Neptune Oyster

Although Boston’s North End is known for its Italian fare, one of the neighborhood’s most beloved restaurants is the tiny Neptune Oyster, a twenty-six-seat pearl known for Malpeques, not marinaras. Chef Nate Nagy turns out traditional lobster rolls and classic clam chowders in addition to a more inventive crudo menu, grilled fish and the unusual Neptune burger, a cheddar-cheese burger topped with fried oysters and garlic mayo. The cramped dining room feels authentically New England, with dark wood furniture and a mirrored wall on which waitresses scrawl daily specials and raw-bar offerings.