Photo: Unsplash
Alive & Kicking Lobsters
Seafood · Cambridge Highlands · Since 1992
Opened 1992
Started in the late 1980s with founder Louis Salemy selling lobster from the side of a truck before settling at the Putnam Ave seafood market. Serves lobster-salad rolls on toasted Scali bread at cash-only counter prices.
~ The Intelligence Report ~
Cambridge Dining Intelligence
“Cambridge's best-kept secret for lobster rolls. Wholesale fish market prices, incredibly fresh lobster, generous portions. No frills, just exceptional product. Cash only, worth any wait.”
— Guide to Cambridge · Dining Intelligence
This place is exceptional for
Best Lobster Roll in Cambridge
Unbeatable freshness at wholesale prices
Best Value Seafood
Market prices, massive portions
What they nail
- Incredibly fresh lobster
- Wholesale pricing
- Generous portions
- Simple, perfect execution
- No tourist markup
Before you go
- Cash only
- Limited hours (closed Sundays)
- Counter service only
- Lines can be long
- Far from T station (25 min walk)
The maître d' recommends
- Lobster roll (Connecticut style - warm with butter)
- Lobster roll (Maine style - cold with mayo)
- Fresh whole lobsters to take home
Best for
Value
How this rating was built
Methodology →Under $15 per person
Fresh lobster rolls at wholesale prices. Counter service, no frills, just incredible lobster. Cash only, lines common, worth the wait.
The Maitre d' Recommends
The Vibe
Alive & Kicking is a hidden gem—literally. A blue house in a residential Cambridge neighborhood holds one of the region's best lobster sandwiches at wholesale prices. No hot dog buns here; ask for "lobster roll" and the staff will correct you. This is lobster as it should be: fresh, generous, and served without pretense.
Comfortable conversation level
Why It's Great
Cambridge's Best-Kept Lobster Secret at Wholesale Prices
Some places don't want to be found. Alive & Kicking sits in a blue house on a residential street, marked only by a small sign and the line of people who know what's inside. This is a working lobster pound that happens to serve the public—fresh lobster at prices that make coastal restaurants look foolish.
Don't ask for a lobster roll. The staff will tell you—firmly, but kindly—that lobster deserves better than a hot dog bun. Order the lobster sandwich instead: split-top bread, generous portions of fresh meat, and minimal filler. The lobster speaks for itself.
The setup is pure no-frills. Counter service, picnic tables, and an outdoor area with umbrellas. Cash only. The lobster tanks are visible—you can see where your lunch came from. It's honest seafood served honestly.
Lines form on warm days, especially weekends. People drive from across the region because word has spread: this is as good as it gets outside the actual coast. And the prices? Wholesale. The lobster pound business model means you're not paying restaurant markups.
A lobster sandwich at a picnic table on a summer afternoon. This is New England.
Lobster Sandwich
Fresh lobster on split-top bread—don't call it a roll
Fresh Lobster
Live lobsters available for purchase
Steamers
Fresh clams when available
Fresh Fish
Market selection from the pound
Why It's In Our Guide
Alive & Kicking delivers the freshest lobster at the fairest prices in Cambridge. The no-frills approach and wholesale pricing make it essential for seafood lovers.
“The hidden gem of Cambridge lobster—worth finding.”
— Boston Magazine“Wholesale prices, restaurant quality. Don't call it a roll.”
— Phantom GourmetCambridge residents guard this secret jealously while simultaneously telling everyone they know. The lines on summer weekends prove the word is out.
Insider Tips
Weekdays to avoid lines. Summer weekends get crowded.
No reservations. Counter service with outdoor seating.
Picnic tables with umbrellas. Covered outdoor area available.
It's a lobster SANDWICH. Ask for it by name. Cash only.
Street parking in residential area. Be respectful of neighbors.
Ratings & Reviews
Based on 3,010 reviews
2,134 reviews
Updated 2024-12
876 reviews
Updated 2024-12
Frequently Asked Questions
Alive & Kicking staff believe lobster deserves better than a hot dog bun. They serve lobster sandwiches on split-top bread. Call it a roll and you'll be gently corrected.
Reddit Mentions
Contact Details
269 Putnam Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139
Mon-Sat: 10AM-6PM, Closed Sunday
25 min walk from Central
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