B&G; Oysters

The oysters here are the best in town; the variety, the perfect presentation, the briny freshness. The local cherrystones are also a treat. The servers know their product and manage to navigate the often crowded small space without making you feel rushed. In season try to get a seat on the patio. The wine list is well matched to the food and has a wide price range. If raw seafood is not your thing, the Fried Ipwich clams are a local delicacy brought to a new level with crispy batter fried perfectly. Or try the Maine lobster roll which will make you feel like you spent a day at the beach in Bar Harbor.

So I came here for the B&G Oyster Invitational two weekends ago (won tickets courtesy of Citysearch!) and it was fantastic. The space was perfect, though quickly packed and crowded, since most of the event was held outdoors and it was a gorgeous 80-degree day out. Inside is set up like a classy bar scene, where the food is all cooked right in front of you while you sip on cocktails/beer. Since this event was all about oysters, I can't give a real opinion on the full menu (though if you check out their Website it is a serious eyefull of yum). However I will say that their fresh as well as their fried oysters are absolutely delicious, and same for their fried Ipswitch clams and fried Point Judith calamari. Overall I would say that this place is definitely worth coming back to try an actual meal at (I'd say more of a lunch place or a casual dinner, since the place does run a little small).

My guy & I tried B&G for the first time on Sunday. The lobster bisque was tasty (not too rich, no lobster pieces though). The fish sandwich was excellent (breading was light, fresh flaky fish tended to keep falling out of the too big bun) right down to the shoe string fries & crispy sweet pickles on the side. The swordfish saltimbocca was perfect - portion on the smaller side but every bite was flavorful. The chocloate beer cake was good but the vanilla bean panna cotta was delicious! We also had half a dozen Pemaquid oysters that were super fresh - love that salt water flavor! Would've had a dozen (or more) if they weren't $2.65 per oyster though... Only complaint was the rolls that were like shoe leather - tough to tear apart & had to be soaked in the olive oil to be chewable. Service was good, enjoyed sitting at the bar watching all the action. Was extremely busy on a Sunday afternoon but we didn't feel crowded or rushed. Overall had a great experience - will definitely go back!

The waitress we had was incredible! Every suggestion she made was spot on! Lobster roll... perfect! Oyster selection was as good as have ever seen.

If you're looking for oysters or other raw bar selections, BnG is one of the top spots in the city. Though a bit on the small side, the cozy decor draws you in and solid drinks/wine list pairs well with the menu. Oyster sampler is a must for any bivalve aficionado. Food is overall competes with the likes of Neptune Oyster, where it wins on the drink/wine paring, though BnG wins on service and atmosphere. Watching the kitchen as you sit at the bar and enjoy your wine and food.

Yep, the oysters are great (and what a selection - options from all over the place, and the servers really can help steer you toward some th...

The best Lobster BLT in all of Boston! This signature dish is so fresh and delicious that it'll keep you coming back again and again. The ...

My girlfriends and I had a great girls night out at B & G oysters. We sat at the bar. The service was prompt. I had a fish dish which I w...

I picked this restaurant from the Zagat guide while on a business trip to Boston. It was a fantastic find. The atmosphere is classy without being stuffy. The service was attentive. The food was excellent - executed well with interesting flavor combinations. I am actually not a fan of oysters, but I highly enjoyed the rest of the seafood menu.

My wife and I had 7:30 reservations and arrived at about 7:15 and were promptly seated. The restaurant is very small with every table having a great view of the kitchen. It took a while to get our drink order in but after that service was outstanding. I had oysters as an appetizer which were great and they had a selection of 12 different ones from Massachusetts, PEI, Connecticut, Virginia, British Columbia and Washington St.. My wife had the house cured Norwegian salmon which was good but we would probably not order it again. For entrees my wife had the Sea Scallops w/ Sweet potato tortelloni which were outstanding. The scallops were perfectly seared and the tortelloni had a surprisingly savory taste. I had the Rope-Grown Main Muscles which were outstanding I just wished I had more bread to sop up the juices with. We finished with the Meyer Lemon Cheese Cake which I really enjoyed but my wife thought was only ok. She is a sweet dessert type of person and this was definitely no... Read more

I stubbled across this place with my mom and was pleasantly surprised. I live in Cali and eat oysters quite a bit but have to say the variety here was GREAT. I also recommend the lobster roll.

We've been to the B&G on several occasions. It's unpretentious, wearing jeans and a T shirt are the norm here but the food and service far excel that of many other restaurants. It comes across as a friendly neighborhood crowd although we think the diners that go here are probably well seasoned foodies. From the moment you enter the door smiles and a friendly welcome are abound. The food is straight forward, uncomplicated and delicious. We usually start off with a wonderful selection of,yes.... Oysters. Then we move on to another seafood dish.I would say run don't walk if you want to have a casual experience with top notch food. Not a complaint has been muttered by either of us or our guests the 3-4 times we've been here. what else can one say?

I have been to B&G Oysters twice now, and I must say that I am eager to visit again. The wine list is nice, including some muscadet that is perfect for oysters. What the diner can ALWAYS expect is amazingly fresh oysters. While waiting, you can hear the ice grinding for the presentation, the oysters are juicey/briney, and flavorful, well-shucked, and the presentation is always nice. The condiments are always fresh, but the oysters with a hint of lemon are also just as pleasing. Out of the food I've had here, everything is delicious. The fried artichoke was delicious, but a little difficult to eat. The calamari was fried very well, with each morsel being even. The softshell crab has too much cilantro for my tastes, but the peppers underneath are surprising and flavorful, and the crab is absolutely divine. The panna cotta is well-executed with nothing extra added. My only complaints about the place are the service and the prices. The first time I went, the service was not too slow, e... Read more

It's a busy Monday night, and we have no reservation. Place is packed. We leave our name and mobile number @ 8:45, are told "30 minutes; we'll call you" and proceed back down the street to await our summons. 45 minutes later we wander back to inquire, and are told the phone just rang and rang - strange, no missed call, no voicemail, whatever. I feel as if the hostess could care, but really she just seems overwhelmed. This is the second time in a year I have brought an out-of-town oyster-lover to this establishment, and immediately get the same impression. We wait another 10 minutes, and get seats at the bar. The server asks if we'd like water, and I we explain we are hungry, have a friend in from away, and would like 18 oysters of her recommendation. The drinks come quick, the oysters are great (although they bring 17, and we have to ask for the last) and the appetizers are tasty - calamari, artichoke, bibb. But the server is not only busy, but also never smiles - just ki... Read more

I have been to B&G about 5 or 6 times and each time I have really enjoyed myself. The food of course it just wonderful, it's hard to go wrong with a Barbara Lynch venue. The service is very gracious and consistent, right down to the host staff which can be hard to find sometimes. The bartenders and waitstaff are knowledgable and friendly and the ambience is warm and inviting.

B and G Oysters is known for much more than oysters. They have incredible classics (ex. great sandwiches, salads). The atmosphere is sophist...

Barbara Lynch, James Beard Award-winning chef/owner of No. 9 Park, lends her high buzz quotient to this small, sleek raw bar. There's little room to maneuver in this tiny spot; large parties often face lengthy waits to enjoy Lynch's superior selection of oysters and exceptionally eclectic wine list. Servers reel off impressive descriptions of each of the menu's many bivalves. From Washington Kumamotos to local Welfleets, B & G's main draw is its pricey, delectable, shucked-to-order oysters. Other highlights include a flavorful, not-too-creamy clam chowder and playful seafood dishes like a BLT (the "L" stands for lobster). Rich homemade desserts include apple Tatin and Meyer lemon cheesecake. Photo by Justin Ide

THis place would make it for sure in NYC. Very good food. Dining experience is small format and tight but that's part of the appeal. Sampled a bunch of different oysters, all very good. WIne list was great. Main course was excellent. We sat at the bar, which is where about 50% of the seating is. It was great. Again, all part of the experience.

Incredibly fresh good quality shellfish, but really no extra flavors. This is not a place to go for seasoned food. I ordered scallops, and while they were very good scallops, they didn't really taste like much because there was no sauce or seasoning on it at all. The oyster selection is exceptional, and they are very good quality oysters. I would recommend this place to someone who is either an oyster afficionado or people who like their food pretty plain. It's a very crowded and loud place, which gives it a fun buzz, but people who are looking for a quiet place to have a relaxing meal should stay away.

I usually never write any reviews but was in this case so disappointed I had to say something Went to this restaurant based on the excellent reviews. Saturday eve: we have been waiting for 1h30 Total price 150 dollars for 2, for: - 6 raw oysters: low quality for 2/3 of oysters tasted - 6 fried oysters: forget the word oyster, it is just fried batter over tartar sauce - 2 lobster rolls, the worst 31 dollars for overcooked lobster, no taste - Wine: 12 dollars/glass for a very low quality chablis To conclude, don't waste your time or your money for this very low value restaurant

I don?t think you can get better seafood in Boston than B&G. I love everything about this restaurant; food, wine, service, atmosphere. It?s a small space, so if you are a party over 4 people, I would recommend making reservations. Usually stop by the Butcher Shop for a glass of wine before we go, makes the ?Barbara Lynch Experience? even better. The excellent service at B&G needs to be mentioned too.

If I had an unlimited budget, I would only eat at Barbara Lynch restaurants. B&G Oysters is the latest in a string of fantastic restaurants. Each one, however, is surprisingly unique. At B&G, I recommend sitting outside weather permitting. You must order the oysters and then sample as many of the tasting plates as possible. Everything is exquisite. Worth the wait.

I have never had oysters before so my review comes with a limited reference frame - however, everything else I tried from the menu was absolutely delicious - the scallops are the best! I also enjoyed the pumpkin soup w/ scallop which was a special for that day.

Everything about our visit to B&G Oysters was perfect. It's a very small restaurant with limited table seating. Reservations are only accepted for parties of four or more, and parties of two generally are seated at the bar (where only diners can sit), which surrounds the kitchen. There are a few tables for couples though. At 7:45pm on a Saturday night we were told the wait for two would be an hour. Fifteen minutes later we were seated! Our seats at the bar were directly across from the chef's side of the kitchen. It was fascinating to watch the beautifully choreographic balancing act for the full two hours were there. Our server was warm and friendly, attentive but not too attentive. She happily recommended her favorite oysters, and all of the food was perfectly timed and elegantly prepared. We left the experience happy as oysters.

Been to B & G many many times. For what it's worth it's our favorite restaurant in Boston. Food is superior - obviously fresh, high quality ingredients paired with exceptional preparation and presentation. Staff is one of the best trained I have ever witnessed, very knowledgable and courteous. Vibe is chill and casual and decor is simple but not underdone. Eclectic wine list compliments menu perfectly, and knowledgeable staff will spend time if you don't know a particular wine. Value is amazing in consideration of the fact that the food is of such high quality, and the wines can hardly be found anywhere else.

Great oyster selection. The other items are unique, wonderful and delightful. A bit expensive - the food is worth it but the ambiance brings down the value. Hip-hop music a bit TOO loud, and bad acoustics in the restaurant. The tables are jammed in and servers hit the chairs trying to get through to other customers. Service is EH, silverware replacement and table service good, the servers are a little distracted and not so friendly. Go for the food, perhaps not at a noisy, busy time.

I had read so much about the Lobster BLT, so I went to B&G for lunch. For a $21 sandwich, I thought it strange that they'd charge me $3 extra for subbing fries for chips. Fries were OK - very oily. The Lobster BLT was good but I was disappointed when there were no solid lobster pieces but only scoop of lobster salad. The atmosphere was cozy and the service was friendly. I'd go back to taste other menu items.

Went there with friends for a late dinner and will definitely go back. Small restaurant, with a great atmosphere (fun funky music, relaxing lighting, eclectic mix of people), friendly, upbeat, helpful wait staff that seems to enjoy working with one another, and a great selection of seafood. Highly recommend the Nova Scotia oysters and the lobster salad. Didn't feel rushed at all, yet didn't feel neglected either. **** Make sure you hand your valet stub to your waitress 15-20 minutes before you want your car because they park them pretty far away from the restaurant

Popped in for lunch and were impressed with the over-all quality of the food and service.The lobster bisque and clam chowder were some of the best we've had. The fried clam entree was a hit along with the seared scallops.It was a treat to watch the chef prepare our tasty meals as we sipped on carefully selected wine. Top it off with great service and you have a great dining experience without the attitude.

the food is good, the staff is friendly, the ambience is chic yet comfortable. Innovative menu items, plus excellent variety of oysters, of course. this is my untimate fav. seafood place. B&G rules!!

This place is VERY small... so be prepared to wait for a seat. That being said, if you are an oyster fan, the wait is well worth it. They have approximately 20 different oyster styles on the menu, and the staff is extremely knowledgable about the subtleties of each variety. Oh yeah... the scallop entree was fabulous as well!

Yes, the restaurant is small, it's a brownstone in the South End...so what? It makes up for it's size restrictions by giving you a perfectly designed space. Simply put, it's one of the most elegant spaces in the city. Service was outstanding, the hostess (red hair) is fun and couldn't be nicer. The oysters were amazing and the wine list is fantastically paired for the menu. What else can you ask for except a sit with your name on it?

i had a terrific evening here, two nights after opening. so polished was the service and food that i felt as if b&g had been here forever. and what a wine selection! stupendous mineral-ly whites to complement the oysters. it's a beautiful, airy, generous little shoebox of a place, which somehow manages to be intimate and expansive at the same time. another way to put it - it's sexy and populist simultaneously. the excitement of seeing boston's best chef cooking in the open kitchen was fantastic - up close and personal like you've never seen. true restaurant excitement. i'm going back