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    Little Whale

    4.2 (235 reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 10:30 pm

    Little Whale Photos

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    LITTLE WHALE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Intimate

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    Recommended Reviews - Little Whale

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    Cynthia Z.

    They have $2 oyster deal during happy hour and it has to be some of the best deals on oysters in this economy. The oysters are plump and fresh. Highly recommend! Clam chowder was decent too.

    Helen Z.

    This place has big juicy $2 Island Creek oysters every day before 6pm as long as you get a drink. There is a limit of a dozen per person. It's a cute place to get a drink with friends. The clam chowder is on the more runny side, but I actually prefer it this way. It seems like it is lovingly made with big chunks of clam and not with a lot of starchy additives. We also had the blue crab gnocchi and clam pasta and both were delicious. If I come back I'd probably try a red sauce pasta next time too. Service is friendly and does not rush you at all. Prices are a little high, but it is Newbury Street.

    Lobster roll, tuna steak sandwich
    Samantha C.

    I went for lunch at Little Whale after some shopping on Newbury, and it absolutely hit the spot. I loved the costal decor, the kind staff, and my delicious lobster roll. I would definitely recommend everyone try Little Whale if you are in the area, as it was a perfect addition to my day in Boston.

    Anchovies
    David G.

    Amazing food. Could have just eaten oysters for dinner. Fresh and delicious. Anchovies served very simply with olive oil peppers and crusty bread. Definitely would recommend. Tuna sandwich was awesome. Seared perfectly with coleslaw and fries. Definitely worth a visit if you are in Boston. Unassuming spot but warm and inviting. Great service and the tuna sandwich was recommended by one of the servers.

    Frances L.

    Wonderful evening with delicious food and great service! My flight was delayed and I was so happy Little Whale was able to adjust our reservation time. The hostess welcomed us in and I really appreciated her having my parents come in through a different entrance so they wouldn't have to use the steep stairs. Melissa was our waitress and she took care of us. We ordered a variety of dishes to share. The seafood was all very fresh, well seasoned and delicious. I can't even pick a favorite because I enjoyed everything. The crab toast was piled high with fresh crab. The calamari was perfectly fried, tender and served with warm marinara. The fish and chips had the biggest piece of fried fish ever. The fish was so tender and flaky and the batter was light and crispy. Linguini and clams were perfect-the pasta al dente, clams were sweet in a light garlic wine sauce. The spring crab gnocci dish was unique and we all loved the combo or peas, pea tendrils and crab. Such a delightful first dinner in Boston! I highly recommend Little Whale.

    Crab toast very good
    Magda C.

    Good quality, nice presentation, charming, mostly small portions to share. It's pricey but I thought it was worth it.

    Undressed lobster
    Lan D.

    This was not my first time here. Every time I visit Boston I make a point to sample clam chowder at 6 or more 4 star establishments. Each claim to be "homemade". However Little Whale is by far clearly homemade. Flavorful, ample ingredients, creamy but not starchy, and delicious. Oysters are fresh, briney and delightful. Service is friendly inside or outside. I will continue to frequent this amazing restaurant. Lanny.

    Half dozen oysters
    Sam R.

    Word on the street is that Little Whale has the best hot lobster role in Boston. I can't speak to other establishments, but I can say that this Angeleno left impressed. Little Whale was one of the only spots in town I could get a same-day reservation before 9 pm. I got a generous pour of white wine, some great oyster recommendations, and a buttery, filling lobster role with plenty of frites. Dinner definitely cost a pretty penny, but from a food standpoint I was ok with that. My issue is with the 20% mandatory gratuity fee. As a solo diner at the bar, it was a little annoying especially with some service gaps I experienced. Nonetheless, this was a treat!

    Oysters
    Sophie L.

    I came here on a Friday after work for the $2 oysters and had a great time! We ordered oysters, the Caesar salad, mussels and the fish and chips. It was more than enough food for 3 people. Little whale is a great alternative to Saltie Girl! If you're craving solid seafood, pasta etc I would recommend coming here!

    Gina A.

    This place was good not great and felt like and for what we got it felt spendy. We went out on the coldest night in search of good chowder. The little Whale was recommended by the concierge. The chowder was good but the potatoes were almost raw, it needed to cook a little more. The beet salad was the highlight which is strange for it to have been Boston. The place was cozy but there was a family at the table next door with children kind of all over the place. It was a week night and pretty slow but we were sat directly adjacent to the only other table. Strange choice.

    Lobster Roll
    Jeff G.

    Always a great time at Little Whale! Delicious food along with quick, attentive, and kind servers. Little Whale is located in a narrow but beautiful brownstone on Newbury. With two floors, upstairs is the restaurant and downstairs is an oyster bar. There's also seating on the outside patio and sidewalk depending on weather - loads of great people-watching For the food -- It's not cheap, but you know why when you taste it. My wife had the lobster roll which came with more lobster than most places include. Fresh with warm butter. I went with the Tuna Steak Sandwich and devoured it almost immediately. We also shared a handful of oysters which were... chef's kiss. Not a huge fan of including a 4% operation fee and 20% tip. I usually tip over 20%, but a restaurant requiring it never feels great.

    Little Gem salad no , and chowder
    Taylor R.

    Cute little spot on Newbury Street! We made an early dinner reservation and sat outside on the patio. Service was as expected for a nice restaurant. I ordered the chowder and little gem salad. My dining companion had the swordfish. It was a nice meal but a bit overpriced compared to other spots. I wouldn't put it on my must visit list but if you were in the area, I'd say it's a valid option!

    Half shell Oysters
    Sandra P.

    Quite small and intimate place so it can get a bit loud but I liked the ambiance overall. The service was wonderful. Our waitress had the best wine recommendation. We ordered all of the oysters that were available. Most of them were super tasty with the exception of one which was super brine-y and tasted like the sea so it wasn't my favorite. Lobster roll could have used a bit more flavor. The butter was soaked in the bread but didn't really sit in the lobster. I've had better lobster elsewhere for a better price but it wasn't still good. Fries were fried to perfection.

    Seared Tuna Sandwhich

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    2 months ago

    Overpriced lobster roll unfortunately. Kind service and good vibes but just way overpriced

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    2 months ago

    Very good..except the clams & linguine dish was way too salty! Enjoyed the calamari, beet salad, and oysters.

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    Page 1 of 6

    Ask the Community - Little Whale

    Is the restaurant casual or dressy?

    Casual!

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    Neptune Oyster

    Neptune Oyster

    4.2
    (6.8k reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$$

    A Boston must-try, Neptune's is a tiny restaurant (like, 20-25 people max seating) that will very…read morelikely have a line when you arrive. Unless you wanna wait an hour or so, it's best to arrive 30min before they open to beat the rush. It's incredibly cramped and rushed inside, and you may need to share a table with others if you're a smaller party. Food is quite pricey but well worth it. We ordered the oysters (they've got a variety so you can choose), clam chowder, lobster roll, cioppino, and johnnycake. Oysters were fine, but the clam chowder was absolutely dismal. Not sure what happened, especially since it's so highly rated, but it was extremely watery and almost completely unseasoned. It could've definitely used salt at the very least. If I didn't know it was from Neptune, I'd have given it a 2/10. To my relief, the lobster roll was the total opposite. Succulent, juicy, heavenly. It was like being in Maine. The cioppino was also very good. The Johnnycake was an interesting but fun way to end the meal. It's a sweet pancake-like cornmeal covered in a syrupy glaze and topped with smoked bluefish paste, crème fraiche and caviar. I've never had anything like it. Nothing was super overpriced, but I personally prefer next door (Paulini's), which is much cheaper and while it isn't as good, it also doesn't require waiting in an hour in line. However, I think Neptune's is definitely worth a try as long as you're willing to wait in line.

    The oysters were fantastic - such a big variety to try and so fun. Service was great. Line was…read morepretty long on a week night around 6:30pm, we waited about 45 min in line. I heard there was no line around 6pm that day. Other dishes ordered: Spanish octopus: it looked fabulous, but flavor profile was not my favorite. The sauce was very buttery/oily but lacked depth in flavor imo. It was greasy, mushy and bland at the same time. Octopus itself was pretty good. Lobster pasta: enjoyable overall but the lobster tasted rubbery/overcooked. It might be better if they just toss the lobsters in towards the end instead of cooking it so much. The lobster meat portion was very generous. Overall, I was not disappointed, but also I wasn't super impressed.

    Photos
    One of the few lines worth standing in + oysters of the day
    One of the few lines worth standing in + oysters of the day
    Wednesday - Fish & chips
    Wednesday - Fish & chips
    Woodbury Littleneck Clams

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    Woodbury Littleneck Clams
    Boston Sail Loft

    Boston Sail Loft

    4.4
    (2.1k reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$

    If I could give this place more stars, I absolutely would. The fact that anyone has anything…read morenegative to say about Boston Sail Loft blows my mind. From start to finish, we had an amazing experience here. We ate here on Sunday. They open at 11:30am. We got in line around 11:00 am, and there were already dozens of people waiting in line for them to open . Around opening time, the owner came out and personally greeted everyone as they came into the restaurant. He was so friendly. He greeted passers-by on the street and talked with the locals. The staff was friendly and answered all our questions. They provided recommendations and offered suggestions. We sat at a window table and were able to see out at the boats. It was cute and quaint inside! I got a cup of the clam chowder. I 100% recommend it! They add dill and omit the pork, which made it so delicious! My friend and I split the fish and chips, and it was more than enough for two people. The fish was cooked perfectly and the fries (chips) were crispy without being too crunchy. We added a bit of pepper to our fish, and my goodness does that make a difference. If you visit Boston, want an awesome local establishment with delicious food and overly friendly staff, this is the place for you. This was my third visit to Boston and I'm so sad I didn't know about it sooner. It's a MUST.

    During our whale watch boat ride, a local family recommended Boston Sail Loft. The place is on the…read morewater, smaller, but has better prices than the competition. First come, first served poilcy. We first came on a Sunday afternoon, but were met with an hour and 45 minutes wait for a table of two. The following rainy Tuesday, we tried again and were able to get seated immediately, next to a window overseeing the water. I had the seafood platter and a cup of chowder. My wife had whole lobster for $40. TONS of delicious food. Four days prior, Union Oyster House had whole lobster for about twice the cost. All of the food was delicious. Boston Sail Loft was a great send-off restaurant to end our Boston trip. Thanks again to our new friends from Boston for the recommendation. Our server gave me useful info on the local beers. The platter had a delicious mix of scallops, shrimp, clams and fish. The chowder has a lot of dill in it, but wow...it's the best chowder I had on my trip. My wife loved her large lobster...tons of meat.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Clam Chowder
    Clam Chowder
    New England Clam Chowder

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    New England Clam Chowder
    The Daily Catch

    The Daily Catch

    4.1
    (2k reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$$

    I've been here several times now and The Daily Catch never disappoints. Love the food, great…read moreservice, and amazing vibes! I always will recommend their special that's sharable for two while my partner lives the black squid ink pasta. Either is a great choice though and we honestly get both despite it being way too much food every time. Calamari is solid too and everything tastes great. We always come right at open to avoid waiting given the small restaurant space, but it's always worth it. Just be warned they're also cash only as well!

    We were on the tail end of a long east coast vacation recently when we found ourselves in Boston…read morewhich overlapped with the World Cup festivities. Downtown was packed! On our itinerary was to do The Freedom Trail and have some pasta for dinner though I wasn't sure where. It turned out that we wandered through North End which had some incredible ambience so I decided we would eat an early dinner at The Daily Catch since it was a small place and due to the amount of people out and about. Fortunately we got in within minutes of waiting. My family wasn't exactly hungry but we ordered the black pasta aglio olio and the black pasta Alfredo. Given the small restaurant / just a few tables, the kitchen was highly efficient and brought the food out quick. It was fun to watch our dinner cooked as we were seated next to the kitchen. The aglio olio is something I could eat regularly. The ground calamari was unique and it was loaded with sautéed garlic. The best! I probably wouldn't order the Alfredo again personally but the kids liked it. Overall a great experience on a hot day. We were in and out fairly quick. Service was solid.

    Photos
    Corner seating with an open window
    Corner seating with an open window
    Fried Calamari
    Fried Calamari
    The best meal I had in Boston. Get their world famous Lobster Frav Diavolo!

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    The best meal I had in Boston. Get their world famous Lobster Frav Diavolo!
    Saltie Girl

    Saltie Girl

    4.2
    (2.7k reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$$

    My daughter was performing in town and she mentioned she wanted to go to this place for the food…read more We took the walk from Fenway and visited. I have to say, it was one of the best restaurants I have visited in a long time. The server informed us how the menu worked because I have never had tinned food before. For the people reading this. It is a tinned canned of seafood that is presented on a mini charcuterie board. Nice concept! It came with half loaf of bread and butter, flavors salts, jams and peppers. We also ordered the Caesar salad and my wife said it was the best salad she has ever had. It looks small in the picture but it is not small. It came with a thinly sliced toasted bagel on top. I am in Boston and I wanted to try the clam chowder and it was far the best clam chowder I have ever had. I have had lots of clam chowders and there was no comparison. The place is a very unique restaurant with a charm that was very pleasant. Definitely going back next time in Boston.

    Saltie Girl is a classic Boston stop and borderline a must-try if you're visiting. The warm lobster…read moreroll was great, and the clam chowder was another standout for us. The place appears to always be busy, but we were impressed that they were still finding ways to accommodate walk-ins and keep things moving. We sat at the bar top, which is definitely a little tight quarters, but honestly about what we expected from a spot this popular and busy. Great seafood, lively atmosphere, and absolutely worth having on your Boston list.

    Photos
    New England Lobster Roll and Parmesan Truffle Fries
    New England Lobster Roll and Parmesan Truffle Fries
    New England Lobster Roll
    New England Lobster Roll
    Warm lobster roll

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    Warm lobster roll
    Atlantic Fish

    Atlantic Fish

    4.2
    (3.3k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$$

    I will start with and end with that the service was excellent. All staff was super polite and…read moreefficient. The prices are high and the food was mediocre. The shrimp cocktail looked slightly glassy ? Lobster / shrimp ravioli was priced high for the portion , my partner said it was very good. I had the Prince Edward Muscles and Fish and Chips... it was a good portion of fish. The temp of the fish was hot with amazingly fresh fish in a lovely batter, the accompanying french fries were look-warm with a slab of room temp cole slaw on top of them? The muscles were good quality and a great portion. The sauce was a little bland. Dessert was very good. A slice of NY cheesecake and the Boston cream pie. As for atmosphere...it was too hot inside and the bathrooms are down a flight of stairs. I was craving and ordered mushrooms to try with the ravioli cream sauce. I got over seasoned Cold and obviously almost bad mushrooms. I really wanted to love this spot and next time I visit Boston go to Abe & Louis...sadly I'll rethink that as this was an underwhelming experience for me. I don't think I'll go back to Atlantic Fish either. Our server worked super hard and rendered impecable service.

    This is THE seafood place to have dinner at in Boston. No debate!…read more The 3 $$$ are no joke, but the value is 4 or 5 $$$$$. Initially we weren't going to come here but our Uber driver recommended us switch our reservations from another place to Atlantic Fish. I am so glad we did! Our server Nick, was an absolute rockstar. Knew the menu like he wrote it himself! Starting from the warm, fluffy bread and butter, then to the lobster bisque and clam chowder that we shared, and an absolutely unique haddock with crab and other spices on top (my wife got the swordfish that was also perfect), all was absolutely delicious. He suggested a great red and white wine for both of us to pair with our meals. Tons of wine on the menu, so he was able to expertly scope out something that was available to have in a glass, and pair with our food. The biggest "almost-didn't-happen" food stop for us. Very thankful that we were recommended to come here, because we ate our food so slow to try and savior it and make it last.

    Photos
    Dining room. Elegant but not stuffy. You can come here if dressed casual.
    Dining room. Elegant but not stuffy. You can come here if dressed casual.
    Seafood tower
    Seafood tower
    Lobster bisque

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    Lobster bisque
    Luke's Lobster Back Bay

    Luke's Lobster Back Bay

    4.2
    (2.2k reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    I came here for lunch during my last full day in Boston. The customer service here is superb. I was…read morehelped right away at the counter and was even given a free brownie once I mentioned I was in town for a birthday trip, eager to try my first lobster rolls. Totally wasn't expecting any kind of birthday discount or mini freebie, but the gesture was greatly appreciated. I've never been a big fan of the texture of shrimp, crab, nor lobster. But how can you visit the area and not try a lobster roll? For lunch, I got a cold quarter pound lobster roll accompanied by a bowl of clam chowder and a couple of pickles. The lobster was plump, fresh, and didn't taste too fishy - just quality lobster meat. My meal also came with chips and a drink of my choice. I even ended up getting a hot lobster roll and inhaled that later in the day because I enjoyed my first one so much.

    Will probably fly back out to Boston just to get Luke's again!! 10/10 you definitely need to try…read morethe seafood roll flight. The lobster roll flight looked enticing, but we decided on the seafood for variety: shrimp, crab & lobster. 1st bite was insane, the bread was buttery, crunchy, and the seafood had a great taste. Comes with chips + drink + pickle slice. We chose the blueberry soda, which was delicious too & plain sea salt chips to prevent it from changing the flavor of the seafood. We left and came back after 2hrs to get the full crab roll they also have a stamp card so make sure to ask for it!!

    Photos
    They tell you where the seafood you are eating was sourced! I love this!
    They tell you where the seafood you are eating was sourced! I love this!
    Stop by the shack today to try Portland, Maine's BEST lobster roll!
    Stop by the shack today to try Portland, Maine's BEST lobster roll!
    Very casual, very delish

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    Very casual, very delish

    Little Whale - bars - Updated July 2026

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