50 Best Seafood Restaurants in Boston

“the oysters are out of sight! delicious bravo! bouillabaisse was amazing! I did like my server. I do suggest they get some sleep nobody was smiling.“

“The food was A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!!! Perfect for a special occasion.“

“Words don’t accurately describe the best chowder I’ve ever had. And doing so in a cozy dockside spot by a window overlooking a snowy bay and pier. You’ll have to experience it yourself, and do so frequently!“

“Great menu. Beautiful presentation of excellently prepared choices. Delightful competent staff. You’ll be lucky to have Carlos as your waiter.“

“Fish tacos and an Arnold Palmer really hit the spot 👌🏼“

“We booked the private dining area and had a great experience. Service was great and we were not rushed at all. Food and drinks were good and the overall booking process with Zoey was easy and transparent.“

“Ostra is one of those restaurants that immediately feels like an occasion the moment you walk in. The dining room is polished and elegant without feeling stiff, with warm lighting, crisp white tablecloths, and a refined atmosphere that makes it feel equally suited for a date night, celebration, or pre-theater dinner. The space has a timeless quality to it, balancing classic fine dining with a modern seafood-focused menu, and there is an energy throughout the room that feels lively while still maintaining a sense of intimacy.

Seafood is clearly the focus here, and the menu is built around pristine ingredients prepared with restraint and precision. The tuna tartare is a great example of that approach, highlighting the freshness of the fish rather than overwhelming it with heavy flavors. Oysters are another natural starting point, especially given the restaurant's reputation for sourcing high-quality shellfish. From there, larger seafood dishes like the grilled Spanish octopus, paella, monkfish, and the signature salt-crusted branzino showcase the kitchen's ability to handle both delicate preparations and more dramatic presentations. The menu leans Mediterranean in spirit, with an emphasis on letting the seafood remain the centerpiece of every dish.

Service feels polished in the way you would expect from a restaurant at this level. Courses arrive at a comfortable pace, staff are knowledgeable about the menu, and there is a noticeable attention to detail throughout the meal. Whether celebrating a special occasion or simply enjoying dinner in the city, the experience feels thoughtfully executed from beginning to end.

What makes Ostra memorable is how effortlessly it delivers the type of seafood dining experience many restaurants aim for. The elegant setting, carefully prepared seafood, and attentive hospitality all work together to create a meal that feels elevated without becoming overly formal. It is the kind of place that reminds you why classic seafood restaurants continue to endure, offering a dining experience that feels both timeless and distinctly Boston.“

“one of the best meals we've had in a long time. highly recommend.“

“When someone's looking for lobster bisque, I'll send 'em here!“

“We had an incredible experience at Grill 23 & Bar — easily the best steakhouse we’ve been to in Boston. From start to finish, everything was exceptional. The food was phenomenal. We ordered both the filet mignon and the ribeye, and each steak was perfectly cooked, flavorful, and truly outstanding. The sides were just as memorable — the macaroni and cheese was rich and comforting, the Brussels sprouts were perfectly prepared, and the mashed potatoes were smooth and delicious. Adding the Béarnaise sauce on the side was absolutely worth it and paired beautifully with the steaks. Dessert was the perfect ending: warm chocolate chip cookies served with vanilla ice cream — simple, classic, and done flawlessly. A huge highlight of the evening was our waiter, Bernardo. We will absolutely be requesting him on future visits. He offered thoughtful suggestions, anticipated our needs effortlessly, and somehow managed to be there exactly when we needed him — and never when we didn’t, if that makes sense. Just genuinely attentive, professional, and welcoming service that elevated the entire experience. An unforgettable dinner all around. We can’t wait to come back.“

“Amazing dining experience! The lamb chops were perfectly cooked—tender, flavorful, and definitely one of the best dishes on the menu.

The restaurant’s location near the harbor offers a great waterfront view, creating a relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere. On top of that, the service was outstanding—friendly, attentive, and professional from start to finish.

Highly recommend this place for anyone looking for great food with beautiful harbor views. I will definitely be back!“

“My wife and I have enjoyed the Restaurant scene in Boston privately and professionally for over thirty years. Right now Aqua Pazza is my absolute favorite spot in the city! Aqua Pazza is kicking on my all three important points. Food, service and ambiance. Simply, I love the place!!!“

“Great food and pet darn fast actually. My wife had the shrimp scampi with linguine and I had the stuffed calamari over black squid ink linguine. 🤌🏽👌🏽👍🏽“

“Cozy spot and can have a long wait time, but it’s well worth it. Miso butter cod was one of the best things I’ve had in the city. Service was good, waiter explained everything and answered any questions we had. Definitely a spot I would return to Boston for.“

“By far the best, authentic Italian food in the North End. We have dined at several restaurants but the service, ambience and food is the best! They make their own pasta and sauces daily. I cannot recommend Casarecce enough. Delicioso.“

“Went there for lunch and did not disappoint! Highly recommend the Lobster Bisque, best I’ve had in a very long time.“

“Excellent food and delicious lobster 🦞“

“Bartender James was the best! Thanks for the recommendation!!“

“The food here was absolutely amazing, but what truly made our night so special was our waiter, Diego! He was incredibly nice, attentive, and thoughtful throughout the entire evening. He really went above and beyond to make sure we had a fantastic experience. If you are planning a visit and want to ensure a great night, I highly recommend asking for Diego. Thank you so much, Diego, for an unforgettable evening!“

“we had a wonderful experience all around on a busy Sunday. The manager, Russ, greeted us with a warm smile, setting the tone for a great evening. we sat outside and Jorge F, took great care of us. He was prompt but we never felt rushed. the food was excellent, the Lobster cones are a great new item. we also had the classic mussels. The grilled salmon was delicious. Russ was leading his team through a busy shift but was able to make time to ensure everything was just right. The best in the Seaport.“

“Had my first visit to Bootleg Special last night and it did not disappoint. Every aspect of the meal, from the creative drinks to the delicious appetizers to the fantastic main course was outstanding. Our server, Alex, was attentive and very pleasant. And last, but certainly not least, the beignets after dinner were spectacular. Looking forward to my next visit!“

“May 2026
I was anticipating an amazing wagyu beef burger given the $35 price tag, but it was very ordinary and forgettable. It was cooked well-done even though I asked for medium-well, and it had absolutely no flavor, not even a hint of salt and pepper. The fries were dry and not very good either. But the corn bread was absolutely delightful and probably some of the best I’ve ever had, and the pita bread with hummus and pimento cheese was delicious, as well. Overall, about 4 stars considering the appetizers saved the day, as the wagyu burger was a flop.“

“Awesome app's and excellent wine menu. All beef is grass fed. One of the best restaurants that I've been to.“

“cool atmosphere, food a dream. my lobster roll with honey/chilly butter delicios.“

“Delicious seafood options and fresh oysters!“

“its a pretty good place, I really had a nice time“

“8/18/25
Our server was wonderful, accommodated to some strange requests.

- Patatas Bravas: mildly crispy, aioli and salsa had great flavor
- Entrants a la Parrilla: skirt steak
- Pintxos Morunos: my mom’s favorite of our orders; lamb dish.
- Pulpo a la Plancha

Everything we ordered was great.“

“The freshest seafood, outstanding service, and a wonderful atmosphere. We’ve lived in Boston for many years and have tried countless seafood restaurants, but this remains our favorite spot. The quality is consistently excellent, the staff always make us feel welcome, and every visit is a great experience. Highly recommended!“

“8/19/25
- Crab Rangoon: crispy, filled to the brim 10/10
- Shrimp Har Gow: uses a little more sugar, and more grinded up than I like,
- Beef Fried Rice: just not my style of rice, made well; not enough of the wok hay for me 6/10
- Salt and Pepper Shrimp: thick and juicy shrimp, mildly crispy outside, seasoned well 8/10
- House Special Beef: was oversalted, weren’t able to finish it.“

“You won’t find a more delicious lobster roll anywhere!!!“

“Amazing as always and we love every menu they have ❤️ and Tristan is really nice 👍🏼 👍🏼“

“Left another place to come here because the customer service was bad. What a 180. Citizen staff was friendly, great w/suggestions and helped secure me a seat at their busy bar. Had two great cocktails and a delicious pepper seared filet. Well done Citizen Pub!! I will be back!“

“I had a wonderful experience at the Oyster Bar in Quincy Market. The service was excellent and very accommodating. We wanted to enjoy lobster, and the staff kindly allowed me to finish food from another vendor at the table, which was a pleasant surprise. We tried two different types of clam chowder, both of which were delicious and full of flavor. The lobster rolls were also very good—fresh, generously filled, and beautifully prepared. I sampled a wine before ordering, and the one I chose paired nicely with the meal, even if wine prices in the U.S. tend to be a bit high.
Overall, it was a fantastic afternoon that we truly enjoyed. Highly recommended!“

“Baleia is a small Portugese Tapas restaurant, serving up a wide range of dishes in the Ink Block area. The dining room has a polished, lively energy with a stylish atmosphere that makes it feel equally suited for a date night, special occasion, or a longer dinner with friends. The space leans upscale while still feeling welcoming.

The menu takes Portuguese flavors and presents them through a more modern lens, with several dishes consistently standing out. The Portuguese sweet rolls appear to be one of the signatures of the restaurant, with a great taste to start off the meal. The Shrimp Mozambique is another standout, served with a flavorful broth that works well when soaked up with extra bread. For those looking to explore more of the menu, the tasting option offers a broad introduction to the kitchen's approach, though many diners seem equally happy building their own meal from individual dishes.

Service is one of Baleia’s strongest qualities. Staff are warm welcoming, knowledgeable, and genuinely enthusiastic about guiding guests through the menu. The dining experience feels polished without being stiff, with attentive pacing and thoughtful recommendations contributing as much to the meal as the food itself. While opinions occasionally vary on specific dishes or seasoning levels, the consistency of the hospitality stands out across a wide range of visits.

What makes Baleia especially appealing is how it combines the comfort and familiarity of Portuguese cooking with a more contemporary restaurant experience. Between the inviting atmosphere, strong service, and a menu filled with dishes designed for sharing and exploration, it feels like a restaurant built for memorable nights out rather than quick meals. Whether you're stopping in for a few small plates and cocktails or settling in for a full tasting experience, Baleia delivers the kind of experience that keeps people planning a return visit before they've even left the table.“

“Probably one of the best meals ever. From oysters to bread pudding! So amazing! A burst of flavor in every bite! Go out of your way if you have to , you won’t regret! 💕“

“Great food ,great atmosphere ,great service ....I guess everything was great!“

“Had a great experience at The Banks Seafood and Steak in Boston! I stopped in for drinks at the bar and was truly impressed. Katie, the bartender, made one of the best lychee cocktails I’ve had — perfectly balanced and so refreshing. I also want to acknowledge Gary, the director of operations, who went above and beyond to make sure everything was perfect. It’s rare to find that level of hospitality. Highly recommend this spot for a relaxed, upscale vibe with top-notch service.“

“Great romantic date place with my boyfriend!! Food was outstanding and service was amazing!“

“The food was so good! It was the first time I have ever had Szechuan food and now it won’t be my last. I have seen people here in the past but never ventured in to try it out and I have lived across the street from it for two years. They were so nice and accommodating. They added vermicelli noodles to my stewed tofu and shrimp and I was so grateful.“

“We were celebrating our 16th anniversary and my retirement, and wanted to do it up right! We picked the right place for it. Coming in from Cape Cod, for a concert at Fenway we had reservations for Abe and Louie’s, but there were 2 at the bar so they let us sit there instead of our table. Our bartenders were great. To our surprise, Bree almost immediately said “Happy Anniversary!” And our drink order was taken. Michelle made a spicy margarita with a nice kick and a heavy glass, and a soda. Then we ordered shrimp cocktail which were brought out in mere moments. The shrimp were huge and cold and crunchy- perfect! We took our time and were not rushed to order our meal, but once we did, with Kendal, she asked all the right questions, offered to split our salad in the kitchen, and made some great recommendations. I wanted my Filet with their wedge salad as my entree and was told no problem. Our meal, my huge filet and my man’s ribeye were both cooked as requested and his suggested garlic whipped potatoes were creamy and yummy! The food was all out of this world, but what made the dining a true experience was the tango these three women danced around each other, each knowing what the other was doing and exactly what their patrons wanted. You can get a great filet many places but I pay for the service and we both felt like we were treated like royalty. Thank you Bree, Kendal and Michelle for making our anniversary and my retirement a true celebration!!“

“Nobody comes close. Best Lobstah Mac n cheese in town. I’ve tried others and I keep coming back every time I’m in Boston.“

“This is easily the best local seafood in town. The list of locally sourced oysters goes on for days. They give you a pencil to select today’s fresh offerings. Our server was knowledgeable and attentive. The lobster rolls (we had them both ways) are easily the best in Boston. We were greeted by Chef Jeremy and we can easily see why this place sets the standard for local seafood. We’ll be back.“

“Absolute best sichuan chinese restaurant in town. The flavors and dishes are authentic and if you love spice, this place is a must visit in Boston. I can say with confidence that every single dish on their menu is a treat and an experience in itself and the staff is helpful and knowledgeable.“

“Absolutely fine dining at fair market prices. The staff was brilliant, the food well prepared, and the atmosphere wonderful. There's not enough praise that I can heap on Atlantic Fish. We had the whole fish that came with sides topped with a fresh Guinness. Everything was expertly prepared. Dessert was through the roof. Great restaurant, attentive staff.“

“Stopped by this bar and restaurant after work and honestly enjoyed the experience a lot. The environment felt relaxed and modern, making it a nice place to unwind. Drinks were well made, portions were satisfying, and the staff treated customers politely throughout the visit.“

“me encantó todo ,❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️“

“25 years I have been charged mine here. In all that time, never any less than fabulous!“

“Best chowda I had on my trip to Boston!“

“My husband & I had a lovely lunch there this afternoon. Our first time there. Will certainly be back. Thank you so much for your hospitality.“