Our favorite local restaurant - we go almost every week. Love the seafood, burgers and onion rings. Cocktails are tasty and the brownie sundae is a must have. Morgan is our favorite server and always treats us well. read more

Food was great. Service was perfect. Lots of leftovers to take home. Everyone there were regulars. We are definitely going back. Haddock parm big salad etc and brownie sundae was huge and great. Yum. Like a big happy bar with lots of tables. Nice energy in the air. read more

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My mom and I came for a late lunch (around 1:30pm), and although the place was packed, we only had a short wait for a table. I opted for the baked haddock and my mom ordered the dijon encrusted salmon. Both came with two sides and some warmed bread with whipped butter. We both enjoyed our meals and were pretty full when we left. The bar area was full and very loud, so keep that in mind if you're looking for someplace to have a nice quiet meal. read more

Blue Marlin Grille - Baked haddock with a side of rice - Seafood Near Me - Essex, Massachusetts

Service here is usually quick and always pleasant. The seafood dishes are VERY reasonably priced and the portions are enough for two or three more meals. This is Just a wonderful place for not only for seafood; but also for pasta, salads , chicken, burgers, etc. In the past they had the most wonderful brussel sprouts with pine nuts appetizer, but it is no longer available!!!! Here is hoping the management brings it by back!!! read more

Got the fried seafood platter and it was delicious. Came with Haddock, Clams, Shrimp and Scallops on top of fries and onions rings. The service was spot on and very attentive. It was a very hot day but the space had AC was adequately maintained temperature. No complaints whatsoever. read more

Blue Marlin Grille - Foggy Bottom Chicken Breast baked with breadcrumbs served on sautéed spinach with a cream cheese sauce. - Seafood Near Me - Essex, Massachusetts

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Loved the steamers. You get quite a lot for the price. Looking forward to returning. Was told we would have to wait 25-30 minutes but we were seated in just 10 minutes. read more

I hadn't eaten here in quite a while, so my wife and I decided to try it out today. The food and service were very good. I had the baked haddock, and my wife had the seafood plate. We also shared an appetizer of potato skins. The only drawback for me is that there is limited booth seating. It gets kind of noisy if you have to sit near the bar seating, which we did. The decor is nice, and it has ample parking. read more

Service, perfect fry on fish (not easy), large portions w/o the fake fries mountain, home pour drinks

fish was good, fries were not bread was meh drink was ok prices were a bit high for what it was onion rings were good waitress was not decor was ok bathroom is tiny parking is ok read more

Came here for a great dinner, I really enjoyed the food. This is more of a hometown, local place, than a tourist destination. We ordered Wellfleet oysters to start, and for our meals I ordered the Seafood Fra Diavolo, and my friend ordered the Shrimp Scampi. My plate was overflowing, as you can see in the pictures. It was so good! When we were first seated, we were offered drinks and delicious bread, but we had to ask for water about 30 minutes in which was weird. There were also flies flying around during our meal which is one thing, but they were constantly landing on the glasses and by our meals. The food was really great, especially for the price, but it would have been nice if the service was more attentive, especially since we were the only table and everyone else was at the bar. OYSTERS: 4.8/5 SHRIMP SCAMPI: 4.5/5 SEAFOOD FRA DIAVOLO: 5/5 The food is very good, but the service was a little slow even though it wasn't very busy. It wasn't horrible, but it would be helpful to offer water first. ambiance: 3.5/5 drinks: 4/5 food: 4.9/5 service: 3/5 Blue Marlin Grille: 3.5/5 read more

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Love this place! We started with the buffalo shrimp appetizer, and it was excellent as always--perfectly cooked with just the right amount of heat. I ordered the fish sandwich, which is always good, but received the tail end of the haddock. My husband, however, was a bit disappointed with his dish: the shrimp and scallops baked with breadcrumbs. Unfortunately, the breadcrumbs were overpowering--so heavily layered on top that it was hard to taste anything else. Still, overall a great experience, and we'll definitely be back! read more

Blue Marlin Grille - Buffalo shrimp - Seafood Near Me - Essex, Massachusetts

The Lobster was fresh, flavorful and excellently prepared! The brownie sundae was huge and 3 of us could not finish it. Delicious! Service was friendly and professional. I highly recommend, we will be back. read more

Soups were salty. The waitstaff needs to STOP using the drinking glasses in order to put ice in them for drinks. I was waiting for broken glass in the ice machine . Maybe I sat in the wrong seat. I saw too much. But with all the options around I guess I won't be recommending this restaurant anyone. As a result I won't be returning. Spend your money where the staff appreciates the patrons and displays better care of the glasses. Also the soup maker should have a third party taste all soups. read more

Great service and amazing food! We struck out a few times this weekend but the Blur Marlin Grille did not disappoint. The shrimp and snow peas were fantastic and the spicy chicken scampi was delicious. read more

Blue Marlin Grille - Seafood Near Me - Essex, Massachusetts

My husband and I ate here last night, (Saturday ). I am glad we got there when we did (5:40) because by 6 PM there wasn't an empty seat at the bar and there was a line to sit at a table (they take reservations for parties of 8 or more). Our bartender, Matthew (Mattie) greeted us right away. He made me an awesome Cosmo with tequila instead of vodka and without my asking, he brought the dirty rocks, too. My husband had his usual, Maine Lunch on tap. I ordered the "Foggy Bottom Chicken" which was amazing! Two medium sized, tender chicken breasts over a bed of spinach and onions, topped with their signature cheese sauce and panko bread crumbs with a side of mashed potatoes and butternut squash-so fresh and yummy! My husband had their steak tips with fried shrimp and French fries & onion rings. The batter was light and fluffy and the steak was tender and tasty. This was our first time dining here, and it definitely won't be our last. The service and food is impeccable. And the art on the wall is very cool-it's sculptures of squid made out of tinted tin-unusual and unique. I wish I took pictures to show you. Next time!!! PS-we sat next to a couple from Gloucester who say they come here at least once a week and have been for years and told us everything on the menu is delicious!!! read more

Had a 6pm reservation yesterday( Fathers Day) It was busy but nothing crazy. They said it would be a little bit. No problem! 6.40 we get seated. That's unacceptable. Shouldn't do reservations if you can't handle them. Meanwhile we see a 6.30 reservation get seated right b4 us in a high top of 4. We should have been seated first. They could have gotten the lousy booth right near waitress station that we recvd. Waitress was excellent. Food was good but waiting and no apology put a negative feel on our night. read more

Food almost always great. Sat at seat with cold draft. Waitstaff very good. Ambiance nice.

The service was excellent. The chicken was very good. The lobster roll came with a lot of lobster meat. (I thought it tasted decent, but not the best I've ever had.) Overall, it was a great experience. read more

Blue Marlin Grille - The Soggy Bottom Chicken was delicious! - Seafood Near Me - Essex, Massachusetts

We decided to come here after the boat ride with Essex River Cruise. Service was great and we ordered: Apps: Potato Skins, nice and cheesy. And buffalo shrimp with blue cheese, which everyone enjoyed. Entree: I ordered the steak tips with mash and veggies and YUM! The marinate was spot on and I finished it all in one setting. Really really good! Dessert: ended with a brownie sundae and enough said read more

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I really enjoyed the mussels, the white wine & butter sauce was so tasty. Their fresh made bread with whipped butter was good. My friend had the seafood chowder, which I tasted and enjoyed. He also had the fried clams , which he said were not very tasty. They have a very large menu And specials. Great waitress and service. read more

Blue Marlin Grille - Menu - Seafood Near Me - Essex, Massachusetts

Dinner with friends and it was ok. We went on a Sunday, dining room wasn't too busy but the bar was. The waitress we had was wonderful. Food was ok, my friend and her husband loved the chowder. My husband had steak tips and said they were ok. I had baked seafood casserole it was also ok nothing special. My friend liked her scallops but was full from the chowder she took most home, her husband had picata and said he has had better. Portion size is big and good value for money but I think there is better out there read more

Blue Marlin Grille - Fried scallops, chicken picata, baked seafood and tips - Seafood Near Me - Essex, Massachusetts

I had low expectations. Casual restaurant with lots of choices on both sides of well-worn plastic coated menus. Average prices, but wow! Really well-cooked broiled haddock, grilled steak, baked potatoes, broccoli! Ordinary fare, but perfectly cooked and GENEROUS portions! We saw fried seafood platters going to nearby tables with huge mouth-watering mounds of golden fried seafood, onion rings and fries. Comparable to Lobsta Land, but better prices, much less crowded and much easier parking. Overall, great value. Partly because we were TOO FULL to eat dessert. Decent prices, perfectly prepared comfort food, and GENEROUS portions. We will come back. read more

Tried Blue Marlin Grille on our last trip to Essex. We are very glad that we did. Food, service and ambiance were all great. Looking forward to returning. read more

We stopped here for lunch and it was excellent. I had the clam strips and onion rings and they were as good as I have had anywhere. My wife had the fish sandwich and it was big and very fresh. Both meals were delicious. The ambience is average but the food makes up for it. Service was pretty quick. If you want fresh seafood, that's reasonably priced, I would recommend it. read more

Absolutely amazing. Never a bad night, love how they have an extensive kids menu for our 15-month-old son. He loves the fish and chips and so does Dad and Grandpa. Amazing seafood, love the lobster roll and salmon. Everything we have ever gotten here is good, always accommodating with where we want to sit (we normally request back room away from the bar). Drinks are amazing, great martinis. Portions are extremely generous. Mussels are my go-to app. Love the presentation and the amazing flavor. Even the bread they serve to start is heavenly. Everything about this place is just a YES. Support local. Bravo! read more

It is expensive diner. The portions looks very generous however what is on the plate is piles of fries and onion rings and very little of clams We ordered fried clams that were tiny dry strips heavily breaded and not tasty at all read more

My wife and loved this placed until this evening 10/24/25. I asked the waitress if I could get the steak tip skewers blackened/black peppered like the sirloin steak (spice option) instead of teriyaki or Cajun since I'm not crazy about either spice. She said yes and I get the food and realize it is both teriyaki flavored and has Cajun spices right on top. I let her know as a guy brought it out and quickly left and I believe the same guy came back out with it and asked what was wrong. I said it both Teriyaki flavored and Cajun and I wanted it blackened. He said the Cajun spice is the blackened spice and I said that is not what I was told. No sorry from him and only when I said don't want it did, he offer to make a steak with blacked spice (Which is the same as Cajun he told me before!!) I said I don't want it. I'm wondering why one would bring back a plate I did not want and confront a customer in this manner and yet offer to make another steak with the very spice-- blackened (which he said was Cajun) I did not want. Holding the plate up next to me as if I had to explain why I did not want it when they got it wrong. I was so mad at his attitude my wife insisted we leave as we don't appreciate being treated as if we made the mistake. Maybe you can treat tourists like that, but we live in the area and go there at least once a month and now we don't want to go back. It turns out his name is Cameron and he is the manager. Really? treating loyal customers like that. read more

Wow - what a great spot. Huge menu, very clean and modern interior. Stopped for lunch today and was very impressed. The Greek salad was so huge that I could only eat half and took it home. Their Greek dressing was excellent. read more

Blue Marlin Grille - Seafood Near Me - Essex, Massachusetts

Came here for lunch after a beach day, and it was the perfect choice! My sisters and I sat at the bar, and we were approached immediately for drinks. I went with a pain killer. Strong, but still tasty. For appetizers, we went with well fleet oysters, steamers, and had some of their toasted bread. The oysters were amazing!! I wish there was a mignonette, but even without it, I could have eaten 2 dozen! The steamers were big boys! Great size for 3 of us to pick on before our meals. Lastly, let's not forget the bread. It was so fresh and so good served with whipped butter. It was crunchy on the outside, but warm and soft in the inside. You had a perfect bite with the sweet butter melting on top. I had to restrain myself from eating the entire loaf. For my meal I went with a chicken Caesar salad. The salad was dressed nicely with crunchy croutons and well-seasoned chicken. We left this place full and happy! read more

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The blue marlin is a genuine and incredible secret. The seafood, the fried food, the soup, everything here is incredible. I am so grateful to have to live in this area and get the great service and beautiful ambience of this landmark of a restaurant. I have never had a bad meal here, The dining room is clean and the food is fresh. read more

Amazing seafood ! I had baked Haddock that tasted like it just it just jumped out of the ocean . Friends had a seafood platter that was more than enough for 2. Waitress was very nice and attentive. Would definitely go again ! read more

Happy to report that the food and drinks here are still amazing! We stopped by the day after 4th of July and the wait wasn't bad at all. The Clam Chowder was amazing as always. I literally have to get a cup of this every time we come here because it's so good. And the Blackened Swordfish (special?) was excellent! Great flavor and the sweet potato and mashed potatoes that come with it are great! The Chocolate cake dessert was amazing. So rich and flavorful that I almost wanted to order a 2nd slice, lol. And of course the drinks are delicious! Very well blended and with some good strength to them! Really enjoyed our lemon drop martini and watermelon martini! read more

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Food and service are excellent. Atmosphere is great and very clean and comfortable. Love this place!!

I was a patron at the Blue Marlin since it opened, going there once or twice a week for years. It was my favorite "go to" spot where I ran into old friends and made new ones. After moving away I haven't been there in 10 years or so. The food was still spectacular, but it's looking a little run down now. There is dust/mold on the ceiling in the back room which makes eating there less than appetizing. My server, Phyllis, was wonderful. There was a snafu in the kitchen where our table's order was lost and we waited and waited and waited until they realized that several tables had their orders lost. The hostess was very kind and offered free dessert for us to make up for it. The food, as usual was wonderful. Boullabaise (sp) was perfect, the steak tips and fried shrimp were awesome, although I couldn't eat it all as the quantity of food is sometimes overwhelming. It's a great place to eat, I just wish it was spruced up a bit. read more

Great food and great service . Best seafood around . Better than the tourist traps of the area .

This place is disgusting. It's so dirty,I can't imagine how they still operate like a restaurant. The food is ok,but the customer service is horrible, starting from the host with red hair.My family and I went Saturday night,and she literally threw the menus down on the table,that my 5 year old daughter started to cry.The employees were going around talking bad about their tables,without a care that we can hear them.The language they used was very inappropriate, especially if you go there with your kids.We will never go back there again!!!! read more

Food, service, convenience and ambience are all spectacular. The steak was so tender and well seasoned. My haddock was fresh, flaky and delicious. The salmon and buffalo chicken salads were ginormous. read more

T He Blue Marlin provide lavish meal and beverages and outstanding service. The Fried clams chowder and lobster not to mention the Haddock are delicious. read more

My boyfriend and I have been coming to the Blue Marlin for years. The food is consistent and good and so are the drinks (love the espresso and chocolate martinis and do try the pumpkin martinis when they're available). The wait staff know us well by now and have always been nice and very efficient. Also a lovely ocean themed interior. It can be very busy but it's worth the wait. Highly recommend!! read more

Since the one time we went and it was terrible, things have been great. I gotta say that the bad food must have just been an off night. Every time otherwise has been great since! So glad to say that because it really is a great restaurant with great food and service. Update- we went the other night. Phone lines were down and website said closed. Finally got through and they were open. 3 of 4 dishes were undercooked. Then re-served and my steak was gray. Did not even take one bite. Sooo disappointed. So much so it will be a long time before we go back. The only saving grace was the server. She was great. 3 of 4 meals needed to be sent back and 1 still inedible. A manager should've come over to at least talk consistently great! Came back to Blue Marlin last night. First time since the pandemic. The service was great. We had Lisa as our server and she was speedy, efficient, and nice. The food and drinks were great and the prices were great! Best lobster I have had in a long tim 1st time coming to the Blue Marlin. The waitress was great. Quick and friendly service. The food was delish! We will definitely be back! read more