Where to eat in Salem

Where to eat in Salem

1. Eat

   A&J King Artisan Bakers

   Opened in 2006, this bakery won a Best of Boston award from Boston Magazine in 2009 & 2012. Serves fresh breads & pastry, coffee & tea in a traditional cafe setting. Plenty of sammie options for breakfast and lunch. PB&J and Fluffernutters for the kids.

   8AM-3PM daily·$4-15

2. Eat

   Adriatic Restaurant

   Upscale Mediterranean and Italian offerings with outdoor seating. The dishes look as good as they taste. Any of the seafood options are great, but the Faroe Island Salmon is quite popular. The house-made pizzas offer tasty alternatives at a lower price point. Take advantage of the full bar and extensive wine list.

   Mon-Fri 4-10PM, Sat Sun noon-9PM·$15-30

3. Eat

   Bella Verona

   This little trattoria has been serving quality Italian cuisine since 1996. One popular house specialty, the Linguini Capesante e Gamberi, features shrimp and scallops in a slightly spicy tomato sauce. If you're thinking about dessert, the cannoli are made in-house.

   4-10PM daily·$25-45

4. Eat

   Boston Hot Dog Co.

   This family business run by the chef and owner churns out a wide selection of tubed meats. Get the basic, or go for something more artisanal like the Cubano. Shares additional reclaimed parking-spot outdoor space with Melt, just next door.

   Mon-Sat 11AM-4PM, Sun noon-4PM·$6-12

5. Eat

   Coffee Time Bake Shop

   Visit this well loved bakery just outside the prime tourist area for sandwiches, doughnuts, and some Polish selections. The few house specialties on offer change with the seasons. Locals come though all day long looking to find their next fix of caffeine and sugar.

   5AM-11PM·$4-18

6. Eat

   Dube's Seafood

   Seafood stuff in a simple setting since the swinging sixties.

   Tue-Sat 11AM-9PM·$15-35

7. Eat

   Finz

   Somewhat fancy seafood spot overlooking Derby Wharf. Nice, but quite touristic.

   11:30AM-9PM daily·$22-45

8. Eat

   Flying Saucer Pizza Company

   Pizzas and craft beers, with a classic sci-fi movie and TV show theme. Voted Bons best of north shore 2021. Some outdoor seating in Lapin Park.

   Mon-Thu 3-9PM, Fri Sat noon-10PM, Sun noon-9PM·$10-30

9. Eat

   Front Street Coffeehouse

   Serving bagels, coffee & tea. Fresh soups and a variety of sandwich specials. No wi-fi, but great people watching location. On cold days they offer a hot pear apple ginger juice. The art exhibits adorning the walls rotate each month, and on some evenings you might catch a live music performance.

   Mon-Fri 7AM-4PM, Sat Sun 8AM-2PM·$5-15

10. Eat

    Gulu-Gulu Café

    A European-style café that features live music and local art. Outdoor seating on Lappin Park and a warm interior environment. High quality curated beer list featuring offerings from near and far.

    Sun-Wed 8AM-8PM, Thu-Sat 8AM-midnight·$10-20

11. Eat

    Howling Wolf Taqueria

    California-style taqueria featuring cuisine inspired by the Southwest. What started as a simple take-out taco joint evolved into much more, as owners Patrick Schultz and Matthew Gaughan brought in a chef from Guadalajara, and decked out the dining room with wood floors, a fun bar, and colorful artwork.

    11:30AM-9PM daily·$12-25

12. Eat

    Melt Ice Cream

    Boasting about 20 rotating flavors, stop in to one of the finest purveyors of ice cream in town. Sustainable and organic ingredients used wherever possible, and locally owned. Two converted parking spaces provide outdoor seating.

    Mon 3-7PM, Wed-Thu 1-9PM, Fri 1-10PM, Sat noon-10PM, Sun noon-9PM, Tue Closed·$5-8

13. Eat

    Nathaniel's Restaurant

    Traditional New England fare in a 1920s atmosphere. Serving breakfast, brunch, and dinner. Often offers live entertainment on weekends 6-9PM in the tavern. No cover charge or reservations.

    8-11AM, 5-9PM daily·Breakfast $20-30, dinner $40-70

14. Eat

    Red's Sandwich Shop

    This popular downtown eatery established in 1945, resides in the London Coffee House, established 1698. You can't go wrong ordering a Red’s Steak Bomb Omelet and washing it down with a fresh cup of coffee. The huge 17th century fireplace remains, where Patriots once argued in favor of revolution. Reservations not accepted, so be prepared for a bit of a wait.

    Mon-Sat 7AM-3PM; Sun 7AM-2PM·$8-16

15. Eat

    Rockafellas

    You can enjoy outside dining here in mild weather. At night, Rockafellas is a usual hot spot with local bands. A fun atmosphere with classy taste.

    Sun-Thu 11:30AM-10PM, Fri Sat 11:30AM-1AM·$20-30

16. Eat

    The Tin Whistle

    Get off the main drag and visit the Tin Whistle. A fun little hole in the wall with great family feel, food, and service. Typical pub offerings like a juke box, pool table, and dart board; with food specials most nights. They often host events and giveaways, and occasionally run charity fundraisers.

    Thu-Sun noon-1AM, Mon-Wed 3PM-midnight·$12-18

17. Eat

    Turner’s Seafood at Lyceum Hall

    Classic New England seafood dining combining a lively oyster bar with Salem's first, fresh, locally-sourced seafood market. The lobster pie might be absurdly priced, but it never fails to delight. Built in the historic Lyceum Hall downtown, featuring brick walls and high tin-covered ceilings. Sister locations in Gloucester and Melrose.

    Tue-Thu 4-9PM, Fri-Sun noon-9PM·$20-50

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Salem (CC BY-SA 4.0).