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).

Okay, don't shoot me here, but I am also going to suggest the Weathervane in Saugus for a fisherman's platter, fried clams or scallops. The price is right, the portions are huge, but there is no atmosphere. The fish is very fresh. The Weathervane also has specials and sells a double lobster plate for under $20. This restaurant also serves a very good fish chowder. It's a chain, but it's a New England chain, not at all like the Red Lobster, which serves defrosted frozen fish. And before you knock the Weathervane, this company must know what its doing as it has over 30 restaurants in Maine, and there is always a line to get into each one of them, especially the one in Kittery.<BR><BR>By the way, the clam chowder with the tomato base is called Manhattan clam chowder, not NY clam chowder.

1. I think the Union Oyster House is WAY overpriced for the food they serve.<BR><BR>2. I have had nothing but bad experiences with the Weathervane. Most of my friends have too.<BR><BR>Kelly's - YUM, but cold this time of year and not a sit down restaurant.<BR><BR>My recommendations: Legal Sea Food, No Name and Jimmy's.

Bostonian here- have to vote for Legal as far as consistent and fresh. Pricey- yes- but good, solid seafood restaurant.

JIMMY'S??? You must be joking.

Another vote for Legal Seafood. I only get to Boston once or twice a year, but I can always count on consistently great seafood there. Just thinking about their cherrystones on the half shell makes my mouth water.

Stupid question, but what exactly are steamers.

I'm sure I'll get corrected on steamers...they are clams that are cleaned and then steamed with white wine, garlic and herbs (Mussels are done this way too)..They are served in a big bowl with the broth..you upen them up, take off the what I will call skin, discard the shell and dip in melted butter and/or the broth. Now, lets have a description of steamers from other Bostonians. BTW while in S.F. met a chef from Southie who said they dont have clams with bellies or know about fried clams. Meanwhile he made the best ciappiano ever and we sang a chorus of "Southie is My Home Town".. lol, lol

Steamers are a type of clam that has a relevantly soft shell. You steam them in water (not anything else). You serve with melted butter and a cup of the water they were steamed in. The cup or bowl of hot water is to wash them in after you take them out of the shell. This is necessary because they can be sandy. To eat them you take them out of their shell, peel off the black gunk around their neck, dunk them several times in the hot water and then dip them in the butter and pop them in you mouth.

Forgot to add that if you are going to go to Rt 1 in Saugus for fish why drive right by the new Kellys and go to the Weathervane. Kelly's in Saugus may not be a sitdown restaurant but it is indoors and does have seating - unlike the original on Revere Beach which is outdoors and you share your food with the overly aggressive seagulls. <BR><BR> I once took some business associates from LA and Seattle to Kellys in Revere for lunch and made them eat standing up at the seawall. They still haven't forgiven me. They loved the food it was the atmosphere that had them shaken. Had to take them to Aquitaine the next night to redeem myself.<BR><BR>Wish it was Friday so I could go to Browns and have my trifecta.

Tell me Bostonians..why do out of staters go crazy over scallops.. is it because they don't get them along the rest of the Atlantic? Oh yes, Kelleys has a place in Jordan Furniture in Framingham on the hill.

Thanks for all the replies guys. It will certainly keep us going for a while!

Just piping in again, but you also might consider going to Frank Giufrida's Hilltop Steakhouse on Route 1 in Saugus. I understand that they serve an awesome lobster pie, but you can't beat the steaks.<BR><BR>I have never had a bad meal at the Weathervane, but there isn't any atmosphere, and its very basic and very inexpensive.<BR><BR>Regarding Kelly's Roastbeef in Framingham, it is always busy, but the service is fast -- I live quite near there. They also serve awesome onion rings.