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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
Foodspotting photos
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Awards voted by OpenTable diners
  • Diners' Choice WinnerMost Booked
Diner Reviews
  • "I love this place so much! Wanna recommend to others :)) esp for a couple!"
    Dined on 7/27/2014
  • "We had to wait for a table an hour and fifteen minutes due to a snafu with our name being passed on the list. However, the restaurant gave us free lobster ravioli to make up for it. The hostess came by regularly to refill our sodas. The fried seafood platter was delicious. Perhaps a little to oily because it gave my husband the runs. The scallops were huge."
    Dined on 7/27/2014
  • "Had not been in years. Took the in-laws out for their 60th anniversary. They and we had a wonderful time. The food is traditional New England and nicely done. Service prompt and friendly. Will return"
    Dined on 7/27/2014
  • "completely overrated - I have no idea why people rate this place high; if you like seafood and a good evening go to Legal Seafoods"
    Dined on 7/26/2014
  • "Had heard it was a great old restaurant with lots of history. Decor was nice, a little dark upstairs where we sat. Service was good. Started with an appetizer of a dozen raw oysters, very disappointed. They were very small and dry, no liquor...definitely not worth the expensive price. We left before ordering dinner and went to another seafood restaurant where we had an excellent meal. Would not recommend."
    Dined on 7/26/2014
  • "Love the restaurant, the food was great and the service too, absolutely recommend it!"
    Dined on 7/25/2014
  • "The raw oysters were absolutely amazing. Fresh, tasty and just outstanding. The location is rich with history. We were lucky enough to sit in the beloved JFK booth. That was great. While I would have paid double for the oysters, the other items we had were barely passable. The lobster roll, while having a very generous portion of meat, was terribly bland. The side salad is uninspired and definitely a no-go. The lettuce on the salad was old and tired. We were six people (4 adults, 2 teens) and paid way more than what the quality of the food was worth. The ambiance and service was great. Pick upstairs, if available, because you can talk to others at the table without having to shout. I would recommend the raw oysters any day to every friend."
    Dined on 7/25/2014
  • "The service wasn't that great, but one should not go for the service but for the food, esthetics and appreciation for history."
    Dined on 7/25/2014
  • "The clam chowder was recommended, and is excellent. Lots of stairs in the combined buildings, and so noisy.The 1st floor dining area was empty & roped off when we entered. Waited 25 minutes, had to climb unaided & unguided to the 2nd floor, to 2 bored-looking staff leaning against the hostess station. The wait staff were attentive but rushed, and the ceiling fans didn't cool down the room. Paid $28.95 for 4 ravioli and 3 shrimp, was still hungry when I left. This is a tourist trap that is intent on the biggest profit and not the customer. Should have stopped in the cozy pub a couple of doors down, the oysters were advertised at $ 1.50 each instead of the $15.95 for 6 at this place. Historic place? Yes, but wouldn't do it again."
    Dined on 7/23/2014
  • "When in Boston, do as the locals...eat chowdaaah & lobstaah!! And you should go to the "oldest restaurant in America, 1826" located in a great part of the city! Keep in mind that I do not care for New England clam chowder; however the server highly recommended it and went so far as to get me a cup & said that if I didin't like it, she wouldn't charge me for it! Well, she was right, it was sooo good!! She proceeded to recommend the Seafood Newburg. It was rich & creamy with subtle hints of sherry and large chunks of succulent lobster, scallops and shrimp served on a bed of rice topped with a pastry shell. Not only was the food delicous, but you will find the building & the history so interesting!"
    Dined on 7/23/2014
  • "Reserved Via open table. Was seated immediately. Was here prior for oyster bar, however, wanted to experience dinner. Nothing but a great experience for a family of Five!!!!"
    Dined on 7/22/2014
  • "All was very good. Would recommend to all. Service, food, ambiance and location couldn't be better. This meal made our trip to Boston complete."
    Dined on 7/22/2014
  • "Food wasn't very good. Disappointing, as I'd eaten there 20 years ago and remembered the opposite."
    Dined on 7/21/2014
  • "The Union Oyster House is an historic building & place in Boston's North End. The food is always scrumptious and the service good. The food is worth the price. It is a good spot for all ages. The ambiance is great. My niece joined me and thoroughly enjoyed the evening."
    Dined on 7/20/2014
  • "This is a historic restaurant that presents delicious food. Good, friendly bar with a wide range of beers not just from the Northeast. Family friendly, too. Use Open Table to make reservations!"
    Dined on 7/20/2014
  • "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
  • "Best seafood we had in Boston with historic ambience. Restaurant is quite busy and staff seemed stressed but food arrived hot and didn't seem to take a long time to get to our table. Enjoyed our evening out and felt good about our restaurant choice."
    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
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