The Barking Crab Reviews

Ordered burger well done but was way beyond that- killed and cooked 5 times to dehydrated jerky status. Coleslaw however is excellent. Gluten free very limited though they did cook my burger in a pan instead of on the grill. Server was adequate. If you want low class high price this is for you. Eat in a tent seated at picnic tables with strangers. Supposed views of the harbor - non-existent. If I am going to pay $50 a head I want tablecloths. Thus the burver order instead pf overpriced crab that the server stated comes in frozen. They serve some local seafood but a lot of stuff not from the Atlantic. Questionable at best.

Great place! Right on the water. Perfect place for a lunch/dinner on the waterfront. Bring family, friends, dates, etc. It's perfect for everyone. It's just a tad pricey. But everything is market price. So there's that...

Expensive and a very long wait. We chose to come back before closing after the crowd died down on a Sunday night.
Loved the crab cakes and three different types of lobster rolls.

Great place to go on a sunny day. Right on the water. Food was amazing but the space was a bit small

Absolutely worth the wait! Very fresh and delicious. The staff was very friendly and took great care of us. My family looks forward to eating here again!

We read about coming here before our trip, but also knew it was sort of a tourist trap. However, the food is undeniably high quality and delicious. They seat you at long bench tables that you may or may not share with other people, but its not uncomfortable and you're separated by a utensil stand. It was windy that day so sort of chilly, as it's right next to the bay, so bring a sweater in the spring! The food was very expensive, especially when you feel like it's a very casual hangout spot, but worth it. Get the traditional lobster roll, I liked it more than the warm lobster roll. The crab cakes were awesome! Don't come at lunch as you may be waiting awhile for a table. Grabbing a bar spot may be perfect for you though, as the food comes out really quick.

This place never disappoints. Perfect casual place for a beer and seafood. Must have, naked lobster roll!!

Classic Boston waterfront restaurant. Fun place to bring visiting friends and family.

Yum yum yum !!! Go see Ricky! Best clam chowder ever.

The barking crab turned out to be a mixed bag for us. Their appetizer hot crab dip was tasty. But my main pan seared scallop dish was a let down. The pan seared scallops were hard. Not sure how they managed to do that. The risotto base of the dish was good. But if you spoil the scallops then fun is gone.

Lovely place with a great location and ambient. The food is always fresh and delicious . The staff is friendly ,professional and the prices are reasonable.

Good food and the music was jamming! The mussels were so good. It's the broth! We sat at the window so we had a view of the water. It's like a bar/restaurant so I wouldn't do a romantic date with my fancy clothes on. Definitely a great place for seafood and drinks.

My favorite Boston Restraunt. True great local seafood for local people. Fair prices and really good food. Not like the commercial famous places that play on past glories. A must go to but order slowly because portions are huge.

Fun spot! Great food, very fresh. Loved being by the water!

Stumble upon this Place while exploring court house Docks and waterfront saw this place and Thought to check it out. Got Warm welcome by there fantastic staff. Santino Was my server and He explained me all crafted beers and there drink specialities, as I wanted to Test there local product he explained all details of the draught they serve and really took time to serve though it was busy Sunday afternoon My experience was excellent and I will recommend this place if you or your friends want to have good service along with affordable food and drinks with amazing views of Boston Sky line

Food was not great and neither was the service, over priced to top it off. Paid $25 to park in the garage because there is no parking here either. I was disappointed. I would not recommend

Great food and atmosphere in a fun section of Boston!

The atmosphere is so awesome. We both ordered lobster rolls cause we had to? Traditional and baked and stuffed, delicious on both counts but expensive.

The location and atmosphere were great. The prices were a bit high but the food was good. It was very busy, even at times in the afternoon. I liked their table wait system which used a text message so that you could walk around the area while you waited.

The service was not very good. The restaurant is popular and the service's attitude was slow and indifferent.

Lobster roll was out of this world. Order the naked roll, looks like too much mayo on the traditional.

Great place if in Boston. Been here a few times, staff is friendly, drinks are always full and the food is excellent. The lobster is spot on.

Great ambience and setting. Has quite a rustic feel (i.e. not the tidiest environment). Food is good - particularly the seafood. Service was excellent for how busy it was. Great place to grab drinks and dinner on a warm day - fair warning: there may be a bit of a wait.

Fantastic food and fun atmosphere! Very casual outdoor seating area. Reservations recommended unless you have some time to kill. They do not accept same day reservations.

We try to stop in by boat and is one of the few places on the harbor that you can do this. Nice place, good food, fair drink prices. Thanks guys!

Fantastic prices for seafood on the Boston waterfront. I enjoyed the naked lobster roll which consists of generous chunks of lobster tossed in butter and served warm. My colleague had the fisherman's platter which was also delicious.

Solid New England "seafood shack" - style restaurant in the Seaport. Great selection of classic raw bar items and fried seafood. Noisy and friendly with communal seating. Good staff and a good selection of beers. Lovely sitting outside when the weather is good. A must visit.

Fantastic, crabs and shrimps super. Good and fresh bear, service and music. Price right. Suggested.

Right on the Harbor, great food, fun atmosphere. Just what you would expect a wharf front eating place to be like. The fried shrimp was excellent, the Grilled Lobster fantastic, and my Wife had the roasted Lobster and loved it. We will be back. When in Boston don't miss the Barking Crab.

A great waterfront spot to unwind after a day at work, or just spend the afternoon. You can't miss the tent on approach, and the place is usually packed because of the drink specials (pitcher sangria!) and the delicious food. The lobster roll is a staple that cannot be missed. Wait time for tables can approach an hour, but there is usually decent turnover at the bar, which is first-come, first-served.

I have been coming to the Barking Crab whenever I am in Boston. Seafood and service are consistently top-notch. Definitely worth the visit. A must go-to place if you ever find yourself in Boston and want to try their lobster! Staff is kind, receptive and efficient.

One of Boston s best restaurants. The wait can be long but it s absolutely amazing. The food is super fresh and delicious.

Wasnt worth the hype. Being from the north shore, if I pay 29 bucks for fried Ipswich clams I better get a mountain of clams and they better not smell bad. These smelled bad, and it was pretty skimpy. Clam chowder was good though.

Great spot by the water with a great atmosphere. Food was delicious, just stuck with the basics but they have a wide variety of crabs and lobster. Our waiter didn t make it back to our table to often otherwise I would have ordered a few more drinks. Would recommend.

I always enjoy going here with my friend Laura. It s her favorite spot because the froze is tasty and the men are zesty!

Being from Phoenix Arizona we don't have great access to fresh seafood, this place was Awesome located in a very historical part of Boston was even better. From the structure of the restaurant to the service was top rate , you do have a little wait to be seated because it's such a popular place....
ENJOY. .....!

First of all, I would give this place no stars from the horrendous service I received at this establishment. The server questioned the eligibility of my government issued ID, and then proceeded to be rude to me and my table for the rest of the evening. She was inattentive and gave attitude to customers the entire evening. When it came to her tip, she was questioning the amount she was receiving and went on to tell us that we didn t understand how the service industry works and that we had no experience in it.

As a customer I am appalled, I will never return to this restaurant again. Awful service, mediocre food.

Her name is Jess Guarino.

Enjoyed the staff - witty. And the food and price was decent. Great location.

Love it. Ask for a seat looking over the water. Naked lobster roll is so good !

Turned in our name at the hostess. We wanted a drink and oysters (as the restaraunt advertised as an oyster bar.) Waited 45 minutes to be seated, then waited for a server, only to be advised rudely that tables are for those ordering entrees.

Located on the edge of Boston s historic Fort Point Channel, The Barking Crab has become one of the city s best-loved meeting and eating spots. 2007 marks our fourteenth year of operation. Opened in May of 1994 as an outdoor summer restaurant, we were known for our first three years as Venus Seafood in the Rough. After a successful second season, the restaurant expanded into the adjoining Neptune Lobster and Seafood Market, adding a wood-burning stove and becoming a year-round operation.
Not the typical Boston seafood restaurant, The Barking Crab offers the casual atmosphere of a coastal clam shack in a funky urban setting, with a marina alongside for easy access by water, and all the rich resources of Boston only a short walk away.

Very cool place! The Boston Tea party drink is a must try!

Excellent lobster spot under the bridge. Do yourself a favor and get the flame grilled lobster. Calamari is delicious as well. Lobster rolls are super fresh.

It's a great place to spend a sunny afternoon or evening and enjoy a fresh lobster! The place is quiet expansive, but the location is awesome! Definitely worth to visit if you are in Boston.

My friend and I shared the lobster Mac and cheese and the hot crab dip. We got drinks too and everything was SO good.

Really disappointing! The award-winning clam chowder was a disappointment at best. Broth was thick as gravy and hardly any potatoes and clams to speak of. I ordered the salmon dinner and it was horribly overcooked to the point of being tough and chewy. On a positive note, the Boston cream pie was excellent.

Got the lobster bisque soup and crab legs and both were excellent. A lot of restaurants overcook the crab legs but these were perfect.

Actuall stumbled upon this place, what a surprise..visiting Boston? The Barking Crab is a must. They were taking the lobster out of the tank. The crab cakes were chunks of crab being barely held together, my favorite the lobster bisque...lip smacking with huge chunks of lobster. Lobster mac & cheese...I am ruined!... for every local chain that claim to have lobster bisque...where is the lobster? It's at the Barking Crab!

Food was great, New England Clambake was good. I took the roasted option for $8.00 more which was good. I do prefer boil only, $60 for the Clambake was much. I'd pay 40 the most as the clams and muscles were mediocre. Lobster was delicious, and drinks were great.

Food is good but pricey as expected given its location

We were super excited to try lobster for the first time. What a disappointment. I m not sure if it was lobster or the way it was cooked, but the tail was tough and chewy. We much prefer crab legs to that if that is normal . We were told by the host that it was.

Fun bar and restaurant near the institute of contemporary art. Lobster bisque was good. Drinks adequate. A little pricey for what you get.

Visited Boston for the International Seafood Convention. Had dinner here twice in the first 3 days we were here. Casual atmosphere. Excellent and delicious food. Service good. Recommend reservations, very busy place. Usually a wait list but well worth it! Very good menu, and beverage choices.

Food is great but the price should be marked as $$$ on the review for menu price. It was definitely not a $$ price kind of place. Pretty pricey and loud. Has more of a bar feel with fine dinning price.

Very pricey, but worth every single penny if you are a seafood fan! We had the Neptune and the portion and flavor did not disappoint. Family style park bench seating, so be prepared to be paired with strangers, but a fun environment.

I LOVE it here. Great place to drink outside in the summer. Food's delicious. My only complaint is that there's no table service on the patio and it's impossible to get to the bar for a drink or close a tab when it's crowded. They often close off half the bar area for private events as well, instead of using the ample indoor table space, which has never made sense to me and makes getting a bartender's attention even harder.

Ate here twice in 2 days , lobster roll meh, and on a bed of lettuce in the roll. Not very big or a lot of lobster for 28 bucks. The 2 pound lobster grilled and split was awesome good thing I had that first, otherwise I would not have gone back. Better lobster roll across the bridge at James Hook!

The bar side is so packed with 20-somethings that if that's your scene you'll love it. The restaurant side however is nicely spaced with cute decor. The wait staff is friendly and prices are very reasonable for portion size. Cocktails are tasty (HUGE) and the patio is dog friendly! Absolutely great for kids and family outings. I'd highly recommend the lobster Mac and cheese, the meat chunks are insanely big and tasty

The oysters were tasty and fresh. Great with their horseradish. The baked haddock was amazing, so tender, juicy, and flavorful. One of the best baked haddocks I've ever had

The waitress was on top of everything, the food was delicious. We took 2 kids under age 7 and they were able to offer hot dogs or chicken tenders. The COVID precautions were good.

Perfect for a late afternoon beer and meal - love the casual atmosphere and of course - great seafood. Perfect for all those young and old.

Fresh seafood. Reasonable price. Friendly service. Very casual.

Love coming here with my family. Fun ambience, great food, perfect location. The only reason I'm not giving 4 Stars...PLASTIC CUPS. Seriously? Please do your share and switch to reusable cups or glasses!

The Barking Crab was great! We took my family of five for my 9 year olds birthday last night. Great scene, great food and great service for a place that was absolutely packed. I told Lori our server it was my sons birthday and she made sure there was a candle in his ice cream and the entire restaurant sang him happy birthday(she was great!). needless to say my son was blown away. One thing, make sure you get there at least an hour earlier than you intend on eating. There is about an hour wait to eat inside and 2+ for outside.

Had the roasted lobster, delicious. Husband had a disappointing fish and chips, friend had a super loaded lobster roll. Clam chowder is thick and rich. Overall good valued price. Great enthusiastic waitress.
No wait on Friday night. Recommended by a local and didn't disappoint.

Outdoor venue that is very casual, paper plates and plastic fork. But awesome mid afternoon place to grab drinks in the summer and enjoy some fried fish or lobster or crab rolls. Very loud and fun with live bands on occasion so overall young crowd's will enjoy this summer time hit.

King crab was delicious, but it was just the crab with no included extras or sides like corn.

We enjoyed the lobster bisque. And the mixed sea food platter. Quite a good choice of dishes. Had a good filling lunch.

No frills seafood. Great portions and selection of beer. Many other night spots within walking distance. New England clam chowder was amazing.

I took my guests there. I have to tell this first, the location, environment and personnel are great.
However, the food quality.. the worst. Fisherman platter was like an oil sponge. Mac&cheese was not good at all. If you are looking for good food go somewhere else.

Pulled up by boat with 3 friends...20 minute wait for seats(which was accurate).ordered 3 bowls of chowder one lobster bisque 1 whole clam appetizer and one whole clam dinner..was told by the waitress that this section is only for people who are ordering entrees. She walked away before we could even question her on it.. pretty disappointed considering the food was pretty good.

Great food, so-so service. Not the most customer friendly place which was a big change from previous visits. The first establishment in a very long time that won't let you taste a craft beer on tap.

One waiter, Cristina, was Great, but there is another one, a bartender girl who was a great reason not to ever go back

It's set up and looks like a basic raw bar , but prices like a high end restaurant!

Food was good but pretty much run-of-the-mill raw bar seafood!

As someone who lives in the Rocky Mountains, I normally avoid shellfish, but I figured, I had to have lobster while in Boston. The crab roll was delicious! Paired with the Barking Crab White Ale and it was perfection.

The Barking Crab was a great place to get good sea food! Was able to get a really quick and tasty meal for a good price and could look out on the water. It was not even that crowded after PAX East let out and a bunch of people were hungry for dinner. We were able to get in and out pretty quickly!

terrible host ... rude. the food very good but it damages the experience

stopped for lunch this past weekend and the food was fantastic. My husband said best clam chowder he has ever had. We also had crab dip and split both types for Lobster rolls (cold w/mayo and warm w/butter) highly recommend

The Barking Crab is a great little Seaport restaurant specializing in lobster, crab, another delicious Seafood plates... It is always hustling and bustling with a crowd of patrons during opening hours. The staff are extremely friendly. The Barking Crab is a great stop for locals and tourists alike.

Great environment, service was okay, but its hard to beat the whole location and experience for casual summer lunch spot

Touristy a bit but great food on open air right on the water. Looks like a fun bar in the evenings. I had their shrimp dish and it was excellent.

Hands down the best crab and lobster experience for groups. You can taste the ocean I love it so fresh!!

5/5 on location and view. Most of the food on the menu is fried. Staff was great

a perfectly kitschy spot along the harbor. Food was as expected but the location, view and feel is what you go for. It was still a perfect Boston spot on a rainy day.

Went here with my coworkers during work training week. I d say it s the best place for lobster rolls!! I had the spicy one and it was great. Staff was super friendly. Wait-time was pretty long but it makes sense for a crowded place like this on the dock. I d go back again when I visit boston!

The crab cakes were extremely good. The lobster was wonderful and the grab legs were great. Very busy restaurant. Seems like there will always be a wait. But worth it if you love sea food

Clam chowder was delicious and affordable! The lobster roll seemed a little pricey, but we did enjoy sitting at the nice picnic tables in doors by the docks! Many options for classic bostonian seafood!