Mare Oyster Bar

Great restaurant all around. We went for my wife's birthday and I couldn't have asked for a better spot. The wine selection was amazing. We got the fried calamari, shrimp and scallops. Mussels in white wine sauce. A few oysters and the boar bolognese. Everything was delicious. We will definitely be back to try out some of the other menu items! Couldn't recommend this restaurant any more.

The food was awful. Our seafood was expired and bad. When we talked to the manager, he said he brought it up to the chef and despite it being molded and cold, the chef said it was fine. The servers were awful.

Probably the best North End experience I've ever had. Food was amazing. Service incredible. Overall outstanding. Have recommended to others and will definitely be back!

Picked this at last minute because of convenience to hotel. It should come highly recommended!! The oyster selection was nice and ours were ice cold and wonderful - our food was hot and perfectly seasoned - not to mention visual masterpieces. It was fun watching the table side cacio de Pepe get made (I really wanted... but we were late in day and flights in am -and old -so didn't trust our guts! Next time!!

Halibut was dry and overcooked. Salmon was fishy. Service was very good , fast and attentive .

Initial table we are taken to was upstairs near some closet doors. Finally reseated in the main dining area. Service was mediocre, and 12.99 each for shrimp cocktail is robbery. Host then had the balls to request we leave, even though my wife hadn't finished the overpriced expresso martini. Not worth it; will find a different spot next time!

My wife and I had pasta dishes clams and linguini and boar pasta along with a fine bottle of wine, 6 oysters and a dessert. The food was excellent, along with the service and ambience. The price was reasonable, Cant wait to return.

Best food we had in Boston!! We were in town for six days, and this was hands down our favorite meal. Mare is a North End hotspot that's absolutely worth the hype and the price. We went as a family of four, and every single dish hit it out of the park. We got so excited we actually forgot to take pictures of a couple things -- always a good sign! Grilled Octopus (5/5) So good we ordered it twice. Incredibly flavorful with a solid base and perfectly tender. Oysters (5/5) We ordered two types and both were delicious. I loved that their oyster menu describes each variety's flavor profile spot on. Table-Side Cacio e Pepe (5/5) While not a traditional preparation, the show was great and the flavor hit the mark too. They make it right in a Parmesan wheel at your table, and it's creamy, rich, and so satisfying. We got the truffles on the side for our daughter, and it was still absolutely delicious. Mediterranean Branzino (5/5) Out of this world. I usually need salt when I order fish, but this was seasoned perfectly, and even the lemon stayed untouched. Crispy skin, tender meat, and bursting with flavor. I recommend asking for it filleted to make it easier to enjoy. Mushroom Spaghetti (5/5) Earthy, creamy, and absolutely delicious. One of those simple dishes that sticks with you. The ambience is on the high-end side, but we noticed several people coming in who were greeted by the staff like regulars, which gave it such a warm and welcoming vibe. It didn't feel stuffy at all and was lively enough that we felt totally comfortable dining with our kids. It does get packed, but understandably so given our experience. Everything was incredible from start to finish with great energy, friendly service, and unforgettable food. Definitely a must-try North End spot if you're visiting Boston

Everything was fresh and delicious. The muscles might have been the best I've ever had. And that's saying something! All the seafood was delicious and perfectly prepared, delicately cooked. Highly recommend.

Just to touch on the noise level; it was loud be we prefer that having two small kids. The service was excellent from the beggining, a restaurant manager that greeted guests. The drinks were excellent and the food was authentic Italian. The table side caccio e Pepe was very indulging, they did not hold back on the black truffle

Outstanding meal & service. I always look forward to returning. Despite being a busy evening the staff was exceptionally attentive.

This place came recommended by a friend for good seafood. We tried the half shellfish tower to start which was so fresh and delicious! Our mains included the swordfish, the surf and turf appetizer, and kids shared the table pasta. The food was amazing, the staff was great and atmosphere was perfect. Definitely recommend this spot.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Frank the waiter, excellent. Location in this part of town, terrible. Overlooks a main highway if that's what you crave. Menu so-so. Mama Maria's much better.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 4

Service: 5

Best seafood dinner I've had in a long time.

I rarely leave negative reviews, but this dinner was so absurdly bad that it almost felt like a joke.

TL;DR: The waitress was shockingly rude, dismissive, and completely unprofessional.

Came here for a reunion dinner with close friends, excited to relax and enjoy what I thought would be a nice evening. Instead, I left genuinely stunned at how poorly we were treated.

Strike one: I ordered a hazy IPA. The waitress confidently delivered… a Diet Coke. No apology, no correction until I pointed it out, just a blank stare, as if I had made the mistake.

Strike two: I politely asked if a pasta dish could be modified since I’m allergic to clams. She laughed, yes, actually laughed, and later handed me a bowl of plain, unseasoned pasta. No sauce. It was insulting, not to mention reckless considering the allergy concern.

At that point, the entire table was uncomfortable. What should have been a joyful reunion became an awkward, frustrating experience we couldn’t wait to end.

The sad part? The food itself wasn’t bad. But good food means nothing when the service is this appalling. When a staff member mocks a customer’s food allergy, that’s not just rude, it’s dangerous and utterly unacceptable.

If the management reads this: please take this seriously. Train your staff, and frankly, reconsider who you allow to represent your restaurant. No guest should ever be humiliated or made to feel unsafe while dining.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1