When in Boston, it is always nice to have a yummy lobster roll. This was my thought when I saw the special at Durgin-Park.
Tired and hungry after attending a convention, my colleagues and I tried to secure a last-minute reservation for nine people. We scanned OpenTable: Boston Restaurants. Every recommended establishment had no reservations available, so we settled for Durgin-Park. McDonald’s would have been better — at least you know what to expect there.
The restaurant is located at 340 Faneuil Hall Marketplace in downtown Boston. The key to its success is the location, which funnels tourists into the restaurant, not knowing of the poor service and food. I doubt it receives many repeats.
My clam chowder, which the waitress said was one of the best, tasted like it came from a can and they used one clam shell to flavor the pot. There were hardly any clams. We all wanted to try the lobster roll and were told it was one of their best dishes. The roll came with coleslaw, baked beans and fries. The baked beans tasted like the Campbell’s version, but the coleslaw was very good. Now for the lobster roll . . . I have never been so disappointed by a dish in my life. New England is said to have the best lobster rolls; Maine and Cape Cod always have some of the greatest, and Durgin-Park claimed to be king of them all — it was not. The service and cuisine were abysmal. When leaving Boston, I had a lobster roll at Legal Seafoods in Logan International Airport (BOS); it was great. This proves chain restaurants can get it right — Durgin gets everything wrong.
Or if you’re in Chicago, go to the Drake Hotel. The bar, Drake Brothers, has the best lobster roll I have ever had!
— Fran Gallagher, publisher and CEO
Read This Next

Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedSlideshow
Jun 2, 20257 Reasons to Put Cartagena, Colombia, on Your Travel List
It’s time to start dreaming of your next trip. Here’s some destination inspiration for you. Take a visual journey through Cartagena, Colombia, with us.
Sponsored Content
Royal Air Maroc Introduces Groundbreaking Safety Video: A Captivating Invitation to Discover Moroccan Heritage
Royal Air Maroc continues to elevate the passenger experience with the launch of its new in-flight safety video — a cinematic journey that seamlessly blends essential safety instructions with a celebration of Moroccan cultural heritage.
Daily
Jun 2, 2025Rio Perdido Eco-Luxury Boutique Hotel Joins Serandipians Luxury Travel Network
Rio Perdido, an eco-luxury hotel in a private reserve in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, was recently admitted into Serandipians by Traveller Made, an exclusive network of the world’s top luxury travel designers. Serandipians by Traveller Made is known for its commitment to excellence and its exclusive relationships between the world’s top travel advisors and luxury properties.
Daily
May 30, 2025Grupo Brisas Opens New Las Brisas Mérida Boutique Hotel
Grupo Brisas opened its newest property in Mexico. Las Brisas Mérida, an exclusive boutique hotel strategically located in the heart of the interesting Mexican town of Mérida within the Yucatan Peninsula, marks the brand’s 13th property in Mexico. Grupo Brisas reaffirms its leadership as one of the fastest-growing Mexican hotel chains in the country.
Sponsored Content
Find Your Perfect Escape with Paradisus by Meliá — More Than Just All-Inclusive
Luxury travel today is about more than just beautiful accommodations — it’s about experiencing the destination. Paradisus by Meliá takes traditional all-inclusive resorts to the next level by offering indulgence with immersion, experiences and authenticity. Each resort is shaped by its location, local flavors and curated Destination Inclusive® experiences that bring you closer to the heart of the destination.
May 2025
May 30, 2025By-the-cabin Yachting Redefines the Cruise Experience
I wish this day could last forever!” my windswept 9-year-old exclaimed, his voice soaring over the Mediterranean. He gripped the helm of a Bali 4.6 sailing catamaran off the coast of Marseille, his sun- bleached hair whipping in the salty breeze. The scent of the sea mingled with the aroma of warm baguettes drifting from the Côte d’Azur shoreline. Our captain, a seasoned sailor, subtly adjusted course, letting my son feel the exhilarating pull of the wind against the sails. As the waves lapped against the hull, I realized this was no ordinary vacation — this was freedom, unfiltered.
4 U.S. Hotels to Stay at This Pride Month
Daily
May 30, 2025These 5 Hotels Offer Beekeeping Experiences
Daily
May 29, 2025Daily
May 29, 2025Intimate Luxury Lodge Opens in Jackson Hole, Wyoming
This month, The Sylvan Lodge opened within the exclusive Snake River Sporting Club in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. With just 38 guestrooms and suites, The Sylvan Lodge provides an intimate retreat experience for guests seeking a wilderness escape with a luxury twist.
Sponsored Content
Smarter Business Travel: 12 Tips from IHG Business Edge
For small- and mid-sized businesses, travel is often a necessary part of growth — helping to strengthen client relationships, explore new markets and attend key industry events. But with rising costs and limited resources, keeping business travel efficient and budget-friendly is more important than ever.
Daily
May 28, 2025Tea Time is Tree Time at This Banyan Tree Resort
Named after the tropical banyan tree, a symbol of sanctuary under which one finds peace of mind and internal harmony, Banyan Tree Krabi, in southern Thailand, adopted the concept in its most recent introduction of Banyan Tree Krabi’s special Afternoon Tea Set, available to both guests and passing visitors.
ShareThis