Best Seafood Restaurants in Boston (Cambridge, Winthrop: appointed, construction, floor)

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by johnathanc

I think Legal Seafoods is a good restaurant, especially for someone who doesn't live on the coast. But I agree that it is far from the best. Neptune Oyster House, B&G Oysters and Island Creek Oyster are my go to spots, especially with out of town visitors. Daily Catch in North End is pretty good for Italian Seafood. I'm never been to Union Oyster House but walk by it on the way home regularly but I've been told it's a tourist trap.

I agree. If someone gave me a choice between Legal and Red Lobster, I'd choose Legal 100% of the time. While I avoid it, I'm not opposed to sitting at the bar and having a beer and a cup of chowder. It's not terrible, but it's also not dirt cheap and in this region (thankfully), there are far better options in that price range. Legal is a good example of what happens when a good concept gets franchised to death.

Union Oyster House is a tourist trap. Sort of, anyway. It's definitely historic and it's definitely worth visiting (even for a local). However, it's not worth it for a full meal which is why myself and a few others recommended going in, sitting at the semicircular bar and having a beer and a few oysters on the half shell before moving on. The Sam Adams Colonial Ale really is a good brew too.

[edwardsyzzurphands]

If I wanted to do a 3 day Seafood focused trip in Boston, this is how I would do it, excluding breakfast:

Day 1:

Lunch: Neptune Oyster (North End) Neptune Oyster | 63 Salem Street, Boston, MA 02113

Pre Dinner/Snack: Happy Hour Oysters ($1 a piece) Marliave (Downtown) MARLIAVE : Restaurant : Cocktails : Dining - 10 Bosworth Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02108

Dinner: O Ya (Leather District) o ya restaurant boston

Day 2:

Lunch: Belle Isle Seafood (East Boston) belleisleseafood.com

Pre Dinner/Snack: Chowder at Yankee Lobster (Seaport) Yankee Lobster |

Dinner: Island Creek Oyster Bar (Kenmore) Island Creek Oyster Bar

Day 3:

Lunch: Courthouse Seafood (East Cambridge) Courthouse Seafood

Pre Dinner/Snack: Lobster or Scallop Roll from the Shuckin Food Truck (Greenway) Shuck in Truck | Shuck in Truck, Mobile Seafood Truck and Raw Bar

Dinner: Peach Farm for Cantonese Live Tank Seafood (Chinatown) Peach Farm

Other places to consider not listed:

- Bistro Du Midi (Back Bay) The chef came from La Bernadin in NYC, very skilled with Fish. Bistro du Midi

- B&G Oyster (South End) B&G Oysters

- Daily Catch (North End) The Daily Catch

- Mare Oyster Bar (North End) Boston North End Restaurant : Mare Oyster Bar

- Muqueca (Inman Square) Brazilian Seafood Muqueca Restaurant - Cambridge, MA - Brazilian Restaurant | Facebook

- Rincon Limeno (East Boston) Peruvian joint with incredible Ceviche http://www.elrinconlimeno.com/

- If you are going to visit a Legal, try the new one in the Seaport. Solid food and a really nice view. Legal Sea Foods - The Standard for Quality and Freshness in the Restaurant Business.

[Hemidancer]

If you want the best lobster roll in town, Alive and Kicking Lobsters on Putnam Ave in Cambridge. Not exactly on the beaten path, but well worth the trip.

[Boston_Burbs]

Neptune all the way

[bostonguy1960]

For those trying to avoid an ever-expanding chain like Legal, at least consider their new flagship in the Seaport area, perhaps.

Especially if the weather is warm...I think they have a rooftop, or is it an outdoor deck? Plus, they have a fish market, I think, unlike their other spots.

Can it really be that bad?

What about Legal Test Kitchen in the Seaport area and the airport? Better than their regular Legal affiliate (for those dissing the chain)?

[MikePRU]

Originally Posted by bostonguy1960

Especially if the weather is warm...I think they have a rooftop, or is it an outdoor deck? Plus, they have a fish market, I think, unlike their other spots.

Their location in Chestnut Hill has a fish market as well.

[bostonguy1960]

What about Turner Fisheries at the Westin Copley?

It's been there well over 20 years, so it should be okay. Went with a friend back then but I'm not enough of a fish maven to rate it. I recall their chowder won some type of those ubiquitous awards, like every restaurant on the planet at least once.

Is B & G Oysters still open on Tremont Street in the South End?

[maggiekate]

when I lived in Boston and worked downtown I always would go to Marliave it was so long ago and
I did wonder if it was still around. I also did enjoy Dini on tremont street when I would stay at the Parker House.

[bostonguy1960]

Maggiekate - I believe Cafe Marliave is still around. Perfect complement to shopping at Filene's which sadly isn't.

I do want to mention The Oceanaire. It's been here over five years (?). It's an upscale national chain, claiming award dinning chowder, and mentions an award from Wine Spectator. Seems to have good Zagat ratings.

I think it's in an old bank, so the setting is unique.

It's at 18 Court Street, near the Od State House.

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by maggiekate

when I lived in Boston and worked downtown I always would go to Marliave it was so long ago and
I did wonder if it was still around. I also did enjoy Dini on tremont street when I would stay at the Parker House.

Marliave is still around. It's pretty good too. I always ask for a table near a window on the second floor. While the food is good, I like the atmosphere better.