Union Oyster House

Union Oyster House is a seafood restaurant in downtown Boston housed in a Georgian brick building with low ceilings and narrow windows. Inside, dark wood-paneled dining rooms occupy several floors, with a curved oyster bar on the ground level and tight staircases connecting the spaces.

The building dates before 1714 and began serving meals as a restaurant in 1826, making it the oldest continuously operating establishment of its kind in the United States. During the 19th century, the premises became a National Historic Landmark and survived every economic shift without closing.

The premises preserve Boston dining heritage with draft ale and oyster bars where guests stand and eat as generations have done. Servers still wear aprons and work in the local manner, while regulars often claim the same wooden booth seats.

The establishment sits at 41 Union Street and accepts reservations, especially advisable for dinner service. Upper floors are reached by narrow historic stairs, so wheelchair access remains limited.

The future president Kennedy always ordered lobster bisque in the same first-floor booth, now marked by a brass plaque. A small lockbox from the early 1800s sits in a side corner on the ground floor and has never been opened.

Location: Massachusetts

Inception: 1826

Architectural style: Georgian architecture

GPS coordinates: 42.36140,-71.05690

Latest update: December 20, 2025 03:03