14 Coastal Massachusetts Oceanfront Steakhouses Serving Classic Cuts With Seaside Views
Massachusetts coastline offers more than just stunning ocean views and salty breezes. Picture yourself savoring a perfectly seared ribeye while waves crash against the shore just beyond your window.
From Boston Harbor to Cape Cod and Nantucket, these waterfront steakhouses combine two of life’s greatest pleasures: premium beef and breathtaking seaside scenery that’ll make your Instagram followers seriously jealous.
1. Mastro’s Ocean Club
Luxury meets the Atlantic at this sophisticated establishment where butter-poached lobster tails share menu space with bone-in ribeyes. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame Boston Harbor like a living painting, transforming every meal into dinner theater with Mother Nature as the star performer.
Live piano music often fills the lounge, creating an ambiance that’s elegant and energetic. Their Japanese A5 wagyu practically melts on your tongue, while the seafood tower stands tall enough to require architectural permits.
White tablecloths and sparkling crystal set the stage for special occasions worth celebrating. Sunset reservations book weeks ahead because watching day fade to night over the harbor beats any Netflix show currently streaming.
2. Ocean Prime
Contemporary sophistication defines this waterfront gem where the drinks program rivals the steak selection. Mixologists shake up creative concoctions while chefs perfect USDA Prime, aged steaks that could convert vegetarians with a single bite.
The ten-ounce filet mignon arrives with such perfect char marks, you’ll wonder if they hire artists instead of line cooks. Smoked shellfish platters deliver oceanic freshness that reminds diners exactly why coastal dining beats landlocked restaurants every single time.
Their truffle mac and cheese serves as the ultimate sidekick to any protein choice. Blue leather booths and warm lighting create Instagram-worthy backdrops, though the real star remains that endless Atlantic horizon stretching beyond the windows.
3. Morton’s The Steakhouse
Chicago-born tradition plants roots along Boston’s waterfront, bringing legendary tableside presentations that turn ordering into entertainment. Servers highlight premium cuts and preparations with detailed descriptions, though tableside raw-cut carts are not a standard feature at this location.
The 24-ounce porterhouse could feed a small army or one very determined carnivore. Their signature broiler reaches temperatures high enough to create that coveted crust, just don’t specify an exact degree, since Morton’s keeps that trade secret.
Dark mahogany and brass accents evoke old-school steakhouse vibes without feeling stuffy or outdated. Harbor lights twinkle through windows as evening arrives, adding romance to business dinners and making anniversaries feel extra special with minimal effort required.
4. Smith & Wollensky
New York steakhouse swagger meets Boston Harbor charm at this legendary establishment where politicians and tourists share dining space. Their dry-aging process spans 28 days, transforming prime beef into flavor bombs that justify every penny spent.
The split pea soup arrives thick enough to stand a spoon upright, warming souls during chilly New England evenings. Massive windows showcase Fort Point Channel and Boston Harbor, providing free entertainment between courses that beats scrolling through phones.
Their famous green sauce adds tangy brightness to rich cuts, cutting through fat like a culinary miracle. Weekend brunch brings steak and eggs to waterfront brunchers who refuse choosing between breakfast and dinner favorites when both options taste this good.
5. Rowes Wharf Sea Grille
Boston Harbor Hotel houses this sophisticated spot where surf-and-turf reaches its highest evolutionary form. Executive chefs balance land and sea with equal mastery, grilling perfect filets while poaching lobster to buttery perfection simultaneously.
Marina views showcase million-dollar yachts bobbing gently, making diners feel fancy even when wearing khakis instead of designer suits. The bone-in sirloin arrives with herb butter melting seductively across its charred surface, creating pools of flavor worth sopping with bread.
Their raw bar stays busy shucking oysters harvested from local waters just hours earlier. Sunset transforms the harbor into liquid gold, providing lighting effects no interior designer could possibly replicate with fixtures or candles alone.
6. Pier 6
Charlestown Navy Yard location puts diners practically floating above Boston Harbor while downtown skyline creates postcard-perfect backdrops. This spot nails the casual-upscale balance, welcoming flip-flops and dress shoes with equal enthusiasm and zero judgment.
Their hanger steak punches above its price point, delivering flavor that rivals pricier cuts without requiring second mortgages. Outdoor deck seating becomes prime real estate during summer months when harbor breezes keep things comfortable despite August humidity.
Live music appears during scheduled events rather than nightly, transforming dinner into mini-concerts when classic rock meets classic cuts. The lobster mac and cheese deserves its own fan club, combining New England’s greatest crustacean with ultimate comfort food in creamy, indulgent harmony.
7. Mission on the Bay
Swampscott’s oceanfront gem serves up panoramic water views that stretch from downtown Boston to the harbor islands. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls erase boundaries between inside and outside, making diners feel like they’re dining aboard a luxury yacht without seasickness risks.
Their ribeye cap steak showcases the most flavorful, tender portion of the entire cow, proving good things come to restaurants that know their beef anatomy. Modern American cuisine meets New England coastal traditions in creative combinations that surprise without getting too weird or experimental.
Sunset happy hour deals make premium dining accessible to budget-conscious seafood and steak lovers.
8. 1606 Restaurant & Oyster Bar
Gloucester’s waterfront treasure, located inside the Beauport Hotel, combines Cape Ann charm with serious steakhouse credentials that surprise first-time visitors. Named for the year Samuel de Champlain first sailed these waters, history buffs and beef lovers find common ground over perfectly grilled proteins.
Start with freshly shucked oysters before transitioning to land-based proteins like their peppercorn-crusted filet. The progression from sea to steer creates a culinary journey that honors Massachusetts’ coastal location while satisfying carnivorous cravings completely.
Nantucket Sound views provide constantly changing scenery as sailboats drift past during dinner service.
9. Seaglass Restaurant & Lounge
Salisbury Beach location puts Atlantic waves literally steps from your table, delivering authentic oceanfront dining that landlocked restaurants can only dream about. The modern design incorporates coastal elements without drowning in nautical cliches or cheesy anchor decorations everywhere.
Their surf-and-turf combinations let indecisive diners enjoy both worlds without committing to single proteins. Aged beef meets fresh-caught seafood in harmonious marriages arranged by talented chefs who understand flavor chemistry better than most scientists.
The lounge area serves creative drinks that taste like vacation in glass form. Storm watching becomes dinner entertainment during dramatic nor’easters when crashing waves provide nature’s most impressive special effects for brave diners willing to venture out during inclement weather conditions.
10. East Bay Grille
Plymouth Harbor views come with serious historical weight since Pilgrims first landed nearby centuries ago. This waterfront spot honors local heritage while serving contemporary cuisine that proves Massachusetts dining evolved considerably beyond hardtack and salted cod.
The grilled sirloin arrives with garlic butter that could make shoe leather taste amazing, though thankfully the quality beef needs no such rescue. Harborside deck seating offers front-row seats to passing fishing boats and pleasure craft creating maritime traffic jams during busy summer weekends.
Their clam chowder starts meals properly, warming bellies before hefty steaks arrive. Local ingredients shine throughout the menu, supporting nearby farms and fishermen while delivering freshness that chain restaurants simply cannot match regardless of marketing claims.
11. The Ocean House
Cape Cod institution serves generations of families returning annually like migratory birds seeking familiar nesting grounds. The classic New England architecture and weathered shingles promise authenticity that newer establishments struggle replicating despite best decorating efforts.
Grilled meats benefit from simple preparations that let quality ingredients shine without unnecessary fussiness or molecular gastronomy gimmicks. Their petite filet option acknowledges that not everyone needs massive portions, offering smaller cuts that still deliver full flavor without requiring stretchy pants afterward.
Beachfront location means sand between toes transitions seamlessly to dinner reservations without wardrobe changes required. Sunset views over Nantucket Sound create memories that outlast food photos, though Instagram still gets plenty of content from the scenery alone.
12. The Red Inn
Provincetown’s artistic spirit infuses this historic inn where bohemian charm meets serious culinary chops. Perched at Cape Cod’s curled tip, location alone makes this destination-worthy before considering the menu’s impressive offerings and creative preparations.
Their grilled tenderloin showcases classic technique executed flawlessly, proving simple done right beats complicated done wrong. Harbor views include passing ferries, fishing boats, and occasional whales breaching offshore during migration seasons when nature provides unexpected dinner entertainment.
Intimate dining rooms create romantic atmospheres perfect for proposals or anniversaries worth celebrating properly. The chef’s commitment to local sourcing means menus change seasonally, keeping regular visitors interested while showcasing Massachusetts agricultural bounty throughout different months and growing cycles.
13. Brant Point Grill (White Elephant)
Nantucket’s White Elephant resort houses this elegant establishment where old money meets new cuisine in harmonious coexistence. Harbor views showcase million-dollar yachts that make Boston Harbor boats look like bathtub toys by comparison, elevating the entire dining experience considerably.
Dry-aged steaks receive treatments worthy of their premium price tags, with chefs respecting the beef’s quality through careful preparation. Island location means everything arrives via ferry, yet freshness never suffers thanks to careful sourcing and relationships with trusted suppliers.
This restaurant operates seasonally, typically reopening in spring and closing in late fall, so check schedules before booking. Nantucket sunsets paint the harbor in impossible colors that seem Photoshopped, yet witness testimony confirms nature really does show off this spectacularly sometimes.
14. Galley Beach
Dining with toes literally in Nantucket sand creates vacation vibes that fancy shoes and tablecloths cannot replicate. This beachfront institution proves that serious steakhouses need not be stuffy, combining premium proteins with barefoot-friendly atmospheres that feel appropriately relaxed and sophisticated simultaneously.
Their bone-in ribeye arrives beautifully charred while Atlantic waves provide ambient soundtrack better than any curated playlist. Sunset reservations require planning ahead because everyone wants watching day surrender to night over endless ocean horizons.
The lobster addition transforms good steaks into legendary surf-and-turf combinations worth the splurge. Summer breezes keep things comfortable while indoor fireplaces extend the season into shoulder months when most beach restaurants close up shop until next year’s tourist invasion begins.