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Union Oyster House

Seafood Restaurant and Bar$$$$

Downtown Boston, Boston

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Union Oyster House

8.1^/10

1,041

ratings

Ranked #7 for seafood restaurants in Boston
The oysters at Union Oyster House is a can't miss
"Sit at the original wood oyster bar for good food and a show!"(16 Tips)
"The oldest restaurant in America and also one of the best in Boston."(8 Tips)
"They make the best clam chowder in the entire country right here."(52 Tips)
"Clam chowder + corn bread + Lobster + Beer = Heaven"(26 Tips)

271 Tips and reviews

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cornbread
trails
good for dates
casual
bar
off-menu items
tours
good for singles
Sam Adams
breweries
spicy food
dinner
lunch
potatoes
good for special occasions
crowded
booths
stew
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K-RoJune 30, 2013
If its dinnertime & you didn't check in an hour and a half before you want to eat: just eat in the 1st come 1st serve section with the "lighter menu"
Brian WilliamsOctober 9, 2023
Best thing here was the drinks and the history. Save your self the trouble and keep walking !
Tim BackusSeptember 13, 2014
The corn bread and chowder are dangerously delicious. Don't fill up and miss out on the amazing entrées.
Drew MDecember 27, 2016
Crab cake appetizer, corn bread, and pan seared shrimp over rice were all good. Baked scrod was cooked well, but lacked flavor.
Craig DesmaraisSeptember 16, 2014
Oysters and chowder are great. Sit at the raw bar and let the staff educate you about Boston!
QJuly 7, 2012
The clam chowder is awesome! When you get more clams than potatoes, you know you're in Boston!
Laura ContiOctober 17, 2015
Don't make a reservation, go early and sit at the bar! Order chowder and oysters!
HISTORYAugust 26, 2010
It has been open to diners since 1826 & is known as the oldest restaurant in the United States of America. In 1796 Louis Philippe, King of France in 1830, lived in exile on the second floor.
Patrick HaleySeptember 13, 2015
Try the Sam Adams Colonial beer which is brewed solely for this restaurant and not sold anywhere else.
Dana VillmoreJune 24, 2016
Awesome chowder!!! Also love the corn bread :)
Gwen CummingsSeptember 8, 2014
Oldest restaurant in the United States! Delicious chowder and a fun place for history buffs
Stephanie BellSeptember 19, 2012
Untouched colonial architecture... which is a rarity even in the heart of Boston. Worth a visit for that atmosphere alone.
hkevinchuAugust 9, 2013
Call ahead and make a reservation to dine in The Kennedy Booth and soak up a little bit of history.
Magda CarrDecember 27, 2013
If you enjoy eating with rats, you are in the right place!! It could be the oldest restaurant in town, however, it's infested with RODENTS in all levels of the the restaurant. Go if enjoy food w/ rats
DV Green🌀May 26, 2013
The toothpick was said to have been popularized in America starting at the Oyster House.
Lauren HartFebruary 6, 2012
Get the broiled scrod. It might change your life. A young Cod fish that is unique to Boston. Amazing tartar sauce too.
Tino BoehmSeptember 4, 2018
Awesome historic place. You should have a reservation. Seafood was really good...
Valerie GoguenJune 18, 2013
Seafood Newburg was excellent. I recommend reservations, even on a week night they were very busy.
Tania YoloAugust 5, 2016
A bit of tourist trap, you should make reservations to avoid waiting. Seafood medley pasta dish was delicious
Danielle FosterJanuary 2, 2012
The cornbread is fantastic as well as the chowder...BUT Avoid having to use the bathroom! Very tight and small and not very tidy...probably like it has been since indoor plumbing existed!
A&B American StyleJanuary 27, 2014
Oyster is in its name, but don't miss the clam chowder and make sure to BYO Pepper Sauce Read more
Lino Di MaioSeptember 7, 2019
Great seafood in this historical restaurant. Try the lobster roll.
Rich MayerSeptember 9, 2016
Go for lunch. Fresh cod with New England mashed potatoes and cornbread. Maybe some chowder.
Mary KoJune 12, 2016
Sitting upstairs transports you back a few hundred years! Good food. Awkward staff.
Victoria TuckerDecember 21, 2012
Southerners beware, the clams have fat bellies...but if you get over the shock they are truly delicious!
David SickelsJuly 15, 2019
Enjoy Oysters from the oldest restaurant in America, est 1826.
Stephanie MathiasFebruary 29, 2012
An absolute must, especially for anyone new to Boston! Can't go wrong with just oysters and clam chowder!
LaarneeOctober 27, 2013
Get a table upstais. Wam, cozy, and ancient😉
Demps ChongOctober 24, 2012
Seafood Newburg generous and filling meal. Great service and historic restaurant well-preserved.
Gisella DLRNovember 29, 2018
Been here 5+ times
Oysters are 🙌 and service is fast when you sit at the bar
Mike MontielAugust 30, 2012
Been here 10+ times
Come in and enjoy an ice cold colonial ale brewed only for the union oyster house by Sam Adams and some chowdah in America's oldest restaurant!
M TafNovember 9, 2015
Clam chowder and corn bread is a must! Darn good.
Colin DevonshireMarch 17, 2011
Who cares about the tourists? Sit at the raw bar for a half dozen oysters, bowl of chowder and a Sam Adams. Best lunch in the world.
Andrey KuznetsovAugust 14, 2012
Ask about special photo with huge lobster from pool opposite oyster bar. Great idea, thanks to staff !
Patty SmithAugust 21, 2016
Grab a seat at the bar at the oldest restaurant in Boston and have an oyster shooter!
Daniel TewfikNovember 21, 2014
The toothpick was said to have been popularized in America starting at the Oyster House. Read more
Vaughn BFebruary 1, 2012
indeed, the clam chowder is great. So are the oyesters. The hot oyster sampler was just what I needed.
Tim LawlessJuly 10, 2013
Good seafood in the oldest restaurant in America! Great building. Samuel Adams was a frequent visitor back in the day.
Tina Hui Tina HuiJuly 11, 2010
Get the BEST oyster, clam chowder, lobster ravioli, corn bread and broiled lobster ever at America's Oldest Restaurant est. 1826. Definitely one to try.
Alan MalabananMay 3, 2015
Friendly and non-rushed service. Food was fresh, simple and tasty.
Mario MartinezNovember 8, 2010
Try the clam chowder (with oyster crackers, of course) after a long, cold, rainy day touring the city. It will be the best you'll ever taste!
Team CocoNovember 8, 2011
"Whomever said oysters are an aphrodisiac has clearly never left their Oyster doggie bag in their car on a hot Summer day." - Conan O'Brien
Jason ShorbApril 3, 2014
Food was not overly impressive. Go for oysters, beer, and the atmosphere.
Missi HowellNovember 3, 2018
Best oysters I have ever had! Make a reservation, the place is always packed
Danielle AluraOctober 16, 2012
Best oyster experience in Boston. Tiny little 10 seater bar and great company
Swemeatballs .March 2, 2011
Go for the bluepoint and oysters here, best served across the seafoodbar. Also try the seafood platter if struggling to choose.
maryApril 15, 2014
Amazing seafood in a histric restaurant :) a must eat in boston :)
Cibele VarelaNovember 2, 2018
Everything is good!!! Must go!!!
IWalked Audio ToursSeptember 28, 2011
Building dates to 1714-17. UOH opened here 1826. Almost 1/2 of items on current menu were on 1st menu. 1st toothpick used here. Booth 18 upstairs is JFKs (who was a regular). More info in blog. <LINK> Read more
Mike M.December 4, 2014
Oysters oysters and oysters. Delicious!

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