This little gem is just delightful. The space is clean and welcoming, the service was casual yet professional and overall A+! The food was everything we wanted it to be. Fresh, local, abundant and so delicious. It was our last meal on our trip and we can't wait to go back. read more

Little Whale - Hamachi crudo - Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Great place for some fresh oysters! Make sure to get reservations, it's a small town quaint restaurant. They have a deal for some local oysters if you get a beverage they are only 2 dollars a pop! Was diverted the oyster and wine very quickly after we sat down. We also got the hamachi crudo which was great! A little spicy from the Fresno but pairs really well with the orange and the fatty fish! Lastly ordered the blue crab tagliatelle, it had a great flavor! From the brown butter and sage, the roasted macadamia nuts gave great additional flavor and texture to the dish, the down fall of this dish was the pasta itself. The pasta was stuck together in many places...it was really disappointing. Good little place over all! read more

A great Boston experience (9.6/10). While visiting Boston, we were looking for a restaurant that offered some of those "traditional Boston dishes", and we ended up at Little Whale. Little Whale offers an environment perfect for enjoying long meals with friends and family; additionally, the service was spotless; they really took care of us to ensure we had an excellent experience. But what really stood out during our visit was the food. Some of the dishes that we ordered were good (4 stars), but once you dive into their specialties, damn was it good. We tried the hamachi crudo, which left us begging for more, and a variety of oysters. We also ordered a clam chowder, which was perfect, and a tuna steak sandwich, which was just okay. The dishes on the menu range from $15-40, more or less, but the portions are decent. Many other reviews give this restaurant 4 stars due to the price, but it might be my Miami bias that thought the prices were okay. All in all, if you are looking for a great Boston seafood experience, I highly recommend Little Whale. My Criteria: 5 stars: The best food I have ever had, or an excellent option given the price. 4 stars: Good food, a restaurant I look forward to trying again. 3 stars: Good food, a restaurant that I am indifferent to. 2 stars: Below average experience, will not go again. 1 star: This restaurant should be closed. read more

Good quality, nice presentation, charming, mostly small portions to share. It's pricey but I thought it was worth it. read more

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"An automatic 20% gratuity will be added to all checks...". All I have to say is search up Mario Batalli settlement. If the service is great I'll tip more. If there is a mandatory tip why will your employees give a S about the service they provide or try to upsell? At least the server was nice enough to point that out to avoid a double tip which I am sure happens and hopefully the owner doesn't pocket that. Do all Boston restaurants have some type of hustle like this going on? Other than that, fish was fresh, preparations were good. Wine list was smart but expensive including the built in gratuity. read more

This place was good not great and felt like and for what we got it felt spendy. We went out on the coldest night in search of good chowder. The little Whale was recommended by the concierge. The chowder was good but the potatoes were almost raw, it needed to cook a little more. The beet salad was the highlight which is strange for it to have been Boston. The place was cozy but there was a family at the table next door with children kind of all over the place. It was a week night and pretty slow but we were sat directly adjacent to the only other table. Strange choice. read more

Little Whale - Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Word on the street is that Little Whale has the best hot lobster role in Boston. I can't speak to other establishments, but I can say that this Angeleno left impressed. Little Whale was one of the only spots in town I could get a same-day reservation before 9 pm. I got a generous pour of white wine, some great oyster recommendations, and a buttery, filling lobster role with plenty of frites. Dinner definitely cost a pretty penny, but from a food standpoint I was ok with that. My issue is with the 20% mandatory gratuity fee. As a solo diner at the bar, it was a little annoying especially with some service gaps I experienced. Nonetheless, this was a treat! read more

Little Whale - Half dozen oysters - Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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I came here on a Friday after work for the $2 oysters and had a great time! We ordered oysters, the Caesar salad, mussels and the fish and chips. It was more than enough food for 3 people. Little whale is a great alternative to Saltie Girl! If you're craving solid seafood, pasta etc I would recommend coming here! read more

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Always a great time at Little Whale! Delicious food along with quick, attentive, and kind servers. Little Whale is located in a narrow but beautiful brownstone on Newbury. With two floors, upstairs is the restaurant and downstairs is an oyster bar. There's also seating on the outside patio and sidewalk depending on weather - loads of great people-watching For the food -- It's not cheap, but you know why when you taste it. My wife had the lobster roll which came with more lobster than most places include. Fresh with warm butter. I went with the Tuna Steak Sandwich and devoured it almost immediately. We also shared a handful of oysters which were... chef's kiss. Not a huge fan of including a 4% operation fee and 20% tip. I usually tip over 20%, but a restaurant requiring it never feels great. read more

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Very good..except the clams & linguine dish was way too salty! Enjoyed the calamari, beet salad, and oysters.

Overpriced lobster roll unfortunately. Kind service and good vibes but just way overpriced

Cute little spot on Newbury Street! We made an early dinner reservation and sat outside on the patio. Service was as expected for a nice restaurant. I ordered the chowder and little gem salad. My dining companion had the swordfish. It was a nice meal but a bit overpriced compared to other spots. I wouldn't put it on my must visit list but if you were in the area, I'd say it's a valid option! read more

Little Whale - Little Gem salad no , and chowder - Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Loved coming here for oyster happy hour and dinner! We sat upstairs and were able to talk and catchup in peace before it got busy. The service was spot on. We were left alone to socialize but they checked in enough so if we were ready for another glass of wine they knew their timing. Fun night out with great seafood! read more

Wanted some traditional New England seafood and the Little Whale hit the spot. We had the clam chowder as appetizer and it was excellent- lots of clams, perfectly done potatoes, wonderfully creamy and well seasoned. Excellent sour dough bread with it - and it was delicious for a blustery wet day. We also had the calamari which was light and fresh and crispy. And the for the entree we had the linguine and clams - also fresh and outstanding. Overall a terrific meal at a fair price. If you want fresh and traditional dishes well prepared, I recommend the Little Whale! read more

Quite small and intimate place so it can get a bit loud but I liked the ambiance overall. The service was wonderful. Our waitress had the best wine recommendation. We ordered all of the oysters that were available. Most of them were super tasty with the exception of one which was super brine-y and tasted like the sea so it wasn't my favorite. Lobster roll could have used a bit more flavor. The butter was soaked in the bread but didn't really sit in the lobster. I've had better lobster elsewhere for a better price but it wasn't still good. Fries were fried to perfection. read more

Little Whale - Half shell Oysters - Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Walking down, Newberry was starving after traveling nonstop and ended up at a quaint well appointed restaurant called Little whale First and foremost, I would recommend reservations for the outside seating as it fills up quickly, but you'll find that they have plenty of seating downstairs as well We were quickly greeted by a smiling face, and our drink order was quickly taken. They do not have alcohol just beer and wine. The list is limited, but also very nice. The menu is simple New England,fare focusing on very fresh seafood from around the region Our order was some of the staples on the menu . First thing that came to the table was the oysters we tried three different kinds. All of them were amazing fresh clean with a nice brine and chilled perfectly. Next came to calamari, which I have to say with some of the best I have ever had. It did not suffer from too much salt or too much cook leaving it rubbery which is hard with calamari. The only disappointment was the New England clam chowder, which wanted to be very nice, but ended up being very watery and needing salt The final two dishes we received was the seared tuna sandwich and the main lobster roll. Both of them came with fries that very much resembled McDonald's fries but again without the salt. The seared tuna sandwich was not bad, but nothing special but the lobster roll was absolutely exceptional and filled with fresh lump Maine lobster. A very nice dining experience with lots of fresh seafood that I would recommend stopping in for if you're in the area . Until next time dine fine! read more

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Oysters and beer! what a great Saturday. we ate outside to enjoy the beautiful weather. Our waitress was so kind and tentative and it couldn't have been a better lunch date :). read more

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The food was excellent. We ordered a wide variety of dishes, including lobster spaghetti, lobster rolls, clam linguini, a seafood tower, and more. Every dish was well prepared, flavorful, and beautifully presented. I honestly couldn't find a single flaw in the food. The only downside I can think of is the price. This is definitely a pricey place, but given the quality of the ingredients, the execution of the dishes, and the overall dining experience, it feels justified. It's a great spot for a special occasion or a treat when you're in the mood for high-quality seafood. read more

Scored last minute reservations on Thanksgiving weekend. Was very quiet and slow due to the holiday, which was nice. This place has been on my list to try for a while, and we finally made it. Small, narrow restaurant with two floors, We sat on the bottom floor, which had a long booth against the wall and opposite is bar with hooks underneath (which I love) and a small open kitchen. The service was excellent...Attentive and friendly. The Iggys bread & olive oil was delicious and fresh. The fried food (calamari & clams) was piping hot and perfectly battered, so good! Warm with butter Lobster roll was okay but I was wishing it was more buttery & the bun more grilled...and compared to Neptunes, it was on the smaller side and not as hot & buttery. The off-menu salad looked plain but was actually very flavorful. All the food at the nearby tables looked and smelled wonderful. Will definitely be back to try more! Beer, champagne & beer only. Parking not great on Newbury, try the side roads. read more

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My husband and I went here on our last night visiting Boston and we loved it. Our waitress was great and all of our food was delicious! The oysters and lobster were so fresh and the clam chowder was great. My only critique is that the tables were so close together that myself and the party next to us had to squeeze out of the booths. The ambience is chill but elevated. read more

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Absolutely outstanding, from the service and cool environment to really memorable dishes. Start with the raw bar--the Maine oysters in late November were so favorable. But then add the shrimp cocktail, so plump and chilled just right. Wow! Yeah it's a small space but feels big because the servers hustle to take care of you. Definitely recommend the bluefish dip--so full of flavors. Then the mains: the tagliatelle with crab was otherworldly --pasta perfectly cooked but the interplay of nuts and crab was so rich, and filling. The same goes for the lobster spaghetti--you cannot miss with either. I want to try the halibut next time! Limited but well curated wine list--no complaints as there were ample pours. Fair pricing too. Service was spot on and not fussy. Can't wait to visit again. read more

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Very nice spot. Had a special for $2 oysters with purchase of beer or wine. Food and service were both great. Wine was delicious. read more

Little Whale - Oysters - Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Absolutely incredible. I was in Boston for 5 days, and had to come twice for dinner--I took my friends the second night and they loved it just as much. I ordered the Mussels and Clams. My favorite by far was the Mussels which was paired with an incredible broth. It has a calm ambiance with both bar and table seating. Most of all, my waitress made my experience the most special. This restaurant is perfect on all fronts. read more

Great little place for fresh seafood in walking distance to several other happenings. We went right around 5pm midweek and didn't have any trouble being seated. They serve traditional seafood plates with a twist and their staff is on top of it. The interior is gorgeous, with all the bright tile and niche decorations. read more

I recently attended an event at the Hynes convention center, after a long day, we easily walked 2 blocks to Little Whale for a group dinner. We were seated promptly, and our server took care of us immediately. She shared some specials,but we decided to go with classics like clam chowder & lobster rolls. I must say every single dish that came out of the kitchen (for other patrons) looked outstanding. Mouthwatering to say the least. My basic dishes were excellent, the soup was just what I needed after such a long day, and the lobster was fresh, buttery and perfectly complimented with fries. We also started with a fish dip, that was topped with a sweet jam, and served with warm crispy toast.. my first time trying this sweet version of fish dip, it was lovely. Im not a local- but I would definitely visit again to try more menu items, specially for crab bread (their version of crab cakes it seems?).. 5 stars all around. read more

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You can't visit Boston and not do a raw bar trip! Little Whale is open all day, and they take reservations. It's a small space, so if it's during peak times, definitely make a reservation. Drinks and oysters: beer and wine only, but bubbles go great with oysters! Select oysters are $2 before 6pm. Today was Island Creeks - fresh, and they were kind enough to pick smaller ones for me (I get weirded out by big oysters). They come with hot sauce, cocktail sauce, and a house red onion mignonette. The brut rose pour was very generous! Food: - Lobster spaghetti: market price, $58 today. It was a generous amount of lobster with a tomato based sauce, which was light enough where you could still taste the natural lobster flavor. The toasted garlic bread crumbs added texture. Service was attentive and friendly. I'm often skeptical of restaurants on Newbury, but Little Whale is a cute little raw bar that is worth a visit when you're in the area! read more

My friend and I came here for an early dinner, and had made a reservation beforehand. It's right on Newbury Street, but tucked below street level. We were seated right away and our lovely waitress talked us through the menu, and gave suggestions. The ambiance is dimly lit and perfect for a date or a small friend catch up. My friend ordered a glsss of the sav blanc, which she said was really good. We shared the cauliflower, which was delicious and had a wonderful sauce. For entrees, I ordered the lobster roll warm and my friend got the lobster pasta dish, and both were so good. They were both quite filling and while pricey, well worth the price. I would absolutely come here again the next time I'm in Boston. read more

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All I will say is, hidden 4% service charge and a mandatory 20% tip. No negotiation, just slapped on your bill. Be warned read more

The food was good. We got the lobster spaghetti and some oysters and it was all enjoyable. The menu was pricey but that was to be expected. The reason i rated Little Whale 3 stars is because gratuity was an automatic 20% for 2 people dining. I consider this an unacceptable practice for small parties. If you are going to include 20% gratuity for all parties, bake the cost into the menu prices. This practice is deceptive. The service was not bad but not great. read more

Stopped by here whilst cruising the newbury street Sunday shutdown. Beautiful day. The spot is pretty pricey as expected being on Newbury. Went downstairs and inside to get seated, it's a seafood joint so it does smell like so from up on the staircase: they had AC on inside and diners enjoying their luncheons. We opted to sit outside and watch the festivities and soak in some sun. Small eats calamari and clam chowder. The calamari was well cooked. Crispy, seasoned and had a nice marinara style dip with chunks of tomatoes. This was RI style so add the jalepenos ! The chowder had a good consistency, ample amount of clams it seemed but was a bit on the super bland side for me. Requested salt and pepper and all was good. Our server was nice, waters refilled and food came out timely! Would come back again. We stop in from time to time. read more

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We searched for fried clams and ended up here. Everything is amazing, especially the raw oysters. Hot sauce and red onion vinaigrette accompaniments are awesome. Best clam chowder ever. The fried clams way exceeded expectations. This place is 6 out of 5 stars! read more

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Ridiculously expensive. We paid $55 each for small lobster rolls that were mediocre. In addition the service was lacking and we were shocked to find out that 20% gratuity was already included and a 3% operations fee. read more

Everything went well. I had some of the best swordfish I've ever eaten there. The server was pleasant and accommodating. We sat outside on a busy Sunday evening when Newbury St. is closed to traffic. read more

Little Whale - Swordfish - Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Lovely seafood restaurant with a great wine list, albeit a little pricey. Service was fine and the fish sandwiches were ok. Overall, not the most memorable dinner.. read more

Little Whale - Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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In the overpriced world of eating on Newbury Street, the food at Little Whale is at least pretty uniformly delicious! We found it easy to get a reservation and enjoyed sitting outside on a sunny day recently. For lunch, we shared the clam flatbread (which was delicious with lots of clams, and a great shared dish as an appetizer); my husband got the hot lobster roll which had lots of very well prepared lobster meat in flavorful butter (with perfect crispy thin fries); and I had the tuna tartare, which was super fresh, a good portion and minimally messed with (aka mostly good high quality tuna!). The lobster roll being over $50 was a bit of a shocker, but otherwise really enjoyed our meal and would return. read more

Great neighborhood gem. Saw this place as I walked by in the morning on my way into office (stopped by the local coffee shop a few doors down). It's in a converted brownstone. Was able to score an early dinner and was seated outside on patio. While did not have a full dinner there (was going to catch a game later in evening with team at Fenway) did have several appetizers and a very nice Riesling. They take reservations on Open Table and I was able to get a last minute reservation for the early dinner. Was promptly seated and walked thru the oyster menu and specials. Ordered 6 oysters, a beet salad, the smoked bluefish and of course a bowl of chowder. All came out beautifully. My only regret is I did not see this place the evening before, instead of the hotel dinner I had. Can't wait to come back to Boston to eat here again. Would highly suggest this place over the more touristy places every day of the week. read more

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Had a delicious meal at Little Whale! Great service, very Boston/Newbury street ambiance & absolutely delicious seafood. Would absolutely return / recommend to anyone visiting Boston & looking to try some tasty local seafood! Food - we enjoyed oysters, mussels, crab toast, & a delicious lobster pasta. Everything was SO tasty & so well crafted. Great portion size as well but not too big, allowing us to try many dishes! Service - we sat at the bar & were taken care of by a very friendly bartender with great suggestions. Service was very attentive overall & food came out quickly! Ambiance - Newbury street restaurant located downstairs in one of the brick buildings. Not the biggest restaurant at all, a handful of tables & some bar seating. Can get pretty crowded in there especially when you account for all the winter coats! Great vibes overall. read more

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Stopped by in early December for an excellent dinner. Little Whale is located in a cozy brownstone right in the middle of the action on Newberry St. If you're waking, this makes the location quite convenient! Likewise, Back Bay Station is nearby, making it a convenient spot to transit to as well. Though be warned, you will need to navigate stairs either up or down depending on where you're seated. The decor is very sweet and classy-- perfect for a nice dinner in Boston. In terms of food, the oysters were perfect. Shucked beautifully, served ice-cold on a platter of crushed ice, complemented with lemon wedges, pink mignette, and cocktail sauce. The menu offers a nice selection of oysters from up and down the coast, and the platter is served with a guide so you know from where each shell came. Price-wise, $3.25/ $4.25 is fair compared to other haunts around Boston-- though certainly not a deal. The fried clams were the star of the show. Served on a crisp bed of paper to soak up excess oil and presented with a homemade tartar sauce, I somehow felt like I was at a sea side clam shack and at the Ritz Carlton all at the same time. The clams were perfectly battered and fried, and the tartar sauce had an incredible flavor packed with dill, lemon, and salt. It made for an epic, ocean-lover's bite. The sprout plate was lovely as well. For drinks, be aware that Little Whale is beer and wine only-- no mixed drinks. Also, no dessert menu. Overall, I would absolutely return for a happy hour-- but without cocktails and dessert, I likely wouldn't plan for a birthday dinner. read more

Little Whale - Dressed oyster - Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Amazing!! Excellent all around -- food, service, and ambiance. Restaurant is pretty small but the wait staff were very attentive and made sure we had everything we needed. Pricey, but was able to claim a $50 off using inKind app. Would highly recommend the blue crab tagliatelle (would come back to Boston just for that). read more

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Delicious and fresh crab toast, muscles in broth with crusty bread, and broccolini. Wine selection was expansive. We ate at the bar and had a great time. read more

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