Choosing a seafood spot in Somerville shouldn’t mean your wallet needs a life raft. Whether you’re craving oysters on a date night or fish tacos with friends, these 11 restaurants deliver ocean-fresh flavors without the tidal wave of a bill. Our 2026 guide proves you can enjoy a complete seafood feast—with a drink—for under $75 per person.
J J Restaurant & Takeout
$$ | (617) 625-3978 | WEBSITE
For a budget-friendly plate of Portuguese food in a cozy space with a classic TV on, head to J J Restaurant & Takeout in Somerville. The heaping plates coming out of the kitchen here are exactly the kind of stuff you’d want for dinner any night: charcoal grilled chicken with peri peri sauce, cod, seafood stew, and other authentic Portuguese classics.
Everything is big enough to share and few dishes cost more than $18, including standout items like the grilled chicken with that flavorful peri peri garlic sauce that enhances any dish.
Celeste
$$$ | (617) 616-5319 | WEBSITE
On cozy evenings, we like to snag a spot at the open kitchen counter where you can watch the chefs work in perfect harmony while enjoying a ginger beer cocktail and the blue cod ceviche. Or you could settle into one of the intimate tables in the main dining room where couples share the standout scallops and steak dishes over glasses of crisp white wine. Celeste gives you options.
What’s consistent, though, are the portions: most entrees like the lomo saltado and papua with pickled cabbage and prawn run about $28 and are substantial enough to share, and we’ve yet to finish a meal here without taking home some of that fabulous Lúcuma Mousse for later.
Manoa Poke Shop
$ | (617) 945-1042 | WEBSITE
At first glance, Manoa Poke Shop looks like a laid-back Hawaiian spot where you’d grab a quick poke bowl. That’s why the contrast between the casual, welcoming atmosphere and superb island menu is so delightful—even more so when you notice the bowls are all under $18, and most of the mix plates are under $25. Prioritize the soft, fresh ahi shoyu poke over the kalua pork, the grilled salmon with its perfect char, and the salmon belly gohan bowl that’s a savory surprise.
And depending on your visit, Manoa doubles as a family-friendly hang, with regulars enjoying fruity cakes and kids digging into spam musubi while indie tunes play softly.
Martsa On Elm
$$ | (617) 666-0660 | WEBSITE
More than just a beautifully designed spot with nice vibes and planters hanging from the ceiling, Martsa on Elm is also reasonably priced. The best deal at this sit-down restaurant is the $45 “Taste of Nepal” special that runs Monday through Wednesday—it comes with a bowl of pork noodle soup, an order of Chicken Momo, and a side of Aloo Paratha. One order of this deal could easily satisfy a couple, and no one would have to overthink their menu choices.
Without the special, Martsa on Elm’s flavorful, unique dishes are about $18 each. They’re a good size for one person and come loaded with authentic flavors like the mind-blowing broth in the spicy tofu thang soup and the addictive crispiness of the paratha.
Juliet Social Club
$$$ | (617) 718-0958 | WEBSITE
Sipping brunch cocktails with your crew while discussing wine selections sounds like something from a ‘foodie’ magazine spread, but it’s literally what every weekend at Juliet Social Club feels like. This welcoming Somerville spot takes reservations, but you realistically don’t need one to grab a table that can accommodate both intimate duos and lively groups.
And except for the takeout bottles, everything about Juliet’s experience is easily shareable, from small plates during brunch to bigger plates that pair perfectly with their excellent wine recommendations and non-alcoholic beverages.
Legal Sea Foods- Somerville
$$ | (617) 337-4088 | WEBSITE
The clam chowder at this seafood restaurant in Somerville deserves its own fan club. But that’s only part of the appeal of this reliable local favorite. The spacious dining area is wrapped in nautical blues and whites, families gather for celebratory meals, and the hum of satisfied conversation fills the air. Beyond the signature soup, Legal Sea Foods serves some excellent lobster rolls, fresh tuna dishes, and gluten-free fish and chips that are worth making a trip for.
You can easily have dinner for around $45 per person, with portions generous enough to ensure you leave completely satisfied.
Happy Crab
$$ | (617) 718-1666 | WEBSITE
This Somerville spot specializes in fresh, flavorful seafood boils in the way a master chef specializes in perfect seasoning. Happy Crab’s seafood bags are delicious by themselves, but they also come as part of a generous combo with potatoes, corn, and optional additions like okra and sausage. Whether you go with a classic seafood boil or a lobster tail with Cajun sauce variation, you won’t spend more than $35 on a full meal here.
Sit up front near the bar if you want dinner to feel a bit lively, or grab one of the cozy tables surrounded by plants and artwork for a quiet, intimate experience.
Buk Kyung Korean Cuisine
$ | (617) 623-7220 | WEBSITE
Settling into a spacious booth at Buk Kyung Korean Cuisine in Somerville makes for a lovely casual dinner, and even more so when you remember that the generous half/half jjajangmyeon and jjambbong combo only costs $28. The Korean-Chinese platter comes with both rich, savory jjajangmyeon and spicy seafood jjambbong, including tender shrimp and chewy noodles that taste like authentic comfort.
You choose what popular dishes go alongside, with our favorite being the crispy ttangsuyuk that effortlessly flakes apart and sweet-and-sour dipping sauce that greets your palate with its balanced tang before it’s spooned over the communal rice.
Salt + Stone
$$ | (617) 764-1541 | WEBSITE
Many Somerville seafood spots can leave you feeling overcharged and waiting endlessly for your meal, but Salt + Stone is a refreshing exception. This lively restaurant with its beautiful back bar and charming outdoor patio is more approachable (and reasonably priced) than other seafood destinations in Assembly, making it a reliable spot for sub-$20 cocktails, solid pasta dishes (get the Rigatoni Bolognese with warm burrata), and expertly crafted drinks like the signature Vesper martini.
Ruth’s Chris Steak House
$$$$ | (857) 995-6122 | WEBSITE
This upscale steakhouse in Somerville is a special occasion destination in every way. Ruth’s Chris is an elegant white-tablecloth restaurant with soft jazz music drifting through its dimly lit dining room, and a menu full of indulgent, expertly prepared dishes that mostly hover around $40-$60.
Your party can settle into plush leather booths, and in moments, exceptional things begin to arrive, like perfectly seared scallops with a caramelized crust and tender osso buco ravioli swimming in a rich, savory sauce.
Lemon Thai Cuisine
$ | (617) 623-5642 | WEBSITE
Tucked away in a cozy Somerville storefront, Lemon Thai Cuisine is the kind of unassuming, neighborhood gem that locals probably hope stays their little secret. But apologies to them, it’s too delicious (and affordable) to keep quiet: The menu at this clean, intimate spot focuses on Thai classics, with generous portions of standout dishes like the crispy chicken pad thai and perfectly cooked drunken noodles, which are all under $20.
And since the kitchen is so accommodating with allergy restrictions, you’ll find a welcoming atmosphere that makes it easy to enjoy a flavorful meal whether you’re dining in or ordering for delivery.