As one of the oldest municipalities in the United States, Boston has an epic food history spanning from the first Thanksgiving meal to stuffies and Fenway Franks. For tourists and for longtime Bostonians, it's high time to celebrate the tastes of New England and learn a bit about your friends along the way. Here are Boston's most iconic dishes and where to find them!
Boston Creme Pie
Photo Credit: Omni Parker House
60 School St
There’s no better way to enjoy a Boston Creme Pie than at the exact location where it was born. Their traditional version consists of a light sponge cake filled with creme and then topped with chocolate. It is
delicious and creamy and will have you wanting to visit this historic place
again.
The Fenway Frank
4 Jersey St
There’s not much in Boston that’s as iconic as the Fenway Frank. Fenway
Park has been serving it since its opening in 1912. Since then, they have been amplified with a new recipe in 2009 and now they are more popular than ever. Hot dogs and baseball are a famous pair but the best place to have
one is when it’s a Fenway Frank at Fenway Park.
photo credit: The Sausage Guy
49 Lansdowne St
The Sausage Guy has become a famous cart in New England. Serving different
types of sausages such as sweet Italian and hot Italian along with ale
brats and hot dogs, The Sausage Guy is at every game at Fenway and at many
events across the city.
Lobster Rolls & Clam Chowder
photo credit: Legal Sea Foods
Multiple Locations
Legal may be a chain, but their lobster roll tastes like it’s fresh out of the ocean. Their lobster roll is served cold with mayo or hot buttered. If you're stopping by, make sure you try their chowder, served thick and creamy,
made with clams from the Cape.
41 Union St
Rich, creamy and unapologetically old-school, the clam chowder at Union Oyster House is a rite of passage for anyone passing through Boston. They've been ladling it out since before your great-grandmother was born and it tastes just as good today.
281 Dartmouth St
Saltie Girl brings a Gloucester lobster roll to the city. You can order the lobster roll either hot or cold and they serve it with a huge pile of delicious potato chips. For extreme lobster lovers, you can order additional
lobster on your roll by the ounce.
Cannolis
Photo credit: Mike's Pastry
Multiple Locations
Mike’s Pastry is a beloved bakery, originally located on Hanover Street in the North
End. Their famous cannolis are loved by tourists and locals alike. They
serve 19 different flavors, including plain, Nutella and limoncello.
Fried Clams
Photo credit: Jessica Tan / Unsplash
2080 William J. Day Blvd
Sully's (as the locals call it) is famous for their fried seafood and hot dogs. Their fried clams steal the show, served in fried strips or whole bellies on a toasted bun. This classic spot usually has a long
line out the door so get there early to avoid the wait. And watch your food like a hawk - the seagulls want some, too.
Roast Beef Sandwiches
Photo Credit: Kelly's Roast Beef
Multiple Locations
Kelly’s is famous in New England for its roast beef sandwiches. This restaurant founded on Revere Beach has become a local chain for its popular sandwiches. They serve medium-rare roast beef with
cheese, lettuce, tomato and barbecue sauce on a toasted bun.
Oysters
Photo credit: David Todd McCarty / Unsplash
Oysters in Boston are a local pastime, right up there with complaining about the T and arguing over the best lobster roll. There are too many places to name, but we rounded up a few of our favorite buck-a-shuck deals. Plan your oyster crawl accordingly.
Bagels
Photo Credit: popup bagels
1796 Mass Ave, Cambridge
Located in Porter Square, Bagelsaurus serves over 10 different flavors with even more spread options and their bagel sandwiches are unique and creative.
Mulitple Locations
With a cult following in New York, these bagels became an immediate favorite in Boston’s (limited) bagel scene. Choose your bagel and schmear, but forget about toasting or sandwiching - you gotta grip, rip and dip at this CT-based spot.
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updated january 2026
