I come here every time I'm in Boston. The food is always fresh and delicious, with the wine offerings always simple and on point. The service is attentive and unpretentious on an otherwise busy and sometimes touristy Newberry St. We always order the hamachi Crudo and beet salad. The anchovies are solid and the oysters are good too. The waitstaff are great about giving recommendations based on what you feel like eating. read more

2026 Boston. Lunch review. Seafood restaurant. Maine lobster roll - mkt (expensive) warm buttered or cold with mayo toasted iggy's brioche, fries ++ Oysters (esp Peter's Point) + House hot sauce Overall, the lobster itself may not have been at the level of some of the competition, but the bread roll was better than the rest. Some great oysters too. "I'm a fan." read more

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Little Whale easily clinched a spot as one of my favorite meals while visiting Boston last week. Service was quick, lovely, and definitely tourist-friendly. My table wasn't inside, but I loved the outdoor seating options since it was sunny the late afternoon/evening I came. After so much walking and shopping, I wanted a hearty meal. Every bite was so satisfying. The whole belly ipswich clam plate was briny which was wonderful on its own. But that tartar sauce certainly added to the dish. Normally if I get fried seafood, I love a good crunch - but the light breading of these clams made it so that the natural umami of the clam bellies shined through - this made for a very well-executed dish. Be sure to order the house Pilsner, a clear hit on the menu. read more

Little Whale - Ipswich Fried Clam Plate - Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

They have $2 oyster deal during happy hour and it has to be some of the best deals on oysters in this economy. The oysters are plump and fresh. Highly recommend! Clam chowder was decent too. read more

Little Whale - Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

This place has big juicy $2 Island Creek oysters every day before 6pm as long as you get a drink. There is a limit of a dozen per person. It's a cute place to get a drink with friends. The clam chowder is on the more runny side, but I actually prefer it this way. It seems like it is lovingly made with big chunks of clam and not with a lot of starchy additives. We also had the blue crab gnocchi and clam pasta and both were delicious. If I come back I'd probably try a red sauce pasta next time too. Service is friendly and does not rush you at all. Prices are a little high, but it is Newbury Street. read more

Little Whale - Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

I went for lunch at Little Whale after some shopping on Newbury, and it absolutely hit the spot. I loved the costal decor, the kind staff, and my delicious lobster roll. I would definitely recommend everyone try Little Whale if you are in the area, as it was a perfect addition to my day in Boston. read more

Little Whale - Lobster roll, tuna steak sandwich - Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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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So we used to have a favorite oyster spot in the Back Bay Area and we were sad to hear it closed down. We were in town for a long weekend. Before coming we reviewed a few oyster spots and we made it a point to try some in order to find another favorite place. The Little Whale was up first. It's a small kind of narrow bar inside but they also have outside seating. On 7/17 we walked in after the Sox afternoon game. They sat us and mentioned a reservation was coming in an hour. The lady was very nice and we assured her we would be in and out. Our server was very friendly and explained the oyster selections. We tried a dozen, 2 of each of the 6 different oysters. Let me tell you something, they were absolutely amazing! Fresh and tasty! We then each tried a lobster roll which was also delicious. I had a nice cold beer. The drink brought a few of the oysters down to $2, FYI. We absolutely loved this place so much, we came back the next day for more oysters and we shared a crab toast that was phenomenal. We never made it to the other restaurant because we were very satisfied with the Little Whale. We had the same server both days. I'm sorry I didn't write her name down, she was amazing. Please visit if you're ever in the area. Make a reservation to guarantee seating. Also, they do add 20% gratuities to the bill, but they tell you up front and will adjust it if you want. We were fine with it but we appreciated the heads up. We found our new oyster spot!!! read more

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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

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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"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

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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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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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

Enjoyed a nice meal. Had a great waiter. Downside was Wine being pricey. Looking into corkage would be smart. But most of all , this restaurant includes a tip of 20 % on the bill. Look at your bill closely before paying and assuming you need to include a tip. My waiter told me this. I doubt all waiters do. Double tipping would not be fun ! 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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Wonderful evening with delicious food and great service! My flight was delayed and I was so happy Little Whale was able to adjust our reservation time. The hostess welcomed us in and I really appreciated her having my parents come in through a different entrance so they wouldn't have to use the steep stairs. Melissa was our waitress and she took care of us. We ordered a variety of dishes to share. The seafood was all very fresh, well seasoned and delicious. I can't even pick a favorite because I enjoyed everything. The crab toast was piled high with fresh crab. The calamari was perfectly fried, tender and served with warm marinara. The fish and chips had the biggest piece of fried fish ever. The fish was so tender and flaky and the batter was light and crispy. Linguini and clams were perfect-the pasta al dente, clams were sweet in a light garlic wine sauce. The spring crab gnocci dish was unique and we all loved the combo or peas, pea tendrils and crab. Such a delightful first dinner in Boston! I highly recommend Little Whale. read more

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Amazing food. Could have just eaten oysters for dinner. Fresh and delicious. Anchovies served very simply with olive oil peppers and crusty bread. Definitely would recommend. Tuna sandwich was awesome. Seared perfectly with coleslaw and fries. Definitely worth a visit if you are in Boston. Unassuming spot but warm and inviting. Great service and the tuna sandwich was recommended by one of the servers. read more

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This was not my first time here. Every time I visit Boston I make a point to sample clam chowder at 6 or more 4 star establishments. Each claim to be "homemade". However Little Whale is by far clearly homemade. Flavorful, ample ingredients, creamy but not starchy, and delicious. Oysters are fresh, briney and delightful. Service is friendly inside or outside. I will continue to frequent this amazing restaurant. Lanny. read more

Little Whale - Undressed lobster - Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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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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Very similar to its sister restaurant Select Oyster Bar. We sat at the bar and had the fish dip, blue crab cocktail and some wine. Everything was good and service was very attentive. It's a super cute space! read more

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

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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Absolutely one of the worst seafood restaurants I've ever been to. The prices are outrageous for the low-quality food they serve. The lobster roll was a complete joke. The lobster was so overcooked it was like chewing rubber, and the bread was completely soggy. The pasta was undercooked and hard, as if it had barely been boiled. The shrimp cocktail came with only four shrimp for $20, which is honestly insulting. The oysters tasted like straight ocean water and were impossible to enjoy. The portions were incredibly small, yet our bill for five people was over $300. Nothing we ordered came close to being worth the price. To make matters worse, I felt sick after eating there. I left feeling like I had completely wasted my money. Save yourself the disappointment and spend your money literally anywhere else. read more

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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Casual, relaxing, modern atmosphere. Some of the best service I've experienced in Boston (Bridgette is amazing). We had the bluefish dip and lobster spaghetti. Wine is also exceptional, the Muscadet wine was our favorite. read more

Little Whale - Lobster Spaghetti - Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Great food!! We were there for a family reunion and had a ton of smalll dishes and plenty of drinks. The calamari was great as well as the oysters. All of the dishes were fantastic. You do need to make a reservation as it is a small restaurant but they took their time and did not rush you. I would recommend this restaurant but not with small children. The atmosphere was fun and inviting. Pease try LIttle Whale.. 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

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

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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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

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

The food was excellent- the oysters especially stood out. Service matched the quality of the food: we sat upstairs, and our server was attentive and genuinely warm without being overbearing. Refills, plate changes, and course timing were all handled seamlessly. 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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