If you aren’t familiar with all the best Boston foods, there are plenty of them to get acquainted with. Boston, the capital of Massachusetts, has a rich history that dates back to the early colonial era. It was one of the key cities that played a significant role in the American Revolution and has been the site of many historic events since then. Today, Boston is a thriving metropolis renowned for its vibrant food scene.
Boston famous food often contains locally sourced seafood delights such as lobster, oysters, and clams. But with its nickname of ‘Beantown’, Boston is about much more than just delicious maritime cuisine. Meat feasts, Italian-inspired desserts and famous American comfort food dishes are all staples in the Massachusetts Capital.
When it comes to food, Boston has a lot to offer. From traditional New England seafood to international cuisine, the city’s diverse food scene caters to all tastes. Whether you’re looking for a classic lobster roll or a decadent cannoli, there are plenty of options to choose from.
9 Boston Famous Food
1. Boston baked beans
Boston derives the nickname ‘Beantown’ from its love of baked beans, which is why Boston baked beans are a staple at most restaurants in the city.
Despite the dish’s name, the beans are actually stewed or boiled, mixed with pork or bacon and sweetened with molasses or syrup. Many locals love their Boston baked beans with a serving of brown bread.
2. Cannoli
Cannolis, one of the most popular desserts in Boston, are sweet Italian pastry pipes filled with ricotta cheese, usually topped with nuts, chocolate or fruits. They’re on the menu in most restaurants and cafes but the locals prefer to buy them fresh from the bakery, particularly in the North End neighborhood.
Mike’s Pastry and Modern Pastry are 2 bakeries with a famous rivalry over their cannolis. We recommend trying them both to see what the fuss is all about. If you want to sit down at a restaurant to try this Boston dessert, head to Stella or Eataly.
3. Boston cream pie
The Boston cream pie has been a staple of the Boston diet since 1856. Despite being called a pie, it’s more like a cake, consisting of 2 rounds of custard-bathed sponge cake with a rum syrup glossing and a chocolate topping.
You can still buy Boston cream pie from its original home, the Omni Parker House. However, you’ll find delicious alternatives at restaurants and bakeries throughout the city. Some local hotspots include Flour Bakery & Café, Oak Long Bar + Kitchen and S&S Restaurant, where you can start your feast with a piled-high sandwich and matzo ball soup.
4. Clam Chowder
A thick soup containing clams, shellfish and oyster crackers. Bostonians have enjoyed clam chowder with a New England twist. While Boston boasts a variety of chowder dishes, the traditional clam chowder is made of clams, cream or milk, potatoes and onions, with the addition of oyster crackers for extra taste and thickness.
You can combine a history lesson with a gastronomic experience by heading to the Union Oyster House, which has been serving a locally adored clam chowder dish since 1826. You can also try clam chowder at top-rated restaurants like Mooncusser, Saltie Girl and Legal Sea Foods.
5. Frappes
Frappe is essentially a milkshake topped with ice cream. It is one of those Boston foods that’s a go-to indulgence as a summer day treat.
There are many places to get a frappe in Boston and the Boston Burger Company sports an overwhelming list of “freak frappes,” which are frappes made with outrageous flavors and toppings, including a strawberry shortcake-topped frappe. However, a traditional spot where you can’t go wrong is Toscanini’s. Here, the frappes are ultra-thick, creamy and delicious.
Milk and syrup make up a milkshake but add ice cream and it miraculously becomes a frappe. Thick and filling, this dessert drink is an exercise in living your best life.
6. Lobster roll
This seemingly simple Boston favorite sparks a huge debate: Should the lobster be mixed in mayo or melted butter?
Lobster rolls are another dish that you must eat in one of the best foodie cities in the U.S. In all honesty, you can probably find a lobster roll that blows your mind on almost every street in Boston. It’s simply one of those standout, well-made Boston foods.
You can get your lobster roll hot with butter or cold with mayo. Either way, you’re in for a huge sandwich piled high with jumbo lumps of succulent lobster meat.
As aforementioned, there are lots of spots that serve up a good lobster roll in Boston. We’ll give an honorable mention to Neptune Oyster for their drool-worthy lobster rolls as well.
7. Roast Beef Sandwich
Roast beef sandwiches are popular all over the state but especially on Boston’s North Shore. A classic roast beef sandwich is a Boston staple but no one does it quite like Kelly’s Roast Beef. The two main traditional roast beef sandwich ingredients are thin slices of roast beef and some form of horseradish. Otherwise, every spot puts a unique twist on its own sandwich.
8. Oysters
Boston’s harborside location makes it a mecca for seafood, with oysters being a true delicacy of the city. Despite being delicious and filling, locally sourced oysters are more than affordable in Boston, often costing as little as a dollar at many establishments during ‘Oyster Hour’.
Boston is also in an opportune location for harvesting fresh oysters. As with lobster and clams, there are lots of local restaurants serving up these indulgent shellfish.
However, Union Oyster House, one of the oldest restaurants in Boston, has been serving happy customers freshly shucked oysters for almost 200 years, and they’re just how they should be: plump with plenty of that salty, beloved oyster juice.
9. Yankee pot roast
The Yankee pot roast is a Boston classic that’s especially popular with the locals during winter. It’s a comfort food dish consisting of slow-roasted beef with seasoned root vegetables in a rich and creamy sauce. The Boston pot roast is often served with homemade mashed potatoes, butternut squash and gravy.
For a unique culinary experience, head to Henrietta’s Table, which simmers its Yankee pot roast in veal stock for extra flavor. Pleasant Café is especially popular with locals on a Tuesday, which is the restaurant’s Yankee Pot Roast Day.
What’s Special About Food In Boston?
An exciting feature of the Boston food scene is that they incorporate both local ingredients and the influences of immigrants and local history.
Foods from Boston commonly use ingredients pulled directly from the Atlantic Ocean, producing classic seafood dishes like lobster rolls and clam chowder. The influence of Italian immigrants has also brought an appreciation for fine Italian cuisine to the area.
Beyond this, Boston is a hub of New England food more generally, boasting some of the classic dishes of the entire region, like the New England boiled dinner and fish & chips.
Boston food is often hearty and filling, as a weapon against the cold. There are many foods in Boston that are worth trying when you’re in the area.
Sampling Famous Food In Boston
Although fresh seafood and time-honored pastries are well-known worldwide, there are plenty more foods in Boston to try. With the heritage of Italian immigrants and fishing culture, among other things, the Boston culinary scene features some really diverse dishes.
Massachusetts is known for its historical significance broadly, with Boston at the center of many events and traditions. This history and tradition are steeped in the food as well. While you’re in town, make sure you check out all the famous foods from Boston.
Conclusion
For years, the city has been known as a delicacy to foodies and food vloggers. However, these were the items that excited people the most. Tourists visiting this place are fond of the renowned taste of the ancient dishes of England.
