Favorite Seafood Restaurants in Boston

by Maggie Battista on June 4, 2009

in featured, restaurants, seafood

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The weather is getting warmer, the New England ocean is suddenly more blue and the views from each mountain is more picturesque. Suddenly friends from all over are visiting their friends in New England. (We never hear from ya’ll the rest of the year, but as soon as the snow and rain and cold temps disappear, our door steps seem quite warm and welcoming, eh?)

Well, I suppose it’s as it should be. And when ya’ll visit, you’re looking for – big surprise! – great seafood restaurants. A dear friend asked for my list of favorite seafood/fish spots and I was only happy to oblige. In turn, I wanted to share the list with you.

Keep in mind, there are about a thousand seafood restaurants in Boston. These are only my favorite spots. If you have a favorite, link to it from the comments. I always love new spots to try!

Catch, Winchester, MA
This is a lovely, small, fine dining restaurant in the ‘burbs of Boston. It’s not casually priced, but it’s definitely worth the splurge. Dress a little nicer, if you’re so inclined. This is the spot I take many seafood fans who don’t mind the higher price tag. I suggest reservations.

Neptune Oyster, North End, Boston, MA
If your friends love oysters, then they’ll love all the options at this spot. I *adore* this place. Alas, it’s always busy, a touch cramped and there can be a long wait. I’d recommend this joint when you don’t mind a leisurely wait and a brasserie style atmosphere.

East Coast Grill, Cambridge, MA
When Don and I lived in Cambridge, we visited this spot for their great Bloody Mary and raw bar. It’s definitely casual, but as the owner/chef has become a bit of a local celebrity, it’s quite a busy place. Totally worth it though!

B&G Oysters, South End, Boston, MA
I can’t rave enough about any Barbara Lynch joint. She always goes the extra mile, taking care of every detail. This South End restaurant is fairly hip and chic, and quite a wait on the weekends. But the staff will gladly call your cell when your table is ready! Try the B-L-T – Bacon, Lobster and Tomato sandwich.

Finz, Salem, MA
This place is pretty good and delivers a fairly reliable seafood experience, as it sits right on Salem Harbor. It’s a bit pricey for the ‘burbs but the prices are expected for New England beach town cuisine. The food is a hundred times better off-season, so definitely try to hit it in the Fall/Winter, if you can.

Maggie Battista

Maggie, is the founder of Eat Boutique. She started Eat Boutique as a blog in 2007, and sold out of her first gift box of small batch independent food in 2009. Maggie continues to offer unique and delicious handmade food in monthly tasting subscriptions and seasonal gift boxes for food fans and home cooks. Maggie also hosts Eat Boutique Markets, where she spotlights cookbook authors and food and drink makers. She’s written for Time Out New York, Spencer Magazine, The Hip Paris Blog, and writes a monthly cocktail column for the popular wedding blog, Snippet & Ink. Maggie's also created retail experiences for the largest floral and event design company in New England. She regularly travels far distances to find the next great chef, farmer, food maker or host. You can follow her worldwide – and homemade – gastronomic adventures on Twitter at @mizmaggieb or @eatboutique.

  • http://www.DrinksAreOnMe.net/ Dale Cruse

    I completely agree about Neptune Oyster. That place is phenomenal! Terrific wine list, too, with plenty of things off the beaten path.

    One restaurant you left off the list is the venerable Legal Seafoods. What's your opinion on our local chain?

  • http://www.eatboutique.com Maggie

    I left Legal Seafoods off on purpose.

    Sure, it's good, reliable and has gotten much better than it was 10 years ago. But I tend to gravitate away from what appear to be “big business” restaurants. I *always* prefer to support the “little guy” with indie vision and old-fashioned hospitality. I just always get better service at a spot like Catch, because the owner/chef is in the restaurant, making sure we all have a great time.

    Legal has improved and been far more transparent on its policies and for that, I commend them! But in recent years, their service has been fairly mediocre, esp. my visits to the Cambridge locale. So while they're not a bad place to hit, I just think you get a better overall experience at a smaller spot. Have you had any GREAT Legal Seafoods experiences?

    • Karen

      No – only if you like chain food restaurants. Yes the fish is fresh but the “experience” lacks imagination, originality, and, passion.

  • http://jimstorer.com jstorerj

    ok, before I tackle the Legal Seafoods question, comments on your other spots:

    1. Catch – agree. you're spot on here.
    2. Neptune – #1 on my list. currently my fav spot for a night out.
    3. East Coast Grill – was my #1 for a long time. love the neighborhood, Hotter Than Hell Night and Christina's burnt sugar ice cream for dessert, but it can get crowded on weekends and they seem in a rush to turn your table.
    4. B&G – outstanding, but be prepared to leave your wallet with them. the prices will make your head spin. seriously.
    5. Finz – i'm surprised to see this one on the list. it's ok (IMHO) and the view/location is great, but I would sooner drive into Boston for #1-4 before going to Salem.

    While Dali (http://www.dalirestaurant.com/) doesn't first come to mind when you're thinking seafood, the fish cooked in salt is one of my favorite dishes of all time. Simple yes, but tasty…uhuh. And they have plenty of other seafood options on the menu (paella anyone?).

    The other place I'll mention is Turners (http://www.turners-seafood.com/). Since you're writing about places to take friends from out of town, I think you need to have a place on the list that screams New England clambake. #1-5 are a bit more fusion/modern takes on seafood, which is nice, but New England seafood is about steamers and lobsters (again IMHO). I love sitting at the bar with a wheat beer, watching them work the steam jacketed kettles. Sure, it's noisy, but so are we right?

    Re: Legal… I agree with you in general, but will always defend the North Shore Mall location since they took really good care of us when we went there with our first baby. They would always give us a corner booth so we could put her “bucket” in the dark corner between us. It was our date night between the turmoil and sleepless nights that come with your first child. So there you go… a great experience with Legal.

  • http://www.eatboutique.com Maggie

    You're right about Finz. I should have definitely talked up the locale far more than the food. But I have had good meals there during the Fall/Winter. The Summer rush just makes it hard for staff to keep up quality sometime – not a good excuse, but an excuse. I put it on my list for my dear friend as she's FAR more likely to stick to a suburbs location before hitting Boston. (You and I both know that a longer drive is worth a better meal…)

    I've never had that Dali dish. You should replicate it for me sometime?! Or I need to get my butt into Cambridge. As for Turners, um, Jim — my only meal there sucked and the service was rushed and I'd be willing to give it another go but was shocked at how bad it was. 'Course, did not sit at the raw bar, nor consume huge quantities of beer – I'm sure beer and oysters make it all better. ;-)

    Yes, I will say the Northshore Mall locale of Legal is much better than any other Boston-area experience. But, something I neglected to mention, do you really think the prices there are worth it?! Sure, I steer clear of chain restaurants, but when my husband and I hit Legal, we always feel like we spent a lot for a little…

    • http://www.VoicesThatMatter.com/iPhone2009 Barbara Gavin

      Having lived in Melrose for 14 years, having watched Turners start and then grow (twice) – I totally agree with Jim.

      Love to sit at the oyster bar and watch my lunch or dinner being made.

      Also – they have awesome onion rings.

  • bt

    i've frequented legal seafood for years and find the long wharf location the best. while my husband would dine at legal every night, i agree that it's solid, good time after time, but doesn't wow me particularly. i have to say, however, that time and time again they prepare us clams casino, which is no longer on the menu, given we're willing to wait a few extra minutes for the prep. it's always worth it.

    as far as finz…we dined there only once…party of 10…on new year's eve. this was a few years ago. i don't think they were open more than a year. while we had reservations and our table was ready – we were the first party to arrive for the evening – when we began to order, we were told they were OUT OF SCALLOPS! this is a seafood restaurant! we were not offered any reason…just plain and simple…no apologies…that's how the night started. we had HORRENDOUS service…one of our servers was rude and mocked a member of our party. when we complained to the manager on the way out, he was also rude and unprofessional.

    we tell everyone we know NOT to go there…just my humble opinion.

  • http://jimstorer.com jstorerj

    I've threatened to make that Dali dish for many years… perhaps this summer? It would need to be paired with a fresh chardonnay. ;-)

    I'm with BT re: Finz. Not impressed… would rather be treated like royalty at Legal.

    Turners can be loud and crowded (especially on Friday and Saturday nights in the summer). Again, you need to take this for what it is. It's not Catch… if you order the fancy special you'll likely be disappointed. This is a place you wear your jeans and order a beer and some steamers. If we go there for date night we usually sit in the bar and order appetizers.

    Speaking of steamers… I love doing them myself, but when I'm feeling lazy and need a fix Legal never disappoints. I'm just saying…

  • http://www.eatboutique.com Maggie

    Steamers @ Legals? How much do they charge for that, Jim?! $40?! ;-)

    [Count me in for Chardonnay AND dessert if you ever make that Dali dish...]

    • http://www.VoicesThatMatter.com/iPhone2009 Barbara Gavin

      If I bring a crab meat appetizer, may I come, too?

  • http://jimstorer.com jstorerj

    $12.95 (http://bit.ly/RYvGm) w/ a beer at the bar (are you starting to see a theme), you're in and out for less than $20.

  • http://cavecibum.blogspot.com/ Pam

    Mmm, the hot lobster roll at Neptune is just amazing – how can you not love butter and lobster?

    Once or twice a summer, I always need to drive up to the North Shore for some clam shack food. I really enjoyed J.T. Farnham's last summer.

  • bgavin

    If I bring a crab meat appetizer, may I come, too?

  • http://www.coolsprings.com/ Williamson

    I miss the great seafood restaurants in Boston! Unfortunately we don't have many great
    seafood restaurants in Cool Springs. Bonefish Grill is a chain but pretty good for a chain. All the local places have catfish, which I don't even consider eating. Costco is our only salvation, they fly in fresh wild salmon, tuna and shrimp a couple times a week. Atlanta is only 3 hours away so we'll go there for “seafood weekend” sometimes since they have such a diverse restaurant offering.

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