I live in Boston and am curious what all you Bostonians think is the best chowder? My personal favorite, from the Warren Tavern/Tavern on the Water in Charlestown, has never even been mentioned in Boston Magazine (that I've seen), and I've tried their "bests" and found them lacking. I was wondering what everyone else thought?

I'm not a Bostonian by any means, but when I visit there, I eat at Legal Sea Foods as much as possible! To me, their chowder is divine, as well as everything else on the menu!

At the risk of being slammed by all you Bostonians (I LOVE Boston, by the way), the best chowder I've had has not been in Boston but in Newport, RI.

Maybe I should mention where... duh. The best seafood chowder I've had has been at the The Mooring and also at the Castle Hill Inn (both in Newport, RI).

Not a Bostonian, but I love the chowder at No Name Seafood. I was disappointed in not being able to get R.I. Clam Chowder in Newport. I was told several times that it is only available off of the island, while New England is served in Newport.

A true New England yankee would agree that the best chowders are made in their mothers kitchen. Having said that, Agreed on the Warren Tavern,strongly disagree on Legal Seafoods. The best chowder is an Italian fish chowder at a small tavern in Gloucester,Ma.(30 miles from Boston)called Halibut Point. Many would consider it similar to a Manhatten chowder,but it has its own character that separates it.

I'm not a Bostonian either, but I have searched for the best chowder there several times. I think Legal Seafood is good, but overrated. No Name Seafood is also good, but I think Durgin Park is better than both.

My favorite is from Skipjack's in Boston.

Where ever we go on trips and try clam chowder we always end up comparing it with Skipjack's. Nothing like dunking in their herb rolls in the delicious chowder. Yummm.

Not from Boston, but when visiting, the Union Oyster House had some of the best chowdah I've tasted.

As a Bostonian...sadly although I love Skipjacks for almost everything else their chowda is way too smoky flavored..Legal seafoods is way overpriced although chowda is decent. Somehow or other they have lost the idea of plain and simple seafood...they are living on past reputation...especially spreading themselves out. I just don't like the idea of most of their items being made in a commisary.. R.I. chowda has tomatoes...yechh. and No Name...well, it depends on how long it['s been on the stove and what they have added to it..
my main concern is always.....is it full of potatoes as filler...that I don't like... Check out www.chowhound.com for these food mavens and their favorite spots. There is a restaurant in Metro-West--Coral Seafoods that has the best locally and their fried clams are to die for..

The words "chowder" and "tomatoes" should never ever appear in the same sentence together! I can't imagine any self-respecting New Englander putting a spoonful of that loathsome concoction in their mouth. Sacrilege.

I love my own recipe, which has spoiled my family for any others. It was, coincidently, given to me years ago by a dear friend who was born and raised in RI, but is a milk/half & half version, not that "t" word which I've always associated with an area very definitely outside of New England, the location of which lent it's name to the mixture.

Never had R.I. chowder with any tomatoes in it. The R.I. I am used to has a clear broth vs the creamy of N.E. chowder. I have had Manhattan chowder with a tomato base, YUCK!!

OliveOyl is correct; I believe it is against the law to put tomatoes into clam chowder. The best chowder I've had was at the East Coast Grille in Cambridge; I'm not sure it's always on the menu however.

Years ago I had the tomato/broth type chowder on Block Island. It really wasn't bad. But I do prefer the cream based clam chowder. The best I've had was from Mitchell's Steak and Rib in Hyannis.

None of the chowders I've had in R.I. have had tomatoes! They were the "typical" cream-based chowder. Only time I've seen tomatoes is in Manhattan clam chowder.

I absolutely LOVE chowder and year before last when we were in Boston / MV went on a 'chowder quest'. We had chowder at at least a dozen different places from Providence to Boston to Martha's Vineyard. Legal Seafood chowder was great, others ranged from very good to so-so but have to admit that the absolute hands-down BEST chowder was from a crock-pot in a small convenience store / gas station in Sandwich, Cape Cod. Had to be homemade - it was 'lick-the-bowl' awesome. Wish I knew the name of the place - we just stopped for gas and got the chowder to-go on a whim. Still makes my mouth water...

Lol, well I am a Bostonian (now living in NYC) and the best chowdah, comes from MY kitchen. I make a great NE Chowdah and a good Lobster Bisque, my personal fav. Has to do with the sherry and lots of butter.

In Boston, you can't beat Union Oyster House, the best imho in Boston.

sorry parrotmom

manhattan = tomato
new england = cream base
rhode island = clear clam broth

fav ne chowda - Jacob Wirth
fav seafood chowda - Maine Diner, Wells,MN