New American Restaurants near Salem, MA

“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 🍷🍾🍹“

“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 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.“

“OMG! The food is delicious!!!!“

“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!!!!“

“They have the best pinball selection!“

“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!!! 🫶🏼🙌🏼“

“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“

“This place is one of the best places I’ve been to in a hot minute! The bottomless brunch and $4 mimosas had my best friend and I making immediate reservations! The staff and management are so sweet and truly care about the service they provide. This really is the place to go and if you haven’t yet you better get on it babe! Will be here once a month at least! Seriously obsessed! 🤍“

“Some of the best fish tacos I’ve had in this area. Which is wild because we’re not near the sea lol. Amazing pretzel as well. My girlfriend got the truffle pizza and she said it was to die for. First time ever coming here and will definitely be back. Shout out Papa as well. Attentive and very kind.“

“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!“

“Our favorite date night restaurant!! We love Berry Tavern! Great food, great drinks and great service!“

“What a great night! We thought we were going to a fundraiser, but after checking the ticket it’s next month🤦🏼‍♀️ So since we were ready for a night out we ventured to Swampscott to check out G Bar! Reservations highly encouraged, but our timing worked out perfectly and we got two seats at the bar! Had a delicious meal starting with crispy shrimp with sriracha, lemon garlic aioli, cilantro then we shared a Caesar salad, lightly dressed and not too garlicky and had Wasabi tuna and NY Strip steak for our entrees! Yummo!! Patrons were so nice, as was all the staff! Andrew was a great bartender and seemed to know everyone there! Great vibe, great food! We’ll definitely be back! — eating dinner with my love with Joe Florentino at G Bar and Kitchen.“

“The food and drink were awesome, restaurant was clean and organized, service was fast and great, and Marcy is the best!“

“Came for a 90s brunch with a group of relatives. Even though we were all of varied ages, the music variety was great. Food took a while to prepare, but it was worth the wait. We each tried different dishes and everything was delicious. Very fresh and seasoned. The drinks, mocktails, and teas were tasty too. It was nice to have non-alcoholic options. I would definitely recommend this place and visit again.“

“Fun atmosphere. Good service and food“

“I'm originally from just outside New Orleans, LA. Came here with a friend and was all too curious that they had Jambalaya on the menu. I cannot stress this enough. Order the Jambalaya. It reminded me of home.“

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

“best coffee great food 😋 I highly recommend the Melts smoothies are the best I really love Daily harvest“

“The food was beyond delicious—authentic, flavorful, and clearly made with love. Every dish tasted fresh and well-seasoned, and the portions were generous. I highly recommend trying their pupusas, carne asada, and tamales—everything we ordered was a hit!

The customer service was just as impressive. The staff was incredibly welcoming, attentive, and friendly. They made sure we felt at home from the moment we walked in. You can tell they care about their customers and take pride in what they do.

If you’re looking for great Central American food in Lynn with top-notch hospitality, El Gran Jaguar is a must-visit. I’ll definitely be coming back!“

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

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

“My wife and I have not had much luck with dining out lately so when it came to picking a restaurant for our anniversary dinner I was nervous that I would find the right place. I came across Nine Elm and read the reviews. They were amazing. So we made a reservation but I was still cautiously optimistic. Things could not have gone better! We arrived and where we were seated was noising, not what we wanted for an anniversary dinner. When I asked the waitress if there was a quieter spot she went to speak to the manager in we were moved immediately. The general atmosphere of the restaurant is nice and the staff is very friendly but professional. The wine was lovely and the food delicious. We ordered the duck and the swordfish special and they were both cooked to perfection. For dessert we split a Creme Brule. The custard was light and creamy a pleasant surprise. We had an amazing time. We will be back!“

“I had lunch with friends here yesterday and everything was great but I have to mention that our server, Russell, was hands done, one of the best servers I have ever had. He gave us plenty of time to catch up with each other with cocktails (about an hour!), He paid for a round of drinks because we wanted to order from the brunch menu but missed it because we talked for so long. He said it was his fault for not reminding us! Unheard of! He let us have a leisurely 3 hour lunch, with no pressure at all, and was very attentive when we needed him. He even sent over a delicious birthday dessert without even being asked! Russell is The Best!!“

“Had the best chicken parm I've ever had. The guy next to me tried to steal a bite.“

“My son and his friends and the moms went out for dinner here last night. The Burgers and pizza were great. Cool atmosphere with the TVs. The manager was very friendly and wait staff was excellent. We’ll definitely go back.“

“Fantastic Dining Experience at Sophia’s!

During my recent 4-day stay at the Marriott Peabody, I had the pleasure of dining at Sophia’s a couple of times, and every visit was outstanding. I tried the Bam Bam Shrimp one night and the Fish & Chips another, along with several adult beverages. Everything I ordered was excellent.

The Bam Bam Shrimp had a perfect kick of spice without being overpowering, and the Fish & Chips were lightly battered, crispy, and generously portioned. The drinks were also top-notch and paired nicely with the meals.

Sophia’s quickly became one of the highlights of my trip. I highly recommend stopping in—great food, great drinks, and a great experience overall!“

“Great firecracker shrimp.“

“Un lugar muy rico para comer creo que hay meseras que es falta un poco de entrenamiento pero el lugar super agradable y súper“

“very nice food beautiful restaurant“

“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.“

“TB 12 Burger...Heavenly l!!!“

“Great service. Took my shellfish seriously. Great food and Clara was great.“

“The food, service and entertainment was great“

“Try the awesome wings or you're missing out“

“RETURNED for my BIRTHDAY - - excellent pizza - - my favorite is their SPECIAL - - CRUST is worth the pizza - - excellent
Used to eat here - - moved away 6 years ago - - it was GOOD then - - I hear under New Management - - NO PROBLEM - we ordered delivery of HOUSE SPECIAL pizza - - prompt, courteous delivery - - BEST PIZZA I have had ANYWHERE in YEARS. TASTY - keep up the good work“

“Great place to relax and have a ice cold beer, plenty of beer taps to choose from, mixed drinks are excellent, huge food menu, daily specials everyday, live music on Fridays, awesome wait staff and bar tenders.“

“Daily Fresh menu Baba Pizza Garden“