Last day of vacation and again just driving around seeing the sites. Susan was a great server! Kept it simple today. I had the Nikki salad. Husband had the clam chowder and haddock sandwich with onion rings. The food was great and exactly what we were looking for. The clam chowder was one of my favorites from all we sampled this trip. The addition of dill put it over the top! Seems to be another hot spot in Swampscott. Very busy place and a lot of locals. Glad we found it!! read more

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Good food. Dishonest pricing. I dined here yesterday, July the 4th. I ordered the fish-and-chip and a beer, and asked about substitutions for the fries. Among the many options presented, I chose the Caesar salad. The total for this meal? $49! (!!) The fish was listed on the menu as "market price." I neglected to ask what the price of roughly six ounces of fried white fish was at the "market" but discovered when the check came that it's $34. I'm not a fine-diner, but I'm pretty sure that 34 bucks typically gets you a much nicer dish at a much nicer restaurant. Charging that much for fish and chips is frankly dishonorable...but I guess it's part-and-parcel of the "get while the getting's good" ethic driving the affordability crisis in this country. Next, to the salad: I was charged $5 for the substitution, though the server did not warn me about this upcharge. Personally, I think it's understood when you ask about substitutions, that you are asking about FREE substitutions. If there's an incremental charge to substitute, say, a potato for french fries (I'm sure there is at Dockside, and I'd guess it's larger than it shuld be), it's incumbent on the server to declare it. Otherwise, what makes it a "substitution?" To summarize: nice enough place, greedy owners, OK but ultimately deficient service. Eat here if you want to spend $55 or so on an acceptable dinner that should cost 30 percent less. read more

We have visited Dockside 2x. Once for lunch and last evening for dinner. Both times the wait staff experience was terrific. We ate at the bar for lunch and the bartender was attentive and service quick. Dinner last night equally great service. Both times a member of our group had a Halibut Sandwich with onion rings and not a crumb remained. Hinton: have everything on it. The salads were very satisfying and good portions. Hint: Try the blackened chicken. The interior is warm and inviting. Enough noise to know you are in an interesting place. Look forward to returning. read more

Food was just ok, it is always very loud even when not too crowded, one manager , not sure of his name, was very rude and unprofessional , For that reason alone , I will not return even though I live close by and location is perfect read more

On our way to Marblehead we passed through Swampscott, a quaint seaside community adjoins an East Facing beach. There is a downtown-type area with small businesses. Of these, the Dockside Pub seemed the most promising. It has a homey low-key atmosphere with what appears to be regulars at the bar enjoying their Friday afternoon. We were greeted with a big smile and were led to a nice booth. We ordered the chipotle chicken wrap washed down with Guinness 0 that was entirely pleasant and relaxing. The music was at low volume and non-intrusive. Maybe if I get more adventurous I'll try the seafood next time. read more

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If you're a mudslide lover (or even just mudslide-curious), this spot is non-negotiable. Hands down the best mudslides in town -- rich, smooth, boozy, and blended like a dream. What really sets them apart? The bartenders. These people are absolute mudslide artists. I threw out a totally off-the-wall combo (espresso, peanut butter, hint of banana, and a dash of cinnamon -- yes, really), and they didn't even blink. What came back? A creamy masterpiece that somehow made it all work like it was always meant to be. They've got a crazy ability to take weird, complicated requests and turn them into something shockingly good. Whether you want to stick to the classic chocolatey original or get wild with Oreos, caramel swirls, or even coffee liqueurs, they're game -- and they deliver every time. And they do it with a smile, even when you're being that person with the over-the-top request. Respect. The vibe is laid back, the drinks are cold and decadent, and the experience is five-star start to finish. Treat yourself. You haven't had a mudslide until you've had one here. read more

Was on a girls trip and we rented a nearly Airbnb! This restaurant is a gem! Amazing and delicious food! We ate several meals here and each one was delightful and consistent! The service was super friendly and quick! Very cute decor and near the seaside! A must stop for morning coffee and donuts!!! THE best!!! read more

Sunday we wanted a Bloody Mary. Sat at bar they were good however such a small glass usually served in larger glass elsewhere. Kitchen was turning over so could not order food as they were not ready. Food ok - staff pleasant but certainly won't be back when all the other local pubs serve up great sized Bloody Mary's. read more

First off should have walked out the second we walked in.... A Sunday, 1:00. The music was so loud which makes everyone talk over it and it's very overstimulating & Loud! Waited kept having us repeat ourselves. Service.... We waited about 10 mins before we were even approached. I do think the waiter did the best he could though. He may be new or first waiter job. Not upset about it, but we waited a while for a the bill as well. The fried clams were tasteless , but fresh. Could be the season. Onion rings were greasy AF. Little flavor. Nothing is seasoned. Lobster roll was fresh, but again tasteless. Nice buttered roll. 45 dollars for the lobster roll. Decent size. Wouldn't go back, but didn't hate it. read more

Dockside Pub - Bars Near Me - Swampscott, Massachusetts

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Fantastic restaurant. Our server was such a nice guy and the food was excellent. An absolutely terrific dining experience. It is my first time to the East Coast and the city of Swampscott and this local pub really speak volumes about the importance of community. The Dockside Pub is a gem for a local gathering lunch and dinner spot. read more

Dockside Pub - Non-alcoholic beer - Bars Near Me - Swampscott, Massachusetts

I have been living in Lynn for 26 years and never had a chance to try food at Dockside Pub. We just got home from our vacation in California and decided to get a dinner at this place. What a disappointment. First, waiter told us that they have some issues with grill and some choices from the menu are not available. Ok, we did work around that. Next, they got my order but not my husband's order. Ok. I was waiting for his food to arrive. They most likely forgot about it. Next, we got his order. Food was ok. They asked us if we want the dessert. Ok so we asked for the desert menu. Again, she said they don't have a menu for that but she said that they have carrot cake, tiramisu or caramel cheesecake. Ok we said caramel cheesecake. We were waiting at least 15 minutes until she came to tell us that they don't have caramel cheesecake. Ok, so we said tiramisu. We waited another 30 minutes and she came to say that they didn't have tiramisu either. That's where I had enough and left my husband to pay a bill. Waitress gave him bill to pay ....you guess right, for caramel cheesecake and tiramisu that we never got. My husband was looking at it with disbelief. Like this is worst customer service we ever experienced. Poor, low effort, disappointment and worst restaurant experience for us. Don't go there. They should go out of business! IL read more

Visiting from another state and were highly recommended to stop by while in swampscott. I ordered the lobster roll and it came with a side of their home chips. The lobster roll was packed with lobster and it was delicious. Their chips were delicious and hard not to eat them all. We've heard great things about their donuts as well. That, we will have to make another stop for on our next trip here. Everyone was so friendly, even the locals who were there enjoying their meals were friendly. It was also surprisingly bigger inside than I expected. read more

Dockside Pub - Bars Near Me - Swampscott, Massachusetts

A couple of smash burgers for lunch, in this busy neighborhood pub that clearly has a regular crowd of lunch martini fans! We got lucky to get the last table, a sunny one in a closed dining room next to the window, it kept out the late September chill. Our server was also a bartender and was very very busy and super outgoing and efficient. I liked the option to add steamed vegetables instead of french fries or coleslaw. I have never been offered this before and it was a pleasant surprise. Husband had french fries instead of chips with his smash. My burger was lettuce wrapped which is always underwhelming but it's not their fault! I liked the smashburger but often it is served without any dressing when wrapped in lettuce. That was also the case here, although there was ketchup. It was really too busy to ask for special sauce so I didn't. And in this case, the lettuce wrap was really just a leaf underneath, not a great effort so I used a knife and fork. I enjoyed watching the local ladies with their fancy martinis at the bar at noon. This is probably a happening place at happy hour! Maybe we'll be back in town again in the future! read more

Dockside Pub - Smashburger lettuce wrapped with steamed vegetables - Bars Near Me - Swampscott, Massachusetts

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Second trip here and it was very good. Our server Taylor was fantastic! She was prompt, friendly and checked in on us but not in a pushy way I'd like to come back for dinner soon, some of the items on the menu look delicious and I need to try a green tea shot too, the Summer drink menu has so many fun, creative cocktails! This visit was a little noisy, being Father's Day there were many families. The restaurant is a great little spot. read more

On our way back to Boston from Salem, we stopped at a beach to take pictures of the sunset and happened upon this spot. It was busy at 7 pm on a Wednesday evening and we had a short wait. After looking at reviews we decided to wait. Service was good, great ambiance and delicious food. My husband had the seafood fra Diavolo and I opted for the fish and chips. Both were great. The fra Diavolo was spicy and brothy with plenty of seafood in the dish. My fish and chips were okay. The fish was crispy and juicy but could have used seasoning and the chips were so-so. Frozen fries are not my idea of chips, for the price. Homemade chips is always the route when serving fish n chips. Overall, a good spot. I will be more adventurous if we are even nearby again. read more

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The hummus was absolutely delicious! It was fresh, tasty and the naan bites were perfect! I can't wait to come back and try the falafel next!!! read more

Dockside Pub - Hummus and naan bread bites! Delicious! - Bars Near Me - Swampscott, Massachusetts

Dockside Pub has that classic small-town bar vibe. The stuffed lobster was huge and delicious. The calamari was crispy and paired perfectly with marinara sauce. The hot lobster roll was generously stuffed, and the bread had the perfect crunch, though I wish there was a little more flavor overall. Our waiter was great, checking up on us and making sure everything was good. Definitely a spot worth checking out! read more

Dockside Pub - Stuffed Lobster - Bars Near Me - Swampscott, Massachusetts

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food, friendly service, a wonderful lunch. perfect for a seaside town. Lunchtime had many local customers.

First time at the Dockside. Came with my daughter. Our meals were delicious. Great Lobster roll. Really authentic comfortable atmosphere. Our waitress Vienna was very nice. read more

What a treat. Friendly wait staff, menu with a great variety of options. They also had a specials menu. I was here on a Sunday around 2:30. There was some available seating. Some parking available on the property and plenty of on street parking. Nice views of the ocean and great for a stroll after eating. Food came quickly and was fresh and tasty. Nice platings and very generous portions, see pictures. Dessert (cheescake) was also delicious. Comfortable booths. They also have tables and a bar. Would recommend and will be my new go to place for meals with mom since she lives nearby. read more

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First time at the dockside restaurant. It was very good. Parking is a little tough it's in area with a few restaurants on the water . The food and apps were excellent baked haddock was very good for all five in my party of six. The service was excellent as well. Busy restaurant. They do not take reservations. read more

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My wife and I dine out 2 or 3 times a week but this is probably my first restaurant review on Yelp in 9 years as a member. I had a terrible experience at this restaurant. Granted I may have caught them transitioning between breakfast and lunch but that shouldn't be my problem. My wife got a clam/scallop plate and I had a burger. I don't want to go too deep into the food, but I will tell you that there was nothing on that table that was not severely overcooked. I didn't complain because we didn't have enough time to get another plate anyway, as it took forever to get our food in the first place. The food however, is not what I want to talk about in this post. It was my waitress. She was a young kid whose name I will not use, but she could not possibly have been more inattentive. While the place was not crowded, you needed a search warrant to find this kid! Despite being retired people, my wife and I are solid 20% plus tippers. This one time however, we had a conversation about this experience and decided to do the apparent unthinkable. Leave a mere 15% tip! When it is time to pay, she comes over with the credit card machine and faces it to me, while holding it. On the screen were tip options starting with 20%, so I said oh, there's not an option for 15% . This was so out of character for me and a little embarrassing, but I was dug in and managed to customize the tip. Now here is why I felt the need to leave this review. While walking out, we glanced over the waitress station and saw her and another waitress looking at the card reader with our waitress doing all the talking, when all of a sudden, they both looked up at us. Their faces told the story; had been talking about us. read more

This is a very cute restaurant in a good location. the ambiance is very warm and comfortable. The service was attentive and very friendly. We were served by two different waiters, which as odd, but they both were friendly and knew what they were doing. Prices seemed fair for the area. Unfortunately, the food was just mediocre. My husband liked his smash burger and I got the tuna tartare as a main dish and it was very good. I also got a cup of the claim chowder to start and it was luke warm and too thick, IMO. Flavor was fine but the temperature was unacceptable especially for a cold evening in February. My two adult sons were with us. One got the lobster roll with side of mac and cheese and the other got the muscles with linguini. The muscles tasted good but they were very sandy per my son. He also complained that the dish wasn't hot enough. The lobster roll was pretty good but the Mac and cheese was pretty bad. The macaroni was rubbery and, again, was lukewarm. So I wouldn't go back here unless I was going for something like a burger. read more

Good service, good food. Who would want anything else in a restaurant. Might start making this a weekly thing.

I've only been here a couple of times but I can tell you I eat out ALL the time and they have the best dirty martini on the entire North Shore! Steak tips were amazing and no, they were not teriyaki, cannot tell you what the marinade was, but it was amazing. read more

The drinks and food are amazing!!! The service is always on point and they are all great!!! The music is always great!!! read more

Dockside Pub - Bars Near Me - Swampscott, Massachusetts

Husband and I went early evening for dinner to try somewhere new. We live nearby in Salem. Place had a decent amount of people there for such an odd late lunch/too early for dinner time slot. As we left it was steadily filling with what seemed like a lot of locals/regulars. It was cozy and the table for 2 was comfy. Appreciate the booth seating style just for 2 also. I had the chicken Toscano and my husband had the steak tips. The chicken toscano was one of the best meals I've had at a restaurant- no kidding! I was pleasantly surprised! My husband said his steak tips were good also. They didn't have mashed potatoes that day but he got roasted potatoes instead. Our waitress took great care of us. Everything was superb. I'll be back for that chicken!! read more

Fish tacos were the worst we ever had. I have no idea what the sauce was but it seemed like some sour cream. No seasoning. No flavor. Just terrible. Clam chowder was fair, loaded with flour to thicken it and lacked seasoning. Not sure how this place got good ratings. Perhaps it's their fried foods. read more

Going to the Dockside is always a great experience. It has cute nautical decor. I went on Sunday with my daughter, brother and sister in law food was delicious, drinks were amazing and our server Jaelyn was the best ! read more

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Love Dockside! Food is excellent and service is always great. Had Vivian as a server and she was fantastic.

Great drinks and burger -- we had a super friendly waiter who made us feel like we were the only ones there even though it was fairly busy.

Food was absolutely delicious. My daughter had a lobster roll and she's totally sold. Crab cakes for appetizers are highly recommended. And the pasta was amazing. Staff was friendly and service was great. I'm not from this area, but this place is now on my "must do" list any time I come back. read more

Dockside Pub - Bars Near Me - Swampscott, Massachusetts

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High Prices and Slow Service. Our group of five ate there on a Sunday evening. From the exterior, it looked like a neighborhood restaurant/bar that offered decent seafood at fair prices. The lobster roll was $44 and the clam roll was $33. We next tried to order clam chowder, which they were out of. Worst of all, it took over an hour for our revised order to arrive, which turned out mediocre. We were seated outdoors, and one wait person was serving multiple (7-8?) tables. When we complained to the manager about the slow service, he fiercely denied that it took as long as it did and made no apology or attempt to compensate us such as offering a free dessert. Needless to say, we'll never return. read more

Had dinner there the other night and everything was great. The decor is a nice blend of nautical elements with some modern touches. Booths across from bar are very comfortable. Service was always available and welcoming. The Guinness pour was excellent. The fish and chips was the star. Perfectly cooked, crispy outside, still moist inside with the lightest breading possible. Looking forward to trying more of the menu. read more

I highly recommend the fried clams if you live in the south most county of Essex and can't get to the Ipswich Essex area. This is the most perfect place to get your clams for summer. read more

Amazing meal! We got lobster rolls, salmon, burgers and steak tips! Everything was delicious!!!

I went to go visit my sister and she took me to this new place that's called the dockside. The food was unbelievable. The staff was amazing. The calamari was the best and the Lobster mac & cheese was to die for and it was shareable and cotton. I would definitely recommend this place if you're in the area, please go there in the owner Andrew is the nicest person that I've ever met. The ambiance is adorable it's like being on a ship it's perfect for Swampscott. read more

Dockside is my port o' call after sea trials not only with my clients but many times by myself. I have tried all their appertizers & dinner-entre's; all food-choices were excellent; great portions. Great wine selection; great crew and many boating patrons. Do not miss this spot right across from Fisherman's Beach. read more

Dockside Pub - Bars Near Me - Swampscott, Massachusetts

Honestly, one of the best bars I've ever been to. Incredibly intimate, definitely a New England feel, and just a wonderful staff. Got there at the end of the night and it was just a great experience. Music they were playing was wonderful and not too loud, and the ambiance was just stellar. I will definitely be back, and I truly can't recommend it enough. 10/10 read more

Delicious! Small place but great food! We sat at the bar and the staff were great very hard working and friendly. Everyone looked happy eating and enjoying themselves. Nice little gem! I got the lobster roll which I haven't had in years and it tasted fresh! My husband got the fish tacos which I also tasted and it was freshly priced were good average. Definitely make a stop! If we are ever in the area again will stop by! read more