
Legal Sea Foods - Harborside
A renowned Boston seafood institution offering multi-level dining with spectacular harbor views and an extensive, fresh seafood menu.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Legal Sea Foods - Harborside

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A renowned Boston seafood institution offering multi-level dining with spectacular harbor views and an extensive, fresh seafood menu.
"The best seafood I’ve ever had!"
Reservations Recommended
Secure a table during peak times by making reservations in advance.
Ask for Recommendations
Leverage knowledgeable staff for excellent recommendations from the extensive menu.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Seafood
Price
$$$
Phone
(617) 477-2900
Address
270 Northern Ave, Boston, MA 02210, USA
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Waterfront Dining with Harbor Views
Experience vibrant atmosphere with beautiful waterfront views of Boston Harbor. Perfect for enjoying seafood.

Legendary Clam Chowder
Savor the iconic New England clam chowder, a creamy and flavorful dish that's been a staple.

Creative Lobster Creations
Indulge in innovative lobster dishes like the indulgent lobster mac and cheese or unique lobster cones.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Reservations Recommended
Secure a table during peak times by making reservations in advance.
Ask for Recommendations
Leverage knowledgeable staff for excellent recommendations from the extensive menu.
Try Unique Seafood
Explore unique dishes like stuffed clams (stuffies) or tuna for a memorable meal.
Rooftop Dining in Warm Months
Enjoy outdoor seating on the rooftop with ultimate harbor views during warmer months.
Tips
from all over the internet
Reservations Recommended
Secure a table during peak times by making reservations in advance.
Ask for Recommendations
Leverage knowledgeable staff for excellent recommendations from the extensive menu.
Try Unique Seafood
Explore unique dishes like stuffed clams (stuffies) or tuna for a memorable meal.
Rooftop Dining in Warm Months
Enjoy outdoor seating on the rooftop with ultimate harbor views during warmer months.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Legal Sea Foods - Harborside generally receives praise for its vibrant atmosphere, beautiful waterfront views, and fresh seafood. Many diners highlight the excellent clam chowder and innovative lobster dishes. However, some reviews mention inconsistency in food quality and service, with occasional complaints about flavor or value.
"We recently dined as a family at Legal Seafood in Boston and were thoroughly satisfied with our experience. Seated on the terrace overlooking the harbor where the boats are moored, we appreciated the picturesque and pleasant setting. Despite the busy atmosphere and high occupancy, the ambiance remained friendly and warm, especially thanks to the proximity of the bar, the display of fresh fish, oysters, and lobsters.
The open kitchen demonstrated remarkable expertise and transparency regarding the quality of the products offered. This experience fully met our expectations for a seafood specialty restaurant. We highly recommend this establishment."
T Y
"On my last evening in town for a work trip, our group of eight was looking for dinner in the Seaport area without a reservation, not an easy task. We decided to try Legal Sea Foods and lucked out when a no-show freed up a table for us right as we walked in.
The restaurant is large and was buzzing with activity. They also have a great patio that faces the harbor, perfect for an outdoor meal with a view. Since we had appetizers at a prior stop, we went straight to entrées.
Faced with a menu full of tempting seafood options, I asked our server for a recommendation of something local and fresh-caught. He suggested the North Atlantic haddock. I had never had haddock before, but I was impressed. It was perfectly cooked, meaty yet slightly flaky, with a clean flavor. It was served with rice pilaf, which was fine but forgettable, and steamed broccoli.
One of my co-workers ordered the lobster mac and cheese, and it was both impressive and indulgent. They use a full one-pound lobster, serving the mac and cheese inside the entire lobster shell with all of the meat mixed in. Highly recommended if you are not watching calories.
If you are in the Seaport area and need a solid seafood dinner without a reservation, Legal Sea Foods is worth keeping in mind, especially if you can snag one of those harbor-view patio tables."
Anthony Lawson
"We had the best experience at this Legal Seafood location than any other we’ve visited before! The entire wait staff was kind, accommodating and incredibly fast.
Our server was lovely and gave great recommendations. She was calm and patient with our questions and requests even though she had many tables and patrons.
The food was outstanding and the portions were fantastic. We started with the shrimp cocktail and it was so tasty for our first bite. Served with fresh lemon and a superb cocktail sauce, the colossal shrimp were cooked perfectly and were quite tender. Definitely a favorite for everyone! I didn’t get to take a photo, we got to them pretty fast!
Our kiddo had freshly sliced watermelon and a grilled cheeseburger and steak cut French fries. I had the Thai Peanut Salad with grilled chicken and it was such a delight. A generous portion, perfectly seasoned and grilled chicken and the flavor was everything I wanted it to be and more!
My husband had the baked stuffed lobster and it was better than he had hoped it would be. Plenty of food in the smaller portion which is about a 1.5 lb lobster, filled with bay scallops, shrimp crumbs and buttery goodness!!
We will absolutely be coming back the next time we are in Boston. Thank you to the staff of Legal Seafood for the lovely experience this afternoon."
Melanie Ponichtera
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Legal Sea Foods is most famous for its New England clam chowder, which has been served at every Presidential inauguration since 1981. They are also well-known for their extensive selection of fresh seafood.
Yes, Legal Sea Foods - Harborside offers outdoor seating, particularly on its rooftop deck, which provides excellent harbor views.
It is highly recommended to make a reservation, especially during peak times, as tables fill up quickly.
Diners often recommend trying unique items like stuffed clams (stuffies) or creative lobster dishes such as lobster mac and cheese and lobster cones.
Yes, Legal Sea Foods is responsive to food allergies and offers gluten-free options.
The atmosphere is vibrant and friendly, with beautiful waterfront views. It can be busy, especially with its proximity to the bar and display of fresh seafood.
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Cheap Eats Boston
There are two sub-types of New England clam chowder you'll find in restaurants in Boston, the thick, gloppy kind that you can stand a spoon up in but is normally pretty low on flavor (the best place for this arguably is Legal Seafood) and the less thickened kind that actually tastes like clams (good places for this would include Neptune Oyster and B&G Oysters). The Citysearch poll cited above has chowder from places I wouldn't send my worst enemy to, including Union Oyster House, Summer Shack, Boston Sail Loft, Tommy Doyle's, and Barking Crab -- from that list, I'd personally suggest only Legal Seafoods and Great Bay (neither of which I prefer to Neptune Oyster), while Grill 23 and Capital Grille are respectively excellent and good steakhouses which I normally wouldn't associate with excellent chowder.
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Clams, garlic, salt pork, onions, flour, clam broth, fish stock, potatoes and light cream: Nine simple ingredients make up one of New England’s most-iconic dishes, offered at one of New England’s best-known restaurants, Legal Sea Foods. The first Legal’s, as locals call it, opened in 1968, next to the Berkowitz family’s fish market (which opened in 1950). Still family-run, Legal’s now has restaurants up and down the East Coast, but its chowder, which was served at almost every Presidential Inauguration since 1981, is probably its most-famous dish.
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As the flagship location within Legal Sea Foods' empire, Legal Harborside offers three floors of dining—all with fantastic fish-focused menus and sweeping views of Boston Harbor. On the first floor, crowds devour raw bar items and casual faves; the second floor is the epitome of elegance with its selection of upscale fare; while the third floor is reserved for private dining. After your meal, join the sea of people on its celebrated rooftop for a cocktail and the ultimate harbor views.
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This 20,000-square-foot flagship of the iconic 70-year-old Legal Seafood empire makes it its mission to be all things to all New England seafood-loving people. Opened in 2011 in the Seaport, on the site of a longtime Boston institution called Jimmy’s Harborside, the restaurant holds not just one dining destination but a trio of them, one on each of its three floors. At street level, you’ll find an all-day casual venue, with an oysters, fresh-fish, and a prepared-foods market.
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Eating and drinking by the water should be one of our god-given rights as Bostonians. But we actually have relatively few places to do that, thanks to a half-century of bad urban planning when the city’s leaders must have been afraid of pirates or something. The roof deck at the flagship Legal’s in the Seaport is frequently crowded because it’s unquestionably one of the best places to eat while also smelling the salt air.
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Seaport The newly renovated roofdeck at Legal Harborside, located on the third floor of this Seaport favorite, is one way to quite literally elevate a casual seafood dining experience. The four-season rooftop lounge now has a retractable glass roof so patrons can enjoy the panoramic views regardless of the elements. As for the menu—it’s nothing short of a seafood lover's dream.
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Legal Sea Foods, with several locations throughout the city (including a test kitchen in the city's Seaport district), leads the pack. The restaurant's chowder has been served at every Presidential inauguration since 1981, according to the Boston Examiner.
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If you are coming in on Delta or Continental via Termainal A, even better, a Jasper White's Summer Shack but it't inside the terminal between the gates and security. There is also a good, sitdown Legals in Terminal C.
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Legal Harborside, located in the Seaport District's Liberty Wharf, is the flagship location for Legal Seafood and is three floors of fun: floor one is the "go-to" for fresh, well prepped seafood, floor 2 is a high end dining room with a menu as different as the setting, and floor 3 is a lounge offering light snacks and excellent cocktails that goes from indoors on cooler days to open air when the weather permits. Those seeking to enjoy Legal's like the locals do will love the floor to ceiling windows, outdoor patio and the casual, fun, family friendly (avoid prime times with a young family), moderately priced menu offered on floor one. The basic New England selection of seafood is complimented with flavors from other cultures to create a menu that brings the past of Legal Seafoods into the present.
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If you're looking for ambience and an incredible view, I highly recommend going to the Seaport and eating and drinking at Legal Harborside's rooftop bar. Most people have heard of Legal Seafood, but this is its high-end restaurant, and you get what you pay for. A friend and I once attended a wine-tasting dinner here, and one dish was an incredible vanilla-butter poached lobster. It was a few years ago, but my friend and I still reminisce about it. Legal also serves my second-favorite clam chowder in Boston.
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A multi-level seafood restaurant and bar, located on the Boston Waterfront, that comes with a roof deck and rooftop bar with breathtaking views over the water and harbor. Casual all-day dining on the first floor, more celebratory eating and cocktails on second, the Legal Harborside third floor and rooftop deck offers drinks and Sushi bites in a fun and vibrant atmosphere. Equipped with retractable glass walls and ceiling, making it a four-season rooftop.
The Best New England Clam Chowder in Boston
Legal Sea Foods is a Boston institution—famous for its fresh seafood, the ubiquitous chain can be found in posh neighborhoods, malls, and airport food courts alike. While diners can find clam chowder at any of its 34 restaurants on the East Coast, the waterfront location in Boston's Seaport, called Legal Harborside, is the company’s magnum opus. All three levels have sweeping views of Boston Harbor, but drinking and dining at the rooftop bar is the play.
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One of the best outdoor bars in Boston is on the top floor of Legal Seafood's Seaport location, Legal Harborside. This third level of the 20,000-square-foot restaurant is where you'll find the promenade deck, which has a retractable glass roof and walls to accommodate any season. There's a smaller menu than the lower floors, with sushi and shareable plates, but the views of the ocean are worth it.
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Summary of the Rooftop Bar and Restaurant Boston: Legal Seafood and the city of Boston have had a relationship for decades. Legal Sea Foods is a brand that is known as a chain with top-quality seafood and oyster bars that will make your mouth water. The Legal Harborside location on Northern Avenue in Boston has a rooftop bar and restaurant that is ready for the Spring and Summer weather to come.
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With unobstructed views of the ocean, a fireplace to warm you on chilly New England nights, and a menu boasting sushi and delicious cocktails, there are many reasons to love the rooftop of Legal Harborside. This 20,000 square feet flagship property for the restaurant group offers three floors of dining with a killer rooftop restaurant at the top. The roof is always hopping and always a blast!.
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270 Northern Ave.; legalseafoods.com/boston-legal-harborside-30Legal Sea Foods restaurant chain is a Boston institution, but the Legal Harborside location is worth visiting in particular. The third-floor deck offers an all-season rooftop lounge and bar, thanks to its retractable glass roof and walls. Their beverage menu offers 27 wines by the glass, along with a variety of specialty cocktails.
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A true staple of the Boston food scene since 1950, Legal's Half Pound Lobster Roll is as iconicity Boston as each of its restaurants. Whether you choose their savory, buttery hot lobster roll or prefer the cold roll served with lemon mayo and chives, you'll agree that Legal has perfected it. We also recommend some of their fried seafood dishes, fresh seafood entrees, sushi, and poke options.
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As one of Boston’s premier seafood destinations, Legal Harborside offers more than just a meal; it’s an experience. Spread across three floors, the rooftop stands out for its breathtaking views of Boston Harbor and the city skyline. Whether you’re enjoying a leisurely lunch, a romantic dinner, or cocktails with friends, every dish is crafted with the freshest seafood available.
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This three-story behemoth is a stunner in all seasons, but summertime is when it really excels. Grab a pint at nearby Harpoon before hitting up Legal’s picturesque rooftop patio—equipped with a rain-fortified retractable roof—for some steamers, New England fried clams, and freshly shucked shellfish. 270 Northern Ave., Seaport District, Boston, 617-477-2900, legalseafoods.com.
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Legal’s third-floor promenade deck features a retractable roof and walls, making for a breezy, sunlight-filled space to sip wine while looking out onto the harbor. The top floor’s menu is more concise, comprised of shareable plates, sushi, and sashimi, but the beverage menu boasts dozens of wine by the glass, plus cocktails and pitchers of punch. (270 Northern Ave., Boston)
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The flagship of the renowned Boston seafood empire that is Legal Sea Foods is a three-story, 20,000-square-foot property right on the waterfront in the Seaport District. The first floor is a casual restaurant and bar, with an oyster bar and a market. The third floor offers the real showstopper, though, with a rooftop lounge that has a retractable glass roof and walls.
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Before the Seaport was full of rooftop bars and places to be seen, there was Legal Sea Foods Harborside. First opened in 2011, this is a classy, three-level, waterfront version of the crowd-pleasing seafood restaurant. The top-floor rooftop lounge has a retractable glass ceiling and promenade patio with panoramic views of the Boston skyline, Fish Pier, and beyond.
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If it isn’t fresh, it isn’t legal,” and you can rest assured you’ll be feasting on the freshest seafood in the city at Legal Harborside. It’s located right on the Boston waterfront, with three levels of different themes to choose from. For al fresco, waterfront dining, we highly recommend booking a table at the third level, which has a four-season rooftop lounge.
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It’s almost a rite of passage to dine at this veteran Boston-based seafood chain. This huge flagship Harborside location (and other outposts) is so GF-friendly that you can even eat fish and chips here. Pick from the three levels of dining with a waterfront setting: first-floor casual, second-story fine dining, and third-floor open-airr-oof cocktails and sushi.
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This sidewalk patio in the Seaport is always a good time, with a fun and friendly atmosphere. Legal Harborside recently created a new kids menu that allows children 12 and under to customize their meal from a list of starters, main dishes, and sides. If the kids are restless during the meal, a quick diversion to check out the nearby boats should do the trick.
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Legal Sea Foods in Boston is where all celiacs’ dreams of seafood come true. From gluten-free fish and chips, and lobster rolls to dedicated fryers, a large gluten-free menu, and knowledgeable staff, this Massachusett-born seafood chain knows the key to a celiac’s heart and gut. They really go above and beyond to cater to gluten-free diners.
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Located right in the Seaport District, Legal Harborside is comprised of three different floors. A fan favorite is the third floor, which is home to a rooftop lounge. Legal Harborside is the perfect place to enjoy your favorite summer cocktails and nibble on some delicious seafood, all the while looking right out at the Boston Harbor.
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Located on the Boston Waterfront, Legal Harborside in Legal Sea Foods is a multi-level seafood restaurant and bar. It has a roof deck and rooftop bar with stunning views of the Boston harbor and, if you time it right, a spectacular sunset. On the rooftop, you can enjoy specialty cocktails, 27 wines by the glass, and punch pitchers.
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Savor fine seafood dishes like the Portuguese seafood stew, baked cod, one of twelve daily varieties of fresh oysters, or shellfish platters. Locals say the shrimp cocktail and grilled swordfish chops are also outstanding. It is your choice of where to sit in this 20,000 square-foot seafood empire spanning three different floors.
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Located on the waterfront in the Seaport District, Legal Harborside provides guests with amazing views of Boston Harbor. The rooftop opens daily at noon for both lunch and dinner, so you can catch a glimpse of the harbor in daylight and after the city is lit up. If you hit timing right, you might even be able to see the sunset.
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Ordering food from an online platform is one thing and dining in while learning the story behind the food and joint is another. The clam chowder at Legal Harborside has a huge history that dates back to the days of President Reagan. Since then, chowder has had a great significance, especially during presidential inaugurations.
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This chain restaurant’s flagship lives in the Seaport District, and it’s massive. With three floors, including a four-season roof deck made of glass roof and glass walls, Legal Harborside has an array of seafood options, including sushi for all. Take in the views and make a reservation for the dockside seating, or roof deck.
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Situated in the vibrant Seaport district, Legal Sea Foods - Harborside offers a unique dining experience with its stunning rooftop patio overlooking Boston's harbor. Known for its commitment to serving the freshest seafood, its menu features an array of innovative dishes crafted from locally sourced ingredients.
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There are plenty of Legal Sea Foods locations, but the view from the three-story space located on Boston’s Liberty Wharf is unparalleled. Those that visit the third-floor promenade deck will enjoy a four-season rooftop lounge with a retractable glass roof and walls. Open Thursday through Sunday.
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Legal Harborside made our list of best places to dine where kids can be entertained, too. That’s because it’s one of the most scenic outdoor dining spots in town, with ample opportunities to watch boats cruise in and out of the harbor. Grab a seat on the patio or rooftop to soak up the rays.
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This 20,000 square foot location offers three concepts under one retractable roof. The first floor offers classic seafood plates with an oyster bar and market. In the summer, visit the third floor for an expansive deck and four-season lounge with a retractable glass roof and walls.
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At Legal Seafoods’ new outpost, you can enjoy the panoramic view of Boston Harbor from the first-floor raw bar, while a fishmonger and oyster shuckers prepare your seafood selections to order. Oysters have their own menu, detailing their port of origin and unique flavor profiles.
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Perched on Boston Harbor, Legal Harborside has set the standard for seafood dining since 1950. This flagship restaurant spans three floors with a rooftop deck offering stunning water views, making it one of the top rooftop restaurants in Boston for vistas of the famous harbor.
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Tracy Snyder Molina: Legal Seafoods is synonymous with quality and freshness. While there are several locations within Boston, Legal Harborside is particularly kid-friendly. The patio is a great place to watch the boats come in and see the planes take off from Logan Airport.
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Notable: Legal Sea Foods has been named “Best Seafood Restaurant in America”, NBC Today Show; “Top 10 Tried-and-True Restaurants in America”, Bon Appetit; and has had the honor of serving its legendary New England Clam Chowder at every presidential inauguration since 1981
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The enormous rooftop bar of a 3-floor complex of the Legal Sea Foods chain looks out directly over Boston Harbor. It attracts waves of folks bar-hopping through the Seaport District, especially on warm summer nights. Retractable glass walls and ceiling allow the bar to…
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There are even things to do in Boston with kids in the evening, such as Legal Harborside that serves excellent seafood and is a perfect dining place. Apart from the superb menu and cocktail drinks, Legal Harborside offers a breathtaking view from their rooftop bar.
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Legal Seafood's clam chowder has been on offer at each presidential inauguration since 1981 - it's that well-regarded. This filling recipe results in a creamy chowder, infused with flavor from a little salt pork. Find your nearest Legal Seafood location here.
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Legal Harborside is another Boston rooftop restaurant that offers stunning views of the harbor. The menu features fresh seafood, sushi, and other classic New England dishes. The restaurant also has an extensive wine list and a variety of cocktails.
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This breezy waterfront enclave and rooftop is perfect for cozying up and watching the sunset over the city. On their menu, you’ll also find some excellent seafood sharable plates and sushi. Find Legal Harborside at 270 Northern Ave.
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Legal Harborside: located in the Seaport District, the restaurant and rooftop are open 7 days of the week and outside sitting is available!. The views are magnificent and the food and drinks are one of a kind and fresh.
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Don’t let the stigma of Legal Seafood being a chain deter you from stopping in at Legal Harborside. This is the flagship location. The downstairs is a casual seafood eatery and the second floor is more formal.
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Legal Harborside: Located in the Seaport district, Legal Sea Foods Harborside offers a four season rooftop deck with a retractable roof. Enjoy some of the best seafood in the city while looking over the water.
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One of the bars that is open year round due to its retractable roof. Opening hours:Sun-Thu 11am-11pm; Fri-Sat 11am–12am. https://www.therooftopguide.com/rooftop-bars-in-boston/legal-harborside.html
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Legal Harborside, which opened in 2011 the as the flagship property of the Legal Sea Foods restaurant chain, offers three floors of a dining experience with view.
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During the summer, Legal Harborside opens the glass walls on their top floor to let guests enjoy the sunshine and a stunning view of the harbor.
Social
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