Food and Drinks

I know, I know: there's good food everywhere, why is Salem special? I'll tell you why, it's rare to find this many bangers in such a small radius. Half the time I go, sure, I like the city, but I dream about the food. I'm all for being adventurous and trying new things, but sometimes a good menu item is worth the trip by itself. 

For more information, the ☕ emoji you'll see next to listings will signal there's tea on the business, links included.

Red’s Diner- Best breakfast in town. A local favorite. I haven't had a bad thing yet, and their new nerdy energy drink bar is great!

Ugly Mug diner- Second best breakfast in the city, and believe me it's a close contest. A must go IMO, the staff are great and the specials are always amazing. 

Gulu Gulu Café- Great breakfast, amazing coffee, Drag brunch on Sundays, great other events as well. Can sometimes be hard to get into because it's always packed. 

Jaho coffee- Regional chain coffee house, ☕Reddit Thread here . Personally, it's where you send the tourists. Support the locals who treat their staff well.

Odd Meter Coffee Co- Best coffee in town, my preferred choice.  

Bit Bar- Great food and drinks, plus it’s an arcade. 

Flying saucer pizza co.- Amazing pizza, their rotating signature options are to die for. 

Howling Wolf Taqueria- Great food, a tad overpriced. 

Brew box- decent coffee, great food. 

Kakawa Chocolate House- Hands down the best drinking chocolate you’ll ever have, and they make their own  chocolate candies on site. Try a flight if available.  Their Mango slushie is also to die for!

Lobster Shanty- Absolute must go. Their shanty burger, lobster roll and Nova Scotia poutine are  legendary. Triple D certified. 

Rockafellas- One of the more solid spots in the city at any time of day.  Usually filled with the tourism crowd.

Sea Level Oyster Bar- Best seafood I’ve had yet. Their lobster mac, clam chowder, clam chowder fries,  and fried fish sandwich are a must if you’re into seafood.  drink menu is solid as well.

Goodnight Fatties- Insane cookies and milk on tap, check Instagram for their weekly cookie selection.  They now offer a breakfast menu, and it is equally amazing: the Chubbys are perfect, filling, and not too  heavy but with great options. A must go!

Turner’s at Lyceum Hall- Upscale and priced accordingly, but amazing seafood.

Koto Asian Fusion- I slept on this place for far too long. Everything about this place is amazing: the food and drinks are insane, the events are cool,  I am honestly mad at myself for not diving into this place sooner.

Dire Wolf Tavern-  Sushi was decent, burgers were okay. Most of their seat is high-tops which I wasn't a fan of. I'd eat here again, but not something I'd specifically come back for.

Longboards- decent menu selection, recently remodeled. ☕Not something I'd actively seek out.  the owners refused to close or modify operations during the pandemic Reddit thread , and are noted Trump supporters Reddit thread .

The Olde Main Street Pub- Typical Irish pub style fare. It's not bad if you're hungry,  but nothing I'd specifically go there for.