious food! Great atmosphere! The lobster mac is wonderful! Great for a date night or dinner with family/friends! read more

Back to a rating of 5. Last year not so great but this year absolutely great. Our server, Branson was wonderful. We ordered the grilled lobster, the baguette with butter, half a dozen house oysters(half price day), and a side salad. The lobster was out of this world great...tender, tasty and huge. The bread was warm soft and served with tasty butter and a lot of it. Side salad was very good. The only down side were the oysters. My mother always said "you get what you pay for". Like I said "service" was great. Recommend. Will definitely return. Great atmosphere. read more

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Oysters were delicious! Tender, delicate and briny. Prepared perfectly. The Sangria was cold and refreshing but the star of the show was the Lobster Roll. The bun was warm and toasted and held a very generous amount of lobster meat which was cooked perfectly! The only recommendation I would make is to offer slaw along with the chips as a side. Definitely will go back! read more

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I stayed in Asheville only a block away from this place. Not sure why I didn't think of coming here before, but I'm glad I did. Excellent food. Seafood soup was excellent as well as the lobster. Friendly staff. Not your average seafood restaurant but more cafe style. Be ready to have a conversation with the other diners there. You'll have a good time. read more

We got the Lobster Trap Clam Bake for 2. Wow! Lots of food. Our daughter got Lobster Newburg. David was our server, he was very sweet and attentive. They have a cute little bar and an open kitchen. Definitely recommend for a seafood lover. read more

We certainly can see why this place is very popular. The staff are friendly and quick to greet you and do their best to get a table ready for you. The place has the right vibe to get a decent meal with a live band playing soft jazz We had the Bacon wrapped scallops, stuffed mushrooms and lobster bisque the first night. And we returned again and had the steamed mussels and clams and lobster roll. The bartender here are wonderful and they work hard preparing the drinks. Thank you for making our visit to this place a memorable one. read more

The Lobster Trap - The lobster roll. - Seafood Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

My Wife and I were very excited to try this place because we wanted to eat at the best restaurant in Asheville. We got confirmation from TikTok and the reviews that this was the place to eat at in Asheville! Our reservation was set for 5:45 and we couldn't wait! When we arrived the Host sat us at our table and we began to look at the menu....We Wanted Everything! Our waiter greeted us, and we began to order. We asked for the spinach and crab oysters and our waiter said ok and walked away.....we weren't even done ordering appetizers. So once he came back we asked for the steamed Shrimp but again I wasn't done ordering because he seemed to be in such a rush. We were able to order drinks once he came back but it seemed like we had to order everything one by one which really ruined the flow of the dining experience. After appetizers we were ready to order our main course meals. Once our waiter arrived we told him we were ready to order and he said ok. I started off with ordering the salmon Wellington for my wife our waiter stated ok and said "are yall going to share that?" While putting away his server book as if we were done ordering. I replied no I was ordering that for her. As I'm ordering a couple more things I noticed that almost after everything I said he tried to put his pad away as if we were done and we were inconveniencing him. I finally gave up trying to order because I was getting a little frustrating. ( I'm a chef so my wife and I like to try almost everything on the menu at ANY restaurant we dine at). For Main course My wife had the Salmon Wellington, and Brussel Sprouts while I had the NY Strip (Medium) with Lobster Mac Broccolini and a side of mashed potato's. The steak was extremely overcooked more of a well done 0/10, the taste was very unpleasant it was impossible for me to eat the steak. Mashed potatoes 8/10, creamy & rich taste. Broccolini 7/10 the flavor was good and the Broccolini was fresh. Lobster Mac & Cheese, I was very disappointed in this one because it said that it was their award winning Mac. Unfortunately mine came out cold but the flavor was still there I'm not going to take that away 7/10. Salmon Wellington 9/10. The salmon was perfectly cooked, the pastry around it had a decadent flavor the rice was cooked perfectly the sauce was immaculate and it sent my taste buds on an adventure. Brussel sprouts 2/10 they were as hard as a rock. I had to hit them on my plate a couple of times just to make sure I wasn't exaggerating. Lavender Lemon drop martini 10/10. Sweet Tea 100/10. Even though our server refreshed it with unsweetened tea one of the host quickly fixed his mistake and gave me another one of those delicious Sweet Iced Teas. I think the experience would have been better if the waiter was a little more attentive I remember at one point he finally checked on us and said how's the food ? We replied "it's ok" and before we could say anything else....Guess what, he walked away. The manager did everything in his power to make things right. I may consider coming back because of that Salmon Wellington but it's going to take some time :( read more

The Lobster Trap - Seafood Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

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