Larsen’s Fish Market

Get. The. Oysters. Shuck them yourself for $ 15/​dozen or have them do it for you for $ 24/​dozen. Either way, get them.
We were doing a lobster dinner for 8 people and chose to get our lobsters here instead of at the Menemsha Fish Market a couple doors down. The MFM lobsters, while a little cheaper, just didn’t look as good. The lobsters were tasty.
The second night we were on the Island we got some Swordfish at Larsen’s. It was fresh enough to prepare with just olive oil, salt, and pepper, and not taste too fishy. A+

i give this place 9000 stars! if larsen’s was a student they would always get a+! and their fish dip is amazing!

We wanted seaside deli food. Online food journals on MV dining and Unilocal reviews took us to Larsen’s– it was a cold evening on the only day we had to spend on MV (⁵⁄₃₀). Once we got off the bus that took us from the airport to Menemsha, we dashed straight into Larsen’s. Ordered oysters and chowder. Wanted a lobster roll, but they didn’t look appealing– prewrapped in fridge (imagining the soggy bread roll… I didn’t want to pay $ 14 for what I knew would be a disappointment). $ 24/​dozen oysters — fair price, but the way the lady behind the counter shucked those oysters, she just slammed them against each other, on the counter (whatever it takes to get them opened), produced shells and crap all over my oysters that I couldn’t eat them without having to pick broken shells off the oysters first– blagh! The chowder was thin and watery, and forgetful — ok, I’m trying to forget it! We also had to eat outside — would’ve been great on a nice day (and it would’ve easily made up for the food), but unfortunately, it was chilly and windy. While we braved the cold and ate at one of the makeshift tables outdoors, one couple cowered and stood by the door, in attempt to stay warm from the heat indoors (there’s no place to sit indoors), and quickly slurped down their dozen of oysters (quickly, as in under a minute!)
I get it. This is no fine dining and trust me, we certainly didn’t go expecting such. Perhaps the weather affected my overall experience, but not the rating of this review. What did affect the rating was us taking our freezing butts to warm up in the nearest shop next to Larsen’s — low and behold we happened to walk into Menemsha Fish Market! Menemsha Fish Market was everything I had hoped Larsen’s would be, and more. The service was great, they offered samples, chowder and bisque were delicious, oysters at a dozen is cheaper than at Larsen’s, and they even have a small counter indoors for guests to sit and enjoy their food.
So, you’ll probably be like me and be attracted to Larsen’s for seaside deli eats based on the reviews and hype it’s received. But my humble advice would be to seriously look next door before you settle on the hype. You might thank me!

This is how a lobster should be enjoyed. Order it by size, they pull it out of the tank… steam it to order, crack it a bit, stick it on a plate with butter and lemons and let you have at it. I sucked every drop of meat out of that thing and it was so good.
Staff was super enthusiastic, helpful and friendly.
I noshed out back sitting on a bench on the deck. What a view.
This is an authentic fish eating experience you rarely find anymore.
My son had the lobster bisque, it was very good too.
Can’t wait to go back, yummers.

This place keeps it real. The best clam chowder on the island, fresh oysters, and great fish dip. Enjoy everything outside while sitting on lobster pots and watching the fishermen bring in their catch. BYOB

This place has the freshest fish on the island. The pre-​made food is good and the lobster tanks are right at eye level so kids can look in at all the different lobsters. Pick up dinner here to cook at home while you are staying on the island!

The only way to get fresher seafood is to catch the fish yourself! I arrived about half an hour before closing on a gorgeous late October evening and was quickly helped with ordering a whole lobster, baked scallops, and homemade chowder, which I enjoyed on the back deck overlooking the very boats that brought in this catch. The food was really fresh, really nicely prepared, and quickly produced for a fair price. There was plenty of free parking at this time of day and season, public restrooms were available just steps away from Larsen’s (you’ll need the sink to wash your hands after feasting on a whole cracked lobster). Seriously good eats from folks that are clearly seriously about their seafood.

This cute little spot on the other end of the island was a nice change of scene. It’s a little less crowded on this side, allowing us to enjoy our meal outside without having to fight for seats.
We stopped by for lunch on a beautiful and sunny, albeit windy, day. I had the buttered lobster roll, stuffed scallops and stuffed clams and raw oysters. While I’ve had better lobster rolls (see my review of the Barking Claw), everything was indeed delicious. I mean, we did go back to get more food, including another roll to share.
Besides the food, I found the service to be awesome. Everyone was extremely friendly and seemed to work well together despite the small space and one window where the orders were being taken, paid for, oysters shuck, sauced, and waiting for pick up.
We shared a bottle of wine outside with the food (I don’t know if this is allowed, just saying it added to the enjoyment) and basked in the glory that is seafood, booze and sunshine.

I have been going to Larsen’s for fish to bring home and cook and for the raw bar/​takeout food for 30 some years, but never had the chance to review it.
All the food that I have tasted is delicious. If you are buying fish to take home and cook, the quality is high and prices okay by MV standards. The staff will give advice on cooking. One recent issue I encountered this summer was that I purchased mussels and a high proportion of them did not open when cooked. This is unusual and the first time I ever had a problem with quality control. I’m not even sure that this is something within Larsen’s control.
The raw bar here is absolutely delicious. My favorite are the littlenecks on the half shell.
My major complaint about Larsens is that the staff isn’t very good at making the lobster easy to eat. You really have to bring your own lobster cracking utensils. The wife and I love coming here for the fresh lobsters, but it would be so much easier to eat if the staff would properly cut he tail and crack open the claws.

Feral? Primitive? Delicious? Yes, all of that.
Boat to plate to pie hole.
seafood and butter… that’s it and that is all you need.
Amazing view to boot.
Believe it.

from the Sea to your pallet
perfect in every way!
delicious lobster, steamers… everything
staunchly traditional without affect
eat, drink and be thankful for being alive!

I read about Larsen’s and made the trek out to Menemsha on my bike a few years back and was waited on by a blond 20 something guy with a scowl on his face who muttered, «Day tripper.» I asked him what he meant by that, and he said, «I hate day trippers.» He then talked my ear off on how they’re ruining the Island. I kept trying to order, but he had a lot to say. After biking all the way from the ferry, I was starving and chagrined that I had to wait through an anti-​day tripper sermon before I could tank up on some badly needed body fuel.
Undaunted by his unwelcoming discourse, I ordered the lobster roll, crab cake, and stuffed quahog. I was sorely disappointed to discover the lobster meat seemed thawed from frozen. Now maybe this was an anomaly, so some day I should go back and try Larsen’s again, but after having wasted so much of my limited day tripping time listening to such a long treatise condemning day trippers, I’ve lost my appetite for this prejudicial place that immediately sized me up as an undesirable day tripper and let me know in no uncertain terms that they don’t want my kind darkening their door. Believe me, I got the message. The crab cake should have had way more crab meat and the stuffed quahog should have been stuffed with way more quahog for the clams I shelled out for them.

Best lobsters ever. Also, great oysters. Have been coming here every year since I was born, and will continue to. Super fresh.

Disclaimer: I do not eat seafood so this is from many friends that have come back here repeatedly for one thing only: Lobster Roll!!!
Chock full of Lobster, this roll hits the spot every time. Fresh, great portion, and delicious. A must have on the Vineyard!

We got a dozen raw Oysters and sat on a makeshift seat/​table just outside. The oysters were fine. They opened them fresh and they have the sauces and lemons etc. If you’re in Menemsha and want Oysters I would go here. I’d probably get the rest of your fish here as well. Just know that you’re going to think you’re in NYC at these prices!!!

The VERY BEST AND FRESHEST lobster and oysters anywhere on the island! Yum… If you call ahead, you can pick up your fresh lobster and head to the beach at Menemsha to watch the sunset…

If you’re in Martha’s Vineyard, you MUST go here! It’s a small shack on the other side of the island away from the touristy towns, but it’s well worth the drive. (You can visit the Aquinnah cliffs while you’re out there) We ordered the lobster roll, lobster bisque, and clam chowder and was not disappointed! This was the first lobster roll amongst many during our New England trip and by far our favorite. You could taste the freshness in the meat which by the way, was over flowing. Seating is outdoors and very limited, but you’re eating one of the best lobster rolls while enjoying an awesome view of the water, so sitting, standing, who cares!

Fresh seafood off the boat just cannot be beat! We got to Dutcher’s Dock early since it was foggy at the Aquinnah Cliffs. We were the first customers of the day and ordered raw clams, steamers and lobster for brunch. There’s nothing fancy here; we ate out back on benches and crates. The cherrystone clams and lobster were slightly briny and delicious! This is the first time we’ve tried Steamers and thoroughly enjoyed them. After eating, we strolled down to Menemsha Beach to walk off our meal.

Great, bien bueno… La definición de Martha’s Vineyard
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Wanna know where I popped my lobster roll cherry? It was here at Larsen’s located in Mnemsha.
As we drove up to the quintessential New England town located on the island of Martha’s Vineyard, I kept psyching myself out to prepare for this so called lobster roll. I didn’t google lobster roll beforehand so that it would be my first time ever seeing or eating one-​like a virgin! Larsen’s is one of a few markets here located right off the waters of Vineyard Sound. Behind the markets you’ll see fishing/​lobster boats docked and that’s how you know your seafood couldn’t get any fresher than that!
Inside Larsen’s is what I call lobster heaven. Larsen’s have lobsters in all sizes and they will also ship them to wherever you want them to. We weren’t there to buy whole lobster though. We wanted the lobster roll and fresh oysters. Larsen’s serves lobster rolls both Maine style (lobster in drawn butter on toasted hotdog bun) and New England style (lobster mixed with mayo, celery etc on toasted hotdog bun). We decided to try it both ways along with a dozen oysters. Once our order was ready, we set out to find a place to sit outside since Larsen’s doesn’t have any tables inside. We found some barrels and wooden containers then sat ourselves down. It was a perfect day with the smell of the water and the cool breeze.
That first bite of the lobster roll I could hear a symphony playing in my head. Lobster roll, where have you been all my life I kept asking myself. Oh and Larsen’s doesn’t skimp on the amount of lobster they pile on either. I can easily say now that I haven’t had a better lobster roll anywhere than the one I had here. The bun was perfectly toasted and the mayo lobster mix wasn’t overly done with mayo. It was just enough to change my world and thinking of how lobster should be prepared.
Finally these «townies» (what I call New Englanders) got something right!

One should be prepared that Larsen’s is rather SMALL and gets packed very quickly! There are two lines, one for fresh seafood (to your left) and the other to order cooked seafood or a variety of clams.
I ordered 1 ½ pound lobster, lobster bisque, (2) buttered lobster roll and lobster mac & cheese.
Because of the other wonderful Unilocalers, I told them not to microwave the lobster rolls, instead we would take them back to the house in order to toast the bread. Unfortunately, I must say that they skimp on the lobster. However, the lobster roll it self was very tasty.
The lobster bisque was very delicious but a tad bit too much salt.
The steamed lobster was GREAT and made to perfection! The wait time was extremely long (45 minutes). As a word of precaution, call your order in at least 1 hour prior to your arrival.
The lobster mac & cheese is on hold until tomorrow (no more seafood room).
I came down here because of the food reviews but stayed longer because of the beautiful views! This is a refreshing and more under the radar section of the Vineyard.