B&G; Oysters

Approval Rate: 95%

95%Approval ratio

Reviews 33

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  • by

    dovesandfigs1e_5c48

    Wed Jun 16 2010

    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.

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    josiebean8718d_b64

    Sun May 09 2010

    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).

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    cittygrrl19b67_2

    Tue Mar 23 2010

    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!

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    daveb1abd52

    Sun Feb 28 2010

    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.

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    alexrosenzweig_1b257c

    Tue Feb 09 2010

    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.

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    citysearchuser_129d99

    Tue Jan 05 2010

    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...

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    citysearchuser_1c63f0

    Sun Aug 09 2009

    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 ...

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    citysearchuser_1ab11b_2086902602

    Fri Aug 07 2009

    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...

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    ian76190348

    Wed May 20 2009

    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.

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    tackle711c0ae6

    Fri Mar 06 2009

    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

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    monica111e7ad9

    Tue Dec 02 2008

    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.

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    canwetawk1bd18_1

    Sat Sep 20 2008

    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?

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    prustitant

    Sun Jun 29 2008

    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

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    getchell1cfbcb

    Sun Jun 01 2008

    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

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    foodiegirl3113_9487

    Wed May 21 2008

    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.

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    citysearchuser_1a96f320464662_68

    Sun Jan 27 2008

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

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    ericgrossman1c_b3a4

    Thu Dec 20 2007

    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

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    palazzino15b96_5

    Mon Dec 10 2007

    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.

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    kfb821280d2

    Fri Apr 27 2007

    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.

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    goodvalueonly1_6be98

    Fri Apr 20 2007

    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

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    anine1b126f

    Thu Mar 29 2007

    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.

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    collegeincambr_ic19a1

    Sat Nov 11 2006

    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.

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    desieclipse1a9_c03

    Sun Oct 01 2006

    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.

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    courtneyk1a9fc_3

    Sun Jan 29 2006

    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.

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    bostonrestaura_n90e53

    Tue Jan 03 2006

    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.

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    designpair

    Sun Sep 18 2005

    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.

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    mihir1cb467

    Mon May 30 2005

    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.

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    sd141108221

    Thu Mar 31 2005

    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

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    heeto15770c

    Fri Jan 28 2005

    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.

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    winnie08018210_c5f2

    Mon Oct 11 2004

    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!!

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    bobiyd17d6d8

    Sun Feb 08 2004

    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!

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    kmac123113b252

    Thu Nov 06 2003

    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?

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    morsecodemaven_1a798b

    Sun Sep 14 2003

    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