Union Oyster House

Name: Union Oyster House
Address: 41 Union St, MA, Boston, Boston, US
Telephone: 6172272750

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Fish & seafood ·Boston ·$$ ·Open now

4.218.3K

#2Fish & seafood in BostonTravelers' Choice 2026

from USD 25

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About

Union Oyster House is a seafood restaurant in Boston’s Downtown, serving diners since 1826.

Menu & prices

menusLunchDessertFunctions Menu

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Why go

The oyster bar and dining-room arrangement are the last known examples of their kind in the United States.
A plaque marks the table John F. Kennedy liked to sit at.
The Pine Room has an original fireplace; Louis-Philippe lived in the room during his 1796 exile.
The central building, dating to 1716–1717, is the oldest in the Blackstone Block Historic District.
The angled front follows Marshall Street and Union Street.

Opening hours

Today11:00 – 21:00Show all

Monday11:00 – 21:00

Tuesday11:00 – 21:00

Wednesday11:00 – 21:00

Thursday11:00 – 21:00

Friday11:00 – 22:00

Saturday11:00 – 22:00

Sunday11:00 – 21:00

Good to know

LunchDinnerFull BarGift Cards AvailableHighchairs AvailablePrivate DiningReservationsServes AlcoholTable Service

Good for

Families Highchairs are available.
Groups Private dining is available.

Booking a table Atmosphere

Booking a table

The restaurant accepts reservations.

Atmosphere

Market-stall-style booths divide the dining rooms.
The surviving semicircular oyster counter combines wood and soapstone; copper covered the soapstone by the 1940s.
Nine wooden stools with cast-iron feet are fixed around the oyster counter.

Shorts

History

Presidents Calvin Coolidge, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Bill Clinton were among the restaurant’s guests. Daniel Webster regularly ate at least six plates of oysters at a sitting.

1742Previously a private home, the building housed Hopestill Capen’s dress goods business, At the Sign of the Cornfields, in 1742.
1771–1775Isaiah Thomas published The Massachusetts Spy upstairs.
1775Continental Army paymaster Ebenezer Hancock made the former store his headquarters in 1775; troops received their pay here.
1796Louis-Philippe lived on the second floor in exile and taught French to Boston residents.
1826The restaurant opened in 1826, with a semicircular oyster bar installed for its debut.

Show all

Around 1890Charles Forster introduced toothpicks to America at the restaurant.
1916The restaurant adopted the name Union Oyster House.
1970The Milano family acquired the restaurant and continues to operate it.
1982 and 1995The Milano family bought neighboring houses, expanding the restaurant.

How to get there

TrainHaymarket is the nearest T station.

Sources: Union Oyster House - Wikipedia · Boston/Downtown - Wikivoyage (eat) · Union Oyster House, Boston, MA :: Seafood and H… · Union Oyster House, Boston, MA :: Seafood and H… · Union Oyster House - Wikipedia · Union Oyster House - Wikipedia · checked 27 Sep 2026

Where

41 Union St, MA, Boston

Website: unionoysterhouse.com/
Phone: 6172272750

Plan from here: Date night →

Questions and answers

What is the Union Oyster House known for?

Its oyster bar and dining-room arrangement are the last known examples of their kind in the United States.

How old is the Union Oyster House building?

The central building dates to 1716–1717 and is the oldest in the Blackstone Block Historic District.

Is the Union Oyster House a historic landmark?

Yes. The building became a National Historic Landmark in 2003.

Can I reserve a table at the Union Oyster House?

Yes, reservations are accepted.

Does the Union Oyster House have highchairs?

Yes, highchairs are available.

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