Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Queen Elizabeth II, Julia Child, Meryl Streep, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Steven Spielberg are just a few of the well-known figures who’ve dined at this Boston landmark over its 200-year history.
From 1826 to 2026
To this day, Union Oyster House holds the distinction as America’s oldest continuously operating restaurant.
Now, as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary, the historic Freedom Trail destination is celebrating a milestone of its own: 200 years in business.
Opened in 1826—long before the Civil War, the telephone, or even the Boston Red Sox—Union Oyster House has remained a fixture of the city’s dining scene, preserving much of its original design with only minor renovations. The National Historic Landmark is known for its classic New England fare, including oysters on the half shell, clam chowder, lobster, baked beans, and cornbread, as well as its old-world ambiance.
Union Oyster House turns 200
Owned by just four families over two centuries, the restaurant continues to draw both first-time visitors and loyal regulars. Owner Joseph Milano said the anniversary is as much about tradition as longevity, pointing to generations of families who return year after year.
‘“I’ve had the pleasure of seeing kids turn into adults who then bring their kids. It’s very special.”
Find Union Oyster House at: 41 Union St, Boston, MA 02108
