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  • 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
  • Email: info@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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Diner Reviews
  • "Boisterous Bar Crowd, Friendly reception, no wait for upstairs table. Prompt cheerful service from waitperson. Tables too close together, probably waiting for tourist season to come when anything goes. Tables and or Chairs not the right height, uncomfortable distance from chair seat to table top. Clam Chowder and Sea Scallops were great, Salmon OK, Limited but costly wine menu."
    Dined on 3/3/2014
  • "The fried seafood platter - my meal of choice for years - was great. The clams were especially sweet and tender. The chowder was hearty and full of clams. This is the perfect place to bring visitors to sample New England seafood."
    Dined on 3/1/2014
  • "Over the years as I have lived in the Boston area I always make it a point to visit "The Union Oyster House" in Boston. Now, understand, it is a VERY Tourist friendly restaurant. If you visit it, YOU MUST MAKE RESERVATIONS or you will wait 45-60 minutes for a table. I always order the same meal when visiting; the "Shore Dinner" cup of their awarding winning clam chowda starts your meal, followed by a huge plate of steamers or mussels, corn on the cob, boiled red skin potatoes, and 1 medium lobster. Dessert is also included and is either gingerbread cake or indian pudding. You also get corn bread! This is a New England feast! If you are visiting Boston you must try the Union Oyster House to get a feel for our food. OUTSTANDING"
    Dined on 3/1/2014
  • "Great piece of history. Lobster was perfect had to teach my son how to eat a whole lobster not just a tail."
    Dined on 3/1/2014
  • "The restaurant is in a great spot with great atmosphere and a warm historical feel. The food, which consists of all your typical New England favorites, had always been very good. Starting about three years ago, by my experience, the food started to become unpredictable. Our party of four ordered two haddock dishes (mediocre) and two ravioli dishes (very good). I think the word is getting around because it was a Friday night and the place was half empty when typically there is a line out the door. Despite the lack of crowd, our food was slow to come out but the waitress was friendly. I chose that I would recommend it to a friend in the review for the atmosphere and the location. The lack of consistancy with the food is dissapointing."
    Dined on 2/28/2014
  • "My mother-in-law and I went for a weekday lunch. We were seated promptly, and the waitstaff was very attentive. Unfortunately,my mother-in-law's fish chowder arrived lukewarm. I had a calamari over Caesar Salad. Both were mediocre-- but I should have realized that of course friend calamari would wilt the lettuce in the salad, and the salad would coll off and de-crunch the calamari. The wine was excellent!"
    Dined on 2/26/2014
  • "For the price, one can find much better seafood in Boston -- in the same neighborhood. So, if you just want to check it out, head to the bar and enjoy the ambiance and a decent selection of beers. We were hoping for a nostalgic and somewhat romantic evening. Unfortunately, our experience was spoiled by a large, boisterous, and screechy group of little girls and their annoyed and loudly scolding chaperones, but that's not something I can particularly blame on the restaurant, just unfortunate timing. Nevertheless, count on a loud and lively atmosphere."
    Dined on 2/22/2014
  • "Six oysters as starter totally "underwhelming". Smallish, overpriced. Cornbread (sweet) seemed strange choice as bread offer."
    Dined on 2/21/2014
  • "It was a nice place. The portions are rather small for the price even when lobster is in season. You can go elsewhere for more with better pricing but if you want the tourist route, this is great."
    Dined on 2/21/2014
  • "Just check out the webpage to see the history of the fantastic gem in Boston. The food is always good and the service is excellent. Its like walking back in time. Don't forget to ask for more corn bread, its delicious!"
    Dined on 9/7/2013
  • "I have been to boston many times and have had seafood from many places but I have to say this is the best I have had! The clam chowder was delicious! It was amazing eating at the oldest restaurant in Boston. I loved the historic charm!"
    Dined on 2/20/2014
  • "Excellent food in a very vibrant atmosphere. Delicious lobsters storm"
    Dined on 2/19/2014
  • "Made the Reservations online. We spent time in the bar while waiting to be seated. Seated in a booth. Service was fast! Food was great."
    Dined on 2/15/2014
  • "Absolutely fresh. We took a seat at the Oyster bar for appetizers and adult beverages. The friendly staff and magnificent service was just as good when we were seated for dinner. Everyone at our table raved about how good their meal was. As a visitor to the Boston area, (business trip this time) this was my third time back to the Union Oyster House. The other two in my party are from Boston, and this was their first time. They both said that they would be back with their wives."
    Dined on 2/18/2014
  • "Oldest restaurant in Boston and a regular spot for my father to stop when he was in Boston"
    Dined on 2/17/2014
  • "We had fun here. Good choices for everyone. Everyone should eat in the oldest restaurant in America at lest once..."
    Dined on 2/16/2014
  • "We always enjoy having dinner here when we visit Boston. I had the whole lobster. My husband and I shared oysters both raw & roasted - delicious. There is no better spot for seafood dining."
    Dined on 2/15/2014
  • "This is a must stop each time I am in Boston. The bar is great, food is great, it lives up to the hype everytime!"
    Dined on 2/15/2014
  • "The service was very poor. They never refilled our waters. I had to ask for everything by stopping any waiter walking by. The restaurant was so dark! I get that they are keeping it with the original style of the restaurant but I like the modern convenience of being able to see my food and my company. The food prices seemed ridiculous for the amount of food they served. I know that it is seafood and it is to be expensive, but I for the quality of food, I would have expected there to be more quantity. To be truthful, I would have rather spent my money at Legal Seafood."
    Dined on 2/16/2014
  • "Food was not as good as last time we went, missing some of the items the menu said were in the dish. Meal was ok, but not for the price. Dinner for two with drinks $250."
    Dined on 2/14/2014
  • "Fresh oysters and seafood! Only issue was that they were all out of clams by 5pm. Great drinks and oysters!"
    Dined on 2/14/2014
  • "Usually great food and great service. It seemed that this time they lacked their normal enthusiasm and basic culinary standards. Scallops were luke warm and dry. Lobster was the very high end of " market price" and VERY unexceptional. Hope they get their show together because we really like goi g there."
    Dined on 2/14/2014
  • "Great bar/restaurant atmosphere with excellent raw seafood and chowder in histric setting. You can't go wrong with Union Oyster House!"
    Dined on 2/8/2014
  • "This is a great place to visit. Historic and great food to boot."
    Dined on 11/17/2013
  • "I've been to Boston many times and always wanted to try the quaint and rustic Union Oyster House. The ambience was exactly what you would imagine and we loved it. The food was underwhelming. The portions were small (and therefore expensive) and the taste was average. The meal really should come with a salad. The service was friendly and attentive. Love the corn bread! This restaurant could easily be a 5-star favorite."
    Dined on 2/9/2014
  • "My recent trip to Boston wouldn't have been complete without dinner at the Union Oyster House. Great food, friendly environment and a ton of history to devour, the Union Oyster House is accommodating to visitors of all types, from the skeptical tourist to the regular local. My boyfriend and I shared a seafood sampler and lobster ravioli appetizer as well as the Bouillabaisse and both were exceptional--and extraordinarily filling. Coming from NYC, we're not used to the talkative and friendly environment that greeted us, not only from the waitstaff but the diners seated close by: a table of local patrons and a recent transplant from Finland. Reservations are a must. Explore the dining rooms upstairs and don't miss the Kennedy Booth!"
    Dined on 2/8/2014
  • "Ambiance was outstanding! It truly took me back in time! I was expecting better food to be honest. The Lazy Man Lobster had too many breadcrumbs...lobster was tasty. Oysters were good. Perfect place to take a date or tourist! The waitstaff was good, not too pushy, felt like a 'Family-owned' staff...like we were dining with relatives. Enjoyable evening! A must go to if in Boston."
    Dined on 2/6/2014
  • "Food was solid. The back section was more touristy than the front. Seems more modern than traditional. Nevertheless I would come back but would prefer the oyster bar section."
    Dined on 2/6/2014
  • "UOH is a restaurant full of history. It takes you back in time. Lobster & Clam Chowder are great, but pricy."
    Dined on 2/6/2014
  • "The host sat us immediately, which I always appreciate. Especially if you have reservations! Anywho, Came here with the BF who hadn't ever been to boston before. While the food was okay--I still think legal tastes better--you go here for the novelty of it. After all, it is the oldest continually operating restaurant in America."
    Dined on 2/1/2014
  • "I recently went to Union for dinner while in town for a game, our dinner was very good. It is a no frills kind of place, lively, bustling, and you can feel the history of the place. We had scallops and swordfish, both were delicious. It has an ambience that is pure old Boston. Things like paper placemats and little wrapped butter pats take away from the overall dining experience a bit, but if no-frills food and a historically significant location is what you want, Union might fit the bill."
    Dined on 2/1/2014
  • "Kellie our waitress was great. She was attentive to us and made us feel very welcome. The food was delicious. Prices were fair and the restaurant itself made us happy."
    Dined on 1/31/2014
  • "We had a wonderful time and enjoyed the jovial atmosphere and history...food was great...it was an experience and we would come back."
    Dined on 1/17/2014
  • "Have yet to be disappointed by anything! This restaurant is great for couples, friends in town, kids, and really anyone else. The history behind it is fascinating. And the menu is delicious! Just overall wonderful restaurant."
    Dined on 1/18/2014
  • "This restaurant was recommended to us. We did love the way that it looked and the ambience wasn't bad. The prices were fairly expensive but the portions I considered small. I was very unimpressed with the service we received also."
    Dined on 1/18/2014
  • "A little overpriced, I ordered Ye Olde Platter and for 30$ the lack of seafood was upsetting. A ton of fries and onion rings with literally 2 fried shrimp, 2 small clams, 2 oysters, and small piece of fish. The restaurant wasn't anything special. Only thing going for it is the history. All the items tasted the same and bland. This was my experience, my wife had the stuff haddock and she raved about it."
    Dined on 1/10/2014
  • "Selected Union Oyster House as a tourist destination because it's old. Oysters were delicious. Others food was very good too. Service was friendly and attentive. Charming old ambiance and warm atmosphere. Casual attire is fine. Excellent location."
    Dined on 1/9/2014
  • "The food was a great dissapointment. Oysters on the half shell were probably opened hours before being served. Appitizer sampler quite dissapointing, Dry, under seasoned and bland. I had the grilled seafood sampler for entree. Overcooked dry and I don't know what the fish was that was supposed to be swordfish but it certainlyh was NOT swordfish. I couldn"t eat it. These guys are trying to cash in on the name...They should sell the palce soon because once the word gets out about the food quality it won"t be worth very much. Service was pretty poor too. Seated three at a table set for two. After the drinks arrived still only two sets of silverware etc. . We won't go back."
    Dined on 1/4/2014
  • "The food was okay. For the price, we expected better!"
    Dined on 12/27/2013
  • "Service was friendly, however prices and portions where not good. Should have known better - but definetly a tourist trap. Hold on to your wallet."
    Dined on 1/4/2014
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