Looking for the best places to eat in Salem? Look no further!<\/p>\n
While exploring the spooky main attractions and historic haunts is definitely one of the best things you can do on a trip to Witch City, trust me when I tell you that you won\u2019t want to miss out on Salem\u2019s best restaurants. This coastal town in Massachusetts is full of inventive food, local craft beer, and plenty of rich history to go with it!<\/p>\n
And good news for early birds and brunch aficionados! Like with Hocus Pocus filming locations, Salem has a ton of awesome breakfast spots.<\/p>\n
I hope you\u2019re hungry, because it\u2019s time to dig in to the best restaurants to visit in Salem!<\/p>\n In the spirit of Halloween, I figured we should start this list off with some of Salem\u2019s most haunted restaurants. Oh, and their food? It\u2019s to die for, of course!<\/p>\n New England-style seafood with a side of historic hauntings<\/em><\/p>\n Turner\u2019s Seafood<\/a> checks all the boxes! This historic spot in Lyceum Hall truly must be the best place to eat in Salem thanks to its storied history and classic New England-style seafood. Oh, and its legendary status as one of the most haunted places in Salem!<\/p>\n Turner\u2019s is rumored to have been built upon an apple orchard once owned by Bridget Bishop<\/strong>, the first woman killed in the Salem witch trials. For years, customers and employees have claimed to see the spectral figure of a woman in a long, white gown, often glimpsed through windows and in mirrors.<\/p>\n And if you smell the faint scent of fruit wafting through the air? That\u2019s not from what they\u2019re cooking in the kitchen. The sweet aroma of those ancient apples has lingered long past their expiration date\u2026 kind of like a Salem ghost hanging on to a little unfinished business.<\/p>\n Best Food: <\/strong>Oh, but you want to know about the food, didn\u2019t you? The seafood here is completely magical. Turner\u2019s has a phenomenal selection of hearty seafood pasta and rich dishes like a gooey mac and cheese-esque lobster pie topped with decadent crumbs. It\u2019s kind of hard to go wrong here.<\/p>\n It\u2019s certainly touristy, but it\u2019s a classic Salem haunt. And for Halloween season, a reservation is your best bet, but there\u2019s always a chance they can squeeze you in since it\u2019s a pretty large restaurant. They also offer take-out and sell fresh fish you can cook at home.<\/p>\n Tunnels with a dark past and a ghastly signature cocktail<\/em><\/p>\n Rockafellas<\/a> might seem like your average fine-dining American restaurant, but this classy-casual joint is anything but ordinary.<\/p>\n Housed in the spot previously known as the Daniel Low Building, it\u2019s what lies beneath this Salem restaurant that will send shivers down your spine. Head down to the basement and you\u2019ll find a series of spooky tunnels once used by smugglers and later, as part of the Underground Railroad.<\/p>\n But that\u2019s not even the scariest part. This restaurant is actually haunted by not one, but two ghostly figures. If you\u2019re wondering if these ghosts are connected to the tunnels\u2026 of course they are.<\/p>\n Rockafellas\u2019 most famous ghost was dubbed The Blue Lady on account of her appearance in a long, navy blue dress. Said to have been the ill-fated lover of a sailor, legend has it she was murdered by her own paramore who buried her body in one of the tunnels.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t miss the cocktail named in her honor, Rockafella\u2019s signature Lady in Blue, featuring rum, Blue Curacao, and pineapple juice.<\/p>\n READ NEXT:<\/strong> 31 Spooky Things To Do In Salem, Massachusetts<\/a><\/p>\n A hip gastropub with its very own pirate ghosts<\/em><\/p>\n Mercy Tavern<\/a>, previously home to the infamous spooky restaurant, In A Pig\u2019s Eye, has been open for over 30 years and has certainly seen its fair share of hauntings.<\/p>\n While, at first, this restaurant might seem like a cozy gastropub with cocktails and quirky bathroom art, Mercy Tavern is really hiding a piece of Salem\u2019s dark history.<\/p>\n In the years following the witch trials, Salem saw the birth of its own red light district along Derby St. near the Wharf. It\u2019s said that ship captains frequented the establishments along this road, and kidnapped unsuspecting young men, forcing them into servitude on board their ships.<\/p>\n How did they get away with this, you might ask. Well, it all goes back to those troublesome tunnels\u2026 These underground pathways run across the whole town and once facilitated discreet movement between land and sea.<\/p>\n While both Derby Street and Pickering Wharf are said to be haunted, it\u2019s Mercy Tavern that sees most of the spooky activity, including pirate apparitions and sounds of shouting in the tunnels below.<\/p>\n Best Things to Eat: <\/strong>I have to admit, I was surprised by Mercy Tavern\u2019s unique selection of comfort grub. For a haunted restaurant, they sure have some pretty inspired stuff. Plus, their drinks have names like Hocus Pocus which just really gets me in the Halloween spirit.<\/p>\n Their menu has a range of options like french fries drowned in tzatziki, garlic, and feta, as well as brown butter pumpkin ravioli with cherry drizzle and fried leeks.<\/p>\n Quirky Salem restaurant with just about everything<\/em><\/p>\n This casual Bohemian cafe on Essex Street is located in the heart of Salem and was the perfect little spot to hide out during a brief shower one day.<\/p>\n I wasn\u2019t planning on stopping at Gulu-Gulu Cafe<\/a>, because I\u2019d heard mixed reviews from locals, but I\u2019m willing to bet that\u2019s mostly to do with the fact that this spot is located smack dab in the middle of tourist central. So, I get it.<\/p>\n But I actually really liked this spot! Plus, they support local artists by showcasing their work, have plenty of live music, and their craft beer? It\u2019s award-winning for a reason.<\/p>\n This Salem restaurant is a sort of one-stop shop that can suit any occasion outside of a fancy dinner. With lattes, spiked coffee, sweet and savory crepes, and plenty of vegan and gluten-free options, if you\u2019re feeling indecisive, stop stressing and head to this laid-back spot.<\/p>\n Also, their mascot is an adorable dog and it\u2019s kind of hard to not love that.<\/p>\n FUN FACT: <\/strong>Did you know Salem was the filming location of Bewitched Season 7? Don\u2019t miss the commemorative statue, a great photo opp just around the corner from Gulu-Gulu.<\/p>\n All-day breakfast and coffee served in ugly mugs, only<\/em><\/p>\n This is another Salem institution near Essex St. that I was undecided about before my trip. Again, mixed reviews from the locals, but when you\u2019re visiting a place, you\u2019re always going to run into opinions like that, aren\u2019t you?<\/p>\n There\u2019s honestly no better place to be a tourist than at this unique restaurant in Salem, MA that famously serves breakfast all day, including coffee that comes in a variety of impressively ugly mugs.<\/p>\n While I\u2019m not much of a breakfast person myself, my cousin, on the other hand, is obsessed, so a stop here was mandatory. I was thrilled to learn that their breakfast is a far cry from the stale toast and lackluster eggs I fix at home.<\/p>\n Ugly Mug Diner is a breakfast with a gastronomic twist. Their signature dish is the Dueling Crustaceans: savory crab cakes with poached eggs, smothered in hollandaise and lobster chipotle aioli. My taste buds could not even!<\/p>\n Ugly Mug Diner quickly rose to the top of my list of best places to eat in Salem. Try and stop here at least once when you\u2019re in town!<\/p>\n The most iconic restaurant in Salem, Massachusettes<\/em><\/p>\n Finally, a place to eat in Salem that locals and tourists can agree on! This local institution has been around for over 50 years and has more than earned their place as one of the best places to eat in Salem, MA!<\/p>\n Red\u2019s Sandwich Shop<\/a> serves a legendary breakfast, and there are plenty of great options for lunch from a hearty\u00a0chicken and eggplant parmigiana open-face to casual club sandwiches. Local recommend trying one of the more unusual dishes!<\/p>\n A local dive with a Hollywood reputation<\/em><\/p>\n What\u2019s the difference between a classic New England lobster roll and a Connecticut-style lobster roll? That\u2019s exactly what you can find out at Lobster Shanty<\/a>, a charming low-key spot in Salem known for its unpretentious local grub.<\/p>\n Featured on Guy Fieri\u2019s Diners, Drive-ins & Dives, the eatery is one of the most unique places to eat in Salem. They\u2019ve got funky delicious dishes like Guinness Marinated Steak Tips and one-of-a-kind items like the famous Lobstertini which is\u2026 exactly what it sounds like. Coupled with its warm service and laid-back atmosphere, it\u2019s no wonder the Shanty has thrived for over four decades.<\/p>\n BOSTON SELF-GUIDED FOOD TOUR<\/strong><\/p>\n Visiting Salem on a day trip from Boston? Here\u2019s an idea for when you get back! Explore the historical sites and delicious eats from the North End and more with my free self-guided food tour of Boston<\/a>. You\u2019ll be glad you did.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Pizza that\u2019s so unique it\u2019s almost alien<\/em><\/p>\n Flying Saucer Pizza Company<\/a>, located on Washington Street in Salem, is a quirky, space-themed establishment serving eclectic pizzas. Their innovative menu, filled with geek-culture references, features unique combinations like the clam chowder-based Admiral Ackbar and the spicy Mustafar featuring ghost pepper salami.<\/p>\n With a range of unconventional ingredients, such as sweet habanero sauce and jackfruit meat substitute, the restaurant also caters to vegan and gluten-free diets. And<\/em> their mascot is a cute space pug named Charlie!<\/p>\n 19th-century cuisine with a modern twist<\/em><\/p>\n Ledger Restaurant & Bar<\/a>, tucked inside America\u2019s second-oldest savings bank, is one of the best Salem restaurants for a nice dinner out! The gastronomic creation of Matt O\u2019Neill, Ledger\u2019s seasonal menu showcases traditional 19th-century dishes with a 21st-century twist.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t miss their epic brunch which includes mystery mimosas and rotating doughnuts, making it not just a dinner spot, but an all-day culinary destination.<\/p>\n READ NEXT:<\/strong> The Perfect Salem Photoshoot Spots<\/a><\/p>\n Don\u2019t sleep on this weekends-only cookie & breakfast joint<\/em><\/p>\n Y\u2019all, Goodnight Fatty<\/a> has been getting some rave<\/em> reviews by locals. So, of course, I had to try it in between checking out the most haunted places in Salem, MA, and oh boy, does it live up to the hype!<\/p>\n Known for their irresistible cookies, which they call \u201cfatties,\u201d you\u2019ll find flavors like Cinnamon Toast Crunch covered in white chocolate chips. You\u2019ll also want to snag one of their signature \u201cChubbys,\u201d a yummy breakfast burrito filled with either sweet or savory ingredients.<\/p>\n There\u2019s a catch though. Goodnight Fatty is open exclusively on weekends, but they do deliver anywhere in Salem, no pre-order needed. Score!<\/p>\n PS: <\/strong>During October, Goodnight Fatty is also one of the best photo spots in Salem, MA<\/a>. Check out the truck outside their shop, complete with a skeleton chauffeur and his passengers.<\/p>\n A retro arcade with the most inventive dishes in town<\/em><\/p>\n Located in Salem\u2019s historic Old Jail, Bit Bar<\/a> opened its doors in 2016 and has an eclectic mix of classic arcade games and cocktails named after Mario Party royalty like Princess Peach.<\/p>\n They were once known for innovative food and unique items like an elk burger served on a cronut (doughnut-croissant hybrid) glazed with black garlic icing, and avocado ice cream drizzled with Sriracha caramel. However, now, their menu looks a bit more ordinary, with a mix of barbeque, burgers and pizza.<\/p>\n Salem may be a small town, but it still has plenty to offer in the way of nightlife, bars, and distilleries. Here are the top spots that locals recommend:<\/p>\n An homage to the bygone neighborhood bar<\/em><\/p>\n All Souls Lounge<\/a>, the perfect spot for after-dinner drinks, is full of fun vintage cocktails. Their beverage collection is a historic journey from 1732 to 1947, featuring concoctions like the rum, cognac, and peach brandy Fish House Punch, or the El Diablo, a tequila fusion with cr\u00e8me de cassis and ginger beer. And the cherry on top? A jukebox and vinyl-spinning sessions for that perfect lounge vibe.<\/p>\n Creative cocktails in off-the-beaten-path Salem<\/em><\/p>\n Deacon Giles Distillery<\/a>, tucked away from the usual Salem tourist hotspots, offers a unique bar experience in their super cool Speakeasy Lab.<\/p>\n Sip on creative cocktails, crafted using the distillery\u2019s unique spirits: gin, rum, and spiced rum. You can also try seasonal drinks like The Far Side of the Tracks, a popular choice that blends spiced rum, cider, maple syrup, egg white, and nutmeg.<\/p>\n An Irish bar for everyone<\/em><\/p>\n Olde Main Street Pub is a relaxed, no-frills Irish pub with a diverse selection of beers, wines, and cocktails. This Salem restaurant is great for anyone on a budget. You can enjoy scratch-made dishes from two of the area\u2019s most promising young chefs for a pretty affordable price.<\/p>\n Hard cider brewery with fun flavors and a pretty patio<\/em><\/p>\n In addition to some great breweries and a small but mighty local craft beer scene, Salem MA is home to a hard cider brewery. Far From the Tree<\/a>\u2018s tasting room has an awesome dog-friendly outdoor patio and interesting flavors to sample like Lei (pineapple jalape\u00f1o) and Ember (toasted chai).<\/p>\n For some serious fall goodness, try the Apple of my Chai. It\u2019s got all the cinnamon spice your October dreams are made of!<\/p>\n Boos and brews? A haunted pub tour? This is literally the perfect tour for foodies<\/a> or anyone looking for the best places to eat in Salem! Sadly, I did not have time to go on my last trip to Salem, but it is on the top of my list for next time.<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n
Best Places to Eat in Salem MA<\/strong><\/h2>\n
1. Turner\u2019s Seafood<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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2. Rockafellas<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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3. Mercy Tavern<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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4. Gulu-Gulu Cafe<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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5. Ugly Mug Diner<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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6. Red\u2019s Sandwich Shop<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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7. Lobster Shanty<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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8. Flying Saucer Pizza Company<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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9. Ledger Restaurant<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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10. Goodnight Fatty<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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11. Bit Bar<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Best Bars & Nightlife in Salem, MA<\/strong><\/h2>\n
12. All Souls Lounge<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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13. Deacon Giles Distillery<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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14. Olde Main Street Pub<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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15. Far From the Tree Cider<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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More Salem Restaurants Worth Mentioning<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Best Salem Food Tour<\/strong><\/h2>\n