B & G Oysters

Ok so in my last review I said I had heard of a few people dining here a few years ago and were unimpressed. Since i loved my experience so much, I decided to come back 9 days after my last visit to confirm my love of this place.
Mission accomplished.
Hilary was our server and was so wonderfully knowledgeable, helpful, and pleasant, as was our server for our previous experience. We ordered mostly the same things since they were so excellent. Again, just as good. We also shared a crab BLT which was superb. Their fries are killer too. Malt vinegar aioli gave me LIFE.
So confirmed, B&G is absolutely worth a visit for any seafood fiends.

My wife and decided to stop by B&G for a quick afternoon bite after checking into our hotel, and even though it was the heart of the afternoon (around 3 PM), it was still a packed house when we showed up. Lucky for us, there were a few open spots on the porch out back, and we got ourselves parked under the shade of the trees. Our waitress was very personable and outgoing, commending me on my beer selection and getting our order placed quickly. We decided to go pretty light — an order of a dozen oysters, a little soup for me, and fried calamari for her. Unsurprisingly, the oyster selection is predominantly East Coast, but the selection we had generally had a cleaner finish and were less briny than a lot of oysters we end up having from the East Coast. The Left Coast oysters were delicious (I’m a bit partial to those), and in particular I really enjoyed the Gigamotos, which were quite delicious and had that smooth, slightly sweet finish that I really enjoy. The clam chowder was interesting — it’s nowhere near as thick and creamy as your typical Boston/​New England clam chowder. It is much closer to the thinner variety that San Francisco is known for, but it still had a touch more depth than SF. I liked the bit of spice on the croûton, and the crisped bacon bits really helped round out the flavor profile. The fried calamari was also pretty good, particularly as it still had some moisture and wasn’t deep-​fried /​overly crispy as a lot of calamari tends to be.
Overall, I definitely enjoyed the experience here and preferred it to Island Creek (where we went the next day). I’d love to come back for a full meal next time I am in town, and to sample some of the other delicious beers on their menu!

Love this cute oyster spot! Walked in at 8:30pm and was seated without a reservation. Enjoyed the oyster, seafood tower, the salmon, the branzino, and of course the wine. Definitely coming back!

This is a weird review because there were some things that made me crazy and other things that made me very happy. Hence three stars.
I had called earlier in the day to inquire about reservations and was told they were booked for the evening, but that they set aside about 30% of seating in the form of bar seats for walk-​in customers and the wait is usually 30 minutes. The guy who answered the phone was really nice and I had no qualms about taking him up on his offer for bar seats.
We arrived a few minutes past 8, gave him our name and number and were told we’d be called in probably 30 minutes. We decided to wander the neighborhood but 50 minutes later had received no call back. So we decided to stop in and check on how much longer it would be and, miraculously, they had just finished setting our seats! Success! (I’m fairly skeptical that we would have ever gotten a call back in retrospect as there were multiple bar seats open…)
We were seated at the bar, which overlooks the open kitchen and is relatively comfortable. Unfortunately, we got seated just before a pair of high rollers who we had overheard the service manager chatting up outside. Before they came to sit beside us, she came in to tell the server to make sure they got special treatment. Without going into whiney detail, I’ll just say that, for us, their special treatment correlated to getting less than our fair share of attention and we do not have unreasonable standards.
The food was good, but the clams had sand in them — so much that we left 4 of the dozen we ordered on the ice. My boyfriend had the swordfish which was small and pretty bland, though with nice texture. I opted for the crab cake appetizer as my entrée with a side of Brussels sprouts. It was phenomenal — seriously amazing. More like a soufflé with lobster on top. We had two glasses of the rose on the by the glass list and it was delicious.
I guess the short story is that it’s a fun spot and worth trying if you’re a local. I probably wouldn’t pay $ 150 again. That said, as a visitor to the city, I feel like I could have had a better experience elsewhere.

This is one of the best seafood restaurants in Boston. Cozy, intimate, romantic, and tucked away in the corner of the South End, it’s a must-​try for oyster and seafood fanatics, or anyone who appreciates a good meal.
We went there on a weeknight, and even then the only reservation that was open was at 8pm — it’s a small space and there are limited tables. However, we were welcomed right away and seated. I don’t quite remember what entrees we decided to get (we went in the fall and the menu has changed since then to accommodate for seasonality), but I do remember that everything 1) came quickly, 2) was plated beautifully, and 3) tasted amazing. I think personally that the food here is better than Island Creek and that the atmosphere is definitely less pretentious.

For my first time in Boston, I was taken to this delicious seafood restaurant and honestly my mouth is craving the deliciousness.
My guest and I seated at the bar received amazing service aside from the champagne flutes not being clean and waited a good 10 mins for drinks.
We started off with oysters, then devoured the Lobster Role and quite a few other dishes. I can’t remember exactly but I do recall the portion size running close to a soul food place… a lot! I completely recommend this restaurant.

Service was very slow. Food was very good. Sat at the bar and was ignored for a long, long time although the bartender/​waitress walked right by us several times while serving other customers. At least acknowledging us would have been nice!

Pricey and busy — go for the oysters and enjoy some unique beers — cool drop down patio spot with a sushi bar feel inside

Chef Barbara Lynch’s restaurant has been on our list of must-​try venues for far too long, so I was super excited to find out that’s where we were going (it was a secret dinner)!
B&G Oysters definitely has a more intimate, neighborhood vibe, while giving the feel of a modern oyster bar. This results in an ultra-​trendy atmosphere and electric environment which is so fun to dine in!
We started with the halibut tartare, which comes with chorizo vinaigrette, radishes, and pickled tomatoes. I usually love raw seafood plates, but wasn’t a huge fan of this one since it had a more earthy flavor (which I hardly ever favor). I was definitely expecting the usual bright, flowery notes that you usually find in crudo or sashimi. It wasn’t until later that we discovered the difference between tartare and crudo — see below!
The service was pretty amazing. Our waitress fielded our many questions about the menu and offered great suggestions on which oysters to devour. We ended up going with the Cotuit, Wellfleet, and Moonstone oysters.
The Cotuit and Moonstone were both briny, so you could really taste the ocean. I love those because they remind me of the beach and summer trips! The Wellfleet were also very good, with more of a salty flavor. All in all, I would have to say Moonstone was my favorite — due to the ocean notes and it’s ethereal name of course.
For my entrée, I ordered the mussels fra diavolo, which were ginormous and came with pork belly confit, san marzanos (a kind of plum tomato), and tapenade. I’m honestly a mussel fiend — if they’re on the menu, I’ll most likely try them!
This plate really held up as one of the best mussel plates I’ve had for a couple reasons. For one, as mentioned they were truly huge and just felt more substantial. I felt like I could really taste them more rather than just gulp down one tiny mollusk after another. The pork belly not only modernized the plate, since it’s so trendy right now, but it also added more interesting flavors, textures, and substance to the plate.
The entrée is the halibut en papillote, or «curlpaper,» and yes it comes in this paper on a plate! The presentation was bold and intriguing to say the least, and it felt a lot like opening a present to see what your dish will look like.
Our chocolate mousse dessert was served in a mason jar, solidifying that this is indeed a modern and trendy restaurant. We thought it would be delicious, as most chocolate desserts are, but this one really blew us away. The mousse contained not only the crunch of a health bar, but also the delicious addition of sea salt. We were full before dessert, but we scooped up every last bit!

Small, vibrant, and very busy. Expect to wait for a table.
We ordered 2 dozen raw oysters and the calamari. Oysters were extremely fresh, and there was a good selection to choose from. Calamari was flavorful and lightly fried — it was hard to not keep eating them, even after I was full.
Looking forward to a return visit!

I loved sitting at the bar next to the open kitchen. Crisp, classic, cozy environment. Perfect for lunch and a glass of wine. I highly recommend B&G and will definitely be back the next time I’m in Boston.
Don’t Miss: New England Clam Chowder

I came to Boston in search of a great lobster roll and found it here at B & G Oysters. It’s located in a lovely neighborhood area away from all of the tourists. We were greeted promptly and offered a seat at the bar since they were full. The bartender was so friendly and didn’t push drink after drink on us.
To eat, we ordered the fish and chips, lobster roll and fries, and a corn cake topped with crab. YUM! The corn cake was the perfect mini appetizer to split without getting full. It took a long time to come out because they cook every cake PER ORDER. It was well worth the wait. Next came the lobster roll and fish and chips. The fries were perfectly crispy and seasoned, and they give you half a plate full. The battered fish was standard, crispy outside and flakey inside, but nothing we would go back specifically for. The lobster roll was out of this world. The lobster melted in your mouth and didn’t have too much mayo dressing on it (unlike a lot of others in the area). The bun was also toasted and the lobster was topped with herbs. My only complaint is that it was so small, maybe 4.5 — 5 inches long, and you wanted more.
Inside it is very clean, organized, and simple. They have a selection of wine for wine aficionados and wannabe wine aficionados (like myself) at lower prices. If you’re looking to get away from the crowds or just want a nice meal, I would highly recommend coming here.

Small place with a very vibrant crowd.
Service was attentive. Food was excellent for the most part; however, I was not thrilled by their take on the beignet. It was too dense and could have used a little jam to dip in.
I had the crab corncake, which was delicious. The corn cake was thick and smooth, and had a nice sweetness from the corn.
The halibut I ordered was cooked perfectly. It was moist and flaky enough that one didn’t need a knife in order to cut into it. Very satisfying dish.
My friends enjoyed their dishes as well. This was the first excellent seafood dinner I had durng my trip to Boston during the last week of March 2016.

&G is a small corner restaurant, partially underground. The entrance is in the back and all of the seating surrounds an open kitchen/​bar. Perfect for small groups or special occasions. The menu has plenty, but they do the Branzino particularly well (served whole) and the rawbar is quite good too. Across the street is the Butcher’s Block, a small wine/​cheese/​meat spot owned by the same people and usually they will send overflow across the street to socialize and have a drink or some cheese before their table is ready for dinner. Also a great wine list here. I highly recommend both for a great evening.
PROS:
— Great atmosphere
— Amazing food
— Reliable
CONS:
— parking is tough, consider walking or a Lyft/​Über or other public transportation

Came in for lunch based on a friends recommendation.
I started with a half dozen oysters from their extensive daily selection. I asked for suggestions on which would be more briny in flavor and was directed to choose the Pleasant Bays from Louisiana and the Cotuits from Massachusetts. Both were outstanding.
The Cotuits were huge, almost the size of my hand and were plump and delicious. The Pleasant Bays had a great salt tang and went perfectly with the Prosecco mignonette that accompanied the oysters.
I opted for the lobster roll as an entrée which came with crisp sweet potato fries, bread and butter pickles and homemade slaw. The lobster roll was served on a freshly toasted hot dog roll and was filled with chunks of lobster; both tail and claw meat. The lobster was dressed with a light citrus vinaigrette and sprinkled with fresh chives.
The pickles and slaw were the perfect accompaniment as they helped cut the unctuousness of the buttery lobster. The fries were also very good as they were perfectly cooked and seasoned with herbs and sea salt.
Service was very good and the décor was bright and welcoming. I would certainly return here for their appealing dinner offerings and try to sample some of their adult beverages.

B&G Oysters is consistently one of my favorite restaurants to visit. Usually I visit B&G for lunch but last night, my boyfriend and I came here last night for a belated birthday dinner and I have no complaints. Dinner was just as great as lunch!
I’ll start off by saying the host last night was really great at his job. We were seated at a table close to the host podium and I watched him work the entire night. He was very professional and prompt and accommodating for everyone. Over the course of the night two different parties came in who spoke french and he was able to speak back to them, it was quite impressive! He also suggested people waiting go across the street for a drink at the Butcher Shop since B&G is very small.
We were seated promptly after we arrived and the servers were attentive all night. Our waitress was great at suggesting a wine for us and as well as pointing out her favorite dishes.
Everything we ate was great. We started off with 2 dozen assorted oysters and the scallop crudo. The oysters were fresh and delicious. The crudo was my favorite dish of the night and can’t wait to have it again. For my main course I tried the crispy whole branzino and LOVED it. I’m a sucker for whole fish and this one was served with a delicious dipping sauce that was sweet and spicy. My boyfriend ordered his go to — the B.L.T. with Lobster and it exceeded his expectations per usual. For desert we shared a quince crumble.
Over all, it was a very lovely night and even though we were seated close to the door I was never freezing. The sound level was very manageable and we were able to have a conversation without shouting.
Cannot wait to come back again and again!

This spot is just igggghhhht.
Was here with a group and had the following: Lobster Roll $ 30 (eeeehh), Clam Chowder $ 14 (good), two different oysters at about $ 3 each (solid stuff), and the Snap Pea Salad $ 13 (decent).
The food was fine, they do have a nice selection of fresh seafood options, and I did appreciate the outdoor seating option, but don’t think they are more than a 3 star spot. I would give them 3.5, but Unilocal still hasn’t made that option available.

Best fried clams — so fresh and juicy, will make your tastebuds dance! Loved the sweet sliced pickles, the fries are highly addictive. Enjoyed the best shrimp cocktail ever. Friend enjoyed the luscious lobster roll, very lightly dressed with mayo.
Cozy, intimate and yet low-​key — best of both worlds. Had a lovely, attentive server who paced our meal perfectly. Will be back for the blue cod and raw bar!

We came here for a late lunch on a Friday. Yep, we hopped off the plane and headed straight over.
B&G is located in a small space, with both inside and outside dinning options available. Reservations are recommended.
We sat at the counter overlooking the seafood bar. I was very tempted to order their 3 course prix-​fixe special of oysters, clam chowder and either a BLT or fish and chips. However, given that I was in Boston, I decided to go with a cup of the clam chowder to start and then have the lobster roll.
The clam chowder was not heavy and thick as is typically found, but light, flavorful and refreshing. It tasted of clams, not cream and flour. Delicious!
The lobster roll was overflowing with lobster with a dressing applied lightly. I detest lobster rolls drowned in butter or mayo and this sandwich was all about the lobster with small nuggets of celery and chives for crunch and flavor. The sandwich came with pickles (really good), coleslaw and some of the best french fries I’ve ever had. Despite my best efforts I barely made a dent in the big mound of fries. The mind was willing but the stomach was full. The two dishes were more than enough to fill me up and my main meal of the day.
The prices are high but so is the quality of the food. I felt the portions were reasonable. Service was on point as well. I look forward to future visits at this or some of their sister restaurants.

This little garden level shellfish joint was a fun first stop once we got to Boston. We ordered the short tower to start with. The oysters and sauce were delicious. I’m not huge on clams but I choked ‘em down. Almost lost it with the cherry stone because of the size – that consistency and texture just gets to me when it’s such a big bite.
I had the swordfish au poivre. It was delicious and well-​presented. Had a bit too much fennel seed for my tastes but textures and accompanying sides were great.
I tried the clam chowder and maybe my Midwest tasters are off but I didn’t think it was great. I had clam chowder at Gillette that I thought tasted better and was half the cost
Chris got the butter lobster and that was delicious. Cooked perfectly, tons of butter.
Wine prices weren’t bad and their soundtrack was fun. It was set to early 2000’s urban school prom radio I’m pretty sure. There is a bar area that you can sit at can sit that is facing the cooking and shucking area. Fun energy in there!

Food: 3.5
Seafood Tower: Do it! You won’t regret this decision. This seafood taste fresh and comes with an assortment of oysters, clams, shrimp, crab, and house ceviche. For those who want to order a tower, but don’t want to spend too much, they offer two tower cost types — one around $ 40 and the other around $ 80.
Smoked Salmon Toasts: This sounds luxurious, especially with squid ink rye and caviar. However, this is just an overpriced breakfast sandwich. Don’t get this unless it’s before 10AM.
Fried Ipswich Clams & Lobster Roll: The entrees didn’t stand out. I found a large raw shell in my clams! You wouldn’t expect this to happen at a Barbara Lynch restaurant. I notified this to the staff immediately. My wife & I agree that the lobster rolls at Neptune Oyster and Luke’s Lobster surpass B&G’s. The coleslaw and pickles is bland and feels like plate filler. The highlight of this dish were the french fries that were seasoned very well.
Service: 3
Yes, there was 1 – 2 servers at the restaurant when we got there, but only 4 packed tables. He didn’t check in on us at all and we had to chase him down to refill our waters multiple times. Additionally, our bread tin came at the same time as our appetizer, when it should have come before. He just didn’t seem to care to be there and for us.

My fried clams were chewy and soggy… Very disappointed. The dressing on my salad was very sour. I wish there was more mayo on the coleslaw. I also would like to have more tartar sauce with my clams.
It was really busy but I got less attention than other group of people. Other people around me got bread and water refill but I was not really being attended to.
I made a reservation which I honored but the reservation person decided to cancel it because he thought I been just sitting at a table and waiting for someone and not eating for the past 45 minutes. That’s just very rude. I booked the table on open table and I guess the person didn’t liked that I only ordered one entrée and was not with a lot of people…
Overall food was ok but not the best I had and not for the price that I paid. I am giving it one star because of the service that I got while I was eating there and after I ate there.

Ugh! I wish I did not waste my money here. The food was blah and overpriced. AVOID! Wish I went to Island Creek instead, but they were close on Mondays for lunch.
My chowder was watery and had no taste. My lobster roll was laughably tiny and had only claw meat — for $ 29!!! You think they could throw in some tail meat for that price. Lunch for 2 was over $ 100.

I had a colleague visiting from Toronto and she wanted seafood. I asked another colleague for some restaurant recommendations as seafood is not my area of expertise. B&G Oysters was recommended and I liked that it was close to the office/​home and where my colleague was stating. This was my first time here as well. All the staff was friendly. I always try to make reservations and they were accommodating as I had to change the time. We sat to the right and near the kitchen, it was fun for my friend to watch but was not too loud. We ordered a glass of red wine that was delicious. We started with calamari and halibut tartare for appetizers. Both were delicious. My friend got oysters and enjoyed them. I have shellfish allergy but was glad there was other options! We split two entrees: crispy whole branzino and line caught swordfish. Both were good but the swordfish was my favorite, tasted buttery and delicious! Our waiter was attentive! Whenever people ask for restaurant recommendations, it stresses me because I want them to have a good experience. I do have to say it is pricey but a treat that is worth it. I am happy my friend enjoyed it and we both said we would come back again!

Delicious lobster roll, fun beer selection, and tasty appetizers. I’m a big fan. Good luck getting a table on their patio as we showed up right after they opened and it was already filled up. I did think it was on the pricey side — well over $ 100 for lunch for 2, but I’d guess that’s in line with other Boston restaurants of this quality. If you can’t get a table outside, go with a bar seat (like we did) and enjoy the show watching them cook all this food right in front of you.

Amazing seafood place. I loved their oysters. I ordered their big platter and it was phenomenal. As a main dish, I got a lobster roll which was pretty taste. I Had a great time and I will definitely return soon.

B&G Oysters was pretty underwhelming considering the hype and scarce reservations. I made my reservation three weeks in advance and was seated promptly by a friendly host. The restaurant was smaller and more intimate than expected, and I saw a lot of people politely turned away as the restaurant grew more crowded.
The service was on point, and the restaurant is great for a date. However, the food left me wanting more. Most of the oysters were tiny considering the price, and the shrimp and crab was just OK. Nothing I had gave me the wow factor that Island Creek did.
B&G is kind of out of the way, and I think it’s worth trying for the sake of its name. However, don’t expect an unforgettable meal.

Pricey but always an enjoyable meal. I have had several items from the menu and to be fair, some of the dishes, especially the raw ones, were simply exquisite. But others were good; just not amazing. Overall though, I do enjoy coming to B&G — an intimate neighborhood seafood restaurant that has a modern, spacious twist thanks to the open kitchen. The ability to sit both at a table as well as the bar watching kitchen staff cooking your order is also quite inviting.
Consistently good service and wine.

Review is for oysters. The best. Really. They have a great variety and while pricey, they were exceptional. Since I can get Wellfleet and Duxbury oysters anywhere, we opted for a variety from Ipswich called Belon (they were the best even though they were 5.50 each) and the Norwak (sp) from CT which were also good. We got oysters from other farms that same weekend and the ones at B&G were the best.
They are busy all the time but the bar is a nice place to sit before it gets crowded.

I am in love with this place. My corporate office is in the Back Bay Area and someone local suggested I check this place out. My life will never be the same! The tower was amazing, service was excellent and the poached butter lobster tail changed my life. Incredible!

Preferred the lobster roll here over Neptune.
Some would agree, some would shout hearsay.
If you like the cold (mayo) rendition come here — the warm buttered version is done in the north end.
Chowder was prime — hearty, flavorful (bacon additions).
Poop it all out with some fiber — get the Brussels sprouts.

From the vigilant service to the exquisite food,
To the lovely décor that sets the right mood,
B&G is my go-​to for plump lobster rolls,
Crisp calamari and clam chowder bowls.
Those fries — oh so crunchy! Those oysters, how salty!
Not one single time has a trip here been faulty.
A patio seat in the summer is grand,
As is spotting some bar seats on a visit unplanned.
So make haste to the South End and prepare for a treat —
You’ll enjoy the crap out of each bite that you eat.

This is legit best oyster place of Boston. Great lesson for oyster starter. Compared to New York. Boston oyster is the real thing !

Came in for oysters and ended up getting them and the most succulent, luxurious, colossal oh my god so good shrimp. I’ve never had better shrimp. Yes they are four bucks each and worth every dollar. Nice service, very small restaurant and they have a sunken patio.
Prices might seem high but it is so worth it!

Maybe I came in with too high of expectations, but the overall meal left me feeling underwhelmed. We started with ceviche and oysters. The former was average and didn’t have much flavor while the latter delivered on their freshness.
Next, we tried the famous clam chowder which had a creamy consistency and bits of thick, hearty bacon. That was probably my favorite part of lunch. My main course, beer-​battered fish and chips, was accompanied by tangy pickle slices, tasty coleslaw, and fries. Though the three pieces of fish were small, their delicately fried exterior almost made up for the portion size. I also tried some of my husband’s fried ipswich clams which were also perfectly fried and juicy.
Service was acceptable, though I did find myself having to ration out my water for a good part of the meal since the waiter was nowhere to be found. The trendy atmosphere is aesthically pleasing, and the patio is a great nook to hide away for drinks on a hot day. In short, B&G serves quality food, but I don’t feel the prices are justifiable for the portion size and service.

You can always count on B&G for some great quality raw bar items. We ordered the shorty raw bar which is the smaller of the two raw bar samplers and it included oysters, clams, crab claws, crab cocktail and finally cockles, which was an interesting and new variation for me. We also shared the whole fried branzino. Also very fresh and I would highly recommend this entrée to anyone who’s adventurous to eat a whole fish, head and all. Quite a presentation and the quality can’t be beat.
It can get a bit busy in here and you’ll never get a same day reservation but if you can score a seat in the bar, it’s a good spot to stay, relax, unwind and slurp!