One of the best restaurants in Salem. From hosting events to hip hop brunch you can't go wrong with Ledger.

Super cool ambiance and atmosphere. Going in without a reservation can be a bit of a challenge but they do have plenty of seating at the bar, which is nice. I definitely want to go back and try again but my first experience there was a little lackluster. Service was really slow - but the staff recognized that and provided a free appetizer. The oysters were fine but one didn't taste fully right - but that happens all the time and is part of the risk of eating oysters. The food order was messed up - but the staff helped expedite service to correct it. The portions felt kind of small for the cost but with all of that said the food itself was good and I would definitely recommend it as a nice date spot, nice night out spot, etc. and like I said, hopefully I'll go back sometime soon and hopefully my experience was just an off night. read more

Ledger is a great choice in Salem if you're looking for something a bit more special. It's certainly not the most affordable option, but it's perfect for a celebration or a periodic splurge, and the space itself is beautiful -- definitely an atmosphere that will impress. We had the Brandt steak and the pan-seared cod, and both dishes were excellent, easy 8+/10. The steak came out exactly medium rare as requested, nicely seasoned, and the potatoes were delicious. There was a bit too much chimichurri for my taste, but that's an easy fix by just scraping some off. The cod was also very good -- simple, well executed, and moist. The cocktail, beer, and especially wine options offered plenty of great choices. Overall, Ledger is a great pick for a nice dinner in Salem -- excellent food and a great setting. I'd definitely return. read more

Ledger Restaurant & Bar - Pan roasted cod - Desserts Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

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This place was suggested to me by our wonderful concierge at The Coach House for my friends birthday dinner. This restaurant takes place in a gorgeous old bank (hence the name, also a Salem once had a lot of banks which are now other businesses). Came in on a Sunday night in March and even though it is the "slow season" here, the place was pretty packed and service was immaculate. We ordered a half dozen of oysters, squash bisque and a mushroom toast. The oysters were practically frozen and had a decent flavor but not the best, especially being so close to the ocean we were a little surprised be the lack of quality. Everything else was brilliant. The bisque was most definitely my favorite part of the meal and the pumpkin mocktail was a great pairing with everything. Overall an 8/10 experience and would love to come back if I ever visit Salem again. read more

Ledger Restaurant & Bar - Inside - Desserts Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

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Came here for dinner and everything about this place is great. I love how the kitchen and bar is set up. The decor very much fits in with the Halloween/fall vibes. Service was also quick and friendly! I wish I remembered our servers name but she was also very knowledgeable about all the items on the menu. To start, I hope they never take the popovers off the menu. These are an absolute must order! Not only are they so good, they're also huge! And the dip and butter it comes with is amazing. We all got different appetizers and entrees so that we can share and try as many different dishes as possible. My favorite thing was the spicy pork belly. It was flavorful and filling. The clam chowder was delicious as well. Another plus are all the drinks they have. They also fit with the Halloween theme which is super cute. One of the drinks comes with a broom, witch hat and there's also a shot served in a cute little cauldron. Definitely a great restaurant for dinner after walking around the city. For sure would return! read more

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Ledger had some of the best dishes. The caviar oysters were a fun bite, the popovers were so unique and great, the French onion soup so comforting, and the Caesar Brussel sprouts were incredible (i don't even like Caesar). I don't have a picture of the sticky toffee pudding but it was SO GOOD. Overall the service and vibe of the restaurant along with the food made for an incredible experience. read more

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We were visiting and this place was always at the top of the best restaurants list, unfortunately it's not worth the hype. We ordered the cheese board that was really great along with a delicious devil cocktail. We then ordered the steak and shrimp for dinner, the food wasn't fresh or good quality. The shrimp tasted like the frozen kind from any grocery store and the steak was no better. The tres leches was really dry and needed more of the milk concoction to keep it moist. Overall beautiful place but bad food. read more

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This place was so cool. It's a converted bank into a restaurant. So the decor was really cool. The food was pretty good. We had got a bunch of stuff and shared it all. We shared the cheese board which was amazing we also got extra jam. And then we got the shrimp which had a weird flavor and then we shared the Brussel sprouts and the skirt steak. I thought it was all very good. I got excited that a beer had my name in it only to realize later it was non alcoholic. So that was fun lol We were sat in another section not the main area which I didn't love but the service was still good read more

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I first checked out Ledger with family visiting Salem for the holidays. We made a reservation around 5 PM on a Saturday. Reservations are highly recommended at this downtown restaurant. The atmosphere inside was very unique: Ledger is located in the historic Salem Savings Bank building (circa 1818), which was formerly the second-oldest savings bank in the United States. The restaurant preserved the building's architecture (both inside and out), including a vault turned wine room, safe deposit boxes as decor, and original bank teller windows. Menu wise, Ledger keeps it pretty simple, breaking it down into five sections: from the raw bar, cold, hot, pasta, and main plates. We ordered the fried brussels sprouts to split as a group, which were perfectly crispy with parmesan shredded over the top, zaatar seasoning, and their blend of a Caesar dressing. My Niman ranch pork belly was one of the best items we had, with a surprising amount of pork belly, presented with satsuma (mandarin oranges), pickled peppers, and miso vinaigrette. It was a great combination of savory pork and sweet citrus. The popovers (which Ledger is famous for) did not live up to my expectations, as I found them over-cooked, so that biting into them caused them to disintegrate in your hand. The heirloom melon salad was tasty, with burrata, prosciutto, and citrus vinaigrette, but I was disappointed by the mushroom campanelle ($35 for pasta with a parmesan cream sauce with mushrooms and spinach thrown in) and the harissa-spiced cauliflower. Are you kidding me, $32 for cauliflower? The service was slow, despite the restaurant not being full, and we had to ask for our bill at the end so we didn't miss the train from Salem Station. Overall, Ledger is one of only a few fine-dining options in Salem. It feels that a lot of what you pay for is the atmosphere and to me, in my opinion, the food didn't live up to the elegance. read more

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I am a bit torn about what to rate. I know in my heart of hearts this is an amazing restaurant that normally delivered an excellent experience. However... My birthday is October 31st. Yes, Halloween. In Witch City. My husband made a reservation for 6:30pm as we had plans at 8pm. We were seated quickly at the long wood table, but I was stuffed between the metal beam and the table. I'm 5'10" with long legs so this was super uncomfortable. Thankfully the people next to us left so we were able to shift a seat over before orders were taken. Our server was bubbly and in great spirits and I'm sure that isn't always easy on the busiest night of the year. We ordered drinks and our meals at the same time because it was probably 30 minutes after we sat that our order was taken. I ordered the steak medium and my husband ordered the pork. It took probably another 30 mins for our food to come out. My steak was R A R E. Like that little cow was still mooing on my plate. The server even gasped and returned it to the kitchen. Maybe 15 minutes later a new plate returned. The steak much smaller this time and still super pink all the way through. At this point she said she didn't trust the kitchen to bring out a properly cooked piece of meat and offered me to order something else. We really didn't have any time so I ate as much of my meal as I could. I was really disappointed that my birthday meal was really not going well. A few minutes later she came back and said she felt awful and didn't want me to have a bad birthday and to order anything from the dessert menu on the restaurant. I ordered the pumpkin cheesecake. It came out as pictured which really was so incredibly sweet and thoughtful and definitely put a smile on my face. I had to make a trip to the ladies room, which really is a journey from where we sat (lol), and when I came back, my husband informed me that they had taken the cost of my meal off the bill to make up for the experience. I am truly grateful to the staff for doing everything in their power to ensure our experience wasn't sour. I really do want to go back on a night that isn't so busy to experience how truly wonderful this place can be. We just bought a house in Salem so plenty of opportunity to return :) read more

Ledger Restaurant & Bar - Desserts Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

Another delicious meal at Ledger! The French onion duck soup starter was so delicious. They should make that a staple on the menu. The wood fire chicken and mashed potatoes was a delicious main. The cocktails were hit or miss - I loved the diva tequila cocktail but hated my second one. The service was excellent and our table was perfect. read more

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On a recent trip to Boston, a group of friends and I decided to check out Salem for the night. The group I was traveling with did some research and found Ledger Restaurant & Bar to be the it place to eat in town. Come to find out, another friend on a girls trip found out I was going to be in Salem and made reservations there too so we could hang out. She called the restaurant and asked if we could merge our reservations and make it for 12 people. The restaurant without any fuss or hesitation made it happen. The excellent customer service didn't end there, but showed up again when Maggie did such a great job handing our group with ease. Ledger is located in the heart of Salem, and once was Salem Savings Bank. This building has been around for 200 plus years which in itself made it a cooler experience. The building has so much character and they kept alot if not all of it original on the outside. Their take on food is 19th century dishes with a 21st century twist. The chef behind all the delicious food was nominated for a James Beard award and the restaurant has many accolades. On to the food and drinks. Our group was imbibing in cocktails at a speakeasy before hand and wanted to keep the classy drinks going. I started off with a Fade to Black which was their take on a hybrid Old Fashioned and a Manhattan. It packed a punch was good and a good drink to sip on. For appetizers we got a few different items. One thing I read before coming was that the popovers is a must order. I've only had a popover once in my life so I was excited to compare. These were indeed a crowd pleaser. It came with beef drippings and lemon thyme butter. Who would've thought to serve bread with beef drippings. The butter and drippings was a match made in heaven with the perfectly cooked bread. We also got the fried brussels sprouts which was so good. I was seeing that they like to use different ways to enhance and season things here. It was seasoned with za'atar and parmesan which gave it a nice citrusy and salty bite. Different but tasty. One of their special apps for the night was a calamari and peppers dish. We tore up two orders of that. For my main, I treated myself and got the Skirt Steak Frites dish. This dish was phenomenal. The steak was cooked perfectly, topped with a nice chimichurri and was paired with the most delicious frites. Don't sleep on the mixed greens on the side with the pureed onions and other deliciousness. I'm still thinking of this dish now. Overall, I am so glad we found this super cool, unique, award winning spot. Next time I am in the Boston area, I will definitely be coming through here again. read more

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My favorite place to have dinner in Salem! 10/10 highly recommend. We love sitting at the bar. Great vibes and atmosphere. The chicken entree is a favorite. Also love the butternut Thai soup. read more

Ledger Restaurant & Bar - Bridget Bishop's Revenge cocktail - Desserts Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

An amazing dinner in Salem! The cheese plate was a great starter. Followed this with the duck which was YUM! absolutely amazing. Juicy and flavorful and the veggies were beautifully done. Would definitely recommend this for a nice dinner out. read more

Ledger Restaurant & Bar - Duck - Desserts Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

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Walked in with no reservations on a Saturday evening and got lucky with bar seats (for two). They were super busy and had no available open seats for dining unless you wanted to wait for the bar, which they started to have a waiting list after we got seated. The restaurant is beautiful and has a certain charm. We ordered a couple of drinks and got the popovers for the appetizer and we each ordered an entree: Shawarma spiced dew drop cabbage and Radiatori bolognese. Oddly the entrees came out first and then the popovers eventually came out. I think there might have been a mix up in the kitchen. The popovers were nice and fluffy and paired well with the apple butter. The beef dripping it came with was too fatty for my taste but absolutely loved the apple butter. My pasta dish was exceptional and flavorful. Would definitely recommend to anyone in Salem! read more

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The drinks were good and it was easy to get a table during the holiday weekend. It's a great spot to people watch since it's kind of in the center of everything. Very kind staff. Over all can't complain. read more

Ledger Restaurant & Bar - Desserts Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

In a town with many fantastic options to choose from, Ledger stands above them all. We live near Salem and receive requests from friends all the time for restaurant recommendations. Ledger tops our list, EVERY TIME! The ambiance really takes the cake here - there is a huge, gorgeous bar, and many options for romantic seating. Their menu is really interesting and features a lot of local ingredients. You must trust me and order the popovers (they arguably might be the best thing on their menu - wow are they good). Their cocktails are outstanding as well! I am always very impressed by their service and how upscale it feels inside. Be sure to make a reservation in advance, as they can get very busy! read more

Been here for brunch and dinner twice, and the main appeal honestly is the rustic chic ambiance of the space with high ceilings, tall windows, brick walls, and grand light fixtures with some of the bank's old (1818!) original charm. It's in the upper tier of nicer restaurants for the area and they use high quality ingredients. Service is friendly, but sometimes slow depending on the server. It's in the downtown area, so parking is tricky, but they provide a parking map (link at the bottom.of their page), which I found helpful. Most recently had a nice holiday dinner with a friend and we enjoyed the popovers, beets, mushroom pasta, duck breast and sticky toffee pudding. As everyone else has mentioned, the popovers are one of the best things on the menu, get them! They are huge, airy, and taste great with the butter and drippings. Beets were good, but would skip. The mushroom pasta had a nice creamy but not overpowering flavor - pasta was a bit too al dente but still tasty. The smoked duck was perfectly cooked, but I didn't care for the frisee salad much. Sticky toffee pudding was a decadent way to end the meal. If you're looking for a nice meal in a nice space in the North Shore, Ledger is a great pick. read more

Ledger Restaurant & Bar - Mushroom campanelle - Desserts Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

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came here from recommendation and did no research in advance, but was pleasantly surprised. our waitress was amazing and the options were semi-kid friendly but customizable to fit your needs. I ordered a hamburger and very much enjoyed it. though, my dads stomach has started to hurt and we believe it might be from the steak he ordered (it was a special). for dessert i had ice cream and the chocolate was very rich but the vanilla was pleasant. the place was very cute but we were sat in the corner so i didnt see much of it. would definitely recommend! read more

I've had my fair share of oysters, but this one? Absolutely unforgettable. It's topped with a generous spoon of glossy caviar and the tiniest sprig of microgreens, finished with a burst of freshness from the garnish. Pairing it with their main dish the Mushroom Campanelle only elevated the experience--savory, smooth, and perfectly balanced against the richness of the oyster The brininess of the oyster, the pop of the caviar, and the clean, silky finish created the most luxurious bite I've ever experienced. If you come here, do yourself a favor: start your night with this oyster. read more

Ledger Restaurant & Bar - Caviar Oyster - Desserts Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

This restaurant came highly recommended to us during our stay in Salem. We were very excited, but we were quickly let down. All of the food felt like it was lacking. I didn't even take photos of the entrees because they were not memorable in the least. For the price there's much better restaurants. The service was nice, and the venue is beautiful. read more

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Managed to come back even though it's seven years later and the place is still hopping. They serve the most delicate yet strong, cocktails, well worth the price. Had to have the popovers once again, which were to die for. I had the duck breast this time and it was exquisitely perfect. If you were able to snag a reservation here, you have to try this excellent restaurant at least once. The inside is incredibly beautiful. The aesthetics of the entire restaurant is an architectural dream. read more

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Came for drinks stayed for dinner. The drinks were great and the garnishes were adorable and on theme for Halloween. Had the Duck for dinner and ran into an issue with my first plate having room temperature Duck and cold potatoes. The bartender was very nice and immediately fixed the situations. The staff was professional and efficient. If you don't have reservations you will be able to sit at the bar or communal table. So if you have small children or a large group plan to have a reservation but if you don't mind sitting at the bar it is really a great. read more

Ledger Restaurant & Bar - Bridget Bishops Revenge - Desserts Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

This is a gem in Salem. It is located inside an old saving bank which makes for a beautiful ambiance. We started out with the Dinner Popovers. These are HUGE and very tasty. They were piping hot, doughy and soft in the middle while served with beef drippings and pumpkin butter. This was delectable. For our entrees we ordered the Skirt Steak and the Salmon. These were some of the best seasoned dishes that we have ever had. It is not always the case at restaurants where things seem to be under seasoned. These had great flavor and were very well composed plates. My steak was served with crispy potatoes, carrots and an onion purée. The salmon was served grilled and topped with pepitas with some spring vegetables and bok choy. Our dessert was the only item that was just ok. It was a pumpkin Swiss roll that tasted generic and like it could be from a supermarket. But overall we LOVED our meal here and would definitely dine here again when in Salem. read more

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The service from Maggie was amazing last night! Cups always had water! Food came out fresh and fast! Restrooms were clean. The restaurant vibe was on point. The popovers are a must order. The texture of the crust was on point. Living dead girl drink! Order it! read more

Ledger Restaurant & Bar - Popovers! This is a MUST order! - Desserts Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

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Came here a few times! First time was for brunch for a friends bday it was so fun and poppin! Second time I came alone and it felt very different. Bartenders all are super friendly and accommodating. I appreciate the ambiance (it's an old bank) Will go again since food was on point! read more

Excellent food & service, handled our large group with ease. You'll need about a dozen of their popovers to start, brussel sprouts solid, all mains were really good. read more

This was hands down the best dinner we had in Salem earlier this month. The weather was perfect so we decided to eat outside. With the heat warmers, it was perfect. Service was good, and the food was incredible. Some of the best bolognese I've ever had! read more

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Such a fantastic spot! I came here this morning and was supposed to meet some friends but they couldn't make it. My server was wonderful and the restaurant was not too loud. They had some nice relaxing music going too. I had the Al pastor cauliflower hash for brunch with some black tea. Everything was delicious! I had never been to Salem before. If you go, this place is a MUST!! read more

Ledger Restaurant & Bar - Cauliflower Al Pastor Hash - Desserts Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

The food at the ledger is amazing from the brunch to dinner service. So good that we ended up here 4/4 days we were visiting back in October. They had the coolest and most delicious holiday drinks. The music made it a whole other vibe. And the decor is so appealing. I hate that it took me so long to make this review but I want to give a big shout out to our waitress Maggie. She made our trip in Salem one to remember. She was so warm and wonderful. Can't wait to come back on our next trip! read more

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Brunch Review: They only do brunch on Sunday mornings, but it's worth the trip. Ledger resides inside of an old bank, in which they've preserved some elements of the old bank and weaved them into their space. We sat on the right side of the restaurant where the dividing wall was made of deposit boxes. Overall the food was fantastic, portions were large, and the service was on point. What we ate: - Daily Donut: These are a must, if you enjoy sounds of the special variety of the day, order one! You won't be disappointed. - Chicken & Waffles: Simply amazing! The chicken was cooked to crispy juicy perfection. - Side of Potatoes: Not all dishes come with these so we ordered them as a side. They're great breakfast potatoes, but nothing special about these - Sweet Potato Hash: This was the only dish that fell just a bit flat. I would've expected a bit more kale and punch from the peppers as they were sweeter than expected. read more

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It seems to cater to large parties. When we walked in for Sunday brunch, most of the tables seemed to be set for 10+. Because of the stone walls, the noise from all the large parties was deafening. We saw that the party next to us was treated royally and they admitted to us that it was because they were regulars. Food was OK. Although I liked the interior design, I don't think would go back. read more

5 stars without any hesitation! I never do this.... I asked to speak with the chef. That is how good this food is. He took time even though he was very busy with the dinner rush to come over! That is how you do a business! Very grateful he did so we could rave to him. Ok... so let me now rave to you Yelp people's! Where do I start. Start with the drink. I'm just a girl from NY who loves an apperol spritz and this was on TAP! On Tap I said! They figured out how to mix this and have it come into your glass even more bubbly than when they mix it on hand. The food was definitely NEW YORK restaurant quality food. The flavors were amazing. The care and perfection the kitchen put into each dish was very evident in the presentation and upon tasting. read more

Ledger Restaurant & Bar - Justtt gorgeous. Aperol Spritz (ON TAPPP!!!!) - Desserts Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

This was really an amazing place for brunch in Salem. I expected jacked up prices, but it was pretty reasonable, especially considering the level of professional service and high quality food. The bar is huge and absolutely beautiful. Reservations were mandatory, but the bar was walk-in, which had plenty of seats (by luck?) on a Sunday in Salem in October! My Benedict was the best I've ever had. The breakfast potatoes are orgasmic. My friend's burger was delicious! I will definitely go back next time I am in town. read more

Ledger Restaurant & Bar - Desserts Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

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Good service. Cool ambience. Good fit for Salem... dimply lit, rustic exposed brick and wood, open industrial kitchen, dare I say wickedly good PASTA. I went for my birthday. I had a lavender drink that tasted like bubble bath, the froth on the top did not settle my stomach. The pasta however was very nice, as were the popovers (8/10 but not the best I've ever had). I was planning on dessert, but every pasta dish is easily two servings. However, the birthday treat was a cookie! All and all could've done without. Room temperature and dry, not much flavor. Chips-ahoy-ish after that incredible pasta. NOTE: sticky tables. Water glasses could barely be moved, even suctioned some, and my sleeves stuck to the wood. read more

Ledger Restaurant & Bar - 10/10 pasta - Desserts Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

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Great food and service. Drinks were perfect, dirty martinis were what we mostly ordered. Plenty of space for small or large groups in a nice welcoming atmosphere. Will definitely visit again the next time we are in Salem. read more

I always wanted to try Ledger. Maybe I'll go back, maybe I won't. I was expecting the pricey menu, but I just didn't love it. We ordered the popovers and Brussels sprouts to start. The popovers with garlic butter were fantastic. For dinner, I ordered the smash burger since I was told that they were known for them. It was okay. It was a smash burger. The people I were with order a salad, the mushroom pasta dish, and the other pasta dish that had lamb. Nothing was stand out. I didn't love our table location either. I was looking for hints of the old bank, but where our table was situated there were none to be found. I was told that on the other side of the restaurant has more ambience. So, all in all, it wasn't terrible but it wasn't what I thought it would be. Maybe I'll be back to give it another try. Maybe I won't. read more

This place was beautiful inside and had a cool history of being an old bank, reimagined into a restaurant. I love that they highlight their chefs, and for a small menu there were options for everyone. We got tuna tartare, the popovers, the half chicken and the burger. All the food was great, no wow factor but quality, yummy dinner. Service was wonderful and attentive and I loved the bar and kitchen set up being able to be viewed from anywhere in the restaurant. read more

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Me and my friends didn't have a reservation and was a busy Saturday but the hostess were very friendly and got us a table, service was fast and efficient! We ordered the cheese board for appetizer, really good! For the main course we ordered the mushrooms pasta and the spicy pork belly! Everything delicious!!! The decor is outstanding! We really like it! read more

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An amazing dining experience. The room is so sharp. An old bank converted into a very stylish restaurant. The food was amazing. The popovers were incredible and I had the chicken that was absolutely perfect. The service was also magnificent. I highly recommend this place. read more