We stopped in for dinner after arriving in Salem for the night. It was cool and rainy...perfect for our adventure. The food was delicious! We got the pickle brined chicken sandwich and haddock. Even better than the food was our server. Our son is very into ghosts and our server told us about the history of the building, the stories about the basement bathroom (venture down there if you dare) and his own odd experiences working there. read more

My wife is 8.5 months pregnant and asked to use the restroom while we waited. The host refused. When we asked to speak with a manager, he refused that too. No apology, no flexibility, just smug and dismissive treatment of a visibly pregnant woman. He never even offered a simple option, like grabbing a drink at the bar so we could be customers. Not that it should take a purchase to show basic decency to a pregnant woman. If this is how they treat people at the front door, I have no interest in finding out how they treat them at the table. Plenty of restaurants nearby would have handled this with basic decency. Save yourself the experience and go somewhere that actually cares. read more

Really mean women working At Rockafellers It was an emotional Mother's day - my mother is 98 years old. I wanted a pastry and a cappuccino and just sit outside - and collect my thoughts - Three women were chatting as I approached the hostess station - an I was offered a table right in front of the station. I asked for a table further in the outdoor area - I was informed that there were dirty tables, they didn't want to seat me except at the entrance gate - almost all tables were empty- they didn't want to clean a table ? I said well I guess I will have to go somewhere else... The mean short manly one said "If you wouldn't mind - I think it would be best" They are horrible people!! read more

Dinner at Rockafellas! Came here for dinner after a walk around downtown. Menu is simple but has staples. I got a clam chowder and margarita pizza. I liked both but neither were super hot, warm at best. My mom got the half roasted chicken she liked that, but it was small. Her soup was kinda cold too. Overall nice spot in Salem and in a historic building, conveniently located downtown. read more

See all

Absolutely loved this place! The clam chowder was the best I've ever had. Absolutely delicious! The beautiful outdoor terrace right in the heart of Salem made the experience even better. The staff was very friendly and welcoming. And definitely try the Salem Witch cocktail! Highly recommend! read more

Rockafella's Restaurant - American Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

Food was alright, don't love the AI menus. It's lazy. You can hire a wonderful human to make you a menu. Calamari was okay, breading fell off easily. Flatbread was decent. Cool history about the lady in blue in the Mural. Paul provided good service. read more

Our group stopped by when we were visiting Salem and it was great. It wasn't super busy and they offered seating inside or outside. The food was really good and service was excellent. Our waitress was nice and helpful. The ambiance was very welcoming. I recommend that you don't skip out on dessert. We purchased a variety of them and my favorite was the tiramisu. This is a place you should definitely stop at if you are visiting Salem. read more

See all

We decided to stop in for a quick lunch and to get out of the rain. We got there right as they opened. The clam chowder is great and the truffle fries are delicious. Service was great. Very nicely decorated! read more

Rockafella's Restaurant - Truffle Fries - American Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

See all

While exploring Salem, I decided to try Rockafella based on its decent reviews. I ordered the lobster roll and fried calamari. The lobster roll was okay--fresh but nothing special. Honestly, I've had better, like the one at Union Oyster House in Boston. The fried calamari was a bit disappointing. It was crispy, but served lukewarm, and the pieces were on the smaller side. Personally, I prefer larger rings sliced thinner for better texture. Overall, it was an average dining experience--not bad, but not memorable. read more

See all

We decided on Rockafella's Restaurant for dinner on our last night in Salem. We stood in line for about 10-15 minutes before we were seated inside. The place is huge with tons of seating and it was decorated for Halloween which we all really enjoyed. The interior definitely gave off an old spooky tavern vibe. Lots of history here for sure! We ordered the Parmesan Polenta Fries to share as an appetizer and then we ordered the Bleu Burger, Crab Cake BLT with Caesar Salad and the Pickled Chicken Sandwich with Mashed Potatoes for our entrees. We enjoyed the Polenta Fries - the marinara sauce tied it all together nicely. I liked the Chicken on the Pickled Chicken Sandwich - you could really taste the 48 hour pickle brine, but the Mashed Potatoes were very bland. I don't think my friend or husband were in love their meals either. Also, their bathrooms were also really disgusting - there were piles of toilet paper in the trash in each stall and I'm pretty sure I even saw poop on the floor. I left immediately and went to the other bathroom which is downstairs - to say it was sketchy is an understatement. It felt like a makeshift bathroom on a pirate ship and I thought I would be kidnapped if I didn't hurry up and get out. I was really grossed out afterwards and didn't even finish my meal. They also don't have heaters for their outdoor seating and it was really cold the night we were there - they should definitely invest in those! Our server was super friendly and sweet though - she made the whole experience worth it, but I definitely wouldn't come back. read more

See all

the food and service was amazing . must try the REDVelvet cheese cake .... wings and pear salad were my favorite

We were visiting Salem for the day and came across this restaurant. Ordered Crab Cake BLT with Fries Lobster Roll with Fries Steak Tips with Mash and Asparagus Both the seafood and the Steak were super delicious. My family really enjoyed our dishes. Ambiance is nice, clean and big dining spaces outside and inside. Friendly Service. Service was good. Highly recommended. read more

See all

didn't see any ghosts but i did see some really kind and funny service! My group of Nine was seated promptly and our waitress was a hoot. Drinks are pretty expensive but it could be worse. Got truffle fries which were alright, and my main meal was the pickle chicken sandwich. Kind of moist in a way i wasn't super into, but honestly upon trying everyone else's food, still a very good meal. Bathroom situation isn't ideal and is at bottom of a long staircase. Keep in mind if you have elderly or disabled party members. Very good night in a beautiful piece of historical property. read more

Rockafella's Restaurant - Pickled Chicken Sandwich (usually comes with fries but i wasn't feeling it. imagine fries too) - American Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

The food was ok but we had to wait a long time for the drinks, so much that my husband decided to cancel the last drink as we had been done eating for a while. read more

I loved the festive Halloween vibe at Rockafella's! Sitting outside on the patio taking in Salem in October was awesome. Unfortunately the food was just so-so. I had the Grilled Cheese which was okay but the bread took up so much of the taste! It definitely needed more cheese! My children had the Baked Mac and Cheese which they both agreed was very good! You can choose things like bacon, pulled pork, etc to go in your Mac and Cheese. I did enjoy my Butter Beer which was a great complement to the spooky atmosphere. The service was also great, very friendly! I would most likely visit again and try some other menu items! read more

See all

One of the more popular spots on Essex for food and drinks but ended up stopping for just a couple of drinks which were delicious! A bit on the pricey side but probably standard for the area. They don't take reservations for October so it's walk in only but if you hang around long enough, you can usually snag a spot at the bar. read more

Rockafella's Restaurant - American Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

We had a really enjoyable experience here in Salem! The restaurant has a warm and welcoming atmosphere, and the staff was attentive and friendly throughout our visit. They are hard workers here in the month of October. The food was delicious with hearty portions, and you can tell everything was made fresh. Cedar salad with crusty chicken was not as good as the waitress recommended. A couple of small details kept it from being a full 5-star experience -- the wait time was a little longer than expected, and one dish Cesar salad, used over cooked chicken nuggets rather than fresh chicken. That was my only complaint. Other than that everyone enjoyed their meal. . Still, the overall quality and service more than made up for it. This spot is definitely worth a visit if you're in the area. Very very busy with wait lines. Great food, good value, and a comfortable place to enjoy a meal in Salem read more

See all

Great location. Super service. Beverly and Mia were so friendly. Best crab cakes ever! Kudos to the executive chef Everett! read more

Rockafella's Restaurant - Outside patio with Everett the executive chef - American Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

I used to like the menu, but they changed it and their prices are not worth it. I spent $25 on a squash dish- it was a single half small squash on a large plate with quinoa filling.... that's it. Boston restaurants are more reasonable with better options both for people with celiac and for vegetarians. I hope they bring back some of their delicious dishes- like the eggplant tower- our group used to go because we loved that dish. Staff is still nice- that's stable. They're pretty good about gf, too read more

We stopped here in the mid afternoon for some cocktails and snacks. The ahi tuna nachos are flawless. The chips are light and crispy, the tuna is fresh and plentiful, and the jalapeños have the perfect level of spice. The side Caesar had just the right amount of dressing. I had the Amalfi kiss cocktail which was perfectly balanced in flavor. We also had the Botanist which was refreshing and a lot of different flavors which some might like but could be overpowering. All around great experience, and excellent location for people watching if you sit outside. read more

Overall very good experience. Our server seemed inexperienced or just not very attentive but others on staff were fine. Drinks and food were good. We did see a mouse run across the dining room floor - the manager seemed appropriately horrified and did explain about construction and tunnels under the restaurant. Hopefully not a regular occurrence!! read more

Rockafella's Restaurant - Roasted Pear & Walnut Salad - American Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

Host and hostess are rude and smug. Very poor customer service. Male host also didn't bring out the manager he was hiding behind when I asked for her. Food also looks like your typical Sysco garbage. read more

Started off with the clam chowder really runny I expected more from an East Coast restaurant close to the water. The half chicken was old. I had a funny taste to it, as well as an aftertaste. The mashed potatoes had absolutely no seasoning. The asparagus was cold. My wife's tri-tip was supposed to be savory and it tasted like there was something candied on it. Manager took care of our bill and couldn't believe we didn't like it. I'm sorry I'm a big foodie and I'm a big believer in seasoning. read more

Rockafella's Restaurant - Roasted half chicken with smashed Yukon potatoes and Side of Asparagus - American Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

Relaxing with good food and drinks. Perfect for allergy sensitivities. Salem MA. Positive customer service at 241 Essex St. read more

See all

We were seated quickly at an inside table. The waiter was prompt and took our drink order. A few more minutes until he took our food order. I had the crab cake BLT with FF. The first were great. The bacon on the sandwich was nice and crispy but the crab cake was not crispy at all. My daughter had the Mac n cheese with pulled pork and she rated it a 3.8 on a 5 scale. Ambiance was a bar style and they were decorated for Halloween. read more

Rockafella's Restaurant - Crab cake BLT with FF - American Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

See all

Had a delightful afternoon with a friend here. We sampled the mocktail menu. The peach mocktail was very refreshing. My friend had the painless punch...also good. We got crab cakes which were to die for. The aioli totally made them. Then we had the portobello tower. Amazing!! We meet Everett the new chef. Would definitely say he is doing a great job. Mia our server was also wonderful. Attentive, gracious and helpful. This is my second time here and it's definitely not my last!! read more

It had been raining and we wanted to get in out of the rain so we stopped by to grab a beverage. This location has an extensive history dating all the way back to the 1600's. In fact - it is said that there are two ghosts that have made their presence known throughout this property. My husband opted for the not so old old fashion that was made with rye whiskey. He said it was really good. I got one of the ciders on top that I haven't had yet in the area and thought that it was very light little dryer but still very good. Overall, this location has a very large bar menu as well as plenty of different beer and wine options as well. read more

After watching one of Darling Desi's YouTube videos, I knew I wanted to eat here. you're not able to make a reservation during the summer and fall, so be prepared to wait. We got lucky and were able to get two seats at the bar After just walking in. This was probably my favorite grilled cheese sandwich (after my dad's) that I've ever had. It was not overly cheesy and the little container of tomato bisque to dip in the sandwich was chef's kiss! I also ordered the apple cider Mocktail. It was not too sweet and a perfect balance to the savory dish I had. If you want to eat here, I recommend getting here as soon as they open or during a time when there won't be too much of a wait. They have tons of options and drinks on the menu. And the service was great! read more

Rockafella's Restaurant - Grilled Cheese Sandwich - American Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

Came here to kill some time last august before our ghost tour and it was great! we had some drinks at the bar, got some apps, and watched the game on TV. the bartender and some other people around us were all super nice and chatty. thanks for having us and keeping us cool in the heat! read more

I'll start by saying the customer service here is phenomenal! However, I do think this restaurant is overrated. For starters, we ordered fried calamari and the artichoke spinach dip. I love calamari, but these just didn't do it for me. They were bland, and since I didn't order this appetizer, I didn't realize jalapenos were mixed in. I don't eat or like spicy food, so this was a complete no for me and the entire table. The spinach artichoke was okay. Next, I ordered the steak bites with asparagus and mashed potatoes. The asparagus was delicious! Seasoned to perfection, loved it. The garlic mashed was also really good but the steak bites were a no for me. The menu says marinated steak bites. Marinated in what? To me, it tasted like it was marinated in teriyaki sauce. No, thank you. If you know me then you know I love a good steak. I didn't finish my food and I was so hungry. Honestly, I was so disappointed and felt I should have gone to a fast food restaurant, especially given the amount of money we spent. read more

See all

The food was great and the people there were even better. Wonderful food and great location. My daughter lost a gift card from a nearby store and they were kind enough to hold onto it until we came back to retrieve it. The staff was very friendly. Highly recommend the lobster roll and butter beer cheers! Enjoy Salem read more

Rockafella's Restaurant - Lister roll and steak tips - American Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

See all

I was quickly seated at a comfortable table in the bar area. The waitress immediately brought me water and was ready to take my drink order. After learning of the blue lady in my morning walking tour I chose to get one. It was very good reminiscent of a blue Hawaiian. She took my food order kindly. I order the Mediterranean linguini, a very nice portion with fresh vegetables, not over cooked. I added a little salt it was very good, but the brine from the olives really calls for a little more acidity to balance those few bites with the olives. I am glad I stopped for my meal and was able to even take a large portion back to the hotel for later in the evening. read more

See all

Sat at the bar here and drank a few drinks with my hubby. I didn't eat any food here but every thing did smell amazing here. The Bartender was nice and recommended a drink or two to us as well. Next time I visit I will have to stay to enjoy their food . read more

Very spacious and classy inside. I enjoyed my grilled cheese, it had almost a pizza-y taste because of the bread, cheese and tomato blend so it was unique and a fun take on a classic sandwich. I also liked the mocktail, very yummy. The service was great, we were in there for what seemed like a while, wavered on the dessert menu and they never made us feel rushed nor did they kick us out lol. Overall a good experience! read more

Rockafella's Restaurant - rosemary and pear spritz mocktail - American Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

See all

Had a tough time getting seated in the dining room. Hostess sat another table and then wandered around for a bit. So we sat at the bar. The service at the bar was great. No issues there. Very friendly. The food was fine. We had burgers. They were cooked as we'd requested. The flavor wasn't great but also not bad. The interior design is fun at the bar. Big open windows out on to the street. Overall, it was decent. read more

I came here in the summer before the big crowds and was very happy with my service and food. Very fun atmosphere and the staff are friendly. Food and drinks came out quickly. Most of the cocktails are on theme with the history of Salem and the restaurant itself which also makes things even more fun. I came again recently during Halloween just for a drink and was also pleasantly surprised by the quick service and attention we got even on the busiest time of the year. read more

See all

Margarita Flatbread, Spinach Dip and Mac and Cheese were all delicious. Service was quick and kind. The ambiance was put together. Decorating for the Halloween seasons was great. It was a busy weekend to say the least and we still had an enjoyable time. We will be back. read more

Split the fish and chips with a friend, it was delicious and perfect for sharing. Staff was extremely accommodating towards my food allergies. A bit pricey, but worth it. read more

Quick decision to go here because we were on Essex Street in between some shopping. They had a nice outdoor seating area which we took advantage of a nice sunny day. Lots of umbrellas in the seating area. Lady at the front was excellent with her service as well as all of the servers. We ordered just a few appetizers, the buffalo wings, a Caesar salad, and a fig and prosciutto pizza. All were very good. There is a cool vault seating area inside the building at the far back. Nice and open with a large bar on the inside that we didn't take advantage of, but would next time. There are lots of options in Salem, this was a good Quick option. read more

My daughter and I both love going to this place. The food is excellent. The people are very friendly and they have a lot of different funny name drinks we always sit by the window so we can people watch while we're there, but I do like sitting outside in the hot summertime read more