Best Seafood Restaurants in Boston

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by Matadora

Well after my long 6 hour flight to Boston we ate at Atlantic Seafood Co and it was nothing special IMO.

We will check out this suggestion tomorrow.

Thanks!

I'd really consider jumping on the Blue Line (get on at "Airport"), going one stop to Aquarium, and make the quick walk over to Neptune Oyster on Salem Street in the North End. It's an excellent example of what great Boston/New England seafood can be.

As far as the classic Boiled Lobster-Lobster Roll-Fish and Chips-Fried Clams type places go, you'll have better luck in smaller towns outside of Boston than you will in town in terms of both price and quality. If you've got a destination outside of the city (or you're willing to adjust your schedule and have one), I'm sure many posters would be able to offer better suggestions. There aren't many places IN Boston that serve fried seafood that I find better than what I can get in smaller/cheaper places outside the city.

[millerm277]

Originally Posted by TAM88

Belle Isle Seafood in Winthrop is very close to the airport and should not disappoint.

Good food. Best traditional Lobster Roll in the city IMO. However, it's not exactly a "restaurant". It's a bunch of picnic tables inside a steel building. It's more like a cafeteria.

And that's a step up from their previous location, which looked like it should be condemned and barely had seating for a dozen people. (And is where the Anthony Bourdain segment was from).

I love the place and the fish is fresh and excellent (for that matter, quite a few of their customers are coming in there to buy raw fish, not cooked meals), but don't be looking for a restaurant experience. You order at the counter, you pick up at the counter, you find a table to eat at. And it's cash only.

[Space_League]

Turner's in Melrose

[Matadora]

Originally Posted by lrfox

I'd really consider jumping on the Blue Line (get on at "Airport"), going one stop to Aquarium, and make the quick walk over to Neptune Oyster on Salem Street in the North End. It's an excellent example of what great Boston/New England seafood can be.

As far as the classic Boiled Lobster-Lobster Roll-Fish and Chips-Fried Clams type places go, you'll have better luck in smaller towns outside of Boston than you will in town in terms of both price and quality. If you've got a destination outside of the city (or you're willing to adjust your schedule and have one), I'm sure many posters would be able to offer better suggestions. There aren't many places IN Boston that serve fried seafood that I find better than what I can get in smaller/cheaper places outside the city.

Thanks! This is the second time today someone has told me about Neptune Oyster Bar. I will try to stop in there on my way to the airport tomorrow to head back to the Bay Area.

[Matadora]

Originally Posted by millerm277

Good food. Best traditional Lobster Roll in the city IMO. However, it's not exactly a "restaurant". It's a bunch of picnic tables inside a steel building. It's more like a cafeteria.

And that's a step up from their previous location, which looked like it should be condemned and barely had seating for a dozen people. (And is where the Anthony Bourdain segment was from).

I love the place and the fish is fresh and excellent (for that matter, quite a few of their customers are coming in there to buy raw fish, not cooked meals), but don't be looking for a restaurant experience. You order at the counter, you pick up at the counter, you find a table to eat at. And it's cash only.

I did not go there today...instead I went to Hillstone and had some delicious Sea Bass.

I have to try good lobster before I head back. It likely that I will be back here for work on a solo venture and will have more time to venture out to find the good lobster...not into lobster rolls but delicious lobster in general will work.

[mmyk72]

For lobster, you can simply buy from a live tank in supermarkets and many stream it for free before you take it home. Imo, that is as good as paying double for the same item in a restaurant and I get to be messy and take my time eating every nugget of meat, not just the claws and tail.

[Cantabridgienne]

Neptune is great, just plan on waiting for a table (sometimes quite a long time during peak hours). It's tiny and they don't take reservations.

The former longtime Neptune chef now runs Select Oyster Bar in Back Bay, which is very good.