All The Ways To Eat (and Drink) Boston Cream Pie in Boston!

When you come to Boston you HAVE to have Boston cream pie, and if you live here you should be having it on a regular basis, it’s pretty much non-negotiable. It’s one of Boston’s most iconic foods and we love it, which is why we taste it on our Classic Bites of Boston Tour. Fluffy sponge, thick vanilla cream, and rich, dark chocolate ganache – check, check, and check! But wait, that sounds more like cake than pie…Technically speaking it’s a layered cake, but it has always been dubbed pie since its debut in 1856. Back then cake and pie tins were interchangeable and the words were too. Wanna learn more? Come on the Classic Bites of Boston Tour with us!

Boston cream pie made a name for itself at Parker’s Restaurant in the Omni Parker House, where they still serve the classic recipe today, and that’s the one that we taste on the tour! While the classic is untouchable, as with most classics, people have found ways to mix it up and serve Boston cream pie in tons of different ways. We’re into it! Check out this list of all the different ways to eat (and drink) Boston cream pie in Boston.

Boston Cream Pie Donut from Union Square Donuts

Union Square Donuts is not only an award-winning donut company with locations in Boston, Brookline and Somerville, MA, but it’s a local favorite! Their donuts are made fresh, by hand, every single day and they pride themselves on their commitment to producing the best donuts possible, using high-quality ingredients, an extraordinary attention to detail, and all with a passion that shines through to everything they make. They offer fun and creative flavors that rotate seasonally so keep an eye out for what’s new. In terms of a staple that never leaves the menu is the Boston Cream Pie donut, and oh, is it divine. The brioche dough is light and airy, almost pastry-like in texture, and filled with a rich and creamy vanilla pastry cream and then topped with a decadent dark chocolate glaze. Oh yeah, and it was voted New England’s #1 donut by Zagat! No big deal.

Boston Cream Pie Cupcake from Sugar Baking Co.

Photo Credit: Sugar Baking Co.

This local bakery will have you drooling upon entering the door from the sweet smell of pastries to the eye-catching array of sweet treats. We love that they keep it classic with a tasty nod to Boston’s history with the Boston cream pie cupcake. A beautiful sight to behold, with its delicate frosting work on top, for as long as you can possibly keep from devouring it. Sugar Baking Co.’s cupcake version of this classic Boston dessert is the ideal bite so head over and grab one (or two) soon.

Boston Cream Pancakes from Rochambeau

Photo Credit: Rochambeau

Just when you thought brunch could not get any better than it already was…Rochambeau decided to offer Boston Cream Pie PANCAKES! This French restaurant and bar in Back Bay is taking a brunch classic and a Boston classic and making them one. Pancakes are stacked with vanilla cream, chocolate sauce and cookie crumble to make your mouth water and uncomfortable amount. Go. Get. Them.

Boston Cream Blackout (Imperial Pastry Stout) from Second Wind Brewing

Photo Credit: Second Wind Brewing

Second Wind Brewing is a craft microbrewery in the heart of historic downtown Plymouth – so a little ways outside of Boston but worth the drive! Second Wind’s portfolio of beers is diverse, ranging from hop forward IPAs, to decadent stouts, fruited sours, refreshing lagers and wheat beers, and traditional European and American ales. They love experimenting on emerging styles that push boundaries while also respecting the classics that defined their craft. One of their most unique flavors is Boston Cream Blackout, which gives you the opportunity to experience Boston cream pie from a totally different perspective. This beer is a milk stout with dark chocolate, vanilla beans, and layer cake from Guilty Bakery in Plymouth. The combination yields a silky smooth Pastry Stout inspired by the legendary Boston cream pie,

Boston Cream Pie from Flour Bakery

Photo Credit: Flour Bakery

One of our favorite bakeries in Boston has put a unique spin on the classic Boston cream pie – they’re adding coffee and extra layers to it. Theirs has four thin layers of light and airy vanilla sponge cake soaked in Fazenda Coffee syrup, sandwiched with vanilla cream, and topped off with decadent chocolate ganache. The addition of the coffee syrup makes it reminiscent of tiramisu, which is a cool twist on this Boston classic and we’re ABOUT IT.

Boston Cream Pie Cake Donut from Bova’s Bakery

Photo Credit: @tea.pfau on Instagram

For another variation on a Boston cream pie donut, head to another local favorite, Bova’s Bakery in the North End. For over three generations, the Bova staff and family has produced award winning Italian pastries and treats from traditional Italian family recipes. Known for the genuine Italian baking styles and ingredients, it is no surprise that Bova’s Bakery has thrived and flourished in Boston’s North End since 1926. Bova’s offers their own version of a Boston cream pie donut that is a donut cut in half with pastry cream piped in-between the two halves and then topped with chocolate ganache. It’s to-die-for and makes for a great pic for the IG.

Boston Cream Pie Cocktail at The Last Hurrah

Photo Credit: Omni Parker House

If you’d prefer to sip your Boston cream pie, guess what, that’s a thing you can do! The Last Hurrah in the Omni Parker House serves a Boston cream pie martini with vanilla vodka, Godiva chocolate liqueur, Kerry Gold Irish cream, and a chocolate rim – that we are OBSESSED with. We can’t even handle how delicious this is. It’s hard to only have one, they go down faaaaar too easy, but we’re not complaining about it. Join us for a Private Food Tour and taste this along with the original recipe for Boston cream pie which we mention next…

Classic Boston Cream Pie (and Ice Cream) from Parker’s Restaurant

Photo Credit: @beardedmanbakes via Instagram

Going back to the very beginning, visit the Omni Parker House’s Parker Restaurant for a piece of classic Boston cream pie. They still use the original recipe! HOW COOL! Their thoughtful plating is so appealing that it’s hard to focus on capturing a photo before you dive in. If you want to mix the classic with the remix though you can do that there. Toscanini’s, one of our favorite local ice cream shops, makes a special Boston cream pie ice cream just for the Omni Parker House and you can order it alongside your Boston cream pie. DO IT.

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on June 4th, 2019 and has been updated and revamped for accuracy and fresh content.