Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to Main Content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Boston / New England
  4. Boston
  5. Back Bay
Little Whale, Boston, MA

Little Whale

4.7
4.7
432 Reviews
$50 and over
Seafood
Little Whale Oyster Bar is a Classic New England Seafood Restaurant and Raw Bar from Chef Michael Serpa on Newbury Street in Boston's Back Bay. An ode to the seaside clamshacks are raw bars of the New England coast, Little Whale is a casual neighborhood spot focusing on local products and seafood friendly wines.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 36 times today

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Cuisines

    Seafood, Contemporary American, Wine Bar

  • Hours of operation

    Mon–Thu, Sun 11:30 am–9:30 pm Fri, Sat 11:30 am–10:30 pm

  • Phone number

    (857) 277-0800

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Owned/operated by

    Latinx or Hispanic

  • Executive chef

    Reggie Da Silva

  • Private party facilities

    Please contact matt@grandtourboston.com for event inquiries.

  • Neighborhood

    Back Bay

  • Cross street

    Newbury Street and Hereford Street

  • Parking details

    Meter Parking 2hr. Prudential Center Lot. Dalton Street Lot. Closest Valet at Mandarin Oriental on Boylston Street.

  • Public transit

    Green Line Hynes Convention CenterOrange Line Back Bay

  • Additional

    Beer, Counter Seating, Gluten-free Options, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Vegan, Wine

Popular dishes

What 432 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4Value

NoiseModerate

Sort by

Filters

  1. Pete

    New York Area

    14 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent seafood dinner. Got the Newbury appetizer platter which was incredible and could have been the entire meal for my wife and me. The entrees were equally terrific. Would recommend this to lovers of seafood without reservation.
  2. LauraL

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Little Whale has become one of my local favorites. The oyster selection is fantastic, fresh, and delicious. The wine perfectly compliments the food. And everything on the menu is amazing! Can't wait for our next meal here :)
  3. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food4service5ambience4
    Bartender (our server went above and beyond Saturday 18th).
  4. FoodieMom

    Denver

    15 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Just had small plates and appetizers. Delicious and surprisingly filling. Mussels and hamachi were amazing.
  5. Rhon

    New England

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on March 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Really sweet and helpful waitress. The cauliflower, blue fish paté & muscles were amazing as well as the halibut & swordfish! Excellent, clean meal. Can't wait to go back!!
  6. OpenTable Diner

    New England

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had the cutest lunch date here! The food was excellent and the staff were all very friendly and helpful. Can’t wait to go back!
  7. DavidG

    New York Area

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on March 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was excellent. Place was great. Lobster roll one of the best we have had.
  8. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    A lovely dinner. Food was excellent, service was very good. Our table was perfect. Will absolutely be back for more!
  9. Harry

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    A quaint restaurant right on Newbury Street. Excellent food and great service!
  10. LizD

    New England

    69 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    69 reviews

    Dined on March 9, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Very good. Sat at the bar and had 3 courses. Lovely oysters and crudo, brocollini, bluefish spread and entrees of swordfish and another fish. Very nice and knowledgeable staff.
  11. GeorgeG

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great place for oysters and drinks! I will be back!
  12. Binky1979

    New England

    45 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    45 reviews

    Dined on March 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent dinner! He had the mussels and I had the tuna crudo as appetizers. Both were scrumptious. For our main meals he had the halibut and I had the warm lobster roll. Both were delicious. Excellent service. We will be back!
  13. JoanB

    New England

    13 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on February 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great menu with lots of options, outstanding oysters
  14. OpenTable Diner

    New England

    4 reviews

    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on February 25, 2023

    overall3food2service2ambience4
    Server not friendly. Fish and chips lacked taste. Steak undercooked and chewy. Crab cake was yummy.
  15. Metoo00000

    New England

    14 reviews

    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on February 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fantastic food and ambiance!
  16. JohnKacik

    Denver

    60 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    60 reviews

    Dined on February 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent oysters! The fish sandwich and lobster roll were tasty served with yummy fries.
  17. Neveragain

    New England

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    I believe Little Whale was the best meal I have eaten in Boston and suburbs in the last 5 years. Every dish was memorable, and made to perfection. It felt healthy, and left me wanting to make mor reservations and introduce it to my friends. Fabulous
  18. Mike59

    New England

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on February 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Little Whale is one of our favorite Boston restaurants and this was one of our best meals anywhere over the last few years
  19. Dave

    New England

    60 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    60 reviews

    Dined on February 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Outstanding recreation from Michael Serpa. And love the option at that end of Newbury ... I was familiar with Select Oyster - but, I am now living in NH - so just getting to this one! A good friend and I shared "The Newbury", which was a perfect way to taste a blend of options. Two half pours of bubbly was a great side - and be impressed by how many wine choices worked with the menu. We both found Kandance to be knowledgeable, accommodating and sincerely personable. Cannot wait to return!! (To our right, we also got good reviews for the lobster spaghetti and to our left 2 thumbs up for the steak frites.)
  20. JamesG

    Hamburg

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on February 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    New favorite restaurant in Boston. Literally everything we’ve tried has been good to great. Hamachi crudo, fried clams, sautéed clams, sautéed mussels, broccolini, clam flatbread, halibut…. Everyyyyyything is good and different from one another. A+
  21. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    24 reviews

    5.0

    24 reviews

    Dined on February 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This is one of the best meals I have had I a while - got the plateau sampler and everything was delicious - more than I exited and perfectly seasoned. Also got broccolini…so great - only downside, no dessert, no coffee and no full bar!
  22. ThalitaA

    Orlando

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on February 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing food and service!
  23. VaibhavN

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great experience overall. Probably priced about 25-30% higher for what we would expect to pay for the dishes.
  24. OpenTable Diner

    New England

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 11, 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience5
    This place could be great. Most of our food was phenomenal, but the swordfish was overcooked (so disappointing) and ceviche was swimming in broth. They ran out of the wine we were drinking, which normally wouldn’t bother me but they don’t have a full bar - at least stock your white wine! Finally, they don’t serve dessert and just abruptly bring the check. Would come back for crudo, oysters, and beet salad only.
  25. ApostolosD

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Raw bar, and clamps fantastic. Mussels sauce with too much cream. Wine list very good. Bar ambience great.
  26. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I loved my meal here. The vegetable sides were amazing. The oysters and branzino were delicious. They were even able to accommodate my dairy allergy. My wife and I are already planning to go back.
  27. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 29, 2023

    overall5food5service2ambience3
    Wished they had cocktails
  28. JaimeO

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on January 28, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience3
    Restaurant was cute but cramped/tiny. Service was fine. Food was fine: typical Back Bay spot that was overrated and underwhelming.
  29. 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.
  30. 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
  31. 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!
  32. 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.
  33. JonH

    Cleveland

    7 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    7 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
  34. GuillermoS

    New England

    1 review

    vip
    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 14, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    I wish they had dessert
  35. 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.
  36. JerryC

    New England

    12 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on January 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Food was fresh and prepared perfectly. The waitstaff was welcoming and helpful.
  37. HungryTiger

    Atlanta Metro

    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.
  38. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 6, 2023

    overall3food2service5ambience5
    Having dined at Select I
  39. OpenTable Diner

    New England

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 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!
  40. OpenTable Diner

    New England

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 30, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    LOVED IT HERE! I’ll be back here very soon.

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace
    • Staff is vaccinated

FAQs

Little Whale is rated 4.7 stars by 432 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 36 times today
Google Map for Little Whale

314 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02115

Additional information

  • Cross street

    Newbury Street and Hereford Street

  • Neighborhood

    Back Bay

  • Hours of operation

    Mon–Thu, Sun 11:30 am–9:30 pm Fri, Sat 11:30 am–10:30 pm

  • Cuisines

    Seafood, Contemporary American, Wine Bar

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Parking details

    Meter Parking 2hr. Prudential Center Lot. Dalton Street Lot. Closest Valet at Mandarin Oriental on Boylston Street.

  • Public transit

    Green Line Hynes Convention CenterOrange Line Back Bay

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Owned/operated by

    Latinx or Hispanic

  • Executive chef

    Reggie Da Silva

  • Additional

    Beer, Counter Seating, Gluten-free Options, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Vegan, Wine

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2023 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 700, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking LogoPriceline LogoKAYAK LogoAgoda LogoRentalcars LogoOpenTable Logo