Fried clams are practically a Massachusetts food group, and the best ones are worth planning a whole drive around. From roadside shacks near the water to old-school spots that have been frying clams for decades, this state takes its whole-belly clams seriously.
Below you will find twelve places where the clams pull people in from every corner of New England. Grab some napkins, fill up the tank, and get ready to figure out which stop is closest to your next road trip.
1. The Clam Box of Ipswich, Ipswich, MA
You cannot miss a restaurant shaped like an actual fried clam box. Built in 1938, The Clam Box of Ipswich stands right along Route 1A with its famous flip-top design that has become a landmark all its own.
Ipswich clams have a big reputation in New England, and this spot leans into that fully. The whole-belly fried clams are the headliner, hand-breaded and fried in fresh fat that the kitchen changes often…