My World’s Favorite Restaurant Is A Hidden Gem In Massachusetts

Sometimes in hour travels you discover that the best things in life don’t need to be expensive.

As a travel writer for the past 35 years, I’ve been wined and dined in some of the world’s best restaurants, starting with a four-hour gastronomic dinner in Nice, when I was an Editor at Robb Report Magazine. I’ll never forget that experience – as I navigated all the goodies so that I could enjoy everything – yet still fit into my size-four pants.

And yet, with all of the Michelin-starred restaurants I have dined at, when I am at home in the Boston area, there’s only one restaurant I crave to dine at: Captain Marden’s in Wellesley, Mass., not far from Wellesley College. It’s very humble – Captain Marden’s is located in a non-descript little strip mall – but the fish is out of this world. In fact, with every fish entrée that I dine on, everywhere on the globe, I compare it to Captain Marden’s. It’s that good. When you’re in Boston, forget the fancy-schmancy restaurants and I recommend making the 20-minute trek to Wellesley. (And the parking is free.)

What makes it so good? Well, like any really good restaurant, these fishmongers start out early, at 4:30 AM in Gloucester and at the Boston Fish Pier, clamoring for the ultimate, freshest, and finest fish you can imagine. It’s so good – there, I’ve said it again – that Captain Marden’s sells its fish to about 200 country clubs, other restaurants, specialty stores, and supermarkets that also want to provide their customers with an optimum experience.

My husband Bill and I always order the same thing: The $27pp broiled scallops. We ask for just a touch of butter and lots of the homemade breadcrumbs (they contain corn flakes and Worcestershire sauce), and they are just well-done at our request, and like butter in your mouth. Yum. Double-yum. The dinners come with homemade cornbread, a choice of starch such as baked potato or rice pilaf, and an ultra-fresh vegetable. That’s it – and it’s always wonderful. Other bestsellers include the $19 broiled or fried haddock, or the salmon plate where it’s grilled, broiled, teriyaki or Cajun. “We keep it simple and let the fish speak for itself,” says Nancy Marden Goodall, vice president. And because the 62-seat restaurant doesn’t have much overhead, the prices remain value-packed. I’ve dined at some very posh restaurants, where the entrees are more than double than what they are at Captain Marden’s – and they are overpriced, undercooked, and overrated. Take-out is 35% of Captain Marden’s restaurant business, and they also have an excellent retail store where you can purchase all manner of fish, including $39.99-per-pound Alaskan king wild salmon, fresh-made tuna fish, Maine crabmeat, and just about every other fish you want. On Thursdays they offer a $29.95-for-two entrée (it’s usually salmon) plus starch, vegetable and salad. They also have a frozen dinner line that is available in New England supermarkets. It’s fish, for compliments.

Captain Marden’s is the ultimate Cape Cod clam shack – yet it’s in the suburbs and I’m hooked. In fact, the only downbeat thing I can say is that I did try the coconut shrimp, and they had too much breading and not enough coconut. But you know what? They were still delicious. And I still fit into my size-four clothes.

Fabulous experiences that don’t break the bank? That’s the ultimate luxury.

For more about my Wanderlust and Wellness experiences, please Follow me on Instagram at @DebbiKickham.