Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
oChef » Luke’s Lobster – San Francisco
Luke's Lobster - San Francisco
Photo from Luke’s Lobster
Luke's Lobster at a glance
San Francisco Transbay
- 🦞 Seafood Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 121 of the guests
#954 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#11 Seafood Restaurant out of 48 in San Francisco
Good
7.7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
468
Reviews
76.7%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Fresh seafood
- Great atmosphere
- Friendly staff
Frequently criticized
- High price
- Flavor inconsistency
- Order issues
The restaurant, Luke’s Lobster, is a popular Seafood Restaurant located in San Francisco’s vibrant Transbay neighborhood. You’ll discover a casual and trendy atmosphere perfect for enjoying fresh catches.
Whether you’re looking for a quick bite, happy hour drinks, or a full dinner, this spot offers a delightful experience. With options like organic dishes and a selection of wine and beer, it caters to various tastes.
Overview: Introducting Luke's Lobster
Luke’s Lobster offers a compelling seafood experience, often praised for its fresh lobster and inviting ambience. Many patrons appreciate the friendly and attentive staff, contributing to a positive dining atmosphere.
While the core offerings are generally well-received, some find the overall value proposition a point of contention. Despite the positive aspects, a recurring concern revolves around the price point, with some guests feeling the portions don’t quite match the cost.
There are also occasional remarks about certain food items lacking a distinct flavor, suggesting some inconsistency in preparation. Overall, it presents a mixed but generally favorable picture.
Good
7.7
out of 10
468
Reviews
76.7%
Satisfaction
80
negative
29
neutral
359
positive
Luke’s Lobster garners a respectable overall score of 7.7, indicating a good dining experience, which aligns well with a solid customer satisfaction rate of 76.7%. These figures, drawn from 468 customer observations, with 359 positive remarks against 80 negative ones, suggest a largely contented customer base.
The culinary offerings stand out, with Food scoring an impressive (8.1), highlighting the quality of their seafood. The Ambience also contributes significantly to the appeal, achieving a strong (8.2).
Service is consistently good at (7.5), reflecting a positive interaction with the staff. However, the Value aspect trails behind at (4.4), suggesting that while the experience is enjoyable, the cost-to-portion ratio could be a point of consideration for some diners.
What people like
- Delicious fresh seafood
- Inviting atmosphere
- Friendly, attentive staff
What people don't like
- High price point
- Inconsistent food flavor
- Order fulfillment issues
With a recommendation score of 7.9, Luke’s Lobster is generally a worthwhile destination, especially if you prioritize quality seafood and a pleasant dining environment. It’s a solid choice for those seeking well-prepared lobster and a friendly atmosphere, making it a good option for a casual meal or a treat.
However, be mindful of the pricing, as the value for money is a common concern. If you’re looking for an indulgent seafood experience and are prepared for a higher price point, Luke’s Lobster delivers on its core promise, but manage expectations regarding portion sizes and occasional flavor consistency.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Luke's Lobster
Food (8.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 95% of the guests
When it comes to the food here, youre in for a treat! With a good score of 8.1 and a good customer satisfaction of 80.9%, its clear most diners are delighted. Out of 278 remarks, a whopping 225 praise the fresh lobster meat, delicious lobster rolls, and generous portion sizes, often highlighting excellent gluten-free options.
However, not every bite is perfect, with 34 negative comments pointing out some areas for improvement. A few found the lobster rolls to lack flavor or seasoning, while others mentioned food being served cold or the clam chowder being watery. Some also felt portions could be small.
Food
278
Reviews
80%
Satisfaction
34
negative
19
neutral
225
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh lobster meat
- Delicious lobster rolls
- Great gluten-free options
What people don't like
- Lacks flavor sometimes
- Food served cold
- Watery clam chowder
Often praised
- foodThe food is on the pricey side but soo delicious
- lobster rollEach flight came with chips and a drink, and free water was provided. The first flight featured a shrimp roll, Jonah crab roll, and a lobster roll, with an added snow crab roll. The second flight had four lobster rolls with different sauces: two lemon butter, one truffle butter, and one hot honey sauce.
- lobsterThe lobster is super scrumptious. Surprisingly tender.
- clam chowderMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic, especially with their gluten-free options! I was thrilled to find gluten-free clam chowder, lobster bisque, AND rolls. OMG!
- shrimpLobster, crab and shrimp. All three were excellent!!
- crabLobster, crab and shrimp. All three were excellent!!
- lobster bisqueMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic, especially with their gluten-free options! I was thrilled to find gluten-free clam chowder, lobster bisque, AND rolls. OMG!
- rollsAND rolls!!! OMG! It was all sooo good!!!
- chipsIt offers a considerable amount of seating for its size, with fun sea-themed décor. Each flight came with chips and a drink, and free water was provided. The first flight featured a shrimp roll, Jonah crab roll, and a lobster roll, with an added snow crab roll.
- seafoodThey have some of the best seafood around!!
Frequently criticized
- lobsterdisgusting.. I couldn't even eat it@ a lobster
- foodunfortunately I wasn’t impressed with the food
- lobster rollthe lobster roll is loaded with lobster but it lacks flavor
- breadwish they would roast the bread in butter for more flavor
- clam chowderclam chowder also not as good as Boston one
- flavorit just overall lacked flavor
- food qualityThis has happened to me multiple times, leading to their removal from MealPal for a period. Additionally, the food quality is questionable; it's not very fresh, which is surprising given the price. Sometimes, the food has an off or fishy taste.
- lobster mac and cheeseThe lobster mac and cheese was also purchased it was too watery
- lobster rollsNothing special about this lobster rolls
- sandwichMy wife tried the lobster roll and loved the flavor, but found the sandwich to be small. The service and atmosphere were excellent, both rated 5/5.
If you're craving fresh, quality seafood, especially lobster rolls with great gluten-free choices, this place is definitely worth a try. Just be mindful that some experiences mention inconsistent seasoning or temperature, so set your expectations accordingly.
Service (7.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 63% of the guests
The service here generally shines, boasting a good score of 7.5 and a customer satisfaction rate of 72.7%, which is also considered good. Based on 72 positive remarks out of 99 total, many guests rave about the friendly staff and excellent service. Patrons frequently highlight the helpful staff and overall hospitality, often noting quick service and a genuinely positive attitude from the team.
However, it's not always smooth sailing, with 22 negative comments pointing to areas for improvement. Some customers encountered issues with online order pickups, finding the restaurant closed or orders not ready. There were also mentions of significant waiting time at the counter, a slow ordering process, and occasional concerns about staff attitude or self-service setups.
Service
99
Reviews
72%
Satisfaction
22
negative
5
neutral
72
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, helpful staff
- Excellent customer service
- Quick service
What people don't like
- Long waiting times
- Online order issues
- Inconsistent staff attitude
Often praised
- serviceThe service, the ambience and the quality of the lobster very good!
- staffSince I didn't have time to go to the beach, it was great to be able to eat a delicious clam chowder soup and crab sandwich near my scheduled location. The staff were friendly and the indoor space was nice!
- ServiceMy lunch experience was delicious, and the service was wicked-good! I especially enjoyed the awesome lobstah and the Allagash White on tap.
- peoplethe people are even better!
- Alexbeing served by Alex you’re in for a treat
- Alex & JohnnyAlex& Johnny are my go see here
- LukeLuke the guy who works there is amazing and positive
- SeanSean was absolutely amazing
- TrevorTrevor is super friendly and chill
- Trevor and CodyTrevor and Cody took great care of me
Frequently criticized
- waiting timegood 10-15 min waiting time at the counter
- MealPal orderMy experience picking up a MealPal order for a lobster roll on Friday was disappointing. The restaurant was closed despite their listed hours.
- StaffThe staff wasn't very friendly, they just went through the motions when interacting with me.
- Uber Eats failedUber Eats failed to support wasting my time
- business and Uberboth the business and Uber are at fault
- cashierasked the cashier is this a hot sandwich he said yes
- location closedlocation closed with a lock on door
- loyalty cardcould not validate my loyalty card
- managementCrummy management who understaffed
- online ordersaid order ready at 12:45pm. Come to the store and it was closed
If youre seeking a dining spot with generally friendly and efficient service, youll likely find it here. Just be aware that some online order issues or occasional longer waits have been reported, which could be a minor snag in an otherwise good experience.
Ambience (8.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 39% of the guests
The ambience here truly shines, earning a good 8.2 score and an excellent 90% customer satisfaction, based on 60 total observations. Guests consistently rave about the cool vibe and atmosphere, often highlighting the decor and clean space. Many enjoy the trendy feel, great music, and comfortable seating, making it a friendly and pleasant place to dine in.
However, not every aspect of the ambience hits the mark. While only 5 comments were negative, some found the atmosphere a major letdown, and a few mentioned disliking the chairs. The street parking situation also posed an inconvenience for some, suggesting a few areas where the overall experience could be even smoother.
Ambience
60
Reviews
90%
Satisfaction
5
negative
1
neutral
54
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great vibe
- Cool decor
- Clean space
What people don't like
- Major atmosphere letdown
- Uncomfortable chairs
- Street parking only
Often praised
- atmosphereLuke Lobster consistently delivers fresh seafood, and the staff are friendly. The atmosphere is great, and the space is quite nice. If you want to have seafood, just come to Luke Lobster.
- placeI'm unsure if the chips were included with our meal, but if so, the staff reminded us of them. The place is also cute. The food, however, was horrible.
- seatingThe restaurant is conveniently located and easy to find. It offers a considerable amount of seating for its size, with fun sea-themed décor. Each flight came with chips and a drink, and free water was provided.
- vibeMy experience at the restaurant was fantastic, largely due to Luke, an employee who is amazing and positive about life. His energy created a good whole vibe inside the place. I would love to come back again!
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- ambienceThe service, the ambience and the quality of the lobster very good!
- DecorOn the downside, the staff wasn't very friendly, seeming to just go through the motions. The place itself was clean with great decor. I highly recommend the rolls.
- PlacePlace was clean and great decor.
- casual atmosphereThe casual atmosphere of the restaurant adds to the overall experience
- classic hitsplaying a mix of classic hits and old classics
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereThe atmosphere was also a major letdown
- chairsi don’t like the chairs
- cleanlinesssome cleanliness
- crowdedWasn’t crowded on a weekday evening
- street parkingStreet parking only
If a great vibe and cool decor are high on your list, this spot is definitely worth checking out for its inviting atmosphere. Just be prepared for potential street parking and perhaps a less-than-perfect seating arrangement, but the overall experience is highly positive.
Value (4.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 23% of the guests
Despite a challenging customer satisfaction of 25.8%, the overall score for value hovers at an average 4.4. Some diners did find the price fair, feeling they got what we paid for and that certain combos offered a good amount of money for a lovely treat. However, a significant number of the 31 opinions, with 19 negative compared to 8 positive, highlight concerns.
Many felt it was pricey for the portion size, with some suggesting the cost was tied to the brand and location rather than the food itself. Even the tip at checkout raised eyebrows.
Value
31
Reviews
25%
Satisfaction
19
negative
4
neutral
8
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fair price perception
- Good combo deals
- Worth a treat
What people don't like
- Too pricey
- Small portion sizes
- Poor value for money
Often praised
- priceit's not too expensive
- amount of moneyspent a decent amount of money for lunch
- comboTienen un combo en la que te incluyen una bebida y acompañamiento que vale la pena!
- got what we paid forfelt we got what we paid for
- pricesprices were fair
- treatit makes a lovely treat
- worth every centWorth every cent!
Frequently criticized
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing, particularly regarding the rolls. I felt they were not worth the price, suggesting the cost was driven by the brand and location rather than the food quality. I've had better rolls from food trucks in the Bay Area.
- $42Literally wasted $42
- brand and locationcharging for the brand and the location
- foodFood is expensive for what you get
- moneytakes money in with no food
- portion sizeKinda pricey for the portion size.
- priceyThe food was great, the people were great, and they were pretty damn quick on serving the food. However, it was kinda pricey.
- tip at checkoutstill asked for a tip at checkout
- value for moneyTOTALLY not worth it!
Value here is a mixed bag, with an average score of 4.4 but low customer satisfaction at 25.8%. If youre looking for a special treat or a specific combo, you might find it acceptable, but many consider it pricey for the portion size and not always worth every cent'.
How are the prices at Luke's Lobster?
You’re looking at roughly 38 per person – reported by 121 diners. That puts it in the $31–$40 category. For a Seafood Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While the average hovers around 38, our data shows a nice spread. Many guests find great value in the $21–$30 range, but there are also plenty who opt for dishes in the $41–$50 bracket, suggesting a menu with options for various budgets.
This chart shows what people usually spend per person, using the 121 most recent reviews.
Heres how this restaurants value for money compares to similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Seafood Restaurant in San Francisco. It offers a good range of options, so you can tailor your experience to your budget.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Luke's Lobster
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Best Lobster Roll Ever!
My experience at this restaurant was overwhelmingly positive, centered around an absolutely incredible lobster roll. I can honestly say it's the best I've ever had in my entire life, featuring meaty and buttery pieces. I also tried the truffle butter, which was amazing.
The staff were incredibly kind and cool. My only minor complaint is about the chairs, but otherwise, everything was perfect! I'm so impressed that I'm begging them to open a location in Toronto so I can eat there every day!
- lobster roll10
- meaty and buttery pieces10
- truffle butter9
- chairs3
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Takeout
9
Delicious Bisque and Great Service!
My experience was fantastic! I picked up food via the TooGoodToGo app and had the lobster bisque and clam chowder, which were absolutely delicious. The lobster bisque was particularly very, very good.
I was extremely pleased with the food. When I went to pick up my order, the staff member was very pleasant, nice, and had good energy. He even gave me a free water, which was very nice.
Thank you! I will definitely be returning to your restaurant again, this time to sit in and enjoy the ambience. Can't wait to see you guys soon.
- lobster bisque10
- clam chowder9
- staff10
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Family
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
8
Solid Lobster Rolls and Seafood Variety
I visited this casual spot for lunch on a Sunday, and it was completely empty. The ordering process is straightforward: order at the counter, find a seat, and your food is brought to you. We tried the lobster roll flight and the seafood roll flight, each featuring three 2oz half rolls.
Both flights came with a bag of chips and a soft drink. The lobster meat was fresh and well-seasoned across all flavors, and the portions were quite generous. The brioche buns were soft and fluffy.
The kids were also pleased with the assortment of seafood rolls.
- lobster roll flight9
- seafood roll flight9
- lobster meat9
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Delivery
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Amazing Lobster, Worth the DoorDash!
My experience was through DoorDash, and the food was still amazing. The bread was perfectly crunchy and sweet :)). I added my own flair with trout caviar and king salmon lox.
The lobster was super scrumptious and surprisingly tender. It was NOT flaky/sandy/gritty, which is a common issue with lobster places due to bad quality or poor cooking. Thank goodness we have this spot in SF!
- bread9
- lobster10
- lobster texture10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
7
Great Lobster Roll, Missed Topping
My experience at the restaurant involved enjoying the classic Luke's lobster roll. Unfortunately, I realized too late, on my last bite, that I had forgotten to add the white truffle butter, which was an option I noticed. : (Key aspects of my experience: * Food Quality: The lobster roll itself was enjoyable.
* Missed Opportunity: I regretted not adding the white truffle butter.
- classic Luke's lobster roll8
- white truffle butter5
What Luke's Lobster offers
Crowd
- Transgender safespace
- Tourists
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Family-friendly
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Kids' menu
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Bar onsite
- Restroom
Offerings
- Happy hour drinks
- Quick bite
- Wine
- Beer
- Organic dishes
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Catering
- Brunch
- Counter service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Curbside pickup
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Parking
- Usually difficult to find a space
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What kind of atmosphere and dining options does Luke's Lobster SoMa offer?
At Luke’s Lobster SoMa, you can expect a casual and trendy setting. You have various dining options including lunch, dinner, and dessert, with seating available. They also provide counter service and catering for your events.
Does Luke's Lobster SoMa cater to specific dietary preferences or offer family-friendly amenities?
Yes, Luke’s Lobster SoMa offers vegetarian options and organic dishes to accommodate different preferences. For families, you’ll find a dedicated kids’ menu and high chairs, making it a good choice for children.
What is the overall customer sentiment for Luke's Lobster?
Luke’s Lobster holds an overall score of **7.7** with a customer satisfaction rate of **76.7%**, indicating a generally good experience. Customers particularly appreciate the **Food** (8.1), **Ambience** (8.2), and **Service** (7.5), though **Value** (4.4) is noted as an area for improvement.
What do customers say about the food quality at Luke's Lobster?
Many customers praise the delicious and tender lobster, crab, and shrimp, often highlighting the quality of their rolls and gluten-free options. However, some opinions suggest that certain items can lack flavor or freshness, and portions might be considered small by some.
Is Luke's Lobster considered good value for money?
Opinions on value are mixed. While some customers feel they receive fair value for their money, a significant number find the prices to be on the higher side for the portion sizes, suggesting it’s more of a special occasion treat than an everyday meal.