Welcome to Boston Fish Market
At Boston Fish Market, we celebrate a rich tradition of seafood excellence in Des Plaines, Illinois. Our journey began with a commitment to providing fresh, high-quality fish and deliciously crafted dishes. From Chef Louie's renowned Cioppino to our succulent stuffed calamari, each item is created to delight your palate. We cater to all, offering a warm, casual atmosphere perfect for groups and families alike. With an extensive menu ranging from flavorful kabobs to comforting seafood pasta, every meal ensures generous portions for sharing. Join us for a memorable dining experience where freshness and flavor come together seamlessly, making it a local favorite for seafood lovers.
- 1225 E Forest Ave Des Plaines, IL 60018 United States Hotline: (847) 296-1111
Welcome to the delightful world of Boston Fish Market, a culinary gem nestled in Des Plaines, Illinois. Renowned for its exceptional seafood offerings, this vibrant eatery has captured the hearts of many food enthusiasts. Whether you're a local or just passing through, Boston Fish Market promises a seafood experience that is fresh, flavorful, and unforgettable.
As you step into the restaurant, the atmosphere strikes a perfect balance between classy and casual. With options for outdoor seating, a moderate noise level, and amenities such as Wi-Fi, TV, and even dog-friendly areas, Boston Fish Market caters to all diners—families, friends, and seafood aficionados alike.
Notable Features:
- Takeout and Catering Services
- Convenient Payment Options including Credit Cards and Cryptocurrency
- Happy Hour Specials
- Ample Parking Options available
The menu at Boston Fish Market is a treasure trove of seafood delights, crafted with passion under the expert touch of Chef Louie. From their eye-catching Cioppino, brimming with crab legs, shrimp, clams, and New Zealand mussels in a rich marinara sauce, to the Stuffed Calamari infused with real Maryland crab, the quality and portion sizes promise to leave you satisfied.
Signature Dishes:
- Swordfish Kabobs: Delightful skewers featuring tender swordfish alongside colorful onions, peppers, and tomatoes, served with wild rice.
- Salmon Florentine: A sumptuous salmon fillet stuffed with feta and spinach, accompanied by a side of roasted vegetables.
- Fisherman’s Platter: An assortment of fried fish, perfect for sharing and an absolute must-try for any seafood lover!
Many patrons sing praise for the generous portions that can often serve as a feast for two or more, reflecting a commitment to value that is hard to find elsewhere. Diners frequently mention the delicious Fried Alaskan Cod and Lake Superior Whitefish, both credited for their flaky tenderness and flavorful seasonings, although some reviewers have noted room for improvement in seasoning strength.
The ambiance has recently been enhanced with a remodel, featuring a retractable roof for the outdoor dining experience. This, combined with the attentive service, makes each visit a memorable occasion. Many loyal guests, like Hannah O., rave about the consistent quality of the dishes and feeling of home every time they enter Boston Fish Market.
In a world buzzing with fast food and fleeting trends, Boston Fish Market remains a steadfast destination for those craving a meal that showcases the sea's bounty. With a passionate following and rave reviews, it is clear why Boston Fish Market has become a beloved establishment in the Chicagoland area.
If you're seeking a seafood spot where flavor meets freshness, look no further than Boston Fish Market. Join the community of seafood lovers and experience the delicious bounty that awaits you!

Have been enjoying Boston fish market since they opened. Can't go wrong here. Everything is fresh and top-notch and unless you're a really big eater be prepared to split any of their menu items. Love their lake perch, smelts, and my favorite shrimp and feta platter, which will easily feed 4. (and they have the best french fries)

The best place to purchase fresh fish or even to sit down and enjoy a meal. It's definitely pricey but remember that almost all of their meals are definitely shareable.

Im hooked!! non pun intended. Waiter did not steer me wrong. One of the freshest seafood dishes I had in a while. Will definitely return

Huge portions, decent value, but under seasoned. I used to love Boston Fish Market, was great for portions and value. But the prices have definitely crept up. Still good value since the portions are huge, but I think the seasoning could use some work. Had the fisherman's platter which was an assortment of fried fish, smelt, perch, walleye and tonnes of fries. But the problem was that the fish was under seasoned (no salt). The lemons helped a little a long with the sauce, but I feel it could have used more seasoning. Frankly not the worst thing (lower sodium), but with fried food, the right salt is essential. Had a good amount leftover and it crisped really nicely in the air fryer. I'll still come back for a special seafood experience but the aura of the Boston Fish is waning for me.

It has been awhile since I have last been here. We ordered the grilled calamari meal, scallop spaghetti and the fried great lakes platter. The portions are as I remember, huge and plenty to feed a hungry crowd. The grilled calamari was delicious- perfectly cooked and seasoned, there was not a bite leftover. The scallop spaghetti was also good, with 4 huge scallops that were perfectly cooked and the pasta sauce had a nice flavor to it not just your standard red sauce. The fried great lakes platter was ginormous! Lots of big pieces of fish and lots of little fried smelts as well. Underneath all the large fish pieces were smelts and not just filled with fries. The fried fish while large definitely needed to be eaten with the tartar sauce that it came with. The fish lacked seasoning to eat on its own plain. Overall a great time at Boston Fish, the side of the restaurant now is above the just tent and seems more built in and permanent. The service is still superb as well.

We had dinner reservations at 5:30pm Saturday night. We were seated right away and were served garlic bread and water before even ordering. Even though they were busy, they didn't rush us while half of your table was running behind due to traffic. Amongst 4 of us, we ordered a Quart size Boston clam chowder, fisherman's platter, and fried calamari to share. The food was plentiful and we enjoyed our meal. Their seating is divided into closed patio area and market seating. With the lighting in closed area, it created a good vibe but not too formal. Will be back but must be larger party to try a variety.

We came here last Saturday night. Their parking lot is too small but plenty of parking by Aldi's. It was still very packed at 6:30 pm but luckily we got seated right away. They sat us outside which was fine. It did take awhile for the waitress to take our orders because she was the only waitress in our section. After that, the service and food was pretty good. We ordered grilled calamari, poor boy, and fish and chips. They served us complimentary garlic bread. They were very decent. They weren't as hard as a rock. The middle had softness, some garlicky seasoning, and the crust was crispy. The grilled calamari appetizer was enough for two people to share. Very fresh and bursting with flavor. After weeks of trying to find a decent po boy in Illinois, the one at Boston Fish Market has met my expectations. Shuckin' Shack in Naperville was trash and for some reason Pappadeaux doesn't have one that I can get anytime. Boston's poor boy was huge with jumbo pieces of shrimp and fried oysters. It's a lot bigger when you see it in person. It was delicious and filling. Their version of fish and chips was different from the typical ones you mostly see. Boston's was not overly fried, flaky fish inside, and moist. None of the food we ordered was bland. Prices can be expensive depending on what you get. No matter what you get, you can count on having massive portions. Btw Aleks is a great server if you get her.

Boston Fish Market delivers, YET AGAIN! Where do I even begin with my review? I've been coming to Boston Fish Market for YEARS now - and every time I've had a meal here - whether on my own or with my family - it has been absolutely fresh, delicious, and a wonderful foodie experience. It's time I finally write a review on one of my all-time favorite seafood spots in the Chicagoland area. This place is a GEM! I live a-ways-away-nowadays, but anytime I am in town, my dad will suggest swinging by Boston Fish Market and my family's answer is always a RESOUNDING yes. Whether it be their fried fish specials, salads, appetizers, or their dinner platters, anything you order is guaranteed to be good. Ever since the latest remodel, the dining experience has been incredible! I love that the outdoor patio has a retractable roof - so that we can get the outside-dining experience on beautiful-weathered days and to stay cozy on treacherously cold winter days. No matter the weather, the ambiance here is always comfortable! The service is always exceptional as well. Staff members are so polite, attentive, quick, and contribute to an overall wonderful dining experience! The following are the menu items which I've had, all of which I rate a 10/10 on freshness and flavor: Fried Alaskan Cod: This is one of the first menu items I have ever tried and it is CONSISTENTLY delicious. You can't go wrong with a perfectly fried piece of cod, that is flaky, tender, and delicious. Squeeze with a spritz of lemon and a dollop of tartar sauce and you'll be in HEAVEN! Fried Lake Superior Whitefish: I ordered this the last time I went and was supremely satisfied with the texture of the fish and the flavor. This is certainly something I'll be ordering again. Fried Alaskan Cod Fish Sandwich: When I don't feel like having the fried cod stand-alone, the cod fish sandwich is an excellent alternative! There's nothing like a fried fish sandwich with a bed of crispy and yummy fries.. I'm getting hungry just thinking about this. Swordfish Dinner: This was the first meal I had where I experienced swordfish and MY GOODNESS WAS THIS GOOD. Perfectly grilled, so tasty, and addicting. This is a dish I love sharing with another person - as the portions are large. I'm not the biggest fan of the rice and veggies on the side, but I don't mind. The swordfish is the main start anyways! Fried Calamari: Crispy, fresh, and perfectly cooked! Add a fresh spritz of lemon, dip in the sauce, and you've got yourself a wonderful appetizer! I don't order this often, but have enjoyed it the handful of times I had it. Chef Louie's Charbroiled Alaskan Salmon Salad: This is my sister's favorite menu item to order and it is a LOADED salad! So beautifully loaded with all sorts of yummy accoutrements; feta cheese, olives, hardboiled eggs, artichokes, pepperoncini.. what's not to love about a well-dressed salad with a heaping of freshly charbroiled salmon on top? Also, the garlic-parmesan bread that's brought out at the beginning of the meal is always so warm and delightful to munch on. Overall, I highly recommend Boston Fish Market to all folks that are within driving distance or just passing through the area. It is more than likely you'll have an exceptional foodie & dining experience. Cheers and here's to the good life through good eats!