Please give this place a chance! Complete different owners and kitchen staff that are actually talented and competent. Every dish I have tired from this place was very tasty, definitely would recommend to anyone!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Deb Verringia
I have lived in Gloucester for a little over 3 years and love being surrounded by gorgeous scenery, endless fun events, and some of the best restaurants you can find. A few weeks ago, my friend and I checked out the Topside Bistro for the first time and we were so thrilled that we did! We sat at the bar and were served some great drinks and immediately got into conversations with the bartender and other wait staff. They were very welcoming and pleasant to us as well as the other patrons at the bar. Before our California burgers came out, we tried the raviolis with lobster in lemon sauce. This dish was outstanding, and I found myself trying to scoop up as much of the lemon sauce on the plate as I could! The burgers were also such a great surprise, stacked with so many delicious flavors in every huge bite. The basket of fries were delicious, a perfect side to these huge burgers. The entire meal was so good, they were the best burgers I have had in town. We were taken exceptionally good care of by this friendly staff. Before we left, we even got a chance to have a chat with the manager Nick, who was also very cheerful and friendly. The atmosphere felt warm, familiar, and inviting. We will certainly be going back and making this a go to dinner spot. Keep up the good work, see you soon!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fresh Native Haddock New Brunswick Sandwich, California Burger
K Andersen
I have eaten here many times since the new management reopened in March. The food is delicious! Some of our favorites are the scallop risotto, bistro burger, calamari, onion soup, lobster roll, and fried haddock. They have also had some great specials. Nick, the manager, and Chef Sal are doing a great job. Rob, bartender, has created some delicious drinks at the bar. Highly recommend his espresso martini! Don’t walk by this place. Some of the best food in town!
invent7171
Great service from super nice waitress and bar guy...wish the food matched. The clam chowder is terible, not stewed long enough and all bacon, no clams. The salads were over priced for lettuce on a plate. Flank steak very good.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
Tom Tom
Asked bartender for drink cause nobody came to ask me after almost 10 min. He just looked at me and continued his conversation with some other guy. Think he was the owner. They gave me the wrong appetizer which had 5 scollops which were good for $17 then my wife’s main dish came and had 4 scallops with rice and cost $36. It was just a crazy place. Wasn’t even busy. Won’t go again. My shrimp tacos were good though
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 2
Gail Barbera
We had a really great dinner there tonight!!! Place is casual but food is top shelf! Hubby had shrimp cocktail that was perfect, I had mussels that were heavenly - ooohhh that broth - And the scrumptious bread (they said from Virgillios ?) to dunk in it Omg MMMMMMMMMMMMM!!Then we both had the lobster ravioli as an entree, it was excellent! Just love that everything was gently seasoned just right, fresh herbs, fresh pasta, yup omg mmmmm!!! And we’ll be going back!!!???Our server Kaila was very friendly, professional, answered all our questions, quick, watched our drinks, got food to us nice and hot! Thank you!???Surprised it was so empty on a Saturday night… great menu, everyone should go!!!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joanell Serra
This was not a win for us. The server was okay just distracted- they were all running the whole time, but it wasn’t even crowded? We put my allergy on the reservation and told her. I asked her to ask the chef for tge best option. She said salmon but they couldn’t do mashed potatoes on the side. I said how about plain pasta on side- no, he couldn’t do that. Just salmon and extra veggies. Ok. Then she said there were no veggies left. She brought me a plate with one piece of salmon on it. Nothing else, for $30. When I complained she brought me a salad, covered with onions. Which is what I’m allergic to. It was ridiculous. The salmon itself was okay. My husband’s food was the same- okay. I spoke to the manager who comped the salmon. I appreciated that, but still left hungry. Only bad experience with allergies in the Gloucester area, btw.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 2
David Bellamy
Delightful lunch. I loved my lobster roll, and the fries were perfect. Our server, Shilo was so fun and attentive. We only when out to lunch twice while we were staying Gloucester and we chose to return to Topside because we had such a good meal the first time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Art Klink
New management, looking to appeal to younger crowd. Chef is very good. Prices are too high for what you get. Had a lobster ravioli which was pretty good, lobster claws, ravioli, lemon and garlic sauce, tasty. Beer prices outlandish. Trivia night is good.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
stephanie Mcwethy
Great experience. Any restaurant might make an error in service. After we were seated nobody came by for 20 minutes to take a drink order. We flagged someone… turned out to be Chef Sal checking on FOH… he asked if anyone had come by, they hadn’t. Server appears immediately. Kind, apologetic. Sal brought our lobster ravioli appetizer to the table, complementary upgrade to dinner size. DELICIOUS, highly recommend you won’t be disappointed. Steak frites perfectly cooked. Husband had the scallop risotto, he said it was best he’s ever had. Crispy finish on the scallops. Large scallops. 6 of them. Consistency of the risotto was perfect, so flavorful and every bite a little different. The tomatoes had this incredible snap and then explosion of flavor. Our server was on point and Sal visited the table a few more times. This is what turning an homes mistake into an opportunity to delight a guest looks like! We will be back! Oh, and a desert on the house. Crème brulée was phenomenal. Food = 10/10. Service 11/10. Next time you pass by, stop and you won’t be disappointed. I wanna add a photo of the risotto.
Great spot for great food at good prices. The server was very helpful and knowledgeable about the menu. My wife is gluten free and the server too great care of us. Will be coming back when I'm in the area!Dietary restrictions: The brined wings were not battered. They served the topside burger on the grass.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Topside Cheeseburger, Fresh Native Haddock New Brunswick Sandwich
Liz B
Went here with a group while on Retreat at Eastern Point in Gloucester. It was a wonderful experience. Our server was Chloe, she was patient ( there were a lot of us), professional and very helpful. The food was excellent. Best baked Haddock and French Onion soup I’ve had . Shiloh another member of the staff was also very sweet and stopped by our table, made us feel most welcome. Many of us were from other countries and left with a very good impression of the hospitality here in the U.S.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
R36IJlaurac
We stopped in after a long drive for a drink and a quick meal. We deliberately sat at the bar. We ordered nothing fancy (burgers and fries)but it was quick, delicious, and the service was extremely friendly. We will return.
AJ Kriete
This revitalized place is worth a visit. They have updated their menu and drinks and the new manager (Ted, I believe) is really doing a tremendous job to turn this into a Gloucester destination restaurant. Keep up the good work!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ed Strobel
The new name is Topside Bistro and from my experience the new name is more than a name. The new owners have upgraded the menu with some of the freshest fish I ever had. The waitress mentioned the local fish come from across the street where the fishing boats come in (also where much of perfect storm was filmed including the bar set which was just a set she told us... the real crows nest was not on the water). I had the Haddock which tasted like it just swam in my plate. Nicely crusted with Panko in a great sauce. My wife had the ravioli which we were told changes daily. The menu also has some of the favorites of the old place but personally I prefer the new fish dishes! Service was spot on and they have a choice of dining with a partial harbour view or in the bar/ lounge area. Great selection of wines beers bourbons and rums. The new owners seemed to have upscaled it but kept some of the old charm and simplicity that make you feel at home.
Please give this place a chance! Complete different owners and kitchen staff that are actually talented and competent. Every dish I have tired from this place was very tasty, definitely would recommend to anyone!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I have lived in Gloucester for a little over 3 years and love being surrounded by gorgeous scenery, endless fun events, and some of the best restaurants you can find. A few weeks ago, my friend and I checked out the Topside Bistro for the first time and we were so thrilled that we did! We sat at the bar and were served some great drinks and immediately got into conversations with the bartender and other wait staff. They were very welcoming and pleasant to us as well as the other patrons at the bar. Before our California burgers came out, we tried the raviolis with lobster in lemon sauce. This dish was outstanding, and I found myself trying to scoop up as much of the lemon sauce on the plate as I could! The burgers were also such a great surprise, stacked with so many delicious flavors in every huge bite. The basket of fries were delicious, a perfect side to these huge burgers. The entire meal was so good, they were the best burgers I have had in town. We were taken exceptionally good care of by this friendly staff. Before we left, we even got a chance to have a chat with the manager Nick, who was also very cheerful and friendly. The atmosphere felt warm, familiar, and inviting. We will certainly be going back and making this a go to dinner spot. Keep up the good work, see you soon!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fresh Native Haddock New Brunswick Sandwich, California Burger
I have eaten here many times since the new management reopened in March. The food is delicious! Some of our favorites are the scallop risotto, bistro burger, calamari, onion soup, lobster roll, and fried haddock. They have also had some great specials. Nick, the manager, and Chef Sal are doing a great job. Rob, bartender, has created some delicious drinks at the bar. Highly recommend his espresso martini! Don’t walk by this place. Some of the best food in town!
Great service from super nice waitress and bar guy...wish the food matched. The clam chowder is terible, not stewed long enough and all bacon, no clams. The salads were over priced for lettuce on a plate. Flank steak very good.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
Asked bartender for drink cause nobody came to ask me after almost 10 min. He just looked at me and continued his conversation with some other guy. Think he was the owner. They gave me the wrong appetizer which had 5 scollops which were good for $17 then my wife’s main dish came and had 4 scallops with rice and cost $36. It was just a crazy place. Wasn’t even busy. Won’t go again. My shrimp tacos were good though
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 2
We had a really great dinner there tonight!!! Place is casual but food is top shelf! Hubby had shrimp cocktail that was perfect, I had mussels that were heavenly - ooohhh that broth - And the scrumptious bread (they said from Virgillios ?) to dunk in it Omg MMMMMMMMMMMMM!!Then we both had the lobster ravioli as an entree, it was excellent! Just love that everything was gently seasoned just right, fresh herbs, fresh pasta, yup omg mmmmm!!! And we’ll be going back!!!???Our server Kaila was very friendly, professional, answered all our questions, quick, watched our drinks, got food to us nice and hot! Thank you!???Surprised it was so empty on a Saturday night… great menu, everyone should go!!!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
This was not a win for us. The server was okay just distracted- they were all running the whole time, but it wasn’t even crowded? We put my allergy on the reservation and told her. I asked her to ask the chef for tge best option. She said salmon but they couldn’t do mashed potatoes on the side. I said how about plain pasta on side- no, he couldn’t do that. Just salmon and extra veggies. Ok. Then she said there were no veggies left. She brought me a plate with one piece of salmon on it. Nothing else, for $30. When I complained she brought me a salad, covered with onions. Which is what I’m allergic to. It was ridiculous. The salmon itself was okay. My husband’s food was the same- okay. I spoke to the manager who comped the salmon. I appreciated that, but still left hungry. Only bad experience with allergies in the Gloucester area, btw.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 2
Delightful lunch. I loved my lobster roll, and the fries were perfect. Our server, Shilo was so fun and attentive. We only when out to lunch twice while we were staying Gloucester and we chose to return to Topside because we had such a good meal the first time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
New management, looking to appeal to younger crowd. Chef is very good. Prices are too high for what you get. Had a lobster ravioli which was pretty good, lobster claws, ravioli, lemon and garlic sauce, tasty. Beer prices outlandish. Trivia night is good.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Great experience. Any restaurant might make an error in service. After we were seated nobody came by for 20 minutes to take a drink order. We flagged someone… turned out to be Chef Sal checking on FOH… he asked if anyone had come by, they hadn’t. Server appears immediately. Kind, apologetic. Sal brought our lobster ravioli appetizer to the table, complementary upgrade to dinner size. DELICIOUS, highly recommend you won’t be disappointed. Steak frites perfectly cooked. Husband had the scallop risotto, he said it was best he’s ever had. Crispy finish on the scallops. Large scallops. 6 of them. Consistency of the risotto was perfect, so flavorful and every bite a little different. The tomatoes had this incredible snap and then explosion of flavor. Our server was on point and Sal visited the table a few more times. This is what turning an homes mistake into an opportunity to delight a guest looks like! We will be back! Oh, and a desert on the house. Crème brulée was phenomenal. Food = 10/10. Service 11/10. Next time you pass by, stop and you won’t be disappointed. I wanna add a photo of the risotto.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Great spot for great food at good prices. The server was very helpful and knowledgeable about the menu. My wife is gluten free and the server too great care of us. Will be coming back when I'm in the area!Dietary restrictions: The brined wings were not battered. They served the topside burger on the grass.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Topside Cheeseburger, Fresh Native Haddock New Brunswick Sandwich
Went here with a group while on Retreat at Eastern Point in Gloucester. It was a wonderful experience. Our server was Chloe, she was patient ( there were a lot of us), professional and very helpful. The food was excellent. Best baked Haddock and French Onion soup I’ve had . Shiloh another member of the staff was also very sweet and stopped by our table, made us feel most welcome. Many of us were from other countries and left with a very good impression of the hospitality here in the U.S.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We stopped in after a long drive for a drink and a quick meal. We deliberately sat at the bar. We ordered nothing fancy (burgers and fries)but it was quick, delicious, and the service was extremely friendly. We will return.
This revitalized place is worth a visit. They have updated their menu and drinks and the new manager (Ted, I believe) is really doing a tremendous job to turn this into a Gloucester destination restaurant. Keep up the good work!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The new name is Topside Bistro and from my experience the new name is more than a name. The new owners have upgraded the menu with some of the freshest fish I ever had. The waitress mentioned the local fish come from across the street where the fishing boats come in (also where much of perfect storm was filmed including the bar set which was just a set she told us... the real crows nest was not on the water). I had the Haddock which tasted like it just swam in my plate. Nicely crusted with Panko in a great sauce. My wife had the ravioli which we were told changes daily. The menu also has some of the favorites of the old place but personally I prefer the new fish dishes! Service was spot on and they have a choice of dining with a partial harbour view or in the bar/ lounge area. Great selection of wines beers bourbons and rums. The new owners seemed to have upscaled it but kept some of the old charm and simplicity that make you feel at home.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5