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Exactly what you expect when you see a big sign outside that says "Big Deck Energy" the service is shared- everyone seemed accountable for everything. The food was good- fried food and fresh seafood, fries were a bit soggy.
This was honestly such a disappointing meal. Brought my friend from California here, and unfortunately everything we received was cold and oily. Our calamari was COLD, so it must have been sitting there. We sent it back and I put a paper in the tray to see if they'd bring back the same one and sure enough they did. They either heated it up again or just straight up laughed in our face. Our server took orders of people that arrived after us. Fish tacos lacked flavor and soggy.
If you're in the Boston area, definitely a must to try. The restaurant is by the water. The ambiance very nice, loud, music, such a vibe. The service was very friendly & attention to detail, because I had lots of questions on the menu. I ordered fried fish tacos, which was delicious, and some grilled little neck clams. Oh yeah can't forgot about the lobster roll. & a side of extra fries, that made everything better. I can't wait to visit again.
Came here to experience a lobster roll and this place looked fun. The lobster roll was tasty and fresh! Super solid. Also got their chicken sandwich and that thing was seasoned so well! Both were home runs. Service was fast and friendly. This is a fun place inside. You could find families in there, work colleagues, you name it and it's close to the water.
Love this place!! Super lively, and offers classic Boston food if you're from out of town and looking for a good lobster roll. I love how it's right on the water, which is super convenient if you want to walk around the waterfront area and make a day out of it. Service was great even though we went on a busier day, and the food was incredible. The decor was super cute as well!!
Walked in for a table of 2 on a Sunday night not expecting much of a crowd. We were sat right away, but more so just pointed to the table instead of guided to it. The wait staff were very attentive in an effort to turn tables over quickly. It was a busy, but not over crowded night and the vibes on the water were good. The food itself is very expensive and average, but it's worth the location.
I really enjoyed my time at Barking Crab. I had the snow crab (1.5 lbs!) and was sure to put my bib on! The crab tasted so fresh and the meat did NOT stick to the sides of the shell. Dipping butter was plentiful and delicious. We sat inside as it had a much shorter line, but they have an outdoor patio that looks awesome for a summer afternoon. We were seated by a window in the back with a gorgeous view of the water. The ambience was very lively, down-to-earth, rustic, and while it seemed older, it was clean. Service was sufficient - nothing bad and nothing over the top. There were a couple of faint smiles here and there, but they were hustling with so many customers! Definitely worth a visit, and I would love to return for more!
I read so many mixed reviews but their menu look like we'd have a lot of options as we only have one day in Boston and wanted to eat everything. Luckily, there were four of us so we did order a lot so we could taste a little bit of everything and we were not disappointed. Lobster roll , clam chowder , fish and chips , clam strips , crab cakes , oysters and more fried seafood . The only thing that was just OK with the crab cakes other than that everything was delicious. Service was very attentive and prompt. It's located in the Seaport area. A very casual atmosphere, love all the cool and funny signage.
I couldn't believe I've lived in MA my entire life and had never been here before. The ambiance is straight up Boston Summer vibe specifically if you like seafood - which was unreal by the way. I still daydream about it on the regular. The only reason this isn't giving 5 stars for me was the insane line and lack of speedy service. But the food thooooooo
It was very crowded. We had to wait in line for 15-20 min. It was our first time in Boston and we wanted to try local food. We ordered a dozen of oysters, crab dip, and clam chowder for appetizer. Crab dip was good, but I was disappointed at the chowder. I can only taste 1 clam and all the rest was potatoes. Oysters were fresh but very small. We also ordered seafood pasta, warm lobster roll and cold crab roll. Pasta was good with a white fish filet on top, but the lobster rolls (2) had very little filling for the price and the crab roll we also ordered was watery. Overall, I think this was not the best choice.
Fresh seafood and the oysters were delicious, although on the pricier side (I mean this is seaport lol). This place is always packed, you get the waterfront view if you are lucky. would recommend
My lobster roll tasted so fresh and had a good amount of lobster meat. The corn on the cob was so warm and tasty. The atmosphere was unique in the tents! It tasted great overall!
came here with my mom and we both loved it!! the restaurant is in a great location and we were lucky to get seats right on the water. i've passed by this place many times but now i see why it's always so busy. the food was great and the service was pretty fast too. i'll definitely be back to try the fried calamari and the fish tacos!!
I really liked the Barking Crab (went twice during our trip) but I'm always partial to a crab / lobster shacks located next to the water. If you happen to go during peak hours, the line can be daunting but it moves really fast. In the heat of the summer, the heat can be a little overwhelming so warning you now. For drinks we stuck to beers and for food, the lobster roll of course and crab cakes! read more
Really cute "crab shack" located on the water with warm inviting lighting inside. Casual and cute at the same time. Great crab cakes! The mussels were very tender served in a white wine broth that was on the garlicky side. Plenty of great seafood options for very reasonable prices. Bartenders were very friendly. read more
2 months ago
2 months ago
Food, atmosphere and service all outstanding! Clams, skirt steak and lobster roll all delish! read more
2 months ago
We came to the barking crab based on recommendations while my husband was traveling for work. We both ordered the naked lobster roll (aka served warm with butter) and they were delicious. We got to the barking around 6:30 and did not have to wait. We got a table on the outside patio section. After we placed our order our lobster rolls arrived in less than 5 minutes. The lobster rolls were delicious and had a good portion of lobster in them (as pictured a piece of a claw inside my roll). The fries were also delicious and condiments were available on the table. As we were eating, a longer line did form waiting to be seated around 7 pm. This was a family friendly environment and was in Seaport which offered a nice harbor walk after eating for great views of the water and the city. I liked that it was a casual seafood place and seemed to have a pretty quick turnover rate. The restaurant had a lot of cool decor and pictures. We would come back again when visiting Boston. read more
1 year ago
This is a must in Boston fish and chips wer amazing & Lobster was delicious with the side of oysters. Overall the food was fire fire fire. The services is good. Long lines but it moves pretty quick. Amazing decor and great lay out and awesome views of the Boston harbor. read more
Food was pretty good. Enjoyed lobster roll, kids Mac n cheese, fish sandwich and oysters. Good beer and drink selection. We ordered the clam platter and I guess we expected strips and we weren't a fan of the full size clams. Other than that loved the casual bite in the water. It made our Boston trip. read more
Too expensive to be so average. I would not get the lobster roll again, would only come for soup Naked Lobster Roll 6.9/10 (Warm, butter poached lobster meat, served on a toasted bun with coleslaw, fries, and a pickle) Cup Of Chowder 8.8/10 (Traditional creamy New England Clam Chowder with clams, potatoes, onions, and bacon.) read more
3 months ago
2 months ago
Food is fantastic. Lobster and crab are at Market prices. This sits on the wharf and is very casual outdoors type of place. I had the scallops with French Fries. It was some of the best scallops I have ever had. The wait staff was prompt no separate allowed. No substitutions on Cole slaw. Overall, great place read more
2 months ago
Food was good. Clam chowder was really good. Many servers stopped by and checked on us. Great experience. read more
Small eclectic vibe. My group was seated next to the wood burning stove and although it wasn't lit up, I can imagine this place being pretty cozy on a cold winter day. Little rainy injury outside, but the vibe inside was upbeat with Christmas lights hanging from the ceiling as well as old-school tunes playing overhead. Ordered the naked lobster roll market price was $42 today and I had that with the fries. Also ordered some brussels sprouts on the side. The naked lobster roll has chunks of warm lobster with butter on the roll, whereas the traditional has the cold chunks of lobster on a roll is like a lobster salad. The sandwich was good and the fries basic. The start of the show were the incredible Brussel Sprouts. A blend of boiled, sautéed and pan-fried. Not sure how they were prepared exactly, but they were tasty! All in all a great Boston experience and from what I've heard, we lucked out without having to wait for a table at all. Not clear on how market prices fluctuates, so the price seemed a little steep. That was the only thing preventing that fifth star. David was a kind server and the food service was quick. If you are looking for an authentic local experience be sure to give this place a try. read more
2 months ago
I heart the barking crab, it was very good. I love how it's all outside, great rustic feel. Went with my family and had great almost immediate service. Ordered the fish tacos and absolutely chowed down. Credits to our waiter Andres who was very kind. Overall was great read more
If you want a great lobster roll in a prime location by the water, Barking Crab is the place! I love the clam chowder, the lobster rolls and of course the beers. We came on a cold, rainy day in April and it got us excited for summer. Since it was cold, I had the warm roll, but in the summer I like a cold one. It was still busy there even though it wasn't nice out, service was great and quick! read more
We walked in without a reservation on a Sat night and added our names to the waitlist. Luckily a table became available within 45 minutes, otherwise we would have missed the opportunity to experience this restaurant. Where to start? Ambience is that of a seaside seafood restaurant but in a city in winter. Service was a tad bit slow but our waitress was friendly and chatty whenever she made an appearance. Food was superb and this is why the wait, slow service and drinking an Aperol Spritz from a plastic cup didn't matter. It is the kind of restaurant that you will visit every time you're in town. Excellent lobster dishes and the best fish and chips. The view if you're lucky like we were was picturesque. read more
9 months ago
This place is filled with racist. I would never go back here. The service was very sad because of which I did not want to tip, and that apparently was not okay with the servers like what rights did they have to tell me anything about tipping they should learn their job first. Apart from this, the ambience was really good, but the food sucked. It's very bland. read more
2 years ago
Wow! This is the place right here! If you're looking for the views and that old crab shack type place that's still "safe", this is the place! This was the first place I went to in Boston so my expectations were high! The food was actually pretty excellent. Had to get the New England Clam Chowder! It might be the best I've ever had. Went with the shrimp basket too which was delicious! Exactly what I wanted! The service was also quick and excellent. I went at a slow time which probably helped, but the lady helping me was great! If this place has any "downside", it's the price. Everything is a bit overpriced, likely for the tourist. Hey, I'm a tourist so I guess I can't complain. The food and views were great so I am willing to spend a little extra for the experience! Lots of fun! I get this place is even more awesome in the summer! Loved everything about it! read more
The Barking Crab is my friends' go to spot when they head to the Boston Children's Museum. It's a super casual location with a large deck patio. We got there just before it opened and got in relatively quickly upon opening. They are very family friendly. We got a clam bake, crab cakes, calamari and fish n chips. The clambake comes with a whole lobster, mussels and clams, potato and an ear of corn. Not for those who don't like to get messy. The service is super fast and very attentive. While a bit touristy and pricey, enjoyed the food and experience overall. read more
24 days ago
7 months ago
I ordered the shrimp platter and it was soooo good. Shrimp was super crispy and flavorful. Service was great and loved the view of the water. Will go back for sure! read more
Visiting from out of town. Our local friends told us this is a long time tourist attraction more known for its casual fun atmosphere than its food. We had a great time, service was fine - we sat under the big tent and ordered an array of various things we were craving. The whole belly fried clams, onion rings, fried calamari and mussels hit the spot. The chowder was better than the bisque. Met our expectations. read more
3 months ago
1 year ago
Great spot along the water for a drink and a lobster roll! The coleslaw was too warm to feel safe to eat, but the lobster roll was amazing and generously portioned! This spot was popular and crowded, but service was fast and was a great lunch spot on a warm summer day. A perfect spot for jaunting over to after doing the tea party museum. read more
1 year ago
We went there before 5pm, so we only waited for 15 mins. The food was good and portion was decent, excellent service as well. The combo plate was perfect for me trying a little of everything. BTW, the soup was delicious ! read more
1 month ago
My fiance and I stopped in for a bite after visiting Snowport. We were seated quickly on a Saturday evening in chilly November. The staff was friendly and made sure our water was always filled, but the food was just alright. We ordered the lobster bisque, mixed green salad, and the seafood plate. The bisque was lackluster, the greens were overdressed and overpriced ($12 for some mixed greens, tomatoes, and cucumbers?), and the seafood plate was alright ($51). The shrimp was tough and overcooked, the lobster tail was fine and buttery, but the scallops were cooked perfectly and some pieces had a nice sear. The fingerling potatoes were quite good and well seasoned, but some of the asparagus could have been trimmed a bit. Overall, it was okay. The sound level was a dull roar and a little overstimulating for me. We were able to snag a table by the water though which was pretty. read more
If you're at Snowport this holiday season and need a bite afterwards, take a ten minute stroll down the street to the Barking Crab. I was seated at the bar quickly after arriving, and my dinner selection arrived shortly after. A queue was beginning to form as I left. Despite being 1600 miles away, the interior of the Barkjng Crab somehow makes you feel like you're in Key West. read more
Received multiple recommendations to try the Barking Crab for lunch. The location is pretty ideal being right off the water way with beautiful city views, however due to the long wait, I ordered online for pickup and got my meal to go. The menu is full of typical seafood options. I do appreciate the speed at which the kitchen sends out food. That was fairly quick. When I received my order, I was a bit underwhelmed by the taste despite numerous recommendations. read more
I stopped by for lunch and ordered the steamers for $21. I was immediately seated but no servers stopped by for a while. I believe thr bartender/waitress dropped off a water and asked if I needed more time to decide on my order. Because the service was slow (it wasn't that busy in the restaurant) I decided to immediately place my order. It took about 20 mins when a relatively small portion or large clams came out. I took a bite on my first clam and immediately noticed it was full of sand and was gooey like it was under cooked. At first I thought it was just bad luck, but then I ate a second one. It was the same. It tasted very sandy, liquidy in the center and I spit it out. I opened the 3rd clam and it was transparent in the middle and immediately flagged the waitress over. I asked if she could cook the clams. She asked if it was just one clam or all of them. I said all of them. So she said she would re-cook my clams. Not get new ones... After 25 mins of sending my uncooked steamers back to re-cook. My waitress had forgot about me and remembered me when she locked eyes with me. She ran to the back and brought back the same clams, now cooked. The waitress was sweet but the service was so incredibly slow and she forgot about me. I still tipped her well, I probably shouldn't have, because she was very apologetic. Overall, the service is very slow. If you have alot of time on your hands and don't mind undercooked clams, this is your spot. read more
Diego our server was very nice! Pan seared jumbo scallops, lobster tail, shrimp with potato and asparagus was $57 and good but the scallops and shrimp were a bit overcooked and hardened. The sauce it was in was very good bc it was not salty but we wanted a bit more sauce on it. The lobster was done just right and it was still soft and tasty and lots of tail meat. The ambience is nice because you can see the water and the other buildings and the indoor seating looks like outdoor seating and it stays warm in here because it's covered, but they also have outdoor seating which nobody will sit at this stage in October (10/26/25) bc it's 45 degrees F today yikes! Where did summer go? In the summer this place must be really nice with the plastic windows rolled up and the views must be amazing. the chowder was tasty with a little zest but I wish there were more clams in it. Overall it's a fun atmosphere and nice staff but the food is a bit pricey for some items and some items are fresh while others are a little over done. They use plastic silverware that they throw away so I wish they used reusable items to be kinder to the environment. I'm sure they have their reasons for it but that's my wish. Thank you. read more
5 months ago
A fun tourist trap. Had an appetizer of the fried belly clams. They were delicious, but the portion size was meager at best. 8 tiny clams for $28. Good views. A nice spot next to the water. Just be prepared for crazy overpriced menu and tiny portions. read more
Barking crab I would say is 5/5 for ambiance/vibes and 3/5 for food. I loved the patio seating on a warm sunny day - you have an incredible view of the water and city, and the inside of the tent is so cutely decorated with lights, signs, and all things crabby. Its lively, loud, and lots of fun! The food however is definitely overpriced and just okay. We started with the hot crab dip which was pretty delicious but just a small portion. I had the fried fish sandwich which was huge but just kind of dry and flavorless. Service also seemed super overwhelmed with the beginning of summer rush but was still rather quick. Overall, I would say a great place to grab some drinks and apps but would not be my seafood recommendation list in Boston. read more
1 year ago
- Good ambiance - Good service - Food was pretty good, ordered the fisherman's platter and clam chowder Coleslaw was pretty pathetic but otherwise everything was good-great - a little pricey read more
9 months ago
The best lobster bisque we have ever had. The oysters were exceptional, and the mussels steamed in white wine and fennel broth were truly remarkable. Every seafood dish we tried was full of flavor and perfectly prepared. The service was attentive, friendly, and genuinely helpful. The location is ideal, the interior is beautiful, and the ambiance is both welcoming and lively, making for an outstanding overall experience. read more
1 year ago
Come early because this place fills up quickly. Their raw bar is extremely fresh. We ordered 6 OYSTERS ON THE HALF SHELL and 6 LITTLENECK CLAMS, IPSWICH, MA which were incredibly fresh with a hint of Atlantic sea Brininess . The HOUSE-MADE MIGNONETTE added another level of depth and flavor. The Lobster Mac and Cheese did not disappoint. It had large chunks of lobster meat mixed in with pasta shells in a cheesy rich sauce topped with buttery ritz crackers and baked all together. This dish can be shared as an appetizer because it truly is rich and creamy. This place has beautiful views of the harbor, is super family friendly and the servers are very attentive and friendly. read more
1 year ago
Extremely racist and arrogant servers. Since the service was bad I did not feel like tipping and the server asked us to leave and never come back again in a very arrogant tone, just because we did not, we did inform him that we do not like the service and hence we are not typing so he repeated the same thing and said that if you're not going to do, you cannot come back here Well, guess what you just lost a lot of customers and I'm never recommending this place to anybody who is visiting Boston or even lives in Boston and is planning to eat outside! Our bill was almost $300 just fyi! Regret giving this place business. Food was basic AF read more
The Barking Crab at Seaport is a good touristy place to visit. Is it a fancy sit down place? NOPE - you get paper plates and plastic utensils. Does it have some delicious seafood? YES! Do you get good service? YES! Hubs and I wanted seafood. It was misty/rainy day so we caught an Uber to the Barking Crab. Our driver was so sweet. She dropped us off right next to the entrance and probably because we got there shortly around 12:15, it wasn't packed yet and we got seated right away. We sat at the upright bar table which was comfy & right in front of the bar giving us a view to the restaurant. We started with oysters and clam chowder. The oysters were plump and sweet, cold and fresh as expected. The chowers were both filled with clams and potatoes. Had a nice subtle kick to it. I ordered the naked lobster roll and hubs ordered the New England clambake. Neither disappointed us! My lobster roll was packed with lobster on a soft, toasted roll slathered in butter and warm. There was plenty of lobster! Hubby's clambake was 1.5 lb of steamed lobster filled with large chunks of meat, ample clams & mussels, a potato and an ear of sweet corn! Everything was cooked to perfection and surprisingly the clams & mussels weren't sandy! The corn was crispy crunchy and super sweet! Our lunch was really filling! It was on the expensive side, but we knew what we were getting into so it wasn't a big deal. It was worth the experience and the quality of seafood! I'm with that being said, I'm not sure I'd return again since there's other places similar to the Barking Crab that we need to try. The service was good and quick so if you're hungry and in the area, this could be a nice lunch! OH! The bathrooms were weirdly lit with a red nautical light so it was hard making it a little weird wondering what I'd be stepping on. read more
5 months ago
More info about Barking Crab
88 Sleeper St
Boston, MA 02210
Waterfront, South Boston
Directions
(617) 426-2722
Call Now
Visit Website
http://www.barkingcrab.com/
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Ask the Community - Barking Crab
Do they have dock space for those arriving by boat? Thank you.
I didn't see space there but space was available nearby.
Are reservations accepted?
Yes. https://blog.thewake.io/experiences-barking-crab-reservations/…
Are dogs allowed?
Don't think so, but not sure. I don't think it will be the most dog friendly environment. Packed pretty tight with not much room for our friends to be comfy. I suggest giving the store a call.
Do they have parking nearby?
Yes, there is a garage within minutes of restaurant.
Do they take reservations?
They do, but you have to book on the not user-friendly link they ask you to use on their website. The link hardly has availability even one month out, which often seems like there's a glitch. Well, don't waste your time, because they don't answer…
I called and they said they don't take same day reservations do they take walkins?
They do take walk ins. There are 2 different host stations depending on whether you want to sit on the outdoor patio or inside. They're not super organized to be honest. But there's usually space at the bar as well!
Do they have a kids menu?
Yes, they do! $9 per kid meal. Mac and Cheese, chicken tenders, etc.
Are you pet friendly in the outdoor area?
I am not 100% certain by my opinion would be to try not to bring your pet because it is so crowded that It might be unfair and uncomfortable for the pet. Just saying.
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