After considering customer reviews, ratings, and popularity, the top five family-friendly seafood restaurants in Boston are Neptune Oyster, Legal Sea Foods, Island Creek Oyster Bar, Yankee Lobster Co., and Row 34.
Each of these restaurants offers a unique dining experience, with a focus on fresh seafood, responsible sourcing, attentive service, and in some cases, craft beer or cocktails.
Boston is known for its rich seafood traditions, and the city has no shortage of family-friendly seafood restaurants that offer delicious and fresh seafood dishes for all tastes.
1. Neptune Oyster – This restaurant is one of the most popular seafood restaurants in Boston, known for its amazing seafood and oysters. The restaurant offers a casual dining atmosphere and has an extensive menu with a wide range of seafood options. The restaurant’s chowder, lobster roll, and fried clams are particularly popular.
2. Legal Sea Foods – This restaurant is one of the oldest seafood restaurants in Boston and is known for its fresh seafood and chowder. The restaurant has a family-friendly atmosphere, and the menu offers a wide range of seafood dishes, including lobster, crab, and shrimp.
3. Island Creek Oyster Bar – This restaurant, one of the top seafood restaurants in Boston, offers a wide range of seafood dishes, including oysters, clams, and lobster. The restaurant’s atmosphere is relaxed, making it a great place for families to enjoy a meal together. The restaurant’s oysters are particularly popular, and the restaurant offers a raw bar where diners can watch the oysters being shucked.
4. Yankee Lobster Co. – This seafood spot, one of the most popular seafood restaurants in Boston, offers a range of traditional seafood dishes, including lobster rolls, clam chowder, and fried seafood. The restaurant has a casual, family-friendly atmosphere and is known for its generous portions.
5. Row 34 – This seafood restaurant, among the top Seafood restaurants in Boston, has a sleek, modern atmosphere and offers a wide range of seafood dishes, including oysters, lobster, and clams. The restaurant’s oyster selection is particularly impressive, and the restaurant offers a variety of sauces to accompany the oysters.
Overall, all these restaurants are popular for their fresh seafood, casual family-friendly atmosphere, and delicious dishes, making them great options for families looking to enjoy a seafood meal in Boston.
Top 5 Family-friendly Seafood Restaurants in Boston
Neptune Oyster
Address: 63 Salem St.
Neptune Oyster, amid the top Seafood restaurants in Boston, is a popular seafood restaurant located in the North End neighborhood of Boston. The restaurant is known for its casual yet upscale atmosphere, and its extensive menu of fresh seafood, particularly its oysters. The interior of the restaurant is cozy and intimate, with a small bar area and a few tables scattered throughout.
One of the most popular dishes on the menu is the lobster roll, which is served on a toasted brioche bun with butter and lemon. Other signature dishes include the fried Ipswich clams, the clam chowder, and the grilled octopus. The restaurant also has a rotating selection of oysters from different regions, which are served with mignonette sauce and cocktail sauce.
One unique aspect of Neptune Oyster is its limited seating, which adds to the intimate atmosphere of the restaurant. Due to its popularity, the restaurant can have long wait times, and it does not take reservations, so diners are encouraged to arrive early or be prepared to wait.
Main Menu Items:
▣ Lobster Roll – Served on a toasted brioche bun with butter and lemon.
▣ Fried Ipswich Clams – Fried whole-belly clams with tartar sauce.
▣ Clam Chowder – A New England classic, with clams, potatoes, bacon, and cream.
▣ Grilled Octopus – Served with crispy potatoes and salsa verde.
▣ Baked Stuffed Lobster – A whole lobster stuffed with crab meat and breadcrumbs.
The service at Neptune Oyster is friendly and attentive, with servers knowledgeable about the menu and able to provide recommendations. The small size of the restaurant allows for a more personal dining experience, with servers able to give more individualized attention to each table.
Customer Reviews:
“The lobster roll at Neptune Oyster was the best I’ve ever had. The bun was perfectly toasted, and the lobster was so fresh and flavorful.”
“The clam chowder was amazing – creamy and full of flavor. I also loved the fried clams, which were crispy and perfectly cooked.”
“Neptune Oyster was worth the wait. The oysters were so fresh and delicious, and the service was fantastic.”
Overall, Neptune Oyster is a must-visit seafood restaurant in Boston, with fresh seafood, an intimate atmosphere, and attentive service. While it can be busy and have long wait times, the food and experience are well worth it. They can definitely be counted among the top Seafood restaurants in Boston.
Legal Sea Foods
Address: 255 State St.
Legal Sea Foods, another of the top Seafood restaurants in Boston, is a popular seafood restaurant chain in Boston, known for its fresh seafood and classic New England dishes. The restaurant has a casual yet elegant atmosphere, with nautical decor and a spacious dining area.
One of the signature dishes at Legal Sea Foods is the New England clam chowder, which is creamy and full of flavor. The restaurant also offers a wide range of seafood dishes, including lobster, crab, shrimp, and scallops, as well as non-seafood options such as burgers and chicken dishes.
One unique aspect of Legal Sea Foods is its focus on sustainability and responsible sourcing of its seafood. The restaurant partners with local fishermen and farms to ensure that its seafood is fresh and environmentally conscious.
Main Menu Items:
▣ New England Clam Chowder – Creamy and full of flavor, with clams, potatoes, and bacon.
▣ Lobster Roll – Served on a toasted bun with lettuce and mayo.
▣ Baked Stuffed Lobster – A whole lobster stuffed with crab meat and breadcrumbs.
▣ Fish and Chips – Beer-battered cod served with fries and tartar sauce.
▣ Seafood Paella – A Spanish-style dish with saffron rice, shrimp, mussels, clams, and chorizo.
The service at Legal Sea Foods is attentive and friendly, with servers knowledgeable about the menu and able to provide recommendations. The restaurant also has a separate gluten-free menu for those with dietary restrictions.
Customer Reviews:
“The New England clam chowder at Legal Sea Foods was the best I’ve ever had. The seafood was so fresh, and the service was fantastic.”
“I loved the seafood paella – it was packed with flavor and cooked perfectly. The atmosphere at the restaurant was also great.”
“The lobster roll was so delicious and full of meat. The restaurant’s focus on sustainability and responsible sourcing of its seafood was also impressive.”
Overall, Legal Sea Foods is a great seafood restaurant in Boston, with fresh seafood, responsible sourcing, and attentive service. While it is a chain restaurant, the focus on sustainability and the quality of the food and service make it a worthwhile visit. They have earned the rank of the top 5 Seafood restaurants in Boston.
Island Creek Oyster Bar
Address: 500 Commonwealth Ave.
Island Creek Oyster Bar, among the top Seafood restaurants in Boston, is a seafood restaurant located in the Kenmore Square neighborhood of Boston. The restaurant has a modern and sleek interior, with an open kitchen and a raw bar that showcases the restaurant’s focus on fresh seafood and oysters.
As the name suggests, Island Creek Oyster Bar is known for its oysters, which are sourced from the restaurant’s own oyster farm in Duxbury, Massachusetts. The restaurant also offers a wide range of seafood dishes, including lobster, crab, and clams, as well as non-seafood options such as steak and chicken dishes.
One unique aspect of Island Creek Oyster Bar is its focus on sustainability and responsible sourcing of its seafood. The restaurant partners with local farms and fisheries to ensure that its seafood is fresh and environmentally conscious.
Main Menu Items:
▣ Island Creek Oysters – Served raw on the half-shell with mignonette sauce and cocktail sauce.
▣ Lobster Roe Noodles – Fresh pasta with lobster, lobster roe, and herbs.
▣ Lobster Roll – Served on a brioche bun with celery root and apple slaw.
▣ Whole Grilled Branzino – Mediterranean sea bass served with salsa verde and grilled lemon.
▣ Clam Chowder – A New England classic, with clams, potatoes, bacon, and cream.
The service at Island Creek Oyster Bar is attentive and knowledgeable, with servers able to provide recommendations and suggestions for pairings with the restaurant’s extensive wine and cocktail list.
Customer Reviews:
“The Island Creek Oysters were amazing – so fresh and flavorful. The lobster roll and lobster roe noodles were also delicious.”
“The whole grilled branzino was cooked perfectly and had great flavor. The service was also fantastic.”
“The clam chowder at Island Creek Oyster Bar was some of the best I’ve ever had. The oysters were also amazing and so fresh.”
Overall, Island Creek Oyster Bar is a great seafood restaurant in Boston, with a focus on fresh seafood, responsible sourcing, and attentive service. While it can be on the pricier side, the quality of the food and experience make it a worthwhile visit. They deserve to be ranked among the top 5 Seafood restaurants in Boston.
Yankee Lobster Co.
Address: 300 Northern Ave.
Yankee Lobster Co., one of the most popular Seafood restaurants in Boston, is a casual seafood restaurant located in the Seaport District of Boston. The restaurant has a no-frills interior, with a counter for ordering and a few tables for seating.
As the name suggests, Yankee Lobster Co. is known for its lobster dishes, particularly its lobster rolls, which are served on a toasted bun with butter and lemon. The restaurant also offers a wide range of traditional seafood dishes, including clam chowder, fried clams, and fish and chips.
One unique aspect of Yankee Lobster Co. is its location, as it is situated on the Boston Fish Pier and has been family-owned and operated for over 70 years.
Main Menu Items:
▣ Lobster Roll – Served on a toasted bun with butter and lemon.
▣ Clam Chowder – A New England classic, with clams, potatoes, bacon, and cream.
▣ Fried Clams – Whole-belly clams served with tartar sauce.
▣ Fish and Chips – Beer-battered cod served with fries and tartar sauce.
▣ Baked Stuffed Lobster – A whole lobster stuffed with crab meat and breadcrumbs.
The service at Yankee Lobster Co. is fast and friendly, with staff members knowledgeable about the menu and able to provide recommendations. The restaurant also offers a take-out counter for those who want to enjoy their seafood on the go.
Customer Reviews:
“The lobster roll at Yankee Lobster Co. was so delicious and packed with meat. The clam chowder was also great.”
“I loved the fried clams – they were crispy and perfectly cooked. The service was also fast and friendly.”
“Yankee Lobster Co. was a great spot for a casual seafood meal. The fish and chips were fantastic and the location on the pier was unique.”
Overall, Yankee Lobster Co. is a great option for a casual seafood meal in Boston, with fresh seafood and fast, friendly service. While the interior is no-frills, the quality of the food and the unique location make it a worthwhile visit. They rank amid the top 5 Seafood restaurants in Boston for good reasons.
Row 34
Address: 383 Congress St
Row 34, one of the top Seafood restaurants in Boston, is a seafood restaurant located in the Seaport District of Boston. The restaurant has a modern and chic interior, with a raw bar that showcases the restaurant’s focus on fresh seafood and oysters.
As with many seafood restaurants in Boston, Row 34 is known for its oysters, which are sourced from both local and regional waters. The restaurant also offers a range of seafood dishes, including lobster, shrimp, and crab, as well as non-seafood options such as steak and chicken dishes.
One unique aspect of Row 34 is its focus on craft beer, with an extensive list of local and regional brews on tap. The restaurant also offers a rotating selection of cocktails that feature house-made syrups and bitters.
Main Menu Items:
▣ Oysters – Served raw on the half-shell with mignonette sauce and cocktail sauce.
▣ Lobster Roll – Served on a brioche bun with butter and chives.
▣ Grilled Swordfish – Served with crispy potatoes and salsa verde.
▣ Shrimp Cocktail – Poached shrimp served with cocktail sauce.
▣ Baked Stuffed Clams – Clams stuffed with bread crumbs and herbs.
The service at Row 34 is attentive and knowledgeable, with servers able to provide recommendations and suggestions for pairings with the restaurant’s extensive beer and cocktail list. The restaurant also offers a private dining room for events and large groups.
Customer Reviews:
“The oysters at Row 34 were amazing – so fresh and flavorful. The lobster roll and grilled swordfish were also fantastic.”
“I loved the craft beer selection at Row 34, and the shrimp cocktail was some of the best I’ve ever had. The service was also top-notch.”
“The baked stuffed clams were delicious and packed with flavor. The restaurant’s modern and chic atmosphere added to the overall experience.”
Overall, Row 34 is a great seafood restaurant in Boston, with a focus on fresh seafood, craft beer, and attentive service. While it can be on the pricier side, the quality of the food and experience make it a worthwhile visit for seafood lovers and craft beer enthusiasts. They stand out among the top Seafood restaurants in Boston.
Whether you’re looking for classic New England dishes like clam chowder and lobster rolls or more adventurous seafood options, these top five family-friendly seafood restaurants in Boston have something for everyone.
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