Union Oyster House | Boston Restaurants

John F. Kennedy was a regular, and now, John Kerry is a regular. The oldest restaurant in Boston, established in 1826, and oldest continuously operating restaurant in America is where you go when you're craving a taste of New England. There's no better place in town to feast on hearty portions of Yankee-style seafood and creamy clam chowder.

The Union Oyster House, located on the Freedom Trail near Faneuil Hall, enjoys the unique distinction of being America's oldest restaurant. This Boston fixture is housed in a building dating back to pre-revolutionary days and started serving food in 1826. The stalls and oyster bar where Daniel Webster was a regular customer are in their original positions.

Today's politicians, celebrities and tourists still come in to enjoy the food. We are the third family in nearly two centuries to own the Union Oyster House.

The Union Oyster House maintains a suitably old-fashioned tavern decor, with lots of weathered wood and a casual atmosphere. Tourists and locals rub shoulders to slurp down oysters and tuck into thick chowders and substantial pieces of grilled or baked fish. Bivalve lovers gather around the old-school raw bar to sample fresh cherrystones, littlenecks and steamers. Desserts include hot Indian pudding, homemade gingerbread and warm apple cobbler.