Little Whale

4.7

778 Reviews

$50 and over

Seafood

Make a booking

2 people

27 Feb 2025

21:00

Booked 25 times today

Experiences are available.

Neighbourhood gem
Charming
Great for fine wines

Little Whale Oyster Bar is a Classic New England Seafood Restaurant and Raw Bar from Chef Michael Serpa on Newbury Street in Boston's Back Bay. An ode to the seaside clamshacks are raw bars of the New England coast, Little Whale is a casual neighborhood spot focusing on local products and seafood friendly wines.

Order delivery or takeout

Private dining

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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$50 and over
Cuisines
Seafood, Contemporary American, Wine Bar
Hours of Operation
Mon–Thu, Sun 11:30–21:30 Fri, Sat 11:30–22:30
Phone number
(857) 277-0800
Website
https://www.littlewhaleboston.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive Chef
Reggie Da Silva
Private party facilities
Please contact info@serpahospitality.com for event inquiries.

Location
314 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02115
Area
Back Bay
Cross Street
Newbury Street and Hereford Street
Parking details
Meter Parking 2hr. Prudential Center Lot. Dalton Street Lot. Closest Valet at Mandarin Oriental on Boylston Street.
Public transit
Green Line Hynes Convention CenterOrange Line Back Bay
Additional
Gluten-free Options, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan

Featured in

5 restaurants pushing the envelope in Boston

Gift card

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Experiences

WINE BAR TAKEOVER ‘POSTCARDS FROM PROVENCE’
US$55.00 per person
5 Mar 2025 only
Join us Wednesday, March 5th as we host guest sommelier Brittany Galbraith of Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant for our WINE BAR TAKEOVER series at Little Whale. Based in Boston, Brittany represents Massachusetts on the national sales team for Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant. She has been in the wine industry for the last 10 years and has worked as a sommelier, beverage director, and wine educator. Brittany is passionate about using storytelling as a tool to bring the wine, people, and places she represents to life. She loves working closely with small growers, cooking traditional French recipes, and hosting wine dinners with friends. Be ready for a fun evening as Brittany takes you on a storytelling journey, sharing the stories behind three amazing wines from Provence, all from the Kermit Lynch portfolio. Ask questions, sip, and enjoy the vibe! We'll have light snacks and passed appetizers, with a full menu available afterward

Popular dishes

Shrimp Cocktail {4pc}US$16.00
old bay poached, cocktail sauce, lemon
Littlenecks on the Half Shell* {6pc}US$18.00
jalapeño relish & lime
Tuna Crudo*US$23.00
avocado green goddess, quick pickled cucumber, lime, sea salt
Salmon Crudo*US$16.00
pickled fennel, orange, crispy carrots, sea salt
Hamachi Crudo*US$24.00
golden watermelon, feta vin, aleppo pepper salt, mint
Mixed Ceviche*US$22.00
fish & squid, leche de tigre, cucumber, chili, cilantro, peruvian corn
Dressed Maine LobsterUS$42.00
fresh lobster meat, lemon, olive oil, fines-herbes
Sardine ToastUS$15.00
marinated portuguese sardines, iggy's toast, pickled pearl onions, lemon
Caviar Omelette*US$65.00
1oz island creek caviar, french omelette, herbs

Starters

New England Clam ChowderUS$14.00
fresh cherrystone clams, potato, smoked bacon, celery, thyme
Fried Ipswich ClamsUS$29.00
whole belly clams, buttermilk, little whale tartar sauce, lemon
Bluefish DipUS$12.00
toasted dark rye, apricot moustarda, pickled red onions, chives
Roasted CauliflowerUS$13.00
toasted almonds, golden raisins, harissa labneh
Rhode Island Squid SaladUS$20.00
cherry peppers, shaved cabbage, garlic bread croutons, tomato
Sautéed ClamsUS$22.00
spicy tomato ragu, toasted garlic, basil, country bread
Maine MusselsUS$20.00
roasted leeks & fennel, mustard, white wine, crème fraîche, country bread
BroccoliniUS$14.00
anchovy | caper | garlic, pickled fresnos, white anchovies, lemon
Beet SaladUS$16.00
ruby & golden beets, cranberry yogurt, blue cheese, endive, toasted walnuts

Sandwiches & Co.

Maine Lobster RollUS$48.00
cold w/ mayo or warm w/ butter, iggy's brioche, fries
Fish SandwichUS$24.00
beer battered hake, iggy's brioche, shaved cabbage slaw, tartar sauce, fries
White Clam FlatbreadUS$26.00
fresh clams, garlic, oregano, chili flakes, parm, arugula salad

Mains

Gloucester SwordfishUS$40.00
marble potatoes, roasted fennel, country mustard beurre blanc
Maine HalibutUS$42.00
green curry shellfish broth, roasted broccoli, carrots, baby bok choy, cilantro
Greek BranzinoUS$36.00
lentil salad, cucumber, radish, pickled onion, cauliflower puree
Lobster SpaghettiUS$48.00
roasted tomato ragu, toasted garlic breadcrumbs, basil, shaved parm
Steak Frites*US$38.00
savenor's bavette {8oz} maître d'hôtel butter, mixed greens, frites

Plateaux

ask your server about our daily oyster selections

The Newbury*US$95.00
6 local oysters, 4 shrimp cocktail, dressed lobster, ceviche, salmon crudo
The Grand*US$145.00
12 local oysters, 8 shrimp cocktail, dressed lobster, ceviche, salmon crudo
The Big Whale*US$295.00
24 local oysters, 12 shrimp cocktail, dressed lobster, ceviche, tuna crudo, caviar service

What 778 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.8Service
4.6Ambience
4.1Value

Noise • Moderate

Diners' Choice Awards

Greater Boston
Seafood
Boston
Seafood

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Little Whale is a delightful seafood haven in Boston's Back Bay with "excellent service" and "amazing food." Guests rave about "delicious oysters" and "superb lobster rolls." The cozy atmosphere and warm staff make it a "go to place" for many. Note: Only beer and wine are served.

778 Reviews

j
jodi
VIP
London
13 reviews
4.0
13 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 2
Overall great food but it was so loud in there so everyone had to scream to be heard.
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P
Peter
VIP
Greater Boston
24 reviews
5.0
24 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Delicious oysters and other delightful plates, great friendly service, nice ambiance.
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S
Stewart
VIP
Pittsburgh
20 reviews
5.0
20 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great service, great food, great space. Thanks, Li’l Whale!
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J
Jonathan
VIP
Greater Boston
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Delicious fresh fish in a cozy place with wonderful service, what could be better?
Is this helpful?
R
Ryan
Tulsa
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 19 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent service and the food was amazing. We sat at the bar and had 3 different types of oysters as well as swordfish and halibut. Everything was great and the presentation was first class. The only thing to be aware of is this restaurant only serves beer and wine. The drink selection was still very nice and that should never stop you from eating here! Look forward to coming back to Boston to eat here again.
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K
Katerina
VIP
Washington DC
17 reviews
5.0
17 reviews
Dined on 16 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
A very cozy spot. Wonderful food, great wine selection, excellent service.
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E
Edward
Columbus
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on 14 February 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Tried the set menu for Valentine’s Day, food was fresh, tasty and well presented, was packed but service was very prompt with a change of plates and silverware between each course. The salad was quite bitter but everything else was great.
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E
Evangelia
VIP
Los Angeles
6 reviews
3.0
6 reviews
Dined on 31 January 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 2
The spot is very cute. Menu is small and the food is good. We had the crab tagliatelle, which I thought lacked flavor and the swordfish, which was very good. There wasn’t really much with the swordfish beside some tiny potatoes under it. I felt that the drink options were really expensive because it’s either by the glass or by the bottle and none of them are very cheap. Overall, it was a nice meal, will come back if we remember it, but it wasn’t extremely noteworthy.
Is this helpful?
K
Katharine
VIP
Washington DC
14 reviews
4.0
14 reviews
Dined on 31 January 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
Good food and excellent service. Cute ambience. Note only wine and beer.
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T
Tom
Dublin
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on 24 January 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Can’t say enough about Little Whale, my new go to in Boston for Oysters & Lobster Rolls! I’d have happily lingered longer for the evening had or flight home been cancelled. The Team are tremendous, even though their names escape me - sorry to our Texan friends that kept us fed, watered and in good conversation throughout. Put it in your To Eat List if heading for beautiful Boston.
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FAQs

Little Whale offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (857) 277-0800.

Little Whale is rated 4.7 stars by 778 OpenTable diners.

Little Whale does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people

27 Feb 2025

21:00

Booked 25 times today

Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

314 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02115

Additional information

Cross Street
Newbury Street and Hereford Street
Area
Back Bay
Hours of Operation
Mon–Thu, Sun 11:30–21:30 Fri, Sat 11:30–22:30
Price
$50 and over
Cuisines
Seafood, Contemporary American, Wine Bar
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Meter Parking 2hr. Prudential Center Lot. Dalton Street Lot. Closest Valet at Mandarin Oriental on Boylston Street.
Public transit
Green Line Hynes Convention CenterOrange Line Back Bay
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive Chef
Reggie Da Silva
Additional
Gluten-free Options, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan

Website
https://www.littlewhaleboston.com/
Phone number
(857) 277-0800
Private party facilities
Please contact info@serpahospitality.com for event inquiries.

Featured in

5 restaurants pushing the envelope in Boston

Gift card

Send gift cards instantly by email or print to present in person.

Send a gift card

Little Whale

Make a booking

Order delivery or takeout

Private dining

Additional information

5 restaurants pushing the envelope in Boston

Gift card

WINE BAR TAKEOVER ‘POSTCARDS FROM PROVENCE’

New England Clam Chowder

Maine Lobster Roll

Maine Mussels

Fruits De Mer

Shrimp Cocktail {4pc}US$16.00

Littlenecks on the Half Shell* {6pc}US$18.00

Tuna Crudo*US$23.00

Salmon Crudo*US$16.00

Hamachi Crudo*US$24.00

Mixed Ceviche*US$22.00

Dressed Maine LobsterUS$42.00

Sardine ToastUS$15.00

Caviar Omelette*US$65.00

Starters

New England Clam ChowderUS$14.00

Fried Ipswich ClamsUS$29.00

Bluefish DipUS$12.00

Roasted CauliflowerUS$13.00

Rhode Island Squid SaladUS$20.00

Sautéed ClamsUS$22.00

Maine MusselsUS$20.00

BroccoliniUS$14.00

Beet SaladUS$16.00

Sandwiches & Co.

Maine Lobster RollUS$48.00

Fish SandwichUS$24.00

White Clam FlatbreadUS$26.00

Mains

Gloucester SwordfishUS$40.00

Maine HalibutUS$42.00

Greek BranzinoUS$36.00

Lobster SpaghettiUS$48.00

Steak Frites*US$38.00

Plateaux

The Newbury*US$95.00

The Grand*US$145.00

The Big Whale*US$295.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Diners' Choice Awards

Review summary

FAQs

Does Little Whale offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Little Whale restaurant rated?

Does Little Whale offer gift cards?

Is Little Whale currently accepting bookings?

Make a booking

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Featured in

5 restaurants pushing the envelope in Boston

Gift card