Counter

Found myself in Massachusetts in October for an appointment, which, of course, always calls for a…read moretrip to Salem! Those who know me best know that any holiday centered around candy is right up my alley. I couldn't remember the name of a tavern I had visited in the past, so, like any good foodie, I turned to Yelp. Lo and behold, I couldn't believe I had never written a review! Thankfully, I found the name of this little gem, and my memories of the experience served me well because it did not disappoint. The fish and chips were delicious! The fish was tender, flaky, and absolutely wonderful with a splash of malt vinegar. A real standout! The steak tips were cooked to perfection, and the demi-glace sauce was the perfect finishing touch. Located near several of Salem's witch museums and attractions, this is an ideal spot to grab a delicious bite while exploring the city. You won't find any toad stew or newt eyes here, just good food and a warm, inviting tavern atmosphere. The menu may be small, but it certainly packs a punch, and the waitstaff are attentive and welcoming. Highly recommend stopping in if your travels take you to Salem. A little witchy charm, a great meal, and a gem worth remembering!

This was a really fun place to visit. They have a great craft beer, selection, and a nice outdoor…read morepatio for drinking, eating, and watching people go by. Surface was great, would come here again.

See all

Draft beer selection.

Longboards Restaurant & Bar

3.8(540 reviews)

0.3 mi

OMG I have never had better service from Shannon or Sean. They were amazing. what a lucky company…read moreto have them on your team!

Where do i even start! I was at longboards this past weekend from NH, and oh my was I impressed…read more Our tables view was incredible and the service exceeded any expectations from our server Zara. She was an absolute joy and gave us the best menu tips, and even gave us a few more locations in town to check out before we went home. I had a classic lobster roll and these interestingly shaped fries that were to die for. I'd love to be back more in the future, if you go make sure to ask for Zara this spooky season.

Bat seating

Fries/chips hybrid

See all

Birria Quesadilla!

Trade House

4.2(19 reviews)

0.4 mi

Just a superb experience here tonight. My wife and I went to see The Return band at Salem Landing…read morethis afternoon and wanted to grab some dinner nearby. We found Trade House (formerly the Witch's Brew) on Derby Street and were so glad we did. We split a mammoth chopped Caesar salad, then chose 2 entrees from their special Oktoberfest menu: a pork Jägerschnitzel and a braised pork shank. They were both amazing! Hannah, our server, was attentive and pleasant, and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We will be back! Highly recommended!

Back again as it's a local spot and hit it up as a bar-menu-after-work rather than a sit down meal…read more Holy cow, the pork belly buns and and a shrimp app filled the bellies while a friendly bartender and expansive drink menu too care of hydration.

Korean scallion pancake

See all

The Tavern

4.0(228 reviews)

Stopped here for a quick bite to eat before heading to the Salem Witch Museum. The Menu was small…read morebut plentiful. We ordered buffalo wings, truffle fries and a Caesar salad, of which all were good. I liked that the buffalo wings weren't overly saucy and the truffle fries were nicely tossed and the Caesar salad had just enough dressing and the lettuce was very fresh. Seating was close but spaced enough! The lighting wasn't super bright and service was awesome. It was very much Halloween Decor and relived it. "Derek" our server was attentive, courteous, and pleasant . Not sure about parking, as I parked in an (All Day) parking garage close by, parking in Salem close to Halloween is hectic. However: food and services were awesome. This Tavern is located inside the Hawthorne Hotel.

I have been to the Tavern a few times. All during busy October weekends. I have to share this…read moretime was the worst experience I have had at the Hawthorne. Why I like the Hawthorne for lunch: 1. A lot of people walk by without knowing there is a restaurant inside so not as long of a wait 2. It's quaint and has good food (usually) 3. I enjoy telling my kids that people believe it's haunted 4. Great location next to the commons! What happened this time? 1. My husband ordered the french onion grilled cheese and added a piece of . Sounded great! It arrived with bread as hard as a rock. 2 tiny slivers of onion, an extremely small portion of cheese not even really melted like a grilled cheese should be and the added extra chicken was a chicken cutlet! My husband did speak up and the waitress was very kind. 2. I ordered the Bagon Blue burger with fig jam on the side. The goal was to share the two meals. My husband doesnt like fig but it's my thing! The burger came smothered in fig. They did pay for all our food and we just paid for drinks which was good customer service but my husband still walked away hungry as if we waited another half hour for food we would lose more time out in the streets having fun. It just wasn't the best visit.

Nachos

See all

1925 burger

Mainstay Social

3.6(5 reviews)

0.3 mi

Decent little spot. Hidden on the far end of the Salem waterfront hotel, this was a cool little…read moreatmosphere to stop for a drink. Staff was pleasant, vibe was good, but it was still a hotel bar. Stuffed clams were delicious and a very good selection of beer and liquor. No bad experiences at all, but just felt a little out of place. That could be on me though!

Mainstay Social is the restaurant inside the Salem Waterfront Hotel & Suites. I went for dinner…read morewith a friend and we split three different dishes: the truffle fries, buffalo house mac and cheese, and the bourbon bacon jam burger with substituted avocado fries. The truffle fries were pretty average. The macaroni and cheese was creamy but the Ritz cracker crumble on top felt a little simplistic. I wish they had used a higher-end cracker for the crumble topping, especially given the price once you add the buffalo chicken for an extra $4. The burger had good flavor, with the pairing of brie, bourbon bacon compote, pieces of bacon, and fried onion pieces. I was really interested in the concept of deep-fried avocado slices but unfortunately they could have used some salt or something to give flavor. The atmosphere inside was fun, it felt like a beach club, with art made out of boat sails. Our server was friendly. Parking can be tricky if you're not already staying at the hotel and guaranteed parking. We found a spot on the street but during the height of Halloween season, expect to walk from a distance to get there.

Bourbon bacon jam burger with substituted avocado fries

See all

Nautical theme pub tables!

Finz Seafood & Grill

3.9(1.3k reviews)

0.4 mi

While visiting a friend during spooky season, I treated myself to a solo date at Finz. There was a…read morebit of a wait given the crowds, but I was more than happy to lounge in the grass by the water while I waited. When called, I was given a corner table outside with the most beautiful view of the harbor. Couldn't have asked for a better spot! I didn't partake in any booze, but I had a delicious honey jasmine lemonade mocktail. Perfection. For food, I fully embraced the scenery and gorged on a lobster roll with house chips (perfect and good portions), chowder, and a sushi roll. It was all amazing - I wish I could've tried more of their unique menu items, to be honest. Staff was very friendly and again, can't beat the location. I will certainly be adding this spot in my rotation whenever I'm in town!

First time visiting Salem and loved the view from this place! They had a bunch of seating inside…read moreand outside! I got the fish tacos which were pretty good! Would have loved an option for grilled instead of just fried but the sauce and cheese made it feel light and fresh! They had a lot of fun options on the menu but I definitely played it safe this time Was not a super big fan of the mocktails, but overall a nice place!

View from our seats

Chowdah!

See all

FINZ SEAFOOD PAELLA

Village Tavern

Really Good Food, Just Bring a Little Patience…read more 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.

This place is great. Large indoor and outdoor space, good food, good drinks, great service. Arcade…read moregames like golden tee, pop a shot, darts. It's a nice escape from Essex if you want to get fed and relax

LOBSTAH' ROLL on the Patio

Village Tavern's Famous Prime Rib

See all

Glory Glory Halle-Peno Burger

Nathaniel's

4.0(132 reviews)

Stayed at the Hawthorne Hotel and were excited to try Nathaniel's. So glad that we did…read more Our server was super friendly and attentive with a great personality. The ambiance is that of a 1920's vibe with beautiful decor throughout. Our breakfast came out piping hot, just like I like it and it was delicious! Will definitely be back and highly recommend!

Menu options weee good as we enjoyed numerous items except the Braised Short Rib It was very tough,…read morenot tender. Additionally, our server Emily was the absolute worst. Didn't take our order for 30 minutes after being seated and when we told her we had somewhere to be in a hour, she cautioned us that she can't guarantee that the kitchen can get the food out on time, in which the food came out on good time. She never came to pick up appetizers plates or even check on us to refill drinks until dinner was almost over. We saw her hanging out much of the time talking with co-workers

Dining area

See all

Quiche

Bit Bar Salem

3.7(346 reviews)

Had amazing drinks, the staff were amazing and great vibe overall! We stopped out at the bit bar…read morefor vacation two years in a row now if I'm ever back in the area it's definitely a place I plan on stopping again.

So much fun good drinks great atmosphere! Staff was awesome and attentive. Played a ton of games!!…read moreSang and danced the night away!

Chicken Tenders with Baked Mac & Cheese

See all

Shots

Antique Table

3.3(129 reviews)

I was heading to Salem in October, and didn't want to risk trying to find food without a…read morereservation, but as expected many places don't take reservations in October because the influx of people, but Antique Table did! When we arrived the place was nearly empty, which come to find out places aren't as busy on a Monday. There was one other table finishing up in the main dinning area, and one other group arrived at the same time we did. We were greeted and sat quickly, but that's where the speed of things kinda came to a slow down. I'll start with some of the positives - our waitress was really nice and she had a helper who also was nothing but polite and friendly. The decor is really cool! There was no one in the entire back room of the restaurant, so I went and took a peak back there on the way to the bathroom and it had old cameras, typewriters, cool pieces of art, the main room also have some great scales of justice, and other fun features. They also had all the Halloween decor, if anyone needed to use the restroom we were told to go towards the large mirror, and I would always add on to my friends "with the creepy doll on it". After about 2 to 3 minutes my entire party had and water was brought to the table and served in plastic cups. Which at a place with white table clothes felt a little strange. At some point after our waitress returned to take drink orders and an appetizer of the calamari. She then asked "have I offered you all any bread yet" we said no, but we would love bread. She said "okay it will be $3" and walked away. We all kinda looked at each other confused, because the phrasing seemed like it was complementary bread but we were really hungry at this point and the bread ended up being really good - but it was a small portion for $3. I think 6 thinner slices in total. We waited a while before she returned for our food order. The menu has what you expect from an Italian places but also has a large section of Mexican dishes, which feels mismatched, it wasn't fusion style it was just Italian and Mexican separately, it just feels really disjointed. I went with the bolognese and one of my friends decided to order the tacos because it felt so silly to do in an Italian spot (and who doesn't like tacos generally). The calamari came out at some point after the bread, but we finished the bread, the calamari, and all our waters at a causal pace after that. We were sitting for a while before anyone came back to the room where we were seated. At this point there were maybe 3 or 4 tables sat in our room and possible one other couple up towards the front area. As many of us were out of water, I headed up towards the bar area or host stand to see if I could find someone. I ran into the guy who was assisting with our table and asked if we could get some more water - which happened promptly. About 5 to 10 minutes after that our waitress returned with even more water and told us food would be out soon. The food arrived maybe 10 minutes after that, so it had been a while since we ordered. The bolognese was fine, the pasta wasn't overcooked, the sauce lacked some depth and the meat was a little firmer than anticipated but overall it was still okay. They did offer some Parmesan cheese to be added to any of the pastas or tacos. The total for 5 people, with no alcohol, one soda, one order of calamari, the $3 bread, and the already added gratuity (which they did mention was already added in at 20% and it was also stated on the bill) ended up being $208. Overall, the food was fine, nothing to make a special trip for. Service was friendly, but very slow. The vibes were a little mismatched - Mexican food with Italian food and plastic cups with white table clothes. Overall, it's a fine experience if you are needing a reservation.

Antique Table Lynn Review…read more Nestled at 2 Essex St, Lynn, MA, Antique Table Lynn is your cozy gateway to classic Italian pasta heaven! Stepping inside feels like visiting your grandparents' home, complete with nostalgic wall pictures For appetizers, we indulged in the Calamari Fritti ($17.95): Crispy fried calamari with hot cherry peppers in a spicy house marinara sauce. The freshness and size of the calamari were spot-on, earning a solid 9/10. Next up, the Eggplant Rollatine($16.95), stuffed with ricotta, topped with provolone cheese, basil, and marinara sauce. A cheesy delight for eggplant aficionados, also a 9/10. Entrees were a treat, starting with the Gnocchi Basilico ($17.95): Potato gnocchi with sautéed garlic, fresh tomatoes, basil, and olive oil. Possibly the fluffiest gnocchi outside of mom's kitchen - another 9/10. ‍ The Chicken Miguel ($23.95): Panko crusted chicken over potato gnocchi in a creamy Marsala sauce. Perfectly cooked chicken paired with a divine sauce scored yet another 9/10. As an Italian with high pasta standards, I'm thrilled to say Antique Table in Lynn delivers some of the cheesiest eggplant rollatine and fluffiest gnocchi in the North Shore. If you're a local or just passing through, don't miss out on this gem! Ratings: Food: 9/10 Ambiance: 7/10 Affordability: 7/10

See all

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

2 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Caitlyn F.

9 years ago

Yea, I came here with my boyfriend a few days ago bc its near my gym (i know what your thinking ... burgers/gym.. whatever). I must say, both my bf and I were extremely Underwhelmed by the food. The burgers where extremely bland, as he burger pattys tasted much like cardboard (again, I know what your thinking... how do i know what cardboard taste like?? trust me,, I know). On top of the food being really bad, the staff did not help the cause. Both our server and the bartender were more on the rude side than nice, we got there maybe 45 minutes before closing and so we seemed very unwelcomed from the start. Oh yea, and, one of our drinks was served in a blatantly dirty glass... gross. 1 star bc thats the minimum plus an additional star bc its a nice location and b4 you meet the staff the place seems like it would be a cool place to eat. read more

LuAnn G.

8 years ago

Fun new restaurant in the new Hotel Salem. Great variety for appetizers.

Counter - newamerican - Updated November 2026

Browse Nearby

BEST of Salem, Massachusetts Restaurants near Counter

BEST of Salem, Massachusetts Coffee near Counter

BEST of Salem, Massachusetts Breakfast near Counter

BEST of Salem, Massachusetts Desserts near Counter

BEST of Salem, Massachusetts Things to Do near Counter

BEST of Salem, Massachusetts Parking near Counter

BEST of Salem, Massachusetts Cocktail Bars near Counter

BEST of Salem, Massachusetts Dinner near Counter

BEST of Salem, Massachusetts Wineries near Counter

BEST of Salem, Massachusetts Shopping near Counter

Best of Salem

Things to do in Salem

Browse Brands

Brands by name

Browse Articles

Articles by date

People who viewed Counter also viewed

Three Cod Tavern

3.9

(135 reviews)

My family and I ate lunch at 3 Cod on Father's Day. We had reservations for 3 o'clock, but…read moregetting there early( 2 o'clock) we were graciously seated. The food was amazing! My husband and I got the seafood casserole and it was so good! Our daughters got the lobster roll and haddock dinner. We all loved our meals ! Service was outstanding as well! Plan on coming back again soon!

Not off to a great start. Came in the afternoon to grab a bite at the bar and was promptly ignored…read morefor the phone and chatting at the other end of the bar. I suppose if you're not a local in a tourist town, you shouldn't expect customer service, at least here anyway. After a not-quite-awkward amount of silent time watching the bartenders back, we were addressed. Look the long and short was the service struck me wrong from moment one and I no longer felt welcome when sitting down to eat. Beer selection was decent. Sip o sunshine makes for an excellent sauce. The food was excellent. Salty, delicious roast beef on a perfectly toasted roll, Rueben set up perfect with melting cheese catching the light from the high placed windows. Decor is was cool. Old world nautical theme throughout with rich dark wood tables and chairs. Maybe she had a bad day, maybe I did, and this was what was perceived. Wanted a welcoming lunch place to pop in when I'm in the next town and didn't find it today. The sad part is though the food was good, I don't think the wife and I will give it another go. Shame.

Cala’s

3.7

(187 reviews)

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

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.

Brodie's Seaport

3.2

(318 reviews)

This lovely little tucked away gem sits across a residential area near a pier slightly away from…read morethe hustle and bustle of the main Salem strip. The service was exceptional. The restaurant was clean and had TVs at the bar for sports games. There is an ATM located by the restrooms as well, if needed. The steak tips were decent, but nothing to write home about. We asked if we could have a filet or a full steak, but the tips are all that is offered. The chicken penne vodka was tasty. The sauce was not overpowering. It was plated well. The chicken caesar and mozz sticks were as expected. The price point wasn't outrageous. Enjoy!

Welcoming owner. Sat quickly but service was a bit slow with odd gaps. May be better for drinks as…read morefun/good location. Friends were charged $10 for splitting salad and ravioli which i thought was a bit excessive

Village Tavern

3.4

(776 reviews)

A&B Burgers

3.4

(497 reviews)

It was a perfect combination. I wanted to watch the Patriots and have a hamburger so I stopped A&B…read moreBurger. I ordered the black and blue hamburger. It was amazing. as was my server, Amy

We went to get some appetizers before the show at Cabot. Ordered chicken fingers and nachos. Nachos…read morewere terrible....cold lettuce flopped on top of the nachos. Dry cheese and dry chips, No melted cheese or edible chicken. Told the waiter they were inedible and still charged us $15.00 Won't be coming back.

9 Elm American Bistro

4.5

(318 reviews)

•$$$

Holy Schnikes Batman! Nine Elm Danvers 10/10…read more My first experience here and also an early Birthday dinner for this never ending black hole of an appetite with 3 of the most important people to me and it twas delicious! Excellent ambiance and the food speaks for itself! Read on for the deets!!! Started with the blue cheese stuffed dates that Michael Petrigno aka What Would You Eat Today Sir loves and they were excellent! Wrapped in n bacon with a balsamic reduction that takes your tastebuds to a smokey realm of happiness! Great texture with each bite! Next the burrata which was like a posturepedic pillow of deliciousness laying upon some diced tomatoes with what I believe was a balsamic reduction drizzle and possibly pesto... all I know is I never wanted it to stop! For the entree I went pan seared scallops with white truffle whipped potatoes, and a corn veloute... no chincing on scallops here! There was plenty and the combination of flavors was exquisite! The truffle potatoes were amazing and I could have swam in the corn veloute! I also got to try a bite of the swordfish and holy heck that was amazing as well! Everything cooked perfectly! Last but certainly not least was this amazing chocolate cake served warm with vanilla ice cream & sea salt caramel sauce! Amazing bites that were so melt in your mouth delicous! Matt and Jean (owners) blew my night out of water and I know they will for you too! Life is short so enjoy a meal with loved ones

Excellent Anniversary Dinner! Every Bite was Delicious!!…read moreUnfortunately the Scallop Appetizer was discontinued..... No Mich Altra but had a Bud Lite A Cold Glass would have been Great! Next time I will bring a cushion for my Bar Seat ... Ha...Ha!

Franklin Cape Ann

4.1

(167 reviews)

Love Franklin Cape Ann- the restaurant is warm and inviting with great menu with specials including…read moreVegan and Gluten Free options! Staff is friendly and very helpful. Recently, had the Braised Short Rib which was tender and delicious. Also love the zucchini appetizer. Highly recommend!

Ambiance is nice and inviting. Service was good. We both ordered the hanger steak. Both our "steaks…read more" looked like a charred turkey neck. We have never seen a "steak " like that before. It also had a strange taste. I had a thought that I was actually eating some sort of organ meat. We sent both meals back. I got the braised beef. It was uneventful. My wife got a sirloin steak. It too was uneventful. They comped the dessert...big deal.

Antique Table

3.3

(129 reviews)

Adriatic Restaurant & Bar

3.9

(453 reviews)

The food was decent - not wonderful, but average Italian. The service was slow. Staff appeared to…read morebe nervous around management and manager was rude. Gratuity automatically added and not accommodating to check splitting for a small group.

We came here in October and managed to get a spot here - the other restaurants were crazy long…read more The service was great - they came to check on us multiple times. The food was good as well, just your regular American style restaurant

Maddie's Sail Loft of Marblehead

3.9

(218 reviews)