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  • Union Oyster House

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Reserve at Union Oyster House

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Union Oyster House
Union Oyster House

Union Oyster House Details

  • Dining Style: Casual Dining
  • Website: http://www.unionoysterhouse.com
  • Phone: (617) 227-2750
  • Hours of Operation: Sunday - Thursday: 11:00am - 9:30pm, Friday & Saturday: 11:0am - 10:00pm
  • Payment Options: AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, MasterCard, Visa
  • Cuisine: Seafood
  • Dress Code: Casual Dress
  • Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
  • Private Party Facilities: Private rooms are available for your convenience for cocktail parties, buffets and banquets. Each room has its distinct personality!
  • Private Party Contact: Dining Room Manager (617) 227-2750

Getting there

  • Public Transit: Two options: Take the Blue or Green Line to Government Center. Walk down the stairs along the side of City Hall and cross Congress Street. We are across the street. Note we are across from the New England Holocaust Memorial. Or, take the Orange or Green Line to Haymarket,left on Congress,left on Hanover,right on Union.
  • Parking: Street Parking
  • Parking Details: We Validate Parking for the Parcel #7 Garage. Note that it is not clearly labeled as such (sorry). If the Union Oyster House is on your right, the brick building STRAIGHT AHEAD OF YOU is the garage. Drive towards it, make a quick left (Hanover St.) right (Congress St.) and right again (Sudbury St.) … in other words, around the brick building to the other side is the entrance. The fee after validation is 3.$ for 3 hours
A word from Union Oyster House
The Union Oyster House, located on the Freedom Trail, near Faneuil Hall, enjoys the unique distinction of being America's oldest restaurant. The Boston fixture, housed in a building dating back to pre-revolutionary days, started serving food in 1826 and has continued ever since with the stalls and… oyster bar, where Daniel Webster was a constant customer, in their original positions.Continued
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Awards voted by OpenTable diners
  • Diners' Choice WinnerMost Booked
Diner Reviews
  • "had been there previously and enjoyed the experience, not so much this time: customers are directed around like cattle by the hostesses until they ultimately reach their destination (and with some delay in spite of a reservation) ; service initially and the rough side (only getting better to placate us after forgetting one of our appetizers), tepid Newburg seafood (heavy on the Vol au Vent, light on the lobster ...)"
    Dined on 7/19/2014
  • "The oyster bar was fun and the guys there do a good job. Went upstairs for dinner and had the shore meal. Clam chowder was delicious. Mussels were served cold. Lobster was overcooked. Asparagus not good. Server was ok although service was slow. After complaining, my server was able to get something knocked off the bill. Glad to touch the history, but once was enough. If I ever return, it will be for the oyster bar only."
    Dined on 7/19/2014
  • "Typically we don't splurge on expensive restaurants just to say we were there. This was a part if history. The whole restaurant has a history story and each room has an individual characteristic taken from history. We had the large whole lobster and the oyster sample platter. The perfect amount of food. Prices are reasonable for the area and the lobstee"
    Dined on 7/19/2014
  • "Oldest restaurant in Boston - noted for this among all other restaurants in the neighborhood. Clam chowder was good - not the best. Service was rushed, waitress wasn't very knowledgable. I d recommend this place as a tourist attraction, but would warn foodies to stay away. Nothing to special here."
    Dined on 7/19/2014
  • "I had been here before and really enjoyed it on business so I took my wife this past week and we had a great lobster dinner. If you like oysters this is a great place to sit at the old bar and enjoy a few fresh shucked ones with a cold beer!"
    Dined on 7/18/2014
  • "Reviews were great for this restaurant but our trip very disappointing. The clam chowder was delicious! The balance of the meal barely warm. The manager was kind enough to take off soup and one entree but I really looked forward to lobster in hot butter."
    Dined on 7/17/2014
  • "Outstanding!!!! Shell fish yummy. Real old time Boston"
    Dined on 7/17/2014
  • "Thank you for the excellent service from the time we walked in. This is a wonderful, historical landmark not to be missed. Thank you."
    Dined on 7/16/2014
  • "This is one of the great seafood restaurants in the world; I've never had better fried clams anywhere, not even in Alicante, Spain where the razorback clams are outstanding. And the ambiance is also without parallel. Where else can you dine in one of the oldest restaurants on the continent, where the strokes of the adze still chisel the open beams? The waitress was funny, attentive, and genuine. Oh, I almost forgot the oil portraits of Daniel Webster on the walls. One of the great delights of a trip to Boston, ye Olde Union Oyster House."
    Dined on 7/16/2014
  • "If you were alive 200 years ago, you could have dined at this very historic eatery. It's been around since 1826 because they have a great location, food, service, and menu. I look forward to returning for another bowl of their chowder and corn bread on my next visit to Boston. I dined with family and all in my party were very pleased with the food and service."
    Dined on 7/15/2014
  • "If you're looking to celebrate something special this place is the spot. If you're in town visiting Boston and would like to not only eat at a great place with a scenic view but with good food? This is your place. The only negative view i have about this place is that charging $15 for two double espressos each and $20 for two Kahlua's drink to accompany espressos was excessive and down right of a rip off. There was nothing special in particular about these four drinks we order."
    Dined on 7/13/2014
  • "We had a great server. She was fun and fast. I think we ordered wrong because of the three dinners only one was good (fried seafood platter).The rest was almost in edible. Everyone around us had lobster so that must be their specialty. We probably won't return though. Too many restaurants to choose from!"
    Dined on 7/12/2014
  • "From the moment we walked into The Union Oyster House, the ambiance was exciting. We were drawn to the restaurant because of the history. Unfortunately, our expectations fell flat thanks to the terrible service and mediocre food. From the hostess to the the wait staff, it really ruined the experience. Special requests were not met, staff was rude and dismissive, and the top it off, the food is really not great. I would not recommend this spot to anyone."
    Dined on 7/12/2014
  • "Went for lunch. Dirty silverware. Poor service. The chowder was good but getting a clean spoon from the server was difficult. So was getting a refill on a soft drink. Also an oyster place that doesn't serve oysters Rockefeller. Extremely disappointed."
    Dined on 7/12/2014
  • "This is obviously a very famous historical restaurant. However our dinner there was not a pleasant experience. First of all, we had to wait another 30 mins extra even though we had our reservation made well in advance. Girl at the door was so frustrated and discouraging and was not polite. After about 30 mins delay we were taken to the second floor, dark, no view no decor no ambiance. Lobster was standard, no more than the ones offered in any other restaurant in Boston. I felt like we were rushed and for that reason I did not even order wine. We ate our ordinary lobster and left this very famous restaurant (!)"
    Dined on 7/11/2014
  • "Having a reservation means nothing, staff is completely indifferent, food is mediocre at best, spend your time and money elsewhere. There are a lot of great restaurants in Boston, Union Oyster House is not one of them."
    Dined on 7/11/2014
  • "mediocre tourist place - seems based on reputation and history more than quality. not recommended."
    Dined on 7/11/2014
  • "The Union Oyster House is a must see for visitors to Boston. Make reservations!"
    Dined on 7/10/2014
  • "The crab cakes are amazing never disappointed. Also love the clam chowder. All I have eaten there but truly great food. It is a cramped restaurant but historic and fun to visit if you are in Boston. Best seafood in town and worth the expensive price. :)"
    Dined on 7/9/2014
  • "Great people great Place Great Food!!! How can you beat dining in the oldest restaurant in the US. there is a reason they have been in business for 150+yrs."
    Dined on 7/9/2014
  • "This is the oldest restaurant in the US. If you are visiting Boston for the first time, this is a requisite. With that out of the way...other reviews consistently state that the service, food, and ambiance is poor. I disagree. The ambiance matches what you would expect from a restaurant of this age. The service is on par with most of the restaurants in the North End. The staff seems a bit older, but still very attentive. The food is the only valid complaint. Oyster House is in the name, you should have a great selection of oysters. They only have one. Neptune Oyster House is far better. The only saving grace is the Hot Indian Pudding. A unique dish worthy of a restaurant of this age. I wish there was more like this."
    Dined on 7/8/2014
  • "I had low expectations for Union Oyster House. But the experience was a hoot. Initially the bartender was gruff, but kept topping off my martini quite generously. The portions of lobster and boillubaise were enormous and very, very good. I had the lobster of my life (3#) and it was delicious. We had a great night. Don't go if you're in a hurry or turn your noses up at the tourists. Fun in a historic atmosphere."
    Dined on 7/6/2014
  • "The food and service are very good, but it's too dark in the restaurant."
    Dined on 7/6/2014
  • "Fun place to stop and grab a bite to eat...especially if you love history and want to experience where history took place!"
    Dined on 7/5/2014
  • "Enjoyed a good bowl of New England Clam Chowda. In the heart of it all. Near Faneul Hall and Little Italy. Charming oldest restaurant in the USA."
    Dined on 7/5/2014
  • "We came here for lunch on a busy holiday Sat. We had a reservation & had to wait about 10 mins. to be seated as place was packed. Just like last yr. when we were here, the clam chowder was outstanding & the place teems w/ history. However, the service was slow & inattentive, & the waitress forgot to bring back my CC w/ the check. However, I'd come back again for the aforementioned chowder & ambience."
    Dined on 7/5/2014
  • "Took my son and his girlfriend first timers to Boston. Fourth of July weekend. Great service! Great food! Open table reservation right on time! Couldn't ask for anything else. Will be back next time trip to Boston!!"
    Dined on 7/4/2014
  • "Excellent food, atmosphere and service. Our overall experience is always "OUTSTANDING""
    Dined on 7/4/2014
  • "What a fun place to take 3 generations! Eating at one of the oldest restaurants in America, sharing a variety of good food, fabulous wait staff, made for a delightful evening on July 4th. Some may consider it a tourist trap, but we loved the chaos that the heavy rain produced. It was a magical evening for Texans and Wisconsinites!"
    Dined on 7/4/2014
  • "I'm Boston born and raised. I live on the west coast now, but come back home about every 5 years. This time, I brought my kids (16 & 13) to experience New England & Boston for the 4th of July week. How could I not take them to the Union Oyster House? The nostalgia... the history. I've come here many times over the past 45+ years. Last time was about 5 years ago, and our waitress was INCREDIBLE! She was such a joy. I felt like I was "home" with my grandma. This time around, I was actually embarrassed. I even apologized to my kids, asking them to just trust me that it was once an incredible experience. Food was just "ok", nothing exciting. And the service was incredibly poor. Next visit, I'll go without. Many other choices available now."
    Dined on 7/4/2014
  • "If you are in Boston you have to make time to stop by, you will not regret it"
    Dined on 7/4/2014
  • "great food and very cool ambience. Oldest restaurant in the states and provides a unique feel to eating there."
    Dined on 7/3/2014
  • "Food was good but it was a typical menu that you can get anywhere. The service was very good and very friendly, but the coolest part of lunch was just probably the historical aspect of the building."
    Dined on 7/3/2014
  • "A place that made the history, lots of tourists need a fast service so the level of it can't be very hight"
    Dined on 7/2/2014
  • "This place has a very warm and comfortable environment. It's as though the entire neighborhood was built around it. Our food was excellent and you could absolutely taste the freshness. Cornbread was a pleasant surprise and the crab cakes and oysters were the best ice ever had! Our waitress Linda, made the whole evening out best in Boston! She was fun and personable!"
    Dined on 7/1/2014
  • "Bar service was excellent, the rest of the evening was disappointing!!!!"
    Dined on 7/1/2014
  • "If you are going to Boston don't miss going to the Union Oyster House. Not just because it is an historic location but it has excellent food. I had the Seafood Newburg and it was very good and they have lobster. The waitress was very good and knew their menu and gave excellent advice on what to try. Try it you won't regret it"
    Dined on 7/1/2014
  • "If you ever go to Boston, you must make a stop at UOH. Service is fst and friendly, or as slow as you'd like. The star is all the seafood optins. I expect their land offerings are also good. A must eat for Boston."
    Dined on 6/30/2014
  • "I enjoyed my meal very much and the chef accommodated my special preparation request. I ordered the haddock special with seafood stuffing, new potatoes and asparagus. I thought it was cooked perfectly, just enough stuffing to add flavor and complement the fish, vegetables cooked to perfection as well. My fiancé was very happy with his spicy seafood medley as well. When if came to the kids menu the experience was very different. I have children with food allergies and didn't feel their allergies were addressed in an attentive way, they were served a side they are allergic to. Their meal was grilled cheese (with broccoli I added instead of fries) their sandwiches were white bread with American cheese. Children deserve quality food, not this."
    Dined on 6/29/2014
  • "We were put at a table in the back right next to service bar. Was loud and had a lot of traffic. When ordering beer you have to wait a long time for it to come up from downstairs. The waitress was very attentive and nice although we lost her for awhile. Apps were good, dinners just average. The shellfish is very good."
    Dined on 6/29/2014
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