The Black Whale — Restaurant in New Bedford

I had the opportunity to have dinner at The Black Whale again on Monday, January 24 2022. This was only my second visit and the prior visit was several years ago.

The Black Whale is on the waterfront in New Bedford, near the ferry terminal. Parking is free. If you are lucky enough to get a table by the window, you will be rewarded with seeing fishing boats tied up at the docks. New Bedford is a working fishing port that brings in the most, in terms of value, seafood in the whole U.S., so expect fresh seafood at The Black Whale.

The Black Whale has sushi, has a raw bar and of course serves seafood. If one is not a seafood person, they have steak and chicken. We were a group of seven. For appetizers, we ordered BOOM BOOM SHRIMP and TRUFFLED MUSHROOM FLATBREAD, along with one other appetizer. I am not a shellfish eater but the Boom Boom Shrimp was fantastic. The Mushroom Flatbread was very good too. The drinks that I sampled were the PAINKILLER, the FALL SANGRIA that had cinnamon sugar on the rim of the glass and the CHATEAU STE. MICHELLE REISLING. I can only comment on my entrée which was GRILLED NY STEAK that had green beans and mac and cheese gratin as its sides. The steak was just as I ordered with garlic butter as opposed to blue cheese butter. The mac and cheese was very good though I would have liked a bit more cheese. I also sampled two desserts—Crème Brulée and Caramel Apple Crisp. The apple crisp was topped with a scoop of cinnamon ice cream. Never tasted or heard of cinnamon ice cream before but it was absolutely great. The apple crisp was quite good too. I love Crème Brulée and flan and the Crème Brulée did not disappoint.

I cannot leave out the service but unfortunately, I cannot remember the name of our server but she was great. She was a tall young lady who teaches elementary school during the day and works as a server in a restaurant in the evening. She was very helpful, pleasant and amiable. Our group was there to celebrate a birthday and the server really made the evening special. We also had the opportunity to meet one of the servers from the bar. Another great service person.

Overall, everyone had a great time with incredible food, good drinks, good desserts and fantastic service. It was not inexpensive but well worth it. I will have to add The Black Whale to my list of terrific places to dine.

I travel and eat out a bit and I am not one to give out a five-star review, if it is undeserved. I have recently given out a three-star review that was mostly because of the location (across from the beach), ambiance and entertainment because the food was not good. The Black Whale more than earned its review rating because of its location (great view of the docks on the waterfront), food, service and the beautiful...

I ordered to-go for the first time because my partner chose it for their birthday dinner at home. Absolute pleasure all around! All 5 of us wolfed the food down so fast I never even took a photo. But I for sure will for the next trip! Been living in this area for ten years without thinking to try it because it’s a higher-end independent restaurant and I have more of a chain restaurant budget.

First and foremost everyone needs to order the Boom Boom Shrimp, it’s not spicy like it would seem, it’s just delicious and I will be ordering as my go-to, having a bad day, pick-me-up dinner from here on out. Genuinely just so good that I feel bad that my sister with a shellfish allergy can never experience how good it is.

We got a big group order so I’ll be brief: The desserts (the key lime pie and peanut butter thing) were all very good and huge portions, we had no room left but we made room anyway. Fishermans Platter was crunchy and well seasoned Clam Chowder was a 9/10, the potatoes melted in your mouth like a good fondant potato. The broth was thick and perfectly seasoned. A little too chunky for my preference but if you have had captain Parker’s chowder then this is like an elegant upgrade from theirs. Salmon Nigiri was good but small for the cost, the rice was fine but I feel like I could have achieved this at home with Alton Brown’s sushi rice recipe Steak Frites was solid, cooked correctly and good, maybe a touch underseasoned since the steak was a nice thiccc cut I didn’t try the Blackened Swordfiah for fear of my pants never re-buttoning, but the happy dance my partner did while eating it said it all. Street corn flatbread was delicious if a touch thick for a flatbread, the pesto and cream sauces on it were perfection and the red onions were picked to the point I didn’t hate eating a red onion, which is impressive. TBW Burger was INHALED by my friend before I could even look at it, so I assume it was excellent.

Curbside pickup was easy and the girl remembered to run back for the dessert bag before I even had a chance to look through my gigantic order to confirm I had everything before I left. All in all, it’s wayy too expensive for a regular night out but for special occasions I will be there every time. You absolutely get what you pay for, and I will be back for...

The Black Whale in New Bedford is a standout dining destination that combines exceptional seafood with a charming waterfront setting. Nestled in the historic fishing port, it offers an authentic taste of New England’s maritime heritage with a modern twist.

Food The menu is thoughtfully curated, highlighting the freshest seafood sourced directly from local waters. I started with the oysters, which were plump, briny, and impeccably fresh. For the main course, I opted for the Seafood Cioppino, a generous medley of lobster, scallops, shrimp, and clams in a rich, flavorful broth. Every bite was a testament to the restaurant’s commitment to quality and flavor.

My dining companion tried the Blackened Swordfish, which was perfectly cooked, with a smoky crust that complemented the tender, flaky fish. The sides, particularly the lobster mashed potatoes, were decadent and delicious. Fried Scallops are also a must!!

The Black Whale’s location on the harbor provides stunning views, especially at sunset. The casual yet refined interior features nautical accents and large windows that let in plenty of natural light. The outdoor seating is a must during warmer months, allowing diners to enjoy the sea breeze and watch the boats dock. The service was outstanding. Our server was knowledgeable about the menu, offering excellent recommendations and ensuring our dining experience was seamless from start to finish. The staff’s genuine hospitality added to the warm and inviting atmosphere. For the quality of food, generous portions, and unbeatable location, The Black Whale offers excellent value. It’s a great spot for a special occasion, a date night, or simply a meal to celebrate the incredible seafood culture of New Bedford.

Conclusion The Black Whale is a gem for anyone looking to enjoy fresh, flavorful seafood in a picturesque setting. It perfectly balances casual charm with fine dining quality, making it a must-visit if you’re in the New Bedford area. I’ll definitely be returning and highly recommend it to seafood...