No trip to Boston is complete without trying at least one of its signature dishes. With mouth-watering delicacies including clam chowder, Boston cream pie and lobster roll, Boston has built a strong reputation in the culinary scene among locals and tourists alike. Whether you want to try the best food in Boston or are looking for the best restaurants in Boston to grab a bite to eat, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s a selection of the best food places and must-eat foods in Boston. Enjoy!
- Union Oyster House
- Regina Pizzeria
- Mike’s Pastry
- Modern Pastry
- Faneuil Hall Marketplace & Quincy Market
- Omni Parker House Hotel
- Time Out Market Boston
- Boston Public Market
1. Union Oyster House
If you’re in the look out for the best seafood restaurant in Boston, don’t miss out on Union Oyster House. It has everything from Blue Point oysters, scallops and boiled Boston scrod to crab cakes and lobster rolls!
Established in 1826, it’s said to be the oldest restaurant in Boston and America’s oldest restaurant in continuous service. The building itself is a National Historic Landmark dating back to the early XVII century. The Union Oyster House’s location is pretty important too – it sits right on Boston’s Freedom Trail, just by Faneuil Hall. Inside, the beautiful wooden booths and a long wooden bar welcome guests from every corner of the world. These include Paul Newman, Robin Williams, Steven Spielberg, Al Pacino and Meryl Streep!
2. Regina Pizzeria
Regina Pizzeria does not only have the best pizza in Boston, but it was also recently named the best pizzeria in the US! This shouldn’t come as a surprise at all. Since 1926, the Polcari family has been greeting guests to the oldest pizza house in New England. And if this wasn’t enough, it’s also the original pizza of the Boston Red Sox!
Regina Pizzeria is famous for its freshly made brick oven pizza. Not to mention a secret century old crust recipe, spicy sauce, fine seasoning and fresh locally sourced toppings. There are several locations dotted around Massachusetts and Connecticut. However, you’ll find Boston’s original pizzeria in the North End of Boston (aka Boston’s Little Italy). With old booth-style tables, stacks of pizza boxes ready to go and walls covered in memorabilia, it’s everything you’d expect and more. The queues to get in can get long, but I can assure it’s totally worth it! Regina Pizzeria really is one of the best food places in Boston.
3. Mike’s Pastry
Looking for the best cannoli in Boston? Mike’s Pastry is known as the “Home of the Cannoli” for a reason! The Boston’s North End bakery has been sweetening up Boston since 1946 with an endless array of cannoli flavours. Plain, mint choc chip, chocolate ricotta, pecan caramel… The choice is yours!
But that’s not everything. Mike’s Pastry is also famous for its delicious lobster tails, cookies, biscotti and a mouthwatering range of pastries. You’ll easily spot local Bostonians and tourists holding its signature white box tied with a string bow. No wonder Mike’s Pastry is one of best Italian bakeries in Boston.
4. Modern Pastry
The pastry competition in Boston is real! Just across the street from Mike’s Pastry, Modern Pastry offers some of the best traditional Italian pastries in Boston. The family owned Italian bakery goes back three generations and hand bakes everything from ricotta cheese pie and cannoli to all-time favourites such as carrot cake and French macarons.
A cool fact: Modern Pastry also comes with a secret. Below it you’ll find Modern Underground, a pub serving delicious cocktails, beer and food.
5. Faneuil Hall Marketplace & Quincy Market
Faneuil Hall Marketplace is an important stop for those walking the Freedom Trail, as it compromises three historic market buildings: North Market, South Market and Quincy Market. Quincy Market itself dates back to 1826, and is now both a National Historic Landmark and a Boston Landmark.
Here you’ll find a wide range of eateries serving international and local cuisine. If you’re in the mood for some of the best Bostonian food, try the clam chowder, Boston baked beans and lobster rolls!
6. Omni Parker House Hotel
Besides being a legendary luxury hotel in Downtown, the Omni Parker House Hotel also has the best Boston Cream Pie in Boston. Why, you may ask? Because it’s here where it was first created in 1881!
This delicious butter cake is filled with pastry cream or custard, topped with chocolate glaze and covered in toasted almonds. It’s the best snack to indulge in while taking a break from walking the Freedom Trail, as the hotel is located right along the trail itself!
7. Time Out Market Boston
Time Out Market Boston has been meticulously curated to represent the best of Boston’s regional specialties and cultural scene, combining the best affordable restaurants in Boston under one roof. This industrial chic market offers everything from seafood and meat, to veggie bites, desserts and the best drinks in Boston. Our favourite? The Saltie Girl’s Lobster Roll and Taquería el Barrio. But you’ll find all the hottest restaurants in Boston here.
If you find itself in New York, don’t forget to check out the Time Out Market NY too – part of our best food markets in NY list!
8. Boston Public Market
Boston Public Market is a great place for those looking for the best seasonal and locally sourced food. Open all-year round, this indoor market offers some of the best food places in Boston with over 30 artisan shops, food vendors and eateries to choose from. Some of our favourite include Red’s Best (fresh seafood), Noodle Lab (regional South Asian recipes) and Union Square Donuts (delicious gourmet doughnuts)!
Have you been to Boston before? What’s the best food you’ve tried there? As always, if you loved our Best Food Places in Boston post, please leave us a comment, pin some photos and show us some love on social media using the buttons below. 
G. x
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Brought back lots of memories! Loved the gluten free cannolis in The Modern Pantry. Definitely one to recommend for coeliacs. So much to choose from. Love the photos too
Thank you for stopping by, Jane! The variety of gluten free options is definitely a nice addition to the already amazing food!
I’ve never been to Boston or anywhere near the US to be honest but I’d love to go for the food alone! This has me seriously hungry. Those donuts!
The food in Boston is delicious! I’d absolutely recommend trying as many of its signature dishes as you can! x
Boston is on my bucket list to visit, have noted all of these wonderful places down on my tripadvisor.
Thanks for sharing this post.
XXX
Thank you so much, Rozwana! I’m so glad you liked this post; hopefully you get to visit all these places soon yourself! x