i've been here a few times and love it! the ambiance is beautiful, right in back bay near Newbury & Boylston. they have the best & freshest oysters. i've tried their octopus and it wasn't my favorite. vikram & gina provided service at the bar. the service is okay, they are always talking to each other & i think they are nicer to regulars. i've only come here for oysters & appetizers. good champagne selection as well. ambiance: 5/5 food: 4.5/5 drinks: n/a service: 4/5 Select Oyster Bar: 4.2/5 read more

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I made reservations over a month ago, and was super excited for this place. They sat us right away. The restaurant is tiny and crowded and very loud. Our server was not the most pleasant, but come to find out that service is included in the bill, so they don't care how they treat you. We ordered shrimp cocktail, mussels bouillabaisse, and swordfish. The shrimp and mussels were good, but nothing wow or unique about them. Same goes for the entrees, they were just okay. Overall the food was ok, but bad service. Not worth the price or experience read more

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Came in for two buck shuck . Bro it's only two dollars if you sit at bar ! We sat on their terrible makeshift patio and the bill was through the roof w service included . This is too far off the tracks to be a touristy ass trap like this and oysters w nothing to compare in terms of freshness like let's say black lamb in south end. read more

If you're in Boston and you like seafood, you MUST come here! I came for dinner and loved it so much that I came back the next day for lunch! I think our server's name was John. He was the absolute best. I wish I could take him with me to be my server everywhere I go! He was so friendly and knowledgeable about the wines & everything on the menu. Their wine list is so impressive. And you will have a hard time finding better seafood anywhere else. Oh, and I love their playlist! The music was perfect -- sort of fun, easy-listening (but not boring) stuff that everyone likes. I could hang out here all day eating oysters, sipping wine, & grooving to the music. read more

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Such a great lunch at Select Oyster Bar! The oysters and shrimp cocktail were incredibly fresh, and the bluefin tuna tartar was amazing. I also had a Paloma that was so light and refreshing. Everything was delicious -- highly recommend! read more

Stopped in for a light lunch on an extremely hot day in Boston. Well worth it. Cool little place that packs a flavor punch. Fresh delicious oysters and delicious sardines. Cold beer was a must. Also has very nice wine selection. Friendly staff and great decor. Very much worth a visit and definitely will be back when I am in town read more

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We had a quick lunch at this place and you must order their lobster roll! It's $60 lobster sauté in butter and nicely put in this amazing soft and warm brioche roll which was made fresh every morning from the local bakery up in Cambridge along with fried homemade potato chips. We also had the hamachi crudo, which was good but the lemony passion fruit sauce was kinda throw me off. We also had kakamora daiquiri which was pretty good cocktail with the coconut rum and pineapple juice & the glengiddich on the rock. This restaurant also included their service tip on their receipt (20%) and they told you that when they handed you the receipt. The servers were very friendly and service was pretty fast. Overall, this is a nice place for drinks and quick bite for us before the ball game. And the ambience of the restaurant pretty nice too and it can be loud here since the table pretty close. read more

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Every time my wife and daughters go shopping on Newbury Street, I stop into Select for some of the best oysters in Boston and a Tito's and club soda. The bartenders are always friendly and the staff gives great suggestions on the freshest items on the menu. I always get the spread of oysters to sample their spectrum. Will always be back! read more

Select Oyster Bar - Oysters - fresh and succulent - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Don't buy into the hype. Food was good, plated carefully, but the place is extremely loud, the space is cramped, and the prices extreme for what it is. Our server was lovely but the hostess was rude and lied right to my face and didn't realize when she called earlier she was on speakerphone with 6 people. Seated next to a stairwell and between service stations with a handicapped person. Not at all worth it. $700 check with mandatory service. read more

Stopped off here on a Sunday afternoon before heading to the airport to return to Seattle. Lovely bistro ambience with warm, friendly servers and top-quality fish. We treated ourselves to the Hamachi and salmon crudo, tuna tartare, all of the available MA and ME oysters, warm dressed lobster, and blue crab salad. Everything was incredible. read more

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If I can give this more than 5 stars I would. We ate so much, everything is shareable. Their service was outstanding, the ambiance was perfect. Highly recommend everything read more

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One of my favorite places in Boston. Best place to get oysters. Smaller selection than Neptune however their selection is fresh and tasty, there is usually little to no wait (I stood in line for an hour and a half at Neptune). The service is top notch and the atmosphere is a little nicer and less cramped than Neptune. Highly recommend if you're in the area! read more

We had reservations at 7pm on a Thursday night. Traffic was horrible so I called from the Uber to say we would be 10 minutes late. That was not a problem for them and she even changed my reservation time on Open Table for us to 15 minutes later. We sat at the bar (our choice) and Alejandro took excellent care of us. The whole staff behind the bar were fantastic, as were the staff we met at the front door. The place is long and narrow and full of energy, which made for a higher noise volume. We loved the vibe. We started with a lovely bottle of Alvarhino (on the glass list, but we bought the bottle). We then ordered three different kinds of oysters; the Island Creek being our favorite. We loved the little bottles of sauce that came with them. Great way to reduce sauce waste! We followed with the Red Snapper crudo special, the Tuna Tartare, and the Hamachi Crudo. We thought the tuna was way too salty. The Crudo special had excellent flavors, but a couple of the pieces of snapper were a little fishy. The Hamachi was plump and fresh but the lovely sauce was a bit overpowering for the fish. A little dip of sauce per bite was all you needed. A big flavor surprise was actually the Romanesco cauliflower dish. It was absolutely delicious! The mussels were also fabulous. We did not try a main as we were fully satiated from all of the fish dishes we had. If we lived in Boston, we would frequent this place. We recommend trying this place! read more

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Select Oyster Bar came at a high recommendation from our bartendar at the Fairmont. It is a casual bistro with high quality seafood and amazing hospitality. We stopped by and ate at the bar during Happy Hour (3-6PM) on a Wednesday. Here is what we ordered (at half price): - Blue Prawns in Toasted Garlic Olive Oil: SO MUCH FOOD. DELICIOUS - Island Creek Oysters: briny and cleanly shucked - Salmon Crudo with Togarashi in Pistachio Oil: Different take on the regular crudo. Salmon was very fresh. They also had a nice wine list and the Sancerre I ordered was delicious. Servers were amazing and we will definitely be back when we are in town! read more

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Extremely underwhelming if not utterly disappointing. I heard some great things about the seafood here so decided to come here since I didn't want to wait in line at Neptune. First, even with an early reservation we were left standing at the door waiting to be shown our table. There were only 2 other parties in the indoor part of the restaurant and I made eye contact with at least 3 employees. Yes we were asked by a waiter to wait while he finished serving a table. This took only 5 min, but it seemed very silly to have to stand in front of an empty restaurant for someone to come tend to a reservation. The service was good afterwards. Not amazing, but certainly nothing to complain about so justified their 20% gratuity already added to check. Oysters were good. Blue crab salad was great minus the shell in it. Speaking of shell, I bit into 2 shells in my dressed lobster. I didn't expect the first shell and hurt my tooth. Not an experience I want when Im paying top dollar. Octopus was overcooked but still edible, but the flavors were so unexciting - just one note of citrus all over. Then came their daily special, the sturgeon. Rock hard, chewy, dry...and I use the word "disgusting?" A disgrace to how fish should be cooked. We just walked out utterly disappointed our time here when there are plenty of other great restaurants in Boston. My star rating legend: 5: A+ Worth a special journey (ie. I would go out of my way, maybe even take a flight somewhere just for this; exceptionally amazing) 4: A excellent, a must try, solid place 3: B good; nothing extraordinary, but would definitely go again 2: C personally would never go again (unless invited by someone and I didn't get to pick the place), but I can see how others might find something appealing 1: Fail. I would never return and recommend no on else goes either. read more

Food: The hot dishes were good! I particularly liked the Spanish octopus, and the mussels were also good. Service: Food was fast. Ambiance: It was a date night kind of place for sure. The store was small and dark, with a popping bar scene. I got Gelato at Eataly afterwards to end the night! read more

My husband and I ordered the oysters, Spanish style octopus, and the white anchovies. Holy moly. I was so nervous to try the anchovies but in the end, I think I hogged them all. We also ordered a bottle of champagne of the Pol Roger which paired excellent. John and Victor were our bartenders and we loved their energy! read more

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I came here for the Dine Out Boston menu and it was the best decision ever! The fishes I had, both crudo and baked, and so delicious and fresh tasting. The arancini was definitely disappointing but also not a regular menu item so I wasn't too bothered. I will definitely come back, the space is very intimate and perfect for a date night. Service could've been friendlier but I will still be back as the food was that good. In looking forward to trying the regular menu. read more

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I was piggish on the oysters Yah! The Northeast and any water temperature 40 and below produce outstanding oysters and other seafood. This trip was no exception. Little Whale, Eddie V's, Earl's Kitchen and Select Oyster in the Back Bay were close to my hotel and damn if I was not craving to be there everyday. The PEI and Wellfleet oysters were my favorite this trip. The oyster liquor from these 2 locations was lucid and crisp in flavor, the brine neutral (my preference) and the meat, melty. Oysters this time of year are so addicting, I easily had had over 7 dozen oysters this trip-- not including the sample oysters I tried prior to getting my order. Service at Select was attentive (typical of bar seats where drinks and food come quite quickly). I love the honesty of the bartenders and waitstaff in Boston; they're not encouraged to sell their most expensive inventory but what truly tastes good and fresh. Ambience is a neighborhood joint and the clientele local, Instagrammers scant. Looking forward to more visits at Select Oyster. EOY! read more

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Maybe my favorite seafood spot in Boston right now! The service was incredible. Our server was so attentive and kindly answered all our questions. Everything came out quickly, beautifully presented, and so fresh. The wine was just as impressive! I will be retuning again soon, for sure! read more

Select Oyster Bar - Tuna Tartare* and Sancerre, Claude Riffault 'Les Chasseignes' 2014 - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

This is my favorite oyster place in Boston. They always have top-notch oysters. My father-in-law and I like to go for an early lunch before the crowds arrive. Shout out to Elizabeth for her terrific service! read more

Average atmosphere,ok on the dishes and decent service. Added gratuity not a fan of. Probably not a returning spot. read more

Select Oyster Bar - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

The service felt extremely rushed and uncomfortable from the start. I sat down at 7:29 pm and was immediately told the table was needed at 7:30. We were expected to order and finish dinner within about 15 minutes, which made the entire experience stressful rather than enjoyable. As a local resident, I expect a more respectful and relaxed environment--especially after a busy week. Instead, it felt like we were being pushed out the door. read more

The dishes here are always spectacular. The group that I dined with all shared plates and had fantastic cocktails. Per usual, the service is always very spot on with their delivery and recommendations. Such a special seafood place in the back bay of you don't mind splurging on fresh dishes!! read more

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Select Oyster came highly recommended for a celebratory birthday lunch and it was perfect. It's cozy and cute inside. I love that they are open for lunch and don't have a separate lunch/dinner menu. I sat at the bar and Alejandro was my bartender/server. He was fantastic and the rest of the staff were so friendly. I had the Salt Washed and an Aviation to drink. Both were strong and delicious. To eat, I had the shrimp cocktail, grouper crudo, and dressed lobster. The shrimp were fresh. I love grouper and had never seen a crudo before. It was light and tasty, and the sauce was slightly spicy. I ordered the lobster warm with butter. It may have been just a tad overcooked, but it was still delicious. And the bread was great. I'd return to Select Oyster anytime and look forward to trying more on the menu. read more

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Good food, great service. Only think I didn't care for was the Icelandic fish dish. All I tasted was bacon. read more

Overall the food is excellent. However, for the price, my experiences dining here more than once have not been to a standard you'd expect for what they're meant to be offering. Served wrong items to wrong table and a lack of accountability when errors occur. To be clear it did not diminish the food quality but it did the dining experience overall. read more

Service was abrupt with dishes literally slammed down on the table. I suspect this is more about management than the actual people. Food was very one note. Beet salad should have been great but all the beets were pickled, no sweet and sour contrast. Goat cheese on the bottom of the dish meant that it was swimming in pickle juice too. "Petite clams" were a dozen large, sandy, and extra chewy clams. The broth was good, but if the kitchen can't nail the main protein, it's a wash. Salmon crudo was fine--not a lot going on. Ditto for the mixed crudo. Our main dish was the hake which had so much potential until once again, it was pickled corn and pickled red onion. For a $200+ lunch, it was disappointing in spite of the lovely decor. Would never go back or refer it to anyone. read more

Visited for my birthday dinner while in town, and was absolutely thrilled with the experience. Both dishes were outstanding, and the oysters were incredibly fresh all deep-cups. I received a complimentary oyster with a birthday candle, which was too cute. The espresso martini was the best I've ever tasted no exaggeration, made with real whipping cream was simply incredible! I think this made up for the lack of dessert on the menu, which I found to be a unique touch from the chef. The food truly spoke for itself, and the atmosphere was vibrant and modern, creating a cool relaxing vibe. read more

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oysters, tuna tartar, and uni were absolutely delicious. the serving was also nice, and quick for drinks and oysters. modern atmosphere was nice. read more

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Amazing seafood, good service, nice vibe and a decent wine list. Champagne poached shrimp cocktail is a great starter. For the mains, check out the Arctic char. The leek ragout pairs very well with the perfectly cooked fish and the bacon lardons provide a nice smoky and salty contrast with the frisee salad. Prices are competitive for the quality and being in a major city. Reservations can be made via Open Table. read more

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Needed a good dinner after a long conference day and this place did not disappoint. Our service was professional and prompt upon our arrival. We enjoyed oysters, shrimp cocktail and lobster for the appetizer. All delicious! The entrees included sea bream and halibut. The halibut was the strong front runner in presentation and taste. The sea bream was full of bones which make for an unpleasant experience. read more

This place comes with strong pros and cons so whether you like it will come down to what you value. Cons: small, crowded, noisy, high-top tables, shared tables (we ate a shared high top), seafood only menu, no desserts (not a problem for me but for some, a big deal). Pros: great seafood, great for seafood lovers, lots of shared apps options (if you like shared apps), everything tastes really good and fresh. Service, somehow amidst the chaos, was actually quite good. I probably won't come back as I'm bigger into low tables and less noise, but the food was great. read more

We were able to squeeze in a reservation here on a Thursday night. The restaurant looked pretty packed and busy, tables are pretty close to each other. The overall service is really good, despite how busy it was our waitress was able to get to us quickly, refill water, and provide us with good insights on the menu. In terms of the overall food it's good and will get the job done. You have a plethora of choice for seafood options. I tried the bouillabaisse for the first time and it was an interesting creamy soup-like dish with a wide assortment of seafood. The green bean salad is actually really tasty too. The pricing is as you'd expect at a seafood place in this area of Boston. read more

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Nearly a perfect experience at Select. So close!! After doing some light research, Select was regarded amongst Boston restaurants as tried and true. Open for over a decade, it continues to be a regular recommendation as an excellent, quality restaurant that one will never be disappointed by. We walked into a casual atmosphere that overall was two levels. The main level had seating at and around the bar alongside a back table. We had a reservation and was seared immediately. A bit cramped, however, that is what you get when you come to one of the best. Our waitress was attentive and friendly, but, she was a bit over the top with the frequency at which she wanted us to order. Rushing us made us feel like she wanted us to get done and move to the next dollar sign. She finally got the hint and appeased our nonverbal hint of wanting to take it easy. The menu was, you guessed it, seafood!! Fresh and expertly prepared. We got a tower, octopus and mussels. The tower included oysters, shrimp, lobster, salmon sashimi, and crab salad. The crab salad was disappointing in so many ways - failing to balance the scales of meat presence, richness, acidity, and texture. The lack of imagination in this salad was easily forgotten when the octopus and mussels showed up. The mussels were meaty and fresh. The broth was coconut milk based with several Thai inspirations. Imaginative and addictive. Similarly the octopus was perfectly seasoned and cooked. Tender but crispy and complimented by charred, crunchy vegetables. Really a great dining experience. While most of the menu is straightforward, the dishes that aren't are well thought out and shows the chefs creativity and ability. Glad we chose this place as one of the two dinners on our short trip to Boston. No regrets with all the choices and certainly believe this represents the latitude of the city read more

The standout offering here was the variety of local oysters on the half-shell, and the expertise and speed of the shucker who was nothing less than amazing. Recommend taking advantage of happy hour for the oysters at half price. read more

Small cute warm place with delicious foods near prudential and Newbury st. We try all seafoods each dish are yummy will come back again read more

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My friends and I got into Boston early Friday morning and Select Oyster Bar was the first restaurant on our list to try. We were excited to try the raw oysters and seafood since that's what Boston is known for! Our server was knowledgeable and willing to give good input on the items we had questions for. OYSTERS - prices vary but somewhere between $3-4 each I only got two oysters here. I forgot the name of one of them (maybe Island Creek?) and the other one I got was Unicorn! Both were good and I could taste the difference. However, I don't have a good oyster palette so I really can't tell you which one "tasted" better. The oysters definitely tasted very fresh with a good amount of brine on them. I'm don't think they're worth the price point, though. WHOLE ROASTED SEA BREAM - 36 This was so fun and satisfying to eat. Yes, you get a whole sea bream with the bones, head, tail, and all! If you're not experienced eating a whole fish, then this might be difficult. However, I do believe that fish tastes better when you have to dissect it yourself. I thought the herb dressing went well with the sea bream and I would have wanted more of it so that way every bite could have a bit in it. The fish itself were tender and well-cooked for the most part. The fish near the top were a bit dry, but overall, still delicious. I felt the fingerling potatoes were bland and boring - would prefer more seasoning with it. This was definitely the first time I've eaten a whole fish at a restaurant. It's expensive, but the sea bream was definitely worth a splurge here and there. I would highly recommend! One of my friends got the CASCO BAY HALIBUT and she thought the halibut was way too dry and tasteless. I thought the puree in her dish was tasty and a nice touch - very essential to complement the dry fish. My other friend enjoyed her FAROE ISLANDS SALMON CRUDO - the salmon looked super fresh and fatty. read more

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This small restaurant always has outstanding service. But even that gets outdone by the food! We went there for date night dinner last night, started with half dozen assorted oysters our outstanding bar tender recommended, then split the crudo bluefin tuna special. Our mains were the halibut and arctic char entrees. We honestly felt it was one of the best meals we've had in a long, long time. The flavors, presentations, and of course freshness were just amazing. It's definitely going to be one of our regular rotations now. read more

I loved everything about my experience at Select Oyster Bar. The food was exceptional! We ordered oysters, shrimp cocktail, tuna tartare, salmon crudo, cauliflower, burrata, crab salad and beet salad for apps and everything was delicious. Highlights were the oysters, crab salad, beet salad and cauliflower (definitely order the cauliflower!). For an entree I ordered the arctic char with leeks and it was also very good. On the pricier side and gratuity is included on all checks - less math for me! Service was really great - Elizabeth handled an indecisive group of 6 really well, guided us through our options, was attentive and just overall contributed to a great experience! read more

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