Mare

3.8 (571 reviews)

PriceySeafood, Italian

Closed • 5:00 pm - 11:00 PM

Updated over 3 months ago

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Mare - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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MARE ATMOSPHERE

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Outside

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Classy

Upscale

Moderate noise

Outdoor seating

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Kent S.

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.

Toni C.

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.

Oysters on the 1/2 Shell and Dirty Martini

Carrie V.

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.

Cindy N.

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!

Caroline H.

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.

Madeline Z.

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.

Tracy C.

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.

Robert B.

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.

Gordon V.

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.

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

Noah T.

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

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Marie T.

3 years ago

Booked a reservation 3 months in advanced to eat at Mare. Even had to gone a deposit They called the same day to confirm our reservations. We were a party on 10. The restaurant itself was beautiful at least the downstairs and the outside was anyway we get there and that take us to a room upstairs with four walls and two small windows, and said this is where they sit big parties ? When we told the manager we did not want to sit I a box she said she explained that to us when we made the reservation. NOT TRUE !!! We would of never of agreed to this. We asked if she could split up the party of two tables of 5 and sit downstairs. again. She refused the gentleman manager said if we come back on Monday he could arrange it for us to sit us downstairs and a table of 10 . I answered we will be back in Chicago by then he said, with a smart remark back, saying I could be back in Italy too. Is this a way to treat costumers ? Anyway we left went to a great restaurant down the street and Hanover in Prince BenCotto It was excellent !!! And the service was also top notch !!! See everything happens for a reason. read more

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Jessi P.

Elite 24

347

108

120

5 years ago

We had a mediocre experience dining here on Saturday. We came for restaurant week and when we got there we were told this specific restaurant does not do it on Saturdays. The manager came outside to talk to us (loudly) and was an asshole. He argued with me about it and had a nasty attitude the whole time. Having worked in the restaurant industry previously, I have NEVER come across a manager so rude and cold. We stayed regardless because we were already there and had ordered a bottle of wine. Our server was okay. Quiet and not very personable, but fine. The food was tasty but portions on the smaller side. We sat outside with a heater next to us and it was still very cold. We asked if we could be moved inside and the hostess said she would talk to the manager (HA!) but never got back to us so we just sat outside shivering the whole meal. Overall, I probably wouldn't come back solely because the manager was an ass. There are SO many delicious restaurants in the North End that are MUCH friendlier. read more

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Tihanny C.

6 years ago

Great ambiance with delicious food and drinks. Server was really nice. I would Definitely recommend this restaurant. read more

Mare - Risotto di Mare - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Mare - Nutella Martini - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Mare - Mare's Signature Bread Pudding - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Tara T.

Elite 22

308

441

668

7 years ago

Mare is very solid, very fresh North End Italian seafood. I always have a tasty meal here without any complaints. Is it super innovative? Nope. But that's not how it bills itself -- Mare feels like a 30-year-old adult who knows who he/she is and is comfortable with it, and that's a really great thing. I came here with my parents for Dine Out Boston on a Friday night. We arrived at 6:30pm and were promptly seated for our reservation. There was a slight draft against their tented/fireplace'd "outdoors" space but overall, the restaurant was quite warm and cozy. The bread was soft and delicious, and the roasted garlic was lovely as well. For the $33 per person prix fixe, my parents tried the truffled tuna and the fried dough zeppoline, and I tried the bufala mozz and prosciutto. Entrees-wise, we split the swordfish steak, the seafood risotto, and the wild boar pappardelle. And for dessert, we all the chocolate tortino. The bufala mozz and prosciutto was my runaway favorite, for sure. Really high-quality ingredients despite the simplicity of the dish allowed the richness and smokiness of the cheese to pair well with the salty, thin meat. My mom's tuna was fresh and tasty, and the truffle flavor wasn't overwhelming. I found the swordfish steak well-cooked and tender although the flavor of the dish was on the bland side, which went for the risotto as well. The wild boar, however, was excellent -- cheesy, meaty, with great mushroom and tomato sauce. Overall, Mare is a very pleasant, bustling experience. As is standard for North End restaurants, it is quite crowded and dim, but that lends to the cozy feeling. read more

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Matthew V.

3 years ago

Great Food and drinks! Awesome atmosphere. Service took forever was there over 3 hours for a party of 6

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IYELP U.

164

5 years ago

I am shocked to see this restaurant only has 3.5 stars because I am a picky bitch and it was phenomenal. We went for dinner tonight and from start to finish it exceeded expectations. First, we had the tequila cocktail. It was perfect - not watered down or overly strong. To start we let our server pick our oystes based on preference and they were great - very fresh. We had the hamachi crudo and it was outstanding. We also had the grilled octopus and scallops and both were appetizers, but those and the rosemary fries left us completely full - no room for entrees or desserts. If you get fries be sure to ask for the truffle Mayo too - it's great. Overall, I would go back here in a heartbeat. I don't live in Boston but our server Diego and the management were very welcoming. Check it out!! read more

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Gabby R.

5 years ago

what a cute spot - pistachio martini is 11/10 you have to get it. Not an option. Also - you have to ask for Jio, you won't regret it. He made our experience perfect. 11/10. Also whoever made the playlist 11/10. A gem. If you're in the north end - this is your spot! read more

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Chainte F.

4 years ago

One of my go to spots while visiting Boston. Seafood is fresh and oyster bar is rockin. Only complaint is that the tables are too close to each other and some of these conversations people have are not family friendly. Other than that my main dish gnocci with red sauce and fish was 10/10 my partner had catch of the day and it was finished on the spot which she never eats all her food. Def go try this place out read more

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XiuYi H.

Elite 22

191

359

5 years ago

This was my second time going to Mare for Restaurant Week and it was amazing! WARNING: Almost all parking in the area is 2 hour parking BEFORE 6:00pm, after that its resident parking, I parked near the aquarium and walked over within about 10 minutes. Due to the pandemic, I was a bit skeptical about how Mare would seat guests. The last time I came here, it was fairly packed and tables were close, but FEARNOT! Mare has sectioned off the restaurant, moved tables apart and even set some tables out front :) My two friends and I came here as a party of 3 to catch up a bit as well as enjoy restaurant week together! I loved that their menu had soooo many options for the 3 course meal. My friends and I decided to order different items and share all of them. We were started off with some complementary bread, we loooovvedd the garlic that was served with it. We loved the bread so much that we got a second order. The waitress later gave us some rolls of bread to take home too! Their bread is made locally at Bricco :) For apps, we got some the Sauteed Mussels and Clams, Surf and Turf, and the 1/2 dozen oysters. Those Oysters were hugggee and really hit the spot. The Surf and Turf was braised short ribs and seared scallops, cooked and flavored to perfection! The mussels and clams was the item I was looking forward to the MOST. I had this last time and I knew how good it would be! This time, it was a bit on the salty side but I love salty :) I only wished there was moreeeee! For entrees, we got the Spaghetti, Grilled Swordfish and Linguine & Clams Vongale. Everything was flavored so well, splitting everything was fairly easy. At the end of the meal, we were all full, a perfect level of full and not feeling like we over ate. We finished the night off with the Souffle Chocolato and bread pudding. It was like a lava cake in a mini mug, super dense chocolate but so warm, perfectly ended our cold night. The bread pudding was sweet but lighter than the souffle! As much as parking is a pain in the area, I will always be down for parking struggles for Mare :) read more

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Katie V.

5 years ago

We ate here about 2 weeks ago and while the food and service were fantastic, I wanted to clarify the seating situation because this was a huge source of confusion for our party. Short version: the "heated outdoor patio" is now indoors by virtue of being completely enclosed by plastic sheeting and you will dine sharing air with the entire restaurant, inside and out. I'd booked a table outside, having seen Mare in a write up of heated outdoor patios that are open through the winter. When I said "outside", this is what I thought I was booking. When we arrived, we were instead taken to a table in the alley next to the front entrance, not heated, no fire pit, not on the patio. That is currently the only outdoor option they offer, so be clear on what you're reserving and whether you're comfortable with it. The food was fantastic (we got the lobster ravioli and the branzino along with some appetizers), though we found the bread pudding to be surprisingly mediocre compared to how impressive the entrees were. I'd love to come back during the summer but for now my search for outdoor winter dining continues. read more

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Mike M.

6 years ago

This is the place to go! The food, the service, the quality and attention to details is extraordinary. When you want to understand the difference between mediocre and outstanding just go to MARE... You will be delighted read more

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Colin S.

4 years ago

Outstanding service, excellent cocktails, and my God the food, the FOOD. We went here two weekends in a row because as good as the squid ink pasta and clams were, the lobster ravioli was better and I had buyers remorse lol. Best lobster ravioli I've ever had, and I get it everywhere. They also do a tableside cacio and pepe, which was fine but not really my thing. However, I love veal and their veal was amazing. Perfectly-cooked and still white, as a good cut of veal should be. The oyster selection was awesome as well, plus a wayyy better Negroni than I could ever make. We finished with Sicilian coffee and the afogato. It ain't cheap but it's so worth it. I would eat here more often but I'd be broke and I'd weigh 400 lbs read more

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Ranna K.

413

7 years ago

Amazing seafood! The seating was a little awkward and our server had to reach over another table to refill our drinks so that why I give it 4 stars. We ordered the octopus and scallops as appetizers. The lobster pasta and the branzino. All food was delicious and very fresh! read more

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Samir W.

186

5 years ago

Oysters were great and pasta was fresh! The service here was great and the fried Oyster were amazing! read more

Mare - Tagliatelle con Aragosta - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Jasmine N.

4 years ago

This place was AMAZING! We had an awesome waiter who knew his stuff- wonderful meals. It was all in all a wonderful dinning experience for our special occasion. They really made it all worth while. The food was fresh and delicious. The only thing I wasn't a huge fan of was the taste of the deconstructed tiramisu - but it was free from them for our anniversary- so really I have no complaints. The food was so good- We couldn't even stop to take pictures! Thank you Mare for such a wonderful & special evening! This place hit our top list in Boston for restaurants read more

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Nancy S.

4 years ago

Love, Love Loved this restaurant. Atmosphere cool and outdoors. Attentive waiter and the best Lobster Chowder and Lobster Ravioli! All of the other food looked great as well. Will definitely go back when we visit Boston again! read more

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DJ F.

Elite 15

513

5 years ago

Nice celebration last night here with old friends from NY. Crudo, oysters, lobster roll, mixed seafood in broth and cod entrees were very tasty. Thanks for the bday canolis for my hubby. Nice ambience dining outdoors. read more

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Julie P.

106

7 years ago

I've been to Mare twice. I enjoy the food. I find the restaurant to be crowded. The servers are attentive and the food is good. I will be back. They do have outdoor seating. read more

Mare - pan seared scallops - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Judy S.

4 years ago

I had a dinner party for my daughters graduation and Patrick from mare helped me with so many Details and made her party wonderful I live in Florida so he helped with the menu, wine list and dessert! It was a wonderful experience. Gia and Adolfo was wonderful helping out with guests and service!!! Food was excellent!!! read more

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Frankie H.

Elite 18

320

9 years ago

I love Mare! I wish I could afford to go here more often because their food is spectacular. Their outdoor seating is so quaint and they do a great job of making it work in chillier weather. The patio is flanked by the interstate but really you don't notice. I have had their seafood paella and their wild mushroom pasta. The wild mushroom pasta is in a cream sauce and is UNBELIEVABLE! The seafood paella is delicious and fun because it has a langoustine, prawns, muscles, and clams... so you get all the good stuff. Their service is prompt and friendly and their waitstaff really knows their menu. Most things on the menu are seafood and such the prices are definitely on the more expensive end, but this is definitely worth it for a celebratory dinner or a special date-night. read more

Mare - seafood paella - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Yelp U.

5 years ago

Is it possible to give a 0????? This was a horrible dining experience for restaurant week in Boston. After being told the manager was "taking care of our drink tab" they ended up on the bill. We waited outside in the cold rain for an hour despite being on time for our reservation. One of the steak dishes was well done when asked for medium rare and we were stuck waiting for our dessert at the end of a 3 hour ordeal. Our server did not give us the time of day and we will not be returning. There are better places to try in restaurant week. Update: The manager reached out and is going to refund the tab of the drinks. Will not be dining there again, but glad there was some type of resolution. read more

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Valeen W.

Elite 26

230

884

7 years ago

Italian food with a seafood flare...very nice touch. The ambiance is gorgeous and the staff was very welcoming. The taste of the dishes were very good...not great but good. The tables are close together so be weary if you have a large party. The area is "Little Italy-ish" and super cute cannoli shops within walking distance. Trendy place within North End to check out but definitely bring extra coins within your wallet. read more

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Lorraine A.

Elite 25

8 years ago

Great seafood restaurant!! If it's cold out they have first come first serve seating outside by the fire pit. Service was just okay our waiter seemed to be very busy and rarely came around. The amazing food made up for the lack of customer service. The prices on the menu were a bit overpriced compared to the restaurants nearby, but nothing outrageous. They also have a little market in which you can purchase some Italian products, my best friend sister bought bread which was delicious! read more

Mare - Seafood Risotto - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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B K.

4 years ago

Amazing experience sitting at the bar with adina. I am sure I am spelling her name wrong. She made our night with her exceptional service and kindness throughout out the evening. We left to go to bruins game, but decided to go back for dessert and more outstanding one of a kind experience. read more

Mare - Mare inferno and aperol spritz - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Josie W.

116

5 years ago

Mare is incredible! Great for groups, we loved everything so much. Didn't get photos of all courses but we ordered the market seafood tower, burrata, scallops, Boston Bibb lettuce salad, gnocchi with seafood, risotto, and just about every dessert on the menu! Cannolis, tiramisu, chocolate mousse, bread pudding. Wines were delicious as well. We will be back! read more

Mare - Seafood Mare Shellfish Tower - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Mare - Deconstructed Tiramisú, Mare's Signature Bread Pudding, Cannolo Siciliano, Dark Chocolate Mousse, lava cake - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Mare - Deconstructed Tiramisú, Cannolo Siciliano, Mare's Signature Bread Pudding, Dark Chocolate Mousse - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Mare - Mare Shellfish Tower - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Ari D.

9 years ago

Loved this place from the food to the staff. Our server Jonathan was fantastic. Mid dinner these 2 guys sat next to our table and one of them was so loud my husband and I couldn't even hear ourselves speak. It was so bad we had our dessert out by the patio. I forgot the name of the blonde lady hostess that sat us at the patio for our dessert, but she was amazing as well. Everything from the surf and turf appetizer, main course and dessert were delicious. Thank you Mare for a great experience! read more

Mare - Surf and turf appetizer. Amazing! - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Mare - Main course. - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Mare - Delish! - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Mare - Pretty good wine to pair with our meal. - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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l m.

5 years ago

Pleasantly surprised by how great the food tasted. Very rarely do I ever say "I'll order this again" before trying other things on the menu. We were seated probably 15 min later than our reservation time..no big deal. Tables were pretty close together. We were seated inside. The person who's table was literally 6" from us was very loud...again, no big deal except when his voice cracked! Our food: grilled octopus appetizer, bread with a few dipping options, oysters and our main dishes, Grigliata di Pesce and the Mediterranean seafood salad were all so good..all cooked just right. I don't usually eat salad as a meal but Mediterranean seafood salad was insanely good. Service was good. Would definitely go again. read more

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Brendan B.

Elite 17

119

125

132

10 years ago

It was my first time here and I had dinner with three friends. There were certain aspects I loved and certain problems I couldn't ignore. Let me lay out the pros and cons: Pros: entree I had was delicious.. Tagliatelle con arogosta. Try it! Also all other members of my party were happy with their entree. servers/ staff were friendly. atmosphere is cool and patio has a lot of potential in good weather Cons: service was inconsistent: waiter was nice but attentiveness was lacking, (i.e. we got our bread way after our wine and appetizer), grilled stuffed calamari app was good but not worth the price... You only get two stuffed pieces of calamari for $18ish. Prices are high across the board (15-20$ for apps and 20-50 for entrees) and the whole experience doesn't add up to the prices in my opinion. Ultimately you get good quality seafood at a fairly high price but the dining experience is not top notch. You have white table cloths but the Waiters are dressed more like Applebee's staff. When you pay 20-50 for an entree and 50+ for wine you want it to feel like it's all worth it. The whole thing didn't add up to the price. I won't be back in a hurry but if you've never been maybe you'll have a better experience. And if you go I recommend The Tagliatelle . read more

Mare - Tagliatelle con Arogosta - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Benjamin T.

11 years ago

This, L'Espalier and Giacomo's are the three restaurants I try to bring any out of town guest. My reviews generally go as follows for restaurants: two for service/atmosphere, two for food and finally one as a "Best in Class" Service/Atmosphere: This is by far the trendiest restaurant in the North End. The balcony is the perfect date spot with their open fire pits. Overall feels very upscale. Service is fast and helpful. 2/2. Food: Food is absolutely amazing. Some of my favorites include the calamari for an appetizer and either the Angel Hair or Gnocchi. Calamari presentation is beautiful and tastes great. The angel hair is a heavy/creamy dish, but delicious and complemented by the most perfectly cooked scallops. Gnocchi is lighter and has a delicious selection of fresh seafood. Lastly, the Oysters are a must - best I've ever had, period. 2/2. Best in Class: This restaurant is the best way to experience Boston's seafood - no other close competitors at the moment. 1/1. read more

Mare - Gnocchi - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Sarah H.

6 years ago

We had the most amazing dinner here last night to celebrate my 40th birthday. Everything thing was delicious. We started with the seafood tower. The oysters were selected by the chef and he nailed it! All three choices of oysters were amazing! The shrimp on the shrimp cocktail were huge! We then ordered two appetizers. We had the surf and turf and the stuffed octopus. Both were out of this world!! We skipped dessert and I instead had an espresso martini and it was the best one I've ever had! There are so many great choices in the north end but I would gladly have dinner here every time we visit Boston. Service was great also and the ladies at the host stand were very accommodating when I asked for a different table while being sat. read more

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Frances Valerie C.

Elite 21

145

354

152

11 years ago

I am SHOCKED that Mare does not have better reviews. While I loved the old Mare, it was a little cramped but trust me, I'd do anything for great service and even better seafood. I took my bf here for his very belated birthday dinner (not to mention it is his favorite restaurant in the North End). We made a reservation at 10pm and thank goodness for great summer weather. We were sat outside and were in utter shock because they really turned this space around (I mean what was there before Mare???) I felt like I was on vacation. They put sound proof windows along the back patio so you couldn't even tell you were facing the off ramp of the big dig! Beautiful lights up top really made a difference. We always have a great experience here when it comes to the food. Of course we went with our favorite oyster, the Duxbury and we tried the Blue Point Oysters as well as the Cherrystones (my bf's favorite) and the raw bar is always fresh. We opted on an app this time and went straight for the mains and I had the tagliatelle de Aragosta which was absolutely delicious not to mention the delicately shaved truffle on top (MMMM!!!!). Boyfriend had his favorite the calssic frutti di mare which he loved. Dessert was good too, a flourless chocolate cake with ganache and gelato. I loved it so much I'm having my birthday here in September! This place will not disappoint. A great date night or group dining spot - I'm having second thoughts on sharing my North End fav! read more

Mare - Flourless chocolate cake with chantilly, chocolate ganache and hazelnut gelato. Not picture: Bailey's and coffee. #PERFECTION - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Fern R.

Elite 18

612

101

3206

11 years ago

After numerous visits to Mare both in their previous location on Richmond and their new (fabulous) location on Mechanic off Hanover, I can say unequivocally that this is a top shelf seafood restaurant!! Their stuffed lobster is a signature dish as is their platter of fish and seafood. Both are off the charts and exceptional (and I'm very discriminating!). This is a restaurant that takes great pride in preparation, creativity, incredible layered flavors, the freshest seafood and shellfish and a great staff. The new space is beautiful with low light seating and sofas by fire pits. All around I have to say its a top Boston restaurant, consistently!!!! read more

Mare - The scene - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Mare - A variety of exquisite oysters - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Mare - Truly jumbo shrimp - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Mare - Fabulous stuffed calamari! - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Mare - Tagliatelle with lobster and lobster sauce! - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Mare - Lemon pasta with Diver Scallops - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Mare - The luxurious fire pit lounge - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Mare - Tiramisu and limoncello by the fire-the setting is transforming! - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Gerald N.

Elite 26

527

908

968

11 years ago

3.5 stars for a beautiful setting and slightly above average food. The fish here tastes fresh. I got the swordfish which was a good size. Not too big or small. The taste is clean and doesn't have much of a fishy odor. Other people in my party got a cod special which was soft and buttery. The seafood casserole had alot of food but also alot of carbs. Oysters were average priced and delicious. Mussels were good too but the sauce is spicy and good for dipping. Service was good here but forgot to give us proper utensils a few times. I'd recommend this place for a dinner with friends or family or just to hang out by the fire. read more

Mare - Swordfish - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Mare - Mussels...spicy! - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Mare - Oysters were clean tasting and delicious - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Mare - Complimentary bread - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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D S.

4 years ago

Incredibly disappointing, this place is way overrated. The patio is charming, but we were seated on the edge of the rooftop and the smell of sewer wafted out from the streets below-very unappetizing. The service was just ok. Not rude, just impersonal, not what you expect from a place that's defined as "fine dining". The lobster ravioli was underwhelming and the food in general was meh. I wanted to like it, but really didn't, especially for the price. Really, though, I would have considered it a subpar experience at any price. Do yourself a favor and eat somewhere else. read more

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Sherena B.

4 years ago

Came here last night with my boyfriend for an early Valentine's Day dinner! One word: Amazingggggg! We went to Mikes before hand and had some pastries when we came in, they were very sweet and put them in the fridge for us. We had some drinks, our favorite was the Cosmo. For appetizers we had shrimp cocktail and Wellfleet oysters. Dinner was the surf n turf and the wild boar pappardelle. If you have never tried this place please do!! read more

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Laurel G.

5 years ago

Went to Mare for a date night and enjoyed the experience. Despite having a reservation, they were packed and we had to wait 20 mins for our table but they comped our dessert to make up for the wait! We ordered the crab cake and the boston bibb salad for our apps. The crab cake was delicious and perfect for two people and the bibb salad was fine, nothing special. I ordered the Tagliatelle Con Aragosta for my main and loved the fresh lobster but the dish was pretty rich and I was kind of over it by the end. My bf got the lobster roll and loved it, the fries were especially delicious. We finished with the (free!) souffle and loved it. All the desserts seem to come from the attached bakery(?) in the back and seemed great. It did seem overly crowded and I think they would benefit from taking out a couple tables but overall I enjoyed the experience and the waiters were very attentive and helpful! read more

Mare - Mare Lobster Roll - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Lori R.

Elite 26

222

223

210

10 years ago

The food was phenomenal. I had lobster and truffles over gluten free pasta. The chef must be applauded on his/her ability to make the pasta perfectly al dente. The service was reasonable, I'd say they could have been slightly more welcoming but the food made up for anything less than ideal. My one recommendation would be to space out the tables. It was cramped in there and didn't need to be. The ambiance was well executed with the lighting and in door fire. Overall, a nice experience! read more

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Emily G.

3 years ago

Mare has a great atmosphere and vibe. The oysters were great. I ordered the seafood risotto and wasn't super impressed for the price. My boyfriend had the grilled swordfish and he said it was good, nothing special. Overall had a lovely dinner but not sure the flavor and portions of the food are worth the price tag. read more

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Lindsey F.

6 years ago

went on a Sunday night after covid reopening. bruh. the hostess stand was crowded with people showing up for dinner not wearing masks. the tables did not appear to be 6 ft apart. while waiting to be seated, a man without a mask walked in, the bartender shook his hand, then went back to making cocktails without wearing gloves or washing his hands first. my partner and I left immediately without being seated. aside from that, the vibe was douchey. read more

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A W.

3 years ago

Nothing special about this restaurant. The menu is very limited and the burger is $29. This is the second sister restaurant I tried out of the 12 restaurants chain owned by a corporation and I wasn't impressed. Another bad restaurant they own is Quattro. read more

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Page 7 of 15

223 Hanover St
Boston, MA 02113
North End
Directions
(617) 723-6273
Call Now
Visit Website
http://www.mareoysterbar.com/

Full menu

Hours

What time does Mare open?

Mare opens at 5:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

What time does Mare close?

Mare closes at 11:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.Mare closes at 12:00 AM (Next day) on Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Fri 5:00 PM - 11:00 PMSat-Sun 5:00 PM - 12:00 AM (Next day)

Payment methods

Does Mare take Bitcoin?

No, Mare does not take Bitcoin.

Does Mare take credit cards?

Yes, Mare takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Mare have catering options?

No, Mare does not have catering options.

Does Mare have a drive thru?

No, Mare does not have a drive thru.

Does Mare have a happy hour?

No, Mare does not have a happy hour.

Does Mare serve alcohol?

Yes, Mare serves alcohol. Full Bar

Indoor Amenities

Does Mare allow dogs?

No, Mare does not allow dogs.

Does Mare have TVs?

Yes, Mare has TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Mare have bike parking?

No, Mare does not have bike parking.

Does Mare have outdoor seating?

Yes, Mare has outdoor seating options.

Does Mare have parking?

Yes, Mare has parking options. Street Parking, Validated Parking

Other Amenities

Is Mare wheelchair accessible?

Yes, Mare is wheelchair accessible.

Does Mare have free WiFi?

Yes, Mare has free WiFi.

Mare Reviews in Other Languages

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Boston Sail Loft

Excellent local seafood friendly service rustic ambience One of our favorite places to visit when…read morein Boston for mussels and fish and chips!

This is my second time in Boston and I had to stop by here because on our last trip, we tried so…read moremany clam chowders and it was nothing compared to this place!! By far THEE BEST CLAM CHOWDER EVER!! We also ended up getting the lobster roll and holy moly, did you see how much lobster is in that roll?? Unbelievable!! So worth it!! I also never had a boston cream pie before (i know, bummer) so i thought, why not try it here since their lobster roll and clam chowder is superior! Boston cream pie did not disappoint! It was not as sweet as it looks but sweet enough! The service was amazing per usual! Our server is super attentive and even though it was super packed and busy, our wait was only 15m. And ambiance is nice too because it's by the water. Overall, HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS PLACE!!!!! Everything was 10/10 PERFECTION!!

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Neptune Oyster

My Neptune Haiku…read more One hour in line Briny oysters, crisp rosé Worth the Boston wait

We were visiting for the weekend and wanted to check out all the popular food places, of which…read moreNeptune Oyster is one. We walked by Neptune a few times and the line was long. It was Friday afternoon into evening so makes sense. We came back late night around 9:30pm and waited for like 5 minutes before being seated. The place is small. You're basically sharing dinner with the stranger next to you with how close you're sitting. Thankfully our strangers were cool lol. We tried a variety of oysters, cocktail shrimp, and the razor clams which we heard were amazing. All I'm gonna say is, I would have been annoyed if I waited in line for hours for the items we got. The cocktail shrimp was decent - it was a good size, juicy, and delicious. The razor clams were a miss. Rubbery and too many other things in the dish overshadowing the clams. We got two different kinds of fresh clams which my husband said were okay. I'm not a fan of fresh clams. The oysters were good, but after having been to Row 34, I can't justify standing in line for oysters in a place that doesn't have much else worth trying.

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The Daily Catch

This has been on my list for 4 years. I always run past it and catch the scent of the food, and the…read moreoutdoor patio is so cute. So after 4 years, I finally got to eat here. Getting a reservation wasn't difficult, just make sure you get it a few days in advance. Everything here was amazing. Patio, food, drinks, service- no notes. We got the calamari meatballs as our appetizer. I don't like meatballs but I made an exception here...the ricotta is SO light and tastes so fresh. It went so well with the meatballs. The sauce was pretty complex flavor wise and was a delight to have. The meatballs were also delicious and we loved how everything went so well together. After we finished our appetizer, we were brought bread which we used to sop up the rest of the sauce. It was delicious. For our entrees, we got the swordfish and the aglio olio with scallops. Wow. This was my first time trying swordfish, but it was delicious and however they cooked broccoli rabe made me actually like it! It was so good. The aglio olio...tastes even better than it looks. SO good and such a massive portion. I got to ball out on leftovers the next day. The scallops were perfectly seared and went so welll with the pasta. It was so fun have calamari and garlic bits in the pasta...the calamari in it was truly unique. Thinking about this dinner is making my mouth water and making me hungry. Our waiter was great and attentive to us, everyone was having a good time and it was a really nice vibe on the patio. I'll definitely be back!

Not worth the price…read more We came here for our anniversary as a splurge and were left feeling disappointed by the food quality. For over $100, you would expect the lobster fra diavolo to be fresh, but it was a huge let down. Severely overcooked and tough, but worst of all, not fresh! It stank of sulfur and tasted bitter which raises concerns about food safety. The other components of the dish were equally underwhelming--overcooked shrimp, tiny mussels and clams, and way-too-thin sauce. The calamari was the best part of the dish. The side of bread didn't taste fresh baked, and the Caesar salad was basic. I am giving stars based solely on location, service, and concept. The plating was beautiful and the vibe was romantic, but sadly the food fell majorly flat.

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The Daily Catch

Our first visit to Boston. Our first visit to North End. We used Yelp! To pick out a dinner spot…read morebased on ratings and restaurant description. Even before we got to our spot, we saw this tiny little place with an open air kitchen and a line of people almost a block long waiting to get in. My wife commented, "that's the place we should be eating....". Now our dinner wasn't bad, but truthfully, being 1/2 Sicilian, I've been eating home cooked Italian food my whole life. It takes a pretty great plate of pasta to move the needle for me. Again, the spot we picked was fine, but I kept thinking about what my wife had said earlier.... The next evening we weren't in the North End, but we found out the place everyone was waiting in line for was called The Daily Catch, and the REAL great news was they had a 2nd Waterfront location close to where we were hanging.. we snagged a table for two and had the meal we were looking for the first night. P.J. was our server and he was fucking great. Friendly, funny and honest, he made great recommendations and we were NOT disappointed. I ordered the Aolio Olio with calamari and black squid ink pasta. Absolutely amazing! My wife ordered the Scallops and Linguine in white sauce and again, it was lights out. Four days later we returned to North End - for our last day in town - and remembering the line, we decided lunch might be the safer bet to try and avoid the crowds. Imagine our surprise when we were seated by P.J., who waited on us during our first visit. As cool as their waterfront location was (it was definitely bigger), their North End spot has just got this vibe.... Now the weather was PERFECT during our lunch - sunny and in the 70's. We sat just off the street and ordered the Lobster Fra Diavolo (P.J.'s recommendation again). Again, he knocked it out of the park... and the serving for one person was more than enough for two. It was literally one of the best plates of food I've ever eaten. The Daily Catch in North end literally seats 22 guests and is cash only. There were three staff working the tiny space, and the open air kitchen and super friendly chef (didn't get his name) all added to what ended up being a truly unique experience. This place is no joke. If you're in Boston, and you want fresh and delicious Italian seafood... look no further.

We were on the tail end of a long east coast vacation recently when we found ourselves in Boston…read morewhich overlapped with the World Cup festivities. Downtown was packed! On our itinerary was to do The Freedom Trail and have some pasta for dinner though I wasn't sure where. It turned out that we wandered through North End which had some incredible ambience so I decided we would eat an early dinner at The Daily Catch since it was a small place and due to the amount of people out and about. Fortunately we got in within minutes of waiting. My family wasn't exactly hungry but we ordered the black pasta aglio olio and the black pasta Alfredo. Given the small restaurant / just a few tables, the kitchen was highly efficient and brought the food out quick. It was fun to watch our dinner cooked as we were seated next to the kitchen. The aglio olio is something I could eat regularly. The ground calamari was unique and it was loaded with sautéed garlic. The best! I probably wouldn't order the Alfredo again personally but the kids liked it. Overall a great experience on a hot day. We were in and out fairly quick. Service was solid.

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The best meal I had in Boston. Get their world famous Lobster Frav Diavolo!

Giacomo's Ristorante - Boston

The most authentic Italian I've yet to have. Feels like you escaped to Italy through the authentic…read morecuisine and friendly Italian staff. Ordered the prosciutto and pea linguine in the garlic cream and it was the most delicious pasta I've ever had! My husband ordered the veal in the white wine and continues to still talk about it.

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Fin Point Oyster Bar & Grill

Great service, great oysters, clam chowder highly recommend…read more Gran servicio, excelentes ostras, sopa de almejas muy recomendable

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Our team at Suffolk University has had the pleasure of hosting two major graduation celebration…read moreevents at Bostonia Public House, and both experiences have been nothing short of extraordinary. While the beautiful venue, incredible food, and attentive staff certainly deserve recognition, the true reason these events have been so successful is Rob, the Events Manager! From our very first conversation, Rob has been an absolute professional and a genuine partner in every sense of the word. Planning large-scale celebrations can be complex, but Rob makes the entire process feel effortless. He is responsive, thoughtful, detail-oriented, and always willing to go the extra mile to ensure every aspect of the event exceeds expectations. His commitment to hospitality is evident in everything he does. He took the time to understand our goals, our students, and the significance of these celebrations. It is rare to find someone who combines professionalism, expertise, and warmth so naturally. The Events Team and staff reflect this standard. Every member of the team has been welcoming, accommodating, and dedicated to providing exceptional service. Our graduates, families, faculty, and staff consistently leave talking about how wonderful the experience was, and that is a direct reflection of the culture of hospitality Rob has cultivated. If you are considering hosting an event in Boston, I cannot recommend Bostonia Public House highly enough. Ask for Rob...you will quickly understand why he is such an incredible asset to the organization! His dedication, professionalism, and genuine care for his clients set the gold standard for what event hospitality should be. We are already looking forward to being back next year.

Delicious, every single dish (6 different ones) were really good! Lobster Mac incredible! Chopped…read moresalad - delish! Fish and chips - awesome!

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Saltie Girl was hands down my favorite meal in all of Boston during our weekend trip. the pricing…read moreis very reasonable and options for oysters are plenty. lobster roll was around $45, so pretty average for other places we went to but wow the portion was so big and the lobster was delicious. the star of the show was the clam chowder! that was the BEST clam chowder I've had in my life. I still think about it and wish I could ship it hahaha. service was also stellar. the fish and chips was just a tad undercooked (not their fault, it was a huge piece of fish!) and our waitress was so accommodating to replace the whole plate quickly and apologize for the inconvenience. she also gave us some great recommendations for local bars to check out after our meal. every time I'm back in Boston I'm definitely coming back to Saltie Girl!

Stopped into Saltie Girl with my wife and a friend after seeing raving reviews of it online. The…read morerestaurant has a super cool vibe that feels very "Boston-esque" and it was very busy. Our waiter was great when it came to knowing the menu, fan favorite, and getting an understanding of what we liked so he could help make some recommendations whenever we had questions. We started with the caviar dip which, unfortunately, was a bit of a let down, especially for the price. It's about $32 and the crème fraiche completely overpowers any amount of caviar they include with the dip. I was honestly a bit disappointed in this one. Additionally, they serve the dip with bags of their house chips, but there's nowhere near enough chips to finish off the dip, so much of ours ended up wasted. For my meal, I ordered the grilled rainbow trout, and that was great. It comes with a delicious glaze and grilled lime you can squeeze into the trout. Also, unexpected, but the fennel and celery herb salad that comes on the side of the dish is truly incredible! We finished off the evening with their pistachio tiramisu, and that was also incredible! It's loaded with pistachio cream and comes covered in a toffee topping, which was a great way to end the meal. Overall, this place is cool and the food was overall good. However, considering the price point, I'd say there are better places to eat around Boston.

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The food was amazing and my family loved it as well I'd recommend stopping here if you are in…read moreBoston!

Row 34 in Seaport seriously blew me away. I've had oysters in a lot of places but this one is on…read moreanother level. We tried 4 different types and every single one tasted super fresh, clean, and just really high quality. You can tell they know what they're doing here, even the way they shuck it is nice and clean, no shell pieces or anything. Their menu actually has like 10+ kinds of oysters, highly selective and premium. I really wish we had more time (and stomach space) to try more. But we already had like 3 dinners planned that night lol so this was more like a "stop by and eat as much oysters as possible" situation. Honestly I'm pretty sure the other food here is just as good, based on what I saw on other tables. Definitely coming back next time I'm in Boston.

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Excellent local seafood friendly service rustic ambience One of our favorite places to visit when…read morein Boston for mussels and fish and chips!

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Lolita Back Bay

Lolita Back Bay was an amazing last minute find after walking through Newbury street. The family…read moreand I got hungry and yelp did its thing and found this spot for us. Took a few looks through the menu and pictures of the food and this was the spot. The staff are incredibly friendly, we had a server who was from Honduras and shot out to him for being super friendly to us. He recommended us this big brunch meal that came with everything to share and we also had some fried yuca tacos. Everything was incredibly savory and a very fulfilling meal. La lenador came with carnitas, eggs, cheese quesadillas and churro. It was enough to share with 3 people along with an order of tacos that I did not get a picture of sadly. But every thing we ate was amazing. I also had the Paloma cocktail and it was a great drink to complements the meal and the vibe of the restaurant. Would love to come back here again someday if I ever visit Boston!

Lolita is a dimly-lit hot spot with super fast, personable bartenders. For most bar & grills, I…read moreexpect one aspect to fall flatter than the other - but here both the drinks and food featured on the menu were awesome! Their bouncer checked my ID, wished me a happy belated birthday and said I could either be seated outside or find an open seat by the bar. I opted for the second option. I came in and told the bartenders I was already buzzing and trying to enjoy my last night in Boston. From their recommendation, I ordered the steak quesabirria - top knotch recommendation because as someone visiting from California, I really enjoyed this plate. I also had two rounds of the Broken Heart margarita, and got some calamari to go. Vibes are immaculate here, music choice for the nightly setting was on point. Customer service was superb. And for a restaurant/bar as crowded as it was, the restroom was so clean.

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Beef Gorditas, Hot Queso Dip, Steak Quesadilla, and Spicy Artichoke Empanadas

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Lolita Back Bay Mezcal Room

Isabella Ristorante

The food was soooo good! We stopped in here for a late Fathers Day lunch and it was amazing! Highly…read morerecommend!!!

Absolutely wonderful Italian dining experience. It's unusual to start a review by talking about the…read morefree bread, but honestly -- it was amazing, and from there everything just kept getting better. We tried the house specials along with a few other menu items, and every single dish was outstanding. The desserts were on another level entirely. Both the creme caramel and the tiramisu tasted like they came from another world -- rich, balanced, and perfectly prepared. Service was excellent throughout, attentive without being intrusive. I'm definitely recommending this place.

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The wine wall at Isabella Ristorante.

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23 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Calle J.

2 years ago

While the food offerings at Mare Oyster, including the delightful oysters and pasta, along with the charming fireside ambiance, were undoubtedly impressive, my overall experience was significantly tainted by the terrible service. The first hiccup occurred at the host stand when one of the hostesses dropped a glass at my feet. Unfortunately, the incident went unacknowledged, and I received no apology despite the ensuing chaos with shards of glass scattered around. Opting for a cozy spot near the fires, we faced an extended wait for our server's greeting. Despite being promised that the door allowing frigid air in would be closed, no action was ever taken to remedy the situation. Upon ordering wine and oysters, we were almost finished with our meal by the time our server returned. It was then that we had to request essentials like silverware, napkins, plates, and a reminder about the promised bread. As we enjoyed our main course, I desired another glass of wine, but our server was notably absent. While I understand the challenges of a busy restaurant, there were only two other tables occupied, and at least three servers, including ours, were seen socializing and watching the Celtics game at a bus station, pointedly avoiding our attempts to catch their attention. Despite our patience, we eventually had to flag down someone for assistance. Seeking resolution, I requested to speak with the manager. However, this encounter further soured my experience. When explaining our dissatisfaction with the service, the manager failed to acknowledge or apologize for our perceived grievances. Instead, he swiftly took our bill, swiped it, and declared that nothing could be done because we had consumed everything and appeared content. To add insult to injury, he suggested that we could express our dissatisfaction through the tip. This final interaction was the proverbial icing on the cake for me. The complete lack of acknowledgment or attempt to address our concerns by the manager solidified my decision-- I will not be returning to Mare Oyster. read more

Santanu S.

Elite 26 All-Star

629

770

1 year ago

Mare's service was exceptional. The water glasses were constantly refilled without being asked, which was a nice touch. Both my entree and dessert selections were off the menu. The entree was a lobster pasta dish in a spicy tomato sauce. The sauce was flavorful, but lacked the heat. The lobster would have been in its shell if the waitress had not asked the kitchen to remove it. I was excited about the chocolate soufflé but was disappointed to find out they did not have any for the day. Instead, they offered a chocolate lava cake, which was an equally chocolatey substitute. Many restaurants offer lava cakes, and Mare's is no exception. The lava was thick and rich, and it was perfectly complemented by the scoop of vanilla ice cream. Unfortunately, Mare's only has two single occupancy restrooms, one for men and one for women. This can lead to long waits, especially on busy nights. Since the men's room doesn't have a urinal, both restrooms could be gender-neutral to help reduce the wait time. read more

Joe M.

11 years ago

We had our concierge call for reservations which were confirmed and we were told our table was ready. We arrived to a hostess that didn't have our name in the computer and then told us that she did have a table but it was given away (very matter of factly). When I asked to speak to the manager I was given a long pause followed by a lengthy private conversation between her and the manager before finally being approached. The manager was unapologetic/rude and seemed very annoyed. We were eventually shown to a table after I voiced my frustrations about the situation. The waitress was kind and the fish was fresh. All could have been fine with an apology from the manager and a glass of wine sent to the table (or some minor gesture) but the management's unprofessionalism almost completely ruined an otherwise acceptable meal. read more

Flavio A.

11 years ago

"Birthday I took the family for a special birthday night for my daughter. She just graduated from college this last June. We started with a glass of champagne and had to wait twenty minute as the oldest daughter was stuck in traffic, however the staff was very gracious acontinue pouring. The food and service is flawless. Wolmar you are superb We had a memorable night and the food quality made it exceptional. It is mostly a fish restaurant but my wife selected chicken as her main dish. Everybody was happy to share this wonderful night together and the restaurant server a nice birthday platter to my daughter Visited October 2015 read more

Ellie MJ K.

1 year ago

We had a disappointing experience at Mare. The service was extremely poor--our server was inattentive, and we waited an unusually long time without any check-ins. We eventually had to flag down someone from the host stand just to get basic service. Only the runner server assistant was attentive with providing water consistently. While the food itself was decent, it simply wasn't worth the frustrating experience. With so many great dining options in the North End, I'd recommend choosing another establishment that values both quality and hospitality. read more

Ana R.

9 years ago

We had our best dining experience at Mare Oyster Bar in Boston. The server Rosario Apuzzo was attentive, and had great suggestions to complement our meal. The food was delicious, everything we ordered was perfect. The dessert platter was superb, and Rosario even surprised us with an extra dessert and Limoncello for our party. If you ever are in Boston, we highly recommend. The Lobster mashed potatoes were to die for, and the caviar service was incredible. Thank you for a perfect evening, and to Ricardo who attended to our table, you are the BEST! read more

Emmanuel M.

2 years ago

Came in for a late dinner with a group of five. The place was okay, with nice vibes, but no one took our order for nearly 15 minutes and the place was not too crowded. We shared some foods: bibb salad, calamari, seafood soup, gnocchi, crab cocktail, lobster, and a lot. Received the food after 25 minutes, it had generous portions but our pasta was overcooked and the salad was a bit bland. Overall, not worth the long wait. read more

Ginger L.

9 years ago

This was my second visit and both times really liked the atmosphere and the service. Both Rita the manager and Anna the hottest were super polite, friendly and courteous. The bar is a great place to sit and enjoy a cocktail with an appetizer. The meal itself was good, but could have used a bit more seasoning and spices. I will definitely go back and try it again!! read more

Bobby M.

9 years ago

Outstanding food !! Very beautiful restaurant we came in with 4 ppl with out reservation the management was very accommodating. The service was impeccable I think his name was Corey very polite and accommodating I would recommend this restaurant to all my family and Friends definitely will be back soon !!! read more

Adina B.

10 years ago

We went for dinner in Mare ,we have a good time ,the food was amazing from the appetizer to desert,good selection of the wine and great ambiance,everything was perfect .,great service read more

Maria T.

7 years ago

Excellent food. Good service.. wonderful location, but tight squeeze. We met the chef outside and he walked us into the restaurant. An amazing experience. Pricey but worth it. read more

Sean W.

1 year ago

The food was fantastic. If you're unsure, get the pappardelle.A little turned off that they charge for refills of soda water from the bar's soda gun. And $3.50 at that! read more

Franny S.

7 years ago

We love it here. Seafood and pasta are delicious. Service a little unfriendly but easy to overlook because the food is so good!

Sarah K.

285

10 years ago

Great food but terrible service. Very disappointed with the quality of service and will not go back because of it.

Xu L.

3 years ago

一家非常不错的意大利餐厅，三种生蚝的口感差不多，很新鲜，总体过得去，主菜龙虾饺子和龙虾意面非常好吃，值得推荐，酒单非常差，只有意大利酒和美国酒，价格比较离谱，基本都是市场价的2-3倍，性价比非常差，建议想喝口儿~还是啤酒吧

Gabor M.

6 years ago

Thank you Lucca for an outstanding birthday experience! Stellar service! Delicious food! Delightful ambiance!

Karin P.

3 years ago

Visiting from NY, and got the recommendation for Mare from a tour guide. the food was amazing!

Mayra D.

5 years ago

They turned on a fire pit outside in 90 degree weather, if you want to eat in hell come here.

Gerard F.

111

8 years ago

Host with the mustache is an a** Made a reservation through open table and they ignored it read more

Ann F.

11 years ago

Run don't walk to this place - Food EXCELLENT!!!!! New location - FANTASTIC!!!

See more unrecommended reviews

Mare - seafood - Updated July 2026

People who viewed Mare also viewed

Aqua Pazza

4.6

(321 reviews)

•$$$

Everyone has had lobster ravioli. But you haven't had the lobster pillows. They are light, the…read moresauce is fresh and the fumet adds that seafood taste. Also the arancini are on point

We've come here so many times and the food is always great! The ambiance is pretty lively if you're…read morecoming in on the weekend. We made a rezzie on Open Table but still had to wait for a few mins to get our table ready. The server came pretty quickly to take our drink order and we asked to order apps at the same time. The apps came out pretty fast but the drinks took longer. They were out of one of their draft beers -- they only had two. Before the remodel, they used to carry Downeast Cider in the can but they don't anymore. Lots of wine to choose from tho - except they don't have Lambrusco. Our favorite dishes are the cacio y pepe, manicotti, squash blossoms, and the bread with the pesto sauce. My sister tried the pesto pasta this time and I also got the salmon dish - the salmon was perfect. My hubby enjoyed the shrimp scampi special. We will def. be back!

Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse - Seaport

3.6

(255 reviews)

•$$$

Davio's Seaport is one of my absolute favorite restaurants…read more The room is beautiful... elegantly appointed, filled with natural light from the floor-to-ceiling windows, and blessed with wonderful views of the waterfront. During the day it feels bright and airy. At night, the entire room glows. Combine that with fantastic service, chow, and libation... and it's really hard to beat. I've been a fan of Davio's and its owner, Steve DiFillippo, since his original location on Newbury Street back in the 1980s. While I've enjoyed the other locations that have followed... all serving the same excellent food... the Seaport location possesses a setting that's truly special. And don't overlook dining at the bar here... it's one of my favorite things to do in Boston. Tonight, our dinner for seven was perfect. We got things started with a bottle of Veuve Clicquot and a terrific selection of appetizers... Chopped Romaine Salad with green beans, chickpeas, egg, tomatoes, Niman Ranch bacon, blue cheese... Tuna Tartare with avocado, citrus ponzu, and Davio's signature herb pasta chips... Oven-Baked Lump Crab Cake with whole-grain mustard sauce... and an assortment of Davio's famous Spring Rolls, including Philly Cheesesteak, Chicken Parm, and Buffalo Chicken. Everything was excellent. One of the highlights of any meal at Davio's is the complimentary popovers... absolutely amazing, and a wonderful tip of the hat to the legendary Anthony's Pier 4 that once occupied this area of the Seaport. The pastas were outstanding and perfect for sharing. Favorites included the Spaghettini with fresh basil and San Marzano tomatoes, Hand-Rolled Potato Gnocchi with organic mushrooms, basil, and truffle butter, and the Braised Beef Short Rib Caramelle with balsamic butter and crispy Parmigiano... truly amazing. Entrées included the Atlantic Miso Salmon, the 12-ounce 55-Day Prime Aged Strip Steak, and the Free-Range Chicken with creamy potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and lemon butter. And whatever you do... save room for dessert. Every one we tried was impressive. Service from our waiter Kevin was off-the-charts great. He understands that great service isn't just about taking orders... it's about creating the best possible dining experience for his guests. We were also very thankful to Tim, the manager, for helping make our evening so special. After all these years, this visit reaffirms why Davio's continues to set the standard for dining in Boston. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

We sat at the bar. Would have been 5 stars but first bartender we had was not very attentive. She…read moregave us the drink menu but not the food menu - even though we were having dinner. Then Michelle started helping us and she was FABULOUS. She gave us both the bar food menu and regular dinner menu. Super friendly and helpful. 5+ stars for her! The food was good and portions were good. BF ordered the burger on the bar menu and said it was delicious. My gnocchi bolognese was also good. They have complimentary popovers which are so yummy. Noise level just above average but the restaurant was pretty busy. All in all - a wonderful experience mostly due to Michelle. This was the best dining experience we had in Boston.

Assaggio

3.9

(253 reviews)

•$$$

If you are looking for an authentic Italian experience in the North End without the tourist-trap…read morefeel, Assaggio is the spot. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was warm, inviting, and smelled absolutely incredible. The Food We started with some wine and dove straight into the mains. The Carbonara was rich, creamy, and executed perfectly, exactly how you'd hope for in Boston's Italian district. We also ordered the Lasagna, which was a massive portion of pure comfort. You can tell the pasta is fresh and the sauce has been simmering for hours. The Service What really took our night from great to unforgettable was our waitress, Alina. She truly went above and beyond for us. She was attentive, knowledgeable about the menu, and had such a bright energy that made us feel like regulars. It's rare to find service this genuine and seamless! Pro Tip: Definitely make a reservation if you're heading there on a weekend, as it fills up fast! Bottom Line: Amazing food, cozy vibes, and world-class service. We will definitely be back and asking for Alina's section!

I'm not saying I'm a Pasta Carbonara connoisseur... but I've eaten enough Carbonara to know when…read moreI've been personally offended by one. Sadly, the Carbonara at Assaggio was, without question, the worst I've ever had. The sauce tasted like it came straight from the "Just Add Water" collection, the pancetta seemed to have skipped the whole "meeting the frying pan" step, and the seasoning apparently called in sick that day. It also took about an hour for a few simple pasta dishes to arrive, which gave us plenty of time to lower our expectations. The portions were surprisingly small--perhaps to match the amount of seasoning. As for the service... let's just say the automatic 20% gratuity felt less like a convenience and more like a witness protection program for the waitstaff. Overall, if you're looking for authentic Carbonara, keep looking. If you're looking for a memorable experience, congratulations--you've found one.

Scampo

3.8

(719 reviews)

•$$$

Visited Boston for my brother's graduation in which he insisted going to this restaurant because…read moresupposedly Nancy Pelosi loves this restaurant. Came here Monday night before my parents, husband, and I had to fly out the next day. The history of this restaurant as well as location is interesting as it used to be a jailhouse converted to a hotel. The entire hotel is jail themed too so you have a bar named the Alibi, another one named The Clink and the restaurant named Scampo means 'escape' in Italian. As far as the restaurant goes, the food is pretty good. The only was that we were originally here for all the all you can eat pasta on Mondays but I didn't see anywhere on their reservation system that meant the lounge side was the only one that had it. Apparently the dining table side is à la carte ordering only. I did see on the reservation system there was a selection for each side, but I wish they did mention the all you can eat was lounge side only. Maybe it was somewhere on their website but I couldn't find it. That said, we stayed on the dining table side as it turns out we weren't really in the mood for all you can eat. The pastas were really good though. I got their carbonara while my mom got the meat sauce. My husband got their vegetarian ravioli while my brother got the duck and my dad got their fish. My mom said as far as her meat sauce/bolognese pasta went, it was one of the best pastas she ever had. She doesn't like bland pasta with sauce on top and prefers the sauce cooked with the pasta which this place does. My carbonara was one of the better ones I've had too. Though it's not the most authentic. Traditional carbonara generally uses egg yolk in which this places uses heavy cream. But considering I'm pregnant, it worked out. While most places drench their carbonara with sauce, somehow mine was all at the bottom in which I actually didn't mind that since it can get heavy when drenched. So I just ate from top to bottom which made it much lighter. My husband's vegetarian ravioli was a bit lackluster though. I'm not entirely sure what's with Italian/Italian American places only giving a few pieces. He said he wish there was more. Then we ordered a lobster pizza as they're supposedly famous for that. Um...it's not bad. But really overhyped. Like the topping itself isn't bad, but it does run bland. On top of that the pizza isn't really a pizza. It's not the traditional crust you would think of where it's bready or puffy like Regina pizza. It's a cracker crust type of deal. Honestly it's more flatbread style and then some as opposed to pizza aside from its round shape. So while most entrees were good, there were just a couple that fell short. Like I won't say to not try the lobster pizza as that is a rare find. Just don't expect it to be an actual pizza. Service wise, the restaurant was perfect as our waiter was really nice and attentive. He filled our water pretty quickly. All our orders were correct too so he got the job done. Would I come back here? Probably. Just maybe not for the lobster pizza.

Very nice restaurant with a large bar area. Decor is upscale and trendy. Located in an interesting…read moreand unique hotel. You can dress however you wish, but most people do dress very nicely. Food is delicious, but how could it not be with Lydia at the helm. She makes you feel in awe, just by her presence. The service is a perfect combination of attentive, yet not intrusive. A very enjoyable experience.

Davio's

3.9

(756 reviews)

•$$$

This place was so good! And much, much better than the other Italian place just around the corner!…read more My party got the baked chicken/mash/brussel sprouts, gnocchi, butternut squash tortellini, and the chicken pasta. All SO good. You get free bread and butter upon sitting down and the bread was popover style bread. We got the butter cake and raspberry ice cream for desert which was really good too. My only problem was the service was kind of meh, as it was hard to get our waiter to come over for drink refills. But overall the food was really good and the inside was nice looking, with an open kitchen type of style and table and booth options.

The food was amazing! I had a 16oz ribeye and a moscato and it was perfect! The server was very…read moreknowledgeable about the menu and did a good job on serving us. We were sat near the window, the view was amazing, and the place felt luxurious. I highly recommend.

Toscano Restaurant

4.1

(631 reviews)

•$$$

We had a very early Sunday supper at this authentic charmer on Charles Street. I would encourage…read moreany one shopping on Newbury or Comm Avenue to forget the uber to the North End and walk over here. It's dark and cozy and all the service staff is far friendlier and accommodating than the overwhelmed and overrated Hanover Street spots. The wine list here has an impressive array of Italian reds, well beyond the Chianti Classicos. Very generous pours by the glass as well. We tried the lightest tastiest gnocchi I can ever remember; the grilled octopus salad with a simple vinaigrette, a hearty bean and pork sausage stew and the rustic mushroom based based soup with a poached egg and bread crumbs that I will soon be trying to duplicate at home. All tasted like they came from your nonna's cucina. The grilled meats and chicken parmigiana enjoyed by the tables next to us drew high praise too. I am dying to return for a deeper dive into the entrees and apps. If I had to sum up in a single word: "civilized" would be it.

Better than most Italian spots anywhere in Boston. Restaurant environment is very nice although can…read morebe a bit noisy but hey it's Boston and Italian what do you expect? Servers are attentive and very knowledgeable with any allergies or questions. My party had seafood, nuts, and gluten allergies (we are a fun group I know) but they handled it perfectly. Pro tip here is you can get 1/2 and 1/2 pasta dishes. Don't miss a chance to try multiple! The norcina, bianco bolognese (a rarity), and rigatoni toscano are fantastic. Decent prices too which is always appreciated

Strega

3.1

(927 reviews)

•$$$

***From the time I booked STREGA NORTHEND, to the time we showed up, all aspects of this Mother's…read moreDay Event at Strega Northend went seamlessly, as EVERY visit does! Greeted at the door by "Rosie" with that wonderful smile and spectacular personality, followed by "service to the stars" by "Server To The Stars" Dave L., "DML716" on iGram. Every visit to Strega Northend & its sister "My Mothers Cutlets" right next-door w/ Michael Parma, NEVER disappoint! Food always 5 star, as well as Service & Ambiance! I would encourage EVERYONE from locals to tourists to book "The VARANO Experience", provided by Nick Verano & Family, along with the ACES on the floor! https://stregabynickvarano.com/ https://mymotherscutlets.com/ Grazie e che Dio vi benedica Doug & Deb C.

Waiter was spewing BS about most things…read more Should have seen the red flag that every table was open. Pasta was overcooked. Think they brought croutons instead of bread. The gnocchi was definitely from Costco. Wife thought the pasta was calamari and I thought she was gonna run. Menu boasts having a famous clientele. Apparently this is supported by the dozens of pictures with the owner and son on the wall with famous pictures .....but nearly every picture is not taken at the restaurant. Thanks for the laugh team! It was better than the comedy club!

Ostra

4.4

(701 reviews)

•$$$$

Ostra, one of a kind!…read more Ostra is part of the Columbus Hospitality group which has many other restaurants including Mistral, Sorellina, Moo to name a few. These restaurants are all very high-end and excellent including my favorite Ostra. When you walk you can't help but stear at how gorgeous the decor and atmosphere is. It will transport you to another place maybe Spain or Portugal but you decide; It doesn't even feel as if you are in Boston. As a seafood driven restaurant, but still offers plenty of other options for those meat lovers. We have eaten here plenty of times and have always had an excellent meal which brings us back again and again. Plus, they are perfect location in the heart of the Theatre district. Think: Dinner + show = check! We came here before a comedy show (use Parkwhiz or Spot Hero) for parking btw. We did not have reservations on a busy Saturday evening but the kind Manager/Host was gladly to seat us just as long as we were finished by 730pm. Awesome :) We weren't that hungry so we each ordered a glass of wine and my husband had their Chicken dish which was plentiful for both of us to enjoy. I ordered their Snow Pea salad which was just ok. I wish I ordered someting else but the bread and fries kept my tummy happy LOL. One thing I will mention is they bring you their homemade chocolates with the check. OMG! I asked if I could have double for our show because they were soooo delicious they put other Chocolatiers in Boston to shame. I can go on and on here about Ostra, but I think you already know how I feel about this restaurant. You have to come here if you haven't already. Make it a special date night or anniversary etc because it can get expensive but also well worth it. Cheers~

Seafood itself is super fresh! Favorite dishes were the salt crusted branzino and the shrimp pasta…read more The steak was quite fatty (though had a great sear) and wasn't my favorite, and while the octopus itself was well cooked, the dressing used an overpowering amount of olive oil. Their ciabatta was lacking some flavor too and didn't feel as fresh. Seafood itself was great and fresh though!

Woods Hill Pier 4

3.9

(317 reviews)

•$$$

Came here for a birthday and had a lovely time! We arrived with a reservation and got seated…read morequickly. The place was a bit busy, but it was a Thursday evening so clientele seemed more skewed towards folks on business dinners. Nonetheless, the vibe felt modern, sleek, and the view near the water was very nice. Menu had an eclectic selection of small plates, all of which were delicious. A bit small, but quality was apparent and everything was well-made as well as intentional with presentation and taste. The duck in particular was amazing, would definitely recommend that. Dessert and drinks were also phenomenal - amazing! We had a great time and would be happy to return. Price was a bit steep so it feels more like a come for events spot, but it was great nonetheless - thanks, Woods Hill Pier 4!

We did not have a great experience: Extremely Slow Service-…read morehighlights being, I ordered a bloody when we sat down and the glass was still on my table when we left. We waited 20 minutes for our check after we finished before I walked to the hostess and paid. The food: Beignets - dense and round, cinnamon sugar not traditional powdered sugar - more akin to a churro Golden Chia pudding - was very good, the best thing we ordered Steak tartare - it was fine, but pretty bland overall Lobster Popover - small portion of dense, overcooked lobster claw (very little, if any, tail) in a very large popover. You eat 3 bites of bread per bite with lobster Smoked Lamb Shoulder - this took skill, the lamb didn't taste smoked nor like lamb. It was smoked and pulled lamb, it was smoked, chopped, and then pan fried until crispy. Very little seasoning and just a bland dish that had huge chunks of sweet potato that dominated the dish. Bloody Mary - our first bloody was one of the best bloodies we'd ever had, the second one did not taste nearly as good but was still good.

Nautilus Pier 4

4.0

(213 reviews)

Go visit Nautilus and thank me later. I was pleasantly surprised by the very cool, dark, and cozy…read moredécor--and even more surprised by the food. Every dish exploded with unique, fresh flavors. Definitely try the fried chicken. Epic. Another big hit was the scallion pancakes with caviar, topped with a perfectly fried egg. The combination worked shockingly well with the pancakes and caviar. The only dish I'd recommend skipping is the Spicy Szechuan Dandan Noodles. Not bad, just a very heavy anise and dill flavor that overpowered the entire dish. That being said, the service was amazing. Our server, Robin P., took that dish off the bill, which was incredibly thoughtful. I can't say enough good things about this place. Go try it. Get blown away. Thank me later.

Nothing but greatness from Nautilus Boston!…read more First time here at this excellent and beautiful restaurant in Seaport on the waterfront. Our server Jonathan was excellent. It was quite busy due to the tall ships on a beautiful and sunny Saturday afternoon, but I was happy to have made reservations a week prior. This restaurant is known for an eclectic Asian seafood cuisine, but they also have a few meat options such as a duck breast which was recommended for larger parties to share. Since it was just the two of us, we did have some cocktails which I thought were OK not great. What we did enjoy were the Japanese fried chicken, I highly recommend this and it was perfect for two people to share. The pan roasted dayboat scallops were also delicious but a little bit on the salty side, and the roasted beet salad was also good, but lacked some savory notes. Due to the unexpected wait, they actually comped our dessert which was very nice of them. Overall, I did enjoy this restaurant and really liked the view of the tall ships. I think if we decided to come again, we would probably come back on either a weeknight or maybe in the fall/winter. It can be pretty expensive as well but I do feel this restaurant is of quality. Cheers

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Mare - seafood - Updated July 2026

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