Best of Boston
The best seafood in Boston
Start with Neptune Oyster in North End for maine lobster roll, hot with butter or cold with mayo, Row 34 in Fort Point for warm buttered or creamy lobster roll and Union Oyster House in Downtown for oysters, chowder, baked beans. Here are all 12, with what to get at each.
- Neptune OysterNorth End · Lobster roll
Get: Maine lobster roll, hot with butter or cold with mayo
Toasted brioche roll from a walk-in-only North End raw bar. Tiny North End seafood spot famous for its lobster roll and oysters, expect a long wait for a seat.
Row 34Fort PointGet: Warm buttered or creamy lobster roll
Named the top Boston lobster roll in Boston Magazine's chowder piece.
- Union Oyster HouseDowntown · New England clam chowder
Get: Oysters, chowder, baked beans
Serving since 1826 and a Freedom Trail stop.
- Boston Sail LoftWaterfront · Lobster roll
Get: Buttered brioche roll, hot or cold
No reservations, waterfront setting. Waterfront Boston seafood spot with harbor views, known for chowder and casual fried seafood plates.
- James Hook & CoWaterfront · Lobster roll
Get: Takeout lobster roll
A classic waterfront lobster shop, mostly takeout. Waterfront seafood shack known for lobster rolls, steamers, and picking up fresh lobster straight off the boats.
- Jumbo SeafoodChinatown · Chinatown dim sum
Get: Hargow, shrimp rolls, steamed spare ribs, chicken feet
Dim sum daily; the Globe says skip the lava buns. Chinatown seafood restaurant known for live tanks, salt and pepper shrimp, and classic Cantonese seafood dishes.
- B&G OystersSouth End · Oysters
Get: Oysters; lobster roll
Boston Magazine's pick for the Francophile chowder and a lobster roll.
- Sullivan's Castle IslandSouth Boston
Get: Lobster roll
Seasonal stand and 2025 James Beard America's Classics winner.
- Island Creek Oyster BarKenmore Square
Get: Chowder with house-cured bacon and buttermilk biscuit
Clam broth chowder; the oyster farm's own restaurant.
Save the places you want and Chef remembers them for your trip: what to order, how to book, on a map with everything else you love in Boston. Free.
Ask Chef for morePlan my Boston food tripThe best seafood in Boston: questions people ask
Where is the best seafood in Boston?
Chef Amazing’s picks start with Neptune Oyster (North End), Row 34 (Fort Point) and Union Oyster House (Downtown). All 12 places are on this page with what to get, where they are and a map.
What should I order?
At Neptune Oyster, get maine lobster roll, hot with butter or cold with mayo. At Row 34, get warm buttered or creamy lobster roll. At Union Oyster House, get oysters, chowder, baked beans. At Boston Sail Loft, get buttered brioche roll, hot or cold.
Which neighborhood is best for seafood in Boston?
Most of these are in Waterfront. The map on this page shows every one, numbered like the list.
How does Chef Amazing pick these?
From Chef Amazing’s city guide and lists for Boston: the places critics, chefs and locals keep recommending, checked and kept current, with what to order at each. Nobody pays to be on them.
More in Boston
Seafood in other cities
Places change: check hours before you go. Pins come from addresses and OpenStreetMap and can be a little off. Updated October 25, 2026.