Location: Manchester-by-the-Sea
Top Restaurants in Manchester-by-the-Sea
Top Things to do in Manchester-by-the-Sea
Massachusetts, United States Food Guide: 10 American food Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Manchester-by-the-Sea
Best American restaurants nearby. Discover the best American food in Manchester-by-the-Sea. View Menus, Photos and Reviews for American restaurants near you.. Manchester-by-the-Sea (or simply Manchester) is a town on Cape Ann, in Essex County, Massachusetts, in the United States. The town is known for scenic beaches and vista points. At the 2010 census, the town population was 5,136.
Things to do in Manchester-by-the-Sea
10. C.K. Pearl
Overall Ratings
4 based on 209 reviews
Reviewed By MrsK8Ball
This restaurant is confused. I am not sure if they are fancy or if they are a wanna be dive bar. Now... don't get me wrong... the food was pretty good. We ordered a bunch of shareables and fish tacos. The prices were decent for the amount of food and drink we got. The dessert my husband loved which was raspberry shortcake from the chef's backyard. The waiter even whispered it was a good choice. The grits dish had popcorn on it not sure what that did for the dish. Overall we would visit again over a longer stay.
9. J.T. Farnham's
Overall Ratings
4 based on 375 reviews
Reviewed By ECD111
Old time New England fried clams,along with an assortment of fried seafood,lobster and chowders.On our last visit we went with the medium scallop boat and the medium haddock boat.The scallops were tender,sweet dry pack.Fried to perfection,they really need to be eaten immediately out of the fryolater.Grab a seat indoors or outside looking out on the marsh and the Essex River in the background.The haddock pieces are small,I prefer larger pieces with less batter ratio but she likes the small pieces so that is reason enough to be happy.All in all this is one of the better places for traditionally prepared seafood in Massachusetts.
8. Blue Marlin Grill
Overall Ratings
4 based on 184 reviews
Reviewed By Meredith T
Essex and Gloucester, Massachusetts are loaded with great little restaurants. On a sultry summer Sunday when one of our group was craving fried seafood, all the usual places came to mind. As we cruised past one after another, the lines seemed to grow longer. Finally, fighting the hunger that was becoming ravenous, we made The Blue Marlin our last stop. There was about a thirty-minute wait, but waiting is made very pleasant. There are outdoor benches, benches in the entry, and another inside by the reception desk where we finally plunked our weary selves. Art by local muralists covers the walls, and the decor echoes the name. Everything sure was blue! The bar was hoppin' with lots of locals and groups at the hi-top tables. Our foursome of tall people opted for a booth in the dining room. Great bar, with a wide selection of beer and ale, more limited wine offerings. Service and attention were excellent, yet not intrusive. One of our party had the fried combo plate, with golden crispy onion rings, fries, fried scallops, shrimp, and haddock, as well as a cup of chowder. We prefer the thicker chowders, which this was. Another had the shrimp plate, which is almost like the combo, but with only shrimp. A third deviated from the seafood theme and had steak, which was perfectly done and very good. The fourth member of our group had the coconut shrimp "appetizer," which was really a meal in itself. Six golden butterflied shrimp came with a tasty, tangy sauce hard to resist.This is a comfortable, casual, friendly place that serves great food
7. Woodman's of Essex
Overall Ratings
4 based on 819 reviews
"Best Waterfront Seafood Shack"- USA Today "Best Restaurant in New England" about.com Readers Serving fresh award-winning seafood for over 100 years! Chubby and Bessie Woodman invented the fried clam back in 1916 Casual, family-friendly atmosphere. Gluten
Reviewed By Barbara W
Lots of clams in the delicious chowder. Steamers are soooo tasty. All very simple, but good. Wish they were open for breakfast!BarbaraThank you for taking the time to write your review...."wishing they were open for breakfast" put a smile on my face!It seems you are a true clam l lover, I'm happy you enjoyed your visit to Woodman's, and hope you and visit us again soon. We are open year round (;Sincerely,Rhonda Woodman
6. Hale Street Tavern
Overall Ratings
4 based on 139 reviews
Reviewed By CaraMHutchins
This always popular restaurant is patronized by people of all ages. Be prepared to wait for a table but the scene is so lively the time passes by very quickly. A word of caution, Wednesday is the very crowded Wing Night and the wait can be more than an hour. The staff is friendly, the service quick and the food solid.Dear P.G, Thank you so much for the compliment! Wing night is always crowded but we are very pleased to know you were met with a fast and friendly service when you arrived at your table.Best wishes, Tyler AustinAssistant General Manager Hale Street Tavern & Oyster Bar
5. Windward Grille Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 241 reviews
Antique New England farmhouse with 1800's barn attached. Fireplaces lit during the winter months. Large rustic bar with high-top seating around bar area. Booth and table seating available in several dining rooms. Special value priced specials available Mo
Reviewed By Joshrazz
Come here weekly with my family or just the wife. Amazing food consistently from the steak to the seafood to the drinks everything is prestine. Wonderful wait staff always the same faces. Feel so welcome every time I come in. Specials are always on point.
4. Allie's Beach Street Cafe
Overall Ratings
4 based on 53 reviews
A lively New England cafe located in beautiful Manchester-by-the-Sea with a French Bistro Theme. Recently reopened under new family ownership Allie's features breakfast, lunch, dinner, cocktails and takeaway We fetaure weekly wine dinners and casual wine
Reviewed By TomE99
The place has gone "upscale" and that means that the prices are 2.5X higher than they were, the menu is far less extensive, and you can't just get a simple breakfast. Bummer. I suppose they'll do well, but we won't be back.Tom Sorry you feel that way. However , our prices are in line with all of the other breakfast places in the area and I don't understand what you mean by a simple breakfast what's more simple than waffles, pancakes, bacon, and eggs. I completely understand that people aren't always thrilled with change but at least your shoes dont stick to the floor or your clothes smell like grease when you leave anymore. U think our menu is very extensive covering all of the basic breakfast and lunch items as before as well as n ew healthier and contemporary specualties. Anything tou dont see on the menu i can probably make as well.Try us again Im sure you will like it.Kind RegardsGlenn Varga
3. Black Arrow
Overall Ratings
4 based on 38 reviews
Reviewed By golfxj6
Anniversary dinner last Thursday. Food and wine were excellent. Service was prompt and efficient.The room is small, so noise can be a problem. It WAS a problem because of one incredibly noisy young woman who shouted all evening. Perhaps she thought the restaurant was interested in hearing everything she had to say (shout.) We weren't. It is terrible how one such ignoramus can spoil a nice dinner, even with the floor to ceiling windows open. We will return, but if I see her there, we're going elsewhere.-
2. Cala's Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 104 reviews
Reviewed By colleenbrookexo
This restaurant has a great atmosphere - a dining room and a bar with high tops. The service was wonderful. We were greeted immediately, and we were checked on numerous times while dining. The menu is average, and pricing is not bad. It was just nothing special. I got a burger, which was cooked properly, but it was an average burger. My boyfriend got the fish and chips, and the portion of fish was very small - two small cutlet-sized pieces. It was just average.Dear Coleen, We are happy to read you were comfortable at Cala's and the service exceeded your expectations! Thank you for the feedback on the burger and size of the fish, we will absolutely pass that on to the chef. Lauren Manager Calas
The 10 Best Things to Do in Manchester-by-the-Sea, United States
1. Woodman's of Essex
Overall Ratings
4 based on 819 reviews
"Best Waterfront Seafood Shack"- USA Today "Best Restaurant in New England" about.com Readers Serving fresh award-winning seafood for over 100 years! Chubby and Bessie Woodman invented the fried clam back in 1916 Casual, family-friendly atmosphere. Gluten
Reviewed By Barbara W
Lots of clams in the delicious chowder. Steamers are soooo tasty. All very simple, but good. Wish they were open for breakfast!BarbaraThank you for taking the time to write your review...."wishing they were open for breakfast" put a smile on my face!It seems you are a true clam l lover, I'm happy you enjoyed your visit to Woodman's, and hope you and visit us again soon. We are open year round (;Sincerely,Rhonda Woodman
