The Best Restaurants in Salem, MA: Where to Eat by Craving

Salem punches well above its weight when it comes to food. For a small city, downtown packs in harborside seafood shacks, buzzy date-night rooms, retro arcade bars, wood-fired pizza, and enough good coffee to fuel a full day of wandering. The only hard part is choosing.

So instead of ranking them 1 to 10, here’s a local’s guide to where to eat in Salem by what you’re actually in the mood for. Every spot links to its page in our full Salem directory so you can grab hours, location, and a map.

Harborside & seafood

You’re on the coast — eat like it.

• Finz Salem — Harborside seafood on Pickering Wharf with some of the best water views in the city. The go-to for a raw bar and a sunset over the marina.
• Brodie’s Seaport — Seafood and drinks right on the waterfront, a favorite for a relaxed afternoon by the harbor.
• Longboards Restaurant & Bar — Laid-back bar and grill with a breezy, vacation-y feel when you just want a drink and something easy.

Date night & special occasions

When the meal is the plan.

• Ledger Restaurant — Set inside a beautifully restored 19th-century bank building, Ledger is Salem’s showpiece dining room — the room alone makes it feel like an occasion.
• Bernadette — A contemporary, of-the-moment spot for a thoughtful dinner and a good glass of wine.
• Maitland farm, kitchen, & spirits — A polished farm-to-table-leaning kitchen and bar for a slower, sit-down evening.

Casual, fun & great for groups

Bring the crew (or the kids).

• Bit Bar Salem — Part restaurant, part retro arcade — eat, drink, and play classic games under one roof. One of the most fun rooms in town.
• Flying Saucer Pizza Company — A sci-fi-themed pizza joint that leans all the way into the theme. Great for families and anyone who likes a little kitsch with their slice.
• Bambolina — Wood-fired pizza and pasta in a lively downtown room — a reliable crowd-pleaser.

Global flavors

• Adriatic Restaurant — Mediterranean and Balkan cooking for something a little different downtown.
• Blue Fez — Mediterranean small plates and a distinctive vibe when you want to graze and linger.
• Life Alive Organic Cafe Salem — Bright, plant-forward bowls and smoothies — the move when you want something fresh and fast.

Coffee, breakfast & cozy cafes

Salem does cafe culture well. Start here.

• Gulu-Gulu Cafe — A beloved downtown institution with crepes, beer, coffee, and frequent live music — equally good for a laptop afternoon or a night out.
• Jaho Coffee Roaster & Bakery (Canal Street) and its Derby Street wine-bar location — a local roaster doing coffee by day and wine by night.
• Camilla’s Cafe & Breakfast — A friendly, no-fuss breakfast spot to fuel up before a day of touring.
• Front Street Coffeehouse — A classic neighborhood coffeehouse for a quiet cup.

Drinks & a nightcap

• All Souls Lounge — A moody cocktail lounge for a well-made drink after dinner — very on-brand for Salem.

A local tip: eat around the events

Salem’s best nights often pair a great meal with something happening nearby. Before you lock in a reservation, check what’s on our Salem events calendar — live music, festivals, and seasonal happenings — and keep an eye on current food & drink specials around town. In October especially, book ahead: the whole city fills up for Haunted Happenings.

Plan the rest of your visit

Hungry for more than dinner? Browse the complete directory of Salem restaurants, shops, and sights, see what’s happening today on the events calendar, or map out a route with our 2 hours in Salem guide.

Where’s your go-to table in Salem? We’re always adding to the list.