Gloucester has a working waterfront, a famous statue of a fisherman, and beaches where you can watch the sunrise over the Atlantic. But more essential than any landmark is the astonishing bounty of fresh seafood. This historic port town offers everything from classic fried clams and lobster rolls to innovative New England cuisine with global flair. So skip the tourist traps and head straight to these exceptional spots.
Cake Ann
$ | (978) 865-4100 | WEBSITE
Pretty much every town needs a reliable bakery where you can indulge your sweet tooth without breaking the bank, and in Gloucester, that place is Cake Ann. Will the pastries here redefine dessert? Probably not. But you can get a Boston Cream cupcake for $4.50, and the space—with its warm lighting and cozy seating—is perfectly inviting and comfortable.
Try this spot for a casual afternoon treat or just grab a vanilla vanilla cupcake with silky buttercream the next time you’re celebrating something special.
Two Sisters Coffee Shop
$ | (978) 281-3378 | WEBSITE
It’s hard to resist the almost cartoonishly good-looking French toast at this rustic-influenced cafe. Two slices of thick, supersoft homemade bread are used to hold fluffy scrambled eggs paired with everything from Lingucia to pistachio, which comes with a squiggle of maple syrup. This coffee shop also has breakfast classics, specials and toast in flavors like French and pistachio.
Stones Pub & Eatery
$$ | (978) 515-7366 | WEBSITE
This cozy pub has just one downtown Gloucester location—right on Main Street—but the small, quiet spot is perfect if you’re planning an evening out after exploring the harbor. All of the food here comes from classic American comfort recipes, where the owners first built their reputation. The dishes are then prepared in generous portions and served with your drink of choice, whether it’s a cold beer, a mocktail, or something from the full bar.
If you feel like sharing a hearty meal with a friend, grab their grilled meat loaf option, big enough to serve two. The welcoming atmosphere and unique touches like the Family Crest Genealogy on the wall make it a great goto place, even if parking gets tricky during tourist season.
Ocean Garden
$ | (978) 283-9668 | WEBSITE
If you’re looking for something satisfying and reasonably priced, grab a meal from Ocean Garden. This clean establishment in a questionable neighborhood offers a mixed dining experience with generous portions. Most of the people who eat here appreciate the efficient staff and decent food quality. The rice dishes are impressive and a good place to start, but if you’re here for American classics, the chicken fingers and egg rolls might fall short of expectations.
Blue Collar Lobster
$$ | (978) 283-1812 | WEBSITE
Blue Collar Lobster is a port pub that serves some of the best fried fish we’ve ever had. Unlike many other spots with table service, this place has been open for years and the fish portions are larger than your dinner plate. Aside from the incredible seafood, come here to enjoy fresh scallops or baked haddock at lunch or dinner.
Oliver’s Harbor Restaurant & Bar
$$ | (978) 559-7638 | WEBSITE
Order the lobster bisque at this family-run spot near the Sargent House Museum if you’re looking for something comforting, and the haddock special if you want to feel like you’re dining by the sea. Even the cheeseburger—our favorite—comes with enough parmesan fries and perfectly cooked medium-rare beef to satisfy after a long day watching boats in the harbor. Either way, get a starter of grilled shrimp, which arrives in a delicious onion, garlic, and tomato broth, tender and full of flavor.
Whether you pair it with the goat cheese ravioli or the fried calamari is between you and your appetite.
Boba Tea snow Ice House
$ | (978) 879-4486 | WEBSITE
This small bubble tea spot started out as a favorite for the Walgreens team’s ‘Smoothie Fridays’ before becoming a go-to for locals, and still serves the same great dairy-free smoothies and treats that can be especially hard to find in Gloucester. While it’s more of a take-out style location, Boba Tea Snow Ice House has seating for about eight people in its newer building, where you can take your time enjoying treats like the Oreo egg waffle and the original egg waffle.
Or go beyond waffles with the strawberry snow that tastes like a Good Humor strawberry shortcake, the delicious taro and Thai tea, or the Passionfruit popping boba as a favorite topping.
Magnolia 525 Tavern
$$ | (978) 525-3230 | WEBSITE
If you’re looking for fresh seafood without the touristy crowds of Boston, head to this North Shore gem, where you’ll find a mix of classic New England fare and creative pub dishes. The menu, focused on quality ingredients, has everything from crispy fish and chips to juicy smash burgers, flavorful fish tacos, and the fresh and delicious baked haddock. Get the generous-sized nachos, prepared to perfection with tasty toppings and a side of yummy cauliflower.
The small but decent craft beer selection pairs perfectly with the meals. On a beautiful summer night, grab a seat on the outdoor patio, where the slightly noisy, lively atmosphere makes it perfect for a date night or bringing a young, wiggly kid. Friendly servers and hosts, along with the chef’s attention to dietary needs, make every visit enjoyable. It’s a local, unique spot that’s truly one of the area’s best-kept secrets.
Salted Cod Arthouse
$$ | (978) 282-0917 | WEBSITE
After you explore Rocky Neck’s art galleries, you should head down the waterfront in Gloucester and get dinner at another spot on this list.
But there’s a lot to see in this historic fishing town, and if you need to take a break between the priceless harbor views donated by nature and the priceless artwork donated by local artists who are trying to make up for all the bland walls in the world, walk into the arthouse’s gallery space and sit down at Salted Cod for a glass of wine in what looks like the cozy studio of a Gloucester painter.
Minglewood Harborside
$$ | (978) 281-0223 | WEBSITE
Minglewood Harborside is a classic harborside spot with an outside deck, indoor seating with views, and a lively atmosphere that draws a diverse crowd. It feels like the kind of place you’d find right on the water in a New England fishing town, and it’s a great location in Gloucester to treat as your go-to for seafood and sushi.
The dinner menu features things like cracker crumb baked haddock and king sushi rolls, and there are also plenty of gluten-free fried options and decent sandwiches and salads. But mostly, we just come here for the haddock. It’s one of the best dishes on the menu, and there’s also live music that plays on weekends. Just be aware that takeout orders come with additional fees, and the overall cost can run a bit high.
Jeff’s Variety
$ | (978) 281-5800 | WEBSITE
Jeff’s Variety is the Swiss Army knife of Gloucester dining. This sandwich shop and lobster roll spot is casual enough for a quick lunch, reliable enough for takeout, satisfying enough for a solo meal, and pleasant enough to grab a bite with a friend. And with the best-priced lobster rolls in town, you can get a generous, mayo-light roll for around $18. A couple of bites in, when you realize just how fresh everything tastes, get the Italian sub and an order of the seafood sub full of crab meat.
Gangnam Gloucester
$$ | (978) 727-7979 | WEBSITE
You’ll find some of Gloucester’s best Korean comfort food in the downtown area, and for a satisfying meal, head to Gangnam Gloucester for flavorful classics. When an order of fried rice with perfectly cooked egg, or a heaping bowl of bibimbap that’s crispier than a bag of kettle chips lands on your table, you’ll be delighted with your choice.
With warm lighting creating an intimate atmosphere, and an affinity for family-friendly dining, this local gem could be the answer to your weeknight dinner needs. Get a plate of bulgogi, some crunchy chicken, and a few impeccably seasoned kimchee fries.
Cape Ann Coffees
$ | (978) 282-1717 | WEBSITE
Cape Ann Coffees is like that friend who always has a spare charger—life’s just smoother when they’re nearby. In the case of your friend, that’s because she never runs out of battery, and in the case of this Gloucester spot with indoor and outdoor seating plus a drive-thru, it’s because it’s great for so many different coffee and food situations.
It serves up delicious sandwiches, coffee, tea, and hot chocolate all day and works for a quick breakfast or a casual lunch, and then it turns into a cozy spot with helpful, efficient staff, dairy-free and gluten-free options, and maybe even your dog outside. Parking can be tight, but there’s extra space behind the fence, and with short wait times, it’s just reliably there when you need it.
Causeway Restaurant
$$ | (978) 281-5256 | WEBSITE
Causeway Restaurant is a bustling spot that serves up classic seafood dishes, with everything from fish chowder and halibut sandwiches to calamari and eggplant parmesan. There are also a bunch of Italian options, like the seafood combo with fish, shrimp, and clams, but stick to the seafood. This is a good spot for a casual group dinner, and we especially like it for a quick meal where you can enjoy the lively atmosphere and bring your own bottle, if you’re into that.