If you’re looking for some spectacular lobster, look no further than these 9 best seafood restaurants in Boston.

If you’ve never been to Boston in the fall, then now is your time to go and explore everything Boston has to offer. The water is cold which makes the seafood extra good. Of course, sweater season, phenomenal coffee, and fun bars also await you in this stunning Northeast city. Boston is home to the Red Socks, an abundance of culture and colleges, and gorgeous architecture. But, this doesn’t even touch on the food scene here. Baked beans, clam chowder, lobster rolls, cannoli, pizza, and oysters are all staples in any Bostonian diet. So, if any of those sound enticing, then make sure to check out these seafood restaurants in Boston. From small holes in the wall to upscaling dining establishments, there’s something for everyone on this list. So, get ready for some of the best seafood of your life.

1. Row 34

Credit: Row 34 / Facebook

For your industrial chic, city-centric lobster roll, head to Row 34. With a raw bar and dinner served every night of the week, you’re sure to enjoy this spot. They serve lunch daily as well, but on Sundays that switches, no surprise, to brunch. But, with all of this time to visit Row 34, you might be wondering what makes them top our list of the best seafood restaurants in Boston. Well, it’s a local favorite for the infamous lobster roll. While it will cost you upwards of thirty dollars, it is renowned to be one of the city’s best. But, don’t let that stop you from exploring your options. Row 34 has an extensive wine and beer list as well. So, if you’re looking for a great spot to grab a beer and snack on some ceviche from the raw bar, making this your midafternoon stop.

2. B&G Oysters

Credit: B&G Oysters / Facebook

Nestled in Boston’s South End, Chef Barbara Lynch has created a stellar neighborhood oyster bar. Every day, there are at least twelve different oyster options to choose from, on top of the already extensively curated menu at B&G Oysters. Of course, the food menu is complimented superbly by an extensive wine list. Don’t get overwhelmed too quickly, though, as the staff is incredibly informed when it comes to pairing and walking you through what wine to try. They talk about their oysters just like they talk about wine, so you’re in for a treat there too. While every restaurant on our list of the best seafood restaurants in Boston has a spectacular lobster roll, you can branch out a bit here. Of course, the roll is delicious, but the New England Clam Chowder here is topped with undeniably delicious bacon lardons and spicy croutons for a great finish.

Of course, that’s just the beginning. B&G Oysters has perfected their ambiance and offerings with the help of their Executive Wine Director Cat Silirie. We couldn’t make it through their menu without being captivated by the dessert selections as well. Make sure to top off your meal here with the uniquely spectacular Olive Oil Poppy Cake that is accompanied by cherry coulis, creme anglaise, and cocoa nibs. Or, if you’re more of a classic chocolatier, choose the Chocolate Mousse with a heath bar crunch and sea salt instead. Either way, the offerings at B&G Oysters have easily put them at the top of so many seafood restaurants in Boston lists.

3. Mooncusser Fish House

Credit: Mooncusser Fish House / Facebook

This next option is one of the most elegantly simple seafood restaurants in Boston. The Mooncusser Fish House seats just sixty at its dark wood and white cloth dining room on a third floor along Stuart Street. They keep it sleek with just nine first course options for dinner and seven entree selections. But, this shows you that each one has been perfected carefully so you only experience the best of the best of what Boston has to offer.

The Mooncusser Fish House understands fine dining and wine pairings, too. So, you can choose to delve into the full experience through their prefixed three course menu or a tasting of local fish that can be accompanied by wine. So, if you’re ready to indulge in what Chef Carolyn Johnson has to offer, then make sure to put the Mooncusser at the top of your must-visit list of seafood restaurants in Boston. It will be well worth your time.

4. Island Creek Oyster Bar

Credit: Island Creek Oyster Bar / Facebook

The Island Creek Oyster Bar is another spot for a modern feel at one of the most scrumptious seafood restaurants in Boston. As you enter, you’ll be captivated by the high ceilings, modern lighting, and most likely vast amounts of people. This bustling spot is well worth a reservation if you’re searching for a great raw bar with cocktails to boot. While the curated oysters are well worth having amongst your group, there is one dish that reviewers can’t get enough of. The Lobster Roe Noodles are a hand-crafted mixture of grilled lobster, braised short rib, oyster mushroom, and Pecorino. Together, it makes an undeniably splendid dinner entree. Of course, this wouldn’t be one of the best seafood restaurants in Boston without having a great wine and beer list to keep the libations flowing. So, stop by the Island Creek Oyster Bar for some of the best oysters in town.

5. Saltie Girl

Credit: Saltie Girl / Facebook

Don’t let Saltie Girl’s cute and casual style fool you into thinking its a simple spot. Saltie Girl is run by Owner and a salty girl herself, Kathy Sidell, as well as Executive Chef Kyle McClelland. These two have had a love for the finest seafood for quite some time and pair it with exquisite technique and unparalleled ingredients. On top of that, they’ve also curated the largest tinned seafood collection in New England, so you’re more than welcome to take a little piece of their heaven home with you. You will have a unique selection ahead of you if you’re willing to branch out as well.

There is a fried lobster and waffles option which has sweet corn butter and spicy maple syrup to top it off. If that’s not your style, try the smoked salmon on potato bread toast. It has greek yogurt, truffle wildflower honey, and a cured egg yolk to finish it off. Of course, you can also have a mixture of small er plates of a charred octopus empanada or french snails. Either way, you’ll be captivated by the creativity, ingenuity, and delightful technique that goes into each of the dishes at Saltie Girl. So, keep this in mind when you’re ready to truly experience the best seafood restaurants in Boston.

6. Neptune Oyster

Credit: Neptune Oyster / Facebook

Any list of essential seafood restaurants in Boston wouldn’t be complete without Neptune Oyster. The wait will often be hours long, so keep that in mind when planning out your coming here. Make sure to put your name on the list multiple hours before you actually know you’ll be hungry. But, don’t fret. A restaurant doesn’t get that much attention without being superb.

As the name suggests, the Oysters here are legitimately made for the gods. They are raved about as being some of the best in this country, so make sure to order more than you think you’ll want while you’re here. They’re just that good. Chef Daniel Karg and Chef John Ross make one of the best – hot or cold – lobster rolls in the city. However, their creativity often precedes them. So, try out whatever the day or weeks specials are on the list to truly make the most of your long awaited Neptune Oyster experience.

7. North End Fish Market

Credit: North End Fish

We’re sneaking this takeout-only spot onto our list of the best seafood restaurants in Boston. The North End Fish Market is tucked in Boston’s little Italy, giving it European vibes that we love. Of course, you’ll also get a little taste of the East with the in-house professional sushi chef, Chef Bo. So, while you can buy all your own ingredients here to try and make your own dishes, they do have some prepared things that are to die for. The crab cakes, lobster rolls, and seafood stuffing will all have you coming back for more. So, for a lower price point restaurant option that will leave you with made to order sushi and a sneakily spectacular lobster roll, make sure to stop by the North End Fish Market.

8. Ostra

Credit: Ostra / Facebook

For a Mediterranean flavor of sophistication at one of the best seafood restaurants in Boston, head to Ostra. Located in Boston’s Back Bay, this swanky spot is run with expert precision by Chef/Owner Jamie Mammano and Executive Chef Mitchell Randall. They combine the marvelous seafood of the Northeast with inspiration and natural flavors of the Mediterranean. When you put those dishes against the fresh black and white themed restaurant, you have quite the dinner reservation.

Hopefully, you won’t be overwhelmed by the extensive menu at Ostra. But, we’ll give you a few recommendations to try to get you started. A crowd favorite for the first course is the Ricotta Gnocchetti, made with Maine lobster, beech mushrooms, and a shaved black burgundy truffle. If you want to try a few small plates, grab the grilled Spanish Octopus as well. It is accompanied by lemon, olive oil, crispy salt capers, and raw sweet Vidalias. Of course, you can always save room for the abundance of masterfully grilled dishes for your entree. Either way, the dishes will be both artistic and scrumptious, so make sure Ostra tops your list of seafood restaurants in Boston that you need to visit.

9. Alive & Kicking Lobsters

Credit: Alive & Kicking Lobsters / Facebook

Yes, you can get lobsters that are still moving and grooving at the no-frills Alive and Kicking Lobsters. This is one of our favorite seafood restaurants in Boston because you get great tasting bang for your buck and they’re not afraid to be themselves. They don’t have a lobster roll, but they do have the best, and most stacked, lobster sandwich in Boston. This low-mayo lobster mixture is brought out between scali bread and called a sandwich. There’s no shortage of delicious lobster on here and it’s hands down delicious. You can also grab their summer special deal if you’re feeling hungry. For thirty dollars, you can get 2 lobsters, muscles or steamers, and corn on the cob for around thirty dollars. You’ll get the joy of deconstructing your lobster for the meat on your plastic tray, but its all part of the ambiance here.

You can’t deny that when it comes to seafood restaurants in Boston, there are so many to choose from.

From classy establishments serving upscale cuisine with style to your hole in the wall markets that still put out some downright delicious options, we just can’t get enough seafood restaurants in Boston. We love picking our own live lobsters at Alive and Kicking Lobsters. But, there’s something to be said about having one expertly prepared by the chefs at Ostra. On the other hand, we could eat limitless amounts of oysters and sip cocktails at Island Creek Oyster Bar without disappointment. As long as we fit in some unique seafood choices at Saltie Girl before or after. All in all, Boston is truly a seafood and foodie lovers dream destination. So, book that ticket to Boston now if you’re ready to take part in this foodie heaven.

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