Seafood restaurants in Boston
 

Can anyone recommend a reasnable restaurant for seafood in Boston, as we will be visiting next weekend. How much approximately would a lobster be? (I know it will vary greatly, but just to give us an idea

The Chart House is excellent. Not sure what you consider reasonable. It's on the high end, but not outrageous. It's right next to the Longwharf Marriott on the water; close to Faneuil Hall. It's got a great atmosphere. Lots of people like Legal Seafood. It's a chain and therefore turns some people off, but the food is great. Prices are comparable to The Chart House ($15-20 for an average entree). Not sure about lobsters, I guess I'd say $20-30. Union Oyster House is in the same range and is pretty good; very historic building. That's right near Faneuil Hall as well. Most places will serve seafood and chowder unless it's a certain cuisine (e.g. Italian, Chinese). Enjoy!

Most restraunts serve seafood including Italian restrnts. Try Turner Fisheries or the old stand bys-Jimmys Harborside or Anthony's.<BR>Lots of the places in the North End (italian) have great fish & shelfish dishes.

You might consider the No Name -- yes, that is the name of the restaurant. Not a lot of frills, used to be a BYOB restaurant, but it now has a full license. <BR><BR>I forgot about the Chart House, used to be one of my favorites. Great king crab legs, and probably the best place around for mudpie.<BR><BR>Todd English (owner of Figs, Olives, and does PBS cooking shows) opened up a new fish restaurant in the Quincy Market. Forgot the name of it, but its very popular.

Forget touristy Jimmys or Anthonys or even Legal.. we were again at Skipjacks in Copley Square across from the church last night and it was to die for..and the prices were very reasonable. Lobsters prices vary daily depending on the catch and cost will be also determined by the size and how you want it prepared boiled or baked stuffed. Last night had two skewers of fresh fish of which I could only finish one, a huge crab cake appetizer and the table split three chocolate pistaschio canolli..one of our guests had fresh blue fish, the other a huge bowl of ciopianno.

Didn't Jasper White open a no frills lobster house in Boston or Cambridge, that may be the place to go

Legal Seafood for simple strait forward sea food. And he has his own buyers who buy fresh off the docks and a biologist so you can allways eat shell fish with out hesitation<BR>

The Jasper White restaurant is in Cambridge, adjacent to the Alewife T station. It's called Summer Shack. The food was OK when I went. Nothing to write home about and it was pretty pricy IMO.<BR>If you want seafood served in the traditional NE way (lots of butter and breadcrumbs), then head for No Name, Union Oyster House, or Durgin Park. Yes, they're touristy, but so what? I've always had a good meal at these places and my out of town guests always love going there. Or, if you have a car, head to Essex MA and go to Woodmans for fried clams (normally, I'd suggest Farnhams, also in Essex, but they're closed for the season). <BR>If you want seafood served in more creative ways, try Naked Fish or the East Coast Grill.<BR>I think the Todd English restaurant that a previous poster may be referring to is KingFish Hall. Havent been yet, but have heard good things.

Longtime Boston resident... have been to Kingfish Hall several times and would highly recommend it... decor more flashy than Legal or Skipjack.. this would be a plus for some but not for others. I would also have to agree w/ several prior posts about Woodmans or NoName's for great seafood with more rustic surroundings.

I am not a fan of Union Oyster House - food tastes frozen and microwaved to me. Legal Seafoods has wonderful seafood, but can be a little pricey. Jasper White's Summer Shack is one of our favorites, but have never had lobster there. I also vote for Turner Fisheries and Skipjacks. Don't know what you consider reasonable - none of these places are outrageous, but none are cheap either.

If I wanted fried clams I'd go to my local restaurant..Woodmans is the most overpriced (on the North Shore)and touted place I have ever been to. There is a place called I believe the Blue Marlin, but I'm not sure they are open this time of year. Great seafood and more than reasonable prices. There is in Boston the Barking Crab, but I haven't eaten there, maybe others can tell you about it. The Naked Fish has seafood with a Cuban flavor...interesting, but not pure N.E. style and pricey.

Yes Blue Marlin is open year round but it is a regular reaturant. For a more quaint location with awesome fresh food, fried and broiled, fantastic chowder and beautiful views I would suggest Farnham's in Essex. I just checked and it opened March 1st.<BR><BR>I do think for lobsters Woodman's is really fun and memorable because of being able to select the lobster yorself and because of the eat in the rough atmosphere but I agree that it is overpriced and geared to the tourist.

Keep in mind that Naked Fish is a chain.

Judi-<BR>Farnhams is open? That's music to my ears! Looks like I'll be heading up there this weekend! Another good restaurant in Essex I forgot to mention is Periwinkles. Yes, Woodmans is overpriced and somewhat overrated IMO, but in the winter, you don't really have any other choices in Essex for "in the rough" dining. My out of town guests really like going there-it's as much for the experience as it is the food.

Sara: I am a lifelong New Englander, born and raised in Boston. I think Parrot Mom has given you the best advice although I also agree that East Coast Grill and Turner Fisheries in the Westin are great placees as well. Bread crumbs on fish and tomatoes in clam chowder are horrific crimes against nature. Avoid Jimmy's, Union Oyster House, Durgin Park, Anthony's--they ain't what they used to be.

Thanks Danielle..If they ask or say NY clam chowder or NE clam chowder...run away from the NY clam chowder it has tomatoes and is not authentic.. I too grew up in Boston..(where sportsfishermen brought fresh fish to my father all the time) more years than I care to remember...lol Why head up to the North Shore unless your doing some sightseeing up there..many choices in Boston. Glad to hear the Blue Marlin is open..the last time we were there the fisherman had just brought fresh swordfish in the back door.Naked Fish might be a chain, but a local chain and not true N.E. fish in that sense. As for eating outside with lobster...Sara is coming in March...are you joking about eating outside???? If she is goig up north to Maine I highly recommend the Weathervane where lobster is ridiculously low..and their seafood is very inexpensive, it's in Kittery, Maine..just over the border and a great break if you want to do outlet shopping.

A vote for "Legal Seafood".

Another lifelong Bostonian here. A couple of comments 1. Don't leave Boston without trying a fried clam - its the best thing in the whole world - okay okay I'm exaggerating but they are wicked good even if you don't usually eat fried food. 2. The best fried clams aren't found in Boston - at least no where a tourist would go. You have to go to places like Kelly's in Revere (also home of the best lobster rolls around) or Farnhams in Essex or Brown's in Seabrook (but only if you are a Republican - Democrats eat across the street at Markeys), the Clam Box on Wollaston Beach. But a tourist can get reliable food (if not great) at Legals without having to wander into the hinterlands of Quincy, Revere or NH.

Give me steamers any day over fried clams!!! I also vote for Legal Seafoods. Pricy but worth it.

Okay Ann - steamers are great but every now and then you've got to be decadent and go with fried. Or better yet go for the clam trifecta - steamers chowder and fried clams as one meal. (forget the french fries and cole slaw - why bother).