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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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

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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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

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

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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We had reservations the night before Valentine's Day. We are not from town so didn't know much about the place other than reviews online. Fun and lovely atmosphere - was a mix of groups and couples. Our server was great, food was too and portions were large. Wish we lived closer! 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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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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We ate early and the service by Erin was attentive and superb. Try the sourdough focaccia with sun/dried tomato rosemary butter. It's a must order. The special, swordfish steak in a lemon beurre butter with capers and locally grown mushrooms, was outstanding. We also had the delicious scallops on an apple brisket risotto. Paired well with Sauvignon blanc. Yum! We will return! 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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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

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

Fantasic loacatioon and menu. Too many things to try, but the most memorable dish was the Grilled/smoked octopus app - loved it.

I'm not sure what happened the day of our reservation. We made a reservation several days in advance for my husband's 60th birthday, and on this particular day, it was very chilly and we have been whale watching for half of the day. That being sad we didn't change into our dress clothes for dinner. We wore our jeans in our sweatshirts. The greeting at the door was very chilly and our waitress was the same. To the point where we ended up getting our own water from the wait station because she never came back to the table. We had to send our flat steak back because it was rare and we ordered it medium. The manager was very, very accommodating and really went above and beyond, she made us feel very welcome, but the remaining staff not so much. read more

Food? Excellent. Service was attentive and so fast, it was a busy, but even with it being packed, it didn't feel crowded.

This place was amazing! From the service to the food to the ambiance. Our waitress was fantastic. The food was delicious for the money. We had a few of the drinks and some appetizers and meals. Highly recommend! read more

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We had a celebration of life here and everything went amazing. Neal, Abby and Barbi handled everything from flowers to desert. They had only had a three day notice and executed phenomenally. Thank you for making a tough day easy for us read more

Amazing restaurant with a smoky vibe. The clam chowder and fish and chips were smoky and delicious! The service was excellent. A great recommendation for some smoked items from the menu! 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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Great place & deck seating, like taking a mini vacation. The food and drinks are delicious, but the location is the star. Sitting on the deck watching the sun set and the seagulls plot to steal food, it was a wonderful experience. The service was professional, efficient, and friendly. I cannot think of a thing I would change. Well done! read more

Hostesses was an a hole. Place was empty. Hostest said they had nothing for an hour. Not friendly.

Upscale restaurant with waterfront dining. Fast service and cute craft cocktails. I absolutely loved the smoky flavor of the steak. read more

Oak to Ember - Steak frites - Seafood Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

I want to like this place but they sucks every time. Christmas Eve the prawn special $24 came with 2 mysterious codings one tempura the other the shrimp SHELL that means you need a hatchet to eat it. The bartenders are too busy so don't bother them they don't know they are working in hospitality. My Bill Came to almost a $100 and I was ALONE Pellana prices with out the fine dining experience. Save your money and go elsewhere. read more

Oak to Ember - $24 - Seafood Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

The chef here is a true artist; I always want to order everything on the menu. And what I also love about this place is that you can enjoy your pretty high-end dish while your toddler is happily chowing down on the best hot dog of her life and the environment feeling easy and not pretentious. Bravo read more

Draft German beers on a Black Forest glass, fish and chips extraordinary, and home made tartar sauce on a Sunday afternoon, seating on the terrace. What a perfect date w my husband of 30 years. We will be back!! 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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We tried to order the focaccia and were told they'd sold out of it by 7:30 on a Saturday night. Then, It took a full hour to get our appetizer. After receiving our appetizer, we were told that one of our entrees was no longer available! 40 minutes later our remaining entree came out cold. read more

I just had one of the best meals of my life! Fifteen years ago in Scotland I had a wee taste of the most amazing scallop and have been relishing it ever since. Tonight I had a scallop dish that equalled or surpassed it. Served with a Delicatta squash risotto (which included brisket!?!), the scallops were perfectly seared and melted in the mouth. Service was also stellar. This is a restaurant to be revered and frequented! You won't be disappointed! read more

Everything was delicious. I got the Scallops with risotto, and I inhaled it. Not my first time there but have always had a good meal here.

Best burger in MA!!! Friends recommended this place to us and in particular, the burger, so we had to give it a try and it did not disappoint. It was phenomenal, staff were friendly, and we didn't need a reservation in March on a Saturday ~3pm (off hours). The French fries were shoestring and delicious and the asparagus was roasted to perfection. Our medium and medium well patties were cooked to perfection. Cool vibey spot and can't wait to come back. Only issue is that this place is pretty pricey, particularly for the area; $22 for a burger is a little wild! read more

Oak to Ember - Burger ($22) - Seafood Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

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Such a great brunch!! The crispy potatoes are worth the drive but everything was fantastic! Good service! Mothers Day brunch, not rushed, great vibe! read more

Oak to Ember - Mother's Day brunch. Veggie omelet , crispy potatoes, outstanding turkey club! - Seafood Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

Would recommend this restaurant to everyone me and my guests visited on a Saturday afternoon and everything was impeccable. From the appetizer to the main meal and drinks and desserts. Sabrina our waitress was Amazing and made our dining experience even that much better than it already was. read more

Food was amazing, I had the pork chop, when it showed up on the table I thought it was a sirloin steak. Taste one of the best and the home made apple chutney was so so tasty. Two other diners had the sirloin,cooked perfect to their taste other fish and chips fresh as can be, they sit next to a fresh Atlantic fish company. My guess it came of the boat that day. We all started with onion soup a deep smoky flavor filled with onions crispy bread and perfectly melted cheese services was excellent and drinks were very good. We had heard prices were high...we found the prices were no different than most places we frequent. We will be back soon .waitress was inviting and very efficient and super friendly, seemed like she showed up at the right time every time The restaurant is clean and almost industrial which fits the bill here and the open flame grill in front of us was amazing to watch the chefs work read more

Everything is homemade including bread, ice cream, pasta. There is fresh smoked fish and meat. Nothing is too rich. Everything is flavorful. The view is spectacular outside. The wine menu is diverse but curated to only the top quality. read more

Nice place. Close walk to the hotel I was staying at on the water. Was pretty empty since it was off season. I had an old fashioned to warm up and reviewed the menu. I had a little raw plate of oysters, little necks and shrimp. All the seafood was really fresh and well prepared. For the main, I had the wood grilled lobster. I was cooked perfectly and really tasty. Loved every minute of it. Service was excellent and the interior is nice and cozy. read more

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Had great dinner at Oak to Ember. Looking forward to going back in the future to try more of their menu. The atmosphere is cool and laid back and the service is attentive. For the price point, we were not disappointed. Had a couple cocktails - they were solid. And they have a nice signature cocktail menu with a few creative items. One tip for management, fir some of the spirit forward drinks (like the old fashioned I ordered) consider a large cube of ice rather than a bunch of small cubes. They melt fast and water it down. Will also help with the received value of the drink. For starters we had the monk fish burnt ends, French onion soup, and Caesar salad. The mini fish was a hit. Super creative and one of the best bites of the night. Highly recommend. The Caesar was one of the better presented Caesar salads I've seen. Well dressed, tasty dressing, and using toasted bread crumbs instead of croutons. They provide the whole Romain stem. Presents well by lettuce gets bitter closer to the base. Nevertheless, very tasty. The French onion soup was, unfortunatley, a miss. I'm not sure what went wrong but the broth tasted like water. Maybe they failed to put in the sherry? Hoping it was just a bad batch - but it wasn't good. For the mains, we got the Haddock and the Scollops. Both were very tasty, but the Haddock was the standout. Well conceived dish with a phenomenal broth. When I go back I'll be hard pressed not to order it again. But plan to try more items off the menu. Two people, a couple drinks, apps, and mains: $195 after tip. Looking forward to returning. read more

Oak to Ember - Scollops - Seafood Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

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Our first time here and oak to ember did not disappoint! We arrived for our reservation and were greeted and asked if a high top Table was okay,not big fans of that we were told it was no problem and they would accommodate us at a regular table,no fussing or eye rolls occurred. Friendly service followed with drinks and appetizers which included steak tartare, perfect balance of flavors done right.foie gras and chicken liver mousse with pickled strawberries was delicious also. Entrees of duck leg confit,a lobster pasta special and wood roasted lobster with fries and Bernaise were all on point, with just the right balance of that live fire smoke. The menu was full of great choices so now I have to go back for the pork chop!! Parking is usually available in the lot next door making it that much easier to enjoy a great dining experience all around. read more