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Summer means seafood in New England, but what are the options in and around Sudbury?
While much of the region will flock to the coast for their lobster rolls and fisherman’s platters this summer, there are more options close to Sudbury than most realize. For this guide, Sudbury Weekly focused on establishments in Sudbury and contiguous towns. That ensures the drive is relatively brief, and doesn’t pit conveniently-located Metro West restaurants against legendary coastal destinations like Woodman’s in Essex, or Boston icons like Neptune Oyster.
While Sudbury’s most conveniently-located seafood establishments are an inland alternative to iconic Massachusetts seafood joints, many of them punch above their weight.
Sudbury Point Grill – Sudbury
The Food: You will have a hard time finding any Sudbury establishment offering as many iconic New England seafood dishes as Sudbury Point Grill. Their regular menu includes pub classics like Fish and Chips, along with simple New England staples like breaded scallops — including an option to fry or broil the scallops. Other mains include salmon, haddock, stuffed shrimp and the classic Captain’s Platter, featuring haddock, shrimp and scallops. Weekend specials up the ante with a Fisherman’s Platter that adds clams to the Captain’s platter. Other specials include a lobster roll served with cajun fries, lobster salad, and a swordfish main served with lobster risotto.
The Scene: Sudbury Point Grill has ample seating in a large bar and dining room, including booths with televisions. The casual setting works well for a weekday lunch seafood fix, or a dinner out with the family. The large menu offers choices spanning American pub fare, Italian-American classics, pizzas and more.
The Reviews: Sudbury Point Grill has 4.4 stars based on over 200 Google reviews.
Oishii Too – Sudbury
The Food: While Oishii Too isn’t quite serving up the fried seafood that has come to define New England’s summer seafood shack scene, it’s impossible to talk about Sudbury and seafood without giving this highly-regarded Sudbury sushi bar a mention. Originally one of two suburban outposts tracing their roots to a Boston location that was popular with critics, Oishii Too brings the sophistication of fine dining in the city, and packages it for the more casual Sudbury scene. With a massive selection of hot and cold appetizers, combination plates and “customer creation” rolls, there’s something for everyone.
The Scene: The small dining room located in the welcoming Mill Village Plaza makes good use of modern design to distinguish itself from the early American vibe that permeates much of Sudbury. It’s a refreshing change of pace without the drive into the city.
The Reviews: Oishii Too has 4.5 stars based on 182 Google reviews.
Acton Seafood Company – Acton
The Food: Fried classics abound at this nearby casual seafood joint. Fish and chips, cajun fish and chips, haddock dinner and a combo plate are just a few of the mains available. If you’re looking for something lighter, the Grilled Fish Plate gives diners the option to choose from swordfish, salmon, tuna, cajun catfish, tilapia, shrimp, scallops. But you won’t leave hungry no matter what you order. Portions are generous, and that’s in addition to appetizer options ranging from crab cakes to stuffed clams and coconut shrimp.
The Scene: With no-frills booths inside and picnic tables on the patio outside, Acton Seafood Company makes it easy to relax. West Side Creamery is right next door, in the event your party is looking for some excellent local ice cream for dessert, and Acton’s Gardner Field and Playground is across the street if the kids need to stretch their legs after the meal. Come to think of it, you can get much of the “seafood day trip” experience with a short ride north of Sudbury. Whatever traffic you experience getting north on Route 27 will be a walk in the park compared to summer traffic near the coast.
The Reviews: Acton Seafood Company has 4.5 stars based on nearly 500 Google reviews.
Twin Seafood – Concord
The Food: Twin Seafood is about a classic as it gets for New England seafood. With multiple chowders to choose from, as well as seafood platters that highlight fresh seafood over complicated preparations are reliable staples for this 30+ year fixture in Concord. Craving lobster? Twin Seafood will fix them up however you like them, including preparing them for travel.
The Scene: By all means visit for a meal from the restaurant, but don’t forget to do a little shopping while you’re there. Twin Seafood is also a fish market. That means it’s casual, and just as well-suited for take-out meals as it is dine-in.
The Reviews: Twin Seafood has 4.5 stars from 241 Google reviews.
Legal Sea Foods – Framingham
The Food: Legal Sea Foods is synonymous with New England seafood. It’s famous clam chowder has been served at presidential inaugurations for decades. Despite the sale of the restaurant business during the heigh of the Covid-19 pandemic, the restaurant is still a fixture in the Boston dining scene. Don’t skip the clam chowder, and the lobster roll is a reliable go-to in the Metro West area. The lobster mac and cheese, and fresh oysters from around the region round out what can only be described as a quintessential New England menu.
The Scene: It’s under renovation at the moment! The bar and dining room at this location were always spacious, balancing casual comfort with modern sophistication and coastal cues. We’re excited to see what they come up with after the renovation.
The Reviews: Legal Sea Foods Framingham has 4.3 stars from over a whopping 2,000 Google reviews.
The Tack Room – Lincoln
The Food: It’s well-known for it’s lobster roll, and for good reason. It’s excellent. But who would think that Lincoln was the place to go for a crawfish po’boy dip or cajun salmon? This small-town bar has a refined menu featuring a wide variety of dishes, but it’s the seafood options that surprise and delight.
The Scene: Welcoming, sophisticated, yet down-to-earth vibes make this an attractive space for all occasions. They describe their offerings as “elevated comfort food,” and that pairs perfectly with their community-oriented ethos.
The Reviews: The Tack Room has 4.5 stars from over 200 Google reviews.
The Wayside Inn – Sudbury
The Food: Seafood is featured throughout the lunch and dinner menus at the Wayside Inn. For starters, diners have ample choices ranging from bacon-wrapped scallops to jumbo shrimp cocktail or clam chowder. For lunch, the lobster salad roll doesn’t force you to choose between the classic roll or the salad. The dinner menu offers broiled schrod and broiled scallops, or a lobster casserole for those seeking something truly indulgent. The 2025 dinner specials menu includes a seafood casserole that combines shrimp, scallops and cod.
The Scene: Draped in history and smothered in New England charm, there’s no other place quite like Sudbury’s Wayside Inn. Enjoy your meal in the massive main dining room, or any of the smaller side rooms that transport you to early America. Don’t fret if you indulge a bit too much during the meal — the property features a trail that meanders through nature and historic buildings like the Gristmill for guests who might want to walk off a few calories.
The Reviews: The Wayside Inn has 4.6 stars on nearly 2,000 Google reviews.
Wherever you choose to get your seafood fix this summer, there’s no shortage of options in and around Sudbury. If your struggling to decide between a long drive to the coast or a local dive, you have one more option nearby at Russell’s Garden Center in Wayland. The charming garden center plays host to the Cousins Maine Lobster Truck regularly, bringing a slice of the coast to the neighborhood. Check out their site or Facebook page for dates and alerts.