Mary’s Fish Camp

I went to Mary’s recently with the girls for dinner, and it was exceptional. The staff and general restaurant vibe were very unpretentious. Awesome wine (although expensive bottles), and our stand-​out dishes were the scallops (perfection) and the butterscotch pot de crème — this dessert is a must-​have here! Also the braised octopus starter is recommended. We’ll be back for sure!

This was the best meal we had all week in NYC. A quaint restaurant in the West Village. The clam chowder was the best I have ever had — a alight buttery taste that was delicious. I also had the lobster roll which huge pieces of lobster. It was meaty and had a wonderful fresh taste. My husband had the posole which was seasoned perfectly. Very different from California posole but it tasted light and perfect. Next time we are in the city, we will definitely be back! Simply wonderful food and wonderful ambiance.

If all you do is have the peeky-​toe crab appetizer, all your efforts will have been worth it. That could be the best dip I’ve ever had in my life. Creamy. Spicy. Cheesy. Oniony. Buttery. Delicious… that’s all. Oh, and Jonathan is amazing. If he’s the host, you’ll be well taken care of. And don’t forget to end your meal with a baby Sundae.
The only reason I’m not giving it a 5 is bc the salad that came with my meal was wack.

What a sweet, casual, and inviting restaurant. Seriously one of the best in the West Village. Great for brunch, dinner, and everything in between. Manager is nice as can be and the food is always stunning.

After what now seems like foolish time wasted, I finally got to get back to Mary’s Fish Camp for dinner with one of my best friends. We had an AMAZING meal, which included oysters, yummy grilled lobster, a crab au gratin special which I could eat every day for the rest of my life, and a lovely bottle of white. We sat at the bar on a weekday evening and had a lovely time. The staff is helpful and knowledgable and I certainly will NOT let that much time go by again before I go back.

Delicious, fresh, interesting. I love this place. Small dining room so go early for lunch or dinner. The lobster roll is absolutely awesome and a MUST have! If the salt-​crusted shrimp is not on the menu, make sure to ask for it.
Fresh shucked oysters were perfectly chilled and delicious. Good wine selection. Will be back soon.

This place is so great. I’ve been a few times, and in the past I’ve been hesitant to come because I’m not CRAZY about seafood, but don’t let that deter you. They do it SO well. Last time I was here I got an amazing risotto, while my dad got a Vietnamese soup, and my brother got a great cod roll. We also shared the brussel sprout salad, which is really flavorful and great — highly recommend. Another awesome factor? They do dessert! Yay! Bread pudding was good, but the pound cake is where it’s AT.
Every time I’ve been there I’ve had waiters that are super nice and very friendly. It’s a cool little spot, with seriously great music selections, and it feels very casual because of how nice the staff is. Even when it’s been busy, they make sure to take care of all of their customers.
BIG RECOMMENDATION!

Love this place! Lobster rolls are the best. It can be a bit crowded, but a amazing place. Great beverage list as well.

Every single time is the best time. Love seating at the bar to get recommendations or chat with my friend whoever is the lucky one with me. The best fish tacos, and love love the Portugese Sardine Banh Mi sandwich … oh oh oh, don’t forget the Atlantic Cod Sandwich with string fries … always a favorite ~

The food was great, but whole fish was a little dry. service was amazing! It’s great seeing happy people working. Thank you.

Literally the best god damn lobster roll I’ve ever had the pleasure of eating! A little out of the way for me since I reside in the Upper East Side, but totally worth the trip every time!

Mary’s Fish Camp has kept me fed for many years now and is definitely some of the best seafood you will find in NYC. Mary’s has something for everyone, from their killer staples (like their famed lobster roll and oyster po’ boy) to their rare and coveted (at least by me) braised octopus. The menu changes seasonally, so you’ll never be in want of something new to try.
Despite far-​reaching acclaim, Mary’s manages to stay down-​home and divey. A predominately undressed wooden décor, an array of plants, and retro music give off a picnic-​y vibe that makes you feel you’ve popped over to the neighbor’s back yard for a good old fashioned crawfish boil. The walls are papered in marine-​themed pin-​up art, nautical maps, and drawings from neighborhood kids. Mary herself if usually bustling about the kitchen and serving up the goods!
If you’re looking to keep things simple, you can’t go wrong with the lobster roll. While I do prefer a mayo-​free roll (which this certainly is not), I have to admit it’s one of the best I’ve had in the city. The lobster is some of the sweetest and most succulent around. Another regular but less celebrated offering is their whole fish list, served grilled or fried with veggies (add a side of fries!). It looks like a lot of food, but you can do it! And it’s magnificent. The fish is beautifully seasoned, flaky, and just perfect. Some of my seasonal favorites over the years have been the Red Snapper Pozole, Boquerones, Fried Calamari & Gerkins, Sardine Bahn Mi, Grilled Scallops and Tuna with Mango and Avocado, and the Salt-​Crusted Shrimp. Go in for the tasty veggie sides (like the butternut squash with chili and tahini and the roasted cauliflower) or you’ll be missing out!
For dessert, there is only one answer. You must get the chocolate fudge sundae. This is the best chocolate fudge sundae. It tastes like it was made with love by your mother in a sunny kitchen on a Sunday afternoon somewhere in suburbia. The ONLY exception to this rule is when they have the peach cobbler on the menu. If this is the case, well, you must order both.
Mary’s looses one star from me because, over the years, I have seen its prices sky rocket to near-​ridiculous levels. One oyster is typically at least $ 3. That $ 32 lobster roll you are eating, once upon a time, was $ 25. I mean, it’s good. It’s REALLY good. But it’s really expensive, and portions for the most part are small. This gem is on my must-​eat list for NYC, just be prepared for the bill!
Some insider tips from a regular:
(1) Mary’s is tiny. I love it — it feels homey and chill, but if you have a big party and/​or a screaming baby, you are going to have a rough time. Mary’s does not take reservations and does not seat incomplete parties. Tables are so close together, you have to pull them out to get people seated. If you like your personal space, stay away.
(2) If you become as obsessed with the hot fudge sundae as I am, you can pick up the vanilla ice cream they use any time you want at Il Laboratorio del Gelato (188 Ludlow Street, NY NY 10 012)!
(3) Order the whole lobster (steamed or grilled). Order it because lobster is delicious. Order it because it comes with AMAZING sweet pea pancakes.
R.I.P
I must give a shout out to the late and great Trout BLT, taken off the menu for reasons I will never understand. This sandwich was otherworldly good. I am tearing up thinking about it.

This is one of the most expensive places in NY. A lobster roll is $ 33. A fish taco is $ 12. Tasty food but the pricing has gotten outrageous. I think they are embarrassed by some of the prices so they say «market price.» They shop at a very expensive market.

Stopped in here based on their Unilocal reviews for lunch. Had an amazing cod sandwich and a few glasses of wine; and finished with Caramell pudding. The woman behind the counter was very friendly albeit busy. Yes this was a $ 60 lunch but worth every cent.

Seafood seafood seafood is what you’re going to expect here. Don’t like seafood? You may be looking at the wrong spot.
I tried the Red Snapper Pozole and the Atlantic Cod Sandwich with French Fries. The red snapper had a crispy skin with a nice pozole soup. Pozole is usually a traditional hearty Mexican soup and it worked really well with the fish!
The cod sandwich was equally good and the thin french fries was made extra crunchy but not burnt.
From the written menu on the wall, it seems like you can also order full fish grilled or fried. I’m really tempted to try this next time because fresh fish is always delicious when done right!

Dine-​in is definitely th name of the game here, as they almost refused a takeout order of a lobster roll, which was quite good, but I certainly didn’t feel welcomed or my business appreciated.

This place is definitely in the top three in NYC list when it comes to lobster rolls. We started off with the fried oysters and the cod croquettes which were on special that particular day. The lobster rolls are ridiculous expensive but they apparently get their lobsters delivered from Maine on a daily basis.
Their home made tartar sauce is to die for and their mexican cokes are a plus. The french fries are some of the best I’ve ever had as well. Dinner for three climbed up in to the $ 150 dollar range WITHOUT alcohol

Full Disclaimer: I am not a big fan of sea food AT ALL. I’ve got no problem eating sea food, but it definitely will not be high on any of my food lists. When two of my buddies invited me out to dinner with them, I figured what the hell ill join them.
Right off the bat you notice this is a small, cozy corner restaurant. My buddies and I were seated within 2, maybe 3 minutes of arriving here. We were greeted by our waitress right away and she was able to help us decide what we’d have to appetizers and dinner. We went with the cob and oyster for appetizers, and then two of us with with the lobster rolls for dinner while the other got the sandwich, all of which were excellent. I definitely enjoyed eating here which to my friends will speak volumes, lol.
Definitely worth coming here if you’re in the area and would like some excellent food.

Over $ 200 bill for two people, and we were basically told to get out a minute after paying the bloated bill, because a «large group”– four dazed looking tourists– were waiting to eat.
I wonder if the owner would ask the same of the so-​called celebs who were there last night?
There are much better places and ways to spend over $ 200.
And no, a complimentary glass of overpriced wine is not an acceptable trade for being abruptly told to get up.
Will not be back.

Probably one of the best lobster rolls in Manhattan belongs to Mary’s Fish Camp in the West Village. But if we compare it to Pearl’s Oyster Bar, you will note their similarities. It is hard to say which is the better roll, but I can genuinely say Mary’s should not disappoint if you are a fan of that Maine style roll; lobster bits dressed in light mayo on nicely toasted/​lightly buttered bread.
You may want to arrive earlier since there are no reservations taken and seating is limited. No doubt you should try the Lobster Roll (MP) upon first visit. Comes with a side of shoe string fries, salad or cole slaw. For appetizers, we shared the Canadian Steamers with drawn butter and lemon ($ 16). My first time having steamers, they are very similar to mussels in flavor and consistency. And as a fan of mussels, I enjoyed their steamers as a light (er) starter. Just don’t forget to remove the ‘sock’ before dipping into the butter and taking a bite. As for that Lobster Roll, the lobster is fresh and dressed with perfect balance, but I missed that bit of a lemony kick. They did place a lemon slice to the side of the plate, which I am guessing I should have used. Had I done that, I think the roll might have tasted just a tad better. That hint of lemon is certainly more prominent in Pearl’s version, if we compare, and it just makes it slightly better because of that. Nonetheless, the bun was nice in terms of flavor and texture. The fries were crispy and nicely cut, and they pile a lot of fries on your plate. In terms of the portion, it can be a bit too much, but I suppose that should not be something to complain about.
Overall, a solid restaurant for a solid lobster roll. The rest of their menu sounds really great though, so I will be sure to return and try other entrees.

This was my first time dining at Mary’s Fish Camp, but my sister has been here many times before (she lives one block away in the West Village). Before even ordering, we asked our waitress how many tacos came in the grilled shrimp taco entrée. She told us three tacos came in the order, so we went ahead and ordered the shrimp tacos and the deviled eggs. Upon receiving our food, we noticed there were only two tacos on the plate. We asked our waitress why there weren’t three tacos (as she had said), and she went ahead and put in an order for another taco. She profusely apologized and said she had made a mistake and thought three came in an order. While eating, we overheard our waitress speaking to the only other server present. Her name is Michelle (an older woman with glasses). Our waitress told Michelle of her mistake and told Michelle she would pay for the third taco.
After finishing our food, we got our bill and noticed we had been charged $ 34.50 for the shrimp tacos rather than $ 23, which is the price on the menu. This was wrong as it was our waitress who told us three came in the order BEFORE we even placed the order. We brought this to her attention and Michelle came by our table to tell us we were being charged for the third taco because the entrée is only supposed to have two. Again, not what we were told from the start. If we had known there were only two tacos, we wouldn’t have ordered the third one.
After much resisting and poor attitude, Michelle went back and took the third taco off our bill. Somehow when she brought the new check to us, the total still read $ 41, but $ 23 + $ 9 does not equal $ 41. My sister was fed up with what seemed like Michelle wanting us to still pay for the third taco, so she finally said something to her. Michelle ended up yelling at all three of us and shooing us out of the restaurant in front of other customers, which I am sure is not what anyone wants for their restaurant atmosphere. Things she said to us included: «Ladies you can leave the restaurant»; «I don’t want your money»; «Whatever problem you have with me is personal»; «Go go go»; UNACCEPTABLE.
I am HIGHLY disappointed by Michelle and her foul attitude. This behavior was outrageous and someone who is in the service industry should never treat customers this way. I would appreciate if I could be in contact with someone about this matter.

So my friend and I were dumb enough/​fat enough to do an official comparison on the same night. It was the two big kings of the Lobster Rolls in NY, head to head. And let it be stated, they are both excellent Lobster Rolls, there really was only small differences between Mary’s and Pearl. In terms of the restaurant itself, it’s pretty small and the tables are very tightly pack together, so just be mindful that moving freely will be limited. Since this place is tiny, get in early, it’s first come first serve.
The food:
The Lobster Roll– it’s a very good lobster roll and it would be the best only if I didn’t have Pearl’s version first. It’s the same type of New England lobster roll but I feel that it is slightly missing something, I feel like it is missing a pop. The Lobster meat was superb and the hot dog bun was perfectly toasted with a nice buttery flavor. The shoestring fries are cut a little thicker and are crunchier than Pearl’s, the roll is also slightly more expensive. The Lobster Roll is a tad smaller than Pearl. So overall, there are some elements I like better at Mary’s and some at Pearl’s. Mary’s has the better bread and Pearl’s was better dressed, the lobster meat was about the same, the fries were either soggy or too crispy, so they kinda wash out. I give Pearl the very slight edge because of the dressing, the larger size roll and the price.
Chilled Lobster Knuckles– I think the knuckles have such a wonderful flavor but they are such a pain to crack open. I think the meat has great flavor and texture, but pricey at $ 16.
Canadian Steamers with drawn butter and lemon– I really like steamers a lot. They are kinda like a cross between a mussel and a clam. The flavor of the steamer makes me think of summer. So just remember, remove the sock, dip into the clear broth and then into the butter and enjoy.

This place was really nice, almost had a 50’s diner type of feel and its in a nice secluded area of the village. The food was great, especially the golden beet salad; I’m not usually a fan of salad or beets, but this was delicious, it was beets, feta cheese, spring mix and some other stuff and it all came together so well.
I also had the lobster roll which was really good, but at 32 $ it is ridiculously overpriced. I’m from Boston, and i think most of the lobsters and oysters in NYC come from Boston, and I’ve never had to pay more than 20 $ for a lobster roll in even the fanciest places. Overall the menu prices were decent, but the lobster roll was just way overpriced.
Overall, nice place, good food and good service.

Absolutely hands down, love this place.
Best seafood which I balance with sinful to die for desserts.
It’s like going to a local neighborhood spot in a little town with crafty upscale seafood dishes prepared very well.
My fried green tomatoes are perfect — just smashed and lightly battered with an incredible jalapeño buttermilk sauce.
Hot fudge sundae has a peanut brittle on top where it’s practically peanuts and not sugar — with very thick dark fudge. You can order it smaller which I did.
Also the «ceviche» — Day Boat Scallop is perfect.
If you’re lucky you can get in at odd hours /​while everyone is at work. I just got out for a late lunch!