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  5. Back Bay

Summer Shack

4.4
4.4
2049 Reviews
$30 and under
Seafood
The Summer Shack is a fun, casual restaurant, specializing in New England Style Seafood. We offer 10 to 12 different types of oysters daily. Lobsters in varying sizes and styles including our signature clambake and the famous Pan Roasted Lobster. Wonderful local grilled fish and crispy fried seafood. We do offer several non-seafood items as well. Steaks, burgers and award winning fried chicken. We are a children friendly restaurant, and we can accommodate larger groups upon request.

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Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable reservation network.

If you like, we'll notify you by email if this restaurant joins.


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Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Cuisines

    Seafood, Comfort Food, American

  • Hours of operation

    Mon–Fri 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Sat, Sun 11:30 am–9:00 pm

  • Phone number

    (617) 867-9955

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Executive chef

    Lucas Almeida

  • Catering

    We have a full service catering division and will travel all over New England. Our mobile Clambake on Wheels trailer allows us to bring our famous New England clambake to you. We also offer a wide variety of other types of menus.

  • Private party facilities

    The Summer Shack in Boston can accomodate up to 175 people. The entire dining room has seating for up to 140 people and the circular bar area can accomodate a reception of up to about 60 people. A lot of smaller groups request the back alcove area for more intimate seating.

  • Private party contact

    Vincent Lombardi: (617) 867-9955

  • Neighborhood

    Back Bay

  • Cross street

    Boylston St

  • Parking details

    Validation of $5.00 off for the Pilgrim Parking/Auditorium Garage adjacent to the restaurant.

  • Public transit

    Hynes Convention Center on the Green Line / Prudential Center on the Green Line.

  • Additional

    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

What 2,049 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.4
4.4 based on recent ratings
  • 4.4Food
  • 4.5Service
  • 4.2Ambience
  • 4.1Value

NoiseModerate

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  1. OpenTable Diner

    New England

    45 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    45 reviews

    Dined on January 1, 2022

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    We love Summer Shack for it's raw bar and food. The oysters were expertly shucked (better than Legals) and the New Year's Eve prix-fixe menu of stuffed lobster and sirloin was perfectly cooked. The accompanying wedge salad with crisp bacon was a treat. The service by Marisol was professional and friendly and pointed us in the right direction. The only disappointment was the lack of a list of wines by the bottle (apart from the wines by the glass) I hope this is temporary, because with so much delicious food, pairing it with a choice of wines would have improved the experience.
  2. TomR

    New England

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on December 19, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Good food with good service and nice environment.
  3. BernieM

    Pittsburgh

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on December 19, 2021

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    I was looking for a quick bite after a long drive from Pittsburgh to Boston. Sat at the bar and had a cup of clam chowder and a Connecticut style lobster roll with coleslaw and french fries, which I’ve had there before. Both were great from my perspective. Clam chowder had a nice seafood flavor, not like potato bacon soup that you get all too often elsewhere. Lobster in the roll was cooked perfectly and succulent. Service at the bar could have been just a bit more attentive. Coleslaw is great, but the side salad sized serving is a bit excessive.
  4. TADy

    New England

    12 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on December 19, 2021

    overall2food1service2ambience3
    Place has sadly gone down hill. Lobster wasn't fresh and certainly not 1.5 lbs. Probably had been in the tank a long time. Wood Oven Baked stuff all tasted like petrol. Service was very nice and pleasant it just too long to get anything, need to hire more folks. Figured this may be because it's slow in the winter, we'll try again when things warm up because normally very good.
  5. OpenTable Diner

    Las Vegas

    4 reviews

    1.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on December 17, 2021

    overall1food1service5ambience3
    Well we had just arrived from Georgia and Summer shack was a minute walk from the hotel. Other than the appetizers all of the entrees were a disappointment. My wife told the server about her shrimp scampi was sour and he apologized for it and offered to replace it but it was late and they were closing soon. I enjoyed my stuff lobster but this place was not what it was 2 years ago when we were here.
  6. Rannam

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 12, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Great dinner. Food was terrific. Mussels, grilled calamari, scallops, all very tasty and cooked perfectly. Server, Jason, was very attentive and cordial. Perfect prelude to our night at the Pops! Will be back.
  7. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 12, 2021

    overall4food5service4ambience5
    Chill place to hang out
  8. nobu

    Hawaii

    3 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 12, 2021

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    They provided us with main meal prior to appetizer..
  9. BigD

    Portland

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 10, 2021

    overall5food5service3ambience3
    Easy to walk to. Noise level was low enough so you carry on a conversation. Service was pretty good! Got our order Correct and offered our lobster roll hot or cold. Had them Hot, Awesome!! Great whole belly clams fried . Along with a seasonal Sam Adams. Thanks!!
  10. Vivsta

    New England

    6 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on December 9, 2021

    overall3food3service5ambience5
    The meal was great but very disappointed with calamari plate we got as appetizer. Hardly any calamari more fries totally not up to par for a seafood restaurant. If we had not ordered would have given 5 stars for the meal but the appetizer a huge disappointment
  11. StephenD

    Chicago

    47 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    47 reviews

    Dined on December 7, 2021

    overall2food1service4ambience3
    What has happened to this place. As someone who now lives in Illinois, I was craving fried clams. $28 for about 8 clams. Clam chowder which was basically potato soup with a clam thrown in. Avoid.
  12. Wuavo

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 6, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was excellent will be back soon. Clean and service was great
  13. OpenTable Diner

    Toronto

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 3, 2021

    overall1food1service4ambience3
    There was a large rubber band in my lobster roll.
  14. MichaelR

    Baltimore

    11 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on November 29, 2021

    overall1food1service4ambience3
    Clams in chowder were tough. Cornbread was awful but thankfully the manager didn’t charge me for it. Service very good.
  15. LSK1

    New York Area

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on November 28, 2021

    overall5food5service3ambience4
    This is my favorite restaurant in Boston. Whenever I visit form NYC (about 3 times a year), I always schedule a return visit.
  16. OpenTable Diner

    New England

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 22, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    とても美味しかったです
  17. Debbie

    Chicago

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on November 18, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    I was in Boston for a business meeting. My co-worker and I had a night free, so we went for a fun dinner. Walking distance from our hotel. The wait staff was engaging and helpful and the ambiance was casual - just what we needed after a long day. The food was great!
  18. CarolineG

    New England

    13 reviews

    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on November 18, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Wonderful food and great service in a relaxed environment! We cannot stay away from Summer Shack. It has become our go to place for fresh seafood.
  19. sheilae

    New England

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 16, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Terrific food and service...loved the lobster ravioli, and the crab roll was excellent
  20. StephenP

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 12, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This place was so good we came two nights in a row. Staff was great and the food was awesome. We will be back!
  21. DMDJ

    New York Area

    27 reviews

    5.0

    27 reviews

    Dined on November 11, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Everything about this restaurant deserves 5 stars. The food was spectacular from start to finish and the service was wonderful. Highly recommended.
  22. ChristiL

    Oklahoma City

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on November 8, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I started with a reservation for 5 and more and more people decided to join us. In the end we had a group of 18. They handled the group very well and dealt with our weird billing issues with no grumbling. We had a great evening!
  23. GlutenFreeJ

    Philadelphia

    27 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    27 reviews

    Dined on November 7, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Marisol, was tending bar and was wonderful in her suggestions for dining gluten free here.
  24. OpenTable Diner

    New England

    13 reviews

    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on November 4, 2021

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    We usually come here when friends are visiting Boston. This place never disappoints. Good service and great food.
  25. YosemiteS

    New York Area

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 4, 2021

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    It was Thursday night at the Prudential Center. Quiet as we liked it. Food was very good and good portion size.
  26. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 31, 2021

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    Fabulous oysters! Best pan broiled lobster anywhere
  27. LisaB

    New England

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 30, 2021

    overall4food4service5ambience3
    Would have received outstanding for the food if the steamer broth has been seasoned. Our server was really very nice
  28. Alison

    New York Area

    38 reviews

    4.0

    38 reviews

    Dined on October 23, 2021

    overall4food3service2ambience3
    Unfortunately we had about two minutes with our appetizer before our meal arrived . The whole belly clams were good but for the dinner portion ( it was not a large portion ). The lobster Mac n cheese was also very tasty but not a big portion for almost $40. Service was very slow in getting our check and take out containers. The corn bread appetizer was also amazing !
  29. DawnR

    Denver

    40 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    40 reviews

    Dined on October 23, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    When I'm in Boston... steamers and clams on the half shell are a must. Summer Shack did not disappoint. Excellent shellfish! Will be back.
  30. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    8 reviews

    4.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on October 22, 2021

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Dinner there was good.
  31. TLCS

    Cincinnati

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on October 21, 2021

    overall4food4service4ambience3
    As a tourist, good sample of Boston seafood and enough for regular food for non seafood eaters. If I was a local, not a place I would frequent.
  32. Charlie

    New England

    67 reviews

    5.0

    67 reviews

    Dined on October 21, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    We had a really great meal. Starting with oysters, then fish soup. My wife had Portuguese stew and I had yellowfin. Key Lime Pie for dessert. All of it excellent.
  33. johnt

    New England

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 19, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great Restaurant ! Would dine there again as food was outstanding
  34. MikeS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 18, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Good food. Good service. Server was friendly as was host. Will definitely be back!
  35. OpenTable Diner

    New England

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 16, 2021

    overall2food2service2ambience1
    We were seated with no menus. Luckily we had looked online. I understand short staffing, but don’t tell us the food will be up in 10 minutes when you know it isn’t true. From the time we ordered it was about 45 minutes. If what we got was great, the wait may have been justified, but charitably it was mediocre. My daughter’s lobster roll was really skimpy. My wife ordered the seafood stew and the clams and mussels were, in her words, inedible. She grew up by the sea and knows of what she speaks. Now to my lobster Mac & Cheese. It’s billed on the menu as having the meat from a 1 pound lobster, I guess just not all the meat. I thought they had made an error and brought me a side, but no, that was the $38 main. They did comp us two glasses of wine, but our total came to $140 before tip.
  36. ExperiencedDiner

    New England

    37 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    37 reviews

    Dined on October 13, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Not too crowded for our Wednesday 6:00 Open Table reservation. Made things easier. Tried new things - spicy crab chowder and blistered shishito peppers. Only two of four dessert items on the menu were available.
  37. OpenTable Diner

    New England

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 12, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    From the last minute reservation to the griddled corn bread for desert our evening was perfect. $1 oysters were an excellent way to sample New England’s best oysters. It was refreshing to see a Sancerre on the wine list by the glass, always a great wine with casual food. I could not have picked a better dinner that evening.
  38. sara

    New York Area

    41 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    41 reviews

    Dined on October 11, 2021

    overall3food3service5ambience4
    Food was just OK. Ate in lots of places in Boston over the weekend and this was the least impressive. Clam chowder was watery and underwhelming
  39. profjane

    New England

    32 reviews

    5.0

    32 reviews

    Dined on October 11, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Awesome food and wonderful server. Swordfish was delish.
  40. lowta27

    Charleston

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on October 11, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    From the moment we walked in, service was exceptional! We were early, and they were happy to accommodate, our waiter was prompt, polite, and helpful with the menu. Food was served hot and tastefully presented. Great choice!

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided

FAQs

Summer Shack is rated 4.4 stars by 2049 OpenTable diners.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable reservation network.

If you like, we'll notify you by email if this restaurant joins.


Is this your restaurant?
Claim this listing

Additional information

  • Cross street

    Boylston St

  • Neighborhood

    Back Bay

  • Hours of operation

    Mon–Fri 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Sat, Sun 11:30 am–9:00 pm

  • Cuisines

    Seafood, Comfort Food, American

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Parking details

    Validation of $5.00 off for the Pilgrim Parking/Auditorium Garage adjacent to the restaurant.

  • Public transit

    Hynes Convention Center on the Green Line / Prudential Center on the Green Line.

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, MasterCard, Visa

  • Executive chef

    Lucas Almeida

  • Additional

    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Wheelchair Access, Wine

  • Phone number

    (617) 867-9955

  • Catering

    We have a full service catering division and will travel all over New England. Our mobile Clambake on Wheels trailer allows us to bring our famous New England clambake to you. We also offer a wide variety of other types of menus.

  • Private party facilities

    The Summer Shack in Boston can accomodate up to 175 people. The entire dining room has seating for up to 140 people and the circular bar area can accomodate a reception of up to about 60 people. A lot of smaller groups request the back alcove area for more intimate seating.

  • Private party contact

    Vincent Lombardi: (617) 867-9955

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