WeekendWatch: A seafood sampler

Whether you prefer fried, grilled, steamed, or baked and stuffed, nothing says summer quite like seafood. And in a town like Boston, the options are endless. Here are just a few well-known spots to make you hungry this weekend.

No Name Restaurant
15 Fish Pier St. West, South Boston
Accessible via the World Trade Center stop on the Silver Line
That’s right — this restaurant has no name. But once you go, you won’t forget it. The No Name has kept customers coming back since 1917, when it opened as a diner for hungry fishermen. On an out-of-the-way spot on the South Boston Waterfront’s Fish Pier, this is one you don’t want to miss.

The Barking Crab
88 Sleeper Street, Boston
Accessible via the South Station stop on the Red Line
Offering indoor and outdoor seating on Boston’s Fort Point Channel, the Barking Crab has some of the best seafood — and equally impressive views — in the city. The restaurant serves fresh fish from the Atlantic, lobsters from Maine and enormous crabs from the Pacific Northwest.

Atlantic Fish
761 Boylston St., Boston
Accessible via the Hynes, Copley or Prudential stops on the Green Line
If you’re looking for a more formal setting, Atlantic Fish is for you. Enjoy dining on their outdoor patio — we can’t imagine a more perfect spot to people watch as the throngs pass by on Boylston Street.

Union Oyster House
41 Union St., Boston
Accessible via the Haymarket stop on the Green Line
Claiming to be the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the nation, the Union Oyster House is famous for serving up — you guessed it — oysters, but they’ve got a lot more on their menu to chose from. A part of Boston’s history ever since it opened in 1826, the restaurant boasts an extra special booth upstairs: Booth No. 18 was a favorite of President John F. Kennedy’s.

The Daily Catch
323 Hanover St., North End
Accessible via the Haymarket stop on the Green Line
With its flagship restaurant in the North End, plus locations in Brookline and on Fan Pier, the Daily Catch brings a Sicilian edge to its seafood and pasta, lauded by many as some of the best seafood in the city. But be forewarned: the North End location seats just 20 diners and doesn’t take reservations or credit cards.

The Original Clam Box and Tony’s Clam Shop
The Original Clam Box: 789 Quincy Shore Drive, Quincy
Tony’s Clam Shop:  861 Quincy Shore Drive, Quincy
Accessible via the Wollaston Station stop on the Red Line
These rival restaurants are located just blocks apart on Quincy’s Wollaston Beach. Both offer a bounty of seafood and other summertime staples like burgers and dogs, but they’re most famous for their fresh fried clams. And as if the choice between the two wasn’t hard enough already, both offer scenic views of downtown Boston and the Harbor Islands.

Woodman’s of Essex
121 Main Street, Essex
Accessible via car: Route 128 to exit 15
A North Shore landmark since 1914, Woodman’s draws seafood lovers from all over Greater Boston and beyond. You can’t miss them when you drive through town — there will likely be a long line out the door just to get inside to gush over their impressive menu. Tip: The clam chowder is tops.