On vacation and stopped here and it was such a cool place with amazing food. The lobster roll was great!

When we arrived at the restaurant, we were the first ones there. We were seated and I immediately noticed that there was red sauce on the table cloth. I showed it to the waitress and she asked if I would like a different table. The answer was yes. We were the first patrons in the restaurant and we got a dirty table, meaning they had not changed the linens overnight. Gross. The next thing was the music. It was so loud that I could not hear the waiter who was standing right in front of me. I had to ask twice before they turned the volume down. We ordered bread and they came out with a chunk of bread that one person could have eaten, but it was sliced into 4 tiny slices. We asked for/ordered another basket of bread and never received. The wait staff was not very attentive and spent a lot of time talking amongst themselves. My son had a Wagyu burger which he enjoyed. My other son and I had a gragnano spaghettoni which we also enjoyed. My husband had a whole branzino (not filet), which he said was just ok. We split the three gelato dessert and a the chocolate souffle. These were delicious. The restaurant is down an alleyway off of Hanover Street. The windows look out over Rte 1A. So not so great ambiance. We won't be back read more

I almost don't want to post my praise because I wanna keep this place all to myself! My sister and I stumbled upon Mare while walking around the North End. Located in a precious alley off of Hanover St, this spot has a European vibe with wonderful Al Fresco dining with nice views and is surprisingly quiet despite the highway being right there. Some of the best service I've had- prompt but not rushed, always right there when your glass is reaching empty. Absolutely delicious food and cocktails, I recommend the bread service and finishing up your visit with some limoncello. Prices were totally reasonable, atmosphere was perfection, such a gem. I will certainly be back. read more

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Ok this is a WOW. Yes the North End has a lot of good or great restaurants. But OMG this as soooo good. Apps, wine, entree and service are winners. It's not the easiest to find but trust me, it's worth it. read more

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Went to Mare for dinner and it was pretty easy to get a reservation which was great. The oysters were so fresh, I would recommend getting the oysters they are definitely worth it. We also got a side of rosemary fries but they didn't come out with any seasoning. The truffle crusted tuna was presented beautifully and it was good. The lobster roll was also good I would say pretty similar to any other one I've had in Boston. The pesto pasta was okay I probably wouldn't recommend it, it wasn't really worth the price. We also split the sorbet and they were okay nothing too special. Overall the experience was good but we weren't really blown away by the any of the food. read more

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Stopped into Mare in the North End for a dirty martini and oysters at the bar. The martini was phenomenal and the oysters were incredibly fresh. The bartender was very sweet and made the experience even better. Perfect spot for a quick drink and seafood, would definitely go back for a full dinner. read more

Mare - Oysters on the 1/2 Shell and Dirty Martini - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Fantastic service by Fabio and delicious seafood at this restaurant. The swordfish was cool to perfection along with the mashed potatoes. The lobster ravioli was flavorful too. The Italian red wine recommendation was smooth and light. It was very good. We will return here for another visit. I highly recommend this restaurant if you want some outstanding seafood and service. read more

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Food was amazing. The price point was high but to be expected for quality seafood and the freshness. The half seafood tower came with 9 oysters, 4 clams, half lobster, 1 crab leg, and 3 large cocktail shrimp. Very fresh and you can pick your oysters we asked our waitress to choose for us and she did a great job. The Maine Baked Lobster took some time for preparation but was absolutely worth the wait. A giant lobster with a baked filling that consisted of crab, scallop, and shrimp. A rich and decadent meal that left us satisfied! read more

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We had the best experience here! Service was phenomenal - Franc absolutely made our night! The food was all fantastic and we had plenty of time at the table with no rush! Great ambiance and fire pit hangout area in the winter. read more

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Really disappointed in this restaurant. The service was lovely, and drinks were great, but the food was so overrated. We had the lobster cocktail to begin, and it was pretty good. They refused to clear the menu from the table which was weird and took up quite a bit of table space. The scallops appetizer with butternut squash puree and bacon wrapped asparagus sounded AMAZING but came out ice cold and overcooked. The scallops were tough and over seasoned, the rest was cold maybe it was supposed to be cold? They tasted off but I didn't want to waste food so I ate them, oops. The pasta was done beautifully as a tableside presentation with freshly shaved truffles- really nice, but also cold, although tasty. I was looking forward to this but really had a bad time, and they only had a one stall bathroom, so afterwards our stomachs/intestines whatever were in quite the distress that our evening was cut short as we rushed back to our hotel and took turns in our hotel toilet. Sorry to paint that picture for you, but definitely not recommended. Pictures look amazing, service was nice, but will never go again. read more

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Came for a business dinner mid week and it was ok. Service was great! They were on it!!! Ambiance is pretty nice too especially sitting outside. Hot Lobster roll(3/5) not a lot of lobster and butter.. temp could of been hotter too. Cocktails (3/5) old fashioned was too strong and i love spirit forward drinks. Manhattan was done amazingly. Overall i would come back read more

Mare was great. They are now all about the money. I took a small group of 6 in and allowed the house to serve appetizers at their choice. We were pummeled with so many we could not order dinner, they were average not good, we had expected two not more, a terrible sea food tower was thrown in after I said no and the bill came to over $200 per person. Add to that the bottled water that I asked to stop 3 times. Never again. We tried Catina Italiano a few days ago and were given an unbelievable tasting at about $100 that included far more and far tastier items. File Mare under Rip Off. read more

Mare - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Excellent food. Excellent service. We had to wait 2 hours for a table but it was worth it. Will go back again.

Had reservations and were seated in a crowded room that was difficult to get in and out of the chair being so close in proximity to the other tables. Very loud, and hard to hear each other across the table. The prices are high for the food you get. Some of the oysters barely had meat it was just a thin skin. The shrimp were large And properly prepared, the lobster was rubbery and a very small tail. The crab meat was a bit mushy like it had been steamed too long. The scallops were cooked perfectly and delicious. The Brussels sprouts were drenched and not crispy. I cannot recommend in all good consciousness. read more

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The good: host/hostess were very nice and accommodating. We changed our Resy from 2 people to 3 and then arrived early and they seated us. The (mildly) spicy margaritas were fabulous although at $19 they should be. The wagyu burger ordered by one in our party was really tasty. Oyster selection was good and they were very tasty. The not so good: seats by the door were very cold every time the door opened. Our waiter's ability to explain and discuss the menu were extremely limited and I got the wrong pasta with my entree. The salmon was just ok. Recommendation: request a table toward the back of the restaurant. read more

A contemporary take on Italian food, but not without its quirks. If you're heading here expecting the cozy, old-world charm of a North End trattoria, adjust your expectations. This spot leans fully contemporary -- think clean lines and higher-end appointments rather than brick walls and old architecture. The designers have clearly put thought into the space, and it shows. That said, the setting is a bit of a mixed bag. Much of the dining area is outdoors, bordered by a chain-link fence that feels at odds with the restaurant's ambitions. Fortunately, a well-executed deck and fire pit provide a welcome focal point that distracts from the less polished surroundings. The menu is where things get interesting. There's a thoughtful mix of traditional dishes alongside some genuinely creative flavor combinations that set it apart from your standard Italian-American fare. My dining companion ordered the gnocchi with seafood and shared it was magnificent. My own dish, unfortunately, landed somewhere in the "fine, but forgettable" category. Not bad, just not memorable. Service was pleasant enough but noticeably hurried and we felt nudged along rather than welcomed to linger. For a spot with a fire pit and cocktails, that's a missed opportunity. The noise level is also worth flagging if you're hoping for easy conversation; it runs on the louder side and we had to lean in to hear each other and our server. All in all, this is a place worth trying, particularly if you're drawn to creative menus and a lively scene. Just don't go in expecting to be wowed -- it hasn't quite closed the gap between its ambitions and its execution. read more

Food and atmosphere are great, I live right down the street and this is my top recommendation in the north end. I always get the lobster pasta and it's incredible. read more

Best food we had in Boston!! We were in town for six days, and this was hands down our favorite meal. Mare is a North End hotspot that's absolutely worth the hype and the price. We went as a family of four, and every single dish hit it out of the park. We got so excited we actually forgot to take pictures of a couple things -- always a good sign! Grilled Octopus (5/5) So good we ordered it twice. Incredibly flavorful with a solid base and perfectly tender. Oysters (5/5) We ordered two types and both were delicious. I loved that their oyster menu describes each variety's flavor profile spot on. Table-Side Cacio e Pepe (5/5) While not a traditional preparation, the show was great and the flavor hit the mark too. They make it right in a Parmesan wheel at your table, and it's creamy, rich, and so satisfying. We got the truffles on the side for our daughter, and it was still absolutely delicious. Mediterranean Branzino (5/5) Out of this world. I usually need salt when I order fish, but this was seasoned perfectly, and even the lemon stayed untouched. Crispy skin, tender meat, and bursting with flavor. I recommend asking for it filleted to make it easier to enjoy. Mushroom Spaghetti (5/5) Earthy, creamy, and absolutely delicious. One of those simple dishes that sticks with you. The ambience is on the high-end side, but we noticed several people coming in who were greeted by the staff like regulars, which gave it such a warm and welcoming vibe. It didn't feel stuffy at all and was lively enough that we felt totally comfortable dining with our kids. It does get packed, but understandably so given our experience. Everything was incredible from start to finish with great energy, friendly service, and unforgettable food. Definitely a must-try North End spot if you're visiting Boston read more

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Mare was the best place for an upscale dinner with delicious food. We started off with fried clams (a boston staple) and then ordered a few mains to share. The grigliata di pesce is a MUST to share amongst the table, you get a little bit of everything - lobster, scallops, calamari, langoustine, shrimp, tuna + white fish & everything was amazing. We also ordered the wild boar pappardelle and this was perfect too with a side of broccoli rabe. If you are looking for an amazing italian/seafood restaurant, Mare is the place to try in the north end read more

Wonderful place enjoyed ourselves when in Boston in the north end this is a place you have to go if you want seafood highly recommend other seafood is super fresh services on point read more

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Made reservations for a Saturday night with a bunch of girlfriends. Even though our entire party hadn't arrived yet (horrible game day traffic), they were kind enough to seat us. We sat right by the entrance, which ruined the ambiance a bit but the wait staff was amazing! Attentive and patient. When one of my friends ordered a drink and it wasn't good, our waitress promptly took it back and had it remade. We ordered the arugula salad, fritture mista, and trio of crudos to share. The arugula salad was delicious, zesty with fresh veggies. Fritture mista was good and the crudos were fresh. It was a very nice start but then the entrees were quite disappointing.. I ordered the tagliatelle con aragosta. Portion size was pretty small, it was bland (even with black pepper on top) and the lobster tail was dry :(. One of my friends ordered the grilled Mediterranean branzino and found it to be very salty and very fishy.. the truffle crusted tuna was also very salty. My friends who ordered the apps as entrees did enjoy their food (surf&turf, pan seared scallops). Seems like the quality of food for the apps were much better than the entrees. We spent over $600 for food and drinks and ended up having to get food somewhere else after. Apps were good and service was amazing but likely won't be back. read more

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Tucked away off the busy and popular Hanover Street is Mare , an upscale and trendy Italian oyster bar. We dined here on a busy Friday night and they were able to accommodate our party of two without a reservation. Hanover Street can be overwhelming to visitors due a narrow street , minimal parking and lots of people . Fortunately , Mare has you covered with valet parking. Our server was excellent . She was friendly and enthusiastic about the menu and offered her recommendations . She did an efficient and excellent job for our table without hovering . The food was good . We ordered all lobster dishes . They were pretty good . Nothing stood out that would pull me back but it was nice to try. One of my favorite things was the bread service - it offered 3 different oils and sauces and it was delicious . The bread service was on point . The lobster bisque was good . The Lobster ravioli was just okay - it features smoked bacon and the flavor just did not compliment the lobster meat and accompanying cream sauce . I wouldn't order it again . Definitely , check out Mare if you are on Hanover and interested in seafood. read more

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We were seated 40 mins after our reservation time. They did not care, did not apologize for making us wait even though we were being very kind and making the best of the situation. Once we were seated the vibes and service were off. It could've been because we were sitting upstairs in the apartment vs downstairs. Food was good as always there and that is why we stayed, but overall just not the vibe we were looking for celebrating the holidays with some friends. read more

Wonderful service, excellent dishes! Best meal we had during our weekend in Boston, both due to the food, the service, and the setting. This place is dialed in. The crudo trio was a nice taster for apps, pairing with the clams (a big dish full with wonderful broth). For mains the gnocchi with frito mare and the lobster fettuccini both nailed it. The first had a ton of seafood in it, and the sauce with the latter was the sneaky special ingredient that brought it all together. Again, service was on point and we loved it! read more

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The oysters were great and I would recommend those. The risotto was overloaded with calamari, only 2 pieces of scallop cut in half, and a fair share of shrimp. The table side cacio e Pepe was delicious and so was the tagliatelle. The pappardelle was underwhelming though. Be sure to check your receipt as we were initially charged for 24 oysters despite ordering and being served 16. When we brought this to the waitresses attention, she tried to convince us we did order 24 but she didn't mind changing it if we insisted we only ordered 16. The interaction left a sour taste. Drinks were ok too, nothing to brag home about. I wouldn't return and would recommend trying a different place for dinner. read more

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Intimate spot that would be great for dates! The service was constant, and our server checked on us often. The food was delicious! We got: Famous espresso marrtini - it lives up to its name. So delicious 2 dozen oysters - this is obv by preference but it came with a mini tobasco bottle and the regular sauces/lemons. They came out quite quickly too. Octopus appetizer - actually gave a decent amount of octopus with a sauce that paired well. Came with burrata and an eggplant funghetti that was just yummy!! Off menu fish special- the server de-boned and skinned the steaming fish in front of us. It was a great experience and the fish was delicious! Dark chocolate mousse - a decent size and had strawberries and I think tangerines in it which gave a nice sweetness pairing to the mousse. 12/10! This place is amazing! read more

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Go! What a hidden gem, this place is amazing. Tucked into a side alley in the North End, quite possibly one of my top 5 favorite restaurants in Boston. My absolute favorite dish is the Lobster Ravioli. It comes with a cream sauce, bacon and loads on fresh lobster meat on top. I couldn't take a picture as too dark inside the restaurant, but I mean topped with LOADS of lobster meat. They don't skimp out. The tagliatelle is also fantastic. Lobster sauce, tomatoes, fresh black truffle, and a huge lobster tail on top. I don't eat oysters but my mom got several and said they were fantastic. The crab cakes are good, but not showstopper. I wouldn't order those again, in comparison to other dishes we had. Ambiance is nice. Service great. I'll definitely see you soon, Mare! read more

Mare - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Mare was a fun experience. We sat in the back patio area and it was quite busy. I started with an old fashioned which was very well prepared. For dinner we had the pesto & table side cacio e Pepe which were both very very tasty. If you're looking for a vibrant and nicely dinner this is a great spot, but it was loud if you're looking for a more intimate dinner experience. read more

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Went to Mare and sat at their ambient fireplace. Great, fast service, almost too fast as we were paying the bill 45 minutes after we arrived. 5/5 for the oysters. The Duxbury ones were great. Bread and dip was great. Wine was awesome. The Black squid pasta, I would pass. It was as chalky and felt as though they hadn't been cleaned well as there were little "crunchy" shell bits in the pasta. read more

Mare - Black Squid Linguine & Clams - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

What I liked: - Great service - impressive wine selection and seafood options. Nice to see places with lobster and swordfish. - nice outdoor patio - good vibes One suggestion for management: - I ordered the lobster spaghetti. Having the split lobster with un-cracked claws under a pile of spaghetti with tomato sauce made the act of eating the lobster messier than usual. It might be sensible to have the spaghetti and shelled and in-cracked lobster on separate plates. read more

My favorite spot in the North End! This place never disappoints. The food is consistently delicious, the service is top-notch, and the ambiance is warm and inviting. Giuseppe goes above and beyond to make us feel welcome--it truly feels like a home away from home. I've came here with family, with friends and on dates... Can't recommend it enough! read more

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My faves were the Surf and Turf and the tiramisu! The surf and turf was so yummy! Just wish I had more than one scallop. Truffle mashed potatoes had the perfect amount of truffle and the short rib was perfectly cooked. The deconstructed tiramisu was very fun especially in the presentation. You get more cream than usual which is fun. The Lobster Ravioli was solid. It was nice to get more raviolis than usual and chunks of lobster on top. Service was friendly and good! read more

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If I could give a negative number, I would! We walked up for our reservation and my sister fell down some concrete steps on the side as we were walked out to our table at the outside patio. We asked for ice, and the manager came over. We asked if lighting or some type of barrier or safety precaution could be placed near the steps? The manager stated that it was not their property. My sister's face was bloody, both shoulders, knees, and hip were hurt. The manager just kept repeating it was not their property and it was not their fault. It is absolutely disgusting, and no one was helpful whatsoever. Needless to say, we left & still cannot understand what just happened. If you are sitting out back, please watch your right side as you walk out back. read more

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Favorite restaurant in north end!! Incredibly good dishes with lots of delectable flavor. I am not a scallops person but Mare scallops Andes my favorite seafood. Every detail of this meal was unique and divine. The staff was so attentive to detail and very polite. Mare also as an incredible outside seating location. Always a fav for dinning outdoors. read more

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Food was great. Very fresh and delicious. The server was ok. Asked for something specific on the seafood tower and she did not make the change. The interior had a fun vibe. My only recommendation to the manger would be to keep an eye on the restrooms. The condition it was in seemed more like a dive bar. read more

This was my first time coming with some friends who recommended them. Making last minute plans, we were lucky enough to make it for their 5 pm reservation. The hostess sat us right away in their warm establishment. For an appetizer, my friends stressed how we needed to try the surf & turf which was braised short rib with scallop and mashed potato. They were shocked to see the portion size was cut in half with a single slice of beef and scallop. The flavor was still great but did not last very long between 4 people. For entrees my friends and I got the Tableside 'Cacio e Pepe,' lobster ravioli, and Tagliatelle con Aragosta. We were impressed with the presentation of the Cacio e Pepe since everything was done right in front of us including the black pepper, hot cream sauce poured in the block of cheese, and topped with shaved truffle. The taste matched the presentation and we were in love. The portions for the rest of the meals were consistent with the appetizer, which was not a lot. I was surprised at how empty the "ravioli's" were since they were about as thin as spaghetti. To double check I opened one up to see a shmear of filling inside of it. Overall, we had a great experience with the service and taste of the food. However, it is VERY expensive even given its location of being in the North End. Drinks are easily $20 each and portions are tiny. Considering all the other options in the area, I would be more inclined to check out another place mostly due to reasons above. read more

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First time at Mare on Hanover St. Tucked away with a great patio for warmer weather. Service was attentive and quick to refill your wine and water. The pan seared scallops were absolutely incredible. read more

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I took a few of my colleagues here for dinner while in town for a trade show. A few of us waited at the bar for the rest of our partner to show up. The drinks at the bar were well made. I had an Old Fashioned. The meal was excellent Italian food. Our server Beatriz was great. She took good care of us. Our table was in the outside section. We could see that we were near the Massachusetts Turnpike but the view was not ruined by it nor was it too noisy. It was a beautiful night to eat outside. I will definitely return here to dine the next time I am in Boston and have the time. read more

I hope the food is great because the help at the front is atrocious. And rude. Especially for a Wednesday. Not welcoming at all. Do not recommend. In a town with lots of choices, take your business elsewhere read more

My friends said let's meet at Mare down the alley in the north End. I was on Hanover street and found the alley. I must have passed this a thousand times over the years. I walked down the little alley to a quaint, really cool and classy spot. It was outdoor and it was indoor. Really a nice place to bring a date I would think. Unique. I had grilled octopus. It was considered an appetizer. I did enjoy it. My friends had boar parpadele and other selections. The drinks and the food were good. They were also generously priced. You will pay for the ambiance. The service was very good and the entire place had a cool vibe. I would like to try this again. Cheers read more