A honeycomb filter includes a silicon carbide honeycomb fired body, an end face, and porous cell walls. The silicon carbide honeycomb fired body includes a plurality of cells through which exhaust gas is to flow and which include exhaust gas introduction cells and exhaust gas emission cells. The silicon carbide honeycomb fired body includes silicon carbide grains having a silicon-containing oxide layer with a thickness of 0.1 to 2 μm on surfaces of the silicon carbide grains. The end face has an aperture ratio of not less than 20% at the exhaust gas emission side. The porous cell walls define rims of the plurality of cells. The plugged portions of the exhaust gas introduction cells are arranged in vertical and horizontal lines with the porous cell walls residing between the plugged portions in the end face at the exhaust gas emission side.