They have the best chowder in the downtown area of Gloucester if you are walking around the harbor…read moreand shopping but don't want to get in your car again. The restaurant is pretty big and the wait staff are really nice and friendly. The menu is good sized, reasonably priced for the portions and delicious. You can eat out on their deck or there's a nice view of the harbor. There are two bars and I imagine it gets pretty packed in the summer. I send people here when asked where to go for standard fish and chips fare and feel vindicated now that I've returned in the off season. On the negative side- the vibe is corporate- like you're eating in a hotel lobby in the Midwest. There was one piece of art that looked local and if not for that, you could have been anywhere. Not a damning criticism but also the music made me feel like I was in Ohio not Gloucester. Someone had the station on contemporary country and it was loud. Men singing about going home with drunk women with low self esteem and trying to win back custody of their kids- it's the worst vibe for me. I kept looking at the waitresses trying to determine which one I could pay to change it. If the food wasn't so good and the staff wasn't so nice I would have left. There were so few other customers compared to the other restaurants we passed by I wondered if it was because the music was the reason. There's a way to say "we are a working class hangout " without blasting music that glorifies heavy drinking and dim wits in the background. The restaurant owners have curated every other aspect of the experience- they should go to Oak to Ember or the Franklin at night and realize that the music in addition to the atmosphere makes it or breaks it.

Nice location and nice staff, but the food was disappointing…read more The seaside pub atmosphere made me optimistic and warm service made me optimistic, but as soon as the lobster rolls arrived I knew it would be underwhelming. The lobster was dry, gummy and the meat pieces were small and sparse. For $40, which is more than a lobster roll with 4 times the meat and 10 times the quality costs in Boston, it was a bit of a rip-off. On the positive side, the tater tots were great. They were crispy and served piping hot fresh. They probably came from a frozen bag, but they were made well. The fish chowder was not bad. Although the soup was not very rich and somewhat underseasoned, the fish seemed fresh and was flaky and tasty. Fries were not great (likely also from a bag, under seasoned, fast-food thin, and served lukewarm). The atmosphere may merit a visit for drinks, but food may be a gamble.

Great service and food! We got seated right away! All five people in our parry enjoyed their food!read more

i was looking for a brunch place open in gloucester on a sunday at 1pm, and george's restaurant &…read morebar seemed to be the only place open (in winter season). i am so glad i found this place! it's on a corner after the main rotary, street parking available. lilly & other staff all provided excellent service and a warm welcome. i tried their florentine benedict with a single jumbo blueberry pancake. their florentine benedict is so scrumptious, loaded with spinach & tomato and perfectly poached eggs. the blueberry pancakes are huge and completely stuffed with blueberries. i was so pleased when i asked if they had real maple syrup, and the gentleman who served me went and got it right away. and they don't overcharge for it like most places! they also have plenty of drink options available which all sounded delicious. florentine benedict 9.5/10 blueberry pancakes 10/10 overall, the meal was absolutely delicious, clearly a hometown staple for locals, and for good reason. not only that, they're reasonably priced and i will definitely return when in the area for breakfast or brunch. ambiance: 4.8/5 food: 5/5 drinks: n/a services 5/5 george's restaurant & bar: 5/5

Arriving in Manchester-by-the-sea, we had lunch near the Commuter Rail station. This restaurant was…read morerecommended by ChatGPT, but it was just okay; perhaps the town is too small, with limited options. New England Clam Chowder: Rich, flavorful, and delicate, but unfortunately a bit too salty. Mussels: A classic New England preparation, with a strong wine aroma, but the acidity wasn't prominent. A touch of tomato added umami and balanced the richness of the butter, which was quite good. However, the mussels were a bit small, slightly affecting the overall experience. Baked Local Haddock: The haddock was quite fresh, but it was overcooked even than I usually do - does that make sense? The asparagus was simply blanched and completely tasteless. Surprisingly, the best dish was the mashed potatoes. House Greens Salad: Delicious! The vegetables were very fresh, the vinaigrette's acidity was crisp and refreshing, with a slightly sweet aftertaste that balanced it out, preventing it from being too overpowering. House Fried Rice: This fried rice was absolutely awful, a contender for the worst I've ever eaten. It was both overwhelmingly sour and salty, completely inedible, and tasted like the vinaigrette in our salad. Don't ask why I ordered fried rice in a small American town; my parents wanted it... However, after complaining to the waiter, the dish was served for free, which was a pretty good outcome.

i was looking for a new place to find some decent steak tips locally, and came across cala's. i…read morebelieve it was recommended to me by a foodie i met at another restaurant in lynnfield, specifically for the steak tips. bri was my host & server, and she provided excellent service the entire time. i ended up trying their prime rib sandwich instead, bri said it was her favorite, and it was really delicious! stuffed with meat & extra cheese, and great dipping sauce. the fries were made perfectly crispy. cala's is a local dive bar with good quality food. all of the tables near the bar & the bar were full of people who knew each other. it doesn't seem like the regulars are used to new people coming in, but the staff were more than friendly. prime rib sandwich 9.5/10 pineapple blackberry mocktail 10/10 i really liked the prime rib, and i'll return to try their steak tips. no frills, good food, locals bar. deadhead decor, included! ambiance: 4.8/5 food: 5/5 drinks: 5/5 service: 5/5 cala's: 5/5

The food is fabulous Baked haddock and halibut risotto…read moreCooked just right..fresh and delicious

on vacation with a group of seafood lovers who really wanted to try this place - i was rightfully…read moreapprehensive since i didn't see any vegan options on their menu. i had hoped they could modify a pasta dish (by just removing the sausage/fish) but the kitchen advised they wouldn't do so because it would alter the flavor. disappointing but i was hungry so i ended up ordering a baked potato and the seasonal veggie which was corn on the cob. i did really enjoy the lavender sunset martini, though, and our server kyleigh(sp?) was very friendly and attentive.

My husband and I went around 5:00 on 7/2/26 and had no problem getting a table right away. My…read morehusband ordered a cold lobster roll and the fish tacos. He thought both were delicious. There was a good amount of lobster. The fish tacos had a little kick to them. I got the seafood stuffed pineapple and I honestly think it's the best meal I have ever had in my life! I love the curry coconut cream. It didn't have a strong curry flavor to it, it was the perfect blend of coconut and pineapple. There was a lot of seafood inside and the rice was delicious. I wish I lived closer so I could have it again. I need to learn how to recreate it!

We have been going here for the past four years for our anniversary. This year we went to get and…read moreit has gone downhill so badly. I can't even describe it. I don't know who's cooking the food, but they suck! Ordered a rare steak got a medium rare almost well done in parts. It was covered completely with this disgusting saucen alleged demi glass. Allegedly it was on smashed potatoes. They were like a bricks, and they also had pork in them, which is not something I was expecting at all. Not in any way mentioned on the menu. My husband ordered the lobster bisque. It was thickened with flour no lobster and no lobster flavor. very thick and gluggy. He ordered the lamb chops. They were also covered completely with the same disgusting sauce. He's not one to complain, but I am especially when you're paying those prices. I'm hoping that Tobin, who is part of the family and allegedly in charge of the restaurant, reads this takes and takes it to heart because this restaurant used to be good now it's disgusting. Not ever going back. We'll find a new place for our anniversary that takes food quality serious. Get a new Chef that actually knows what they're doing and pay them well!

1606 is spectacular! Located in the magnificent Beauport…read moreHotel.. the bar is large with special views of the harbor. Cocktails created by gracious bartenders.. indoors or out on the immense sea view terrace. The food is amazing-- delicious raw bar options plus an extensive menu with options for everyone. We were in a private area surrounded by windows to the water.. but the main dining room is lovely., Highly recommend!

If you find your way to the amazing fishing town of Gloucester, you need to go ahead and get…read moreyourself a meal at 1606 Restaurant & Oyster Bar. This place is an absolutely elevated location in the Beauport Hotel right there overlooking the harbour. You have unbelievable views, food, and service. From local catch cooked just right or served the way it's supposed to, fresh or raw, this place has it all. It has delicious drinks. An amazing presence and atmosphere between the raw bar, the main bar, dining room, outside seating, and private room. I've done lunch or dinner at each dining spot and it's never disappointed. Do not miss this spot if you are in town. This place is fantastic. Make sure to try and catch Andrea and Arwen at the bar. They are fantastic and provide amazing service! Ocho Tequila on Ice - Perfect/10 Raw Oysters from Canada - 9.3/10 Raw Oysters from Massachusetts - 8.3/10 Conserva with Tuna Filets - 8.8/10 Quahogs - 8.7/10 Brussels Sprouts - 8.1/10 Only thing not good about this place is that they aren't closer to me in Florida!

I'm not sure you would find this without knowing where to look. It's a favorite among locals for…read moregood reason. Downstairs is a "lively" bar, upstairs is the restaurant portion. Use the outside stairs to joueny up stairs. They don't take reservations and on a Thursday night it was full so plan accordingly. They have a full offering of drinks and I went draft beer, Alagash, a wheat beer from Maine. A good choice to go with a heavy meal. At the recommendation of our local host, I went for the Pan Seared Haddock. This comes with lobster meat in a white sauce served over potatoes and cooked spinach. So tasty, the seafood was tender and delicious, the sauce not overwhelming the flavors. Our server, Casey, was top notch and gave the right amount of earnest attention. When he wished us a good evening, I think he truly meant it. Husband had the seafood platter mixed and I tried one of the shrimp which was excellent. Great spot, though it is dimly lit and noisy(just know before you go type thing). Didn't hamper our enjoyment of a fun evening at all!

The food was fresh & flavorful - short rib dinner (bartender recommended) & fried seafood platter…read more The bartender was great - can't remember her name - but she was attentive & quick to take care of us...the bar/restaurant down stairs is small, but so Marblehead - a locals hang out it seems. Main restaurant wasn't open when we got there, but downstairs was great.

Absolutely fantastic. Everyone from the waitstaff to the owner were friendly, knowledgeable and…read morehelpful. The food was outstanding and the view was breathtaking. Will definitely be back. I highly recommend! 5

I went to My Place by the Sea with 4 other people. We had a 6 o'clock reservation and were seated…read morepromptly, on the deck. The views were absolutely beautiful! We started with an appetizer of mussels in white wine and garlic, which were delicious. Two of us had the lobster salad on a baguette. Probably the best lobster "roll" I've ever had. The baguette took it over the top. The rest of our party had the pasta with lobster and bolognese. For dessert we shared the coconut cake and lemon sorbet. Everything was fresh and delicious. The staff is very attentive, knowledgeable and pleasant. This is special occasion restaurant, but I will definitely be back! Highly recommend!​