Nautilus Pier 4 is one of Boston’s newer waterfront restaurants located in Boston’s Seaport!
Nautilus Pier 4 was created in the fall of 2013 when an idea to create a small space on a side street of a tiny island in Massachusetts became available to rent. Three young industry professionals and co-workers decided to start their own restaurant, with Liam heading the food, Clinton heading the drink, and Steve heading the wine. After many late nights with loud music, dim lights, tuna pokes, cocktail porrons, sake cans, and Peking ducks later, Nautilus was born.
Nautilus was originally opened on Nantucket back in 2014, with Boston’s Seaport location coming soon after in 2021. The restaurant was founded on the principle that everything is better when shared – it is built around the idea of a shared social experience and provides a comfortable and trendy setting where guests can enjoy the interplay between food, cocktails, energy, and atmosphere.
While the vibe of Nautilus is totally “New England,” the menu is rooted in Asian flavors and ingredients of the haute, street food variety, and taking ideas from the traditional Japanese izaaya type establishment, with nods to the tapas-style of Spanish cuisine, and additional influences from mainland Latin America and the Mediterranean.
The nautical décor that is subtly displayed throughout Nautilus gives nods to Jules Verne and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
Check out some of my favorite dishes and drinks that you must try when visiting Nautilus.
THE BEST BITES.
For dishes, let’s start with the Japanese Fried Chicken, which is truly some of my favorite fried chicken of all time. The Japanese Fried Chicken is crisped to absolute perfection and served with hot and sour mayo, wadaman, togarashi, and cilantro.
Some of my other favorite options to share include the Thai Sausage Lettuce Wraps, Steamed Pork Buns and the Blistered Shishito Peppers.
- The Thai Sausage Lettuce Wraps are served with spicy cabbage salad, lemongrass, mint, muddled Thai jeaw, sticky rice, as well as makrut lime.
- The Steamed Pork Buns are served with Berkshire pork belly, herb salad, coffee mayo, as well as spicy cucumbers.
- And the Blistered Shishito Peppers are served with bonito salt and garlic tar. And if you are really looking to treat yourself, indulge in the Peking Inspired Whole Roasted Duck with your family and friends, which takes 45 minutes to cook and is ordered at the start of your meal.
- The Peking Inspired Whole Roasted Duck is an oven roasted duck breast served with grilled confit, warm steamed buns, ginger scallion rice with hoisin, smoked mayo, sriracha, as well as herbs.
If you are dining at Nautilus for lunch, some great specials include the BBQ Beef Bahn Mi as well as the Beer Battered Fried Fish Sandwich.
- The BBQ Beef Bahn Mi is served with pickled vegetables, umami mayo, cucumber, lemongrass, and French fries.
- The Beer Battered Fried Fish Sandwich is served with tangy arrowhead cabbage slaw, tartar sauce, French fries, and a brioche bun.
THE SEASIDE SIPS.
Nautilus is known for some of the best cocktails in Boston, and you can easily compliment any of the dishes you order with a uniquely curated beverage! Even if you are not dining in, Nautilus is a fun and chic place to sit back and relax with a drink (or two, or three).
Some of my favorite cocktails include the Teach Me How to Dougie, Tequila Mockingbird, Ack Nauti, and the Kermit the Frog.
- The Teach Me How to Dougie is mixed with Mezcal, fresh grapefruit, as well as ginger.
- The Tequila Mockingbird is mixed with tequila, grapefruit, chilis, as well as rosemary.
- The Ack Nauti is Nautilus’ namesake cocktail, mixed with tequila, fresh cranberry, lime juice, and mint.
- And the Kermit the Frog is great for vodka lovers, mixed with vodka, pineapple, lime, and ginger.
Did You Miss Last Week’s Best Bites & Seaside Sips Article? Check It Out Here: The Wave, Bristol, RI