4 Best Restaurants in The Seaport, South Boston, and East Boston, Boston

Emphasizing oysters and local craft beers, this contemporary seafood restaurant has a boisterous energy contained only by its soaring ceilings. A neighborhood crowd comes for the excellent menu devoted to raw things, fried seafood, a variety of "rolls," and fish-based entrées. With 24 taps, beer plays a big role in the experience, enticing regulars to work their way through European-inspired American craft beers; there are also more than 50 by the bottle, ranging from ciders to sours and more.

There's nothing fresher than eating fish the same day it's caught, and that's what you get at this family-owned seafood shack. Open since 1950, the local favorite serves fresh oysters, crab cakes, fried oysters and clams, steamers, and lobster. Tasty sandwiches speak of New England; fish platters come fried, grilled, or baked; and there's a whole section of the menu devoted to lobster preparations. If you forget that this is a take-out joint, look around; the no-frills, character-heavy decor will remind you.

Decked out in cheery colors of yellow, red, and green, this touristy spot has the feel of a seaside clam shack located smack-dab in the middle of Boston. An outdoor patio and lobster tent in summer feature stunning views of the Financial District; in winter, dining retreats indoors to a warmhearted version of a waterfront dive, where you'll encounter a classic New England clambake or oysters and littlenecks from the raw bar, followed by meaty, golden crab cakes. Expect big crowds and big prices, especially on warm-weather evenings.

From "feast"-sized portions to classic New England fried plates to wood-fired seafood dishes, the kitchen's focus is on local waters at this contemporary Seaport spot near the harbor. The menu is curated and relatively pricy, but quality shows in the food, and there are lots of beers, ciders, and wines by the glass.