14 best seafood restaurants in Boston

What is it? One of the dining destinations within the Encore Boston Harbor, this relatively new seafood spot by Chef Michael Schlow has hit the jackpot on fresh seafood and delicious dishes.

Why go? This kitchen sends out the freshest local ingredients with global influences, packed with flavor and plenty of nods to New England classics such as Ipswich Clams, a traditional Lobster Bake, branzino, and more.

We love: We love Harbor Hour - a three-course menu offers a taste of their signature dishes Monday through Friday from 5-6:30pm. An extra surprise - just beyond the dining room lies Old Wives’ Tale,  an intimate 16-seat speakeasy serving up cocktails crafted by renowned mixologist Francesco Lafranconi.

Address: Encore Boston Harbor, 1 Broadway, Everett, MA 02149

Opening hours: Sun.-Thurs. 5-10pm; Fri.-Sat. 4pm-2am

What is it?  This Back Bay raw bar and seafood emporium is known for pushing the limits of customary fish preparations—and having a whole lot of fun while doing it.

Why go? From fried lobster and waffles to lump crab toast, caviar latkes to whole fried black bass, this place is well worth the wait for a seat in its brownstone space or on its patio.

We love: Other noteworthy coastal dishes: its selection of New York-style smoked fish (we loved the white fish salad) used to top a bagel and cream cheese, as well as an incredible assortment of tinned seafood, including imported sustainable caviar and Red Tuna Loin in EVOO from Güeyu Mar. The halibut collar and roasted maitakes are two non-negotiable selections.

Address: 279 Dartmouth St, Boston, MA 02116

Opening hours: Mon.-Wed. 11am-10pm, Thurs.-Sat. 11am-11pm, Sun. 11am-10pm

What is it?  Island Creek Oyster Bar’s casual industrial site in Fort Point is touted as a “workingman's oyster bar.” The name Row 34 is a nod to the 34th row of oysters grown in Duxbury Bay.

Why go? Consider this an empire – with five locations consistently landing on top-tier lists like Best of Boston, "Best Lobster Roll", and "Best Raw Bar." 

We love: This place is on everyone’s lips when it comes to where to go for bivalve imbibing. Couple a dozen oysters with dishes like fried hand dug clams, a daily whole catch, and our love - the crispy oyster lettuce cups.

Address: Seaport, Burlington, Kenmore Square, and Cambridge, Mass., Portsmouth, N.H. 

Opening hours: Various based on location

What is it?  Accented with pressed tin, subway tiles and etched glass, the tiny space exudes an unmistakably retro charm.

Why go? Ever since it opened in 2004, Neptune Oyster has been one of Boston's most in-demand options for fresh local seafood, as demonstrated by its ever-present line out the door.

We love: Expert shuckers handle a variety of fresh bivalves with finesse, as the kitchen cranks out a steady stream of its lauded lobster rolls. We’ve all slurped back an oyster or two at various seafood haunts in Boston. But to have sophisticated dishes sit alongside your raw selection is a treat. Enter the works of Chef Michael Serpa. His buttermilk johnnycake with smoked trout and sturgeon caviar gets a shout-out, as does the spicy North End stew and Nantucket Striped Bass Veracruz.

Address: 63 Salem St # 1, Boston, MA 02113

Opening hours: Daily 11am-weekdays kitchen until 9:30pm/raw bar until 10pm; weekends kitchen until 10:30pm/raw bar until 11pm

What is it?  When a restaurant’s name conjures up images of the ocean waters, its menu should follow suit. Part of North End restaurateur Frank DePasquale’s local empire, Mare Oyster Bar is known for its superb selection of crudo and fish-forward pasta dishes.

Why go? From its lobster ravioli with smoked bacon and cream sauce to its truffle crusted tuna, this place makes seafood positively decadent. And if you need any more convincing, this eatery's name literally translates to "ocean," so it sets the seafood tone from the very start. 

We love: The glistening bed of ice displaying the local catch and raw bites is stunning. The Octopus Salad is worth stopping in for, as is the twist on Maine Baked Stuffed Lobster that offers up a unique recipe of stuffing made with crabmeat, lobster meat, scallops, breadcrumbs, butter, sherry, garlic and a little parmesan cheese.

Address: 223 Hanover St, 3 Mechanic St, Boston, MA 02113

Opening hours: Mon.-Thurs. 5pm-11pm; Fri.-Sun. 4-11pm

What is it?  Another Michael Serpa hotspot, this cozy bar supplies Back Bay with the ocean's most beautiful bounty.

Why go? Marrying New England seafood with Mediterranean techniques, the menu features must-eats like its signature blue prawns a la plancha, "taverna style" whole roasted sea bream and its own, saffron-infused spin on bouillabaisse.

We love: While some diners enjoy a multi-course feast, others stop in for a quick oysters-and-wine fix.

Address: 50 Gloucester St, Boston, MA 02115

Opening hours: Daily 11:30am-9:30pm (Fri. and Sat. 10:30pm)

What is it?  From its busy intersection between Back Bay and the Theatre District, Ostra's kitchen specializes in sophisticated seafood.

Why go? The exquisite menu is dotted with Mediterranean touches, with plenty of splurge-worthy items—think broiled twin Maine lobsters, salt crust branzino, and $230 Kaluga Huso caviar service—perfect for special occasions and celebratory dinners.

We love: We can't get enough of the Grilled Sea Beam entreé, chilled lump crab app, and the extensive wine list, featuring over 275 labels.

Address: 1 Charles St S, Boston, MA 02116

Opening hours: Main Dining Room Sun. 5:30-8:30 pm, Mon.-Thurs. 5:30- 9pm., Fri. and Sat. 5:30-10pm;  Bar Mon.-Thurs. 5-10pm, Fri. and Sat. 5-11pm, Sun. 5-9:30pm

What is it?  Puritan Oyster Bar is an offshoot of a Boston classic and it leans in to inventive takes on New England seafood. Located in Cambridge’s Inman Square right next to the original Puritan & Company (itself no slouch when it comes to the sea), 

Why go? The menu offers rotating varieties of local oysters on the half and crudo among towering raw bar options, a hearty surf & turf, a caviar cone, buttered lobster toast (a unique take with lobster & scallop mousse), a swordfish pastrami plate, and more.

We love: Oysters on the half shell are half-price every day from 5-6pm.

Address: 1164 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02139

Opening hours: Daily 5-10pm

What is it?  Fans of the James Beard award-winning Portland restaurant flock to the location in the Fenway.

Why go? This outpost is tightly focused on meeting Boston's demands for freshly shucked oysters thanks to an ever-changing daily array of pristine oysters and shellfish. There’s also all your classic seafood favorites.

We love: Set atop an ice bed on a rock-walled counter, their oyster selection is epic. For a crispier take, try the fried oyster bun, or pair a few chilled raw ones with their famed Brown Butter Lobster Roll or any of its other James Beard Award-winning New England fare.

Address: 1321 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02215

Opening hours: Mon.-Thurs. and Sun. 11am-10pm; Fri.-Sun. 11am-11pm

What is it?  As the flagship location within the Legal Sea Foods empire, Legal Harborside offers three floors of dining—all with fantastic fish-focused menus and sweeping views of Boston Harbor.

Why go? On the first floor, crowds devour raw bar items and casual faves; the second floor is the epitome of elegance with its selection of upscale fare; while the third floor is reserved for private dining. After your meal, join the sea of people on its celebrated rooftop for a cocktail.

We love: You can never go wrong with a piping hot bowl of its famous clam chowder to add to any of the fresh fish selections. 

Address: 270 Northern Avenue, Boston, MA 02210

Opening hours: Sun.-Thurs. 11am-10pm; Fri.-Sat.. 11am-11pm

What is it?  A city staple since 1978, Atlantic Fish Company has thrived on letting seafood shine by keeping it simple.

Why go? This is the place to go when you need to impress out-of-towners with the allure of New England seafood. Daily catches can be broiled, sauteed, fried or blackened—but if you’re feeling fancy, you can always try the lobster ravioli or cioppino.

We love: Check out the AFCo. Signature Crab-Crusted Haddock with spinach, tomato, and fingerling potatoes in a lobster basil sauce or the Housemade Lobster & Scallop Ravioli with roasted tomatos and lobster ragu with Calabrian chiles.

Address: 761 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02116

Opening hours: Mon.-Thurs. 11:30am-10pm; Fri. 11:30am-11pm; Sat. 11am-11pm; Sun. 11am-10pm

What is it?  Head to this Seaport mainstay for lobster rolls, fried clams, steamers, chowder and other classic seafood shack dishes. It’s a perfect stop for a refuel while touring around Boston, and a great place in general for a casual seafood meal.

Why go? This bare-bones, counter-serve spot is quintessential New England seafood right in the middle of the city.

We love: There’s outdoor seating as well as takeout. Cooking seafood at home? There’s a market with fresh caught fish and shellfish. They’ll even ship fresh lobster anywhere in the continental U.S., if you want to share the bounty with out of town friends.

Address: 300 Northern Ave, Boston, MA 02210

Opening hours: Mon.-Wed. and Sun.: 11am-8pm; Thurs.-Sat. 11am-9pm

What is it?  Set right along the Fort Point Channel, this red-shingled seafood shack and open-air tent serves as party central during the summer months for locals and tourists alike.

Why go? Gather at the spot's picnic tables, beneath lamps made of lobster traps strung with Christmas lights, for steamers, fried Ipswich clams or a full New England seafood bake.

We love: We love hitting the patio during the summer. During the colder months when that area is closed to the elements, the inside is still toasty with a fire burning stove (there’s even a coveted table right in front).

Address: 88 Sleeper St, Boston, MA 02210

Opening hours: Sun.-Wed. 12-9pm; Thurs.-Sat. 12-10pm

What is it?  Victory Point, Marina Bay is Executive Chef Pino Maffeo’s culinary playground. Located in Quincy’s bustling Marina Bay complex, this casual spot with a deck bar and bay views.

Why go? This spot places lobster front and center, with dishes like lobster Benedict, a decadent seafood pie, lobster ravioli, spaghetti with clams, and, of course, a perfectly chilled lobster roll served on a toasted brioche bun with lemon aioli.

We love: Seafood-lovers enjoy starters of calamari, crab cakes and New England clam chowder, along with entreés including Frutti di Mare pasta and a traditional fried fisherman’s platter.

Address: 332 Victory Rd, Quincy, MA 02171

Opening hours: Mon.-Wed. 11:30am-9pm; Thurs. 11:30am-10pm; Fri. and Sat. 11:30am-11pm; Sun. 10am-9pm