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    Neptune Oyster

    4.2 (6.8k reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 9:30 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Neptune Oyster Photos

    Business Info

    NEPTUNE OYSTER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Casual
    Dogs allowed
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Neptune Oyster

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    Cynthia Z.

    The oysters were fantastic - such a big variety to try and so fun. Service was great. Line was pretty 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.

    Menu
    Brian T.

    Oyster bar with very tight squeezing seats. Can see the shucker shucking oysters in front of the store. Only came for oysters and heard they were fresh! They have a list of the oysters available and come with an accurate tasting profile to them. We got the Neptune pearl, katama bay, unicorn, and beausoleli. The Neptune pearl was our favorite due to the sweet butter finish. We did prefer the medium salt oysters. The razor clam was also amazing. The razor clam casino came with small bacon pieces, chili oil, and parsley. The clam was cut into pieces paired with a tasty oil. Place is very busy and crowded. Came at an off peak hour and didn't wait long. Quick bite for some oysters.

    Stella T.

    The best lobster roll! Fresh daily specials with prompt service. Totally worth the wait.

    Wellfleet Clam Chowder
    Matthew W.

    A Boston must-try, Neptune's is a tiny restaurant (like, 20-25 people max seating) that will very likely 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.

    Tina J.

    I still love this place! Cash only! I always order their crudo as it's rotational. Their warm lobster roll is out of this world and their oysters are always fresh! They didn't have fresh uni this time, maybe next time. If I'm visiting Boston, this is a must visit location for me.

    Lobster Roll & Fries
    Alex K.

    The service was okay and the food was solid. I got the lobster roll and fries and the MP at the time was $43. I thought it was good, but definitely not worth the price. Overall I probably wouldn't recommend coming here.

    Oysters
    Allie G.

    I visited Neptune Oyster on a Tuesday and found a line out the door, as expected. I thought the wait was just to put my name down, but the hostess came by asking everyone for the size of their party. Because I was a solo diner, I was able to skip the entire line and got seated at the bar right away! The restaurant was small and cozy, with a classic New England vibe. Sitting at the bar was awesome, because I had a front-row seat to watch oyster shucking. I was given a little checklist with the raw bar offerings, and chose one of each of the east coast oyster varieties (9 in total). I don't have a refined palate for oysters, so I can't say I fully grasped the listed tasting notes, but all 9 were fresh and delicious! I also got the hot Maine Lobster Roll, which was phenomenal. I loved the generous heaps of lobster and warm buttered bun. Overall, Neptune Oyster was a pricey dinner for one, but a fantastic experience!

    North End Cioppino with lobster
    Julianna K.

    Very yummy seafood! We waited about 45 min at 5 pm on a Sunday evening (holiday weekend). It was very cozy in there and we shared a table with other people but we didn't mind. We ordered a bunch of raw oysters, a lobster roll, a cioppino with lobster on top, and a burger (my husband wanted to try it). The oysters were delicious and the lobster on the roll and in the cioppino was excellent. My favorite dish was the cioppino - what a delicious variety of seafood and so filling too!!

    Monday - Lobster Spaghettini
    Jenny T.

    Food: Mussels and the lobster spaghetti were 11/10, no complaints! The burgers also looked phenomenal. Service: I found some of the waitstaff to be overly aggressive. While I understand the restaurant is small, crowded, and very busy, being told to move and move my bag could've been said to me in a much nicer way.

    Oysters
    Jessica B.

    Worth the wait! Every time I go to Boston, I try to make a visit to Neptune. They don't take reservations and there is always a line but it moves quickly. Inside is cozy with only a few booths and bar seating. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable on their menus. I went on Sunday this time when they had lobster tacos as the special of the day, so I had to try and was not disappointed. There was so much lobster in each of the tacos!! The oysters were fantastic as well.

    Woodbury Littleneck Clams
    Judy K.

    There was already a short line outside Neptune Oyster even before they opened on a Tuesday--so I was glad I arrived early! I started with littleneck clams and a glass of Lambrusco, then followed with the lobster roll--because it just felt mandatory while in Boston. It was a generous heap of buttered lobster on a pillow-soft brioche. There was so much lobster, I needed a knife and fork to tackle it. At $43, it's definitely a splurge, but absolutely worth it. Every dish I saw pass by looked incredible. I almost wished I had shared the roll so I could try more of the menu.

    Georges Bank Sea Seared Georges Bank Scallops
    Janet F.

    This place is in the top 10 restaurants we have ever been a patron at. The service is always top notch, the servers are friendly, informative and knowledgeable. The small space is cozy without feeling crowded and the food is always amazing. We never miss a chance to stop here when we are in Boston. 11 outta 10 recommend. The prices may seem a little scary at first but the quality and presentation warrants them. Do not skip a stop here.

    Bar seating looking out to front
    Diana F.

    Long line, long wait, limited seating. We came after 6pm and there were already about 20 people in line on a weekday. Food was pretty good but prices were a bit outrageous, especially the daily specials. Perhaps that is why prices were not listed for them. Noise level and service were typical of a smaller but busy restaurant.

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    1 year ago

    This is a classic oyster bar with a great selection of excellent oysters! The line outside moves quickly

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    Neptune Oyster Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Neptune Oyster

    Is there parking in the area?

    Everywhere. But it's hard to find. Sometimes you get lucky.

    Do they ever have live music?

    No never not enough room

    I see they take reservations, would there still be a long wait?

    I went in without a reservation close to when they opened. Waited maybe 5 minutes.

    If you arrive at 9pm on a weeknight is it likely you will have to wait?

    Most likely yes!

    Do they still let you leave your # to have them call you when your table is ready? I saw a tripadvior review from April 2022 saying they don't do this anymore, is that right?

    When we were there, they did not offer this. Everyone just had to wait in line along the sidewalk. The line moved pretty quickly though.

    Do they automatically add 20% of the tip on every customer's bill?

    they did mine. "because take away takes a lot of time and takes time away from waiting tables".

    Will it open during thanksgiving?

    There open day before. Thursday will be Quiet in the area..

    Any one have any idea what the wait is like on a Friday around 12? thanks

    Just the old timer

    When is the best time to come with a party of two for as little a wait time as possible? And how long would the wait be if I came at 4pm or 5pm on a weekend?…

    I've gone on a Friday around 3pm and there was almost no wait (10-15 min), unfortunately 4-5pm or the later you get the wait is usually impossible.

    Is it easy to get in for a party of 5-6 since we can't make reservations for dinner around 7?

    I don't think for inside. The restaurant is small. There is outside seating when I visited.

    Do they offer gluten free buns for lobster rolls?

    No gluten free. But real not sure about that

    Is there outside seating that I can sit with my doggo?

    Yes there outside seating it also good area take pictures. And walking trails

    Do they offer happy hour specials?

    I don't think so. You might want to check their website.

    Are kids allowed? I have an 8 year old.

    Yes, no restrictions but it's a small place and only a few tables for more than 2 during COVID times

    With the pandemic and social distancing, is Neptune's Oyster taking reservations like most of the other restaurants in the North End have done to limit social distancing? Or do they still do first come, first serve with people congregating?

    They're still not taking reservations, you have to go in person and put your name down and they'll give you an estimated time window and call you back once your table is ready. You can request indoor or outdoor seating, and typically the wait hasn't… 

    Are they currently open in any capacity during this lock down?

    Yes they are open for dine in and takeout. They do not take reservations and their is very limited seating inside. You can put your name down and they call you when your table is ready. Depending on the day and time, wait time can be anywhere from… 

    Can I go to there and order to go?

    Yes, they do offer takeout.

    Can I have an appointment for dinner?

    No, first come first served. If you're not there early expect a long wait of 1-2 hours.

    Is there a bar to eat at or just tables?

    Full menu including food is available at the bar

    Any offerings for kids?

    We ordered my daughter plain pasta

    View All 27 Questions

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    Boston Sail Loft

    Boston Sail Loft

    4.4
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    0.3 mi
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    Excellent local seafood friendly service rustic ambience One of our favorite places to visit when…read morein Boston for mussels and fish and chips!

    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.

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    Inside
    Inside
    Clam Chowder
    Clam Chowder
    New England Clam Chowder

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    The Daily Catch

    The Daily Catch

    4.0
    (234 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$$

    This has been on my list for 4 years. I always run past it and catch the scent of the food, and the…read moreoutdoor patio is so cute. So after 4 years, I finally got to eat here. Getting a reservation wasn't difficult, just make sure you get it a few days in advance. Everything here was amazing. Patio, food, drinks, service- no notes. We got the calamari meatballs as our appetizer. I don't like meatballs but I made an exception here...the ricotta is SO light and tastes so fresh. It went so well with the meatballs. The sauce was pretty complex flavor wise and was a delight to have. The meatballs were also delicious and we loved how everything went so well together. After we finished our appetizer, we were brought bread which we used to sop up the rest of the sauce. It was delicious. For our entrees, we got the swordfish and the aglio olio with scallops. Wow. This was my first time trying swordfish, but it was delicious and however they cooked broccoli rabe made me actually like it! It was so good. The aglio olio...tastes even better than it looks. SO good and such a massive portion. I got to ball out on leftovers the next day. The scallops were perfectly seared and went so welll with the pasta. It was so fun have calamari and garlic bits in the pasta...the calamari in it was truly unique. Thinking about this dinner is making my mouth water and making me hungry. Our waiter was great and attentive to us, everyone was having a good time and it was a really nice vibe on the patio. I'll definitely be back!

    Not worth the price…read more We came here for our anniversary as a splurge and were left feeling disappointed by the food quality. For over $100, you would expect the lobster fra diavolo to be fresh, but it was a huge let down. Severely overcooked and tough, but worst of all, not fresh! It stank of sulfur and tasted bitter which raises concerns about food safety. The other components of the dish were equally underwhelming--overcooked shrimp, tiny mussels and clams, and way-too-thin sauce. The calamari was the best part of the dish. The side of bread didn't taste fresh baked, and the Caesar salad was basic. I am giving stars based solely on location, service, and concept. The plating was beautiful and the vibe was romantic, but sadly the food fell majorly flat.

    Photos
    Indoor Dining Room and Bar at The Daily Catch Waterfront
    Indoor Dining Room and Bar at The Daily Catch Waterfront
    The Daily Catch
    The Daily Catch

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    The Daily Catch

    The Daily Catch

    4.1
    (2k reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$$

    Our first visit to Boston. Our first visit to North End. We used Yelp! To pick out a dinner spot…read morebased on ratings and restaurant description. Even before we got to our spot, we saw this tiny little place with an open air kitchen and a line of people almost a block long waiting to get in. My wife commented, "that's the place we should be eating....". Now our dinner wasn't bad, but truthfully, being 1/2 Sicilian, I've been eating home cooked Italian food my whole life. It takes a pretty great plate of pasta to move the needle for me. Again, the spot we picked was fine, but I kept thinking about what my wife had said earlier.... The next evening we weren't in the North End, but we found out the place everyone was waiting in line for was called The Daily Catch, and the REAL great news was they had a 2nd Waterfront location close to where we were hanging.. we snagged a table for two and had the meal we were looking for the first night. P.J. was our server and he was fucking great. Friendly, funny and honest, he made great recommendations and we were NOT disappointed. I ordered the Aolio Olio with calamari and black squid ink pasta. Absolutely amazing! My wife ordered the Scallops and Linguine in white sauce and again, it was lights out. Four days later we returned to North End - for our last day in town - and remembering the line, we decided lunch might be the safer bet to try and avoid the crowds. Imagine our surprise when we were seated by P.J., who waited on us during our first visit. As cool as their waterfront location was (it was definitely bigger), their North End spot has just got this vibe.... Now the weather was PERFECT during our lunch - sunny and in the 70's. We sat just off the street and ordered the Lobster Fra Diavolo (P.J.'s recommendation again). Again, he knocked it out of the park... and the serving for one person was more than enough for two. It was literally one of the best plates of food I've ever eaten. The Daily Catch in North end literally seats 22 guests and is cash only. There were three staff working the tiny space, and the open air kitchen and super friendly chef (didn't get his name) all added to what ended up being a truly unique experience. This place is no joke. If you're in Boston, and you want fresh and delicious Italian seafood... look no further.

    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!
    Giacomo's Ristorante - Boston

    Giacomo's Ristorante - Boston

    4.1
    (4.5k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    The most authentic Italian I've yet to have. Feels like you escaped to Italy through the authentic…read morecuisine and friendly Italian staff. Ordered the prosciutto and pea linguine in the garlic cream and it was the most delicious pasta I've ever had! My husband ordered the veal in the white wine and continues to still talk about it.

    We ate here over New Year's while visiting Boston, and our first experience was excellent--the food…read morewas great, which is why we were excited to return during our visit this past weekend. Unfortunately, the customer service during our second visit was a complete disappointment. We arrived around 5:00 p.m., and the restaurant was only about half full. From the start, the service from an older waitress was rude enough that we almost walked out. I had forgotten my reading glasses at home and was having trouble reading the small print on the menu, so I looked at the menu displayed on the wall instead. The waitress suddenly took the menu from our table and repeatedly pointed to the paper menu, insisting that I use it instead. I explained that I couldn't see the small print, and only then did she drop the issue. When our food arrived, it felt like it was simply dropped on the table with no warmth or courtesy. We also witnessed another waitress respond to a customer who was unsure where they were seated by saying loudly, "Do we need to put up directions?!" in a sarcastic and embarrassing tone. It's unfortunate because the food is genuinely very good. However, no meal is worth being treated this way. There are many great Italian restaurants in Boston, and next time we visit, we'll be choosing one of them.

    Photos
    More menu
    More menu
    Frutti di Mare Linguine
    Frutti di Mare Linguine
    Tiny upstairs dining area with a great view

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    Union Oyster House

    Union Oyster House

    3.5
    (4.1k reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    Historical restaurant/bar with a plethora of seafood options and a large wrap around bar…read more We got the fried calamari and some cocktails at the bar. Calamari was decent but what appears to be the star of the show were all the oyster trays that kept passing by. We did not get any, but in hindsight it would have been the smart choice. For the little bit of time we were there I must have seen 20 trays go by. I didn't have a chance to explore all the historical artwork but the vibe is there and I'm sure if it was less busy you could take your time looking around. You did feel the historical presence so even if you have no intentions of eating here could be fun to pop in for a drink just to see this long-standing gem.

    This place is absolutely historical and a must-try... yet everyone knows it's a terrible place for…read morefood and service. The thing is, the service isn't actually rude outright. It's just too casual for you to expect anything good. Expect tepid water and sticky menus that match how dated the place is. The place itself is actually pretty neat to look around though. The famed guests that visited and the booths they sat at, the art on the walls, the historical souvenirs that are basically relics at this point... It's cool just to go. But the food sucks. I hate to be so crude, but it just does. The cornbread is just ok, a mix between normal to dry parts except you don't know where to avoid. The baked beans were mediocre, nothing different from a can, the French onion soup was somewhat decent although I grew tired of it within half a bowl, but what was hilarious is that my mac and cheese (from the kid's menu due to being full from earlier) was lackluster and still had a leftover label on it. I couldn't help but laugh at how ridiculous the food was. Go once and never again!

    Photos
    Oyster crackers on the table
    Oyster crackers on the table
    Cornbread
    Cornbread
    Grilled butterfly shrimp

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    Grilled butterfly shrimp

    Neptune Oyster - seafood - Updated July 2026

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