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.

A hot lobster roll from Neptune Oyster is summertime heaven on a butter-soaked brioche, and bivalve lovers queue up daily to sample the two dozen varieties of oysters chilling in the front window of this diminutive North End restaurant. Fresh-off-the-boat fish and creative takes on New England seafood are the draws here—the clam chowder is made to order, the fish-and-chips uses Acadian redfish (not cod), and it’s probably the only place in town where you can get lobster tacos. Yeah, it’s pricey—hot or cold, the lobster roll will set you back around $30—but share the Neptune Plateau raw-bar plate with your friends and you’ll truly feel like the king of the sea.

Best toasted roll, real hot butter on top -- or really, bottom -- with the most generous, huge chunks of New England lobster.” --Suzanne K., Boston resident for 35 years. The city’s lobster roll scene changed forever the day Neptune opened its doors, its warm butter entry becoming the instant obsession of food writers and lobster roll aficionados. Then-chef Michael Serpa wasn’t reinventing the wheel so much as perfecting it: taking a perfect mix of tail, claw, and knuckle, quickly sauteeing it in salted butter (no rubbery overdone-ness here), then stuffing the ample pile inside a perfectly toasted brioche bun.

While Neptune Oyster is cramped, crowded, and almost always filled with tourists, if we’re ever in the area and there’s a break in the line, we’ll absolutely head in and take a seat at the bar, even if we just ate. It’s that good, and it’s the type of oyster bar that makes you wonder why you don’t make plans to house shellfish at 3pm more often. Seriously, even if you just downed a plate of clams over linguine around the corner, snag that bar seat and buckle up for the johnnycake, crudo, and one of Boston’s best lobster rolls.

A tiny 34-seat bistro, Neptune Oyster Bar has served up one of Boston’s best lobster rolls (fashioned cold or hot) in grilled brioche since it opened in 2004. With seven ounces of sweet lobster claw and tail piled into a mouthwatering heap, they’re a tall order even for a hungry set. Jubilant diners can expect to wait outside for up to an hour for one of these coveted rolls, but that legendary line doesn’t keep Bostonians from coming here on special occasions.

Ever since it opened in 2004, Neptune Oyster has been one of Boston's most in-demand options for fresh local seafood, as demonstrated by its ever-present line out the door. Accented with pressed tin, subway tiles and etched glass, the tiny space exudes an unmistakably retro charm. Expert shuckers handle a variety of fresh bivalves with finesse, as the kitchen cranks out a steady stream of its lauded lobster rolls.

Located in the Italian North End, this refined oyster bar takes its seafood dishes beyond simple pasta (though you’ll find satisfying lobster spaghetti and squid ink risotto). It also offers less common Spanish octopus and fuzzy, spikey sea urchin. Though you can get half-shells the traditional way, it also serves the bivalves a little differently, such as oyster piggybacks with pulled pork and oyster crudo.

Address: 63 Salem Street #1, Boston, MA 02113 Phone: (617) 742-3474 Website. An iconic North End seafood restaurant, Neptune Oyster serves great lobster rolls and the freshest of fish. But most patrons come for the oysters, as Neptune features eight or nine varieties, as well as for the clams, which are served fried or on the half shell.

The best seafood place in the more or less general area is Neptune Oyster (in the North End), but it's not so easily convenient with your time constraints. Two possible options:

Neptune Oyster and Pauli's sandwich shop can be found in Little Italy, the historic North End district that leads into Boston Harbor.

The one and only Ernest Hemingway wrote glowingly about oysters in his posthumously published A Movable Feast: “As I ate the oysters with their strong taste of the sea and their faint metallic taste that the cold white wine washed away, leaving only the sea taste and the succulent texture, and as I drank their cold liquid from each shell and washed it down with the crisp taste of the wine, I lost the empty feeling and began to be happy and to make plans.” So we can only assume he was eating oysters as fresh as the ones you can find at Neptune Oyster in Boston’s North End, just a few blocks from the water. Here you can enjoy all sorts of fresh seafood, from the aforementioned oysters to lobster rolls, octopus, scallops, an even sea urchins. But if the food you’re craving comes from dry land, that’s okay too!

I would say that the one at Neptune Oyster in Boston's North End is definitely on the list. If you can actually get past the lines and secure a seat in this perpetually sold out joint, they have mastered the classic, stuffed with passion and integrity. I prefer their version with hot drawn butter. Belle Isle Seafood Store in Winthrop has a behemoth of a roll overflowing with knuckle and claw that you can chow down on while sitting on their patio watching the fishing boats roll in with fresh catch. I would say a new favorite is at Bostonia Public House in the Financial District. A modern interpretation that includes avocado, coriander, citrus aioli and.....wait for it....BACON. Seriously, how could you go wrong with the duo of lobster AND bacon!

With its sleek, brasserie-like interior, straight-from-the-water bivalves, and buttery, overstuffed lobster rolls, this landmark would earn a spot on any list of essential restaurants across Boston—not just those in the North End. Neptune remains consistently excellent both in the kitchen (try the comforting, seafood-packed cioppino and the sweet-savory johnnycake topped with honey butter, caviar, and Maine lobster) and in the front of the house. Friendly yet firm hosts politely shoo out those keeping the door cracked open on a cold day and make good on promises to call your cell in two hours when your seat at the marble bar is finally ready.

Open seven days a week, this intimate North End hotspot features a daily special to match, including sea urchin bucatini on Tuesdays and cuttle ink risotto on Fridays. Perhaps the most evergreen special, the lobster spaghettini has appeared as a Monday special since Neptune Oyster’s owner Jeff Nace first served it to Leonardo DiCaprio when he was in town filming The Departed. Bring your appetite — the plate is piled with thin noodles in a garlic, white wine, and tomato sauce, under a layer of Maine lobster meat, breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese — and patience since there’s usually a line out the door for a coveted bar seat.

Iconic North End restaurant Neptune Oyster serves what might be Boston’s most famous lobster roll—and that means scoring one and a seat in the diminutive, marble-filled oyster bar often means spending hours in line. It’s certainly hyped up, but this great lobster roll is completely worth it: Your patience will be rewarded with heaps of chunky meat on a grilled brioche bun, served either cold with mayo or warm with butter. Pro tip: Try visiting Neptune Oyster on a weekday afternoon, or arriving prior to opening on a weekend, to avoid the primetime wait.

Time Out calls Neptune Oyster “at once exemplary and exceptional”, Rough Guide says the lobster rolls are “best-in-town” (Gayot agrees), and Frommer’s proclaims it to be the best seafood place in the North End (and possibly the city). Expect a long wait at this popular destination - Neptune Oyster can only sit 22, plus 15 more at the bar - but for the mounds of oysters, the impressive raw bar, towers of seafood, North End Cioppio, johnnycake, and of course the lobster roll, Neptune Oyster is worth the effort. You’re in for a treat, says Time Out.

This North End oyster and seafood joint doesn’t accept reservations, and it accommodates just 42 guests between the banquettes and bar. That, combined with the exceptional menu—the Duxbury littlenecks in broth with pancetta and white beech mushrooms are among Boston’s best eats, as is the lobster roll—dictates that Neptune Oyster always has a line snaking out the front door and down Salem Street. It’s open continuously each day of the week, from lunch till close, and there's never a good time to beat the rush.

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.

Neptune Oyster Bar has been highly praised for its fresh pristine seafood for over a decade, while still pulling off that cozy neighborhood feel of the middle of Boston’s North End. The oysters and lobster rolls are a fan favorite, however their wine list far exceeds what you would expect from a small restaurant with only 37 seats. While you can’t make reservations, I suggest you come in for an early dinner, then walk around the North End and experience the exciting energy of the old Italian neighborhood.

Neptune Oyster is one of the best lobster roll spots in Boston if you prefer the popular seafood sandwich in its purest form. A toasted bun, lobster cooked to perfection, a light layer of mayonnaise, and fresh lemon make this lunch or dinner especially satisfying. The lobster roll is served with a side of crispy fries and ketchup and the scenery you’ll take in at the restaurant will make your time in Boston even more enjoyable.

When you visit Neptune Oyster, you’re bound to wait in line, but that gives you plenty of time to evaluate the oyster options proudly on display behind the front window. Restaurants don’t always live up to their hype, but we couldn't be more pleased to tell you that this place has earned its spot on this list. We love everything about Neptune Oyster, from their fresh local oysters to their famous buttery Maine lobster roll.

– Neptune Oyster in the North End (little Italy) is an iconic Boston spot for a big, hot, buttered lobster roll (market price on average is $35). Their food is usually yummy, but it’s a small restaurant and a wait could easily set you back a few hours unless you go at non-peak times. Now that I’ve had both Neptune Oyster and Saltie Girl on Newbury St several times, I have to say I prefer Saltie Girl which takes reservations!

I know these slippery little suckers are a polarizing food, but if you’re in the camp that can’t get enough of them, then you won’t want to miss Neptune Oyster in the North End neighborhood. This tiny oyster bar is responsible for some of the cleanest seafood in the city and specializes in East Coast oysters specifically. They were even James Beard Award semifinalists for Outstanding Restaurant in 2020.

If you ask any Boston local which seafood spot is city's most quintessential, Neptune Oyster will probably be their answer. A staple choice for upscale seafood, this restaurant is located in the city's historic North End and has consistently been named one of the best restaurants in Boston over the course of multiple years. As a result, Neptune Oyster is notorious for having ridiculous wait times.

One of the city's most sought-after restaurants, Neptune Oyster, is worth waiting in line for (which usually extends down the street). Quaintly hidden among some of the city's best Italian food, Neptune's lobster rolls, complete with huge chunks of lobster, an Iggy's brioche bun, and a side of sea salt fries, will impress anyone. Upgrade your experience and top your lobster roll with some caviar!

If you come to Boston and don't eat New England clam chowder, don't leave until you do. You'll find creamy chowda and oyster crackers on the menu at most restaurants in these parts, but for the best—and most Instagrammed—chowders, pay a visit to Union Oyster House (one of America's oldest restaurants dating back to 1826), Boston Chowda Co in Faneuil Hall and Neptune Oyster.

Perhaps the most extensive raw bar in Boston is Neptune Oyster, the most in-demand option for fresh local seafood since 2004. If you’re looking for a classic Boston lobster roll experience, Neptune Oyster’s lobster roll is New England’s best. You’ll also be in for a treat with the piggyback oysters, Spanish octopus, Nantucket bay scallops, and Georges Bank sea scallops.

Boston is famous for its lobster rolls, and you can get your hands on some of the best at Neptune Oyster near the Paul Revere House and Belle Isle Seafood in Winthrop. Neptune Oyster is popular, so expect queues for their fresh oysters and comforting buttery rolls. Belle Isle Seafood is a seafood shack that serves great haddock burgers as well, but note it's cash-only.

Neptune Oyster has landed amongst the top seafood restaurants in all of Boston on countless occasions, and holds our number one spot for the best clam chowder in Boston. Their Wellfleet Clam Chowder is made with fresh salt pork and thyme, making for the quintessential bowl of clam chowder. Other subpar clam chowders might have a cement-like texture, but not this bowl!

In a city where the classic dining spots are mostly modest, no-frills restaurants, Neptune Oyster is a fancy alternative and one of the top 10 restaurants for Boston food. This small North End spot does not take reservations, so waiting outside for a table is part of the experience. Neptune Oyster brings real refinement to your familiar Boston food favorites.

Restaurants like Neptune Oyster and Pagu not only showcase the city’s diverse dining options but also highlight the importance of supporting local farmers and producers. This focus on freshness and community is a hallmark of the best brunch spots in Cambridge, ensuring that each meal is not only delicious but also sustainable and socially responsible.

Neptune Oyster is a hidden gem in Boston that truly lives up to its reputation as a destination for the best lobster in town. As I walked into the cozy and inviting restaurant, I could immediately sense that I was in for a treat. I started my lobster adventure by indulging in their fresh oysters, which were expertly shucked and served chilled.

A clambake is a classic in New England towns like Boston, and at Neptune Oyster, your eyes might pop out of your head when you order this dish. The N.O.B. Clambake at Neptune Oyster is a colorful jumble of fresh Maine lobster, clams, sweet corn and chorizo for a bit of savory zest. Neptune Oyster | 63 Salem St., Boston, MA 02113 | $$$

You can find oysters at nearly any seafood restaurant in Boston, but why not end your journey of eating your way through Boston at Neptune Oyster, a AAA Three Diamond restaurant in the North End of Boston. Note that reservations are not accepted here, so our AAA Inspector recommends heading here in off-peak hours to secure a table.

Neptune's selection of east and west coast oysters are impressive. With sleek décor this no frills oyster bar is the perfect spot to sit and sip champagne while dozens of these fresh mollusks arrive before your eyes. A no reservation policy has served it well, creating hours long waits for diners who need a fix of their seafood.

Neptune Oyster combines a seafood bar with authentic Italian flavors, making it a hotspot for both locals and tourists. Their lobster rolls and fresh oysters are legendary, offering a taste of the sea in every bite. Visit Neptune Oyster for a casual yet sophisticated dining experience that celebrates Boston’s maritime heritage.

Located in the North End, Neptune Oyster is a cozy and intimate seafood restaurant that is always packed with locals and tourists alike. The menu features a variety of fresh oysters, as well as other seafood dishes such as lobster rolls and seared scallops. The restaurant also has an impressive wine list to pair with your meal.

is a small but bustling seafood restaurant in the North End. Known for its fresh oysters and classic New England dishes, this cozy spot has a reputation for serving some of the best lobster rolls in the city. The menu also features clam chowder, fried clams, and a variety of daily specials that highlight seasonal seafood.

It's tricky for a date because you can't make reservations and it gets quite crowded. Nevertheless, I love the tiny, intimate atmosphere, and the food is absolutely outstanding. Taranta, a Southern Italian / Peruvian restaurant also in the neighborhood, was ranked the most romantic restaurant in Boston by Yelp last year.

Neptune Oyster was opened in 2004, and since then it has been one of the Bostons' most in-demand options for fresh local seafood. Here you can see an excellent selection of seafood and if you want to have the best oyster in Boston then don't miss out on this place. Oysters and shellfish are the specialties of this place.

While you will certainly find an impressive variety of shrimp and oysters, it is Neptune Oyster’s unique raw bar selections, such as razor clams and octopus, that will entice your palette. Twelve oyster varieties are on hand at all times and served with a prosecco mignonette and cocktail sauce with horseradish.

Neptune Oyster – Full disclosure, I had never heard of this place before writing this post, but this is one of the highest ranked restaurants in Boston on yelp, with 4.5/5 Stars with 1139 reviews, which I consider to be a big deal. So if you want to double down on some oysters, it seems this is the place to be.

In a neighborhood dominated by Italian food, the North End's Neptune Oyster is well-known for their fresh seafood. Their popular Maine lobster roll is available both hot and cold, but you can also get lobster cooked in a number of other ways here. For starters, there’s the Maine lobster and sea greens salad.

When I visited Boston six years ago, I had every intention of ordering a lobster roll from Neptune Oyster. Well, those intentions were sidelined by a four-hour wait. For this trip, I went in with zero intentions of visiting Neptune Oyster—it was Michael who said, “Hey—isn’t that lobster roll place over here?

Rather than the ubiquitous Italian fare found at most of the neighbors, Neptune Oyster is a seafood lovers dream come true. You can almost smell the sweet salt air as you walk in the door. Then, in the window, you’ll see the mounds of achingly fresh oysters that have been gleaned from seas far and wide.

In a town full of lobster rolls, one stands out — the warm lobster roll at Neptune’s. Though you can choose for it to be warm or cold, definitely go for the warm one. This version contains no celery or other fillers, and is dressed with drawn butter aka heaven and is served with a side of crisp fries.

You can’t go wrong with pretty much any restaurant on Salem St or Hanover St, but 2 of my favorites are Neptune Oysterand Lucca. Many of the restaurants in the North End are family-owned and operated, so eating in the North End is like visiting your favorite Italian grandma for Sunday family dinner!

Located in Boston’s historic North End, Neptune Oyster is a cozy spot with a big reputation for seafood. This New England classic serves steamed Jonah crab claws that focus on simple, fresh ingredients. Served with drawn butter and lemon, it’s an iconic taste of Boston’s seafood scene.

Tiny and crammed, and with a line often extending down the block, Neptune is an open secret: The busy little kitchen produces some of the best seafood in the city. High-end lobster rolls, fried clams, and, of course, oysters all get raves. There are burgers, too—served with fried…

Both Wenz and Senatore give the lobster rolls at Neptune high marks. Senatore loves the "warm butter and beautiful brioche bun" that the lobster rolls are served in. Neptune's raw bar is a big draw, with a selection of oysters, clams, shrimp, octopus, crab claws and other seafood.

Both Wenz and Senatore give the lobster rolls at Neptune high marks. Senatore loves the “warm butter and beautiful brioche bun” that the lobster rolls are served in. Neptune’s raw bar is a big draw, with a selection of oysters, clams, shrimp, octopus, crab claws and other seafood.

This tiny bistro opened its doors in 2014, and since they’ve grown a reputation for some of the best lobster rolls in the city. They do offer some other great sustainable seafood splendors as well. Expect a long wait that’s totally worth it, because the place really is that good.

Head over to Neptune Oyster if you and your party enjoy fresh seafood. The restaurant can get a bit noisy at times, but it's a great place for a bite. Keep in mind that this restaurant does not accept lunch reservations, and you may have to wait for a table.

The Bell in Hand Tavern (the burger is one of my favorites) and the Union Oyster House are both Boston classics that you can find nearby, and Neptune Oyster is another excellent option (I’m not an oyster fan and found plenty of tasty options when visiting).

Yelp and Foursquare agree on Neptune Oyster’s soups selections. Famous for their Italian style clam chowder, you will also find other delicious options served hot in a bowl, like their Maine Lobster Bisque. A post shared by Neptune Oyster (@neptuneoyster)

Neptune Oyster – Neptune Oyster typically has a long line of hungry Bostonians outside its doors. But, we assure you it’s worth the wait. Fresh seafood cuisine such as oysters, lobster rolls, and clam chowder make this shack one of the best in the city.

The N.O.B. Clambake boasts a whole two-pound Maine lobster, clams, chorizo, and sweet summer corn. The North End spot doesn’t take reservations and, as it has gobbled up its share of awards for seafood, be prepared for a wait. (63 Salem St., Boston)

Situated in the North End district, this intimate venue is extremely popular, with the ever-present queue out the door!. The kitchen cranks out a steady stream of its famous warm buttered lobster rolls, fresh seafood dishes and trays of oysters.

It's a small place so you get to rub elbows with other oyster lovers. They have a good selection of east coast and west coast. I've realized that I'm more of a west coast oyster lover because they're a little more buttery and sweet.

- Rating: 4.3/5 (6276 reviews)- Price level: $$$- Address: 63 Salem St. Boston, Massachusetts - Categories: seafood, salad, sandwiches- Read more on Yelp. You may also like: Movies and TV shows casting in Boston

Neptune Oyster in the North End is still the No. 1 stunner of lobster rolls. It's always worth the wait. And the kicker is that you can have it your way: They serve it either cold with mayo or hot with butter.

With its constant long lines, this seafood restaurant is hard to miss. Their wide selection of oysters is fresh and tasty. Other popular items include their Maine Lobster Roll and Wellfleet Clam Chowder.

There’s a reason why Neptune Lobster appears on almost all the lists for the best lobster rolls in Boston. Don’t let those lines deter you. The lobster roll from Neptune Oyster is worth the wait!.

Neptune is among the highest versions of the oyster-bar form — pressed-tin ceilings, a marble bar, iced beds of bivalves and crab claws — but it is also more,” Gallagher wrote of the eatery.

Neptune Oyster (North End) - food is great but wait is long and service snooty. If you want to eat there, I would try off-hours (like a late lunch). Otherwise, you'll have to wait.

Widely considered the location of the “best” lobster roll in Boston, Neptune Oyster, located in a cozy space on Salem Street in the North End, always delivers a quality meal.

Neptune Oyster is an itty-bitty North End spot, with a large oyster menu. Land lovers and seafood fanatics will find something delicious here. Looking for a mix of both?.

63 Salem St # 1, Boston, MA 02113Phone: 617-742-3474 Visit Website. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by Neptune Oyster (@neptuneoyster)

Neptune Oyster is very highly regarded but pretty much requires standing in line for an hour or more so likely not a good fit.