The food was super average not anything special really. The waitress was really helpful and the restaurant had really nice decor.

We sat at the bar. We joked they've been open for 200 yrs bc it takes them that long to take your order lol. It was quite a wait after seated, but they were busy. No one was sitting idol. Once we ordered the food came pretty quickly. The staff were busy but friendly. The patrons were quite the crew. We order the clam chowder and it was amazing! Came with cornbread too. Yummy, although I wish it was hotter. We also ordered the hot lobster roll. 10/10 recommend both! It's a very old restaurant - the older consecutive running at 200 yrs old. They did a good job of keeping restored and functional. read more

Union Oyster House - Hot lobster roll. Not pictured: Oyster House Clam Chowder - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Great historical place with great food. It was packed but the servers were busting their butts getting everyone taken care of. The bartender was good too! We had shrimp cocktail and a dozen oysters. Fabulous!! I also had their famous Sangria. That was delicious!! The inside was cool, filled with history. Even in Boston, be sure to check this historical place out. read more

Union Oyster House - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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This would be my go to spot for oysters and their Union Oyster beer brewed by Sam Adams. The combination along with the service is a 10/10 experience. Their chowder was not. Tasted no different than any other chowder I've had outside of New England. Was hoping for something similar to the Boston Sail Loft where their chowder stands out. Corn Bread though was really good. read more

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I sat at the bar and did not have great service, but it was very busy. I ordered the clam chowder and a glass of wine. The clam chowder is milkier than I was expecting and grittier than I was expecting. I love the cornbread that came with it. The restaurant is cute and historic and I see what the attraction is, but I don't think the food was anything out of the ordinary. read more

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One of the oldest restaurants in Boston! We stumbled upon Union Oyster House while we were doing a self guided Freedom Trail on a busy Friday afternoon in August. It was hot out and we saw the restaurant and it was intriguing. There was a little wait for 2 people but they said we can take a seat at the bar, there was one up front and another in the back. We got lucky and there were 2 seats available. They still have the original slanted bar where they serve. We started off with the Boston Tea Party and Freedom Trail Cocktails. Service was very quick! We got a bowl of clam chowder and a corn bread, the lobster roll with fries with a side of baked beans. We also wanted to try their ravioli so we got the appetizer size. It was pretty hearty for 2 people. The clam chowder and lobster roll were good and comparable to a lot of the places else tried while visiting Boston. Parking in the city can be hard in general for street and parking garages/lots. read more

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I got the bowl Of chowder ($14), cold lobster roll($45) , and half a dozen oyster ($23). Oyster were fresh, and sweet! The chowder was warm creamy and delicious. It was definitely up there with some of the best chowder. The lobster roll was good, but definitely overpriced for the amount of meat you get. Other restaurants have more meat of same quality for cheaper. Staff was friendly. The interior was very old and held up for it being open for 200 years. It was hot however. Very touristy, nice to say I've been but not worth going out the way for. Food(50%): 8.0 Staff/service(25%): 6.5 Value(25%): 4.5 Overall: 6.8/10 read more

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This place is absolutely historical and a must-try... yet everyone knows it's a terrible place for food and service. The thing is, the service isn't actually rude outright. It's just too casual for you to expect anything good. Expect tepid water and sticky menus that match how dated the place is. The place itself is actually pretty neat to look around though. The famed guests that visited and the booths they sat at, the art on the walls, the historical souvenirs that are basically relics at this point... It's cool just to go. But the food sucks. I hate to be so crude, but it just does. The cornbread is just ok, a mix between normal to dry parts except you don't know where to avoid. The baked beans were mediocre, nothing different from a can, the French onion soup was somewhat decent although I grew tired of it within half a bowl, but what was hilarious is that my mac and cheese (from the kid's menu due to being full from earlier) was lackluster and still had a leftover label on it. I couldn't help but laugh at how ridiculous the food was. Go once and never again! read more

Union Oyster House - Shoutout to the boxed Kids Mac and Cheese with text still on the elbows - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Historical restaurant/bar with a plethora of seafood options and a large wrap around bar. We got the fried calamari and some cocktails at the bar. Calamari was decent but what appears to be the star of the show were all the oyster trays that kept passing by. We did not get any, but in hindsight it would have been the smart choice. For the little bit of time we were there I must have seen 20 trays go by. I didn't have a chance to explore all the historical artwork but the vibe is there and I'm sure if it was less busy you could take your time looking around. You did feel the historical presence so even if you have no intentions of eating here could be fun to pop in for a drink just to see this long-standing gem. read more

Union Oyster House - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Union Oyster House made for a great lunch while visiting my brother-in-law! Loved the historical charm, and we were so happy when we were sat in the famous Kennedy booth. I appreciated that there were several chicken choices on the menu for pickier eaters. The complimentary cornbread was really good, and we enjoyed the baked stuffed clams, shrimp cocktail, lobster roll, and crab cakes. Very tasty garlic aioli on top of the crab cakes. Our server was friendly and attentive, especially with refilling water. A must when visiting Boston! read more

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Love, love, love this place! Union Oyster House more than a restaurant! Dining here felt like stepping back in time to the early 1800s. We were seated upstairs, with the high back wooden booths, exposed beams and old gas lamps created such an immersive and charming atmosphere. For our lunch, we ordered Sam Adams beers, the fried butterfly shrimp, and the fish and chips. Everything was absolutely delicious, and we cleaned our plates down to the last crumb! Our server was very pleasant and knowledgeable, we felt the entire staff was warm and welcoming. After our meal, we explored the other dining rooms and the small art exhibition area as well. This place is a mustttt go. read more

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Starting part 2 of my America 250 series, which highlights businesses started in the US especially highlighting milestone years of 1826 (50) & 1976 (200) and will include various other picks in the 20th century. In terms of restaurants, any restaurant that started before the 1920's is almost non-exist today, or it's just 1 location and not in my suburban neck of the woods where I live in Maryland. Union Oyster House started in 1826, the 50th year anniversary of the US. I visited Boston in July 2014. I walked by here on the 4th of July that year, and I actually ate here on July 5, 2014. I remember I was very impressed with delicious seafood, and service was good. read more

Union Oyster House - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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The food here is great! I know this is a tourist hot spot. I can see why. My recommendation is to go early in the evening. We put our name in before 5pm and sat about 20 minutes later. When we left, there was a long wait. They serve everyone a nice size piece of cornbread. There are also oyster crackers on the table. I truly enjoyed the French onion soup. I actually wish the temperature was a little bit hotter for the soup. We also got the lobster casserole and the crabcakes. Both were tasty. The lobster casserole had large pieces of lobster. read more

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This was not only historic but they also serve great food and drinks!!! This needs to be on your list of places to visit. Like beer, they also happen to be the only place that serves the Samuel Adams - Colonial. It's was REALLY good! The oysters were awesome. Shrimp cocktail was great and the service was friendly. I stopped into a bunch of cool old bars/pubs. This place is didn't disappoint. I love to look of this old school place. read more

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Stopped in here for a late night bite to eat, recapping the foods that we tried earlier in the day. We both got a cup of Clam Chowder and a hot lobster roll. It hit the spot at 10pm right before they closed! read more

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The place is a complete vibe! Be aware it is Americas oldest restaurant. Serving food since 1826. I got the Mixed Field Greens salad . The Service was great. Super attentive and quick. Also go upstairs and take a peek at the John F Kennedy booth. read more

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This is such an iconic restaurant in Boston. That being said doesn't mean it's the best. It has a lot of history, which is really cool to see. Food is solid but not for the price. We shared the lazy man's lobster which was good but not very big. My kid had the chicken club and that was good. A solid sandwich. We went at an odd time, 3:30 pm so it wasn't crowded. I'm sure if we went at a regular meal time we wouldn't have gotten in. So for those two items and a soda the bill was $98. Yes the lobster was market price, but wow! We expected more lobster for that price! Oh forgot $20 of that was two small cups of chowder that was good too. read more

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We stopped here after our Duck tour of Boston and I know people will say this is a Tourist Trap, but I think this is a Tourist Trap worth going to at least once. The ambience was really great and historic. We ordered the 1/2 dozen fresh oysters, calamari, a cup of chowder' and stuffed clams. I had never had fresh oysters before, I only had oysters Rockefeller. I have to say, I like them raw also. I could have eaten all of them, but I had to share. The calamari was quite tasty but the star of the day was the stuffed clams, they were delicious the Chowder was ok, I like the Parker House Chowder just a little better. Yes this is a Tourist Trap, but when I come back to this great city, I will definitely come back. read more

The food was cool when brought to the table waitress was gracious and warmed up. Lobster was rubbery for $90. Not at all what we expected. Not sure how they stayed open 200+ years. Chowder not very flavorful. read more

Union Oyster House - Map - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Pretty cool historic spot. The lobster ravioli was really good. The bar area is the coolest part of the building. The gift shop needs a lot of work. read more

Enjoyed the food, the service, and the environment. Great being a part of history and enjoying a staff who is proud of the brand and history. read more

Union Oyster House - Fried oysters and lobster side. - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Oldest restaurant in Boston and it's good! It gets busy so make a resv! Clam chowder is creamy and full of clams, potatoes and tasty. Love the cornbread. We had the boiled lobster which is so fresh and the special scallops and shrimp on top of a tasty bed of rice in a rich creamy sauce. read more

Union Oyster House - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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The oldest continuously running restaurant in the US. We were intrigued to try it out for a dinner with coworkers. It's got a lot of seating, but the seating is pretty cramped. I love the decor since a lot of the wall covers tell so much history. My seat was a little wobbly so it added to the old feel . Our waitress was really nice and attentive. Food came out pretty fast. I got the clam chowder soup and the lobster ravioli. I really liked the clam chowder but the ravioli was just ok as I could barely taste the lobster since there wasn't much. I should've just gone with the catch of the day dish, which was haddock. For dessert I got apple cobbler with ice cream and it was good. The cobbler was warm and it went well with the ice cream. My coworker let me try some of his and it tasted so good.. The prices were actually pretty reasonable. Now I can say I've been there. read more

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Came here about 3 years ago with 2 of my 1st cousins, just realized I had never left a review. We were seated right next to JFK's table upstairs. I had to come here after finding out that UOH has been in continuous business since 1826, 200 years this year, the oldest restaurant in the USA. Such history everywhere you look! We didn't have reservations, but were seated quickly. We started with one dozen oysters, fresh and delicious. The clam chowder was some of the best ever, we all really enjoyed the calamari, very tender and tasty. I had the shrimp and scallops entree, yummy, my guests the seafood platter, and the grilled salmon. Everything was perfectly prepared and oh so good. We finished sharing the triple chocolate mousse tort, wow. Next time in New England, we'll be back for certain! read more

This was our first stop during a walking food tour and it was a great way to start our food adventure. Restaurant is super busy but our guide had a reservation so we were sitting away from the crowd in our own area. Although the restaurant was loud and somewhat hectic during lunch time but our area was quiet. We ordered some oysters that were fantastic!!! We continued with clam chowder and corn bread that were also great. Our server was very friendly and accommodating to different needs in our group. I'd love to come back to this restaurant to try other things on their menu. read more

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While visiting Boston, I made a stop at Union Oyster House for the experience and overall, it was a good one. I tried the clam chowder and the Ye Olde Seafood Platter. The chowder was warm, creamy, and comforting, and the platter was enjoyable with a nice variety of seafood. Everything was cooked well and definitely satisfying, especially as a visitor wanting to try a historic spot. That said, while I enjoyed it, it probably wouldn't be my go-to seafood spot if I lived in or regularly visited Boston. There are just so many options in the city. However... I do feel like I need to come back and try the oysters, it only feels right given the name and history of the place. Overall, a solid experience, especially if you're visiting and want to check out a Boston classic. read more

Union Oyster House - Ye Olde Seafood Platter - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

OMG this place is magnificent! Waiter Andre was excellent and so friendly! He continued to inquire our needs or if there was anything he could provide, well he has my vote for employee of the day, of the month and the YEAR!! Now the food was extraordinary delicious, I absolutely loved the Shrimp scampi! The welcoming was also very nice, yet the seating accommodation was a bit confusing as you walk in. Yet come and be treated as family and dear friends. Great job Union Oyster House I absolutely loved my first visit (hopefully not my last). read more

Union Oyster House - Sauteed Shrimp and Scallops, Shrimp Scampi - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Steeped in history, this 200-year old restaurant wreaks with raw charm. It is a fairly large restaurant with many unique dining areas. I sat at one of the bars for dinner. Started with a UOH exclusive beer from Sam Adams - the Colonial Ale. What a fantastic ale and it was the highlight for me from this visit. I will be back just to drink more of this incredible, authentic, colonial period recipe. For dinner I went with Ye Olde Seafood Platter. Wishing I would've went with the cold seafood platter as I was not an overall fan of the fried version. I didn't care for the breading and the seafood didn't stand out - this dish was just a miss for me. I would definitely try some raw seafood on my next visit. Service from the bartender was great during my visit. Prices are on the high side, especially the drinks. read more

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Really don't get why the reviews for this classic place are so mixed. I thought the service was fantastic. The decor is nostalgic and unique. And the food was soooo good! We started with some super fresh raw oysters on the half shell and they did not disappoint one bit. So fresh and perfectly shucked. Then we had a cup of Clam Chowder which was filling and chock full of yumminess. Then I had the lobster Mac and cheese that had huge chunks of lobster with creamy cheese and yummy fries to dip into the cheese. So good. Sure it's a little pricey for the lobster dishes but lobster is expensive everywhere in Boston. Do yourself a favor and check this place out. It's the oldest running restaurant in the USA. Why in the world wouldn't you give it a try and decide for yourself? I give this place two very big thumbs up! read more

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Is this place historic? YES! Seeing the Kennedy booth cool? YES! Is it worth stopping to eat at? I do not think so. This was a solid meal during our trek through the Freedom Trail and it left me wishing we just checked it out and ate elsewhere. The cornbread was unexpected to start and I love cornbread; yet it was drier than I would have liked. The clam chowder was the best part and even then, was my least favorite in the city of Boston. The oysters gave me the ick and I genuinely couldn't hold them down and the Sam Adams beer was perfectly fine. Did it get me calories to continue down the trail? Yes. Our server was fantastic and she made sure we had everything. Probably wouldn't come back again. read more

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Yes, I like to do "touristy" things. This is the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the United States. My guy and I both love oysters, so why not? The service was polite and expedient. Thank you, Anna. We both had clam chowder, oysters, and Chardonnay. All was delicious (though the chowder was a bit cold). The ambiance was dark and old where we sat, but in a good way. It almost felt like a staged pub in Universal Studios. There was also outdoor seating. On the whole, a terrific experience. read more

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Jane or Janie was our server and she was the best! Super nice to me and my daughters, chatting when we wanted but giving us space when eating. The warm complimentary cornbread was sweet and dense, a great welcome on a cold day The clam chowder tastes great but had less clam and potatoes chunks than others we have tried in Boston. The Boston baked beans were great, not too sweet. The main setback was the catch of the day was haddock (standard fish for fish and chips) which I got with a side of mashed potatoes and for $31 the fish was pretty small. I would expect that if it was a better quality fish. We topped it off with Boston Crème Pie to have a full on tourist meal and it was delicious. Everything except the haddock was a great portion for the price. read more

Union Oyster House - Catch of the Day, Haddock - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

When planning my trip to Boston, seafood was at the very top of my list. I came ready to experience a true New England feast, so I decided to order a little bit of everything that caught my eye: clam chowder, a cold lobster roll (their recommendation), lobster ravioli, mussels, a half dozen oysters, and fried cod. From the moment we sat down, they welcomed us with a piece of cornbread--and that was a great start. The cornbread was warm, moist, and flavorful. I really enjoyed it. The clam chowder was just as satisfying--creamy, rich, and comforting exactly how you hope it will be in Boston. Bonus: they'll even give you the recipe if you ask, which is a really nice touch. The lobster ravioli was a pleasant surprise. The pasta was tender, and the filling had a nice lobster flavor without being overpowering. The sauce complemented it well and made it feel like a solid, well-balanced dish. It wasn't the standout of the night, but it was definitely enjoyable and worth trying. The lobster roll, however, was a bit of a letdown. It was smaller than I expected and, in my opinion, not worth the price. The oysters were also on the smaller side--very flat--but they were fresh and tasty. On a more positive note, the mussels were absolutely delicious. You get a generous portion at a good price, and they were flavorful and filling. The fried cod was good--solid and enjoyable--but nothing particularly special. Overall, I came expecting a Boston home run on the food, and I'd say I got a solid double. That said, the atmosphere and history of this place are unmatched. This is Union Oyster House--recognized as the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the United States. Multiple U.S. Presidents have dined here, including John F. Kennedy, who was known to frequent the upstairs booth that still bears his name. The look, the feel, and the historic charm add something special to the overall experience. So while the food didn't completely knock it out of the park, the history and ambiance make it a memorable stop in Boston. If you're looking to soak in tradition and enjoy classic seafood in a place full of American history, it's worth the visit. read more

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Not a great experience. Reservations at 6 for 6 folks. We got our drinks at about 6:30, the Boston Tea Party's we got tasted like they forgot the vodka. Food came another 40 minutes later. Mashed potatoes tasted like instant. Chilled lobster roll was chewy and not good. Service was horrible. I mean horrible. read more

My husband was dying to stop here as we were walking around Boston and so glad we did! The staff were super friendly and we found a seat at the bar to grab a drink and an app. We got oysters which were incredible and a clam chowder that came with corn bread which was delicious and kept us going for more walking around the city. read more

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Very popular eatery we visited after our Duck Tour in Boston for lunch. I had read about Yelp Elite's review by Peter N. and added it to my Boston Collection. Signs posted in and out of the restaurant as the oldest running restaurant. Even the Duck Tour narrator mentioned it and pointed it out. Several buildings in the neighborhood were around from the 1600s. I was doing my typical Yelper thing taking photos from where we were seated. A pretty lady approached me and whispered Don't forget to check out their 2 nd floor, it has Kennedy's booth. Curiosity got the better of me and I told hubs I'm going to check it out before our food came. I have a fear of heights and stairs are not my friend but history and intrigue guided me upwards. I saw a sign posted saying Loft another floor up. I didn't know if it was okay to go up further. Like a horse drawn to a bribing carrot I gingerly climbed higher to be rewarded with bits of history up there. After taking my photos, going down the stairs was scarier for me cuz it was kinda rickety being several centuries old. Very grateful that the other customer noticed my interest and told me to explore. History, pseudo time travel back in time, very cool! Back to our table, my delicious French onion soup was waiting for me. read more

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Tourist trap, over rated and expensive. Food was just ok. The draw is that it is Americas oldest restaurant (?) our server was lovely Irish guy who served us attentively. We ordered oysters and clam chowder to start. Then lobster roll and crab cakes. Lobster roll and crab cakes came first - it was no big deal but the waiter did confirm he would get the chowder and oysters out first. Cocktails were watered down. Food was mediocre. Not worth the hefty price tag. read more

Lobster roll taste fishy. Service was terrible. Food all cold. Was there at junch time. Medium busy

Recommended by a local friend. We ordered oysters and clam chowder as appetizers. We also ordered lobster roll, Ye olde seafood platter, crab cake, mussels and fried clam sandwich and raspberry sorbet for dessert. The oysters were the best of all choices. Very fresh. All other items were aceptable. To improve: customer service. It was very hot and we were offered outside table with no shade. If we wanted inside it was going to be a 1 hour wait so we took it. There was a very long wait between the oysters and clam chowder to get the entrees. It was so long that we forgot to take the pics of the entrees. In that wait, went to restrooms and found 2 tables available without reserved sign and asked about them but they say we can't seat there. At the end the waitress suggested to go inside to look around and oh surprise there was a second floor with several tables (not considering 3rd floor which was closed) read more

Union Oyster House - Freshly Shucked Oysters - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Union Oyster House is a famous Boston institution. Does it have the best raw oysters I've ever had? No. Do you still absolutely need to go and experience it for yourself? Yes! Make friends with the bartenders, throw back some beers, eat a few stuffed clams, and have a grand ole time. read more

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