New American Restaurants near Manchester By The Sea, MA

“Cala’s is the Bee’s Knees! I am blown away with the quality of food and especially the service! Golden nachos COVERED in tender pulled pork and fresh cheese, chicken tenders are hand battered and well seasoned, hand cut french fries cooked to perfection. Food and service have been superb, consistent, and dependable. Definitely a regular spot for us.“

“My husband and I sat outside and had a lovely snack in the sun, away from most of the hustle & bustle that October brings to Salem. We thoroughly enjoyed the butternut squash hummus, falafel, and cauliflower & quinoa tabouleh but the real highlight for us was the apple cider! Holy. It was the best we had on our trip around New England. Not too sweet, served nice & hot, lightly spiced and so, so good! The service was wonderful as well! Best of luck to this crew, we wish you much success & hope to see you next fall!🍂☺️“

“Superb all around experience 👍👍. Chef Daniel is 🔝. Great wine and Bar programs 🍷🍾🍹“

“This is our go-to brunch spot for when we are feeling like doing something nice. We always get coffee, the amazing pastries from A&J King, a side of sausage and a brunch item main from the menu.

The venue is clean and nice. Decor and ambiance is elegant but inviting. We are always enamoured with the glassware and pottery choices for the tables.

The staff is incredibly friendly. Shout-out to Isabella who was our very kind and attentive server the other day!

The brunch menu items are great. Sizeable portions, wonderful flavor, and well thought-out. We are fans of the croque madame and the baked eggs. The real showstopper though is the sausage. We always order a side portion before we do anything else. They flavor, juiciness and snap on them is beyond, and currently only $5 for two. And these are the dinky sausages we have sadly become accustomed to- these are chunky (and mouthwatering).

Head on over for brunch, you won't be disappointed.“

“Not sure what the experience the other reviewers here had but we had an unbelievably amazing experience! The views were out of this world- nowhere else in Beverly can say the same. Our server Carolyn was absolutely amazing- she was so diligent with the allergies at our table and took the time to recommend things that would fit all of our needs. We will definitely be back and would always request her. Food was amazing, huge portions, flavorful, and came out so quickly! A must in the area! The only down-side was parking, but we figured it out!“

“On our Ladies Day out July 8, 2025, we picked Seaport Grille for our dinner spot. Beautiful ocean front setting. Can dine inside or out. I had the mussles appetizer over a side of linguini that came with 2 pieces of Garlic bread. Someone got the Lobster Roll. All the food and drinks were excellent. The waiter was spot on. Very clean. Highly recommend.“

“Fun atmosphere. Good service and food“

“Great food - dinner and dessert! Great views. And the staff is so friendly. Highly recommend!“

“In a town of witch kitsch, Trade House is a breath of fresh air. The decor doesn't scream as much maritime and mercantile history as I hoped but the atmosphere and the menu certainly make up for it. Highly recommend the Jumbo Crab Cake as a starter. This is a golden seared, griddled crab cake bursting with sweet, succulent crab meat and fresh vegetables. Served with a zesty New Orleans remoulade that packs a Southern kick and a petite salad for a crisp, refreshing balance. And their chef's *really shine with their specials. That's where I recommend the Surf and Turf Dog. And this isn’t your average frank. It’s a jumbo all beef masterpiece stacked with crispy, golden fried Essex clams, drizzled in house made tartar and a splash of tangy cocktail sauce, all nestled in a warm, buttery brioche bun. Served with kettle chips and crunchy pickles for the perfect crunch. It’s land and sea, comfort and adventure all in one unforgettable bite. There is literally nothing in Salem like this. And lastly, their drinks....oh my gods, their drinks. I had the "Trade Secret". Bold, smooth whiskey takes the lead in this mysterious and refined cocktail, delivering rich warmth with every sip. It’s expertly layered with the bittersweet depth of amaro, brightened by fresh orange, cherry, and a twist of lime. The result? A bold yet balanced drink with a touch of intrigue. It's strong, citrusy, and just sweet enough to keep you coming back for the next secret. Tourists and locals, check this new place out. Such a breath of fresh air and down the street from Derby Wharf.“

“We loved the uncommon beer selections and atmosphere! So much that we stopped in twice both night we were in town.“

“We were looking for a place to watch the Lions game while in town visiting Salem. This bar was recommended to us by someone we met in Gloucester. The bar's atmosphere small, well put together, clean and welcoming Irish pub. We met the owner who made us feel like we were long lost friends. Service was attentive and consistent. We went back 2 nights in a row. Thank you, to the staff and Kieran for being great! Definitely recommend checking this place out while in town.“

“Good food, great drinks !! Nice water view !! A little noisy though !! Thanks for a wonderful evening Sharon D.“

“OMG! The food is delicious!!!!“

“Place is so unique! Love the antique feel! Had a wonderful time dining on the patio with friends!“

“Always a good meal and relaxing atmosphere. Thanks Larry!“

“They have the best pinball selection!“

“Me and my family visited Salem yesterday for a little roadtrip, we come to Salem all the time (we are from New York). My sister mentioned that we go somewhere different to have lunch/dinner. We selected on The Counter, Ashley (hostess, waitress) charmingly greeted us and we picked a table to sit. The menu was very simple and had great selections. My sister and mother got the counter salad wrap, I got the Counter Burger, my daughter 12” cheese pizza and sister in law the grilled cheese. The amount of satisfaction being whispered out of our mouths…oh my god! Everyone’s food was absolutely delicious, we all voted that this will be our food place to eat every time we come to Salem. With the amount of hospitality, Kindness and attentiveness that Ashely gave to us, she was top notch! You have one AMAZING employee at The Counter. We can wait to come back, we would love to check out Hotel Salem one day. So all in all, myself and my family give The Counter a 10 out of 10, and we give Ashley a 10 out of 10!!!!“

“My husband and two of our closest friends came in for lunch yesterday and had a great first time experience Our server, Vie came over to us right away and greeted us, took our drink order and made me the best dirty martini I ever had. It was perfect. Vie made our stay very enjoyable. Her sweet personality and service made it a memorable experience. We’ll be back soon!!!! Thank you Vie“

“Love the service!! The guy at the desk is a really outgoing and friendly individual! Love the pizza and the specials they have, and I love how it comes out nice and hot, as well as fresh. I highly recommend it too anyone in the Salem MA area!!! 🫶🏼🙌🏼“

“Some friendships have a way of picking up right where they left off, no matter how much time passes between visits. That was exactly the case when Cheryl and I met up with our longtime friends John and Mary Lou for dinner at Post in Hamilton.

Several years ago they moved from Georgetown to Beverly, so we do not get together nearly as often as we used to. Not only are they dear friends, but Mary Lou has also been Cheryl's hairstylist for years. Since they now live on the North Shore, they suggested we meet at Post, which is located in the space many locals will remember as the original Black Cow.

The restaurant was warm and welcoming from the moment we arrived. There is convenient off-street parking behind the building, we were seated immediately for our reservation, and before long our friends arrived and the catching up began.

We started with drinks, and on John's recommendation I ordered a Manhattan. I am glad I listened because it was one of the best Manhattans I have ever had. Cheryl ordered an Aperol Spritz and loved hers as well.

For appetizers, we decided to share a few dishes family style. The standout for me was the Honey Truffalo Cauliflower. The bleu cheese crumbles melted into the glaze and gave the dish an incredibly rich, creamy flavor that had everyone reaching for another bite. We also shared a crab cake that received rave reviews from everyone at the table and I enjoyed a small Cygnet Salad to start my meal.

One thing worth mentioning is that both Cheryl and Mary Lou eat gluten-free. For Cheryl it is a lifestyle choice, while for Mary Lou it is an allergy. The staff was knowledgeable, accommodating, and helped identify menu options that worked for both of them.

For dinner, Cheryl and Mary Lou split the chicken tacos, John ordered the chicken parmesan, and I chose the Blackened Street Corn Scallops. The scallops were perfectly seared, tender, and flavorful, served over a sweet and creamy corn risotto that was every bit as good as the scallops themselves. It was one of those dishes where you find yourself slowing down because you do not want the meal to end.

The prices were very reasonable, the service was attentive and friendly, and there were several other menu items that caught our attention for a future visit.

What made the evening special, though, was the opportunity to spend time with good friends. We spent hours catching up, talking about our growing families, sharing stories about our children, and comparing notes on the joys of becoming grandparents. The conversation was so enjoyable that after dinner we headed back to their home in Beverly for another drink and several more hours of conversation.

Great food, excellent drinks, friendly service, and most importantly a wonderful night spent with great friends. Cheryl and I will definitely be back.“

“We came by on our first day coming into Salem, Massachusetts. We came in at about 2:00 in the afternoon and there was a farmers market going on across the street. It was a wonderful lively place to sit and people watch. Our waitress was incredibly friendly, made sure our drink stayed topped off and kept us with great glasses of ice, cold water and on top of all that the lobster roll came out with such a delicate blend of butter and seasonings. It was beautifully put together. No wonder they're number one“

“First time here we’ll be back!“

“The food, service and entertainment was great“

“You will not find a more beautiful, excellent hotel than here. They have exceptional staff, excellent food, amazing accommodations. There is just not enough good to say about the Beauport Hotel. They did not miss any details. The interior is so beautiful and inviting, the food menus are eclectic and there isn’t a bad seat in the house. Recently ran into a self created 😂 snag, and Lauren went above and beyond duty and out of her way to resolve it! Don’t miss the Beauport.“