New Bedford MA is known for its outstanding seafood restaurants – and we’ve identified seven of the best! Whether you’re looking to indulge in savory lobster rolls or satisfy your craving with an array of fresh fish dishes, these eateries are sure to deliver a top-tier dining experience.
Top 12 Places to Eat Seafood in New Bedford MA

The Black Whale
- Address: 106 MacArthur Dr, New Bedford, MA 02740, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.5 (1885)
- Phone: +1 508-990-7100
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PMTuesday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PMWednesday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PMThursday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PMFriday: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PMSaturday: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PMSunday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM
- Reviews:
It was our second dining experience at the Black Whale. The occasion was for my early birthday celebration. We had already been here once before a few weekends ago and decide to come back because we really enjoyed our time there. Food is always flavorful and amazing, service is exceptionally great and very pleasant. I invited my sister and her boyfriend here to celebrate with us and they live about an hour away and already plan on coming back. Eagerly awaiting our next dining experience.By Melodieroseb@gmail.com Barata (5 months ago)This place has been great over the years and has gotten even better. The boom boom shrimp was excellent as well as the clam chowder and salmon meal. All were large portions. Martinis used to taste stronger, but the crowd has become more classy over the years.By Adam B (6 months ago)Really busy for 8:30 on a Wednesday night and took a few minutes until someone acknowledged us, but once we got our table for 5, we enjoyed the ambiance and the food was excellent. Our server(Dante) was very knowledgeable and helpful with the ordering process. Definitely would go back if we ever travel to the area again. We had a great time and think you will to!!By Chris Wiesel (5 months ago)It was great! Loved the food and the staff was very friendly. My wife had the latin crusted salmon and I had the pan blackened swordfish. Both were amazingly delicious. We will come back for sure.By Brendon Harris (3 months ago)Great food. We live in Texas but come back to visit family and friends about once a year. We always have to get our seafood fix while we’re in town. I’ve had 4 cups of chowder this week since we can’t get it where we live. I know, not healthy, but so good. Today’s chowder was one of my favorites so far. We also got fish and chips, sushi, mussels, and some clams casino. All of it was good. The service was excellent. My only gripe would be that our sodas seemed a bit flat. Maybe their tank was just low when we happened to be there. It was also a great view. Our kids enjoyed getting to see the fishing ships come and go throughout lunch.By jake buckingham (4 months ago)
Antonio’s Restaurant
- Address: 267 Coggeshall St, New Bedford, MA 02746, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.5 (1527)
- Phone: +1 508-990-3636
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PMTuesday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PMWednesday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PMThursday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PMFriday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PMSaturday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PMSunday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM
- Reviews:
Visiting from the UK recommended by our friend who is local. Extensive seafood menu. Casual vibe. Friendly and efficient service. Food portions huge. Take out box necessary. Delicious meals! Highly recommended 🙂By Catherine G-C (4 months ago)My wife and I shared the cod cake and quahog appetizers. The cod cake was delicious, but the stuffed quahog had too much stuffing for my liking.
The entrees however were outstanding. My wife’s broiled scallops were savory and sweet. They were accompanied with delicious round potato fries and steamed broccoli.
My seafood paella was massive chock full of seafood — tasty clams, lobster, mussels, scallops and shrimp. It was served piping hot and also had beef and chicken in it. I also had a side order of the round potato fries. We also enjoyed an affordable Casal Garcia Vinho Verde.Portions were quite large; our server Delilah was extraordinary and the food quality was remarkable. Can’t wait to get back here and enjoy this amazing cuisine.
Note: Pics taken were of the leftover paella and fries.
By Steven Adelson (7 months ago)When I searched “best Portuguese Restaurants ” in New Bedford, this Place was on top 5,and I decided to order take out for two.
Let’s just say I will not be coming back again.
The food was tasteless. My seafood rice tasted like cardboard.By Manny Rosario (5 months ago)1st Timer..absolutely fabulous !! The Food, Portions an service was second to none. Would recommend this authentic Gem to all. Thank You Delilah ( waitress) for a very memorable experience ❤️By Jerry Curtin (a month ago)Excellent food and good portion size. Efficient service.By Ian the Hairy (3 months ago)
Fathoms Waterfront Bar & Grille
- Address: 255 Popes Island, New Bedford, MA 02740, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.4 (1058)
- Phone: +1 508-993-3400
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PMTuesday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PMWednesday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PMThursday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PMFriday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PMSaturday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PMSunday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Reviews:
I love this place from the atmosphere to the cuisine it’s amazing. You can sit outside and have a beautiful view on the water. The food is amazingly good my favorite is the lobster grilled cheeseBy Monica Williams (4 months ago)The first time I ate here I ordered the scallop pesto pasta & it was delicious. My sis got the surf & turf with prime rib & baked stuffed shrimp, which looked very tasty! I was so excited that I found a good restaurant and could not wait to come back. The second time I went back I ordered the same thing lol & my husband got the fried clams. My dish was not prepared the same as the first (lacked flavor) but my husband’s clams were fresh out the grease and big bellies. Third time was on the 4th of July. The wait was over an hour but it worked out because we got the watch the fireworks right from the bridge. It was extremely busy but what do you expect m? It’s the 4th. Once we were seated the table was sticky and the menus were dirty. The baked stuffed shrimp taste like the freezer and the stuffing was bland. The rest of the food was ok but not to it’s full potential. Our 5th time was last night . I ordered the blackened sword fish (was not blackened at all) on the menu it says it comes with fresh vegetables & your choice of potato but apparently sweet potato fries aren’t an option so I had to pay $3 extra. My husband ordered the steak tips cooked well done but were still pink inside. Even though we didn’t not get exactly what we asked for, it was still some what tasty. We really enjoy coming here but we are going to give it a break for a little while. Hopefully we’ll have a better experience next time we decide to give them another try.By Shakira Marie (6 months ago)My wife and I had an excellent lunch on the deck overlooking the harbor. The calamari was cooked perfectly, lightly breaded and tender. My fish and chips were great, lightly breaded and fresh. My wife really liked her fried scrod and scallops.By George Stelljes (8 months ago)Stopped here on our way from Providence Airport to Cape Cod. Very convenient location just off the freeway with a cute deck on the water.
I ordered the Lobster grilled cheese on sour dough. It was AH MAZE ING!!! I ate the whole thing because I couldn’t stop it was so good.By Beverly Parnell (6 months ago)Nice place. Food and drinks were good.
Nicole our server was friendly and attentive. We had appetizers for lunch. Oysters, quahogs and crab cakes. All very good but not wowed.By Leanne Mcgrath (5 months ago)
Kyler’s Catch Seafood Market and Kitchen
- Address: 2 Washburn St, New Bedford, MA 02740, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.6 (845)
- Phone: +1 508-984-5150
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: ClosedTuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PMWednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PMThursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PMFriday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PMSaturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PMSunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Reviews:
The deck at Kyler’s is a great place to hang out with friends and eat fresh seafood. The deck overlooks the harbor and Acushnet River. Their fishing boats dock there and bring in the day’s fresh catch.
We are blessed with some of the best and freshest seafood in the Northeast. The fish that’s served here is about as fresh and tasty as you can get without catching it yourself.
Prices are reasonable and I believe you can order just about anything sold in the fish market. Service was good and attentive. We didn’t have to wait long for the server to ask us if she could accommodate us with any reasonable requests.
Be sure to leave a cash gratuity in the box as you are exiting. It’s just past the register on the right.
I had a large fish and chips. What I got was 3 huge pieces of white fish (probably haddock or cod) deep fried in what looked like a beer batter, English style. The fries were fried separate from the fish (no fishy or oily taste at all). They were the best fries I’ve had in years, browned perfectly with a deep hue and served up hot. They had no off flavors of stale oil or being fried and too low a temperature.
I know that’s a lot to say about fish and chips but damn it was good! Close to perfection.
By Mark Oberg (4 months ago)Whenever my wife and I travel through southeastern Massachusetts, we try to make a stop on the way home to buy fish at this great seafood store. The quality and freshness is terrific. Most of it is locally-sourced from fishing boats, some of which dock right behind the shop. There is also food service, which we tried for the first time the other day. The pasta with shrimp and spicy tomato sauce was very good and the crab cakes (more like hush puppies, actually) were delicious. There are a few tables inside and a number on the patio outside overlooking the dock. Definitely worth a visit.By Frederick Lane (9 months ago)The kitchen serving fresh seafood at affordable prices. I had clam chowder, 🦞 Lobster Bisque, a Fish sandwich with fantastic onion rings, & Scallops. Can’t wait until the weekend to get more 😘🤪😋By Jill Dymond (8 months ago)Really like this place. Right on the bay. Great selection of fresh fish, and dishes (seafood ka-bobs, etc) that you can cook at home when their kitchen is closed. When the kitchen is open, you’ll enjoy some of the freshest seafood dishes anywhere.By KRIS KRINGLE (11 months ago)Food was incredible. Service was perfect and fun. Rhonda did not lead us wrong by her food recommendations.
Fish and chips ✔️
Fried clams ✔️
Clam cakes✔️
Onion rings ✔️By GR Wentling (2 months ago)
Cove Surf and Turf
- Address: 1500 Cove Rd, New Bedford, MA 02740, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.2 (697)
- Phone: +1 774-202-2819
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: ClosedTuesday: ClosedWednesday: 12:00 – 8:00 PMThursday: 12:00 – 8:00 PMFriday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PMSaturday: 12:00 – 8:00 PMSunday: 12:00 – 8:00 PM
- Reviews:
First time coming to The Cove. Lots of pros and some things that were just average. The pros were the food and service were excellent. Our waitress was very nice and the food was great. Chowder, lobster bisque, kale soup and clam cakes all great. Even gave us 3 complementary clam cakes as well! The fried shrimp was a good size and the cocktail sauce was yummy. A pint of fried shrimp totaled to 10 shrimp which was a good value. Prices were reasonable. Only things that need change are the place is in dire need of a renovation and they have started some renovations inside already. Also the parking lot is very small and only has room for 4-5 cars. If you can’t find parking you will need to park on the street. Worth the trip if looking for reasonably priced seafood!By Jillian Vandal (5 months ago)I went to the cove for the first time and thought is was great! We sat down immediately and our server Lindsay took our drink orders promptly. The cove was offering complimentary clam cakes which actually had clams!! Lots of them!!! I ordered the seafood casserole which had scallops, haddock and baked stuffed shrimp. It was delicious! Everyone enjoyed their meals ( I went with 3 friends) and we will certainly be going back!By Sally Tripp (6 months ago)I had the Clam Bonanza… The girls were great but, all the food came out cold and extremely way too fast to have been cooked to order… The “Award Winning Chowder” was room temperature at best.. the “whole belly” clams had no bellies and everything was pretty tasteless…By Stacie Brindle (a year ago)We had our wedding rehearsal catered by Cove and it was absolutely amazing. Not only were they on time almost to the minute but the food was awesome! Such an amazing value for all the food we got! Our guests raved about how good everything was. Looking forward to trying out the restaurant!By Danielle R (2 months ago)Nicer than an indoor clam shack. Waitress was professional along with empathetic to her customers. Food was very good. Pricing was reasonable compared to what’s going on with inflation. Wished they had Heinz ketchup!By R H (2 months ago)
Danny’s Seafood / Bar & Grille
- Address: 574 N Front St, New Bedford, MA 02745, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.5 (592)
Mikey B’s
- Address: 989 Victoria St, New Bedford, MA 02745, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 3.7 (529)
Quahog Republic Whaler’s Tavern
- Address: 24 N Water St, New Bedford, MA 02740, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.3 (439)
Inner Bay Café
- Address: 1339 Cove Rd, New Bedford, MA 02744, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.4 (419)
Merrill’s on the Waterfront
- Address: 36 Homer’s Wharf, New Bedford, MA 02740, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.3 (396)
Demellos Produce Market
- Address: 1275 Cove Rd, New Bedford, MA 02744, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.6 (346)
Alianca Restaurant
- Address: 98 Cove St, New Bedford, MA 02744, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.5 (286)

Thank you for reading! We hope this list helps you find the best seafood restaurants in New Bedford MA. If you have any additional information, please leave a comment below!
Texas’s Best Kept Secrets: The Top 7 Beaches
The 12 Best Seafood Restaurants in Meridian MS (According to Me)
12 Fantastic Oyster Bars in Atlanta GA You Have to Try
The 10 Best Healthy Food Options in Augusta
The 7 Most Beautiful Beaches in New Hampshire
7 Best Beaches in Delaware (Ratings plus Reviews)
Maryland’s Best Kept Secrets: The Top 7 Beaches
7 Best Beaches in Rhode Island (Ratings plus Reviews)