Little Whale Oyster Bar

314 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02115

Seafood

Last inspected: Feb 20, 2026

Score

Low Risk

Across the available record, Little Whale Oyster Bar has seven inspections on file, the first dated 2022. On Feb 20, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.

Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near one violation per visit.

When inspectors have written things up, “effectiveness-hair restraints” has been the most frequent reason, cited three times.

That puts the facility ahead of the local pack: the average Boston restaurant scores 86. Overall, the inspection record reads well.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Feb 20, 2026

Routine

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

(a) and (c) good repair and calibration-utensils and temperature and pressure measuring devices (c)

Inspector notes: At the high temperature warewashing machine the internal thermometer read 220F and above during operation; with the irreversibile thermometer reading 177F. Have a licensed repair person perform service on the high temperature warewashing machine to repair the internal temperature measuring device.

590.004/4-502.11-C

Jul 31, 2025

Routine

3 minor violations.

View 3 violations

System maintained in good repair (c)

Inspector notes: Faucet at warewashing sprayer with slow leak. Sink at sprayer with slow leak. PIC stated repair is pending.

590.005/5-205.15-C

Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)

Inspector notes: Food handlers observed without hair restraints. Provide hats or hairnets for all food handlers.

590.002/2-402.11-C

Thawing (c)

Inspector notes: Reduced oxygen packaged tuna thawed in packaging. Pierce or remove packaging prior to thawing per package directions. Corrected on site.

590.003/3-501.13-C

Jan 28, 2025

Routine

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Thawing (c)

Inspector notes: REduced oxygen packaged tuna thawed without piercing or removing packaging. Pierce or remove packaging prior to thawing to prevent bacterial proliferation.

590.003/3-501.13-C

Jul 31, 2024

Routine

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Thawing (c)

Inspector notes: Reduced Oxygen packaged tuna held thawed in refrigerator. Pierce packaging prior to thawing to prevent growth of c. boulinum

590.003/3-501.13-C

Jan 24, 2024

Routine

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

In-use utensils between-use storage (c)

Inspector notes: Bowl used for scooping ice stored in ice machine. Provide scoop with handle to prevent contamination. Corrected on site

590.003/3-304.12-C

Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)

Inspector notes: Kirchen staff cutting food without hair restraint. Provide hats or hairnets for food handlers

590.002/2-402.11-C

Apr 18, 2023

Routine

No violations found.

100

Nov 2, 2022

Routine

1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.

View 4 violations

Preventing contamination from hands (p)

Inspector notes: Observed employee cutting ready to eat almonds with bare hands. Person in charge discarded effected foods. Ensure kitchen staff is wearing gloves to prep ready to eat product.

590.003(C)/3-301.11-P

Temperature measuring devices manual and mechanical warewashing (pf)

Inspector notes: No irreversible indicator available for multiple high temperature dish machines. Provide

590.004/4-302.13-PF

Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)

Inspector notes: Observed kitchen staff without hair restraints. Provide.

590.002/2-402.11-C

(a) certified food protection manager (c)

Inspector notes: Certified food manager certificate is expired. Provide updated certificate.

590.002(C)/2-102.12-C

Show all 7 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Little Whale Oyster Bar last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Little Whale Oyster Bar on file is from Feb 20, 2026. The public record contains seven inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Little Whale Oyster Bar?

Across the inspection record, “effectiveness-hair restraints” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Little Whale Oyster Bar.

How does Little Whale Oyster Bar compare to other restaurants in Boston?

Little Whale Oyster Bar most recently scored 95 out of 100, which is higher than the Boston average of 86.

Has Little Whale Oyster Bar's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Little Whale Oyster Bar have averaged around one violation per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Little Whale Oyster Bar means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.

How often is Little Whale Oyster Bar inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Little Whale Oyster Bar is inspected around two times per year on average.

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