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    Holly Crab

    3.9 (456 reviews)
    Open 12:00 pm - 9:30 PM

    Order Holly Crab Takeout or Delivery

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    HOLLY CRAB ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Holly Crab

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    The clams are not worth it, tiny and non-existent size
    John Y.

    We went to Holly Crab in allston for my daughter's 17th bday. She wanted seafood boil and the reviews and pictures looked better here than the much closer by Shaking Crab. It was a rainy day and we still made the trek to Allston, and lucked out with parking pretty easily on a Friday night after work. The restaurant wasn't that busy either so we were immediately seated. The decor, seating areas were all comfy and clean. The tables and bench seats were roomy. Let me review each of the major items we ordered. Shrimp with head on + Snow crab combo + added sausage $49.90: This was really good. There were 2 pieces of potatos and a corn as well. Sausage tasted really good in the sauce (more on this soon). The snow crabs were hit or miss. Some we were able to crack in half and pull out hole pieces, others were not so good because the shell just bent without cracking and then we'd spend a lot of time trying to get the meat out. The shrimp was cooked nicely and plentiful! If you want no head, you'll have to pay extra. Just get the heads and suck it and save the money. This came with Holly sauce with medium spice. It was actually kinda spicy. Everything is fine with this bag except there was not much sauce. We struggled to dig up some sauce within the bag. Green mussel + Snow crab $44.95: This was great. Mussels tasted good, though slightly over cooked. We still enjoyed it. Snow crab is the same as above review. We got the holly sweet sauce (not sure if thats what its called) but it was our favorite. Sweet and spicy. Crawfish + Clam combo $26.95: Skip this. The clams are tiny...like half the size of the dime! It's barely visible. Truffle Fries $7.95: Not much truffle flavor but the fries are cooked fresh and goes from fryer to table. We'd order it again. Cheesy Noodles $7.95: If you're expecting straight cheese and boiled noodles, this is not that. It has a flavor to it, not sure if its garlic or something else? It was hit and miss amongst our table. Some liked it some did not. 20 piece (large) Soy Garlic wings $23.95: Wings are not a primary focus here, so don't expect a bunch of flavor options like a korean fried chicken joint. The wings came out looking really nice. They tell you it takes 30 minutes but it felt sooner. Looks wise, size wise and flavor wise it was great. Problem is it was really overcooked. Inside is very dry and not enjoyable. Hoping it was a one off. Soft drinks are not refillable, as they give you cans with a cup of ice. Sodas were $2 each, strawberry lemonade was $5.95, orange juice was $3. Service: Everyone was friendly. They didn't come to empty our garbage bin though. They did come once to refill the waters...but I had to ask 2 times before they brought us waters. I like that they give us gloves and bibs. They come by afterwards to bring a moist towelette.

    2. Crawfish and Shrimp Combo
    Yickhong L.

    Food was decent but service was slow; for some reason they only had 2 waiters/stresses with 1 behind the counter and 1 actually serving. Poor management on the management side. We got the black mussels and shrimp boil and a shrimp and crawfish boil. We counted 8 black mussels that were firmly closed which was about 1/3-1/2 of the total mussel content but we talked to the 1 waitress and she did offer to remedy the situation by giving us another pound of black mussels. They messed that up and gave us green mussel instead of the black but we accepted didn't care too much. We ordered the pasta in one boil but it was a bit overdone and not al Dante. Potatoes and corn were good. The Cajun sauce was better than the garlic soy sauce for the boils.

    Rice Balls
    Anna F.

    We had a blast here. Very cool and different how the food comes out. It's like a picnic. My partner and his friends ordered, because they had been many times before. The Cajun fries and the calamari were fire. So was the corn. They ordered two different types of seafood. My favorite were actually the clams. My bf and his friends were big fans of the head on shrimp. They give you gloves for eating the seafood with. It comes in these bags, with a lot of garlicky sauce. My favorite part was eating the rice balls with sauce at the end. I wish I had more to dip in that sauce.

    a basket of french fries with ketchup
    Rocky W.

    Holly crab is my go to spot for Cajun boiled seafood! The restaurant is decorated in fisherman and seafare attire. There is metered parking available outside. There is usually no need to make a reservation ahead of time. For appetizers, I recommend the cajun fries and cheesy noodles. For the seafood boil, I always get the 2 pound seafood boil combo of snow crab and shrimp (you can ask for the head off) which comes with 1 lb of each plus potatoes and corn. Next, you pick a sauce and my favorite is the Holly Crab sauce which is made up of Cajun, garlic and lemon. Last is the spice level and I personally enjoy the "hidden spicy" and I eat a fair amount of spicy foods. I also recommend ordering the Holly Crab chicken wings with half and half of soy garlic and spicy garlic. The chicken is Korean style so it's very crispy and delicious. You also get to put on an apron and gloves when you eat to avoid a mess and a small trash can to put the shells in. The prices are reasonable and the portion sizes are good. The service here is awesome and the staff are very attentive and kept checking up on us and making sure that everything was good. Our water cups never ran empty. If you have leftovers, it's not a bad idea to save the sauce and put mix it with rice or noodles for food for the next day. The bathrooms are unisex and were pretty clean and located downstairs. There are not a lot of Cajun boil seafood restaurants in Boston so I do recommend coming here as a solid choice.

    Erin W.

    I love and crave this placeeeee!!! It's seriously my go to spot!!! Not only is the owner amazing and very hospitable, the food is always so yummy ... sooooo very reliable. Every time I go, I always enjoy my food ... and so have my friends. I'm never disappointed!!! The portion sizes are really good for the price. I always get the snow crab legs in the Holly Crab sauce (SO GOOD!!!), and my BF always gets the shrimp. I love to go with our friends because we usually end up ordering a good variety of items to share ... like the lobster and king crab legs. I've been to some other "seafood boil" type places, and I definitely prefer this place due to the Holly Crab sauce. It's just so good!!! I usually get mild or medium spice, which makes it perfect!!! Other yummy items I love there are the Cajun fries and the cheesy noodles. Drool. I just recently tried the truffle fries, but I didn't love them ... not very truffle-y. More just ... cheesy. The place is always really clean and has a very open style environment. Super casual ... so it's ok to wear the provided "bib" and get messy. I seriously love this place so much that I order takeout quite frequently ... and recently celebrated my Birthday here. That's how obsessed I am!!! The only ... maybe ... downside is, is that they don't serve any "adult" beverages. However, this place is just as delicious and fun without having adult beverages, so it doesn't really matter to me. If anything ... it's more room in my tummy for the yummy food!!!

    6. Crawfish and Snow Crab Combo with andouille sausage added

    We had an incredibly horrible day getting to Boston and we're about 3.5 hours late. We hadn't ate since early morning. We arrived right before 9 pm and Jay was our server. He was amazing and made what was a horrible day into a great ending!!! We ordered the crawfish and crab legs boil with an extra corn and andouille sausage. We chose their holly sauce and I found it really tasty! We had several large chunks of crab meat. My son also had a cup of clam chowder. He didn't seem to have many clams, but he enjoyed it. Thank you, Jay!!!

    6. Crawfish and Snow Crab Combo
    Katherine C.

    The combos are 2lbs, but I feel like it was adequate more for 1 person rather than 2. The snow crab legs are quite thin so it's tough to get the meat out. The experience is overall still very enjoyable considering there's really not many places in boston as similar to the gloves and bib experience with Cajun seafood. I really liked the interior. Cute stuffed sea creatures and sea like wooden boarding. Not sure if it's run by a Korean business owner, but if so, I'm impressed that they got the Cajun flavoring so well done/the business model and trendy modern/contemporary look as well as a Korean American. They even offer gumbo and soju and beer alternatives. The waitstaff and service was great. The only thing I was slightly disappointed by was that 1lb didn't seem enough for 1 person depending on what you ordered. Overall experience was great. There was plenty of seating on a Monday night.

    same
    Taeyoon K.

    I've ordered from here a few times, but today's meal was the best so far. The crab was the biggest I've ever had, packed full of meat, and the shrimp portions were incredibly generous--enough to burst! The spiciness level was just right, and it seems you can easily adjust it to your taste. I highly recommend it!

    1.75 lb dungeness crab
    Apex S.

    This was a lunch to remember! Cold, cloudy day in Allston while we enjoyed a hot seafood boil in a cute, quiet restaurant off Comm Ave. Service was quick and attentive. We ordered the 1.75 fresh dungeness crab with the Holly Sauce and the green mussel and shrimp combo (1 lb each), again with the same sauce. When you order the fresh dungeness crab cut, like we did, they fill the shell with rice and bring it to you. The Holly Sauce is a mix of garlic, butter, lemon and we ordered it medium spicy, so it also had chili. The boil also came with potatoes and corn. The star of the show was the crab, followed by the shrimp. Honestly, the potatoes weren't far behind either! Might not order the green mussels again because they felt chewy. The sauce was spectacular. We could not get enough, and I'm glad the restaurant didn't skimp on the sauce, there was plenty to go around. We took our time to eat these, and didn't feel rushed at all. Only a couple of tables were occupied. It was great food in a nice ambiance and we enjoyed it! The one change I might want is I wish they offered 1/2 lb orders so you could order more variety.

    Not a 'y daughter after eating here!
    Jaime H.

    The crab boil hit the spot for a quick lunch! We've visited a few similar spots around the US, and the staff and food was top notch. I'd say the ambiance was very casual but it didn't hinder my opinion of the meal.

    4. Snow Crab and Shrimp Combo, Fresh whole Lobster(1.25-1.5#)
    Yerina K.

    Im giving this place a 5/5 because of the quality of food and quantity being great for the price! The sauces were yummy and the seafood was great as well -- we were shocked that the price wasn't super pricey for what we got. The atmosphere was nice and the server was friendly as well. I will definitely come back here!

    Cam A.

    Came here in a solo date just treating myself . The peach green tea drink is made fresh to order and is so refreshing and too sweet . The sauce for the crab boil ( I got the holly sauce ) Cajun, butter and garlic was a bit salty but still delicious . I definitely couldn't finish even half this bag so had to take it with me . I did order boil eggs and steamed rice on the side . They put a generous amount of sauce in the bag . The staff was pleasant and very accommodating.

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    Ask the Community - Holly Crab

    Will you be offering take out for the holidays?

    Is there any place for free parking?

    There are parking meters Monday through Saturday, 8am-8pm with the maximum parking time of 2 hours. It is $1.25/hour. City of Boston parking meters are FREE on Sundays and legal holidays with no time limit being enforced.

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    Bootleg Special

    Bootleg Special

    4.0(1.3k reviews)
    2.9 miSouth End
    $$
    Minority-owned & operated
    Private events

    Had the pleasure of descending upon Bootleg Special with a chaotic post-conference crew of 11…read morehungry adults, which is basically the restaurant equivalent of a small natural disaster, and somehow they handled it like absolute pros. First off: the food was outstanding. The kind of meal where everyone at the table were all raving about their food. Everything came out hot, flavorful, and fast considering the size of our group. Second: the staff deserves a medal. Not only were they friendly and efficient, but they also went above and beyond splitting checks for all 11 people individually without making us feel like we'd committed a felony. Anyone who has ever dined with a large group knows this alone is a five-star act of heroism. The ambiance was fun, energetic, and just the right amount of spunky. It felt lively without being overwhelming, the kind of place where you immediately relax and accidentally stay longer than planned. And finally, the soundtrack. Whoever was running the music understood the assignment. Absolute bangers all night. At one point I genuinely wasn't sure whether I was there for dinner or about to break out into dance. Fantastic food, great vibes, awesome service, and a team that clearly knows how to handle groups without breaking a sweat. Would absolutely come back.

    I went here super hyped about this place because I wanted the SOUFFLÉ but unfortunately I missed it…read moreby 1hr. They only do em till 3pm lol :(... Super nice place great decor. Friendly and courteous staff. I ended up getting the beignets with chocolate ice cream they wer alright nothing special special but still had a good time here.

    Photos
    Bootleg Special - Dollar Oysters Thursday

    Dollar Oysters Thursday

    Bootleg Special - Garlic Noodles w/ Shrimp

    Garlic Noodles w/ Shrimp

    Bootleg Special - $1 Oyster Thursdays.

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    $1 Oyster Thursdays.

    Cap't Loui - funnel fries

    Cap't Loui

    4.3(364 reviews)
    10.4 mi
    $$

    I've tried a number of seafood boils around MA and Cap't Loui is definitely one of the better ones…read more We had shrimp and mussels with medium Cap't Loui sauce and lemon pepper and added garlic noodles and sausage. They sell by the half pound or pound with their prices listed on the walls in the restaurant based on their current market prices. The portions felt like a lot for what we ordered as we split about three pounds of seafood between three people and were all stuffed. The mussels were big and shrimp were very fresh and clean. The medium sauce was not too spicy and it also came with a potato and small corn on the cob. I thought their garlic noodles were not as good as I've had at other seafood boils, but they do not skimp on the garlic! The restaurant has a spacious front dining area where you enter from the mall with tables for larger parties and the back area where there are a lot of tables for smaller groups. All tables are lined with paper as you'd expect from a seafood boil restaurant and they use all plastic ware and cups. The service was relatively quick and attentive and they also give you gloves, bib, and a bucket for the shells as you eat. I recommend ordering combos as a group if you are hungry as you get free sides depending on how many pounds you order.

    If you love seafood boils, Capt Loui is a must. I'm always trying new spots but somehow always end…read moreup coming back here because their house sauce is honestly unbeatable. I usually get the Boiler Combo, which comes with free sides, and I highly recommend adding the garlic noodles. This was also my first time trying their $1 oysters on Tuesdays and the quality was great and very fresh. Definitely my favorite spot when I'm craving seafood boil.

    Photos
    Cap't Loui
    Cap't Loui - Fried fish platter

    Fried fish platter

    Cap't Loui - Boiler combo

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    Boiler combo

    Buttermilk & Bourbon - 2 Fried Chicken Sliders and  Fried Chicken

    Buttermilk & Bourbon

    4.0(1.3k reviews)
    2.3 miBack Bay
    $$

    Great food and drinks! The biscuits are delicious. Mario was an awesome server! We will definitely…read morebe coming back.

    This was an amazing find of a restaurant on our little trip to Boston. As of many of the other…read morereviews state, the biscuits are a must. They were the dark horse that I never would have thought about ordering normally. Biscuits for dinner? Eh. But they were delicious and lighter than expected and the pimento cheese I could have ate by the spoonfuls. The oysters were clean and delicious. Everything you hope to have from Northeast oysters especially being from Texas where most of the places here serve Gulf oysters that don't even come close to comparing. I could have drank the mignonette. The pimento mac n cheese was on point and flavorful (and again that pimento cheese, yum). The wagyu burgers were so good. The burger was tender and flavorful, the bread was soft and light and slightly sweet, and the onion ring added a great texture to the mix. Think of a amped up western burger. The ambiance was a cool vibe yet a home feel. We were seated quickly but it took awhile for anyone to acknowledge us. Service was good once it started and the food came out quickly. If we ever make it back to Boston, it will definitely be on our list to revisit. Great late dinner spot. Simple foods done right. (Oh, and the drinks were delicious. I wanted to try them all. Mine tasted exactly like an apple pie.)

    Photos
    Buttermilk & Bourbon - The other side of the  restaurant. Our reservation was late and we literally were the last to leave .

    The other side of the restaurant. Our reservation was late and we literally were the last to leave .

    Buttermilk & Bourbon - Alligator fries

    Alligator fries

    Buttermilk & Bourbon - I can't remember the name of this drink....it was sweet, but good.

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    I can't remember the name of this drink....it was sweet, but good.

    Shaking Crab - Newton - Mussle in my boil

    Shaking Crab - Newton

    4.0(505 reviews)
    3.9 mi
    $$

    A hidden gem! The food is absolutely phenomenal. We got two different seafood boils, one with their…read moreShaking (cajun) sauce and the other with their barlic (butter and garlic) sauce. The Shaking sauce was absolute perfection. The barlic was probably delicious but didn't even compare with the amount of flavor in the shaking sauce. All of the seafood was cooked beautifully and tasted fresh. The quality of the meal was incredible. We also ordered a lobster roll and their garlic noodles. I think the lobster roll was a lobster salad and I really really enjoyed it. I don't think I'd order the noodles again but only because everything else blew me away and I was so full by the time I got to them. They have a full bar which allows for a ton of drink choices. 10/10 will frequent the Shaking Crab.

    Shaking Crab has tons of locations and this location in Newton is great! The interior is also so…read morecute hahaha. For food, we ordered the jumbo seafood boil which came with snow crab, crawfish, shrimp, mussels, potatoes, corn, and we added sausage! We got it with the regular cajun sauce and it was delishhh. The sauce is a classic you can't go wrong with! My only wish is that the snow crab was bigger / meatier but everything else was in the boil great. We also ordered garlic noodles, mac and cheese, and fried pickles. The garlic noodles are fine but not great. It tastes like cheap takeout noodles and I wouldn't get it again. Similarly, the mac and cheese is also just fine. I actually liked the fried pickles though because batter was seasoned well but just a little salty. If you come here, get ready to eat messy! Thankfully they give you bibs and gloves so you can eat comfortably. Next time I want to try the Tom Yum sauce.

    Photos
    Shaking Crab - Newton - The photos of the wall that you can sign

    The photos of the wall that you can sign

    Shaking Crab - Newton - Food

    Food

    Shaking Crab - Newton

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    Holly Crab - seafood - Updated May 2026

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