Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Greater Boston
  4. Boston
  5. Faneuil Hall
Union Oyster House, Boston, MA

Union Oyster House

4.5
4.5
8723 Reviews
$30 and under
Seafood

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 96 times today
  • Charming
  • Neighborhood gem
  • Good for special occasions
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, housed in a building dating back to Pre-Revolutionary days, started serving food in 1826 and has continued ever since with the stalls and oyster bar, where Daniel Webster was a constant customer, in their original positions.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Faneuil Hall
  • Parking details
    Parcel #7 Garage: Not clearly labeled (sorry). If the Union Oyster House is on your right, the brick building STRAIGHT AHEAD OF YOU is the garage. Drive towards it, make a quick left (Hanover St.) right (Congress St.) and right again (Sudbury St.) The fee after validation is 3.$ for 3 hours
  • Public transit
    Two options: Take the Blue or Green Line to Government Center. Walk down the stairs along the side of City Hall and cross Congress Street. We are across the street. Note we are across from the New England Holocaust Memorial. Or, take the Orange or Green Line to Haymarket,left on Congress,left on Hanover,right on Union.
  • Additional
    Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access

What 8,723 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5
4.5 based on recent ratings
  • 4.4Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Union Oyster House offers a historic dining experience in Boston, renowned for its "rich history and charm." Diners appreciate the "excellent service" and New England cuisine, particularly the clam chowder and oysters. While some find it "pricey," many visitors highlight the unique atmosphere and recommend it as a "must-visit" spot.

8,723 Reviews
  1. OpenTable Diner

    New York City5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Stephanie was our server, we had the Kennedy Booth. She was great, the food was great and we had a wonderful meal.

    Is this helpful?

  2. OpenTable Diner

    Tampa4 reviews

    2.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 3
    I expected it to be touristy and was still disappointed. Service was really bad and food was bland. Wife and I had clam chowder and oysters appetizers. The chowder was lukewarm and the oysters were really thin. We decided to leave and get dinner somewhere else.

    Is this helpful?

  3. kara

    New York City5 reviews

    3.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The staff was lovely. Super friendly and attentive. That’s the only reason to go. I’d suggest the bar for drinks and a snack. Not worth it for dinner. It’s wildly expensive for what you’re getting. No frills dishes. $20 for 6 oysters that weren’t great and gritty. Plastic containers thrown on top with horseradish and cocktail sauce. For the price, you could go to much better places where the food is much better, and fresher. Bathrooms are pretty gross. It made me a bit concerned for overall cleanliness.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Mathew Anthony

    San Francisco6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent food and our server was such a delight! Navigating the area is a pain but parking is plentiful. The ambiance was cozy with a lot of historical knick knacks to look at. The clam chowder is a must and the seafood is so fresh! Will absolutely come again!

    Is this helpful?

  5. OpenTable Diner

    London4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing food and service, as an Italian with a passion for seafood I had very high standards and being able to try New England staples such as clam chowder and other dishes such as fried oyster was an amazing experience. Also I want to thank my server as he was amazing and exactly what I consider to an example of great serving.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Gregg

    Miami1 review

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Truly an enjoyable occasion to dine at such an historic restaurant. Food was great, server Andre was exceptional. I just found it to be a bit overpriced. But all in all worth the experience

    Is this helpful?

  7. Nancy VIP

    Chicago46 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    Delicious lobster, mussels, oysters and clams were delicious. But side dishes were not that good- rice didn’t have any seasonings and french fries were not crispy. Service and overall experience were good.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Helen VIP

    London40 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I have been coming here since the 1970’s. The history and charm are unparalleled The oysters are shucked right before you at the historic oyster bar. The chowder has always been the best in the city. The whole lobster was cooked perfectly. Our server, Rochelle, was especially attentive. Can’t wait to return to this iconic venue…a must for anyone visiting Boston.

    Is this helpful?

  9. OpenTable Diner

    Philadelphia1 review

    2.0

    Dined on March 2, 2025

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    Worst lobster roll I’ve ever had. Tasted like old lobster meat. Oysters were good but not free from the shell and lots of shell fragments

    Is this helpful?

  10. Andrea

    San Diego4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 1, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Definitely get the clam chowder. Perfect for a cold boston day

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Union Oyster House offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (617) 227-2750.

Union Oyster House is rated 4.5 stars by 8723 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 96 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Union Oyster House

41 Union St, Boston, MA 02108

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Faneuil Hall
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 11:00 am–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:00 am–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Seafood
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Parcel #7 Garage: Not clearly labeled (sorry). If the Union Oyster House is on your right, the brick building STRAIGHT AHEAD OF YOU is the garage. Drive towards it, make a quick left (Hanover St.) right (Congress St.) and right again (Sudbury St.) The fee after validation is 3.$ for 3 hours
  • Public transit
    Two options: Take the Blue or Green Line to Government Center. Walk down the stairs along the side of City Hall and cross Congress Street. We are across the street. Note we are across from the New England Holocaust Memorial. Or, take the Orange or Green Line to Haymarket,left on Congress,left on Hanover,right on Union.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2024 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo