Little Whale

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1. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   New York Area

   1 review

   vip
   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 5 days ago

   overall5food5service2ambience3

   Wished they had cocktails

   Report
2. JO

   JaimeO

   New York Area

   4 reviews

   3.0

   4 reviews

   Dined 6 days ago

   overall3food3service3ambience3

   Restaurant was cute but cramped/tiny. Service was fine. Food was fine: typical Back Bay spot that was overrated and underwhelming.

   Report
3. WO

   WilliamO

   New England

   5 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   5 reviews

   Dined on January 24, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Excellent restaurant. A little more upscale than sister restaurant “Select Oyster Bar”. Both excellent.

   Report
4. m

   maryanne

   New York Area

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on January 22, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Cozy, modern environment to enjoy incredibly fresh and well prepared seafood

   Report
5. CT

   CarolynT

   Washington DC

   5 reviews

   vip
   4.0

   5 reviews

   Dined on January 21, 2023

   overall4food4service5ambience4

   The oysters with their sauces were unique and delicious. Our server made the night!

   Report
6. JL

   JeffreyL

   New England

   6 reviews

   4.0

   6 reviews

   Dined on January 21, 2023

   overall4food3service4ambience4

   It wasn’t as good as the first time we went. The “sauce” on the broccoli I was too heavy, the dressing on the side of salad of the clam flatbread was too vinegary, and the fries with the fish sandwich were too salty.

   Report
7. JH

   JonH

   Cleveland

   5 reviews

   3.0

   5 reviews

   Dined on January 21, 2023

   overall3food4service5ambience3

   Yummy but nothing unusually amazing nor breaking new ground. It is Select which is nice but not unusual these days

   Report
8. GS

   GuillermoS

   New England

   1 review

   vip
   4.0

   1 review

   Dined on January 14, 2023

   overall4food4service5ambience5

   I wish they had dessert

   Report
9. M

   Meech

   New England

   3 reviews

   vip
   4.0

   3 reviews

   Dined on January 14, 2023

   overall4food4service5ambience5

   The seafood was incredibly fresh! Service was excellent. The only critique is I would have liked a little more acid or heat on the tuna and salmon Crudo. Food was delicious nonetheless.

   Report
10. JC

    JerryC

    New England

    11 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on January 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Food was fresh and prepared perfectly. The waitstaff was welcoming and helpful.

    Report
11. HT

    HungryTiger

    Atlanta

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 7, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience2

    On the positive side, the fish is excellent, and the wines are well chosen. On the negative, management has bit of attitude: There is a $50 reservation cancellation fee, and what does a reservation get you? A seat at the crowded bar. Prices are high, and the 20% automatic service charge on top stings. Luckily, the service was friendly and efficient. Overall, a good meal, but with less than ideal conditions and value.

    Report
12. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 6, 2023

    overall3food2service5ambience5

    Having dined at Select I

    Report
13. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New England

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 31, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great service, amazing food. I would go back again for a special occasion. 10/10, thank you for an amazing evening, Little Whale!

    Report
14. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New England

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 30, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    LOVED IT HERE! I’ll be back here very soon.

    Report
15. M

    Martine

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 29, 2022

    overall4food5service4ambience4

    Amazing food. Ceviche, oysters, clam chowder, everything was simply excellent. Highly recommend

    Report
16. SA

    ScottA

    New England

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 27, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    OUTSTANING RESTAURANT AND AMAZING SERVICE COUPLED WITH SPECTACULAR FOOD = AMAZING EXPERIENCE!!!!! :)

    Report
17. a

    anitak

    New England

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 27, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great food and beautiful restaurant aesthetics. I would definitely go back to explore more of the menu!

    Report
18. OM

    OlaM

    New England

    29 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    29 reviews

    Dined on December 26, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience4

    Very nice dinner in intimate settings. Great service

    Report
19. A

    Anonymous

    New England

    303 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    303 reviews

    Dined on December 23, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    I’ve been to Little Whale a ton, but only just had the fish sandwich for the first time. WOW! It really knocked my socks off. My friend and I both got it and loved it. It’s also enormous and picture perfect. Definitely get it! The staff were attentive and wonderful as always.

    Report
20. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New England

    3 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 23, 2022

    overall2food2service2ambience4

    Beautiful small space but honestly just a poor copy of Select (strange since it’s the same owner). Bluefish was fantastic and oysters were great but aside from this very average. Service was average. Select (literally around the corner) is, by contrast, wonderful. Almost exact same menu but better.

    Report
21. p

    paiger

    New England

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 22, 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience5

    Amazing seafood in a modern environment! Everything on the menu was delicious. The space is small, but ample and bright.

    Report
22. M

    Mell

    New York Area

    63 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    63 reviews

    Dined on December 22, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We had a fabulous meal the other night. This is definitely a new neighborhood gem.

    Report
23. L

    Lecker

    New England

    6 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on December 21, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    I was irritated that I had to pay a flat 20% device charge. Drinking a good bottle of wine is not so much fun and alcoholic drinks shouldn't be 20% nor the tax.

    Report
24. EH

    EricH

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 18, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We were staying above the restaurant while visiting Boston, and after smelling the food for 2 days, we had to try the restaurant. This was the best meal and best experience we had during our trip. Service was impeccable (thank you, Candace!), and the food was beyond amazing. We had the clam chowder & mussels to start, and topped it off with a cold lobster roll and lobster spaghetti. Words can’t describe how delicious it all was. Best meal in Boston!

    Report
25. DG

    DonnaG

    Tampa

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 16, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    FYI...be sure to specify you want a table when reserving online. If not they will seat you at the bar. They did accommodate us and gave us a table when we asked upon arrival.

    Report
26. R

    Raven

    New England

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 16, 2022

    overall4food5service5ambience4

    Great spot especially if you're entertaining someone who wants food that's specific to Boston. The downstairs seemed on the noisy side but upstairs was more quiet. Overall I gave it 4 stars because Newbury street prices are worse than Manhattan which seems unacceptable, but at least the food isn't mediocre like the rest of overpriced Newbury st restaurants. Maybe I'm just not in the right income bracket to go there but $20 for a chardonnay seemed high. The seafood definitely trumps Legal Seafood in preparation and is similar or better in quality level. The fries are the best in town too IMO. I'd say the best thing we got was the Salmon crudo. Definitely try the small plates.

    Report
27. T

    Timothy

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 13, 2022

    overall4food5service5ambience4

    Great spot, small plates are much better than the entrees.

    Report
28. N

    Nanski

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 11, 2022

    overall3food2service2ambience2

    Orders were incorrect…horrible music totally non-conducive to dining . The wait help do not speak English well and consequently gets everything wrong. My 4th visit and my last…

    Report
29. s

    sarkster

    Toronto

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on December 11, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Love this place. Great small gem in heart of Back Bay… and the oysters … yummy

    Report
30. A

    Anonymous

    New England

    303 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    303 reviews

    Dined on December 10, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    I go to Little Whale often, and it is always a fantastic time. The staff are the nicest people imaginable, the food is the very best expression of New England seafood, and the wines by the glass are excellent. Consistent excellence is why I spent a lot of my time (and my dining & entertainment budget!) at Serpa’s restos. You can trust when you make a res that it’s going to be great.

    Report
31. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New England

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 9, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Awesome spot - what a great meal.

    Report
32. AD

    AmyD

    New England

    4 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on December 7, 2022

    overall4food5service5ambience4

    We were seated at the bar and did not know that when making the reservation and the bar stools have no backs.

    Report
33. MS

    MarcS

    New England

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 7, 2022

    overall4food5service5ambience2

    I sat at the top of the circular stairs at a table for 3 that should have been a table for two. It was not comfortable. Halibut and Swordfish were delicious and the server was very good. No coffee or dessert. Here's your hat, what's the hurry

    Report
34. VS

    VivianS

    New England

    31 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    31 reviews

    Dined on December 7, 2022

    overall3food3service5ambience3

    Overall, the food was average to above average, not quite fitting with the price and hype. The oysters were as expected. The littleneck clams in green chili sauce were not that fresh but the sauce was good. The clam flatbread was underwhelming and more doughy than expected. The lobster spaghetti was tasty with a good amount of lobster meat. The best dish was the broccolini. We had booked well in advance but were seated at the bar, because we were a party of two. I noticed other parties of two seated at tables and enquired, and we did end up at a table. The space is tiny with no sound absorption surfaces, so expect loud background noise. The staff are lovely, especially those serving upstairs.

    Report
35. RB

    RobertB

    New England

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on December 4, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Our waiter was terrific and very attentive. The oysters were fresh, and the main meal was perfect with just the right amount of flavor. Perfect

    Report
36. S

    Sarah

    New England

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 3, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We arrived for lunch just after opening and enjoyed the most incredible experience with our infant daughter. The staff was knowledgeable and attentive. Outings are rare with a baby, so we were elated that Little Whale made our visit feel like a truly special experience. We enjoyed fresh oysters and a variety of small plates including broccolini with anchovies, seafood stew, and the Maine mussels. Our wine pairings were also a delight!

    Report
37. K

    Kellys

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 3, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great dining experience. Highly recommend.

    Report
38. JL

    JeffreyL

    New England

    7 reviews

    4.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on November 30, 2022

    overall4food4service3ambience3

    The food was very good. It’s a bit expensive-$350 for three people for dinner, including mandatory 20% gratuity. Our server could have been better. It’s a small place. The upstairs is reached by a spiral staircase-not the best for people with limited mobility. The hostess had loud music on by the front door, but it wasn’t too loud upstairs. Our main complaint is that they don’t offer coffee or dessert. We got the impression that they wanted to turn the tables as quickly as possible; necessary, I guess, to pay the high rent on Newbury St.

    Report
39. C

    Cupid

    New England

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 29, 2022

    overall4food3service3ambience3

    l reserved a table for two but they could only offer us bar stools which are very uncomfortable for old people like us, and couldn't order what we wanted to order because of the space problem.

    Report
40. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New England

    5 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on November 26, 2022

    overall3food3service5ambience3

    Seating and service personnel very good and welcoming. No cocktails and offered, only wine. Mussels and bread were A+. Lobster roll grossly overcooked/rubbery and was over priced as well. The coup de grace was a ridiculously inflated bill as they gave no choice of tip and mandatory 20% then mail t to injury, a bogus additional 3% for “operations fee”. Will not go back ever to any of this companies three locations. Buyer beware.

    Report