The Best Seafood Restaurants in Boston

Located on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, many of the best restaurants in Boston plate up some of the top seafood dishes to be found anywhere on Earth. In fact, Boston has been a hotspot for some of America's greatest seafood since before the days of Paul Revere and Ben Franklin. With fresh fish coming to plates in "Beantown" right off the boats from New England and elsewhere in the Northeast, Boston's seafood scene features restaurants serving up traditional dishes and exciting experimental meals. But where are the smartest, savviest seafood diners in Boston eating out? Welcome to the Tastemaker Lists. Here, we've sought out the best seafood restaurants in Boston, with data straight from the mouths (and the keyboards) of New England's seafood lovers. On this list, you'll find great Boston seafood everywhere from upscale restaurants to friendly neighborhood joints - all approved by the type of locals who know the best restaurants in Boston. Grab a table and enjoy dinner in "The Hub" of seafood.

The OpenTable Team

12 Restaurants

Updated January 29, 2021

Restaurants:	Atlantic Fish, Puritan & Company, Out of the Blue…
Price Range:	$$ - $$$$
Cuisines:	Seafood, Contemporary American…
Neighborhoods:	Back Bay, Cambridge, Somerville…

Atlantic Fish

$$$$

Seafood

Back Bay

4.7

10829 reviews

This premiere seafood restaurant has the ocean right there in its name. Atlantic Fish is right in the middle of the bustling Back Bay neighborhood on Boylston Street. Summertime on its patio delivers ample opportunities for people watching on the busy street. Stop into Atlantic Fish before or after a stroll on nearby Newbury Street or a game at Fenway for a satisfying seafood dinner. Go for New England favorites like steamers or fried Ipswich clams to start off with. For a comprehensive seafood sampling, try the New England Lobster Feast. This dinner includes a two-pound lobster and a full array of side dishes.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Experiences available

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Puritan & Company

$$$$

Contemporary American

Cambridge

4.6

1916 reviews

The Somerville neighborhood of Inman Square has some of the best restaurants in Boston. Trek across the Charles River into this hip neighborhood to try the classic New England dining styles at Puritan and Company. The food here at Puritan and Company is straight from the traditional Massachusetts cookbook. Diners will find seafood favorites like Scottish salmon and phyllo-wrapped cod for main dishes. For appetizers, go for a selection of oysters or the unique "seafood pastrami."

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Experiences available

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Out of the Blue

$$$$

Seafood

Somerville

4.6

919 reviews

Davis Square in Somerville boasts a few of the best restaurants in Boston. Hop on the Red Line for a trip a little past Harvard Square to visit this hip seafood restaurant in an exciting atmosphere. Out of the Blue is an intimate and quirky casual bistro with some New England seafood favorites. It's a great spot for seafood pasta dishes, with frutte di mare and shrimp scampi on the menu. There's also surf and turf with sauteed shrimp and steak and baked stuff lobster. Be sure to pair the seafood with one of Out of the Blue's local beers.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Row 34 - Boston

$$$$

Seafood

Fort Point Channel

4.8

1634 reviews

Row 34 is a seafood standout in the hip dining haven neighborhood of Fort Point. This fun area on the Atlantic draws a lively crowd of young professionals. Many of them flock to this favorite, which offers a raw bar full of top-notch oysters from the Northeast alongside other seafood favorites. One of the big draws of Row 34 is its extraordinary beer list. Don't go here without trying a fresh draft from the world-renowned Trillium Brewery, right next door to the restaurant.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Glass House

$$$$

Contemporary American

Kendall Square

4.5

265 reviews

Across the river from Boston in Cambridge is the ornate Glass House restaurant. This seafood spot is in the busy business section called Kendall Square. It offers some of the best oysters in the city, along with littlenecks and jumbo shrimp. The "Glass House" towers are some of the restaurant's specialties. These come stacked high with lobster, oysters, littlenecks, and jumbo shrimp. Be sure to try the spicy red curry shrimp for the main course.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

B&G Oysters

$$$$

Seafood

South End

4.6

2852 reviews

This upscale and modern oyster bar is a prime destination in Boston's South End neighborhood. In summertime or in warmer weather, the patio at B&G Oysters is ideal of al fresco dining. Stop in for some of the restaurant's trademark oysters or a full seafood meal like fried Ipswich clams and Atlantic blue cod. If visitors desire a food experience alongside your meal, they should sign up for one of B&G Oysters' shucking classes. The restaurant's master shuckers deliver step-by-step shucking instructions. Guests will also get souvenir oyster knives and oysters to eat.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Grill 23 & Bar

$$$$

Steak

Back Bay

4.7

7723 reviews

Grill 23 is one of Boston's most fabled dining institutions. It's a go-to dinner spot for the city's movers and shakers in the busy Back Bay neighborhood. Grill 23 features a menu full of some of the best seafood in Boston. The raw bar boasts local oysters, Alaskan King Crab, and Wellfleet clams. It is also a prime Boston spot for caviar, with ostera and Imperial Golden versions on the menu.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Porto

$$$$

Italian

Back Bay

4.7

1474 reviews

Porto is an acclaimed seafood venture from the group behind the celebrated Mediterranean spot TRADE. The group has created some of the best restaurants in Boston, and Porto is This Back Bay favorite brings the same Mediterranean styles to classic seafood dishes. There are plates of seared scallops, yellowfin tuna, and seaweed bucatini. Porto also features seafood towers of oysters, shrimp, littleneck clams, and tuna tartare. It's a great people-watching spot. Grab a table for some seafood and gaze at the shoppers coming from the nearby Prudential Center.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

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Takeout available

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Legal Sea Foods – Downtown Crossing

$$$$

Seafood

Downtown Crossing

4.6

2410 reviews

Boston's Legal Sea Foods restaurants are known for their excellent service and fresh seafood dishes. Their Legal Crossing establishment is a flashier, more stylish installment of the chain. It is right in the heart of the blossoming Downtown Crossing neighborhood. Legal Crossing is an ideal spot for a seafood meal before or after a show at one of the nearby theaters. Opt for the freshly-shucked oysters or clams, or share the lobster-mashed potatoes or house-smoked salmon.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Mare

$$$$

Italian

North End

4.6

2337 reviews

Mare is a seafood standout in the Italian section of Boston called the North End. Visitors can find Mare in one of the city's most beautiful neighborhoods, between the Atlantic Ocean and the Rose Kennedy Greenway. It's a great spot to dine at after a walk through Boston. The small plate seafood appetizers include highlights like New England lobster bisque and surf and turf with braised short ribs and scallops. Mare also has one of New England's best lobster rolls and a Maine-style baked stuffed lobster on the menu.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Shaking Crab - Boston Common

$$$$

Cajun

Downtown Crossing

3.9

124 reviews

The unique seafood restaurant called the Shaking Crab advertises "messy eating." They advise wearing a bib while eating, and for good reason. Diners at the Shaking Crab select their seafood and some of the Crab's trademark sauces and spaces. From there, their unique selection is "shaken" in a plastic bag for top flavor before going on the plate. The resulting dish delivers a one-of-a-kind flavor and plenty of saucy fingers to diners. For those that would like a more traditional seafood dinner, favorites like lobster roll and fried catfish are also on the menu.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Loco Taqueria & Oyster Bar

$$$$

Mexican

South Boston

4.8

317 reviews

Loco Taqueria & Oyster Bar serves up a blend of classic Mexican and New England seafood flavors. This lively spot is in the middle of South Boston, with a crowd of hip young residents, students, and workers. Its menu features with creative concoctions like shrimp ceviche with mango salsa or Baja fish with spicy pineapple aioli. Start off the meal with the restaurant's crab guacamole with chopped mango and Hass avocado.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

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