12 Massachusetts Seafood Chains Locals Swear Are Worth The Price
Last summer, I watched a grown man nearly cry into his lobster roll at a seaside shack in Boston. That’s when I knew Massachusetts takes its seafood seriously.
From crispy fried clams to buttery lobster and creamy chowder, the Bay State serves up ocean treasures that make your wallet weep and your taste buds sing.
Here are twelve local chains that locals actually recommend without rolling their eyes.
1. Legal Sea Foods
Nobody argues with a name that’s been around since 1950. Legal Sea Foods started as a fish market in Cambridge and grew into the seafood empire that basically owns Boston Harbor (not literally, but you get it).
Their clam chowder is so famous it’s been served at every presidential inauguration since 1981. That’s some serious political pull for soup.
The fish is fresher than your morning breath, and they’ve got locations across the state so you’re never too far from a proper seafood fix.
2. Kelly’s Roast Beef
Sure, roast beef is in the name, but Kelly’s fried clams are the real reason people line up at Revere Beach since 1951. Golden, crunchy, and worth every sandy bite you’ll take on the boardwalk.
This place invented the North Shore roast beef sandwich, but locals know to order the seafood. The clam strips are legendary, and the onion rings could make a grown person weep with joy.
Cash only at some locations, so hit the ATM first or prepare for awkward wallet fumbling.
3. Row 34
Oyster obsessives flock to Row 34 like seagulls to beach snacks. This Fort Point spot treats shellfish like fine wine, with detailed descriptions that make you feel fancy even in jeans.
They source from small farms and rotate selections daily, so your oyster experience changes faster than Boston weather.
The beer list pairs perfectly with briny bivalves, and their seafood-focused menu goes way beyond raw bar basics. Expect to spend a bit more here, but quality costs what it costs, and these folks deliver.
4. Summer Shack
Chef Jasper White created Summer Shack to capture that classic New England clambake vibe without the sand in uncomfortable places. The atmosphere screams summer vacation even in February.
Whole lobsters, steamers, corn, and potatoes arrive at your table like a seaside party. They’ve perfected the art of casual seafood dining where you can wear a bib without judgment.
Multiple locations mean you don’t have to trek to Cape Cod for authentic coastal cooking, though the Cambridge and Boston spots nail the beach shack energy.
5. Turner’s Seafood
Family-owned since 1967, Turner’s operates both as a market and restaurant, which means the fish goes from ocean to plate faster than you can say ‘scallops.’ Smart business model, really.
Their Melrose location draws crowds for massive seafood platters that require strategic eating plans. The lobster pie is comfort food at its finest, loaded with chunks of meat in creamy sauce.
Prices reflect quality, but locals swear the freshness justifies every dollar spent. They also ship nationwide, so homesick Massachusetts folks can get their fix anywhere.
6. Seafood Sam’s
Cape Cod has spoken, and Seafood Sam’s wins for best casual fried seafood since 1974. This is where families go when everyone’s cranky from beach time and needs food immediately.
The menu reads like a greatest hits album of New England seafood: clam strips, fish and chips, lobster rolls, and chowder that tastes like vacation.
Nothing fancy happens here, just solid execution of classics at prices that won’t require a second mortgage. Multiple Cape locations make it convenient when you’re bouncing between beaches and lighthouses.
7. Boston Chowda Co.
Faneuil Hall tourists and locals actually agree on something: Boston Chowda Co. serves exceptional soup. That’s basically a miracle in a city where everyone has strong opinions about everything.
Their clam chowder is thick, creamy, and loaded with actual clams instead of the sad potato soup some places try passing off.
The lobster bisque rivals anything from fancy restaurants, and the bread bowls are perfectly crusty. Yes, it’s in a tourist area, but don’t let that fool you into skipping it completely.
8. Luke’s Lobster
Maine-born but Massachusetts-approved, Luke’s Lobster keeps things beautifully simple. The rolls contain lobster, a little mayo, a touch of butter, and nothing else trying to steal the spotlight.
Founded by a Maine lobsterman’s son, they source sustainably and treat their seafood with respect instead of drowning it in fillers.
The portions are generous without being obscene, and the price point sits in that sweet spot between bargain bin and mortgage payment.
Their Boston locations stay busy because sometimes simplicity wins over fancy preparations every single time.
9. Shaking Crab
Get ready to abandon all table manners and embrace the mess. Shaking Crab dumps Cajun-spiced seafood into bags, and you eat with your hands like a delighted toddler at a birthday party.
The spice levels range from wimpy to ‘why did I do this to myself,’ so choose wisely unless you enjoy pain.
Crab legs, shrimp, crawfish, and all the fixings get tossed in buttery sauce that’ll have you licking your fingers shamelessly.
Bibs are mandatory, dignity is optional, and the experience is absolutely worth the mess and the price tag.
10. Hook & Reel Cajun Seafood & Bar
Louisiana flavors crash into New England seafood at Hook & Reel, and somehow everyone wins. The Cajun-style boils bring serious heat and flavor to Massachusetts shellfish that usually gets steamed plain.
Choose your seafood, pick your spice level, select your sauce, and prepare for a hands-on feast that requires multiple napkins.
The garlic noodles are secretly the best thing on the menu, soaking up all that spicy, buttery goodness.
Prices are reasonable for the amount of food you get, and the casual vibe means nobody judges your messy eating style.
11. Sea Level Oyster Bar
Newburyport’s Sea Level treats oysters like the treasures they are, with a rotating selection that changes based on what’s freshest and best.
The staff actually knows their stuff instead of just pointing at menu items randomly.
Beyond the raw bar, their cooked seafood dishes showcase local catches prepared with care and creativity. The waterfront location adds atmosphere without the inflated prices some touristy spots charge.
Happy hour deals make it possible to enjoy quality oysters without selling your car, and the cocktail list pairs perfectly with briny shellfish.
12. Fresh Catch
Multiple South Shore locations make Fresh Catch the neighborhood spot where regulars know the staff by name. This is unpretentious seafood done right, without the fuss or the markup.
Their fish and chips could compete with anything you’d find across the pond in England, with perfectly crispy batter and flaky fish inside.
The scallop plates are generous, the chowder is creamy perfection, and the prices feel like time travel to when seafood didn’t cost a fortune.
Family-friendly atmosphere means kids are welcome, and the quick service keeps everyone happy and fed.