7 Best Seafood Restaurants near Essex

Blue Marlin Grille Seafood • $$
65 Eastern Ave, Essex

Customers` Favorites

Clam Strips and Haddock Combo
Oysters on the Half Shell
Fried Clams & Calamari
Seafood Cameron Alex
Petite Filet Mignon
Fried Seafood Plate
Fisherman's Platter
Carrots and Zucchini
Fried Clam Strips
Haddock Sandwich

“We were very excited to try the Blue Marlin from reviews we’ve seen. I have to mention our initial reaction was a little sketchy when we first entered and encountered the hostess. She looked at my family (including me, my wife & 2 adult daughters) and asked… “What can I do for you?” with an unwelcoming look on her face we interpreted to mean What are you people doing here? If we weren’t celebrating my wife’s birthday I probably would have left. She brought us to our table, literally threw the menus on the table and said someone would be with us. THANKFULLY, our server came and was super friendly. Everything else went well. The food was pretty good and seemed fresh. We also enjoyed the atmosphere. The only other slight disappointment, though not a big thing, was I mentioned my wife’s birthday to our server but no special recognition was afforded her. Would probably like to return and try it again.Wheelchair accessibility: Felt that interior restaurant tables might be a little too close to allow for easy wheelchair access“

4.7 Superb68 Reviews
Essex Seafood Seafood • $$
143 Eastern Ave, Essex

Customers` Favorites

Seafood Platter
Clam Chowder
Clam Strips
Onion Rings
Fried Clams
Lobster Roll
Clam Cakes
Fisherman
Sandwich
Scallops

“Parking: 100 feet off Rt 133, 26 feet max from Restaurant door. Perfect for a rain day.Kid-friendliness: Kids can enjoy helping, their parents, get Condiments. Friendly family booths. Great whoopie Pies.Wheelchair accessibility: Bathrooms are huge. The place is new and designed well.“

4.6 Superb69 Reviews
Boat House Grille Essex American • $$
234 John Wise Ave, Essex

Customers` Favorites

New England Clam Chowder
Strawberry Shortcake
Blackened Fish Tacos
Baked Seafood Combo
Muscles Appetizer
Fried Calamari
Seafood Delight
Fried Seafood
Seafood Plate
Rudder Burger

“Great service last night. Renee was delightful. Cheery and made us feel "special". She suggested all her favorites and never left us with an empty glass of wine. Food was outstanding and we won't have to cook for 2 days with leftovers.“

4.4 Superb88 Reviews
Woodman's of Essex Seafood • $$
119 Main St, Essex

Customers` Favorites

Fried Clams and Fries
Fried Lobster Tails
Gland Clam Chowder
Fried Fish Plate
Fried Clam Plate
Popcorn Shrimp
Steamer Clams
Fish Sandwich
Lobster Roll
Fish Platter

“One of the best seafood restaurants in New England. On weekends extremely busy and crowded and ambiance is like eating in a bus station unless you bring your food outside. But these guys are totally impressive filling orders quickly-they have the process totally down. Fried clams and onions rings are amazingly fresh and portions are big. Good coleslaw. Chowder is a little too thin and milky. Free soda refills. Definitely worth a special trip.“

4.2 Good185 Reviews
J.T. Farnham's Seafood • $$
88 Eastern Ave, Essex

Customers` Favorites

Lobster Roll and Fried Clams
Fried Clams with Bellies
Famous Fried Clams
Fried Clams Plate
Seafood Platter
Fried Haddock
French Fries
Fisherman
Chowder
Calamari

“Having grown up on Cape Ann, we have eaten at every seafood restaurant around. Farnham's is quintessential Cape Ann New England Seafood. It is our fav in the area. So fresh, perfect clams every time, yummy milky style chowder amazing french fries and rings..and by the way the best hand made veggie burger hands down. They always have something affordable on the menu like fish and chips etc. Oh and amazing fish and blackened chicken tacos!“

4.1 Good69 Reviews
Woodman's ATM Seafood • $$$
121 Main St, Essex

“This is one of the better "clam shacks" in Massachusetts and in all likelihood the most well-known at least here on the coast. This place is somewhat of a legend which translates to "very popular". In the summer, good luck getting in without waiting quite a long time in line...which I no longer am willing to do. The beauty of coming here "off season" and on a Sunday when the clocks were just turned back the night before is that you are hungry for lunch "earlier", and there are no crowds to speak of. So last Sunday when the clocks said it was 11:30am, it was in reality still 12:30pm in our minds (lunchtime!) as we had not yet had time to adjust to the time change.We've been here many times over the years but not in a very long time so it was nice to be back. Everything looked the same as it always has.We were soon to discover that the overall quality of the food is still quite good. Seafood is pricey these days, so clam shack or not, you're going to have to face the sticker shock. However, Woodman's is not nearly as expensive as another clam-shack/restaurant closer to home and the quality is better. It might be that the sheer volume of business that they do here may keep the prices ever so slightly better than some other places.My favorite thing to order (and what they are known for in particular) are the fried clam bellies. They also sell fried clam strip platters but for me, it is the clam bellies for sure. The bellies are meatier and really have the flavor of the ocean noticeable in each bite.The place is very large with lots of seating both indoors and out. You order at a counter and wait at your table for your number to be called. There is another counter where you can order beer and wine which is served to you right away and you bring to your table.Tom and I both got the clam belly platters, his with onion rings, mine with fries. The portion size was perfect for me but smaller than I remember....but trust me, it is still plenty of food. This is a no frills place that visually kind of reminds me of a camp dining hall.Other menu items include lobsters, lobster rolls, fish sandwiches, crab rolls, steamed clams with drawn butter (another fave of mine), etc. There are a few non-seafood items on the menu as well but that isn't what I'd come here for.There is ample free parking and everything is on one level and easily navigable. There are a few tables that are inexplicably very tight fits but just across the room are larger tables that are easier to maneuver in and out of.This is delicious New England seafood in an unpretentious, unfussy, relaxed setting. One of the reasons I love living in New England is classic seafood in a place just like this.“

3.9 Good59 Reviews
CK Pearl American • $$
112 Main St, Essex

Customers` Favorites

Clam Chowder with a Fried Clam and Pork Belly
Oysters and Shrimp Cocktail
Warm Buttered Lobster Roll
Local Fried Clams
Coconut Shrimp
Lobster Salad
Baked Haddock
Brie Fondue
Tuna Poke
Burger

“I’ve have been remiss in accolades as I have been here several times over the past few years… outstanding food highly recommend the lobster salad, the winter wedge and the key lime pie is a slice of heaven ? staff is lovely and a fantastic “

3.9 Good140 Reviews
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