Looking for the best seafood in the US? Make a beeline for Boston

When you're craving the freshest lobster rolls, seafood chowder and fried clams in the United States, it's time to dive in to Boston's incredible food culture.

The elegant city, on the east coast of the US state of Massachusetts, knows a thing or two about the ocean's riches. Since the 19th century, commercial seafood industries have thrived, continuing indigenous traditions of fishing and ocean-harvesting that began long before European settlers arrived.

There are so many seafood restaurants, it can be a delicious challenge to know where to begin. Union Oyster House, still in operation today, is considered to be the oldest restaurant in the US. In a historic setting on the Freedom Trail, it serves up the classics, including homemade lump crab cakes and stuffed clams.

Newer seafood restaurants, raw bars, food halls and mobile trucks pop up frequently, showcasing the talents of up-and-coming and veteran chefs. Little Whale Oyster Bar is the third seafood restaurant from chef Michael Serpa, an elegant ode to the clam shacks and raw bars of the New England coast. The lobster roll is a standout, served cold with mayo or warm with butter, on a toasted brioche bun with fries on the side. At $US55 ($80), it's an investment that pays dividends in fond food memories.

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The best thing I have ever eaten (a big call, but I stand by it) is the Neptune JL Johnnycake at Neptune Oyster Bar. It's a dish I would - and do - travel to Boston for again and again. Everything from the lobster roll to the Spanish octopus and scallop crudo on the menu is excellent, but there's something special about the johnnycake.

Tender Maine lobster and sturgeon caviar is piled on top of a warm, fluffy cornbread pancake that's been drizzled with salty-sweet honey butter. The delicate balance of flavours and textures is nothing short of a revelation. unionoysterhouse.com; littlewhaleboston.com; neptuneoyster.com