No Name Restaurant, Boston

4 more images

one of the major sea food joints in the boston area and since virtual tourist only has 5 photos max per tip I will make it a two part tip with more photos. This famous joint at the pier opened in 1917 as a diner on here on Boston's Fish Pier, catering to what was then a little city of fishermen, fish cutters, and others employed in the seafood industry. Today, No Name draws more tourists than fishermen nowadays like us (thanks to my boston friends for this joint and the treat hehehe) , though many locals make regular stops for well-priced items but again, On any given day, hundreds of tourists and a smattering of local workers fill the No Name's sprawling dining room to be served by indifferent, yet competent, servers. The seafood, while fresh, is prepared minimally, with most items offered broiled, baked or fried. Fish like scrod and scallops, garnished simply with lemon and served with tartar sauce, scream for more flavor!

Favorite Dish: the lobster off course!!! plus the other assortments of sea foods. and a regular small (1 1/4 to 1 1/2 pound lobster) broiled or steamed costs $ 28 ( I prefer the broiled lobster, more flavor!) while larger lobsters costs $ 35 for (1 1/2 to 2 pounds). the assorted fried seafoods consisting of fried clams, mussels, calamari, haddock, scallops at $ 22 an order and the separate orders of these assorted sea foods like an order of fried scallops at $ 14. The Seafood chowder a small bowl costs $ 6 and a large bowl at $ 10. Drinks like sodas and iced tea and lemon are not refillable and costs $ 3 an order.

Hours: Mon-Sat: 11am-10pm
Sun: 11am-9pm

Halfway out along a commercial pier, wedged in among a few dozen shipping and receiving bays for seafood deliveries to major restaurants and hotels in other parts of the city, is a sign that hangs out with the words, "No Name Restaurant" painted on it. It looks out of place because the rest of the pier is devoted to shipping and receiving bays. Go anyway. It has a 1970's decor, middle age waiters and waitresses who know what they are doing, do it well and take care of you in a friendly but no time wasted manner. Casual dress, family oriented.

This is archetypical New England seafood, deep fried, boiled or broiled; with slaw and other sides. They don't appear to have a website at this writing (2009) but they do post a menu on isawyourmenu.com .

The Museum of Contemporary Art is about 4 blocks away and is an easy walk. There is a T station for the silver line close by to both the museum and the No Name.

Favorite Dish: I've only been there once. I had the broiled bluefish because you can't get bluefish on the left coast. It was done perfectly and not spiced or breaded or whatever so much that I could not tell that it was bluefish. After all, I order bluefish because it actually tastes different from many or most other fish. I tried a local beer, Harpoon, which was the perfect wet with this fish.

2 more images

The No Name Restaurant is a Boston classic, hidden among the docks near the World Trade Center. It's not hard to find if you know where it is! Inside it looks like your text book seafood restaurant, but maybe this is the one that set the standard. The staff is casual and friendly, in a gruff sort of way. Every table gets a plate of garlic bread and a pitcher of water with a stack of dixie cups. The paper place mats have instructions on how to eat lobster...you get the picture.

I love coming here on a rainy, stormy day, as the view from the second floor dining room is of the waterfront. i think the seafood tastes better on these days ;)

Favorite Dish: The seafood chowder is a must. After that, I like their broiled sole. It's nice and simple, lightly coated in breadcrumbs and cooked on it's serving plate in a little bit of butter. I like a Harpoon IPA with my fish, though Sam goes pretty well also.

Try carrot cake or Boston creme pie for desert.

This restaurant is located in the Boston waterfront--a few minutes walk from the World Trade Center. Historically, it used to be a place that served fishermen that just docked with their catch of the day. In its modern incarnation, it is an okay place for seafood--not that spectacular, but you do get a nice view of the ocean if you get seated by the window in the upstairs part of the restaurant. The food was semi-okay (the salad was super salty--they must have accidentally poured tons of salt in it before serving), and the lobsters were not as sweet and special as the ones I've had in Maine.

Great place for cheap people like me. Being a student doesn't pay well, so I couldn't go too fancy. This place is right on the piers and has a very fresh selection. It is not a huge menu, but perfect for the lobster we were in search of.

It has plenty of awards on the wall naming it (one of?) the best cheap restaurant in the U.S. It obviously has some notoriety.

The only thing that was a little troublesome was getting there. We took the train and it was somewhat confusing to get to. Driving I think would have been a much better idea.

Favorite Dish: The lobster. It was my only experience with fresh lobster so I can't compare it to anything, but I definitely enjoyed it more than the midwestern restaurants that have lobster in some way, shape, or form.

And everybody loves a bib.

The name of this reastaurant really is the "No Name" restaurant. Any Bostonian worth his salt knows it and has eaten there at least once. It is located on one of the waterfront piers just south of the downtown waterfront and near the trade center.

Don't expect linen and silver here. The place has character. Probably hasn't been decorated since the 70's but that's what makes it special, along with the excellent food.

Favorite Dish: Be ready to be served more food than most people can eat in one sitting. Their specialties are fried seafood - something I abhor - but the way the No Name serves it up it's the best anywhere.