5 restaurants woven with history in Boston

As America’s oldest continuously operating restaurant and oyster bar, open since 1826, Union Oyster House occupies Boston’s oldest Georgian brick building. Located on the Freedom Trail, this historic landmark has served patrons like Daniel Webster and John F. Kennedy, offering a taste of history with its famed clam chowder and variously prepared oysters.

Harvest Restaurant, a Harvard Square staple since 1975, has been a pioneer in farm-to-table dining. Known for its innovative cuisine and cozy, elegant setting, it has a special place in culinary history as a favorite of Julia Child, who often dined here and inspired its commitment to celebrating New England’s seasonal bounty.

Established in 1855, Parker’s Restaurant is the birthplace of the iconic Boston Cream Pie and Parker House Rolls. This historic venue has welcomed literary figures like Dickens and Thoreau, while legends suggest Ho Chi Minh worked as a baker and Malcolm X as a busboy, cementing its status as a treasured piece of Boston’s history.

Mamma Maria offers white-tablecloth Italian dining in the North End, featuring homemade pasta and standout dishes like rabbit ragu and beef carpaccio with black truffles. Overlooking historic North Square, the oldest public square in America, its elegant atmosphere and scenic views complement the area’s deep historical charm.

Since 1960, Mr. Bartley’s has been a Harvard Square icon, transformed by Joe and Joan Bartley from a convenience store into a burger destination. Famous for its fresh, made-to-order burgers and quirky atmosphere, with specialty burgers named after pop culture icons, it has attracted locals and celebrities like Johnny Cash and Al Pacino.