Clams, potatoes, and bacon bathed in cream. The quintessential New England clam chowder — whether fancified, or done by the book — is a belly-warming delight. Here are 13 of the best places in Boston to eat clam chowder.
Read MoreThe Best New England Clam Chowder in Boston
Yes, you’ll probably hear it called “chowda,” but you don’t have to follow suit
The Warren Tavern
If you’re checking out the Bunker Hill Monument, you might as well swing by the Warren Tavern — allegedly the oldest tavern in the state — to grab some clam chowder.
Neptune Oyster
What can be written about Neptune Oyster that hasn’t already been written? The oysters are great; the lobster roll is great; the Wellfleet clam chowder is also great. Expect a line; wait in that line.
Boston Sail Loft
Divisive for some, the perfect addition to chowder for others, Boston Sail Loft adds a hefty does of dill to their chowder. The herby lift is just what the creamy and rich soup needs. And forget ketchup, dip your fries right in their chowder for a surprisingly sumptuous combo.
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Union Oyster House
As the nation’s oldest continuously running restaurant, Union Oyster House has picked up a lot of famous fans over the decades. Former President Barack Obama has swung in for clam chowder, Leonardo DiCaprio enjoys a private booth by the lobster tanks when he drops in, and two rare orange lobsters briefly called the restaurant home in 2023 before they were released back into the ocean. While the lobsters might demure, others will attest that the chowder here more than passes muster.
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Ned Devine's
The chowder at this Faneuil Hall pub isn’t just good; in fact, it’s award-winning.
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The Barking Crab
Another tourist trap, but one of the good ones. You’ll spend a fair amount of money at the Barking Crab, but the food is good, so you’ll leave satisfied if a little lighter in the pockets.
Hook + Line
Newcomer to the now-bustling Seaport, Hook + Line offers wonders of wood-fired grilled seafood, from swordfish steak to tiger prawns with a squid and tasso ham XO sauce. Among the menu packed with surprises — grilled hot dog with white sturgeon caviar, anyone? — perhaps the biggest surprise is that the clam chowder is gluten-free. Skip the oyster crackers, and even those with gluten sensitivity can enjoy the rich and creamy chowder that’s balanced by salty bacon.
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Saltie Girl
Leave it to Saltie Girl (which has since branched out to LA) to improve on the classic dish. Along with the pork belly that’s cured in-house, the garnish of fried clam brings a touch of texture to the play of salty and creamy flavors.
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Row 34
The Row 34 clam chowder is a Boston classic. Made with care, the bacon-rich broth is studded with potatoes, clams, and celery and brightened with bay leaves and herbs. The housemade saltine in particular is a special treat.
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The Banks Seafood and Steak
It’s hard to beat a classic New England clam chowder with its cubes of potatoes, clams, and bits of salty bacon bobbing in a creamy, thick broth. Dress up the experience at the Banks in Back Bay, where tradition takes a twist with Berkshire pork belly, chives, and a green herb oil drizzled over the chowder.
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Legal Harborside
This place is a tourist trap and an amusement park disguised as a seafood restaurant — but the chowder, which has been on many presidential inaugural menus dating back to 1981, is as good as it gets.
Eventide Fenway
Like its older sibling in Portland — one of the many stellar restaurants in the Maine seaside city — Eventide Fenway focuses on fresh seafood. While it may be tempting to just stick to the oft-changing selection of oysters and classics like the brown butter lobster roll, do dive into the New England clam chowder. The classic recipe is kicked up a notch with salt pork, and saltines add just the right crunch.
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The Pearl
The Pearl is a precious beauty among a sea of large chain restaurants in Dorchester’s South Bay shopping center. The chowder is creamy, clam-filled, and hits the spot.
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