One man’s 40 restaurants in 60-day journey to discover New Brunswick’s top lobster roll

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Moncton’s Jason Gallant embarked on an impressive culinary journey this summer, visiting 40 restaurants across southern New Brunswick in just 60 days. His goal was to discover the best lobster rolls and fried clams in the region, an ambitious feat that had him sampling seafood delights from Shediac to St. Martins, and up to Rogersville.
Gallant, a local cook, social media influencer, and advocate for regional cuisine, set out to highlight the hidden gems of New Brunswick's seafood scene. "I wanted to showcase these amazing local businesses and the incredible food they offer," Gallant said during a recent visit to La Vue du Cap Canteen in Richibucto Village. His quest, dubbed the “lobster claw crawl,” was fueled by his own sponsorship and a deep passion for seafood.

In his journey, Gallant paid close attention to the essentials of a great lobster roll: fresh lobster, a touch of mayo (minus celery, which he dislikes), and, most importantly, a high-quality bun. His efforts resulted in a top ten list for both lobster rolls and fried clams, celebrating the best finds from his extensive tour.

One standout was La Vue du Cap Canteen, which secured a spot in Gallant’s top ten lobster rolls. Owner Luc Martin was thrilled by the recognition, noting, “We didn’t know him before he came here. We served him like a regular customer, and we’re glad he came.” Martin believes that love and tradition are crucial in crafting a memorable lobster roll. “If you don’t put love in it, it doesn’t taste the same way,” he shared.

A hand holds a lobster roll in a hot dog bun, wrapped in red and white checkered paper. CTV News

Gallant’s wife, Jessica, supported his adventurous spirit, though she admitted the constant absence was challenging. Despite the difficulties, she appreciated his dedication to showcasing the province’s food. “We often talk about how much great food there is and how to feature it more broadly,” Jessica said. Jason's frequent returns with leftovers helped ease the separation, though he admitted the sheer volume of lobster rolls and fried clams was quite filling.

Among the highlights of his journey was Spinney’s Seafood Market in St. Martins, which he named his top pick for lobster rolls, and Chez Leo Fried Clams in Shediac Bridge, which earned top honours for fried clams. Jason found the selection process tough, noting, “There’s 20 of them I could have put in the Top 10. It’s really hard.”

Despite the challenges, Gallant is already planning a similar adventure for next summer. The journey not only satisfied his culinary curiosity but also reached an impressive 1.3 million people on social media, underscoring the success of his project.

Jason’s top picks for lobster rolls in southern New Brunswick include:

1. Spinney’s Seafood Market
2. Lenny’s Takeout
3. Skipper Jack’s Maritime Restaurant
4. La Vue du Cap Canteen
5. Tony’s Bistro & Pâtisserie
6. Seaside Grazing
7. Grannan’s Seafood & Grill
8. Pirate De La Mer
9. The Sandbar
10. Euston Park Social

For fried clams, his top selections are:

Restaurant du Village de Saint-Antoine

Chez Leo Fried Clams

Golden Fry

Ponzi’s Restaurant

Pirate De La Mer

Spinney’s Seafood Market

Ossie’s Lunch

Billy’s Seafood Company

Bob’s Restaurant

Skipper Jack’s Maritime Restaurant