A New England institution where diners don bibs and crack open lobsters with their bare hands.

by Contributor

In Short
With 30-plus outposts up and down the Eastern seaboard, this Cambridge-based chain reels in a seemingly endless supply of after-work professionals and tired tourists. The look varies somewhat from establishment to establishment but a casually nautical theme and a crowd as loud as the ocean's roar are fairly consistent. Signature dishes include clam chowder, wood-grilled swordfish, steamed clams, and 2-pound lobsters that can be ordered baked and stuffed with scallops and shrimp.

03/30/08

Can't do better than this!

by thebigtuna5

I am from the midwest and love seafood. We ate at a number of places, many of which were quite good. But this is absolutely great quality seafood. Superb. Fresh, succulent, not complicated, but some nice unusual presntations and sides. Comfortable. Great staff. Will go again.

• Pros: several locations, good service, good value, helpful friendly wait staff
• Cons: None that come readily to mind

01/07/08

Fresh seafood, dishonest hostess

by maxxie

We arrived early afternoon on New Year's Eve. We asked to sit by the hostess said there were no tables available. We pointed out a booth in the corner and were told that there was no waiter for that table. As we sere being seated at another table-a different hostess sat a couple at the empty table we had pointed out and a waiter promptly took there order! Not a good start. Our waitress apologized for the "oversite". She quickly brought fresh warm buns over. My husband ordered the fried clams and I ordered 12 oysters on the 1/2 shell. The clams were clean, tender and cooked to perfection. My oysters were cold, fresh and sweet. They were shucked correctly (separated from the shell on the bottom). I then ordered the clam chowder; it was very good and creamy but allot of potatoes. I would definitely go back.

• Pros: Fresh seafood
• Cons: staff

05/10/07

The Most Consistent Fish and Seafood

by dave5056

I eat at Legals twice a week and it is the freshest, has the best selection, and great quality is the most consistent. Since I have been dining there over ten years the menu, wine list, and atmosphere have always gotten better. My favorites are Crabcake, Rasam Seafood Soup, Wild Salmon, Selection of Oysters, Steamers, Fried Clams, Lobster Roll. The wine selection and prices are really good. The service staff, managers are all friendly. I have eaten at Park Square, Prudential, Copley, Waterfront, Harvard Sq, Kendal Sq, Chestnut Hill, Braintree, Framingham, Washington DC, Logan Airport, and can tell you no seafood chain is as consistent as Legals is.

• Pros: Fresh, Consistent, Great Selection, Nice Wine List
• Cons: Busy long lines

11/05/05

so-so

by aph09130922

As a native of Seattle, I was told Legal Seafood was the best seafood in Boston. It doesnt even compare to NW seafood. The special (mahi-mahi w/ a half of lobster tail) was ok. I liked the sauce but the lobster was chewy & not very good. However, my seafood soup (red based) as a started was wonderful & flavorable.

09/01/03

Ms. Mill

by mill2024

Last visit to Legal. Gets worse every time. Management needs to pay attention to criticisms, cause about all that's left are tourists. Much better seafood in town elsewhere, and the service is horrid. Waiting 10 mninutes for a glass of water is ridiculous. Stuffed lobster was more greasy buttered ritz crackers than stuffing.

• Pros: lots of locations, excellent chowder
• Cons: poor service, mediocre seafood, high prices

05/08/03

Not what it used to be but close..

by Celticaardvark

i no longer live in boston but still crave legals food. The staff (especially the bartenders) were amazing and always kept on their toes. and the food is to die for, i woudl come in on a sunday night and watch espn and enjoy the best peice of swordfish in boston while sitting at the bar. definatly worth the money and being as not many people know about this resteraunt above the theater in the copley mall, made for a much nicer less crowded time.

• Pros: Great Staff, Awesome food, Amazing Ambiance
• Cons: Loud when busy