As a native New Englander, I don't say this lightly: this was one of the best seafood meals we've had in a very long time. Phenomenal oysters and shrimp; seared tuna was stellar! We made the rookie mistake of showing up without a reservation on a Tuesday night, and the restaurant was packed. The hostess, who was in training, handled the situation with such poise. She was warm, thoughtful, and transparent about the 45-minute wait, which we genuinely appreciated. What really set the tone, though, was Will. I later learned he was one of the owners, but you never would have guessed it. He wasn't standing back overseeing the dining room; instead, he was in it, working just as hard as everyone else. He welcomed us personally, empathized, and even offered us a cocktail while we waited. As we sat nearby, we watched him gently coach the hostess in training. There was humor, kindness, and encouragement, balanced with clear expectations: simple reminders like making sure every guest is greeted the moment they walk through the door. It was leadership by example. He carried himself with humility, intention, and a work ethic that he clearly models for his entire team. Watching those interactions made me appreciate the restaurant even before we sat down to eat. By the end of the meal, the wait didn't matter one bit. In fact, after experiencing both the hospitality and the food, we completely understood why the restaurant was full on a Tuesday night. The service was exceptional. I'll update this review once I remember our server's name because she absolutely deserves recognition. She was attentive, incredibly hardworking, and gracefully managed not only our table but the many families with children around us. The manager also stopped by to check on us, and it felt entirely sincere. The model started at the top and was clearly part of their ethos. They were so generous which is why we recommend this spot to anyone visiting the area! The food was every bit as impressive as the service. The shrimp cocktail featured some of the largest, freshest shrimp I've had in years--perfectly chilled and absolutely delicious. The oysters were impeccably fresh and beautifully presented. Every dish reinforced why New England seafood has the reputation it does. Great restaurants serve great food. Exceptional restaurants create a culture that guests can actually feel. This place does both. We'll absolutely be back--and next time, we'll be smart enough to make a reservation. read more

The Black Whale is one of my favorite local spots! The food is always excellent, the service is consistently great, and the sushi is incredibly fresh. My go to is the Everything Roll. Great food, great atmosphere, and always a place I look forward to coming back to. read more

The Black Whale - Toro Platter - Seafood Near Me - New Bedford, Massachusetts

BOGO raw oysters got us here on a rainy Monday afternoon for "happy hour". Devoured a dozen in record time. Washed it down with their collaboration brew with Foam - tasty! Open air seating bar area was very nice despite the misty rain. Service was a little slow but the wait staff was attentive and we were not in a hurry. Try the tourist chair out front but make sure you have someone to help you out read more

This is a beautiful restaurant overlooking the ferry terminal / marina Fried clams were a disappointment, due to being a bit tough and the batter did not help The wedge salad with steak was good As well as the baked stuffed sole read more

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This place has a lot going for it. Good location by the water with lots of parking. A big menu with fresh seafood abounding. In fact the scallops we had were excellent. Not Chewy but almost buttery. But two factors take away a star for me. First off, our appetizer took forever and service could be spotty at times. Most tables around us were already on their main course but it just slowed the whole meal. Add to that prices that tip the scales in part. Clams and fries for near $40 is just a bit steep. My clams were quite good but it was a modest portion for the price. That said would I come here again? Yep. Just keep my wallet full. read more

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This was our first time visiting the Black Whale and we will certainly be back. We made last minute reservations for 8:30 on a Saturday night. There was plenty of parking behind the restaurant when we arrived. We were seated promptly upon being greeted by the host, although there were others waiting. I ordered a cup of the Fisherman's stew and the Portuguese Cod. Both were fantastic with plenty of seafood. They were quite filling though so I think next time I wouldn't order both. My husband ordered the clam chowder and filet Oscar. He said both were delicious, but he also wouldn't get both next time because it was too much food. My 13 year old son ordered the fisherman's platter, which he loved. It looked like there was a ton of seafood. The ambiance was very nice. We sat in a booth up on a platform and had a fantastic view of the boats outside as well as the entire restaurant. We will definitely be back as the menu had a lot of great options and overall it was a wonderful experience. read more

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Excellent food and server. Thanks Megan! Came on a Friday afternoon (2-ish) in July. Could only get a seat at the outdoor bar. Took about 15 minutes to order and another 30 for the food to arrive. Not all the servers were excellent. Had the Portuguese Cod. Excellent! The only suggestion is to watch the amount of raw garlic garnish. I got a huge chunk in one bite that was disappointing. read more

The Black Whale - Portuguese Cod - Seafood Near Me - New Bedford, Massachusetts

the food is great , the staff is wonderful ,I love going there. I'm glad It's so close to home

This has become one of our absolute favorites. The atmosphere is upscale but still casual. The service was great but the food was perfect. Everything we tried was perfectly prepared and so flavorful. There are many seafood restaurants to pick from but this one is outstanding. Make a reservation as they are always busy. read more

This is always a great spot for any occasion, whether a special dinner or just a night out. The sushi is amazing, and we love the lobster roll and chowder. read more

Excellent seafood. Fresh! We started with the Portuguese inspired mussels with chorico. I had the stuffed sole and paired it with New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Our party also ordered the seared tuna, fish and chips and cod dish. My niece also ordered the New England clam chowder. All delicious read more

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Last year we happened upon the Black Whale and loved it!! The decor is upscale coastal and now they have a beautiful outdoor area that is covered and toasty warm! The service was on point - super attentive and friendly! The food - YUM! Being a native New Englander I have had a lot of clam chowder and this may be the best I've had! Doesn't need crackers - pepper or anything! It was perfect! Everyone loved their meals and even the yummy peanut butter and Oreo pie! I just wish I lived closer to come more often! But I actually think it's worth the hour plus ride!! You will be glad you came! read more

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Celebrated a friend's birthday at Black Whale and enjoyed immensely. I started with a bowl of Portuguese Fishermans Stew. It was LOADED with shrimp, fish, calamari in a really tasty broth. Fantastic! For my meal, I ordered an appetizer: Piri Piri Octopus (which was MUCH larger than expected), accompanied by salt cod fritter and nicely dressed greens. read more

The Black Whale - Piri Piri Octopus - Seafood Near Me - New Bedford, Massachusetts

Sorry Black Whale but your streak has come to its end. We went to old reliable tonight. It was a long hot week and I wanted a drink & oysters. Where better than the Black Whale ? We sat at the bar and ordered drinks. My wife's was very good. My Moscow mule was good. The oysters were excellent. We ordered dinners but things were going slow & we weren't checked on by our bartender much. Our bartender seemed to be involved in several conversations. Thankfully another bartender checked on us b/c we did need a couple of things (hot sauce etc). My drink was empty b/f dinner & I really wanted another. Our dinners came. My swordfish was excellent. The roasted carrots & fingerling potatoes were really good. My wife had to wait quite a while for salad dressing. Thankfully someone else checked on us. We never got a second drink. I didn't want dessert bc I was annoyed at how long everything took & how I felt ignored. We will go back bc the same bartender has waited on us several of the times my reviews glowed. But, it was really disappointing bc it put a damper on our Friday "date night". Sorry BW but tonight I give you a 5.5 out of 10. You had quite a streak going but tonight, to much chatting. read more

The Black Whale is a no brainer. A beautiful seaside restaurant with big open windows with a view of sailboats and the sea, two beautiful lightly colored oak bars, and joyful and attentive servers and hosts, how can you not have a great time. The atmosphere is contagious. I sat at the bar with a friend and as I looked around, I wanted to take pictures of everyone's dishes because the seafood looked so fresh and the presentation added to the allure. My friend and I ordered three types of sushi rolls, the Full Boat and two other rolls. I am sure whichever sushi roll we would have ordered would have been great. Everything we had was delicious and flavorful. I had seltzer because I was driving but even that had lemon in it and they kept refilling it like it was a glass of water. Such a little thing but gave me great joy! I would come back here again and again and hope I find excuses to come to this town to do so. read more

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Xavier was so attentive and really completed the experience! We ordered a few items to share. It took quite a while to come out since I asked for everything to come out together. Once it came out, they split the entrees for us to share a lot easier. That made the wait worth it and it was such a wonderful gesture. We got the Clam Chowder, traditional Lobster Roll, Lobster Fettuccine, and chicken fingers and fries for our 7 year old. That was my first Massachusetts lobster roll-- SO SO GOOD! I also had a nojito and it was so delicious you could almost believe it's a real mojito. We decided we are coming back before flying back home. So worth it! read more

The Black Whale - Lobster Fettuccini , Lobster Roll split to share, and my refreshing Nojito. - Seafood Near Me - New Bedford, Massachusetts

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Great place, a few blocks from downtown, right off 18/I-195. Nice open dining room with great view and an excellent bar. Food is consistently great and nice drinks. Ample parking lot as well. Can't wait to visit again read more

Excellent from start to finish ! They were so accommodating with my grandmother being in a wheel chair , gave us a seat up front with easy assess ! The food was some of the freshest I've tasted. We started with the waygu sliders , they were so different and unique and honestly plain delicious. The chicken lettuce wraps were next and they too were so unique and flavorful and overall clean ,fresh and addicting. The restaurant itself has two sides with both respectfully being modern but opposite vibes. Love them both and how clean they look. Very impressed . We can't wait to return ! read more

We started with cocktails, moved on to 2 dz oysters, because when it's Buck o Shuck, you go extra! We shared a couple sushi rolls & Caesar salads. The food has always been consistently good. We had a friendly and attentive server, Richard, and grateful for all the "extras". Galentine's was a hit! Thank you read more

The Black Whale - Buck o Shuck - Seafood Near Me - New Bedford, Massachusetts

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Great atmosphere. Casual chill vibes. Staff was quite sweet, patient and helpful in answering questions. Everything we asked for was brought rapidly. The food!! That was delicious!! Everyone in my party was satisfied. The drinks were awesome as well. The peach snaps drink I highly recommend! If that's what it's called. lol. I had a great time. And we were the last to leave but didn't feel rushed at all. Later that night we bumped into the head chef and bartender at another local spot that was open later and we gave them their "flowers". Saying everything was delicious!! read more

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This is one of our favorite restaurants in the area. The sushi is particularly outstanding but every seafood dish is delicious. I had a steak recently that was really good. The miso Chilean sea bass is something we particularly enjoy. My favorite server, Chantelle, is attentive and helpful. We ask to be seated in her section when she is working and always feel we are well taken care of. We love the view of the boats outside. Not many places that have the trifecta of entertaining views, delicious food, and outstanding service. read more

We were told seating would be hour to hour and half. Went online and booked a reservation standing there speaking to the host for 20 min later. The Host didn't seem to thrilled with the switch up but hey, you utilize the tools you have access to. They have a ton of space here, patio seating is open window so depending on the day and your heat tolerance it's super nice out there with ample sunlight! We seating inside the main dining area with AC after a long day at the beach haha. We went a bit overboard ordering the appetizers, mind you they are very nice portions (larger). RI style calamari - fresh cooked crispy and one of my favorite dishes however, i do wish the peppers they put it was perhaps stir fried in with the squid to give it more flavor. The casino clams is basically a quahog, tasty and filling. The paella was a special, seafood mix, boom of salty flavors. Enjoyed this dish had to take it home because we were so full. The Wagyu sliders for us were a bit dry, the buns it came with was good and buttery. The boom boom shrimp is what you'd expect, but it was a bit lacking on the Boom flavor and a bit overdone for our order. Probably my least favorite. The mussels dish was a star! The flavor of the broth it sits in was *Chefs kiss* you just literally wanted to dip EVERYTHING in it. I dipped my slider in it. The toast that comes with the dish is yummy crunchy and perfect pairing to soak up the broth. The clam chowder was A+, didn't need any added salt or pepper like many other places. Came with the perfect physical consistency, slightly chunky and NOT watery. Least that's how i prefer a chowda. Gimme another BOWL please! Our server man i cannot remember her name but she can memorize your order without taking it down and she was super cool. Would be back to dine again. read more

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We had an excellent lunch here! There is a beautiful covered outdoor area and an indoor dining room with a view. We opted to sit inside due to the AC and the view! The covered outdoor area mostly has a view of the street or the parking lot, which is unfortunate, as the patio seating area is really lovely. After we ordered, the server brought us a smoked fish dip amuse bouche. Delicious and much appreciated! We had some raw bar to start; jonah crab claws, oysters and clams. The clams were fantastic; briny and bracing! I'm always neutral on oysters and the jonah claws were a bit dry (although I find that to usually be the case with jonah crab). Non-raw food eating patron at our table enjoyed the chowdah! The sandwiches were excellent. We had both lobster roll options - hot and cold. Hot was the favorite! Friend ate every last bite of the crab cake BLT, so I am assuming it was up to snuff. Fries were perfectly crispy. The service was a tad on the slow side, but friendly. All in all, a great afternoon! read more

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Every single time at the whale, my plate is clean. always posts beautiful pictures of food. I never think about reviewing until I've actually had the experience. Every time the experience at the black whale is fantastic. We go out to eat a lot compared to others. The black whale is one of our favorite places. Some folks claim it's too expensive, maybe that's just not true. The if you go 45 minute away the prices are way more expensive and the quality doesn't compare. Do yourself a favor and go to the black whale. read more

The Black Whale - Clean plate at the whale. - Seafood Near Me - New Bedford, Massachusetts

The seafood for both my husband and I was overcooked. My salmon was dry, but edible. My husband's halibut was not. Also the noice was deafening. My husband wears hearing aids and could not hear his friend sitting right next to him. read more

When I got back from FL. My family took me to the Black Whale and I must say it was the best seafood experience. I had to make another visit to repeat my favorite seafood experience..... and it was not so much, grossly overcooked. I thought, well.it's probably inexperienced chef?? What ever... I don't trash .... I will return after the summer season. read more

Last Saturday (6/27) we had the pleasure of dining with Alex. Alex was personable and engaging right from our first interaction at seating. He has an extremely outgoing personality which creates a friendly vibe. We were able to converse with him about the area, Fourth of July plans, etc. Our food was delicious like always. I personally had the hot honey chicken sandwich and my girlfriend has the wygu steak special with suckatash. For dessert we had the chocolate passion fruit tart which was delicious. All and all we go out to eat multiple times per week with differing results, but the two things to count on is that the food is always great and Alex's service was exceptional!! Coming back to see Alex soon!! From Charrel and Jon!!!! read more

Whenever somebody comes to town, this is where i take them or recommend they go. The seafood is top notch for New Bedford, and the steaks are to die for. I usually get a Captain's Platter (cold seafood) and a Filet Mignon. The Captain's platter has been downsized recently, but it's still a great way to start a meal. The steak is always flavorful and cooked perfectly. For a completely different vibe, they also have a full sushi menu. Servers are clearly trained to provide upper tier restaurant service. Expansive wine and drink list to boot. Highly recommend! read more

Loved this place! Beautiful view and 5 stars alone just for the stuffed lobster which was unreal. Lobster fettuccine was also great. read more

The Black Whale - Seafood Near Me - New Bedford, Massachusetts

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I have spent the last 15 year of my life eating every crab cake at every restaurant on the east coast. I have never been satisfied with what I got and have been chasing this seemingly imaginary dragon., until today. I finally found it, the best crab cake in New England. I've closed a chapter in my life with this one. I can't recommend this enough please come eat here read more

The Black Whale - Seafood Near Me - New Bedford, Massachusetts

Everything at the Black Whale was amazing! The sushi was made to order as I do have food allergies. The Sushi chef was right on point and did everything as I asked. There was no second-guessing anything. It was just amazing. It's nice to be able to go to a restaurant where the chef works with what you are able to eat! That makes it a go to for us next time! Happy to drive from anywhere to come back here for another wonderful experience! read more

The Black Whale - Seafood Near Me - New Bedford, Massachusetts

Fantastic birthday meal. And even better service from Alex P, our server, who was top notch. He was helpful, friendly, and attentive. We love The Black Whale and will be back. read more

I visited The Black Whale last week for dinner after spending a nice day at the beach & the food was phenomenal! We didn't come w/ a reservation but when we got there & asked if a table for 3 would be available, the hostess said that it would be an hour wait. We actually had checked on OpenTable and they had an open spot available with only a 20 min wait. So, I would say, definitely check OpenTable first to see if they have anything! We chose to sit inside since this side had AC and cooler, whereas the other side was a nice patio but it was honestly too hot last night haha. For food, here is what we ordered: Appetizers- -Portuguese clams casino -clam chowder (2 bowls & 1 cup) -mussels mozambique -RI calamari -Wagyu sliders -boom boom shrimp Main entree- -seafood paella special Drinks- -espresso martini black, tequila substitute -Shirley temple -blackberry lemonade We ordered mostly apps to share, with the exception of the seafood paella entree special that they had. They started us off with complimentary crab dip with crackers... SO GOOD! All of the apps were delicious & honestly we weren't expecting the generous portion sizes. Definitely ended up over-ordering for 3 people but they made for yummy leftovers. My favorite has to be the mussels mozambique! The flavor of the broth was so tasty, probably the best mussels broth I have had in a long time, seriously. Clam chowder was great. It has the perfect consistency, not too thick but also not watery either. Every spoonful had clams & I liked that it wasn't filled with mostly potatoes. Everything was flavorful and very enjoyable! I would say the only dish that I didn't care for as much was probably the Wagyu sliders. They were kind of dry and not very juicy. We found it hard to finish this dish, but it was nice to try. WILL DEFINITELY HAVE TO COME BACK AGAIN next time we're down in this area! This was such a great find and I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for some fresh seafood, that's not in the Cape! read more

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Not bad at all! Looks touristy, but does have that local flair, and history of New Bedford. If you are in the commercial pier, turn to your left and there it is. Parking may be wonky due to tourism or events, but we had no problem. Great seafood. Raw bar was ice cold And delicious. Of course the New England Clam Chowder was thick and typical of this style and very good. I had a salad with salmon and it was perfect. Great prices, nice staff, beautiful newish looking interior, plenty of seating. Incredible views. A part of Massachusetts history, and everyone should go and experience the beauty of the scenery, the food and the local flair. No negatives! read more

Sunday lunch. Decent crowd, we showed up without a reservation, but got seats at the bar. Despite the crowd, service was awesome, never went more than 5 minutes without someone checking on us. Food was very good. Fresh seafood. Good vibe, solid atmosphere, great location. 5 stars across the board. read more

5 stars for buck a shuck. Location is really nice. It in the waterfront with open air dining and a a/c space aswell. My second time here, first time I was seated in the dining area. Happy hour is only offered at the bar, it's also self seating. My first time I ordered the toro nigiri, and octopus. This time I was here for oysters. Oyster were really good, nice and plump. The mignonette was perfect for the oysters. The bar tender did a great job of checking up on people. Definitely will be back when I'm craving oysters. Great deal! read more

The Black Whale - Seafood Near Me - New Bedford, Massachusetts

The restaurant is located on the wharf. It is very nice and the place is clean and bright. The service was absolutely amazing. The food was definitely worth the visit. It is great for any occasion. read more

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Sat at the bar and the service was great. The restaurant itself was full on a Monday night, which is a great sign. Nautical decor everywhere and the room was decently loud with how many people were inside. They were only half full where they had another banquet room or something on the other side. Food was great! Ordered boom boom shrimp, lobster roll (brown butter) and crème brûlée. The shrimp was perfectly cooked and not over sauced. Everything came out piping hot and seafood was plenty fresh. And the crème brûlée was a good level of sweetness without being overly sweet. Absolutely will come back the next time I'm in town for business. read more

The Black Whale - Crème Brûlée - Seafood Near Me - New Bedford, Massachusetts

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The food was great and Alex, our server, was on point. He had everything timed just right and was super nice , funny, AND cute!

This restaurant seemed the most interesting to visit on a recent work trip to the area after reviewing menus from several local restaurants. I found parking easily in their large lot by the water. Upon entry, you arrive at the hostess desk in the center of the building, and since I was alone, I had the choice of the open air (outdoor) bar or the indoor bar. Indoor was jam-packed, so I settled for outdoors. It's not really an outdoor bar since it's a separate covered building, with windows facing water open and windows facing back of building closed. Upon reviewing the menu, which they have a main menu and a daily special menu, I decided on the roasted cod and added 2 apps, raw oysters, and clams. Raw Oysters and clams - the clams were good, just small ...I much preferred the oysters since they are about 3x larger and go better with the mignonette and horseradish. Cod - this was a full entree and really hit the spot. It came with baked potato wedges and broccoli....the fish just melts in your mouth. There is a slight hint of white wine when first biting into the fish. It took a while to pay since the new employee didn't initially print my bill after asking him, but finally, another bartender came by and took care of me. read more

The Black Whale - 3 clams and 3 oysters - Seafood Near Me - New Bedford, Massachusetts