Top 20 Iconic Dishes in Boston, MA

New England Clam Chowder

A thick, creamy soup made with clams, potatoes, onions, and salt pork, traditionally served with oyster crackers.

Lobster Roll

Chunky lobster meat served on a toasted, buttered split-top bun, either chilled with mayonnaise or warm with drawn butter.

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#3

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Boston Cream Pie

The official state dessert, featuring two layers of sponge cake filled with pastry cream and topped with a chocolate glaze.

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#4

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Boston Baked Beans

Navy beans slow-cooked for hours with molasses, salt pork, and spices, resulting in a sweet and savory dish.

#5

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Fried Clams

Whole-belly clams or clam strips that are breaded and deep-fried until crispy, a staple of local seafood shacks.

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#6

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Steamers

Soft-shell clams steamed in their own juices and served with a side of broth and melted butter for dipping.

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#7

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North Shore Roast Beef Sandwich

Thinly sliced, rare roast beef served on a toasted onion roll, often ordered three-way with barbecue sauce, mayonnaise, and cheese.

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#8

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Italian Sub

A classic sandwich from Boston's North End loaded with Italian cold cuts, provolone cheese, pickles, and oil and vinegar.

#9

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Cannoli

A signature North End pastry consisting of a fried dough shell filled with sweet, creamy ricotta filling.

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#10

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Frappe

A thick New England milkshake made with milk, flavored syrup, and several scoops of ice cream.

#11

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Baked Scrod

A traditional New England preparation of young cod or haddock topped with buttered breadcrumbs and baked until flaky.

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#12

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New England Clam Bake

A celebratory seafood feast traditionally including lobster, clams, mussels, corn on the cob, and potatoes.

#13

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Fish and Chips

Fresh local white fish, typically cod or haddock, battered and deep-fried, served with french fries and tartar sauce.

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#14

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Fresh Oysters

Raw oysters harvested from local Massachusetts waters, typically served on the half shell with lemon and cocktail sauce.

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#15

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Boston Brown Bread

A dark, dense, slightly sweet steamed bread made with rye and cornmeal, often containing raisins and served from a can.

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#16

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Yankee Pot Roast

Beef chuck roast slow-cooked with root vegetables like carrots and potatoes in a savory, beefy broth.

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#17

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Lobster Bisque

A rich, smooth, and creamy soup made from a concentrated stock of lobster shells and finished with sherry.

#18

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Apple Cider Donuts

Cake-style donuts flavored with apple cider and cinnamon sugar, a seasonal staple of local orchards and markets.

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#19

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Fluffernutter

A regional sandwich made with peanut butter and Marshmallow Fluff, which was invented in Somerville, Massachusetts.

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#20

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Parker House Rolls

Soft, buttery, and folded dinner rolls first created at the historic Omni Parker House hotel in Boston.