Clam chowder is one of our city’s most iconic dishes. It’s an adaptation of the fish chowders common to nearly every place with ocean access. At first, clams were just one of the ingredients in fish soup but, by 1896, when Fannie Farmer’s updated version of the Boston Cooking School Cook Book was published, it included three variations on clam chowder and the dish was firmly established as part of New England cuisine. Head to these 8 Boston restaurants to sample this signature soup for yourself:
- Legal Seafood (multiple locations)
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Facebook/Legal Sea Foods Legal Seafood’s clam chowder has been on offer at each presidential inauguration since 1981 - it’s that well-regarded. This filling recipe results in a creamy chowder, infused with flavor from a little salt pork. Find your nearest Legal Seafood location here.
- The Barking Crab (Southie)
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Facebook/The Barking Crab This eatery has been in business for over 20 years and offers award-winning chowder with a strong clam flavor. Eat it while soaking in views of Fort Point Channel. Barking Crab’s casual, seafood shack vibe is an unexpected delight in the middle of the city. This restaurant is located at 88 Sleeper Street in Boston.
3 Atlantic Fish Co. (Back Bay)
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Facebook/Atlantic Fish Co Like Legal Seafood, the chowder at Atlantic also uses salt pork to infuse flavor. The chowder here has a great consistency and you can enjoy it in either a cup or a classic bread bowl. You’ll find Atlantic Fish Co. at 761 Boylston Street in Boston.
- B&G Oysters (South End)
Facebook/B&G Oysters
Facebook/B&G Oysters Boston chef Barbara Lynch has garnered too many awards to count and, as B&G is one of her restaurants, it’s no surprise that the food here wows. Featuring top-neck clams, bacon lardons, and crackers dusted with cayenne and paprika, this chowder bursts with flavor. B&G Oysters is located at 550 Tremont Street in Boston.
- Yankee Lobster (Southie)
Tripadvisor/Larry W
Tripadvisor/mjoan1111 While best-known for lobster, this restaurant makes an enticing, creamy chowder packed with clams. Yankee Lobster is located at 300 Northern Avenue in Boston.
- Union Oyster House (Downtown)
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Tripadvisor/China Member Union Oyster House has been ladling up chowder since 1836! The version here has received plenty of acclaim and the freshness of the clams makes this dish a standout. Union Oyster House is located at 41 Union Street in Boston.
- The Hourly Oyster House (Cambridge)
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Tripadvisor/Elizabeth V This chowder recipe is enhanced by saltines that are made in-house. Try it as part of the Banker’s Lunch, where it’s paired with half a grilled cheese sandwich. This restaurant is located at 15 Dunster Street in Cambridge.
- Boston Chowda Co.
Tripadvisor/Francis P
Tripadvisor/cheenuts If you’re going to squeeze through throngs of tourists at Quincy Market, reward your efforts with a bowl of chowder at Boston Chowda Co. Available in multiple sizes - or served in a bread bowl - this chowder is on the thinner side, but is still pleasingly creamy. Boston Chowda Co. has two locations, the first at 1 S. Market Street and a second at 109 Main Street in Andover.
We all have different preferences when it comes to chowder consistency and seasoning. Where’s your favorite spot to warm up with a steaming bowl of clam chowder? Let us know in the comments, then check out these other stellar seafood restaurants!
Facebook/Legal Sea Foods
Legal Seafood’s clam chowder has been on offer at each presidential inauguration since 1981 - it’s that well-regarded. This filling recipe results in a creamy chowder, infused with flavor from a little salt pork. Find your nearest Legal Seafood location here.
Facebook/The Barking Crab
This eatery has been in business for over 20 years and offers award-winning chowder with a strong clam flavor. Eat it while soaking in views of Fort Point Channel. Barking Crab’s casual, seafood shack vibe is an unexpected delight in the middle of the city. This restaurant is located at 88 Sleeper Street in Boston.
Facebook/Atlantic Fish Co
Like Legal Seafood, the chowder at Atlantic also uses salt pork to infuse flavor. The chowder here has a great consistency and you can enjoy it in either a cup or a classic bread bowl. You’ll find Atlantic Fish Co. at 761 Boylston Street in Boston.
Facebook/B&G Oysters
Boston chef Barbara Lynch has garnered too many awards to count and, as B&G is one of her restaurants, it’s no surprise that the food here wows. Featuring top-neck clams, bacon lardons, and crackers dusted with cayenne and paprika, this chowder bursts with flavor. B&G Oysters is located at 550 Tremont Street in Boston.
Tripadvisor/Larry W
Tripadvisor/mjoan1111
While best-known for lobster, this restaurant makes an enticing, creamy chowder packed with clams. Yankee Lobster is located at 300 Northern Avenue in Boston.
Facebook/Union Oyster House Inc
Tripadvisor/China Member
Union Oyster House has been ladling up chowder since 1836! The version here has received plenty of acclaim and the freshness of the clams makes this dish a standout. Union Oyster House is located at 41 Union Street in Boston.
Facebook/The Hourly Oyster House
Tripadvisor/Elizabeth V
This chowder recipe is enhanced by saltines that are made in-house. Try it as part of the Banker’s Lunch, where it’s paired with half a grilled cheese sandwich. This restaurant is located at 15 Dunster Street in Cambridge.
Tripadvisor/Francis P
Tripadvisor/cheenuts
If you’re going to squeeze through throngs of tourists at Quincy Market, reward your efforts with a bowl of chowder at Boston Chowda Co. Available in multiple sizes - or served in a bread bowl - this chowder is on the thinner side, but is still pleasingly creamy. Boston Chowda Co. has two locations, the first at 1 S. Market Street and a second at 109 Main Street in Andover.
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