Since The Lobster Claw II appears to have closed, I decided to try Clam Haven again. The first clue something was amiss was there was no line. This place was always packed. Apparently new ownership. OK that happens. TV's for a menu board, outside. Hey guys they don't work with any sort of sunlight around, even if they are in a semi shaded area. OK look at the menu, the whole left display is non seafood items such as a Dominican Hot Dog. OK, move to the right... there are a few seafood menu items. Baskets and plates... uh 99.999% of every clam place I have ever gone to, and I am old so I have decades of experience to pull from, has the option of clam bellies (whole clams), clam strips and both available as a stand alone item in a couple of different sized boxes similar to what you get Chinese take out in. Nope not here. WTF. My options were baskets or plates, both with items I did not want (fries, slaw, etc). I just wanted a few effn whole clams. Needless to say I left empty handed and dissapointed at what happened to a formerly great place. Looks like it is time for a road trip to Woodman's or The CLAM BOX... where they get the idea of clams in a effn box. YMMV IMHO read more

We just had a very bad experience at Clam Haven. We called in an order, just 2 plates, and told it would be ready in 10 minutes. Pick-up was chaos where my husband watched a full line of customers order and get their food while he patiently waited to find out our order was given to wrong person. "Sorry sir we'll get that right out to you." Another 15 minutes and husband asks about food to find our meal was given away again (I kid you not!). Now it's been 40 minutes, finally get our order and seafood was soggy while burger must have been dipped in salt. Onion rings were good but that was about it. Very disappointing Clam Haven! read more

I enjoyed going to the Clam Haven. Had the clam basket and the clams had bellies. Tater the scallops and have to say they were perfectly fried. Will definitely go back. read more

Really good food and lots of outdoor seating. Some indoor seating as well. Huge menu, very reasonably priced.

Awful! I had the scallop plate. The batter was over cooked and the scallops were soggy and mushy. The French fries were undercooked. The onion rings were good, but there were only four. The side of Cole slaw was the size of a small condiment container like what the tartar sauce comes in. The staff was friendly and efficient. read more

Sorry to say we got 2 scallop plates for $52.00 yes thats right 52.00! Thats ok if it was the same before the new owners took over...the scallop s were tough over cooked and had a gease taste...horrible! French fries were changed to the bumpy crappy kind very bad...and the portions were WAY down...quality down,portions way down,prices way up..!!! We were surprised there were no long lines like it used to be ..now we know why..sorry to say but never going back..dont waste your money or time. read more

Service was very slow, nearly 30 min for onion rings scallops and fries. Onion rings saturated with grease and lacked flavor. The scallops were greasy and did not taste fresh. They had a very fishy flavor/odor. If it smells like fish don't eat the dish. Prices were ok and portions were fair but will not be returning. read more

Ordered dinner to go. A triple platter - both kinds of fried clams - the fried clam strips and the full belly fried clams - and the fried scallops. I think there were 3 of the full belly clams and 4 scallops total. The rest was a huge mound of the normal fried clam strips. The onions rings were the greasiest I've ever encountered. The fried clam strips were just okay. The 4 scallops were good - just wish I had more. Overall - very disappointing. read more

Run fast! Oil needed to be changed my clams and fries were greasy and chewy not to mention the onion rings worst ever all breading and nothing but grease. The food is not cheap either so for that I should have had clean oil and fresh food. The coleslaw tasted as if it had been in the refrigerator for a very long time. I should have taken it back don't think it don't cross my mind I was hoping it would get better nope!! Don't Waste Your Money!!! They should be ashamed and embarrassed to sell what they call food read more

I finally have a chance to Yelp this popular seasonal hotspot located at the southern junction of Routes 28 & 28 Bypass, walking distance to the Grandview Flea Market. The Clam Haven is open mid March through the end of September. Parking can be very tight and a challenge on the weekends, especially when the flea market is open. During the warmer months, the Clam Haven is one my favorite places for fried seafood and ice cream at very reasonable prices. The Clam Haven is a great bargain compared to other places located on the Seacoast, which charge almost double. Order hot food and ice cream at separate windows, your number is called over a PA system. I enjoy their right sized portion seafood baskets, especially the whole belly clams and haddock. The battered onion rings are fried in a sweet tasting batter. They have daily specials and on my last visit I had the Clam Cakes Basket ($6.81 with tax) which was very good. I really enjoy a large coffee frappe ($3.22 with tax) with my clams. For dessert, their Brownie Sundaes ($4.31 with tax) are huge, which come with choice of ice cream topped with lots of crushed walnuts, hot fudge, whipped cream, & cherry, with a dense soft fudge brownie which tastes like the kind I enjoyed as a little kid. There's picnic table seating and a covered screened in seating area to enjoy your food and ice cream. With the tasty food and ice cream at good prices and the quick and friendly service, I will keep coming back to the Clam Haven for more! CREDIT CARD MINIMUMS: $5 (food)/$2.50 (ice cream) A 10 percent discount offered to kids in team sports uniforms, individuals and teams. read more

I have been going to Clam Haven for over 50 years. I have probably had everything on the menu at least once through the years. I have had many great meals and memories at this establishment. Even though my friend and I live in other towns now we still try to go to Clam Haven for the friendly staff, food and nostalgia. That ended this year. This year we went 3 times and each time we both got the Clam Plate. They were $37.06 apiece! $74.12 for 2. If that's not bad enough I got charged $2.22 in order to pay with a Credit Card. $76.34 for 2 Clam Plates. Now you would think that for $76.34 those would probably be the best Clam plates I've ever had in my life right? Not even close. First of all we got about 8 clams each, soggy fries and warm ( 2 bites at best) coleslaw. And no Onion rings that used to top off every clam plate. I'm just hearing by reading other reviews that there are new owners this year. That may be the reason for the higher prices and the lack of quantity and quality of the food. There's no shortage of opportunities in New England to buy overpriced Fried Clams. I'll take my Chances at Markeys ($26.95 clam plate) or Browns ($26.95 clam plate). Clam Haven really has a nerve to charge $10.00 more than these other 2 New England Seafood Legends. I wish them well but I won't be going back. read more

Disgusting , The lobster claw down the street was closed so we went to clam haven, they got the order wrong and sold us an extra lobster roll. $ 139. And everything was horrible, there's no way that anything was fresh, it tasted horribly outdated. Definitely NOT RECOMMEND, the lobster claw has the freshest most delicious seafood! read more

We were happy to find this road-side, walk-up, shack/window in Derry. It was an option for yet another deep fried lunch in New England. They actually kick it up a notch by offering deep fried lobster tail in addition to the other usual suspects. And if that weren't enough, the onion rings are thickly beer battered. Cue the heart surgeon. You can either take your food to go, or eat at any of the picnic tables scattered around the property. They even have ice cream for those of us who can always, always find room for ice cream. Live free or die, right New Hampshire? read more

Clam Haven - Seafood Near Me - Derry, New Hampshire

Taste-5 Value-5 Service-5 Presentation-5 Overall-5 Taste - combo fried lobster shrimp calamari comes with fries rings and slaw tastes great perfectly cooked and battered rings are a bit too sweet for my taste Value - great price under 30 for all that Service - spot on service call in order and they take care of you Presentation- packed nice and neat in to go container Overall- great place for fried seafood read more

Still a fan after 35 years. I go back when i visit NH mostly for their onion rings, not gonna lie. Food was good, they let us reserve the screened area for a small family reunion on a Saturday. I was a bit disappointed that the slush puppies were watered down and the soft serve tasted like water... not what i remember from a couple years ago or as a kid. But it was a nice jog down memory lane for me and my kiddos. read more

We had the worst experience with our food that we ordered. Every plate we ordered was over cooked and like dried out clams were very over cooked onion rings were the same my wife had shrimp and rings and they were over cooked My son had the same as my wife and got the same problem this was the WORST EXPERIENCE I EVER HAD WITH A SEAFOOD RESTAURANT. I recommend the lobster boat ii never had a bad order there. read more

Don't even bother with Clam Haven with these new owners. They promised nothing would change but the moment Rick left the place went downhill. First they add on the fee for using a debit card. What company even does that anymore? And they posted saying you would get a "discount" paying in cash. No. You paid the actual price in cash, and more if you use a card. We reserved lobsters on Mother's Day for their special, waited two hours in line, and then were told the lobsters were already sold out. What was the point of making a reservation two days ahead of time then? We gave it another shot today and the food was horrible. Clam Haven has always had the best onion rings, and today they were tiny and absolutely nothing like the onion rings we've always been able to expect from Clam Haven. The fries are disgusting. The portion sizes are noticeably smaller. I've grown up eating from Clam Haven and have always loved it. The new owners have absolutely ruined it. The customer service and food are terrible. It's honestly no surprise considering Rig-A-Tony's food is awful. Thanks for ruining a town icon restaurant. We miss Rick and the good old days. read more

Clam Haven - Sad excuse for onion rings - Seafood Near Me - Derry, New Hampshire

I was pleasantly surprised with this place! On a nice summer day, all I wanted was some good clams and this was one of the highest rated places in the area (on Google). The outside was clean though parking is tight and limited, which isn't uncommon for a walk up spot like this. Service was friendly and fast even with a little bit of a line on a Wednesday afternoon. Whole clam basket (the smaller portion) was $30, so I opted for the strips. Not my favorite, but $30 is high for whole clams. I will say that these were some of the biggest clam strips I have ever seen and they were so good! The portion was also really good for $12 once all is said and done. Even though I didn't get the exact clam fix I was looking for, I'll visit again. read more

Don't mind the drive up.. change of scenery from the city. Maybe I'm used to 'crappy high priced fried seafood by the beach' type food but their food, portion and prices were reasonable esp during this covid time. I say if the thought of trying this place has crossed your mind, do it. Take these reviews with a grain of salt it's clear that there's bad blood about previous ownership or some other useless personal issues more than just reviewing about the food...and pow! People thessssse days smh read more

Never again! This food was disgusting I ordered the clam basket they tasted like salty pork and very old. Also the smallest portions I have ever seen. My wife's Scallop platter came with two different batches of scollops half burnt and half under cooked, not to mention the tartar sauce packets were warm and sour seems like they never went in the fridge and the fact that each plate only comes with 3 onion rings. I never write reviews but honestly I was completely dissatisfied. For the price I paid was expecting better. Costumer service manners were good but the food was terrible. read more

Decided to give it one more try as maybe they made some improvements after the summer. Flavorless, cold and clearly cheap. They advertise Kayem hot dogs. These are not kayem hot dogs. What a shame to see a long time business crash like that. We won't be back. read more

Omg while belly clams are amazing just like I remember them. Haven't been here is years. Yum yum yum read more

Clam Haven - Seafood Near Me - Derry, New Hampshire

Omg this is the worst food I ve had in years. Husband agrees. Just heavy grease and NO taste. We will never go back. I had fried clam basket he had fish plate. It use to be good but horrible and expensive and server kept giving us wrong info read more

Tried again because I always loved their GIGANTIC haddock sandwiches. This time the roll was bigger than the piece of fish. I'm so disappointed in the new owners. I think I finally have to find another place for my seafood. read more

I have been going to Clam Haven since 1960 and it is better now than it was in the past. As a child I would get the tuna roll and the wonderful onion rings...they got better after Rick Metts took over the place. The Haddock basket is the VERY BEST in the nation, and I would know after traveling and living in over 11 states. This summer I will miss going to Clam Haven, as I now live in Seattle...it will always remind me of my parents, in their convertible as a kid, and sitting in the back seat every Friday night eating fries, onion rings and fish...and the clams are out of this world... Thanks rick for making this place a tradition...and don't worry over what anyone else wrote, many Derry-ites will be lining up awaiting the fare for many years to come! read more

Enjoyed the clam baskets. We didn't find the food greasy at all. Being from Massachusetts I was glad to see the cooks and window people masked. As for social distancing... wasn't happening and I was the only person in the line area in a mask. There were 6 other unmasked strangers waiting for their food . Trying to be safe and not paranoid, We opted to eat in our car. There were picnic tables on the side of the building, but they were too close together. read more

Genuinely one of the worst clam meals i have ever gotten, I dont get it? Do they not clean, fully fry, or enjoy what they out out? I hope to god their ice cream is better because good god those fried clams were genuinely disgusting uncooked pieces of garbage. Now please excuse me while i go be sick. I can not recommend this place less, go eat dirt, at least you won't be sick after read more

Believe the other reviews about small portion sizes. Got a "medium" side of fried clams which was $28, thinking it would be enough for two people. I was shocked at what we got. I actually think they used the small boat and threw in 1 or 2 extra clams, and called it a medium. Even with the Couptopia coupon ($20 for $12), I feel ripped off. The price was more than what you'd pay at the beach and the food is much more greasy. Food has always been that way here, but for a local place its good enough if you have a seafood craving. The side of fries we got were also very greasy and soggy. End result was $32 for a small fry and an embarrassing portion of fried clams. I cannot recommend this place until they either up the portion size or reduce the prices. Maybe good if you just get the hot dogs, I guess. However, I won't be back. Drive the extra way and go to the beach. read more

My friend and I had just ridden up from MA on our motorcycles and decided last minute to stop by here and eat. The food was ok, but I'd have to say customer service is not the best. The woman who took our order very clearly heard us say "and a large coke" but neglected to tell us there's a separate line for that. So to my surprise, I go up and tell them they forgot my coke. They kept telling me there's a separate line (obviously, I know that now.) but they refused to acknowledge that the woman had messed up. I don't understand why there needs to be a separate line for drinks. Who wants to wait twice in long lines for food and drinks? read more

I had really bad planning on my part thinking they were open until 9 on Sunday night. Turns out they close at 8 and we showed up at 7:53.... We had the best service, nothing negative and awesome food. I apologized profusely as I felt so bad. Your staff and food are equally amazing. Thank you! read more

Fries are lousy, they used to be better last year. What Happened? Also the portions are smaller.

Unbelievable. Been going here for years. Today? Never again. $30 for 12 fried scallops. 12. Lobster rolls were cold. Served with fake drawn butter. Fried clam baskets were filled with fried batter pieces, no bellies. Junk. Pure junk. All for $190. read more

Advertised sea scallops on menu but they were bay scallops. Batter tasted like pancake instead of corn meal / flower. The fries were soggy. The price was in line with establishments that serve much better fried seafood, so the value just was not there. Go elsewher. read more

This place has potential, but they will not take advantage of it. Last night was the last time I will patronize Clam Haven. Many years of poor service, no public rest rooms and mediocre food have taken their toll. We arrived prime time for dinner on Mother's Day. Firstly, parking was a nightmare, which can be a good sign because it indicates a popular restaurant. People were honking at one another, not a space was to be found and spaces are at odd angles and tight. This is typical. My wife and I got into line for food and we ordered two meals and a frappe to eat in. We were told by the teenage worker that there was no cole slaw and I had to go to another very long line to order the frappe separately. She did not offer to take the cole slaw off our bill, which can be ordered as a side at $2 or $3. This was too much and I said to myself "This is why I don't like coming here". I did not say anything about the cole slaw and I did not bother with the frappe, but felt frustrated as usual. She then asked me if I wanted ketchup or tartar sauce. I said yes please, extra on both accounts. She said they were running low on tartar sauce, but was there anything else she could get me. I repeated politely that I would like extra tartar sauce. She snapped back, we cannot give it to you. I was shocked. The better approach for CH would have been to give one of their long time customers the tartar sauce he insisted on and send one of their employees to the store to buy more (they had about 15 teenagers scrambling around the kitchen out back). Running out of tartar sauce and cole slaw at a fried seafood joint on one of the busiest restaurant days of the year is inexcusable and then to still charge full price for the meal without the cole slaw and to hassle your customers about 2oz of tartar sauce is pathetic. I wanted to cancel the order and walk away, but my wife does not like a scene, so instead we went to sit on one of the filthy picnic tables and wait for a half-filled order charged at full price. We changed our order to go and at home we had plenty of tartar sauce and something to drink so we salvaged the meal. It is too bad they do not see that these little things make a big difference in the long term to repeat customers. I know this is a fried seafood stand and service expectations should be kept to a minimum, but nevertheless Clam Haven always disappoints and I am sick of it. I never get a meal where I am simply satisfied all around. Their fried seafood is decent and quick, but I will never be going back. read more

Yuck. Rats running Around outside smells like rancid grease. Many people love it but not me. Dg read more

HUGE portions! This was another stop on our vacation attempt to overdose on fried clams. Back on the west coast, we just can't get real fried clams, with the bellies, big, fat, bellied clams, mmmmmmmm. Clam Haven was a lunch stop for us while killing time waiting to go to a wedding. I got a fried clam and fried lobster special. The clams were great but the lobster was a little stringy and under done. All in all a decent meal and I am sure my cardiac surgeon is happy that I am keeping up with all the fried foods, after all he has kids to put through college. read more

My family and I look forward to every spring when Clam Haven opens. Their hot dog plate is great and very inexpensive. The clam strip plate is very good too. This place is a hidden gem. read more

We ordered the lobster rolls and they had a sweet taste which I did not enjoy not have I ever had a lobster roll that way. The calamari was rubbery. read more

What is a sure sign of spring in Derry? The opening of Clam Haven after a long, freezing-cold New England winter. I have been going here my entire life, as it was our family's Sunday night tradition when I was little and now my husband and I like to take our son. It is not exactly a healthy choice, but if deep fried seafood calls to you as it does to me, you should definitely give it a try. I usually order the whole clams basket which are delicious even if the batter is on the heavy side. I love that most of their selections come with not only french fries, but also onion rings...and not just any onion rings, but the big ones with the fluffy orange batter...yum. I always try to eat half of what I order and take the rest home, but it is so hard to stop eating the d*mn things. This is a great place to take the kids: picnic tables are spread out for eating around a grassy hill, and they also have a screened indoor area for rainy or buggy days. Let the kids pick out a hot dog plate and a table, and they have room to tumble around on the grass while you are waiting for your number to be called. Round out your meal with a trip to the ice cream window if you have the room and you can start that diet tomorrow. There are a few choices on the menu that could use an upgrade (hamburgers for example)...but if you stick with their specialties, you may find yourself becoming a regular as well. I would also like to note that in this economy, it can be a fun alternative to eating at home...just order up a few double hot dog or chili dog plates and share. Their prices are phenomenal on many items, and they occasionally put out coupons too. You can even bring your own drinks from home to make it even more affordable. In addition, the staff is super friendly, and the food is served up fast. Don't let the long lines deter you-besides, if the sun is shining it is a given that they will be busy. read more

I grew up a couple of miles from this place, and spent many a summer evening here, waiting at a picnic table around back for our number to be called. Fond memories aside, it had been a couple of years since I patronized Clam Haven, until the other day when I was visiting my parents. They didn't feel like cooking, and my dad had a hankering for some seafood. The prices here can't be beat - I had the fried lobster basket, which for $12 gives you two huge tail portions plus french fries and a few onion rings. For a mere $6 the old man went with the clam strip basket, which came out as a heaping pile of deep fried deliciousness. I love a good fried clam, but I don't have much interest in eating mediocre ones - these clam strips rivaled the celebrated coastal clam shacks (ie Woodmans, Clambox) and for half the price. Bonus points for offering a lobster roll the way it ought to be - no mayo, served with warm butter. They call it Rhode Island Style, but it goes by other names. Word to the wise - when you order a small drink, they don't mess around. Small is literally a dixie-cup sized portion, back from the days when small really meant small and a large was something under a gallon. read more