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Name: Legal Sea Foods
Address: 26 Park Plz, Boston, MA, 02116
Telephone: (617) 426-4444
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.40

Legal Sea Foods

26 Park Plz, Boston, MA, 02116

(617) 426-4444
Store is closed

Legal Sea Foods Menu

Chowders & Appetizers

Chowder

Gazpacho

Lobster Bisque

Steamers

Mussels

Legal Experience

Legals Signature Crab Cake

Salt Cod Fritters

Oysters Legal

Hot Lump Crab Dip With Seafood Chips

Fried Oysters

Crispy Montauk Calamari

New England Fried Clams

Shrimp Wontons

Popcorn Shrimp
Salads

House Salad

Wedge Salad

Classic Caesar Salad

Chopped Greek Salad

Tortilla Apple And Goat Cheese
Salads - Add Ons

Grilled Chicken

Maine Crabmeat

Grilled Shrimp

Grilled Salmon

Lobster Salad
Lunch Entrees

Annas Baked Boston Scrod

Legals Signature Crab Cake

New England Fried Clams

Grilled Mediterranean Salmon

Louisiana Gumbo

Grilled Shrimp

Mushroom Ravioli

Jasmine Special

Portuguese Fishermans Stew

Fried Fishermans Trio
Sandwiches & Rolls

Legals Signature Crab Cake

Tuna Burger

Crabmeat Roll

Crispy Fish Sandwich

Lobster Roll

Fried Clam Roll

Grilled Chicken Sandwich

Niman Ranch Burger

Tuna Salad Melt
Surf & Turf

Surf & Turf

Filet Mignon

Marinated Grilled Chicken
Legal Classics

Legals Signature Crab Cakes

Double Stuffed Baked Shrimp

Nutty Atlantic Salmon

Shrimp And Garlic

Lemon Caper Grey Sole

Annas Baked Boston Scrod

Wood Grilled Assortment

Jasmine Special

Cioppino

Vegetarian Box
Seafood Bar

Raw Oysters

Raw Clams

Treasures Of The Reef

Blackened Raw Tuna sashimi

Smoked Salmon

Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail
Sides

French Fries

Onion Strings

Brown Rice

Baked Potato

Broccoli & Cheese

Cole Slaw

Seaweed Salad

Rice Pilaf

Jasmine Rice

Mashed Potatoes

Jalapeno Cheddar Polenta
Signature Desserts

Boston Cream Pie

Warm Chocolate Pudding Cake

Key Lime Pie

Bruleed Cardamom Rice Pudding

Cheesecake

Chocolate Layer Cake

Ice Cream & Sorbet

Three Bon Bons

Healthy Meal suggestions for Legal Sea Foods

Chowders & Appetizers

Chowder [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gazpacho [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lobster Bisque [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Steamers [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mussels [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Legal Experience [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Legals Signature Crab Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salt Cod Fritters [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Oysters Legal [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hot Lump Crab Dip With Seafood Chips [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fried Oysters [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crispy Montauk Calamari [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

New England Fried Clams [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Wontons [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Popcorn Shrimp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Salads

House Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Wedge Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Classic Caesar Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chopped Greek Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tortilla Apple And Goat Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Salads - Add Ons

Grilled Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Maine Crabmeat [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Shrimp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lobster Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Lunch Entrees

Annas Baked Boston Scrod [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Legals Signature Crab Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

New England Fried Clams [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Mediterranean Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Louisiana Gumbo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Shrimp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mushroom Ravioli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jasmine Special [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Portuguese Fishermans Stew [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fried Fishermans Trio [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sandwiches & Rolls

Legals Signature Crab Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tuna Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crabmeat Roll [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crispy Fish Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lobster Roll [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fried Clam Roll [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Chicken Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Niman Ranch Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tuna Salad Melt [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Surf & Turf

Surf & Turf [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Filet Mignon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Marinated Grilled Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Legal Classics

Legals Signature Crab Cakes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Double Stuffed Baked Shrimp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Nutty Atlantic Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp And Garlic [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lemon Caper Grey Sole [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Annas Baked Boston Scrod [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Wood Grilled Assortment [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jasmine Special [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cioppino [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetarian Box [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Seafood Bar

Raw Oysters [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Raw Clams [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Treasures Of The Reef [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Blackened Raw Tuna sashimi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Smoked Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sides

French Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Onion Strings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Brown Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Baked Potato [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Broccoli & Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cole Slaw [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seaweed Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rice Pilaf [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jasmine Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mashed Potatoes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jalapeno Cheddar Polenta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Signature Desserts

Boston Cream Pie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Warm Chocolate Pudding Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Key Lime Pie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bruleed Cardamom Rice Pudding [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cheesecake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chocolate Layer Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ice Cream & Sorbet [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Three Bon Bons [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Visit below restaurant in Boston for healthy meals suggestion.

Boston Common Coffee Co. ( 97 Salem St )

Einstein Bros Bagels ( 725 Commonwealth Ave )

Visit below restaurant in Boston for healthy meals suggestion.

Einstein Bros Bagels ( 725 Commonwealth Ave )

Write An Anonymous Review

Ivanka B.

5 stars alone for the fabulous service and let me explain why: So OpenTable allows you to make a midnight reservation even though that is the time the kitchen closes. My flight was getting in at 11:30 maybe earlier, maybe later but you couldn't be certain. I had spoken with someone earlier to confirm the restaurant would be open for my bf's surprise dinner. We were able to order everything on the ride over from Logan and were warmly greeted at 11:50pm when we strolled in the door. While it was amazing to be in the restaurant enjoying our lobsters by ourselves, I'm sure it isn't fun to have to stay late at work while two lovers canoodle in a booth and make a mess eating their dinner. I can't really comment on the food - baked potato was huge, green beans were green beans and the lobster was perfect but that's really hard to screw up. Will need to come back and try some other stuff. Bananas foster for dessert was delish but the bananas needed to be softened up more - tasted a bit like plantain. Anyway, the service made it for me at this place and it was a great way to start off our weekend in Boston - thanks to the wonderful staff here!
(4)
Adam Z.

As shown in my older review this use to be an amazing Legal Seafood location. Since that time I have brought my brother here again and my girlfriend and we were sadly disappointed twice. There service has gotten horrid and the food seems to have been transitioned from freshly cooked to microwaved! I have vowed never to go to a legal seafood restaurant again. It's a shame too because I use to love what they had to offer. I think they have suffered from opening up too many locations and have becomes a cheap chain. Ex: The logan airport location, harbor side one, test kitchen, prud, etc.... Too bad.
(1)
Stacy M.

I felt like rewarding myself after a hard week of work in Boston and Legal Seafood was right outside the door of my hotel. Started with their "Old Fashioned" Old Fashioned on the cocktail menu. It's pretty clear their idea of an old fashioned is a small jigger of bourbon, a dash of bitters, lots of soda - decorated with a cherry and slice of orange. Not at all what I had hoped for. Then had an appetizer of fried clams (about 8 good sized whole belly clams) for $14.95 and a hickory wood grilled lobster with Asparagus and a Portobello stuffed with Gorgonzola $31.95. The fried clams were pretty good. The lobster wasn't really worth finishing. Kind of mushy / slimy on the outside of the meat? The asparagus was fine, the mushroom with Gorgonzola not so much. I love mushrooms and I love Gorgonzola so hard to figure out. The Gorgonzola was bitter and overwhelmed. The wines by the glass were very good and the best part of the meal. Spent about 90 bucks with tip and left sad and a bit hungry.
(2)
David G.

"I really like this place", so said my date. Well, we could go to this place call Neptune Oyster? No. Umm, how about this place call B&G Oyster, it's really close to here? No, I like this place I have been here twice before. Ugh, so I knew I was doomed to an overpriced average meal for tourist. The waitress asked, have you been here before? I wanted to reply, yeah, 20 years ago when Legal's was good, but I just kept quiet. Mediocre food, good service, overpriced. The things us Bostonians put up with for our out of town visitors. I think she mentioned something about a Duck Tour on Saturday...save me.
(3)
Joe M.

Everything we ordered met our expectations! Drinks were delicious too! Casual environment was a huge attraction because getting the kids dressed up for dinner after a long day is not practical. Service was good, prices were very reasonable.
(4)
Joanna F.

Five stars. BAM! Came in last night again and we got a free appetizer for making a reservation with Open Table (in other words, do that). Also, our server (I believe his name was Pong) was AMAZING.
(5)
Debra G.

Legal's is consistent and good. I wouldn't rave about originality as much as you know what you are going to get and it's consistently good. Their reservation system didn't work too well. We were left waiting as they "forgot about us."
(4)
Eric F.

Came to this branch for a friend's birthday lunch and it wasn't too bad. The interior's expansive and more well-kept and spacious than most of the others I've been to and the staff at the front entrance kindly led me to my party rather than just pointing me in the general direction. Gotta appreciate the little things ;) As for the food, nothing much more to add to what others have already said: solid, but way overpriced. My grilled shrimp lunch entree was $15 and worth about 2/3 of that tops. Would be nice too if they could use actual cheese instead of what looked like white cheese whiz. Our waiter could've afforded to crack a smile or two as well, pleasantness does go a long way.
(3)
Lauretta L.

$1 oyster happy hour! Cape Cod is where it's at. Add hot rolls fresh from the oven and a class of sparkling wine and you are set.
(4)
Katherine L.

Can't really beat the location and our server was great. We went for lunch and started with a half dozen oysters (extremely fresh and fresh horseradish for the cocktail sauce) and my boyfriend had the clam chowder, which wasn't too heavy on the butter/flour and had a great balance of flavor. I had the crab sandwich..they were very generous with the crab, which was sweet and delicious. My boyfriend got his very first lobster.. 1.5 lb of deliciousness. He was a good sport and wore the bib (the server recommended it to protect his clothing from the butter and lobster 'juice'). We ended with a cookie a la mode (the cookie was burnt so it tasted more like toffee..burnt caramel). I would recommend this for someone visiting Boston for the first time.
(4)
Helen L.

I had a really good experience with the other location at State Street but this one not so much. The size of the restaurant is just as large as all their chains. The service was wonderful and friendly. They even had the portable charge machine available so that you can swipe your card at the table for security reasons (at least I hope so!) The clam chowder was warm and thick with a mouth full of clams. The halibut special, however, was overcooked and stiff. I was a bit disappointed since it was a huge portion and the sauce was great but not the fish this time...
(3)
Joel S.

Has gone downhill. Service = 1 star Menu (fish) choices = 1 star Food quality = 1 star
(1)
Matthew L.

Can I say yum? The food is a little on the pricier side, so when my friends and I went there, we went there mainly for their clam chowder, which was really good. It wasn't too thick or too thin, too savory or too bland -- it was JUST right. It was perhaps the best clam chowder I've had in my life. We also ordered the mussels and the Greek salad, which were some of the cheaper items on the menu. Because the food is pretty rich, it was just right for my friends and I because you can only have so much rich food in one day, right? So if you come here, definitely try the clam chowder--it's probably one of the best in Boston --as my Bostonian friends tell me. You can save your stomach for food elsewhere, unless you want to be spending the big bucks here. Service here is really great too. The waitress we had was really friendly and very attentive. Whenever my glass was empty, she'd fill it with water. Excellent and highly recommended!
(4)
Melissa F.

After reading all the terrible reviews I was a little nervous coming here for dinner. I sat in one of the private rooms for yet another dinner presentation. I have to say the service was great and the food did not disappoint. We had the shrimp dumplings- steamed and fried- to start, in addition to brushetta. Both of the dumplings were delicious and the brushetta was very fresh. Perfect way to start our meal. I had the house salad with a peppercorn dressing that was fantastic. Almost everyone else got (obviously) Legal's clam chowda. But I just had to be different. They all said that was good as well. As my entree I got the wood grilled shrimp with jasmine rice and summer veggies. The shrimp had a very tasty marinade on them and there was enough smokiness to them without being overpowering. It came with I believe 8 or 10 of them so definitely enough to fill you up. I finished off with the chocolate cake and I can honestly say I don't think I've finished a dessert that quickly in a long time. I don't like lots of frosting but this had just enough. Overall solid B+/A- to my meal. Even Legal's wine is good. Both the speaker and I were pleasantly surprised at how good the house red and white were. We had 2 servers that were very attentive and we never had a wine or water glass that was low very long. Capital Grille on Boylston should take note. My last dinner presentation was there and the service was atrocious (see my review.) This is a large, 2 floor location with good food, friendly service and a great location.
(4)
Brian W.

I've been to almost every Legals in Boston and my dining experience last night was the best yet. The restaurant seemed bigger and cleaner than others and it was surprisingly empty on a Friday evening. Our waitress was awesome and managed to get both of our meals correct AND have a friendly conversation. One of the daily specials was an Asian style Sea Bass served in a ginger broth with veggies and it was awesome. The portion was huge and the flavors were not overstated like often happens with soy sauce infused Asian themes. If you're catching a show in the Theater District or lucky enough to be staying at the ritzy hotels nearby this Legals is definitely worth a visit.
(5)
Danielle M.

If you have $100 to drop on dinner this is the place for you. $18 for 1 crab cake is ridiculous. The only thing that is affordable is the soup. We walked out.
(2)
TheRealDeal Z.

Pretty good. Nice atmosphere. It has a downstairs with a fountain in the center of the staircase. Not so fancy you have to dress up but maybe more than half were dressed nicely. I ate at the bar. The bartenders were friendly and made recommendations. I got the trio -scallops shrimp crab cakes. 7/10 for the flavor and texture.
(4)
Ann S.

Great dinner! We had a wonderful experience at Legal Seafood! The lobsters were steamed beautifully. The oyster selection is diverse and so fresh! Our waiter Ed White made our night, what a great person and attentive to every need. Brea is an outstanding sommelier, and guided us to a very memorable Merlot. The restaurant is beautiful and we will definitely return on our next trip to Boston.
(5)
Belle L.

guess you either love this place or not. hubby and i liked legal's so much that despite my long list of foodie joints to try, we came back here a 2nd time. our service during both visits was great! our servers constantly checked up on us, our waters were always refilled (i'm a big stickler on this one!), and on our 2nd visit our food was brought out to us promptly when i informed our server that we had a show to catch within the hour. maybe we came at off peak times, but on both visits we were seated right away. thursday we came around noon for lunch and saturday around 2pm. so we lucked out on not having to wait for a table. so, on to the food: 1) $1 oysters before 6pm!!! i believe this is only M-F because when we showed up again on Saturday, the oysters were regularly priced. tried all the oysters (Prince Edward Island, Kumamoto (always a fav of ours), Cape Cod, & a NY/NJ catch. the P.E.I's quickly became a new favorite..great flavor and so light tasting! no wonder our server said it was the most popular oyster ordered. 2) calamari appetizer - not too bad. the calamari had a good soft texture, not overcooked..but they were a bit on the oily side for me. 3) lobster roll - Y-U-M!!!!! first time having one, so maybe i'm a bit biased..but all that lobster meat and not having it drenched in mayo was a big hit for me. and the fries on the side were tasty - i think they were double fried bc they had that perfect crisp to them. 4) signature crab cake - hubby ordered this. it was one huge crab cake seasoned with a mustard sauce. now he's not a huge mustard fan, but he really liked how it had a good subtle taste w/ the crab cake. it also came w/ a choice of side dish, so he picked the side of broccoli w/ cheese sauce -mmm i loved it w/ that gooey white cheddar. 5) bowl of new england clam chowder - very creamy and so full of clams! we inhaled our bowl, it was so good. haha by the time the waitress came out w/ bread to dip in the chowda, we had already finished it! though i will say, on one of my last bites i did get a gritty clam..but it was just once, so it wasn't too big a deal for me. 6) bowl of lobster bisque - another winner. enjoyed the huge chunks of lobster in the bisque. must be bc back home when we order lobster bisque we get miniscule pieces (same goes for the clam chowder back home)...oh new england how lucky you are to get all this seafood!!!! so all in all, i'm a fan of this place. good service + good food = a winner is you legal seafood!!
(4)
Lisa K.

It was my husband's and my first trip to Boston, so when we queried our friends on where to eat, the resounding answer was: Legal Sea Foods. I was admittedly hesitant in discovering it was a chain; a concern that proved unfounded when I tasted the deliciously fresh seafood. No sub-par standards here! We ordered quite a few items: chowder, lobster roll, calamari and such, and enjoyed them all immensely! The atmosphere is pleasant, the location is ideal (especially if you're on vacation and came to see the famous historical sights) and the service was gracious. We will definitely be back on our next trip.
(5)
Scott M.

Pretty nice meal,Legal Seafood is the large seafood chain in and around Boston.
(4)
Michelle T.

Legal Sea Foods has really fallen from the clouds. No longer is it a top choice of mine for seafood simply because the service, value for money (food), and innovation just isn't there. I've been to Legal about a dozen times and this particular one seems most disappointing. I'd NEVER bring a guest here. The plates are so old the colors have faded and the cracks are more than obvious. Service is mediocre and the waiters often stand around chatting loudly with one another when there are fewer customers. Clam Chowder - Delicious, yes, but you don't have to come to Legal for yummy clam chowder if you're in New England. Crab Roll - FLOP. One half of the bread was soggy. Crab meat was flavorless although I appreciated the fact that the chef didn't drench the meat with mayo. I ate it Atkins-diet style, even though this girl LOVES her bread. Crab cake BLT - really a burger of crab cake. Really really heavy dish, but it was done well. Flavors were strong and delicious. Coleslaw - I like the KFC ones better. These are so heavy. Side salad - Grossly overdressed with creamy dressing. It was so heavy I didn't even finish the little portion. Fries - meh. Fine. Highlight was the organic ketchup they put on your table. $50 lunch, OK food. OK service. Failed value for money. Nothing I'm excited about anymore. :(
(2)
Amy W.

This restaurant is perfect if you're traveling with children, as they do a terrific job making sure kids' needs are met but parents can still enjoy a really good meal. They have an extensive kids' menu and children's meals come with veggies and fruit, so we didn't feel so bad about our little guy chowing down on grilled cheese and fries. My husband and I loved our meals - portions are generous and everything tasted great. HUGE wine list. For a chain restaurant experience in particular, we were really impressed!
(4)
Liz K.

Service is very friendly. Big space, but not too crowded. Plenty of space between tables, and you never feel on top of other diners. The food was just so-so. Coming from the other coast where lobster is extremely expensive, there was no other choice for me. So, I ordered the smallest lobster, which comes with 2 sides. I think that was around $28, $30 (that would have cost closer to $60 on the west coast). The thing is, the lobster was tough and not very sweet. I had to use a knife to cut it, and it my butter knife couldn't slice through the tough meat. Very disappointing. So . . . maybe it's just poor lobster that comes so cheap?
(3)
Alex T.

Best seafood I've ever had. Highly recommended. Perhaps a little over-priced and service was a bit impersonal but overall and an excellent meal with a beautiful ambiance.
(4)
Jason M.

I sat at the bar during my recent experience and in full disclosure, it was not busy. The bartenders were very nice and chatty. The clam chowder was very good. I'm don't think it was the best I've ever had, but it was good and $5 a cup isn't bad. For my main course, I had the seafood casserole. It was a fairly small portion of an individually baked dish. I didn't mind the size. The taste wasn't what I was hoping. I probably would go with something else next time. The only reason I'm rating 4 stars instead of 5 is the price. They are very proud of their food.
(4)
Blue L.

So the lobster roll here was pretty good, but it seems like nothing else is. Seriously, if you deviate from the basics (lobster, chowder, shrimp), this place gets bad fast. I got a tuna sashimi off their appetizer menu. Bad idea. Worst tuna ever. First, it wasn't sashimi, but instead was more like seared sliced tuna (i.e. it wasn't raw). Also, it was covered with CAYENNE PEPPER. Seriously?? Cayenne pepper on tuna sashimi? you've got to be kidding me. What happened to the typical soy/vinegarette dressing that all tuna sashimi comes with? It was the worst I've ever had, and completely bizarre. Also got a salad, which was pretty mediocre. Service was slow. Just not a great place to go.
(2)
Theresa M.

This was my first visit to a Legal Sea Foods and I loved it. We had a lovely table with a view of some city hubbub. Our waitress was efficient and sweet and the drinks were delicious and unique. BUT the food was great. I got the Double Baked Stuffed Shrimp...it a filling portion and it was awesome! I was expecting tiny portions and the prices to be really high, but that was not the case at all. Oh and I got the mashed potatoes as a side and it was a nice accompaniment to the shrimp. I'll definitely be back. I just wish with the bread that they had the bean dipping sauce that I had once over at the test kitchen...that was tasty as well.
(5)
Naomi L.

If you love seafood, this is heaven. The clam chowder is embarassing, because you want to lick the bowl....The crab cakes are more crab and less cake. Like all of Boston the parking is a joke, but this place is WORTH it. The staff is friendly and the decor is lovely, but honestly with this food, it could all be awful and I would still go back!!!!!!!
(5)
Jonathon C.

Chowder was great, the crab cake sandwich was ok. We had some Sam Adams and they were frosty as can be. Service and atmosphere was great. It was right across from our hotel. I don't like chains all that much but it was OK. I would go back, not fast, but I would.
(4)
K S.

I would have given it more stars but my dinner tonight was just dried out. All of it - the shrimp, rice, and broccoli. I have eaten here before. If you eat at the counter/bar you will get great, affable, and professional service from Winston and Josh. Both truly want you to be happy and enjoy your stay. I have been coming to various locations for many years and find their fish "chowda" to be as good as it gets. Go. I happened to have gone on Friday, and I think they were overwhelmed. Not by me....
(3)
L F.

Yum, yum, yum, Legal Seafood is one of my favorite non-gourmet places to get food in Boston. I am a pretty big fan of their fried clams (which may be a bit on the pricey side for what they are). I've had a so-so experience with their oysters. For a Boston-based restaurant, I would expect a better selection of Cape Cod oysters. I have had no problem with service at the Park Plaza location. Granted, the times I have gone have either been for lunch or dinner during the week. I would recommend Legal to anyone looking for consistently good seafood in Boston.
(4)
Jaymie Lynn S.

On a brief trip to Boston, I knew that I had to hit up the one thing New England is notorious for - seafood! A friend of mine recommended Legal, and off we went! There are multiple locations. This particular one is right near the Public Park & Garden. I loved being able to take a stroll through the Garden after dinner. Since it was winter time, there was snow and ice all around - cold, but very picturesque. The location was relatively empty. We arrived on a Monday evening at around 8pm. We were seated quickly, but our food took longer than I had anticipated. I assume that this was because it was being cooked right after we ordered, which - judging from the quality of the food - was exactly right. I ordered the Clam Chowder and Stuffed Baked Lobster. Now, I have never been fond of either, but New England has worked it's charm on even the most skeptical of chowder eaters. To begin with, the clam chowder was phenomenal. (So phenomenal that I had to get another bowl at their test kitchen at Logan Airport!) It was quite creamy and had just the right amount of ingredients (whatever they were). I felt there was a good balance between the soup and the ingredients in the soup. (Does that even make sense?) The lobster was equally amazing. Now, I will admit, I am quite noob at eating lobster, so I struggled a bit, but once I got over that, yummmmmm! It was by far, one of the freshest pieces of seafood I have ever had in my LIFEEEE. The stuffing was breaded shrimp filled with different herbs. It was an extra $5, but worth it! Overall, great food and great service. if I ever find myself in New England again, I will definitely be in search of a Legal. If not, I'll definitely have to have more layovers in Boston. ;]
(5)
Jade R.

LET'S GET ONE THING STRAIGHT: The food is consistently FRESH and FANTASTIC. (I ordered the wood grilled assortment - definitely the way to go, hands down, I'm having it every time now!) However..... The service at this location was awful... horrifyingly awful. First impression is key, right? Well, we stood (3 of us) in front of the hostess for a couple of minutes before being noticed (and having her take a phone call before even saying hello to us). And then when we were noticed, a smile didn't even follow. Then we were seated... A server didn't come to our table for at least 10 minutes. Here's the thing, I am a server, and I understand that sometimes there are complications (i.e you dont know you got seated, you are juggling a lot of tables, etc etc...but, either way, you ACKNOWLEDGE your lengthy absence and apologize/smile to your table) She did not smile nor did she apologize for the wait. She was quick to rush the order too --- such a no-no.. especially since it was a graduation celebration! Well, it's a good thing I was amongst great company or the meal would have definitely been ruined!
(2)
Sara M.

This location is my least favorite. I went with my sister once and the service was terrible. Our server was completely rude to us by talking down to us as if we did not understand what seafood was, ignored us while lavishing attention on other tables, and am pretty sure she discriminated against us due to the fact we were Asian. We were both surprised at the lack of respect, while we enjoyed the food. There is a lot of traffic at this particular restaurant and I would HIGHLY recommend that the management pay attention to how their servers treat their customers. I am a loyal fan of the Legal Sea Foods chain and am so disappointed in this one that I will continue to avoid it.
(2)
Kari M.

Enjoyed a whole steamed lobster on our first conference night in Boston. This is as good as it gets people. Even flung lobster bits in my dining companion's hair. Couldn't touch the sides (mashed garlic potatoes and broccoli) as I was too full from lobster. I coulda died a happy death. Will definately be back next time I'm in the area and need a lobsta belly!
(5)
sean g.

Not usually a fan of the chain seafood, but legals reputation for freshness is well deserved. Don't miss the daily buck a shuck oyster special for happy hour. Yum yum!
(4)
Tori O.

We came here out first night in Boston and fell in LOVE with not only the restaurant but with our server Ed White. He made us feel like home even though we walked in kinda late on weekday. We had only ordered appetizers so we chose the legal experience, we also ordered oysters on the half shell that we asked Ed to pick out for us and he also chose out the calamari dish. So Delish. We also shared a bowl of the lobster bisque. OMG best ever. They have a drink called the coconut lemonade its so yummy and is very refreshing. Ed was so nice and polite that we told him we would report back to him before we left to let him know how the rest of our trip was so we returned back to check in and he remembered us I told him that I wanted my drink and he remembered! Its so nice to go back to a restaurant where you are remembered. He took the time to talk to us in between his other tables. This time again we ordered the lobster bisque and the hot crab dip with wonton "chips". So yummy!
(5)
Sue L.

Fan-freakin-tastic! Loved this place and I LOVE SEAFOOD! It was my first time to Boston. I wanted the Boston experience. This place is a chain but I still enjoyed the food here very much!! Try the lobster bake. Worth every penny!! The clam chowder was voted the best of Boston for a reason. You can not go wrong.
(4)
Grace K.

It took foreeevvvverrr for the food to come out! It was late for lunchtime, and it wasn't that busy, but the food took at least an hour. This was the first boston clam chowder I had, and it was superb! A creamy goodness packed with clams. They definitely don't hold back on the seafood. The lobster roll was chock full of lobster chunks so that the bun was overflowing.
(4)
Jackie S.

I third wheeled my brother's date night with his wife and we ended up at Legal Seafood. No wait which was nice and our waiter was a nice guy. Tried to be funny but wasn't. My bro got the clam chowder, which unfortunately for me had bacon in it. Everyone really liked their food. He had the mahi mahi, I had the baked scrod which was really good, and my sister-in-law had the fish and chips. She wanted to try the seaweed salad and it was the smallest portion ever for $4. It was so small we thought he was just giving her a taste/sample which he didn't. I wasn't thrilled about my side dishes to be honest. The pumpkin cheesecake ended the meal on a high note. This place is definitely overpriced as I would much prefer a non-chain, small locally owned fish place, but overall the food is good and I would probably come here again.
(4)
Ralph L.

Ambiance: Superb Service: Good Appetizer lobster bisque: Very good, but very rich (packed full of unhealthy stuff that would be very hard to screw up) Scrod with breading: Good, loved the texture. the melt-in-your-mouth fish was a nice contrast to the crispy breading on top. the rice pilaf on the side was very forgettable, though. Grilled salmon: Okay. forgettable. Location is good but the $50 bill was not.
(3)
Russ Y.

In from out of town for business, sat at bar for dinner - nice bar, couple TVs above to watch games. Bartender Brian was super friendly. Had ceasar salad (decent), chowdah (very good) and mussels (good). Incredible wine list - rivals anything I've seen in the Bay Area. Excellent selection from Alsace & Germany. Many older vintages, and lots of verticals on the domestic Cabs. Low markups - Kistler Chard for $75 - who does that? Decor of the restaurant is nice, although perhaps a bit dated. All in all, I'd go back again especially if I'm solo for dinner.
(4)
Janelle L.

I've neer been a huge fan of plain ole steamed lobster until i dined at Legal Sea Foods. When my family and I first walked in we thought, ok, let's give it a try. To our dismay, they were out the one item we actually came for. Tell me, how is this possible??? However, there is a great, satisfying end, to this horrific announcement. We were told by our waiter that they had run out of lobster, BUT, if we could wait, there was a shipment of fresh lobsters that was just delivered and was being inspected before use. There are 2 simple things to take note of in this review. First, I liked the idea that the chefs or inspectors or whoever was doing the scrutinizing as well as Proprietor were all concerned about the product they were about to prepare for me. Second, it was the sweetest, tastiest steamed lobster I have ever had. I, as well as my whole family reccommend ordering this! Comment and let me know if I am wrong...maybe I just got lucky that day.
(4)
Jeff B.

Excellent food, service, and location near Boston commons. Best bet for visitors to B!oston
(5)
Kathleen B.

Great service at the bar! Brian was awesome very attentive and gave great recommendations. Would go back just for him. Thanks for the experience.
(4)
Geoglow A.

We had a fine seafood meal here after not being able to get a reservation at another spot we wanted to try. I had the crusted salmon over spinach and my friend had the sole. Our waiter was very attentive, the meal was delicious and we left with a smile on our faces.
(4)
Linda C.

We had a wonderful lunch special of fresh flounder. It came over roasted red potatoes. The flounder had a light flavorful sauce. Very fresh flaky mounded over the potatoes looking Top Chef delicious. I also had the fish chowder also delicious. The meal very lightly salted ( thank you for not overdoing ). They pride themselves on only very fresh fish. ( If its not fresh, it's not legal ) waiter said: Cute... Great Food reasonably priced for a Boston eatery. They said the owner has several more locations, it's not a chain.
(4)
Jeff F.

I'm calling it - done and done with Legal Sea Foods. It's still my favorite airport food, but there's no way I'm going to hit up Legal Sea Foods in Boston when there's a dozen or so better seafood options. Stopping in this past Saturday for a late lunch, the food ranged from eh to good, but nothing was memorable. Every dish I tried today, i've had in a much better form elsewhere: - Lobster roll - lame - Mussels - boring - Grilled Scallops - yawn - Fried Clams - I'm not a fan, but the table liked it - Swordfish sandwich - also positive reviews from the table, but I didn't get to try it To cap it all off the service was odd...don't know how else to describe it except to say.....odd. I'd love to give this place two stars, but my girlfriend is a huge fan of the fried clams (specifically b/c they are not strips, but are bellies instead) - for that reason alone, they've been granted a reprieve... 3 stars it is.
(3)
Julia M.

I think there is an unwritten rule somewhere that when you go to Boston, you have to eat at Legal Seafood at least once! For a chain restaurant, I think they do a pretty good job. I have to say, I do love their lobster bisque and for an entree I try to find out what is fresh and recommended that day before making my selection. This place gets really busy, so be prepared for the crowds. But on my last visit, the staff was very helpful and did not rush us at all despite the fact that the place was packed and our party of 8 was pretty slow.
(4)
Brian R.

We stopped in for a couple of cups of clam chowdah, but the waiter got me with some oysters that were kissed by the fresh waters of some glacier in Maine... Probably the best oysters I've ever had. Use the garlic broth cup and refuse the cocktail sauce for these babies. It would be a crime to put anything that strong on such delicate perfection. My only wish was that the Legal down the way from us in Boca Raton was nearly as good as the mothership.
(5)
Catherine D.

My husbands coworker was in town tonight so we agreed to meet him and his wife here. We had such a great time. I'm not sure if the customer service was better or the food. Not a bad problem to have! In addition to the rolls we were given a little appetizer that was a delicious little surprise from management. Our meals came out quickly (Friday night reservation 7:30) and absolutely delicious. Not a single complaint. Flavor, temperature, presentation- it was all perfect.
(5)
Cameo R.

We were a group of 7, with reservations. We're local Boston people with relatives here from out-of-town. We wanted a nice restaurant with good food, and expected to pay for it. The food was OK, not great. But no tablecloths, only paper placemats charting the Legal Seafood chain's history. Placemats might have been OK for lunch, but at this price point, at dinnertime, the placemats were inappropriate. Our waiter seemed to have memorized a script and not been able to think. The menu was limited, with only 1 vegetable available (broccoli) other than cole slaw and the potato choices/onion rings. There was heavy emphasis on the liquor menu and wine pairings and not enough choices for food. We left disappointed, not bothering with dessert.
(2)
Howard G.

If you have never been to legal and are from our of town it's for you. The food is consistently good. Light clam chowder is awesome and I recommend over the classic cream based. Great reputation and everyone should probably try this place once.
(3)
tae k.

The clam chowda is one of my favorites. Creamy and delicious but not too salty. The lobster bisque was also fantastic.
(5)
Julie B.

My Master's hooding ceremony ended with a torrential downpour, leading us to nearby Legal's. I was so excited for a fresh piece of fish, but all I got was a blah experience. My tuna, which I ordered rare, came looking like an over- microwaved piece of frozen fish. For $26, I expect something edible. So while the rest of my family awkwardly ate their meals, I sat and I waited for another slightly less overcooked version of this fish. Finally, a manager brought it out, with a little less than a smile and an apology. By that point, everyone in my party was done eating. No, "oh we'll take care of it for you" or "why don't you order some desert on us". Just "here, pay for this disgusting meal." Thanks for a great graduation dinner, you bastards.
(2)
Ryan M.

For the freshest fish around, they sure don't like showing it off. I ate a tuna steak that was cooked for longer than my grandma's prime rib (after she microwaves it for 5 minutes to get out any of the pink stuff) on a bed of ho-hum yams and potatoes. My boyfriend had a plate of good, but not amazing, pasta with a few large shrimp. The raw oysters on the half shell were GREAT, but you can get them anywhere else, and they're very hard to screw up:) I asked the waitress for an oyster menu (they have general regions on the menu, but no details about the oysters) but, apparently, they don't have one. So you have to awkwardly wait while the waitress tries to remember all the varieties, only occasionally with descriptions, ask her to repeat things, and get sort of put on the spot to just choose a few so she'll go away. (Granted, I generally don't like waitresses) The redeeming factors (and the entire reason you'll want to go here): The atmosphere is great. Really. Big staircase and waterfall, cozily-sectioned dining area, fancy menus, pretentious wine list -- whether it's the inlaws or the boss, if you have a dinner you'd like to use to impress, without showing off, this is the place to go.
(3)
Mark F.

This is a no nonsense, casual place for seafood. The gazpacho was nice and easy but topped with tortilla strips threw me off. The crab cake melted in my mouth and was well worth it. One special was striped bas cought fresh off the cape. Very nice flavor that the pinot noir from the Russian River Valley played well with. This is no place to take a date, and you would loose a business deal with Legal Sea Food as a choice as it's hard for me to take seriously with people in cut off jean shorts, t shirts and kid meal cups. That said the food was rock solid. Is this the working mans seafood joint? That's exactly what they are and they do a good job at it.
(3)
LuckieMaounds P.

The first thing I noticed about this place when I shlepped in here in shorts with a hangover were white tablecloths. But due to it being early lunchtime on a Saturday, they didn't seem to mind and we were seated right away. I looked around and noticed a fabulous bar, a downstairs lounge-looking thing (that I did not venture into), and a gaggle of well-dressed lunching ladies in hats. Fancy, fancy! As an out-of-towner, I took fellow Yelpers' advice and ordered the appetizer mussels and a cup of clam chowder. Oh, and a caesar salad. The chowder came first and it was heavenly - the right consistency, for one. Not too thick but not at all runny. There was no shortage of clams and the potatoes were cut very small and complemented the clams in size. I enjoyed every spoonful of it. The caesar salad dressing was a bit grainy and had anchovies in it, supposedly. I could taste them but not see them. Ground up? The croutons were tasteless. They did use real parmesan, sliced off the block. And the main event, the mussels, were perfection, in your usual white wine-butter-garlic sauce, the sauce having the right amount of flavor without overwhelming the star of the plate. Plus there was about 400 of them on the dish. Well, not that many, but I mean, a really, really lot of them. Well worth the $, which was pricey for lunch. But that's a white-tablecloth restaurant, so yeah. I would love to come back for dinner but I might have trouble resisting ordering one of everything.
(4)
Jason A.

I was impressed with the downward spiraling staircase and waterfall that met you upon entering the restaurant. That and the "executive" elements of the place appealed to me. The food was good. Even the water in Boston tastes better than LA water. I got a chowder, halibut item and chocolate cake during Boston's Restaurant Week, though I was surprised they took part in it. I actually wanted to go to a Legal Sea Foods at my friend's recommendation since my arrival and having it coincide with Restaurant Week was sweet. The service was prompt and courteous at the time of my lunch. I fell back to my California habits of saying "thank you" too much, and I could tell the server was unaccustomed by it, but took it wonderfully. I'm dinging one star because the restaurant accidentally double-swiped my card. I only found out when I had returned to California that the exact duplicate charge appeared on my statement online. I was in a race against my statement closing date to make sure that the amount be credited back to my American Express. That meant I had one week. I spoke with Ken the manager over the phone, who forwarded my concern to the Legal Sea Foods corporate offices. I found the Legal Sea Foods Park Square phone number on Yelp, of course, and gosh darnit, it worked! I spoke with Ms. Diana, who assured me that I will be reimbursed for the double charge. As a token for my inconvenience, she mailed me a gift certificate for future use at Legal Sea Foods. I graciously accepted. Now I must find the nearest Legal Sea Foods to use it in. Perhaps when I go back...I'll drop by this location again and use the gift certificate. You know what they say, fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me.
(4)
Cornellius S.

Yes, the rumors and word of mouth are true. Delicious and fresh seafood, portion size is generous, and a welcoming enviornment to create a wonderful dining experience. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our meals. Clam chowder was excellent as well as the crab cake. I would recommend getting to the restaurant early to enjoy the wine bar. Definitely one of the better meals we had on our trip.
(5)
Angela K.

It wasn't anything special for me but I also don't eat seafood.. and know when I see 3 stars on yelp I avoid the spot, so I gave it 4 considering my lack of expertise. Everyone else at my table seemed to be absolutely in love with the "steamers." My other friend that was a newbee to Legal's didn't seem to enjoy the seafood in his entree as much as he had the steamers, but he was a fan of the soupy sauce filling the plate paired with rice. I had some sort of avocado salad.. the avocado was fresh and good but the lettuce and everything else wasn't quite as fresh. The mashed potatoes I had were pretty bland, but the shoestring fries were very good. I thought it was neat how they broke down the menu by customer, which helps avoid the sometimes messy splitting of bills or in my case having to overpay for others people's extravagant options and glasses of wine.
(4)
Kay J.

We always visit this restaurant in Boston and it seems to be a staple here. For starters we ordered the clam chowder and the hot crab dip. The clam chowder is always good. The crab dip was a big disappointment. It's served with a strange puffy bread/chip which resembles its close cousin, styrofoam. The dip itself is nothing special either. Much to our surprise the manager came to our table bearing a gift of bruschetta, simply because we had made our reservation on Open Table. Though I would have never thought to order this here, the whole table went crazy for it. Topped with a balsamic glaze, it was quite tasty. The five of us all ordered lobster for dinner. I ordered mine grilled, which is not listed on the menu. It comes already split and I find it has much more flavor than the usual steamed. The jalapeÃ±o polenta was good but a little on the dry side and my broccoli was just broccoli. I'm sure we'll be back but not my favorite choice.
(3)
Vikkeh J.

It's okay... really expensive for wat you are getting. I would rather go to a mom and pop store to get better quality food. The only thing you are gonna get here is probably the eating environment and perhaps the service.
(3)
Brian D.

We came here for dinner with the girlfriend, gf sister who was in town and gf mother. I've been to a few of these around the area, and the Park Plaza has always been consistently good. The 3-Star description here on Yelp means "A-OK" which in my book, all Legals are. So I give it 3. I was able to grab a sandwich for dinner which normally isn't allowed and so I got 2 sides with it at a reasonable price, which was nice. Good meal, good people. I'd come again, really not problems, a bit overpriced but not by a lot so give it a 3.
(3)
Frank M.

One of the many in Downtown Boston, this location of Legal Sea Foods is well located in the center of Downtown Boston. The food and drinks are pricey, but the quality is good. Oysters are local and tasty. Fish is also local and well prepared. Swordfish, tuna and scallops are all amazing! Staff is knowledgeable but sometimes slow. Ambiance is good with a spacious inside that's well lit. Music is eclectic but not loud enough to distract from dinner conversation. Definitely recommend this location or others!
(4)
A S.

Came here for lunch with a group of 6. We got seated in a nice big comfy booth. The ambience was nice and the noise level wasn't too loud. The service was great! The bread rolls were served very warm and delicious! We got a complimentary plate of bruschetta as a "thank you" for making a reservation through Open Table (I thought that was nice). I ordered the clam chowder and fish tacos. The clam chowder was delicious and tacos were yummy! Because I ate too many bread rolls, I couldn't enjoy my entree! Damn you carbs!!!!
(3)
Rhonda W.

Food, service and great atmosphere all great ... best clam chowder ever, We were walking around and asked a local were they would recommend and they send us here. We were only here for a couple days and glad we stopped here.
(5)
Tony T.

I came here on a weekday afternoon. I decided I had to finally settle on a place for my steamed lobster while in Boston. Oh, and I didn't get my clam chowder yet either so I decided in one fell swoop that I will take care of both things in one place as the menu made things look appealing too. I ordered the cup of Clam Chowder, nice and tasty and creamy with a nice serving of clams as well. As for the lobster, I got it steamed, 1.5 lbs with a side of broccoli and butternut squash. I like broccoli and it was nice and steamed. Delicious. The lobster? Well, you really can't do anything wrong with it right? Tasty, melts in my mouth with the butter. YUM! I was so happy with my meal. It was delicious. I walked the rest of the afternoon with a nice face of satisfaction. Service was good, Olivia was my waitress. Granted, I had a late lunch (around 2 in the afternoon) so it wasn't too crowded therefore Olivia could be prompt with service. But I still enjoyed myself. My food checklist for my trip to Boston was complete. Color me satisfied!
(5)
Linda C.

Decided to check out this Boston seafood spot, but sadly somewhat disappointed with the seafood. I'll still give it another shot though. Can't judge a restaurant by only one visit you know? - Farmer's Trio: scallop, calamari, shrimp with fries, not the freshest, but okay - Clam Chowder: watery - wasup with that? had ample amounts of clams at least - Niman Ranch Burger: juicy, quality meat, really big! - Shine Riesling: sweet, light, fruity Service was great, decor was elegant, large menu with lots of variety of seafood dishes.
(3)
Alaina T.

The fried sole filets were delicious, as was the clam chowder - definitely a great intro to Boston for an out-of-towner. What really struck me was their pledge about great food and great customer service. Would go again!
(4)
Sadayu L.

My wife and I went there for 6 oysters for $6 promotion and it was amazing. We eventually ended up with 48 oysters, the New England clam chowder was so delicious, and the service was attentive. We are going to come back here again soon and would definitely recommend this restaurant for oyster lovers.
(5)
Aman S.

I ordered one of every seafood app on the menu. Very good. Chill scene. Great chowda and jumbo shrimp. Must eat here if visiting Boston.
(4)
C C.

This is the best legal sea foods in Boston. I love their oysters. It's always so fresh. I also love their caesars salad with crab meat and crab cake. As for drinks, I LOVE the fish house. SOOOO good. A bit lethal because it tastes just like peach ice tea.
(4)
Jason F.

went here the other night, was very happy with everything. i got the fish and chips (always get that, not sure why) also got the rhode island style calamari, which was great. spicy, but not crazy spicy. the servers and waitresses were great, definitely would go back to this location. i have been to other legals, and not been so happy.
(4)
Kyleen K.

I have had pretty positive experiences at other Legal Seafoods, but this one is horrendous. Last year I came here and found a huge piece of plastic in the bottom of my food. Disgusted, I brought it to the manager's attention. Instead of comping the entrÃ©e, he offered to make me a new meal to take home. Why would I want a whole other meal after the first one had foreign ingredients that nauseated me? So I declined that offer, but my meal was not comped and I got nothing else but a "Whoops, sorry." Yesterday, my friend and I were craving oysters and called the Legal Test Kitchen to see if they had any specials. They said no, but instructed us to call another restaurant because they were doing dollar oysters. I figured after a year I could give the Park Plaza Legal's another chance. Besides, you can't beat dollar oysters, right? We called them at 6:02pm to ask about the special, and the hostess informed me that they served dollar oysters from 2-8pm. I said that's great, we will be right along. She said to make sure we sat at the bar, because that is where the special was being served. However, when we drove from the North End, found parking, and sat down at the bar a half hour later, the bar tender told us the special had ended a half hour ago; dollar oysters were from 4-6. We explained that the hostess who answered had given us other information, and she simply said, "Well, you should have asked who you were speaking to." Irked, we left, but sitting in the car we called once more to see if we could ask someone more reliable what the actual hours were in anticipation for another day. The hostess that answered this time told us the dollar oysters were from 3-6, but Monday through Friday this time. Since this was the third different answer we received, we asked to speak to the manager to ask him. His answer was again COMPLETELY DIFFERENT; he said Monday through Friday, from 3-7. Seriously? We explained the situation to him, but he seemed perplexed as to how we could have gotten FOUR DIFFERENT ANSWERS from his restaurant employees. He was apologetic and asked for our information, but we declined as we had already left. Why would we come back, to eat over-priced seafood with plastic in it from a confused wait staff? Not only that, but before we sat down, my friend and I used the bathroom. I walked in on someone in a stall, then my friend and I each got walked in on because the locks on the bathroom stalls don't work! How lovely. Three strikes you're out; I'm all set with this place.
(1)
Carol K.

Thought the food was very good. He: the stuffed flounder... Delish but he thought too much stuffing. fish was tender and the sides a perfect compliment. Me: wood grilled mixed plate. It was a lot of food and very tasty. Loved the spinach and jalapeÃ±o polenta sides. This place lost a star because it is a chain. We didn't know that going in.....
(4)
Joi T.

I have been dining at Legal Seafood's for ages. The staff is always fantastic and the food is great and drinks are good. I came here recently for drinks and apps before seeing the lovely Janet Jackson. My friend and I shared the cheese plate which was ok; I wouldn't get it again at Legal's but maybe another joint. The lobster bique was good but not a lot of lobster. Not Legal's fault I find that all places outside of Provincetown do not put a lot of lobster in their bisque. I will always be a fan of Legal Seafood's I have been going to them for about 16 years and they have never let me down.
(4)
Anayo A.

Great clam chowder!!! Worth the $8 parking!!!
(4)
Jennifer T.

I loved everything that we ordered: Calamari -- $10: Rhode Island style with peppercinis and garlic. Lobster Bisque -- $10: Nice chunks of lobster. Saw a chunk shaped like the claw. :O Mussles -- $10: 1.5 lbs of mussles in a white wine sauce. I thought this was a great portion for only $10! Everything was already premade so our food came out pretty quickly. It's understandable that big restaurants need to precook their foods, but I just HATE it when my food comes out lukewarm or cold. What a turn off. The lobster bisque definitely needed that extra 10F. :( Service was great. Water and drinks were constantly refilled.
(4)
Wolf L.

Hmmmm, I'm trying to decide how to rate this place. I rarely ever do this, but I think I need a checklist: 1) Atmosphere - 5 stars I like the decor. Very clean. Upscale and modern. 2) Service - 4 stars I waited at the bar for a short time while the rest of the group arrived. The bartender was great. Friendly but not too chatty. Made a mean martini. At the table, our waitress was a bit too robotic. She seemed harried and could have been more attentive. She was young and seemed new, so I'll cut some slack. She did bring me a second beer. 3) Food - takes it down to 3 stars With everything else going for it, the food at Legal Sea Foods was a big disappointment for me. The prices are pretty high up there, but my salmon was just so-so. I was almost thinking it wasn't a whole lot better than Red Lobster. No, I take that back. It was way better than Red Lobster, but that really shouldn't have even popped into my mind. I realize this place is a chain, which never really thrills me. If I were to visit Boston again, I'd probably stop in for a drink or two at the bar, but pass on the meal.
(3)
Cole D.

Pros: Atmosphere is very cool, particularly the water art in the middle of the stair case and the wine cellars built throughout Friendly and accommodating staff Cons: Very pricey My Blue Fish with honey mustard was not tasty, nor was the tomato side
(1)
JJAMZ C.

Had our first night's dinner in Boston at Legal Sea Foods. When asking around where was a good place to eat - a lot of our friends as well as locals had told us about Legal Sea Foods. Being born and raised in SF, and from experience in working in a seafood restaurant on our very own Pier 39 - I had to taste "Boston" clam chowder to see if it matched up to ours. Legal Seafood's clam chowder was good. The consistently held up to it's name - "chowder" or should I say "chowdah" - not too thick and not too soupy. It had the right amount of clams and potatoes and a cup was enough to tickle the palate for the more exciting main dish. I chose the special fo the day - which was Hake....I said what the the heck is a hake??? We never hear of that in SF - as well as another fish they serve called scrod. This hake (similar to cod - a white tender and flaky fish) was served with a crab cake like stuffing on top of garlic mashed potatoes (I asked them to substitute mashed potatoes because I didn't really want the rice pilaf). It came with a divine lobster bisque sauce to compliment the whole dish and a side of green beans. For a night in Boston - and to sample some of the very best of seafood, try Legal Sea Foods and any of it's sister locations in the Boston Area.
(4)
Sidi L.

actuallyï¼Œit lets me down...the best think may be the steamed lobster. and i don't think their food worth the price. we just pay for the brand
(3)
Brita F.

Sat at the bar for a quick lunch, which they were kind enough to still serve me even though it was 10 minutes after their lunch menu stopped. Tuna burger was delicious, bartender was very friendly, and the coconut water based vodka lemonade was delicious.
(4)
Tanya L.

Solid, delicious food here, but I think their lobster cassarole is overpriced ($30.00) for the small, breadcrum-ladden, sherry flavored quantity that you get. Paired with jasmine rice and squash in the inclusive price, I enjoyed my meal but thought it needed to be 8 dollars less. My dad like, raves about this place, always requests to come here in visiting Boston, even though he lives thousands of miles away. I have good memories coming here at age "17" and this place really is enduring. I like how they tell you the history of the restaurant via a timeline on your placemat.
(3)
Lubs Y.

I love seafood so I had to make a stop here before my flight home. My boyfriend had raved about the clam chowder, but apparently it's not as good as it used to be. I wasn't disappointed though, it was still pretty good by my standards- lots of fresh clams, thick and creamy, and not too salty. As usual, we ordered way too much food. In addition to the soup, we shared: lobster tacos - these were 3 full size tacos with generous portions of lobster. lobster roll - boring and bland. Served with a heap of french fries fried clams - crisp and delicious! Served with a heap of french fries too legal oysters - baked with cheese & spinach, kinda like oysters rockefeller but on the bland side :( Like others have said, this place is good to go to just for the hell of it if you are a tourist. The prices are affordable and there's a ton of locations all throughout Boston.
(3)
Jeffrey F.

With so many great places to eat in Boston, why settle here? Legals used to be a destination that people would come into Boston to experience, and they are so stuck in their groove, I think they've forgotten how to be inspired or how to strive for success. My shrimp and garlic over pasta was huge, but swimming in butter. And nothing impressive. Pasta was a little more al dente than I prefer. Mushrooms were sloppy chopped and tasted steamed and added at the end. One friend had the Everything Tuna, which was cooked as requested, but he didn't love it. Place was packed and very loud Service was also very pushy. Not all that polished for what you would expect for the prices and decor.
(2)
Rudy G.

Out for a meal before a show we decided to "be sure of our dinner selection" by selecting LS. ( I hope this is the restaurant in the theatre district) I have gone to Legal Seafoods a gazillion times; I expect a consistent meal. Always pricey but worth the food, I was disappointed this time. The mussels were very fresh but so-so and unexciting in flavor. My partner ordered the mahi-mahi special and though prepared well, the dish was bland. The brussel sprouts were way underdone.Service was excellent. Earlier this spring we had an awesome meal at LS in the Seaport district.
(2)
Katy G.

Went there last night with my parents and uncle. I normally won't go to Legals because it's so darn expensive, and I don't think the food quality matches the price. We got oysters on the half shell which were great and fried calamari (mom's favorite food) for apps. The fried calamari was pretty average, if I'm going to generous. For my entree, I ordered the grilled tuna with cajun seasoning and seaweed salad and fries for the sides. I do really like that part of their menu- you can choose one of 6 or 8 options for you fish, then there are a few options for seasoning/sauces, and finally you choose two sides. I think that's all great. My cajun tuna didn't have much of a cajun flavor, and it did not come out hot at all. My seaweed salad and fries were decent. The service was very slow. We were definitely taking our time, but everything took a long time. I think we had been there for an hour before we ordered our entrees. The other strange thing about our waiter is that he kept trying to talk us out of our choices. When my uncle was ordering the oysters, the waiter said, are you sure you want those? How about these other ones? The same thing happened when I ordered my wine. I asked for a merlot, and he said, how about this nice pinot noir? It was weird. I have to give 2 stars because the food was average and way overpriced.
(2)
Becca I.

While the food is good, it's not amazing. Service was not great. For the price, I think it's better to try a local seafood joint.
(2)
Peter K.

One of my first times at Legal's in park plaza but had such a great first experience. Plain and simple I know, but my Grey Goose dry & dirty martini on the rocks was perfectly made, and garnished with delicious bleu cheese stuffed olives. Major props to the bartender. I came in for the 1 dollar oyster deal from 3-6 and I was quite pleased, however I did notice that some oysters weren't shucked/scrambled as good as they should be. Overall, great bar experience for value and quality.
(4)
Jerry R.

On a recent trip to Boston we had lunch at this Legal Seafood location. The food and service we wonderful. I am not a huge fan of Clam Chowder could not resist the temptation and it was AMAZING.
(5)
Pete M.

Was in Boston from Illinois for Cubs/Red Sox weekend. Went to Legal with my brother who lives in Boston. Greeted with Cubs fans huh...maybe I'll give you horrible service. Server wasn't lying. Chowder was pretty good. Ordered Summer Ale which was great; asked for another. 30 minutes later my second beer came after I had received my fish sandwich. Haddock tasted fresh but it was greasy. My brother ordered another beer that took until the meal was finished and plates cleared to arrive. He voiced dissatisfaction and we were compted one of our chowders. Manager apologized after server said she was busy with another table complaining asking if he could do anything to make me happy. Appreciated the offer, but by this time even giving me my meal for free could improve my impression of Legal Seafood. For $70 dollars for sandwiches, soup and couple of beers I wasn't impressed by Legal Seafoods.
(1)
David A.

When you talk about Seafood in New England, it's often synonymous with this chain. However, it's gone downhill from it's glory days in the 1980's and the early 1990's. It's overpriced, the food quality is just OK. The menu is huge and looks amazing. However, I've been to this location and others over the last several years and been disappointed. The food portions have also decreased over the years while the price has increased. If I am going to pay premium for my food, I expect premium food and service. The service was just OK. How do you get there? You can walk there from the boylston green line t stop or drive. I don't think there is much street parking, so plan on the garage.
(2)
Phil S.

Got a quart of the takeout clam chowder. For $14 (incl. tax and tip) this was a great meal for 2! They also threw in about 7 bags of oyster crackers and 6 hot rolls. Great deal from a restaurant that normally has high prices.
(4)
Loreal W.

I was so excited to be trying sea food on the east coast. I battle between the salmon, crab cake and the dish I ended up ordering... the Jasmine Special. Shrimp, broccoli over Jasmine rice with Monterrey cheese. Presentation was ok but the dish to price ratio wasn't appealing. Meaning, for the price I paid I was expecting something totally different. Sigh. The shrimp was good, the broccoli was undercooked. My friend thought it was a garnish. It was a beautiful place but it wasn't a place I have to dine at again.
(2)
Shannon L.

Their crab cakes are to die for. I have had many a crab cake in my day, but theirs is by far the best. For my entree, though, I had their Louisiana seafood gumbo with fried okra. The fried okra made it underwhelming. Plus, there wasn't enough sausage for the price. Like, I literally ate 3 small pieces of andouille sausage and then there was none. And then, There was none. Other than that, their ambiance was wonderful; their restrooms were pristine; the seating was perfect for the small group we were with; and they had a very vast array of wines and liquors. Also, The waiters and waitresses all seemed very friendly and welcoming. Will probably return.
(4)
Alan W.

Where to start? The food was just bad! My rice was like meshed rice. My seafood was not seasoned, just greasy. The sides were just all bad. My soup was worse then the can soups you can get in the grocery markets. I really have nothing good to say about the food. The service was good, friendly staff. 2 Stars for the service and 0 stars for the food. I d not recommend this place!
(2)
Lynne S.

I brought my dad here for dinner when he was in town from out of state. My dad is *extremely picky* about service, so I figured this was safe as I'd heard good things. I am gluten-intolerant, and had also heard they were pretty good with food allergies and sensitivities. Boy, was I impressed! When we first arrived (no wait, on a friday night with no reservation) we were seated and given a few minutes to think. The waiter came back a bit later and we ordered an appetizer (tuna sashimi) and a bottle of wine (sauvignon blanc). I told the waiter I had a gluten intolerance and he said "I am so glad you told me" and went off right away to tell the manager and the head chef. He came back to tell me that the appetizer was GF but the sauces accompanying it were not. A minute later, a man who I think was the manager came out and offered me gluten free rolls (delicious, fluffy, defying imagination for GF rolls). Our appetizer came out just a bit later (very fresh, very tasty, even sauceless). The wine was also delicious. My father likes to talk--so much so that after that, we spent 90 minutes talking and not opening the menu. *the waiter did not bother us once*. He did go by a few times and I noticed him looking at us, and I can only imagine he was reading our body language. His timing was amazing. My father usually yells at servers, and he was beaming at this one! We both had the special (baked salmon stuffed with ricotta and spinach over wild rice) but mine was specially made with GF rice (the wild rice was not for some reason) and they were amazingly accomodating. They let me know that my food was being prepared separately and specifically with my GF in mind. Even though it was fairly busy, they let us hang around and talk until they closed. Every few minutes they would come by and fill our drinks up but generally be totally pleasant. I just can't say enough. We were tough customers between my GF and my dad's being a weirdo about service. A lot of restaurants I go to don't even know what gluten is. amazing. big tip! will definitely go back.
(5)
J D.

by far the worst of this chain - service was slow, place had the atmosphere of a cafeteria mixed with a Chili's. Table I sat at was dirty, small and cramped. Food quality was not up to the normal standard...a very weak experience. I expect considerably more when I shell out this kinda dough and certainly in my other experiences with Legal, my bar is higher..this place does not cut it at all. Location too was horrible, really, a Howard Johnson's is better to cram into a parking garage, with all it's diesel ambiance than for this price point restaurant.
(2)
Mo S.

Below average food, very expensive drinks $4 for simple lemonade and no refills. We were seated way in the back in private room, I was told the service would be good, Wrong it was slow and we could not get out quick enough. 3 kids meals 2 fish and chips and $95 later we give a 1 star rating.
(1)
Stacey W.

I went to Legal Sea Foods on a Thursday evening because I was staying at the W and it was close. I was extremely disappointed with my experience. The service was horrible. Our server didn't know the specials, couldn't answer any questions about the wine list, and was just generally inattentive. I believe I had the stuffed shrimp. It was decent but nothing to write home about. Being from Chicago, I anticipated that Boston would have higher quality seafood than what I was served at this place. However, all was not lost during my Boston seafood eating experience. The next night I went to Neptune Oyster :)
(2)
Steven V.

At the Park Plaza location, on a Saturday night at 8pm, we were able to get in without waiting because it is so big. We did call ahead. The clam chowder was really delicious. What really was amazing were the scallops. I'm not over-dramitizing, there were the best scallops I've ever had! And the shrimp! The wood grilled seafood was top-notch. The ownership is so famous in the industry, it's like they are in the Hall of Fame of restauranteurs. They even have a quality control kitchen off-site to test for all of their locations. They are aboe the rest and a must go!
(5)
Bill M.

dinner on Friday, food and service was great
(4)
John S.

This is a pretty standard Legal location, and as such it deserves a 4 star review. This spot is great for a pre-theatre meal, as the service is attentive and they'll make sure you're out in time for your evening in the Theatre District. I feel as if I don't even need to mention the food. It's Legal, after all, and in the 7 years I've been going to these restaurants, I've not once had a bad meal. On this most recent trip, I opted for a lobster roll, which was perfect, and a wedge salad, which was also perfect. My friends raved about their meals as well. PF Chang's books up like crazy, but with Legal right around the corner, you'll always have a meal before the theatre.
(4)
Adam F.

Hands down, the best clam chowder in Boston. This is a pretty good location to avoid tourists as well.
(3)
Slider S.

I can't praise this restaurant and staff enough! I went back again after 2 days for another incredible meal that just rocked my foundation to the core. The last time I was there I had an awesome haddock fillet followed by my very first taste of Boston creme pie... OMG damn near heaven! Tonite I tried the choppino with an acai sage vodka cocktail and finished with an ice wine & peach puff pastry that just sent me somewhere I've not been in a great while. the staff are absolutely awesome and the food just out this world and if you have not been then damn time you get some for you and your most significant other!!!
(5)
Jef S.

An extra star for Park Square, as they seem to have their shit together more than most other Legal's. Their restaurant is pretty, but massively crowded every night of the week. The food is the same Legal calorie bomb, but I've been to a couple of functions here (company sponsored, dears) and they did some nice appetizers. The focus here is wine, and they have lots of choices and lots of expensives bottle here, even Penfold's Grange, which is hard to come by even in higher end restaurant. Cons: same service experience that you'd get at any Legal. The valet parking and crowds might give one pause, especially on a busy night. Oh, and for the Yelper who loved that baked stuffed lobster. Wanna know how they prepare the lobster for that dish? They take it live out of the tank, stun it with a whack to the head (though the more humane chef will stick it in the freezer for a few minutes), insert the tip of a 10 inch chef knife into the lobster's brain, then with one downward motion, chop the body of the lobster in half while its still alive. It was one of the grossest things I've ever seen. Enjoy your stuffie! For more insider info on Legal's, please see my review on the Framingham store. PS: Hi Roger!
(4)
B S.

The clam chowder is great and I make a point of eating here on every trip to Boston! I even order from them online....
(4)
Lawrence S.

Very friendly manager. Great service. It was just a little too obvious this place was a chain. The food was actually really good too. I just prefer a little more character at my restaurants.
(3)
Andi P.

I'm not sure how many people with seafood allergies actually go to seafood restaurants (but then, I'm allergic to gluten, tomatoes, and dairy, and regularly scope out pizza places), but apparently it happens and apparently Legal is great in its handling of any and all allergies. Luckily, I'm not allergic to seafood, but I did try out Legal's gluten-free menu this evening and found it fabulous, especially the warmed-up rolls (seriously good) and the swordfish. (My favorite items on the menu can all be found in the "Raw-Bar" and the "Simply Legal wood-grilled" sub-sections, although there are also a few vegetarian options.) Our "waitron" Chris was equally fabulous. And at least tonight, the Park Plaza location was far less zoo-ish than the Prudential Center branch tends to be. . . . Perhaps the fact that Scott Brown is still in the immediate vicinity--as in within a one-block radius--has scared everyone away.
(4)
Tyson F.

Legal is simply amazing. My girlfriend and I have gone to Legal many times and have been beyond impressed with the consistent quality, service and fresh-tasting seafood. Great place for any occasion, just make sure you get reservations in advance if you plan on dining with a party larger than 2... every Legal in Boston is ALWAYS packed around lunch and dinner times. As far as menu items, close your eyes, open the menu and point to any part of any page. You'll be beyond happy with whatever you order. The service is always friendly and fast. And to top it all off, when its time to pay, they bring those wireless credit card swipers to your table, which is really cool if you're a geek like me.
(5)
Jack N.

I don't know what's up with all this hate for this place on Yelp, but yes, I was one of those nay-sayers myself. I have always been bias against chain restaurants, as their quality is almost always evenly bad. In addition, they have Legal Sea foods in NYC and NJ, and I wasn't looking to go to a chain that I can get to w/o traveling 100+ miles to get to. But after 2 of my friends' friend giving high recommendations and another friend who lived in Boston for 2 years and the first words from her mouth when I asked for seafood restaurants recommendation was "Legal Sea foods", I was convinced I have to go. Boy, am I glad I did. Reading from other reviews of how packed the restaurant near the Aquarium can be, I suggested that we make reservations first. We were exactly on time after exploring the city (Boston is kinda small compare to Manhattan, NYC) for 3 hours. When we got there, they sat us right away, not like some restaurants in NYC, which still make you wait even though you have a reservation. Our waiter, James, was quite helpful with our order. He explained the different types of oysters that they have (not being a oyster aficionado, I had no idea). We ended up getting their Treasures of the reef sampler platter, and their 1 1/2 lbs of mussels. He let us choose what oysters we want on the platter, and we chose to have Kunamotos and PEIs. Kunamotos are absolutely the best oysters I have ever had! They taste so clean, but also creamy and delicious. The PEIs were also pretty good too, definitely better than those crappy east coast oysters I had in the past. I remember I had been turned off by raw oysters for a while because of the "fishy taste". I had many like that in various restaurants in City Island. I'm so glad to have gotten over my distaste of oysters, but at the same time, pissed that I'm left w/ crappy east coast oysters back in NYC. When we finished our appetizer, James brought out "Charlie", their super huge lobster (I have pictures, check them out). He said Charlie is 93 years old. Dang! That's older than any 3 of us combined. Guess how much Charlie costs? Only $250!!! That's ridiculous. We were quite tempted to order Charlie, but we were also quite tempted to put Charlie on a skateboard and take him for a walk (I'm sure girls would totally dig Charlie). Anyway, back to dinner. I ordered a small baked stuff lobster (AKA Charlie Jr). The market price is $33 + 5 for stuffing it. It was so delicious. The meat is exactly tender and juicy, just perfect. The stuffing with pieces of shrimp and scallops was so delicious. BTW, I read James S. of how they make a stuff lobster, and yes, it sounds pretty disgusting, But have you seen an episode of Anthony Bourdain's show where they served him frog in a Japanese restaurant? For those that haven't seen that episode, I won't bring it up here on this review (it is really disgusting and making a stuffie is really tame compare to that).
(5)
Amber L.

Great place to go if your visiting the area. Located right next to the Aquarium and you can't beat the view out front. My boyfriend got the clam showder and Cioppino, both were to die for. We had lots left over, serving sizes were larger then usual. Even if your only in Boston for a day or so this is a great place for lunch!!
(5)
Hisham K.

This is the second time I come to this particular location. The first time was for a company function, and it was pretty good. The set menu was nicely varied, and the wine was decent enough. The wait staff seemed a bit stressed, and I couldn't for the life of me figure out why. I mean, we're all nice people, we're also a captive audience and not going anywhere, just relax! When I asked for a glass of water, the waitress said "absolutely" but looked like she wanted to say, "I'll need to move a few mountains, but absolutely." And she didn't bring me my mustard to eat with my filet mignon. (Yes, I had filet mignon at Legal Seafood. Get over it.) On a separate occasion, I came here with friends for dinner after a movie. The sangria is very much to my liking because it's more sweet than anything else, so those of you who do not like overly sweet alcoholic drinks, consider yourselves warned. Mike and I ordered the lobster mac & cheese with truffle oil, while Maya had stuffed shrimp. The stuffed shrimp was tasty, according to her, but not earth-shattering. Mike and agreed that the mac & cheese was definitely not the best we've ever had (my vote still goes to Ivy's ridiculously small four-cheese mac), and at times the truffle oil taste was a bit overpowering. It was decent, and that\s the best I can say for it. The kicker, however, came when it was time to pay for the check. Now when you go to a restaurant, you ask for the bill, put in your cash/card, perhaps tell the waiter how to split it, and sign your copy. Not here - you have to do all the work. The waitress (who was lovely, by the way - I think her name was Barbara, or Brenda) came back carrying three little machines like you see on airlines when you purchase anything from the SkyMarket. She put them down in front of us, explained to us how to use it, and left us to our own devices. Now, it's not rocket science, but I feel like it's something that I just shouldn't have to do. I go out to eat, drink, and converse with my dining partners. I go out to avoid the hassle of cooking, setting/clearing the table, and making drinks. Yet slowly, I feel that this philosophy is dying. You go to some sandwich shops, and when you ask for mustard, they point to a condiment rack for you to do it yourself. No! You're making it, I'm paying for it. Put the mustard in the damn sammich. Don't ask me to go into the self-checkout aisle at Shaw's, I'm paying for the groceries, so your lazy ass can ring up my stuff for me. Likewise to Legal Seafoods, I'm paying for the meal and the service, so you run the card. It's not my job, it's yours. I hope you're reading this, Legal Seafoods. Don't make me go through that whole run-my-own-card bit again, or else I'll be taking my business elsewhere.
(2)
Makakaualii R.

Since I heard and suggested to try Boston's seafood which I did and the establishment was around corner from my hotel. I had the Surf and Turf; filet migon, 1.5 pound lobster with 2 sides; corn on the cob and brocoli and of course bread. Then I realized that I left my reading glasses in my hotel and the fonts on the menu sure didn't help much but I hero (server) "Angie" read the whole menu and then decide with the surf and turf. I think she needs a raise in dealing with the seeing impaired. She deserved she 20% tip without any hesitation. Mahalo Angie, next time I won't forget my readers! My total bill excluding tip was $48 it was worth it.
(4)
Jim B.

The best seafood restaurant I have ever been in. Great food, excellent service, very nice decor, and as I recall a view of the open kitchen. If I remember correctly this is the "mother ship" of the Legal Sea Foods empire. We visited a second Legal Sea Foods location in Boston but it was not as amazing. Worth a journey.
(5)
Brett H.

This place was excellent. It was hands down one of the best seafood dinners I have ever eaten! I ordered a baked, stuffed lobster and would recommend it to anyone! My waiter was very attentive and recommended an excellent Sauvignon Blanc. If you are in Boston check out this place for seafood!
(5)
Jenn S.

Small portions, high prices, and VERY sandy shellfish. You can find far better seafood in Boston for much less.
(2)
Biggah K.

It was good. Customer service needs improvement
(3)
Kristyn M.

You go to Legal Sea Foods when you're a tourist, because Legal Sea Foods is well known. This is why I went there - several times actually. But now that I'm not a Boston rookie anymore, I will probably never go to Legal's again. They have two redeeming qualities - their bar, with a very good wine list, and their clam chowder. It's pretty solid, and I still feel that way after experiencing other chowders. Everything else though is forgettable. The service, meh. I've often found the server to be frantic and rushed. The atmosphere - no thanks. For the price you are paying, there are often way too many kids there, making it feel like you're at just another family diner. And most importantly, the food: overpriced. For the most part, it either has no flavor, or too much, in the sense of overwhelming spices and obnoxious amounts of sauce.
(2)
Lee Ann M.

We wandered in for a break from a long walk around Boston. Ordered drinks and the lobster dip with sea chips. Dip was well seasoned and yummy. Chips were so light and fresh. Waiter was very friendly and attentive without being overwhelming.
(4)
Jodee V.

Service is incredibly slow. Seems like the kitchens and bar can't actually support the number of tables that are in the restaurant. And the service staff in the front of the house seem off -- manic, not especially friendly, unprofessional. Our reservation (6 people) was for 8.15, which was already a little later than we wanted. Seated at 8.35. We'd already decide on dinner because we all had time to look at the menu while we were waiting. Server came by to take our order around 9. Drinks and first course (chowder for all) arrived around 9.30. Main course arrived around 9.50. Someone came around to fill up water glasses regularly, and the bill was prompt when we asked for it. The fish and chips were fabulous, the chowder was excellent. But I will not be back. I've had two poor experiences with parties of 6, where I've been seated at a round table in the middle of a small room with servers dashing around rubbing against your chair each time they pass.
(2)
JD O.

Great place. Loved the white sangria drink, excellent clam chowder, delicious lobster roll, heck, even the coleslaw was good! Boston cream pie was delicious as well. Friendly staff, lovely restaurant - - - it's all good! Too bad I was dining alone, or I might have been even more enthusiastic about it. :)
(4)
Richard L.

I usually do not rate chains; however, this restaurant deserves being an exception. I have been to Boston three times and I accidently discovered this restaurant on my first visit since it was close to where I was staying. I have returned every trip. Each time my friend and I have been well treated during our visit. I have found that a steamed lobster dinner is an excellent way to introduce a non-New Englander to Boston. My only problem is that over the years, the scotch selection on the menu has decreased. The waitstaff has always been far above average.
(4)
Jonathan W.

Solid solid clam chowder. The baked scrod needed more flavorful and came with accompaniments that were able exciting as paint drying. The decor was nice but the entire restaurants had that "fish" smell. Lees than appetizing.
(3)
Sara L.

One of our usual stops on our trips to Boston. Usually extremely good. Sorry to say i can't say this for our last trip there. Our waitress was extremely new, got my husband's order wrong, and kinda questioned him, as to what he actually ordered. Yes, Fried clams and fried fisherman's platter START with the same word, but come on. So she takes away the fisherman's platter, but i have my full meal, of trout, so i end up eating alone, while he waits. His meal comes out and it's totally over cooked. The waitstaff on a whole is great, i think our gal was on her first day or something. We were surprised at how little we enjoyed it. Went to Finale for dessert ( i've yelped there) so the evening ended on an upswing.
(2)
Candice R.

I went here twice in one trip. Once, for drinks. The second time around, for food. Here's the dish: The atmosphere: great for date, and kids apparently. There's a cool lounge downstairs too. The food: Awesome. Great baked oysters appetizer, and I binged on the lobster bake. Oh, you yummy shellfishies you. The swordfish steak was tasty too. Clam chowder standard. The service: perfect. Our server was a treat, and really knew her stuff. Price: reasonable, and cheap compared to the rip offs on Newbury Street. The verdict: I would definitely come back, but I would venture all the way out to the waterfront just for the view and the patio.
(4)
Lynn S.

The best thing legal makes is the chowdah.. the rolls they give you are awful. How can they not give you good fresh bread for what is considered a high end restaurant. Its average food with an above average price.
(2)
Michael C.

I have been to Legal many times over the last few years and I never leave impressed or disappointed, so it get an "A-OK" rating, which I don't give enough of. This location is in a good spot in the Prudential Mall, go there is your looking traditional basic fresh Boston seafood.
(3)
David C.

I've been to many different Legal Seafoods many times and have never had a bad experience until today. This was my first time back to this location in many years. I've been going to the one in Chestnut Hill the past few years. We went on a Saturday in the middle of the day. We were seated very promptly. The restaurant was ~2/3 full. Our appetizer came very quickly and was ok. We got the spicy calamari. It was about average. It then took another hour for our entrees to come out. Our server apologized twice but this still seemed quite slow. My fish and chips was the first bad entree I've ever had at Legal Seafood. I pretty much always get the same thing so I've had a lot of experience with this. The fish was dramatically overcooked and it was a very thin fillet with almost no fish. In the past, its always been a nice piece of fish and perfectly cooked. I don't think I've ever not finished it and I could barely stomach half today. The french fries were soggy and cold. The same was true of my wife's food as well. I will give Legal Seafood another shot but not at this location. Perhaps it was an off day.
(2)
Rose J.

I hated eating here! Sorry to be blunt, but it is the truth. The setting is lovely and it is very alluring, but the food is just okay. Since the food was only okay, I expected the prices to be just okay, but the food was expensive for what it was. I understand going to a place for the experience so I was more patient when the waiter gave me the bill, but this was out of hand. The food was just not good. The flavor was lacking, On top of all of this, the bill was electronic and the tip was pre-calculated. I could not tip the waitress the amount I wanted to give her which was a grand total of zero dollars and zero cents. She ignored my table even though the place was empty aside from another table and a few men at the bar. All I can say is never again. There are better places to spend over $100 and at those places the flavor and service will more than likely be there.
(1)
Kathleen K.

We go to Legals fairly often and always find the food wonderful. This location we've been to about 4 or 5 times. The restaurant layout isn't my favorite and some of the decor could use some repair. If I was taking out-of-town guests to Legals, I probably would prefer to take them to the Aquarium location or Chestnut Hill. The service at Park Plaza this last time we went was amazing though! We had a very attentive, knowledgeable server. She gave us our privacy but seemed to "appear" whenever out drinks were getting low. The smoked salmon starter plate was very good and the seasonal butternut squash was delicious!
(4)
Greatest E.

Clam chowder and bread were good, but our waiter essentially tricked us into paying $100 for an appetizer that we later found out did not, in fact, exist. Extremely overpriced. Would not recommend.
(1)
Michael G.

Remember when the question was not where to get the best seafood in Boston, but merely which branch of Legal Seafoods was the closest to your present location? Yeah, well the 80's are over, deal with it. Does anyone other than tourists who were in town years ago actually go here anymore? You can always count on your fish being overcooked to the point of being so dried out you have to blow the dust off of it, and poor service by college students who have no clue what is on the menu or how to be professional waitstaff. Students-as-waitstaff is totally fine if I'm at California Pizza Kitchen, but not if I'm paying Legal Seafood prices. Their fish may be the freshest in town, but there's no way to tell by the time it's been cooked to the point of desiccation then left to sit on the kitchen counter for 30 minutes while your waitperson is off doing... whatever they're doing. Blech. Yeah, I probably gave them one star too many simply because I fondly remember the 80's. I'm OK with that though.
(2)
Caitlin C.

I came here for the Park Square Park Place Dine Around a couple nights ago. My friend won tickets (thanks to @eatboston), but unfortunately couldn't attend, so I went in her place. This was our fourth stop of the evening. Boy, were we getting full by the time we got to Legal! This Legal location is pretty cool looking (I've been to the one in the Pru too), they have this neat fountain thing that spans two floors and kind of looks like a jelly fish. We were seated on the lower floor near the wine cellar. I chose the seared tuna appetizer with seaweed salad. And I was not very impressed at all. The tuna was a weird temperature (maybe I was expecting cold, but it was kinda warm) and it tasted kinda rubbery (ick). I was pretty full anyway, so I only had 2 small pieces. I think if i were actually paying for the meal I might have been more upset. I paired it with a glass of cava (mmm bubbles...). Jess had the crab bisque which she liked, though she said it could have done with a bit less pepper. Our server was pleasant and friendly. Overall, I think Legal Sea Foods is a bit overrated and I probably wouldn't choose to come back here on my own accord.
(2)
Kathy M.

My daughter and I went to see a show at the Wilbur Theater and since we were running late we decided to snack and have dinner after the show. I'll admit I was exuberant upon arrival because we had a great time at the comedy show, my daughter said nary a word. After placing our order and telling the server we had a few at the show the manager approached our table and informed us that we could not be served alcohol because we had already consumed at a previous establishment. He was not willing to listen to us about the earlier circumstances. Although he was polite and our server apologized for the inconvenience and her fear of "getting in trouble" we were still insulted as we were not drunk, nor were we driving. The appetizers we ordered were delicious but we left without ordering dinner. We got a cab back to our hotel. The driver did not think we appeared drunk, nor did the waitress or bartender at our hotel five minutes away. Too bad for the Establishment: my daughter has 4000 twitter followers who were immediately informed of the decision made by these employees. Food was good, but don't tell them you've had a drink before arrival.
(1)
Kouichi K.

My friend and I had been living in Boston for a year and 2 years respectively. We had yet to eat at Legal Sea Foods so off we went. We were seated promptly. The decor of the restaurant is pleasant and is great for a date or even dinner with the family. Seafood can be expensive and Legal Sea Foods is reasonable. I had the chowder which is quite tasty, but I've had better. Their raw bar is quite extensive, but I didn't order any this time around. Legal Sea Foods is not great, but solid. It is a safe choice for anyone looking for a decent seafood restaurant.
(3)
L E.

We were here last Friday night for dinner. I have been to a few of the other Legal Seafood locations and found this one to be at the bottom. I know it was Friday night but the restaurant was not very clean. The floors definitely needed a wipe, and the bathrooms were disappointing. They hadn't been kept up through the night, granted it was 9pm when we were there, but for the reputation that Legal's has, I felt it was below their typical standards. It was also unappetizing to go back to my table after that bathroom experience. Our service was acceptable, certainly not excellent. Most importantly, our food was just average. My dining companion ordered the fisherman's platter and it had the full belly clams, she said they were extremely sandy. I ordered the fish and chips and while it was edible and the fish tasted fresh, the fried coating was very dry and tasted a little "off". The cole slaw was not good. Overall, I was disappointed.
(2)
Lisa F.

There's a reason they serve Legal Sea Foods clam chowder at the presidential inaugurations. It's darn good! (And I've had my fair share of clam chowder.) The Hot Lump Crab Dip with seafood chips is good, though I think the dip is better on something other than the seafood chips. The New England Clambake comes with a high pile of steamers, mussels and a nice sized lobster. The Classic Baked Boston Scrod is absolutely scrumptious. This is a place I'd come back to if I want seafood in Boston.
(4)
John H.

Chowder was good. Mussels has sooooo much pearls or sand in them that I lost my appetite and they had the nerve to tell me thats how it is. I have never had a mussel that had that much crap in them that eating 3 of them would fill up a teaspoon with sand and pearls.
(2)
Louise S.

The food is great quality but why can't they cook it to order properly. I don't like raw fish. I asked for my fish well-cooked. It came raw. I ate the outsides that were cooked and took the rest home to cook myself. Shouldn't have to do this with a supposedly good quality restaurant. The waitress didn't check until it was too late to bother sending it back. The side of seaweed salad was miniature. They could be a bit more generous!
(3)
Bob Q.

The oysters were awesome. The lobster was just ok. The rest of the seafood was sub-par. The restaurant is nice though & our service was decent. Although, this is definitely not the service you get in L.A. for the same prices. Didn't live up to what I thought it was going to be but it wasn't bad.
(3)
Millhouse R.

I went to Legal, ordered a cup of NE clam chowder and a plate of fried clam bellies. The chowder wasn't bad. It had a nice fish stock and a decent amount of clam meat but, too much flour, cream and potato. My fried clam bellies were awful altogether. They were well done and yet luke warm and soggy (microwave). The bartender was pretty cool and helpful, but, to be honest I'm so flabbergasted at this clam belly debacle that instead of giving an extra star for the bar tender I'm going to give him free advice and tell him his talent is being wasted there. I heard a couple of customers complain to him about their food as well. In short the best part of the meal were the warm bread rolls, Cabot butter packs, the cole slaw, my pint of Sierra Nevada and seeing the Phillies getting slaughtered by Tampa bay in the bottom of the 4th on the HD.
(1)
Marc C.

Let me just start out by saying that I am not a fan of Legal Sea Foods at all. That being said, you may be left wondering why I am giving them 4 stars. The reason? I believe in giving credit where credit is due. I was picking up a to-go order for some others, nothing too fancy or involved, but the service I received was way above and beyond what I would expect. So above and beyond, that I needed to get two employees names and make sure they were put in a review. The first employee I encountered upon walking in was the hostess Cynthia. She was so not what many hostesses in Boston are like, in a good way. Cynthia was all smiles and extremely welcoming, warm, and friendly. She walked me over to a place to sit while she had the girl taking care of the to-go orders get my order ready. I even took a restroom break and came back up and she double checked to make sure I was being taken care of. The girl handling the to-go order, named Luisa, was also phenomenal. I was picking up the order for others and I had special requests for a ton of little extras, like tartar sauce, cocktail sauce, ketchup, etc. She was very friendly, found out how much extra of each I needed and cheerfully went about getting all the items and gathering them into the bags. I left with a smile. The only downside to the experience is that all the fried food and the soups were cold when I returned to the place I was bringing them (2 blocks away). The broccoli did stay piping hot and not overcooked. But cold fried clams are just not a good thing, and to top it off they were an extremely small portion especially factoring in the price. I will remember the customer service most. If it was like this all the time, I would have to start reconsidering my stance on Legal Sea Foods.
(4)
Amy K.

Food was great...just a little pricey in the end. Appetizers: Calamari - pretty good. Get the Rhode Island style with the peppers. Tempura soft shell crab - this was pretty damn good. Kumamoto oysters - delish! Entrees: Our friends ordered the lobster roll and seafood trio. They said the lobster roll was decent and the seaweed salad was the best ever. We shared the steak and shrimp combo. The steak was super tender and flavorful...and the grilled shrimp was absolutely delicious.
(4)
Katie S.

Delicious seafood. Decent clam chower. Fantastic lobster bisque. Pricey.
(4)
Garrett E.

If it isn't fresh it isn't legal. That's their motto and I can't argue that it is indeed fresh. However they are also inconsistent. This review is for any location. I have had really good if not excellent food and service when dining with my Mom. Upon sitting down we were greeted and brought rolls and the menu. My Mom is allergic to Mushrooms so we tell this to the waitress and she immediately goes into food allergy mode. She explained to my Mom what some of the things she should avoid and even upon ordering went back to the kitchen and explained the situation. After some time my food comes out brought to me by the runner and right behind him is the General Manager with my Mom's food. He insures her that they dish was prepaired seperately so there would not be any cross contamination. Excellent service!! The food was also great. I also suffered through mediocre service with my boyfirend and an order of fish and chips that chipped a tooth on our anniversary. Apparently a shell or something had fallen into the batter and bit him back. The restaurant was so busy though we never were able to say something until the end of the meal. So on a good night you get a good meal but there seems to be no telling when it could go bad.
(3)
Marni K.

They barely mark up their wines, and they have an very extensive list. What's not to like? My husband had a cup of wonderful gaspacho, and I had a cup of a fabulously tasty clam chowder. Wish we had had dinner there as well.
(5)
Rob H.

Unfortunately I am forced to give this restaurant 1 star, if 0 was an option that is certainly what I would give it. I came to Boston for a weekend getaway, and fell in love with every aspect of the city. When it came time for dinner on a Saturday I wanted to treat myself to delicious seafood dinner and figured I'd go with a trusted name. Upon arriving the overly outgoing and in your face hostesses asked if I had a reservation, which I did, but before I could respond they enthusiastically recommended eating in the downstairs lounge, which turned out to be a basest bar with no one else in it. Our food came quickly, my date had the wood grilled salmon which came with cold and "awful" couscous. I ordered the wood fired lobster which was rubbery and hard to separate from the inside of the shells, once I had a fork full I had to wipe it on a cold block of butter, and my potato salad was watery but not terrible. $100+ later this meal was the worst I had on the trip even surpassed by the Dunkin breakfast sandwiches we had on the road.
(1)
Ed M.

This is one of the restaurants in Boston that I miss the most and wait all year to eat there on my vacation in July every summer, I try to eat there at least two or three times while I am back home. The fish and shellfish are to die for and I just love the mussels and oysters they so fresh and I have a nice Chardonnay to go with the meal along with their awesome buns they serve with every meal. Trust me check them out at anyone of their locations in the Boston area they are all great and I was very happy two years ago when I got stuck in Washington DC Reagan National airport and there was a Legal Seafood, I made my really long delay a delight and the fish entrees are great!
(5)
Anthony L.

food is great, 2 complaints that make me never want to come here again 1. pricey - but really what do you expect? 2. PARKING SUCKS!!!
(3)
Keith W.

First time in Boston, so I had to try one of the Legal Seafood restaurants. Really did not know what to expect, and in fact for some reason, in my head I was thinking it was more a traditional marketplace looking seafood restaurant, more like, say a Gladstones or a typical west coast seafood restaurant/market by the ocean. So I was a little thrown off, because it was more of a modern looking restaurant, not that it's good or bad, but just different than I expected. I had the clam chowder and the mixed wood grilled plate. To my disappointment, it was just ok... it was good, however, maybe I had built it up in my head so much, that I was expecting something better. Next up was the mixed wood grilled plate. On this particular day it consisted of the blue fish, sword fish, scallops, shrimp and tuna. The fish tasted extremely fresh and had a nice hint of smoky flavor from the wood grill. It was a nice mix of delicious seafood and would highly recommend this dish. Overall I would come again, but would probably skip the clam chowder and try something else.
(4)
Lady L.

Not impressed...everyone reccommended we dine at Legal when visiting Boston, but we were all equally unimpressed with the food. Service and atmosphere were excellent, but food was just "okay."
(3)
Orville C.

Although I am not usually a fan of coconut shrimp and a marmalade dipping sauce, it just always seems too easy to make a home whether it is from scratch or the frozen food section of your local supermarket. Alas my girlfriend always makes me get them for us to share when we go out, and this time I was pleasantly surprised although I still don't doubt they came from the frozen food section they were quite flavorful. I ordered the Lobster Bake, which was plenty to fill me up, and was quite delicious, nothing extraordinary which need to be mentioned a well cooked lobster accompanied by tasty mussels, cherry stone clams, and a less than average sausage. We ordered a cup of clam chowder and fish chowder to share between the two of us, the clam chowder disappointed it was not nearly as thick and creamy as I had expected. Crab cakes were delicious very little filler at least 80% of it was chunky blue crab meat my favorite. Although I wish the menu would have mentioned that each crab cake was garnished with spicy brown mustard, which unfortunately took away from the amazing flavor of the crab cakes.
(3)
Jill L.

Good place for a biz lunch, though fairly loud. My favorite is the chowder. Quick service. Not the best seafood in town but, with various locations, it is easy.
(3)
Sandra G.

I went to Legal seafood on thurday night with my friends and we had a wonderful time.. Our server was nice and attentive. I wish I can go back soon and have my favorite Clam Chowder :)
(4)
Jim N.

I was directed towards Legal Seafood by locals when I inquired about a good local seafood place. I had the stereotypical New England meal of Samuel Adams, fish & chips, chowda, and Boston creme pie. It was a great meal, though I was by myself. Not the cheapest spot for sure, but I was on the boss's dime.
(4)
Jay W.

This is the place to which I compare all other seafood restaurants. I grew up deep sea fishing with my dad and got used to eating what we caught the same day. It doesn't get any more fresh - the seared ahi is consistently fantastic.
(5)
Rod D.

When I was going to Boston frequently I would eat here often. They have the best clam chowder anywhere. The seafood is very fresh and well prepared. Great service. One of my favorite places and highlight for being in Boston,
(5)
Frank B.

Have been a fan of Legal for more years than I would like to admit. Visited Park Plaza this past weekend and have to say still lives up to expectations of quality fish. Service was prompt ,friendly and help full. Portion size is good and cooked as ordered. If there was one thing to note is that in a city with so many quality restaurants the menu lacks pizazz . Not always a bad thing but I remember when Legal was a" go to" place,not one of those safe places to take out of town guest.
(4)
Mike P.

Zero commitment to sustainability. Unbelievable? Do a google search, the CEO (or whatever he is) was profiled in Boston Magazine bragging about this.
(1)
Jeff S.

The food was not good. The vegetables were cold, not hot, when first brought to the table. The lobster was tough. The price was high. The lobster bisque was very good. The server was very nice and pleasant and seemed to be new, but came across as a little careless, almost dropping my order when brought out, and dropping the dishes at my feet when clearing the table. The price was incredibly high for the quality of the food we received. Not at all what I had hoped for.
(1)
J M.

I stopped in here for a friends birthday recently. The inside of the place was nice, a little on the louder side, but not to the point where you need to yell to talk to people on the other end of the table. We ordered a calamari appetizer which was good, not out of this world, but good. I then ordered the crab cakes for dinner. The crab cakes were some of the best I've had in a while. No filing with all lump crab meat, very good. I would highly recommend the crab cakes.
(3)
marlene b.

Staff was the best. My dining partner had the Chef's choice fish which was a nice selection and cooked well. My lobster was beautiful and filet mignon had a perfectly pink center which is what I asked for. Our favorite part of the evening was the help from the sommalier who chose an excellant syrah from the Beckman vineyard. All in all it was an excellant birthday celebration which incidently coincided with the Halloween nor'easter. Cannot forget to mention the oyster selection was a little disappointing because they did not have any wellfleets that night.
(4)
David D.

Yikes. I always avoided this place, because I thought: 1. It's going to be $$$$$$ x $$$$$ + 5x$$$$= :( 2. I hate seafood. 3. Townies. :'( I thought I ruined an evening I had planned with someone to see what turned out to be an AWFUL movie at Boston Common ( Vantage Point -- we ended up catching a later show), so I offered to buy dinner, and we walked by this Legal Sea Foods during a storm. To avoid getting any wetter, we decided to run inside. Is there a Holiday Inn above this place? Because I felt like I was in the lobby of a Holiday Inn. Also, after checking out the menu, I realized this place wasn't all too expensive. I determined Legal Sea Foods is to seafood, what Bertucci's is to Pizza. Not necessarily awful, but it's no Anthony's Pier 4 ... and they kind of give you the same rolls as bertucci's, but like half as many. :( I wasn't really alarmed by the prices... but there was one thing that totally pissed me off. This is inexcusable. A bottle of CRISTAL(ino) champagne is $25! Yes, $25!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am familiar with the markup of wine prices at restaurants, but that is absurd. You know they paid like $4 a bottle from the distributor. Can I go to the New Hampshire State Liquor Store, and sell it out of my trunk for $6 to couples as they walk in? AnywayzZzz, I had the roasted chicken with herbz and I think mashed sweet potatoes... fuckin' yummy-yummy. That was pretty good. The drinks were ok, too. I think I had a sangria at one point. Fuckin' yummy. You know what I DIDN'T have? a $25 bottle of Cristalino! $25? Get out! It's like made in Somerville or something!
(3)
Tabitha B.

i hate to write a bad review for this place... service was good, but food is just,...ok. its just ok. i suppose it's agood choice for familys or large parties, but when i see butter pats, i want to run. felt somewhat sick after the ciopinni. Just too many flavors. just ok....
(2)
Laur T.

What can I say, I am a great seafood fan and the renowned Legal name* bodes well with me. I love my clam chowda and lobster I get from this chain EVERYTIME! *Yep I recall one time I even turned down a friend's offer to take me to McCormick's with her $50 voucher just because Legal was tops on my list for lobster. Now thinking back, how different can lobster really be?
(4)
Lisa R.

My husband and I brought his parents here the first evening they joined us for the second week of our Fall 08 Foliage Tour. I'd eaten at Legal Seafood near DC about 15 years ago. The friends who took me there have good taste and the restaurant was full that visit, so I figured we'd do well on our Boston visit. I started with a Sangria, which as quite good! Since we were in Boston, I tried to Boston Scrod after deciding not to go with a very tempting special. They did it perfectly! The crumbs on top were perfect, a little crispy without be dried out. It was light enough to not overwhelm the light flavor of the scrod,which was baked to the perfect texture. My husband and his parents enjoyed thier entrees as well. It might have been a little too fancy for my in-laws' tastes, but they still enjoyed their meals. Our waitress was cheerful and very patient, especially when my in-laws seemed a little jetlagged (they'd just gotten off the plane after a long day) and weren't very interactive with her. Love the location and the decor, too. It was a busy night during the week when we ate there. To me, that's always a good sign.
(4)
Toro O.

It's right across the street from MIT, which was convenient. However the food was very mediocre and the worst of all, it was overpriced beyond belief. I ended up not finishing my meal and so did others in my party. I was just glad I wasn't paying for it.
(1)
Sarah M.

I wanted to go to Legal Seafood precisely because Best of Boston rated it #1 for clam chowder (2010). While it was tasty, the clams were just a bit rubbery - hardly what I would call "best of Boston". I feel like I've gotten much better advise from Yelp. I'll make sure to check out a few other restaurants for clam chowder next time I'm in Boston.
(3)
Albert C.

I would recommend this place for raw clams and oysters. Being touted by some people as the best clam chowder, I had high expectations. The food was decent, but for around $20-30 per entree I expected more.
(3)
Chris H.

The food is just terrible. If this was a bar, it would be all right but this is a restaurant! And quite an expensive one. I went with a party of six and got to taste many dishes, the crab cakes were the only fine dish--although too watery. Of course oysters are fine as you can't really miss raw oysters. If you do end up eating here, stay away from anything fried as they use some nasty old oil and heat up previously fried food. We all felt sick for a week just thinking about these fried horrors (especially the fried platter). They also have no clue on how to cook fish and ours were burnt on one side and dry on the other side. I really do not recommend this place. The one star goes for the crab cakes.
(1)
Jamie P.

$80 worth it for a full course meal....appetizer, salad, THE BREAD & BUTTER IS SOOO GOOD, soup, seafood & meat, dessert & coffee, & apple cider. omg best place for a date!!
(4)
Frank T.

Given the Bostonian recommendation, I was disappointed in the place...surprised to find it was one of a chain. I expect more of a local establishment. Filet Mignon was over-cooked. The salmon and tuna were nothing special. I can get much better fish and a better dining experience without traveling to Boston.
(2)
Nala L.

My experience here was overall very good. We went for my brother's graduation from law school. The waiter was very friendly and attentive throughout the meal. The clam chowder was delicious. I got the lobster and it was overcooked, which is usually the case at most places, but I expected Legal Seafood to get it right. The sides I ordered, the polenta & rice pilaf, were very good. My Patron margarita was also very good. The bananas foster was good as well, but not the best I have had.
(4)
Christine K.

We went here for 2 reasons, because it was so close to our hotel (Boston Park Plaza) & I wanted to try the chain that started in MA. I'm sure I'll never see one here! Even though we had reservations we were given a beeper and told we had to wait. The bar was packed so there wasn't even a seat available there. Fortunately I don't think we waited longer than 10 minutes. Our waiter was one of the best waiters I've ever had! He was flawless. I tipped him 30% because he was so good. We started with clam chowders. Not our fave, it was too thin. We like it thick like we had at Durgin Park (our fave chowder we had). Then we had the New England Lobster Bakes...with the stuffed lobster. The plate was attractive. Food was ok. We didn't eat any of the mussels or clams though - blech! Had a couple of cocktails. My son wanted bananas foster for dessert but they advised they were out of bananas! Are you serious??? He had the warm chocolate pudding cake on the recommendation from our waiter and was happy. I had some boozy dessert coffee and I was happy. It really was a nice restaurant. My son did say he heard a guy puking his guts out in the bathroom though and when he asked him if he was ok, the guy said he was fine, just too drunk!
(3)
Kirk W.

Great restaurant but pricey. Plenty of seats, quiet and great atmosphere and we had a very courteous waitress.
(4)
Matt C.

The calamari is exquisite and the downstairs bar is one of the best kept secrets in Boston. Tracy was fantastic, be sure to pay her a visit!
(5)
Happy H.

I am extremely disappointed how horrible this place has gotten. What made it worse is that my fiance and I were eager to bring some out of town friends here. The food was OK the service was embarrassing. To the point I'm contacting the restaurant to share our recent visit. I will never eat at a Legal Seafoods again. Forget it.
(2)
Sarah H.

Ok folks... here I go. I was NOT impressed. The food sucked. Greasy and over cooked, and unimaginative. I forced myself through the meal. The martini was just OK. I was not offended by the people working there, who seemed reasonably nice, but I would never ever go there again when I go back to Boston. Just don't, trust me. Over priced. It's all about the decor or something. Plus at this location, I had a hell of time finding the front door. And just so you know, you will not find street parking in this part of Boston, don't even try, and the garage is like a flat $18 to park, which is outrageous. I suppose, if you stick to steamed lobster, or very very simple dinners of poached salmon you'll survive.... but otherwise, just go to McDonald's.
(2)
Marcia H.

Best seafood in Boston! This is the best seafood I have ever eaten!
(5)
Eloise C.

A very commercial atmosphere. Seemed like a fast food restaurant as we checked in with a reservation. No warm, friendly feeling. We just were served our wine when we received our salad and our main courses so we had no chance to enjoy our wine before eating our appetizer and main course. I had the soft shell crab which was mushy and burned. It was suppose to be blackened. The broccoli had been sitting in a warming tray. It was over cooked and limp with a lackluster cheese sauce. It also came with polenta which was dense and flavorless. My husband had an uninspired garlic shrimp with pasta. The garlic and flavor were not apparent. The waiter was very nice and offered me another entree. I tried the lobster roll which was okay but not delicious. We cannot figure out how a place with no atmosphere and mediocre food has gotten such good ratings. Is it just the name and history? We will not return.
(1)
Andy C.

Came here on a Sunday for lunch. We ordered the following: Hot crab dip appetizer - this was very good. it has what i think were tapioca chips. Whatever they were, they were crispy and light and perfect for the crab. The dip was mostly crab, which is a nice change of pace from most places where it is all cream cheese. veggie tofo curry - My wife that this, and remarked that it was ok, but nothing special. She said it lacked any sort of zip that a spicy curry style dish should offer. fish and chips - I was not sure what to order, so i thought why not fish and chips? the answer is that this is not what they do good, but how could i know? The fish was tender and actually pretty good, and the batter was tasty. But the batter was also mushy and the portion size was SMALL. Three small pieces, with one being an end piece. The coleslaw was crunchy, but sorta bland. With so many great seafood places in the city, we were disappointed by this place, especially since we had heard good things about it. Although i fully admit it could have been that we ordered the dishes they do not specialize in.
(2)
Mike K.

I tried the steamed lobster, and clam chowder. The lobster was nothing to write home about, and the clam chowder was a bit salty for my taste. The service was great, and ambiance was pleasant which earned the extra star in my review. Boston and Cambridge had so many small local restaurants that had better food. I would search Yelp for local restaurants in the area.
(3)
Ben M.

I've been to Legal probably 20 times in the last 5 years. They are fresh and consistent. What surprised me this time is the remote, WiFi credit card machine that they leave at your table to complete at your convenience. Incredibly elegant and relaxing. Well done, Legal.
(3)
Kirk J.

We ate lunch here about 10 days ago. The food was typical LS quality. I rarely leave a LS feeling like I just ate a great meal, but I never leave feeling angry at the quality of the food or service.
(3)
Cindy T.

A little pricey BUT was worth it! The seafood was fresh, the drinks were spectacular & the service was great! if you're traveling through Boston, it is definitely worth the experience! I highly recommend the baked lobster! Also, make reservations especially if you're from out of town. Don't miss out on Legal Seafoods.
(4)
E L.

I've been to other locations of Legal and have always loved them. Their seafood is fresh and delicious and I am a maniac for seafood. On my recent trip, I needed a night alone, so I went and sat at the bar by myself. The hosts were super nice to begin with, trying to give me the best time, even though (especially because?) I was solo. The bartenders followed suit and I had a good time shooting the breeze with them. I ate: the Cape Cod oysters on the half shell (heaven!) and the scallops entree with a shrimp skewer (also! heaven!) and finished with the chocolate pudding cake (heaven! heaven! heaven!). I decided to forego the bread, but I looked at the gals down the bar from me and they were enjoying what looked like an awesome bread basket. For the scallops, I just want y'all to know that they give you A TON. I am used to the three scallops thing at fine dining restaurants, but this was probably 10+. They give you two sides. My objection was that they didn't really have good veggie sides (where was my asparagus!?) but they did a steamed broccoli for me instead of the threatening "broccoli and cheese" on the menu. I also got the onion strings, which were delicious in the extreme. Never in a million years would I have selected the pudding cake as my dessert, but the bartenders really pushed and I'm very very very glad that I listened to them--it was seriously incredible. If I go back, I'd probably do the scallops as a side and have another fish or more shrimp as my entree, but not because the scallops weren't wonderful. (I would get four pudding cakes and die of insulin shock, but happy.) I drank their New Zealand sauvignon blanc, which was quite nice, if not earth-shattering. Other than the wine (natch!), all the portions were very large. The one star deduction is just for the prices, which aren't outrageous, but are a bit much. Still, I loved my time and it was just about worth the ridiculous amount I laid down for it.
(4)
Ben L.

I'm not one to typically rave about chain restaurants, but I had dinner here on Saturday, and it was great. We were welcomed to sit in the lounge while we waited, the wait was cut from an hour and a half to 25 minutes and they communicated with us every step of the way. We sat and had a very nice conversation with a manager who chatted about places to see in the city (we had some folks visiting the city in our party.) As someone who doesn't eat seafood, I have found myself at this particular location a couple times before. Both times I had fantastic meals. This time, I had a goat cheese and apple salad with avocado, tortilla, and all sorts of delicious. House wine was good. Service was great. During the day, I was pushing for dinner at one of Boston's many non-chain restaurants, but I have to admit, this was definitely worth the trip.
(5)
Jessica O.

Good clam chowder, not that great service. Had to ask for a refill for my iced tea and the waiter seemed sorta dense. I had the stuffed shrimp which was ok. I couldn't finish even half of it, though. I liked the baked potato. I don't know if it was overpriced since I didn't pay, but I think my mom thought it cost too much for what we got. I'd go there again if it means I get to have dinner with my brother again (I was in Boston visiting him)- because I MISS HIM!!!!!!!
(3)
Eron V.

How can anyone come here? The food is completely mediocre and prices are way too high (relative to other places in the area and relative to the quality of the food). There are waaaay better places around. I've been here as part of groups and also on my own and have never been impressed. One time (and I usually take one-off examples like these with a grain of salt) I asked if I could get my tuna lightly seared and if it was sushi grade, and the waiter looked at me like I had just ordered in chinese. If you want a true seafood place, try Atlantic Fish (its waaaaaay better but the same high price- worth it though if you're looking to have an expensive dinner).
(2)
Arestia R.

Most fathers demand to go to Legal Seafoods when they visit their children in Boston - mine is of no exception. In fact, it's the place most out of towners turn to when they need to get their seafood fix and the full Boston experience. While it isn't my favorite place to get seafood, it makes the list. They have a really great menu with variety to make everyone happy. From lobster rolls to salmon with pimento and the obligatory bowl of clam chowder, everyone can find something they want. And the quality is great, too! Sure, the atmosphere feels a bit like you're in a hotel restaurant, but it still a nice place to dine out. It's also quite reasonable. I'm not here all the time, but I'm here enough.
(4)
Dave W.

My wife and I visited Legal on our trip to Boston a few years ago, and enjoyed it. The service was great, and so was the food. We'd had better seafood on our trip, but that's not a knock against Legal, it was still great, but there are better options out there as well.
(4)
Irwin D.

Went here just after getting into my hotel next door. Walked in about 9pm so I decided to sit at the bar and eat. My iced tea was kept full the whole night and the bar tender was very friendly, chatting a bit and very attentive, especially given they were closing soon. Had the "famous" clam chowder. Good, but I can't say amazing. It was solid but didn't blow my mind. The Lobster roll was great! Nice big pieces of lobster, not too much mayo, even the bun was tasty. I ordered squash and broccoli with mine and I think I got a whole head of it! Definitely a lot for the money. There are probably more hi-end seafood places around, but this was a solid meal in a friendly place. Definitely recommend if you're in the area and need a bite.
(4)
Monica N.

Good to take visitors so they can experience the seafood of the east coast
(3)
Jennifer R.

I have always loved legal. Went for lunch on Sat and was sad to see the Mussells Au Gratin missing from the menu! I have dreamed about that dish but was stuck ordering the regular mussells as an app, they were excellent. Definately best I have had in years but portion was leaning towards small side. Price was average, around $10. For my meal I got wood fired scallops with vinagrette glaze and snap peas on side. Everything was very good but I was a little surprised peas were not "cleaned" as I always cut off the very ends when making them at home. They were steamed perfectly. $16 seemed a bit high considering they were on the lunch menu. Service was exceptional but it wasn't very busy, empty bread basket quickly replaced with fresh rolls.
(4)
P T.

From out of town & referred to this restaurant. Wanted good seafood. My salmon was very thick & raw, not to my liking. Waiter finally came over after my husband had finished his dinner & took my salmon to 'steam' it cooked. The manager brought it back to me & stated "here's your dinner warmed up a little more"! There were no apologies for a meal done not to my liking nor was I asked is there anything I can do for you or get you something else. Our dinner had been ruined with such lack of proper attention from our waiter & lack of proper attention from the manager. This is a $$$-$ restaurant and you'd think you'd get better service & food. Think twice before you go to this restaurant, especially 26 Park Plaza, Boston, MA & pay that kind of money even when you can afford it!!
(2)
David I.

Living in California I eat great seafood. However, lobster isn't necessarily a mainstay so I ventured over to Legal Sea Food to try the New England special. The lobster was ok! The steamed clams and muscles were good. I was dissapointed with the nÃ©w England clam chowder however. Kind of bland! I wouldn't go out of my way to eat this again. Perhaps I would try another menu item but for the prices and quality of the meal would try another restaurant. The service however was outstanding.
(2)
C L.

MEDIOCHRE AT BEST. Ok, am I the only Bostonian that thinks that Legal is way overpriced and overrated? I hadn't been to a Legal in a few years - never thought it was worth all the noise but a friend talked me into going and giving it another try. Went to the Park Plaza location this past Monday night. While we were greeted warmly by the reception staff, our waiter was either new or totally burnt out because there was no smile, no spark, nothing. He didn't bother telling us the specials (as the waiter for the table next to us did), nor was he attentive - we had to keep trying to wave him down. (It was not busy) The rolls they brought out were too hard, cold, not fresh tasting and what's with the individually wrapped butter patties - two on a plate with two rolls?? How cheap and cheesy can you get? Even Texas Roadhouse gives you a dish with warmed whipped butter - this butter was ice cold, almost frozen - and only 2 patties???? Is Legal worried about cutting costs this much?? My friend started with the clam chowder, arguably the only redeeming item - said it was good. His tuna burger was not cooked enough and they forgot the sauce, he had to ask for it. I had a Caesar salad (not bad) but my whitefish was totally bland - I had to smother it with butter (had to ask for extra, obviously) and lemon to make it even palatable. The brown rice was mushy and tasteless - like overdone Uncle Ben's. The broccoli was - broccoli. We shared a Bananas Foster for dessert which was good but took forever and a day to arrive. I paid $35+ bucks for a meal that didn't even live up to Red Lobster standards. This was Legal's last chance as far as I am concerned. There are more deserving seafood restaurants for much less $$$ in Boston. Heck, I can't even cook and I make better food than this.
(1)
Kristin S.

My husband and I went to Legal for dinner last night which is unusual for us. It started with my husband having a sudden desire for fish for dinner. (Maybe because we're moving to the desert?) My cousin had given us a legal gift card and this particular location is the only one that takes reservations on Open Table. It was fate. It was pouring rain and I grumbled about it to my husband as we left. He assured me we'd park in the Motor Mart garage downtown and the walk outside would be minimal. He couldn't have been more correct! We didn't have to leave the building, the garage elevators open and the restaurant entrance is in front of you. Brilliant. We were seated promptly and with smiles. We were surprised by the Thai style calamari, it was very good. (And spicy.) Unfortunately, my husband was unsuccessful in his two attempts to order lobster- first they ran out of small lobsters, then medium lobsters. I know you must be thinking its crazy that Legal would run out of lobster! If you've been watching the news then you heard about the shortage of lobster in the region so I can't really fault them for that. My husband ended up ordering the Halibut which he said was amazing. Overall it was a pleasantly surprising experience. I'm not normally a Legal diner and this did the job for us. (And kept us completely dry!)
(4)
Steven S.

Yes it's a chain restaurant, but the quality of the food is great! Went with some friends for dinner - had a reservation for 7:30, they didn't seat us until 8:00 - but all was good. Service was excellent, food was excellent. For Boston, the prices were fine.
(4)
Diana G.

This seafood restaurant has great steamers & some of the best Rhode-Island style calamari I have ever had! They also have an extensive selection of craft beers. I thought the atmosphere was okay for the location, but the service was even better. (Very friendly bartenders were serving dinner on Christmas Day!) I have no complaints about this place, and will be back in the future!
(4)
Ken M.

Legal Seafoods gets 4 stars here today because I rate on expectations, not on overall quality. The food, as expected, was divine, 5 stars, hands down. I had a beautiful Apple, Goat Cheese, and Roasted Red Pepper salad, followed by the Jasmine Rice with Shrimp, Broccoli, and Cheese. The boy had some sort of fish (I don't eat fish) with broccoli after a bowl of fish chowder. He liked it. Where this location took a hit was on service. It was fine at the start of the meal (with the exception that the server's English was so heavily accented, I had to have the boy translate some of it), but then quickly went downhill. Part of it probably had to do with the fact that we started eating at 10:07pm, (we arrived after the Margaret Cho is Beautiful Tour) which apparently means you get ignored instead of them trying to get you out at a decent hour. If a meal for 2 will yield you a decent tip, you should probably not make yor guests wait for drink refreshing if you expect to get that tip. Just a point of note. I will obviously continue to go to Legal for the food, but I hope the service isn't universally this bad. As an aside, Legal could probably use a new marketing department.
(4)
Ben K.

Legal Sea Foods offered some of the best service and worst seafood I've had in quite some time. Allow me to explain. Our server was pleasant, well-informed, and very understanding when we disliked our chowder, fish sandwich (how can you mess this up?!?), and crabcakes. All tasted like they had been frozen at some point. We had to return the crabcakes because they had this strange sourness that could not be attributed to lemon juice. The fish sandwich came on a stale roll and the fish itself was not crispy but soggy. The chowder was under-salted and too stodgy. The manager came over and touched the table to make sure everything was fine, which we really appreciated. But this place really needs a revamp in the food department.
(2)
Thomas A.

Myself and two coworkers went for lunch to this location and the best I can say is that the service was excellent. It wasn't busy, so it was a mild test. The three stars are for two of the three of us not finishing our dishes and the kitchen messing up on a request for no bacon in the wrap. I loved my crab cake, which was delicious and just the right amount of food for lunch.
(3)
JAllison M.

I liked the atmosphere and the service. I thought it was a bit expensive, but I admit that my haddock was really fabulously delicious. My partner wasn't so crazy about his scallops, but then he'd never had them before so hard to know how they compare . . .
(4)
Erin G.

Man there are some serious downer reviews for this location. I've reviewed other locations for food quality so I don't want to just duplicate efforts. Short and sweet is that I really trust the quality of the food I eat at Legals and i'm willing to pay the average $26 dinner price for it. I'm reviewing the Park Square location in particular because of the lounge and wine cellar. in a word: SPECTACULAR. The wine cellar is a private dining area that is cave like in the best possible meaning: it is all natural materials, wood, stone, glass enclosed wine cases, warm lighting and intimate tables with seating up to 30-ish. the lounge is just outside the wine cellar and it's very moody and hip and was empty the night I was there, which is a shame. The reason I was there was because of the wine education initiative this location has been offering. I went to a Red wine with Fish dinner where we sampled 10 wines and 4 courses, all lead by LSF's Master of Wine Sandy Block. He is a great font of knowledge and his excitement about wine and this program is spread throughout his entire staff. Kara Kukall, the Park Square Sommelier, hosted the event and will be hosting the future wine dinners the location hosts this spring including a spanish tapas and wine night and a dinner with the cakebread producer! This was my first time at this LSF and I'm really looking forward to returning - even just for drinks in the lounge!
(5)
Aaron R.

This is my regular restaurant before going to the Wang or other theater locations. It is close to parking, big enough there is rarely a wait, and like all their locations prepares great seafood with many authentic ethnic recipes. Gluten free option as well which is rare to find. Since I love raw seafood, I feast here because I trust their focus on fresh and clean. I also love the occasional fried clams with fries. The menu is awesome in scope, the bar drinks good and although not the least expensive seafood restaurant, the quality is worth the price. My parents love it too since they went the only location was an Inman Square take out and demand to go whenever they visit me. Also, I cannot understand why people give one my favorite seafood places poor reviews. If you don't like seafood, don't review what you won't like before you even enter the door.
(4)
Julia C.

Went here the other night for the first time with my family. It was only OK. We started with oysters and the lobster bisque, which were tasty. For the entrees, the fish was cooked well, but that's about it. For how expensive this place is, I expected more "wow" from the flavor profiles. Very attentive service, though. Overall, a fine experience but awfully expensive for what you are getting in a coastal city! Wouldn't initiate plans to go here in the future, myself.
(3)
Lauren B.

This place is for confused tourists and long-term smokers who have lost their sense of smell. I can smell putrid fish blocks away from this poor excuse for a chain restaurant.
(2)
Morgan G.

This place gets a two only because our server was really nice. The food really isn't anything great. You can make a reservation at Atlantic Fish Company on Boylston and pay about the same, for much better quality, and less of a chain-restaurant setting. For paying the price we did, my family and I were disappointed with the surroundings. We were placed at a wobbly table in the dead middle of where the servers walk out from the kitchen to bring food. Having to duck every 2 minutes in between bites of food was real fun. By the way, the fried clam appetizer.. definitely NOT overflowing like they say. The food itself was honestly nothing special for what you're paying. The bar area downstairs seems SO much better. And if I, doubtfully, ever decide to go back, I'm going straight downstairs.
(2)
angela c.

I don't eat here often enough to remember how expensive it is. But holy crap. Dinner for two people was, roughly, $100 (before the tip). A little pricey for my taste, but the food wasn't bad. However, I think this goes into the "every once in a while" category. You know, like when I'm feeling a little flush and want a pretty decent meal that's of a higher caliber than Chili's.
(4)
Robert F.

Went with a friend to the new Legal on Atlantic Ave. What a diss appointment. the service was non existent. We waited almost 45 minutes after our appetizer was served. No sign of any staff. our dirty plates just sat at the table. When our stress arrived they were cold and no one came around to check. Finally went to the hostess station and expressed our dissatisfaction. They were inept at best with their head sets plugged in. Asked if I wanted to see a manager. I replied yes. He was polite but after an hour and a half there was not much he could do. sadly this location is for tourists who want to over pay for mediocrity. Maybe they have become to big. food is below average and service is worse. if you want good legal seafoods go to Burlington or Framingham , great service and seafood that made them famous.
(2)
Ryan C.

Went here for lunch/dinner on thursday, 12/10/09. Arrived here around 5pm. Place was empty. Kind of a more localized chain restaurant(think apple bees and such) that specializes in seafood. I had the burger medium rare, while my friend had one and half oysters. They had a special for lunch where they had dollar oysters, choosing from 5 different kinds; the P.E.I. , East Coast, West Coast, Maine, Kumoto(sp). Pretty good deal. They came out fresh and we were delighted, very tasty and brimy. The Kumoto's were medium to large size, and tasted good. My favorite were the P.E.I., small oysters that had a creamy texture and tasted earthly. The Maine oysters were very large, and good as well. Now the bad part. I'm very particular about my beef(steak, burgers). I know that this place is a seafood joint, but if you serve a burger on your menu, it should be decent at least. I ordered it medium rare knowing full well a restaurant like this would probably mess it up, and I expected it to be slightly overcooked from what I wanted(which would make it medium). What I got was horrendous. My first bite was like eating burnt cardboard. It was way well done. =\ It gets better, I cut into the burger to see if I should send it back. What Surprised me was I apparently ordered a burger cooked three ways. The side I bit into was well done, another side of the burger was about medium (pinkish hue in the middle), and the last side was completely uncooked in the middle(still well done on the outside). I'm talking about fresh ground chuck beef uncooked levels. I was both disgusted and disappointed. I decided not to send it back because I didnt want my burger to come back with a side of spit and loogie, and just ate the fries(which were pretty decent) and the coleslaw(pretty good). Service was weird at best. I had another waitress refill my drink, and she was the one who greeted us goodbye on our way out. My waitress however did not refill the drink, and did not greet us on the way out. Wide range of prices, my burger was 12 dollars, the oysters were One dollar each. Most entrees ranged from 10-23 dollars, apps 6-14.
(2)
Tony F.

Went there on a Friday night because the LSF from Prudential was too busy... I went right in so that was a big plus. We shared a fresh seafood platter and all was very fresh. The taste was very good (maybe a little too much water inside the crab legs) too . The service was really awesome. They actually offered to cancel the salad for us because they were afraid it would be too much food. The only thing I did not enjoy was the sprinkling water, was kinda salty.
(4)
cathy p.

My husband and I recently dined at Legal at the North shore Mall. We really enjoy that location. Legal is always consistent with their food and preparation. Though I would not consider this fine dining it is a great way to spend a relaxing evening. My one complaint at Legal, and many other restaurants is the pour of wine you receive, when you order by the glass. My husband is a martini drinker and I enjoy a glass of wine. However, at Legal they serve their wine in a glass with a fish logo on it. The wine is usually poured up to the fish, sometimes a bit below. The wines by the glass range from approx. $7.50 and up. I always end up dissatisfied with the pour of wine I receive especially when I am paying around $9.00 a glass! However I just discovered they offer half bottles which is about 2+ glasses! I ordered the J.Lohr Riverstone Chardonnay for $16.00 a great value. The best part is the wine is opened at your table so you know it is fresh and does not have the "open bottle" taste from being open for hours up at the bar area. I hope other establishments will consider offering these half bottles. It compliments the meal and you don't feel as though they intentionally "skimped" on the pour!
(4)
Michael C.

I am no expert on seafood being from land-locked Austin, Texas. That said, the crab-cake combo I had with the little cup of clam chowder was excellent, tasty, and as good as I'd expected. The atmosphere at this location was swanky, but not so swanky that I felt odd and out of place being a casual, solo diner there.
(4)
Tee W.

I've only been here a few times but it's always consistent. Crab cakes had nice huge chunks of REAL crab, lobster bisque was creamy goodness with generous portions of lobster. Had to send back the mojito...too sour, not enough sweet and no attitude from the waiter! That's always nice. Clam chowder was a little watery but still tasty. Everyone enjoyed the oysters. Bread could be a little warmer. All in all a good experience except for the busman giving us the evil eye in hopes that we'd leave quicker!
(3)
Vernon P.

It had been ages since I had seafood. Imagine that, a guy living in Japan not getting enough sea food. I had no illusions that this was an upscale pricey restaurant so be forewarned that eating here will not be fast food money. But man, what you get for your money here is really worth it if you are looking for great sea food and excellent wine choices to go with the meal. If I lived in Boston this would be a four time a month restaurant, knowing going in that it costs as much to eat there as it costs to fill up my car. The staff was very friendly and knowledgable, the menus were very descriptive and helpful in choosing the right wine for your dinner, the wine list was extensive and classy. Be forewarned, not al the wines can be had by the glass and all the wines with the daily market catch come by the bottle only. But if you are into great seafood and are nearby then you owe it to yourself to try it out.
(4)
Jennifer W.

So I used to work here....and even though I didn't like that- I did like the food. I haven't been in probably 3 years, but when I went it was fresh, delicious, and high quality. It was generally very crowded around dinner time.
(4)
Haemin L.

I'm not sure why Bostonians hate on this place so much. Yes, it has multiple locations, but it's still a family-owned restaurant, not a franchise run by any random person who thinks they know seafood. Went here for lunch and had the crab cake entree. Big lumps of crab, not overly fried. The accompanying salad was delicious - mixed greens, dried cranberries, walnuts, apple slivers with a light dressing. We also took advantage of the "6 for $6 before 6pm" raw oyster deal and got 3 of each variety. They were all delicious, but my favorite were the PEI and Cape Code variety. Clam chowder is must if you're in Boston and this place was pretty good. I have to try more places to determine whose is the best, but LSF is up there. Lastly, service at the Park Plz location was great. Our server Molly was very nice, fast, didn't mess up any orders, etc. The only peculiar thing was that she didn't seem to have a Boston accent unless she said the word - and only the word - "chowda." Hehe. That gave us a good chuckle.
(4)
Nicole E.

This location is the closest to my office and we order from here very frequently not only for the staff but for clients as well. Every single time I have dealt with them, the service has always been amazing. Everyone is always polite, friendly, and accommodating. They take very good care of us but then again, we are good tippers! The food is always delicious and prepared exactly the way I want. I ordered lunch on Tuesday this week. It was so much food that it was lunch for 2 days! I also happen to adore seafood so I think I favor them subconsciously based on that alone. The only reason I say 4 stars is because, yes, it is a chain and I wish the menu was a little more creative. That being said, anyone who goes in will not be disappointed.
(4)
Laura P.

Loved our food, great wine and great service. Would love to go back one day!!
(5)
Wesley C.

not everything is good but if oyster(the big 1s), cherry stone, steamer, cioppino is ur thing then this could be ur goto seafood place. not to mention the most $ attractive winelist anywhere!
(4)
Natasha C.

This was a must go to place according to our friends from Boston. We came up to the restaurant and waited a little while at the bar until they had our table ready. This restaurant is located on top of a very upscale mall so I was skeptical on the price of the meal. The meal was actually priced very reasonably but the quality, perhaps I just didn't order the right thing or maybe because I had AWESOME lobster the other evening that we cooked at home. The latter was hard to beat. I ordered the trout which had choices of flavoring such as a Thai red coconut curry, a butter and chive and what I chose which was the cajun spice. It came with two choices of side, I chose the jalapeno polenta and broccoli. I guess I don't really care for trout but I had to make a choice different from everyone else to have variety. It was ok, the trout was too fishy and salty but perhaps it is supposed to be like that. Anyways, wasn't too crazy about it but the polenta was tasty and the service like anywhere else I've experienced in Boston was excellent. I'll just have to come back sometime and try some of the other choices.
(3)
nicole h.

We didn't have to wait for a table. The service was good. The waitress was very nice and recommended dishes. I ordered the salmon with some kind of sauce with spinach on top. I thought the salmon was very bland. The spinach sauce was the only thing that gave it flavor. I cook salmon and mine is more flavorful than that salmon was, and I'm not a professional chef. The house salad was fresh. I didn't have any dressing with it. I also had a bowl of lobster bisque. It wasn't the best I've had. It didn't have a very creamy consistency. For person who loves dessert, they lack in the dessert choices in my opinion, especially since I don't like many chocolate dishes and there are a few on this menu. For a place that specializes in seafood, I expected better. I wouldn't go back here again.
(1)
Pixie Y.

The two stars for the manager who sat us. Two friends and I was here on a Thursday, it was busy. The front desk man was overwhelm w/ patrons. So we decided to eat at the lounge... only then to find out they don't served food, that's when the pretty lady manager said she'd help us get a table.. or she'll served us (she def didnt seem to be too thrill about that...) So now our food is here, I got swordfish, it was as dry as wood.. and $26?! You are a "Sea food" restaurant.
(2)
Shan C.

This is my third location eating at Legal, and I thought the Thai style calamari was a bit over saturated with sauce and I didnt eat it all. So I trust in Legal on waterfront and Legal in the Pru, but I wont probably return to this location. I would have guessed the level of service and food would be comparable to the other locations.
(2)
Huan z.

I love this one the best. There is a nice waterfall going from main entrance to basement seating, it's beautiful. We had some really good dish as well. My former boss treated me and my assistant there. We had some raw oyster as appetizer, it was yummy!
(3)
Eric Y.

3.5 stars from me. Hearing raves about Legals on the East coast, I expected more from this seafood specialist. I do have to say the 'chowdaa' and bisques were exceptional and the best I've had. The fish specials were also done right. Clams were served in a pail. I heard the lobster roll is another fav. We waited awhile to get seated, so we had drinks at the bar/lounge downstairs 1st. Service was great. And convienent for me since I stayed across the street at the Radisson.
(3)
Brenda H.

I love Legal Seafoods. I typically frequent the location by the water over by the aquarium. Well, my girlfriend and I checked this out for dinner tonight and she was pretty excited based on all of the raves she has heard. I was so NOT impressed. First of all, I ordered a cup of the NE Clam Chowder. It wasn't even hot. The chowder lacked a bit of flavor, so not only did I add pepper, but i added hot sauce - this is on top of the bag of oyster crackers i crushed and added to the soup. I ordered the small steamed lobster which was accompanied with brocolli and a baked potato. The lobster was okay. It was steamed and it was fine, but when i went to the other location, they always offered to crack it open for me. I liked that service. I am not exactly a professional lobster cracker, so i just ate the meat in the claws and the tail. The brocolli was just steamed and not special at all, and the baked potato just came with a little ramekin of sour cream. They don't even offer any chives, cheese, or any accompaniments for the baked potato. For dessert, I got 3 scoops of ice cream. It was pretty standard. Unfortunately, I don't think I will be coming to this location again.
(3)
Will S.

Overpriced for the quality fo the food. Boston has far better seafood places. This is a high priced chain restaurant
(2)
Rosie F.

I wish there was a rating on Yelp for customer service, because the sea food dishes at Legal Sea Foods are pretty stock and nothing to write home about. Anyone who has been to Barbara's Fish Trap, Splash Cafe or Farallon can tell you that the cioppino, clam chowder, and tuna sashimi at Legal Sea Foods just won't cut it. Plus Smith & Wollensky and the Palm make a much better "chain restaurant" steak. The Palm probably makes the best surf and turf I have ever had when they have their Lobster specials. BUT, PHIL THE BARTENDER AT LEGAL SEA FOODS, WAS AWSOME, AND THAT IS WORTH WRITING ABOUT! After a six hour flight across the country, we hit up the bar counter to avoid the half hour wait for a table. I typically find the seats at the bar to be some of the best seats to eat at in most restaurants because of the bartenders. Usually there is a lot less turn over in employment with bartenders which makes them very knowledgeable about the food and drinks being served, plus they are more than willing to offer their honest critiques about the menu if you ask them. Phil, who quickly introduced himself and asked us to do the same (and actually remembered both our names) recommended a Chateau d Ampuis, Guigalg which was moderately priced (less than Opus One, more than Yellow Tail ;) and made the meal. He gave us consistent attention and told us about how he smuggled a similar bottle into the US, while flying back from Austria with his girlfriend. If you aren't expensing this meal, or if you are just eating alone, I highly recommend the bar, and look for Phil, the bartender, with the curly hair and glasses, he is fantastic. If you are expensing the meal, ask for a table downstairs next to the wine cellar, the ambience is much better than the upstairs "Cheesecake Factory" setup.
(3)
Havana F.

Food quality great, service great.. But some of there locations are difficult to get too...
(4)
Ryan C.

Legal Seafood is known for great seafood and this location is no exception. I eat lunch here from time to time over the years and the quality it absolutely outstanding. For lunch I always get the Boston Scrod, but I substitute the broccoli with garlic/oil sauce for the rice pilaf. I love to finish my lunch by dipping my bread (which is also very good) into what's left of the garlic and oil sauce. If I'm really hungry I'll also get their clam chowder as an appetizer. The quality and consistency of Legal's food is unmatched. Not only can you count on delicious seafood here, but anything on your plate should be delicious. The atmosphere is a little on the upscale and the price reflects that. But it is worth every penny.
(5)
Brady B.

No matter which location I have tried, this place is strictly for tourists who don't know any better "oooh, I hear this place is wicked good and has the best chowdah!" No, wrong on both counts. The only time that I ate at a LSFs and actually said "this is really tasty" was at the Burlington Mall (I got outnumbered by the four others I was with) when I had the Caesar salad with lobster. It did taste really good until it made me sick all night long. Speaking of which, the last time I gave this place a shot last summer was a lobster roll at the Prudential location. $20 for a decent sized roll served with fries. The lobster was really tough and it was LOADED with mayo....nasty! If you want a good lobster roll, Kelly's roast beef has one of the best I have ever had believe it or not! I've had it at least a dozen times. If you're in town and you want good seafood, go anywhere but Legals. After repeated chances that I've given it over the years, the place just plain out sucks.
(1)
Peggy F.

A gluten-free menu that includes such delights as fried calamari and fresh to-order dinner rolls. I was literally in tears when the calamari came to the table after so long of being deprived of fried foods at restaurants that can't figure out the simple ways to make good gluten-free foods. Legal foods does most of it right, although they still make their g-free clam chowder as a broth soup instead of simply substituting gluten-free all purpose flour in the regular clam chowder recipe (it even thickens BETTER) than regular wheat flour and it would make the soup available to all the customers. That's just a small criticism, though. Otherwise, it was a great experience. Our waiter was friendly and knowledgable about the menu and the area. As tourists, we found this helpful. The wine list was good and not too expensive. We enjoyed a very nice Sonoma wine with our dinner. All in all, it was an experience I wish I could repeat in San Francisco on a regular basis.
(4)
Jacob F.

I've eaten at this Legals and several others and let me tell you: BLAH. Between the daunting menu and the scripted, pedistrian decor, I'm not itching to go back anytime soon. If you are craving fish, and there's nothing else around, wait.
(2)
M S.

Great haddock in two ways. Excellent views over the roofs in the Copley Plaza shopping center. Great service and overall a great experience.
(4)
Melizza P.

I love this place. Legal's food is always consistent... always good. The seafood is always fresh. I come here at least 3 times a month. I know it may cost alot but it's worth it :-)
(5)
Chris J.

AMAZING!!! One of the BEST Seafood Dinners EVER I went hoping this would top my horrible experience we had at Union Oyster House. To start we chose the location closet to our hotel we are staying at. The Back Bay location turned out to be their Wine Cellar location theme. HUGE location but feels very comfortable inside. I made the reservation on OpenTable, which was very easy and had plenty of times available because of the size of the restaurant. MGR - Thomas (Wonderful and very accommodating...took time to make sure we were happy!) Server - GenKANG (Extremely knowledgeable for the entire 10,000 bottle wine list, great recommendations for dinner, and very attentive to our needs) FOOD...WOW, just WOW. My co-worker and I ate ourselves through the entire menu pretty much...they rolled us out on a gurney at the end due to over stuffing of goodness. We ate... 1. Oyster Sampler, Spicy Calamari, and Mussels 2. Salad, Bruschetta, and Rolls 3. Taste of Clam Chowder 4. Filet and Lobster 5. Blackened Swordfish, Salmon, Tuna, Shrimp, and Scallops 6. Napa Valley Buttery Chardonnay There was NOTHING on that entire list that wasn't EXCEPTIONAL!! We have already made our reservations for our next meal in a few days when our stomachs recover. We requested KANG again and advised Thomas of our visit as well. Price was definitely worth every penny of the reasonable price.
(5)
Tim S.

My girlfriend and I went here during Dine Out Boston Week. Where to begin? The entire experience was AWFUL. We wanted to try Legal because everyone suggests Legal Seafoods as the go-to place for seafood in Boston. We could not have been more disappointed. Their restaurant week menu offers three courses. Once we were seated, we waited for probably 20 minute before anyone came to take our orders -- the evening was not off to a good start. We ordered the popcorn shrimp as our appetizer and I ordered the salmon. Somehow, our main courses came before our appetizer (weird, right?). Our waiter hadn't even noticed this was the case. Our food was cold, and when we pointed out that our appetizer hadn't come, it then was ready in under a minute. First of all, it came in a popcorn box (I couldn't believe that at a place that's supposed to be among Boston's finest), but even worse -- it tasted like it had been sitting under a warming lamp for most of the afternoon (think Long John Silvers). When it was time for dessert, we were excited to try the bread pudding, which was advertised as coming with berries (yum!). When our waiter brought the dessert, he informed us that they'd run out of berries, and so instead, he served us a bread pudding with a little bit of chocolate syrup drizzled over the top. Am I the only one that finds that strange? In most places, if you weren't getting what was on the menu, wouldn't they ask you what you wanted instead? Or if you did want it? The substitute dessert was gross, to say the least. We mentioned our experience (and our disappointment) to the manager on duty. She was nice, but seemed overwhelmed; she handed us her business card and asked us to follow-up with her. I emailed two times but never heard back. This place was not worth it, from the food, to the service, to the atmosphere. Definitely a bust in my book.
(1)
John S.

The location on Copley was very very difficult to find. We had 9:30 reservations and when a taxi can't find it you know your in trouble. The reason for 3 stars was for the stress in trying to locate it, it ended up in a mall near Neiman Marcus, once we finally sat down and had Tim serve us a sangria it ended up pretty good.
(3)
Travis C.

***FOOD POISINING*** My family and I were in Boston for a short weekend trip. Many had recommended Legal Seafood and we were directed here by the hotel staff (this being the closest location to our hotel). The hostess that seated us was friendly and informative, but things quickly went down hill from there. First thing that seemed off to me was that they weren't busy on a Friday night. There were plenty of open tables and we were seated right away. Perhaps this should have been an omen. After being seated, we ordered drinks. We had enough time to discuss the menu, talk to the waiter, order our meals, and casually eat the table rolls prior to our drinks arriving (roughly 15-20 min after the order was taken). Mind you, one of those drinks was an iced tea! Did I mention that the restaurant only seemed to by one-quarter full?? Our appetizer of steamers, which didn't seem to be of great quality (smashed shells), arrived only minutes after the drinks. Not off to a great start. We hoped dinner would make up for the poor start to service, but it didn't. One of our entrees was the baked stuffed lobster ordered spicy (there are three 'flavors' options on the menu for added spice). This came out looking ok, but upon tasting it seemed as if the kitchen staff had simply dumped half a bottle of tabasco sauce in the stuffing to satisfy our spicy request. Needless to say, the dish was inedible and had to be returned. The Grilled Assortment and the Fisherman's Platter both came out with minimal to no flavor. I think Red Lobster (or an equivalent cheap chain restaurant) could have done better. My dish, the lobster bake arrived missing the clam chowder (not great) that comes with the meal. The lobster bake looked impressive, but again, all of the seafood seemed to be lacking in quality a bit. At this point the manager for the night (Thomas) had come to our table to apologize for the seasoning of the stuffed lobster. Now, when I say apologize, I mean he more or less said that we got what we ordered and he was annoyed that he was having to deal with this. We all felt pretty offended by the whole interaction. I never realized how much a restaurant staff could affect an entire day till coming to this place. After a wonderful day of exploring Boston and seeing the sights we came here in high spirits only to leave feeling upset and disappointed to the point that the joys of the day seemed to fade away. I wish I could say that this is where our interaction with Legal Seafood ended, but it wasn't but a few hours later that I was stricken to my hotel bathroom with an unmistakable case of food poisoning from shellfish. This only solidified our thought that the quality of food at this restaurant was sub par. Not only did this meal ruin our Friday evening, but rendered me incapacitated for anything Saturday as well. Seeing as we had to fly out of Boston on Sunday, I'd say that this single dining experience cost me an entire trip to Boston. So, if you want to gamble with your health on questionable seafood because someone claimed this place was amazing, then go ahead. If you actually want decent food and service, then go somewhere else.
(1)
Michelle L.

The food is great, if it didn't take an hour and a half for it to get here. The server came to check up on us every so often to tell us that our food was coming out, only to come back and tell us the same thing. It's not the server's fault, but they shouldn't seat a volume of customers they cannot handle. Got the lobster bake, everything was pretty good, but the clam chowder I had that came with it was lukewarm at best. Not impressed that a chain as large as Legal Seafoods can serve lukewarm chowder to its guests.
(3)
Karl K.

If the LOBSTAH ain't fresh - it ain't legal! ---------------- So during our long weekend in Baahston, we decided to soak up as much local flavor as possible. So, we did esplanade, Faneuil hall, and of course, Legal Sea Foods. Their clam chowdah is LEGENDARY. It's so good that it's served at presidential inaugurations. This chowdah is clean-flavored, with fresh clam juice, large clam pieces, and mild cream. The potato chunks are perfectly cooked, not raw and not mushy / powdery. The Rhode Island calamari was average. Although the calamari was tender, some of the breading was a little too saturated with the garlic oil and started to fall off. But fortunately, the LOBSTAH roll was the saving grace. Packed with fresh LOBSTAH (which has a firm texture and slightly sweet taste), crunchy celery, and only a minimum of mayo. Just as importantly, the shoestring fries are perfectly crisped, and fried to a golden Yellow (which means they used fresh oil to fry it). This was worth every penny of the $26 market price. Check it out! I know we will, next time we are in town.
(4)
Nikki H.

What a classy joint... I love this place! I admit, I was fooled by the appearance of the exterior and sign when we had passed by after a night out at the bar. I didn't like how it looked, or the name for that matter. Boy, was I fooled. This place was great! To begin with the service was top notch. We ended up visiting this restaurant several times on our trip just because of how impressed we were. First of all the seafood was so delicious because it was SO FRESH. None of our dishes were greasy and we never felt bloated/heavy or "gross stuffed" after a meal here. I have personally never liked clam chowder, but after trying a bowl here I am now converted. The chowder here was so delicious! It doesn't even compare to the other chowders I tried in Bean Town. To name a few things we tired: we also had the beer battered fish and chips (portion was HUGE) , not greasy and most importantly the best beer battered fish I have ever eaten! Popcorn shrimp was cutely served in a red and white popcorn bag. Crab cakes, to die for and the lobster bisque? Delicious! This place was always busy when we visited. All the staff were super welcoming, warm and friendly. I am a sucker for good service, and I never went with an empty glass . Our server was always present before I could even think of asking for anything! The menu has a huge selection of options to choose from. The music playing is classy and sweet, I really wish there were more places like this.
(4)
Mona G.

Expensive but not upto the standard . Served undercooked food. The place feels like a local joint
(1)
Helen L.

Legal seafoods is overpriced and their seafood is not that fresh. I had a lobster bake for $40 - the lobster was tough, the steamers were chewy and old. I was very disappointed. I love steamers and it was all mushy and stringy, as if it got vaporized in the cooking. I love seafood and you can get better seafood in local shops that are cheaper. I will say though, that they had some sort of feature dessert that was amazing- it was this banana cream pie in like a chocolate crust that was heavenly and unlike anything I've ever ate. Now THAT was good.
(2)
Nobbi L.

What a great place. We went here for a lunch during attending a conference. A quick reservation on Open Table. We were quickly seated and presented with multiple menus. My first surprise was the extensive wine list. My second surprise was the availability of one of our favorite wine, Purple Angel from Chile. Carmenere with a tad of Petit Verdot. Blackened shrimp and fish and chips. Service was fantastic; our waiter was an engineer! We also were greeted by the head server and brought a bruschetta amuse bouche. And the history of the brand is fascinating.
(5)
Edward A.

I've had fish and chips in London, Manchester, and across the globe. First time the flavor jumped into my mouth! The spicy calamari...come hungry! I couldn't finish mine! Staff is unbelievable and management, hello we know his name (Bill), why? Because he came by and asked us how our food taste, was everything up to par, was there anything he could do for us to make our experience better! And then, he suggested the Boston Creme Pie and was he right!! So all in all excellent service, excellent food and the perfect atmosphere!
(5)
Alison H.

Decent food that wasn't up to the hype. Had the seafood casserole. Nothing for non seafood eaters. There wasn't even a chicken dish. Probably not the best for a work group. Server kept had to find out the answer to all three questions we asked about the food. On to something else.
(3)
Scott M.

I came to lunch yesterday and sat at the bar. I was greeted by the bartender immediately and she was great! She made me a great Manhattan and we chatted about wine and the news. I loved her personality and professionalism! I will be back!
(5)
Danae K.

Their Greek salad isn't on the menu anymore but it's their most amazing salad. Try the oysters from Cape Cod, very good. The one disappointing thing is that this restaurant is always cold. And the bread is also cold...
(4)
Mr. P.

Meh. Excellent clam chowder. Fish and chips was nothing at all special. Crab cake good but not noteworthy. Mohito delicious. Attentive service. Lexi did great actually. Nothing special about the ambiance. 3.499 stars.
(3)
robert k.

8/28/15 Well it started out with a bottle of OPUS ONE Wine. The manager broke the cork, spilled wine one my wife and the label, then noticed the label was taped on. $265.00. Then a few laughs later we moved upstairs for dinner. Waiter laughed and expressed he would take care of us. Ordered a gas water which he spilled on my wife and menu. No a issue, we laughed. We ordered an appetizer and the special which was a filet with lobster and crab sauteed on top. Well the appetizer never arrived and my filet came without the lobster and crab topping . IT WAS THE SPECIAL. He did notice it but since he didn't deliver it it was too late. By the time the topping came out the filet was about gone. It did change the whole dynamics of the meal. No manager, no offer of free dessert ( although we would have declined because we don't complain to get free be's.) The food was great. Cooked perfect. Just not what was ordered. 9/4/15 update. The manager called me from Boston and apologized seveal times for the less than outstanding service. He offered to make it up to us if we are in Boston again. I thanked him but declined his offer of a gift card. I would try it again next time we are in Boston.
(2)
Stacey G.

I have been to this restaurant many times as well as the one in Copley and long warf. The decor in the park plaza restaurant really adds to the experience. The staff is very friendly and patient. The rolls are always warm and scrumptious. I normally order the house salad and plain grilled salmon. The salmon is guaranteed to be cooked perfectly to your liking. I think they can do a better job with the side dishes in terms of flavor and creativity. I tried the vegetarian box once and was not a fan. I guess I'll stick to salmon! Overall, 4 stars!
(4)
Amity D.

Under no circumstance should anyone give this place your hard earned money. When we checked in at 7:15, they said it would be a 30-45 minute wait. It's 8:27, we are still waiting for the text that our table is ready. Instead we stalked the downstairs bar until some nice people left the bar and we sat down. The bar tender yelled at us about how busy they were (no sh**t as if we didn't just wait an hour and fifteen minutes) and then took our order. We asked for some rolls as we had seen the people before is get, but instead he just threw the check at us. No scrap of food in sight, but we have a check. Oh and the manager couldn't care less!!! Not at all. I've never seen a manager this rude. When we asked why our check was thrown at us with no food insight he said it was company policy. Oh, except everyone around us asked for their check like normal. Our places were NEVER cleared until I pointed out the dirty water glass to the manager and suggested he offer us some water. Again, YELP COMMUNITY PLEASE DO NOT GIVE THESE AS* es your money!!! Oh, did you miss my review about the food? That's because we are still waiting for it kids. Way to welcome us to the city of Boston.
(1)
InÃªs L.

Some out of town friends wanted to go here. Not sure why. That's like me going to Italy and choosing to eat at Olive Garden or going to Arizona and eating at Chili's. But this is where they wanted to eat... It's like a fancy Red Lobster, I guess. Our waiter was very nice, attentive. We were seated quickly but for a Sunday night on the middle of March, I didn't expect to wait anyway. The place was too hot and the music was mellow jazz. The decor is boring and typical. Everything is incredibly expensive. My bf got calamari and said they were just okay. Someone else got oysters and they were also just meh. I was really pleasantly surprised to see they have a vegan options so that was pretty freaking cool BUT $20 for tofu, veggies and rice? I could get 3 orders of curry at my local thai spot for that. No, thanks. It's nice to have the option though. I decided to drink my dinner and that was the better decision. Hot toddy FTW
(2)
Lindsey M.

So this place was alright but I am not impressed with the inability to give a military discount... Just saying
(3)
Diana L.

Dear $27 Lobster Roll, I think I ordered you too hastily. Looking for a quickie rather than the long, languorous and attentive session you obviously deserve. I abused you-- scarfing you down before I had to leave for the airport, and I am so sorry for that. My wallet is still bleeding as well. Also, Fries on the side can skip the party next time. They didn't do anything for me. Coleslaw was good. (I will not easily dismiss the phrase "market price" ever again. Life lesson #008172.)
(5)
Kristi S.

During our trip to Boston, we ate at Legal Seafood three times. All different locations, but this location had the best service by far!!!! Our server was sweet to offer to dissect my lobster for me. Their crabcakes are to die for. Legal Seafood knows how to do seafood, for sure! Run, don't walk to the nearest location.
(5)
J Y.

Attended a dinner in the private wine room downstairs. Nice decor, but a little loud for conversation. Great service. Try the clam chowder! Had a very tasty lobster. They packed up my key lime pie since I was stuffed after dinner, but it was still very good the next day.
(4)
Yonelay M.

Great food and good service. Since we are pressed for time, we asked our waitor to get dishes ASAP and it came out pretty quick. Lobster bake dish definitely is good enough for 2 person. I like the tuna dish as well. Didn't have a chance to try their dessert.
(4)
T M.

I ordered the vegetarian plate, and they literally brought me a plate with a Chinese take out food carton flipped upside down. They literally bought the food from a takeout Chinese. The menu said nothing about the food even be Chinese in flavor. Also, our waiter was incompetent, screwed up the order of one of our other guests. Total amateur hour. Avoid.
(1)
Dana W.

I asked the hotel staff where I was staying (across the street) for a recommendation and was told I "had" to go to Legal Seafood to sample true East Coast seafood. It wasn't until I was seated I realized I had been at a Legal on my last trip to Boston, but it was a much smaller version in a mall. It's the placemats with the history of Legal that gave it away. The Stuart Street Legal is HUGE. They were full when I got there and were expecting a party of 50. I only had to wait a short time in the bar before I was seated-they notify you via text message. The waitress suggested the Assortment plate or the Crab Cake Combo when I told her I was from the west coast and wanted to sample some real New England seafood. It came with 3 different fish; salmon, tuna and swordfish, as well as shrimp and scallops. You get to pick 2 sides with most dishes. The fish was good. I use Hawaii and west coast fresh fish as the 5 star bar, thus the 3 star rating. I then asked where all the fish on my plate was from, and most of it was from somewhere other than the East Coast. I was assured it was fresh, and not fresh frozen. The portions are generous and the staff is one of the friendliest I've encountered. I'll come back, but would prefer Hawaiian Opakapaka hands down.
(3)
Jerry S.

I eat here once every visit to Boston. The food is usually pretty good to very good. The service is hit or miss. Tonight a young guy easily rattled. A nice new hostess that shows a lot of potential. The manager asks how the meal was not intending to stop.
(3)
Jean-marie G.

I had the baked double stuffed shrimp. So yummy! So much crab in the stuffing. My husband had almond crusted salmon. He loved it also. Served with mushroom ravioli and spinach. A great meal. I would definitely go there again.the service was great too. Friendly and attentive.
(5)
Jessica H.

Came here on Christmas day and sat at the bar and had excellent service and food. The sole was delicious. I added a side of kale and it has a delicious yogurt/nut topping that makes it really unique. The portions are also LARGE so you get a lot more for your money here. I want to go back to try to crab artichoke dip. It looked and smelled amazing!
(4)
Claire V.

We really enjoyed this restaurant despite the mixed reviews. Get the calamari with Thai sauce for appetizer. Lobster bisque was good. And the dinner entree worth it's weight in gold was the crab cakes! It was just as good reheated the next day for lunch.
(5)
Ritza A.

I was iffy about eating here because I'm not big into chain restaurants, but the clam chowder here was definitely the best out of the 4 recommended places I tried when I visited Boston. Every single bite I took was chock full of clam.
(4)
Vincent C.

My friend and I had a good experience here. We ordered a combination of sarlon and loster to share since we had a too full lunch. They even provided the side table service for us to processing the shell of poster. Very improvised.
(4)
Eric K.

We were disappointed with our meal tonight. What has happened to Legal? I sent my drink back three times because the bar tender didn't notice that my scotch and soda was flat. My mixed grill was both over cooked and luke warm when delivered. The wait staff forgot my seaweed salad and my wife's sole was disappointing. This wasn't Legal, it was a tourist trap pretending to be Legal. For almost $200 for five people, I expect better.
(2)
Chris L.

"Crab cake sandwich" is an uphill battle. You have this hunk of flesh and breading, and then to it you add... more bread? And..it's pre-sauced (with the standard mayo dressing), so you end up with a bread-on-bread mush that gets worse the moment its plated. I rescued the crab cake (there was but one lonely slab) by tossing the roll aside, but it was too late, its texture having already met its saucy death. There was plenty of crab, which made it all the sadder in light of the lost potential. I had a side of onion strings. To me, onion strings have flaky breading that just barely covers the onion, fried just so to give a crunchy contrast to the soft vegetable. The version here used some kind of doughy batter that engulfed the onion, giving the whole a tough but chewy texture reminding me most of the frozen funnel cakes sometimes found in institutional food service. They looked like a jumble of severed, anorexic onion rings. Never had onion strings like this before.
(3)
Yibei C.

This place is absolutely legal! As a person grows up with seafood, I can verify the lobsters are FRESH and delicious. Usually good environments ignore the taste and quality of food, but here we got both. I was surprised at the freshness and the good taste of the lobster, as the location and the service is good as well.
(5)
Eileen K.

I know its a chain and all, but i really liked some of the food we had here! -Crab cake: they dont make crab cakes like this in LA, that's for sure! Huge chunks of crab, and hardly any filler. Beautiful! -Clam chowder: pretty good, nothing special, but good. -Wood grilled assortment: this was chef's choice of 3 different kinds of fish. it was a overcooked when we had asked for medium rare. and our server didn't now which fish was on our plate and had to go back to ask. this was just a-ok. all in all, it was a decently priced meal, and easy because we were there to go to the Skywalk right after. I would recommend it if you just want to go to a restaurant without putting too much thinking into it, and want the convenience after a long day.
(4)
Rachel A.

Dirty, dirty!!! Carpets were last cleaned in 2002... Restaurant last decorated in 1999!! 2/3 empty restaurant but the hostess decided to seat us, a couple, in the far back room with all the children, then got snooty when we said we didn't want to sit in the kids room. Took 10 minutes to get our cocktails. Asked For a wine list. Delicious fried clam appetizers arrived. Server never bothered to ask if we wanted wine... Uh, duh, we asked for wine menu! Finally get him to take our order for $75 wine and dinner. 20 minutes later, cocktails totally empty, and no vino... Ef it, ask for check... 5 minutes later food shows up!!! Forget it, don't want food, wine never showed up.... Omg, they look surprised! Seriously!?!?!? Paid for drinks and clams, went to Barracuda Tavern for excellent service and food!
(1)
Amanda B.

"If it isn't fresh, it isn't Legal." Well put! Our waiter, Orlando, was the most charming guy. Kept us laughing and was able to make awesome recommendations. He was very amenable to our request that he speak a little louder, as my veteran husband has some hearing problems. Yummy "chowda" (Orlando told me the correct use of the term isn't simply "awesome"...it is "wicked ahhsome!") - good consistency and flavors. My husband loved the spicy fish and chips - all fish and chips back home shall forever be ruined subsequent to our visit here. Great camraderie between managers and wait staff, everyone had each other's back when it got busy. Manager came over and said hello a few times, and stayed on the floor to assist if needed - that says a lot about the way this place is run and the principles of the managers. Besides the stellar service and great food, one detail I liked was that the check has individual totals for each diner. For example, everything I ordered was subtotaled for me, everything my husband ordered was subtotaled for him. If I had been eating with friends and everyone was paying their own way, there would not have been that awkward "who is better at math/who drew the short straw and has to figure out what everyone owes" moment. Also, at the bottom of the receipt there was the calculation for what everyone would owe (with tax) if the total bill was divided amongst the number of diners. Payment made easy. Absolutely recommend this place. We loved it.
(5)
Bruce K.

People told me that I had to go to Legal at least once during my trip to Boston. That they have some of the best clam chowder in the city. So I made it a point to stop on by. It's a little on the spendy side, as is usually the case with seafood restaurants. The service was top notch and there's just something that adds a star for white linen tablecloths and napkins and a leather-bound beer and wine menu. Yep, the chowder WAS awesome. Very meaty and with a good flavor and consistency. With a single bottle of beer that I'd never had before, my tab came to $22. A lot for a bowl of soup and a beer. If you're looking to impress, or even if you just want a really good meal, and money is no object, then Legal Seafood is the place to go.
(4)
Alexia C.

I had been to a Legal Sea Foods before, years ago, and remember having a nice meal. This time it was 6 of us and the only good thing that seemed decent was the crab-cake appetizer and the house salad. The fish chowder was flavorless and had to add tons of salt to eat it. The special soft shell crab seemed overcooked yesterday, the veggie sides not so good either. For the high price this should have been a quality meal and it just was not. I guess chains gave proven once more as places to avoid!
(1)
Brian K.

Business dinner downstairs in a private room. The organizers went to town and we ordered a lot of food. Service was a bit erratic; one server staffed at a table of ~16 people. Calamari: meaty and good but a bit too much breading. Shrimp cocktail: fresh, clean, and jumbo. Very jumbo. Deep-fried vegetables: this wasn't good. Very soggy and too sweet. Clam chowder: it tasted very "clam-ey" which was a good and a not so good thing. It tasted almost too fishy. Legal Sea Foods combo of shrimp, scallops, and crab cake: shrimp and scallops were very good. The crab cake was mediocre (I think Faidley's in Baltimore has the best crab cakes in the U.S.). Boston cream pie: this was very good. I ate the whole thing without regret. This went well with a glass of Fladgate 20-year Port.
(3)
Doug H.

I LOVED this joint. We went for lunch and we were late so there was no crowd. We got seated right away at a nice little window table. We started with calamari - it was very nice. Nothing spectacular, but very nice. However, one piece was shaped like a dragon. While I thought this was the coolest thing ever. My other half, nor the wait staff (all six of them I found) thought it was all that cool. Lame-O's they are! For entrees I had the spicy fish and chips and she had a burger. My fish was fantastic. Lightly breaded with spicy love and tasty breaded fries. Flakey, perfectly done fish that was super fresh. Her burger was what she called 'The best burger I've had in a loooooooong time'. Great atmosphere, location, and menu. The staff is also kick ars and deserves some love too.
(5)
Yixuan G.

Steamed lobster is horrible, worse than the one from grocery shop, and twice the price.
(2)
Angela J.

Great food despite being a franchise. Wait staff and bartender were all spot on. The clam chowder and the crab cakes were both tasty and flavorful. The crab cake appetizer size was huge and was enough for one person for dinner. The only thing I wasn't impressed with was the bloody mary. The mix tasted like some bottled mix and was overall uninspired.
(3)
Vassiliki K.

One of the best legal sea foods!! It's not too touristy, the food is really good and the servers are really nice and helpful. The downside is it can get noisy/crowded but it's worth going for the great food.
(4)
L E.

After eating at Legal Seafoods around the country countless times, all I can say is ... what a disappointment! It was a Sunday night and they seemed to have trouble finding wait staff to wait on me. Even though it caused a significant delay in getting my drink, rolls, and appetizer, that alone would have been fine since a manager waited on me. But then, it took my main course about 30 mins to arrive. They claimed that they had a few large parties. OK. But then, the grey sole that I ordered somehow arrived FRIED! Who serves fried grey sole? A quick look at the menu confirmed that the grey sole was not supposed to be fried. This would tend to indicate a problem with the chef staff who clearly didn't know the menu. The main course arrived close to 9PM so frankly, I didn't want to wait another 30 minutes for a replacement so I just ate it. My sides were prepared to my order so at least that was ok. Not sure what went on here tonight, but not what I've come to expect from Legal Seafood. Update: I just received a call from a Legal Seafoods manager who said that they would investigate what happened that evening and take any necessary corrective actions + he was sending a gift card in the mail. As I said, I have enjoyed Legal Seafoods countless other times so this is hopefully an anomaly.
(2)
Jasmine X.

Thanksgiving dinner for myself.... I got a Lobster Roll which is a pretty classic roll that you would get. I thought the service was pretty good and the Lobster Roll itself was solid, but nothing spectacular. I've definitely had better Lobster rolls at different places in California (not from the Boston area so I can't speak to where the good lobster rolls in Boston are). Bread was yummy and the lobster was great, but none of it really blew me out of my mind. The cold of the lobster with the warmth of the bread just seemed a bit weird to me although the lobsters just kind of tasted bland and okay. tldr; not bad, but nothing spectacular
(3)
Jessica M.

We went here for a business dinner with 12 employees. Reservations were made through OpenTable for 6:30 PM and we were seated promptly. Service: Not only was our waiter prompt, but the rest of the staff went above and beyond to take care of us Food: Everything was fresh and amazing. One of our employees is on a gluten free diet and not only did they have an extensive menu for her, but the casserole and calamari tasted just as good as the regular menu items. Staff even went so far as to bring her bruschetta on gluten free bread. We will definitely be back next time we are in Boston!
(5)
John T.

Great steamer clams as an appetizer. Decided to splurge and get the steamed lobster as the entre'. It wasn't bad, but was slightly overcooked, such that the meat was a bit tough to get out of the shell. No pick to help extract, so a lo The tail was at little tough too. Not as good as when I cook it, and not what I was expecting from a classic Boston seafood restaurant.
(3)
Charles R.

Had dinner last evening at Legal's. Pretty good as usual but two appetizers were over the moon. We had the Rhode Island spicy calamari. Very very nice. And something I'd never even seen on a menu before: kung pao cauliflower which were cauliflower florets in a light batter with a kung pao spices and sauce.
(4)
Dru L.

The food at this location was poor. Ordered the crab stuffed shrimp. Totally dry and overbaked. The fish in the fish and chips fell apart when you lifted it. Lobster bisque and clam chowder were meh. Atmosphere was nice, service was ok but food was not worth the money. I should have sent my food back but didn't want the hassle.
(1)
Steve G.

Had lunch there today very mediocre. Its the most overrated overpriced restaurant chain in New England.
(1)
Anne F.

I am not a seafood person but I went with work and felt that I should branch out and order seafood. The crab cakes were delicious!
(5)
Sarah C.

I had some drinks/apps downstairs in the lounge area/bar. I loved the atmosphere- dark yet nicely lit, a good looking bar with plenty to choose from, and beautiful wine cellars. I had the sauteed mussels, which were AMAZING!! I wanted to drink up the broth!
(4)
Rock S.

i didnt have a choice to go here, since i was staying in the hotel next door and this is where the coworkers wanted to go since it was cold, windy and a little rainy. i guess the location was the main reason. i've been to other legal sea foods before and always think of it as a fancy red lobster. when you look at the prices, you definitely know, you're not at red lobster. this review is mainly on the "service" that we received. food was good; pricey, but good. regarding the service, our waiter was continuously rude. here are some examples: 1) my coworker ordered a cesar salad and when it came out there was shrimp on it. when she asked the waiter why there was shrimp, he said he figured she would enjoy it since it was better than just a plain cesar salad. annnnnd of course, you have to pay extra for the shrimp. he actually upsold her without asking her! when he took it away, he gave the 'annoyed' look. 2) when i asked for warm butter for my lobster, he said 'right away.' 15 min had passed and he was no where to be found. 20 min later, i got my warm butter, but by that time, it was no longer needed, i had eaten the lobster already. 3) when we asked for separate checks BEFORE we ordered, he stated it wouldn't be a problem...but when we got the 1 check, he stated to us that we never informed it. (let's also back up and preface with him asking us where we were all from and why we were in town. we told him we were in for training and were from all different parts of the US and so we would need separate checks) 4) once dinner was done, the 6 of us continued to talk but he rudely leaned over each of us to remove the paper place mat. some of us had to lift our drinks for him to get the mat. why - i'm guessing it was him trying to get us out. when i went to the bathroom, i looked at other tables that were finished and just talking, but they had there place mats on the table still. very rude and unprofessional. my coworkers and i have informed my company since the home office is down the block and they will no longer visit this specific restaurant and it's a shame, we put up employees weekly right across the street!
(2)
Sfo B.

Came Wednesday at 6:30 after a long flight. Liked the environment, plenty of seating, not crowded, not noisy. The service was great. Ordered whale's PA, half dozen oysters and soft shell crab. All recommended! Overall an excellent experience.
(5)
E. A. R.

After 25 years away from New England, it restores my faith that the grey sole with lemon caper sauce remains an outstanding meal. Firm fish, properly prepared, served hot with excellent service; if you've never enjoyed this simple but excellent meal you're really missing something.
(5)
Evangelos R.

I had the lobster mixed grill that our waiter, Patrick, suggested and it was amazing. Also had the spinach and crabmeat dip to start off with. Patrick was great and very personable. All on all my date and I had a great time and I would reccomened this establishment.
(5)
Carla D.

Maybe it's because there are so many creative, stellar restaurants in the Back Bay that Legal Seafood doesn't seem to particularly shine. The entrees that my husband and I enjoyed one winter weekend were good, but didn't really stand out in either creativity or taste.
(3)
CoupÃ© P.

Bartenders were unfriendly and our waitress was pushy and obnoxious. Food was decent though. The restaurant looked a little beat up, definitely been in better kept Legal's. One of the worst in Legal's chain of restaurants. Perhaps this restaurant caters to more tourists, thus the staff doesn't believe they will have return customers anyway so they are less caring?
(1)
Chris C.

I was here with a hot date and got myself some Laphroaig 10 with and order of their mussels appetizer. The mussels were very good, and the Laphroaig was not flat. A good scotch and seafood in general pair very well together. Also, the barkeep was spot on with service. Cheers!
(4)
Manfred S.

The food was mediocre and overpriced. Pre-calculated tip is fine. Inclusion in the bill is not appreciated. At least the tip inclusion was clearly stated upon check delivery. Food: 1. Calamari were tasteless, dry and rubbery 2. Scallops weren't as fresh as advertised 3. Lobsters were fine, but pricy. Also, it may be a nice gesture for some out-of-towners that the shells are pre-cracked, but for me it takes the fun out of eating lobster 4. Oysters were pretty tasteless The waitress was mostly fine. However, when she came around and asked how everything was, I commented about the calamari. She shrugged her shoulders and made no attempt to address the issue. Gal - better don't ask if you aren't prepared to take action!
(2)
Jax V.

ZERO COMPLAINTS Service, Atmosphere, Food - Fabulous (more later)
(4)
Chris M.

Usually sit at the bar, which is comfortable and the longtime bartender Winston is friendly and attentive. Good service, good food.
(5)
Julie M.

Greatest clam chowder anywhere! Actually, everything was excellent. Definitely the best place I've found in Boston.
(5)
Jon N.

Great crab cakes and jumbo grilled prawns! Clam chowder is a must have along with the grilled lobster. Raw oysters are super fresh and are of great quality and taste - highly recommended!
(4)
Ursula M.

Great food and helped us in an emergency too!
(5)
Sophy V.

Where to begin ... Walked in after watching White Christmas and from the moment we entered I should have walked out. There appeared to be some confusion with sitting down people, so what should have been a smooth greeting turned out to be awkward. Went to the ladies room to wash my hands and there was no soap, hand towels, and the water was cold ( again should have left) Proceeded to order the jumbo stuffed shrimp with the stuffed squash as a side. Squash was very burnt and dried and so was the crab stuffing on my shrimp. :( We got Dessert only because my daughter insisted on the warm chocolate pudding cake arrived at our table COLD The only good thing about this experience was the waiter ( although we did not complain at all to him) I should have gone to my regular spot legal C bar at legacy , everything there is always superb.
(1)
Boston A.

Sitting, watching the working girls walk by on Stuart Street as I wait for ungenerous portions of mediocre, overcooked seafood to be delivered by cloying incompetents, it occurs to me: Isn't it time we stopped pretending Legal Sea Foods is anything but a tourist trap?
(2)
Mike H.

On our way to Provincetown, we spent the night at the Revere Hotel, which is just across the street from this location of Legal Sea Foods. We definitely were not disappointed with our meal here. We dined for lunch. Service was very attentive and low key. We had the fisherman's trio and the seafood casserole. Both were extremely tasty. The batter on the trio was made with tabasco and wasn't not overly spicy. It gave the fish a great kick, although subdued. I substituted the jalapeno cheddar "polenta" for the fries. It was the only part of my meal that was forgettable. The casserole was extremely tasty. Legal Sea Foods is a chain, but it does things very well. Definitely worth the try.
(4)
Thaddeus B.

As others have said here-the Service could be Better. I took my elderly relative there on a Saturday. We made a reservation. Now, admittedly, Saturday is a busy night for restaurants. They did seat us early, but the entree', Dessert, and check still took longer than it should have. Also, what the HECK is up with ALL the restaurants in Beantown. Worse than NYC, they have the bathroom either in the attic or basement, with NO elevator. That is not a problem for Me, but my relative is mobility restricted. If he had to go, he may have tumbled down the stairs!
(2)
Shauna R.

I took my mom and younger brothers out to celebrate her birthday. I had never been to this location before. The theater district has very little parking, luckily it was a sunday and we found street parking and didn't have to shell out on the garage. The location was nice but the menu seemed much smaller than I remembered from other locations. The calamari with the pineapples was awesome!
(3)
Jason C.

Everything was great. The crab cake was exceptional and the clam chowder was delicious. However the steamed lobster wasn't quite what I expected. Overall it was a great experience dining at Legal Seafoods but I wish the lobster was cooked differently.
(4)
Rasien I.

Lobster. Corn. Salsa. YUM! Plus they serve Lambic! On a cold Boston night, I didnt feel like making the trek too far from my hotel to find some dinner. I walked across the street and ended up at Legal Seafood. I know that its a chain restaurant and most chains are not known for having good quality food. But I was pleasantly surprised by what I found to be outstanding service and a decent menu. The seafood itself was tasty and fresh, but nothing so outstanding that merits 5 stars. It was kind of pricey too... too pricey for what I ate. :/ But I was happy when i found that they served a Kriek Lambic! Hard to find that beer anywhere...
(3)
William H.

This was a nice spot to eat. It was quiet and the food was good. The staff was friendly. I have no complaints. Everything was just fine- just nothing that wowed me. A bit pricey but overall enjoyable.
(3)
Nicole T.

I can see why Legal Seafoods has become a chain because it is a great restaurant with a wide variety of fresh locally-caught seafood cooked in every possible way you can imagine. We made a reservation through OpenTable literally an hour before we showed up at 7pm on a Friday night. We were seated immediately, and then the manager himself came over to welcome us, thank us for booking through OpenTable, and offered us a free small appetizer (fresh watermelon with feta cheese - delish!). The Legal Seafood in Park Plaza has a full wine cellar underneath the restaurant. They have a HUGE wine menu, and both my husband and I tried a flight of wines that included 3 very good wines that paired well with the fish. They even give you little informational cards about each wine, which was kind of fun. We ordered the crab dip for an appetizer and it was amazing. It was the freshest crab I've had and it was served with these light, crispy, "seafood chips" which were basically just puffed crab. My husband was delighted to find that they have an entire Gluten-free menu from which he ordered the Gluten-free clam chowder, something he hasn't been able to eat since finding out he's allergic to gluten. For dinner, we got one of those sampler plates that had 5 different kinds of fish (swordfish, scallops, shrimp, tuna, and salmon) - an excellent way to try several types of fish prepared different ways. Overall, we were very happy with our experience and would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes seafood. It was so good, I was ridiculously stuffed when we left.
(5)
Mr. Connoisseur X.

Stopped by just to sample the clam chowder and crab cakes. The "chowda" was average (by Boston standards) but the crab cakes were chock full of lump crab and it was exceptional. The atmosphere was very casual and it borders on a tourist trap.
(3)
Manuela A.

This place is Great the food is good the services also is excellent and friendly staff the lobster was tasty and the butter sauce amazing we also taste the oyster for the first time not my thing but it my sister love it I can wait to go back love
(4)
Troy N.

Went to the location down by the Boston Commons. Everyone that heard we were going to Boston said that we MUST eat there. Should've avoided altogether. It's not that it was bad...but it just didn't meet all the pre-hype. (and maybe that's our fault for building up hope) As mentioned, the food wasn't bad, it just wasn't the over the top good that people stated. I had the Seafood Casserole, and it was ok, just not fabulous. My son got the lobster and seemed to like it. My daughter had the steak, and thought it was alright as well. I will give them credit on the crab cake. It was comprised of nice, big lumps of crab meat, and had good flavor. But overall, the atmosphere (noise level), the (somewhat) absentee service, and the "just ok" food really didn't make a good value for price paid equation.
(2)
Joelle P.

Finally. A great Boston restaurant. After a few disappointing places, I finally found this gem for my last dinner during my Boston trip. I popped in around 6 and they were already full, but found a seat at the bar. Great - I enjoy eating at a bar than a table anyway. I'm convinced this is where you really experience a place. And I enjoy chitchat with bartenders. There are two bars - one downstairs and the other on the main level. I recommend the downstairs bar. The winding staircase takes you to a "cooler" vibe where the lights are darker, the room is smaller and they play better music. Upstairs seemed to be "kid friendly." Given the name, get seafood. I don't understand people who order chicken at a place known for their seafood. And the popcorn shrimp was the best I have ever had - gone in under 5 minutes.
(4)
Shannon G.

Great lobster bisque, oysters, and crab cake. Ambiance is wonderful. Sat at bar and very good service. Only recommendation is a little more personality in the bar tender.. But very knowledgable and nice.
(4)
Lisa R.

Once I arrived in Boston I was told that I HAD to go to Legal Seafood. We made an online reservation and were seated right away. I was pleasantly surprised to find the atmosphere and decor to be more upscale than I was expecting. We were disappointed to hear that the fresh catch salmon had run out when my hubby tried to order it. Our waitress offered to serve the same sides with their farm raised salmon and it turned out great (Gorgonzola mashed potatoes with asparagus and a fig jelly). The chef also sent out the best bruschetta I've ever had and it was complimentary. Nice! We shared the shrimp cocktail and they were huge shrimp. I had the clam chowder which was as good as I had heard it would be. There wasn't anything outstanding about the shrimp with garlic and pasta. Overall it was a great dinner with fabulous service!
(4)
Jeremy G.

We decided to make a quick stop here since we heard that they had some of the best clam chowder in Boston. The place looked amazing and the service was the same. The clam chowder was absolutely the best between B & G Oysters, and Island Creek Oyster Bar. Worth the stop.
(5)
Angela B.

We came to this restaurant, as it apparently was an institution eatery located in Boston Massachusetts. When we got there the service was slow and mediocre, and the food was terrible - I didn't realize it was possible to make lobster grainy, rubbery and difficult to eat. I would recommend going to the Summer Shack or some other eatery serving classic New England seafood. Even the children's dishes were cold and poorly prepared.
(1)
Jordan V.

We sat at the bar to avoid a 30-45 min wait. The service was very quick and the food was great as well. I had a half dozen oysters. They were fresh and came with great tasting sides (cocktail sauce and their own house vinaigrette). The clam chowder was also pretty tasty. Overall nice experience.
(4)
N T.

Yuck. I actually did not like the fried dishes I got here during restaurant week. It was sub-par for LSF, and as a result -- super overpriced!
(2)
Libby W.

I have 2 friends who used to work at Legal's (though not at this exact location), so I was curious to try it while I was in town. It's good, but not really worth all the hype. The last time I was in Boston I got a better lobster roll for half what I paid here, and I'm not sure why their clam chowder or bloody mary are "world famous" - both were ok, but not mind blowing, which is what "world famous" kind of implies. The one thing we had that actually was completely out of this world wasn't even seafood, but the cauliflower appetizer. It is insanely delicious and addictive. I was kind of surprised that for a restaurant that holds itself out to be nicer than your standard sit-down chain, and charges prices that reflect this, we had to ask to get ketchup for fries and malt vinegar for fish and chips. This isn't really a huge deal, but at the restaurant where I used to work, which is a little more casual, ketchup is an automatic pre-set for any dish that comes with fries, as is malt vinegar for fish & chips. So, for me, I noticed and was a little surprised that no one asked if we needed anything else at the time food was delivered, and that we had to ask for those things after the fact. Our table did not have silverware when we were sat, and we were not given any when we got our food - my friend picked some up off a neighboring table. For the record, they were not at all busy when we were there. I think there was only one other table at the time. Service was friendly and other servers seemed happy to help ours run food - looked like a team effort, which is always nice to see. And everyone seemed to be in a good mood. Our server joked around with us a lot. All in all, I'd say this was a pretty typical chain restaurant experience, but pricier than most. I don't regret going, but I also don't see any reason to go back.
(3)
Margot D.

Lunch at LS with my friend who loves it since they have a newly-expanded Gluten-Free menu. Now, I don't even EAT seafood, but he was paying, a girl needs to eat, and there really aren't that many places open at lunch with a GF menu.... so there I was. As always, I can choose between the chicken sandwich or the burger :) My friend was thrilled that he could finally get fish & chips, and the rolls were gf and he said they were pretty good. I was happy with my burger (regular rolls, thank you very much), our server (I wish I knew his name) was very nice, and when there was a mix-up with my burger and it went to another table by mistake, he couldn't have been more apologetic. Really, I don't mind waiting a few minutes, but a free and totally surprising little dessert came out at the end (a chocolate mousse....) ~ very nice! Also, after our server took our order, he made sure to confirm my friend's gluten-free choice, and that he would specify that in the kitchen. Very nice. As another Yelper mentioned, there is a second bar downstairs which I noticed when I went to the ladies room. It looks like a cool place for a late-night drink, although after 4 drinks just hold the railing as you navigate that spiral staircase, OK?
(4)
Kevin K.

Great food for its value. Service varies time to time, as expected from a franchise. The place is always clean and packed with people. They have a wide selection of wines. I love their oysters, always fresh and delicious. Their complimentary bread sometimes feel like a rock(not fresh), but it's something you can fix, when you ask for fresh rolls instead. Great for romantic or family restaurants.
(4)
Yi H.

It was a big disappointment, the best food here was the warm bread.... There were 4 of us and we all ordered an appetizer and main dish, so we got a variety of food like lobster, grill fish (salmon, tuna, shrimp, scallop), oysters...etc. But honestly, the quality of the seafood was really poor and they didn't taste fresh. We actually sent back a few dishes...our waitress seem to be friendly, but when she asked us "how was your dish", she didn't really care our actual opinion..... Will never come back again
(2)
Sean F.

We had a pleasant and delicious dinner at Legal Sea Foods in Boston. The clam chowder ($5.50 for a cup) is great - very creamy, not over-salted. The server, Arnolina, was very attentive and friendly. My wife had the Crabcake Appetizer ($15.50) as her meal, very good - tons of crab and a nice mustard drizzle & salad on the plate. I had the special Mustard Crusted Haddock ($18.95) with beans & Spanish-style chorizo - a BIG plate of food and full of flavor! Legal has a full offering of drinks - my wife had a glass of Sauvignon Franc ($8.50). I started with their signature Blueberry Collins ($10.00) - refreshing, but not a very heavy pour. I had a flight of three white wines ($10.50) with my entree. They have a full dessert menu (foods & drinks) but we were both full after that meal so didn't partake. Great evening!
(5)
Jackie C.

This is one of my favorite seafood places. They manager AJ is really nice and always wants to make sure you are having a good time. The clam chowder is amazing and the shrimp poppers are a perfect follow up for something not as filling. My husband gets the Jasmin special and always eats it down the last piece.
(5)
Jonathan E.

People who know me know that Im not typically a huge fan of chain restaurants, but I had heard good things about Legal Seafood before I visited Boston for the first time earlier this year. One cold evening, I was particularly hungry and the illuminated sign kept calling my name through the hotel window. The location of this Legal Seafood is extremely convenient, especially for travelers, as there are a number of hotels nearby. It is also located less than 5 minutes walk from Boston Common and near Copley Square. The interior was actually nicer than I expected. The lighting was good, even if the decor is similar to places like SeaStar in Seattle or other chain seafood places. The seafood itself was very tasty. I had the grilled seafood plate just so I could sample several things. I found the quality to be good and each piece was cooked as it should be. I particulary thought the sea scallops were delicious, but everything on the plate was a winner. I also had my first experience with raspberry flavored Lambic which was quite tasty, and the Boston cream pie, while definitely unorthodox, was the best Ive ever had (see photo). If you are visiting for the first time, Id definitely recommend trying something more local before visiting Legal Seafood. I particulary was pleased with Union Oyster House. But, I really dont have much bad to say about Legal Seafood. They have been in the area a long time and they cook their food right. Pros: Friendly server, spacious dining area, tasty seafood, location, desserts Cons: As typical of chain seafood restaurants it's fairly pricey
(4)
John H.

I'd give it zero stars if I could. Feel free to move on if you've heard enough. Lunch. 11:45am. Arrived well ahead of any lunch crowd. Was seated way in the back, in a room literally by myself. 3 strikes: Strike 1: Waiter never came. I gave up after 15minutes, went back to see the hostess. I told her what happened, and commented that they were hardly busy enough to be that disorganized. I got reseated. Strike 2: Dirty napkin. Clearly had not been properly cleaned. Strike 3: Restroom soap dispenser was empty. The restaurant just opened! So the food had to be outstanding. Which it wasn't, not by a longshot. I ordered a crabcake and cup of chowder. Crabcake was a ball, larger than a golf ball but smaller than a tennis ball. Mostly bread. Yuck. Chowder was so-so. 20 minutes later my wallet was $34 lighter. These errors were a combination of poor management, mediocre food, and over-high prices.
(1)
Jon S.

It was hard to decide whether to give this place 3 stars or 4 stars. There are many things that I don't like about this legal sea food restaurant - even with a reservation I invariably have to wait for a table or have been hastily seated at table quickly put together in an awkward location (why am i next to the bathroom?). I really don't like that the waiters hold a machine out for u to enter your tip. But i always come back. I come back because it is one of the few reliably good meals in boston. I of course start with the clam chowder which is the best in boston. I tend to order the haddock or the rainbow trout which are both excellent. The price is a little steep but in general worth it for a nice occasion
(4)
P G.

Great service and I was seated right away. The drinks were delish and so was the food. No complaints.
(4)
Seth C.

Staying across the street and just ducked in for some chowder. Meh. I mean, come on, this is Bahston, and it was about as good as Tulsa clam chowder. Was still peckish and had some steamers, which were fine, plus a friendly bartender makes three rather than two stars.
(3)
Ivette C.

Legal has a gluten free menu with a gf New planet pale ale. It was excellent!! I had the lemon caper grey sole, gf style, fried crispy and the lemon sauce with capers were perfect. They special made fried clams for me too. I haven't eaten fried clam in two years since no one can make them gf. These were perfect! I love the food and would recommend this restaurant to anyone. And the service exceeded expectation!
(5)
Stefan D.

Wonderful food and efficient service. Where else can you grab a beer, eat top notch seafood, and be on your way quickly to catch a show? I had an IPA, salmon (ask for it prepared any way even if you don't see it on the menu) and she had a glass of wine and the surf & turf. Everything was delicious and served efficiently and professionally. We were never waiting long even though they were busy.
(5)
Sam N.

Sooo good! Came here for dinner... There was a bit of a wait for walk-ins given the proximity to nearby hotels so I recommend a reservation beforehand. I started with the bang bang cauliflower, which was very good... Tastes like General tso chicken but I'd like to think a little healthier. Also had the lobster bisque, which was a bit rich, but the real winner is the steamed lobster. So juicy, cooked perfectly and when dipped in clarified butter.. doesn't get better than that! Will def come again
(5)
Skye G.

Each Legal is different and I really try to like them but really I can get much better seafood for less money. Bowl of chowder, calamari app, 1 kids "fish shaped" cheese ravioli, and 1 kids popcorn shrimp came to $ 44...really? I had an awesome whole clam dinner with sweet potato fries and coleslaw for $14.00 not $23.00 just last night at Newtowne Pub and Grille! The waitress was not friendly and cleared the table as we ate like she was getting ready to finish her shift. I don't remember having my place setting being completely taken away before I was finished eating. Asked for the dessert menu a few times before she brought she finally brought it which then helped me to change my mind about staying longer. The place was fairly busy for 5: 30 on a Sat night. The place and a nice decor was dimly lit and created a cozy atmosphere.
(2)
Kristen M.

I like to go here after seeing shows at the Wilbur. It's a great summary of Boston seafood - stuffed haddock, scallops, lobster, mussels. I've had their signature dish which is very tasty - shrimp, scallops and a delicious crab cake. For dessert, you have to splurge on the port sampler and the Boston cream pie!
(4)
John H.

Snooty east coast represent! Okay that may be a little harsh but our waiter definitely seemed very disinterested in what we needed and seemed lackadaisical while taking our orders. Maybe that's just a symptom of Boston. I've heard people just try to mind their own business. I had the Portuguese Fisherman's Stew, which was chosen because it had a broth for dipping bread in. I had to keep asking for more bread because they don't give you a lot. We also had to keep asking for water but it wasn't that big of a deal. The rockfish in the stew was actually pretty dry. It was overcooked. The shellfish was okay. Nothing horrible about it. But I loved the broth. It definitely was a broth meant to have bread dipped in. Probably wouldn't go back unless someone else paid. Good but you can get cheaper and equally as good seafood as well in Boston.
(2)
Kebert X.

Waitress never asked me if I wanted another drink. I don't need to explain why the server should ask you if you would like another drink. My girlfriend's pasta dish had too much lemon. My fried sole tasted off, and my stomach felt a off after. They only filled our water once, and only after I asked another waiter, which he replied "I'll let your waitress know". Employees that were in street clothes by the door, getting ready to leave were complaining about stuff that annoys them at work. Not the "5 star" experience I normally get at legal. Will be avoiding this location.
(2)
Rebecca H.

Pretty good dining experience here, we got a great view of the harbor from our table and our server was delightful. My husband got the surf and turf, which he really liked, it was waaaaay too much food, he should have known better! I got the almond crusted salmon with ravioli. The salmon was good, it was a large portion and the almonds on top were really a nice touch. The ravioli was a bit dry and cold, not my favorite. The restaurant overall was pretty, the location couldn't be better.
(4)
Stephen L.

This place has awesome seafood. On a trip to Boston, we went here on the suggestion of MANY locals, and we weren't disappointed. The clam chowder was some of the best I have ever had! Ya know how crappy clam chowder has a ton of potatos in it, and only a few clams? Not this one! This chowder is jam packed with clams and has just the right amount of sweetness. A real treat for sure. The lobster was off the charts. Tender, succulent, and not that expensive. The mashed potato are the kind with bits of the skin in it, fyi. Go on a weekday, just after lunch and the place is empty! The pros 1 Fantastic food 2 Great staff 3 reasonable prices The cons 1 Parking sucks
(5)
Rob B.

I've been to several of the Legal Sea Foods restaurants in Boston and elsewhere. Across the chain, the quality and execution have been quite good. My most recent experience was at this back bay place near Boston Common. We had a group of 6, many of whom were indecisive and easily distracted. If I were to give them a rating, it wouldn't be very good. But, the waitstaff was patient with us and handled the situation well. We went through a selection of appetizers. My favorites were the crab cake - very crab heavy with thankfully limited breading, and the seared rare tuna - simply, ubiquitous, and excellent. Entrees spanned many of the sea food options on the menu and everyone was happy. My grilled bluefish was cooked perfectly and the side of chard was surprisingly good. I will continue to come back.
(4)
Randall P.

This is my regular seafood stop when in town for business every month both for group dinners and by myself largely due to this location's consistent quality over the years. Unfortunately, things have changed. My fish was prepared without the seasoning and topping requested on both visits this trip. I am taking my business to Atlantic Fish Company.
(1)
J L.

Good food and good service . Pretty crowded on the weekend. It's better to make a reservation so u don't have to wait
(4)
Stefanie G.

LEGALS, WHY DO I LOVE YOU SO? When I first came to Boston, I called this place ILLegal Seafoods before ever stepping foot indoors. ( My intuition has a reason for everything.) As it turns out, they have a palpable gluten-free menu and these warm, moist gluten-free dinner rolls the manager personally delivers to your table. I ordered the mussels and house salad this time around. The 1 & 1/2 pounds of garlic, white wine, and crushed red pepper mussel marinade was delicious & avoided being too salty or overwhelming. On previous occasions I had ordered the wood-grilled assortment with a Jalapeno-polenta side. The scallops here are amazingly tender and flavorful. The polenta was moist and tasty. I would recommend everything on this menu, however, I haven't tried 8 out of 38 items. But I plan on doing it within these next few weeks.
(5)
Albert G.

Went here for a business dinner. We ordered the mix platter and cocktails to start with. Mix platter was ok, the crab cake was the best item on that dish. Cocktails (blended scotch on the rocks) were nice pours. For main dish, for some reason all 4 of us got the same wood grill combo dish with different sides. The two fish pieces were very tasty and fresh and service was fast and friendly. For Desert, we had a couple of Boston Cream Pies which we all ranked it pretty high. This was my second time here and I would certainly revisit if the party I am with wants to eat here. The restaurant decor inside is nice.
(3)
Aminda S.

I was staying across the street and with limited time before a trade show my boss and I hit up Legal for lunch. I ordered the Ciopinno (see photo) which was simply unbelievable. I seriously could not believe how large the clams and mussels were - biggest I ever did see for sure. I kept pausing, forking the shell inards and showing my boss - "Dude, look at THIS one...it's even BIGGER." I couldn't even comprehend. Were these sea buddies on roids? Also in the Ciopinno - calamari, cod, a huge ass lobster claw, shrimp and octopus. So if you like seafood, I would definitely go with this. It's a great way to sample a little of everything and for a fraction of the price. The broth was sensational as well...just a nice light tomato based broth with some onion and tomato. Oh so fresh. I'm sure Boston natives would poo poo this place because it's a chain, but I'm telling you what I had was legit. And based on location it totally worked for me.
(4)
Alphachef G.

Raised in Boston, I was excited to see the Legal Test kitchen. Was hoping for more inventive food and the standards to be executed to gold standard. Instead, it was uninspired food choices and substandard standards. Being homesick, I went for chowder and fish & chips. First class raw materials, lackluster preparation and presentation worthy of a mid scale casual dining restaurant.
(2)
Sonya R.

Way to make a great first impression, JT. Legal Seafood great welcome to the Boston community. The Legal Seafood was the first place my sales team and I were recommended to, and it did NOT disappoint. We stayed in the Theater District, where a lot of fun can be had within stumbling distance, and we wanted to make sur our first night there was memorable. Lobster, scallops, baked shrimp... everything was magnificent. (As you can tell, we shared, because EVERYTHING was so tasty that we all had to sample the other dishes!) Wine selection was superb, and the cocktails were not too watered down nor too stiff. Dessert was amazing, and even the Baked Potato was very good. You read that right, I am complimenting the baked potato. Everything was that damn good. JT, our server, showed EXACTLY the kind of service, hospitality and positive attitude you want at a great dining place, while still being casual and cool so you don't feel too snotty. The restaurant really made a great effort to make us feel welcome and that we enjoyed the food, which is all anyone can ask for. If I am back in Boston again for fun instead of for work, this will be where you will find me once I start my evenings.
(5)
Bobby D.

Food was okay, enjoyed the clam chowder, seafood casserole & Legal Signature crab cake combo. Out expectations were much higher. Food was buttered up and masked most of the flavor. Bartender (we sat at bar) was not pleasant. We won't be back.
(2)
Katie D.

Make a reservation on open table! Not for the wait, but for the service! We reserved our table for three this evening. Shortly after we arrived, we were greeted by the manager and thanked for our reservation on open table. He brought us a delightful watermelon appetizer which even my young daughter enjoyed. We ordered my daughter's food right away and it came quick. She loved her salmon, corn on the cob, fries, and watermelon. It was all perfectly done. I ordered the Nutty Atlantic Salmon. It came with mushroom ravioli, lemon caper sauce, and spinach. The dish needed some salt but overall it was pretty good. I wish it had a little more lemon zing to it but it was good overall. My husband had the soft shell crab. He liked it but thought the inside had a mushy-dry texture but he liked his aioli dipping sauce and the rest of the dish. The house sangria was solid but I would probably try something else next time. When they packed up my daughter's left-overs, they added another container of watermelon, which I thought was a nice little touch. We enjoyed our experience overall! Good service and solid food.
(4)
Sara Y.

My friend and I were eating our way in seafood around the City, so we noshed on appetizers here. I'm always a bit skeptical of chain restaurants, but if you are in Boston and a place specializes in seafood, then it can't be terrible. But this place is pretty fantastic and you don't for a minute regret you are there. I would definitely return. First up, they have a great clam chowder. It's not too watery; not too thick. The consistency is great and they have a decent amount of clams. Some places load up the soup with potatoes only, but that is not the case here. I also had a small, side salad since I need balance with all the seafood (do what Mom says and eat some veggies!). It was a standard salad and everything looked and tasted fresh. My friend and I shared the mussels and they were amazing! We ate those up real fast. We also shared cod hush puppies, which were also tasty. I mean, you can't go wrong with fried food. The decor and atmosphere were fancier than I expected. The staff gave us more of a fine dining experience, even though we were grubby tourists stopping in for a little lunch. Come here for a fancy dinner or event. Two enthusiastic thumbs up!
(4)
Laurie L.

Very good food chain in New England. Fresh seafood and oysters. Good soups good selection of lunch specials
(4)
Scott M.

Enjoyed it immensely. Walked in at 6pm on a Saturday, surprisingly to no wait. I've wanted to check out Legal for years, but I've never had the chance. We started with the Fish Chowder which was quite good. I had the Baked Stuffed Shrimp Casserole; I loved it. Baked Stuffed Shrimp is probably my favorite meal, and this was close to the best version of it I've had. My wife had the Wood Grilled Mahi-Mahi. She's not a big seafood fan, but she absolutely dug this meal. It was a BIG piece of fish too. Service was very good, our server was very attentive and prompt. Lived up to the hype for me.
(5)
Lisa G.

The short: Grossly overpriced, charmless food. Inattentive, rude service. Don't bother. I came here with a group of friends after receiving a $100 gift card (motivation enough for me to disregard the many negative reviews). I thought it would be something like the Fish Market chain popular in CA, but instead of the lively atmosphere and quirky decor that makes the Fish Market fun, this Legal Sea Foods seemed empty and characterless. When we arrived, the hostess and waitress seemed to be having some sort of petty argument, and as a result, it took us a while to get seated in spite of the multitude of empty tables. Not a good start, and the service remained spotty throughout the evening. The food was barely passable, but ludicrously priced. We got a calamari appetizer, which came out lukewarm and was pretty greasy. I shared the Cioppino with a friend, which lack the richness of flavor that I'm used to. The sauce was far too watery, and they skimped on the more expensive seafood items in favor of cheap (tasting) mussels. My friend ordered the lobster-stuffed shrimp, which consisted primarily of breadcrumbs and filler. Very disappointing. The only good item that anyone ordered was the Clam Chowder. It's cheaper and tastier than anything else on the menu. If I were for some reason forced to go back, I would simply order a bowl of Chowder, nothing else. I was truly embarrassed that I took my friends to this restaurant, and felt obligated to apologize profusely to them afterward. It was that bad.
(2)
Evelyn G.

I've been at Legal Sea Foods all around the back bay and find all of them pretty consistent with each other and that is a good thing! My kids always find something on the menu they will like. I like the specials and the clam chowder. The Fish and Chips are also a favorite. They could use more menu options. Overall a nice experience.
(4)
y m.

Amazing. I wish I lived in Boston. I would come here regularly. Totally fabulous.
(5)
Amy D.

After a long flight from SF to Boston, I was starving. My college and I were here for a business trip, and a nice gentleman that I had chatted with on the plane recommended Legal Seafood. What we had ordered... 1/2 Dozen Raw Oysters: Little shells of heaven! We had no idea which to order so our lovely waiter had brought us a mixture of small oysters. It was DELISH! It was silky and sweet, too bad I forgot which ones he had brought out. Highly recommend trying the small raw oysters! Clam Chowder: Pretty typical, nothing special. Monterey California clam chowder is still better ;) Calamari: Same as the chowder, nothing too special. Lobster Bake - My college and I split the Lobster Bake since it was a large portion of food. The waiter had hooked it up! He split the lobster directly in half, the corn in half, but everything else was pretty much topped off on the plate. I highly recommend doing this if you want to try other things like appetizers. Overall, not going to lie. The lobster in the East coast is way better than the lobster in West coast...
(5)
Ebony M.

This was my first time visiting a Legal Seafood, I was staying at a hotel nearby in Boston, and wanted New England Lobster. I did not want to visit a chain restaurant, but I took a chance, and I was not disappointed. The service was okay, I ordered a stuffed Lobster, and I was not disappointed, it was awesome! The sides I ordered were not good (mashed potatoes, garlic spinach). If your looking for great Lobster, I highly recommend this restaurant, and I will be returning, but I will not order the sides.
(4)
Anita L.

Who can visit Boston without eating lobster? I heard great reviews on this restaurant, so that's why I visited there. I ordered their clam chowder and one order of 2.5lbs stuffed lobster and another 2.5lbs regular lobster because I wanted to try the difference. However, the waitress messed up our order and brought us 2- 2.5lbs stuffed lobster. I loved their clam chowder, but I wasn't too impressed with their stuffed lobster. I personally think they over-did it and it was too rich. Spent a fortune at this place, but I guess this is the price you pay for quality seafood.
(3)
Peter J.

Incredible meal. My family and I were visiting Boston for the 4th of July and finished up our last dinner at Legal. Although I am hesitant to visit "chain restaurants" when traveling, Legal is an exception. The food was fresh and DELICIOUS! I suggest you reserve a table through Open Table. We started off with an order of steamed shrimp wonton, which was flavorful. I typically try to order specials because it's the chef's dish, not the restaurant's. The hickory grilled salmon I had was incredible and cooked perfectly. the swordfish my mother ordered was like ordering a medium rare steak, spot on. My father's shrimp was seasoned beautifully and my sister's lobster magnificent. The sides complemented each dish and cooked to perfection. Surprisingly good beer selection, too. Great visit, great food.
(5)
Craig S.

I have never thought much of this location - I used it more as a pass through from the garage which is always a little awkward. I never ate here because I thought Legal's is Legal's regardless of the setting - and I did not like the idea of eating in a garage pay station terminal. This past weekend I helped run a political fundraiser here and I realize now how classy this place actually is. For the event they had an open raw bar with oysters, clams, big shrimp, and lobster - all with an assortment of the accouterments all very good. They also had a sushi section that was surprisingly good considering Legal's does not have sushi on the menu. The event went really well thanks to the amazing staff - The bartenders were friendly and quick. The servers were conscientious, one guy with an armful of wine asked me if I wanted anything else, (as I was on the clock I was abstaining) I asked him for a iced tea when he had an opportunity. He immediately put the tray down and ran to the bar to get me one. Awesome. Managers were great as well, I walked in with my collar ruffled and my tie hanging out the back one of the managers (who I thought was a secret service agent due to his ear bud) came over and pulled it down for me without me asking. Awesome. The rest of the staff stayed late to turn the room over at the end of the event and dealt with adversity well (some open bar end of the night drama). Great Job all around! I will be back again.
(5)
Ben S.

This was our first meal in Boston. My partner, parents, and I were exhausted after a 10-hour drive (and a long shopping trip to Wrentham Outlets), and decided to try Legal which was right across the street from our hotel. It was surprisingly good for a chain restaurant! We had the "Lobster Bake" (lobster, mussels, clams, chorizo sausage), Lobster dinner (Lobster + two sides), Clam Chowder, Crab Cakes, and for the one non-seafood fan, a Tortilla/Apple/Goat Cheese salad with grilled Chicken Breast. The seafood was fresher and better prepared than we feared it might be (two of us are pretty avid seafood fans, though we decided to save our raw bar yearnings for later in the week - see our Neptune Oyster review). The Chowda had a great consistency (not too thick or watery), and plenty of clam meat (it was a lot better than some previous reviews led us to believe, which I attribute now to people simply having different tastes/preferences). Even the chicken was surprisingly well done - moist and succulent! The service (another thing we were a little worried about from previous reviews) was also excellent - our server not only took the time to chat with us, but also dove right in without blinking an eye when my dad (a decidedly neophyte, though enthusiastic, eater of seafood) needed help dissecting his lobster. Five star dining? No. But if you're looking for a nice, casual dining experience, and/or a hankering for good seafood, you can't go wrong here.
(4)
Warren C.

Not sure why there isn't a whole lot of love for Legal Seafood, but I really liked this place. Yeah, it's a bit pricey, but seafood isn't exactly a steal either. I guess I'm a huge crab fan, and they had some pretty good soft shelled crab here. I'm a fan of the crab cakes. Clam chowder was good, but I think we can find better in New England. The only thing I didn't like was this bizarre payment method where the server comes to the table with the credit card machine in hand. She said it was so that my credit card never had to leave the table, but I wasn't so paranoid about it that a normal check couldn't have been brought to my table. Anyways, odd.
(4)
Jae Z.

I'm generally wary of chains, but Legal is a safe bet in Boston and not like your avg chain restaurant. The chowder was pretty good, even if I'm not a fanatic of chowder as it is. I got the other Boston specialty -- lobster roll, too. That was good, but for some reason I pictured something else entirely. So that was kind of underwhelming. I didn't expect a lobster salad sandwich, which is what it is. The entree I got was delicious! Macadamia nut encrusted cod with pilaf and brussel sprouts. Yums. Huge portion. Brussel sprouts had bacon in it, which was kind of weird.
(5)
Mabel N.

My husband and I were never too crazy about Legal Seafood. We had a gift certificates so we went. I gotta say they have got Excellent Service! We start off with the dozens of their Raw Clams...We liked the littlenecks better then the cherriestones. I had the Grill assortment of seafood it was great. Especially love their scallops it tasted sooo fresh and SWEET! My husband had the fish and chips. Haddock tasted fresh and not too greasy but crunchy! I would probably go back!
(4)
Bill B.

I was in a hurry between meetings, sat at the bar, service was very swift, food very good, staff very professional, friendly. Boston restaurants should be excellent like this location
(5)
Rhonda W.

Food, service and great atmosphere all great ... best clam chowder ever, We were walking around and asked a local were they would recommend and they send us here. We were only here for a couple days and glad we stopped here.
(5)
A S.

Came here for lunch with a group of 6. We got seated in a nice big comfy booth. The ambience was nice and the noise level wasn't too loud. The service was great! The bread rolls were served very warm and delicious! We got a complimentary plate of bruschetta as a "thank you" for making a reservation through Open Table (I thought that was nice). I ordered the clam chowder and fish tacos. The clam chowder was delicious and tacos were yummy! Because I ate too many bread rolls, I couldn't enjoy my entree! Damn you carbs!!!!
(3)
Chris J.

AMAZING!!! One of the BEST Seafood Dinners EVER I went hoping this would top my horrible experience we had at Union Oyster House. To start we chose the location closet to our hotel we are staying at. The Back Bay location turned out to be their Wine Cellar location theme. HUGE location but feels very comfortable inside. I made the reservation on OpenTable, which was very easy and had plenty of times available because of the size of the restaurant. MGR - Thomas (Wonderful and very accommodating...took time to make sure we were happy!) Server - GenKANG (Extremely knowledgeable for the entire 10,000 bottle wine list, great recommendations for dinner, and very attentive to our needs) FOOD...WOW, just WOW. My co-worker and I ate ourselves through the entire menu pretty much...they rolled us out on a gurney at the end due to over stuffing of goodness. We ate... 1. Oyster Sampler, Spicy Calamari, and Mussels 2. Salad, Bruschetta, and Rolls 3. Taste of Clam Chowder 4. Filet and Lobster 5. Blackened Swordfish, Salmon, Tuna, Shrimp, and Scallops 6. Napa Valley Buttery Chardonnay There was NOTHING on that entire list that wasn't EXCEPTIONAL!! We have already made our reservations for our next meal in a few days when our stomachs recover. We requested KANG again and advised Thomas of our visit as well. Price was definitely worth every penny of the reasonable price.
(5)
Tim S.

My girlfriend and I went here during Dine Out Boston Week. Where to begin? The entire experience was AWFUL. We wanted to try Legal because everyone suggests Legal Seafoods as the go-to place for seafood in Boston. We could not have been more disappointed. Their restaurant week menu offers three courses. Once we were seated, we waited for probably 20 minute before anyone came to take our orders -- the evening was not off to a good start. We ordered the popcorn shrimp as our appetizer and I ordered the salmon. Somehow, our main courses came before our appetizer (weird, right?). Our waiter hadn't even noticed this was the case. Our food was cold, and when we pointed out that our appetizer hadn't come, it then was ready in under a minute. First of all, it came in a popcorn box (I couldn't believe that at a place that's supposed to be among Boston's finest), but even worse -- it tasted like it had been sitting under a warming lamp for most of the afternoon (think Long John Silvers). When it was time for dessert, we were excited to try the bread pudding, which was advertised as coming with berries (yum!). When our waiter brought the dessert, he informed us that they'd run out of berries, and so instead, he served us a bread pudding with a little bit of chocolate syrup drizzled over the top. Am I the only one that finds that strange? In most places, if you weren't getting what was on the menu, wouldn't they ask you what you wanted instead? Or if you did want it? The substitute dessert was gross, to say the least. We mentioned our experience (and our disappointment) to the manager on duty. She was nice, but seemed overwhelmed; she handed us her business card and asked us to follow-up with her. I emailed two times but never heard back. This place was not worth it, from the food, to the service, to the atmosphere. Definitely a bust in my book.
(1)
John S.

The location on Copley was very very difficult to find. We had 9:30 reservations and when a taxi can't find it you know your in trouble. The reason for 3 stars was for the stress in trying to locate it, it ended up in a mall near Neiman Marcus, once we finally sat down and had Tim serve us a sangria it ended up pretty good.
(3)
Travis C.

***FOOD POISINING*** My family and I were in Boston for a short weekend trip. Many had recommended Legal Seafood and we were directed here by the hotel staff (this being the closest location to our hotel). The hostess that seated us was friendly and informative, but things quickly went down hill from there. First thing that seemed off to me was that they weren't busy on a Friday night. There were plenty of open tables and we were seated right away. Perhaps this should have been an omen. After being seated, we ordered drinks. We had enough time to discuss the menu, talk to the waiter, order our meals, and casually eat the table rolls prior to our drinks arriving (roughly 15-20 min after the order was taken). Mind you, one of those drinks was an iced tea! Did I mention that the restaurant only seemed to by one-quarter full?? Our appetizer of steamers, which didn't seem to be of great quality (smashed shells), arrived only minutes after the drinks. Not off to a great start. We hoped dinner would make up for the poor start to service, but it didn't. One of our entrees was the baked stuffed lobster ordered spicy (there are three 'flavors' options on the menu for added spice). This came out looking ok, but upon tasting it seemed as if the kitchen staff had simply dumped half a bottle of tabasco sauce in the stuffing to satisfy our spicy request. Needless to say, the dish was inedible and had to be returned. The Grilled Assortment and the Fisherman's Platter both came out with minimal to no flavor. I think Red Lobster (or an equivalent cheap chain restaurant) could have done better. My dish, the lobster bake arrived missing the clam chowder (not great) that comes with the meal. The lobster bake looked impressive, but again, all of the seafood seemed to be lacking in quality a bit. At this point the manager for the night (Thomas) had come to our table to apologize for the seasoning of the stuffed lobster. Now, when I say apologize, I mean he more or less said that we got what we ordered and he was annoyed that he was having to deal with this. We all felt pretty offended by the whole interaction. I never realized how much a restaurant staff could affect an entire day till coming to this place. After a wonderful day of exploring Boston and seeing the sights we came here in high spirits only to leave feeling upset and disappointed to the point that the joys of the day seemed to fade away. I wish I could say that this is where our interaction with Legal Seafood ended, but it wasn't but a few hours later that I was stricken to my hotel bathroom with an unmistakable case of food poisoning from shellfish. This only solidified our thought that the quality of food at this restaurant was sub par. Not only did this meal ruin our Friday evening, but rendered me incapacitated for anything Saturday as well. Seeing as we had to fly out of Boston on Sunday, I'd say that this single dining experience cost me an entire trip to Boston. So, if you want to gamble with your health on questionable seafood because someone claimed this place was amazing, then go ahead. If you actually want decent food and service, then go somewhere else.
(1)
Shannon L.

Their crab cakes are to die for. I have had many a crab cake in my day, but theirs is by far the best. For my entree, though, I had their Louisiana seafood gumbo with fried okra. The fried okra made it underwhelming. Plus, there wasn't enough sausage for the price. Like, I literally ate 3 small pieces of andouille sausage and then there was none. And then, There was none. Other than that, their ambiance was wonderful; their restrooms were pristine; the seating was perfect for the small group we were with; and they had a very vast array of wines and liquors. Also, The waiters and waitresses all seemed very friendly and welcoming. Will probably return.
(4)
Alan W.

Where to start? The food was just bad! My rice was like meshed rice. My seafood was not seasoned, just greasy. The sides were just all bad. My soup was worse then the can soups you can get in the grocery markets. I really have nothing good to say about the food. The service was good, friendly staff. 2 Stars for the service and 0 stars for the food. I d not recommend this place!
(2)
Frank M.

One of the many in Downtown Boston, this location of Legal Sea Foods is well located in the center of Downtown Boston. The food and drinks are pricey, but the quality is good. Oysters are local and tasty. Fish is also local and well prepared. Swordfish, tuna and scallops are all amazing! Staff is knowledgeable but sometimes slow. Ambiance is good with a spacious inside that's well lit. Music is eclectic but not loud enough to distract from dinner conversation. Definitely recommend this location or others!
(4)
Loreal W.

I was so excited to be trying sea food on the east coast. I battle between the salmon, crab cake and the dish I ended up ordering... the Jasmine Special. Shrimp, broccoli over Jasmine rice with Monterrey cheese. Presentation was ok but the dish to price ratio wasn't appealing. Meaning, for the price I paid I was expecting something totally different. Sigh. The shrimp was good, the broccoli was undercooked. My friend thought it was a garnish. It was a beautiful place but it wasn't a place I have to dine at again.
(2)
Michelle L.

The food is great, if it didn't take an hour and a half for it to get here. The server came to check up on us every so often to tell us that our food was coming out, only to come back and tell us the same thing. It's not the server's fault, but they shouldn't seat a volume of customers they cannot handle. Got the lobster bake, everything was pretty good, but the clam chowder I had that came with it was lukewarm at best. Not impressed that a chain as large as Legal Seafoods can serve lukewarm chowder to its guests.
(3)
Nobbi L.

What a great place. We went here for a lunch during attending a conference. A quick reservation on Open Table. We were quickly seated and presented with multiple menus. My first surprise was the extensive wine list. My second surprise was the availability of one of our favorite wine, Purple Angel from Chile. Carmenere with a tad of Petit Verdot. Blackened shrimp and fish and chips. Service was fantastic; our waiter was an engineer! We also were greeted by the head server and brought a bruschetta amuse bouche. And the history of the brand is fascinating.
(5)
Karl K.

If the LOBSTAH ain't fresh - it ain't legal! ---------------- So during our long weekend in Baahston, we decided to soak up as much local flavor as possible. So, we did esplanade, Faneuil hall, and of course, Legal Sea Foods. Their clam chowdah is LEGENDARY. It's so good that it's served at presidential inaugurations. This chowdah is clean-flavored, with fresh clam juice, large clam pieces, and mild cream. The potato chunks are perfectly cooked, not raw and not mushy / powdery. The Rhode Island calamari was average. Although the calamari was tender, some of the breading was a little too saturated with the garlic oil and started to fall off. But fortunately, the LOBSTAH roll was the saving grace. Packed with fresh LOBSTAH (which has a firm texture and slightly sweet taste), crunchy celery, and only a minimum of mayo. Just as importantly, the shoestring fries are perfectly crisped, and fried to a golden Yellow (which means they used fresh oil to fry it). This was worth every penny of the $26 market price. Check it out! I know we will, next time we are in town.
(4)
Nikki H.

What a classy joint... I love this place! I admit, I was fooled by the appearance of the exterior and sign when we had passed by after a night out at the bar. I didn't like how it looked, or the name for that matter. Boy, was I fooled. This place was great! To begin with the service was top notch. We ended up visiting this restaurant several times on our trip just because of how impressed we were. First of all the seafood was so delicious because it was SO FRESH. None of our dishes were greasy and we never felt bloated/heavy or "gross stuffed" after a meal here. I have personally never liked clam chowder, but after trying a bowl here I am now converted. The chowder here was so delicious! It doesn't even compare to the other chowders I tried in Bean Town. To name a few things we tired: we also had the beer battered fish and chips (portion was HUGE) , not greasy and most importantly the best beer battered fish I have ever eaten! Popcorn shrimp was cutely served in a red and white popcorn bag. Crab cakes, to die for and the lobster bisque? Delicious! This place was always busy when we visited. All the staff were super welcoming, warm and friendly. I am a sucker for good service, and I never went with an empty glass . Our server was always present before I could even think of asking for anything! The menu has a huge selection of options to choose from. The music playing is classy and sweet, I really wish there were more places like this.
(4)
Mona G.

Expensive but not upto the standard . Served undercooked food. The place feels like a local joint
(1)
Helen L.

Legal seafoods is overpriced and their seafood is not that fresh. I had a lobster bake for $40 - the lobster was tough, the steamers were chewy and old. I was very disappointed. I love steamers and it was all mushy and stringy, as if it got vaporized in the cooking. I love seafood and you can get better seafood in local shops that are cheaper. I will say though, that they had some sort of feature dessert that was amazing- it was this banana cream pie in like a chocolate crust that was heavenly and unlike anything I've ever ate. Now THAT was good.
(2)
Edward A.

I've had fish and chips in London, Manchester, and across the globe. First time the flavor jumped into my mouth! The spicy calamari...come hungry! I couldn't finish mine! Staff is unbelievable and management, hello we know his name (Bill), why? Because he came by and asked us how our food taste, was everything up to par, was there anything he could do for us to make our experience better! And then, he suggested the Boston Creme Pie and was he right!! So all in all excellent service, excellent food and the perfect atmosphere!
(5)
Alison H.

Decent food that wasn't up to the hype. Had the seafood casserole. Nothing for non seafood eaters. There wasn't even a chicken dish. Probably not the best for a work group. Server kept had to find out the answer to all three questions we asked about the food. On to something else.
(3)
Scott M.

I came to lunch yesterday and sat at the bar. I was greeted by the bartender immediately and she was great! She made me a great Manhattan and we chatted about wine and the news. I loved her personality and professionalism! I will be back!
(5)
Danae K.

Their Greek salad isn't on the menu anymore but it's their most amazing salad. Try the oysters from Cape Cod, very good. The one disappointing thing is that this restaurant is always cold. And the bread is also cold...
(4)
Mr. P.

Meh. Excellent clam chowder. Fish and chips was nothing at all special. Crab cake good but not noteworthy. Mohito delicious. Attentive service. Lexi did great actually. Nothing special about the ambiance. 3.499 stars.
(3)
robert k.

8/28/15 Well it started out with a bottle of OPUS ONE Wine. The manager broke the cork, spilled wine one my wife and the label, then noticed the label was taped on. $265.00. Then a few laughs later we moved upstairs for dinner. Waiter laughed and expressed he would take care of us. Ordered a gas water which he spilled on my wife and menu. No a issue, we laughed. We ordered an appetizer and the special which was a filet with lobster and crab sauteed on top. Well the appetizer never arrived and my filet came without the lobster and crab topping . IT WAS THE SPECIAL. He did notice it but since he didn't deliver it it was too late. By the time the topping came out the filet was about gone. It did change the whole dynamics of the meal. No manager, no offer of free dessert ( although we would have declined because we don't complain to get free be's.) The food was great. Cooked perfect. Just not what was ordered. 9/4/15 update. The manager called me from Boston and apologized seveal times for the less than outstanding service. He offered to make it up to us if we are in Boston again. I thanked him but declined his offer of a gift card. I would try it again next time we are in Boston.
(2)
Stacey G.

I have been to this restaurant many times as well as the one in Copley and long warf. The decor in the park plaza restaurant really adds to the experience. The staff is very friendly and patient. The rolls are always warm and scrumptious. I normally order the house salad and plain grilled salmon. The salmon is guaranteed to be cooked perfectly to your liking. I think they can do a better job with the side dishes in terms of flavor and creativity. I tried the vegetarian box once and was not a fan. I guess I'll stick to salmon! Overall, 4 stars!
(4)
Amity D.

Under no circumstance should anyone give this place your hard earned money. When we checked in at 7:15, they said it would be a 30-45 minute wait. It's 8:27, we are still waiting for the text that our table is ready. Instead we stalked the downstairs bar until some nice people left the bar and we sat down. The bar tender yelled at us about how busy they were (no sh**t as if we didn't just wait an hour and fifteen minutes) and then took our order. We asked for some rolls as we had seen the people before is get, but instead he just threw the check at us. No scrap of food in sight, but we have a check. Oh and the manager couldn't care less!!! Not at all. I've never seen a manager this rude. When we asked why our check was thrown at us with no food insight he said it was company policy. Oh, except everyone around us asked for their check like normal. Our places were NEVER cleared until I pointed out the dirty water glass to the manager and suggested he offer us some water. Again, YELP COMMUNITY PLEASE DO NOT GIVE THESE AS* es your money!!! Oh, did you miss my review about the food? That's because we are still waiting for it kids. Way to welcome us to the city of Boston.
(1)
InÃªs L.

Some out of town friends wanted to go here. Not sure why. That's like me going to Italy and choosing to eat at Olive Garden or going to Arizona and eating at Chili's. But this is where they wanted to eat... It's like a fancy Red Lobster, I guess. Our waiter was very nice, attentive. We were seated quickly but for a Sunday night on the middle of March, I didn't expect to wait anyway. The place was too hot and the music was mellow jazz. The decor is boring and typical. Everything is incredibly expensive. My bf got calamari and said they were just okay. Someone else got oysters and they were also just meh. I was really pleasantly surprised to see they have a vegan options so that was pretty freaking cool BUT $20 for tofu, veggies and rice? I could get 3 orders of curry at my local thai spot for that. No, thanks. It's nice to have the option though. I decided to drink my dinner and that was the better decision. Hot toddy FTW
(2)
Lindsey M.

So this place was alright but I am not impressed with the inability to give a military discount... Just saying
(3)
Diana L.

Dear $27 Lobster Roll, I think I ordered you too hastily. Looking for a quickie rather than the long, languorous and attentive session you obviously deserve. I abused you-- scarfing you down before I had to leave for the airport, and I am so sorry for that. My wallet is still bleeding as well. Also, Fries on the side can skip the party next time. They didn't do anything for me. Coleslaw was good. (I will not easily dismiss the phrase "market price" ever again. Life lesson #008172.)
(5)
Kristi S.

During our trip to Boston, we ate at Legal Seafood three times. All different locations, but this location had the best service by far!!!! Our server was sweet to offer to dissect my lobster for me. Their crabcakes are to die for. Legal Seafood knows how to do seafood, for sure! Run, don't walk to the nearest location.
(5)
J Y.

Attended a dinner in the private wine room downstairs. Nice decor, but a little loud for conversation. Great service. Try the clam chowder! Had a very tasty lobster. They packed up my key lime pie since I was stuffed after dinner, but it was still very good the next day.
(4)
Dana W.

I asked the hotel staff where I was staying (across the street) for a recommendation and was told I "had" to go to Legal Seafood to sample true East Coast seafood. It wasn't until I was seated I realized I had been at a Legal on my last trip to Boston, but it was a much smaller version in a mall. It's the placemats with the history of Legal that gave it away. The Stuart Street Legal is HUGE. They were full when I got there and were expecting a party of 50. I only had to wait a short time in the bar before I was seated-they notify you via text message. The waitress suggested the Assortment plate or the Crab Cake Combo when I told her I was from the west coast and wanted to sample some real New England seafood. It came with 3 different fish; salmon, tuna and swordfish, as well as shrimp and scallops. You get to pick 2 sides with most dishes. The fish was good. I use Hawaii and west coast fresh fish as the 5 star bar, thus the 3 star rating. I then asked where all the fish on my plate was from, and most of it was from somewhere other than the East Coast. I was assured it was fresh, and not fresh frozen. The portions are generous and the staff is one of the friendliest I've encountered. I'll come back, but would prefer Hawaiian Opakapaka hands down.
(3)
Jerry S.

I eat here once every visit to Boston. The food is usually pretty good to very good. The service is hit or miss. Tonight a young guy easily rattled. A nice new hostess that shows a lot of potential. The manager asks how the meal was not intending to stop.
(3)
Jean-marie G.

I had the baked double stuffed shrimp. So yummy! So much crab in the stuffing. My husband had almond crusted salmon. He loved it also. Served with mushroom ravioli and spinach. A great meal. I would definitely go there again.the service was great too. Friendly and attentive.
(5)
Jessica H.

Came here on Christmas day and sat at the bar and had excellent service and food. The sole was delicious. I added a side of kale and it has a delicious yogurt/nut topping that makes it really unique. The portions are also LARGE so you get a lot more for your money here. I want to go back to try to crab artichoke dip. It looked and smelled amazing!
(4)
Claire V.

We really enjoyed this restaurant despite the mixed reviews. Get the calamari with Thai sauce for appetizer. Lobster bisque was good. And the dinner entree worth it's weight in gold was the crab cakes! It was just as good reheated the next day for lunch.
(5)
Ritza A.

I was iffy about eating here because I'm not big into chain restaurants, but the clam chowder here was definitely the best out of the 4 recommended places I tried when I visited Boston. Every single bite I took was chock full of clam.
(4)
Vincent C.

My friend and I had a good experience here. We ordered a combination of sarlon and loster to share since we had a too full lunch. They even provided the side table service for us to processing the shell of poster. Very improvised.
(4)
Yonelay M.

Great food and good service. Since we are pressed for time, we asked our waitor to get dishes ASAP and it came out pretty quick. Lobster bake dish definitely is good enough for 2 person. I like the tuna dish as well. Didn't have a chance to try their dessert.
(4)
T M.

I ordered the vegetarian plate, and they literally brought me a plate with a Chinese take out food carton flipped upside down. They literally bought the food from a takeout Chinese. The menu said nothing about the food even be Chinese in flavor. Also, our waiter was incompetent, screwed up the order of one of our other guests. Total amateur hour. Avoid.
(1)
Eric K.

We were disappointed with our meal tonight. What has happened to Legal? I sent my drink back three times because the bar tender didn't notice that my scotch and soda was flat. My mixed grill was both over cooked and luke warm when delivered. The wait staff forgot my seaweed salad and my wife's sole was disappointing. This wasn't Legal, it was a tourist trap pretending to be Legal. For almost $200 for five people, I expect better.
(2)
Chris L.

"Crab cake sandwich" is an uphill battle. You have this hunk of flesh and breading, and then to it you add... more bread? And..it's pre-sauced (with the standard mayo dressing), so you end up with a bread-on-bread mush that gets worse the moment its plated. I rescued the crab cake (there was but one lonely slab) by tossing the roll aside, but it was too late, its texture having already met its saucy death. There was plenty of crab, which made it all the sadder in light of the lost potential. I had a side of onion strings. To me, onion strings have flaky breading that just barely covers the onion, fried just so to give a crunchy contrast to the soft vegetable. The version here used some kind of doughy batter that engulfed the onion, giving the whole a tough but chewy texture reminding me most of the frozen funnel cakes sometimes found in institutional food service. They looked like a jumble of severed, anorexic onion rings. Never had onion strings like this before.
(3)
Yibei C.

This place is absolutely legal! As a person grows up with seafood, I can verify the lobsters are FRESH and delicious. Usually good environments ignore the taste and quality of food, but here we got both. I was surprised at the freshness and the good taste of the lobster, as the location and the service is good as well.
(5)
Eileen K.

I know its a chain and all, but i really liked some of the food we had here! -Crab cake: they dont make crab cakes like this in LA, that's for sure! Huge chunks of crab, and hardly any filler. Beautiful! -Clam chowder: pretty good, nothing special, but good. -Wood grilled assortment: this was chef's choice of 3 different kinds of fish. it was a overcooked when we had asked for medium rare. and our server didn't now which fish was on our plate and had to go back to ask. this was just a-ok. all in all, it was a decently priced meal, and easy because we were there to go to the Skywalk right after. I would recommend it if you just want to go to a restaurant without putting too much thinking into it, and want the convenience after a long day.
(4)
Rachel A.

Dirty, dirty!!! Carpets were last cleaned in 2002... Restaurant last decorated in 1999!! 2/3 empty restaurant but the hostess decided to seat us, a couple, in the far back room with all the children, then got snooty when we said we didn't want to sit in the kids room. Took 10 minutes to get our cocktails. Asked For a wine list. Delicious fried clam appetizers arrived. Server never bothered to ask if we wanted wine... Uh, duh, we asked for wine menu! Finally get him to take our order for $75 wine and dinner. 20 minutes later, cocktails totally empty, and no vino... Ef it, ask for check... 5 minutes later food shows up!!! Forget it, don't want food, wine never showed up.... Omg, they look surprised! Seriously!?!?!? Paid for drinks and clams, went to Barracuda Tavern for excellent service and food!
(1)
Amanda B.

"If it isn't fresh, it isn't Legal." Well put! Our waiter, Orlando, was the most charming guy. Kept us laughing and was able to make awesome recommendations. He was very amenable to our request that he speak a little louder, as my veteran husband has some hearing problems. Yummy "chowda" (Orlando told me the correct use of the term isn't simply "awesome"...it is "wicked ahhsome!") - good consistency and flavors. My husband loved the spicy fish and chips - all fish and chips back home shall forever be ruined subsequent to our visit here. Great camraderie between managers and wait staff, everyone had each other's back when it got busy. Manager came over and said hello a few times, and stayed on the floor to assist if needed - that says a lot about the way this place is run and the principles of the managers. Besides the stellar service and great food, one detail I liked was that the check has individual totals for each diner. For example, everything I ordered was subtotaled for me, everything my husband ordered was subtotaled for him. If I had been eating with friends and everyone was paying their own way, there would not have been that awkward "who is better at math/who drew the short straw and has to figure out what everyone owes" moment. Also, at the bottom of the receipt there was the calculation for what everyone would owe (with tax) if the total bill was divided amongst the number of diners. Payment made easy. Absolutely recommend this place. We loved it.
(5)
Bruce K.

People told me that I had to go to Legal at least once during my trip to Boston. That they have some of the best clam chowder in the city. So I made it a point to stop on by. It's a little on the spendy side, as is usually the case with seafood restaurants. The service was top notch and there's just something that adds a star for white linen tablecloths and napkins and a leather-bound beer and wine menu. Yep, the chowder WAS awesome. Very meaty and with a good flavor and consistency. With a single bottle of beer that I'd never had before, my tab came to $22. A lot for a bowl of soup and a beer. If you're looking to impress, or even if you just want a really good meal, and money is no object, then Legal Seafood is the place to go.
(4)
Alexia C.

I had been to a Legal Sea Foods before, years ago, and remember having a nice meal. This time it was 6 of us and the only good thing that seemed decent was the crab-cake appetizer and the house salad. The fish chowder was flavorless and had to add tons of salt to eat it. The special soft shell crab seemed overcooked yesterday, the veggie sides not so good either. For the high price this should have been a quality meal and it just was not. I guess chains gave proven once more as places to avoid!
(1)
Brian K.

Business dinner downstairs in a private room. The organizers went to town and we ordered a lot of food. Service was a bit erratic; one server staffed at a table of ~16 people. Calamari: meaty and good but a bit too much breading. Shrimp cocktail: fresh, clean, and jumbo. Very jumbo. Deep-fried vegetables: this wasn't good. Very soggy and too sweet. Clam chowder: it tasted very "clam-ey" which was a good and a not so good thing. It tasted almost too fishy. Legal Sea Foods combo of shrimp, scallops, and crab cake: shrimp and scallops were very good. The crab cake was mediocre (I think Faidley's in Baltimore has the best crab cakes in the U.S.). Boston cream pie: this was very good. I ate the whole thing without regret. This went well with a glass of Fladgate 20-year Port.
(3)
Doug H.

I LOVED this joint. We went for lunch and we were late so there was no crowd. We got seated right away at a nice little window table. We started with calamari - it was very nice. Nothing spectacular, but very nice. However, one piece was shaped like a dragon. While I thought this was the coolest thing ever. My other half, nor the wait staff (all six of them I found) thought it was all that cool. Lame-O's they are! For entrees I had the spicy fish and chips and she had a burger. My fish was fantastic. Lightly breaded with spicy love and tasty breaded fries. Flakey, perfectly done fish that was super fresh. Her burger was what she called 'The best burger I've had in a loooooooong time'. Great atmosphere, location, and menu. The staff is also kick ars and deserves some love too.
(5)
Yixuan G.

Steamed lobster is horrible, worse than the one from grocery shop, and twice the price.
(2)
Angela J.

Great food despite being a franchise. Wait staff and bartender were all spot on. The clam chowder and the crab cakes were both tasty and flavorful. The crab cake appetizer size was huge and was enough for one person for dinner. The only thing I wasn't impressed with was the bloody mary. The mix tasted like some bottled mix and was overall uninspired.
(3)
Vassiliki K.

One of the best legal sea foods!! It's not too touristy, the food is really good and the servers are really nice and helpful. The downside is it can get noisy/crowded but it's worth going for the great food.
(4)
L E.

After eating at Legal Seafoods around the country countless times, all I can say is ... what a disappointment! It was a Sunday night and they seemed to have trouble finding wait staff to wait on me. Even though it caused a significant delay in getting my drink, rolls, and appetizer, that alone would have been fine since a manager waited on me. But then, it took my main course about 30 mins to arrive. They claimed that they had a few large parties. OK. But then, the grey sole that I ordered somehow arrived FRIED! Who serves fried grey sole? A quick look at the menu confirmed that the grey sole was not supposed to be fried. This would tend to indicate a problem with the chef staff who clearly didn't know the menu. The main course arrived close to 9PM so frankly, I didn't want to wait another 30 minutes for a replacement so I just ate it. My sides were prepared to my order so at least that was ok. Not sure what went on here tonight, but not what I've come to expect from Legal Seafood. Update: I just received a call from a Legal Seafoods manager who said that they would investigate what happened that evening and take any necessary corrective actions + he was sending a gift card in the mail. As I said, I have enjoyed Legal Seafoods countless other times so this is hopefully an anomaly.
(2)
Jasmine X.

Thanksgiving dinner for myself.... I got a Lobster Roll which is a pretty classic roll that you would get. I thought the service was pretty good and the Lobster Roll itself was solid, but nothing spectacular. I've definitely had better Lobster rolls at different places in California (not from the Boston area so I can't speak to where the good lobster rolls in Boston are). Bread was yummy and the lobster was great, but none of it really blew me out of my mind. The cold of the lobster with the warmth of the bread just seemed a bit weird to me although the lobsters just kind of tasted bland and okay. tldr; not bad, but nothing spectacular
(3)
Jessica M.

We went here for a business dinner with 12 employees. Reservations were made through OpenTable for 6:30 PM and we were seated promptly. Service: Not only was our waiter prompt, but the rest of the staff went above and beyond to take care of us Food: Everything was fresh and amazing. One of our employees is on a gluten free diet and not only did they have an extensive menu for her, but the casserole and calamari tasted just as good as the regular menu items. Staff even went so far as to bring her bruschetta on gluten free bread. We will definitely be back next time we are in Boston!
(5)
John T.

Great steamer clams as an appetizer. Decided to splurge and get the steamed lobster as the entre'. It wasn't bad, but was slightly overcooked, such that the meat was a bit tough to get out of the shell. No pick to help extract, so a lo The tail was at little tough too. Not as good as when I cook it, and not what I was expecting from a classic Boston seafood restaurant.
(3)
Charles R.

Had dinner last evening at Legal's. Pretty good as usual but two appetizers were over the moon. We had the Rhode Island spicy calamari. Very very nice. And something I'd never even seen on a menu before: kung pao cauliflower which were cauliflower florets in a light batter with a kung pao spices and sauce.
(4)
Dru L.

The food at this location was poor. Ordered the crab stuffed shrimp. Totally dry and overbaked. The fish in the fish and chips fell apart when you lifted it. Lobster bisque and clam chowder were meh. Atmosphere was nice, service was ok but food was not worth the money. I should have sent my food back but didn't want the hassle.
(1)
Steve G.

Had lunch there today very mediocre. Its the most overrated overpriced restaurant chain in New England.
(1)
Anne F.

I am not a seafood person but I went with work and felt that I should branch out and order seafood. The crab cakes were delicious!
(5)
Sarah C.

I had some drinks/apps downstairs in the lounge area/bar. I loved the atmosphere- dark yet nicely lit, a good looking bar with plenty to choose from, and beautiful wine cellars. I had the sauteed mussels, which were AMAZING!! I wanted to drink up the broth!
(4)
Rock S.

i didnt have a choice to go here, since i was staying in the hotel next door and this is where the coworkers wanted to go since it was cold, windy and a little rainy. i guess the location was the main reason. i've been to other legal sea foods before and always think of it as a fancy red lobster. when you look at the prices, you definitely know, you're not at red lobster. this review is mainly on the "service" that we received. food was good; pricey, but good. regarding the service, our waiter was continuously rude. here are some examples: 1) my coworker ordered a cesar salad and when it came out there was shrimp on it. when she asked the waiter why there was shrimp, he said he figured she would enjoy it since it was better than just a plain cesar salad. annnnnd of course, you have to pay extra for the shrimp. he actually upsold her without asking her! when he took it away, he gave the 'annoyed' look. 2) when i asked for warm butter for my lobster, he said 'right away.' 15 min had passed and he was no where to be found. 20 min later, i got my warm butter, but by that time, it was no longer needed, i had eaten the lobster already. 3) when we asked for separate checks BEFORE we ordered, he stated it wouldn't be a problem...but when we got the 1 check, he stated to us that we never informed it. (let's also back up and preface with him asking us where we were all from and why we were in town. we told him we were in for training and were from all different parts of the US and so we would need separate checks) 4) once dinner was done, the 6 of us continued to talk but he rudely leaned over each of us to remove the paper place mat. some of us had to lift our drinks for him to get the mat. why - i'm guessing it was him trying to get us out. when i went to the bathroom, i looked at other tables that were finished and just talking, but they had there place mats on the table still. very rude and unprofessional. my coworkers and i have informed my company since the home office is down the block and they will no longer visit this specific restaurant and it's a shame, we put up employees weekly right across the street!
(2)
Sfo B.

Came Wednesday at 6:30 after a long flight. Liked the environment, plenty of seating, not crowded, not noisy. The service was great. Ordered whale's PA, half dozen oysters and soft shell crab. All recommended! Overall an excellent experience.
(5)
E. A. R.

After 25 years away from New England, it restores my faith that the grey sole with lemon caper sauce remains an outstanding meal. Firm fish, properly prepared, served hot with excellent service; if you've never enjoyed this simple but excellent meal you're really missing something.
(5)
Evangelos R.

I had the lobster mixed grill that our waiter, Patrick, suggested and it was amazing. Also had the spinach and crabmeat dip to start off with. Patrick was great and very personable. All on all my date and I had a great time and I would reccomened this establishment.
(5)
Carla D.

Maybe it's because there are so many creative, stellar restaurants in the Back Bay that Legal Seafood doesn't seem to particularly shine. The entrees that my husband and I enjoyed one winter weekend were good, but didn't really stand out in either creativity or taste.
(3)
CoupÃ© P.

Bartenders were unfriendly and our waitress was pushy and obnoxious. Food was decent though. The restaurant looked a little beat up, definitely been in better kept Legal's. One of the worst in Legal's chain of restaurants. Perhaps this restaurant caters to more tourists, thus the staff doesn't believe they will have return customers anyway so they are less caring?
(1)
Chris C.

I was here with a hot date and got myself some Laphroaig 10 with and order of their mussels appetizer. The mussels were very good, and the Laphroaig was not flat. A good scotch and seafood in general pair very well together. Also, the barkeep was spot on with service. Cheers!
(4)
Manfred S.

The food was mediocre and overpriced. Pre-calculated tip is fine. Inclusion in the bill is not appreciated. At least the tip inclusion was clearly stated upon check delivery. Food: 1. Calamari were tasteless, dry and rubbery 2. Scallops weren't as fresh as advertised 3. Lobsters were fine, but pricy. Also, it may be a nice gesture for some out-of-towners that the shells are pre-cracked, but for me it takes the fun out of eating lobster 4. Oysters were pretty tasteless The waitress was mostly fine. However, when she came around and asked how everything was, I commented about the calamari. She shrugged her shoulders and made no attempt to address the issue. Gal - better don't ask if you aren't prepared to take action!
(2)
Jax V.

ZERO COMPLAINTS Service, Atmosphere, Food - Fabulous (more later)
(4)
Chris M.

Usually sit at the bar, which is comfortable and the longtime bartender Winston is friendly and attentive. Good service, good food.
(5)
Julie M.

Greatest clam chowder anywhere! Actually, everything was excellent. Definitely the best place I've found in Boston.
(5)
Jon N.

Great crab cakes and jumbo grilled prawns! Clam chowder is a must have along with the grilled lobster. Raw oysters are super fresh and are of great quality and taste - highly recommended!
(4)
Ursula M.

Great food and helped us in an emergency too!
(5)
Sophy V.

Where to begin ... Walked in after watching White Christmas and from the moment we entered I should have walked out. There appeared to be some confusion with sitting down people, so what should have been a smooth greeting turned out to be awkward. Went to the ladies room to wash my hands and there was no soap, hand towels, and the water was cold ( again should have left) Proceeded to order the jumbo stuffed shrimp with the stuffed squash as a side. Squash was very burnt and dried and so was the crab stuffing on my shrimp. :( We got Dessert only because my daughter insisted on the warm chocolate pudding cake arrived at our table COLD The only good thing about this experience was the waiter ( although we did not complain at all to him) I should have gone to my regular spot legal C bar at legacy , everything there is always superb.
(1)
Boston A.

Sitting, watching the working girls walk by on Stuart Street as I wait for ungenerous portions of mediocre, overcooked seafood to be delivered by cloying incompetents, it occurs to me: Isn't it time we stopped pretending Legal Sea Foods is anything but a tourist trap?
(2)
Mike H.

On our way to Provincetown, we spent the night at the Revere Hotel, which is just across the street from this location of Legal Sea Foods. We definitely were not disappointed with our meal here. We dined for lunch. Service was very attentive and low key. We had the fisherman's trio and the seafood casserole. Both were extremely tasty. The batter on the trio was made with tabasco and wasn't not overly spicy. It gave the fish a great kick, although subdued. I substituted the jalapeno cheddar "polenta" for the fries. It was the only part of my meal that was forgettable. The casserole was extremely tasty. Legal Sea Foods is a chain, but it does things very well. Definitely worth the try.
(4)
Thaddeus B.

As others have said here-the Service could be Better. I took my elderly relative there on a Saturday. We made a reservation. Now, admittedly, Saturday is a busy night for restaurants. They did seat us early, but the entree', Dessert, and check still took longer than it should have. Also, what the HECK is up with ALL the restaurants in Beantown. Worse than NYC, they have the bathroom either in the attic or basement, with NO elevator. That is not a problem for Me, but my relative is mobility restricted. If he had to go, he may have tumbled down the stairs!
(2)
Shauna R.

I took my mom and younger brothers out to celebrate her birthday. I had never been to this location before. The theater district has very little parking, luckily it was a sunday and we found street parking and didn't have to shell out on the garage. The location was nice but the menu seemed much smaller than I remembered from other locations. The calamari with the pineapples was awesome!
(3)
Jason C.

Everything was great. The crab cake was exceptional and the clam chowder was delicious. However the steamed lobster wasn't quite what I expected. Overall it was a great experience dining at Legal Seafoods but I wish the lobster was cooked differently.
(4)
Rasien I.

Lobster. Corn. Salsa. YUM! Plus they serve Lambic! On a cold Boston night, I didnt feel like making the trek too far from my hotel to find some dinner. I walked across the street and ended up at Legal Seafood. I know that its a chain restaurant and most chains are not known for having good quality food. But I was pleasantly surprised by what I found to be outstanding service and a decent menu. The seafood itself was tasty and fresh, but nothing so outstanding that merits 5 stars. It was kind of pricey too... too pricey for what I ate. :/ But I was happy when i found that they served a Kriek Lambic! Hard to find that beer anywhere...
(3)
William H.

This was a nice spot to eat. It was quiet and the food was good. The staff was friendly. I have no complaints. Everything was just fine- just nothing that wowed me. A bit pricey but overall enjoyable.
(3)
Jeremy G.

We decided to make a quick stop here since we heard that they had some of the best clam chowder in Boston. The place looked amazing and the service was the same. The clam chowder was absolutely the best between B & G Oysters, and Island Creek Oyster Bar. Worth the stop.
(5)
Angela B.

We came to this restaurant, as it apparently was an institution eatery located in Boston Massachusetts. When we got there the service was slow and mediocre, and the food was terrible - I didn't realize it was possible to make lobster grainy, rubbery and difficult to eat. I would recommend going to the Summer Shack or some other eatery serving classic New England seafood. Even the children's dishes were cold and poorly prepared.
(1)
Jordan V.

We sat at the bar to avoid a 30-45 min wait. The service was very quick and the food was great as well. I had a half dozen oysters. They were fresh and came with great tasting sides (cocktail sauce and their own house vinaigrette). The clam chowder was also pretty tasty. Overall nice experience.
(4)
N T.

Yuck. I actually did not like the fried dishes I got here during restaurant week. It was sub-par for LSF, and as a result -- super overpriced!
(2)
Yi H.

It was a big disappointment, the best food here was the warm bread.... There were 4 of us and we all ordered an appetizer and main dish, so we got a variety of food like lobster, grill fish (salmon, tuna, shrimp, scallop), oysters...etc. But honestly, the quality of the seafood was really poor and they didn't taste fresh. We actually sent back a few dishes...our waitress seem to be friendly, but when she asked us "how was your dish", she didn't really care our actual opinion..... Will never come back again
(2)
Sean F.

We had a pleasant and delicious dinner at Legal Sea Foods in Boston. The clam chowder ($5.50 for a cup) is great - very creamy, not over-salted. The server, Arnolina, was very attentive and friendly. My wife had the Crabcake Appetizer ($15.50) as her meal, very good - tons of crab and a nice mustard drizzle & salad on the plate. I had the special Mustard Crusted Haddock ($18.95) with beans & Spanish-style chorizo - a BIG plate of food and full of flavor! Legal has a full offering of drinks - my wife had a glass of Sauvignon Franc ($8.50). I started with their signature Blueberry Collins ($10.00) - refreshing, but not a very heavy pour. I had a flight of three white wines ($10.50) with my entree. They have a full dessert menu (foods & drinks) but we were both full after that meal so didn't partake. Great evening!
(5)
Jackie C.

This is one of my favorite seafood places. They manager AJ is really nice and always wants to make sure you are having a good time. The clam chowder is amazing and the shrimp poppers are a perfect follow up for something not as filling. My husband gets the Jasmin special and always eats it down the last piece.
(5)
Jonathan E.

People who know me know that Im not typically a huge fan of chain restaurants, but I had heard good things about Legal Seafood before I visited Boston for the first time earlier this year. One cold evening, I was particularly hungry and the illuminated sign kept calling my name through the hotel window. The location of this Legal Seafood is extremely convenient, especially for travelers, as there are a number of hotels nearby. It is also located less than 5 minutes walk from Boston Common and near Copley Square. The interior was actually nicer than I expected. The lighting was good, even if the decor is similar to places like SeaStar in Seattle or other chain seafood places. The seafood itself was very tasty. I had the grilled seafood plate just so I could sample several things. I found the quality to be good and each piece was cooked as it should be. I particulary thought the sea scallops were delicious, but everything on the plate was a winner. I also had my first experience with raspberry flavored Lambic which was quite tasty, and the Boston cream pie, while definitely unorthodox, was the best Ive ever had (see photo). If you are visiting for the first time, Id definitely recommend trying something more local before visiting Legal Seafood. I particulary was pleased with Union Oyster House. But, I really dont have much bad to say about Legal Seafood. They have been in the area a long time and they cook their food right. Pros: Friendly server, spacious dining area, tasty seafood, location, desserts Cons: As typical of chain seafood restaurants it's fairly pricey
(4)
Sam N.

Sooo good! Came here for dinner... There was a bit of a wait for walk-ins given the proximity to nearby hotels so I recommend a reservation beforehand. I started with the bang bang cauliflower, which was very good... Tastes like General tso chicken but I'd like to think a little healthier. Also had the lobster bisque, which was a bit rich, but the real winner is the steamed lobster. So juicy, cooked perfectly and when dipped in clarified butter.. doesn't get better than that! Will def come again
(5)
John H.

I'd give it zero stars if I could. Feel free to move on if you've heard enough. Lunch. 11:45am. Arrived well ahead of any lunch crowd. Was seated way in the back, in a room literally by myself. 3 strikes: Strike 1: Waiter never came. I gave up after 15minutes, went back to see the hostess. I told her what happened, and commented that they were hardly busy enough to be that disorganized. I got reseated. Strike 2: Dirty napkin. Clearly had not been properly cleaned. Strike 3: Restroom soap dispenser was empty. The restaurant just opened! So the food had to be outstanding. Which it wasn't, not by a longshot. I ordered a crabcake and cup of chowder. Crabcake was a ball, larger than a golf ball but smaller than a tennis ball. Mostly bread. Yuck. Chowder was so-so. 20 minutes later my wallet was $34 lighter. These errors were a combination of poor management, mediocre food, and over-high prices.
(1)
Jon S.

It was hard to decide whether to give this place 3 stars or 4 stars. There are many things that I don't like about this legal sea food restaurant - even with a reservation I invariably have to wait for a table or have been hastily seated at table quickly put together in an awkward location (why am i next to the bathroom?). I really don't like that the waiters hold a machine out for u to enter your tip. But i always come back. I come back because it is one of the few reliably good meals in boston. I of course start with the clam chowder which is the best in boston. I tend to order the haddock or the rainbow trout which are both excellent. The price is a little steep but in general worth it for a nice occasion
(4)
P G.

Great service and I was seated right away. The drinks were delish and so was the food. No complaints.
(4)
Seth C.

Staying across the street and just ducked in for some chowder. Meh. I mean, come on, this is Bahston, and it was about as good as Tulsa clam chowder. Was still peckish and had some steamers, which were fine, plus a friendly bartender makes three rather than two stars.
(3)
Ivette C.

Legal has a gluten free menu with a gf New planet pale ale. It was excellent!! I had the lemon caper grey sole, gf style, fried crispy and the lemon sauce with capers were perfect. They special made fried clams for me too. I haven't eaten fried clam in two years since no one can make them gf. These were perfect! I love the food and would recommend this restaurant to anyone. And the service exceeded expectation!
(5)
Stefan D.

Wonderful food and efficient service. Where else can you grab a beer, eat top notch seafood, and be on your way quickly to catch a show? I had an IPA, salmon (ask for it prepared any way even if you don't see it on the menu) and she had a glass of wine and the surf & turf. Everything was delicious and served efficiently and professionally. We were never waiting long even though they were busy.
(5)
Skye G.

Each Legal is different and I really try to like them but really I can get much better seafood for less money. Bowl of chowder, calamari app, 1 kids "fish shaped" cheese ravioli, and 1 kids popcorn shrimp came to $ 44...really? I had an awesome whole clam dinner with sweet potato fries and coleslaw for $14.00 not $23.00 just last night at Newtowne Pub and Grille! The waitress was not friendly and cleared the table as we ate like she was getting ready to finish her shift. I don't remember having my place setting being completely taken away before I was finished eating. Asked for the dessert menu a few times before she brought she finally brought it which then helped me to change my mind about staying longer. The place was fairly busy for 5: 30 on a Sat night. The place and a nice decor was dimly lit and created a cozy atmosphere.
(2)
Kristen M.

I like to go here after seeing shows at the Wilbur. It's a great summary of Boston seafood - stuffed haddock, scallops, lobster, mussels. I've had their signature dish which is very tasty - shrimp, scallops and a delicious crab cake. For dessert, you have to splurge on the port sampler and the Boston cream pie!
(4)
John H.

Snooty east coast represent! Okay that may be a little harsh but our waiter definitely seemed very disinterested in what we needed and seemed lackadaisical while taking our orders. Maybe that's just a symptom of Boston. I've heard people just try to mind their own business. I had the Portuguese Fisherman's Stew, which was chosen because it had a broth for dipping bread in. I had to keep asking for more bread because they don't give you a lot. We also had to keep asking for water but it wasn't that big of a deal. The rockfish in the stew was actually pretty dry. It was overcooked. The shellfish was okay. Nothing horrible about it. But I loved the broth. It definitely was a broth meant to have bread dipped in. Probably wouldn't go back unless someone else paid. Good but you can get cheaper and equally as good seafood as well in Boston.
(2)
Kebert X.

Waitress never asked me if I wanted another drink. I don't need to explain why the server should ask you if you would like another drink. My girlfriend's pasta dish had too much lemon. My fried sole tasted off, and my stomach felt a off after. They only filled our water once, and only after I asked another waiter, which he replied "I'll let your waitress know". Employees that were in street clothes by the door, getting ready to leave were complaining about stuff that annoys them at work. Not the "5 star" experience I normally get at legal. Will be avoiding this location.
(2)
Rebecca H.

Pretty good dining experience here, we got a great view of the harbor from our table and our server was delightful. My husband got the surf and turf, which he really liked, it was waaaaay too much food, he should have known better! I got the almond crusted salmon with ravioli. The salmon was good, it was a large portion and the almonds on top were really a nice touch. The ravioli was a bit dry and cold, not my favorite. The restaurant overall was pretty, the location couldn't be better.
(4)
Stephen L.

This place has awesome seafood. On a trip to Boston, we went here on the suggestion of MANY locals, and we weren't disappointed. The clam chowder was some of the best I have ever had! Ya know how crappy clam chowder has a ton of potatos in it, and only a few clams? Not this one! This chowder is jam packed with clams and has just the right amount of sweetness. A real treat for sure. The lobster was off the charts. Tender, succulent, and not that expensive. The mashed potato are the kind with bits of the skin in it, fyi. Go on a weekday, just after lunch and the place is empty! The pros 1 Fantastic food 2 Great staff 3 reasonable prices The cons 1 Parking sucks
(5)
Rob B.

I've been to several of the Legal Sea Foods restaurants in Boston and elsewhere. Across the chain, the quality and execution have been quite good. My most recent experience was at this back bay place near Boston Common. We had a group of 6, many of whom were indecisive and easily distracted. If I were to give them a rating, it wouldn't be very good. But, the waitstaff was patient with us and handled the situation well. We went through a selection of appetizers. My favorites were the crab cake - very crab heavy with thankfully limited breading, and the seared rare tuna - simply, ubiquitous, and excellent. Entrees spanned many of the sea food options on the menu and everyone was happy. My grilled bluefish was cooked perfectly and the side of chard was surprisingly good. I will continue to come back.
(4)
Randall P.

This is my regular seafood stop when in town for business every month both for group dinners and by myself largely due to this location's consistent quality over the years. Unfortunately, things have changed. My fish was prepared without the seasoning and topping requested on both visits this trip. I am taking my business to Atlantic Fish Company.
(1)
J L.

Good food and good service . Pretty crowded on the weekend. It's better to make a reservation so u don't have to wait
(4)
Stefanie G.

LEGALS, WHY DO I LOVE YOU SO? When I first came to Boston, I called this place ILLegal Seafoods before ever stepping foot indoors. ( My intuition has a reason for everything.) As it turns out, they have a palpable gluten-free menu and these warm, moist gluten-free dinner rolls the manager personally delivers to your table. I ordered the mussels and house salad this time around. The 1 & 1/2 pounds of garlic, white wine, and crushed red pepper mussel marinade was delicious & avoided being too salty or overwhelming. On previous occasions I had ordered the wood-grilled assortment with a Jalapeno-polenta side. The scallops here are amazingly tender and flavorful. The polenta was moist and tasty. I would recommend everything on this menu, however, I haven't tried 8 out of 38 items. But I plan on doing it within these next few weeks.
(5)
Albert G.

Went here for a business dinner. We ordered the mix platter and cocktails to start with. Mix platter was ok, the crab cake was the best item on that dish. Cocktails (blended scotch on the rocks) were nice pours. For main dish, for some reason all 4 of us got the same wood grill combo dish with different sides. The two fish pieces were very tasty and fresh and service was fast and friendly. For Desert, we had a couple of Boston Cream Pies which we all ranked it pretty high. This was my second time here and I would certainly revisit if the party I am with wants to eat here. The restaurant decor inside is nice.
(3)
Aminda S.

I was staying across the street and with limited time before a trade show my boss and I hit up Legal for lunch. I ordered the Ciopinno (see photo) which was simply unbelievable. I seriously could not believe how large the clams and mussels were - biggest I ever did see for sure. I kept pausing, forking the shell inards and showing my boss - "Dude, look at THIS one...it's even BIGGER." I couldn't even comprehend. Were these sea buddies on roids? Also in the Ciopinno - calamari, cod, a huge ass lobster claw, shrimp and octopus. So if you like seafood, I would definitely go with this. It's a great way to sample a little of everything and for a fraction of the price. The broth was sensational as well...just a nice light tomato based broth with some onion and tomato. Oh so fresh. I'm sure Boston natives would poo poo this place because it's a chain, but I'm telling you what I had was legit. And based on location it totally worked for me.
(4)
Alphachef G.

Raised in Boston, I was excited to see the Legal Test kitchen. Was hoping for more inventive food and the standards to be executed to gold standard. Instead, it was uninspired food choices and substandard standards. Being homesick, I went for chowder and fish & chips. First class raw materials, lackluster preparation and presentation worthy of a mid scale casual dining restaurant.
(2)
Sonya R.

Way to make a great first impression, JT. Legal Seafood great welcome to the Boston community. The Legal Seafood was the first place my sales team and I were recommended to, and it did NOT disappoint. We stayed in the Theater District, where a lot of fun can be had within stumbling distance, and we wanted to make sur our first night there was memorable. Lobster, scallops, baked shrimp... everything was magnificent. (As you can tell, we shared, because EVERYTHING was so tasty that we all had to sample the other dishes!) Wine selection was superb, and the cocktails were not too watered down nor too stiff. Dessert was amazing, and even the Baked Potato was very good. You read that right, I am complimenting the baked potato. Everything was that damn good. JT, our server, showed EXACTLY the kind of service, hospitality and positive attitude you want at a great dining place, while still being casual and cool so you don't feel too snotty. The restaurant really made a great effort to make us feel welcome and that we enjoyed the food, which is all anyone can ask for. If I am back in Boston again for fun instead of for work, this will be where you will find me once I start my evenings.
(5)
Bobby D.

Food was okay, enjoyed the clam chowder, seafood casserole & Legal Signature crab cake combo. Out expectations were much higher. Food was buttered up and masked most of the flavor. Bartender (we sat at bar) was not pleasant. We won't be back.
(2)
Katie D.

Make a reservation on open table! Not for the wait, but for the service! We reserved our table for three this evening. Shortly after we arrived, we were greeted by the manager and thanked for our reservation on open table. He brought us a delightful watermelon appetizer which even my young daughter enjoyed. We ordered my daughter's food right away and it came quick. She loved her salmon, corn on the cob, fries, and watermelon. It was all perfectly done. I ordered the Nutty Atlantic Salmon. It came with mushroom ravioli, lemon caper sauce, and spinach. The dish needed some salt but overall it was pretty good. I wish it had a little more lemon zing to it but it was good overall. My husband had the soft shell crab. He liked it but thought the inside had a mushy-dry texture but he liked his aioli dipping sauce and the rest of the dish. The house sangria was solid but I would probably try something else next time. When they packed up my daughter's left-overs, they added another container of watermelon, which I thought was a nice little touch. We enjoyed our experience overall! Good service and solid food.
(4)
Sara Y.

My friend and I were eating our way in seafood around the City, so we noshed on appetizers here. I'm always a bit skeptical of chain restaurants, but if you are in Boston and a place specializes in seafood, then it can't be terrible. But this place is pretty fantastic and you don't for a minute regret you are there. I would definitely return. First up, they have a great clam chowder. It's not too watery; not too thick. The consistency is great and they have a decent amount of clams. Some places load up the soup with potatoes only, but that is not the case here. I also had a small, side salad since I need balance with all the seafood (do what Mom says and eat some veggies!). It was a standard salad and everything looked and tasted fresh. My friend and I shared the mussels and they were amazing! We ate those up real fast. We also shared cod hush puppies, which were also tasty. I mean, you can't go wrong with fried food. The decor and atmosphere were fancier than I expected. The staff gave us more of a fine dining experience, even though we were grubby tourists stopping in for a little lunch. Come here for a fancy dinner or event. Two enthusiastic thumbs up!
(4)
Laurie L.

Very good food chain in New England. Fresh seafood and oysters. Good soups good selection of lunch specials
(4)
Scott M.

Enjoyed it immensely. Walked in at 6pm on a Saturday, surprisingly to no wait. I've wanted to check out Legal for years, but I've never had the chance. We started with the Fish Chowder which was quite good. I had the Baked Stuffed Shrimp Casserole; I loved it. Baked Stuffed Shrimp is probably my favorite meal, and this was close to the best version of it I've had. My wife had the Wood Grilled Mahi-Mahi. She's not a big seafood fan, but she absolutely dug this meal. It was a BIG piece of fish too. Service was very good, our server was very attentive and prompt. Lived up to the hype for me.
(5)
Lisa G.

The short: Grossly overpriced, charmless food. Inattentive, rude service. Don't bother. I came here with a group of friends after receiving a $100 gift card (motivation enough for me to disregard the many negative reviews). I thought it would be something like the Fish Market chain popular in CA, but instead of the lively atmosphere and quirky decor that makes the Fish Market fun, this Legal Sea Foods seemed empty and characterless. When we arrived, the hostess and waitress seemed to be having some sort of petty argument, and as a result, it took us a while to get seated in spite of the multitude of empty tables. Not a good start, and the service remained spotty throughout the evening. The food was barely passable, but ludicrously priced. We got a calamari appetizer, which came out lukewarm and was pretty greasy. I shared the Cioppino with a friend, which lack the richness of flavor that I'm used to. The sauce was far too watery, and they skimped on the more expensive seafood items in favor of cheap (tasting) mussels. My friend ordered the lobster-stuffed shrimp, which consisted primarily of breadcrumbs and filler. Very disappointing. The only good item that anyone ordered was the Clam Chowder. It's cheaper and tastier than anything else on the menu. If I were for some reason forced to go back, I would simply order a bowl of Chowder, nothing else. I was truly embarrassed that I took my friends to this restaurant, and felt obligated to apologize profusely to them afterward. It was that bad.
(2)
Evelyn G.

I've been at Legal Sea Foods all around the back bay and find all of them pretty consistent with each other and that is a good thing! My kids always find something on the menu they will like. I like the specials and the clam chowder. The Fish and Chips are also a favorite. They could use more menu options. Overall a nice experience.
(4)
y m.

Amazing. I wish I lived in Boston. I would come here regularly. Totally fabulous.
(5)
Amy D.

After a long flight from SF to Boston, I was starving. My college and I were here for a business trip, and a nice gentleman that I had chatted with on the plane recommended Legal Seafood. What we had ordered... 1/2 Dozen Raw Oysters: Little shells of heaven! We had no idea which to order so our lovely waiter had brought us a mixture of small oysters. It was DELISH! It was silky and sweet, too bad I forgot which ones he had brought out. Highly recommend trying the small raw oysters! Clam Chowder: Pretty typical, nothing special. Monterey California clam chowder is still better ;) Calamari: Same as the chowder, nothing too special. Lobster Bake - My college and I split the Lobster Bake since it was a large portion of food. The waiter had hooked it up! He split the lobster directly in half, the corn in half, but everything else was pretty much topped off on the plate. I highly recommend doing this if you want to try other things like appetizers. Overall, not going to lie. The lobster in the East coast is way better than the lobster in West coast...
(5)
Ebony M.

This was my first time visiting a Legal Seafood, I was staying at a hotel nearby in Boston, and wanted New England Lobster. I did not want to visit a chain restaurant, but I took a chance, and I was not disappointed. The service was okay, I ordered a stuffed Lobster, and I was not disappointed, it was awesome! The sides I ordered were not good (mashed potatoes, garlic spinach). If your looking for great Lobster, I highly recommend this restaurant, and I will be returning, but I will not order the sides.
(4)
Anita L.

Who can visit Boston without eating lobster? I heard great reviews on this restaurant, so that's why I visited there. I ordered their clam chowder and one order of 2.5lbs stuffed lobster and another 2.5lbs regular lobster because I wanted to try the difference. However, the waitress messed up our order and brought us 2- 2.5lbs stuffed lobster. I loved their clam chowder, but I wasn't too impressed with their stuffed lobster. I personally think they over-did it and it was too rich. Spent a fortune at this place, but I guess this is the price you pay for quality seafood.
(3)
Peter J.

Incredible meal. My family and I were visiting Boston for the 4th of July and finished up our last dinner at Legal. Although I am hesitant to visit "chain restaurants" when traveling, Legal is an exception. The food was fresh and DELICIOUS! I suggest you reserve a table through Open Table. We started off with an order of steamed shrimp wonton, which was flavorful. I typically try to order specials because it's the chef's dish, not the restaurant's. The hickory grilled salmon I had was incredible and cooked perfectly. the swordfish my mother ordered was like ordering a medium rare steak, spot on. My father's shrimp was seasoned beautifully and my sister's lobster magnificent. The sides complemented each dish and cooked to perfection. Surprisingly good beer selection, too. Great visit, great food.
(5)
Craig S.

I have never thought much of this location - I used it more as a pass through from the garage which is always a little awkward. I never ate here because I thought Legal's is Legal's regardless of the setting - and I did not like the idea of eating in a garage pay station terminal. This past weekend I helped run a political fundraiser here and I realize now how classy this place actually is. For the event they had an open raw bar with oysters, clams, big shrimp, and lobster - all with an assortment of the accouterments all very good. They also had a sushi section that was surprisingly good considering Legal's does not have sushi on the menu. The event went really well thanks to the amazing staff - The bartenders were friendly and quick. The servers were conscientious, one guy with an armful of wine asked me if I wanted anything else, (as I was on the clock I was abstaining) I asked him for a iced tea when he had an opportunity. He immediately put the tray down and ran to the bar to get me one. Awesome. Managers were great as well, I walked in with my collar ruffled and my tie hanging out the back one of the managers (who I thought was a secret service agent due to his ear bud) came over and pulled it down for me without me asking. Awesome. The rest of the staff stayed late to turn the room over at the end of the event and dealt with adversity well (some open bar end of the night drama). Great Job all around! I will be back again.
(5)
Ben S.

This was our first meal in Boston. My partner, parents, and I were exhausted after a 10-hour drive (and a long shopping trip to Wrentham Outlets), and decided to try Legal which was right across the street from our hotel. It was surprisingly good for a chain restaurant! We had the "Lobster Bake" (lobster, mussels, clams, chorizo sausage), Lobster dinner (Lobster + two sides), Clam Chowder, Crab Cakes, and for the one non-seafood fan, a Tortilla/Apple/Goat Cheese salad with grilled Chicken Breast. The seafood was fresher and better prepared than we feared it might be (two of us are pretty avid seafood fans, though we decided to save our raw bar yearnings for later in the week - see our Neptune Oyster review). The Chowda had a great consistency (not too thick or watery), and plenty of clam meat (it was a lot better than some previous reviews led us to believe, which I attribute now to people simply having different tastes/preferences). Even the chicken was surprisingly well done - moist and succulent! The service (another thing we were a little worried about from previous reviews) was also excellent - our server not only took the time to chat with us, but also dove right in without blinking an eye when my dad (a decidedly neophyte, though enthusiastic, eater of seafood) needed help dissecting his lobster. Five star dining? No. But if you're looking for a nice, casual dining experience, and/or a hankering for good seafood, you can't go wrong here.
(4)
Warren C.

Not sure why there isn't a whole lot of love for Legal Seafood, but I really liked this place. Yeah, it's a bit pricey, but seafood isn't exactly a steal either. I guess I'm a huge crab fan, and they had some pretty good soft shelled crab here. I'm a fan of the crab cakes. Clam chowder was good, but I think we can find better in New England. The only thing I didn't like was this bizarre payment method where the server comes to the table with the credit card machine in hand. She said it was so that my credit card never had to leave the table, but I wasn't so paranoid about it that a normal check couldn't have been brought to my table. Anyways, odd.
(4)
Ivanka B.

5 stars alone for the fabulous service and let me explain why: So OpenTable allows you to make a midnight reservation even though that is the time the kitchen closes. My flight was getting in at 11:30 maybe earlier, maybe later but you couldn't be certain. I had spoken with someone earlier to confirm the restaurant would be open for my bf's surprise dinner. We were able to order everything on the ride over from Logan and were warmly greeted at 11:50pm when we strolled in the door. While it was amazing to be in the restaurant enjoying our lobsters by ourselves, I'm sure it isn't fun to have to stay late at work while two lovers canoodle in a booth and make a mess eating their dinner. I can't really comment on the food - baked potato was huge, green beans were green beans and the lobster was perfect but that's really hard to screw up. Will need to come back and try some other stuff. Bananas foster for dessert was delish but the bananas needed to be softened up more - tasted a bit like plantain. Anyway, the service made it for me at this place and it was a great way to start off our weekend in Boston - thanks to the wonderful staff here!
(4)
Adam Z.

As shown in my older review this use to be an amazing Legal Seafood location. Since that time I have brought my brother here again and my girlfriend and we were sadly disappointed twice. There service has gotten horrid and the food seems to have been transitioned from freshly cooked to microwaved! I have vowed never to go to a legal seafood restaurant again. It's a shame too because I use to love what they had to offer. I think they have suffered from opening up too many locations and have becomes a cheap chain. Ex: The logan airport location, harbor side one, test kitchen, prud, etc.... Too bad.
(1)
Stacy M.

I felt like rewarding myself after a hard week of work in Boston and Legal Seafood was right outside the door of my hotel. Started with their "Old Fashioned" Old Fashioned on the cocktail menu. It's pretty clear their idea of an old fashioned is a small jigger of bourbon, a dash of bitters, lots of soda - decorated with a cherry and slice of orange. Not at all what I had hoped for. Then had an appetizer of fried clams (about 8 good sized whole belly clams) for $14.95 and a hickory wood grilled lobster with Asparagus and a Portobello stuffed with Gorgonzola $31.95. The fried clams were pretty good. The lobster wasn't really worth finishing. Kind of mushy / slimy on the outside of the meat? The asparagus was fine, the mushroom with Gorgonzola not so much. I love mushrooms and I love Gorgonzola so hard to figure out. The Gorgonzola was bitter and overwhelmed. The wines by the glass were very good and the best part of the meal. Spent about 90 bucks with tip and left sad and a bit hungry.
(2)
David G.

"I really like this place", so said my date. Well, we could go to this place call Neptune Oyster? No. Umm, how about this place call B&G Oyster, it's really close to here? No, I like this place I have been here twice before. Ugh, so I knew I was doomed to an overpriced average meal for tourist. The waitress asked, have you been here before? I wanted to reply, yeah, 20 years ago when Legal's was good, but I just kept quiet. Mediocre food, good service, overpriced. The things us Bostonians put up with for our out of town visitors. I think she mentioned something about a Duck Tour on Saturday...save me.
(3)
Joe M.

Everything we ordered met our expectations! Drinks were delicious too! Casual environment was a huge attraction because getting the kids dressed up for dinner after a long day is not practical. Service was good, prices were very reasonable.
(4)
Joanna F.

Five stars. BAM! Came in last night again and we got a free appetizer for making a reservation with Open Table (in other words, do that). Also, our server (I believe his name was Pong) was AMAZING.
(5)
Nicole T.

I can see why Legal Seafoods has become a chain because it is a great restaurant with a wide variety of fresh locally-caught seafood cooked in every possible way you can imagine. We made a reservation through OpenTable literally an hour before we showed up at 7pm on a Friday night. We were seated immediately, and then the manager himself came over to welcome us, thank us for booking through OpenTable, and offered us a free small appetizer (fresh watermelon with feta cheese - delish!). The Legal Seafood in Park Plaza has a full wine cellar underneath the restaurant. They have a HUGE wine menu, and both my husband and I tried a flight of wines that included 3 very good wines that paired well with the fish. They even give you little informational cards about each wine, which was kind of fun. We ordered the crab dip for an appetizer and it was amazing. It was the freshest crab I've had and it was served with these light, crispy, "seafood chips" which were basically just puffed crab. My husband was delighted to find that they have an entire Gluten-free menu from which he ordered the Gluten-free clam chowder, something he hasn't been able to eat since finding out he's allergic to gluten. For dinner, we got one of those sampler plates that had 5 different kinds of fish (swordfish, scallops, shrimp, tuna, and salmon) - an excellent way to try several types of fish prepared different ways. Overall, we were very happy with our experience and would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes seafood. It was so good, I was ridiculously stuffed when we left.
(5)
Mr. Connoisseur X.

Stopped by just to sample the clam chowder and crab cakes. The "chowda" was average (by Boston standards) but the crab cakes were chock full of lump crab and it was exceptional. The atmosphere was very casual and it borders on a tourist trap.
(3)
Manuela A.

This place is Great the food is good the services also is excellent and friendly staff the lobster was tasty and the butter sauce amazing we also taste the oyster for the first time not my thing but it my sister love it I can wait to go back love
(4)
Troy N.

Went to the location down by the Boston Commons. Everyone that heard we were going to Boston said that we MUST eat there. Should've avoided altogether. It's not that it was bad...but it just didn't meet all the pre-hype. (and maybe that's our fault for building up hope) As mentioned, the food wasn't bad, it just wasn't the over the top good that people stated. I had the Seafood Casserole, and it was ok, just not fabulous. My son got the lobster and seemed to like it. My daughter had the steak, and thought it was alright as well. I will give them credit on the crab cake. It was comprised of nice, big lumps of crab meat, and had good flavor. But overall, the atmosphere (noise level), the (somewhat) absentee service, and the "just ok" food really didn't make a good value for price paid equation.
(2)
Joelle P.

Finally. A great Boston restaurant. After a few disappointing places, I finally found this gem for my last dinner during my Boston trip. I popped in around 6 and they were already full, but found a seat at the bar. Great - I enjoy eating at a bar than a table anyway. I'm convinced this is where you really experience a place. And I enjoy chitchat with bartenders. There are two bars - one downstairs and the other on the main level. I recommend the downstairs bar. The winding staircase takes you to a "cooler" vibe where the lights are darker, the room is smaller and they play better music. Upstairs seemed to be "kid friendly." Given the name, get seafood. I don't understand people who order chicken at a place known for their seafood. And the popcorn shrimp was the best I have ever had - gone in under 5 minutes.
(4)
Shannon G.

Great lobster bisque, oysters, and crab cake. Ambiance is wonderful. Sat at bar and very good service. Only recommendation is a little more personality in the bar tender.. But very knowledgable and nice.
(4)
Lisa R.

Once I arrived in Boston I was told that I HAD to go to Legal Seafood. We made an online reservation and were seated right away. I was pleasantly surprised to find the atmosphere and decor to be more upscale than I was expecting. We were disappointed to hear that the fresh catch salmon had run out when my hubby tried to order it. Our waitress offered to serve the same sides with their farm raised salmon and it turned out great (Gorgonzola mashed potatoes with asparagus and a fig jelly). The chef also sent out the best bruschetta I've ever had and it was complimentary. Nice! We shared the shrimp cocktail and they were huge shrimp. I had the clam chowder which was as good as I had heard it would be. There wasn't anything outstanding about the shrimp with garlic and pasta. Overall it was a great dinner with fabulous service!
(4)
Amy W.

This restaurant is perfect if you're traveling with children, as they do a terrific job making sure kids' needs are met but parents can still enjoy a really good meal. They have an extensive kids' menu and children's meals come with veggies and fruit, so we didn't feel so bad about our little guy chowing down on grilled cheese and fries. My husband and I loved our meals - portions are generous and everything tasted great. HUGE wine list. For a chain restaurant experience in particular, we were really impressed!
(4)
Liz K.

Service is very friendly. Big space, but not too crowded. Plenty of space between tables, and you never feel on top of other diners. The food was just so-so. Coming from the other coast where lobster is extremely expensive, there was no other choice for me. So, I ordered the smallest lobster, which comes with 2 sides. I think that was around $28, $30 (that would have cost closer to $60 on the west coast). The thing is, the lobster was tough and not very sweet. I had to use a knife to cut it, and it my butter knife couldn't slice through the tough meat. Very disappointing. So . . . maybe it's just poor lobster that comes so cheap?
(3)
Alex T.

Best seafood I've ever had. Highly recommended. Perhaps a little over-priced and service was a bit impersonal but overall and an excellent meal with a beautiful ambiance.
(4)
Libby W.

I have 2 friends who used to work at Legal's (though not at this exact location), so I was curious to try it while I was in town. It's good, but not really worth all the hype. The last time I was in Boston I got a better lobster roll for half what I paid here, and I'm not sure why their clam chowder or bloody mary are "world famous" - both were ok, but not mind blowing, which is what "world famous" kind of implies. The one thing we had that actually was completely out of this world wasn't even seafood, but the cauliflower appetizer. It is insanely delicious and addictive. I was kind of surprised that for a restaurant that holds itself out to be nicer than your standard sit-down chain, and charges prices that reflect this, we had to ask to get ketchup for fries and malt vinegar for fish and chips. This isn't really a huge deal, but at the restaurant where I used to work, which is a little more casual, ketchup is an automatic pre-set for any dish that comes with fries, as is malt vinegar for fish & chips. So, for me, I noticed and was a little surprised that no one asked if we needed anything else at the time food was delivered, and that we had to ask for those things after the fact. Our table did not have silverware when we were sat, and we were not given any when we got our food - my friend picked some up off a neighboring table. For the record, they were not at all busy when we were there. I think there was only one other table at the time. Service was friendly and other servers seemed happy to help ours run food - looked like a team effort, which is always nice to see. And everyone seemed to be in a good mood. Our server joked around with us a lot. All in all, I'd say this was a pretty typical chain restaurant experience, but pricier than most. I don't regret going, but I also don't see any reason to go back.
(3)
Margot D.

Lunch at LS with my friend who loves it since they have a newly-expanded Gluten-Free menu. Now, I don't even EAT seafood, but he was paying, a girl needs to eat, and there really aren't that many places open at lunch with a GF menu.... so there I was. As always, I can choose between the chicken sandwich or the burger :) My friend was thrilled that he could finally get fish & chips, and the rolls were gf and he said they were pretty good. I was happy with my burger (regular rolls, thank you very much), our server (I wish I knew his name) was very nice, and when there was a mix-up with my burger and it went to another table by mistake, he couldn't have been more apologetic. Really, I don't mind waiting a few minutes, but a free and totally surprising little dessert came out at the end (a chocolate mousse....) ~ very nice! Also, after our server took our order, he made sure to confirm my friend's gluten-free choice, and that he would specify that in the kitchen. Very nice. As another Yelper mentioned, there is a second bar downstairs which I noticed when I went to the ladies room. It looks like a cool place for a late-night drink, although after 4 drinks just hold the railing as you navigate that spiral staircase, OK?
(4)
Kevin K.

Great food for its value. Service varies time to time, as expected from a franchise. The place is always clean and packed with people. They have a wide selection of wines. I love their oysters, always fresh and delicious. Their complimentary bread sometimes feel like a rock(not fresh), but it's something you can fix, when you ask for fresh rolls instead. Great for romantic or family restaurants.
(4)
Jason M.

I sat at the bar during my recent experience and in full disclosure, it was not busy. The bartenders were very nice and chatty. The clam chowder was very good. I'm don't think it was the best I've ever had, but it was good and $5 a cup isn't bad. For my main course, I had the seafood casserole. It was a fairly small portion of an individually baked dish. I didn't mind the size. The taste wasn't what I was hoping. I probably would go with something else next time. The only reason I'm rating 4 stars instead of 5 is the price. They are very proud of their food.
(4)
Joel S.

Has gone downhill. Service = 1 star Menu (fish) choices = 1 star Food quality = 1 star
(1)
Matthew L.

Can I say yum? The food is a little on the pricier side, so when my friends and I went there, we went there mainly for their clam chowder, which was really good. It wasn't too thick or too thin, too savory or too bland -- it was JUST right. It was perhaps the best clam chowder I've had in my life. We also ordered the mussels and the Greek salad, which were some of the cheaper items on the menu. Because the food is pretty rich, it was just right for my friends and I because you can only have so much rich food in one day, right? So if you come here, definitely try the clam chowder--it's probably one of the best in Boston --as my Bostonian friends tell me. You can save your stomach for food elsewhere, unless you want to be spending the big bucks here. Service here is really great too. The waitress we had was really friendly and very attentive. Whenever my glass was empty, she'd fill it with water. Excellent and highly recommended!
(4)
Blue L.

So the lobster roll here was pretty good, but it seems like nothing else is. Seriously, if you deviate from the basics (lobster, chowder, shrimp), this place gets bad fast. I got a tuna sashimi off their appetizer menu. Bad idea. Worst tuna ever. First, it wasn't sashimi, but instead was more like seared sliced tuna (i.e. it wasn't raw). Also, it was covered with CAYENNE PEPPER. Seriously?? Cayenne pepper on tuna sashimi? you've got to be kidding me. What happened to the typical soy/vinegarette dressing that all tuna sashimi comes with? It was the worst I've ever had, and completely bizarre. Also got a salad, which was pretty mediocre. Service was slow. Just not a great place to go.
(2)
Theresa M.

This was my first visit to a Legal Sea Foods and I loved it. We had a lovely table with a view of some city hubbub. Our waitress was efficient and sweet and the drinks were delicious and unique. BUT the food was great. I got the Double Baked Stuffed Shrimp...it a filling portion and it was awesome! I was expecting tiny portions and the prices to be really high, but that was not the case at all. Oh and I got the mashed potatoes as a side and it was a nice accompaniment to the shrimp. I'll definitely be back. I just wish with the bread that they had the bean dipping sauce that I had once over at the test kitchen...that was tasty as well.
(5)
Naomi L.

If you love seafood, this is heaven. The clam chowder is embarassing, because you want to lick the bowl....The crab cakes are more crab and less cake. Like all of Boston the parking is a joke, but this place is WORTH it. The staff is friendly and the decor is lovely, but honestly with this food, it could all be awful and I would still go back!!!!!!!
(5)
Jonathon C.

Chowder was great, the crab cake sandwich was ok. We had some Sam Adams and they were frosty as can be. Service and atmosphere was great. It was right across from our hotel. I don't like chains all that much but it was OK. I would go back, not fast, but I would.
(4)
K S.

I would have given it more stars but my dinner tonight was just dried out. All of it - the shrimp, rice, and broccoli. I have eaten here before. If you eat at the counter/bar you will get great, affable, and professional service from Winston and Josh. Both truly want you to be happy and enjoy your stay. I have been coming to various locations for many years and find their fish "chowda" to be as good as it gets. Go. I happened to have gone on Friday, and I think they were overwhelmed. Not by me....
(3)
L F.

Yum, yum, yum, Legal Seafood is one of my favorite non-gourmet places to get food in Boston. I am a pretty big fan of their fried clams (which may be a bit on the pricey side for what they are). I've had a so-so experience with their oysters. For a Boston-based restaurant, I would expect a better selection of Cape Cod oysters. I have had no problem with service at the Park Plaza location. Granted, the times I have gone have either been for lunch or dinner during the week. I would recommend Legal to anyone looking for consistently good seafood in Boston.
(4)
TheRealDeal Z.

Pretty good. Nice atmosphere. It has a downstairs with a fountain in the center of the staircase. Not so fancy you have to dress up but maybe more than half were dressed nicely. I ate at the bar. The bartenders were friendly and made recommendations. I got the trio -scallops shrimp crab cakes. 7/10 for the flavor and texture.
(4)
Ann S.

Great dinner! We had a wonderful experience at Legal Seafood! The lobsters were steamed beautifully. The oyster selection is diverse and so fresh! Our waiter Ed White made our night, what a great person and attentive to every need. Brea is an outstanding sommelier, and guided us to a very memorable Merlot. The restaurant is beautiful and we will definitely return on our next trip to Boston.
(5)
Lisa K.

It was my husband's and my first trip to Boston, so when we queried our friends on where to eat, the resounding answer was: Legal Sea Foods. I was admittedly hesitant in discovering it was a chain; a concern that proved unfounded when I tasted the deliciously fresh seafood. No sub-par standards here! We ordered quite a few items: chowder, lobster roll, calamari and such, and enjoyed them all immensely! The atmosphere is pleasant, the location is ideal (especially if you're on vacation and came to see the famous historical sights) and the service was gracious. We will definitely be back on our next trip.
(5)
Scott M.

Pretty nice meal,Legal Seafood is the large seafood chain in and around Boston.
(4)
Jaymie Lynn S.

On a brief trip to Boston, I knew that I had to hit up the one thing New England is notorious for - seafood! A friend of mine recommended Legal, and off we went! There are multiple locations. This particular one is right near the Public Park & Garden. I loved being able to take a stroll through the Garden after dinner. Since it was winter time, there was snow and ice all around - cold, but very picturesque. The location was relatively empty. We arrived on a Monday evening at around 8pm. We were seated quickly, but our food took longer than I had anticipated. I assume that this was because it was being cooked right after we ordered, which - judging from the quality of the food - was exactly right. I ordered the Clam Chowder and Stuffed Baked Lobster. Now, I have never been fond of either, but New England has worked it's charm on even the most skeptical of chowder eaters. To begin with, the clam chowder was phenomenal. (So phenomenal that I had to get another bowl at their test kitchen at Logan Airport!) It was quite creamy and had just the right amount of ingredients (whatever they were). I felt there was a good balance between the soup and the ingredients in the soup. (Does that even make sense?) The lobster was equally amazing. Now, I will admit, I am quite noob at eating lobster, so I struggled a bit, but once I got over that, yummmmmm! It was by far, one of the freshest pieces of seafood I have ever had in my LIFEEEE. The stuffing was breaded shrimp filled with different herbs. It was an extra $5, but worth it! Overall, great food and great service. if I ever find myself in New England again, I will definitely be in search of a Legal. If not, I'll definitely have to have more layovers in Boston. ;]
(5)
Jade R.

LET'S GET ONE THING STRAIGHT: The food is consistently FRESH and FANTASTIC. (I ordered the wood grilled assortment - definitely the way to go, hands down, I'm having it every time now!) However..... The service at this location was awful... horrifyingly awful. First impression is key, right? Well, we stood (3 of us) in front of the hostess for a couple of minutes before being noticed (and having her take a phone call before even saying hello to us). And then when we were noticed, a smile didn't even follow. Then we were seated... A server didn't come to our table for at least 10 minutes. Here's the thing, I am a server, and I understand that sometimes there are complications (i.e you dont know you got seated, you are juggling a lot of tables, etc etc...but, either way, you ACKNOWLEDGE your lengthy absence and apologize/smile to your table) She did not smile nor did she apologize for the wait. She was quick to rush the order too --- such a no-no.. especially since it was a graduation celebration! Well, it's a good thing I was amongst great company or the meal would have definitely been ruined!
(2)
Sara M.

This location is my least favorite. I went with my sister once and the service was terrible. Our server was completely rude to us by talking down to us as if we did not understand what seafood was, ignored us while lavishing attention on other tables, and am pretty sure she discriminated against us due to the fact we were Asian. We were both surprised at the lack of respect, while we enjoyed the food. There is a lot of traffic at this particular restaurant and I would HIGHLY recommend that the management pay attention to how their servers treat their customers. I am a loyal fan of the Legal Sea Foods chain and am so disappointed in this one that I will continue to avoid it.
(2)
Kari M.

Enjoyed a whole steamed lobster on our first conference night in Boston. This is as good as it gets people. Even flung lobster bits in my dining companion's hair. Couldn't touch the sides (mashed garlic potatoes and broccoli) as I was too full from lobster. I coulda died a happy death. Will definately be back next time I'm in the area and need a lobsta belly!
(5)
sean g.

Not usually a fan of the chain seafood, but legals reputation for freshness is well deserved. Don't miss the daily buck a shuck oyster special for happy hour. Yum yum!
(4)
Tori O.

We came here out first night in Boston and fell in LOVE with not only the restaurant but with our server Ed White. He made us feel like home even though we walked in kinda late on weekday. We had only ordered appetizers so we chose the legal experience, we also ordered oysters on the half shell that we asked Ed to pick out for us and he also chose out the calamari dish. So Delish. We also shared a bowl of the lobster bisque. OMG best ever. They have a drink called the coconut lemonade its so yummy and is very refreshing. Ed was so nice and polite that we told him we would report back to him before we left to let him know how the rest of our trip was so we returned back to check in and he remembered us I told him that I wanted my drink and he remembered! Its so nice to go back to a restaurant where you are remembered. He took the time to talk to us in between his other tables. This time again we ordered the lobster bisque and the hot crab dip with wonton "chips". So yummy!
(5)
Sue L.

Fan-freakin-tastic! Loved this place and I LOVE SEAFOOD! It was my first time to Boston. I wanted the Boston experience. This place is a chain but I still enjoyed the food here very much!! Try the lobster bake. Worth every penny!! The clam chowder was voted the best of Boston for a reason. You can not go wrong.
(4)
Grace K.

It took foreeevvvverrr for the food to come out! It was late for lunchtime, and it wasn't that busy, but the food took at least an hour. This was the first boston clam chowder I had, and it was superb! A creamy goodness packed with clams. They definitely don't hold back on the seafood. The lobster roll was chock full of lobster chunks so that the bun was overflowing.
(4)
Jackie S.

I third wheeled my brother's date night with his wife and we ended up at Legal Seafood. No wait which was nice and our waiter was a nice guy. Tried to be funny but wasn't. My bro got the clam chowder, which unfortunately for me had bacon in it. Everyone really liked their food. He had the mahi mahi, I had the baked scrod which was really good, and my sister-in-law had the fish and chips. She wanted to try the seaweed salad and it was the smallest portion ever for $4. It was so small we thought he was just giving her a taste/sample which he didn't. I wasn't thrilled about my side dishes to be honest. The pumpkin cheesecake ended the meal on a high note. This place is definitely overpriced as I would much prefer a non-chain, small locally owned fish place, but overall the food is good and I would probably come here again.
(4)
Ralph L.

Ambiance: Superb Service: Good Appetizer lobster bisque: Very good, but very rich (packed full of unhealthy stuff that would be very hard to screw up) Scrod with breading: Good, loved the texture. the melt-in-your-mouth fish was a nice contrast to the crispy breading on top. the rice pilaf on the side was very forgettable, though. Grilled salmon: Okay. forgettable. Location is good but the $50 bill was not.
(3)
Russ Y.

In from out of town for business, sat at bar for dinner - nice bar, couple TVs above to watch games. Bartender Brian was super friendly. Had ceasar salad (decent), chowdah (very good) and mussels (good). Incredible wine list - rivals anything I've seen in the Bay Area. Excellent selection from Alsace & Germany. Many older vintages, and lots of verticals on the domestic Cabs. Low markups - Kistler Chard for $75 - who does that? Decor of the restaurant is nice, although perhaps a bit dated. All in all, I'd go back again especially if I'm solo for dinner.
(4)
Janelle L.

I've neer been a huge fan of plain ole steamed lobster until i dined at Legal Sea Foods. When my family and I first walked in we thought, ok, let's give it a try. To our dismay, they were out the one item we actually came for. Tell me, how is this possible??? However, there is a great, satisfying end, to this horrific announcement. We were told by our waiter that they had run out of lobster, BUT, if we could wait, there was a shipment of fresh lobsters that was just delivered and was being inspected before use. There are 2 simple things to take note of in this review. First, I liked the idea that the chefs or inspectors or whoever was doing the scrutinizing as well as Proprietor were all concerned about the product they were about to prepare for me. Second, it was the sweetest, tastiest steamed lobster I have ever had. I, as well as my whole family reccommend ordering this! Comment and let me know if I am wrong...maybe I just got lucky that day.
(4)
Jeff B.

Excellent food, service, and location near Boston commons. Best bet for visitors to B!oston
(5)
Kathleen B.

Great service at the bar! Brian was awesome very attentive and gave great recommendations. Would go back just for him. Thanks for the experience.
(4)
Geoglow A.

We had a fine seafood meal here after not being able to get a reservation at another spot we wanted to try. I had the crusted salmon over spinach and my friend had the sole. Our waiter was very attentive, the meal was delicious and we left with a smile on our faces.
(4)
Linda C.

We had a wonderful lunch special of fresh flounder. It came over roasted red potatoes. The flounder had a light flavorful sauce. Very fresh flaky mounded over the potatoes looking Top Chef delicious. I also had the fish chowder also delicious. The meal very lightly salted ( thank you for not overdoing ). They pride themselves on only very fresh fish. ( If its not fresh, it's not legal ) waiter said: Cute... Great Food reasonably priced for a Boston eatery. They said the owner has several more locations, it's not a chain.
(4)
Jeff F.

I'm calling it - done and done with Legal Sea Foods. It's still my favorite airport food, but there's no way I'm going to hit up Legal Sea Foods in Boston when there's a dozen or so better seafood options. Stopping in this past Saturday for a late lunch, the food ranged from eh to good, but nothing was memorable. Every dish I tried today, i've had in a much better form elsewhere: - Lobster roll - lame - Mussels - boring - Grilled Scallops - yawn - Fried Clams - I'm not a fan, but the table liked it - Swordfish sandwich - also positive reviews from the table, but I didn't get to try it To cap it all off the service was odd...don't know how else to describe it except to say.....odd. I'd love to give this place two stars, but my girlfriend is a huge fan of the fried clams (specifically b/c they are not strips, but are bellies instead) - for that reason alone, they've been granted a reprieve... 3 stars it is.
(3)
Julia M.

I think there is an unwritten rule somewhere that when you go to Boston, you have to eat at Legal Seafood at least once! For a chain restaurant, I think they do a pretty good job. I have to say, I do love their lobster bisque and for an entree I try to find out what is fresh and recommended that day before making my selection. This place gets really busy, so be prepared for the crowds. But on my last visit, the staff was very helpful and did not rush us at all despite the fact that the place was packed and our party of 8 was pretty slow.
(4)
Brian R.

We stopped in for a couple of cups of clam chowdah, but the waiter got me with some oysters that were kissed by the fresh waters of some glacier in Maine... Probably the best oysters I've ever had. Use the garlic broth cup and refuse the cocktail sauce for these babies. It would be a crime to put anything that strong on such delicate perfection. My only wish was that the Legal down the way from us in Boca Raton was nearly as good as the mothership.
(5)
Catherine D.

My husbands coworker was in town tonight so we agreed to meet him and his wife here. We had such a great time. I'm not sure if the customer service was better or the food. Not a bad problem to have! In addition to the rolls we were given a little appetizer that was a delicious little surprise from management. Our meals came out quickly (Friday night reservation 7:30) and absolutely delicious. Not a single complaint. Flavor, temperature, presentation- it was all perfect.
(5)
Cameo R.

We were a group of 7, with reservations. We're local Boston people with relatives here from out-of-town. We wanted a nice restaurant with good food, and expected to pay for it. The food was OK, not great. But no tablecloths, only paper placemats charting the Legal Seafood chain's history. Placemats might have been OK for lunch, but at this price point, at dinnertime, the placemats were inappropriate. Our waiter seemed to have memorized a script and not been able to think. The menu was limited, with only 1 vegetable available (broccoli) other than cole slaw and the potato choices/onion rings. There was heavy emphasis on the liquor menu and wine pairings and not enough choices for food. We left disappointed, not bothering with dessert.
(2)
Howard G.

If you have never been to legal and are from our of town it's for you. The food is consistently good. Light clam chowder is awesome and I recommend over the classic cream based. Great reputation and everyone should probably try this place once.
(3)
tae k.

The clam chowda is one of my favorites. Creamy and delicious but not too salty. The lobster bisque was also fantastic.
(5)
Julie B.

My Master's hooding ceremony ended with a torrential downpour, leading us to nearby Legal's. I was so excited for a fresh piece of fish, but all I got was a blah experience. My tuna, which I ordered rare, came looking like an over- microwaved piece of frozen fish. For $26, I expect something edible. So while the rest of my family awkwardly ate their meals, I sat and I waited for another slightly less overcooked version of this fish. Finally, a manager brought it out, with a little less than a smile and an apology. By that point, everyone in my party was done eating. No, "oh we'll take care of it for you" or "why don't you order some desert on us". Just "here, pay for this disgusting meal." Thanks for a great graduation dinner, you bastards.
(2)
Ryan M.

For the freshest fish around, they sure don't like showing it off. I ate a tuna steak that was cooked for longer than my grandma's prime rib (after she microwaves it for 5 minutes to get out any of the pink stuff) on a bed of ho-hum yams and potatoes. My boyfriend had a plate of good, but not amazing, pasta with a few large shrimp. The raw oysters on the half shell were GREAT, but you can get them anywhere else, and they're very hard to screw up:) I asked the waitress for an oyster menu (they have general regions on the menu, but no details about the oysters) but, apparently, they don't have one. So you have to awkwardly wait while the waitress tries to remember all the varieties, only occasionally with descriptions, ask her to repeat things, and get sort of put on the spot to just choose a few so she'll go away. (Granted, I generally don't like waitresses) The redeeming factors (and the entire reason you'll want to go here): The atmosphere is great. Really. Big staircase and waterfall, cozily-sectioned dining area, fancy menus, pretentious wine list -- whether it's the inlaws or the boss, if you have a dinner you'd like to use to impress, without showing off, this is the place to go.
(3)
LuckieMaounds P.

The first thing I noticed about this place when I shlepped in here in shorts with a hangover were white tablecloths. But due to it being early lunchtime on a Saturday, they didn't seem to mind and we were seated right away. I looked around and noticed a fabulous bar, a downstairs lounge-looking thing (that I did not venture into), and a gaggle of well-dressed lunching ladies in hats. Fancy, fancy! As an out-of-towner, I took fellow Yelpers' advice and ordered the appetizer mussels and a cup of clam chowder. Oh, and a caesar salad. The chowder came first and it was heavenly - the right consistency, for one. Not too thick but not at all runny. There was no shortage of clams and the potatoes were cut very small and complemented the clams in size. I enjoyed every spoonful of it. The caesar salad dressing was a bit grainy and had anchovies in it, supposedly. I could taste them but not see them. Ground up? The croutons were tasteless. They did use real parmesan, sliced off the block. And the main event, the mussels, were perfection, in your usual white wine-butter-garlic sauce, the sauce having the right amount of flavor without overwhelming the star of the plate. Plus there was about 400 of them on the dish. Well, not that many, but I mean, a really, really lot of them. Well worth the $, which was pricey for lunch. But that's a white-tablecloth restaurant, so yeah. I would love to come back for dinner but I might have trouble resisting ordering one of everything.
(4)
Jason A.

I was impressed with the downward spiraling staircase and waterfall that met you upon entering the restaurant. That and the "executive" elements of the place appealed to me. The food was good. Even the water in Boston tastes better than LA water. I got a chowder, halibut item and chocolate cake during Boston's Restaurant Week, though I was surprised they took part in it. I actually wanted to go to a Legal Sea Foods at my friend's recommendation since my arrival and having it coincide with Restaurant Week was sweet. The service was prompt and courteous at the time of my lunch. I fell back to my California habits of saying "thank you" too much, and I could tell the server was unaccustomed by it, but took it wonderfully. I'm dinging one star because the restaurant accidentally double-swiped my card. I only found out when I had returned to California that the exact duplicate charge appeared on my statement online. I was in a race against my statement closing date to make sure that the amount be credited back to my American Express. That meant I had one week. I spoke with Ken the manager over the phone, who forwarded my concern to the Legal Sea Foods corporate offices. I found the Legal Sea Foods Park Square phone number on Yelp, of course, and gosh darnit, it worked! I spoke with Ms. Diana, who assured me that I will be reimbursed for the double charge. As a token for my inconvenience, she mailed me a gift certificate for future use at Legal Sea Foods. I graciously accepted. Now I must find the nearest Legal Sea Foods to use it in. Perhaps when I go back...I'll drop by this location again and use the gift certificate. You know what they say, fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me.
(4)
Mark F.

This is a no nonsense, casual place for seafood. The gazpacho was nice and easy but topped with tortilla strips threw me off. The crab cake melted in my mouth and was well worth it. One special was striped bas cought fresh off the cape. Very nice flavor that the pinot noir from the Russian River Valley played well with. This is no place to take a date, and you would loose a business deal with Legal Sea Food as a choice as it's hard for me to take seriously with people in cut off jean shorts, t shirts and kid meal cups. That said the food was rock solid. Is this the working mans seafood joint? That's exactly what they are and they do a good job at it.
(3)
Cornellius S.

Yes, the rumors and word of mouth are true. Delicious and fresh seafood, portion size is generous, and a welcoming enviornment to create a wonderful dining experience. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our meals. Clam chowder was excellent as well as the crab cake. I would recommend getting to the restaurant early to enjoy the wine bar. Definitely one of the better meals we had on our trip.
(5)
Angela K.

It wasn't anything special for me but I also don't eat seafood.. and know when I see 3 stars on yelp I avoid the spot, so I gave it 4 considering my lack of expertise. Everyone else at my table seemed to be absolutely in love with the "steamers." My other friend that was a newbee to Legal's didn't seem to enjoy the seafood in his entree as much as he had the steamers, but he was a fan of the soupy sauce filling the plate paired with rice. I had some sort of avocado salad.. the avocado was fresh and good but the lettuce and everything else wasn't quite as fresh. The mashed potatoes I had were pretty bland, but the shoestring fries were very good. I thought it was neat how they broke down the menu by customer, which helps avoid the sometimes messy splitting of bills or in my case having to overpay for others people's extravagant options and glasses of wine.
(4)
Kay J.

We always visit this restaurant in Boston and it seems to be a staple here. For starters we ordered the clam chowder and the hot crab dip. The clam chowder is always good. The crab dip was a big disappointment. It's served with a strange puffy bread/chip which resembles its close cousin, styrofoam. The dip itself is nothing special either. Much to our surprise the manager came to our table bearing a gift of bruschetta, simply because we had made our reservation on Open Table. Though I would have never thought to order this here, the whole table went crazy for it. Topped with a balsamic glaze, it was quite tasty. The five of us all ordered lobster for dinner. I ordered mine grilled, which is not listed on the menu. It comes already split and I find it has much more flavor than the usual steamed. The jalapeÃ±o polenta was good but a little on the dry side and my broccoli was just broccoli. I'm sure we'll be back but not my favorite choice.
(3)
Vikkeh J.

It's okay... really expensive for wat you are getting. I would rather go to a mom and pop store to get better quality food. The only thing you are gonna get here is probably the eating environment and perhaps the service.
(3)
Brian D.

We came here for dinner with the girlfriend, gf sister who was in town and gf mother. I've been to a few of these around the area, and the Park Plaza has always been consistently good. The 3-Star description here on Yelp means "A-OK" which in my book, all Legals are. So I give it 3. I was able to grab a sandwich for dinner which normally isn't allowed and so I got 2 sides with it at a reasonable price, which was nice. Good meal, good people. I'd come again, really not problems, a bit overpriced but not by a lot so give it a 3.
(3)
Debra G.

Legal's is consistent and good. I wouldn't rave about originality as much as you know what you are going to get and it's consistently good. Their reservation system didn't work too well. We were left waiting as they "forgot about us."
(4)
Eric F.

Came to this branch for a friend's birthday lunch and it wasn't too bad. The interior's expansive and more well-kept and spacious than most of the others I've been to and the staff at the front entrance kindly led me to my party rather than just pointing me in the general direction. Gotta appreciate the little things ;) As for the food, nothing much more to add to what others have already said: solid, but way overpriced. My grilled shrimp lunch entree was $15 and worth about 2/3 of that tops. Would be nice too if they could use actual cheese instead of what looked like white cheese whiz. Our waiter could've afforded to crack a smile or two as well, pleasantness does go a long way.
(3)
Lauretta L.

$1 oyster happy hour! Cape Cod is where it's at. Add hot rolls fresh from the oven and a class of sparkling wine and you are set.
(4)
Katherine L.

Can't really beat the location and our server was great. We went for lunch and started with a half dozen oysters (extremely fresh and fresh horseradish for the cocktail sauce) and my boyfriend had the clam chowder, which wasn't too heavy on the butter/flour and had a great balance of flavor. I had the crab sandwich..they were very generous with the crab, which was sweet and delicious. My boyfriend got his very first lobster.. 1.5 lb of deliciousness. He was a good sport and wore the bib (the server recommended it to protect his clothing from the butter and lobster 'juice'). We ended with a cookie a la mode (the cookie was burnt so it tasted more like toffee..burnt caramel). I would recommend this for someone visiting Boston for the first time.
(4)
Helen L.

I had a really good experience with the other location at State Street but this one not so much. The size of the restaurant is just as large as all their chains. The service was wonderful and friendly. They even had the portable charge machine available so that you can swipe your card at the table for security reasons (at least I hope so!) The clam chowder was warm and thick with a mouth full of clams. The halibut special, however, was overcooked and stiff. I was a bit disappointed since it was a huge portion and the sauce was great but not the fish this time...
(3)
Melissa F.

After reading all the terrible reviews I was a little nervous coming here for dinner. I sat in one of the private rooms for yet another dinner presentation. I have to say the service was great and the food did not disappoint. We had the shrimp dumplings- steamed and fried- to start, in addition to brushetta. Both of the dumplings were delicious and the brushetta was very fresh. Perfect way to start our meal. I had the house salad with a peppercorn dressing that was fantastic. Almost everyone else got (obviously) Legal's clam chowda. But I just had to be different. They all said that was good as well. As my entree I got the wood grilled shrimp with jasmine rice and summer veggies. The shrimp had a very tasty marinade on them and there was enough smokiness to them without being overpowering. It came with I believe 8 or 10 of them so definitely enough to fill you up. I finished off with the chocolate cake and I can honestly say I don't think I've finished a dessert that quickly in a long time. I don't like lots of frosting but this had just enough. Overall solid B+/A- to my meal. Even Legal's wine is good. Both the speaker and I were pleasantly surprised at how good the house red and white were. We had 2 servers that were very attentive and we never had a wine or water glass that was low very long. Capital Grille on Boylston should take note. My last dinner presentation was there and the service was atrocious (see my review.) This is a large, 2 floor location with good food, friendly service and a great location.
(4)
Brian W.

I've been to almost every Legals in Boston and my dining experience last night was the best yet. The restaurant seemed bigger and cleaner than others and it was surprisingly empty on a Friday evening. Our waitress was awesome and managed to get both of our meals correct AND have a friendly conversation. One of the daily specials was an Asian style Sea Bass served in a ginger broth with veggies and it was awesome. The portion was huge and the flavors were not overstated like often happens with soy sauce infused Asian themes. If you're catching a show in the Theater District or lucky enough to be staying at the ritzy hotels nearby this Legals is definitely worth a visit.
(5)
Danielle M.

If you have $100 to drop on dinner this is the place for you. $18 for 1 crab cake is ridiculous. The only thing that is affordable is the soup. We walked out.
(2)
Alaina T.

The fried sole filets were delicious, as was the clam chowder - definitely a great intro to Boston for an out-of-towner. What really struck me was their pledge about great food and great customer service. Would go again!
(4)
Sadayu L.

My wife and I went there for 6 oysters for $6 promotion and it was amazing. We eventually ended up with 48 oysters, the New England clam chowder was so delicious, and the service was attentive. We are going to come back here again soon and would definitely recommend this restaurant for oyster lovers.
(5)
Belle L.

guess you either love this place or not. hubby and i liked legal's so much that despite my long list of foodie joints to try, we came back here a 2nd time. our service during both visits was great! our servers constantly checked up on us, our waters were always refilled (i'm a big stickler on this one!), and on our 2nd visit our food was brought out to us promptly when i informed our server that we had a show to catch within the hour. maybe we came at off peak times, but on both visits we were seated right away. thursday we came around noon for lunch and saturday around 2pm. so we lucked out on not having to wait for a table. so, on to the food: 1) $1 oysters before 6pm!!! i believe this is only M-F because when we showed up again on Saturday, the oysters were regularly priced. tried all the oysters (Prince Edward Island, Kumamoto (always a fav of ours), Cape Cod, & a NY/NJ catch. the P.E.I's quickly became a new favorite..great flavor and so light tasting! no wonder our server said it was the most popular oyster ordered. 2) calamari appetizer - not too bad. the calamari had a good soft texture, not overcooked..but they were a bit on the oily side for me. 3) lobster roll - Y-U-M!!!!! first time having one, so maybe i'm a bit biased..but all that lobster meat and not having it drenched in mayo was a big hit for me. and the fries on the side were tasty - i think they were double fried bc they had that perfect crisp to them. 4) signature crab cake - hubby ordered this. it was one huge crab cake seasoned with a mustard sauce. now he's not a huge mustard fan, but he really liked how it had a good subtle taste w/ the crab cake. it also came w/ a choice of side dish, so he picked the side of broccoli w/ cheese sauce -mmm i loved it w/ that gooey white cheddar. 5) bowl of new england clam chowder - very creamy and so full of clams! we inhaled our bowl, it was so good. haha by the time the waitress came out w/ bread to dip in the chowda, we had already finished it! though i will say, on one of my last bites i did get a gritty clam..but it was just once, so it wasn't too big a deal for me. 6) bowl of lobster bisque - another winner. enjoyed the huge chunks of lobster in the bisque. must be bc back home when we order lobster bisque we get miniscule pieces (same goes for the clam chowder back home)...oh new england how lucky you are to get all this seafood!!!! so all in all, i'm a fan of this place. good service + good food = a winner is you legal seafood!!
(4)
Aman S.

I ordered one of every seafood app on the menu. Very good. Chill scene. Great chowda and jumbo shrimp. Must eat here if visiting Boston.
(4)
C C.

This is the best legal sea foods in Boston. I love their oysters. It's always so fresh. I also love their caesars salad with crab meat and crab cake. As for drinks, I LOVE the fish house. SOOOO good. A bit lethal because it tastes just like peach ice tea.
(4)
Jason F.

went here the other night, was very happy with everything. i got the fish and chips (always get that, not sure why) also got the rhode island style calamari, which was great. spicy, but not crazy spicy. the servers and waitresses were great, definitely would go back to this location. i have been to other legals, and not been so happy.
(4)
Michelle T.

Legal Sea Foods has really fallen from the clouds. No longer is it a top choice of mine for seafood simply because the service, value for money (food), and innovation just isn't there. I've been to Legal about a dozen times and this particular one seems most disappointing. I'd NEVER bring a guest here. The plates are so old the colors have faded and the cracks are more than obvious. Service is mediocre and the waiters often stand around chatting loudly with one another when there are fewer customers. Clam Chowder - Delicious, yes, but you don't have to come to Legal for yummy clam chowder if you're in New England. Crab Roll - FLOP. One half of the bread was soggy. Crab meat was flavorless although I appreciated the fact that the chef didn't drench the meat with mayo. I ate it Atkins-diet style, even though this girl LOVES her bread. Crab cake BLT - really a burger of crab cake. Really really heavy dish, but it was done well. Flavors were strong and delicious. Coleslaw - I like the KFC ones better. These are so heavy. Side salad - Grossly overdressed with creamy dressing. It was so heavy I didn't even finish the little portion. Fries - meh. Fine. Highlight was the organic ketchup they put on your table. $50 lunch, OK food. OK service. Failed value for money. Nothing I'm excited about anymore. :(
(2)
Jae Z.

I'm generally wary of chains, but Legal is a safe bet in Boston and not like your avg chain restaurant. The chowder was pretty good, even if I'm not a fanatic of chowder as it is. I got the other Boston specialty -- lobster roll, too. That was good, but for some reason I pictured something else entirely. So that was kind of underwhelming. I didn't expect a lobster salad sandwich, which is what it is. The entree I got was delicious! Macadamia nut encrusted cod with pilaf and brussel sprouts. Yums. Huge portion. Brussel sprouts had bacon in it, which was kind of weird.
(5)
Tony T.

I came here on a weekday afternoon. I decided I had to finally settle on a place for my steamed lobster while in Boston. Oh, and I didn't get my clam chowder yet either so I decided in one fell swoop that I will take care of both things in one place as the menu made things look appealing too. I ordered the cup of Clam Chowder, nice and tasty and creamy with a nice serving of clams as well. As for the lobster, I got it steamed, 1.5 lbs with a side of broccoli and butternut squash. I like broccoli and it was nice and steamed. Delicious. The lobster? Well, you really can't do anything wrong with it right? Tasty, melts in my mouth with the butter. YUM! I was so happy with my meal. It was delicious. I walked the rest of the afternoon with a nice face of satisfaction. Service was good, Olivia was my waitress. Granted, I had a late lunch (around 2 in the afternoon) so it wasn't too crowded therefore Olivia could be prompt with service. But I still enjoyed myself. My food checklist for my trip to Boston was complete. Color me satisfied!
(5)
Linda C.

Decided to check out this Boston seafood spot, but sadly somewhat disappointed with the seafood. I'll still give it another shot though. Can't judge a restaurant by only one visit you know? - Farmer's Trio: scallop, calamari, shrimp with fries, not the freshest, but okay - Clam Chowder: watery - wasup with that? had ample amounts of clams at least - Niman Ranch Burger: juicy, quality meat, really big! - Shine Riesling: sweet, light, fruity Service was great, decor was elegant, large menu with lots of variety of seafood dishes.
(3)
Kyleen K.

I have had pretty positive experiences at other Legal Seafoods, but this one is horrendous. Last year I came here and found a huge piece of plastic in the bottom of my food. Disgusted, I brought it to the manager's attention. Instead of comping the entrÃ©e, he offered to make me a new meal to take home. Why would I want a whole other meal after the first one had foreign ingredients that nauseated me? So I declined that offer, but my meal was not comped and I got nothing else but a "Whoops, sorry." Yesterday, my friend and I were craving oysters and called the Legal Test Kitchen to see if they had any specials. They said no, but instructed us to call another restaurant because they were doing dollar oysters. I figured after a year I could give the Park Plaza Legal's another chance. Besides, you can't beat dollar oysters, right? We called them at 6:02pm to ask about the special, and the hostess informed me that they served dollar oysters from 2-8pm. I said that's great, we will be right along. She said to make sure we sat at the bar, because that is where the special was being served. However, when we drove from the North End, found parking, and sat down at the bar a half hour later, the bar tender told us the special had ended a half hour ago; dollar oysters were from 4-6. We explained that the hostess who answered had given us other information, and she simply said, "Well, you should have asked who you were speaking to." Irked, we left, but sitting in the car we called once more to see if we could ask someone more reliable what the actual hours were in anticipation for another day. The hostess that answered this time told us the dollar oysters were from 3-6, but Monday through Friday this time. Since this was the third different answer we received, we asked to speak to the manager to ask him. His answer was again COMPLETELY DIFFERENT; he said Monday through Friday, from 3-7. Seriously? We explained the situation to him, but he seemed perplexed as to how we could have gotten FOUR DIFFERENT ANSWERS from his restaurant employees. He was apologetic and asked for our information, but we declined as we had already left. Why would we come back, to eat over-priced seafood with plastic in it from a confused wait staff? Not only that, but before we sat down, my friend and I used the bathroom. I walked in on someone in a stall, then my friend and I each got walked in on because the locks on the bathroom stalls don't work! How lovely. Three strikes you're out; I'm all set with this place.
(1)
Carol K.

Thought the food was very good. He: the stuffed flounder... Delish but he thought too much stuffing. fish was tender and the sides a perfect compliment. Me: wood grilled mixed plate. It was a lot of food and very tasty. Loved the spinach and jalapeÃ±o polenta sides. This place lost a star because it is a chain. We didn't know that going in.....
(4)
Joi T.

I have been dining at Legal Seafood's for ages. The staff is always fantastic and the food is great and drinks are good. I came here recently for drinks and apps before seeing the lovely Janet Jackson. My friend and I shared the cheese plate which was ok; I wouldn't get it again at Legal's but maybe another joint. The lobster bique was good but not a lot of lobster. Not Legal's fault I find that all places outside of Provincetown do not put a lot of lobster in their bisque. I will always be a fan of Legal Seafood's I have been going to them for about 16 years and they have never let me down.
(4)
Anayo A.

Great clam chowder!!! Worth the $8 parking!!!
(4)
Mabel N.

My husband and I were never too crazy about Legal Seafood. We had a gift certificates so we went. I gotta say they have got Excellent Service! We start off with the dozens of their Raw Clams...We liked the littlenecks better then the cherriestones. I had the Grill assortment of seafood it was great. Especially love their scallops it tasted sooo fresh and SWEET! My husband had the fish and chips. Haddock tasted fresh and not too greasy but crunchy! I would probably go back!
(4)
Bill B.

I was in a hurry between meetings, sat at the bar, service was very swift, food very good, staff very professional, friendly. Boston restaurants should be excellent like this location
(5)
Jennifer T.

I loved everything that we ordered: Calamari -- $10: Rhode Island style with peppercinis and garlic. Lobster Bisque -- $10: Nice chunks of lobster. Saw a chunk shaped like the claw. :O Mussles -- $10: 1.5 lbs of mussles in a white wine sauce. I thought this was a great portion for only $10! Everything was already premade so our food came out pretty quickly. It's understandable that big restaurants need to precook their foods, but I just HATE it when my food comes out lukewarm or cold. What a turn off. The lobster bisque definitely needed that extra 10F. :( Service was great. Water and drinks were constantly refilled.
(4)
Wolf L.

Hmmmm, I'm trying to decide how to rate this place. I rarely ever do this, but I think I need a checklist: 1) Atmosphere - 5 stars I like the decor. Very clean. Upscale and modern. 2) Service - 4 stars I waited at the bar for a short time while the rest of the group arrived. The bartender was great. Friendly but not too chatty. Made a mean martini. At the table, our waitress was a bit too robotic. She seemed harried and could have been more attentive. She was young and seemed new, so I'll cut some slack. She did bring me a second beer. 3) Food - takes it down to 3 stars With everything else going for it, the food at Legal Sea Foods was a big disappointment for me. The prices are pretty high up there, but my salmon was just so-so. I was almost thinking it wasn't a whole lot better than Red Lobster. No, I take that back. It was way better than Red Lobster, but that really shouldn't have even popped into my mind. I realize this place is a chain, which never really thrills me. If I were to visit Boston again, I'd probably stop in for a drink or two at the bar, but pass on the meal.
(3)
Cole D.

Pros: Atmosphere is very cool, particularly the water art in the middle of the stair case and the wine cellars built throughout Friendly and accommodating staff Cons: Very pricey My Blue Fish with honey mustard was not tasty, nor was the tomato side
(1)
JJAMZ C.

Had our first night's dinner in Boston at Legal Sea Foods. When asking around where was a good place to eat - a lot of our friends as well as locals had told us about Legal Sea Foods. Being born and raised in SF, and from experience in working in a seafood restaurant on our very own Pier 39 - I had to taste "Boston" clam chowder to see if it matched up to ours. Legal Seafood's clam chowder was good. The consistently held up to it's name - "chowder" or should I say "chowdah" - not too thick and not too soupy. It had the right amount of clams and potatoes and a cup was enough to tickle the palate for the more exciting main dish. I chose the special fo the day - which was Hake....I said what the the heck is a hake??? We never hear of that in SF - as well as another fish they serve called scrod. This hake (similar to cod - a white tender and flaky fish) was served with a crab cake like stuffing on top of garlic mashed potatoes (I asked them to substitute mashed potatoes because I didn't really want the rice pilaf). It came with a divine lobster bisque sauce to compliment the whole dish and a side of green beans. For a night in Boston - and to sample some of the very best of seafood, try Legal Sea Foods and any of it's sister locations in the Boston Area.
(4)
Sidi L.

actuallyï¼Œit lets me down...the best think may be the steamed lobster. and i don't think their food worth the price. we just pay for the brand
(3)
Brita F.

Sat at the bar for a quick lunch, which they were kind enough to still serve me even though it was 10 minutes after their lunch menu stopped. Tuna burger was delicious, bartender was very friendly, and the coconut water based vodka lemonade was delicious.
(4)
Tanya L.

Solid, delicious food here, but I think their lobster cassarole is overpriced ($30.00) for the small, breadcrum-ladden, sherry flavored quantity that you get. Paired with jasmine rice and squash in the inclusive price, I enjoyed my meal but thought it needed to be 8 dollars less. My dad like, raves about this place, always requests to come here in visiting Boston, even though he lives thousands of miles away. I have good memories coming here at age "17" and this place really is enduring. I like how they tell you the history of the restaurant via a timeline on your placemat.
(3)
Lubs Y.

I love seafood so I had to make a stop here before my flight home. My boyfriend had raved about the clam chowder, but apparently it's not as good as it used to be. I wasn't disappointed though, it was still pretty good by my standards- lots of fresh clams, thick and creamy, and not too salty. As usual, we ordered way too much food. In addition to the soup, we shared: lobster tacos - these were 3 full size tacos with generous portions of lobster. lobster roll - boring and bland. Served with a heap of french fries fried clams - crisp and delicious! Served with a heap of french fries too legal oysters - baked with cheese & spinach, kinda like oysters rockefeller but on the bland side :( Like others have said, this place is good to go to just for the hell of it if you are a tourist. The prices are affordable and there's a ton of locations all throughout Boston.
(3)
Jeffrey F.

With so many great places to eat in Boston, why settle here? Legals used to be a destination that people would come into Boston to experience, and they are so stuck in their groove, I think they've forgotten how to be inspired or how to strive for success. My shrimp and garlic over pasta was huge, but swimming in butter. And nothing impressive. Pasta was a little more al dente than I prefer. Mushrooms were sloppy chopped and tasted steamed and added at the end. One friend had the Everything Tuna, which was cooked as requested, but he didn't love it. Place was packed and very loud Service was also very pushy. Not all that polished for what you would expect for the prices and decor.
(2)
Katy G.

Went there last night with my parents and uncle. I normally won't go to Legals because it's so darn expensive, and I don't think the food quality matches the price. We got oysters on the half shell which were great and fried calamari (mom's favorite food) for apps. The fried calamari was pretty average, if I'm going to generous. For my entree, I ordered the grilled tuna with cajun seasoning and seaweed salad and fries for the sides. I do really like that part of their menu- you can choose one of 6 or 8 options for you fish, then there are a few options for seasoning/sauces, and finally you choose two sides. I think that's all great. My cajun tuna didn't have much of a cajun flavor, and it did not come out hot at all. My seaweed salad and fries were decent. The service was very slow. We were definitely taking our time, but everything took a long time. I think we had been there for an hour before we ordered our entrees. The other strange thing about our waiter is that he kept trying to talk us out of our choices. When my uncle was ordering the oysters, the waiter said, are you sure you want those? How about these other ones? The same thing happened when I ordered my wine. I asked for a merlot, and he said, how about this nice pinot noir? It was weird. I have to give 2 stars because the food was average and way overpriced.
(2)
Becca I.

While the food is good, it's not amazing. Service was not great. For the price, I think it's better to try a local seafood joint.
(2)
Peter K.

One of my first times at Legal's in park plaza but had such a great first experience. Plain and simple I know, but my Grey Goose dry & dirty martini on the rocks was perfectly made, and garnished with delicious bleu cheese stuffed olives. Major props to the bartender. I came in for the 1 dollar oyster deal from 3-6 and I was quite pleased, however I did notice that some oysters weren't shucked/scrambled as good as they should be. Overall, great bar experience for value and quality.
(4)
Jerry R.

On a recent trip to Boston we had lunch at this Legal Seafood location. The food and service we wonderful. I am not a huge fan of Clam Chowder could not resist the temptation and it was AMAZING.
(5)
Pete M.

Was in Boston from Illinois for Cubs/Red Sox weekend. Went to Legal with my brother who lives in Boston. Greeted with Cubs fans huh...maybe I'll give you horrible service. Server wasn't lying. Chowder was pretty good. Ordered Summer Ale which was great; asked for another. 30 minutes later my second beer came after I had received my fish sandwich. Haddock tasted fresh but it was greasy. My brother ordered another beer that took until the meal was finished and plates cleared to arrive. He voiced dissatisfaction and we were compted one of our chowders. Manager apologized after server said she was busy with another table complaining asking if he could do anything to make me happy. Appreciated the offer, but by this time even giving me my meal for free could improve my impression of Legal Seafood. For $70 dollars for sandwiches, soup and couple of beers I wasn't impressed by Legal Seafoods.
(1)
Rudy G.

Out for a meal before a show we decided to "be sure of our dinner selection" by selecting LS. ( I hope this is the restaurant in the theatre district) I have gone to Legal Seafoods a gazillion times; I expect a consistent meal. Always pricey but worth the food, I was disappointed this time. The mussels were very fresh but so-so and unexciting in flavor. My partner ordered the mahi-mahi special and though prepared well, the dish was bland. The brussel sprouts were way underdone.Service was excellent. Earlier this spring we had an awesome meal at LS in the Seaport district.
(2)
David A.

When you talk about Seafood in New England, it's often synonymous with this chain. However, it's gone downhill from it's glory days in the 1980's and the early 1990's. It's overpriced, the food quality is just OK. The menu is huge and looks amazing. However, I've been to this location and others over the last several years and been disappointed. The food portions have also decreased over the years while the price has increased. If I am going to pay premium for my food, I expect premium food and service. The service was just OK. How do you get there? You can walk there from the boylston green line t stop or drive. I don't think there is much street parking, so plan on the garage.
(2)
Phil S.

Got a quart of the takeout clam chowder. For $14 (incl. tax and tip) this was a great meal for 2! They also threw in about 7 bags of oyster crackers and 6 hot rolls. Great deal from a restaurant that normally has high prices.
(4)
Stacey W.

I went to Legal Sea Foods on a Thursday evening because I was staying at the W and it was close. I was extremely disappointed with my experience. The service was horrible. Our server didn't know the specials, couldn't answer any questions about the wine list, and was just generally inattentive. I believe I had the stuffed shrimp. It was decent but nothing to write home about. Being from Chicago, I anticipated that Boston would have higher quality seafood than what I was served at this place. However, all was not lost during my Boston seafood eating experience. The next night I went to Neptune Oyster :)
(2)
Lynne S.

I brought my dad here for dinner when he was in town from out of state. My dad is *extremely picky* about service, so I figured this was safe as I'd heard good things. I am gluten-intolerant, and had also heard they were pretty good with food allergies and sensitivities. Boy, was I impressed! When we first arrived (no wait, on a friday night with no reservation) we were seated and given a few minutes to think. The waiter came back a bit later and we ordered an appetizer (tuna sashimi) and a bottle of wine (sauvignon blanc). I told the waiter I had a gluten intolerance and he said "I am so glad you told me" and went off right away to tell the manager and the head chef. He came back to tell me that the appetizer was GF but the sauces accompanying it were not. A minute later, a man who I think was the manager came out and offered me gluten free rolls (delicious, fluffy, defying imagination for GF rolls). Our appetizer came out just a bit later (very fresh, very tasty, even sauceless). The wine was also delicious. My father likes to talk--so much so that after that, we spent 90 minutes talking and not opening the menu. *the waiter did not bother us once*. He did go by a few times and I noticed him looking at us, and I can only imagine he was reading our body language. His timing was amazing. My father usually yells at servers, and he was beaming at this one! We both had the special (baked salmon stuffed with ricotta and spinach over wild rice) but mine was specially made with GF rice (the wild rice was not for some reason) and they were amazingly accomodating. They let me know that my food was being prepared separately and specifically with my GF in mind. Even though it was fairly busy, they let us hang around and talk until they closed. Every few minutes they would come by and fill our drinks up but generally be totally pleasant. I just can't say enough. We were tough customers between my GF and my dad's being a weirdo about service. A lot of restaurants I go to don't even know what gluten is. amazing. big tip! will definitely go back.
(5)
J D.

by far the worst of this chain - service was slow, place had the atmosphere of a cafeteria mixed with a Chili's. Table I sat at was dirty, small and cramped. Food quality was not up to the normal standard...a very weak experience. I expect considerably more when I shell out this kinda dough and certainly in my other experiences with Legal, my bar is higher..this place does not cut it at all. Location too was horrible, really, a Howard Johnson's is better to cram into a parking garage, with all it's diesel ambiance than for this price point restaurant.
(2)
Mo S.

Below average food, very expensive drinks $4 for simple lemonade and no refills. We were seated way in the back in private room, I was told the service would be good, Wrong it was slow and we could not get out quick enough. 3 kids meals 2 fish and chips and $95 later we give a 1 star rating.
(1)
Steven V.

At the Park Plaza location, on a Saturday night at 8pm, we were able to get in without waiting because it is so big. We did call ahead. The clam chowder was really delicious. What really was amazing were the scallops. I'm not over-dramitizing, there were the best scallops I've ever had! And the shrimp! The wood grilled seafood was top-notch. The ownership is so famous in the industry, it's like they are in the Hall of Fame of restauranteurs. They even have a quality control kitchen off-site to test for all of their locations. They are aboe the rest and a must go!
(5)
Bill M.

dinner on Friday, food and service was great
(4)
John S.

This is a pretty standard Legal location, and as such it deserves a 4 star review. This spot is great for a pre-theatre meal, as the service is attentive and they'll make sure you're out in time for your evening in the Theatre District. I feel as if I don't even need to mention the food. It's Legal, after all, and in the 7 years I've been going to these restaurants, I've not once had a bad meal. On this most recent trip, I opted for a lobster roll, which was perfect, and a wedge salad, which was also perfect. My friends raved about their meals as well. PF Chang's books up like crazy, but with Legal right around the corner, you'll always have a meal before the theatre.
(4)
Adam F.

Hands down, the best clam chowder in Boston. This is a pretty good location to avoid tourists as well.
(3)
Jef S.

An extra star for Park Square, as they seem to have their shit together more than most other Legal's. Their restaurant is pretty, but massively crowded every night of the week. The food is the same Legal calorie bomb, but I've been to a couple of functions here (company sponsored, dears) and they did some nice appetizers. The focus here is wine, and they have lots of choices and lots of expensives bottle here, even Penfold's Grange, which is hard to come by even in higher end restaurant. Cons: same service experience that you'd get at any Legal. The valet parking and crowds might give one pause, especially on a busy night. Oh, and for the Yelper who loved that baked stuffed lobster. Wanna know how they prepare the lobster for that dish? They take it live out of the tank, stun it with a whack to the head (though the more humane chef will stick it in the freezer for a few minutes), insert the tip of a 10 inch chef knife into the lobster's brain, then with one downward motion, chop the body of the lobster in half while its still alive. It was one of the grossest things I've ever seen. Enjoy your stuffie! For more insider info on Legal's, please see my review on the Framingham store. PS: Hi Roger!
(4)
B S.

The clam chowder is great and I make a point of eating here on every trip to Boston! I even order from them online....
(4)
Lawrence S.

Very friendly manager. Great service. It was just a little too obvious this place was a chain. The food was actually really good too. I just prefer a little more character at my restaurants.
(3)
Jack N.

I don't know what's up with all this hate for this place on Yelp, but yes, I was one of those nay-sayers myself. I have always been bias against chain restaurants, as their quality is almost always evenly bad. In addition, they have Legal Sea foods in NYC and NJ, and I wasn't looking to go to a chain that I can get to w/o traveling 100+ miles to get to. But after 2 of my friends' friend giving high recommendations and another friend who lived in Boston for 2 years and the first words from her mouth when I asked for seafood restaurants recommendation was "Legal Sea foods", I was convinced I have to go. Boy, am I glad I did. Reading from other reviews of how packed the restaurant near the Aquarium can be, I suggested that we make reservations first. We were exactly on time after exploring the city (Boston is kinda small compare to Manhattan, NYC) for 3 hours. When we got there, they sat us right away, not like some restaurants in NYC, which still make you wait even though you have a reservation. Our waiter, James, was quite helpful with our order. He explained the different types of oysters that they have (not being a oyster aficionado, I had no idea). We ended up getting their Treasures of the reef sampler platter, and their 1 1/2 lbs of mussels. He let us choose what oysters we want on the platter, and we chose to have Kunamotos and PEIs. Kunamotos are absolutely the best oysters I have ever had! They taste so clean, but also creamy and delicious. The PEIs were also pretty good too, definitely better than those crappy east coast oysters I had in the past. I remember I had been turned off by raw oysters for a while because of the "fishy taste". I had many like that in various restaurants in City Island. I'm so glad to have gotten over my distaste of oysters, but at the same time, pissed that I'm left w/ crappy east coast oysters back in NYC. When we finished our appetizer, James brought out "Charlie", their super huge lobster (I have pictures, check them out). He said Charlie is 93 years old. Dang! That's older than any 3 of us combined. Guess how much Charlie costs? Only $250!!! That's ridiculous. We were quite tempted to order Charlie, but we were also quite tempted to put Charlie on a skateboard and take him for a walk (I'm sure girls would totally dig Charlie). Anyway, back to dinner. I ordered a small baked stuff lobster (AKA Charlie Jr). The market price is $33 + 5 for stuffing it. It was so delicious. The meat is exactly tender and juicy, just perfect. The stuffing with pieces of shrimp and scallops was so delicious. BTW, I read James S. of how they make a stuff lobster, and yes, it sounds pretty disgusting, But have you seen an episode of Anthony Bourdain's show where they served him frog in a Japanese restaurant? For those that haven't seen that episode, I won't bring it up here on this review (it is really disgusting and making a stuffie is really tame compare to that).
(5)
Amber L.

Great place to go if your visiting the area. Located right next to the Aquarium and you can't beat the view out front. My boyfriend got the clam showder and Cioppino, both were to die for. We had lots left over, serving sizes were larger then usual. Even if your only in Boston for a day or so this is a great place for lunch!!
(5)
Katie S.

Delicious seafood. Decent clam chower. Fantastic lobster bisque. Pricey.
(4)
Hisham K.

This is the second time I come to this particular location. The first time was for a company function, and it was pretty good. The set menu was nicely varied, and the wine was decent enough. The wait staff seemed a bit stressed, and I couldn't for the life of me figure out why. I mean, we're all nice people, we're also a captive audience and not going anywhere, just relax! When I asked for a glass of water, the waitress said "absolutely" but looked like she wanted to say, "I'll need to move a few mountains, but absolutely." And she didn't bring me my mustard to eat with my filet mignon. (Yes, I had filet mignon at Legal Seafood. Get over it.) On a separate occasion, I came here with friends for dinner after a movie. The sangria is very much to my liking because it's more sweet than anything else, so those of you who do not like overly sweet alcoholic drinks, consider yourselves warned. Mike and I ordered the lobster mac & cheese with truffle oil, while Maya had stuffed shrimp. The stuffed shrimp was tasty, according to her, but not earth-shattering. Mike and agreed that the mac & cheese was definitely not the best we've ever had (my vote still goes to Ivy's ridiculously small four-cheese mac), and at times the truffle oil taste was a bit overpowering. It was decent, and that\s the best I can say for it. The kicker, however, came when it was time to pay for the check. Now when you go to a restaurant, you ask for the bill, put in your cash/card, perhaps tell the waiter how to split it, and sign your copy. Not here - you have to do all the work. The waitress (who was lovely, by the way - I think her name was Barbara, or Brenda) came back carrying three little machines like you see on airlines when you purchase anything from the SkyMarket. She put them down in front of us, explained to us how to use it, and left us to our own devices. Now, it's not rocket science, but I feel like it's something that I just shouldn't have to do. I go out to eat, drink, and converse with my dining partners. I go out to avoid the hassle of cooking, setting/clearing the table, and making drinks. Yet slowly, I feel that this philosophy is dying. You go to some sandwich shops, and when you ask for mustard, they point to a condiment rack for you to do it yourself. No! You're making it, I'm paying for it. Put the mustard in the damn sammich. Don't ask me to go into the self-checkout aisle at Shaw's, I'm paying for the groceries, so your lazy ass can ring up my stuff for me. Likewise to Legal Seafoods, I'm paying for the meal and the service, so you run the card. It's not my job, it's yours. I hope you're reading this, Legal Seafoods. Don't make me go through that whole run-my-own-card bit again, or else I'll be taking my business elsewhere.
(2)
Makakaualii R.

Since I heard and suggested to try Boston's seafood which I did and the establishment was around corner from my hotel. I had the Surf and Turf; filet migon, 1.5 pound lobster with 2 sides; corn on the cob and brocoli and of course bread. Then I realized that I left my reading glasses in my hotel and the fonts on the menu sure didn't help much but I hero (server) "Angie" read the whole menu and then decide with the surf and turf. I think she needs a raise in dealing with the seeing impaired. She deserved she 20% tip without any hesitation. Mahalo Angie, next time I won't forget my readers! My total bill excluding tip was $48 it was worth it.
(4)
Andi P.

I'm not sure how many people with seafood allergies actually go to seafood restaurants (but then, I'm allergic to gluten, tomatoes, and dairy, and regularly scope out pizza places), but apparently it happens and apparently Legal is great in its handling of any and all allergies. Luckily, I'm not allergic to seafood, but I did try out Legal's gluten-free menu this evening and found it fabulous, especially the warmed-up rolls (seriously good) and the swordfish. (My favorite items on the menu can all be found in the "Raw-Bar" and the "Simply Legal wood-grilled" sub-sections, although there are also a few vegetarian options.) Our "waitron" Chris was equally fabulous. And at least tonight, the Park Plaza location was far less zoo-ish than the Prudential Center branch tends to be. . . . Perhaps the fact that Scott Brown is still in the immediate vicinity--as in within a one-block radius--has scared everyone away.
(4)
Tyson F.

Legal is simply amazing. My girlfriend and I have gone to Legal many times and have been beyond impressed with the consistent quality, service and fresh-tasting seafood. Great place for any occasion, just make sure you get reservations in advance if you plan on dining with a party larger than 2... every Legal in Boston is ALWAYS packed around lunch and dinner times. As far as menu items, close your eyes, open the menu and point to any part of any page. You'll be beyond happy with whatever you order. The service is always friendly and fast. And to top it all off, when its time to pay, they bring those wireless credit card swipers to your table, which is really cool if you're a geek like me.
(5)
Slider S.

I can't praise this restaurant and staff enough! I went back again after 2 days for another incredible meal that just rocked my foundation to the core. The last time I was there I had an awesome haddock fillet followed by my very first taste of Boston creme pie... OMG damn near heaven! Tonite I tried the choppino with an acai sage vodka cocktail and finished with an ice wine & peach puff pastry that just sent me somewhere I've not been in a great while. the staff are absolutely awesome and the food just out this world and if you have not been then damn time you get some for you and your most significant other!!!
(5)
Jim B.

The best seafood restaurant I have ever been in. Great food, excellent service, very nice decor, and as I recall a view of the open kitchen. If I remember correctly this is the "mother ship" of the Legal Sea Foods empire. We visited a second Legal Sea Foods location in Boston but it was not as amazing. Worth a journey.
(5)
Brett H.

This place was excellent. It was hands down one of the best seafood dinners I have ever eaten! I ordered a baked, stuffed lobster and would recommend it to anyone! My waiter was very attentive and recommended an excellent Sauvignon Blanc. If you are in Boston check out this place for seafood!
(5)
Jenn S.

Small portions, high prices, and VERY sandy shellfish. You can find far better seafood in Boston for much less.
(2)
Biggah K.

It was good. Customer service needs improvement
(3)
Kristyn M.

You go to Legal Sea Foods when you're a tourist, because Legal Sea Foods is well known. This is why I went there - several times actually. But now that I'm not a Boston rookie anymore, I will probably never go to Legal's again. They have two redeeming qualities - their bar, with a very good wine list, and their clam chowder. It's pretty solid, and I still feel that way after experiencing other chowders. Everything else though is forgettable. The service, meh. I've often found the server to be frantic and rushed. The atmosphere - no thanks. For the price you are paying, there are often way too many kids there, making it feel like you're at just another family diner. And most importantly, the food: overpriced. For the most part, it either has no flavor, or too much, in the sense of overwhelming spices and obnoxious amounts of sauce.
(2)
Lee Ann M.

We wandered in for a break from a long walk around Boston. Ordered drinks and the lobster dip with sea chips. Dip was well seasoned and yummy. Chips were so light and fresh. Waiter was very friendly and attentive without being overwhelming.
(4)
Jodee V.

Service is incredibly slow. Seems like the kitchens and bar can't actually support the number of tables that are in the restaurant. And the service staff in the front of the house seem off -- manic, not especially friendly, unprofessional. Our reservation (6 people) was for 8.15, which was already a little later than we wanted. Seated at 8.35. We'd already decide on dinner because we all had time to look at the menu while we were waiting. Server came by to take our order around 9. Drinks and first course (chowder for all) arrived around 9.30. Main course arrived around 9.50. Someone came around to fill up water glasses regularly, and the bill was prompt when we asked for it. The fish and chips were fabulous, the chowder was excellent. But I will not be back. I've had two poor experiences with parties of 6, where I've been seated at a round table in the middle of a small room with servers dashing around rubbing against your chair each time they pass.
(2)
JD O.

Great place. Loved the white sangria drink, excellent clam chowder, delicious lobster roll, heck, even the coleslaw was good! Boston cream pie was delicious as well. Friendly staff, lovely restaurant - - - it's all good! Too bad I was dining alone, or I might have been even more enthusiastic about it. :)
(4)
Richard L.

I usually do not rate chains; however, this restaurant deserves being an exception. I have been to Boston three times and I accidently discovered this restaurant on my first visit since it was close to where I was staying. I have returned every trip. Each time my friend and I have been well treated during our visit. I have found that a steamed lobster dinner is an excellent way to introduce a non-New Englander to Boston. My only problem is that over the years, the scotch selection on the menu has decreased. The waitstaff has always been far above average.
(4)
Jonathan W.

Solid solid clam chowder. The baked scrod needed more flavorful and came with accompaniments that were able exciting as paint drying. The decor was nice but the entire restaurants had that "fish" smell. Lees than appetizing.
(3)
Sara L.

One of our usual stops on our trips to Boston. Usually extremely good. Sorry to say i can't say this for our last trip there. Our waitress was extremely new, got my husband's order wrong, and kinda questioned him, as to what he actually ordered. Yes, Fried clams and fried fisherman's platter START with the same word, but come on. So she takes away the fisherman's platter, but i have my full meal, of trout, so i end up eating alone, while he waits. His meal comes out and it's totally over cooked. The waitstaff on a whole is great, i think our gal was on her first day or something. We were surprised at how little we enjoyed it. Went to Finale for dessert ( i've yelped there) so the evening ended on an upswing.
(2)
Candice R.

I went here twice in one trip. Once, for drinks. The second time around, for food. Here's the dish: The atmosphere: great for date, and kids apparently. There's a cool lounge downstairs too. The food: Awesome. Great baked oysters appetizer, and I binged on the lobster bake. Oh, you yummy shellfishies you. The swordfish steak was tasty too. Clam chowder standard. The service: perfect. Our server was a treat, and really knew her stuff. Price: reasonable, and cheap compared to the rip offs on Newbury Street. The verdict: I would definitely come back, but I would venture all the way out to the waterfront just for the view and the patio.
(4)
Lynn S.

The best thing legal makes is the chowdah.. the rolls they give you are awful. How can they not give you good fresh bread for what is considered a high end restaurant. Its average food with an above average price.
(2)
Michael C.

I have been to Legal many times over the last few years and I never leave impressed or disappointed, so it get an "A-OK" rating, which I don't give enough of. This location is in a good spot in the Prudential Mall, go there is your looking traditional basic fresh Boston seafood.
(3)
David C.

I've been to many different Legal Seafoods many times and have never had a bad experience until today. This was my first time back to this location in many years. I've been going to the one in Chestnut Hill the past few years. We went on a Saturday in the middle of the day. We were seated very promptly. The restaurant was ~2/3 full. Our appetizer came very quickly and was ok. We got the spicy calamari. It was about average. It then took another hour for our entrees to come out. Our server apologized twice but this still seemed quite slow. My fish and chips was the first bad entree I've ever had at Legal Seafood. I pretty much always get the same thing so I've had a lot of experience with this. The fish was dramatically overcooked and it was a very thin fillet with almost no fish. In the past, its always been a nice piece of fish and perfectly cooked. I don't think I've ever not finished it and I could barely stomach half today. The french fries were soggy and cold. The same was true of my wife's food as well. I will give Legal Seafood another shot but not at this location. Perhaps it was an off day.
(2)
Rose J.

I hated eating here! Sorry to be blunt, but it is the truth. The setting is lovely and it is very alluring, but the food is just okay. Since the food was only okay, I expected the prices to be just okay, but the food was expensive for what it was. I understand going to a place for the experience so I was more patient when the waiter gave me the bill, but this was out of hand. The food was just not good. The flavor was lacking, On top of all of this, the bill was electronic and the tip was pre-calculated. I could not tip the waitress the amount I wanted to give her which was a grand total of zero dollars and zero cents. She ignored my table even though the place was empty aside from another table and a few men at the bar. All I can say is never again. There are better places to spend over $100 and at those places the flavor and service will more than likely be there.
(1)
Kathleen K.

We go to Legals fairly often and always find the food wonderful. This location we've been to about 4 or 5 times. The restaurant layout isn't my favorite and some of the decor could use some repair. If I was taking out-of-town guests to Legals, I probably would prefer to take them to the Aquarium location or Chestnut Hill. The service at Park Plaza this last time we went was amazing though! We had a very attentive, knowledgeable server. She gave us our privacy but seemed to "appear" whenever out drinks were getting low. The smoked salmon starter plate was very good and the seasonal butternut squash was delicious!
(4)
Greatest E.

Clam chowder and bread were good, but our waiter essentially tricked us into paying $100 for an appetizer that we later found out did not, in fact, exist. Extremely overpriced. Would not recommend.
(1)
Michael G.

Remember when the question was not where to get the best seafood in Boston, but merely which branch of Legal Seafoods was the closest to your present location? Yeah, well the 80's are over, deal with it. Does anyone other than tourists who were in town years ago actually go here anymore? You can always count on your fish being overcooked to the point of being so dried out you have to blow the dust off of it, and poor service by college students who have no clue what is on the menu or how to be professional waitstaff. Students-as-waitstaff is totally fine if I'm at California Pizza Kitchen, but not if I'm paying Legal Seafood prices. Their fish may be the freshest in town, but there's no way to tell by the time it's been cooked to the point of desiccation then left to sit on the kitchen counter for 30 minutes while your waitperson is off doing... whatever they're doing. Blech. Yeah, I probably gave them one star too many simply because I fondly remember the 80's. I'm OK with that though.
(2)
marlene b.

Staff was the best. My dining partner had the Chef's choice fish which was a nice selection and cooked well. My lobster was beautiful and filet mignon had a perfectly pink center which is what I asked for. Our favorite part of the evening was the help from the sommalier who chose an excellant syrah from the Beckman vineyard. All in all it was an excellant birthday celebration which incidently coincided with the Halloween nor'easter. Cannot forget to mention the oyster selection was a little disappointing because they did not have any wellfleets that night.
(4)
Caitlin C.

I came here for the Park Square Park Place Dine Around a couple nights ago. My friend won tickets (thanks to @eatboston), but unfortunately couldn't attend, so I went in her place. This was our fourth stop of the evening. Boy, were we getting full by the time we got to Legal! This Legal location is pretty cool looking (I've been to the one in the Pru too), they have this neat fountain thing that spans two floors and kind of looks like a jelly fish. We were seated on the lower floor near the wine cellar. I chose the seared tuna appetizer with seaweed salad. And I was not very impressed at all. The tuna was a weird temperature (maybe I was expecting cold, but it was kinda warm) and it tasted kinda rubbery (ick). I was pretty full anyway, so I only had 2 small pieces. I think if i were actually paying for the meal I might have been more upset. I paired it with a glass of cava (mmm bubbles...). Jess had the crab bisque which she liked, though she said it could have done with a bit less pepper. Our server was pleasant and friendly. Overall, I think Legal Sea Foods is a bit overrated and I probably wouldn't choose to come back here on my own accord.
(2)
Kathy M.

My daughter and I went to see a show at the Wilbur Theater and since we were running late we decided to snack and have dinner after the show. I'll admit I was exuberant upon arrival because we had a great time at the comedy show, my daughter said nary a word. After placing our order and telling the server we had a few at the show the manager approached our table and informed us that we could not be served alcohol because we had already consumed at a previous establishment. He was not willing to listen to us about the earlier circumstances. Although he was polite and our server apologized for the inconvenience and her fear of "getting in trouble" we were still insulted as we were not drunk, nor were we driving. The appetizers we ordered were delicious but we left without ordering dinner. We got a cab back to our hotel. The driver did not think we appeared drunk, nor did the waitress or bartender at our hotel five minutes away. Too bad for the Establishment: my daughter has 4000 twitter followers who were immediately informed of the decision made by these employees. Food was good, but don't tell them you've had a drink before arrival.
(1)
Kouichi K.

My friend and I had been living in Boston for a year and 2 years respectively. We had yet to eat at Legal Sea Foods so off we went. We were seated promptly. The decor of the restaurant is pleasant and is great for a date or even dinner with the family. Seafood can be expensive and Legal Sea Foods is reasonable. I had the chowder which is quite tasty, but I've had better. Their raw bar is quite extensive, but I didn't order any this time around. Legal Sea Foods is not great, but solid. It is a safe choice for anyone looking for a decent seafood restaurant.
(3)
L E.

We were here last Friday night for dinner. I have been to a few of the other Legal Seafood locations and found this one to be at the bottom. I know it was Friday night but the restaurant was not very clean. The floors definitely needed a wipe, and the bathrooms were disappointing. They hadn't been kept up through the night, granted it was 9pm when we were there, but for the reputation that Legal's has, I felt it was below their typical standards. It was also unappetizing to go back to my table after that bathroom experience. Our service was acceptable, certainly not excellent. Most importantly, our food was just average. My dining companion ordered the fisherman's platter and it had the full belly clams, she said they were extremely sandy. I ordered the fish and chips and while it was edible and the fish tasted fresh, the fried coating was very dry and tasted a little "off". The cole slaw was not good. Overall, I was disappointed.
(2)
Lisa F.

There's a reason they serve Legal Sea Foods clam chowder at the presidential inaugurations. It's darn good! (And I've had my fair share of clam chowder.) The Hot Lump Crab Dip with seafood chips is good, though I think the dip is better on something other than the seafood chips. The New England Clambake comes with a high pile of steamers, mussels and a nice sized lobster. The Classic Baked Boston Scrod is absolutely scrumptious. This is a place I'd come back to if I want seafood in Boston.
(4)
John H.

Chowder was good. Mussels has sooooo much pearls or sand in them that I lost my appetite and they had the nerve to tell me thats how it is. I have never had a mussel that had that much crap in them that eating 3 of them would fill up a teaspoon with sand and pearls.
(2)
Louise S.

The food is great quality but why can't they cook it to order properly. I don't like raw fish. I asked for my fish well-cooked. It came raw. I ate the outsides that were cooked and took the rest home to cook myself. Shouldn't have to do this with a supposedly good quality restaurant. The waitress didn't check until it was too late to bother sending it back. The side of seaweed salad was miniature. They could be a bit more generous!
(3)
Bob Q.

The oysters were awesome. The lobster was just ok. The rest of the seafood was sub-par. The restaurant is nice though & our service was decent. Although, this is definitely not the service you get in L.A. for the same prices. Didn't live up to what I thought it was going to be but it wasn't bad.
(3)
Millhouse R.

I went to Legal, ordered a cup of NE clam chowder and a plate of fried clam bellies. The chowder wasn't bad. It had a nice fish stock and a decent amount of clam meat but, too much flour, cream and potato. My fried clam bellies were awful altogether. They were well done and yet luke warm and soggy (microwave). The bartender was pretty cool and helpful, but, to be honest I'm so flabbergasted at this clam belly debacle that instead of giving an extra star for the bar tender I'm going to give him free advice and tell him his talent is being wasted there. I heard a couple of customers complain to him about their food as well. In short the best part of the meal were the warm bread rolls, Cabot butter packs, the cole slaw, my pint of Sierra Nevada and seeing the Phillies getting slaughtered by Tampa bay in the bottom of the 4th on the HD.
(1)
Marc C.

Let me just start out by saying that I am not a fan of Legal Sea Foods at all. That being said, you may be left wondering why I am giving them 4 stars. The reason? I believe in giving credit where credit is due. I was picking up a to-go order for some others, nothing too fancy or involved, but the service I received was way above and beyond what I would expect. So above and beyond, that I needed to get two employees names and make sure they were put in a review. The first employee I encountered upon walking in was the hostess Cynthia. She was so not what many hostesses in Boston are like, in a good way. Cynthia was all smiles and extremely welcoming, warm, and friendly. She walked me over to a place to sit while she had the girl taking care of the to-go orders get my order ready. I even took a restroom break and came back up and she double checked to make sure I was being taken care of. The girl handling the to-go order, named Luisa, was also phenomenal. I was picking up the order for others and I had special requests for a ton of little extras, like tartar sauce, cocktail sauce, ketchup, etc. She was very friendly, found out how much extra of each I needed and cheerfully went about getting all the items and gathering them into the bags. I left with a smile. The only downside to the experience is that all the fried food and the soups were cold when I returned to the place I was bringing them (2 blocks away). The broccoli did stay piping hot and not overcooked. But cold fried clams are just not a good thing, and to top it off they were an extremely small portion especially factoring in the price. I will remember the customer service most. If it was like this all the time, I would have to start reconsidering my stance on Legal Sea Foods.
(4)
Garrett E.

If it isn't fresh it isn't legal. That's their motto and I can't argue that it is indeed fresh. However they are also inconsistent. This review is for any location. I have had really good if not excellent food and service when dining with my Mom. Upon sitting down we were greeted and brought rolls and the menu. My Mom is allergic to Mushrooms so we tell this to the waitress and she immediately goes into food allergy mode. She explained to my Mom what some of the things she should avoid and even upon ordering went back to the kitchen and explained the situation. After some time my food comes out brought to me by the runner and right behind him is the General Manager with my Mom's food. He insures her that they dish was prepaired seperately so there would not be any cross contamination. Excellent service!! The food was also great. I also suffered through mediocre service with my boyfirend and an order of fish and chips that chipped a tooth on our anniversary. Apparently a shell or something had fallen into the batter and bit him back. The restaurant was so busy though we never were able to say something until the end of the meal. So on a good night you get a good meal but there seems to be no telling when it could go bad.
(3)
Marni K.

They barely mark up their wines, and they have an very extensive list. What's not to like? My husband had a cup of wonderful gaspacho, and I had a cup of a fabulously tasty clam chowder. Wish we had had dinner there as well.
(5)
Rob H.

Unfortunately I am forced to give this restaurant 1 star, if 0 was an option that is certainly what I would give it. I came to Boston for a weekend getaway, and fell in love with every aspect of the city. When it came time for dinner on a Saturday I wanted to treat myself to delicious seafood dinner and figured I'd go with a trusted name. Upon arriving the overly outgoing and in your face hostesses asked if I had a reservation, which I did, but before I could respond they enthusiastically recommended eating in the downstairs lounge, which turned out to be a basest bar with no one else in it. Our food came quickly, my date had the wood grilled salmon which came with cold and "awful" couscous. I ordered the wood fired lobster which was rubbery and hard to separate from the inside of the shells, once I had a fork full I had to wipe it on a cold block of butter, and my potato salad was watery but not terrible. $100+ later this meal was the worst I had on the trip even surpassed by the Dunkin breakfast sandwiches we had on the road.
(1)
Rod D.

When I was going to Boston frequently I would eat here often. They have the best clam chowder anywhere. The seafood is very fresh and well prepared. Great service. One of my favorite places and highlight for being in Boston,
(5)
Frank B.

Have been a fan of Legal for more years than I would like to admit. Visited Park Plaza this past weekend and have to say still lives up to expectations of quality fish. Service was prompt ,friendly and help full. Portion size is good and cooked as ordered. If there was one thing to note is that in a city with so many quality restaurants the menu lacks pizazz . Not always a bad thing but I remember when Legal was a" go to" place,not one of those safe places to take out of town guest.
(4)
Mike P.

Zero commitment to sustainability. Unbelievable? Do a google search, the CEO (or whatever he is) was profiled in Boston Magazine bragging about this.
(1)
Jeff S.

The food was not good. The vegetables were cold, not hot, when first brought to the table. The lobster was tough. The price was high. The lobster bisque was very good. The server was very nice and pleasant and seemed to be new, but came across as a little careless, almost dropping my order when brought out, and dropping the dishes at my feet when clearing the table. The price was incredibly high for the quality of the food we received. Not at all what I had hoped for.
(1)
J M.

I stopped in here for a friends birthday recently. The inside of the place was nice, a little on the louder side, but not to the point where you need to yell to talk to people on the other end of the table. We ordered a calamari appetizer which was good, not out of this world, but good. I then ordered the crab cakes for dinner. The crab cakes were some of the best I've had in a while. No filing with all lump crab meat, very good. I would highly recommend the crab cakes.
(3)
David D.

Yikes. I always avoided this place, because I thought: 1. It's going to be $$$$$$ x $$$$$ + 5x$$$$= :( 2. I hate seafood. 3. Townies. :'( I thought I ruined an evening I had planned with someone to see what turned out to be an AWFUL movie at Boston Common ( Vantage Point -- we ended up catching a later show), so I offered to buy dinner, and we walked by this Legal Sea Foods during a storm. To avoid getting any wetter, we decided to run inside. Is there a Holiday Inn above this place? Because I felt like I was in the lobby of a Holiday Inn. Also, after checking out the menu, I realized this place wasn't all too expensive. I determined Legal Sea Foods is to seafood, what Bertucci's is to Pizza. Not necessarily awful, but it's no Anthony's Pier 4 ... and they kind of give you the same rolls as bertucci's, but like half as many. :( I wasn't really alarmed by the prices... but there was one thing that totally pissed me off. This is inexcusable. A bottle of CRISTAL(ino) champagne is $25! Yes, $25!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am familiar with the markup of wine prices at restaurants, but that is absurd. You know they paid like $4 a bottle from the distributor. Can I go to the New Hampshire State Liquor Store, and sell it out of my trunk for $6 to couples as they walk in? AnywayzZzz, I had the roasted chicken with herbz and I think mashed sweet potatoes... fuckin' yummy-yummy. That was pretty good. The drinks were ok, too. I think I had a sangria at one point. Fuckin' yummy. You know what I DIDN'T have? a $25 bottle of Cristalino! $25? Get out! It's like made in Somerville or something!
(3)
Tabitha B.

i hate to write a bad review for this place... service was good, but food is just,...ok. its just ok. i suppose it's agood choice for familys or large parties, but when i see butter pats, i want to run. felt somewhat sick after the ciopinni. Just too many flavors. just ok....
(2)
Laur T.

What can I say, I am a great seafood fan and the renowned Legal name* bodes well with me. I love my clam chowda and lobster I get from this chain EVERYTIME! *Yep I recall one time I even turned down a friend's offer to take me to McCormick's with her $50 voucher just because Legal was tops on my list for lobster. Now thinking back, how different can lobster really be?
(4)
Lisa R.

My husband and I brought his parents here the first evening they joined us for the second week of our Fall 08 Foliage Tour. I'd eaten at Legal Seafood near DC about 15 years ago. The friends who took me there have good taste and the restaurant was full that visit, so I figured we'd do well on our Boston visit. I started with a Sangria, which as quite good! Since we were in Boston, I tried to Boston Scrod after deciding not to go with a very tempting special. They did it perfectly! The crumbs on top were perfect, a little crispy without be dried out. It was light enough to not overwhelm the light flavor of the scrod,which was baked to the perfect texture. My husband and his parents enjoyed thier entrees as well. It might have been a little too fancy for my in-laws' tastes, but they still enjoyed their meals. Our waitress was cheerful and very patient, especially when my in-laws seemed a little jetlagged (they'd just gotten off the plane after a long day) and weren't very interactive with her. Love the location and the decor, too. It was a busy night during the week when we ate there. To me, that's always a good sign.
(4)
Toro O.

It's right across the street from MIT, which was convenient. However the food was very mediocre and the worst of all, it was overpriced beyond belief. I ended up not finishing my meal and so did others in my party. I was just glad I wasn't paying for it.
(1)
Sarah M.

I wanted to go to Legal Seafood precisely because Best of Boston rated it #1 for clam chowder (2010). While it was tasty, the clams were just a bit rubbery - hardly what I would call "best of Boston". I feel like I've gotten much better advise from Yelp. I'll make sure to check out a few other restaurants for clam chowder next time I'm in Boston.
(3)
Albert C.

I would recommend this place for raw clams and oysters. Being touted by some people as the best clam chowder, I had high expectations. The food was decent, but for around $20-30 per entree I expected more.
(3)
Chris H.

The food is just terrible. If this was a bar, it would be all right but this is a restaurant! And quite an expensive one. I went with a party of six and got to taste many dishes, the crab cakes were the only fine dish--although too watery. Of course oysters are fine as you can't really miss raw oysters. If you do end up eating here, stay away from anything fried as they use some nasty old oil and heat up previously fried food. We all felt sick for a week just thinking about these fried horrors (especially the fried platter). They also have no clue on how to cook fish and ours were burnt on one side and dry on the other side. I really do not recommend this place. The one star goes for the crab cakes.
(1)
Jamie P.

$80 worth it for a full course meal....appetizer, salad, THE BREAD & BUTTER IS SOOO GOOD, soup, seafood & meat, dessert & coffee, & apple cider. omg best place for a date!!
(4)
Frank T.

Given the Bostonian recommendation, I was disappointed in the place...surprised to find it was one of a chain. I expect more of a local establishment. Filet Mignon was over-cooked. The salmon and tuna were nothing special. I can get much better fish and a better dining experience without traveling to Boston.
(2)
Nala L.

My experience here was overall very good. We went for my brother's graduation from law school. The waiter was very friendly and attentive throughout the meal. The clam chowder was delicious. I got the lobster and it was overcooked, which is usually the case at most places, but I expected Legal Seafood to get it right. The sides I ordered, the polenta & rice pilaf, were very good. My Patron margarita was also very good. The bananas foster was good as well, but not the best I have had.
(4)
Christine K.

We went here for 2 reasons, because it was so close to our hotel (Boston Park Plaza) & I wanted to try the chain that started in MA. I'm sure I'll never see one here! Even though we had reservations we were given a beeper and told we had to wait. The bar was packed so there wasn't even a seat available there. Fortunately I don't think we waited longer than 10 minutes. Our waiter was one of the best waiters I've ever had! He was flawless. I tipped him 30% because he was so good. We started with clam chowders. Not our fave, it was too thin. We like it thick like we had at Durgin Park (our fave chowder we had). Then we had the New England Lobster Bakes...with the stuffed lobster. The plate was attractive. Food was ok. We didn't eat any of the mussels or clams though - blech! Had a couple of cocktails. My son wanted bananas foster for dessert but they advised they were out of bananas! Are you serious??? He had the warm chocolate pudding cake on the recommendation from our waiter and was happy. I had some boozy dessert coffee and I was happy. It really was a nice restaurant. My son did say he heard a guy puking his guts out in the bathroom though and when he asked him if he was ok, the guy said he was fine, just too drunk!
(3)
Kirk W.

Great restaurant but pricey. Plenty of seats, quiet and great atmosphere and we had a very courteous waitress.
(4)
Matt C.

The calamari is exquisite and the downstairs bar is one of the best kept secrets in Boston. Tracy was fantastic, be sure to pay her a visit!
(5)
Happy H.

I am extremely disappointed how horrible this place has gotten. What made it worse is that my fiance and I were eager to bring some out of town friends here. The food was OK the service was embarrassing. To the point I'm contacting the restaurant to share our recent visit. I will never eat at a Legal Seafoods again. Forget it.
(2)
Sarah H.

Ok folks... here I go. I was NOT impressed. The food sucked. Greasy and over cooked, and unimaginative. I forced myself through the meal. The martini was just OK. I was not offended by the people working there, who seemed reasonably nice, but I would never ever go there again when I go back to Boston. Just don't, trust me. Over priced. It's all about the decor or something. Plus at this location, I had a hell of time finding the front door. And just so you know, you will not find street parking in this part of Boston, don't even try, and the garage is like a flat $18 to park, which is outrageous. I suppose, if you stick to steamed lobster, or very very simple dinners of poached salmon you'll survive.... but otherwise, just go to McDonald's.
(2)
Marcia H.

Best seafood in Boston! This is the best seafood I have ever eaten!
(5)
Eloise C.

A very commercial atmosphere. Seemed like a fast food restaurant as we checked in with a reservation. No warm, friendly feeling. We just were served our wine when we received our salad and our main courses so we had no chance to enjoy our wine before eating our appetizer and main course. I had the soft shell crab which was mushy and burned. It was suppose to be blackened. The broccoli had been sitting in a warming tray. It was over cooked and limp with a lackluster cheese sauce. It also came with polenta which was dense and flavorless. My husband had an uninspired garlic shrimp with pasta. The garlic and flavor were not apparent. The waiter was very nice and offered me another entree. I tried the lobster roll which was okay but not delicious. We cannot figure out how a place with no atmosphere and mediocre food has gotten such good ratings. Is it just the name and history? We will not return.
(1)
Andy C.

Came here on a Sunday for lunch. We ordered the following: Hot crab dip appetizer - this was very good. it has what i think were tapioca chips. Whatever they were, they were crispy and light and perfect for the crab. The dip was mostly crab, which is a nice change of pace from most places where it is all cream cheese. veggie tofo curry - My wife that this, and remarked that it was ok, but nothing special. She said it lacked any sort of zip that a spicy curry style dish should offer. fish and chips - I was not sure what to order, so i thought why not fish and chips? the answer is that this is not what they do good, but how could i know? The fish was tender and actually pretty good, and the batter was tasty. But the batter was also mushy and the portion size was SMALL. Three small pieces, with one being an end piece. The coleslaw was crunchy, but sorta bland. With so many great seafood places in the city, we were disappointed by this place, especially since we had heard good things about it. Although i fully admit it could have been that we ordered the dishes they do not specialize in.
(2)
Mike K.

I tried the steamed lobster, and clam chowder. The lobster was nothing to write home about, and the clam chowder was a bit salty for my taste. The service was great, and ambiance was pleasant which earned the extra star in my review. Boston and Cambridge had so many small local restaurants that had better food. I would search Yelp for local restaurants in the area.
(3)
Ben M.

I've been to Legal probably 20 times in the last 5 years. They are fresh and consistent. What surprised me this time is the remote, WiFi credit card machine that they leave at your table to complete at your convenience. Incredibly elegant and relaxing. Well done, Legal.
(3)
Kirk J.

We ate lunch here about 10 days ago. The food was typical LS quality. I rarely leave a LS feeling like I just ate a great meal, but I never leave feeling angry at the quality of the food or service.
(3)
Cindy T.

A little pricey BUT was worth it! The seafood was fresh, the drinks were spectacular & the service was great! if you're traveling through Boston, it is definitely worth the experience! I highly recommend the baked lobster! Also, make reservations especially if you're from out of town. Don't miss out on Legal Seafoods.
(4)
E L.

I've been to other locations of Legal and have always loved them. Their seafood is fresh and delicious and I am a maniac for seafood. On my recent trip, I needed a night alone, so I went and sat at the bar by myself. The hosts were super nice to begin with, trying to give me the best time, even though (especially because?) I was solo. The bartenders followed suit and I had a good time shooting the breeze with them. I ate: the Cape Cod oysters on the half shell (heaven!) and the scallops entree with a shrimp skewer (also! heaven!) and finished with the chocolate pudding cake (heaven! heaven! heaven!). I decided to forego the bread, but I looked at the gals down the bar from me and they were enjoying what looked like an awesome bread basket. For the scallops, I just want y'all to know that they give you A TON. I am used to the three scallops thing at fine dining restaurants, but this was probably 10+. They give you two sides. My objection was that they didn't really have good veggie sides (where was my asparagus!?) but they did a steamed broccoli for me instead of the threatening "broccoli and cheese" on the menu. I also got the onion strings, which were delicious in the extreme. Never in a million years would I have selected the pudding cake as my dessert, but the bartenders really pushed and I'm very very very glad that I listened to them--it was seriously incredible. If I go back, I'd probably do the scallops as a side and have another fish or more shrimp as my entree, but not because the scallops weren't wonderful. (I would get four pudding cakes and die of insulin shock, but happy.) I drank their New Zealand sauvignon blanc, which was quite nice, if not earth-shattering. Other than the wine (natch!), all the portions were very large. The one star deduction is just for the prices, which aren't outrageous, but are a bit much. Still, I loved my time and it was just about worth the ridiculous amount I laid down for it.
(4)
Ben L.

I'm not one to typically rave about chain restaurants, but I had dinner here on Saturday, and it was great. We were welcomed to sit in the lounge while we waited, the wait was cut from an hour and a half to 25 minutes and they communicated with us every step of the way. We sat and had a very nice conversation with a manager who chatted about places to see in the city (we had some folks visiting the city in our party.) As someone who doesn't eat seafood, I have found myself at this particular location a couple times before. Both times I had fantastic meals. This time, I had a goat cheese and apple salad with avocado, tortilla, and all sorts of delicious. House wine was good. Service was great. During the day, I was pushing for dinner at one of Boston's many non-chain restaurants, but I have to admit, this was definitely worth the trip.
(5)
Jessica O.

Good clam chowder, not that great service. Had to ask for a refill for my iced tea and the waiter seemed sorta dense. I had the stuffed shrimp which was ok. I couldn't finish even half of it, though. I liked the baked potato. I don't know if it was overpriced since I didn't pay, but I think my mom thought it cost too much for what we got. I'd go there again if it means I get to have dinner with my brother again (I was in Boston visiting him)- because I MISS HIM!!!!!!!
(3)
Eron V.

How can anyone come here? The food is completely mediocre and prices are way too high (relative to other places in the area and relative to the quality of the food). There are waaaay better places around. I've been here as part of groups and also on my own and have never been impressed. One time (and I usually take one-off examples like these with a grain of salt) I asked if I could get my tuna lightly seared and if it was sushi grade, and the waiter looked at me like I had just ordered in chinese. If you want a true seafood place, try Atlantic Fish (its waaaaaay better but the same high price- worth it though if you're looking to have an expensive dinner).
(2)
Arestia R.

Most fathers demand to go to Legal Seafoods when they visit their children in Boston - mine is of no exception. In fact, it's the place most out of towners turn to when they need to get their seafood fix and the full Boston experience. While it isn't my favorite place to get seafood, it makes the list. They have a really great menu with variety to make everyone happy. From lobster rolls to salmon with pimento and the obligatory bowl of clam chowder, everyone can find something they want. And the quality is great, too! Sure, the atmosphere feels a bit like you're in a hotel restaurant, but it still a nice place to dine out. It's also quite reasonable. I'm not here all the time, but I'm here enough.
(4)
Dave W.

My wife and I visited Legal on our trip to Boston a few years ago, and enjoyed it. The service was great, and so was the food. We'd had better seafood on our trip, but that's not a knock against Legal, it was still great, but there are better options out there as well.
(4)
Irwin D.

Went here just after getting into my hotel next door. Walked in about 9pm so I decided to sit at the bar and eat. My iced tea was kept full the whole night and the bar tender was very friendly, chatting a bit and very attentive, especially given they were closing soon. Had the "famous" clam chowder. Good, but I can't say amazing. It was solid but didn't blow my mind. The Lobster roll was great! Nice big pieces of lobster, not too much mayo, even the bun was tasty. I ordered squash and broccoli with mine and I think I got a whole head of it! Definitely a lot for the money. There are probably more hi-end seafood places around, but this was a solid meal in a friendly place. Definitely recommend if you're in the area and need a bite.
(4)
Monica N.

Good to take visitors so they can experience the seafood of the east coast
(3)
Jennifer R.

I have always loved legal. Went for lunch on Sat and was sad to see the Mussells Au Gratin missing from the menu! I have dreamed about that dish but was stuck ordering the regular mussells as an app, they were excellent. Definately best I have had in years but portion was leaning towards small side. Price was average, around $10. For my meal I got wood fired scallops with vinagrette glaze and snap peas on side. Everything was very good but I was a little surprised peas were not "cleaned" as I always cut off the very ends when making them at home. They were steamed perfectly. $16 seemed a bit high considering they were on the lunch menu. Service was exceptional but it wasn't very busy, empty bread basket quickly replaced with fresh rolls.
(4)
P T.

From out of town & referred to this restaurant. Wanted good seafood. My salmon was very thick & raw, not to my liking. Waiter finally came over after my husband had finished his dinner & took my salmon to 'steam' it cooked. The manager brought it back to me & stated "here's your dinner warmed up a little more"! There were no apologies for a meal done not to my liking nor was I asked is there anything I can do for you or get you something else. Our dinner had been ruined with such lack of proper attention from our waiter & lack of proper attention from the manager. This is a $$$-$ restaurant and you'd think you'd get better service & food. Think twice before you go to this restaurant, especially 26 Park Plaza, Boston, MA & pay that kind of money even when you can afford it!!
(2)
David I.

Living in California I eat great seafood. However, lobster isn't necessarily a mainstay so I ventured over to Legal Sea Food to try the New England special. The lobster was ok! The steamed clams and muscles were good. I was dissapointed with the nÃ©w England clam chowder however. Kind of bland! I wouldn't go out of my way to eat this again. Perhaps I would try another menu item but for the prices and quality of the meal would try another restaurant. The service however was outstanding.
(2)
C L.

MEDIOCHRE AT BEST. Ok, am I the only Bostonian that thinks that Legal is way overpriced and overrated? I hadn't been to a Legal in a few years - never thought it was worth all the noise but a friend talked me into going and giving it another try. Went to the Park Plaza location this past Monday night. While we were greeted warmly by the reception staff, our waiter was either new or totally burnt out because there was no smile, no spark, nothing. He didn't bother telling us the specials (as the waiter for the table next to us did), nor was he attentive - we had to keep trying to wave him down. (It was not busy) The rolls they brought out were too hard, cold, not fresh tasting and what's with the individually wrapped butter patties - two on a plate with two rolls?? How cheap and cheesy can you get? Even Texas Roadhouse gives you a dish with warmed whipped butter - this butter was ice cold, almost frozen - and only 2 patties???? Is Legal worried about cutting costs this much?? My friend started with the clam chowder, arguably the only redeeming item - said it was good. His tuna burger was not cooked enough and they forgot the sauce, he had to ask for it. I had a Caesar salad (not bad) but my whitefish was totally bland - I had to smother it with butter (had to ask for extra, obviously) and lemon to make it even palatable. The brown rice was mushy and tasteless - like overdone Uncle Ben's. The broccoli was - broccoli. We shared a Bananas Foster for dessert which was good but took forever and a day to arrive. I paid $35+ bucks for a meal that didn't even live up to Red Lobster standards. This was Legal's last chance as far as I am concerned. There are more deserving seafood restaurants for much less $$$ in Boston. Heck, I can't even cook and I make better food than this.
(1)
Kristin S.

My husband and I went to Legal for dinner last night which is unusual for us. It started with my husband having a sudden desire for fish for dinner. (Maybe because we're moving to the desert?) My cousin had given us a legal gift card and this particular location is the only one that takes reservations on Open Table. It was fate. It was pouring rain and I grumbled about it to my husband as we left. He assured me we'd park in the Motor Mart garage downtown and the walk outside would be minimal. He couldn't have been more correct! We didn't have to leave the building, the garage elevators open and the restaurant entrance is in front of you. Brilliant. We were seated promptly and with smiles. We were surprised by the Thai style calamari, it was very good. (And spicy.) Unfortunately, my husband was unsuccessful in his two attempts to order lobster- first they ran out of small lobsters, then medium lobsters. I know you must be thinking its crazy that Legal would run out of lobster! If you've been watching the news then you heard about the shortage of lobster in the region so I can't really fault them for that. My husband ended up ordering the Halibut which he said was amazing. Overall it was a pleasantly surprising experience. I'm not normally a Legal diner and this did the job for us. (And kept us completely dry!)
(4)
Steven S.

Yes it's a chain restaurant, but the quality of the food is great! Went with some friends for dinner - had a reservation for 7:30, they didn't seat us until 8:00 - but all was good. Service was excellent, food was excellent. For Boston, the prices were fine.
(4)
Diana G.

This seafood restaurant has great steamers & some of the best Rhode-Island style calamari I have ever had! They also have an extensive selection of craft beers. I thought the atmosphere was okay for the location, but the service was even better. (Very friendly bartenders were serving dinner on Christmas Day!) I have no complaints about this place, and will be back in the future!
(4)
Ken M.

Legal Seafoods gets 4 stars here today because I rate on expectations, not on overall quality. The food, as expected, was divine, 5 stars, hands down. I had a beautiful Apple, Goat Cheese, and Roasted Red Pepper salad, followed by the Jasmine Rice with Shrimp, Broccoli, and Cheese. The boy had some sort of fish (I don't eat fish) with broccoli after a bowl of fish chowder. He liked it. Where this location took a hit was on service. It was fine at the start of the meal (with the exception that the server's English was so heavily accented, I had to have the boy translate some of it), but then quickly went downhill. Part of it probably had to do with the fact that we started eating at 10:07pm, (we arrived after the Margaret Cho is Beautiful Tour) which apparently means you get ignored instead of them trying to get you out at a decent hour. If a meal for 2 will yield you a decent tip, you should probably not make yor guests wait for drink refreshing if you expect to get that tip. Just a point of note. I will obviously continue to go to Legal for the food, but I hope the service isn't universally this bad. As an aside, Legal could probably use a new marketing department.
(4)
Ben K.

Legal Sea Foods offered some of the best service and worst seafood I've had in quite some time. Allow me to explain. Our server was pleasant, well-informed, and very understanding when we disliked our chowder, fish sandwich (how can you mess this up?!?), and crabcakes. All tasted like they had been frozen at some point. We had to return the crabcakes because they had this strange sourness that could not be attributed to lemon juice. The fish sandwich came on a stale roll and the fish itself was not crispy but soggy. The chowder was under-salted and too stodgy. The manager came over and touched the table to make sure everything was fine, which we really appreciated. But this place really needs a revamp in the food department.
(2)
Thomas A.

Myself and two coworkers went for lunch to this location and the best I can say is that the service was excellent. It wasn't busy, so it was a mild test. The three stars are for two of the three of us not finishing our dishes and the kitchen messing up on a request for no bacon in the wrap. I loved my crab cake, which was delicious and just the right amount of food for lunch.
(3)
JAllison M.

I liked the atmosphere and the service. I thought it was a bit expensive, but I admit that my haddock was really fabulously delicious. My partner wasn't so crazy about his scallops, but then he'd never had them before so hard to know how they compare . . .
(4)
Erin G.

Man there are some serious downer reviews for this location. I've reviewed other locations for food quality so I don't want to just duplicate efforts. Short and sweet is that I really trust the quality of the food I eat at Legals and i'm willing to pay the average $26 dinner price for it. I'm reviewing the Park Square location in particular because of the lounge and wine cellar. in a word: SPECTACULAR. The wine cellar is a private dining area that is cave like in the best possible meaning: it is all natural materials, wood, stone, glass enclosed wine cases, warm lighting and intimate tables with seating up to 30-ish. the lounge is just outside the wine cellar and it's very moody and hip and was empty the night I was there, which is a shame. The reason I was there was because of the wine education initiative this location has been offering. I went to a Red wine with Fish dinner where we sampled 10 wines and 4 courses, all lead by LSF's Master of Wine Sandy Block. He is a great font of knowledge and his excitement about wine and this program is spread throughout his entire staff. Kara Kukall, the Park Square Sommelier, hosted the event and will be hosting the future wine dinners the location hosts this spring including a spanish tapas and wine night and a dinner with the cakebread producer! This was my first time at this LSF and I'm really looking forward to returning - even just for drinks in the lounge!
(5)
Ed M.

This is one of the restaurants in Boston that I miss the most and wait all year to eat there on my vacation in July every summer, I try to eat there at least two or three times while I am back home. The fish and shellfish are to die for and I just love the mussels and oysters they so fresh and I have a nice Chardonnay to go with the meal along with their awesome buns they serve with every meal. Trust me check them out at anyone of their locations in the Boston area they are all great and I was very happy two years ago when I got stuck in Washington DC Reagan National airport and there was a Legal Seafood, I made my really long delay a delight and the fish entrees are great!
(5)
Anthony L.

food is great, 2 complaints that make me never want to come here again 1. pricey - but really what do you expect? 2. PARKING SUCKS!!!
(3)
Amy K.

Food was great...just a little pricey in the end. Appetizers: Calamari - pretty good. Get the Rhode Island style with the peppers. Tempura soft shell crab - this was pretty damn good. Kumamoto oysters - delish! Entrees: Our friends ordered the lobster roll and seafood trio. They said the lobster roll was decent and the seaweed salad was the best ever. We shared the steak and shrimp combo. The steak was super tender and flavorful...and the grilled shrimp was absolutely delicious.
(4)
Keith W.

First time in Boston, so I had to try one of the Legal Seafood restaurants. Really did not know what to expect, and in fact for some reason, in my head I was thinking it was more a traditional marketplace looking seafood restaurant, more like, say a Gladstones or a typical west coast seafood restaurant/market by the ocean. So I was a little thrown off, because it was more of a modern looking restaurant, not that it's good or bad, but just different than I expected. I had the clam chowder and the mixed wood grilled plate. To my disappointment, it was just ok... it was good, however, maybe I had built it up in my head so much, that I was expecting something better. Next up was the mixed wood grilled plate. On this particular day it consisted of the blue fish, sword fish, scallops, shrimp and tuna. The fish tasted extremely fresh and had a nice hint of smoky flavor from the wood grill. It was a nice mix of delicious seafood and would highly recommend this dish. Overall I would come again, but would probably skip the clam chowder and try something else.
(4)
Lady L.

Not impressed...everyone reccommended we dine at Legal when visiting Boston, but we were all equally unimpressed with the food. Service and atmosphere were excellent, but food was just "okay."
(3)
Eric Y.

3.5 stars from me. Hearing raves about Legals on the East coast, I expected more from this seafood specialist. I do have to say the 'chowdaa' and bisques were exceptional and the best I've had. The fish specials were also done right. Clams were served in a pail. I heard the lobster roll is another fav. We waited awhile to get seated, so we had drinks at the bar/lounge downstairs 1st. Service was great. And convienent for me since I stayed across the street at the Radisson.
(3)
Orville C.

Although I am not usually a fan of coconut shrimp and a marmalade dipping sauce, it just always seems too easy to make a home whether it is from scratch or the frozen food section of your local supermarket. Alas my girlfriend always makes me get them for us to share when we go out, and this time I was pleasantly surprised although I still don't doubt they came from the frozen food section they were quite flavorful. I ordered the Lobster Bake, which was plenty to fill me up, and was quite delicious, nothing extraordinary which need to be mentioned a well cooked lobster accompanied by tasty mussels, cherry stone clams, and a less than average sausage. We ordered a cup of clam chowder and fish chowder to share between the two of us, the clam chowder disappointed it was not nearly as thick and creamy as I had expected. Crab cakes were delicious very little filler at least 80% of it was chunky blue crab meat my favorite. Although I wish the menu would have mentioned that each crab cake was garnished with spicy brown mustard, which unfortunately took away from the amazing flavor of the crab cakes.
(3)
Jill L.

Good place for a biz lunch, though fairly loud. My favorite is the chowder. Quick service. Not the best seafood in town but, with various locations, it is easy.
(3)
Sandra G.

I went to Legal seafood on thurday night with my friends and we had a wonderful time.. Our server was nice and attentive. I wish I can go back soon and have my favorite Clam Chowder :)
(4)
Jim N.

I was directed towards Legal Seafood by locals when I inquired about a good local seafood place. I had the stereotypical New England meal of Samuel Adams, fish & chips, chowda, and Boston creme pie. It was a great meal, though I was by myself. Not the cheapest spot for sure, but I was on the boss's dime.
(4)
Jay W.

This is the place to which I compare all other seafood restaurants. I grew up deep sea fishing with my dad and got used to eating what we caught the same day. It doesn't get any more fresh - the seared ahi is consistently fantastic.
(5)
Tee W.

I've only been here a few times but it's always consistent. Crab cakes had nice huge chunks of REAL crab, lobster bisque was creamy goodness with generous portions of lobster. Had to send back the mojito...too sour, not enough sweet and no attitude from the waiter! That's always nice. Clam chowder was a little watery but still tasty. Everyone enjoyed the oysters. Bread could be a little warmer. All in all a good experience except for the busman giving us the evil eye in hopes that we'd leave quicker!
(3)
Vernon P.

It had been ages since I had seafood. Imagine that, a guy living in Japan not getting enough sea food. I had no illusions that this was an upscale pricey restaurant so be forewarned that eating here will not be fast food money. But man, what you get for your money here is really worth it if you are looking for great sea food and excellent wine choices to go with the meal. If I lived in Boston this would be a four time a month restaurant, knowing going in that it costs as much to eat there as it costs to fill up my car. The staff was very friendly and knowledgable, the menus were very descriptive and helpful in choosing the right wine for your dinner, the wine list was extensive and classy. Be forewarned, not al the wines can be had by the glass and all the wines with the daily market catch come by the bottle only. But if you are into great seafood and are nearby then you owe it to yourself to try it out.
(4)
Jennifer W.

So I used to work here....and even though I didn't like that- I did like the food. I haven't been in probably 3 years, but when I went it was fresh, delicious, and high quality. It was generally very crowded around dinner time.
(4)
Haemin L.

I'm not sure why Bostonians hate on this place so much. Yes, it has multiple locations, but it's still a family-owned restaurant, not a franchise run by any random person who thinks they know seafood. Went here for lunch and had the crab cake entree. Big lumps of crab, not overly fried. The accompanying salad was delicious - mixed greens, dried cranberries, walnuts, apple slivers with a light dressing. We also took advantage of the "6 for $6 before 6pm" raw oyster deal and got 3 of each variety. They were all delicious, but my favorite were the PEI and Cape Code variety. Clam chowder is must if you're in Boston and this place was pretty good. I have to try more places to determine whose is the best, but LSF is up there. Lastly, service at the Park Plz location was great. Our server Molly was very nice, fast, didn't mess up any orders, etc. The only peculiar thing was that she didn't seem to have a Boston accent unless she said the word - and only the word - "chowda." Hehe. That gave us a good chuckle.
(4)
Nicole E.

This location is the closest to my office and we order from here very frequently not only for the staff but for clients as well. Every single time I have dealt with them, the service has always been amazing. Everyone is always polite, friendly, and accommodating. They take very good care of us but then again, we are good tippers! The food is always delicious and prepared exactly the way I want. I ordered lunch on Tuesday this week. It was so much food that it was lunch for 2 days! I also happen to adore seafood so I think I favor them subconsciously based on that alone. The only reason I say 4 stars is because, yes, it is a chain and I wish the menu was a little more creative. That being said, anyone who goes in will not be disappointed.
(4)
Laura P.

Loved our food, great wine and great service. Would love to go back one day!!
(5)
Wesley C.

not everything is good but if oyster(the big 1s), cherry stone, steamer, cioppino is ur thing then this could be ur goto seafood place. not to mention the most $ attractive winelist anywhere!
(4)
Natasha C.

This was a must go to place according to our friends from Boston. We came up to the restaurant and waited a little while at the bar until they had our table ready. This restaurant is located on top of a very upscale mall so I was skeptical on the price of the meal. The meal was actually priced very reasonably but the quality, perhaps I just didn't order the right thing or maybe because I had AWESOME lobster the other evening that we cooked at home. The latter was hard to beat. I ordered the trout which had choices of flavoring such as a Thai red coconut curry, a butter and chive and what I chose which was the cajun spice. It came with two choices of side, I chose the jalapeno polenta and broccoli. I guess I don't really care for trout but I had to make a choice different from everyone else to have variety. It was ok, the trout was too fishy and salty but perhaps it is supposed to be like that. Anyways, wasn't too crazy about it but the polenta was tasty and the service like anywhere else I've experienced in Boston was excellent. I'll just have to come back sometime and try some of the other choices.
(3)
nicole h.

We didn't have to wait for a table. The service was good. The waitress was very nice and recommended dishes. I ordered the salmon with some kind of sauce with spinach on top. I thought the salmon was very bland. The spinach sauce was the only thing that gave it flavor. I cook salmon and mine is more flavorful than that salmon was, and I'm not a professional chef. The house salad was fresh. I didn't have any dressing with it. I also had a bowl of lobster bisque. It wasn't the best I've had. It didn't have a very creamy consistency. For person who loves dessert, they lack in the dessert choices in my opinion, especially since I don't like many chocolate dishes and there are a few on this menu. For a place that specializes in seafood, I expected better. I wouldn't go back here again.
(1)
Pixie Y.

The two stars for the manager who sat us. Two friends and I was here on a Thursday, it was busy. The front desk man was overwhelm w/ patrons. So we decided to eat at the lounge... only then to find out they don't served food, that's when the pretty lady manager said she'd help us get a table.. or she'll served us (she def didnt seem to be too thrill about that...) So now our food is here, I got swordfish, it was as dry as wood.. and $26?! You are a "Sea food" restaurant.
(2)
Shan C.

This is my third location eating at Legal, and I thought the Thai style calamari was a bit over saturated with sauce and I didnt eat it all. So I trust in Legal on waterfront and Legal in the Pru, but I wont probably return to this location. I would have guessed the level of service and food would be comparable to the other locations.
(2)
Huan z.

I love this one the best. There is a nice waterfall going from main entrance to basement seating, it's beautiful. We had some really good dish as well. My former boss treated me and my assistant there. We had some raw oyster as appetizer, it was yummy!
(3)
Brenda H.

I love Legal Seafoods. I typically frequent the location by the water over by the aquarium. Well, my girlfriend and I checked this out for dinner tonight and she was pretty excited based on all of the raves she has heard. I was so NOT impressed. First of all, I ordered a cup of the NE Clam Chowder. It wasn't even hot. The chowder lacked a bit of flavor, so not only did I add pepper, but i added hot sauce - this is on top of the bag of oyster crackers i crushed and added to the soup. I ordered the small steamed lobster which was accompanied with brocolli and a baked potato. The lobster was okay. It was steamed and it was fine, but when i went to the other location, they always offered to crack it open for me. I liked that service. I am not exactly a professional lobster cracker, so i just ate the meat in the claws and the tail. The brocolli was just steamed and not special at all, and the baked potato just came with a little ramekin of sour cream. They don't even offer any chives, cheese, or any accompaniments for the baked potato. For dessert, I got 3 scoops of ice cream. It was pretty standard. Unfortunately, I don't think I will be coming to this location again.
(3)
Will S.

Overpriced for the quality fo the food. Boston has far better seafood places. This is a high priced chain restaurant
(2)
Rosie F.

I wish there was a rating on Yelp for customer service, because the sea food dishes at Legal Sea Foods are pretty stock and nothing to write home about. Anyone who has been to Barbara's Fish Trap, Splash Cafe or Farallon can tell you that the cioppino, clam chowder, and tuna sashimi at Legal Sea Foods just won't cut it. Plus Smith & Wollensky and the Palm make a much better "chain restaurant" steak. The Palm probably makes the best surf and turf I have ever had when they have their Lobster specials. BUT, PHIL THE BARTENDER AT LEGAL SEA FOODS, WAS AWSOME, AND THAT IS WORTH WRITING ABOUT! After a six hour flight across the country, we hit up the bar counter to avoid the half hour wait for a table. I typically find the seats at the bar to be some of the best seats to eat at in most restaurants because of the bartenders. Usually there is a lot less turn over in employment with bartenders which makes them very knowledgeable about the food and drinks being served, plus they are more than willing to offer their honest critiques about the menu if you ask them. Phil, who quickly introduced himself and asked us to do the same (and actually remembered both our names) recommended a Chateau d Ampuis, Guigalg which was moderately priced (less than Opus One, more than Yellow Tail ;) and made the meal. He gave us consistent attention and told us about how he smuggled a similar bottle into the US, while flying back from Austria with his girlfriend. If you aren't expensing this meal, or if you are just eating alone, I highly recommend the bar, and look for Phil, the bartender, with the curly hair and glasses, he is fantastic. If you are expensing the meal, ask for a table downstairs next to the wine cellar, the ambience is much better than the upstairs "Cheesecake Factory" setup.
(3)
Havana F.

Food quality great, service great.. But some of there locations are difficult to get too...
(4)
Ryan C.

Legal Seafood is known for great seafood and this location is no exception. I eat lunch here from time to time over the years and the quality it absolutely outstanding. For lunch I always get the Boston Scrod, but I substitute the broccoli with garlic/oil sauce for the rice pilaf. I love to finish my lunch by dipping my bread (which is also very good) into what's left of the garlic and oil sauce. If I'm really hungry I'll also get their clam chowder as an appetizer. The quality and consistency of Legal's food is unmatched. Not only can you count on delicious seafood here, but anything on your plate should be delicious. The atmosphere is a little on the upscale and the price reflects that. But it is worth every penny.
(5)
Brady B.

No matter which location I have tried, this place is strictly for tourists who don't know any better "oooh, I hear this place is wicked good and has the best chowdah!" No, wrong on both counts. The only time that I ate at a LSFs and actually said "this is really tasty" was at the Burlington Mall (I got outnumbered by the four others I was with) when I had the Caesar salad with lobster. It did taste really good until it made me sick all night long. Speaking of which, the last time I gave this place a shot last summer was a lobster roll at the Prudential location. $20 for a decent sized roll served with fries. The lobster was really tough and it was LOADED with mayo....nasty! If you want a good lobster roll, Kelly's roast beef has one of the best I have ever had believe it or not! I've had it at least a dozen times. If you're in town and you want good seafood, go anywhere but Legals. After repeated chances that I've given it over the years, the place just plain out sucks.
(1)
Peggy F.

A gluten-free menu that includes such delights as fried calamari and fresh to-order dinner rolls. I was literally in tears when the calamari came to the table after so long of being deprived of fried foods at restaurants that can't figure out the simple ways to make good gluten-free foods. Legal foods does most of it right, although they still make their g-free clam chowder as a broth soup instead of simply substituting gluten-free all purpose flour in the regular clam chowder recipe (it even thickens BETTER) than regular wheat flour and it would make the soup available to all the customers. That's just a small criticism, though. Otherwise, it was a great experience. Our waiter was friendly and knowledgable about the menu and the area. As tourists, we found this helpful. The wine list was good and not too expensive. We enjoyed a very nice Sonoma wine with our dinner. All in all, it was an experience I wish I could repeat in San Francisco on a regular basis.
(4)
Jacob F.

I've eaten at this Legals and several others and let me tell you: BLAH. Between the daunting menu and the scripted, pedistrian decor, I'm not itching to go back anytime soon. If you are craving fish, and there's nothing else around, wait.
(2)
M S.

Great haddock in two ways. Excellent views over the roofs in the Copley Plaza shopping center. Great service and overall a great experience.
(4)
Melizza P.

I love this place. Legal's food is always consistent... always good. The seafood is always fresh. I come here at least 3 times a month. I know it may cost alot but it's worth it :-)
(5)
Aaron R.

This is my regular restaurant before going to the Wang or other theater locations. It is close to parking, big enough there is rarely a wait, and like all their locations prepares great seafood with many authentic ethnic recipes. Gluten free option as well which is rare to find. Since I love raw seafood, I feast here because I trust their focus on fresh and clean. I also love the occasional fried clams with fries. The menu is awesome in scope, the bar drinks good and although not the least expensive seafood restaurant, the quality is worth the price. My parents love it too since they went the only location was an Inman Square take out and demand to go whenever they visit me. Also, I cannot understand why people give one my favorite seafood places poor reviews. If you don't like seafood, don't review what you won't like before you even enter the door.
(4)
Julia C.

Went here the other night for the first time with my family. It was only OK. We started with oysters and the lobster bisque, which were tasty. For the entrees, the fish was cooked well, but that's about it. For how expensive this place is, I expected more "wow" from the flavor profiles. Very attentive service, though. Overall, a fine experience but awfully expensive for what you are getting in a coastal city! Wouldn't initiate plans to go here in the future, myself.
(3)
Lauren B.

This place is for confused tourists and long-term smokers who have lost their sense of smell. I can smell putrid fish blocks away from this poor excuse for a chain restaurant.
(2)
Morgan G.

This place gets a two only because our server was really nice. The food really isn't anything great. You can make a reservation at Atlantic Fish Company on Boylston and pay about the same, for much better quality, and less of a chain-restaurant setting. For paying the price we did, my family and I were disappointed with the surroundings. We were placed at a wobbly table in the dead middle of where the servers walk out from the kitchen to bring food. Having to duck every 2 minutes in between bites of food was real fun. By the way, the fried clam appetizer.. definitely NOT overflowing like they say. The food itself was honestly nothing special for what you're paying. The bar area downstairs seems SO much better. And if I, doubtfully, ever decide to go back, I'm going straight downstairs.
(2)
angela c.

I don't eat here often enough to remember how expensive it is. But holy crap. Dinner for two people was, roughly, $100 (before the tip). A little pricey for my taste, but the food wasn't bad. However, I think this goes into the "every once in a while" category. You know, like when I'm feeling a little flush and want a pretty decent meal that's of a higher caliber than Chili's.
(4)
Robert F.

Went with a friend to the new Legal on Atlantic Ave. What a diss appointment. the service was non existent. We waited almost 45 minutes after our appetizer was served. No sign of any staff. our dirty plates just sat at the table. When our stress arrived they were cold and no one came around to check. Finally went to the hostess station and expressed our dissatisfaction. They were inept at best with their head sets plugged in. Asked if I wanted to see a manager. I replied yes. He was polite but after an hour and a half there was not much he could do. sadly this location is for tourists who want to over pay for mediocrity. Maybe they have become to big. food is below average and service is worse. if you want good legal seafoods go to Burlington or Framingham , great service and seafood that made them famous.
(2)
Ryan C.

Went here for lunch/dinner on thursday, 12/10/09. Arrived here around 5pm. Place was empty. Kind of a more localized chain restaurant(think apple bees and such) that specializes in seafood. I had the burger medium rare, while my friend had one and half oysters. They had a special for lunch where they had dollar oysters, choosing from 5 different kinds; the P.E.I. , East Coast, West Coast, Maine, Kumoto(sp). Pretty good deal. They came out fresh and we were delighted, very tasty and brimy. The Kumoto's were medium to large size, and tasted good. My favorite were the P.E.I., small oysters that had a creamy texture and tasted earthly. The Maine oysters were very large, and good as well. Now the bad part. I'm very particular about my beef(steak, burgers). I know that this place is a seafood joint, but if you serve a burger on your menu, it should be decent at least. I ordered it medium rare knowing full well a restaurant like this would probably mess it up, and I expected it to be slightly overcooked from what I wanted(which would make it medium). What I got was horrendous. My first bite was like eating burnt cardboard. It was way well done. =\ It gets better, I cut into the burger to see if I should send it back. What Surprised me was I apparently ordered a burger cooked three ways. The side I bit into was well done, another side of the burger was about medium (pinkish hue in the middle), and the last side was completely uncooked in the middle(still well done on the outside). I'm talking about fresh ground chuck beef uncooked levels. I was both disgusted and disappointed. I decided not to send it back because I didnt want my burger to come back with a side of spit and loogie, and just ate the fries(which were pretty decent) and the coleslaw(pretty good). Service was weird at best. I had another waitress refill my drink, and she was the one who greeted us goodbye on our way out. My waitress however did not refill the drink, and did not greet us on the way out. Wide range of prices, my burger was 12 dollars, the oysters were One dollar each. Most entrees ranged from 10-23 dollars, apps 6-14.
(2)
Tony F.

Went there on a Friday night because the LSF from Prudential was too busy... I went right in so that was a big plus. We shared a fresh seafood platter and all was very fresh. The taste was very good (maybe a little too much water inside the crab legs) too . The service was really awesome. They actually offered to cancel the salad for us because they were afraid it would be too much food. The only thing I did not enjoy was the sprinkling water, was kinda salty.
(4)
cathy p.

My husband and I recently dined at Legal at the North shore Mall. We really enjoy that location. Legal is always consistent with their food and preparation. Though I would not consider this fine dining it is a great way to spend a relaxing evening. My one complaint at Legal, and many other restaurants is the pour of wine you receive, when you order by the glass. My husband is a martini drinker and I enjoy a glass of wine. However, at Legal they serve their wine in a glass with a fish logo on it. The wine is usually poured up to the fish, sometimes a bit below. The wines by the glass range from approx. $7.50 and up. I always end up dissatisfied with the pour of wine I receive especially when I am paying around $9.00 a glass! However I just discovered they offer half bottles which is about 2+ glasses! I ordered the J.Lohr Riverstone Chardonnay for $16.00 a great value. The best part is the wine is opened at your table so you know it is fresh and does not have the "open bottle" taste from being open for hours up at the bar area. I hope other establishments will consider offering these half bottles. It compliments the meal and you don't feel as though they intentionally "skimped" on the pour!
(4)
Michael C.

I am no expert on seafood being from land-locked Austin, Texas. That said, the crab-cake combo I had with the little cup of clam chowder was excellent, tasty, and as good as I'd expected. The atmosphere at this location was swanky, but not so swanky that I felt odd and out of place being a casual, solo diner there.
(4)

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Address : 26 Park Plz
Boston, MA, 02116
Phone (617) 426-4444
Website https://www.legalseafoods.com/restaurants/boston-park-square
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:30 am - 11

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Garage, Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Classy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

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Legal Sea Foods

26 Park Plz, Boston, MA, 02116

Legal Sea Foods Menu

Chowders & Appetizers

Salads

Salads - Add Ons

Lunch Entrees

Sandwiches & Rolls

Surf & Turf

Legal Classics

Seafood Bar

Sides

Signature Desserts

Healthy Meal suggestions for Legal Sea Foods

Chowders & Appetizers

Salads

Salads - Add Ons

Lunch Entrees

Sandwiches & Rolls

Surf & Turf

Legal Classics

Seafood Bar

Sides

Signature Desserts

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