Serving Since

Boston Area

Family-Owned Boston Institutions

Only places where current family ownership is verified from public sources.

12 Boston institutions worth knowing

  1. Serving since 1903 123 years

    Santarpio's Pizza

    East Boston · Pizza

    Known for Cheese pizza · Grilled lamb skewers · Homemade sausage

    Thin-crust pizza and grilled lamb from an East Boston family business that has been going since 1903.

    Founded as a bakery in 1903.

    Locals + visitors See why it's a classic

  2. Serving since 1909 117 years

    J.J. Foley's Cafe

    South End · Tavern / Pub

    Known for Fish & chips · Guinness

    The same family has run this Irish pub on the same South End corner since 1909.

    Neighborhood regulars See why it's a classic

  3. Serving since 1925 101 years

    James Hook & Co.

    Downtown · Seafood

    Known for Lobster rolls · Clam chowder

    Order a lobster roll past the live-lobster tanks at a waterfront family lobster business dating from 1925.

    See why it's a classic

  4. Serving since 1926 100 years

    Bova's Bakery

    North End · Bakery

    Known for Florentine cannoli · Rice balls · Rocky road brownies

    A family bakery open 24 hours, at the corner of Salem and Prince since 1932.

    Neighborhood regulars See why it's a classic

  5. Serving since 1930 96 years

    Modern Pastry

    North End · Bakery

    Known for Cannoli (filled to order) · Tiramisu cake

    Made-to-order cannoli from a Hanover Street bakery owned by the Picariello family for about 90 years.

    Locals + visitors See why it's a classic

  6. Serving since 1946 80 years

    Mike's Pastry Hanover Street

    North End · Bakery

    Known for Cannoli · Lobster tails

    The North End's most famous cannoli, from the pastry shop Michael Mercogliano opened in 1946.

    Visitor destination See why it's a classic

  7. Serving since 1947 79 years

    Wally's Cafe Jazz Club

    South End · Tavern / Pub

    Known for Live jazz every night · Early-evening jam sessions

    Hear live jazz at a family-run club that has been booking musicians since 1947.

    Visitor destination See why it's a classic

  8. Serving since 1951 75 years

    Sullivan's Castle Island

    South Boston · American

    Known for Hot dogs · Lobster rolls · Crinkle-cut fries

    Hot dogs, lobster rolls and fries by the water at Castle Island, from the same family since 1951.

    Neighborhood regulars See why it's a classic

  9. Serving since 1964 62 years

    Eire Pub

    Dorchester · Tavern / Pub

    The Adams Village pub where Ronald Reagan stopped for a beer in 1983, still run by the family that opened it in 1964.

    See why it's a classic

  10. Serving since 1964 62 years

    Tony's Clam Shop

    Wollaston Beach, Quincy · Seafood

    Known for Ipswich fried clams · Lobster roll · Homemade onion rings

    Fried clams and lobster rolls on Wollaston Beach, from a family-owned clam shop open since 1964.

    See why it's a classic

  11. Serving since 1966 60 years

    Pinocchio's Pizza & Subs

    Harvard Square, Cambridge · Pizza

    Known for Sicilian pizza · Steak subs

    Square Sicilian slices in Harvard Square, made since 1966 and run by the same family since 1983.

    Neighborhood regulars See why it's a classic

  12. Serving since 1971 55 years

    Armando's Pizza & Subs

    West Cambridge, Cambridge · Pizza

    Known for Thin-crust pizza · Sicilian pizza · Subs

    A cash-only West Cambridge pizza and sub shop, run by Armando Paolo's family since he opened it in 1971.

    Neighborhood regulars See why it's a classic