Best of Boston
The best new England clam chowder in Boston
Start with Legal Sea Foods Long Wharf in Waterfront for traditional creamy chowder, Union Oyster House in Downtown for oysters, chowder, baked beans and Row 34 in Fort Point for warm buttered or creamy lobster roll. Here are all 5, with what to get at each.
- Legal Sea Foods Long WharfWaterfront · New England clam chowder
Get: Traditional creamy chowder
Serving Boston since 1950, with a clam-heavy bowl.
- Union Oyster HouseDowntown · New England clam chowder
Get: Oysters, chowder, baked beans
Serving since 1826 and a Freedom Trail stop.
- Row 34Fort Point
Get: Warm buttered or creamy lobster roll
Named the top Boston lobster roll in Boston Magazine's chowder piece.
Saltie GirlBack Bay · New England clam chowderGet: Chowder with house-cured bacon and salsify; warm lobster roll
Clams cooked to order, with a first-come patio.
- Island Creek Oyster BarKenmore Square
Get: Chowder with house-cured bacon and buttermilk biscuit
Clam broth chowder; the oyster farm's own restaurant.
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Ask Chef for morePlan my Boston food tripThe best new England clam chowder in Boston: questions people ask
Where is the best new England clam chowder in Boston?
Chef Amazing’s picks start with Legal Sea Foods Long Wharf (Waterfront), Union Oyster House (Downtown) and Row 34 (Fort Point). All 5 places are on this page with what to get, where they are and a map.
What should I order?
At Legal Sea Foods Long Wharf, get traditional creamy chowder. At Union Oyster House, get oysters, chowder, baked beans. At Row 34, get warm buttered or creamy lobster roll. At Saltie Girl, get chowder with house-cured bacon and salsify; warm lobster roll.
How does Chef Amazing pick these?
From Chef Amazing’s city guide and lists for Boston: the places critics, chefs and locals keep recommending, checked and kept current, with what to order at each. Nobody pays to be on them.
More in Boston
Places change: check hours before you go. Pins come from addresses and OpenStreetMap and can be a little off. Updated October 25, 2026.