Red Lobster appetizers range from $6–$15, including favorites like Mozzarella Sticks, Calamari, and Shrimp. Red Lobster is an extremely popular establishment to have a seafood experience, and their appetizers are designed to prepare you for a nice seafood experience with classic favorites and some more adventurous coastal-inspired dishes. Patrons can indulge in popular entree items like the Parrot Isle Jumbo Coconut Shrimp, served crispy golden brown with a pina colada dipping sauce, or perhaps the Legendary Lobster and Langostino Pizza, topped with a mix of lobster, langostino, fresh tomatoes, and mozzarella.
Also Read: Red Lobster Menu
Familiar favorites, like the Mozzarella Cheesesticks and Hand-Breaded Calamari, offer comforting nostalgia, while the flavorful Seafood-Stuffed Mushrooms bring a savory explosion of stuffed seafood and cheese in every bite! A few shareable options, such as the Signature Shrimp Cocktail and Crab-Stuffed Rangoons, provide a refreshing or crunchier spin. They are all excellent appetizers and, combined with the warm, buttery Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits, are a perfect meal starter.
Red Lobster Appetizer Menu
| Category | Item | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Signature Starters | Lobster & Langostino Pizza | $13.99 |
| Signature Starters | Parrot Isle Jumbo Coconut Shrimp | $12.99 |
| Signature Starters | Langostino Lobster-Artichoke Dip | $11.99 |
| Signature Starters | White Wine & Garlic Mussels | $12.49 |
| Classics | Mozzarella Cheesesticks | $9.99 |
| Classics | Hand-Breaded Calamari | $12.49 |
| Classics | Stuffed Mushrooms | $11.49 |
| Shareable Platters | Signature Seafood Sampler | $16.99 |
| Shareable Platters | Shrimp Nachos | $14.99 |
| Light Options | Crispy Brussels Sprouts | $7.99 |
| Light Options | House-Made Caesar Salad (Starter) | $5.99 |
| Light Options | Garden Salad (Starter) | $5.99 |
| Soups | Lobster Bisque (Cup) | $6.99 |
| Soups | New England Clam Chowder (Cup) | $5.99 |
Best Appetizers at Red Lobster
- Lobster & Langostino Pizza – Crispy thin crust topped with melted mozzarella, sweet tomatoes, and tender lobster meat for a rich, savory bite.
- Parrot Isle Jumbo Coconut Shrimp and pina colada sauce (also lightly fried jumbo shrimp with fresh coconut and apricot sauce).
- Langostino Lobster & Artichoke Dip – Found at the Marketplace, this dip pairs langostino lobster with artichokes in a creamy cheese blend and is perfect for enjoying while watching the big game with tortilla chips.
- White Wine & Garlic Mussels — Fresh mussels steam in a white wine and garlic broth, with grilled artisan bread.
- Mozzarella Cheesesticks – Golden brown and crispy outside, gooey cheesy inside, served with marinara.
- Stuffed Mushrooms: Seafood, herbs, breadcrumbs, and spices baked in a mushroom for just the right flavor.
- Signature Seafood Sampler -For guests who love variety, this shareable platter includes shrimp, scallops, and more.
Red Lobster Appetizers with Prices and Calories
| Appetizer | Price (USD) | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Seafood-Stuffed Mushrooms | $12.49 | 390 cal |
| Parrot Isle Jumbo Coconut Shrimp | $12.49 | 660 cal |
| Mozzarella Cheesesticks | $9.99 | 730 cal |
| Lobster Flatbread | $15.99 | 800 cal |
| Lobster Dip | $13.99 | 890 cal |
| Hand Breaded Calamari | $14.49 | 1,000 cal |
| Crispy Dragon Shrimp | $13.49 | 1,010 cal |
| Crispy Dragon Calamari | $14.49 | 1,030 cal |
| Crab Queso | $13.99 | 930 cal |
| Black Tiger Shrimp Cocktail | $13.49 | 180 cal |
| Bacon Wrapped Sea Scallops | $14.49 | 450–620 cal |
- Most appetizers cost between $9.99 and $15.99 each.
- Menu items may vary by location; Red Lobster calorie counts provide a helpful guide for health-conscious decision-making.
- Participating locations offer $2 off select appetizers during Happy Hour (Mon–Fri, 3–6 PM)
Red Lobster Vegetarian Appetizer Options
| Appetizer Name | Description | Portion Size | Calories (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mozzarella Cheese Sticks | Crispy golden sticks served with marinara sauce | 6 sticks | 720 |
| Chips & Salsa | Fresh tortilla chips served with house-made salsa | Full basket | 480 |
| Chips & Guacamole | Tortilla chips with freshly made guacamole | Full basket | 540 |
| House Salad | Mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, croutons, choice of dressing | Small / Large | 150 / 300 |
| Caesar Salad (without anchovies) | Romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, croutons, Caesar dressing | Small / Large | 190 / 380 |
| Cheddar Bay Biscuits | Signature biscuits with garlic and cheddar | 2 biscuits | 210 |
| Pretzel Bites | Soft pretzel bites served with beer cheese sauce | 8 bites | 550 |
| Veggie Spring Rolls (if available seasonally) | Crispy rolls with vegetable filling, served with dipping sauce | 4 rolls | 350 |
Copycat Recipes Red Lobster Appetizers
- Cheddar Bay Biscuits: Biscuit dough shredded with cheese, but grateful for these garlic and herb ones, thank you very much, if that is what a sweet biscuit dough could be. For that extra touch of flavor, brush each hot biscuit with melted butter and more garlic!
- Parrot Bay Coconut Shrimp: While the method of preparation varies from culture to culture, jumbo shrimp are coated in a flour, coconut, and rum (or rum extract) batter and fried until golden brown. Homemade Pina Colada Dipping Sauce — crushed pineapple, coconut cream, and a touch of rum
- Seafood-Stuffed Mushrooms: Combine crabmeat, bread crumbs, Parmesan, garlic, and a touch of mayonnaise, and spoon the mixture into cleaned mushroom caps. Top with cheese & bake till bubbly.
- Lobster & Langostino Pizza: Spread the pizza dough (homemade or premade) on a baking sheet and add chunks of cooked lobster and langostino. Arrange mozzarella slices to your liking, then slice the tomato and basil. Cook at high heat until the crust is crunchy and the cheese melts.
- Crab Queso Dip: Combine cream cheese, shredded cheese, crab meat, jalapeños, and spices in a skillet and warm til everything is smooth. Warm with chips or bread.
- Mozzarella Cheesesticks: Dredge mozzarella sticks in flour, egg, and seasoned breadcrumbs. Fry it up crisp, and serve with marinara.
- White Wine & Garlic Mussels: Mussels steamed in the pan with garlic, butter, lemon, white wine, and a bit of Cajun seasoning. Make sure you dip the bread in that savory broth for the full Red Lobster treatment.
Red Lobster Appetizers for Sharing
- Lobster and Langostino Pizza – $15.99
- Seaside Sampler – $18.99
- Parrot Isle Jumbo Coconut Shrimp Appetizer – $14.49
- Seafood-Stuffed Mushrooms – $11.99
- Mozzarella Cheesesticks – $9.99
- Crab Queso – $12.99
- White Wine and Roasted-Garlic Mussels – $13.99
- Crispy Dragon Shrimp – $13.49
- Hand-Breaded Calamari – $14.99
- Lobster Flatbread – $16.99
You May Also Like:
FAQs
Q. What are the $15 Specials at Red Lobster?
A: Although the $15 specials at Red Lobster rotate every couple of months, here are some examples as of April 2025:
- Shrimp Trio – garlic shrimp scampi, crispy shrimp, shrimp skewers
- Ultimate Feast (smaller serving) – lobster tail, shrimp scampi, crab legs
- Pizza with lobster – a pizza with seafood and cheese
Available at a value price point of $15 each, these features allow guests to indulge in premium seafood.
Q. What is on the Red Lobster $10 Lunch Menu
A: On weekdays, with the 10 Under $10 Lunch Menu (Monday–Friday before 3 PM), diners can enjoy a variety of seafood and light dishes for under $10 each:
- Crispy wild-caught flounder
- Garlic shrimp scampi
- Parrot Isle jumbo coconut shrimp
- Crispy clam strips
- Popcorn shrimp
- A combination of soup, salad, and Cheddar Bay Biscuits
- Crispy cod sandwich
- Oven‑broiled wild‑caught flounder
- Caesar salad topped with grilled chicken or seasoned shrimp
Q. When is the Red Lobster Endless Shrimp Price?
A: That Ultimate Endless Shrimp special sometimes hits the menu, but they never keep it around forever. And it went back to Monday-only days, as just an early-dining special. This deal was, at best, a $15 or $20-a-year affair, depending on when and what version you would have bought it.
Q. Who owns Red Lobster owned by?
A: Red Lobster may likely be owned now by RL Investor Holdings LLC, which is comprised of Fortress Investment Group and co-investors. They finalized the acquisition and reorganization by the end of ’24, after the chain emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
Q. How much is the Endless Shrimp at Red Lobster?
- Initially, Endless Shrimp for $20 was a permanent menu item (though eventually raised to ~$25)
- Further iterations included $15-per-person promos on Mondays
- Mind the gap: The deal used to cost $30 in mid-2024, according to Business Insider reviews
Q. Is Red Lobster Open on Christmas Day?
A: Typically, all locations are closed on Christmas and Thanksgiving. However, there are a few locations that are open on those holidays. Verify with your nearest Red Lobster.
Q. Can You Order Appetizers During Happy Hour?
A: Yes, you may have appetizers at the Happy Hour at Red Lobster. Most of the places offer a variety of appetizers at reduced prices during happy hour, which is typically in the bar or lounge. Depending on the location, some items and times may not be available, so it is better to call your local Red Lobster to know what is on the happy hour menu and when.
Q. Can you customize appetizers at Red Lobster?
Yes, many appetizers can be customized with different sauces, dips, or portion sizes. You can also request modifications like less spice or extra toppings, depending on availability.
Â
Â