Arnold's Lobster & Clam Bar
Just as hot dogs are a Fenway favorite, it would be silly to skip clams on Cape Cod. And among the dozens of small shacks, Arnold's remains a standout. This quality-conscious spot now has a dining room and screened-in patio—as well as lengthy lines (it's worth the wait, though). Prepare to get messy while scarfing Wellfleet oysters, lobster rolls, and, of course, the famous Arnold's fried clams. 3580 State Hwy. (Rte. 6), Eastham, MA arnoldsrestaurant.com.
Turner's Seafood
Don't let the corporate, almost chainlike interior keep you away: This spot's the real deal. Slurp fresh, cold oysters at the rowdy raw bar, or sit down at a table and dip into Turner's expansive menu. The fried platters come out heaping and hot, and the lobster rolls—the true measure of any seafood shack—come stuffed with sweet claw-meat chunks and only the lightest swipe of mayo. 506 Main St., Melrose, MA 2176, turners-seafood.com.
The Bite
If the location in Menemsha's western cove feels a bit desolate, rest assured: The Bite's bright blue picnic tables will beckon like a desert oasis. You'll quickly find yourself tearing through brown paper bags turned translucent with grease to get at overflowing cartons of oysters, clams, zucchini, and shrimp delicately fried to a flavorful crisp. Grab a cup of the creamy quahog chowder to complete what might be the quintessential summer meal. 29 Basin Rd., Chilmark, MA 2535, thebitemenemsha.com.
Izakaya Ittoku
Photograph by Toan Trinh At an authentic Japanese izakaya, the food is meant to serve as a supporting role to the endless flow of sake. But at this Brighton hangout, the infinitely snackable dishes—flame-licked yakitori-style skewered meats, crisp fried oysters, the noodle omelet hybrid known as omusoba—are just as much of a draw. Maximize your experience of the massive menu (and the hefty platters of pan-fried pork and kimchi) by indulging with friends. 1414 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 2135, .
Rialto
It’s hardly a secret that Jody Adams’s Cambridge institution has mastered high-end Italian fare. But the strength of the vast, separate bar menu—with bites like duck-pâté bruschetta and pan-roasted broccoli, and larger plates like rigatoni Bolognese—might be the biggest secret in Harvard Square. Swing by on Mondays between 5:30 and 7 p.m., when oysters are a buck a shuck. One Bennett St., Cambridge, MA 2138, rialto- restaurant.com.
SALT Kitchen & Rum Bar
Ipswich may be best known for its clams, but this recently opened gastropub celebrates other local exports—namely, rum (the North Shore’s own Privateer and Folly Cove); beer (Ipswich Oatmeal Stout); and salt (we loved the smoked cherrywood version that came sprinkled atop olive oil). The rustic-cozy dining room brings in hordes of neighborhood types, who come for the grilled oysters, the fish and chips, and, of course, the quirky rum-based cocktails every day of the week. One Market St., Ipswich, MA 1938, saltkitchenandrumbar.com.
9Tailors
Man in suit photo by Nicole Loeb No need to hop over the big pond for a bespoke Savile Row suit when you have this Boston-based gem. Founded by fashion industry veteran Jeff Lahens, 9Tailors specializes in custom suiting in all manner of styles, from slim fit to classic. Hankering for a pair of lime-green high-waisted pants? Got that. Wide legged trousers? Count on it. You can also create your own cashmere kimono-style sweater, paisley-lined blazer, or meticulously fitted cobalt dress shirt. The world is your oyster, mate. 132 Lincoln St., Boston , MA 02111, 9tailors.com.
The Nautilus
Georgie Morley What happens when you combine fresh local seafood with Asian flavors in a traditional Mexican dish? This isn’t a riddle; it’s Nautilus’s mouthwatering nori-wrap tacos filled with tempura-fried local oysters. The meal is just one of many gems on a menu full of East-meets-West mash-ups, including steamed Berkshire pork–belly buns — it’s the sweet-and-savory coffee mayo for us — Peking-inspired whole duck, and a blue-crab fried rice that’s what island dining dreams are made of. 12 Cambridge St., Nantucket, MA 02554, thenautilus.com.
The Catered Affair
This culinary juggernaut is the in-house caterer for a slew of the city’s high-end venues, including the Boston Public Library, Harvard Art Museums, and the Boston Athenaeum (where it also runs a brand-new café open to the public). Which begs the question: If they trust the Catered Affair to handle their cuisine, shouldn’t you? The answer: Yes, you absolutely should. With the goal of creating unforgettable dining experiences, the team here can curate a personalized menu for your big day — think king-crab tostadas and broiled oysters with sea urchin and black lime — that looks as good as it tastes. thecateredaffair.com.
Russell Morin Catering & Events
With an emphasis on local, seasonal ingredients — and the know-how to pull off every part of your meal, from cocktail hour to dessert — Russell Morin Catering & Events excels in making your guests feel like they’re at a high-end farm-totable restaurant. Sip orange-pomegranate Old Fashioneds and slurp oysters from the raw bar before sitting down to seared scallops with champagne-infused beurre blanc. The best part? The do-it-all caterer prepares its cuisine on-site, so you can rest easy knowing whatever you serve will be hot and fresh. morins.com.
The Pheasant
Scallops at the Pheasant. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal Does food taste better in an old red barn? If it’s served by husband-and-wife team Adam and Erica Dunn, the answer is a definitive yes. The Cape-sourced, shareable menu here changes with the seasons, but expect artfully plated dishes like scallop ceviche and oysters with lemon-seaweed mignonette served with a side of five-star hospitality at this hidden gem, which reopened in 2018 under new ownership. And don’t forget to check out the “living wine list” — the small wine shop in the dining room — for a bottle of natural vino to enjoy at your table or back at home. 905 Route 6A, Dennis, MA 02638, pheasantcapecod.com.
Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club
Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club While it’s hard to unwind these days, this luxe resort is making it a little easier to get some much-needed R & R. Extra pre- cautions—including contactless golf-cart pickup, grocery-delivery service, and reduced capacity at pools and at Ocean Edge’s private beach—provide peace of mind, while new private experiences such as beach yoga and oyster tours make it easy to practice social distancing while giving the kiddos an unforgettable adven- ture. So go ahead, book that luxurious mansion suite. Boozy mudslides delivered straight to your beach chair await. 2907 Main St., Brewster, MA 02631, oceanedge.com.
Row 34
The recent shuttering of seafood landmark Island Creek Oyster Bar has made us even more protective of chef Jeremy Sewall’s legendary lobster roll, which lives on (thank heavens!) at his Row 34. There we find heaping portions of sweet and tender meat, caught by Sewall’s cousin, a Maine lobsterman. It’s served tossed in warm butter and sprinkled with sea salt, or mixed with cool mayo, cr&_egrave;me fra&_icirc;che, and pickles for “Ethel’s Lobster Roll,” named for Sewall’s grandmother — a family recipe for lasting success if there ever was one. Multiple locations, row34.com.
Brine
With a stunning Carrara-marble bar along one wall and exposed wood beams and brick all around, this sleek Newburyport spot from the team behind nearby Ceia manages to be both a local hangout and a destination. Chef Justin Shoults's extravagant menu focuses on both land and sea—delicate sea-scallop ceviche with caviar, lime, and grapefruit; prime cuts of beef (the 16-ounce rib-eye is only for the brave…and hungry); and caviar service. Then again, if all you want to do is sit at the bar with a pint, a few pristine oysters, and a steaming bowl of pork-belly-studded clam chowder, that's just fine, too. 25 State St., Newburyport, MA 01950, brineoyster.com.
Row 34
This Fort Point spot from the Island Creek Oyster Bar team is as much a serious beer bar as it is a seafood mecca. Maybe that’s why cult-followed breweries seem to celebrate special occasions here—think only-at-Row drafts from Bissell Brothers, Dieu du Ciel, and Upland Brewing. Beer director Suzanne Hays has saved deep cuts, such as cellared bottles from the dearly departed Pretty Things Beer & Ale Project, for past Sunday specials, but any day, it’s the best place for a rotating selection of fresh hops and food-friendly sours. 383 Congress St., Boston, MA 02210, row34.com.