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Larsen's Fish Market
Category: Food Specialty Food Seafood Markets Seafood Markets [Edit]
56 Basin RdChilmark, MA 02535
(508) 645-2680
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 9 am - 7 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
27 reviews for Larsen's Fish Market
Review Highlights
"...for fresh seafood, on Martha's Vineyard or anywhere."
(in 4 reviews)
"...delicious, especially anything you get on the half shell."
(in 3 reviews)
"This is the best lobster I've ever had."
(in 20 reviews)
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27 reviews in English
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Review from Leslie E.
ABSOLUTELY my favorite place that i ate during my first vineyard visit. Also my first time EVER eating raw oysters, and it was amazing!!!
This is not a restaurant, really just a small shack with a few picnic tables, crab pots, crates and other improvised benches and tables out back with a view of the water. It isn't fancy at all, has a humble, rustic feel to it.
You walk into the main room, order, get your food, then either go out back to eat or take the food home. Quick simple and easy. If you are expecting table service...go somewhere else. I will say that out of all the places i went in Martha's Vineyard they had the freshest and tastiest oysters and clams of all. The kids that shucked the oysters and clams were talkative, friendly, efficient and extremely fast! Fresh out of the water, the oysters are amazing, especially with lemon and just a tiny amount of horseradish...it feels like eating the ocean!
The only complaint i have about Larsen's is that the lobster rolls were not as good as i would have liked for how overpriced they were. Still tasty, but not really worth it...i don't like a ton of mayo and celery in my lobster rolls. -
Review from Mely A.
New York, NY
9/30/2011
On a recent trip to the Cape all I wanted to eat was chowder. Chowder for every meal! I had the good fortune to stumble upon Larsen's in the search for my daily chowder fix on Martha's Vineyard. Since we had no car we took the bus to the other side of the island. It was a rainy day and it took awhile but it was worth every minute.
The chowder was the best I've ever had, the lobster bisque was to die for, the steamers tasted like the sea. I'd recommend picking up booze to have with your meal and then some extra to take down to the beach to just waste away the day, simmering in the beautiful moment that you've just experienced. -
Review from Saba N.
8/28/2011
WOW.
I feel like a fatty telling you all about how much I ate at Larsen's... but I don't care. I had the cherry stones, lobster roll, stuffed scallop, chowder, and a stuffed quahog. Everything was superb. Fresh, flavorful... this is the seafood joint that I've always dreamed of. I would definitely make this a must-do on the vineyard. You can also bring your own wine or drinks and make this a fun and affordable boozefest.
yum!! -
Review from Nick P.
Saratoga Springs, NY
7/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
Here is the plan:
Take somebody you love and put that person you love in a car late in the day. Drive that car way the hell out to the sticks of Marthas Vineyard to Menensha and stop at Larsons to get probably the most amazing lobster bisque, made with tons of real, fresh, Atlantic, caught that day lobster you have ever had and then walk that lobster bisque to the beach and set down with the bottle of wine you brought and watch the sun go down.
The Vineyard is a place full of luck and magic. There is a synchronicity to this island. A universal coordination of places and events that make it an amazing place to visit. -
Review from Asif Z.
Elmhurst, NY
4/4/2011
1) EPIC
2) not to be missed
3) don't eat for a whole day before your visit
4) don't plan on eating for a whole day after your visit
5) leave all friends that have an aversion to fishy odors at home (long story)
6) don't over think this by reading more reviews, just go
What I ordered:
- steamed mussels
- whole 4lb lobster with butter
- oysters
- lobster roll -
Review from Allison C.
Weymouth, MA
9/23/2011
Love Larsen's. Always friendly counterhelp. Delicious oysters and wonderful steamers. And people complaining about tables and chairs?? It's not a restaurant. It's a fish market. You sit outside on whatever you can find to sit on and watch the fishing boats come in. That's the fun of it.
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Review from Saralee S.
San Luis Obispo, CA
3/26/2011
The butter is running down my chin and dripping off my toes, as I sit on a plastic packing crate behind Larsens and devour a lobster that minutes ago was crawling around in a tank. I'm using my fingers to pry out the delicate white meat and soak each morsel in a bath of butter before consuming it. And I'm thinking, this is the only way to eat lobster.
The sea breeze in my face, sun twinkling in my eyes, and lobster satisfying my hunger.
The crab cakes are great, the smoked fish is good for take out or take home, and the soups make a meal.
Go at sunset, get a lobster, pull up a crate, and enter gourmet paradise. -
Review from Brian C.
Hartford, CT
7/14/2011
I agree with Nick P's review. i think you should take somebody you really love and put that person you really love in a car late in the day. Drive that car way out to to Menemsha and watch the sunset with a bottle of wine and maybe some bubbly. However was highly disappointed by the lobster bisque at Larsens last week, all i read were great reviews, but it didn't live up to them. I didnt get any chunks of lobster in it, what i got was ground lobster and very little. Also got the clam chowder and wasn't too impressed with that. steamers were good though and the sunset was fabo. Bring your bug spray.
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Review from Hilary H.
9/14/2010
Oh my god, you guys - go here. Go here for the little necks, go here for the lobster bisque, go here for the steamers. Go here.
Call ahead of time to place your order, then drive up and bring some beach chairs and a cold sixer with ya for the picnic of your life. I love to come here at sunset and eat my bounty whist I watch the sun disappear into the Menemsha Bight. There's nothing quite like it.
Larsen's is an interesting place. It's one of two joints in Menemsha run by the same family, but they're in competition. Larsen's is the trustier of the two, 'cause they let you place your order over the phone before you haul ass up to Menemsha so you don't have to wait for your food, and it's piping hot when you get there.
Get the lobster bisque. Do it. It's the best I've ever had and I mean it with my whole entire heart. The little necks are killer, too, as are the steamers and the stuffed quahogs. I'm drooling just thinking about it. Really. -
Review from Val M.
Albany, NY
9/13/2011
Since discovering Larsen's in May I have judged ALL seafood against this place. Suddenly no other oysters or steamers taste as good as they used to. I've had oysters in upscale restaurants that don't even begin to compare to the amazing oysters served at Larsen's. I cannot wait to get back to the vineyard, I'm going straight to Larsen's.
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Review from Ben K.
9/27/2010
The fish is absurdly fresh. Everything tastes unbelievably delicious, especially anything you get on the half shell. They actually have the best clam chowder I've ever had, and their lobster roll is meaty and fantastic too. But it wouldn't be complete without the ambiance of walking into a shack that looks like it's about to fall down, smelling the overwhelming aroma of fish, and seeing the docks out the back entrance.
You really cannot beat this experience for fresh seafood, on Martha's Vineyard or anywhere! -
Review from Lisa B.
Seattle, WA
8/25/2011
This is my family's fish market of choice. The folks that work here are almost always so helpful, giving us bones to make stock, or letting us phone in special requests ahead of time. The fish is reliably excellent, especially the Yellowtail, Striped Bass, Vineyard Sole, Swordfish, and Bluefish (my favorite). They cook and crack lobsters, sell fresh lobster rolls, and do oysters on the half-shell. We visit almost every day and are never disappointed.
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Review from Dan L.
Exeter, NH
7/27/2011
I don't get all the 5 star reviews. Friends told us we had to go to Larsen's for lobster in the rough. Rough it is. This is a fish market that will cook your lobster and steamers. They will open your oysters and little necks and put them on a paper plate. But that's the extent of the service. There are no tables/chairs - not even a picnic table - I don't even remember seeing any napkins. There are a couple lobster traps to eat on out back while you smell the stink of commercial fishing boats. We took a look around and decided to buy lobsters and clams and bring them home and cook it ouselves. Good quality seafood, but no better than other fish markets on the Island. If you are in Menemsha and need a 1/2 dozen oysters stop by, but otherwise I would not recommned Larsne's for a dining experience.
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Review from Cherie L.
New York, NY
10/23/2011 1 photo
our meal here was a nice reward after the long bike quest. we made small talk with the friendly boys shucking our oysters and cooking up the steamers. the toppings were kind of just laid out family-style to grab for yourself (horse radish, lemon, and cocktail sauce). the cape cod oysters happened to be huge that day and just eating them next to the sea enhanced the experience. the clam steamers were absolutely the best i've ever had! they were sweet and succulent and perfectly cooked! the best part was the view outside. when we got our food we sat on top of lobster crates and chatted with some locals that offered us beer. great experience!!! I will definitely be back -- for the lobsters! skip the chower and bisque, very meh.
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Review from Amy L.
1/12/2009
Every time I'm on the island, I always find myself here several times, either picking up fish or lobsters to cook at home for dinner. This business has been here my entire life and seeing Betsy and the other long-time employees hustling behind the counter to assist customers always feels a bit like home.
The fish is fresh, fresh, FRESH, and the prices are market, not ridiculously inflated the way they are at other businesses on the island. You can get a lobster steamed while you wait and have it with drawn butter right there outside on the docks. They also have delicious cherry stones on the half-shell, which to me are much tastier than oysters!
Maybe I'm just a sentimental fool, but to me, Larsen's is part of what makes Martha's Vineyard the wonderful island it is: salty sea air, fresh fish, and lots of lobstah!!! -
Review from Rachel N.
Forest Hills, NY
7/12/2011
The freshest, tastiest clams and lobster I've ever eaten, in the most beautiful place imaginable. Our lobsters were ready exactly when they said they would be, pre-cracked for us so we could eat them on the beach at sunset. Perfection.
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Review from Adrienne T.
Boston, MA
9/2/2009
YOU HAVE TO GO TO LARSEN'S IF YOU ARE ON THE VINEYARD!
So, first things first, this is NOT a fancy place. It's a family-owned/operated, little shack of a thing, you SEE seafood, and it sits right on the water where you can see the small boats pull up with the seafood in them.
Best thing ever is to order, get your grub, and grab a seat on a bench behind the store, or on a rock, or the top of a lobster trap, and sit and enjoy your fresh, most delicious seafood EVER. You'll love your food, and the scenery.
Make time during your visit to leave the tourist parts of the island, and head upward. It's WORTH the not -so-daunting jaunt.
There's also a beautiful, non-crowded, beach right below the shop, so you can go there for a STUNNING sunset, if you like. Lobstah, a bottle of wine, chowdah, other sea treats, most beautiful susnset ever- ahhhh, if all moments could be this good.
YUM, YUM, Larsen's! -
Review from Aretha B.
Aquinnah, MA
5/15/2007
Let me preface this review by saying that I worked here for 8 seasons. I LOVE larsen's. They have a very loyal following every year because Besty brings in the most consistently high quality seafood in town.
There is a great variety of local seafood, as well as some stuff that needs importing (wild king salmon, halibut, mahi).
Every room is clean in the back, they really keep up in there.
They serve food right overlooking the harbor.
Steamed lobsters, steamers, mussels, stuffed quahogs, chowder, crabcakes, fantastic raw bar...
THIS IS THE PLACE!!
call ahead for your lobster orders as it really is a wait at peak hours. Take your lobsters to the beach and watch the sunset. -
Review from Jordan D.
Astoria, Queens, NY
8/9/2011
I'm sure there is a list out there that reads along the lines of "Top 10 things to do while on the Vineyard". Well, making a pilgrimage to Larsen's HAS to be on that list. My gf and I came here like most folks do, after a long day at the beach. We made it in right during the dinner rush. You might encounter a nice sized line, but suck it up and wait, it's all worth it. We were starving and order a whole bunch of raw littlenecks oysters, chowder and lobster rolls. We snagged a few lobster pots to sit on and feasted. I don't think I've had fresher seafood in my life. The raw oysters and clams were amazingly good. The lobster bisque was the best I've ever had, no questions asked. The lobster roll, although pretty plain, was fresh as could be and tasty. It can be a bit pricey, the lines can get long and seating might be tough to find during the dinner rush, but once you sit down, start feasting and watch the sun set, you'll be in heaven, mark my word!
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Review from Kirby W.
Vista, CA
11/3/2010 2 photos
Talk about FRESH. Larsen's shucking the scallops as you walk in and you can smell the Lob Bisque and Clam Chowder steaming in back. I had the Seafood Chimi w/sour cream and cheese, made by this babe from Belarus. In the mountain above lives James Taylor, and I can picture him heading down for the grub. The Chimi was so good I couldn't stop eating, despite it being hot and me burning the roof of my mouth. YUMBO!
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Review from Hank M.
Brooklyn, NY
2/23/2009
Larsen's fawking rules.
Worth the trip up island any day.
The freshest shellfish right off the boat.
I love Larsen's.
Larsen's are "dangerous" I hear... -
Review from David C.
Las Vegas, NV
7/27/2010
Everybody knows about Larsen's. It's THE place to buy seafood and eat lobsters when on the westside of the island. Best time to go is in late afternoon. Have a picnic on the beach 100 ft from the shack. It's the only place on the east coast to see sun set into the ocean.
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Review from serena l.
Medford, MA
7/12/2010
my husband and i came here during our first trip to MV for our anniversary. we decided to check out larsen's since the other restaurant nearby (home port) was inordinately expensive!
i am SO glad that we went to larsen's. we got the lobster deal that came with a cup of soup and a pound of clams or steamers. they were nice enough to let us split this between the two crustaceans.
the service was a bit slow since they were getting ready to close and had to reheat the pots but was very gracious in doing so!
we came back a year later and ordered the same deal. this only costed about $28! a much better deal than home port. -
Review from N M.
Leesburg, VA
8/23/2009
If you are in the vineyard area and appreciate fresh sea food, Larsen's is a must visit. This place is an absolute gem on a slightly less touristy part of the island. The seafood here is _very_ fresh. Staffers are friendly. I tried their shrimp cocktail and lobster roll - both were yummy. I have had shrimp cocktail dish many times before, but this has to be the best it ever tasted. Rent a bicycle or moped from vineyard haven, make the trip to this place and enjoy the bliss of fresh sea food. The beach near-by is good for sunset watching - so a late afternoon visit will be perfect.
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Review from Paige R.
Los Angeles, CA
11/5/2008
This is the best lobster I've ever had! After having lobster here, nothing else compares. This is not a restaurant. You pick the live lobster, that just came straight from the boat have them cook it for you and then you eat it outside, sitting on top of lobster traps...the lobsters just fall of the skin. It's so good, nothing rubbery to it.
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Review from Jonathan J.
New York, NY
7/27/2010
Best place on Martha's Vineyard to buy live or cooked lobsters to take home; fantastic lobster bisque and very good seafood sausage, too. A must when visiting the island.
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Review from Sean K.
Chicago, IL
6/27/2009
Holy crap, this place is one of the best fish markets I've ever been to. The freshest everything, and the location is postcard perfect with the ships that caught the fish in the water right behind the store!
