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The Banks Fish House, Boston, MA

The Banks Fish House

4.5
4.5
943 Reviews
$31 to $50
Seafood
A joint venture from restauranteur Chris Himmel and Executive Chef/Partner Robert Sisca, The Banks is a revival of the New England fish house inspired by generations of Atlantic fishermen who have found their destiny in these rich and treacherous fishing grounds, inspiring New England-style seafood along the way. At The Banks we pay homage to their history, and our fish house is a celebration of their life’s work and the camaraderie of their lives at sea.

Located on the corner of Clarendon and Stuart Streets, The Banks is within walking distance of the South End and Back Bay neighborhoods, including just a short distance from Boston's famous Copley Square.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 59 times today
Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Cuisines
    Seafood, Cocktail Bar, American
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–2:30 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30 am–3:00 pm Midday Lunch Mon–Fri 3:00 pm–5:00 pm Sat, Sun 2:30 pm–5:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu 5:00 pm–9:30 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (617) 399-0015
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive chef
    Robert Sisca
  • Private party facilities
    The Banks is a revival of the New England fish house. We pay homage to the fishing traditions of the New England fishermen and those who have honed their craft on the east coast waters for generations. We offer two fully private dining spaces and two semi-private spaces. The Banks is also available for full buyouts.
  • Private party contact
    Dean Cogswell: (617) 896-1060
  • Neighborhood
    Back Bay
  • Cross street
    Clarendon Street + Stuart Street
  • Parking details
    There is a valeted garage in the Clarendon Building below the restaurant at an hourly rate, validated at the minimum rate after 5:00. There is also limited street parking available.
  • Public transit
    Back Bay Train Station, Orange Line or Copley T stop on the Green Line.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • Sazerac Bourbon Dinner

    $145.00 per person

    Prepaid

    Nov 8, 2023 only
    We’re teaming up with your favorite bourbon distilleries for a can’t miss whiskey dinner. Join us to indulge in some of the finest bourbons from Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare, Blanton’s, and W.L. Weller, expertly complemented by a dinner from esteemed Chef Robert Sisca. Ticket holders will be treated to a welcome reception, followed by a four-course tasting menu paired with a selection of highly coveted pours including W.L. Weller Full Proof. Menu: Pocomo Meadow Oyster Espresso Martini Grilled Spanish Octopus Buffalo Trace Bourbon & Eagle Rare 10 Year Bourbon Crescent Farms Duck Breast or 8 ounce Ribeye Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon & EH Taylor Small Batch Bourbon Vanilla Bean Crème Brulee Weller Full Proof Bourbon
    Sazerac Bourbon Dinner Photo

What 943 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5
4.5 based on recent ratings
  • 4.4Food
  • 4.4Service
  • 4.4Ambience
  • 3.9Value

NoiseModerate

943 Reviews
  1. DianeK

    Greater Boston

    16 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was excellent and service was very good and friendly.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Foodie

    New York Area

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Jeremy was terrific. He was our waiter and so attentive to make sure we were pleased with our selections. The Hirassa crudo was fantastic!! Very original menus with staples as well. Wonderful evening made very special by our waiter Jeremy.

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  3. ArtISec8

    Philadelphia

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great experience! Delicious food and excellent service.

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  4. RobertN

    Greater Boston

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall2food3service3ambience5
    I had high expectations, but it was just okay. The amount of food for the price you pay is not good. While the Squid Ink Tortellini was tasty, it cost $34 and was an appetizer size at best.

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  5. OpenTable Diner

    Mexico City

    23 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    23 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food4service5ambience3
    Great lobster roll! Just be aware of the time cause in the afternoon they only have the bar menu available which was just ok

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  6. Figgy

    Greater Boston

    16 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on September 12, 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience4
    Ordered a b bunch of appetizers - three out of five were good. The other two were horrible. The scallop crudo was on some kind of mess of something stale/inedible that resembled a Funion and there was a piepce of very large paper in the octopus dish (probably a wrapper for one of the ingredients). Really bad.  I've been here many times, and this was by far the worst one.

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  7. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was great, service was amazing. Our waiter, Joseph, made it a fantastic dining experience and overall enjoyable evening.

    Is this helpful?

  8. ThomasM

    Greater Boston

    20 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    20 reviews

    Dined on September 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    A very nice table with a sunset view --and that is magic in Back Bay!

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  9. VisitingNYer

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 12, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience3
    I expect to get great NE Clam Chowder in Boston, and this wasn't. Not warn enough, miniscle amount and pieces of clam, and uniform tiny cubed potatoes...which makes me think this is just 5gal commercial-bucket of Campbell's soup product. Entrees were fine, and location is good, so I would recommend overall.

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  10. OpenTable Diner

    Greater Boston

    1 review

    vip
    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 9, 2023

    overall2food3service1ambience4
    Drink was HALF the size of a normal drink (charge me whatever, but give me a full drink), the octopus was “spit it out” bad and the service was awful. Waiter was very nice, but really took waaay too long with almost everything. Dropped dessert menus, but didn’t come back to see if we wanted dessert. We didn’t, we wanted the check which I had to get up and walk over to him to ask for.

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  11. KingofSwampCastle

    Greater Boston

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fried calamari was excellent -- the zucchini was a nice added touch to this dish. Highly recommend the crab cake - delicious! The tuna tartar was very good but a bit small and way outnumbered by terra chips. Ora salmon was perfectly cooked as were the seared scallops. Highly recommend both these dishes. The staff was friendly and attentive all evening.

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  12. Ben92

    Greater Boston

    10 reviews

    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on September 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was great, varied menu, attentive staff. Definitely a return destination

    Is this helpful?

  13. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 8, 2023

    overall5food3service4ambience3
    Very average place and corporate feel. Likely would not go out of my way to come back.

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  14. PatriciaCR

    Greater Boston

    5 reviews

    2.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on September 8, 2023

    overall2food2service3ambience3
    Lunch menu so poor Clam chowder so salty Service so slow

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  15. LisaJ

    Greater Boston

    12 reviews

    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on September 7, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Great atmosphere and food. Knowledgeable about Gluten free needs and a great mai tai!

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  16. EzMike

    Philadelphia

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 2, 2023

    overall2food2service3ambience2
    Over priced for the quality/ and quantity of food, e.g., $4 per local oyster and $40 for a lobster roll. Only a few belly clams over a ton of fries was also a rip off.

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  17. SaltandPepper

    Greater Boston

    74 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    74 reviews

    Dined on September 1, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    The chilled crab cake was superb, one of the best appetizers ever. The fisherman's platter was delicious--everything was cooked perfectly and it included two generous pieces of right-from-the-ocean fresh cod, although the non-traditional tarter sauce was not a winner. The big loser was the $38 Wagu beef tartare appetizer, served on a potato cake, and topped with oyster cream, caviar and so much truffle oil that you could not taste the other ingredients. I am a big fan of steak tartare but this was so rich it was inedible.

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  18. RanMad

    New York Area

    14 reviews

    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on August 31, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent service Good wine list and sommelier Food was good Ambience

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  19. Heidi

    Greater Boston

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 29, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Johan was an attentive and courteous server. The food was fantastic, would definitely go back!

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  20. Scoop

    Greater Boston

    76 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    76 reviews

    Dined on August 19, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience3
    This was our 4th visit here over the last 12 months. Two of us this time. Disappointed this time. I had the Branzino and my wife had the scallops. We started with shrimp cocktail and then the garden salad, both excellent. The Scallops were very good. The Branzino was not prepared as described, however it was very good. It only came with one thin dried up stalk of asparagus. It was more of a garnish. Sorbet for dessert, tasteless. Sugary sweet. This was our second time being seated on the second floor towards the corner close to where the staff is going in and out. Sitting in the main dining room, 2nd floor is best. Good wine choices. My Vodka martini had to be returned and redone, I had asked for “No vermouth “ Overall service was not great.

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  21. DanW

    Greater Boston

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Dined here for Restaurant Week on Sat night and thoroughly enjoyed it. Incredible value for $45/pp. We will definitely be back.

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  22. Jenny

    Greater Boston

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 19, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Really nice decor and what looks like a real fireplace! Good mahi mahi tacos and pasta but slightly small portions.

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  23. Foodie62

    Phoenix

    20 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    20 reviews

    Dined on August 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Service was out standing! Food delicious! Only negative very loud! I definitely would recommend the restaurant!

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  24. BLovesFood

    Greater Boston

    23 reviews

    5.0

    23 reviews

    Dined on August 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great all around! The Banks was a bucket list spot. The Dine Out/Restaurant Week menu pressed me to make it happen. Fresh sea bass crudo and a delicious pasta dish with a little kick made me really appreciate the chefs and establishment. The IPA and beer selection is important to me and did not disappoint with the Lunch IPA and Hop Hop and Away session. The service was spectacular and the servers were attentive and charming!

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  25. SophiaR

    Greater Boston

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on August 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    we got a variety of starters and it was delicious! The foie gras and the salmon curd were incredible

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  26. JamieO

    Greater Boston

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 17, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Amazing service, some of the best I've experienced in a long time!! Food was very good. Cool vibe overall. Would dine there again.

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  27. Stephanie

    Greater Boston

    19 reviews

    5.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on August 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Very nice lunch. Service was good and the food was delicious. The only thing we did see was one of the servers was using his bare hands to fill up the bread basket. He didn’t use utensils.

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  28. Austinite

    Austin

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent experience for a large group, would absolutely return. Sat us immediately with our reservation. Servers were very helpful and efficient. Great food selections and everything tasted fresh. It was lovely all the way around.

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  29. ChenC

    Greater Boston

    7 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on August 14, 2023

    overall3food4service2ambience2
    Overall, the Banks Fish House was an adequate experience. I was a bit surprised by how loud the environment was when I initially entered. They were playing rock music, which was unexpected. We did have a nice host who guided us to our table. Our server, however, was not as pleasant. He appeared to be aloof when taking our order and checking in with us, as well as lacking attention when placing silverware and refilling our water. The food was pretty decent, though a bit pricey for the quality. We dined during "Dine Out Boston". A party wanted to get the dessert to go, but he said they do not have the containers available. So I'm not sure if I would return again, but it was good to experience once.

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  30. MROB

    Greater Boston

    142 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    142 reviews

    Dined on August 13, 2023

    overall4food4service3ambience4
    Very high quality and broad seafood menu (with a few excellent beef additions as well). Service is very good as both waiters and bartenders are professional and trained.

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  31. SarahH

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a wonderful dinner at The Banks on our first day in Boston. All of the seafood was fresh and tasted delicious and the service was great. Our server, Langston, was fantastic and went above and beyond to make sure we had a great experience.

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  32. Robert

    Greater Boston

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 12, 2023

    overall4food2service5ambience5
    I was very disappointed. My fried fish dinner was very soggy and the condiments were too over spiced. The bar/waiter was very pleasant, he was not the preparer of the food.

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  33. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    13 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on August 10, 2023

    overall4food5service3ambience4
    Food was good but overpriced. Service was mediocre. Our waitress forgot about us and didn’t check in on us often. For what we were paying, I expected much better service.

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  34. OpenTable Diner

    Charlotte

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on August 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Our server (Chloe?) was wonderful. Food was excellent.

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  35. DougC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    If you are positioned well in the bar, you get a great view of Trinity Church, which is a Boston architectural landmark.

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  36. AmyC

    Dallas

    4 reviews

    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on August 5, 2023

    overall3food2service5ambience4
    Service was very good - ambiance was nice. Food was disappointing. Raw oysters were OK as a starter. We also had the Acadian Greens - the portion big enough to split. I had the branzino (overcooked and not a lot of taste even with green garlic/rhubarb). The artichoke side was extremely greasy - like it had been deep fried and sat out for too long. Same with the mushroom side dish. My husband and I love mushrooms but would not recommend these. I could have squeezed oil out of them with my fingers. My husband had the scallops which were cooked well. Decided to skip dessert. Don’t mind paying for good food but this left us with buyers remorse. We wish we wouldn’t have spent the 200+ tip for that meal. Not worth it.

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  37. ReidW

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 4, 2023

    overall3food4service2ambience5
    Server was too aggressive with the upsells. Very irritating. Otherwise enjoyable!

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  38. Anonymous

    Greater Boston

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great overall experience, including top-notch service

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  39. OpenTable Diner

    Baltimore

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 30, 2023

    overall1food1service3ambience3
    Service felt rushed. Branzino was full of bones. Fried shrimp was burnt. Expected better from the inflated prices of a downtown Boston restaurant. Would have had a much better meal at Faneuil Hall.

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  40. John

    Greater Boston

    36 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    36 reviews

    Dined on July 30, 2023

    overall3food3service5ambience5
    I had lobster Benedict, which was very good. My wife had a chopped salad with shrimp. She described it as a “joke”. The shrimp were good. But the salad was essentially iceberg lettuce and a minuscule amount of bacon. She was very disappointed. We ate at the bar and the bartender - Duncan - was very good and efficient.

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Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers

FAQs

The Banks Fish House offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (617) 399-0015.

The Banks Fish House is rated 4.5 stars by 943 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 59 times today
Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for The Banks Fish House

406 Stuart Street, Boston, MA 02116

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Clarendon Street + Stuart Street
  • Neighborhood
    Back Bay
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–2:30 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30 am–3:00 pm Midday Lunch Mon–Fri 3:00 pm–5:00 pm Sat, Sun 2:30 pm–5:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu 5:00 pm–9:30 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Cuisines
    Seafood, Cocktail Bar, American
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    There is a valeted garage in the Clarendon Building below the restaurant at an hourly rate, validated at the minimum rate after 5:00. There is also limited street parking available.
  • Public transit
    Back Bay Train Station, Orange Line or Copley T stop on the Green Line.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Robert Sisca
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (617) 399-0015
  • Private party facilities
    The Banks is a revival of the New England fish house. We pay homage to the fishing traditions of the New England fishermen and those who have honed their craft on the east coast waters for generations. We offer two fully private dining spaces and two semi-private spaces. The Banks is also available for full buyouts.
  • Private party contact
    Dean Cogswell: (617) 896-1060
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