In 2023, Boston Magazine named The Banks the best chowder in Boston. The restaurant is part of a group that includes some that we really love including Grill 23, Harvest, and Bistro du Midi. We stopped in for brunch so we could try this chowder and see if it deserved to be called Best of Boston.
New England Clam Chowder $15
Clams
The clam flavor here is great. There are some nice pieces of clam as well.
Cream and Consistency
The look of Banks Chowder is grainy, but it doesn’t taste that way. It is a little thin and less creamy than we usually look for.
Potatoes
There aren’t a lot of potatoes, but the ones there are cooked nicely.
Garnish
The presentation is interesting with a few oyster crackers presented on the spoon and a very nice dinner roll alongside the chowder. Banks also garnishes the bowl with chives, chive oil, and pork belly.
Everything Else
The chives and chive oil that are added to the top are excellent. The Banks chowder also pulls off the addition of Berkshire pork belly without overwhelming the chowder with the flavor of bacon.
Not Chowder
We didn’t have much luck with the rest of the menu. The burger was overcooked and lemon blueberry pancakes had neither lemon nor blueberries. Stick to the chowder.
The Verdict
We set out to find a chowder that was better than Legal Sea Foods and we did it. The Banks chowder is much different in style than Legal’s. It’s less thick and less creamy, but the flavor is outstanding. This chowder pulls off adding bacon without compromising the clams. The chive oil is a perfect addition and bonus points for the delightful dinner roll to sop up any chowder left behind.
The Banks Seafood and Steaks
406 Stuart Street
Boston, MA
Concord Culinary Lyceum 
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