The Oldest Restaurant In Massachusetts Has Been Slinging Seafood Since Before The Civil War

Union Oyster House definitely isn't the oldest restaurant in the world (that's housed in a monastery in Austria), but it stakes a claim as the oldest continually-operating restaurant in the United States. The fact that Union Oyster House, located in Boston on the historic Freedom Trail on Union Street, has never closed for service for an extended period makes it something special. Another Massachusetts restaurant, The Wayside Inn in Sudbury, has an older claim, but has shuttered from time to time. Union Oyster House first started serving diners in 1826 under the name Atwood & Bacon, in a building that was already at least 75+ years old.

The edifice at 41-43 Union Street has been tied closely to America's history. Before the Revolution, an importer named Hopestill Capen sold fancy dress goods on the ground floor. The newspaper "The Massachusetts Spy," the oldest newspaper in the country, was printed on the second story. Decades before the Civil War, however, the building assumed its current form as a restaurant. At a semi-circular bar, oysters were served in bulk to a society that couldn't get enough of them. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the oyster industry was booming in the Northeast, and Union Oyster House captured the trend.

Politicians of note have frequented the restaurant over the years: Senator Daniel Webster ate plates of oysters by the half-dozen with brandy and water, and JFK was said to enjoy reading his Sunday newspaper at the eatery. The Bay State is no stranger to historic restaurants (just look at George's Coney Island, a hot dog restaurant with a century under its belt), but Union Oyster House is still serving seafood to hungry visitors today, the same way it was almost 200 years ago.

Today, Union Oyster House still serves a menu that's long on the fruits of the sea. Whether you fancy shrimp cocktail, stuffed lobster rolls, calamari, clams or mussels, New England chowder, scrod, or salmon, it's all up for offer in a variety of presentations. The catch of the day is available at market price, so be sure to ask your server what's freshest. Don't overlook the dessert list, which features New England favorites like apple cobbler and Boston cream pie. And, of course, we can't forget the seafood that gave the restaurant its name. There's a long list of oyster types, and Union Oyster House serves them shucked by the half dozen.

The restaurant enjoys a 4 out of 5 star rating on TripAdvisor, where customers praise the freshness and taste of all the available seafood. "Historically a pretty cool place to visit. Very rich decor inside with each room having its own appeal," one customer stated positively. On Yelp, visitors praised the atmosphere, which showed off the building's long history without being stuffy or uncomfortable. Note that JFK's favorite booth is designated on the second floor! Google reviews mention the fact that Union Oyster House is undoubtedly aimed at tourist traffic, but that fact doesn't distract from good food and fair prices.

Next time you're in Boston and crave a taste of the American history that is so deeply woven into the fabric of the city, check out Union Oyster House. When it comes to dining like your forefathers, this might be your closest opportunity to take an authentic bite of New England's famed seafood the way American legends did.