(617) 542-1340

3 Winter Pl
Boston, MA 02108 42.3557 -71.0613

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Neighborhoods: Central, Downtown

LOCKEOBER.COM

Years in business

Established in 1875

Hours:

Mon-Thurs 5:30-10pm

Fri-Sat 5:30-11pm

Price:

$$$$

Last updated 8.16.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Discover, MasterCard, Travelers Check

Restaurant Special Features:

Romantic Dining, Special Occasion Dining, Fine Dining, Private Rooms, People Watching, Business Dining, Date Spot, Group Dining, Bar Scene, Notable Wine List

Cuisine:

Traditional American, Seafood

Smoking Permitted:

No

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Locke-Ober

The Owner

Locke-Ober

Owner

Locke-Ober is to reminisce the past, honor our tradition and continue the tenacious spirit of this great hallmark. Locke Ober was restored in 2001. At Locke-Ober our original interiors are equipped with fireplaces, crystal chandeliers, bookshelves, mahogany wood paneling or antique sconces. In addition to the dining rooms and lounge, there are eleven private dining rooms that exemplify the rich mystique of years past. They can accommodate an intimate anniversary or a holiday reception for 200 people. Locke-Ober can facilitate all details to make your event memorable.Lydia Shire in charge of…

Provided by CityGrid

Read more from the owner

Featured Review

Eric Grossman

Contributor

The Scene – When diners see the gleamingly restored turn-of-the-last-century dining room abuzz with foodies, celebs, politicos and high rollers, they understand the Brahmins' loyalty to this American dining landmark. They'll also be reminded of legends of feasts past (Orson Welles slurping oysters by the dozens; Caruso sautéing his own sweetbreads). Co-owner and chef Lydia Shire has been a tonic to Locke-Ober, in the dining room and kitchen. – – The Food – Shire packs explosive taste into dishes as simple as Cape scallops and bacon on skewers and beef Stroganoff…

Editor's Tips

Where to Sit:
Quarters are a little tight near the entrance. Ask to sit deep in the room to avoid being constantly brushed by wait staff and arriving diners.
ambiance
66.66999816894531% positive
  1. “My husband and I spent a romantic evening dining at this historic establishment and the memories provided by the wonderful staff and food are priceless.”
  2. “The ambiance will never be matched and the service was impeccable.”
  3. “The atmosphere was perfect!”
  4. “Through the 80's, though the food failed somewhat, the atmosphere and service made the trip worthwhile.”
  5. “My wife and I went back home and celebrated our romantic evening.”
  6. “When I went this past Friday, I was immediately enthralled by the decor; however, my excitement quickly turned into frustration and almost anger when the hostess was shockingly rude to my party.”
dessert
0.0% positive
  1. “Sadly, the same can not be said for the staff (the front desk staff are often downright rude) nor the food (overdone and absolutely loaded with butter and cream).”
drinks
70.0% positive
  1. “An indivdual in our party was charged for the bottle of wine that we never drank, and he was told by the manager the very nice bottle of wine would be enjoyed by the staff at his expense.”
  2. “How many nights do you just go out and order a drink?”
  3. “In an effort to try and salvage the evening we ordered a very nice and expensive bottle of wine for our guests.”
  4. “The bartender at the exterior bar was amazingly friendly and made a first class martini.”
  5. “wine overpriced, but goes along with the feel of the whole restaurant.”
food quality
50.0% positive
  1. “My husband and I spent a romantic evening dining at this historic establishment and the memories provided by the wonderful staff and food are priceless.”
  2. “As for the food, there is no excuse for some of the sky-high prices for entrees that are often rather mediocre.”
  3. “The food is also mediocre for heavy tab you will be paying.”
  4. “If they would lighten up some of the dishes and better train the staff this would be an excellent restaurant.”
  5. “Through the 80's, though the food failed somewhat, the atmosphere and service made the trip worthwhile.”
  6. “The food is beyond reproach--always fantastic--and the service, while cool, is always professional and will happily warm up to you if you invite them to do so.”
  7. “My dry aged steak was not especially well-marbled and slightly overdone.”
  8. “Later, after I married, I introduced my wife to the wonderful amibience and food that made Locke-Ober one of my most consistent stops when in Boston.”
  9. “The service was impeccable and the food was out of this world!”
  10. “Sadly, the same can not be said for the staff (the front desk staff are often downright rude) nor the food (overdone and absolutely loaded with butter and cream).”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “Fortunately, we found a great restaurant near Copley Square called Abe&Louies.”
service
69.0500020980835% positive
  1. “The bartender at the exterior bar was amazingly friendly and made a first class martini.”
  2. “can only think your reception staff does not like children, not even civilized children;does not know good judgment; needs instruction on the fundamentals of courtesy/good business.”
  3. “When I went this past Friday, I was immediately enthralled by the decor; however, my excitement quickly turned into frustration and almost anger when the hostess was shockingly rude to my party.”
  4. “To begin, our hostess was surprisingly rude.”
  5. “The service was impeccable and the food was out of this world!”
  6. “Through the 80's, though the food failed somewhat, the atmosphere and service made the trip worthwhile.”
  7. “My husband and I spent a romantic evening dining at this historic establishment and the memories provided by the wonderful staff and food are priceless.”
  8. “....(they spelled it) A bartender like it should be done.”
  9. “Sadly, the same can not be said for the staff (the front desk staff are often downright rude) nor the food (overdone and absolutely loaded with butter and cream).”
  10. “An indivdual in our party was charged for the bottle of wine that we never drank, and he was told by the manager the very nice bottle of wine would be enjoyed by the staff at his expense.”
  11. “The staff was rude and obnoxious from the moment we walked in, with no respect for anyone in our party.”
  12. “The service attentive and pleasant, although the woman who seated us was a bit surly and very full of herself.”
  13. “Extremely poor attitudes of the staff”
  14. “The staff was unbelievably pleasant and although they were full with reservations, they accomodated us the next night for a last minute reservation for another business dinner of 9 people (since we cancelled our 2nd reservation at L.Ober due to our experi”
  15. “The ambiance will never be matched and the service was impeccable.”
  16. “The hostess made the dining experience less enjoyable and even overshadowed the great waiter we had.”
  17. “The food is beyond reproach--always fantastic--and the service, while cool, is always professional and will happily warm up to you if you invite them to do so.”
  18. “Our waiter was wonderful and courteous.”
  19. “My wife and I enjoyed some Cabernet Sauvignon while the waiters addressed our every need.”
  20. “If they would lighten up some of the dishes and better train the staff this would be an excellent restaurant.”
  21. “It sounds as though the new staff has restored a terrific experience and I look forward to visiting in the near future to see if all is as wonderful as I remember.”
value
50.0% positive
  1. “Food is great, worth the $$$$.”
  2. “In an effort to try and salvage the evening we ordered a very nice and expensive bottle of wine for our guests.”
  3. “As for the food, there is no excuse for some of the sky-high prices for entrees that are often rather mediocre.”
  4. “Basically if you wanna spend alot of money, look fabulous doing it, eat fabulous things this is one of teh best places to do it in boston.”
  5. “wine overpriced, but goes along with the feel of the whole restaurant.”
wait time
100.0% positive
  1. “The staff was unbelievably pleasant and although they were full with reservations, they accomodated us the next night for a last minute reservation for another business dinner of 9 people (since we cancelled our 2nd reservation at L.Ober due to our experi”
3 Star Rating: Average

11/05/11

Over 2 decades later

by mshnaya at Citysearch

my wife and I dined here again. The main dining room is now more open and bright with the warmth of lots of wood. I believe that the large inlaid ceiling panels are old, very nice. Two sides of the room were lined with this enormous bar which appear to be used for silver service. If the restaurant was busy, that would be a great place to eat as well as to drink. Great ambience, large comfy chairs and good sized table.

We were early so there was no maitre d' or hostess. Service was attentive and good. Became even warmer after we ordered a bottle of wine.

The menu is what I would call modified American with a nouveau touch. Good choice of seafood, steaks and starters. My wife had the daily special swordfish. I hoped for prime rib which they did not have. Decided to try the wiener schnitzel instead. We shared an escargot and house salad. The escargot was in little ceramic cups, very hot overflowing with butter and garlic served with plump chunks of toat also with garlic. It was perfect for soaking up the juice. The salad was fresh consisting of perhaps a dozen large green leaves with 3 sun dried tomatoe pieces and some walnuts. Excellent dressing. Certainly an excellent start.

We both graded the entrees a "B". The swordfish was a nice 1" thick piece, but somewhat overcooked. Good taste though. The schnitzel was served with flat noodles. It was soaking in oil and therefore no longer light. Probably also not pounded very thin. The chef may not have experienced a genuine wiener schnitzel himself.

The wine list is good, with representation from most of the popular international wine regions. It is not an exhaustive list, so the focus is on moderate to medium price labels. I did rediscover a favorite classified bordeaux. They use a wonderful huge decanter, a nice touch. The bottle remainder should be even better tomorrow after it had a chance to open up more.

Overall, this is a good dining experience. Old Boston it is no longer. The entres need improvement although the steaks are probably better. Appetizers are very good.

2 Star Rating: Below Average

05/26/09

It may be mediocre but at least its pompous.

by RobertDavis10023 at Citysearch

Some of the classic menu items are pretty good but you cant get past the wretched location, pompous staff and drole pricing. There are much better experiences in Boston.

  • Pros: Older classics
  • Cons: Insufferable pricing, staff
1 Star Rating: Poor

09/20/08

Very Very disappointing

by Susan556 at Citysearch

My husband and I were very disappointed with the food and the atmosphere at Locke Obers. We decided to go for a special dinner on a Friday night as it was our anniversary. It was nothing like we had expected. The outside of the restaurant is tired and worn with cracked windows. The inside is very dark and gloomy. The wait staff acted as if it was still 1870 and it was a priviledge to be there. There were very few patrons there and I now know why. The restaurant reminded me of an 80 year old person who is trying to be young and "happening". The food was just fair and the price was rediculously high. We could have gotten a better meal at a franchise restaurant for a fraction of the cost.

On another note, the building is very historical and the mahogany wood work is stunning. It should become an ice cream parlor where ther is an admission fee to come see a historic building and get a cone.

4 Star Rating: Recommended

03/07/08

BEST PLACE TO TAKE YOUr LOVED ONE!!!!

by MattBray at Citysearch

Yesterday my wife and I went to Locke Ober. It was magical. We walked in and were immediatly taken care of. The beautiful coat girl took our coats, the Maitre D' escorted us inside the main dining room to the most beautiful table. I had never seen such a magestic old Boston venue. The atmosphere was perfect! My wife and I enjoyed some Cabernet Sauvignon while the waiters addressed our every need. I ordered the Steak with Calamari, while the wife dinned had the Veal - And they both were cooked to perfection. And then for dessert we had flamming baked alaska. OMG!!! My wife and I went back home and celebrated our romantic evening. Believe the hype - this place is 5 star quality. Ive been around the world and I have yet to visit a restuarant so magical.

  • Pros: Everything!
  • Cons: It ended too quickly
3 Star Rating: Average

12/04/07

Go once to expereince old Boston

by mrrocki at Citysearch

You can't get more "old Boston" than this downtown dowager located off an alley near Downtown Crossing. The glass and woodwork is magnificent, the real essence of turn-of-the-century Boston. Sadly, the same can not be said for the staff (the front desk staff are often downright rude) nor the food (overdone and absolutely loaded with butter and cream). The wine list is extensive and expensive (as in many fine restaurants). As for the food, there is no excuse for some of the sky-high prices for entrees that are often rather mediocre. If they would lighten up some of the dishes and better train the staff this would be an excellent restaurant. As it is, it is a one-time visit ... then try some of Boston's truly great restaurants.

  • Pros: A great room
  • Cons: Overpriced and over-righ food

The Details on Locke-Ober

Place Categories:

  • impeccable service
  • very nice bottle
  • like reception staff
  • great restaurant
  • very dirty place
  • courteous waiter
  • often downright rude front desk staff
  • amazingly friendly woman bartender
  • romantic evening
  • surprisingly rude hostess
  • big plus
  • wonderful amibience
  • famous lockeober
  • impressive silver
  • magnificent setting
  • full dining room
  • order drink
  • enjoyed cabernet sauvignon
  • magnificent glass
  • perfect atmosphere
  • dry steak
  • often rather mediocre entrees
  • failed food
  • terrific experience
  • elegant treat

Message from Locke-Ober

  • Private Dining Rooms Available
  • Contemporary American
  • $25 Prefix lunch menu

Locke-Ober is to reminisce the past, honor our tradition and continue the tenacious spirit of this great hallmark.

Locke Ober was restored in 2001. At Locke-Ober our original interiors are equipped with fireplaces, crystal chandeliers, bookshelves, mahogany wood paneling or antique sconces. In addition to the dining rooms and lounge, there are eleven private dining rooms that exemplify the rich mystique of years past. They can accommodate an intimate anniversary or a holiday reception for 200 people. Locke-Ober can facilitate all details to make your event memorable.

Lydia Shire in charge of Locke-Ober's culinary legacy with Chef Mario Capone has accomplished what she had always envisioned, preserving the legacy while adding her creative genius to the menu. Alongside the dynamic cuisine, lies the sensational ambiance of this monument to art, history, and Boston itself.

Locke-Ober
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