Union Oyster House

I ordered the fried haddock and it completely blew me away. The coating was light and shatteringly crisp, letting the fish itself shine and the fish was unbelievably fresh and flavorful. Honestly, it may have been the best piece of fish I’ve ever had. I also tried a bowl of chowder, which was comforting and well done, the perfect addition to the meal. Dining at Union Oyster House felt like stepping into a piece of history, and the food absolutely lived up to its legendary reputation. If you’re in Boston and love seafood, this place isn’t just a suggestion it’s a must.

Ok, Union Oyster House is a bit touristy; I will give you that. But there is a reason this is America’s oldest continuous running restaurant. They put out solid food, and the prices are not outrageous. We started with the oysters, which were probably the highlight of the evening. They were extremely tasty. The clam chowder was solid, but not the best I’ve had. The lobster mac and cheese came out nuclear hot and the lobster was plentiful, but over cooked and rubbery. Our other dishes were good. Service was quick, but some of the staff were seen to be arguing and publicly training new people in front of guests. This is unacceptable. The atmosphere was fun, and the booths promised plenty of history and relatively private places to converse during the meal. Is this the best seafood in Boston? No. But the history gives them a rating of 4 (it would have been three otherwise).

I'm thrilled my 100th review is for this iconic Boston landmark. Our server was amazing as we shared stories of favorite local haunts for sushi and where one could find a moderately priced lobster roll. $45 mkt price for a 4 ounce roll is wild. Duxbury oysters stole the show tonight. Since it was a quiet night we were given free reign to roam amd explore. Very cool history and worth stopping to get something shocked at the oyster bar.

The Union Oyster House is a must-visit for anyone in Boston! As one of the oldest restaurants in the country, it perfectly blends history with exceptional seafood. The oyster selection is fresh and varied, and the clam chowder is rich and flavorful—truly some of the best in the city. The atmosphere is charmingly historic, with cozy booths and a warm, inviting vibe. Service is attentive and knowledgeable, making the dining experience even more enjoyable. A true Boston classic that never disappoints!

We tried both the hot and cold lobster rolls, both were pretty good. The espresso martini was good as well, and staff were very nice. I think it’s a bit overpriced but I would reccomend overall!

Our recent visit to the Union Oyster House proved to be a highly gratifying experience for my family and me. The raw oysters, in particular, were among the most exceptional I have ever encountered. The entrees we selected were expertly prepared and notably fresh. The clam chowder was also outstanding. Our server, whose name regrettably eludes me, provided exemplary service; I do recall he was from North Carolina. The restaurant's historical ambiance contributed significantly to a delightful atmosphere. I would certainly consider returning should future travel bring me to Boston.

What a great historical spot and Happy 200th anniversary. Stopped in by myself on a Friday night without a reservation and snagged a seat at the oyster bar. Started of with a Fiddlehead IPA and the lobster roll sandwich. Market Price was listed for the roll and it turned out to be $43.95. All in all, it was a great meal. Loved the historical background. Definitely a stop if you are looking for the historical spots ib Boston.

The oysters and clams were extremely fresh – truly top-notch. The lobster roll was tasty and worth trying, especially with the chilled lobster paired with the warm, toasted bun. That said, I felt it could use a bit more sauce to really bring out the flavors. Also, at $43.95, the lobster roll is quite expensive for the portion. The beer was crisp and refreshing, with a unique fresh “crunchy” taste. This is America’s oldest restaurant, and the atmosphere really reflects its history. The servers wore traditional outfits, which added a nice touch. I can imagine the service might be less attentive when it’s crowded, but since we came around 3:00 PM when it wasn’t too busy, the service was fine. Overall, a good experience and worth visiting at least once for the history and freshness.

The staff was very nice and attentive, and the food was wonderful. The Lobster Mac & Cheese was the best i've ever had and the mashed potatoes were perfect. And to top off the amazing meal the Boston Creme Pie for desert was INCREDIBLY delicious! Follow for more at @Newsom_Photography

Union Oyster House was the perfect post Boston Marathon meal I absolutely loved the experience and truly enjoyed every bite after the race. The oysters were fresh and delicious, the scallops were perfectly cooked, and the fries hit the spot. Paired with a nice glass of wine and finished with dessert, everything was so yummy This place is a true Boston institution with so much history and character. Seeing the Kennedy booth was a really cool bonus Highly recommend for great food, atmosphere, and a classic Boston experience

Nice little restaurant with lots of charm and history! This place is usually packed during the weekends so expect to be on a waitlist if you come around during their busy hours..but the wait is so worth it! Everything was exceptional including the service… Baked beans were wonderful and addicting and the clam chowder tasted good and hearty. Also their complimentary cornbread was delicious! It was so good I had to ask for another of which they didn’t charge me for at all. Needless to say, this is one of the few places in Boston that actually earned their popularity and if I ever were to go back I would bring my friends and family here.

We had a dinner here with friends at the end of December and it was good. The restaurant itself is very nice for its History, food is rather average and pricy for what it is. The service is okay, our waitress recommended fries to go with our lobster Mac&cheese as it is apparently good to scoop it out with fries. I opted with vegetables but was given honey glazed carrots full of sugar. Our table was upstairs in a freezing cold space. The overall experience was good, it was worth coming once but would not rush coming back.

This place doesn’t need more reviews for sure but well, fresh impressions always help others . We didn’t manage to make reservation so we tried to walk in, we have been gently greeted and added to stand by list in a second. We’ve been waiting 15/20 mins before being seated. The place is super nice, cozy and full of history , if you like only fancy places this might not be for you as this is as old as is history. Our server was super nice and kind. Food was quickly served, hot, fresh and tasty. Definitely a must go for your trip in Boston .

We had an incredible experience at Union Oyster House! The service at the oyster bar was outstanding—especially from Devon, the oyster shucker. He was knowledgeable, friendly, and introduced us to oyster shots, which made the experience even more fun. The food was unbelievably fresh and delicious. We ordered raw oysters and clam chowder, and they were hands down the best oysters we’ve ever had. There was an impressive selection of oysters to choose from, ranging from Boston to Canada. We spent New Year’s Eve at the oyster bar and had such a great time that we came back again two days later. Visiting from California, we were beyond impressed. We can’t wait to return on our next trip to Boston!

200 years of running and still going strong. Highly recommend their chowder and boiled lobster. It was so fresh and lobster meat so bouncy. Will definitely go back again

Americas oldest restaurant. A must visit when in Bean Town. Great seafood, beer and friendly staff. The fish sandwich was a bit dry, so four stars for food today. Loved my Caesar with lobster