I had dinner with my mom at Oak to Ember a week or so ago when we spent a long weekend on Cape Ann. Of all the restaurants we had planned to check out, I was most excited about Oak to Ember! Looking right out onto Gloucester Harbor, the location and the views are incredible. It's also an incredibly cool, modern spot. The interior has high ceilings and cool decor (it used to a fisherman's union hall), and the outside seating couldn't be more beautiful with those Gloucester Harbor views. The restaurant serves fresh New England seafood, dishes made with seasonal and regional produce and meat, and dishes made using their live-fire grill and smoker! No kidding, I wanted everything on this menu. My mom eats vegetarian/mostly vegan, so she ordered two small plates for herself that were veggie-focused. I ordered their smoked monkfish burnt ends (with lemongrass chili crunch and apple & celery root slaw) and their pan seared scallops (with summer mushroom risotto, smoked brisket jam, and sun-dried tomato butter). Both dishes were great. I couldn't eat all of it, but I took the leftover burnt ends home and sliced them up for sandwiches the next two days (made the best sandwiches). The risotto was one of the best I've ever had - absolutely great flavor, but I did wish they'd gotten a little more color/sear on the scallops themselves - but they weren't overcooked, which is the most important part of the cook on a scallop! I really loved my meal. Their wine list was also great, and I had a wonderful glass of Bourgogne Blanc. The service was great - Sabrina was our server, and she was wonderful! This is a popular spot, so you need a reservation if you want to grab dinner here during popular hours. We had a reservation for around 7 on a Saturday night, and a group of two walked in without a reservation and were told they had an opening for walk-ins around 9. We had to wait a bit for our table but otherwise our meal was pretty perfect service-wise. We had a great meal at Oak to Ember. I'd love to return. read more

Oak to Ember - Pan seared scallops, summer mushroom risotto, smoked brisket jam, sun dried tomato butter - Seafood Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

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The food was okay. I ordered the ribs, the ends were tough. Didn't seem like smoked ribs, the cornbread was dry. My wife got some fish tacos that were on special that day. She enjoyed them. Server was really nice, and it is a cute spot. read more

Smokehouse x fish?! Knew I had to come try this place out when looking for a lunch in Gloucester. Stumbled upon this place after looking at neighboring restaurants that had salads and fried baskets on the menu. The mix of smokehouse items blended with fish was too unique to pass up. The smoked monkfish was delicious and so creative! The mussels and calamari also had great flavor and were delicious! Two of us split three apps and still left with leftovers! The portion sizes are very generous and well worth the cost. The sangria (both red and white) were amazing and refreshing on a summer day. Good food + good drinks + ocean view seating = a perfect summer afternoon read more

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Prompt service, server was very patient despite my insistence that my order was wrong. She offered to change it out but I declined. It was very uncomfortable. What I think happened was that line ran short on Steak Tartar and supplemented with Tuna Tartar--So I got both. And of course they denied it. What I tasted at home was the Steak Tartar 3 times--I had consumed the Tuna half at the restaurant. Weirdest moment in my 35 years in the restaurant biz. read more

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Oak to Ember was a last minute booking for us, but would love to come back if ever back in the area. It's a huge restaurant with a large bar area too. A massive counter around the bar. Coming from the UK, we maybe ordered too much because some of the portions were huge! (See the squid dish, which was a starter). Cannot complain though as every dish was delicious, especially the haddock main. Really welcoming service too. read more

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Another great Gloucester meal. I started with the grilled calamari. Normally not a fan of calamari that is not deep fried but the reviews were great and very happy I tried it. Not at all chewy and lots of complex flavors. Had the baked haddock as my main course, it was also great. The bits of sausage really worked well and the sauce was so good I was tempted to eat it with a spoon. Would love to go again. read more

Oak to Ember - Grilled calamari - Seafood Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

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My family had an amazing Easter Brunch here last month. The staff were incredible and there was even an appearance by the Easter Bunny We had a round of bloody marys that hit the perfect level of spice. The food was incredible with generous portions and enough for leftovers later that night. The restaurant is extremely clean and centered around an open kitchen area. I had been to the bar a few times but will definitely be coming back for another meal in the future. read more

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We've been here 10-15 times, brought guests while in town and this has been a huge hit every time. If you like smoked food, look no further. Drinks are delicious. Kids menu is very reasonable and mine always get the chicken fingers and rigatoni pasta. We frequently get a table where you can watch the food being made which is so fun. We have enjoyed ribs, burgers. The whipped ricotta is a must get app. There is both indoor and outdoor seating. It's a really fun vibe, lively but not too loud too. Pricing is $$$ but given the food quality and super friendly service, it's worth it! If you are looking for ice cream dessert hit Nauti's across the street! read more

Had a lovely dinner here! First off, they provide free parking for their guests if enter on the side street. That was fantastic because it was a zoo on Saturday. Had the rustic herb focaccia bread with red pepper butter to start. Got the small portion but immediately regretted not getting the large. That stuff was like crack! Omg drooling just thinking about it again. I had the portobello mushroom tacos which were very smoky which I liked. My only wish is they had cotija cheese or creme fraiche since they were quite spicy. My huband had the scallops on risotto and said they were excellent. All their seafood is fresh and local which you would hope but they confirmed! Key lime pie for dessert was housemade and amazingly limely with a soft, chewy graham crust. Server was lovely and attentive. Would definitely go again! read more

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Was in town visiting for a wedding and decided to meet up with old friends/wedding guests for a pre-wedding brunch. We had made a reservation thinking it would be tough to get a seat and glad we did for a large party. The restaurant otherwise had some empty tables but was decently busy. The staff was very friendly greeting us and getting us set up with water and beverages as the party trickled in. I was trying to keep it light for the meal and ordered oysters and the caesar and the house bloody. Solid choice for local fare! read more

Oak to Ember - oyster tray - Seafood Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

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Had a great meal! I have to give a shout out to Sabrina our server! She was so awesome ! read more

Oak to Ember - Baked haddock - Seafood Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

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This was our ideal dinner spot. We sat at the bar and had excellent service from the team of bartenders. We ordered drinks, apps and shared an entree, which they even split for us. Everything was fresh and flavorful. Would go here again and again. read more

Oak to Ember - One of the specials, linguini w clams The steam fogged my camera - Seafood Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

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Vacationing in the area and we were taking a drive along the coast when we found this awesome spot! The best presentation of clam chowder that I've experienced! Big bowl of clam shells stuffed with clams, potatoes, bacon and seasoning. It was amazing and served with grilled sourdough we should have stopped eating. We split the pastrami sandwich and fries! Loved every bite. Matthew was our server and he was appropriately attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. Restaurant is on the coast so it had a great ambiance! read more

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Great setting, lots of seating both inside and out. Back of the restaurant is bright and airy. Nice help. Tasty food. We had the eggs Benedict and smoked brisket omelet. The eggs Bennie came with a steak knife. The bacon is a jerky texture but delicious. Slow cooked, and reheated. Omelet was perfectly cooked. read more

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Phew... this place was so bad. All bad. The service, the atmosphere, the food was sooooo bad. **Why is there a TV???? What in the world.** We ordered the "rice balls", mussels, fries, bolognese and Caesar salad. The confusing thing about this place is the menu looks interesting and is well written, highlighting fun ingredients. But then your meal arrives and it is the most bland uninteresting thing you've ever eaten. The Caesar salad says smoked cured egg yolk. That was not present. The bolognese sauce was so watery and the pasta was undercooked by a minute. It was hard inside. The fries and sparkling water were the best part of the meal. read more

Edit: The reason I gave three stars is this restaurant did not make it clear they only served brunch on Sunday. We waited an hour for a table, I would have went elsewhere if I knew they only served brunch. I deleted a star because of the snarky response from the owner. We went here this afternoon(Sunday). We looked at the menu and it looked good. When we finally got our table, it was a brunch menu. Nobody in our party wanted brunch, we were expecting the lunch menu. Apparently, they only serve brunch on Sundays until 2:30. I wish this was advertised somewhere, either on the menu or website, or door. The food we ended up ordering was good, and the service was spot on, but the brunch menu should have been clearly stated. read more

My husband and I ate here on a trip to Gloucester/Rockport. It honestly felt like we stepped foot into California with the interior design and vibe. I loved it -- a very clean, hip, and well-appointed restaurant very close to our hotel. Our food was delicious and the service exceeded expectations. We would definitely eat there again! read more

Gloucester, MA Great place near the water to enjoy some fish n chips, seafood or grab a bite with a larger group. read more

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Saturday night usually has more guests but this past Saturday there were many delays, every interaction with staff had someone apologizing to us about waiting. Someone at some point said there were issues with the Toast service. Three out of the four of us were pretty good with our food. I got the scallop risotto ($36.00) based on a friend's recommendation. It was tasty but the scallops were gritty. Another person in our party got it too and was turned off by a big fatty brisket chunk in her brisket jam. One person who got the fish and chips ($28.00) couldn't finish because it was too salty. It was our first time visit, so our overall impression was the atmosphere was nice & service was good, but too many other dining options in the Gloucester area to plan a return visit any time soon. read more

Service food and atmosphere are all eclectic and very enjoyable. Creative menu with smoke theme throughout. We liked the high top tables near the kitchen. read more

Oak to Ember - Fun menu and great drinks - Seafood Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

Don't waste your beach time here! This place took 45 minutes to make steak frites, and failed to provide any updates or reason for the delay. After all that, the steak still came out overcooked, and didn't have much flavor. Moral of the story: Find somewhere else in Gloucester to eat. read more

We stopped in for a bite before the Patriots game Wednesday night. We sat at the bar and had a couple of great appetizers. What a happy environment. The grilled calamari stood out, as did the Wes cocktails with smoked pineapple. But the star of the show was the bartender, who was as entertaining as she was attentive. Best hoop earrings on the planet!! Shame about the Patriots game... read more

Terrific food and a nice patio. The ribs and cornbread were a standout, while the fish and chips and kale salad were also quite good. The key lime pie was great though the flourless chocolate cake was a little too dry for our liking. Overall, a great option in Gloucester! read more

Great food friendly service but it's freezing in there in the winter. Go in spring summer or fall

Just do it!! Food was incredible. Chef(s) know what they are doing. Staff was a 10. Ambiance was a 10. Beautiful location and everything was top notch. Can't recommend enough. Thank you for a wonderful dining experience! read more

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Great hummus. Really good, well seasoned, fresh pita, right toppings. The salad was ok... it was a head of romaine lettuce with crumbly bits on top and a slab of chicken on the side... we were wondering why my friend was given a steak knife for a Caesar salad. Nothing else was particularly remarkable. Drinks were good, mixed drinks on the syrupy side. Expensive menu. Service was super slow. We asked a hostess for bread, she said our waitress would be by, 10 minutes later she was only after we asked the hostess again. A different host who sat us stayed and chatted (we were hungry and just wanted to sit) but was in front of one of the chairs so a member of our party was just left standing while she told us about how someone's brother is a "vip"... Not sure if they have takeout but I'd do that instead of dine in. read more

Oak to Ember - Hummus, salad, drink, steak, chicken - Seafood Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

Stylish and friendly place with unique interesting dishes. The type of place that you can talk to whom ever happens to be seated next to you. Thoughtful decor without any pretense. The bar tender John is especially attentive knowledgeable about the menu as well as the proverbial knowing a lot of customers names. On top of it all it's downtown Gloucester right on the waterfront. read more

Oak to Ember - Monk fish Burnt ends with green apple celery root slaw. It's an app but eats like a meal - Seafood Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

A very beautiful restaurant. All the food was just okay. I feel disappointed since the food smells so good outside. Pricey and meh with a nice at atmosphere. read more

Good service, food is mediocre at best. Soggy swordfish tacos, inedible calamari, soggy French fries. The steak was good, but that was as far as it went. read more

Great hostess. Super waiter very attentive. I think her name was Lila. We had calamari, monkfish app and fries. Delicious. Drinks were generous and great. Outside is unassuming. Go in. It's lovely. read more

We stumbled upon this restaurant while walking through downtown Gloucester. The smoker in front of the restaurant beckoned to us, insisting that we try some of the cuisine from this establishment. (seriously, the thing is massive). It was a warm day, with a threat of rain, yet they were more than happy to seat us on the patio. The view of the fishing vessels in the water is classic historic Gloucester. We had the wings, which are smoked, rather than fried. They fell off of the bone, cooked to perfection. I ordered the steak frites, which were cooked perfectly. read more

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Holy cow this place is a hidden gem. Whipped ricotta out of this world, clam chowder so fresh not heavy fresh clams. Drinks are great swordfish tacos to die for. Service at the bar amazing....so so fresh and beautiful inside read more

Lovely people, however, just okay food. Oysters were gritty/very badly shucked. Sticky wine glass stem. I had a kale salad with salmon, but half of it was unexpectedly romaine. Warm salmon made the romaine soggy. I had also asked for one modification (no onions), which was missed. Salmon was cooked well, but overall the experience was sub par. Nice location though. read more

I love this restaurant so much and I always my friend if we can go here when I visit her in Gloucester. They have so many yummy dishes that it's hard to know where to begin, but the wings, whipped ricotta, mussels and tuna tartare are some of my favorites. The outdoor deck is a great space for summer dining and the staff are super friendly. read more

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If you live in Gloucester or visiting from out of town the Oak and Ember is a great selection for lunch or dinner (reservations recommended). Great downtown location on the harbor with lots of adjacent parking. A fully experienced & friendly staff, great cocktails & beers and the food is over the edge always. My favorite is the pork chop and side of crispy potatoes. The wife says best burger on Cape Ann. Both inside and deck seating as well as a large bar too. Enjoy read more

Walked in on a whim after visiting Hammond Castle one weekday evening and were surprised to find a nearly empty restaurant given the ambience was so warm and festive. Nice kids menu and a full menu of comfort foods and delicious beverages for the adults. We opted for a beer and an old fashioned. For apps, we went with the tuna tartar, ricotta, and clam chowder. The chowder was some of the best we've ever had, with chunky pieces of bacon, clams still fresh in the shell, and a buttery broth. Tuna tostada was fresh and the perfect amount of spice. The whipped ricotta was tasty, too. One child got the chicken tenders off the kids' menu, which he loved. The fries were nice and crispy and we all fought over them. My other child opted for the Faroe salmon, which he really enjoyed, particularly the spicy barbeque glaze. He shared a few bites with me but given all the apps, I was stuffed. My spouse had a pasta dish and he said it was great. Would absolutely return again. Was the perfect end to an already memorable evening in Gloucester. read more

Oak to Ember - Get a look at that incredible chowder! - Seafood Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

Oak to ember. More like a meal to remember! I had a literal life changing meal at oak to ember. This wasn't on the menu but I asked if they could make this for me and it was the best pasta meal I've ever had. The scallops were so tender and delicate with a rich flavor. The sauce on the pasta kept me coming back for me! Would drive 3 hours for this meal again! read more

Oak to Ember - Scallop carbonara - Seafood Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

Delicious food, made with care! My family and I recommend Oak & Ember in Gloucester MA.

We've been to Oak to Ember 5 times and haven't had a bad experience. We love the Fish and Chips! The haddock is always fresh and the fries are great too. Just had the Crispy Fish Tacos today and they were delicious. The service is quick and friendly. It is more of an upscale feeling but not rigid. Outdoor seating is a plus too! Love to eat here. read more

I just can't stop myself from wanting to find something to eat wherever I go. More often than not, I don't know what the heck I want until I stumble across the right spot smoothly beckoning me to enter and dine. On this short visit to Gloucester, the large what-was-once-a-500-gallon-propane-tank converted into a smoke pit spewing sweet wood smoke right in front of the restaurant caught and held my attention. It was enough to stop me in my tracks that all the other restaurants I walked by earlier didn't and walk right in shortly after taking a few photos of the smoker. I stuck to small bites on this visit and was pleasantly impressed by the food and service. More than anything, I really, really, REALLY enjoyed the wood grilled calamari. The way all the components came together in one bite was for my palate absolutely eye-rolling-tongue-gasmic. I honestly still think about that dish and can't wait to drive back up just to have it again as well as try several of their mainstays and smoked items. See you all again soon! Cheers! read more

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