The LOCAL Kitchen & Drinks Waltham

I’d happily recommend them to friends. They made it all stress-free.

First time at the local, an it was a pleasant one. The atmosphere was lovely, food was good, an the customer service exceptional.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Great food, excellent drink menu, always helpful wait staff and very friendly. Also, right off the highway so easy for business meetings from either north or south. Always recommend this restaurant.

Went to the local for the first time. I can’t believe I haven’t been here before the food in atmosphere are fantastic. We ordered The Hong Kong noodle bowl, Rosemary garlic salmon and the steak tips, everything was delicious. Our waitress was Nikki and the service couldn’t have been better. Probably one of the best experiences I’ve had at a restaurant.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

A Most Splendid Evening at The Local in Waltham

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a weary soul in possession of an appetite must be in want of The Local.

Upon my recent visit to Waltham, that industrious town nestled in the bosom of Massachusetts, I was most agreeably persuaded to dine at The Local—an establishment so delightfully appointed and so thoughtfully operated, that it would surely win the approval of even the most discriminating of palates, be they of Netherfield or Longbourn.

From the moment I entered, I was struck by the balance of elegance and ease—no ostentation, but rather a genteel charm that suggested one was both out in society and quite at home. The staff greeted me not with the chill of practiced formality, but with the kind attentiveness of a beloved cousin who has just put the kettle on.

The menu, I must say, was a literary delight in itself—every item artfully composed, yet without pretension. I partook of the truffle fries (a dish which, I daresay, would have tempted even Lady Catherine to overindulge) and followed them with the buttermilk fried chicken, whose golden crust and tender center could very well mend a broken heart. As to the seasonal cocktails, they are composed with such cleverness and spirit that even Mr. Darcy might permit himself a second glass.

Yet the true merit of The Local lies not merely in its fare—though that is exceptional—but in its atmosphere. It is a place where conversation flows freely, where laughter is unforced, and where every guest is made to feel, if not quite a heroine, then at least a dear and welcome friend.

Should your travels carry you to Waltham, and should your heart incline toward good cheer and excellent nourishment, you will find no finer refuge than The Local. I am, indeed, already most eager to return—and next time, I shall insist upon dessert.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

A decent place to eat with great comfort food.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Food was so good, drinks were delicious as well. Great location for a small private function.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

My experience at this restaurant has been disappointing for me and my family. The customer service was very poor. After they assigned us a table, we waited for a waiter for more than 20 minutes. He never arrived. They passed us by and ignored us.

Came here with my family on a Sunday, waited at my table after being seated by the hostess for about 20 minutes and no one offered us water, no one came to our table, I had no choice but to leave to another restaurant where the attention was wonderful (Copper House Tavern)

Great food, better people….bring back the steak sandwich!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The LOCAL is a good restaurant for dates, meetings with friends, and dinner if you're at one of the nearby hotels. The menu is ok, there are choices for all tastes, and it's not just another sports bar with pub food.

So pretty good, right? Yeah, it's ok. But it's not special or remarkable or exceptional in any way. I have been a few times and found the service weak -- wait staff harried and not well trained. Little things like water glasses not refilled, couldn't find the server when there was a question about the food she just delivered, and so on. Not terrible, just ok.

Finally, it's pretty pricey.

The LOCAL is an ok restaurant and I'll probably go there next time I am in Waltham and want to meet a friend for dinner. But just OK.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 2

We ate outside. The music was incredibly loud. I couldn’t have a decent conversation with my friend. I asked our server if she could lower the volume. She said she would ask her boss. She came back later and said that the owner likes the music loud.

I ordered the Cajun chicken sandwich. I really didn’t like it. All in all – never going back

Atmosphere: 1

First time at this LOCAL location. It was packed and busy, but they got us seated pronto. Staff was super nice and helpful, but clearly insanely busy. A popular Mexican spot in the same strip mall was closed that night, which apparently drove diners next door. It was loud as a result, and rather chaotic with quite a number of large (8-16) parties. They did a great job with the chaos. My steak tips salad was quite yummy. The fries were less impressive - not crispy at all. Cocktail was mediocre. I'd visit again, but won't rush to.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 5

Wonderful atmosphere and service. The food was plentiful and delicious. Jack was pleasant and interactive at the bar. A+++

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Felt like I could have made it better at home… and I’m not a chef. No offense.