OMG! The scallops were amazing. You can tell they were fresh & the fries were average. I plan to go back and try more of the seafood next time! read more

Barking Crab - Fried Scallops & fries - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Staff helpful and attentive Food was delicious Kinda loud as it's really a bar but I think it aligns completely with the vibe. read more

See all

I've been to Barking Crab a few times and certainly never had a bad experience. Their staff is always very attentive and extremely nice, the ambiance is one of the best in the city with a "crab shack" vibe throughout the entire place, and their lobster and other seafood options are always juicy and fresh. I will say, they're a little overpriced compared to some other Boston spots, but can be due to their location. Bonus, I weirdly love the cut of fries they have! Overall - Love the atmosphere and the food! A little pricey, but a fun place to take visitors in town! read more

Barking Crab - Fried Fried Whole-Bellied Clams - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Food was great, beer was great. Service is a bit chaotic but that is part of the allure and charm. The restaurant has a great ambiance and atmosphere. read more

See all

This could very well be some of the best seafood I've ever had, but there were some misses as well. The crab cakes and Fisherman's Platter were delicious, but the Barking Crab Roll was a bit pointless. The crab meat doesn't stay in the roll and just falls out. So, you end up eating it with a fork. Still, I'd definitely be back...I'd just order something else. You can see more of our experience on our YouTube travel channel: https://youtu.be/uxqZswuUTIw read more

See all

The food was good....not high end restaurant but good. Love the view and the food was good. It's not a high end restaurant served with plastic forks and wine served in a plastic cup. read more

Barking Crab - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

The food, setting, and service are all great! Maybes it's just because I'm from Texas, but the food seemed a little more pricey than it ought to be given the portions I got. The roll also could've been softer and sweeter, but perhaps that's just, again, me being used to Southern food. That's really the only criticism I have though, small stuff. This was my first cup of clam chowder in New England-and it was so delicious! Really appreciated the oyster crackers that came with it. I'd recommend this place and definitely will be coming again. read more

See all

This is a tourist destination. As long as you know that going in, it's fine. Important to know is that it's a five minute walk from the Silver line stop at Courthouse. Which makes it a very easy first stop after landing at Logan or a very easy last stop before leaving. If it's nice weather and not too cold, you can get there a few minutes before they open and wait briefly for a hightop table with a water view. Service was crazy fast when we stopped in for lunch. Perfectly friendly and responsive, but turning those tables over at lighting speed. We asked the server to recommend between the cold, mayo-based lobster roll and the warm butter lobster roll. She said she thought the butter one was a little too salty for her taste. That was before we learned that most people from Boston seem to prefer their food under-salted. We thought the warm lobster roll was fantastic. The cold one was just okay. Not enough salt. Clam chowder was very good, once we added salt. Seriously. We were in and out in under half an hour. Checked the get-lobster-rolls box on our itinerary and on to the next thing. It's also a five minute walk to the Boston Tea Party museum and a few more to the Greenway. There is probably better food within spitting distance, but not as scenic. The women's bathrooms here are horrendous, BTW. Don't even think of needing accessibility here. They are very cramped and very dark, and I assume they keep them dark to conceal things you wouldn't want to know about. read more

Line looked long but moved fast. It's a joint but lots of fun energy. Food cooked well and pricing very attractive.

Super overpriced tourist trap. The food was mediocre and everything was disposable/plastic. The service was just ok; not a bad experience with our server, but not necessarily friendly. The setting is cool, which is what brought us here (mostly out-of-towners). If you're lucky to get a seat on the edge you get a nice view of the river and the city. I will not be back and I would suggest maybe grabbing a beer here, but skipping the food. read more

BAD SERVICE! BUT WITH AT LEAST 18% FEE! Foods are ok, but the service was really terrible. Before I got there, I actually can't believe the reviews about poor service. Small table and cheap "environmental friendly " tableware just don't match the high prices of foods. Waiters keep asking us "how's going " during our eating is nothing but disruption and disrespect. THAT'S NOT A GOOD SERVICE SHOULD BE! NOBODY SHOULD PAY EXTRA FEE FOR THAT! read more

We went on a weekday and the indoor restaurant portion was closed as there was a special occasion going on. They do have a moderately large outside covered sitting area. That's adjacent to the water so if you want the view - ask if there is a table there! We had a service dog so we ate just outside of the covered area under an umbrella and watched the characters of the passing foot traffic. As soon as I ordered, I went to the bathroom and it's not like a five star restaurant, it's more like being in a little boat, very tight and not the cleanest. The low light helps to hide. The service was friendly and accommodating and the food came out exceptionally fast. Lobster seems to be the top item but we shared a fried combination platter. The scallops were the BEST I've ever had! The clam strip bellies were $6 more. I don't eat those so that meant I could enjoy the fish and shrimp, along with the fries and coleslaw. The only improvement would be to renovate the bathroom(s). read more

Barking Crab - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Over a decade has passed and upon returning I have to say we had a very different experience. It's still a bit of a tourist trap, but the seafood was fresh and the ambience was nice. read more

We walked by this spot on our way back to the hotel. Staff were nice enough and the seafood was fresh and delicious. The snow crab legs were so juicy and tasty. We got a table right by the water and it was just beautiful. Overall I'd say give it a try! read more

Barking Crab - Snow Crab Clusters - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

While in Boston for a few days, I googled lobster rolls and the Barking Crab was at the top of every list. They don't take reservations so we headed that way and just took our chances. We arrived early - around 5:30 - and there were a few tables still available. We were seated and our server brought us menus and water. He was probably the warmest person we met in the five days we were in town. He brought our menus and gave us a couple of minutes to make our decisions. We each ordered lobster rolls and I requested an aperol spritz. Everything arrived very soon after and we dug in, My spritz was so good. It was refreshing and had just the right amount of alcohol to take my racing mind down to a manageable level. We have been running around town all day. Although the lobster rolls were good, they weren't great. The bread was barely toasted and the creamy lobster salad just didn't have much flavor. It was just placed on top of the rolls so I resorted to eating most of it with a fork. The fries were delicious. Perfectly crispy of the outside and soft and pillowy on the inside. Don't get me wrong. I had a lovely visit to BC. The location is wonderful and the service was top notch. Drinks were really good too. read more

See all

I was in Boston a few days and this place kept popping up for some good seafood. Wow! It was good! I love it when reviews are correct. I had a small wait to get some food here and it was so worth it. Parking is Crap and I think I paid $60 to park nearby. Ugghhh I wasn't in the mood to bargain park but next time I will. The place sits right on the water and has great views of downtown Boston. Inside is a typical seafood shack style, loud and all sorts of "sea" decorations. Customer service was great, very friendly staff despite being very busy. I was given suggestions and talked a little about the town. The food came out quickly and correct. The food! Check out my pictures! The food tasted better than it looked and it looked amazing. This was my first meal in Boston and I was very happy about it. Everything was so flavorful. I ordered the lobster, scallop and shrimp plate and it was one of my favorite dishes of all time. The prawns or shrimp were very different tasting than west coast shrimp. They were savory and sweet and cooked perfectly. The lobster and scallops also had a unique delicious seafood flavor. The meal was perfectly cooked and the sauce was good. I will be back in this restaurant next time I am hanging out in Boston! read more

See all

Had such a great experience here! The staff was super friendly and attentive, and the vibe of the place was warm and welcoming. Everything we ordered was fresh and full of flavor--clearly made with care. The menu has a nice variety, so there's something for everyone. Our food came out hot and perfectly timed, and the portions were just right. Long wait times to sit. read more

Overpriced, understaffed. They got my husband's order completely wrong, and the fried clam roll I ordered was lacking in clam...it had 4 clams on it. And they forgot the tartar sauce. Their playlist was great and the server was kind, but unless you want a subpar experience, I'd spend my dollars somewhere else read more

We got a lobster roll that was mid at best but cost $45 and then a platter with several different things including fried scallops fried calamari some fish and shrimp. Shrimp was good. Everything else was just subpar extremely overpriced very hot uncomfortable seats. Food definitely not worth the price. read more

See all

Came on a Friday night and there wasn't too long of a wait (maybe 10 minutes). We requested to sit by the water and had a nice view of Boston. We got the New England clambake plus fries and it was enough for two. The shellfish was very fresh and tasty. read more

Barking Crab - Traditional New England Clambake - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Back in 2014 I was saddened to hear that the Newport, RI location had closed down. Over a decade later, my friends and I have finally made the pilgrimage to the original Barking Crab. The food was just as excellent as I remembered. Yes, it's pricey, but you're in the city and it's on the water. Also, I've already said it but I'm saying it again for emphasis, the food was phenomenal. Ambience was nice and the waitstaff was friendly and diligent. We got our food unusually fast as well. I started with the crab dip. Perfect balance of crab and cheese. Savory and gooey and satisfying. One tip I can give is that the dip tastes better with fries as opposed to the tortilla chips they give you. Then I sunk into the fried shrimp. Some of the best I've had in my life. Fried up crispy and fresh. They taste good with their cocktail sauce, tartar sauce or just plain. Fries were fresh and delicious also. Cole slaw was average, but that's not the reason we came here. It's shocking to see that this place's score is in the three range. I say eat here with complete confidence, you'll thank me later!! read more

See all

Great location, a total tourist trap... The ceviche has zero flavor. The clam chowder was very bland. It's overpriced but if you're from out of town, I'd try it out. Just don't expect much. read more

Barking Crab - Sign - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Must go!! It's located right on the water and we only had to wait 10 minutes for a table. Service was EXTREMELY quick and very delicious. Great stop on any trip to Boston! read more

Barking Crab - Lobster Roll - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

great place! 100% recommend for anyone looking for a fun spot to eat/drink! Great service and atmosphere. Great view of the harbor no matter where you are seated. The lobster was very good, along with the lobster roll, and the crab dip (not pictured)! The servers were very friendly and gave great recommendations on food :)) read more

See all

What a fun place! It's on the water and ambience is laid back nautical. The food is great! Four of us ordered a lobster platter to share (2 of us) snow crab legs with corn on the cob and for our non seafood friend a delicious skirt steak. It's definitely a fun atmosphere. The staff is very friendly and clearly gets along like a family!! We highly recommend read more

See all

Lobster roll was fantastic. Chunks of meat. Not chewy or tough at all. Decent portion size. Perfectly toasted bun. French fries were crisp on the outside and soft on the inside and HOT. No soggy or lukewarm food. The price is steep but in line with other spots in town, but the taste was way better than others. read more

5 stars for the venue. Very fun location near the river. Very casual. Kind of a beer hall atmosphere. The menu is pretty extensive and you can spend as little as $15 on a burger or $200+ on premium king crab legs. I opted for the lobster roll, which was average. read more

Barking Crab - Fun venue near the river. - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

See all

Everything was good fresh seafood for sure the steak didn't seem like a skirt steak more like a filet mignon I wanted a skirt steak. read more

See all

The food was great but the hostess Liv was very rude Handed us our menus and told us to go sit at our table We sat for 5 min before 2 water front tables opened. We asked if we could move to one of them and at the time there was no line to be seated. She said it was too confusing for the wait staff so we couldn't. Yet we had at least 4 people wait on us and watched as almost every server waited on different tables. Not a good service experience read more

Seafood! Seafood! Seafood! Such a fun seafood restaurant by the water! Came here for a late lunch and since I was dining solo I sat at the bar. They have several tables for big groups and plenty of seating. The menu has a variety of seafood appetizers and entrees and they also have several beers on tap. I ordered oysters and clam chowder to start and for my entree I got the traditional lobster roll. The oysters tasted very fresh and I quickly inhailed them. The clam chowder was nice and creamy and I only wish the serving size was bigger. The lobster roll was absolutely delicious! The bun was nice and soft and buttery and it was loaded with yummy lobster! Everything was very good and the waiter was very friendly and made sure I was taken care of the whole time I was there. Know i know where to get an delicious lobster roll! read more

See all

1. There was a bird eating food scraps off the table next to us. It later dive bombed our heads. Cute but not sanitary. 2. The server seemed aggravated when my husband asked him not to put the HOT bowl of chowder next to our toddler. 3. The cherry on top was when we gave the server a 20% tip ($50) and he added another $20 on it without our consent. We know now to always ask for a receipt. Our mistake. This happened yesterday - Sunday afternoon. The server was tall with hair messed up like he just rolled out of bed. read more

Service is slow. Food is overpriced and below average favor. Small portion. Fired calamari is so oily, steak is overcooked. Don't recommend. read more

Barking Crab - Fried Rhode Island Calamari - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

See all

Highly overrated tourist trap. expensive, bad food, served in paper plates and to go baskets. For the price, put my slop on a rial plate. fisherman's platter, bland, overcooked. the clam strips were all bunched together and made eating difficult. Sandy remnants, which means they didn't clean the fish well enough. The tartar sauce, nearly no cornichons/pickkes and very runny, to the point where it simply ran off the fish like it teflon. The clam chowder, runny, and had more onions than potato- and I think I had maybe one small clam fragment. Also they put bacon in it; now I like bags on as much as anyone, but not in New England clam chowder- cultural fowl. The chowder serving size was maybe 3 oz in a biodegradable bowl the size of an upturned yamaka or a cupped palm- for $11USD- rip off. I ordered a sprite; they brought me room temperature starry* in a clear solo cup- not even a real cup! The staff was pleasant, the music was loud, the wait, too long. one star- I'm telling all my friends what an embarrassment this establishment is. Tourists don't know any better. go somewhere else, read more

On a Friday we got here for early dinner 5pm. It was the perfect time, we were seated right away for a party of 8 and before the mad rush. It was sprinkling outside and we didn't want to wander more at the seaport so we were so glad they were open for seating. We got (3) traditional lobster roll, crab roll, grilled salmon with veggies, (2) clam chowda with oyster crackers... Couldn't end this day any better. read more

See all

This place used to be one of my favorites, not anymore. Unless you miss the days of Covid when you weren't allowed to stand at the bar or around a table or anywhere, don't bother. Their new "everyone must be sitting in a seat at all times" rule completely changed, and killed, the vibe of what used to be one of the best and most fun places in the Seaport. Bummer :( read more

We really wanted to love a place where the name itself makes you want to go. It was okay, but disappointing considering our high hopes. We ordered the ahi taco appetizers--$44 for the tiniest tacos we've ever had if you don't count taquitos. They were delicious, with raw ahi, spicy mayo, avocado and a crispy wanton wrapper, and, yes, we did realize they were appetizers. But please--$22 for 3 bites?? We won't do that again, even though they were quite tasty. The wait to get in bespoke of wonderful. We waited a half hour to spend $44 plus tip and tax and be finished our appetizers in less than 10 minutes. Our server, I can't remember if she even told us her name, was very busy. She did an adequate job but seemed quite harried. The place was super crowded. We were on the edge of the place with a wonderful water view, but when a motorboat pulled up to the dock, the diesel fuel smell made our 3 bites not as pleasant as they could have been. If we had ordered entrees, the bill would have been $100 for lunch. We also would be cautious with ingredients like Ritz crackers, filled with really bad seed oils, and fried food with Canola. Oh dear. We'll probably choose another place in a city filled with great seafood. read more

I'm sure that you could get the same food anywhere in Boston since the lobster roll is such a staple and I'm sure that you could still get nice service anywhere else. But when you can sit there smell the ocean everything becomes a lot better read more

Walked 20 minutes from the hotel as this was recommended. 3 people in the group. We were able to get an outdoor table on the patio. Just lovely. Ordered the naked roll for lunch and crab cakes. I cannot wait to try the food here. Everything looks good. Our food was fresh and delicious! read more

See all

What a fun place, great seafood under a tent! I have a team lunch under the circus tent called the Barking Crab and I of course choose the Lobster Mac. It was delicious and the service was on point. My drink was refilled timely and it was really cool to sit right next to the water. read more

Barking Crab - Lobster Mac & Cheese - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Cute little "crab shack" next to the water! The warm buttered lobster rolls were fantastic, albeit a little overpriced. We enjoyed our time here and the staff were attentive and friendly. read more

Barking Crab - Lobster Roll with Sweet Potato Fries - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts