The culinary landscape of the Seaport District is developing quickly in this fast-growing neighborhood. There are legendary seafood shacks you won’t want to miss out on from the 1950s as well as delightful recently opened upscale restaurants tucked away in industrial areas that could be missed if you weren’t seeking them out. The neighborhood has been nicknamed the Innovation District, and the restaurants in the district play their part with distinct innovative mastery. Here are some of the best restaurants in Boston’s Seaport District to explore and delight your palate.
Woods Hill Pier 4: For a beautifully orchestrated farm to plate dining experience enjoy a meal at Kristin Canty’s Seaport District restaurant Woods Hill Pier 4. Kristin purchased a 360 acre farm in New Hampshire in 2013 to raise livestock and produce for her restaurants. The farmers raise cows, broiler chickens, laying hens, lambs and grow blueberries, apples, and mushrooms and keep beehives on the property. She and Chef Charlie Foster offer nutrient rich meals sourced from her farm and other small New England purveyors. Homemade pasta selections include Creste di Gallo (w/ mussels, smoked eggplant, sun dried tomato, and lamb merguez). When dining for two, the Dry Aged Woods Hill Farm Pork Loin (14oz grilled pork, chickpea panisse, sun-dried tomato agrodolce, summer vegetables & confit porcinis) will have you and your partner praising both farmer and chef.
Chickadee: This Mediterranean inspired restaurant opened in an industrial park in Boston’s Seaport in 2018 and quickly garnered accolades from The Boston Globe, Boston Magazine, and James Beard. The restaurant is a collaboration between longtime friends Chef John daSilva and Ted Kilpatrick. The menu highlights seasonal ingredients from local purveyors. Large plates include Crispy Fried Chicken (w/creamed corn, jalapeño, sheep milk feta, labneh ranch, cheddar biscuits & honey butter) and a Slow Roasted Porchetta (w/watermelon, fried peanut, chilies, cilantro & colatura).
The Barking Crab: This casual outdoor dining spot opened in the gateway to the Seaport District in 1994. Lobster, Dungeness Crab, Alaskan King Crab, and Snow Crab Clusters are served with drawn butter, lemon, and corn on the cob. Traditional Lobster Rolls and Barking Crab Rolls are served with fries and coleslaw, putting smiles on the faces of loyal customers and tourists seven days a week!
Yankee Lobster Co.: You can’t judge a book by its cover, and why would you want to? Order a Lobster Roll and discover why this 1950’s era unassuming seafood shack has become a Seaport District institution … laying claim to “the one roll to rule them all''. Of course, the cover of this book includes patio seats with views of the harbor while you are enjoying the bounty of the sea (that’s a pretty good cover). The Yankee Lobster Co. has its roots in a family of fishermen who came to America from Italy in 1898 to seek their fortunes in the commercial fishing industry. By the mid 1940s the family decided to focus exclusively on lobster fishing and opened the seafood counter to complement the business to the delight of the neighborhood. Enjoy a Traditional Lobster Roll, a Hot Buttered Lobster Roll, a Fried Lobster Roll or shake things up a little with a Lobster Melt (w/cheese & chipotle mayo on sourdough), or think outside the lobster pot and order a Crab Meat Roll.
Nautilus Pier 4: If you’ve worked up an appetite for a feast of whole roasted duck after viewing the latest exhibition at ICA, you are in luck! This restaurant is one of the newest restaurants in the heart of the Seaport District and is a very short walk from the museum. The outdoor patio seating offers visitors a comfortable dining option to reflect on the exhibition as they await their feast. The Nauti Table Feasts feature the Peking Inspired Whole Roasted Duck (oven roasted breast, crispy confit leg, ginger scallion rice, warm steamed buns, hoisin, smoked mayo, sriracha, and herbs) and a 28oz Bone-In Prime Ribeye (cast iron roasted, brown butter basted, black garlic sauce, roasted mushrooms, scallion pancake, sushi rice, and furikake). Enjoy dinner and a show in Seaport District style!
Aceituna Grill: This Mediterranean fast-casual dining option has three locations including the Seaport District location at 57 Boston Wharf Road. The restaurant believes healthy eating should be delicious and affordable and takes great pride in serving mouthwatering dishes reflecting the Mediterranean diet. The food centers around the Shawarma (slow cooked marinated meats on a rotating vertical grill) or Falafel: served on a bed of rice, atop an authentic Mediterranean salad, or in a pita roll-up. The Vegan & GF Falafel is made from scratch with real chickpeas and a house blend of fresh herbs and spices. Traditional salads include the always refreshing Tabbouleh and Fattoush, the perfect summertime fare you can enjoy with your Shawarma any season of the year.
Temazcal Tequila Cantina: Authentic Mexican recipes made with local ingredients paired with drinks from an extensive tequila list are on the menu here. The upscale Seaport District Mexican restaurant is one of a family of five in Greater Boston. House specialties include Camarones al Ajillo (shrimp, garlic, butter, wine, tomato, yucca chip, and Mexican rice) and Salmon Puebla Style (seared Atlantic salmon, quinoa, apricots, apple, pepita, and salsa la casita). With over 250 bottles of tequila and mezcal to choose from, the waitstaff is happy to help pair the perfect drink with your meal.
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