Always a great meal and the bar makes an excellent Old Fashioned. This is where the locals go, often!

This was a work lunch, so admittedly I did not pay for my meal. The prices seemed a bit high, but the food other people ordered looked good. I had seared ahi tuna over rice with crispy kale. The tuna had SO much pepper on the crust that it overpowered the taste of the tuna. Also the kale was greasy as it appeared to be deep fried. We didn't order dessert, so based upon my meal I give it 3 stars. read more

Raw bar selections are fresh. Seafood is good. Nice food and wine menu. Grilled Caesar is delicious. read more

Fish bones discriminates against children! We went at 4pm, early with 3 children, all well behaved. we were told 45 minutes.. but when we said we needed a high chair for a toddler, the manager changed his mind and said 2 and a half hours! we asked for an explanation and he had none. was rude, zero customer service and we have been going for 25 years! never again. Fishbones at 4pm is not quiet intimate dining , to discriminate against children proves they are not family oriented. read more

I adore this little restaurant tucked in the corner of Chelmsford. Everything on their menu is delicious! I've had lobster, steak, salad, all kinds of fish here and nothing has disappointed me. Their drinks are also delicious and their servers are very warm and knowledgeable. They have a wonderful outdoor seating area when the weather is nice and their cozy indoor atmosphere is great as well. I would definitely make a reservation for dinner and busy weekends they get really busy and the wait can be pretty long, but the food is definitely worth it :) read more

Love their food and drinks! I have never had bad service here and the atmosphere is very inviting. The only disadvantage is they do not take reservations but it is worth the wait! The staff is friendly, the restaurant is clean and the prices are reasonable read more

Went for my birthday last night and had a delicious meal. I feel like Fishbones had become more consistent over the past year. My sesame tuna was unreal.....calamari ....so good, light and crispy...best Ceasar salad......oh and the ROLLS!!!! They were fresh from the oven and so good....overall delicious meal....just one suggestion....we sat near the door and it slams each time someone goes in and out....little annoying:):) read more

Wanted to eat here for my birthday. Daughter called a few days ahead and was told they don't take reservations, only "call aheads". Ok. We were going pretty early that Saturday so we didn't call ahead. We arrived at 4:15 and they immediately asked if we had called ahead. We said no. The hostess informed us the wait would be an hour to and hour and a half. I couldn't believe it. It was 4:15 in the afternoon. We went over to the bar area to get a drink and that's when I saw that the restaurant was only half full. That's when I went back to the hostess and asked her exactly what is a "call ahead"? She said you can call anytime after 11am the day you want to come in and request a table. I said, well, that sounds like a reservation to me. Immediately a man came over and we had a 5 minute debate over a call ahead versus a reservation. I told him it was my birthday and that if my daughter knew she should have called at 11am she would have. To me a call ahead means you call when you are leaving the house and have them put you on the current waiting list if there is one. Who would expect a wait at 4:15? So, we left and I doubt I will go back which is too bad because the food is good and it's local for me. Fishbones, get your act together and explain your process to your customers. Very disappointed former patron here. read more

10/10! I went out for dinner here tonight with my boyfriend and everything was amazing. Walking into the place I immediately loved the ambiance. We were seated promptly and our server Cassie was very attentive. She answered all of our questions and was spot on with her recommendations. The Chef Ronnie even came out to greet us and asked us how our meal was, which I thought was very nice. All of our food was cooked perfectly and very well seasoned. Will definitely be back soon! read more

Great food. Unassuming but lovely restaurant. Had the lobster roll which was delicious. Especially loved that one of the offered sides was butternut squash! Yum! read more

Legit the BEST seafood restaurant I've been to in years!!! From the minute you walk in , the staff is incredible. I had the French martini and my husband had a Alagash White to start . We started with the muscles, BEST EVER!!! We shared the buffalo shrimp with the amazing pineapple salsa and the Fried fisherman's platter. All I can say is WOW. First let me start with the buffalo shrimp, I don't know what they put on it but holy hell!! Then with the pineapple salsa!! Game changer!!! The portions are huge. The fisherman platter had so much fresh amazing seafood!!! Even the coleslaw was amazing. We took home a lot and I had to ask for more pineapple salsa to take home because it's just that special!!! read more

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Fishbones did not live up to the hype I was expecting based on reviews here as well as reputation. Would have given it 1 star but my boyfriend loved the oysters he ate. I believe I may not have ordered the right thing, but due to the level of service I will not be back to try something else. We used their call ahead seating for a reservation on a Saturday night and had about a 2 minute wait to be seated. However, once we sat down it took 10 minutes to even catch sight of our waiter. There was no greeting when he arrived, merely a 'let me get you some water' line. Normally I don't care much about service, but when I spend $80+ I expect a little more than that. I ordered a cup of clam chowder for my appetizer and he got 3 oysters and a wedge salad. My clam chowder tasted on par with what I get at the grocery store. My boyfriend liked his wedge salad but wished there had been more than a small drizzle of dressing. I kept an eye out for our waiter to ask for more but he was nowhere to be found. On to the entree: On the plus side, my baked swordfish was generously portioned and side of green beans and fries were perfectly cooked. On the down side, the swordfish and green beans were completely tasteless. Luckily my plate was served with a lemon wedge for a little taste. My boyfriend got a seafood pasta that he said was decent. Immediately after putting down our plates the food runner asked if we needed anything and promptly brought ketchup. Right after that, our server appears and asks us if we need anything else...not helpful. read more

Consistently serves quality seafood and drinks. This is an fan favorite among locals and visitors alike. You often see many local townees enjoying themselves here. The raw bar options are excellent and fresh. The steamers are a good seafood option as well The grilled scallops were fresh and simple. The lobster was plentiful big in size filled with fresh chunks of lobster. So big it was almost hard to finish. The sides of green beans and mashed potatoes were excellent. The service was pleasant and attentive. Call ahead seating is important to consider if you are going especially during reduced COVID capacity. Then again, weekend nights have always been busy here so call ahead is always the way to go. This is a great neighborhood restaurant that welcomes locals and visitors alike. The restaurant itself - specifically the floors could have been a little cleaner considering we were at the start of a service at lunch time. read more

Fish tacos with shrimp --fresh out of the can - really? You're a fish place! Fries boring and underdone. Clam chowder, thick and starchy. The biggest plus is the space itself though we got stuck in the back and when I asked to put closer to the front she said it was closed for some reason, but the waitress's friends were sitting there. Not out to please the customers that's for sure. Very very average. read more

The food is exceptional in every aspect! Attention to detail and exceptional staff makes this place hum! Love the decor and ambience!

Just met friends for a pre holiday dinner. It was outstanding. We had not seen each other for some time so were busy talking and sipping wine having not bothered to look at the menu. Our server was patient and gave us all the time we needed before we were finally ready to order. We ordered tuna, scallops and various sides. Our food came out quickly from the kitchen and was excellent. Again our server was there when we needed her but gave us time to enjoy our dinner. We capped the meal with a frozen lemon sorbet that was a perfect ending. I really want to compliment our server Amanda for perfect pacing and enabling friends to enjoy every aspect of our time at the restaurant. Dining is a social event and tonight we had great service and great company all while enjoying terrific food. read more

I've gone to Fishbone restaurant twice within one month and ordered their fried oysters. Not only the price has gone up from $14.99 to $27.00 the quality has also gone down severely. Both times the oysters smelled badly but I was hungry and downed them with wine. Last night was the worst. I brought half of the fried oysters home to my husband. He tried one piece and spit it out. This restaurant used to be my favorite, but not anymore. The prices are high and the quality low. read more

I would eat here every night if I could. Always fresh especially the steamed clams. Food is delicious and right size portions. Drinks are generous: only one if you are driving . Love the ambiance but alas everyone else does too so can be tough to get in as they don't do reservations read more

Quickly sat, waitress was sweet and on point, so clean i could eat off the floor, waitress was quick but not rush full, & the martini and food was amazing. Sad they were out of the pumpkin cheesecake but oh well. It was our anniversary and i was very impressed. Thank you! I will definitely be back. read more

Fishbones - Seafood Near Me - Chelmsford, Massachusetts

It was great. Delicious steamers and outstanding lobster roll. Can't wait to go back.

I remember my first time at Fishbones fondly. I was meeting some girlfriends for dinner. And, I got lost trying to find the entrance to the parking lot. A tip: if the restaurant is on your right side, the entrance to the parking lot entrance is just before the restaurant. The lot can get filled early so opt for street parking, which isn't too bad as the restaurant is right at Chelmsford center. Once I parked, it was a great night of great eats! Fast-forward a few years later and I still come to Fishbones whenever I'm looking to stay local and want amazing seafood that's not covered in spicy Cajun boil (which is a favorite of mine too). My favorites dishes are the Mixed Seafood Grill and the Seafood Saute. I recently had their Sesame Tuna Steak sandwich and that was yum too! The seaweed salad added a nice unexpected crunch. Mmm... Overall, Fishbones is an awesome choice for fancy date nights or for casual drinks at the bar. I've not had a bad drink here! read more

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A little pricey, but great food.Staff is efficient and friendly.Its one of the most popular restaurants in Chelmsford. I've eaten there many a time. read more

A little pricey but you get what you pay for. Excellent food & service. We got the blackened swordfish that was cooked to perfection (I'm not a big fish eater but it looked so good I had to try a bite!) & the chicken piccata with freshly made fettuccine. For desert we split this warm custard dish sprinkled with some kind of brown sugar (OMG AMAZING) drinks were great too :) By far one of the best restaurants we've been to in Chelmsford read more

Food was pretty good, but it was hard to enjoy because the place was SO LOUD we could hardly speak to one another, and we were there with our two teenagers. Meanwhile, a large party near us was incredibly loud, jumping up constantly, and towards the end of the evening actually started vaping at their table, in the restaurant. No staff person said a word to them. I will never return. read more

Fishbones bar staff are professional with great customer service The fish is always fresh and flavorful.

Great atmosphere and great service. We always go here for special occasions. We have tried many entrees and every meal tastes amazing. The salads are big enough to share. The meals are sized well. The food is always fresh and hot. Love this place highly recommend. read more

I wish I could give Fish Bones more stars. THE BEAT FOOD IVE EVER HAD!! Everything was cooked perfectly, the seafood was the best quality and tasted amazing. Usually I'm a little disappointed with how many seafood pieces are in dishes, but the portions were great here. I highly recommend getting the Mixed Seafood Grille. Huge menu, huge drink menu, and the cocktails they serve with a shaker and you essentially get double drinks. Can't wait to go back! Very polite server also. read more

Fishbones has yet to disappoint! Every time I've came here, the food is phenomenal; it's very fresh, always consistent, and portions are good. It can get a bit pricey but well worth it in my opinion! The atmosphere is also very nice, and staff are very polite. One of my favorite restaurants in town. read more

I am very happy to have found a cravable salad, roasted mushrooms, leeks and bacon, what's not to love! The chowder is unique, loaded with clams. The bacon is a nice addition, and also the fresh dill.. The seafood is very fresh and clearly the chef cares about quality. read more

Always make plans for Fishbones, such incredible food that we do not get now that we live in Arizona. read more

Fishbones - Clam Chowda, Berkshire Hazy IPA - Seafood Near Me - Chelmsford, Massachusetts

Great Food , drinks , desserts , atmosphere and staff. Highly recommended. I try to patronize their once a week.

Was very excited when my family planned a day to take me there. Very disappointing. Fish was overcooked and dry. Under staffed so the waitress couldn't come back to check on how everything was or I would have sent it back. I don't think I will return or recommend this to anyone especially for the price they paid. read more

Enjoyed a mother / daughter lunch on a peaceful Sunday. Our server was attentive without being intrusive. Meals were fresh and flavorful - salmon, scallops and of course dessert! Clean, friendly, relaxed environment. Will be going back soon! read more

Great food and an east location to get in and out of. I would def stop back out next time.

Most things were acceptable, not amazing. Fried oysters had good color and flavor, even if a bit small. Steamers were well cleaned but also on the small side. Clam chowder had good flavor with an interesting dill twist, but was a bit broken and separated. Lobster rolls were reasonable in size with B- flavor. The instant mashed potatoes? Those were so painful and lazy. Any chef that keeps that in a professional kitchen should be dragged out by the dumpster and shot. That recently reconstituted mush was the scratching record that reminded us that we weren't at a great restaurant. At least the martini came with extra volume. read more

So here we are on New Year's Eve 2019. I call my wife from work to ask if she would like Fishbones for our Eve dinner. As we have done the past few years. My wife got the King Crab Legs, and I decided to get the lazy man Lobster. And we always pick up and eat at home. While this is what I got for my meal. And my wife's Crab Legs. Although a good portion. She said the meat tasted like it was soaked in salt. And a substantial investment at $42. And they told me they don't accept any credit card gift cards as payment. So consider that a heads up. Very disappointed and will consider somewhere else next time. And the photo shown is exactly how the lazy man came, untouched. Pretty tough meat too what was there. read more

Fishbones - Seafood Near Me - Chelmsford, Massachusetts

Fishbones Restaurant is a nice installment to the Chelmsford Center scene. The restaurant specializes in seafood but does offer a pretty nice burger and steak (my brother can attest to this) however I always stick with the seafood. Locally owned with a semi-open kitchen, outdoor seating, fish market, two dining rooms and bar area, this is one of the nicest restaurants in the area. I like the front picture windows and the space layout. The restaurant can get busy so please keep that in mind and do the "call ahead", as they don't accept reservations. There is limited seating indoors if you need to wait. Not the kind of place for the impatient or elderly if you want to visit during peak times. In addition, the restaurant can be loud and is at a high price point so keep that in mind. I have been several times over the years and I'm a fan of their grilled fresh catches, lobster, or whatever specials they have for that day/night. The lobster rolls are excellent, not overly dressed in mayo, and very fresh tasting. The sweet potato fries and mashed sweet potatoes as sides are favorites of my family. I personally like their grilled veggies and often don't pass up dessert (hey if I'm out to eat I'm going to go all out). Parking is in the rear of the restaurant. The restaurant is situated in a weird area of the center so if you blink you might miss it! For what it is and what it brings to the table my rating is 3.5 stars. It's a nice, clean, well kept, and pretty restaurant that is an asset to the area. read more

Rundown - Hard to find! Look closely, otherwise you end up going some round about way. - Parking is a bit odd too! Look towards the back of the location to find parking - Great spot when I travel to Boston Its been a while since I've been to Boston and a coworker recommended this spot for seafood. Unfortunately, I just flew in and was really exhausted and wasn't feeling very adventurous. So...I ended up with a crab roll and a glass of wine. Plus, I feel like you can't go wrong with a crab roll in Boston...especially if you're from LA. What made me happy about the crab roll was the good amount of crab with very little sauce mixed into it (which made it perfect for me). Definitely will come back on my next trip out there....and will try to be more adventurous with my order. :) read more

Fishbones does a lot of little things well to make your overall dinner experience very enjoyable, but what I appreciate the most is that even with these nice touches, they make sure it's all about the fish. We had a 15 minute wait for a table on a Wednesday night, which makes me wonder just how crowded it gets and just how long you might have to wait on a weekend night. Fortunately, the bar is quite large, and I did notice some people opted to dine there - perhaps being able to watch the Olympics on a large TV was incentive tonight. I was impressed with the beer and wine list. I appreciated that you could go to their website in advance to see the nightly specials. Our waitress was fun and friendly and asked right away if we were first-timers. I loved the variety on the menu Then there's the food. The fish were cooked perfectly. And I'm a sucker for horseradish, so I appreciated that there was a touch of horseradish both in the homemade sauce accompanying the crab cake appetizer and in the coleslaw. My sweet potato fries were more like wedges, with the skins on, but very dense and tasty. Desserts, typically $6.95, were rich but did not overwhelm dinner. The worst thing about the place is the traffic pattern in Chelmsford. Once you get beyond that and into the parking lot, you can start enjoying. read more

A fancy shmancy seafood joint that serves heavenly lobster rolls. My friend says they could have been better (warmer toast), but we did get it to-go so who knows. The lobster was so flavorful and the texture was just perfect. I wanted to shrink into a miniature person, crawl into the lobster roll and just die there. The clam chowder was wonderful. They were very generous with the clams and it had a pleasantly complex flavor. The fisherman's fry my husband got was amazing. The fried prawns in his platter was so amazing. Firm, large, and so fresh you could taste a hint of sweetness from the shrimp. This is what fresh and well-done seafood tastes like? I could never go back to anything less. read more