Location: Essex
Top Restaurants in Essex
Top Things to do in Essex
Top 10 American food in Essex, Massachusetts, United States
Find out what American restaurants to try in Essex. Essex is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, 26 miles (42 km) north of Boston and 13 miles (21 km) Southeast of Newburyport. The population was 3,504 at the 2010 census.
Things to do in Essex
10. Shea's Riverside Restaurant & Bar
Overall Ratings
4 based on 39 reviews
Reviewed By Enzalina
We love Shea's! I love that I can get fantastic gluten free food and not worry about getting sick. I love that the drinks taste like you are getting the appropriate amount of alcohol and not some watered down liquid. I love that the servers are friendly and attentive. Our last visit Jason was our server and he was the best. The calamari was so good. The salmon cooked perfectly. My husband is a snob when eating beef out but he said the steak tips were delicious. We love the atmosphere outside and look forward to coming back again. I do have to say though, and it's the reason I didn't give it 5 stars is your hosts stink! It never use to be this way. We walked in this Friday evening and the host took one look at us and walked AWAY!! Luckily, our friends were already there so we just went off to find them. You need some better hosts!
9. Boat House Grille
Overall Ratings
4 based on 29 reviews
Boat House Grille Essex, MA features delicious seafood, prime cut steaks, an oyster/raw bar, pasta, salads, burgers, homemade desserts and fun eats in a casual, relaxing atmosphere.
Reviewed By pajpaj
Sorry to say that Boat House Grille, a seafood restaurant and not too far from the ocean, serves up plastic straws with every drink they serve... including 2 plastic stirrers with alcoholic drinks. They also have trays of plastic straws on the bar so you can take more. When asked why they pass out so many straws, the bartender laughed it off. With a plastic crisis all over our planet, these guys don't get it. I hope they change their policy. Right now plastic is being found in our water and food... yes, all that plastic has gone up the food chain and is now being served up to humans. The fried haddock sandwich with coleslaw and chipotle sauce is delicious but I hope many of trip advisor review readers join the chorus of those who say single-use plastic and straws and stirrers are endangering our oceans... and tell that to the management at Boat House Grille.
8. Essex Seafood
Overall Ratings
4 based on 119 reviews
Reviewed By laslototh
Great clams. High prices. Small plates. Clams were on the small side but were very tasty. The light batter really let's the flavor of the clam come through. Prices were higher than other clam shacks and the portions were smaller, but if you like clams it is worth it. Plenty of inside seating. Will return.
7. The Boathouse Grille
Overall Ratings
4 based on 91 reviews
Reviewed By Linda P
After a beautiful couple of hours on Crane Beach we arrived at the Boathouse Grill around 3:30pm, a Sunday afternoon. Not crowded in the main dining area so we were seated immediately. The bar area did look packed though, football Sunday. The menu is extensive, so much so that deciding on what you want to eat is a challenge, everything looked so appealing. Service was great and efficient. We started with the chowder special of the day which was corn and bacon. My husband ordered it, I did not, when it came I had a taste and it was delicious so I asked our waitress for a bowl. Others got the traditional clam chowder and a side salad. All very good. Be prepared for a ton of food during your main course. All of our dishes were heaping platefuls of food. The fried clam dinner was overflowing with clams, french fries, onion rings and coleslaw. It was nice not to have to order a side of onion rings or fries, having the combo was perfect. The clams were whole bellies and just to my liking, smaller bellies which I prefer. And the breading was not overly greasy. The lobster roll was very good, my friend said but she's had better. The Boathouse bouillabaisse was loaded with seafood, great presentation. The only thing left in the bowl was the broth and empty shells, a big hit. A very enjoyable early dinner out, come hungry!
6. 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.
5. 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
4. 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.
3. 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
2. 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.
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
