Traditional Food In Boston, Massachusetts

traditional food in boston
Swadeep Singh
Swadeep Singh 
Updated
| 4 min read

Many key events that have shaped America happened here. It is also the land of an Ivy League – Harvard, and a prominent research university – the MIT, collectively which gave us many Noble Laureates. Furthermore, it is the birthplace of Facebook as well, it is Boston. Boston is situated on the North of the East Coast, US and it is both the Largest city and the Capital in Massachusetts. Boston is referred to as the birthplace of the American Revolution but the Cradle of Liberty has moved beyond traditional since passing few decades. Why do fellow Bostoners are pronouncing one another by area specific – Easties from East Boston, SoBros from South Brooklyn, Meffas from Medford and so on. Rarely, they see each other Bostoners now, but they do see on occasions. A citizen becomes true Bostoner when Red Sox game is on and when they discuss their food culture. Let’s discuss the traditional part about the region today, their cuisine. We will name a few traditional food in Boston in this article. Since Boston falls within ‘New England’ region, obviously the culture would be matching, but there are few more things that define Boston City. The list begins.

1. Lobster pizza

Lobster pizza
Source: Photo by Flickr user Danny Foo used under CC BY-ND 2.0

Like the rest of New England region, Massachusetts also has a love for Lobster. People from New England always find the strangest ways to eat Lobster, they even have Lobster ice-cream. But this one is not so weird because it is a pizza with Lobster topping. Sounds weird but it actually isn’t, there will be only the flesh and not the shell, and flesh too in half-inch or even smaller chunks, rest preparation is traditional. So what difference does it make adding lobster chunks instead of chicken or meat, the taste?

Scampo

Address: 215 Charles St, Boston, MA 02114, USA

Contact: +1 617-536-2100

Website: Scampo

Pastoral ARTisan Pizza + Kitchen + Bar

Address: 345 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210, USA

Contact: +1 617-345-0005

Website: Pastoral ARTisan Pizza + Kitchen + Bar

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2. Sticky bun

Sticky buns
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user grongar used under CC BY 2.0

Sticky buns are breakfast pastry for Boston. The main ingredients include butter, honey, cream, brown sugar, granulated sugar, pecan nuts, and brioche dough. The dough is prepared traditionally and is refrigerated for several hours. After shaping the dough, buns are oven baked and finally added the caramelized goo to the top directly from the saucepan.

Flour Bakery

Address: 12 Farnsworth St, Boston, MA 02110, USA

Contact: +1 617-338-4333

Website: Flour Bakery

Bao Bao Bakery & Cafe

Address: 84 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02111, USA

Contact: +1 617-988-8191

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3. Cannoli

Cannoli
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user jeffreyw used under CC BY 2.0

We do not know when this Italian cream pastry was introduced here but Boston loves it. Cannolis are so easy to make that you can make them into your kitchen within a few minutes. You just need cannoli shell and confectioner sugar, ricotta, mini choco chip and anything you like, vanilla, oranges or whatever you like. Mix the ingredients to ricotta, pipe them into cannoli shells and dip the creamy sides to choco chip bucket.

Maria's Pastry Shop

Address: 46 Cross St, Boston, MA 02113, USA

Contact: +1 617-523-1196

Mike's Pastry

Address: 300 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113, USA

Contact: +1 617-742-3050

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4. Clam chowder

Clam chowder
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Y6y6y6 used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

New England style clam chowder is prepared with minced clam, milk or cream and some vegetables cooked until a thick consistency. Some even use salt pork or bacon but one thing is sure, there will be clams. There can be variation from place to place, which is why we recommend you to visit two or more clam chowder restaurants. This hot chowder will taste so good that once you’ve had it, you are going to definitely try it in your kitchen.

James Hook & Co

Address: 440 Atlantic Ave, Boston, MA 02110, USA

Contact: +1 617-423-5501

Union Oyster House

Address: 41 Union St, Boston, MA 02108, USA

Contact: +1 617-227-2750

Website: Union Oyster House

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Boston Tour Guide

Naim Benmayor

Naim Benmayor

As a Boston tour guide, I have the added experience of being a world traveler. For many years, I frequently visited Europe, Asia, and Latin America on business. During this time, I also organized tours of the USA, Europe and Asia for my business clients. I now bring this passion, excitement and expertise to the Boston area.By exploring the globe, I was exposed to various cultures, and this unique perspective has taught me what appeals to people when visiting a new part of the country or a new part of the world. My fluency in English and Turkish, and my advanced skills in Spanish and intermediate skills in French, also help me to service a wider range of tourists and business people.I moved to Boston, Massachusetts several years ago, and I now reside in Brookline. I have three children, so I develop my tours to accommodate families with kids, couples, and individuals who want to visit and learn about the rich history and culture of Boston. As a parent, I know that Boston is a great place for higher education, and I have knowledge of the colleges and universities in the area.I customize tours to suit the needs and preferences of my customers. Whether you want a walking tour, a riding tour, or a little of both, I can create an itinerary that showcases the best of what Boston has to offer.My one day tours are educational and entertaining, and include the history, culture, personalities, architecture and, even the shopping areas of this renowned city. At the end of the tour you will be happy and satisfied when you realize you've seen so much in just a short time.I am here to share my knowledge of Boston, Cambridge and all of New England with you, and help you to enjoy your visit so you can explore the must-see parts of this great city. I look forward to meeting you and guiding you around the city, so please send me a message if you have any questions.Thank you for reading.

5. Fenway Franks

Fenway Frank
Source: Photo by Flickr user Jed Scattergood used under CC BY-ND 2.0

When the Red Sox game is on, munching Fenway Frank is a tradition. Even when there is no game at Fenway Park, it is the favorite fast food for Bostonians. Actually, Red Sox is the local Baseball team and Fenway Park is their home arena, Hence the craze begins because Boston is obsessed about Baseball. Eating hot dogs is the sport traditional in America, as eating hot-dogs at Yankees or Dodger-dog in L.A. game.

Eventide Fenway

Address: 1321 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02215, USA

Contact: +1 617-545-1060

Website: Eventide Fenway

BEERWORKS

Address: 61 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215, USA

Contact: +1 617-536-2337

Website: BEERWORKS

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6. Spuckie

Spuckie
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user jeffreyw used under CC BY 2.0

Old Bostonians, especially from the Italian neighborhood calls the subs as Spuckies because in Italian the long rolls were known as ‘Spucadella’. These are same grinders or sub, and you cannot divide them by vegetarian and non-vegetarian version. If you need to have authentic Spuckie, we recommend you go to the East or Greater Boston areas.

Spukies N Pizza

Address: 1159 Washington St, Dorchester, MA 02124, USA

Contact: +1 617-298-2339

Nebo Cucina & Enoteca

Address: 520 Atlantic Ave, Boston, MA 02210, USA

Contact: +1 617-723-6326

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7. Linguica cheese roll

Linguica
Source: Pixabay

Linguica word originated from Portugal and it is a type of sausage that has been made with minced pork. In the New England areas, Linguicas are more popular, flavor-wise it is hot but not as hot as the Mexican or Spanish sausage. This sausage will be labeled as Portuguese sausage if you cannot find them by the name Linguica. The Linguica cheese rolls have mozzarella cheese with Linguica.

Pauli's

Address: 65 Salem St, Boston, MA 02113, USA

Contact: +1 857-284-7064

Boston Chowda Co

Address: 1 Faneuil Hall Market Pl, Boston, MA 02109, USA

Contact: +1 617-742-4441

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8. Lobster roll

Lobster roll
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Ehedaya used under CC BY 3.0

Like we have mentioned, people from the New England have this never-ending love for lobsters. Another simple food in our list is, ‘lobster roll’. You can ask for extra flavoring but a traditional lobster roll of this region is not very well dressed with vegetables, mayo sauce or buttermilk. Anything that can suppress lobster’s fresh meat taste, they simply won’t add. Just heat some lobster flesh on the pan, add butter and lemon and stuff that into rolls, lobster rolls are ready.

Neptune Oyster

Address: 63 Salem St # 1, Boston, MA 02113, USA

Contact: +1 617-742-3474

Yankee Lobster

Address: 300 Northern Ave, Boston, MA 02210, USA

Contact: +1 617-345-9799

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9. Scrod

Scrod dish
Source: Needpix

Scrods are cod, but smaller cod. The name Scrod was given to cod by the people of New England region. Here, the restaurants have white cod fillets cooked with butter and garlic. Extra flavors may vary from place to place, but the main ingredients remain the same.

No Name Restaurant

Address: 15 ½ Fish Pier St E, Boston, MA 02210, USA

Contact: +1 617-423-2705

Website: No Name Restaurant

Durgin-Park Restaurant

Address: 340 N Market St, Boston, MA 02109, USA

Contact: +1 617-227-2038

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10. Boston cream pie

Boston cream pie
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user cara fealy choate used under CC BY 2.0

This cream cake is the signature of Boston and the official dessert of Massachusetts, but rather we call it a creamy pie. Boston cream pie is a two-layer cake with thick pastry cream at the center and chocolate ganache over its top layer. Coming to Boston and not having this Pie would make your visit incomplete.

Torretta's Bakery & Ice Cream

Address: 652 Winthrop Ave, Revere, MA 02151, USA

Contact: +1 781-289-8608

Christina's Homemade Ice Cream

Address: 1255 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA

Contact: +1 617-492-7021

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It's 'the walking city'

If you can tell about a city by the food it serves, Boston looks magnificent. Every food that we have listed above looks so delicious that you will regret if you don’t try them all. There are plenty of reasons to visit even if you put the food aside as this city has seeded the American Revolution. This city has helped to shape this nation. Come and visit Boston, it is compact and easy to roam around, maybe that is why it is nicknamed the ‘Walking City’.

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Also known as Bobby, Swadeep Singh is a businessman since 2013 but he has forever nurtured a passion for writing. Traveling never makes him exhausted, which is why he's never known turn down any...Read more

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