Union Oyster House

The Union Oyster House, near Faneuil Hall on the Freedom Trail, holds the distinction of being America's oldest eatery. This Boston institution, housed in a pre-Revolutionary War building, began serving food in 1826 and has remained in the same location ever since, with the stalls and oyster bar, where Daniel Webster was a regular client, in their original locations. Cocktail parties, buffets, and banquets can all be held in one of our private function spaces. Our Private Function Rooms and Private Dining Rooms are available for your next event, banquet, meeting, or party. We can accommodate parties between 20 and 100 persons. It is our goal to make your next gathering a memorable and pleasurable occasion. Our knowledgeable staff is always ready to assist you in arranging your next event. If you have a group of 20 or more persons, please contact our Dining Room Manager at (617) 227-2750. Although Union Street was laid out in 1636, two years after the Boston Common, there are no municipal documents indicating when the Oyster House was built. All that is known is that the structure has stood on Union Street for almost 250 years as a notable neighborhood landmark. The building hosted importer Hopestill Capen's fancy garment goods shop, "At the Sign of the Cornfields," in 1742, before becoming a seafood house. The Boston shoreline had come up to the back door of the dry goods store at this time, making it easy for ships to deliver their cloth and products from Europe. The Union Oyster House has only had three owners since 1826. Mr. Joseph A. Milano, Jr., and Ms. Mary Ann Milano Picardi have been carrying on renowned dining and service traditions since 1970.