A Boston must-try, Neptune's is a tiny restaurant (like, 20-25 people max seating) that will very likely have a line when you arrive. Unless you wanna wait an hour or so, it's best to arrive 30min before they open to beat the rush. It's incredibly cramped and rushed inside, and you may need to share a table with others if you're a smaller party. Food is quite pricey but well worth it. We ordered the oysters (they've got a variety so you can choose), clam chowder, lobster roll, cioppino, and johnnycake. Oysters were fine, but the clam chowder was absolutely dismal. Not sure what happened, especially since it's so highly rated, but it was extremely watery and almost completely unseasoned. It could've definitely used salt at the very least. If I didn't know it was from Neptune, I'd have given it a 2/10. To my relief, the lobster roll was the total opposite. Succulent, juicy, heavenly. It was like being in Maine. The cioppino was also very good. The Johnnycake was an interesting but fun way to end the meal. It's a sweet pancake-like cornmeal covered in a syrupy glaze and topped with smoked bluefish paste, crème fraiche and caviar. I've never had anything like it. Nothing was super overpriced, but I personally prefer next door (Paulini's), which is much cheaper and while it isn't as good, it also doesn't require waiting in an hour in line. However, I think Neptune's is definitely worth a try as long as you're willing to wait in line. read more

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Oyster bar with very tight squeezing seats. Can see the shucker shucking oysters in front of the store. Only came for oysters and heard they were fresh! They have a list of the oysters available and come with an accurate tasting profile to them. We got the Neptune pearl, katama bay, unicorn, and beausoleli. The Neptune pearl was our favorite due to the sweet butter finish. We did prefer the medium salt oysters. The razor clam was also amazing. The razor clam casino came with small bacon pieces, chili oil, and parsley. The clam was cut into pieces paired with a tasty oil. Place is very busy and crowded. Came at an off peak hour and didn't wait long. Quick bite for some oysters. read more

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Neptune Oyster is one of Boston's most well-known seafood restaurants and a staple in the North End. We walked into a small, cozy dining room with a marble bar and a bustling atmosphere that creates the feeling of a classic neighborhood oyster bar, the kind of place where the energy of the room is as much a part of the experience as the food itself. Despite its popularity, the restaurant has built a reputation for serving some of the city's best oysters and lobster rolls, and the intimate setting adds to the sense of occasion. The seafood is the main reason to visit. The raw oyster selection changes regularly and includes a wide variety of East and West Coast oysters, with a menu that describes the flavor profile of each one to make choosing easier. We ordered a mix and found each oyster fresh and clean, with distinct brininess and texture that reflected the descriptions. The hot buttered lobster roll is the restaurant's signature dish, served overflowing with chunks of fresh lobster tossed in warm butter inside a toasted roll, and the richness of the butter paired perfectly with the sweetness of the meat. The traditional cold lobster roll with mayonnaise is equally popular if you prefer something lighter, and the clam chowder is another standout, with a creamy base and generous chunks of clam that made it one of the better versions we have had. The Johnnycake topped with oysters and smoked sturgeon is one of the restaurant's most unique dishes, combining textures and flavors in a way that felt distinct from the more classic options. Everything feels carefully prepared, with an emphasis on high-quality seafood rather than overly complicated flavors. The menu also includes fresh fish, shellfish, and daily specials, making it worth exploring beyond the restaurant's most famous items. Portions are generous, especially when it comes to the lobster dishes, though the prices reflect both the quality of the ingredients and the restaurant's popularity. The biggest thing to plan around is the wait. Neptune Oyster does not take reservations, and lines often begin forming well before opening. The restaurant is also quite small, so seating is limited and tables are close together. Visiting early in the day or dining as a smaller party can sometimes reduce the wait, but it is still worth expecting some time in line before being seated. Neptune Oyster remains one of Boston's essential seafood destinations. The fresh oysters, exceptional lobster roll, and intimate oyster bar atmosphere make it a memorable experience, even if getting a table requires some patience. If you are looking for classic New England seafood and do not mind waiting, it is easy to see why this restaurant has become one of the city's most iconic dining spots. read more

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I still love this place! Cash only! I always order their crudo as it's rotational. Their warm lobster roll is out of this world and their oysters are always fresh! They didn't have fresh uni this time, maybe next time. If I'm visiting Boston, this is a must visit location for me. read more

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The service was okay and the food was solid. I got the lobster roll and fries and the MP at the time was $43. I thought it was good, but definitely not worth the price. Overall I probably wouldn't recommend coming here. read more

Neptune Oyster - Lobster Roll & Fries - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Worth the wait! Every time I go to Boston, I try to make a visit to Neptune. They don't take reservations and there is always a line but it moves quickly. Inside is cozy with only a few booths and bar seating. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable on their menus. I went on Sunday this time when they had lobster tacos as the special of the day, so I had to try and was not disappointed. There was so much lobster in each of the tacos!! The oysters were fantastic as well. read more

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I visited Neptune Oyster on a Tuesday and found a line out the door, as expected. I thought the wait was just to put my name down, but the hostess came by asking everyone for the size of their party. Because I was a solo diner, I was able to skip the entire line and got seated at the bar right away! The restaurant was small and cozy, with a classic New England vibe. Sitting at the bar was awesome, because I had a front-row seat to watch oyster shucking. I was given a little checklist with the raw bar offerings, and chose one of each of the east coast oyster varieties (9 in total). I don't have a refined palate for oysters, so I can't say I fully grasped the listed tasting notes, but all 9 were fresh and delicious! I also got the hot Maine Lobster Roll, which was phenomenal. I loved the generous heaps of lobster and warm buttered bun. Overall, Neptune Oyster was a pricey dinner for one, but a fantastic experience! read more

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Long line, long wait, limited seating. We came after 6pm and there were already about 20 people in line on a weekday. Food was pretty good but prices were a bit outrageous, especially the daily specials. Perhaps that is why prices were not listed for them. Noise level and service were typical of a smaller but busy restaurant. read more

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There's always a line outside Neptune Oyster since they don't take reservations. Surprisingly, we only had to wait about 15 minutes to get in. It's a relatively small establishment, so it can feel a bit cramped inside. They offer a wide variety of oysters, all of which tasted incredibly fresh. We tried several of their recommended selections, and the Neptune Pearl was our favorite. In addition to oysters, they also have a variety of other entrées on the menu. read more

Neptune Oyster - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Very yummy seafood! We waited about 45 min at 5 pm on a Sunday evening (holiday weekend). It was very cozy in there and we shared a table with other people but we didn't mind. We ordered a bunch of raw oysters, a lobster roll, a cioppino with lobster on top, and a burger (my husband wanted to try it). The oysters were delicious and the lobster on the roll and in the cioppino was excellent. My favorite dish was the cioppino - what a delicious variety of seafood and so filling too!! read more

Neptune Oyster - North End Cioppino with lobster - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Food: Mussels and the lobster spaghetti were 11/10, no complaints! The burgers also looked phenomenal. Service: I found some of the waitstaff to be overly aggressive. While I understand the restaurant is small, crowded, and very busy, being told to move and move my bag could've been said to me in a much nicer way. read more

Neptune Oyster - Monday - Lobster Spaghettini - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

There was already a short line outside Neptune Oyster even before they opened on a Tuesday--so I was glad I arrived early! I started with littleneck clams and a glass of Lambrusco, then followed with the lobster roll--because it just felt mandatory while in Boston. It was a generous heap of buttered lobster on a pillow-soft brioche. There was so much lobster, I needed a knife and fork to tackle it. At $43, it's definitely a splurge, but absolutely worth it. Every dish I saw pass by looked incredible. I almost wished I had shared the roll so I could try more of the menu. read more

Neptune Oyster - Woodbury Littleneck Clams - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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This place is in the top 10 restaurants we have ever been a patron at. The service is always top notch, the servers are friendly, informative and knowledgeable. The small space is cozy without feeling crowded and the food is always amazing. We never miss a chance to stop here when we are in Boston. 11 outta 10 recommend. The prices may seem a little scary at first but the quality and presentation warrants them. Do not skip a stop here. read more

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Ambiance: good ambiance pretty spacious they can fit bigger parties like 5. I would expect bar table if you are a small table. Service: the service was good and fast Food $$: they are known for the oysters and lobster rolls. There was a long line for it but worth Audience: Solo Trip [X] Family Friendly [ X] Friends [X] Date Spot [X] Recommendations/tips: go right when it opens read more

Nice variety of oysters. A bit higher price point than expected. They were well described on their menu. I enjoyed them. My wife enjoyed the $42 lobster roll. They had sea urchin as a special today. They cleaned the insides but left the "Uni" for me to extract which was fine with me, but the large spoon they gave wouldn't fit into the shell. See picture. I got about one teaspoon of Uni out. That's it for $24. Service was just "okay". I will not return. read more

Neptune Oyster - Large spoon wouldn't fit into sea urchin shell. Large spoon wouldn't fit into sea urchin shell. - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Great raw bar. Nice wine selection. The vibe is great. The only question is whether you are willing to wait in line.

Some of the best seafood, a funny little place with lots of character very busy. The food is just great worth the effort to get there.

This place, surprised me. Lobster was moist hot buttery the bun was also really good. The calamari was really good.. It's a crab bisque was okay, A lot of Old Bay and cayenne pepper, it was little watery for me. Nice flavors though. Would I recommend this place? Oh yeah, and I'd come back again too. Oh service was good really busy place.. My graduating baby girl, suggested this place. It's a go... read more

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Friends were in town and we read online that Neptune Oysters was on the list for Boston's $1 oyster deals. We had never been so we popped in to ask about this.. when we were greeted we asked and the woman was incredibly rude stating "NO, we've never had that" and shut the door on us without even asking if we wanted to join for dinner. I'm not sure I've ever been spoken to that way by someone greeting customers for a dining experience. We were in fact looking for somewhere to have drinks and appetizers on an early Friday evening.. and due to this interaction, we took our business elsewhere. Regardless of how great the food is, I won't be coming back or recommending this restaurant to anyone. It was quite unfortunate. (Posting photo of online search results for reference) read more

Neptune Oyster - Incorrect Google information for Neptune Oyster. - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Stumbled upon this place on a work trip on a Monday and saw a line outside in freezing weather, figured i would give it a shot. The place is small and cozy and would be great for a date night or gathering of 4 people. Service staff was great with reccomendations. Clam chowder - ran thinner than I was expecting, still great flavor but I had higher expectation for my first chowder is Boston Oysters - best oysters I have ever had, I tried the starred options which were local. Oysters were savory and you could tell how each option differentiated from each other. The sauces provided were great as well: cocktail sauce with horseradish and a thin salsa which felt like a unique hot sauce that provided a great yin and yang to bring out the best flavors in the each oyster. I would travel just for these oysters. I ordered a second plate of oysters because I enjoyed them so much. If I had only tried the oysters here I would have given it 5 stars Johnnycake- it tasted like a crab cake+ pancake which was crispy, however it was too much butter and saltiness for my liking. It was also quite heavy and I could not finish it. I would have enjoyed this on another day. This was meant to be shared forsure and not one person to consume. I only waited 15 minutes outside on a Monday night to be seated. I heard this place has a line around the corner on busier nights. I would only wait again if I was a huge oyster fan. I hope I get another chance to try the other dishes again as I was eyeing other customers plates. read more

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Worth the wait in line. I enjoyed fresh oysters and a bucatini dish with sea urchin. Everything was tasty and was washed down with some local beer. We sat at the counter and were able to have a convo with the staff behind the counter. The space is very small so not a ton of room when seated at the counter, but it did the job. One of those places to go if you are in a small group/solo. read more

Best place I ate in Boston. Oysters were fantastic. Neptune pearl were our favorite. They had a great cocktail sauce and horseradish mix. Octopus was amazing as well. The place is small, and there's always a line but it is worth the wait if you're a seafood lover. read more

Came here Sunday night only had to wait around 35 min for a party of 3! Delicious food and amazing waitress!!!! We sat at the bar and our waiter was so bubbly and friendly and gave us amazing recommendations not only for food but for Boston itself!! The tuna crudo is like nothing I've ever had before it was so buttery and perfect! The tartare was amazing and had a nice pesto that added some needed salt to it! This place doesn't have cocktails but did have Bellinis this day and they were great! I think fr the quality of food this place was great!!!! read more

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Neptunes on piggy back are absolutely incredible! Great oyster selection, great staff... Be prepared to wait a while at dinner time as the line's usually out the door. read more

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Super tiny place and has a long line, but I think it's worth trying if you're travelling in! It was my first time in Boston, and I wanted to try the iconic lobster roll and seafood the city has, and Neptune Oyster did not disappoint! The lobster roll was juicy and buttery, and the lobster tasted pretty fresh! I also got a selection of oysters, and they were delicious! There was a helpful chart that listed the characteristics of each type of oyster (how briny it was, small medium or big size, what kind of flavor to expect). I only ate the smaller East coast oysters, and they were great! On the pricier side, I got the lobster roll at market price of $43, but I think it was fun to try it! read more

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Top ranked on Yelp- hype or is it a really good restaurant? Well, we waited 1.5 hour and it was definitely worth it. Everything we tried was tasty and descent priced too. Razor clams casino- had a spice to it Spanish octopus - best Spanish octopus I've ever had!! Perfectly cooked with fun sauces Squid ink risotto - rich as you would expect from a risotto Lobster roll - simple, fresh and delicious! Lobster was very fresh! Island creek - first time trying this oyster and wow delicious! Kumamoto - my go to. However, tonight the island creek tasted better. Overall, if you have the time to wait definitely try this place! Dress warm since you will be standing outside if it's cold out. read more

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They don't take reservations and it's a small place so if you have about 8 people ahead of you, it could be at least a 30 minute wait. We ordered the razor clams, grilled octopus, lobster roll, and the seafood dish. The fries from the lobster roll were really good. I tried one piece of the lobster roll and it was very buttery and nice. The grilled octopus was okay, not that flavorful and a tad overdone. The razor clams were the best of all. I could have eaten a few more of them - it was acidic and had perfect texture. read more

Neptune Oyster - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

This place has a line before they even open up and I see why! I lined up right before they opened and luckily got in pretty quick. The inside is pretty crowded and I think they are just trying to fit people in wherever because we got seated at a booth with another group which was a little awkward. I really enjoyed the octopus and scallops with chimichurri sauce. Everything had great flavor and I liked both dressings for the two dishes, I also liked their variety of oysters! I was not a fan of the clam chowder because it was so watery and not flavorful. read more

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Great little spot tucked into the back streets in Boston. No reservations. Usually a line to get in but in moves quickly. Staff was friendly and helpful. Beer and wine only. read more

Neptune Oyster - Tuna tartare with pistachio pesto!! So good - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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I've been to Boston countless times- for work and vacations, and always saw the line outside Neptune Oyster. So on my last trip, I told my husband it was time to find out what all the fuss was about. I'd read plenty of mixed reviews, but here's my take: Did I like it? Yes, very much. Would I wait in line again? Probably not- and not because it's not worth it (it definitely is), but simply because- for me- Boston has so many amazing spots to try. Still, I'm glad I finally checked this one off the list. For reference, I went on a Monday around 1 p.m. in late September and still waited about an hour. We sat at the bar- space is very limited, so it's not ideal for big groups. We ordered a bottle of Vinho Verde (perfect with oysters, by the way) and, of course, a dozen oysters- some of the freshest I've had on this side of the country. The grilled octopus was also fantastic; the butternut squash added the perfect seasonal touch. We stopped there since we wanted to keep exploring the North End, but everything around us looked delicious. My only downside was the service- a bit on the rude side. I get that it's a super busy and popular spot, but it never hurts to be kind- and that goes for customers too ;). Overall, great experience and definitely worth visiting at least once! read more

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My husband and I had lunch here today and I really enjoyed the fish and chips (redfish) with a unique blended tartar sauce that tasted great. He had the cioppino, which was also good and beautiful in presentation, but he wished the broth was thicker. He also wished the clam chowder was thicker (but we realize a lot of others prefer a thinner broth). We sat at the counter and service was fast (hooks underneath the counter to hang purses or other items). It's a very small restaurant but we only had to wait about 8 minutes at 11am on a Monday (you wait outside and they will come out and let diners in based upon available seating). We saw others order oysters and they looked great, with a huge variety on the menu. I hear the ones get long here, so I suggest coming when they first open, if you can. read more

Neptune Oyster - Cioppino - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Pretty solid place to eat. This place was recommended by friends and locals. I tried the fish and chips, lobster roll and a bunch of oysters. The oysters were fresh and everything else was good. Was it a memorable experience, no but it got the job done. The place was packed and there was a line. It's a pretty small place. We had to eat at the bar when we got in. I will say this, where ever I went in Boston, their fries were better than what I usually eat in LA. Definitely check them out! read more

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Of the many hyped up Boston spots I ate at during my September visit - Neptune truly lived up to it. Got there around 5 minutes before opening Friday; had to wait around 30-45 for a single bar seat. Very tiny space - but what are you gonna do it's Boston! I got the Tuna Crudo, Octopus, Striped Bass. Every dish was perfection. Tuna, buttery melt in your mouth freshness. The aioli complimented the tuna well. The octopus reminded me of when I was in Spain. So tender so well cooked and a good portion. The bass was perfection. A nice crisp skin, the broth was so flavorful with rich umami and it was just such a fresh - incredibly well cooked meal. Really no complaints. Would love to come back and try more! read more

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I'm honestly so annoyed at myself. I grew up in New England, in a seafood-loving family. I should have known better than to fall for a tourist trap. But it was my husband's first time in Boston, and I wanted to take him somewhere exciting. We went mid-afternoon on a Thursday. 20-minute wait, not bad. Note: this restaurant is TINY and they really pack diners in. We were seated at a little shared 4-top with another couple (no heads-up about sharing). The good: the oysters. Some of the best I've had, perfectly fresh and balanced. The rest: downhill. The clam chowder was a major letdown. I've eaten chowder my whole life (there were literal years of my childhood when it was my go-to order anywhere). I also love a briny, brothy chowder. It doesn't have to be thick. But Neptune's version was so thin it bordered on watery. Weak flavor, under-seasoned, and leaning way too heavily on dairy for depth. The clam pieces were minuscule and sparse. Just sad. Spanish octopus: two pieces. One good. One rubbery. The sour cream was nice; the red sauce was oddly tangy. And then came the famous lobster roll. $40 and wildly disappointing. Understuffed, with chewy, rubbery, even stringy lobster. I actually found tiny bits of what I can only describe as lobster gristle (??) stuck in my teeth hours later (I know, ew TMI). My husband wanted to send it back, but I hate complaining, so I picked at mine while we waited... and waited for our server to check on us. Fifteen minutes later, our server finally returned, and when hubby told her it was unfortunately pretty bad, she just said, "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," and walked away. That's it. No offer to replace it, no follow-up question about what was wrong, nothing. Five minutes later she simply brought the check. My husband pushed harder, asking if she could at least take half the lobster roll off since he didn't touch his half. She said she'd see what she could do, and from then on we got the silent treatment. She came back, wordlessly dropped a new check, took the card, returned card + receipt, walked away without so much as a thanks or bye. We still left a decent tip because she did take half the lobster off (and we didn't want her to think we were just cheap) but the whole experience left a bad taste (figuratively and literally). Tourist trap, confirmed. Two stars only because the oysters were outstanding. Everything else? Hard pass. read more

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It was about 3:30 pm when I got there on Monday, and I waited outside for about 5 minutes before getting my seat at the bar. I was there just by myself, and I got a clam chowder and an octopus as my main dishes. I also got (let me take out my receipt!) a Wellfeet, a Mere Point, an East Beach, a Beausoleil, and a Bay Sweet. Though I could hardly taste the difference between their flavors, all these raw oysters were delicious with their sauces!!! read more

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Showed up for lunch, there was a line out the door, to the next building entrance which wasn't too bad. We almost decided to leave and come back later hoping that the line would die down and good thing we didn't because it was even longer when we left. We got in during the 2nd seating, maybe waited 30-40 min total. It's a very tiny place, no space for strollers. We had an oyster savant with us and let him do all the ordering which left us with the best meal I've ever had. Decision fatigue is a real thing and it was amazing to sit down and not look at the menu at all and blindly eating whatever was placed in front of me. Crudo - Bluefin tuna was like eating butter. My goodness it was so fresh and dunked in olive oil and a nice crunch with pumpkin seeds. Scallop was also incredibly delicious topped with sea salt flakes. Mussels - tiny bit of kick in the broth. We needed more bread to soak up that delicious broth. Lobster Roll - I couldn't leave Boston without eating a lobster roll and while it was incredibly delicious and very generous portion of lobster, this ended up not being my favorite thing. Glad I split this with my friend so that we could eat everything else. Oysters - I think we had 6 different types of oysters, all east coast except for 1. I love sauces, it's one of my favorite adds to a dish, but these oysters didn't need it. The brine-ness of them was more than enough flavor. I don't drink a lot anymore but eventually opted for a white wine to go with the meal and am so glad I did. The pairing of it with the food was perfect. This place is worth the wait and even better if you have an oyster pro in your group. read more

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Yes the wait is long ~45 min probably, and you have to stay in line. The restaurant is also quite small and packed so get ready to be cozy next to strangers The food though is pretty dang good. Got some oysters- island creek was one of my faves Sea urchin - not bad but might skip next time Scallop crudo- good but would also skip next time Lobster roll- the main attraction!!! She's hefty and generous and delicious!! Would come back specifically for this. read more

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If you're debating if you should stand in line.. I say do it, you won't regret it. It'll definitely be easier to be in line before they open. If you are a party of two, they may seat you at a table of 4 and have you share it with another party of two. It is okay, the immaculate oysters will distract you from the stranger sitting next to you. You order the oysters by marking on the sheet how many of each you want. Then the oyster shucker (huge shout out to them) will place it in the order that is on the sheet. The flavors described off to the right did not really correlate with what i tasted but the saltiness level was pretty accurate and helpful. We ordered a fish & ships dish to share just to fill our stomach a bit more and even that was super delicious. If you've never had oysters and you're debating, let this place be the place you have your first. If you're an oyster lover, please check this place out. Although it was super packed, service was quick so that they can have quicker turnovers. read more

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Was recommend Neptunes this past weekend when visiting Boston. Unfortunately it was a miss for me. I came by myself and ordered the lobster roll and octopus. Lobster roll was fresh but lacking flavor and the bun was soggy. Octopus I know can be tough but I truly couldn't cut into it. The flavor was also lacking. Service was good at the bar. However, not the most friendly staff to those sitting around me. read more

Neptune Oyster - Octopus - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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A family member recommended I try this restaurant during my visit to Boston. They suggested that I come as soon as they open because wait times can extend to over an hour and no reservations are allowed. You're also waiting outside in line versus putting down your name and phone number and having them text you when your table is ready. I opted to arrive at the restaurant about 10 minutes before they open and I was maybe 15th in line. The line moved quickly and I was seated right away at the bar. My server at the bar was very kind, and I liked the way she interacted with other guests seated at the bar. But there was another employee who was rather blunt and direct when seating guests. I just felt a little bit off-put by the directness, but that could've just been my own interpretation. I ordered half dozen oysters, selecting the staff favorites from the menu. I also ordered the clam chowder and the scallops. I would skip the clam chowder in the future. While it is made to order and very fresh - including the clams - it was super brothy and not a chowder, but more of a soup. The scallops were phenomenal and tender to cut. I also loved the succotash base that it came with. However, the lobster roll on top didn't add anything to the dish other than decoration. This was a nice experience and if I return, I would probably try a few other things in addition to more oysters! read more

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