My boyfriend and I came here last year for our anniversary and we had to come back!! They creatively curate tasting dishes based on different fishes, amongst other foods. they offer 7 courses, including 3 appetizers, 2 entrees, and desserts. There's an optional wine pairing and they all pair so well and our server did an amazing job explaining each one!! The tasting menu goes for $115 per person, with an additional $65 for the wine pairing. They also change their menu every few months, so there's always something new!! Our favorites of the evening were the first two dishes- both appetizers. the blend of flavors, textures, quality of ingredients, and presentation were all to die for. We've already decided to come back here next year to make it a tradition! If you are looking for a restaurant to go to for an occasion and are willing to spend the money, this is a MUST. I would go here every day if I could. Special shoutout to the bartender Clayton who remembered us from last year! See you next year! read more

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Creative food (menu changes every month!), snarky (but professional) service, and good wine made this evening a success. I wish it was a bit less loud and had better ambiance, but that's not the most important in this case.. read more

Mooncusser - Tuna crudo with basil and tomato sauce - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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5/5 this is a top tier tasting menu. A combination of the playing, flavor combination, and texture combination this was a perfect meal CHILLED SPRING DUG PARSNIP SOUP 5/5 creamy and refreshing with a nice crunch and bite from the wasabi MAHI MAHI TIRADITO- 5/5 mahi mahi was so tender and paired well with the coconut puree. Just don't let it soak too long or itt will overpower the fish. Toasted cornbread with crab butter and mango hot sauce 5/5 Corn bread was awesome with the edges caramelized for extra flavor. Crab butter was great. The mango hot sauce was good on it own, but for me didn't really work for the corn bread. It may just be my pallet. RABBIT FRIED RICE 5/5 - slightly spicy cool off by the cucumber. Rabbit had a great umami flat Coconut Popsicle 4.5/5 good pallet cleanser with mold flavor. This was good. STRAWBERRY PAVLOVA 5/5 a case of how something very basic and simple can be delicious when everything is fresh. This was awesome dessert Overall 5/5. Staff is also great I hear the menu changes twice per season. When I'm back in Boston I will be 100 percent be coming back. read more

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earlier in the summer, an unforgettable dining experience in Boston. the wine pairings are well worth the additional cost. I'm still searching for a verdicchio that doesn't pale in comparison. read more

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Mooncusser is a hidden gem in Boston! I've been to the casual bar/restaurant on the first floor and never knew about the fine dining restaurant on the top floor until my husband took me for my birthday. We had the summer 2024 menu and it was delicious. There were a couple standout dishes like the watermelon with fish sauce, sounds weird but so so good, and the shawarma! Service was attentive and we enjoyed our overall experience. Hopefully we will be back to try more seasonal menus. read more

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Back at my fav spot in Boston! Chef Dooley at his best. I've been eating Carl's dishes for years. I think he's the most talented chef in New England. Not afraid to venture out and try new things, but doesn't make you the guinea pig. Big global flavors with New England touch. read more

Mooncusser - a restaurant with tables and chairs - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Seems quite over-hyped. My wife and I made a reservation through Open Table for a Friday at 6:30, we ordered the prix-fixe menu with wine pairing, and with two sparkling waters and tip, the total was close to $400 for the two of us. Some of the dishes were excellent but in no way was the experience worth that small fortune. Here's why: 1. You have to walk up 3 flights of stairs to get to the dining room. 2. The dining room is fairly small, crowded and very loud, somewhat elegant but sparsely decorated. 3. Tables very close together. 4. The wine pours for the wine pairing were comically small. 5. To get to the bathroom, you have to take a freight elevator in the back of the building that was so cold we called it the "icelator". 6. The dishes were generally interesting, some great, but some were quite heavy-handed with lime and chili paste 7. Our servers were a little performative, trying too hard to educate us quickly on the dishes and skimpy wine pourings, and were basically very rushed. For the money, you expect not only great food but a pleasant and somewhat elegant overall experience and Mooncusser just doesn't deliver. I'd stick with Mistral for your next splurge. read more

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Amazing spot for an intimate dinner or special occassion. They offer a prix fix menu that features some unique dishes mainly focused on seafood. Service is exceptional as one would expect from a restaurant like this. Highly recommend. read more

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I thought the food was 5+ stars. The food was excellent, but I cannot give the restaurant 5 stars because of 2 issues that degraded the experience. First, the pacing between courses was fine UNTIL it was NOT. There was a 30-minute lag between one course. I finally flagged down the waiter and asked if we had been forgotten. We were not forgotten, the kitchen was backed up. If that was the case, please come and tell me before I must ask. Regardless, 30 minutes was absurd. Second, the NOISE level was obscene. It averaged in the 80-decibel range with peaks in the 90's. Is Mooncusser offer fine dining, or are they trying to be something else? I cannot consider anywhere to be fine dining when conversation becomes impossible. I am not going to shout like some people do. Not sure if we will go back. read more

This is one of my favorite places in Boston. The food is always great and the menu is super diverse. I recommend this to anyone who visits the city or is looking for a regular place to frequent . read more

What an experience! The courses are from a preset rotating menu that switches out every 6 weeks or so. While you read the menu, you might *think* you know what you're getting but you won't truly know until you take a bite. Each item was creatively put together. Ambiance was perfect for a celebratory dinner, nice date location, or even for a business dinner; it's relatively quiet and easy to have conversations. I guarantee you won't find another place like Mooncusser. read more

Contrary to other reviewers, I am not familiar with the chef's prior reputation here. However, I would say the food here is decent. See photos for recommended dishes -- but then there's not much to choose from as it seems they have a menu with two options to choose from. Good can be on the slow side. But that didn't bug us to much. Worth a try. read more

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Great date spot or to celebrate a special occasion- these guys know what they're doing. You walk in the ground floor to a super unassuming bar (their casual spot, Cusser's), then they take you upstairs into a whole different vibe- a darker, elegant, beautiful space. The service was fantastic, really attentive and friendly, the meal was paced out for well, always checking in to see how we were doing (important with a tasting menu). Their food? UNBELIEVABLE. When initially we reviewed the menu at home, we thought we were in for a 4 course meal (starter, primi, secondi, dessert style), but NO- you each get all 4 starters, then pick your last three - SEVEN total. We weren't ready for it, and it was amazing. I think the only dish we both didn't care for was their "Caesar" salad- but for those anchovy fans, may be a winner! All the other dishes were really fantastic, but the biggest stand out for me was their potato ravioli - surprising Indian flavors made this shine. Truly, one of my fav dishes, full stop. Not within this meal, not this week or month, not in Boston, but EVER. Yeah. read more

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Mooncusser is the closest I've come so far in Boston to the elegant, "special occasion" tasting menu restaurants that are more common of bigger food cities like Chicago and NYC. We took my partner's mother earlier this year who is typically of the why-eat-out-when-we-can-cook-ourselves outlook and even she was delighted and impressed. Their spring menu was just that - bright, flavorful and bursting with fresh, local produce and meats. I still think about the delicate duck dumplings in a flavor-packed consommé with fresh, bright green fava beans and the deconstructed carrot cake (with a crisp carrot granita) and rhubarb pie dishes. The prix fixe is the perfect size with a number of extra surprises along the way. Service was excellent and the space was elegant and comfortable. The menu is not cheap but particularly compared to what you would pay in other cities for a similar experience, I actually think it's a pretty good deal. Definitely an excellent option for a special night out. read more

Mooncusser - A fresh fava bean in a bright, delicate and delicious dumpling and broth dish - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

We went for my mom's birthday and they personalized the menu to say "happy birthday". Set tasting menus are always fun but I wouldn't say this was the most cohesive. Each dish was also pretty spicy. We had everything from fried oysters, to beef carpaccio, to lamb meatballs, to pannacotta. I would recommend for an adventurous eater. read more

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"Could take up to two hours" is a lie. Please do not come here if you expect it to be up to 2 hours but not more. We were getting close to 3 hours at the rate of their pace. While the food is delicious, service is hit or miss, but presentation mindful, the wait time negates the initial good experience we had. Our last main dish was SO disappointing because we had gotten the wrong dish, at this point we were two and a half hours in and we HAD to go because we had tickets to a show. I ate the duck breast, even though I ordered the Hake, and was thoroughly disappointed. It was fine, nothing special and don't recommend it. I WISH, that the order was correct considering how long we waited and how expensive this place was. If only the waiter was a little more attentive on taking on our order correctly rather than conversation... We went in with the expectation that it would take a while but when we saw the clock ticking close to 7:15pm we made it clear that we really need to start wrapping up and that we will take our dessert to go. The waiter said they will "start their timer" and in the next few minutes we will get your dessert, "don't worry". Well...7:35pm rolls around and no dessert is in sight and by this point we need to go. So we leave and my fiancé is still waiting until 7:50pm for the dessert, leaving him to literally run to the theatre. The lack of consideration for guests and reasonable requests such as the aforementioned is so disappointing. Would I go here again? Probably not, waiting 30 minutes for the wrong dish, knowing how long they take to do anything is, really soured the entire experience. If you have 3-4 hours to spend and like good food, with the possibility of mistakes but everyone is "nice" I would recommend. read more

This was quite the experience. The location of the restaurant is very fun with windows on both sides of the restaurant on the 3rd floor. The service was also phenomenal will great care and attention to detail. The food was not my favorite however. There were some dishes like the watermelon and bluefish shawarma and lamb kofta that I enjoyed but personally the others I was not the biggest fan of. The drinks however, I had the tequila cocktail was absolutely delicious. This restaurant is for the adventurous eater. read more

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Limited chefs menu, but everything delivered farm to table with unbelievable care! A wonderful fusion of Caribbean, Africa, and southeast Asian flavors! read more

We've been coming to Mooncusser once a year for special occasions. It's grown to be our absolute favorite. The food is always amazing. Last night, when we asked to move tables, every one was so kind and accommodating. After our move, I unfortunately started to fall ill (this has nothing to do with the restaurant! I hadn't even been able to eat yet). The restaurant was so incredibly understanding. We had to leave during the first course. They didn't charge us a dime! So classy. I felt so embarrassed by the situation but Mooncusser did a wonderful job of letting us feel taken care of. We will absolutely be back again to finish our meal. read more

Mooncusser is a fabulous local seafood joint that offers a refined and exquisite four course tasting menu that rotates seasonally. Chef Carl Dooley and his team offer unique and delicious dishes showcasing the freshest ingredients, and welcome you with fantastic hospitality. This restaurant is tucked away upstairs above its sister restaurant Moon Bar and has a chic and romantic atmosphere making it the perfect date night spot. We loved everything about this meal and recommend adding on the wine pairing! read more

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Came here for a surprise dinner last week, and we were really excited to try it out. Downstairs is Moonbar with more casual fare, and we saw a few tables go there for drinks while waiting for their table. Mooncusser is the more refined older sister upstairs, in a small intimate space. The food was great, and the flavors were all very unique. Our favorites were the ceviche (banana hot sauce!!), donuts and the lamb wonton soup. The black bass main dish was a bit bland and the rhubarb tart was a bit too tart (!) in my opinion, but for the most part everything was very thoughtfully put together. The meal took a bit longer than expected, and the gaps between dishes were quite long but the wait staff was always prompt in clearing dishes/silverware as well as replenishing water which was appreciated. Parking is supposed to be validated for the garage across the street, but for some reason ours didn't work even though we got our ticket stamped, so may be worth checking with the host. read more

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Enjoyed a lovely dinner at Mooncusser on a Saturday evening before going to the theater (only a ~10 minute walk from the theater district!). The entire experience was phenomenal -- great ambiance, friendly and attentive staff, and delicious food/drink! The dining room only serves a four-course tasting menu ($105pp, plus $55pp wine pairing), which I found to be quite reasonably priced -- and if there are two of you, you can easily order one of everything and split the dishes! The dishes themselves were primarily seafood forward with touches of Asian flavor and inspiration, which I really loved. Our favorites were the yellowfin tuna crudo and quince upside down cake. The only dish that I didn't love was the grilled mackerel, which was had too strong of a fishy smell/taste for my liking (and I usually love mackerel). The wine pairings were also done well -- with some particularly unique / interesting flavors (that our server was able to speak to in great detail!). If you're looking for a fun date night or nice spot for a special occasion, Mooncusser should definitely be on your list! Food: 1. Complimentary bread with butter (5/5) 2. Scallop crudo amuse bouche (5/5) 3. Yellowfin tuna crudo (5/5) 4. Local parsnip soup (4.5/5) 5. Cauliflower and egg raviolo (4.5/5) 6. Glazed royal shrimp (4.5/5) 7. Grilled mackerel (3.5/5) 8. Tamarind braised duck leg (4/5) 9. Tangerine sorbet (5/5) 10. Quine upside down cake (5/5) 11. Chestnut tiramisu (4/5) Drinks: 1. Wine pairing (5/5) read more

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Mooncusser was an incredible dining experience with completely original flavors. Be prepared for a long meal, however, it took us about 3 hours to get through all 5 courses. The meal started with a fresh and punchy Mahi Mahi ceviche amuse-bouche. Appetizers were both solid, but the flavor on the cuttlefish salad was more unique with a nice kick from the chili. The pork belly and mushroom stew were the weakest course in our opinion. We were expecting the flavor of the stew to have a bit more depth and the mustard on the pork belly was overwhelming. The venison, however, was one of the best cuts of meat we've ever tasted with a totally unique flavor. Highly recommend the chocolate pot de creme, our favorite of the two deserts. The service was ok, but the space is gorgeous overlooking downtown Boston streets. Drinks: 1. Scotch cocktail (4/5) 2. Gin cocktail (4/5) Appetizer: 1. Mackerel Crudo (4/5) 2. Cuttlefish and Butternut Squash Salad (5/5) Second Course: 1. Miso Glazed Sablefish and Matsuke Mushroom Stew (3/5) 2. Roasted Berkshire Pork Belly (4/5) Main Course: 1. Glazed Cod Cheeks (4/5) 2. Grilled Venison (5/5) Dessert; 1. Roasted Butternut Squash Cake (4/5) 2. Chocolate Pot de Crème (5/5) read more

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Had to check out this place on a short weekend trip to Boston, proclaimed to be one of the best restaurants in Boston. 4 courses with wine pairing put us at around 200 each which honestly isn't too bad. Overall wonderful experience with the nicest servers and delicious dishes. Some critiques on mackeral dish being too sour and acidic. Felt like it could have used something sweet or dairy to balance out the flavors. Like a yogurt or some other cream. Overall a wonderful experience on a short trip to boston. Definitely one of the best meals I had in Boston! read more

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We didn't love a lot of what we ate at Mooncusser. We did love the yellowfin tuna crudo. It's served with mushrooms and just had great flavor. The sea urchin was also very good. Those were the first two plates. Next comes the bread course. It was duck liver with a milk bread. The bread was way too thick for the liver. The liver needed to be eaten on thin slices. The second part of the meal is where you start getting into choices. There are two of us so we made sure we each got the opposite things so we could taste everything. The turnip au poivre had too many big chunks of peppercorn in it. And even though I was so excited about the pork Ragu and potato with bacon, it was just OK. I didn't even taste bacon. Third course was skate and venison. This was maybe the most disappointing course. Both plates we felt like we could only taste a lot of heat. Both meats were cooked perfectly but the flavors just weren't there. The skate was supposed to come with a yellow split pea dal, which was way too watery. It had some micro herbs on it, which were delicious. I wanted more of those herbs. The coconut tapioca pre-dessert was amazing, maybe one of the best things we ate. Then the desserts were just OK. The spiced cranberry cake was definitely the better one. The choice au craquelin did not wow me at all. I did not leave the meal hungry, but I also didn't leave the meal feeling very satiated. Which is interesting because when they put the very first plate down on the table, the sea urchin, it was quite a large portion, and I was worried that I was going to be stuffed way too soon. Would I go back to Mooncusser? Maybe in a few years if it's still around. I love the concept of a prefix menu where you have a couple choices. The staff were friendly, the food is visually beautiful, and we had a nice table overlooking the street below. But there wasn't one time in the meal when I wanted to close my eyes and really savor the dishes. We did love our mocktails. So maybe we would check out the bar downstairs to get more mocktails and see what the food is like there. read more

In town for a few days. We were able to get seats at the bar. No tables were available. No disappointment. Great food. The bartender kept us and the other couple at the bar engaged with what was coming our way. Pro tip: sit at the bar. read more

Unbelievable meal. Came here to support the chef. My husband is a huge top chef fan and this restaurant has been on his list for quite a while. We did the prefix with all 8 dishes and the wine pairings. Everything was delicious and paired well. The service was excellent. It is very likely we will be back with our families. Highly recommend! read more

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Wow! Mooncusser served up quite possibly one of the best meals I've ever had! Although it's not a three Michelin star spot, the dishes blew me away and ranked very high on my scale of deliciousness. We did the tasting menu and they started off with oysters with a fruity habanero chutney followed by a venison taco. Every dish was a star, but my number one favorite was the marinated arctic char. Mooncusser is with a visit and I can't wait dine there again soon! read more

How have I not been here sooner? I have been to several restaurants in Cape May and several in Wildwood but finally made it to Mooncussers and had such a good time. The menu has incredible offerings from food trucks that are delicous and a good value. All of the bartenders were very personable and the sunset was priceless. read more

Mooncusser is a location that doesn't get the respect it deserves in a crowded space in the city of Boston. The menu (both food and drink) have a whimsy to them that just feels more experimental and daring than many of the restaurants I've been to in the area. On top of that, the prices are between half and 2/3 of that of the higher end or fine dining establishments. You're not getting less quality or lower end ingredients when you look at the cost differential either, and if you want an even greater value you can dine in the first floor bar area for a reduced menu selection (that comes at a reduced price). It serves up a range of different, fresh seafood that is treated with the deft hand and respect that these fresh ingredients deserve. It may not be the fanciest or most sought-after reservation in the theater district area, but the food and beverage menu rivals any of the top end seafood or theater eateries in Boston. It may be a block or two off the main drag, which may be why it often gets forgotten or not included in a lot of lists with the more famous eateries in the area. We had excellent service throughout the night, with the decor oozing an intimate and modern chic feeling throughout the greeting/bar area (1st floor) all the way to the main dining (2nd/3rd floor) space. The server was also able to walk us through the quite unique and extensive wine list to pair glasses with the food we were planning on ordering. Mooncusser gives you a reason to walk off the beaten path to experience a hidden gem of a location. If you're lucky enough you may even get a table with a view of one of the many windows that line the wedge-shaped building Mooncusser inhabits. No matter which floor you choose to dine in you'll be treated with the respect you deserve, much like the food and drink is that you are served during your visit. read more

The food is absolutely delicious!! The wine pairings were perfect! The service was great and atmosphere perfect for a romantic night or night out with friends. We'll be back! read more

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The food was incredible, each bite was a burst of freshness and flavor. The dishes were well composed with flavor combinations that enhanced the total dish. The wine pairings were interesting, unusual in some cases, but totally complemented the food. The service was attentive and I enjoyed the server describing the dishes and why a particular wine was selected. The dining room was minimal but elegant. It could be a bit noisy but not to the point you couldn't have a conversation. It was one of the best meals I've had in Boston. read more

My partner and I love Mooncusser. I'm the type of diner who orders two appetizers rather than one entree so that I can try different flavors, and my partner is the type of diner who orders two apps and an entree because he wants interesting food and a lot of it. With the tasting menu we both leave Mooncusser happy. I just need to plan ahead and not eat much earlier in the day because it's a lot of food! read more

Bottom line: Totally unpretentious, delightful gourmet experience. Went last night for dinner on the 3rd floor (they also have a bar on the 1st floor that's more casual). Had a great time. This place is totally unpretentious - just good food and nice people. VERY reasonably priced (likely made possible by the simple ambiance - a total win in my book). Don't worry they have white table clothes, elegant stemware, etc...but really it's the cuisine that'll impress your date. Husband and I shared everything on the tasting menu along with the wine pairing...plus some surprise bonus courses (thank you chef!). Would highly recommend that you go with a bestie and share so you can have a taste of everything. Enjoy! read more

Mooncusser - Menu 4/30/2022 - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

First time back after their reopening since COVID - now prefix menu changing monthly. Well designed menu, delicious food, great service, and nice environment. read more

Mooncusser - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Very impressive dinner at Mooncusser last week. The pre fixe menu is slim but streamlined - 4 courses with two choices each but accommodating for dietary restrictions. Nice balance of tasting menu vibe and giving you some choice. Food - 5/5 There's a lot going on in a lot of the dishes but everything really came together nicely. The egg custard to start with smoked sea trout had some really interesting textures and a lot of different flavors going on. My favorite course was the sunchoke tortellini, which had great texture and were in a really vibrant broth. One of the best appetizers I've had in some time. Main course I had the swordfish which also was tasty and cooked to perfection. Had to take my apple donut to go but the green apple sauce was definitely "knock your socks off" good, and nicely completed the donut, ice cream, and dehydrated apples. Hats off to the chef. Drink - 5/5 I had the rye cocktail which was a great black manhattan. Did not have any wine. Service - 5/5 I think the service was really differentiated here compared to some of the other top-shelf restaurants I've been to recently. The executive chef came to personally present several of our courses. Also I had to leave early to catch a flight and the staff promptly brought my main course before the others and packed up my dessert to go. Top-class service! Ambience - 4.5 / 5 Nice, dining room on the 3rd floor of a building. Overall - 5 / 5 Really somewhere you must try if you want to experience fine dining in Boston. read more

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Oh my! I didn't see it coming. I didn't make the resey but said sure when told that's where we (four) were going. The space added to my lack of enthusiasm. As I cannot recall dining on the third floor anywhere. Going through the first floor bar/casual dining space furthered the oddness. Well, it's all about the food and service in my world and life. And the uniqueness of the space actually enhanced the special experience. I really enjoyed the menu format which is four fixed appys. Each of which were outstanding! Then a choice between two mains for each of the next two courses. Followed by a choice of two desserts. All hits. No misses. Times four as we each loved the food. Excellent server and service. Not squeezed between other tables and conversations. Chef worked the room nicely. Fair price of $115 for a kick-ass meal. I will return. read more

Mooncusser - Menu - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Place is legit. Definitely one of, if not the best overall restaurant in Boston. Chef is incredibly thoughtful and joyful and his passion certainly comes out through his food. Can't recommend this place enough. read more

A quiet, small place that is upscale but laid back. The food was inventive and like nothing I'd had before. I especially loved the fresh asparagus and curry leaf aioli. The wines were also new to me but well selected and unique. Staff was friendly and helpful. Service was surprisingly quick but they weren't completely full and I was a solo diner. read more

Caaaaarrrrrlll We were so bummed when Carl Dooley's Cambridge restaurant shut down permanently due to Covid. So we were quite excited to see him coming back to a boston area restaurant with a similar format. A few years ago we went to Mooncusser and the experience left a lot to be desired. However, this time around it did not. Maybe it was the fact we haven't been to a restaurant of this quality in well over a year, but the food and staff delivered an amazing meal. All of the food was fantastic with layers of flavor and texture, but the scallop conjee stole the show. What a great meal and so glad to be eating Carl's food again! Go here now before you have to book weeks out, because that will become the norm soon! read more

Mooncusser - Scallop Congee - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts