Travel > Places > New England
Eating your way across New England
If you like food, New England is a great place to visit. While known for seafood—think lobsters with drawn butter—there are plenty of other specialities and places that will surprise and delight you.
- Italian on Federal Hill in Providence
Boston has the North End, but Providence has Federal Hill. Where else could the former mayor (a convicted felon, none the less) market a stunningly successful tomato sauce? If you're hungry, consider Venda Ravioli (401-421-9105) or Al Forno (401-273-9760).
- Fried clams on Cape Ann
Woodman's restaurant in Essex claims to be the home of the fried clam. While we're not certain that's entirely true, Ipswich clams are prized around the world and Cape Ann is the place to get 'em. In addition to Woodman's (800-649-1773), try the Clam Box in Ipswich (978-356-9707).
- Lobster on the coast of Maine
Route 1 along the coast of Maine is dotted with tiny shacks where you can eat lobster the way that nature intended it to be eaten: in the rough, with sand in your toes and drawn butter running down your wrist. The Clam Shack in Kennebunk (207-967-3321) serves a remarkable lobster roll, and Barnacle Billy's (the casual side, not the full-service restaurant) in Ogunquit (207-646-5575) is a classic lobster stand.
- Cheese in Vermont
The Green Mountain State produces 70 million pounds of cheese a year, most of it artisinally created. If you're really into cheese, take the Vermont Cheese Trail and visit the nine stops along the way, including Grafton Village Cheese (800-472-3866) and Shelburne Farms (802-985-8686).
- Cider in New Hampshire
Apples are still a seasonal food in New England, and the region is dotted with pick-your-own orchards which often sell cider doughnuts, apple fritters, and other delicacies. Apple Crest in Hampton Falls (603-926-3721) was the basis for John Irving's "Cider House Rules" and offers a festival every weekend during the season.
- Chowder in Rhode Island
In addition to hosting the Great Chowder Cook-Off, Newport is about half-way between Manhattan and Boston, making it the perfect place to sample all three kinds of chowdah: New England (cream base), Manhattan (tomato base), and Rhode Island (clear broth). Slurp it up at Flo's Clam Shack (401-847-8141) or Aunt Carrie's (401-783-7930)
- Fine cider in the Berkshires
In Europe, "cider" means an alcoholic apple-based drink, not the unfiltered apple juice we get in America. For a taste of fine cider, check out West County Cider in Colrain (413-624-3481) or drop by Cider Day out in the Berkshires this November.
- Maple syrup in New Hampshire
Maple syrup is available across the region, sticky sweet and golden amber. But New Hampshire boasts two of the most famous sugar shacks in New England: Parker's Maple Barn (603-878-2308) and Polly's Pancake Parlor (603-823-5575).
- Ice cream in Boston
You can't talk ice cream and not mention Boston, which is the ice cream capital of the world. Bostonians eat more ice cream, per capita, than anyone else and you can tell by the number of thriving independent ice cream parlors. Toscanini's, J.P. Lick's, and Herrel's all have stores in multiple locations throughout the city.
- Pizza in New Haven
New Haven lays claim to being the home of the first North American pizzeria (as well as the first hamburger). Whether that's fact or fiction, the city does have some great pizzerias, most of them on Wooster Street. But go early! The line at Pepe's (203-865-5762) is often hours long, and the line at Sally's (203-624-5271) is only a little shorter.
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