25 great lobster deals at Long Island restaurants

Lobster can be the ultimate indulgence but, during the summer, bargains abound. Here are more than two dozen summer deals, one of which is sure to suit your budget. Prices start below $35 and even the most expensive ($99) offers real value.

Most participating restaurants designate one night a week as Lobster Night but, for others, it’s always Lobster Night. Regardless, you should always call to reserve because supplies are limited. And, except for two spots offering all-you-can-eat 1¼-pound lobsters (Spaghettini in Mineola and Dockers in East Quogue), we’ve stuck to deals that feature lobsters weighing in at least 1½ pounds. The little ones may be cheaper, but they take just as long to take apart and offer comparatively little upside. Time is money. 

Maliblue

1500 Lido Blvd., Lido Beach

COST $33.95 through Aug. 19

WHEN Tuesday

Starting at 4 p.m., Maliblue offers a deal with ocean views: a 1½-pound lobster with corn on the cob and roasted potatoes. The same deal is offered at sister restaurant, Peter’s Clam Bar in Island Park. More info: 516-442-2799, maliblueny.com

Wantagh Inn

3264 Railroad Ave., Wantagh

COST $35 though Sept. 29

WHEN Monday 

Wantagh Inn has been offering up hospitality and expertly tapped Guinness ale since 1984. On Mondays, $34 buys you a 1½-pound lobster, steamed or broiled, plus corn on the cob and a baked potato. More info: 516-785-0809, thewantaghinn.com 

 Popei’s Clam Bar

384 N. Wantagh Ave., Bethpage

COST $39.99 through end of September

WHEN Monday through Thursday

The Italian-style seafood house serves 2-pound lobsters with vegetables, a baked clam and your choice of linguine, fries or a potato. On Tuesdays, enjoy the special with live music in an outdoor tent. More info: 516-822-9169, popeisbethpage.com

Ruvo

63 Broadway, Greenlawn, 631-261-7700 and 105 Wynn Lane, Port Jefferson, 631-476-3800

COST $40 through Sept. 25

WHEN Thursday

Both Ruvos (as well as sister restaurant NOCO in St. James) devote Thursday nights to lobster. Your 1½-pound lobster comes steamed with corn on the cob and seasoned potato wedges. More info: ruvorestaurant.com

Sangria 71

71 Hillside Ave., Williston Park, 516-246-9778; 1095 Jericho Tpke., Commack, 631-670-7606 and 4585 Austin Blvd., Island Park, 516-882-4250

COST $40 through October

WHEN All week

This Spanish chainlet serves a 2-pound lobster, broiled or steamed, with a salad and your choice of side dish (saffron rice, potato chips or string beans). On Fridays and Saturdays, the special is only available until 5 p.m. More info: sangria71.com

 Spaghettini

106 Mineola Blvd., Mineola

COST $40 to $69.99 through Labor Day

WHEN All week, plus Monday night all-you-can-eat

At this "pizza-trattoria," every night is lobster night. $40 buys you one 2-pound lobster with corn on the cob and baked potato. For $69.99 you can have as many 1¼ -pound (or bigger) lobsters as you can eat, plus unlimited salad, corn and potatoes. Reservations required. More info: 516-750-8044, spaghettinipizza.com/

Jake’s Steakhouse

2172 Hempstead Tpke., East Meadow

COST $39.95 cash / $41.34 credit through Labor Day

WHEN Friday to Sunday

The steakhouse ‘s weekend special features a choice of soup or salad, a 1½-pound lobster plus corn on the cob, steamed clams and roast potatoes. More info: 516-222-8400, jakessteakhouse.com

Alletto’s

218 E. Montauk Hwy., Lindenhurst

COST $84.99 for two ($42.50 / person) all year, price subject to change

WHEN Every night

Aletto’s "seafood feast for two" includes a salad, clam chowder, Italian bread, a 2-pound lobster with mussels, clams, shrimp and crab legs in garlic sauce over pasta, plus coffee or tea. More info: 631-226-9205, allettosrestaurantny.com

Branzinos

315 Walt Whitman Rd., Huntington Station

COST $89.95 for two people ($45 / person) through Labor Day

WHEN Sunday

Your party of two gets two 2-pounders, steamed, broiled or oreganata, plus corn on the cob and mashed potatoes. Start the meal with soup or salad, end with cheesecake or chocolate mousse. More info: 631-944-3141, branzinos.com

Mim’s

235 Roslyn Rd., Roslyn Heights

COST $45.95 through Labor Day

WHEN Sunday

Starting at 4:30 p.m., enjoy a 1½-pound lobster with choice of salad, baked potato and dessert. More info: 516-625-7305, mimsny.com

Jonathan’s

3000 Jericho Tpke., Garden City Park

COST $46 through mid October

WHEN Wednesday and Friday

The Mediterranean-inflected New American livens up two weeknights with a 1½-pound lobster preceded by a salad and accompanied by corn and potato. More info: 516-742-7300, jonathansrestaurant.net

Jordan Lobster Farm

1 Pettit Place, Island Park

COST $49.95-$59.95 through Sept. 1.; new prices to begin in October

WHEN Tuesday to Thursday

Of course Jordan’s, Nassau’s Lobster Central, has a slew of specials: On Tuesdays and Thursdays, lobster dinners (lobster, corn, coleslaw and fries) are $49.95 for a 2-pound lobster, $59.95 for a 2½-pound. On "Big Lobsta Fridays," dinner (includes lobster, corn coleslaw, and fries) features lobsters weighing 4 to 8 pounds apiece; the price is $100-$160, while supplies last. The specials pause for September, then reappear in October; the prices may be higher then due to market fluctuations. More info: 516-889-3314, jordanlobsterfarms.com

Piccolo

215 Wall St., Huntington

COST $49.99 to 59.99 through Labor Day

WHEN Sunday to Thursday

This long-standing Italian restaurant's special features lobsters broiled or fra diavolo, plus a choice of appetizer and dessert. 1½-pound lobsters are $49, 2-pounders are $59. More info: 631-424-5592, piccolorestaurant.net

Sophia Italian Bistro

71 Merrick Rd., Amityville

COST $52 through Sept. 30

WHEN Tuesday 

On Tuesday nights, the Italian bistro gets its New England on with a special featuring a 1½-pound lobster (steamed or stuffed with crabmeat and broiled) served with corn, potato and sausage. There's also lobster fra diavolo served on fettuccine. Finish with a choice of coffee or tea. More info: 631-598-1150, sophiasbistro.com 

 Piccolo Mondo

1870 E. Jericho Tpke., Huntington

COST $57 through Oct. 2

WHEN Thursday 

Have your 2-pound lobster steamed or broiled oreganata-style served with corn on the cob and a baked potato. Or, have it spicy arrabbiata-style over pasta (no potato or corn). More info: 631-462-0718, piccolomondoli.com 

Chadwicks

49 Front St, Rockville Centre

COST $59 through Sept. 15

WHEN Monday

This eclectic eatery serves a 3-course meal: your choice of starter, a 1½-pound lobster (steamed, herb-butter broiled) with steamed broccoli, fries or mashed potato and gelato or sorbetto. More info: 516-766-7800, chadwicksrvc.com

Nautilus Cafe

46 Woodcleft Ave., Freeport

COST $59.95 through Sept. 30

WHEN Tuesday and Wednesday

Freeport’s long-running seafood specialist will steam or broil your 2-pound lobster. Start with your choice of appetizer, finish with dessert. More info: 516-379-2566, nautiluscafe.com

Fatfish

28 Cottage Ave., Bay Shore

COST $65 through Sept. 1

WHEN Monday 

Relax on the big, waterfront deck, take in the expansive view of the Great South Bay and enjoy a steamed 1½-pound lobster that comes with mussels (in white-wine-garlic or red pomodoro sauce), baby carrots, French green beans and roast potatoes. More info: 631-666-2899, fatfish.info 

 Primehouse

910 Franklin Ave., Garden City

COST $69 through Sept. 17

WHEN Wednesday

Get started with soup or chopped Caesar salad, then move on to 2-pound lobsters either butter poached (served out of the shell) over corn succotash or steamed and split, served with garlic mashed potatoes and sautéed vegetables. More info: 516-416-4264, primehousegardencity.com

Volpe

7725 Jericho Tpke., Woodbury

COST $69 through Sept. 24

WHEN Wednesday

The restaurant at The Fox Hollow serves a 2-pound lobster steamed, broiled or fra diavolo. It comes with a baked potato and corn on the cob and is preceded by your choice of soup, a wedge or a Caesar salad. Weather permitting, there’s also outdoor dining and live music. More info: 516-921-1415, thefoxhollow.com/the-volpe

Blackstone, One10, The Halston, Insignia, Rare650 and Opus

COST $74.99 through Sept. 30

WHEN: Friday

Five Anthony Scotto restaurants — Blackstone and One10 in Melville; Insignia in Smithtown, Rare650 in Syosset and Opus in Jericho — run the same special on Friday evenings: a 2-pound lobster (steamed or broiled) plus mashed potatoes and corn on the cob. The Halston, in Melville, designates Wednesday as Lobster Night. More info: anthonyscottorestaurants.com

Bar Frites

400 Wheatley Plaza, Greenvale

COST $75 all year

WHEN Friday

The Friday "plat du jour" at Poll Brothers’ boisterous-elegant bistro is a two-pound lobster that comes with fries. More info: 516-484-7500, barfrites.com

Frank’s Steaks

54 Lincoln Ave., Rockville Centre

COST $75 through Sept. 1

WHEN Every night 

Your steamed 2-pound lobster comes with a baked potato, corn on the cob and either a Caesar or a Frank’s salad. Live music Tuesday June 24-Aug. 26 at 7 p.m. More info: 516-536-1500, frankssteaks.com 

Chachama Grill

655 Montauk Hwy., East Patchogue

COST $87 through Sept. 3

WHEN Wednesday

Elmer Rubio lends a chef’s touch to his lobster special, serving 2-pounders with baked potatoes and grilled corn (with ancho-chile lemon butter). Start your meal with a baby organic greens salad and either steamed mussels or lobster bisque. After your lobster: a medley of sorbets. More info: 631-758-7640, chachamagrill.com

 Dockers Waterside

94 Dune Rd., East Quogue

COST $99 through Aug. 25

WHEN Monday 

Dockers takes every advantage of its location on Shinnecock Bay; almost all the tables have spectacular water views and, as you dine, you’ll see herons, egrets, swallows and terns hovering above the water, attempting to do the same. The buffet offers as many 1¼-pound lobsters as you can eat, plus unlimited shrimp, raw clams and oysters, corn on the cob, roast potatoes and salad. There's also salad and dessert. DJ begins at 5 p.m. More info: 631-653-0653, dockerswaterside.com 

Newsday's Dorothy Guadagno contributed to this story.