Judy's Bay — Restaurant in Cambridge

Whether you’re local or visiting from out of town, Judy’s Bay is a must-go on your list. I’m from DC and told my sister I wanted to eat lobster but somewhere and something unique to Boston, and she brought me here in September. Just went for the second time Thanksgiving Friday because there’s nothing like it in DC and I kept thinking about it, and it somehow was even better than the first time?? I’m sure every time we go, it’ll top the last visit and continue to blow our minds. It’s run by the kindest owner-chef couple and you can tell they work so hard and really care about the dishes they put out and the people who work with them.

Service: 10/10. Marie was our server the first time, she is the sweetest person ever and really connected with our group. She remembered us and we were so happy to see each other, it’s such a nice feeling to come to a place that’s familiar. Food comes out perfect and efficiently.

Reservations: Recommend making a reservation if you can as it’s a more boutique-sized place, but we were able to snag a table the second time as a walk-in. Street parking on a quieter more residential-heavy street.

What we got first visit, shared among 3 people:

Seared Scallops: 10/10, scallops were clearly fresh and sweet, perfect sear.

Temaki Sushi: 10/10, yes it’s a single temaki, but it’s so full of the seafood option you choose. We got the scallop and it was so creamy and sweet.

Sushi Bowl: Beyond 10/10, this is not one of those bowls where there’s more rice than seafood. Absolutely crammed with juicy sweet lobster and scallops, and everyone gets to make their own little temaki with the nori squares. Haven’t seen this anywhere else, and this plus the pasta dish put this place on my forever favourites list.

Sake Chicken: 9.5/10, delicious, tender, flavourful, and we finished it all, but I think through no fault of its own, gets outshined by the next dish.

Lobster Roe Pasta w/ Fresh Lobster: Beyond 10/10, treat yourself and spring for the added fresh lobster. This pasta is absolutely unmatched in the depth of its seafoody umami flavour. It somehow manages to be both rich and creamy, but not heavy or oily at all. The sweetness of the fresh lobster (you get massive tender claw meat) balances the umami of the roe, and the little bits of watercress really cut through the richness. This dish alone is worth a visit here.

Kinako Mochi: 10/10, they make their own mochi in-house from whole grain glutinous rice, and it’s got the most satisfying texture and a subtle nutty sweetness of its own under the kinako. Literally inspired me to go home and get brown glutinous rice to make it myself because nowhere in DC has this.

Ice Cream Sundae, Black Sesame: 10/10, perfect for sharing and has more of that homemade mochi.

What we got second visit, shared amongst 4 people:

Seafood Trio: 10/10, this is the updated version of the sushi bowl from before, and it added fresh uni to the scallops and sushi. Absolutely incredible and beautiful as well.

Lobster Fried Rice: 10/10, huge pieces of sweet lobster and a perfect amount to share and satisfy 4 people.

Mushroom Tofu Stirfry: 10/10, full of umami flavour and mixes well with the fried rice or eaten on its own!

Lobster Roe Pasta w/ Fresh Lobster: you know we had to get it again!

Crispy Salmon Belly: 10/10, it sounds so simple, but the light sauce they have over it is delicious and it’s perfectly cooked and tender.

Same desserts as last time because...

Husband & wife take on a modern izakaya featuring fresh New England ingredients. Come here if you're looking for a menu curated with tender loving care and a rotation of fresh seasonal seafood and veggies. Also - come for the sake selection!

Started with a very refreshing and generous sesame salad topped with a very well balanced sesame dressing (I hope they start bottling and selling this dressing - I would totally buy a bottle home and serve with all my raw veggies). Great way to start a meal and whet the appetite!

We then had the seasonal special bittermelon salad with tomatoes and onsen egg. Tasted like the bittermelon and tomatoes were fresh picked! Chilled bittermelon salads are my favorite during the summer, and this was a delicious combination of flavors and textures.

Another special we tried was a seared tuna over rice served with nori. Loved the DIY handrolls experience and the richness of the tuna.

Pork dumplings were a hit of nostalgia. Clearly wrapped with love and fatty pork. So satisfying.

Then the spices started to kick in with the gochujang butter mussels! The sauce is so good you will need to order a bowl of medium grain rice to go with it - you will not regret it.

The miso ribs must be a signature dish. They're slow cooked to perfection with a touch of sweetness and a load of umami! Fall off the bone type of magic, which I also recommend with a bowl of rice.

So happy with the seared oyster mushrooms + caulilni. Large portion, and just like how momma used to make at home, except with an additional fragrant seared flavor.

Lobster roe pasta made me unintentionally moan with delight. The richness of the flavors and the perfect consistency and bounce of the pasta was too much for my mouth to handle, and I'm pretty sure I did a happy dance in my seat.

We tried both the desserts, which I'm glad we did, because I can't choose which one I like better. The strawberry tapioca pudding is just the right creaminess bursting with fresh strawberry flavor. And I loved the chewiness of the homemade mochi in our black sesame sundae.

Shoutout to the friendly staff that took care of us during our meal. Really appreciated all the plants in our dining area, such a comforting touch. Will be back for dinner...

I had a really memorable dinner at Judy’s Bay in Cambridge. They started me off with a complimentary little container of spicy dried peas, which was such a fun and thoughtful touch — a small thing, but it set the tone that this place does things differently.

I ordered the Yuzu Pick-me-up mocktail, which turned out to be one of the most unique drinks I’ve ever had. It blends coffee and citrus in a way that sounds unusual but tastes perfectly balanced and refreshing. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a non-alcoholic option that still feels special.

The Gomadare Salad was another highlight. It’s a simple dish on the surface — tofu tahini, corn, and beans — but the flavors were layered and satisfying, the kind of dish you can’t really find anywhere else in Cambridge or Boston. It shows how much care they put into even the smaller plates.

For my main, I had the Lobster Roe Pasta with added lobster meat. Pasta and lobster is something you can find in many Boston-area restaurants, but what stood out here was the portion size and balance. It was hearty enough to be filling without being overwhelming, and I left completely satisfied. I’m usually the type to order more food, but with the pasta, salad, and mocktail, I was happily full.

The service also made the evening special. My server, Kim, was incredibly hospitable — she let me sit and relax while waiting for my rideshare, and when my driver arrived, she kindly opened the front door so I could get out.

Overall, Judy’s Bay feels cozy and intimate, and the menu offers creative flavors that go beyond the usual seafood restaurant. From the free spicy peas to the signature pasta and mocktail, everything felt thoughtful and distinctive. It’s definitely worth a visit if you’re looking for something a little different but still comforting...