Editors’ Choice (Tie)
Seaport Grille
Seaport Grille
Gloucester
You certainly won’t go hungry ordering the fried clams here; the portions are generous and are served with the house tartar sauce. Diners can watch the boats bringing in the freshest catch from the water’s edge year-round while sipping on a craft cocktail or draft beer. In the summertime it feels like the whole restaurant—which is celebrating a decade in business this year—is one big patio.
6 Rowe Square, Gloucester, 978-282-9799, seaportgrillegloucester.com
The Village
Essex
Lucky us! People around the world have been making pilgrimages to this spot since the 1950s to taste these delectable deep-fried jewels. But we can go anytime—they’re open year-round. Thanks to the attention to quality that has kept The Village in business for nearly 70 years, these bivalves are tops.
55 Main St., Essex, 978-768-6400, wedigclams.com
Top Dog
Rockport
It’s open seasonally only at this tiny spot on Bearskin Neck, so make a point to come out this summer to enjoy some of these fresh-shucked, perfectly fried darlings while overlooking beautiful Rockport Harbor.
2 Doyles Cove Rd., Bearskin Neck, Rockport, 978-546-0006, topdogofrockport.com
Readers’ Choice
Woodman’s of Essex
Essex
Rumor has it that Woodman’s actually invented the fried clam. We know for sure that they are always delicious, and have always been gluten-free.
119 Main St., Essex, 978-768-6057, woodmans.com