
Select Oyster Bar
A chic Back Bay seafood bar offering Mediterranean-inspired dishes and a stellar raw bar with exceptional service.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

Select Oyster Bar

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A chic Back Bay seafood bar offering Mediterranean-inspired dishes and a stellar raw bar with exceptional service.
"Absolutely outstanding experience. Exceptionally fresh and flavorful food, warm service."
Reservations Recommended
Book in advance to secure a table. Last-minute seats can offer a memorable surprise.
Bar Seating is Great
Sit at the bar for excellent service from knowledgeable staff like Alejandro and John.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Seafood, Mediterranean
Price
$$$
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Pristine Oysters & Raw Bar Delights
Indulge in impeccably fresh oysters and a dazzling array of crudos, ceviches, and tartares.

Mediterranean-Inspired Seafood
Savor unique dishes like Romanesco cauliflower, Arctic char, and Spanish octopus with a Mediterranean flair.

Exceptional Service & Bar Experience
Experience attentive and knowledgeable service, especially from the bartenders, creating a memorable visit.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Reservations Recommended
Book in advance to secure a table. Last-minute seats can offer a memorable surprise.
Bar Seating is Great
Sit at the bar for excellent service from knowledgeable staff like Alejandro and John.
Try Signature Dishes
Don't miss the Yellowtail Hamachi Crudo, Spanish Octopus, or the off-menu warm lobster roll.
No Dessert Available
Select Oyster Bar does not offer desserts; consider exploring nearby options.
Tips
from all over the internet
Reservations Recommended
Book in advance to secure a table. Last-minute seats can offer a memorable surprise.
Bar Seating is Great
Sit at the bar for excellent service from knowledgeable staff like Alejandro and John.
Try Signature Dishes
Don't miss the Yellowtail Hamachi Crudo, Spanish Octopus, or the off-menu warm lobster roll.
No Dessert Available
Select Oyster Bar does not offer desserts; consider exploring nearby options.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Select Oyster Bar is a highly acclaimed seafood destination praised for its exceptionally fresh oysters and Mediterranean-inspired crudos. Diners rave about the attentive service, especially from bartenders, and the vibrant atmosphere. While generally lauded, some find the prices to be on the higher side.
"Went upon a recommendation and everything was delish. Alejandro gave amazing recommendations and he was very knowledgeable about every item in the menu and gave awesome tequila recommendation as well. Honestly loved it so much came here for lunch the second time and had more awesome food recommendations from another bartender Corey."
Naresh Hinduja
"What a fantastic solo lunch at Select. James was my awesome host/server and was a delight. Oysters were exceptional- so fresh. I had the bouillabaisse and it was outstanding. Again - seafood so fresh. Chablis by the glass was also superb. And my Negroni to start was perfectly balanced. Love love love."
simone tabbitha
"It’s a more a bar styled restaurant which has limited indoor spaces. However, the waiters were very friendly and helpful. To time to time, they asked if we needed refills, and they cleaned the table right after each round of dishes. Very clean and tidy. As for the food, the oysters were great and fresh; the warm lobster roll (which by the way, is off the menu) was delicious and full of meat. It was market priced at $60 for a lobster roll and $60 for a lobster salad on that day. The bill automatically counts the 20% service tips. Overall, delicious food, great selection of wines, but slightly over-priced. Will come back for other dishes on the menu next time."
Xin G
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Reservations are highly recommended, especially for peak times. While walk-ins may be possible, booking in advance ensures a table.
Oysters, Yellowtail Hamachi Crudo, Spanish Octopus, and the off-menu warm lobster roll are frequently recommended.
Information about outdoor seating is not readily available in the provided data.
The dress code is generally smart casual, suitable for a chic seafood bar experience.
Sitting at the bar offers excellent service, or consider ordering a grand Plateau for a sampling of their raw bar offerings.
No, Select Oyster Bar does not offer desserts on its menu.
Mentioned in
Featured in these publications
Best Seafood in Boston : Food Network
Chef/Owner Michael Serpa goes beyond New England tradition at his Back Bay spot with a seafood lineup that seems more inspired by the Mediterranean coastline than a Massachusetts clam shack. Instead of clam chowder served against a nautical-themed backdrop, you’ll find raw seafood dishes surrounded by chic, minimalist decor at Select Oyster Bar. Standout options include dayboat scallop ceviche with lime, shallot and cilantro; Yellowfin tuna tartare with California sturgeon caviar; and Hamachi crudo with orange, Marcona almonds and radishes.
Best Seafood in Boston: Where to Eat It
Michael Serpa, the longtime executive chef at the North End’s always-packed, no-reservations Neptune Oyster Bar opened his very own, seafood mecca in the Back Bay in 2015. That means you can now make a reservation to eat his top-shelf European-inflected dishes—salmon crudo, Spanish octopus, sautéed petit clams, whole roasted sea bream—without waiting outside in line for an hour plus. While Serpa emphasizes local fish, especially for seasonal specials, he sources some ingredients, like that octopus, from afar, when the quality is better.
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This cozy seafood spot has an extensive raw bar menu that's sure to impress. Named for the commonly used term in the oyster world that denotes the best quality a farm has to offer in terms, the Back Bay brownstone spot sends out some of the finest shellfish around, from scrumptious oysters to seafood delicacies, like dressed Maine lobster, shrimp cocktail and the occasional sea bass crudo special. The wine list is extensive, crammed with oyster-friendly varieties.
Best Lobster Rolls in Boston: Chefs Share Their Favorite Places in Town
Back BayMichael Serpa was the one who sparked the original hot buttered craze, so it’s safe to say you’ll follow him anywhere -- but especially to this perfectly appointed seafood bar inside a city brownstone. This roll features a whopping seven ounces of Maine lobster claw, knuckle, and tail on a lightly browned Iggy’s brioche bun. If you order it cold, it’s mayo enhanced with a squirt of lemon.
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You won’t see any heavy carbs or fillers on the menu, just seafood-centric items perfectly paired with seasonal vegetables and delicate dressings. The Faroe Island salmon crudo is outstanding with a pleasantly unexpected touch of pistachio oil, togarashi and lime. The Spanish octopus, paired with a kick of roasted tomatillo and chimichurri dressing, stands out as well.
Where To Eat And Drink In Back Bay - Boston
Select is a New England oyster bar that doesn’t serve clam chowder. We love clam chowder, but we also respect some good iconoclasm every now and then. Besides, the rest of the menu is strong enough on its own.
Where to Eat Oysters in Boston
Decorated with artwork honoring Jacques Cousteau and Steve Zissou, Select Oyster Bar is an easygoing Back Bay gem from chef Michael Serpa (who manned the kitchen at Neptune Oyster before debuting this spot). While the seafood menu eschews traditional New England flavors for a more Mediterranean vibe, the oyster list mostly sticks to local growers, with an occasional West Coast bivalve finding its way into the mix. For a truly Hemingway-esque experience, order one of the towering Plateaux, available in three sizes stacked with everything from oysters and scallop ceviche to fines-herbes Dressed Maine Lobster.
Simply The Best Seafood Restaurants In Boston
Chef Michael Serpa has been making his mark on the Boston food scene for a while, heading up the kitchen at Neptune Oyster starting in 2008 and garnering lots of local and national acclaim. He’s been focusing on his own ventures since 2015 and we couldn’t be more excited about his seafood endeavor Select Oyster Bar; easily one of the hottest restaurants in the Back Bay. Select is adding a Mediterranean flair to fresh seafood, and their monumental plateauxs (towers) featuring local oysters, dressed Maine lobster, scallop ceviche and a variety of other delicious bites, are perfect for sampling.
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Boston only started living up to its national reputation as a great seafood destination about 20 years ago, with the emergence of a few small, indie restaurants centered on raw bars. First among equals in this still-elite tier is this slender Back Bay standout, where pristine raw oysters from both North American coastlines nestle alongside ravishing crudos, ceviches, and tartares. Cooked dishes embrace local stalwarts like lobster, mussels, swordfish, and halibut, with occasional European flavors repped by bouillabaisse and garlic-lemon blue prawns.
Where to Find Natural Wine: Boston
Select Oyster Bar, located at 50 Gloucester St, Boston, MA 02115, is a renowned seafood restaurant known for its fresh oysters and New England-inspired dishes. Situated in the Back Bay neighborhood, Select Oyster Bar offers a chic and relaxed dining environment, perfect for enjoying a variety of raw bar selections and expertly prepared seafood plates. The restaurant's menu changes seasonally to highlight the best local and sustainable ingredients, ensuring a delightful culinary experience with every visit.
Where to Eat Oysters in Boston
Open daily for lunch and dinner, Select Oyster Bar is a cozy spot in the heart of Boston with a selection of oyster plates. If you’re going with a couple of friends and are craving seafood, check out The Gloucester plate for $105, which features six Island Creek Oysters, four shrimp cocktail, blue crab salad, dressed Maine lobster and salmon crudo.
12 Best Seafood Restaurants In Boston
Select Oyster Bar is chef Michael Serpa's local success story. Sepra previously headed up the kitchen of the well-known Neptune Oyster, then took the leap and opened this local favorite in 2015. Located in the Back Bay neighborhood, Select Oyster Bar is the perfect spot for a date night or a high-end dinner with friends or family.
Shrimply the Best - Top 10 Seafood Restaurants in Boston, MA
Cozy is a word to describe this popular Boston seafood restaurant. This Back Bay neighborhood spot is open daily for lunch and dinner and is home to some mouthwatering seafood and oysters. For the spirit lovers in the group, Select Oyster Bar also has craft cocktails and a vast wine selection to pair with your dishes.
10Best Food & Drink Reviews
Select Oyster Bar is open 7 Days a week, offering Lunch + Dinner daily. Nosh on mane filled with local seafood offerings that are filled with mediterranean flavors. A creative wine program, craft beer offerings, and cocktail program featuring artisans spirits serves as an excellent counterpoint to the seafood menu.
7 Seafood Restaurants In Boston To Visit
50 Gloucester St, Boston *Dine-in *Takeout *No Delivery. Select Oyster Bar strays from the typical “Massachusetts clam shack” persona and plays to a more Mediterranean cooking style. All-time luxury meal favorites include the dayboat scallop ceviche, taverna-style sea bream, and Yellowfin tuna tartare.
Enjoy a Seafood Tower at Cambridge Restaurants
Since opening in a Back Bay townhouse, Select Oyster Bar has won numerous awards. It has been named "Best New Restaurant" and "Best Raw Bar," among others. The restaurant offers a fun, casual setting, with colorful works of art and picture windows, so that you can watch the action on Gloucester Street.
A Guide to Boston's Best Oyster Bars
SELECT Oyster Bar was opened on April 2015 and it is located in the heart of Back Bay. It is an oyster bar & seafood restaurant that offers fresh, local seafood with Mediterranean influences. Since it was open, it has gained popularity in the city as one of the best places for oysters in Boston.
Best restaurants around Boston for Valentine’s Day 2022
Celebrating all weekend, Select Oyster Bar is serving a Valentine’s menu for two February 11 through 14. The Back Bay spot has loaded their prix fixe menu with the cuisine they know best: seafood dishes like Island Creek oysters, salmon crudo, Icelandic Arctic Char, and Casco Bay halibut.
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Select prides itself for serving the highest quality seafood in a casual bistro setting. Their raw bar features more than local oysters but also crudos, ceviche, octopus & local shellfish. Residing in a Back Bay townhouse Select serves modern seafood with a hint of Parisian neo bistro.
Best Seafood in Boston for 2024
It seems like raw seafood should be cheaper than cooked by design, but this is rarely the case. While Select Oyster Bar serves up some of the best seafood in Boston for group grazing, be prepared to dive deep into your wallet to enjoy it.
The Best Lobster Rolls in Boston
First, as you can see, it is not a lobster roll in any conceivable sense. The bread is ciabatta, the avocado is...California?. ...and the mayo is a roasted tomato aioli.
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from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit