Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Clam Shack

    4.5 (305 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated 1 week ago

    Clam Shack Photos

    CLAM SHACK ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Clam Shack

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Large box of clam strips about $26
    Linda G.

    With mom at Salem Willows. Got her chop suey sandwich and clam strips. Expensive but excellent. Very good. Only outside tables with umbrellas.

    Large clam strip basket and large order of onion rings
    Matt P.

    The Clam Shack is a seasonal seafood restaurant (but really it is just a shack with no inside seating) located on Salem Willows. I checked it out on a Sunday afternoon in July with my mom. It was pretty busy, with the line wrapping around the side of the building as people waited to order. We ordered a large clam strip basket and a large onion ring. The portion size of the clam strips was massive! They were perfectly battered with a crispy crunch coming right out of the fryer. The onion rings were excellent as well, as they held their circular form and the breading did not fall off, something that tends to happen with a lot of onion rings. They have a number of outdoor picnic tables to sit at or you can get your order to go. The only downside of sitting outside is the seagulls, which have clearly learned that there is fresh food to be had. These birds are daring too, with one of them dive-bombing our table while we were sitting at it in order to steal a clam strip. I'm not sure what the restaurant could do to combat this, considering it sits right on the water, but it did make for a somewhat uneasy eating experience, constantly feeling like you had to be on guard. Ultimately, though, the fresh seafood is worth fighting off the scavengers.

    The clam bake
    Jenny-Rose K.

    We stopped by on a Saturday afternoon in August and this place was busy as could be! We were initially excited because of the reviews but this will be our only visit to the Clam Shack. We ordered the Clam Bake and a large Onion Rings. The Clam Bake comes with a small lobster, 1/2 pound of steamers, corn on the cob, clam chowder, clam broth and drawn butter. We were going to get a lobster roll as well, but we saw others who had this and none of the rolls were actually filled with lobster meat (~80%). It took roughly 15 minutes for the order to come out and I could understand since they were busy but we were told it's because the steamers take a while to cook. The only problem was the only part of our meal that was cold was the steamers. The clambake lobster and corn was actually fantastic. But the steamers were cold when we got them, the onion rings didn't have any real crunch or flavor and the clam chowder was just ok. All in all, this place is located in a great spot and is convenient, but not worth the hype.

    salem harbor
    Sarah P.

    My husband and I shared a box of fried calamari, and the batter was very light, fluffy, and fresh tasting. The size was ample, and the young adult who took our order was kind and efficient. The picnic tables all had umbrellas and were clean, the view of the harbor was very nice, and they had classic pop music playing from their outdoor speakers, which was fun to listen to. We will be back to try more of the large menu they offer.

    Dylan H.

    The Clam Shack in Salem serves up some seriously tasty fried seafood! I ordered the fried clam strips and fried shrimp plate, and everything was hot, crispy, and full of flavor. The line was absolutely insane, which is the only reason this isn't a 5-star review. Luckily, I discovered a life hack--placing an order online to skip the wait. At $30, it's not cheap, but the quality and portion size made it worth it.

    The view
    Jake A.

    This place is a must for anyone who enjoys seafood. I came here on a Monday night after a day of work. Clam shack is just as advertised in the name: a small building dedicated to serving seafood and other fried goodies from the take out window. The staff were very helpful l. they took my order, gave me my ticket, and I sat and waited. And only for a few minutes. I ordered a lobster roll on a buttered brioche roll. The lobster was tender and juicy, and the buttery roll complemented it perfectly. The portion of fries that came with it was generous. And even better, it was a $23 lobster roll instead of the stupidly expensive $50 ones you'll get if you grab one in Boston. Well worth the price. And to top it all off, there's a gorgeous view of the harbor. Whether visiting this area or a Boston native, definitely make your way up here.

    Plate and lobster roll
    Morah M.

    SOOOOO GOOD!!! even the coleslaw best i ever had and it's right by the water so cute and quaint cant wait to come back

    Seating
    Alan B.

    Let's face it, fried seafood can taste amazing if done reasonably well. And the Clam Shack executed my Scallop Plate very nicely. Our party of four grabbed a picnic table with a nice ocean view. About 10 minutes after our order, I was enjoying hot and crispy, fresh tasting scallops. They were nicely cooked, and didn't have too much batter, so they weren't overly heavy. Their fries were also excellent, hot, crispy, delicious. The lobster rolls were given positive reviews from my co-diners. The casual Salem Willows environment was perfect, on this warm summer day. The Clam Shack is located in Salem Willows Park, a 35 acre park located on the ocean with picnic areas, a beach, walking paths, fishing, tennis, basketball courts, arcade games, and restaurants. It's a great place to visit, if you not afraid of the Salem witches!

    While belly clams upper left- fries under the clams. Scallops bottom left, hot buttered crab roll on the right. Great portions!
    Annette A.

    Scoped this out as we were planning our week in Boston and Salem. It was totally worth it! The clams were amazing- get whole belly and you want be disappointed. My son got a hot buttered crab roll because he likes crab more than lobster. It was fresh and the meat was perfect. We also got a basket of scallops and they were super tender. Everything was light and crispy. While it's all fried none of it was greasy. The view as we sat at our picnic table was spectacular. I will definitely go again when I am in the area.

    Lobster Roll in brioche bun
    Danica V.

    I'm a Midwest girl who was visiting the area for a wedding, and I am still thinking about this gourmet lobster roll. I made sure to have my fill of as many lobster rolls as I could while I was in Massachusetts- I went to 1606 in Gloucester and another restaurant spot in downtown Boston- and personally the gourmet lobster roll at the Clam Shack was by far my favorite. It not only was the least expensive (~$20?!!! A dream), but the butter was decadent, fries were crisp, and everything was just perfect. 10/10 recommend!

    Exterior
    Julian J.

    Bonjour, hi! Visiting from California we stopped by this hidden lil "hole in the wall". The establishment was clean, which I feel could easily be hard to find. The food itself was stellar! Ordered a bunch of seafood that all was so fresh and tasty. The views were just as good as the food! No complaints whatsoever. EXPERT TIP: ask for an extra tray to swat away the VERY aggressive seagulls that WILL take your food if your guard is down.

    Seating area
    Katarina G.

    This spot was absolutely beautiful. There is no indoor seating but there are plenty of picnic tables available or benches along the "boardwalk". The staff all seemed to be younger but polite and respectful nonetheless. The clam strips themselves were pretty good! I wished they were cooked just a bit longer, to let the batter crisp a little more. The tartar sauce was great and added an extra level of flavor to the clam. Cute place to stop by and enjoy the scenery, as it is just a short walk from dead horse beach.

    Lobster Roll

    Best onion rings ever! Hot, lightly battered thick cut onions were so good. Loved the lobster roll too - just lobster in mayo. Skip the brioche bun and stick with the traditional hot dog bun.

    See all

    4 years ago

    Frequent visits to the Clam Shack for lobster rolls and haddock dinners is how I pass my summer and I haven't had a bad meal there.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Really good lobster toll and fries. Wish they had indoor seating dang seagull landed on my table and scared the $h1t out of me.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Andrew K.
    36
    125
    66

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Andria L.
    30
    34
    51

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kelly J.
    1359
    1446
    34451

    8 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ari M.
    22
    127
    22

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Bob V.
    30
    223
    293

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Al H.
    737
    102
    8

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Liz B.
    2
    46
    65

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lisa R.
    32
    96
    31

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of D C.
    0
    25
    0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of John G.
    175
    23
    2

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mario M.
    108
    77
    2

    7 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Great food and service! We have eaten there a few times and it has been very good every time, I need to go back soon!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 3 of 8

    Ask the Community - Clam Shack

    You might also consider

    Maitland farm, kitchen & spirits - Potato soup

    Maitland farm, kitchen & spirits

    4.9(47 reviews)
    1.0 mi

    I was so impressed with this place!…read more My mom wanted to go for her bday dinner...the catch is her birthday was 5 days before Halloween! I agreed assuming we'd have to wait hours due to the October Salem craziness. I was wrong. We arrived and were greeted immediately by a very kind host. He explained that there was a 45 minute wait and he'd be happy to add our names to the waitlist. We went for a walk and about 20 minutes later he called and our table was ready. Our server came over immediately and took our drink order. I was thrilled that they had bottled coke as I don't drink alcohol, but it still felt like a treat! We split the Caesar salad to start and it was delicious. We expected a longer wait for the food but it came very quickly. For my entree, I got the Jean Louis sandwich. I don't think I even have words for how good this was. Seriously...I've been thinking about this sandwich ever since and craving it! my mom got the fall vegetable panzanella. She said it was absolutely delicious. You can tell they value the quality of food they put out and put their hearts into every recipe. And the potions are huge. We both had leftovers for the next day. Everything from the atmosphere, service, and food were 10/10. I always love supporting a local business and this is one I cannot wait to go back to.

    Absolutely must try. This was the best meal I've had in a while. All the flavors were incredible…read moreand everything was so fresh. Prices were extremely reasonable especially for what you're getting. The beet drinks are a must try if you like beets--you will not be disappointed!

    Photos
    Maitland farm, kitchen & spirits
    Maitland farm, kitchen & spirits
    Maitland farm, kitchen & spirits

    See all

    Blue Canoe Cafe - Chosen orzo soup

    Blue Canoe Cafe

    4.2(49 reviews)
    2.4 mi
    $$

    My two favorite foods sound boring to some, but I can't help it -- I'm a savory food kind of…read moreperson. I love nachos and I love BLTs, and it's amazing how many places have managed to not do these two things well. I have never been able to find a place that can make a good BLT, until now! I needed a quick lunch today and went here on a whim because it was close by. I saw they were closing soon, but there were people inside so I headed in. Sometimes small, local coffee shops can feel drafty or unkempt or just lifeless. As soon as I walked in, I felt like I'd want to sit there for hours. The temperature was just right, and the ambiance felt friendly and warm. I acknowledged that they were closing soon and asked if I could still order a sandwich. They replied in a way that felt welcoming, and not like I was imposing on them (which some places, 15 minutes prior to closing, would have). I ordered the BLT and used the restroom while I waited. Even the restroom was pleasant! I sat in one of the two window bays on a comfortable stool (again, perfect! sometimes they're way too high for a 4'10" to get up on, or off), with a complimentary cup of water (I love when cafes have serve yourself water). One of the servers brought my sandwich over and even on first glance I could tell it was going to be good. No wilted lettuce, no weird bread, perfect amount of mayo and bacon. It was the best BLT I've had at a restaurant, even better than I make at home. So, 5 stars for great ambiance, friendly, unrushed service, and a great BLT! I have no doubt that their other food is just as good.

    This is a very nice local café. I've been there twice. First time I had a lemon, poppy muffin and…read morecoffee. It was fabulous and the other day I had a bacon egg and cheese on a well done English muffin. It was also very very good. The coffee was excellent. The gal behind the counter was super friendly and they let me bring my ESA dog in. Of course I did show her identification to ensure they were OK with it. I hope to go back soon soon and have lunch. Well done Blue Canoe.

    Photos
    Blue Canoe Cafe
    Blue Canoe Cafe - Grilled cheese

    Grilled cheese

    Blue Canoe Cafe

    See all

    Crave - Fluffy Ghost Matcha

    Crave

    4.5(85 reviews)
    1.6 mi

    Found this little gem on TikTok and I am so glad that we came! All of us couldn't decide what we…read morewanted, so we tried a couple of different options. We tried the North Shore, Whole Hog (on a bed of tots), and the bacon egg and cheese! We also got 2 side orders of tots. I loved all the food, every bite I took was delish! There tots were hot and crispy and well seasoned also. For the coffee I went with the signature "The Crave", which was so delightful. I got it with oat milk and it was smooth and delish as well! The inside of the place is just a cute hip vibe. It's a smaller cafe with some seating along one of the wall of window, and then they have some tables. Right when we arrived, every table was packed, but by the time our food arrived, tables opened up, which was nice. It seemed that most people would turnover the table quickly to allow for others to sit. The staff were super friendly and patient, and all around great place to have breakfast in Salem!

    My friends and I came to this cutesy small shop to grab coffee/brekky prior to our day in Salem…read more Looks like they have 2 locations. One in Salem MA and one in Beverly MA. Parking- didn't see a dedicated lot, looks like street parking only. We found a spot down the street, walkable distance. Looks like we made the right choice, because the place was poppin. Lots of folks coming in & out. We were lucky enough to snag a table for the group while some of the group stayed in line. I noted several groups of ladies with cute witchy style outfits very fitting for Salem, that could def be OOTD worthy on IG. Service- seemed fine. My friends ordered for me at the counter while I held down our table, so I can't speak to the ordering interaction. They were speaking names out very low for pick up at the counter, I remember that. Food- I got the North Shore sammy - which comes with maple bacon, over medium egg, chedder cheese, maple aoili on a croissant. The egg was runny just what I like, and it was yummy and bigger than I imagined. Very filling. I could have just split one with my friends, but everyone got there own. So I left more full than I wanted, because I didn't want to take away. Drink- I got a latte, that was fine, nothing to write home about. If visiting this charming town try it out. I saw mostly tourist, so don't think it's a locals hang out. But it's not a trap luckily, lol.

    Photos
    Crave - Inside

    Inside

    Crave - North shore sandwich

    North shore sandwich

    Crave - Crave Latte

    See all

    Crave Latte

    Clam Shack - seafood - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...