A Food Lover’s Guide to Boston

• Lobster roll
• Clam chowder
• Cannoli
• Boston cream pie
• Boston baked beans
• Baked oysters
• Sam Adams beer
• Cocktails

Top of the list and the one thing you simply cannot leave Boston without trying is the lobster roll. Effectively the city’s signature dish, this legendary sandwich is often served with warm buttered lobster, dressed with mayonnaise, and piled into a softly toasted Brioche roll – hands-down one of the best things you’ll eat in the city.

WHERE: Neptune Oyster Bar. If for some reason you find yourself with just one night in Boston, then you have to make a beeline for Neptune Oyster Bar. Located in Boston’s historic North End, this intimate seafood spot only has space for up to 40 diners. Take your pick from the traditional cold roll piled high with fresh Maine lobster and tossed in mayonnaise, or the hot buttered version, which originated at this exact spot. 

In Texas, it’s barbecue, in Chicago, it’s hot dogs (and deep dish pizza), and in Boston, it’s a seafood smorgasbord – including clam chowder. This rich soup often features onions, diced potatoes and carrots, cream, and salt pork, but you will find a whole host of different versions in the city. Whether you fancy a traditional-style chowder served at one of Boston’s many pubs, or a dish with a modern twist from one of the seafood restaurants, there is a bowl of delicious goodness to suit all tastes.

WHERE: James Hook & Co. One of the most popular seafood places in Boston (and for very good reason), this family-owned company dates back to 1925. And as the two-time champion of the annual Boston Chowder Fest, you know you’re onto a good thing at this downtown establishment. Order the classic clam chowder made with fresh whole clams, cream, potatoes and a delicious roux, for a proper taste of Boston’s seafood at its best.

A staple in any Italian bakery, Boston is unquestionably America’s cannoli hot spot. Made up of a fried pastry shell filled with sweet cream, the shell edges often dipped in chocolate and sprinkled with chopped pistachios, these small tubular pastries are a must-try - and when it comes to finding the best, you are truly spoilt for choice in this city. Our Flight Centre Travel Experts recommend heading for Boston’s North End, where you will find a vibrant Little Italy community and plenty of authentic restaurants and bakeries.

WHERE: Mike’s Pastry. With a wide selection of flavours to choose from – think pistachio, chocolate cream, and limoncello – it is easy to see why Mike’s has been one of the most famous bakeries in Boston since 1946. Out late? Bova’s Bakery is our top choice after hours. Located one block behind Hanover Street, Bova’s is a firm favourite with the locals – here, you can take your pick from a delectable selection of freshly-baked cannolis.

While cannoli undoubtedly feature highly on the list of the city’s best sweet treats, it is the Boston Cream Pie which is perhaps the most iconic on the dessert menu. Picture a classic vanilla sponge cake (not pie, confusingly – more on that below) filled with silky vanilla custard and topped with a glossy chocolate ganache – who could say no to that?

WHERE: Omni Parker House. Found in Downtown, this hotel is the original birthplace of this renowned delicacy. Inspired by French custard desserts and dating back to 1865, the reason this sweet treat is known as a pie instead of a cake is because pie pans were used interchangeably to make cakes back then. The hotel’s version today features a four-inch round cake with layers of creamy custard and a chocolate ganache finish. You had us at custard….

Did you know that Boston is also known as ‘Beantown’? Beans slow-baked in molasses were a firm favourite in the city during the 19th and 20th centuries. Often flavoured with salt park or bacon, this New England classic is slow-cooked in an oven, usually with a touch of mustard and black pepper, until the beans form a thick stew. Packed full of flavour, this historic dish is well worth a try when you’re in Boston.

WHERE: Union Oyster House. Located on the Freedom Trail, the city’s oldest restaurant still features Boston baked beans on its menu as a side dish. Take a seat at the historic wooden bar (this restaurant has been serving diners since 1826) and get ready to sample some old-time Yankee cooking.

When it comes to dining in one of the seafood capitals of the USA, it would be remiss of us to only include a solo fish dish on this list. And while the lobster roll comfortably takes the number one spot, baked oysters are easily a close second. Served in the shell and usually combining lobster, herbs, butter, and cheese in a deliciously rich mouthful, Boston really is your oyster when it comes to this delicacy.

WHERE: The Gallery at Yvonne’s. Situated at the Downtown Crossing, this seven-table speakeasy is hidden behind a bookshelf at the back of the restaurant’s Library Lounge. Once inside, you will find a deliciously unique dining experience, paired with some of the best baked oysters in the city – and did we mention they are cooked with porcini cream? 

Named after US Founding Father Samuel Adams, who inherited his father’s brewery on Boston’s King Street, Jim Koch started this beer brand in his kitchen in 1984. Since then, the craft beer movement has reached stratospheric levels. Today, the Samuel Adams Boston Brewery is the company’s main hub for research and development, and history buffs can even take a tour of the tipple’s original home here.

WHERE: Sam Adams Boston Tap Room. In the heart of Downtown Boston just steps away from the iconic Samuel Adams statue in Faneuil Hall, and with 20 draft lines to choose from, there is no better spot for a chilled glass of your favourite tipple – plus, the flatbread pizzas here are pretty great too. 

We admit that cocktails may not be the first thing that springs to mind when you think of Boston’s food and drink scene, but it’s important to remember that it’s not just about the culinary choices in the city – the setting and atmosphere of your chosen venue is key too. Home to a number of quirky speakeasies and trendy supper clubs, Boston is bursting with cool cocktail spots. And whether you fancy a strong signature drink, a carefully-crafted concoction, or a cocktail using only local ingredients, it can all be found here.

WHERE: Boasting a rich history dating back to the 1920s and still to this day shrouded in mystery (who doesn’t love knocking on a secret door and reciting a password for entry to a hidden gem?), there is something pretty special about speakeasies – and Boston has some seriously unique picks. Our Travel Experts love Hecate in Back Bay. Named after the Greek goddess of magic and witchcraft, this underground bar is home to some of the best cocktails we’ve ever tasted. The only way you’ll get a spot is to show up and find the door – no reservations are taken. Another top pick is the Carrie Nation Cocktail Club. This Beacon Hill establishment is full 1920s-themed – we recommend heading upstairs to the secret club, where you’ll find a very impressive cocktail list.

Dreaming of sinking your teeth into a hot buttered lobster roll, washed down with a crisp glass of Sam Adams lager? Ready to eat and drink your way around this spectacular city? Start making your Boston wishes a reality and chat to one of our Flight Centre Travel Experts today about flying to Boston with JetBlue. Promising award-winning customer service, you can look forward to travelling to the USA in style (and you can even begin your culinary journey on the plane – did someone say brie and caramelised onion jam crepes while 30,000 feet in the air?)

Now that we’ve got your appetite going, are you ready to embark on your Boston foodie adventure? Chat with one of our friendly Travel Experts here to start planning your culinary adventure today!