Massachusetts has been around since the earliest days of this nation, so it makes sense that we also have one of the oldest restaurants in the country. This place served the founding fathers, housed exiled European royalty and still makes an incredible plate of seafood. Read on to learn more about Boston’s Union Oyster House.

The Union Oyster House is the oldest continuously operating restaurant in America. It’s actually a National Historic Landmark.
Flickr/Shinya Suzuki
Built in 1704, this structure didn’t become a restaurant until 1826.
Union Oyster House
Some pretty famous people have been regulars at the Union.
City of Boston Archives
Daniel Webster was known to finish at least six plates of oysters at a sitting. And he sat often.
Flickr/Pat David
President John F. Kennedy’s favorite booth at the Union is marked with a plaque, in case you want to reserve a seat.
Union Oyster House
Most bizarre of all, King Louis Philippe of France actually lived in exile on the second floor of the restaurant in 1796. He earned his keep by teaching French to young American women.
Flickr/Long Zheng

Related Stories

These 10 Amazing Massachusetts Restaurants Are Loaded With Local History

These 10 Amazing Massachusetts Restaurants Are Loaded With Local History

 The Mom & Pop Restaurant In Massachusetts That Serves The Most Mouthwatering Home Cooked Meals

The Mom & Pop Restaurant In Massachusetts That Serves The Most Mouthwatering Home Cooked Meals

 America's Oldest Jam Kitchen Is Right Here In Massachusetts And It's Positively Charming

America's Oldest Jam Kitchen Is Right Here In Massachusetts And It's Positively Charming
The first American waitress, Rose Carey, started work at the Union Oyster House in 1920. Until then, servers had been exclusively men. You can find her picture on the wall near the stairway.
Flickr/Long Zheng
Originally, the restaurant was called the Atwood and Bacon Oyster House, but it was almost immediately changed to the Union Oyster House.
Union Oyster House
The Union Oyster House also has another curious claim to fame – the toothpick. The story goes that picks were imported from South America, and that Harvard students were paid to loudly request them in order to popularize the new tool.
Yelp/Amanda D.
You cannot miss the clam chowder here.
Yelp/Cathy C.
Or the lobster roll.
Flickr/Pat David
And, of course, the oysters aren’t too shabby.
Yelp/Gem S.
With almost 200 years of history behind it, this restaurant is still serving up phenomenal fare.
Yelp/Shawn H.

Massachusetts is bursting with fascinating history. For a few tidbits you might not know about this great state, check out these 10 bizarre facts from Massachusetts history.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Related Articles

Explore Massachusetts