What to Serve with Clam Chowder

When you make our award-winning clam chowder recipe, you might wonder what to serve with clam chowder to make it a well-rounded meal. Since most guests order clam chowder with their meal on PIER 39, we see what pairs well with clam chowder every day based on what they order.

When coming up with your clam chowder meal plan, keep in mind the people are you are cooking for since there are so many different opinions on what to eat with clam chowder.

What to Serve with Clam Chowder

While there is wide debate about what goes good with clam chowder, you really can’t go wrong. Here are a few ideas of what to have with clam chowder that almost everyone will love. Keep in mind, these suggestions are centered around the clam chowder we serve at Pier Market which is the thick, creamy, rich and filling clam chowder that Fisherman’s Wharf is famous for and served in sourdough bread bowls.

Caesar Salad

best clam chowder

Soup and salad is a winning combo for good reason. Hot and cold. Rich and filling vs light and voluminous. We offer a clam chowder bread bowl and Caesar salad combination on our menu and it’s one of the most popular ways to order the soup – hence, answers the question what is good with clam chowder. The tanginess of the dressing, the smoothness of the soup, and the crunchy croutons make these two dishes the perfect complement.

Oyster Crackers

Clam Chowder Cup

This small airy cracker is probably the most popular way to serve clam chowder. It’s easy and crave-able, so if you want to make the most general serving preparation of what to serve with clam chowder – this is your best bet. You can buy them from most grocery stores or even make your own. We serve oyster crackers with a cup or bowl of clam chowder and most everyone smiles and puts the crackers on their chowder right away.

Sourdough Bread

Clam Chowder Sourdough Bowl

There is a reason why chowder bread bowls are so popular – the soup goes so well with sourdough bread! Duh. But you don’t have to put the soup in a bowl made of bread just to serve it with sourdough. Whether you choose individual rolls, sliced bread, whole loaf baguette, the sour flavor in the bread is what goes with clam chowder so well.

French Fries

French Fries

Our hot, crispy, salty fries are a secretly delicious pairing with clam chowder. You might not think of French fries when you’re considering what to serve with clam chowder since they are commonly paired with a sandwich or burger, but that’s what makes it a fun unexpected twist!

You may be wondering – what goes with seafood chowder? While these four sides above are all excellent with clam chowder, they are also good ideas for what to serve with fish chowder. But I’m sure there are plenty of other sides that would pair nicely as well.