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The Lobster Shop in Johnshaven is home to the best shellfish toasties and subs in the north-east

Co-owners of The Lobster Shop Loren, Jason and Ivar McBay.
Co-owners of The Lobster Shop Loren, Jason and Ivar McBay.

When it comes to quality shellfish, the north-east of Scotland is spoiled for choice.

Boats of all sizes land fresh produce daily, with many of the smaller boasts specialising in creel fishing and catching lobster and crab.

The Lobster Shop in Johnshaven, Aberdeenshire is one of the premises dedicated to supporting local fishermen and women, putting their produce at the heart of their offering.

The Lobster Shop in Johnshaven.

Working with local boats, customers can expect to find the freshest, high quality langoustines, lobster, crab, squat lobster and sometimes even oysters and other products for sale.

But what really drives locals and others alike to this shop is its infamous lobster toasties, rolls and deli subs.

One of the shellfish platters from The Lobster Shop with local produce.

Launching the luxury meets comfort food delicacies just last year, these items are now in hot demand and can easily sell out any given weekend.

From their hot toasties packed with cheese and juicy lobster, to their katsu crab subs, lobster rolls and crab quiche, the small team are kept busy fulfilling orders, prepping and making all of the items fresh.

There’s even a lobster salad and crab pate that you can have for lighter options.

The lobster toastie.

Cutting corners isn’t an option when you’re working with produce that has just landed and has a shorter shelf life and customers are guaranteed their meal is not just supporting local, but is also fished caught sustainably.

The Lobster Shop launched in January 2021 as a result of its parent firm wholesale shellfish merchants, Murray McBay, which spans more than 75 years, need to diversify due to export markets drying up because of Brexit and pandemic challenges.

Jason McBay with one of their big lobsters.

Run by siblings Loren, Jason and Ivar McBay, the trio have the shop running like a well oiled machine thanks to their small but dedicated team.

There’s also a range of local and Scottish products sold at the store on Fore Street and customers can easily pre-order online or on the phone.

This is The Lobster Shop story as told by Loren…


The Lobster Shop will be attending Taste of Grampian which takes place on Saturday June 4 at P&J Live in Dyce, Aberdeen.

Be sure to pay them a visit at their stall to sample their array of high-quality products.

Tickets for the festival are priced at £13.50 and can be purchased here.


For more in this series…

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