Where to Eat and Drink in Salem, MA
Restaurants
Salem’s restaurant scene has something for everyone’s taste buds and every diet! From fresh-caught seafood from the North Shore to delectable vegan dishes dressed with locally grown produce, you're destined to be taken on a culinary adventure.
Turner's Seafood at Lyceum Hall
43 Church St, Salem, MA • (978) 745-7665
Turner’s seafood is known for its fresh seafood, warm skillet cornbread, and long history of delicious food.
Cuisine: classic New England seafood
Vibe: historic, traditional, elevated
Best for: chowder & oysters, groups
Tip: book ahead on weekends.
Ledger Restaurant & Bar
125 Washington St, Salem, MA • (978) 594-1908
Ledger, located in Salem’s historic downtown, offers a rotating seasonal menu and locally sourced ingredients.
Cuisine: modern New American
Vibe: upscale, elevated, trendy
Best for: date night, cocktails
Tip: seasonal menus.
Sea Level Oyster Bar
94 Wharf St, Salem, MA • (978) 741-0555
Situated on Salem’s Harbor, Sea Level Oyster Bar is serving up fresh seafood and beautiful views.
Cuisine: seafood/raw bar
Vibe: waterfront casual
Best for: harbor views, lobster rolls
Tip: patio in warm months.
Adriatic Restaurant & Bar
155 Washington St, Salem, MA • (978) 594-1832
The Adriatic is serving up homemade pasta and a delicious selection of Italian and Mediterranean-inspired fare.
Cuisine: Mediterranean/Italian
Vibe: downtown, quaint
Best for: house-made pasta, brick-oven pizza.
Rockafellas
231 Essex St, Salem, MA • (978) 745-2411
Rockafellas offers a wide variety of cuisines from lunchtime to late-night bites, catering to everyone in your party's taste buds.
Cuisine: American/seafood
Vibe: lively, late night
Best for: large groups, live music nights.
Bambolina
288 Derby St, Salem, MA • (978) 594-8709
Serving up wood-fired Neapolitan pizza made with locally sourced ingredients, Bambolina brings a taste of traditional Italy to downtown Salem.
Cuisine: wood-fired pizza
Vibe: casual-chic
Best for: Neapolitan pies
Tip: call to reserve.
Kokeshi
288 Derby St, Salem, MA • (978) 594-4197
Kokeshi, the sister restaurant to Bambolina, features a fun, vibrant atmosphere paired with bold and flavorful dishes.
Cuisine: Asian street-food/ramen
Vibe: playful
Best for: noodles, bao
Bella Verona
107 Essex St, Salem, MA • (978) 825-9911
Serving authentic Italian flavors, this cozy trattoria on Essex Street in Salem is the perfect spot for a comforting meal.
Cuisine: cozy Italian
Vibe: intimate
Best for: classic pastas, low-key date night.
Settler
142 Washington St, Salem, MA • (978) 594-8887
Settler is a trendy, dietary and allergen-conscious restaurant offering Mediterranean-inspired dishes made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Cuisine: seasonal New American, allergy-friendly
Vibe: chef-driven, elevated
Best for: tasting seasonal plates
Mercy Tavern
148 Derby St, Salem, MA • (978) 745-1707
As the neighborly gastropub, Mercy Tavern offers a fun mood, good food, and live music.
Cuisine: tavern fare
Vibe: neighborhood pub
Best for: casual night out
Coffee Shops
There’s no better way to kick off the day than with a piping-hot cup of coffee, or if you want to blend in with the locals, an iced one! Salem is a coffee lover’s dream, with cozy cafés tucked around every corner. Each spot brings its own personality, offering unique brews and seasonal specialties.
Jaho Coffee & Tea (Derby St)
197 Derby St, Salem, MA • (978) 744-4300
130 Canal St, Salem, MA • (978) 594-1485
57 Loring Avenue, Salem, MA • (978)-594-4743
With several locations across Salem, Jaho is a modern coffee and tea shop, perfect for early-birds and night-owls.
Trendy Cafe • Best for: lattes, late hours
Front Street Coffeehouse
20 Front St, Salem, MA • (978) 740-6697
Front Street Coffeehouse is located in the heart of downtown Salem’s historic district, offering a cozy place to stop, sip, and snack.
Indie cafe • Best for: espresso, local vibe, quick bites
Odd Meter Coffee Co.
60 Washington St, Salem, MA
Odd Meter Coffee is a shop celebrated for its fun and creative coffee flavorings, its commitment to sustainability, and inclusivity.
Specialty coffee • Best for: pour-overs, minimalist space
Brew Box
131-2 Essex St, Salem, MA • (978) 594-0064
Brew Box is a quaint spot known for its deliciously crafted coffees and homemade biscuits, perfect for the person on the go.
Walk-up espresso bar • Best for: grab-and-go drinks
Wolf Next Door Coffee
142 Derby St, Salem, MA • (978) 594-1540
From the same owners as the Lobster Shanty, Wolf Next Door is a cozy neighborhood cafe known for its friendly staff and dog-friendly establishment.
Neighborhood cafe • Best for: organic coffee, light bites
Bakeries & Sweets
The smell of freshly-baked bread or confections is destined to put anyone in a spell. Salem is sprinkled with wickedly delicious bakeries, each specializing in its own pastry craft. From classic French techniques to nostalgic homemade treats, you can take your taste buds on a sweet or savory world tour!
A&J King Artisan Bakers
48 Central St, Salem, MA • (978) 745-9111
A&J Bakery is a beloved local favorite, celebrated for its irresistible selection of sweet and savory baked goods, made from whole-grain flour milled in-house.
Specialties: sourdoughs, viennoiserie, sandwiches
Caramel French Patisserie
281 Essex St, Salem, MA • (978) 594-0244
Located in Salem’s bustling and historic downtown, Caramel French Patisserie is known for its traditional French baked goods and gluten-free macarons.
Specialties: macarons, tarts, baguettes
Coffee Time Bake Shop
96 Bridge St, Salem, MA • (978) 744-0995
This family-owned bakery and coffee shop has been a Salem staple for over thirty years. Known and loved for its custom cakes, hand-cut donuts, and baked goods, this quintessential bakery is sure to delight.
Specialties: classic donuts, bismarcks, cakes.
Lulu’s Bakery & Pantry
285 Derby St, Salem, MA • (978) 594-4531
Lulu’s is an American bakery that serves up tasty confections and coffee all day long. Their menu features an array of pastries, breakfast and lunch options, and includes choices for gluten-free and vegan diets.
Specialties: pastries, cakes, coffee, all-day treats
Goodnight Fatty (weekend cookies)
1 Washington Sq, Salem, MA • (978) 822-2277
Good Night Fatty is the ultimate weekend treat, offering limited-run seasonal cookies Thursday through Sunday. Be sure to grab the exclusive “Chubbies” when they drop on Sunday mornings!
Specialties: warm cookies, soft-serve, Sunday breakfast; late-night vibe (Thu–Sun).
Bars, Breweries & Cider/Spirits
Whether you’re chasing nightlife or looking to sip on some local brews, Salem has plenty to offer. From rooftop bars serving specialty cocktails to biergartens with locally crafted beers, there is a spirit for everyone! Sit back, sip, mingle with locals, and listen to live music as you drink in the atmosphere and camaraderie that is Salem.
Notch Brewing (Biergarten & Tap Room)
283R Derby St, Salem, MA • (978) 412-7674
If you enjoy a European Lager, Notch Brewing is pouring them up. This rooftop year-round biergarten is a fun and pet-friendly stop.
Focus: session beers • Best for: riverside beer garden
Far From The Tree Cider
108 Jackson St, Salem, MA • (978) 224-2904
Serving up their regionally made cider, this space captures the flavors of New England. Explore their unique offerings of ciders with a flight, or a full pour of one of your favorites, as you listen to live music.
Focus: craft hard cider • Best for: flights, patio
Deacon Giles Distillery
75 Canal St, Salem, MA • (978) 306-6675
Learn about the creation process behind Deacon Giles Distillery Spirits with a tour of the facility and then toast to your trip and new knowledge with a drink of the founder's choice.
Focus: small-batch spirits • Best for: cocktail bar + events
The Roof (Hotel Salem)
209 Essex St, Salem, MA • (978) 451-4950
Located on top of the Salem hotel, this seasonal bar looks out to the bustling city below with one of the best views in Salem. Sit down, unwind, and enjoy the view with a cocktail.
Focus: tacos, cocktails • Best for: rooftop views (seasonal).
East Regiment Beer Company
30 Church St, Salem, MA • (339) 245-2939
East Regiment Beer Company is a family-friendly atmosphere, enjoy one of their many craft beers and join in on the activities.
Focus: small-batch beer • Best for: taproom + heated patio
Fast Casual (Quick, Affordable, Family-Friendly)
After a day of exploring the local haunts, you might find yourself craving a casual bite. Salem has plenty of spots where you can sit down for a comforting meal that the whole family will enjoy. If you are in the mood to get cozy, opt to take your meal to-go to enjoy back at the inn!
Howling Wolf Taqueria
76 Lafayette St, Salem, MA • (978) 744-9653
Sit down, or take it to go- Howling Wolf is a lively Mexican taqueria with a full bar, generous portions, and a welcoming vibe that’s perfect for families and groups
Mexican • Best for: big portions, lively bar.
Flying Saucer Pizza Company
118 Washington St, Salem, MA • (978) 594-8189
Blending New York classics with creative twists, Flying Saucer has something for everyone, including vegan and gluten-free pies.
Pizza • Best for: creative pies, dairy and gluten-free options
Life Alive Organic Café
281 Essex St, Salem, MA • (978) 594-4644
Life Alive is a cozy atmosphere serving up an array of flavorful and fresh bowls that are customizable to different allergens, including gluten-free, dairy-free, low-sugar, and oil-free options.
Vegetarian/vegan • Best for: bowls, smoothies, allergen-friendly
Red Line Cafe
188 Essex St, Salem, MA • (978) 744-2235
Cozy, convenient, and downtown—Red Line Café is perfect for a coffee break or a quick bite.
Café fare • Best for: paninis, crepes, coffee
Kokeshi
288 Derby St, Salem, MA • (978) 594-4197
Kokeshi, the sister restaurant to Bambolina, features a fun, vibrant atmosphere paired with bold and flavorful dishes.
Asian street-food & ramen • Counter-friendly vibe.
Breakfast & Brunch
Don’t hit snooze on your alarm! With so many diners and brunch spots in Salem, you’ll want to be up and at ’em to get a table. Fuel up for your day of adventure with playful pancake flavors or freshly made bagels. These classic diners serve up all the local New England charm you could want.
Red’s Sandwich Shop
15 Central St, Salem, MA • (978) 745-3527
Located in the former Old London Coffee House in downtown Salem, Red’s historic charm complements its classic diner feel, offering generous portions and an extensive breakfast and & lunch menu.
Highlights: classic diner plates in a historic space; breakfast all day, hours vary
Ugly Mug Diner
122 Washington St, Salem, MA • (978) 745-6844
The Ugly Mug is a quirky diner known for its unique twist to breakfast and lunch staples.
Highlights: creative Benedicts, waffles; 8 am–2 pm daily
Fountain Place Restaurant
232 Essex St, Salem, MA • (978) 744-9572
Steps away from the Bewitched Statue, this spot serves all the classic breakfast and lunch dishes.
Highlights: breakfast & lunch daily; casual diner feel
Bagel World (Salem)
203 Canal St, Salem, MA • (978) 741-5225
Making Fresh bagels daily, Bagel World is known for their wide selection of bagels, cream cheeses, and bagel sandwich offerings.
Highlights: fresh bagels, spreads, breakfast sandwiches
Lulu’s Bakery & Pantry
285 Derby St, Salem, MA • (978) 594-4531
Lulu’s is an American bakery that serves up tasty confections and coffee all day long. Their menu features an array of pastries, breakfast and lunch options, and includes choices for gluten-free and vegan diets.
Highlights: morning pastries, coffee, light breakfast.
Salem’s food scene proves that there is more to this city than just its history. There are gems around every corner waiting to be discovered. If you are staying with us, call our concierge service to see about booking a table at one of our restaurants in town!