As prime oyster season approaches, we offer a list of some of Boston's finest purveyors of bivalves on the half-shell
B&G Oysters (550 Tremont St., 617-423-0550,
bandgoysters.com): A longtime South End seafood stand-out from
super-chef Barbara Lynch, B&G shucks a rotating selection of more than a
dozen varieties of oysters from both coasts, all served with a tangy Prosecco
mignonette in a welcoming subterranean space with an adjacent patio.
Saltie Girl (281 Dartmouth St., 617-267-0691, saltiegirl.com):
This rustic, cozy little newcomer to the Back Bay scene features both East and
West Coast oysters, as well as a wide selection of tinned fish from Europe and
the Pacific Northwest. Once the shellfish whet your appetite, follow it with fried
lobster and waffles with sweet corn butter and spicy maple syrup, Saltie Girl’s
decidedly New England answer to the southern staple of chicken and waffles.
Select Oyster Bar (50 Gloucester St., 857-239-8064, selectboston.com, pictured):
Learn why Select has won accolade after accolade by plopping yourself down at
the bar and feasting on a fine selection of oysters and other raw offerings,
from black bass crudo to scallop ceviche to tuna tartare, in intimate yet
lively surroundings. Wash it all down with one of several Hemingway-inspired
cocktails that reflect chef/partner Michael Serpa’s Cuban roots.
Bar Boulud (776 Boylston St., 617-535-8800, barboulud.com/boston):
This luxurious eatery located at the Mandarin Oriental Boston recently started
offering the ultimate special for oyster-lovers—from 2–6 p.m. Monday through
Friday, enjoy $1 Malpeque oysters from Prince Edward Island in the bar, lounge
and terrace areas of the restaurant. Talk about happy hour!
Row 34 (383 Congress St., 617-553-5900, row34.com): Billed
as a “workingman’s oyster bar” and boasting an industrial-chic décor, Row 34 in
the red-hot Seaport District packs in diners eager for crustaceans from both
local and Canadian waters complemented by an eclectic selection of more than
two dozen craft beers from around the world on draft, not to mention several
rare, large-format brews by the bottle.