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Boston Cream Pie. Who’s a fan? If I’m being truthful, I’m neutral on the dessert. While it isn’t my favorite, I don’t hate it either. But, when in Rome…right? With that philosophy in mind, I was determined to find the best Boston Cream Pie in Boston. After all, it’s where the sweet treat was invented and a part of Boston’s history, not to mention its yummy culinary scene.So, where should you go for the best Boston Cream Pie in Boston? Let’s find out!
Best Boston Cream Pie in Boston
1 | Omni Parker House
The first stop on my quest was the Omni Parker House (formerly Boston’s Parker House) where the Boston Cream Pie originated.
As the story goes, the then-named Parker House opened in 1855. During those times, the people of New England were already enjoying a dessert called the “American pudding-cake pie”. Since America’s first chocolate mill opened in 1765 in Dorchester, a suburb of Boston, chocolate was plentiful.
The Parker House’s Chef Anezin decided to combine chocolate with the pudding-cake pie by drizzling chocolate icing onto the custard-filled sponge cake. This was a hit and the “Parker House Chocolate Cream Pie” later became the “Boston Cream Pie”!
Fun Facts
In 1958, the original recipe was so popular that it became a Betty Crocker boxed mix.
In 1996, the Boston Cream Pie became the official Massachusetts State Dessert.
Honestly, the Original Boston Cream Pie was totally different than what I was expecting. Why? I’m not sure. I think it might have been the consistency or maybe the almonds. However, I will say it was creamy, fluffy, and yummy!
This sweet, pretty thing was my surprise on the side. This is the Cherry Blossom Martini with 2 frozen grapes I requested from the Prickly Martini. I also added a sugar rim. AMAZING. That’s all I have to say!
I love martinis but they must be creative. I don’t like regular, dirty or dry martinis. I’m over cosmos, lemon drops, and sour apple martinis. My favorite is a rare grape martini I’ve only found in one location EVER. I also love strawberry martinis which aren’t rare but aren’t exactly common.
At Omni Parker House, you can get just about any martini your heart desires as they have a most creative owner who creates all his own masterpieces, some of which, are based on his travels!
TRAVEL TIP
You have to order a martini with your Original Boston Cream Pie. The Omni Parker House has the best martini list of ANY I’ve seen around the world. It’s creative and original and they are super fantastic!
2 | Stephanie’s On Newbury
Admittedly, I didn’t go to Stephanie’s On Newbury for Boston Cream Pie. My friends and I headed there to grab dinner one night and since I saw it on the menu, I had to order it of course!
As you can see, it is very untraditional in appearance and comes with the chocolate on the side so you can add the amount you desire.
This worked well for me because I like lots of chocolate which is quite evident in the photo! 🙌
Travel Tip
Stephanie’s On Newbury stays busy (the food is spectacular) so to avoid a wait, make a reservation before you go.
3 | Mike’s Pastry
Mike’s Pastry is located in Boston’s North End and known for its cannolis. Obviously, I skipped the cannolis in favor of the Boston Cream Pie to continue with my quest.
Founded in 1946, Mike’s stays busy as you can see. Its rival Modern Pastry is basically across the street but more on that in a moment.
Michael “Mike” Mercogliano moved to the North End from Italy when he was only 12 years old. He started working in his cousin’s bakery, fell in love with baking and started crafting his one-of-a-kind cannoli. Today, the shop is run by his stepson, Angelo Papa.
So, Mike’s Boston Cream Pie is very basic and looks more like a piece of pie (even though the dessert has always been more of a cake than a pie). It was very moist, the custard was dense and the chocolate was creamy. Great combination for me!
Travel Tip
Although Mike’s is quite busy, they have a lot of people working the counter and the line moves fast. CASH ONLY (3 USD as of 2019). Also, the slices are extremely large so I asked for a smaller cut/slice. Extremely limited to almost no seating available.
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4 | Modern Pastry
Also located in Boston’s North End, Modern Pastry is known for their cannolis as well. Once again, I was there for something different and I found a cute surprise!
Modern Pastry has a slight variation on the Boston cream pie. They have the Boston Cream Pie Cupcake! It is the size of a regular cupcake and is a vanilla cake filled with vanilla cream and topped with chocolate ganache. The design of the ganache is gorgeous!
I am a huge cupcake lover so I enjoyed the creative take on the traditional Boston Cream Pie. My favorite parts were the chocolate and the cream. The cake wasn’t quite as moist as I like, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it enough to recommend it!
Travel Tip
In addition to the cupcake, they also have full Boston Cream Pie Cakes, but slices aren’t available. CASH ONLY (3.75 USD as of 2019). The line can be long and moves slowly. There is limited seating.
5 | Flour Bakery & Cafe
I had read in a few places that Flour Bakery & Cafe should be on my list for Boston Cream Pie so I added it to my own list. This turned out to be a very good decision.
However, it took determination. The first time I went, they were out of it altogether. That, my friends, is a good sign. Upon my return (take two), I was successful!
Flour Bakery’s Boston Cream Pie was really what I picture when I think of the dessert. I thoroughly enjoyed its multi-layers of moist cake and creamy filling. And yes, that ganache situation is as heavenly as it looks!
Travel Tip
Go earlier in the day because they will run out especially on busier days or during busier seasons. Cash and cards are accepted.
Best of the Best Boston Cream Pie
So, which won my vote for favorite? First, let’s be clear. I loved all of them or they wouldn’t be on this list. But if I HAD to choose…
Boston Cream Pie from Left: Flour Bakery & Cafe Right: Omni Parker House
Flour Bakery & Cafe was my favorite for all-around taste and texture. It just had the “it” factor for me! A very close second was the original at Omni Paker House. Omni Parker House won (hands down over anywhere I’ve been) best martini list EVER!
Where To Stay in Boston
Found Hotel Boston is where I stayed my first two nights. A great mid-range option, it is located in the theater district close to Boston Gardens and has great amenities.
Westin Copley Place is where I stayed the next several nights. It is luxury-range and located right in Copley Square not far from Boston Gardens or Fenway Park. The amenities are fabulous here as well.
MAP IT!
PIN IT!
While I’m sure there are many other places to get the local dessert, these places came highly recommended on where to find the best Boston Cream Pie in Boston. I was surprised at which one won my vote for favorite, but that is obviously opinion-based. Definitely try these out and more when you visit Boston!
Have you been to Boston? What is your pick for the best Boston Cream Pie in Boston?
‘Til next time…
Trimm Travels,
Yum!! I’ve always loved Boston cream donuts and these Boston cream treats look divine! I would definitely try all of these sweet treats given that I was in Boston!
Hi Sam-If you like Boston cream donuts then yes, you will love all of these! Thanks for reading! 🙂
I have to put Omni Parker House on my list for my next visit. The pie and the martini look delicious! I also love the cannoli’s at Mike’s.
Hi Nancy-Yes, you do!! The Omni Parker House is amazing for both Boston Cream Pie and martinis! I haven’t had cannolis at Mike’s…YET. There will be another trip to Boston! Thanks for reading! 🙂
I have never had a Cream Pie before and I am intrigued to taste the Boston Cream Pie. It sure looks delicious (even though with a lot of calories). Chocolate would be my go to flavor.
Hi Ketki-I also love chocolate! You definitely have to try it in Boston or even if you see it outside of Boston (and you can). Thanks for reading! 🙂
I love your dedication and commitment to the task Heather. Finding the perfect Boston Cream Pie is a tough job but someone’s gotta do it. Right? I like the look of the Omni Parker House one, with the almonds and the plating up of it. Personally, I have a soft spot for cannoli. I think that should be your next quest.
Hi Tania-Haha, thanks! Yep someone has to do it! Cannolis are quite the thing in Boston too as you know. It definitely should be next quest in Boston for sure! Thanks for reading! 🙂
You have to love a state that has a state dessert! And I am impressed by your dedication to the research. Sadly I missed out on a Boston Cream Pie when in Boston – I know, what was I thinking? But I can pretty much smell the chocolate and vanilla from here. I like that you branched out into a martini too. That looks good.
Hi Bernadette-It’s hard to catch it all when visiting a destination. Just means you need to go back and eat your way through Boston, right? 😉 The martini was definitely amazing! Thanks for reading! 🙂
Wish I had read this post before our first to Boston, We visited in 2017 for Christmas, we travelled from Australia in the hope of getting a white Christmas. We were very lucky to get snow at 8am on Christmas morning. Boston will always be one of my favourite cities just because it snowed.
Hi Sally-Well I just visited in June (for this post anyway) but that’s great that you got a white Christmas! It isn’t always guaranteed even there, but I’m so happy it came through. I have always wanted a white Christmas too and in 2010, we got one where I live in Alabama which is about impossible to get. I would have to look up if that’s ever happened before in history because we rarely get snow period, let alone on Christmas. But we got a lot and had a white Christmas so I understand. Hope you make it back to Boston to try the cream pies! Thanks for reading! 🙂
Wow – If I hadn’t recently given up sugar, I’d be driving down to Boston in heartbeat!
Hi Dana-Haha! Giving up sugar isn’t a bad thing…except for missing out on travel treats! Thanks for reading! 🙂
Your post made me hungry and as I have finished dinner at present, now craving for sweet endings mentioned in your article. The Omni Parker House has some amazing pies and also good to know Boston cream pie got invented here. Even it offers best martini which makes me tempt to visit this place. The Omni Parker House’s owner is really creative.
Hi Yukti-You’re right, the chef at Omni Parker House is quite creative! Hope you get to visit Boston to eat some of these yummy treats soon! Thanks for reading! 🙂
I’ve never had a Boston Cream Pie and now I want one. Love the origin story of the pie and I have to say I would like to try Omni Paker House’s BCP. I love almonds and I like the fact that you have to order a martini with it 🙂 The presentation of Omni Paker House’s BCP also looks amazing.
Hi Candy-Well you don’t HAVE to order a martini with it, but I highly recommend doing so! Hope you get to Boston to try one soon and thanks for reading! 🙂
Never tasted Boston Cream Pie but from the pictures, it seems yummy. Amazing to know that the recipe is old as the 1950’s. I am jealous you got to try the pie at so many different places.
Hi FS-It was definitely a hard task that someone had to do! LOL! I highly recommend trying the Boston Cream Pie or at least the flavor in a donut or cupcake (they are served in MANY other places than just Boston, but the best are obviously IN Boston)! Thanks for reading! 🙂
Boston cream pie is my all-time favorite dessert. Honestly, I don’t get to actually eat it very often, but it is my #1. My next trip to Boston (and my new company has a big office there so it is a distinct possibility!) I will be on the hunt for some of these!
Hi Andi-Oh yeah, then you should totally dive into these if you get to visit Boston!! You will be in Boston cream pie heaven! Thanks for reading! 🙂