What Food Is Boston Known For? It’s a question that unveils a rich tapestry of flavors, from the creamy depths of New England Clam Chowder to the sweet indulgence of Boston Cream Pie. Join WHAT.EDU.VN as we explore the iconic dishes and culinary destinations that define Boston’s unique food scene. Discover Boston’s comfort classics and seafood staples.
1. Learn to Cook Boston Food Favorites
Eating out can be expensive, but that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying authentic Boston flavors. Want to learn cooking Boston favorites like clam chowder or Boston baked beans at home? It’s easier than you think. Check out local cooking classes for professional instruction, or even photography classes to document your culinary journey. You can make these at your next get-together. For team building activities in Boston, whipping up a big batch of chowdah is a fun idea when you want everyone to have a hand in the pot.
2. Most Popular Boston Foods
While cities like New Orleans, Chicago, and New York are known for being foodie meccas, Boston holds its own with a distinctive culinary identity. Boston foods aren’t always in the conversation when discussing places with great restaurant scenes, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to eat.
In many cases, Boston foods are straightforward comfort classics with an emphasis on locally caught cold water seafood. But don’t forget there are Italian, Irish and Portuguese influences to round out all that chowder. Boston also has a Chinatown where you’ll find noodles and pastries to compete with anything out of San Francisco.
2.1. What food is Boston known for?
Boston is famous for several iconic dishes, each offering a unique taste of the city’s culinary heritage. If you’re looking to taste the best of Boston cuisine, you’ll find that it is New England Clam Chowder, Lobster Rolls, Boston Baked Beans, Italian Cuisine, Fenway Frank, Fried Clams and oysters, doughnuts and Boston Cream Pie. If you have more questions about what makes these dishes special, ask them for free on WHAT.EDU.VN.
2.2. Top Boston foods
Here’s a list of the top 10 Boston foods that you absolutely must try:
| Rank | Dish | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New England-style clam chowder | Creamy, hearty soup with clams, potatoes, onions, and bacon |
| 2 | Broiled Boston scrod | Flaky white fish, often haddock, broiled with breadcrumbs and butter |
| 3 | Raw clams & oysters | Freshly shucked from local waters |
| 4 | Steamed lobster, lobster rolls & clam rolls | Lobster or clams served steamed or in a roll with mayo or butter |
| 5 | Yankee pot roast | Slow-cooked beef with vegetables in a rich gravy |
| 6 | Boston baked beans & brown bread | Beans slow-cooked with molasses and salt pork, served with molasses bread |
| 7 | Pizza | Simple, yet delicious Italian favorite with a Boston twist |
| 8 | Cannolis | Tube-shaped pastry shells filled with sweet, creamy ricotta cheese |
| 9 | Gelato | Italian ice cream, offering a variety of flavors |
| 10 | Boston Cream Pie | Cake with layers of sponge cake, vanilla custard, and chocolate glaze |
3. Boston’s Famous Food Places
To truly experience Boston’s culinary scene, you need to visit some of its most famous food destinations. These establishments offer a taste of history, tradition, and innovation.
3.1. Legal Sea Foods
Legal Sea Foods is the ultimate OG for powerhouse seafood restaurants and one of Boston’s famous food places. This family-owned fish market began in 1950, opened its first sit-down restaurant in 1968 and hasn’t looked back since.
Legal Sea Foods is synonymous with high-quality pier-to-plate Boston foods like thick and creamy clam chowder, lobster bisque and crab cakes. With multiple locations on the Eastern seaboard, you won’t have to look far to find one.
3.2. Fenway Park
While not technically a restaurant, Fenway Park is one of the most famous food places in Boston. Step up to the plate and get yourself Boston’s favorite Fenway Frank sometime around the 2nd inning.
Wash it down with a cold Samuel Adams Seasonal so that you’re ready for another Boston favorite — a hot Italian sausage sandwich loaded with peppers and onions — by the 7th inning stretch. Believe it or not, Fenway also offers a legit Yankee lobster roll that even Red Sox fans approve of.
3.3. Mike’s Pastry
There may be no place more iconic in Boston’s North End than Mike’s Pastry. You’ll see the line of people outside long before you reach the front door. Mike’s Pastry is a great place to sample all of the best Boston food confections starting with the cannoli, a piece of fried pastry dough shaped into a tunnel that gets filled with a sweet, creamy cheese filling and dusted with powdered sugar.
Cannoli variations include those made with chocolate pastries, pistachios fillings and toppings from chocolate chips to sprinkles, but the original is always a classic. Don’t love the cannoli? Mike’s sells another Boston food classic, the Boston cream pie, as well as every colorful Italian cookie imaginable. They also ship, and a couple of boxes of Mike’s treats make great Boston gifts.
3.4. Dunkin’ Donuts
Authentic Boston foods are not just found at lunch or dinner. Mom always said the most important meal of the day was breakfast, and Dunkin’ Donuts agrees. From the original glazed donut with the little dunking handle on the side to the legendary Boston Cream, Dunkin’ Donuts has been fueling New Englanders since the 1950s. With over 9,000 locations worldwide, there’s a sweet treat within reach pretty much anywhere you are.
3.5. Union Oyster House
Any visit to Boston inevitably leads you to Quincy Market, one of Boston’s famous food places. Some of the oldest bars and restaurants in the city are still going strong here, including Union Oyster House. This legendary establishment is the oldest continuously running restaurant in the country and has been serving classic Boston foods since 1826.
While they’ve made a few modernizations over the years, you can feel the shadow left by our country’s forefathers who huddled together here to discuss independence from Britain. Besides being one of the coolest restaurants in Boston for Revolutionary War fans, Union Oyster House is known for its ancient raw bar so belly up and knock a few dozen back.
This is also a great place to get a traditional Boston seafood dish so order the broiled Boston scrod topped with breadcrumbs and a side of Boston baked beans. Simple and simply delicious.
3.6. Quincy Market
Quincy Market was the original food hall before food halls were a thing. Originally opened in 1826 as a fresh produce market, Quincy Market later became a central tourist hub for both local food and great shopping just blocks from Boston’s waterfront. This two-story brick building has a central corridor lined with vendors selling all of the classic Boston foods from sausages and strombolis to raw clams and cannolis.
3.7. Barking Crab
Boston offers some great options for waterfront dining, but most can only be enjoyed in the spring and summer months. Barking Crab is considered a relative newcomer to the Boston food scene but has turned outdoor dining into a year-round event. Their festive red and yellow tents create a casual and fun ambiance, and it’s the perfect place to enjoy some of the best Boston foods.
This is a great place to get your fried seafood fix or a pile of “steamahs” (steamed clams). If you’ve already had your fill of lobster on this trip, try their Barking Crab roll for a lighter alternative. Barking Crab is also one of the best affordable restaurants in Boston.
3.8. The Boston Chipyard
Not all great Boston foods come out of the ocean. Some come straight out of the oven. Any stroll through Boston’s Quincy Market food hall should include a stop at The Boston Chipyard for a dozen or so of their bite-sized, fresh-from-the-oven goodies. Don’t worry. They serve milk too.
3.9. The Salty Dog
If the general chaos inside of Quincy Market is overwhelming to you and you want something a little quieter, grab a stool at The Salty Dog bar. This is one of the coolest restaurants in Boston because of its location just outside of Quincy Market facing Faneuil Hall. In the spring and summer, there’s no better place to enjoy some raw and rosé and to people-watch while you rest your feet. They have a full menu of Boston foods, but save your appetite and just enjoy a snack before taking on the rest of the city.
3.10. The Walrus and the Carpenter Oyster Bar
The Walrus and the Carpenter Oyster Bar, located inside Quincy Market, is one of the best places to taste the best of raw Boston foods and one of the oldest market vendors still in operation. For raw fans, you can choose between icy cold raw Atlantic oysters or raw clams which are known locally as cherrystones, but those who know get both. Their lobster bisque is also a staple of the Boston food scene if you prefer your seafood cooked.
3.11. Neptune Oyster
In a city where the classic dining spots are mostly modest, no-frills restaurants, Neptune Oyster is a fancy alternative and one of the top 10 restaurants for Boston food. This small North End spot does not take reservations, so waiting outside for a table is part of the experience. Neptune Oyster brings real refinement to your familiar Boston food favorites.
Obviously, this is a place to enjoy raw seafood but you can get more of your Boston favorites than just the raw ones here. Neptune Oyster is one of the few places serving razor clams. This is also a place to take advantage of a clam bake — similar to a Lowcountry seafood boil but the food is steamed instead.
3.12. Wood’s Hill Pier 4
Wood’s Hill Pier 4 is another relative newcomer to the Boston food scene but quickly established itself as a landmark and one of the top 10 restaurants in Boston’s Seaport district. Wood’s Hill’s locally sourced and sustainable food is not the norm in this historic city. This is a great place to go for a business lunch, but the best-kept secret is their brunch where you can indulge in their lobster popover or lobster benedict.
3.13. Regina Pizzeria
Boston is known as much for its outstanding Italian food as it is for the seafood scene and one of the best Boston foods is a simple slice of pizza. Regina Pizzeria has been serving up perfect brick-oven slices since 1926. They’ve got locations all over the city, but the original shop is a hidden gem restaurant in Boston’s North End.
You might expect only the classic combinations here, but don’t be surprised to find options like the Rosemary Ham Bianco featuring roasted pineapple, fresh spinach, rosemary ham, fresh basil and garlic sauce. Regina Pizzeria is also one of the best affordable restaurants in Boston.
3.14. Parker’s Restaurant
Got a special occasion? Need date ideas in Boston? Parker’s Restaurant at the iconic Omni Parker House Hotel is one of the top 10 restaurants in Boston for classic fine dining. A meal at Parker’s is an elegant white tablecloth affair. Parker’s Restaurant is home to three of the most classic Boston foods. First, your meal will include their famous Parker House rolls. For your entrée, savor the light, flaky bite of a broiled Boston scrod.
Ever wonder what foods originated in Boston? Save room for a slice of the Parker House Boston cream pie, which was invented here. Boston cream pie is really more of a cake with a custard filling but a true Boston food masterpiece when done right. They have also mastered the art of shipping this delicacy, so Parker’s House Boston cream pies make great gifts for foodies.
3.15. Cheers
Boston’s famous food places include Cheers, which is known more for the TV series than for serving the best Boston foods. This iconic spot is located on the Freedom Trail and just across the street from Boston Common.
Cheers is exactly what it should be — a pub. They still serve your favorite 80s potato skins appetizer and guests who conquer the Giant Norm Burger can get their names listed on the Norm Burger Hall of Fame.
3.16. Giacomo’s Ristorante
Boston’s oldest residential community is the North End, which has been inhabited since the 1600s. This neighborhood which occupies less than 1 square mile is where you’ll find dozens of family-run hidden gem restaurants in Boston. Giacomo’s Ristorante tops any best-of list for North End eateries and is known for its no-reservations, cash-only, fast-paced style of serving Italian Boston foods.
This is not the place to go for lingering romantic dinners and the setup feels a little touristy. But this is a legit Italian Boston foods eatery. This is where you go for your linguine, ravioli, Parmesana and marsala. Don’t expect an extensive wine selection because you’re not going to be here that long. Get the house wine and be done with it. Besides being a hidden gem, Giacomo’s is also one of the best affordable restaurants in Boston.
3.17. Little Whale Oyster Bar
Little Whale Oyster Bar may sound like your basic neighborhood watering hole, but it’s not. This is the quintessential Back Bay bistro that combines the best of a raw bar counter with refined Boston food appetizers and mains. Known for its seafood towers and decadent (and expensive) lobster roll, Little Whale is a must for any foodie bucket list.
4. Best Hidden Gem Restaurants in Boston
Venture off the beaten path and discover some of Boston’s best-kept culinary secrets. These hidden gem restaurants offer unique flavors and experiences that you won’t find anywhere else.
4.1. The Boston Sail Loft
Where do Boston locals eat? Serving the best of Boston foods from their perfectly-light battered and fried haddock to their award-winning chowder, The Boston Sail Loft reigns supreme as a place that still draws more locals than tourists. Some may argue that it can’t be considered a hidden gem anymore because they’ve won the local clam chowder cookoff so many times, but this cozy and friendly restaurant is a rare find serving the best Boston foods.
Sail Loft also has location location location. Situated directly on the waterfront just steps from Quincy Market, you can watch the boats bobbing in the marina next door while sipping a Chardonnay and nibbling on oyster crackers as you anticipate your meal. It’s definitely one of the coolest restaurants in Boston for a date.
4.2. The Black Rose
Boston is well known for its Italian community and food scene, but the Irish also have a stronghold on this city’s history. That’s why any trip to Boston should include a visit to historic Irish pubs like The Black Rose. Located in the Quincy Marketplace, this is the definition of what an Irish pub should be. Dark, a little dingy but not dirty, fabulous menu and live Irish entertainment.
The menu includes clam chowder, but more importantly, they serve classic Irish Boston foods like Black Rose spring rolls (corned beef, brusselkraut, swiss cheese), Jameson Irish whiskey glazed wings and Shepherd’s Pie fries. If you’re still there when the sun comes up you can get a full Irish breakfast.
4.3. Modern Pastry
If you’ve already done Mike’s Pastry and don’t want to deal with the crowds, just turn around and cross the street to Modern Pastry. This lesser-known hidden gem restaurant in Boston serves all of the same Boston food treats that Mike’s has without all the hustle. If you’re lucky enough to grab a table, enjoy a cappuccino with your fresh cannoli.
4.4. The Dubliner
It looks like just another touristy Irish pub from the outside, but check out The Dubliner on Sundays for a classic Boston food experience. Their Sunday roast dinner will transport you back to Mom’s kitchen and features slow-cooked bone-in roast beef plus a rotation of other meats and sides.
4.5. Bostonia Public House
Bostonia Public House is your typical trendy cocktail and dinner spot. Great vibe, but more importantly, great drinks and a chance to try a lesser-known but classic Boston food — Boston baked beans. Boston is affectionately known as Beantown because they were once part of the molasses boom and one of the best things to do with molasses is to make baked beans which are traditionally served with a little loaf of brown bread.
There’s a lot more to Bostonia than beans. You can get either a cold or hot buttered lobster roll here for a lighter bite, but the entrees include a crab-crusted cod and scallops on a beet risotto. Just get the Bostonia baked bean as a side no matter what.
4.6. Shōjō
You’re tired of Italian. You’re not the biggest fan of Guinness. You can’t handle any more lobster. Now what? You may not be thinking of Asian cuisine when you think of classic Boston foods, but Boston’s Chinatown is an epic foodie destination. You just have to know where to go. Shōjō is an absolute hidden gem restaurant in Boston serving high-quality ramen and other fusion dishes plus a full cocktail menu and sake service.
Meat lovers will want to go for the Shōjōnator, a 1/4-pound burger on a house-made sesame bao bun with pickles, kimcheese, sriracha aioli, fried shallots and barbeque sauce. Add a fried egg and a side of duck-fat fries.
5. Best Affordable Restaurants in Boston
Enjoy delicious Boston cuisine without breaking the bank. These affordable restaurants offer a variety of tasty options that won’t empty your wallet.
5.1. Bruegger’s Bagels
You don’t have to go to New York to get a legitimate bagel. Boston’s Bruegger’s Bagels went for you. They learned New York’s trade secrets back in the 80s and now have over 35 locations where you can enjoy this classic and affordable Boston food.
5.2. Caffé Paradiso
These days, finding affordable food in any city can be a challenge. Luckily one of the best Boston foods is still also one of the cheapest. There is no lack of gelato shops around this city, but one of the hands-down favorites is Caffé Paradiso in the North End.
This is your typical North End gelato shop that also serves excellent coffee drinks and has a selection of liquors and pastries. Pistachio is one of the best flavors that is always available, but you’ll see options like passion fruit or tiramisú too.
5.3. Flour Bakery & Café
James Beard award winner Joanne Chang delivers sticky sweetness and smiles at Flour Bakery & Café. Her commitment to community, ethical employment practices and good service make her pastries and pies taste even better.
It’s hard to believe quality this good could be so affordable. The brown butter cinnamon roll is a cult favorite and costs less than a tall Starbucks. Baked goods lovers can choose from banana bread, apple-snacking spice cake, sugar brioche buns or a seasonal scone. Breakfast or lunch will also cost you less than $20.
5.4. Erikson’s Ice Cream
You’ll need to venture a bit out of the city for this classic Boston food, but it will be worth it. The original Erikson’s Ice Cream is located in Maynard, Massachusetts so if you’ve headed out Route 2 to visit the Revolutionary War battlefields of Concord or Lexington, you’re just a short hop away. The Erikson family has been scooping since the 1930s. While they serve up all the modern twists that kids like, purists will want to stick to the standards. A lick of their chocolate, vanilla or coffee ice cream is the best way to appreciate that home-churned flavor, but the best-kept secret at Erikson’s is the black raspberry.
6. Boston: A Foodie Destination
Boston is one of the most historic cities in the U.S. and makes for a great long weekend getaway. Though it may not be known as a foodie city, don’t let that sway you away from trying some of these famous Boston foods and restaurants. This port city offers the best of your seafood favorites in their purist form plus the chance to try a huge variety of ethnic cuisines without having to travel far off the beaten path. You don’t even need to leave the airport, as some of the best options are actually the Boston airport restaurants.
If you have more questions about Boston food, don’t hesitate to ask on WHAT.EDU.VN. Our community is ready to provide you with fast, accurate, and helpful answers.
7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Boston Food
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is Boston’s signature dish? | New England Clam Chowder is arguably Boston’s most famous dish. This creamy, hearty soup is made with clams, potatoes, onions, and bacon, offering a comforting and flavorful experience. |
| What is Boston cream pie, and why is it so popular? | Boston cream pie is actually a cake with layers of sponge cake, vanilla custard, and chocolate glaze. Invented at Parker’s Restaurant in the Omni Parker House Hotel, it’s popular for its rich, sweet flavors and unique texture. |
| Where can I find the best lobster roll in Boston? | Legal Sea Foods, Neptune Oyster, and Barking Crab are just a few of the places where you can find delicious lobster rolls in Boston. Each offers its own unique twist on this classic New England sandwich, whether served with mayo or butter. |
| Are there any vegetarian or vegan options in Boston? | Yes, Boston has a growing vegetarian and vegan scene. Many restaurants offer plant-based alternatives to traditional dishes, and there are also dedicated vegetarian and vegan eateries throughout the city. |
| What are some must-try Italian dishes in Boston’s North End? | Cannolis from Mike’s Pastry and Modern Pastry are a must-try in Boston’s North End. Additionally, Giacomo’s Ristorante offers classic Italian dishes like linguine, ravioli, and marsala. |
| What is Fenway Frank? | Fenway Frank is a hot dog served at Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox. It’s a beloved ballpark staple and a must-try for any baseball fan visiting the city. |
| Where can I find the best seafood in Boston? | Legal Sea Foods, Union Oyster House, and Neptune Oyster are some of the best places to find fresh and delicious seafood in Boston. From raw oysters to broiled scrod, there’s something for every seafood lover. |
| What is Boston baked beans, and where can I try it? | Boston baked beans are slow-cooked beans with molasses and salt pork. You can try this classic dish at Bostonia Public House or Union Oyster House, often served with brown bread. |
| What is Boston scrod? | Boston scrod is a flaky white fish, often haddock, broiled with breadcrumbs and butter. It’s a simple yet delicious dish that showcases the freshness of local seafood. Parker’s Restaurant is known for its excellent broiled Boston scrod. |
| Are there any food tours in Boston that I should consider? | Yes, there are several food tours in Boston that can introduce you to the city’s culinary scene. These tours often include stops at historic restaurants, markets, and hidden gems, providing a comprehensive taste of Boston’s food culture. |
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