The Puritan Tavern had their soft opening in September 2026 in the former Groton Station House. The place has a classic New England atmosphere with green painted walls, the lounge room with full service bar in the front and main dining room in the back. There is also a function space and outside patio.
The food menu offerings can be described as elevated New England comfort food include a selection of small bites, appetizers, salads, chowder, burgers, sandwiches, steak frites, roasted chicken, baked cod, pork chops, pasta, and desserts. The prices are moderate high.
The bar offers 10 draft beers & ciders, non-alcoholic beers, wine, cocktails mocktails, and Coca Cola drinks.
They held their friends & family nights before the official opening for business on September 15, 2026. Reservations online have been snatched up quickly and they were booked out for a week. I saw a post that they were accepting limited walk-ins and seating at the bar was first come first served.
I decided to head over to Puritan Tavern in Groton, which is connected with the Herb Lyceum event venue and the sister restaurant of Puritan & Co in Cambridge. The parking lot was almost full just before 7:30 pm, with folks coming and going. I walk inside to the hostess stand. Those hostess tells me they are not accepting walk-ins including at the bar. I was puzzled since there was no one sitting at the bar and two bartenders were standing by and the main dining room was very busy. As I asked to see a menu, the GM happens to walk by and stop. The GM asks me if I wanted dinner and I said yes and intervenes and says you're all set, you can take a seat at the bar. I took a seat up at the bar, like I originally planned and the bartenders greet me as I look over the menu. The manager had a talk with the hostesses and after that, more walk-ins came inside and were able to sit up at the bar like me. I will assume the hostesses were told earlier during peak dinner rush to only seat reserved seats.
I placed my food order after I was given a glass of still water. For a starter, Steamed Maine Mussels ($19 plus tax) were comprised of 18 mussels in creamy tomato mussel broth and two slices of soft & chewy buttered ciabatta bread. These steamed mussels were very good including the creamy broth.
For an entree, the Fried Fish Sandwich ($19 plus tax) had bibb lettuce, charred jalapeño dill tartar sauce, crispy fried breaded cod filet on a toasted croissant bun, cabbage slaw on the side and a side salad with bibb lettuce & radish slices in a creamy Italian dressing. The sandwich had a nice spiced kick from the tartar sauce.
For dessert, the Sticky Toffee Pudding ($12 plus tax) a soft warm date cake in a toffee sauce and a small scoop of caramel ice cream. I really enjoyed this sweet dessert and I can't refuse sticky toffee pudding.
After I was done, the check was presented which was $53.50 with tax and before tip. Overall, I enjoyed a solid good dinner with adequate service from the two friendly bartenders who also became really busy as more customers sat up at the bar and also making drinks for the waitstaff to serve.
So, it's a good thing the manager intervened before I was very close to heading over to my "Plan B" restaurant "GHG." My dining out money was able to stay at the Puritan Tavern instead of down the street. and I enjoyed the food here. I wish this new local restaurant & bar best of luck. read more