I'm a North Shore girl, born and raised. I also come from a family of people who work in the food industry, and we don't mess around when it comes to seriously good food. Here are my favorite places on the North Shore, in no particular order. Whether you're going out for a family dinner, or you're out with friends and want to try a new place, there's something on this list for you!
1. Woodman's of Essex
Where do I even begin with Woodman's? They've been open for over 100 years, so clearly they know what they're doing and they do it well. This place is an absolute staple when it comes to fried clams and other seafood favorites, all served out of cardboard boxes. It has a cozy family environment, an ocean view, and even an ice cream shop out back. During peak hours, you can drive down the causeway and watch the line of hungry customers stretch out the door. And the best part is, they're open year-round!
2. Gulu-Gulu Café, Salem
If you're in Salem and you're looking for live music and crepes that will change your life, head over to Gulu-Gulu. Self-described as a "quirky" café, this gem offers a wide variety of food, draft beers, board games, and local musical guests. This was always my rainy-day destiny in high school, where I would grab a wrap and a dairy-free smoothie with friends. There's something for everyone at Gulu, and the staff is always ready to serve with a smile!
3. The Landing Restaurant, Marblehead
This seaside restaurant is located right in Marblehead Harbor. You can sit inside during the colder seasons, or outside when it's warmer. One of the coolest things about The Landing is that if you sit outside you can watch all of the boats cruise through the harbor, and if you happen to be in one of those boats, you can dock right in front of the restaurant and stop in for a bite to eat! They have some of the best fried calamari I've ever had, and the burgers are said to be pretty amazing too.
4. Super Sub, Beverly
Okay, so I might be a little partial to this one since it's basically my second home. But all bias aside, Super Sub is a local family-owned classic. They offer a wide variety of subs and wraps, but they're famous for their indulgent cheesesteaks. And if you're looking to take your cheesesteak to the next level, go for the chicken finger cheesesteak that the local college students swear by. The hard-working and hilarious staff are always down for some friendly banter with the regulars, creating an environment that's fun for the whole family. If you grew up in Beverly, chances are you've been to at least a handful of parties catered by Super Sub, and you definitely know their catchphrase: "Salt and pepper? Here or to go?"
5. Kane's Donuts, Saugus
I'm not sure you can really call yourself a die-hard North Shore resident if you haven't made the 3:30 am drive to Kane's for fresh donuts. Sometimes you just get that late night craving for a dozen honey-dipped donuts, and you gotta do what you gotta do. They have so many different kinds of donuts, an absurdly huge coffee roll, and breakfast sandwiches as a more savory breakfast alternative. They also recently opened a store in Boston to spread the donut delight!
6. Latitude 43, Gloucester
Lat 43 is another place that has something for everyone. They have a diverse menu with everything from arancini to short ribs to swordfish. They also have a separate menu of high-quality sushi, and they're vegetarian and gluten-free friendly! There are tables, booths, bar seats, and a sushi pit inside, and there's plenty of dock seating outside. There's nothing better than having a nice dinner with friends outside while watching the boats bob in the harbor.
7. Joe's On A Roll, Traveling Food Truck out of Beverly
Joe's On A Roll is relatively new to the North Shore foodie scene, but it has quickly become an established gem when it comes to summertime seafood. Owned and operated by Nicole Birarelli in honor of her late husband and lobsterman Joe, this quaint food truck offers the best lobster roll on the North Shore, hands down. The lobster comes from the family's own wharf and is fresh every day, and the homemade clam chowder is honestly the best I've ever had. Joe's On A Roll is based in Beverly, and you can find the truck at several local farmer's markets and events throughout the summer!
8. Farmer Brown's, Middleton
I've lived 20 minutes away from Farmer Brown's for my entire life, and I don't know how it's possible that I only discovered this place last year. Farmer Brown's is a farmstand that offers amazingly fresh produce, homemade prepared dinners, and a soup and salad bar that have literally won awards. Whether you're stopping by for groceries, all the fixings for a family dinner, or a custom salad, you'll be happy that you went to Farmer Brown's.
9. Bisuteki, Revere
Bisuteki is an old family favorite for special occasions. It's a Japanese steak house with teppanyaki grills that add an entertainment element to your dinner. The chefs all have their signature tricks, including the flaming onion volcano, the shrimp toss into the hat, and the heart-shaped fried rice. Bisuteki dinners are no joke when it comes to portion size...seriously, if you can finish your entire meal, you deserve some type of award. For anything from date night to a kid's birthday, Bisuteki makes food fun!
10. Agawam Diner, Rowley
This is the place to go when you wake up in the morning craving a classic breakfast. The steel dining car houses tables and a counter where you can meet friends for a carb-filled stack of pancakes and coffee. They specialize in comfort food at very affordable prices, if you're smart, you'll save room for a slice of their famous pie for dessert. There's no judgment at the Agawam; you can show up in your PJs, eat an insane amount of breakfast food, and take your time talking to friends. If you're looking for cheap and delicious breakfast food (and who isn't?), you'll be happy you went to the Agawam Diner.
And there you have it, your beginner's guide to foodie paradise on the North Shore! All of these places offer quality food, reasonable prices, New England spirit, and Instragram-worthy meals. What more can you ask for?
