The seasonal menu always has incredible options to try, and the service is great. Upscale, cozy interior helps it feel nice and intimate.

We really enjoyed the food for our anniversary dinner. Drinks were great and loved the octopus as an appetizer (best I've had!). The pappardelle was satisfying and my husband enjoyed the lampchops. The service was just ok. We were the only ones in initially and the environment was less than welcoming; felt more like we were interrupting and everyone seemed cold. We went out to celebrate and it was not an environment great for celebrating. With that said, we would recommend for the food only. read more

Small quality restaurant. Parking can be a problem. Food quite good. They offer an interesting drink menu. All the dishes we ordered were top notch and well enjoyed. Would return for more. read more

We had take out from G Bar & Kitchen and really enjoyed our meal! We had the steak, the seared tuna, the octopus appetizer and caesar salad. The steak was cooked to perfection and the octopus appetizer was very unique (had hummus!) but tasty. The staff was a little standoffish but that could have just been because they were busy. Would definitely return for the food since we didn't have any leftovers! read more

Had a reservation for Saturday 10/23/2021. Got a call on 10/22 at 9:00pm that "the table does not exist". Ok, so no birthday dinner tomorrow. Unprofessional. read more

The best spot on the North Shore for gourmet food. Must have is the Gnocchi and everything else on the menus is on par with any 5 star restaurant in downtown Boston. Gregg the chef and owner will impress and the staff will make sure to round out the best experience. read more

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This is usually one of our favorite places because of the service and amazing GF food options. They took off one of their best items, the cauliflower Buffalo appetizer and another risotto main dish off the menu:(. One of the main reasons we go here is for those items. The sad part is they didn't replace them with anything as good. The menu is now limited with GF items and the other menu items aren't as good either in my husbands opinion. The Brussels sprouts were dry and overdone. They lost a lot of good choices with the new menu change. Our waiter suggested they could do the Haddock dish gluten free without the breadcrumbs. It was very bland and then when I got home I was so sick. We are so saddened by this new change and hope they can make safer GF options and bring back those popular items to ensure frequent customers like us to return. This is also an expensive place so we don't mind paying if the food lives up to those expectations but it did not. read more

Food is great and service is excellent. On the pricier side but you get what you pay for.

We had never been to Swampscott before and took a drive and found G Bar & Kitchen. We have now been 2 times and both times we have found the food to be outstanding and the bartender, Andrew, to be very helpful in recommending drinks and food - he makes a mean drink! For appetizers, we've had the bacon cocoa brussels, the zucchini pancakes, the tuna tower, and the cauliflower - all fantastic. We've enjoyed the Fettucine mare, the ribeye, the duck and the red snapper special. The flavors are all outstanding. We've sat at the bar both times and everyone at the bar is so friendly to everyone else and they all rave about the dishes they are enjoying. It is a small restaurant, so call ahead for a reservation or chance it like we did and get seated at the bar. You won't be disappointed with the food nor the service! read more

This place was such a let down. So much hype and so much expected may have doomed it from the start. The place it self looks really cool, but the service and food were way, way under par. The drinks we ordered were not very good. Not under poured or over poured, just sort of the wrong mix. This was not a huge problem but the food was really lame. I expect more from fine dining. Plus the menu they had posted online was not even close to what they had at the table. Simply... skip it. This place won;t be there too long. Who knows maybe Gordon Ramsay could show up and try to save the place. read more

This is by far the best restaurant on the north shore The tuna tower and the lobster appetizer are incredible! The seafood is always fresh and delicious! My husband loves the chicken dish too! I have never had a bad meal And the atmosphere is awesome. The servers are attentive and the owner/chef Greg is so hospitable to everyone! We go there weekly on a date night! read more

I'm surprised at the negative reviews here. As someone who is very picky about food and also very tired of the mediocre food and glut of chains in this area, I thought this place was quite impressive, and left feeling like it was one of the best meals I'd had in a long time. I was with two other people, one of whom is an extraordinary cook and very food-savvy, and both loved it. Everything was delicious, flavorful and innovative. The server was knowledgeable, friendly (but not overly so) and attentive. As a designer, I thought the decor beautiful. The person who said it was "tacky" must not know good design. Tacky it's not. As I mentioned in another review, this area is full of restaurants that think themselves "elegant" by throwing a lot of badly-chosen Marshalls tchotchkes around, but this place was clearly done by an actual designer/s who truly know what they're doing. The look is sophisticated yet playful, but if you're used to that discount store aesthetic, you might not like it. The menu was varied (with a good amount of seafood) and creative. It's not cheap, but not overly expensive by any means. Give it a chance. Places like this go away if people continue to patronize junky chains in their stead. read more

Our nights out are few and far between and with this being said, our time to together is relished. We have been to G in the past for drinks and apps, but this was our first real sit down here. So, as I always do lets start with the pluses. As always, we found our seats at the bar. We find that the service is quick, due to the need to turn the bar area faster. Not that we are rushed, the staff seems more attentive. Adam was the barkeep and was on spot with the greeting and getting our Goose Martinis. Menus were placed and our drinks served. We sat for a bit going over the menu to find something that caught our eye. Adam came by, presented the specials and placed some bread. We made our choices and the order was place. For me, The Colorado Lamb and for my Wife, The Haddock. As we sat, I looked at some of the plates being served to others. Hearty portions and presentation stood out... Adam served up our second round and apologized for our wait??? To him, it seemed that we had been waiting some time. I assured him we were OK. Our meals arrived with great presentation and a sense of delight. My Wife, not being a fish eater was very pleased with the taste and enjoyed this dish, She really enjoyed the chips. My lamb was cooked to perfection, the reduction was like silk. Bravo on both plates. I have to make a very notable comment on some of the staff. Adam, you Rock!!! The Kitchen Staff. Poetry In Motion. Mr. Pearl diver, You know who you are, You work your ass off... Now, my dear Liz. I sat and watched in amazement of all your actions behind that very cramped area. You did not miss a beat, one persons mistake was corrected in stride. Amazing, For this I tip my hat. So, with all this goodness going on could we find a down side to our visit? YES !!! Here we go: The place is rather small, Some care could be put into squelching the noise level. Although my Wife enjoyed her haddock, the portion was Very small, 3 maybe 4oz. I have a 50/50 split on the staff. The above mentioned Rocked, but we have three that did not, from our perspective make the mark... To the one male waiter that has done all, seen all and makes sure you know this. Step off the platform, your not that good, you don't help, your more concerned of who is looking or hearing you. Not impressed. To the hostess, stay in your station. You only get in the way. Your not helping matters in the least. Now my sad finish.. To the waitress that was also greeting patrons. I don't know your name and I do not wish to. As I stated before, you can hear everything in here.. Your comment of " This should shut them up" about a table you were serving was heard by more than myself... FUBAR!!!! In finishing, We will be back. It was very good... read more

G Bar has the rudest, most inconsiderate staff and owner we ever experienced. After our babysitter cancelled, we called in a take out order. We told them we didn't care if it took an hour and a half. After placing our order, Paula called back and told us the chef refused to make the order. Worst of all, this is not the first time this has happened. Go to Five Corners, go to Turners, go anywhere else that respects and cares about families. G Bar is "too busy" for your business. read more

Really? I don't see any improvement in price or quality. My haddock was totally average, underseasoned and smothered in bitter arugula. The boy's eggplant thing was cold. In the one high point, the bartender was wicked friendly. This is def a local yokel hangout, as the staff seemed to know everyone, and as we were leaving someone entering had such a disdainful look on her face, it felt as if we weren't welcome -- by a fellow patron. Weird. Then some asshole backed into my car on the street out in front right before my eyes. If yo car don't fit, don't squeeze it in.. I don't care if it is an Audi. Big bucks for an average meal. Over and out. read more

High prices, underwhelming food. I won't go into boring details here, because the statement above applies to every single dish I tried. Very very dissappointed. I actually had to ask for salt for my "Fruitti G Mare" because it just tasted like fish and pasta floating in boiled water. The artichoke appetizer was so bad, I almost thought it was a joke: a tough, bitter, mature artichoke stuffed with bread crumbs. We weren't even sure which parts we were supposed to be eating, as they all tasted and felt awful! As other reviewers mentioned, the decor and service staff were lovely, but I would never return to this place; The food was the quality of a failed high school home economics project. Bland, stingy quantity, and severely overpriced. I agree that this place will not be here long. read more

Second time at this place in a month. Bar seats both times, the bartender was attentive, and the wine was very good. Had apps both tiems, the spicy cauliflower was very good, tuna app was also very good. will be returning. read more

Very good food, strong service... but be forewarned, It is not a quiet restaurant. It is very small, and they pack it to the gills with people on a busy weekend night. At our table the other night, I practically had to yell across the room to maintain a conversation with a friend. That said -- everyone was pleased with their meal. Just understand going in it is not a quiet, romantic location. read more

Great little place! Very little seating, great ambience and wonderful staff! The food was great. However, I did order a filet and after asking the waiter just HOW rare, rare is, I chose to order medium rare. Our waiter, who was excellent, said the chef tends to undercook. That was not the case today. I didn't send it back because it was still good, however over cooked to my liking. Just in the future I will order rare because it's easy to throw a steak on the grill and cook it more vs. returning an over cooked steak. The prices are the only reason I'm not giving 5 stars. The two dollar signs on Yelp are deceiving. Most of the entrees (including pasta) range from $25-32. Drinks are around $11 a pop. Good place, just a little out of our price range for a reg. read more

[This review was written on another site back on June 16, 2008.] G Bar & Kitchen opened a few months ago. It's located along the shore of Swampscott, MA. Sorry, no ocean views but a short stroll (100 feet) away from the restaurant provides a scenic pre- or post- meal activity. The interior is small but nicely appointed. The entire restaurant can only seat about 30 people at tables plus another 8 at the bar. The local buzz, and I am a local, is generally positive. The menu appears to be seasonal because their first menu (Spring) has now turned over to Summer. Virtually every dish on the menu has changed. (Even though this was my first trip to G they gave us a wine list that had the old 'Spring' menu on it so I was able to compare it to the new 'Summer' menu.) My first trip was last weekend. My wife and I loved the decor and the staff was very attentive and friendly. We started with two apps. Mine was the foie gras pate with fig compote and my wife had 'G's Happy Meal'. The foie was a large dollop of airy foie mixed (I'm guessing here) with whipped cream. I'm accustomed to seeing foie pate in a slice but it appears the chef has taken a simple (rustic?) route here. It was delicious and well accompanied by the compote and crustini. The 'G Happy Meal' is a cleverly named appetizer sampler plate that included three fried shrimp with a spicy asian sauce, two native-corn fritters, two slices of seared tuna. The chef is not breaking any new ground here but he executed beautifully. My wife ordered a special entree of salmon and scallops over greens. Unfortunately, both were served a tad overcooked and dry. She thought the flavors were there but the dryness of the seafood was a bit of a joykill. I had grilled skirt steak with bleu cheese and a pile of onion rings. The steak was perfectly cooked to the requested medium rare and properly served sliced across the grain. I'm not a big fan of bleu cheese and the chef was more than accomodating to my request to use it sparingly. The onion rings, and I am a sucker for them, were great. Large and piled high over the meat to provide a nice sculptural visual as it arrives at the table. We were disappointed that the kitchen ran out of white chocolate as we were eager to try the dessert of frozen berries with warm white chocolate sauce. A recipe I have seen in a Barefoot Contessa cookbook. I've had this at home and it is wonderful. Perhaps we'll have it next time we visit G because I know I will be returning. read more

Great date night spot. Nice location near the beach, intimate with comfortable, stylish decor. Seating is tight but not unlike other hidden gems. I've had several memorable steaks here, the chef is great from recipe to presentation. Little pricey but the food is fantastic and worth it. Don't skip the bread and spread, it's good stuff! read more

G Bar & Kitchen - Bars Near Me - Swampscott, Massachusetts

Had the Steakhouse Special last night and I can't stop thinking about how good it was. Seriously, everything was absolutely perfect about this meal. - Steak was a large Filet, cooked to perfection (med rare) - Loaded with lobster on top - Brussels sprouts went perfect with the meal - the sauce is what took it to another level. It went perfect with the steak and lobster. Lost for words to explain it Every time my wife and I come here we are always more than satisfied with our meals. My wife usually gets the Beet salad or Eggplant. I'm not much of a salad guy but the beet salad is something to try--everything is good here. The eggplant is amazing too. You can tell that the chief is passionate about his food being served. Space is limited so make sure you make reservations for a weekend night. If there is a wait, it's well worth it! read more

Very over priced. I had the swordfish and wife had the haddock. Both were good but portions were very small at $32/plate. More like an appetizer.. left very underwhelmed. My swordfish piece was 2x2 1/2" and I'm being generous. There are better restaurants only a stones throw away that offer much better value . Service was good but doesn't make up for lack of food. Dinner bill came to $90 with one drink and a a ginger ale. Underwhelmed and disappointing read more

I've heard great reviews about this restaurant, but I am not sure it is my cup of tea. Which is why I am giving it 4/5 stars. The vibe was pleasant and the staff was attentive. However, I find myself questioning the menu. Although it appears appealing, I left the restaurant questioning myself and the palate of the chef... perhaps the menu is an acquired taste? The cocktails were lovely. The fried shrimp appetizer with aioli and Sriracha was as good as Legal C bar's. I got the Filet with coffee sauce, mushroom pastry, and brussel sprouts. It was OK. However, the filet reduction sauce had an adverse tang. Although the meat was cooked to perfection, the sauce did not do justice. G bar & Kitchen is definitely Good, and getting to be Great. read more

Went to G Bar and Kitchen last Thursday to celebrate a friend's belated birthday. I was not very impressed with the Tequila Mojito (even though it was made with Patron). The birthday girl's drink was served with a fly. We were informed the fly must have gotten there from the mint that was grown in the back yard. So was the mint not washed? The bread and green olive tapenade were nothing to write home about. For appetizers, we shared Crispy Wild Shrimp (delicious) and Mushroom Strudel (also delicious). For entree, I had the day's special, sea bass. It was perfect. My friend had Spicy Tuna, which was also very delicious. For dessert, we ordered Frozen Berries in White Chocolate. I was not crazy about this dessert. The berries were too frozen. The decor of the restaurant is very nice. Nice big windows with some ocean view. Our waitress was very nice and attentive. p.s. One of my friends got food poisoning here and the other a fly, so I give it 3 stars for my experience, not my friends' experiences. read more

Medium. Food. My wife's seared tuna was cooked medium; should have been rare. My lamb chops, too, were medium; should have been rare. My side of fresh-picked spinach - unfortunate and sadly drooping little things. It must have been painful whatever they had to go through to get to my plate. I almost felt so badly I didn't eat them. I did. I was hungry. They tasted mediumy (?) Medium-High. Service. Very friendly and welcoming staff. Attentive, too. Here's the problem, though - our dishes likely were served medium because our server never asked how we would like them prepared. Assuming that such dishes are ordinarily served rare, and not making that clear when ordering, we were sorely mistaken. High. Prices. With price-points nearing and above $30, my expectations were high. This was my major let down. Take about $10 off of the prices, and you can switch my mediums and highs. That would be nice. Having said all of this, I'll be back again. It's clear that the place is trying with it's cool facade and clear effort in creating an interesting space inside. I'll just have to match that clarity in my order next time.... read more

Only been there for bar experience and the staff and cocktails were excellent. Everyone eating seemed to really enjoy their meals.

Great food every time, whether at the restaurant or take out. We particularly live the fresh fish specials and, of course, the Pasta Bolognese! Great staff from cooks to bartenders to waitstaff. Seriously, hard to beat this place. We are lucky to have G on the north shore. read more

We went to G Bar late on a cold Saturday nite. The place was deserted with the exception of one other table and 2 people at the bar area. The decor is nice, retro with interesting details. The red and velvet made it feel homey but up-to-date. G Bar was almost ready to close and we all knew we were their last patrons of the nite. The service was prompt and friendly. The waiter even chatted with us for a few minutes but was not obtrusive. As usual, we ordered two apps and a dinner. They started with bread that was like "Eh, nothing to write home about". The G Caesar was very basic and uninteresting, but we were hungry and ate it all. The Crispy Wild Shrimp had a kick to it, it reminded me of Long Horn's Wild West Shrimp (which I love), though I am disappointed that their recipe didn't outdo the chain's.For dinner, we split the special, Flounder stuffed with crab. Being fish lovers, we were easily pleased. Overall, the ambience and wait staff was great. The food is good, nothing we ate made me think I can't wait to come back, but I can see us having a few more enjoyable meals here. read more

I have been to G Bar several times over the last few months and it has become one of my favorite spots. My boyfriend and I always get one appetizer to split, an entree each, and then we split dessert. We have never had a bad meal or bad service here. To date, we have had: the spicy shrimp appetizer (it had a great kick and the presentation was amazing), spring rolls appetizer (the dipping sauce was to die for), mussels appetizer (delectable), mushroom struttle appetizer (who knew mushrooms in puffed pastry could be so good?!?) the tuna with wasabi mashed potatoes entree (continues to be my favorite entree as the fish was the best grade and the mashed had a great kick), the day boat special (seafood was cooked perfectly and the spicy sauce was delicious), roasted chicken with perfect crispy skin, and the filet (cooked to perfection). We also always get a dessert to split and are never disappointed. The chocolate mousse is our favorite (not too sweet and it is always the end to a perfect date night) I love that they continually change their menu which gives us a lot more options than a restaurant that just keeps everything the same. They have a great selection of wines by the glass and the waitstaff is very knowledgeable about what pairs best with entrees so don't be afraid to ask. The decor is comfy and inviting with high ceilings, high back sofa seats and modern lighting. As others have noted, it is a small restaurant so we always make reservations to ensure that we get a seat and have never had a problem being seated right away. I have been on the North Shore for almost a decade and have eaten at many-a-restaurant and this may be my favorite restaurant to date. You won't be disappointed. read more

If food was everything in dining, this place would get five stars. We had excellent starters and entrees, and the "milk and cookies" dessert was awesome. Not surprisingly, this place seems to excel at seafood, and both the seared tuna appetizer and the salmon special with scallops were super. The only downside was the service and the setting. I don't really notice these kinds of things, but my wife called the decor "positively tacky" and she tends to have good taste. Our waitress was a bit over-caffeinated, and she had trouble pronouncing a few things (watercress became watercrest). On some nights she might have been amusing, but on this night she was mostly annoying. I would definitely go back to this place for the food -- hopefully everything else will soon match its quality. read more

OK - So after much debate & conversation I've decided to change my review style in hopes the restaurants are willing to improve. I guess I would rather help and keep local restaurants around... so I may give G another shot. BUT, i will stay away from Tuna dish. However, food is emotional & any food person should understand that.... so I will try to separate 1 dish I was served from the whole experience: High points- They take reservations & you're promptly sat The Tuna Tower is very good! Atmosphere Proximity to my house (the north shore is like Boston w/o the high noses) Scallop dish. Apple dessert Medium- The wine we did choose was good. We did however have to choose on our own because the waitress didn't know her wines. I like recommendations myself so I can try something new. Either way, there's room for improvement. LOW: The busser was timid and awkward. It was funny to watch, but I would rather have someone smiling and more friendly like the bussers @ Red's Sandwich shop in Salem. The TUNA entree I was disappointed with... It was cooked rare like it's supposed to be. But, it was advertised with a lot of flavor & that it didn't have. I had hoped to use the potatoes to kick it up a notch, but those too did not have flavor. *I hate the awkwardness of complaining at making a scene at a restaurant. Honestly, it causes anxiety for me... so, I said nothing. It's not like they would take it back & slap some flavor on it... Will I go back: Yes, but I will try another dish... perhaps the waitress can recommend something. Definitely not the Tuna entree though... read more

the bread you get when you sit down plus whatever spread they give you is..out of this world! amazing~ We got the crispy shrimp and the tuna tower, both of which was delicious. We also go the fish tacos which was very good as well. I got the G signature cocktail which was alright, but not really what i'm looking for. Cool place to hang out... seems like people come here for date nights :O read more

Great find !!!! Atmosphere is cozy and the food was delicious. Highly recommend. Will def be back ....

The atmosphere is as bland as a celery stalk. The seating is as comfy as playschool chairs kids use in the backyard. However food, including presentation gets the high mark of 3.0.Think they were trying to sell you a deed to the place when they bring you the bill, no problem but you didn't earn the mark as anything particularly special. read more

We're a huge fan. G is surprisingly isn't as known by as many as it should be. The ambiance is A++, the food is most excellent, and the service always very attentive. The Crispy Wild Shrimp appetizer with spicy thai schiracha, lemon shallot aioli and cilantro oil is a huge favorite, apparently my many. I am so in love with that and the Pappardella Salsicce (fresh pasta ribbons, "Bianco Famous" hot sausage, tomato and light cream) that we can't seem to get much beyond to try other dishes, but while watching the other items come out they always look mouth watering. When we bust the move for dessert it has always been to die for. read more

When you have the owner/chef working his butt off in the kitchen for a wonderful meal what more do you want to say

One of the best restaurants I've ever eaten at! Elegant and fine dining! New York strip is the best and all of the deserts are amazing. Truly one of the most remarkable dining experiences I've ever had. read more

Incredible food! Trendy ambience! Reasonable price! Friendly owner! Professional staff! Seasonal menu! This restaurant is the perfect package. From the prompt attention and service to the bread with olive tapenade to the main course to the dessert to the check...this was a great experience. read more

Gregg is fighting the fight and still staying open and making it happen. Best place on the North Shore. Fresh, local and loves treating people to a great meal and experience. If you still want to have a night out, this is the place. Safe and awesome! read more