Known for its haunted history and elaborate Halloween celebrations, Salem, Massachusetts, is also home to many excellent restaurants. The coastal town is just 22 miles from Boston; under an hour’s drive from the city or a quick and inexpensive ride on the commuter
rail. During your visit, whether you’re hunting for a potent enough love potion or perusing the town’s robust art scene, fuel up with warming Moroccan tagines, full-to-bursting lobster rolls, and saucy birria. Even witches have to eat.
For this update: We’ve added farm-to-table cafe Maitland Farm, Kitchen & Spirits. And, for now, we’ve removed La Delicia.
Maitland Farm Kitchen & Spirits
84 Derby St, Salem, MA, 01970, US
+19783067097
This cozy cafe is the latest venture by Holly Maitland and Andy Varela, co-owners of Maitland Mountain Farm, an urban farm in Salem. The restaurant serves up soups, sandwiches, and hefty entrees using ingredients from the couple’s 2.5 acre farm and other local and regional farms. The spot also serves beer and wine and cocktails and mocktails that use fresh herbs and aromatics from their harvest. While you’re there, load up on market goods from the farm like the famous Maitland pickles.
Settler
2 Lynde St, Salem, MA, 01970, US
(978) 744-2094
Mediterranean cooking meets seasonal New England ingredients at Settler. Local sourcing is at the core of the menu, which means diners will find bluefin tuna with cucumber, dill, and yogurt, oysters with a rosé mignonette, and spaghetti with lobster. The drinks emphasis is on their curated wine list, but the bar offers a few cordial-based cocktails as well.
Bella Verona
107 Essex St, Salem, MA, 01970, US
(978) 825-9911
Get your Italian fix in this charming red-and-white-checked tablecloth restaurant serving classic red-sauce pasta and big plates of pork loin in pepper sauce and shrimp doused in a white wine cream sauce and served over rice. Linguine with scallops and shrimp in a light red sauce is one of the specialties of the house.
Turner’s Seafood
43 Church St, Salem, MA, 01970, US
(978) 745-7665
This classic seafood spot serves up clam chowder, lobster rolls, steamers, and a catch of the day in Lyceum Hall, rumored to be one of Salem’s most haunted historic sites where notable names like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau used to give lectures. The family-friendly restaurant also has an adjoining fish market serving local haddock from Gloucester.
Gulu-Gulu Cafe
247 Essex St, Salem, MA, 01970, US
(978) 740-8882
A local community hub, Gulu-Gulu has a sought-after craft beer menu, a wide selection of stuffed sandwiches, and rotating displays by local artists. Try the festive Season of the Witch IPA from True North Ale Company in Ipswich or the Lychee Blueberry Sour from Couch Dog Brewing Co. right here in Salem. Bonus when the weather’s nice: the patio is dog-friendly.
Blue Fez
118 Washington St, Salem, MA, 01970, US
(978) 744-2700
Enjoy heartwarming Moroccan flavors at Blue Fez, like tagines made with braised lamb shank, dried figs, and saffron or with shrimp, peppers, lemon, and zucchini. The menu offers a hefty list of appetizers and small plates, so you can try many different dishes in one sitting. Don’t pass over dessert: Moroccan pureed dates are a standout served with almonds, shaved coconuts, honey, orange blossom water, and cinnamon on top of ice cream.
Ledger
125 Washington St., Salem, MA 01970
978-594-1908
Housed in a historic bank from the 19th century, Ledger is a trendy gastropub with ample bar seating and a menu based on contemporary New England cuisine. You’ll find small plates like pork belly served with peaches, cashews, pickled peppers, hot honey, and miso vinaigrette alongside hearty pasta and local seafood. Don’t skip the soft popovers served with lemon-thyme butter and beef drippings.
Ugly Mug Diner
122 Washington St, Salem, MA, 01970, US
(978) 745-6844
The Ugly Mug Diner is a classic breakfast, brunch, and lunch spot in central Salem. Order up a breakfast feast with chicken and waffles, chipotle hash Benedict, and steak and eggs, or go for a hearty Cubano sandwich for lunch. They also make their own sodas and offer more than 22 syrup flavors for lattes and steamers.
All Souls Lounge
282 Derby St, Salem, MA, 01970, US
(978) 306-7906
All Souls Lounge is an industry hangout where you can order classic cocktails alongside fancified hot dogs and grilled cheese sandwiches literally overflowing with fun ingredients. Try a Tokyo dog with caramelized onion, teriyaki mayo, black sesame seeds, and scallions, or a banh mi grilled cheese with provolone, pickled daikon radishes and carrots, Sriracha mayo, and more.
Jolie Tea Company
316 Derby Street, Salem, Massachusetts 01970
(978) 745-5654
Channel your inner British royal at Jolie Tea Company’s daily high tea service with tiers of tea sandwiches, macarons, scones, and other traditional finger foods. The tea service is extremely allergy-friendly, with variations for dairy and gluten-free eaters, vegetarian, vegan, and pescatarian diets, and pregnancy. They also offer tea cocktails and mocktails and a light lunch menu with salads, tartines, and quiches.
Notch Brewing
283r Derby Street, Salem, Massachusetts 01970
(978) 412-7674
Notch Brewing has been crafting pale ales, lagers, and pilsners in Salem since 2010. At the Salem taproom, you can try them all while snacking on German-leaning fare like a sausage sandwich on a brioche bun served with sauerkraut, pickled beets, and Düsseldorf mustard.
The Babe
268 Washington St, Salem, MA, 01970, US
(978) 219-2210
The Babe blends the low-key vibe of a neighborhood bar with a comfort food menu and glitzed-up cocktails. Order house-cured confit wings, classic sandwiches like a savory cheesesteak and a tangy Reuben, or packed burgers like the umami one with soy-miso glazed grilled mushrooms, cheddar, and house blue cheese dressing. The peanut butter and jelly, starring the Babe’s homemade jelly, is a particular favorite for dinner or dessert. Come for the sandwiches, stay for the programs: the Babe offers drag trivia, karaoke, live jazz, and a bring-your-own vinyl night every week.
Deacon Giles Distillery
75 Canal St, Salem, MA, 01970
(978) 306-6675
Deacon Giles Distillery makes gin, vodka, and canned cocktails right here in Salem. At the in-house cocktail bar, customers can try out creative creations using their spirits. The menu rotates regularly, but the Psycho Mantis with dry gin, amber rum, lemon, orgeat, anise seed, snap pea syrup, and Peychaud’s is a crowd favorite.
Minzu Sushi
142 Canal St, Salem, MA, 01970, US
(978) 594-5719
A family-run Japanese spot, Minzu Sushi has an extensive menu of maki, sushi, and sashimi offerings, plus sushi entrees and lunch specials. The Salem Maki includes shrimp tempura, avocado, and cucumber with spicy salmon, tempura flakes, eel sauce, and spicy mayo. For a festive touch, try the avocado-wrapped sushi lollipops.
Tepeyac Cocina Mexicana
262 Highland Ave, Salem, MA, 01970, US
(978) 594-4759
Load up on tacos and burritos at this small but mighty Mexican restaurant. The spot serves heaping plates of birria, carne asada, and pollo a la plancha with rice, refried beans, tortillas, and salad. Locals swear by the queso and chips, and hot and crispy churros are available for a sweet treat.
