Old-School Restaurants in Boston
These are the restaurants Boston has been eating at for generations. Every one has served for at least fifty years, and every founding date is sourced. Bars and bakeries have their own pages.
12 Boston institutions worth knowing
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Serving since 1826 200 years
Union Oyster House
Known for Raw oysters · Clam chowder
Eat oysters and chowder at a bar that has been open since 1826.
Visitor destination See why it's a classic
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Serving since 1903 123 years
Santarpio's 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
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Serving since 1925 101 years
James Hook & Co.
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
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Serving since 1926 100 years
Regina Pizzeria Thacher Street
The North End's original pizzeria, still at its Thacher Street address since 1926.
Visitor destination See why it's a classic
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Serving since 1931 95 years
Cantina Italiana
A sit-down Italian dinner on Hanover Street at a restaurant serving since 1931.
Locals + visitors See why it's a classic
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Serving since 1937 89 years
Pleasant Cafe
Known for Thin-crust pizza · Yankee pot roast · Grapenut pudding
Thin-crust pizza and weekly roast dinners under a 1949 neon sign, at the same Roslindale address since 1933.
Neighborhood regulars See why it's a classic
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Serving since 1947 79 years
South Street Diner
Known for Eggs Benedict · Boston cream pancakes
Boston's all-night diner: a 1947 dining car open 24 hours, seven days a week.
Neighborhood regulars See why it's a classic
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Serving since 1951 75 years
Kelly's Roast Beef Revere Beach
Known for Roast beef sandwich · Fried clams
The walk-up Revere Beach stand credited with inventing the North Shore roast beef sandwich.
Locals + visitors See why it's a classic
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Serving since 1951 75 years
Sullivan's Castle Island
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
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Serving since 1964 62 years
Tony's Clam Shop
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
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Serving since 1966 60 years
Pinocchio's Pizza & Subs
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
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Serving since 1971 55 years
Armando's Pizza & Subs
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