Which Appetizer Should You Order?
| If you want... | Order | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The lightest start | Seafood-Stuffed Mushroom Caps | 510 calories, baked rather than fried |
| Something to share with a table | Lobster & Langostino Flatbread | Cuts into slices, real lobster and langostino meat |
| The best dunking for biscuits | Garlic Butter Mussels | White wine and garlic butter broth that begs for a Cheddar Bay Biscuit |
| A crowd-pleaser for kids | Crispy Mozzarella Bites | The cheapest starter at $9.49, no seafood |
| Sweet and crunchy | Coconut-Crusted Jumbo Shrimp | Jumbo shrimp with a sweet dipping sauce |
Seafood Starters Explained
Three of the five starters are built on shellfish. Langostino is a small crustacean, sometimes called squat lobster, with sweet tail meat that tastes close to lobster; pairing it with Maine lobster keeps the flatbread affordable. Mussels are bivalve molluscs, steamed in the shell and served in their broth, so they carry a different allergen profile from shrimp and lobster. The coconut shrimp use jumbo shrimp in a sweet coconut breading, the same shrimp found on the Coconut Jumbo Shrimp entree in a smaller portion.
The one appetizer with no seafood at all is the Crispy Mozzarella Bites, which makes it the safe pick for a mixed table or anyone avoiding shellfish.
How to Pay Less for Appetizers
Red Lobster's happy hour takes $2 off selected appetizers on weekdays from 3:00 to 6:00 PM at participating locations, alongside $5 drinks. Arriving in that window is the easiest saving on this part of the menu. If you are dining alone, one starter plus a cup of clam chowder makes a light meal for well under the price of an entree.
Remember that Cheddar Bay Biscuits arrive free with dine-in meals, at roughly 160 calories each, so a shared appetizer plus biscuits is often more food than people expect.
Calories at a Glance
The lightest item here is the Seafood-Stuffed Mushroom Caps at 510 calories, and the heaviest is the Crispy Mozzarella Bites at 880. The average across the section is 696 calories. Sides, sauces and Cheddar Bay Biscuits (about 160 calories each) are extra. See the Red Lobster nutrition guide for allergens and lighter swaps.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest appetizer at Red Lobster?
The Crispy Mozzarella Bites at $9.49. Starters run from $9.49 to $14.99, and prices vary by location.
What is the best appetizer at Red Lobster?
For sharing, the Lobster & Langostino Flatbread ($14.99). For value, the Garlic Butter Mussels ($13.99), because the broth pairs with the free biscuits.
Which Red Lobster appetizer has the fewest calories?
The Seafood-Stuffed Mushroom Caps at 510 calories. The heaviest starter carries 880 calories.
Does Red Lobster have appetizer deals?
Yes. During happy hour, weekdays 3:00 to 6:00 PM, selected appetizers are $2 off at participating locations.
Is there an appetizer without seafood?
Yes, the Crispy Mozzarella Bites. Everything is prepared in a kitchen that handles shellfish, so speak to the manager about serious allergies.
Related Guides
- Red Lobster Happy Hour: $5 Drinks, $2 Off Appetizers and Times
- Red Lobster Nutrition Guide: Calories, Allergens and Healthy Choices
- What Are the $15 Specials at Red Lobster? Daily Deals 2026
More Red Lobster Menu Categories
- Soups & Sides
- Lobster, Crab & Seafood
- Shrimp Favorites
- Seafood Boils
- Signature Feasts
- Fish, Chicken & Steak
- Land & Sea
- Pasta
- Bowls & Sandwiches
- Lunch Menu
- Dinner Menu
- Hot Platters
- Family Meals & Platters
- Kids
- Biscuits & Extras
- Desserts & Beverages
Red Lobster prices for every menu item · A to Z item list
Red Lobster Menu Deals is an independent guide and is not affiliated with Red Lobster. Prices and calories are typical US figures and vary by location.