Union Oyster House

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41 Union St (at North Street)
Boston, MA 02108

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(617) 227-2750
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Union Oyster House - Boston, MA
Union Oyster House - Boston, MA
Union Oyster House - Boston, MA
Union Oyster House - Boston, MA
Union Oyster House - Boston, MA
Union Oyster House - Boston, MA
Union Oyster House - Boston, MA
Union Oyster House - Boston, MA
Union Oyster House - Boston, MA
Union Oyster House - Boston, MA
Union Oyster House - Boston, MA
Union Oyster House - Boston, MA
Union Oyster House - Boston, MA
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Reviews
( 10 )
( 13 )
( 6 )
( 2 )
( 19 )

Best

THE BEST CLAM CHOWDER EVER!!!!

Worst

We called too late to make a reservation, but were told if we showed up in the next 15 minutes we would have a half-hour wait for our party of 9. So we went ahead and put in our n...

Union Oyster House 12/11/2011

THE BEST CLAM CHOWDER EVER!!!! more

Not impressed 8/15/2011

I found the restaurant extremely dirty. The servers do not clean the tables well. The food was not prepared well, and came to us cold. I did not eat the oysters because they were warm. The atmosphere didn't impress me either. more

Union Oyster - overpriced tourist trap - don't waste your $$ 8/1/2011

We brought my sister and her family here on Sat 7/30/11, as they were visiting from out of town. The food was TERRIBLE and OVERPRICED. We were HIGHLY disappointed in the restaurant taking full advantage of their 'oldest restaurant' status. So sad that this has turned into another TOURIST TRAP RIP OFF......It could be so much better as the character of the building should match the quality of the food. The calamari and seafood entrees were greasy, and nothing special, and the oysters were overpriced and presented terribly (not over ice - with only plastic container of cocktail sauce, no horseradish, mignonette or anything..) Very disappointed...I wouldn't waste your money here...it's too bad...\r \r more

Great food is worth the long wait 9/30/2010

The food was great. I went with some friends and we all had different seafood dishes and I was able to taste a bunch of them, they all were great. The prices are fair, the only downside is that there is a long wait if you go on weekends. more

Mmmmmmm 6/22/2010

This place is delicious. i went out here with my boyfriend a few nights ago and we had the best oysters ive had in a looong time. If you go get the, duh, oysters. or at least the platter with the oysters. Its also really cool how old the place is, like 1800 or something. The area is really fun to go out afterwards too, especially if your visiting Boston on vacation go check out the area, very Boston. Pros: I love oysters Cons: needs a better wine selection lol more

Must-Try Seafood and Clam Chowder 2/17/2010

This is America's oldest restaurant and it has visitors ranging from politicians, historical figures to celebrities. With a great history behind it, Union Oyster House has been featured in Travel channel and Food Network. Therefore, it is one of my must-visit stop to Boston despite some mediocre reviews I saw. Pros: Historical, big portion and fresh seafood Cons: slightly overpriced and touristy more

Best sea food and atmosphere in boston 1/20/2010

If you want a coke and a smile go to the mid-west. Your in an old dirty building on the east coast in a city rich in american history and Boston attitude. I eat there ever time Im in town and its always good. Pros: Hands down the best fresh oysters and maine lobster! Cons: A little dirty and not the best servise... more

Gone Down Hill .... Expensive , Poor Service, Lousy Food 11/24/2009

The group that owns the Union Oyster House does not compare to the Father and Son who owned it up until the mid 1970's... back then the food was great... the wait staff had been there forever and it was a career and not just an annoying ""job"". The management is uncaring--- after the buck-- and move on .... They do not know good old fashioned New England Cooking.... the owners are not familiar with this type of food ... maybe they should turn it into a spaghetti emporium, some kind of cookery they are actually familiar with. Go to any other Boston seafood eatery... Pros: Easy walk to something better Cons: Lousy Food and Service more

Worst restaurant ever 9/30/2009

Why this place was praised so much as a must come to see for Boston ? Besides, its history, I don't think the place and the food are worth the trip. The foods were awful and expensive. The drinks were bad, but still better than the food and you have to wait longer than 30 minutes to get to their tiny dining room upstair when they stacked people into isolated corner and you waited forever for the waiters to notice you are there, since they are not really busy. Pros: historic place Cons: everything more

Dirty 4/15/2009

Not sure what all the hype is. Not traditional New England seafood . It's for out of towners.. that do not know where to get good New England Seafood. Anyone can get Chowder from a can, and through some clams in it!!!! Not worth the $$$$. Cons: Dirty, terrible service, long wait, rude employees more

Old but still has great food! 12/28/2008

The Union Oyster House is America's longest continuously operated restaurant. Despite the age, the food remains great. The lobster ravioli is phenomenal and so is the rest of the menu. Not to die for, but definitely great! more

America's Oldest Restaurant 11/18/2008

dlay01 Provided by Partner
America's oldest running restaurant since 1826, Union Oyster House is a must go at least once when in Boston. Sure you can have better seafood at o... more

the tourist place - but worth it. 11/18/2008

Michelle Provided by Partner
okay.. so we had to come eat when we visited. we NEEDED the boston clam chowder.. we CRAVED those oysters and lobster, and we were glad we came. ev... more

Go for the Chowda! It's the best and the original. 11/18/2008

I have been here 2 times over the last year and stuck with the Clam Chowder and a Sam Adams. I've eaten at the bar every time. Based on the mixed reviews here, I haven't tried anything else. I want to keep going back here for the traditional New England Clam Chowder. It is made with the traditional ingredients and I haven't had anything else in Boston that comes close. It's thick and flavored just right. The clams have always been fresh. Note, the cornbread is downright horrible, so just stick to the basics of beer and chowda and you'll understand why this place is still around. Plus, the original side of the restaurant has some great history. Be sure to walk around. I love this place and will keep going back for the right reasons. Pros: Clam Chowder! Cons: Small seating capacity. more

What a dump! 10/24/2008

Located on a on a cobblestone street that smells of urine. Have they ever heard of a hose??? Waited 45 min. w/reservation. . Brought us to a table that hadn't been cleaned. Waitress came to clean it with a dirty rag. Floors /chairs were filthy. Thank god for my purell wipes!! The waitress had a horrible cold, and was blowing her nose. It was disgusting. We ordered appetizers, oysters (warm to boot) We didn't even touch them. The shrimp cocktail was soggy. Main dishes came out in two orders( there were 6 of us), and were cold. The waitress was obviously displease that we were not happy, and copped an attitude. We asked to see the manager, but she couldn't find her....Not really sure what all the hype is about this place, but it is clearly a dump! Don't waiste your time or money on this place..... Cons: Absolutey filthy more

Historic place, must visit! 10/24/2008

The Union Oyster house was one of the most interesting restaurants I went to on my recent trip to Boston. That it's filled with history goes without saying. The raw oysters were great, very meaty. Very reasonable priced and our waitress was funny and very attentive. Great experience! Pros: Historic, delicious oysters, gift shop! Cons: Crowded downstairs more

Union Oyster house Boston review. 9/23/2008

We made our reservation for 8pm on a tuesday evening and after arriving promptly were ushered to the bar for a thirty minute wait. Not the best start but we were excited about the food ahead. Four of us were eating so started with the oyster platter which was mediocre and overcooked. Moving on to the main courses one group member went for the swordfish which was overcooked and tasteless. I went for the broiled seafood combo which was pretty tasty and on the whole pretty well cooked. The other two went for the stuffed sole. This was the biggest let down of the whole evening, the sole was very overcooked and filled with stuffing which had the texture of wallpaper paste and was very bitter. On the whole the meal was poor and expensive and I'm left wondering what all the fuss is about. My friends who live in Boston and eat out quite a bit there couldn't beleive how bad the whole experience was. If you value going just because of the history of the place rather than the quality of the food more

Pure Tourists, with Overpriced Lobster 9/19/2008

You pay $37 or so for a small lobster in this very touristy landmark. The side dishes are pretty awful. But, I have to admit, the place has atmosphere and is worth going to once for that. more

Great Great 8/22/2008

We love this place. I got the full belly clams here. The decor is vintage and appropriate. Its a wonderful classic place to visit. Service is good and menu has a lot of variety. more

Decent food but unacceptable service 8/13/2008

We called too late to make a reservation, but were told if we showed up in the next 15 minutes we would have a half-hour wait for our party of 9. So we went ahead and put in our name, and ended up waiting 45 minutes. This in itself would have been fine, but once we were seated and had ordered, it took another 45 minutes to receive our appetizers, and then another 45 minutes after that to receive our entrees. All told, we spent about an hour eating and 2 hours waiting for service. This is ridiculous on a Tuesday night. On top of that, our waitress forgot one person's soda and we waited 30 minutes for that; she assumed that the child in our party would not want the cole slaw that came with her fish and chips; and the potatoes that were supposed to come with the Shore Dinner were completely missing. To her credit, when we asked about the potatoes and cole slaw at the end of the meal, she apologized and said she should not have assumed about the slaw, and offered to give us the potatoes to take home. These are small consolations for the obnoxiously long wait, though. The food itself was good, but nothing to write home about. Certainly not worth the prices nor the wait. Pros: decent food, interesting history Cons: unacceptable service more
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Menu for Union Oyster House


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The country's oldest restaurant in continuous service lures touristy crowds with its fresh seafood and award-winning chowder.(857) 264-2380

Owner Message
  • The Union Oyster House, located on the Freedom Trail near Faneuil Hall, enjoys the unique distinction of being America's oldest restaurant.

    This Boston fixture is housed in a building dating back to pre-revolutionary days and started serving food in 1826. The stalls and oyster bar where Daniel Webster was a regular customer are in their original positions. Today's politicians, celebrities and tourists still come in to enjoy the food.

    We are the third family in nearly two centuries to own the Union Oyster House. (857) 264-2380

Editorial
  • In Short
    Dating back to 1826, the Union Oyster House maintains a suitably old-fashioned tavern decor, with lots of weathered wood and a casual atmosphere. Tourists and locals rub...

  • 8/1/2008 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Sun-Thu 11am-9:30pm Fri-Sat 11am-10pm
  • Payments: Master Card, American Express, Diner's Club, Discover, Visa
  • Neighborhoods: Central, Downtown
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