What better way to celebrate this prized Cape Cod culinary favorite than February’s National Clam Chowder Day? Here in New England, this is the stuff legends are made of—literally! And while people all over the nation today may be praising their region’s variation as the best ever, there’s no debate our creamy style chowder is the true classic, drawing visitors from all over the world to check chowda off their bucket list!

So toss some extra oyster crackers in your pockets and head out with a couple of mates to these year-round spots for the consummate winter warm up. Five stars guaranteed.

Wish you could have freshly made chowder on-hand in your fridge or freezer? All it takes is a trip to Chef Sigmund’s Chowder Company in Marstons Mills. Take home quarts of award-winning chowder (or base) to prepare and serve in the comfort of your own home. Chowder is prepared fresh daily at this family-run storefront, which brought local legend Chef Sigmund's chowder recipe back from the past. They now offer freshly baked bread too; pick up a loaf, hollow out and use it as a bread bowl. Delish!

A longtime local favorite for clam chowder is Marshland Restaurant & Bakery in Sandwich— made fresh daily and served in a crock. Pair it with one of their heaping fried seafood plates for a meal any New Englander would love. Be warned, all bowls of chowder in your future will be judged against this liquid gold.

Did you know there was a Chowder Hall of Fame? Tasting is believing at Captain Parker’s Pub in West Yarmouth, made famous by their award-winning chowder featured on TV’s Food Network and across multiple magazine covers. Triple Crown Chowder Champions. Can you say that 10 times fast?

When you want to dial up the intensity on flavor, visit Cleat & Anchor in Dennis Port for their innovative twists on classic Cape Cod fare. You can die and go to heaven with the famed Anchor Poutine—crisp fries smothered in their award-winning clam chowder topped with bacon. While you’re seated, try their signature clam chowder pizza. Not to worry, purists—the classic chowder is also a stand-alone menu item.

For chowder with a view, head to boat-to-table Fishermen’s View Seafood Market & Restaurant in Sandwich, offering a 270-degree panorama of the Cape Cod Canal along with locally-sourced seafood by local duo fishermen brothers. Their “superb” hot bowls of chowder pair nicely with the Yellowfin Tuna Tartare from the restaurant's raw bar, along with the Crispy Jonah Crab Spring Rolls appetizer.

It's all in the name, and Quahog Republic Dive Bar in Falmouth does justice to their namesake with their creamy crock of chowder, a mouth-watering mix of chopped quahogs, applewood smoked bacon and tender red bliss potato. Their homemade stuffed quahogs and award-winning Monsta Lobsta Roll also make a stop at this proud little dive bar well worth your time. (Note: Quahog Republic now has their chowder for sale at select local retailers, so you can enjoy it at home too!)

What could be more quintessentially New England than heading inside an 1868 sea captain’s home for a bowl of steamy, thick clam chowder? Don your best fisherman’s sweater or cap and head to The Barley Neck Inn in Orleans (reopening March 3) for intimate dining and the nightly cellar sweep of discounted curated wines.

Another great way to celebrate National Clam Chowder Day? Go clamming and make your own mouth-watering batch at home! Licensed shellfishing - allowed in many Cape towns year-round - is one of the region's most iconic ways to enjoy the ocean. Click here for everything you need to know before you hit the flats!