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Union Oyster House In Boston
Union Oyster House may be a tourist trap, but it still makes an excellent chowder.
Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

Where to Eat New England Clam Chowder in Boston

Yes, you’ll probably hear it called “chowda,” but you don’t have to follow suit

by Terrence Doyle and Erika Adams Updated
View as Map
Union Oyster House may be a tourist trap, but it still makes an excellent chowder.
| Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
by Terrence Doyle and Erika Adams Updated

Clams, potatoes, and bacon bathed in cream. The quintessential New England clam chowder — whether fancified, or done by the book — is a smooth, belly-warming delight. Here are 12 of the best places in Boston proper to eat clam chowder.

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The Warren Tavern

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If you’re checking out the Bunker Hill Monument, you might as well swing by the Warren Tavern — allegedly the oldest tavern in the state — to grab some clam chowder.

2 Pleasant St, Charlestown, MA 02129
(617) 241-8142
(617) 241-8142
Light illuminates a sign for Warren Tavern, a Charlestown pub founded in 1780
Good chowder in a really old tavern.
Warren Tavern/Facebook

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Neptune Oyster

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What can be written about Neptune Oyster that hasn’t already been written? The oysters are great; the lobster roll is great; the Wellfleet clam chowder is also great. Expect a line; wait in that line.

63 Salem St # 1, Boston, MA 02113
(617) 742-3474
(617) 742-3474
Several diners wait outside Neptune Oyster in the North End, huddled in fall coats under the royal blue awning.
These folks are (likely) after the clam chowder.
Terrence B. Doyle/Eater Boston

Also featured in:

Union Oyster House

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Union Oyster House is very old, and it has a reputation as a tourist trap, but the chowder passes muster. Avoid the gift shop.

41 Union St, Boston, MA 02108
(617) 227-2750
(617) 227-2750

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Ned Devine's

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The chowder at this Faneuil Hall pub isn’t just good; in fact, it’s award-winning.

1 Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston, MA 02109
(617) 248-8800
(617) 248-8800

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James Hook & Co.

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It’s not all lobsters at James Hook & Co. (though you should try the lobster roll, too).

440 Atlantic Ave, Boston, MA 02110
(617) 423-5501
(617) 423-5501

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The Barking Crab

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Another tourist trap, but one of the good ones. You’ll spend a fair amount of money at the Barking Crab, but the food is good, so you’ll leave satisfied if a little lighter in the pockets.

88 Sleeper St, Boston, MA 02210
(617) 426-2722
(617) 426-2722
The red exterior of the waterfront restaurant on a sunny day.
The Barking Crab.
Paul Marotta/Getty Images

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Row 34

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At $13, the Row 34 clam chowder is an expensive chowder, but it’s a treat.

383 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210
(617) 553-5900
(617) 553-5900

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The Banks Fish House

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There’s chunks of pork belly and chive oil in this rendition, and yep, it’s just as good as it sounds.

406 Stuart St, Boston, MA 02116
(617) 399-0015
(617) 399-0015
A white dish filled with soup with a cup of crackers and a dinner roll placed beside it on a white plate.
Chowder, crackers, and a roll.
Erika Adams/Eater Boston

Also featured in:

Legal Harborside

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This place is a “meet market” and a tourist trap and an amusement park disguised as a seafood restaurant — but the chowder, which has been on many presidential inaugural menus dating back to 1981, is as good as it gets.

270 Northern Ave, Boston, MA 02210
(617) 477-2900
(617) 477-2900
A waterfront view of Legal Harborside at dusk, with a final bit of sun peeking over the horizon.
Some very good ocean views.
Legal Harborside/Facebook

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Yankee Lobster

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Make sure to snack on some clam chowder and a lobster roll at Yankee Lobster. Both are excellent.

300 Northern Ave, Boston, MA 02210
(617) 345-9799
(617) 345-9799
A red convertible with the top down parked outside of a restaurant with a red awning.
Yep, that’s Guy Fieri’s car.
Yankee Lobster/Facebook

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B&G Oysters

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Another oyster joint, another top-notch clam chowder. B&G uses bacon lardons in its chowder and tops it with spicy croutons, which is a nice touch and a welcome departure from the more traditional oyster crackers.

550 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116
(617) 423-0550
(617) 423-0550

Also featured in:

The Pearl

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The Pearl is a relatively new seafood spot in Dorchester, and comes highly recommended by its industry peers. The chowder is creamy, clam-filled, and hits the spot.

20b District Ave, Dorchester, MA 02125
(617) 288-8810
(617) 288-8810

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The Warren Tavern

2 Pleasant St, Charlestown, MA 02129

If you’re checking out the Bunker Hill Monument, you might as well swing by the Warren Tavern — allegedly the oldest tavern in the state — to grab some clam chowder.

2 Pleasant St, Charlestown, MA 02129
(617) 241-8142
(617) 241-8142
Light illuminates a sign for Warren Tavern, a Charlestown pub founded in 1780
Good chowder in a really old tavern.
Warren Tavern/Facebook

Neptune Oyster

63 Salem St # 1, Boston, MA 02113

What can be written about Neptune Oyster that hasn’t already been written? The oysters are great; the lobster roll is great; the Wellfleet clam chowder is also great. Expect a line; wait in that line.

63 Salem St # 1, Boston, MA 02113
(617) 742-3474
(617) 742-3474
Several diners wait outside Neptune Oyster in the North End, huddled in fall coats under the royal blue awning.
These folks are (likely) after the clam chowder.
Terrence B. Doyle/Eater Boston

Union Oyster House

41 Union St, Boston, MA 02108

Union Oyster House is very old, and it has a reputation as a tourist trap, but the chowder passes muster. Avoid the gift shop.

41 Union St, Boston, MA 02108
(617) 227-2750
(617) 227-2750

Ned Devine's

1 Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston, MA 02109

The chowder at this Faneuil Hall pub isn’t just good; in fact, it’s award-winning.

1 Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston, MA 02109
(617) 248-8800
(617) 248-8800

James Hook & Co.

440 Atlantic Ave, Boston, MA 02110

It’s not all lobsters at James Hook & Co. (though you should try the lobster roll, too).

440 Atlantic Ave, Boston, MA 02110
(617) 423-5501
(617) 423-5501

The Barking Crab

88 Sleeper St, Boston, MA 02210

Another tourist trap, but one of the good ones. You’ll spend a fair amount of money at the Barking Crab, but the food is good, so you’ll leave satisfied if a little lighter in the pockets.

88 Sleeper St, Boston, MA 02210
(617) 426-2722
(617) 426-2722
The red exterior of the waterfront restaurant on a sunny day.
The Barking Crab.
Paul Marotta/Getty Images

Row 34

383 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210

At $13, the Row 34 clam chowder is an expensive chowder, but it’s a treat.

383 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210
(617) 553-5900
(617) 553-5900

The Banks Fish House

406 Stuart St, Boston, MA 02116

There’s chunks of pork belly and chive oil in this rendition, and yep, it’s just as good as it sounds.

406 Stuart St, Boston, MA 02116
(617) 399-0015
(617) 399-0015
A white dish filled with soup with a cup of crackers and a dinner roll placed beside it on a white plate.
Chowder, crackers, and a roll.
Erika Adams/Eater Boston

Legal Harborside

270 Northern Ave, Boston, MA 02210

This place is a “meet market” and a tourist trap and an amusement park disguised as a seafood restaurant — but the chowder, which has been on many presidential inaugural menus dating back to 1981, is as good as it gets.

270 Northern Ave, Boston, MA 02210
(617) 477-2900
(617) 477-2900
A waterfront view of Legal Harborside at dusk, with a final bit of sun peeking over the horizon.
Some very good ocean views.
Legal Harborside/Facebook

Yankee Lobster

300 Northern Ave, Boston, MA 02210

Make sure to snack on some clam chowder and a lobster roll at Yankee Lobster. Both are excellent.

300 Northern Ave, Boston, MA 02210
(617) 345-9799
(617) 345-9799
A red convertible with the top down parked outside of a restaurant with a red awning.
Yep, that’s Guy Fieri’s car.
Yankee Lobster/Facebook

B&G Oysters

550 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116

Another oyster joint, another top-notch clam chowder. B&G uses bacon lardons in its chowder and tops it with spicy croutons, which is a nice touch and a welcome departure from the more traditional oyster crackers.

550 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116
(617) 423-0550
(617) 423-0550

The Pearl

20b District Ave, Dorchester, MA 02125

The Pearl is a relatively new seafood spot in Dorchester, and comes highly recommended by its industry peers. The chowder is creamy, clam-filled, and hits the spot.

20b District Ave, Dorchester, MA 02125
(617) 288-8810
(617) 288-8810

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