Salem boasts a rich history with witch trials, and offers classic New England seafood, clam chowder, and dishes infused with local produce and maritime staples.
Soup • Pasta • French • American
"I had found Settler on Yelp and I really wanted to eat here during our one day in Salem. After walking all day, Settler was out last stop on our day in the Witch City. I never anticipated to have my best culinary experience in Salem, but here I am telling the tale. Settler has a 3 course meal style of serving. We received the chef picked appetizers. I don?t have the exact names, but it was a ricotta style dip, a pumpkin hummus, and another dish that was like a falafel. It was all phenomenal. We also decided to get a cocktail called a Yusuf Highball. It was refreshing, light and exactly what we needed after a long day of ghost stories, witch trial history and people watching. Once we had our order taken, we had settled on a few different dishes. As a starter, I chose the shrimp and it was so insanely good. I could have easily kept eating that. My husband ordered the pate and he cleared his plate. I had the Spaghetti with clams. I really should have taken a picture of the menu to have the real dish names. This was the best pasta I have ever had. It was a white sauce base. It was fresh, decadent and yet light at the same time. My husband had the beef two ways. Both him and our friend raved about it. I had a piece and it was melt in your mouth delicious. My friend?s husband has the chicken and they both said it was delicious. Although we felt stuffed to the brim, we had to have dessert. We all shared the cheesecake and the chocolate tart. Both rich yet light. Aside from the incredible food, the people there were amazingly kind. We were able to be feet away watching the chef work with his team. This was something that truly stuck with me. We even wanted to know where they had gotten their cocktails stirrers from, and the chef showed us the link. This place was a true culinary experience. It was delicious, beautifully kept, and had wonderful people. The bartender also gave us wonderful recommendations for Maine. I do plan to come back to the Witch City and Settler i"
Cheese • Burgers • American • Ice Cream
"Had the double cheese burger combo was very very good the lemon ice-cream was delicious!!! Very friendly family owned and operated I talked briefly with the owner) we are from Kenosha Wisconsin and I wish we had a an ice-cream shop like this by us. Would highly recommend if in the area to stop and eat and enjoy."
Vegan • Coffee • Desserts • Ice Cream
"Definitely a must to check out for cookies and ice cream. They've got vegan ice cream which is really interesting cuz I don't think I've ever had that before and it tasted like it was made with coconut milk. The fatties cookies are wicked good essentially it's like a cookie with like something stuffed in it like fudge or caramel or another cookie I can't really explain it you just have to go there and try it for yourself It was amazing. You can basically get a cookie to go or get a cookie in an ice cream That's where you get that vegan ice cream from. It was good, no, wicked good!"
Tea • High Tea • Breakfast • Sandwiches
"Absolutely adorable! This place feels like it's straight out of a storybook! It's beautifully decorated, creating a whimsical, charming, and fun atmosphere. If you're not well-versed in tea (like me), don’t worry; the staff is incredibly helpful in guiding you through the selection process. The tea menu is brimming with flavors, and you can even buy some as loose leaf. No matter your preference, there's a tea just for you. We tried the mango passion and rose hip hibiscus, both of which were delightful. I also tasted the chocolate chip cookies, which were wonderfully dense and delicious. The only hiccup we encountered was that the staff forgot our ticket, and we ended up waiting for about half an hour. Fortunately, a server noticed and took care of everything. Mistakes happen, but we enjoyed every minute of our time there. We will definitely be back!"
American • Canadian • Contemporary • North American
"Food I am so happy that I found another five-star restaurant. The food was top notch. We had oysters, pop over and fried calamari as starters. The oysters were so fresh that I did not want to stop eating them. The pop over was something we went back and forth if we should order. It looked like a muffin and we were afraid it might be too much. We asked the waiter for advice and he said it is very light. You know what? The top over is a must try. It is almost like a balloon and tastes amazing with some butter on it. The fried calamari didn’t disappoint as well. For main course, we ordered lobster spaghetti and fried chicken. Both of them were very flavourful and the portion was generous. At that point, we were too full to order any desserts. Everything else The service was fabulous. Our waiter was friendly and gave us good advice on the menu. During the dinner, I knocked down my cocktail, and they quickly came over to clean it and gave me a new one. I will definitely go back."
Beer • Wine • Healthy • Vegetarian
"Second time at Jocelyn's, good authentic Mediterranean food. We sampled a nice selection of appetizers, which were all very good. Mixed drinks were well crafted for my co-diners, my scotch on the rocks was a good pour. Main courses were all huge. The chicken shawarma that two of us had was overcooked and on the dry side, but the leftover tzatziki from the apps kept the plate edible. We visited (two couples) on an early on Sunday night and the place was very crowded. There was a table of 20 nearby that did not effect our service, but probably was the reason for the dry shawarma. All the veggies on the apps and mains were fresh and perfectly ripe. We'll be back."
Pizza • Salad • Lunch • American
"Friend took me here ranting about this place how good it is, we both get steak Bombs with extra cheese (only American) we go outside as she in pain has hard time walking n standing I walk her car then go back inside check on our order. I get our order bring it to her she at first so happy very hungry besides in pain til she opens her sub to realize cheese stringy, doesn't taste right n will not eat it as not American cheese. She in so much pain unable walk over without help that I offered go inside for her see if I can get it fixed for her. I go inside show them the sub they use there fingers n say that's American cheese n will not remake it n refuses to do anything about it especially after they handled it with there fingers in the sub which is nasty already to give back a customer a sub that multiple ppl touched n chuckle at there face. I go back out explain what happen n she threw that sub instantly away. If I could give 0 stars I would. I will be reporting to board of health that they put there fingers in food n gave it back to a customer which is disgusting itself n they rewrapped up the sub like was no big deal. Not mention from when I walked back in did I see him clean his hands at all before even touching n prodding the sub. Only thing good was the onion rings yet they were super greasy. She used to love eating here n lost a long term customer"
Soup • Juice • Organic • American
"Update nov 2021: my review below from 2020 is still accurate. Have given this place several more tries this year and it seems to be even worse regarding hit-or-miss QC. Got some things that were okay and some things that were totally inedible. There are so many better vegan options in Salem who actually care about their customers and their staff. Original review, June 2020: Used to be a weekly (sometimes bi-weekly) regular here for many years between 2015 and 2018 but since the Panera takeover has gone into full swing, there is basically no consistency in terms of the food and quality has definitely gone downhill. Past several times I 've been in, orders have been wrong or preparation has been wack and has ranged from being just okay to being borderline not edible because of bad preparation. Vegetables can be undercooked, proportions are all over the place (e.g.: too many onions, way too much sauce, too little sauce), portion sizes have gotten smaller while prices have gone up. Seems like staff turnaround is really fast — used to have regulars I knew and now it seems to be new people every time I go in. Recently talked to some old employees about how working there ended up being a disaster after the corporate takeover and all of them left as a result. The juices and smoothies are still solid. It seems as the chain is rapidly expanding into Boston, the quality control at this location has suffered. Apparently the one in Cambridge is still good. Updated from previous review on 2021-11-29"
Fish • Seafood • American • Pacific Rim
"this restaurant is a beautiful place to eat. eating was exceptional and not as expensive as some other places could be. I had a small filet on my first visit and it was perfectly delicate and tasteful. at my next visit I had a big Caesar salad with black salmon and it was also perfectly spiced. they have a great selection of entrees. the wine list is long. the tempranillo was local and fabulous. The Appetizer menu is also long and varied. the shrimp cocktail was tender and juicy and the meerrettich is real. the building has a rich history and they have integrated hardware and details from the old general business it was earlier. the owner came to our table and told us the story and answered a series of questions I had. we decided that we will be regular so that we can try everything on the menu and enjoy the calm, quiet, cozy atmosphere."
Cafés • Pizza • Lunch • Italian
"I thought I knew what good pizza and tiramisu were, but then I had Papa's. This is far and away better than any pizza and Tiramisu I've had- better than in New York, Chicago, or even from when I was fortunate enough to visit Italy. It's been a couple of days, but I can still remember how it tasted.We had the margarita pizza- a simple sauce, basil, and cheese. The sauce had a subtly spiced deep tomato flavor that tasted somehow both fresh and concentrated without coming across like a tomato paste. Its bread base was moist but not soggy, just the right amount of chewy, and had a subtle fermented quality that helped it go down easy. As for the Mozzarella, it was simple, clean, and had the subtle sweetness of fresh dairy. Everything was in perfect balance and left my stomach full but not too full. I was sated, but still hungry for more after half a medium pizza.We finished with the tiramisu. The creamy top layer was light and sweet, with a healthy dusting of good cocoa. Beneath that were lady fingers soaked in cream that was reminiscent of tres leches cake and maintained a perfect body. The bottom layer absorbed an excellent espresso that offered just the right amount of bitterness as well as a deep, complex coffee flavor that complemented the cacao as well.It was absolute bliss, and if you're in the area you owe it to yourself to give it a try."
Wine • Meat • Pizza • American
"Our server was new but was super sweet and tried her best to give great service. We were there to relax and have a good time so we were not in a rush. Food was good as always though one of our desserts (chocolate brownie) was dry and hard suggesting it was rather dated. We sent it back and got tiramisu instead. Server was kind and traded it no questions asked Only thing to improve would be managing reservations a bit more... I know the night was busy but we did make a reservation and were seated minutes after our time which was frustrating since that is why we made the reservation; so we didn't have to wait. Besides that, the night was great ð"
Meat • Lunch • Cheese • Mexican
"**Meal Type:** Takeout **Price Range per Person:** $10–20 **Food Rating:** 5/5 **Service Rating:** 5/5 **Atmosphere Rating:** 5/5 **Recommended Dish:** Combo Meal I recently enjoyed a fantastic takeout lunch, and I couldn’t be more pleased! The food was exceptional, earning a perfect score of 5. Each dish was flavorful and well-prepared. The service was equally impressive, with friendly staff making the ordering process quick and easy, also deserving a score of 5. The overall atmosphere of the restaurant shines brightly, even for takeout. It creates a welcoming vibe that's hard to forget. I highly recommend trying the Combo Meal—it’s a delicious option that won’t disappoint!"
Soup • Salad • Salads • American
"The gyro burger hit the spot! My kids and I loved the éclaire lasagna the peanut butter lasagna for dessert. Kid-friendliness: They have board games, crayons, drawing books, etc. to keep your kids occupied while you wait for your food. Service: Dine in Meal type: Dinner Price per person: $10–20 Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5 Recommended dishes: Gyros"
Indian • Vegetarian • Delivery Services • Vegetarian Friendly
"So yummy got it twice in a row! So many seasonings, piping hot and really fresh so far. Everything I’ve gotten so far has been exceptional. They do take a little longer than other places to prepare the food but it’s worth it. Also cheaper than other Indian food spots around which is nice. They package takeout so nicely and always add a little extras here and there. Wish they were closer to where I live; I drive 20 minutes to enjoy their food. They nail the chicken korma, I’d say even better than the butter chicken! Online ordering is easy, too! Gotta give them a try you won’t be disappointed."
Pizza • Italian • Sandwiches • Delivery Services
"As a cook I appreciated thier loaded staff behind the counter kitchen!Food was spot along w/ service etc.Another guide suggested the LG. Italian...Woof... I finished 3/4 took a peice home just because! DEFINITELY a diamond in the rough!Living in Boston my whole life sub shops are everywhere most r small business owed where u get that home cooked feel even when ordering just a cold cut sub.Leave the city and it's a toss of the dice when finding a great sub in my experience!We will be back for sure!"
Full • Kebab • Spanish • Cocktail
"I had a group of 8 people attend a car club dinner that I organized and attended at Cozy Taberna. Our first time, our server was not clear on how we should order. Being not clear, the couples decided to order per couple. The food came in small bursts, so not everyone was able to eat right away, though we did share. The food was very good (5 stars)Except for the $47 steak which 2 couples ordered came at the very end AND cold. Now, people...when you pay $47 for a small steak...it better be right...both steaks were cold. So... was it that the server that just forgot? Don't know, all I saw was 4 people leaving this steak and the server offered free dessert instead. Are you serious!!I will not recommend to all 500 members of our car club to try out this restaurant and anyone else that needs to bring more than 4 people."
Coffee • Burgers • Western • American
"I was really impressed with the menu options and pricing from this company. After a phone consultation on November 10th, I was told to expect a proposal by the end of the day. However, more than two weeks have passed, and I still haven't heard anything. I've tried reaching out through email and text, but received no response. Now I have to start looking for a caterer again, which is quite upsetting and stressful, especially with my big day approaching. Unfortunately, I can't recommend Sassy Onion."
Beer • Seafood • American • Bar-lounge
"The restaurant offers a great variety of delicious food, all complemented by a lovely view of the water. I dined in for lunch, and the price per person was between $20 and $30. Both the food and service were excellent, earning a solid 5 out of 5. The atmosphere was also fantastic, with another 5 out of 5 rating. I highly recommend trying the seafood dishes!"
Fish • Meat • Cheese • Seafood
"We started with appetizers: the Fish Chowder was truly the best I’ve ever tasted. For those who know, The Causeway in Gloucester also serves great Fish Chowder, but Turners definitely gives them a run for their money! I personally think Turners' version is even better. As for the chicken fingers, I didn’t get to sample them because my 13-year-old daughter devoured them all! She claimed they were delicious. The fried shrimp appetizer was also a hit; I tried one despite not being a big shrimp fan, and I found them fantastic! They were fresh, not oily or greasy, with a delightfully mild sweetness. The fresh-baked loaf of bread with butter was warm, toasty, and delectable. And the Mac and Cheese appetizer? Wow! I pride myself on making great Mac and Cheese, but this blew mine out of the water! It was so delicious that we ended up finishing the leftover cheese sauce—yes, it was that good. The aged cheddar flavor was unbelievable! For our entrees, we all opted for the Fried Haddock plate. One daughter had hers with jasmine rice and spinach with garlic, the other with mashed potatoes and asparagus, and I chose mashed potatoes with spinach and garlic. Everything was simply fantastic—10 stars all around! We rounded off the meal with dessert: a delightful Strawberry Shortcake, complete with a birthday candle, and a crème brûlée. Both were absolutely delicious! Our server was a wonderful woman who treated us like royalty, and the three young male servers were equally charming and attentive. A huge thank you to all four of you! I’d also like to express my gratitude to the chefs and kitchen staff for their skill and dedication to our meals. I could truly taste the love in every bite! Additionally, thank you to the entire kitchen crew, as well as the managers and owner, for running such a well-operated establishment. It was an honor to dine here! I will definitely return! Thank you, Turners in Salem, for making my birthday night so special! I apologize for not taking any pictures; I was just too caught up in enjoying myself! For anyone reading this, please give Turners a try—you won’t be disappointed!"
Cafés • Seafood • Catering • American
"We have eaten at Wild Pear and ordered takeout several times and always had a good experience and great food. We ordered takeout this afternoon and it was very disappointing. The chicken in the enchilada casserole was so tough we ended up picking it out. The sweet potato fries were so soft they were practically mashed potatoes and you sent home the wrong desert. (I ordered the Guinness cake and received Black Forest). This was after you forgot to include the deserts when I first picked up the order and I had to go back to get them. I realize everyone has bad days but we just spent $70 plus on a dinner and did not enjoy it or feel like we received value for our money. Very disappointing!"