Flavorsome Vegetables

• Vegetables are an obvious choice to pair with lobster, though some are better suited to enhancing the crustacean's naturally briny flavor. Grilled asparagus, roasted bell pepper and corn on the cob are excellent choices, each contributing a unique, complementary flavor to fresh lobster tails, as well as providing a lovely visual contrast when plated. Try serving lobster with a cooked vegetable of your choice, along with a fresh dinner roll to mop up the buttery, briny drippings.

Side Salad

• A fresh salad is a great option for a lobster tail side dish. While a fresh lettuce salad is a no-brainer, it can easily be customized with the addition of fresh vegetables such as shredded carrots, chopped scallions or avocado slices; or drizzled with a host of complementary dressings from light vinaigrettes to heartier, cream-based ones. Lettuce needn't be the star of the salad; if you’re planning a picnic, try pairing lobster with coleslaw or potato salad.

Starchy Sides

• Starchy sides provide a hearty counterpart to lobster’s delicate flavor. Smashed, oven-roasted, baked or grilled, potatoes are great for pairing with lobster, especially new or fingerling varieties. Butter plays double duty when drizzled over potatoes and lobster; add garlic or basil to inject more flavor. Pastas, from linguine to ravioli, topped with a creamy Alfredo sauce or tossed with herbed olive oil, add an Italian twist. Wild rice, jasmine rice and brown rice provide versatile, healthy options that can be used to give a theme to a meal.

Surf 'n' Turf and Surf 'n' Surf

• The only thing better than seafood is more seafood; lobster pairs brilliantly with its other saltwater companions, including shrimp, scallops and clams. Enjoy a butter-drenched seafood feast in the form of a traditional clambake, complete with potatoes and corn on the cob. A luxurious crustacean deserves to be paired with the best of the beef world. Lobster and steak are common menu companions, the delicate lobster pairing beautifully with savory cuts of beef. Try pairing lobster with a porterhouse, a filet mignon or a juicy T-bone steak.