Seafood restaurants in New England
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Barking Crab
Big buckets of crabs (Jonah, blue, snow, Alaskan or whatever is in season), steamers dripping in lemon and butter, paper plates piled high with all things fried… The food is plentiful and cheap, and you eat it at communal picnic tables overlooking the water. Beer flows freely. Service is slack but the atmosphere is jovial. Be prepared to wait for a table if the weather is warm.
reviewed
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B
Abbott’s Lobster in the Rough
Lobster lovers should check out Abbott’s, on the waterfront in neighboring Noank. Order your lobster (or other seafood) at the window, get a number, pick out a table by the water and, when your number is called, pay and dig in. New England doesn’t get much better than this on a warm summer night. Just down the road is Abbott’s sister business, Costello’s Clam Shack, open similar hours. To reach both from Mystic, take Water St/Rte 215 southwest. When you reach a stop sign take a left (Mosher Ave) and stay right when it divides. Turn left onto Main St and right onto Pearl. BYOB beer or wine.
reviewed
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Cockatoo
This new addition to Deer Isle is deliciously off-the-beaten-path and serves Portuguese-inspired seafood dishes. Start with crisp codfish balls, followed by mussels over linguini or paella and wash it down with crisp vinho verde (semi-sparkling white wine). You can feast in the informal dining room or outside on the patio overlooking pine trees and a secluded cove below. Call for reservations and directions. To reach Cockatoo, take NH 15 a few miles north from Stonington and drive east on Oceanville Rd, following the signs.
reviewed
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C
LTK Bar & Kitchen
LTK stands for Legal Test Kitchen: this is where Legal Seafood is exploring ‘dining in the 21st century.’ Foodwise, LTK has incorporated multicultural cuisine into the menu, with sushi, pho and tempura. The setting is sleek and pared-down, a contrast to Legal’s traditional dining room. The concept is not so cutting-edge, but it’s a cool, convenient place to grab a bite to eat. Call in advance if you want sidewalk seating.
reviewed
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Champlin’s Seafood
Rhode Island's port for car ferries to Block Island is at Galilee State Pier, at the southern end of RI 108 in the village of Galilee, near Point Judith. At Champlin’s Seafood, order a lobster roll, stuffed clams, scallops or one of many sea critters breaded and fried, and hang out on its 2nd-floor deck, which sits inches from the harbor’s channel. The swaying masts of rusty fishing vessels keep you company.
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D
Kingfish Hall
Chef-entrepreneur Todd English, of Olives and Figs fame, has struck again. The imaginative menu offers seafood specialties like catch of the day roasted on the spit and crispy lobster served 'Cantonese style' (with ginger and scallions). Whimsical, under-the-sea decor includes tile tables inlaid with crustacean mosaics and fish mobiles suspended from high ceilings. You can watch the Faneuil Hall activity from the outdoor terrace.
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E
Jasper White's Summer Shack
This Back Bay outlet of Jasper White's famous restaurant is as big and noisy as the lobster is delectable. Portions are large and preparations are straightforward: specialties include traditional lobster rolls, steamed clams and a magnificently huge raw bar. This is a great spot for kids, but solo diners aren't shafted either. The original location is bit out of the way - in North Cambridge near Alewife T station.
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Mare
Mare, meaning 'ocean,' is where all of your favorite creatures of the sea are prepared in creative, contemporary ways, like pan-seared scallops served over lemon angel hair pasta, or rock shrimp tossed with zucchini over spinach gnocchi. The kicker is that almost all of the ingredients are organic, from the first-press olive oils to the unpasteurized cheeses to the impressive wine list.
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G
Nunan’s Lobster Hut
Four miles east of Kennebunkport, Nunan’s cooks up some ridiculously good lobsters. Although there are a few other culinary distractions – clam chowder, blueberry pie – no one comes here for anything other than those succulent crustaceans. It’s set in a long wooden shack, with black-and-white fishing photos and nautical instruments setting the stage.
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H
Atlantic Café
At this nautical-themed eatery, ship figureheads hang from the walls and fishermen hang at the bar. Lots of light fare such as quahog chowder and chicken fingers, but the stars of the menu are the fresh Nantucket bluefish specials and the barbecued ribs. Although it gets boisterous late at night, it’s otherwise a family-friendly place with a kids’ menu ($8).
reviewed
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Burning Tree
One of the best restaurants on Mt Desert Island, Burning Tree prepares a rich and eclectic assortment of dishes, with local seafood taking pride of place. Among the crowd pleasers: prosciutto-wrapped sea scallops, squash blossom appetizers, chili-glazed monkfish and Earl Grey ice cream. This place is popular, so do reserve a table. It’s 4 miles south of town, along ME 3.
reviewed
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I
B&G Oysters
Patrons flock to this casually cool oyster bar to get in on the raw delicacies offered by chef Barbara Lynch. Sit inside at the tiled bar or outside on the peaceful terrace, and indulge in a wide selection of the freshest oysters from local waters. An extensive list of wines and a modest menu of mains and appetizers (mostly seafood) are ample accompaniment for the oysters.
reviewed
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Captain Scott’s Lobster Dock
The Coast Guard knows a thing or two about the sea, and you’d be remiss if you didn’t follow students of its academy to the place for seafood in the summer. The setting’s just a series of picnic tables by the water, but you can feast on succulent (hot or cold) lobster rolls, followed by steamers, fried whole-belly clams, scallops or lobsters.
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J
Company of the Cauldron
A good choice for a romantic dinner out. This intimate restaurant has attentive service and top-rated food. It’s purely reserved seating times and three-course prix-fixe dinners, with the likes of lobster crepe followed by almond-crusted halibut. As the chef concentrates his magic on just one menu each evening, it’s done to perfection without distraction.
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K
Yankee Lobster Fish Market
The Zanti family has been fishing for three generations, so they definitely know their stuff. But it was not until recently that they opened this retail fish market, scattered with a few tables in case you want to dine in. And you do… order something simple like fish and chips or a lobster roll, accompany it with a cold beer, and you will not be disappointed.
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Roy Moore Lobster Company
This takeout kitchen has the cheapest lobster-in-the-rough on the Neck. Your beast comes on a tray with melted butter, a fork and a wet wipe for cleanup. You can sit in the back with the fishing boats on a few tables fashioned from lobster traps, or head next door to the restaurant for a bit of refinement. Don’t forget to bring your own beer or wine.
reviewed
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Scales & Shells
Enter this half-casual, broad, noisy room for small linen-clad tables set with grated parmesan and Tabasco sauce tended by waitresses in T-shirts. The decor is marked by an open kitchen and a blackboard menu. Have your squid, swordfish or lobster mesquite grilled for a change. In summer, a swamped U-shaped bar serves a huge waiting crowd.
reviewed
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Straight Wharf Restaurant
The best place for fresh-caught seafood served up with a harbor view is the deck of this hot restaurant. Boston’s renowned chef couple Amanda Lydon and Gabriel Frasca command the kitchen with New American flair. The menu changes frequently, but expect your scallops or halibut to be adorned with the likes of truffle butter.
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No Name
The location on the fish pier lends credence to the motto ‘Where the fresh are so fresh, they jump out of the water and onto your plate.’ This place has lost some of its charm since being discovered by outsiders, but that doesn’t stop dock workers from showing up for fried clams and fish chowder.
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Daily Catch
Although owner Paul Freddura long ago added a few tables and an open kitchen, this shoebox fish joint still retains the atmosphere of a retail fish market (complete with wine served in plastic cups). Fortunately, it also retains the freshness of the fish. The specialty is calamari, fried to tender perfection. There’s not much room to maneuver so if you want to spread out, head to the more spacious Seaport District outlet. Cash only.
reviewed
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Fox’s Lobster House
Although there’s a broader selection of restaurants in Ogunquit, Fox’s has history (it’s been around since 1966) and is worth seeking out for scrumptious lobster, fresh seafood dishes and homemade blueberry pie. It’s beautifully set on the waterfront with views of Nubble lighthouse.
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J’s Oyster
Although it’s a total dive, J’s Oyster has the cheapest raw oysters in town, and you can enjoy them on the rugged waterside deck outside. If you’d rather not, you’re well placed for something same-same but different, with more than a dozen lobster/seafood shacks on either side.
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Oar House
One of Portsmouth’s best seafood restaurants, this elegant place has a dark cozy interior with an inviting wine bar, as well as an outdoor deck (across the street) overlooking the harbor. Classic dishes like broiled haddock, sautéed scallops and baked stuffed lobster come expertly prepared.
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Lobster Hut
Right on the town wharf, the seaside Lobster Hut has big plates of fried clams, fish-and-chips, and – of course – lobster salad, fried lobster tail, boiled lobsters etc. There is seating inside, but it’s much more enjoyable to take a place on the deck and catch a harbor breeze.
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Brackett’s
Locals swear by this cozy little dining nook. The casual pub atmosphere, ocean views and daily specials draw a consistent crowd. The specialties of the house are scrod, shrimp, crab and scallop casseroles, rich in sherry and cream. This is one of the few places in Rockport that serves alcohol.
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