Judy's Bay

"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 they’re winners."

"A very lovely fusion Japanese bistro in Cambridge - with good atmosphere, cheerful service, and yummy food. Would really recommend the lobster roe pasta which is amazingly yummy. Tables around us all ordered the dish so definitely a signature! Also loved their seared scallop and oyster mushroom. Definitely a great place to treat yourself, or enjoy a good time with friends after a long tiring week!"

"Atmosphere: intimate, cute, cozy, homey, exotic. The chair is so comfy! Great place for a cute date or friends catch up. Food: seafood is very very fresh and curated. Service: very nice!"

"Delicious food, beautifully prepared and carefully packaged. Local owners who have worked hard to prepare unique and tasty dishes. We loved everything!"

"Judys bay is a Japanese inspired restaurant in Cambridge. It has a cozy intimate setting that is perfect for a small group. They seat around 30 people and seemed pretty busy on weekends. With 2 servers working, i always felt well taken care of. The staff were very knowledgeable about the dishes being offered, including how they were sourced. The menu is well balanced which makes it suitable for everyone. Based on the portion sizes of the plates, I'd recommend 1.5 dishes per person in the party. For the two of us, we ordered the seared scallops, mussels, monkfish katsu, and broccolini. The seafood was cooked well, nothing too dry and everything flaked to the touch. The scallops are a must-get, cooked in a mixture of soy sauce and butter that is sweet and not salty. The restaurant also offers drinks as well that pairs well with the food, we got the sake flight which gives you a diverse option. Overall, I had a great dining experience. Being only 20 minutes away from it, this restaurant is definitely added to our list of repeated visits."