Really Good Food, Just Bring a Little Patience It was 68° and one of those genuinely nice summer days, so we decided to eat outside at The Village Tavern. The patio was clean, quiet, and not overly crowded. No tables packed together, no one yelling over the next table, and no need to spend the meal trying to dodge somebody else's conversation. Just a nice, comfortable spot to eat. Our server was friendly, helpful, and attentive for most of the meal. The only issue was the timing. The food took a while to come out, which was a little surprising because it really wasn't that busy. Then, after we finished, I sat with empty plates in front of me for quite a while before finally getting her attention to ask for the check. I'm not asking for instant service, but once the food is gone, I'm usually ready to begin the portion of the meal where I leave. The two waits together were enough to cost a star. Fortunately, the food was very good. We started with the cheesy pretzel bites and avocado fries. Both were delicious and both disappeared pretty quickly. The pretzel bites came with herb butter, garlic, Parmesan, mozzarella, parsley and pomodoro sauce. Lots of cheese, plenty of flavor, and exactly the kind of appetizer that's going to be gone before anyone has had a chance to decide whether they want another one. The avocado fries were crispy on the outside, creamy inside, and just as good. My wife got the French dip and really liked it. The bread was toasted perfectly, the cheese was melted just right, and the au jus was hot and flavorful. Nothing fancy about it, just a really well-done French dip. The kids both got burgers. My son ordered his with ketchup only, but it came with mayo. He was not happy about that, and I can't really argue with him. If I order ketchup only, I'm also going to be wondering how mayo managed to make the cut. My daughter got the Rodeo Smash Burger with BBQ sauce and onion rings and loved it. Everybody got fries, and they were probably the most consistently good thing on the table. Cooked perfectly and seasoned well without being ridiculously salty. You could actually taste the potato, which feels like a reasonable expectation that restaurants occasionally treat as an ambitious request. I got the Cantina Short Rib Tacos, and these were easily my favorite. Shredded short rib, lettuce, salsa verde, pico de gallo, cilantro and sour cream. The short rib was tender, rich, and full of flavor, and the toppings worked really well together. The salsa verde and pico brought some acidity and freshness, the cilantro added another layer, and the sour cream balanced out the richness of the beef. Nothing overpowered anything else. Just really good tacos with a lot of flavor in every bite. The menu also had quite a few other things that caught my attention. The Reuben in particular. I noticed it after I'd already ordered, which is always unfortunate because now I have to come back and see if it was worth ignoring everything else for. There were several other things I'd happily try too. So, four stars. The food was very good, the patio was comfortable, and the service was friendly. The food took longer than it should have on a relatively quiet day, and waiting for the check after we were already finished didn't help. Neither ruined the meal, but both were noticeable. Clean up the timing a little and this would be an easy five. read more

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OMG so glad we came here food was amazing!!! Friendly staff. I got the pressed turkey club. It was sooooo good!! Specially the cranberry mayo sauce. The fries were fat and nice lol idk. The baked mac n cheese was the best I have ever had!! Sooooo good!! Would go again a million times! read more

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Ate lunch twice in this friendly tavern. Both times we were greeted by friendly staff. The place reminds me of a well run chain establishment. Food was good. Taco tuesday was solid! read more

Village Tavern is a lively bar and grill located on Essex St. in the heart of Salem, open daily from 11:00 AM to 1:00 AM. The space has a casual, welcoming vibe that fits right in with Salem's bustling downtown. My friends and I stopped in for a few drinks and some light bites. The experience was pleasant overall. The food and service were pretty standard, nothing to complain about but nothing particularly memorable either. We tried the pretzel bites, sweet chili Parmesan chicken tenders, and a cheese pizza, all of which were decent but unremarkable. Beyond the food and drinks, Village Tavern has a spacious game room with multiple pool tables, darts, air hockey, and a few arcade games. I always appreciate a bar that offers something fun to do besides just sitting around with a drink. read more

Village Tavern - Cheese Pizza - American Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

This is such a great place. The food was amazing. I had the falafel and humus platter with added pita. It was very good with so much flavor and a great presentation. There were lots of vegetarian options. The house made chips were great as well. The service was very good and with great fast service. The ambiance was great with a medium fullness at lunch and nice visitors. I would highly recommend. read more

Village Tavern - American Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

We stopped into the Village Tavern for a quick drink while sightseeing in Salem. They are tucked away on Essex Street next to the Witch City Mall. It is a fairly large tavern with tables all around plus a 360 degree bar. Service was a bit slow because I only saw 1 bartender and 1 barback, but they were both friendly and hustling around. I ordered a water and a Jolly Slasher which I did not enjoy - it was a melted Jolly Rancher mixed with really bad cheap vodka. We didn't order any food, but I noticed that the man next to us ordered Potato Skins and they looked pretty good. I loved the interior of Village Tavern - they had great quotes painted all over the walls and I loved seeing all of the Halloween decorations. Not sure if I would be back again, but check them out! read more

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We stopped in the Village Tavern to grab some appetizers to tie us over until our dinner we had with some friend while in the area. We only had an hour between our Museum tour ending & our scheduled Witch Pix appointment. We were told to grab a seat anywhere, we chose these cute 2 seater booths but unfortunately no server came over so we moved to the bar where we were greeted by the bartender Ayla (?). She was very sweet and got us menus and drinks asap. We told her we were in a time crunch and she got our order in quickly. We both got a cup of Clam Chowder, and split the Giant Meatball & Chicken Wings. We opted for the Garlic Parm Buffalo sauce on the wings and they were to die for. The meatball was very tasty but I wasn't a fan of the whipped ricotta on top, but the garlic bread and the sauce were so so good. Our server was prompt on getting us our check so we weren't late to our photo session that was right next door to the Tavern. The Tavern was very cute, had 2 seater booths, bar seating, booths and large tables. They had 2 bars one in the main dining room and one in the back. They also had arcade games in the back and a pool table. They have a back door to enter into Witch City Mall but you can only enter the restaurant from the street side door. This restaurant is very casual and inviting. The food and service was good and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. I would recommend this restaurant if you are in the area. read more

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This is my first time ever using a review on a food place because we like small buisness but this was bad... We Did not even eat here... came to eat and was told to come back in 30 minutes. We asked if we should leave a number as to set a reservation and was told just come back in 30... the man was dismissive and extremely rude. So nothing to say about the food could be great! But a buisness that allow their employees to speak to people wanting to eat at your establishment will never get my buisness. read more

Service was great, food was delicious, and comfortable seating. Great place. This place is also great for larger parties as there are low top and high top large party options. read more

Village Tavern - American Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

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This place wasn't too bad. The prices seemed a little high for what it was, but I get it- location! Service was lovely, and if you're sitting outside you get a great view. The inside is a lot to be desired, hence the rating. The food tastes pretty good, but again, prices were a little too high for what we got. We'd def stop by again and explore the menu more. read more

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this place is just constantly good. the food is always great and the drinks are just right. our waitress was absolutely fantastic. the vibe is chill and relaxed. been coming here for years, never had a bad experience. read more

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Nice quiet spot with some lovely outdoor seating. We all got the smash burger, it was good! The prices were more than fair, and the service was friendly too. They have a kids menu, and the pasta on there was a hit with my little one. read more

Our group agreed to try this spot out for a late lunch. We were all happy we did. We did eat outside. They have a lot of outdoor seating. I was also attracted to their ginormous skeleton decor ( yes, we took photos with them). This restaurant/bar is pretty big inside too. Which from the outside you would not know. It's pretty cool inside too, as they have old school pin ball machines, table hockey, and darts. the tables have Tiffany styled lamps and their main bar kind of u shapes as you come indoor. The food was good. I went with their bacon, Swiss cheese, and garlic smash burger with sweet potato fries ( which is an up charge) their smash burgers usually come with the chips. To drink I had a raspberry Moscow mule. The rest of the party all ate different items. One had the blt with regular fries. Next one had the steak with veggies and mashed potatoes ( which she said were very good), and her mom had the mushroom smash burger with chips. Everyone was full and satisfied. Our server was very nice and food came out in a nice timely manner. This tavern is connected to the witch mall and there's a court yard area in the front that has the map of Salem in stone FYI read more

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Service sucks. Heat of the day, sitting at an outside table for 10 minutes and no one approached me. Too hot and miserable to sit here with nothing to drink. read more

Surf and turf, streak tips were sweet the shrimp were okay but not sure what the sauce was with the shrimp. Chicken fingers were dry, really dry. The waitress was amazing read more

Village Tavern - Chicken Fingers - American Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

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The food was amazing. The service was great. And the environment was excellent. But, in the women's restroom, screws were off the doorframe, and the lock on the stalls were non-functional. There are also only two stalls in the women's restroom with one being handicapped. read more

Had a really nice lunch here with friends. We were sat in the titanic room, so it had photos and news articles about the titanic which was really cool. The star of the show was the pretzel bites, and that's coming from someone who normally doesn't like pretzels. They had a crunch on the outside and soft pillowy in the middle. Then the cheese they give on the side was warm and perfect, so perfect we ordered a second helping of pretzel bites! We mostly got smash burgers which came with house made chips. The chips were wonderful in flavor and crisp. The flavor of the burger was nice, but a little dry. Typically smash burgers are nice and juicy but all of ours felt very dry. The bacon was delicious! I really appreciated that their mocktails were more normal priced at $7.25 instead of these other places that charge the same as an alcoholic beverage. Our waitress was very friendly and attended to us the perfect amount for what we wanted. read more

Ordered pick up food which was one of the few options open late. Food was good and mostly correct. They refunded the item that was incorrect. read more

The Village Tavern is located in the mall but the entry is via the pedestrian area of Essex Street. They have a great beer garden area outdoors with tables and a small bar. My friends picked up a couple of seasonal brews there (see photo). Our group then went inside to play pool. The whole tavern was jumping. After making our way to the back room for pool (see photo) we decided to get some potato skins. They came with sour cream and were quite tasty - highly recommend. My friend walked over to the main bar to order them as the bar in the billiards room was not staffed. We really enjoyed our time together there. It's casual and unpretentious - absolutely perfect for an afternoon with friends! read more

Village Tavern - If super into pool, suggest bringing your own stick. The good casual vibes rock- so, highly recommend this tavern. - American Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

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Right on the Main strip! We loved the atmosphere and the food was great! We ordered the cheeseburger and sweet potato fries and chicken tenders appetizer. Also ordered the chips and trio. The chips were so flavorful. LOVED THEM. The chocolate martini was strong and good. We'll be back during our visit here to Salem! read more

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The food was awesome. And the ambience had a great bar vibe. We will definitely try this place again when in Salem

My family came here in memory of my uncle who was a local and would come here for a beer and watch sports. We all ordered a drink to remember him and ordered his favorite food that he would order here. It was my family's first time in the area visiting before he passed so we wanted to eat somewhere that he would go to a lot. We can definitely see why he would come here often because their drinks and food were all so tasty! I ordered the Mac and cheese, my mom ordered the Tavern Tacos, and my dad and cousins ordered fish and chips. We were all very impressed with the portion size and those who ordered the fish and chips were very delighted with how good the fish was. It was a bit pricey but worth every penny! We will definitely be back the next time we visit the area as a tradition to remember my uncle who loved this place when he was still alive. read more

Village Tavern - Fish & Chips. - American Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

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Decent food; the "large group" surcharge of 20% was a bit surprising on the bill, for a party of 6. it added $30 to the bill and I wish this would've been clearly stated at the beginning. read more

Walked in with a party of 7 and they sat us in no time at all- a huge surprise considering it was the end of September! The waitress gave great recommendations and did a great job. The food was comforting and delicious! Had a wide variety on the menu so there was definitely something for everyone. Highly recommend if you are in Salem! read more

Unfortunately we were very disappointed. The first 3 things we tried to order they were out of, then I asked for sweet potato fries and the waitress said they were still too frozen to cook. The side salad had mushy lettuce. The short rib quesadilla was ok per my son while my other son did not enjoy his burger. The service was not great. We went there for my birthday while in town and my husband told the waitress, she said you can get anything off the menu. So we got a dessert. When the bill came we were charged and she said "yea I just meant you can get any dessert". Would not have gotten dessert here had we known. Basically this place is very touristy and I'd check out many other places instead read more

Was in Salem for some Halloween activities and stopped by here. They had a long line which I took as a good sign. Food was good, but definitely felt like tourist prices (makes sense as it is a tourist areas). Service was excellent even though they were extremely busy. read more

Honestly, it's a 3.5 but I can't justify only 3 stars because it wasn't "that bad". My husband and I were in Salem for 48 hours and as a *self proclaimed* "foodie", I did a lot of research before I decided on where we would eat. I typically don't base my decisions on other people's reviews; rather on the menu. We decided to give this place a try based on the menu - imagine our disappointment when we arrived and the menu is even smaller now than prior photos showed (I think even their website!). My husband ordered the garlic burger ($14.95). The burger was a small patty - looked tiny compared to the bun - with one *noncrispy* piece of bacon. It also lacked any kind of flavor. He was beyond disappointed. He ordered the truffle fries and it came with a garlic aioli. Honestly these were amazing, however we got charged $1 for the aioli we didn't even ask for. So altogether his meal was $21.90 and for that price, it was very disappointing. My meal was a solid 4.2/5. I ordered the Buffalo Gorgonzola tenders. I asked the waitress how saucy these came out and she indicated they're quite saucy. They were not. However, they were covered in Gorgonzola cheese which was amazing! I also asked for sides of their home made ranch and blue cheese, both were good (and only charged $0.25 for each - but $1 for aioli?). I wish the tenders had been a little crispier, but honestly they weren't bad by any means. Service wasn't anything to brag about. Our meal came out before our waitress delivered our beer (which you could tell sat before she picked up, as it was missing a solid inch from the rim - what I assume was a nice pour from the bartender but that settled). The beer was the seasonal "Cider Donut" which we opted for the cinnamon sugar rum and it truly was fall in a glass! I'd say if you're staying nearby and not expecting anything gourmet, it's fine. But there are definitely much better restaurants nearby. read more

Village Tavern - Garlic burger with truffle fries and buffalo Gorgonzola tenders - American Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

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The street corn pizza was so delicious! Spicy, good thin crust, and packed with flavor. Split this with 2 other friends and still had leftovers too! This was pretty good. We also got a side of bread and fried pickles- they were just okay nothing too over the top but yummy nonetheless. Cute vibe inside- very spacious and also had an arcane in the back too! Good spot to try in Salem read more

Definitely recommend as opposed to some of the restaurants on Essex if you want to beat waiting. We were able to walk up and get a talk immediately! Speedy service, food came out quickly. Wide variety of foods and drinks. Sit on the patio if the weather is nice! read more

Village Tavern - American Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

Delicious burgers, on point fries. Bacon was fire. Cute decor (here during Halloween season). Efficient service with attentive waitstaff. Had our order in to our waitress quickly and out for us to eat just as fast. Line to put your name in needed some changes. Folks being pulled out even if in back or middle of line ( bar service). read more

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We visited during peak Halloween season in Salem, so we expected a long wait -- but it actually wasn't too bad! The host and our server were both super friendly and really took great care of us. Our server, who was born and raised in Salem, even shared some fun local history and stories from growing up here -- such a nice personal touch. The restaurant itself is large and lively, with a vibrant crowd and great energy. I ordered the fish and chips, which was just okay and definitely not worth the $35 price tag. My partner had the chicken parm, and with two soft drinks (no appetizers or salads) and tip, the bill came to about $80. We were prepared to splurge a bit since it's Halloween in Salem, but overall, the food and flavor didn't quite live up to the cost. Still, it was a great one-time experience -- fun atmosphere, wonderful staff, and a memorable night in Salem! read more

The food and service is amazing! I appreciate how hard the employees are working! Thank you! With that being said, the owner, on the other hand, was disrespectful and rude to his employees who are busting their asses and making him money. I found this very disgusting and am not sure if I would come back. You can't treat people like that no matter who you think you are. He should be embarrassed and start treating people with the respect they deserve. After I finish my drink I think I'm done with this place! read more

Very helpful and accommodating to my husband and our service dog. This is one of our favorite restaurants. read more

Village Tavern - American Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

Something I appreciate about this location is the endless seating and kind customer service that makes the experience that much more enjoyable. I have been to Salem 3 times now and everytime I've stopped in to have a dish. The onion rings are definitely a must, as is the drink menu! The plant based burger was also another great choice, and we received our food fairly quickly. Perfect for anyone looking to grab a quick bite that is sure to leave you satisfied! read more

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This review is based on the Drag Brunch Village Tavern hosted on Sunday. The event said doors open at 11, and the show is to start at noon. We arrived a couple of minutes early, and a line was already starting. At 11, a staff member started escorting folks one party at a time, but then these people were asked to come back out as the venue was not ready yet. It was disorganized and frustrating as we were then told to step aside and let other customers in if we were here for the event. After ten minutes, we were guided to the room and checked in. However, there weren't clear instructions on where to sit, and some tables had "reserved" labels, making it even more confusing. Once we figured out where we could sit, things went much smoother. Village Tavern does not serve brunch, but they curated small but varied options for the event. Hubs and I split the chicken, waffles, and breakfast pizza. There was more confusion when it came to delivering the food. However, once it arrived, it blew our expectations. The chicken was juicy, tender, and flavorful inside the crispy shell. The waffles were delish, too, and the fig maple syrup with mascarpone bechamel was spot on. The breakfast pizza was just as good, with a nice chewy crust, flavorful toppings, and seasoned well. Jessica, our server, was on top of everything and definitely added to the fun. It's a shame we haven't come to Village Tavern before. We can't wait to try it for lunch or dinner very soon! read more

Village Tavern - American Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

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In the heart of salem, I had the weirdest yen. Thankfully, there are several weird things in Salem, so I didn't feel out of sorts. I don't know if I ever actually thought to myself that I need fried pickles and a pumpkin ale.. But there I was eating fried pickles and drinking a pumpkin ale. I couldn't have asked for more. It was pretty amazing, and I highly recommend stopping by! read more

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This is one of those spots that likely only stays open because of the foot traffic. We were just looking for a spot to get drinks and apps before our tour. Unfortunately this is a flop. The drinks were too strong and the nachos felt like everything came out of a can (it likely did but put some seasoning on it!) We only got two drinks, nachos, and a salad but the bill was still $50+. It was very disappointing. The only perk is our server was kind and the bathrooms were clean! read more

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The food was good i would say a 6/10! But the star of the show was our server his name was Alex and he is the entire reason I am going back here! so in service I rate a 10/10 And the ambiance was interesting since this is in Salem it has a Halloween vibe which was a little weird in the middle of August but as Halloween vibes go it was spot on! My rating for ambiance is a 6/10. Total score 7.3/10. Final thoughts even if the ambiance and food was a zero. I would come just for Alex! read more

On my birthday weekend on May 9th around 11pm I see two of my friends being harassed from the staff, while me and my other friend stood across the room and the manager was a short blond lady who was very rude she elbowed me in my hip and when I went to tell her that she assaulted me she turns around and says "You got a problem?" That's not management they are horrible to their customers would not suggest going there. AND THEIR BEER IS $8.75! read more

This establishment is one of my favorite places to go when I come downtown Salem the food and drinks are excellent and the customer service is excellent I will highly recommend this place if you are in the Salem area and this place is tourist friendly I highly recommend you to stop on by and its definitely worth the try read more

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