Let the good times roll

A humble cart parked in a narrow street in Lyme Regis' artisan quarter is serving some of the best lobster rolls (or “lobbiedogs”) this side of the Atlantic

No trip to Lyme Regis is complete without sampling the local seafood, but if you can't be bothered with the faff of crab crackers and lobster mallets or forgot to book a table (the staycation destination heaves in spring and summer), make a beeline for the pastel-pink cart parked outside Millside on Mill Lane.

A product of lockdown, the lobbiedog was the star dish of Millside's gourmet takeaway offering in the summers of 2020 and 2021. A bread roll crammed with juicy Devon lobster, avocado puree, chives, baby gem lettuce and homemade paprika and saffron mayo, it received such roaring praise that, when the restaurant reopened, the team were inundated with requests from locals and returning visitors.

The lobster roll's street-food format wasn't the right fit for Millside's refined menus. However, the team came up with the perfect solution: a takeaway cart that could be rolled out in warmer months.

For optimum freshness, the lobster rolls are crafted to order and filled with locally sourced ingredients. The hero crustaceans are caught by the fourth‑generation fishing family at Beer Fisheries, the soft rolls baked by Charmouth Bakery and the leaves plucked from Trill Farm in Musbury.

Georgina Baker, Millside co-owner and head chef, says: ‛One of the best spots to enjoy a lobbiedog is at Lyme Regis Brewery opposite the restaurant, where you can sit and pair your roll with a chilled beer. We'll even drop your order to your table when it's ready. Failing that, take your lobbie to the beach – but watch out for beady‑eyed seagulls!’ themillside.co.uk

Georgina and team collaborated with the brewery on a special homemade bratwurst hot dog for Oktoberfest, and occasionally sell tins of artisan smoked oysters and fish tacos from the cart.

Find the lobster cart parked up at the edge of the restaurant's Med-style terrace on Mill Lane from April to September, where it serves its seafood spoils from 12pm Mondays to Fridays. There's no specific closing time as they nearly always sell out, so be sure to visit early to secure your lobbiedog or call ahead and ask the team to put one aside.