Most people come to Salem for the witches, and while I get it, that might leave you wondering where to eat. I lived less than an hour from Salem for seven years, and the food is a big part of why I kept going back: seafood in a hall with a ghost story, wood-fired pizza, cider donuts, drinking chocolate, and more good beer than a town this size should have.
This is the guide to where to eat in Salem, MA, sorted by what you’re hungry for. If you’re visiting in October, there’s a full section on the seasonal treats and food events, plus tips for getting a table when the whole world shows up.
A quick note on hours: Salem restaurants change their hours a lot in October, and some close on slow weekdays the rest of the year. Check the website or Instagram before you go.
- Quick Picks at a Glance
- Breakfast and Brunch in Salem
- Salem Coffee Shops and Tea
- Bakeries, Donuts and Sweets
- Seafood in Salem
- Quick Lunch and Casual Eats
- Dinner and Date Night
- Bars, Breweries and Cocktails
- Fun Food and Drink Things to Do in Salem in October
- Halloween Pop-Ups and Limited-Run Events
- Salem Food Tours
- Dog-Friendly Patios in Salem
- Tips for Eating in Salem in October
- FAQ
- More Salem Posts
This article contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. I only recommend gear I actually use. Thanks for supporting The Well Worn Shoes!
Quick Picks at a Glance
| If you want… | Go to | Where |
|---|---|---|
| A classic breakfast | Red’s Sandwich Shop | 15 Central St |
| A big brunch | Ledger | 125 Washington St |
| Coffee off the train | Odd Meter Coffee Co. | 60 Washington St |
| Seafood with a ghost story | Turner’s Seafood | 43 Church St |
| A fast lunch | Flying Saucer Pizza | 118 Washington St |
| Date night | Settler | 2 Lynde St |
| A proper cocktail | All Souls Lounge | 282 Derby St |
| A beer garden | Notch Brewery | 283R Derby St |
| A sweet treat | Kakawa Chocolate House | 173 Essex St |
| A dog-friendly patio | East Regiment Beer Company | 30 Church St |
| An October-only stop | Blackcraft Coffee | 253 Essex St |
Breakfast and Brunch in Salem
Red’s Sandwich Shop
Don’t let the name fool you. Red’s is my longtime breakfast pick in Salem, and breakfast is the only meal I’ve ever had there. It’s been serving it for 80 years at 15 Central Street, inside the historic Old London Coffee House, where Patriots once gathered before the Revolution. Order the lobster benedict. Lobster before noon is perfectly normal in New England. r Or try the Bama Benedict, cornbread topped with corned beef hash and an egg. In October, there will be a line out the door, so go early or have a backup in mind.
Red’s is also where I start my One Fall Day In Salem Itinerary.
Ledger
Ledger sits inside a former bank at 125 Washington Street, and the brunch is as much of a draw as dinner. Order the rotating doughnuts, and they’ve done fall flavors like pumpkin spice and salted brown sugar caramel. Book ahead for weekend brunch. ledgersalem.com
The Ugly Mug Diner
A cheerful diner at 122 Washington Street, just steps from the train station, with big breakfasts from candy-stuffed French toast to crab cake sandwiches, plus mimosas if it’s that kind of morning. uglymugdiner.com
Gulu-Gulu Café
Part café, part beer bar, right by the Bewitched statue at 247 Essex Street. They serve breakfast into the early afternoon, along with sandwiches, espresso, and a long beer list. gulugulucafe.com
Salem Coffee Shops and Tea
Blackcraft Coffee
Tucked into the back corner of Blackcraft Salem, the goth shop inside the old Merchants National Bank building at 253 Essex Street, Blackcraft Coffee is a tiny grab-and-go café built to look like a witch’s cottage, with Nydia, Salem’s largest witch, hanging beneath the dome as you walk through. The drink people line up for is the Spellbound Latte, a vanilla latte made with real pumpkin purée; Blackcraft Salem’s own TikTok says it “STAYS as the most popular drink” there. Try Borah’s Caramel Apple Brew iced, and Salem’s holiday guide names it the signature drink. The fall menu adds seasonal picks like the Gravedigger Chai with brown butter toffee (YUM).
There’s no seating, and in October 2026 there are no reservations: it’s walk-up only, with separate lines outside for coffee + store and store only, so go early. Hours vary across Blackcraft’s pages, so check blackcraftsalem.com before you go.
Odd Meter Coffee Co.
If you take the train, this is one of the first coffee stops you’ll pass, at 60 Washington Street. It’s grab-and-go with very little seating, and the seasonal lattes lean into fall. Definitely try the Pumpkin Pie Latte if that’s your thing! oddmetercoffee.com
Jaho Coffee & Tea
A Salem original with several locations in town, including one on Derby Street at Pickering Wharf. They’re known for flavored lattes and boba, and you can add a shot of something stronger. jaho.com
Brew Box
A small coffee counter at 131 Essex Street with the classics, a few playful drinks, and a short breakfast and lunch menu. brewboxsalem.com
Meander Coffee and Matcha
New for 2026. Meander is tucked inside Couch Dog Brewing at 76 Lafayette Street, serving hand-whisked matcha and coffee from local roasters with house-made syrups. It has more seating than most downtown cafés. meandercoffee.com
Lil’ Zitelle
Also new this fall, at 176 Essex Street: fresh coffee, sweet treats, and a big selection of confections. Jolie Tea Company
For tea people, 316 Derby Street. Jolie does high tea, light lunches and macaron-and-tea tastings, and sells a huge range of loose-leaf tea to take home. istheteainyou.com
Bakeries, Donuts and Sweets
A&J King Artisan Bakers
The bakery locals send everyone to. They mill their own grain, and the Central Street shop at 48 Central does breakfast and lunch sandwiches on their own bread. ajkingbakery.com
Caramel French Patisserie
Croissants, kouign-amann, macarons and baguettes at 281 Essex Street, with seasonal pastries in the fall. Don’t miss out on the macarons! caramel-patisserie.com
Coffee Time Bake Shop
A longtime donut shop at 96 Bridge Street, a little outside the tourist core. It’s the place for Bismarcks, and for cider donuts in the fall. It opens early and stays open late, seven days a week. coffeetimebakeshop.net
Goodnight Fatty
A late-night cookie shop in an old carriage house at 1 Washington Square, with a rotating menu of warm cookies. It stays open until 11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, which makes it a great last stop. It’s closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. goodnightfatty.com
Melt Ice Cream
Small-batch ice cream at 60 Washington Street with flavors that change often, including seasonal ones in the fall. There’s almost no room inside, so plan to walk with your cone. meltsalem.com
Kakawa Chocolate House
A Santa Fe chocolatier at 173 Essex Street, known for drinking chocolate “elixirs” based on historic recipes, some with chili. A cup of this on a cold October afternoon is hard to beat. kakawachocolates.com
Ye Olde Pepper Companie
America’s oldest candy company, at 122 Derby Street. Get the Gibraltars and Blackjacks. I cover it in more detail in my best shops in Salem post. oldepeppercandy.com
Lulu’s Bakery and Pantry
A cheerful bakery at 285 Derby Street with a slight Southern lean. The house-made biscuits are the specialty. lulusbakeryandpantry.com
Seafood in Salem
Turner’s Seafood at Lyceum Hall
Turner’s is a family-run seafood restaurant in historic Lyceum Hall at 43 Church Street, and it’s the one I’d pick for a classic New England seafood dinner. The finnan haddie (house-smoked haddock) gets the most praise. Local legend says the building is haunted by Bridget Bishop, the first person executed in the witch trials. Reserve well ahead in October. turners-seafood.com
Sea Level Oyster Bar
Harbor views at 94 Wharf Street on Pickering Wharf, with a raw bar, a clambake and a seasonal patio. sealeveloysterbar.com
The Lobster Shanty
A dive bar and seafood spot at 25 Front Street, around since 1979. It’s loud, cheeky, and proudly unfancy, and it’s known for the Lobstertini. It’s open seasonally, from April 1 through January 15. Love this place! lobstershantysalem.com
Dube’s Seafood
Fried clams, scallops, and oysters at 317 Jefferson Avenue, serving locals since 1961. It’s well outside downtown, which is exactly why it’s a good October escape. Try the fried whole-belly clams or the scallops! dubesseafood.com
Quick Lunch and Casual Eats
Bambolina and Kokeshi
Two restaurants in one at 288 Derby Street. Bambolina does wood-fired Neapolitan pizza, and Kokeshi does ramen and noodles, so half the table can get pizza and half can get dan dan noodles. bambolinarestaurant.com
Flying Saucer Pizza
A sci-fi-themed pizza place at 118 Washington Street with nerdy pie names, lots of vegan options, and a gluten-free crust. The kitchen is nut-free. flyingsaucerpizzacompany.com
Howling Wolf Taqueria
Huge burritos and house-made tortillas at 76 Lafayette Street, right next to Couch Dog Brewing. howlingwolftaqueria.com
New England Soup Factory
At 140 Washington Street, with a rotating lineup of at least ten soups a day, plus sandwiches and salads. It’s fast and warm, which is all you want on a cold day. nesoupfactorysalem.com
Garçon SuperSlice Pizza Pie Parlor
An old-school slice shop with a chef’s touch at 14 New Derby Street. Good for a quick slice and a milkshake. garconsuperslicepizzapieparlor.com
Life Alive
Vegetarian and mostly vegan bowls, salads and juices at 281 Essex Street. An easy option for plant-based and gluten-free eaters. lifealive.com
The Babe
A neighborhood bar and sandwich shop at 268 Washington Street with Northeast-style sandwiches, good cocktails and a back patio. thebabesalem.com
Dinner and Date Night
Settler
Chef Aaron Chambers’s Mediterranean-leaning restaurant at 2 Lynde Street is the special-occasion pick. Reservations are online only and open 30 days ahead at 9 am, so set a reminder. In past Octobers, it has switched to a prix fixe menu only, so check the format before you book. It’s closed Sundays and Mondays. settlersalem.com
Bernadette
From the same team as Settler, at 65 Washington Street. It’s French-inspired, with mussels, tarte flambée, and a bar burger people talk about. bernadettesalem.com
Bella Verona
A small, old-school Italian restaurant at 107 Essex Street with red-sauce classics and big portions. bellaverona.com
Blue Fez
Moroccan food at 118 Washington Street, known for its tagines and plenty of vegetarian options. bluefezrestaurant.com
Mercy Tavern
A relaxed gastropub at 148 Derby Street with comfort food and live music most of the year. Coconut-fried haddock fish and chips and thank me later! mercysalem.com
Trade House
A pub that opened in 2025 at 156 Derby Street in the old Witch’s Brew Café space, with a globe-trotting menu of empanadas, steamed buns, and fried chicken sandwiches. tradehousesalem.com
Maitland Farm, Kitchen & Spirits
A farm-to-table spot at 84 Derby Street from Salem’s own pickle farm. You can get your sandwich on a pickle in place of bread. maitlandfarms.com
Bars, Breweries and Cocktails
Notch Brewery & Tap Room
Session beers and a riverside biergarten at 283R Derby Street. On a sunny fall afternoon, this is where I’d park for an hour. notchbrewing.com
East Regiment Beer Company
A downtown taproom at 30 Church Street with a heated four-season patio and burgers from Crazy Good Kitchen. It’s right next to Hive & Forge. eastregimentbeercompany.com
Couch Dog Brewing Co.
Asian-inspired beers at 76 Lafayette Street. You can bring in food from Howling Wolf next door, and kids and dogs are welcome. couchdogbrewing.com
Far From The Tree Cider
Hard cider made from Massachusetts apples, in a cozy tasting room at 102-108 Jackson Street. It doesn’t get more fall than that. farfromthetreecider.com
Deacon Giles Distillery
Salem-made rum, gin, vodka, and absinthe at 75 Canal Street, with a cocktail bar called the Speakeasy Lab. The entrance is around the corner on Gardner Street. Seating is first come, first served; it’s 21+ after 7 pm, and there’s no kitchen, so eat first or bring something in. It’s closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. deacongiles.com
All Souls Lounge
Vintage cocktails, gourmet hot dogs and grilled cheese at 282 Derby Street, with vinyl spinning. allsoulssalem.com
The Roof
Salem’s rooftop bar, on top of the Hotel Salem at 209 Essex Street. It’s seasonal and usually runs through Halloween, so October is your last chance of the year. theroofsalem.com
Bit Bar
Bit Bar is one of my favorite spots in Salem! It’s an arcade bar at 278 Derby Street with a full bar, a big patio, and what Destination Salem lists as “50+ classic arcade and pinball games.” Make sure to try the Loaded Tetris Tots (tater tots shaped like Tetris blocks, topped with beer cheese and bacon), the chicken tenders, and the smoked “Angry Birbs” wings. At the bar, try the Princess Peach and the Ecto Chaser, a bright Midori-and-banana drink, and anyone who likes heat goes for the Ghost Eater, made with ghost-pepper tequila. Games take quarters or tokens (most classics are 25 cents), and you can add tokens to your tab; it’s 21+ after 8 pm, and in October there are no reservations, so go early. bitbitbit.bar
Fun Food and Drink Things to Do in Salem in October
This is the part of the Salem food scene that only exists for a few weeks a year.
- Blackcraft Coffee. The witch-cottage café at the back of Blackcraft Salem (253 Essex Street) is walk-up only in 2026, with no reservations. Two lines form outside: one for the store only and one for coffee plus the store, so get in the right one.
- Cider donuts. Coffee Time Bake Shop makes them from mid-September through Thanksgiving.
- Seasonal drinks. Mercy Tavern has poured a Hocus Pocus cocktail, and Howling Wolf Taqueria has served a Halloween “IV bag” drink in past years. Check for 2026 before you promise anyone a photo. For coffee, Odd Meter and Brew Box both do fall lattes.
- Drinking chocolate at Kakawa. It isn’t Halloween-themed, but it’s the best warm-up in town. They usually skip the tasting flights in October, so order by the cup.
- Salem Night Faire. Fridays and Saturdays, October 16, 17, 23 and 24, from 5 to 10 pm at Pioneer Village: vendors, ghost stories, food trucks, hot cider and a Biergarten in the pines. salemnightfaire.com
- The Haunted Speakeasy. Saturday, October 24, 6 to 10 pm at Hamilton Hall: a 1920s-themed Halloween party with a live band, burlesque and Prohibition-style cocktails. It’s ticketed. thehauntedspeakeasy.com
- Haunted Happenings Food Court at Old Town Hall. A free indoor food marketplace at 32 Derby Square, open Thursdays through Sundays during Haunted Happenings. The vendors rotate, so expect something different each visit. Check the Haunted Happenings calendar for the day’s lineup.
- Dinner with a ghost. Turner’s Seafood at Lyceum Hall comes with the Bridget Bishop legend. Book early and ask your server.
- Themed tea and breakfasts. The Good Witch of Salem runs a children’s tea party and a character breakfast in October, and Jolie Tea does high tea year-round.
For everything that isn’t food, see my The Honest Guide To Visiting Salem In October and Things To Do In Salem In October.
Halloween Pop-Ups and Limited-Run Events
Salem doesn’t really do the themed pop-up bar. It does something better: a month of small, strange, limited-run nights that disappear on November 1.
- Start the Night Salem at Bernadette. A free cocktail party in the bar every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday in October, from 5 to 6:30 pm. You get a welcome sipper and warm gougères, and you can buy fall cocktails and small plates. It’s the easiest way into one of Salem’s hardest reservations. RSVP required.
- Witches Amongst Us. An immersive, comedic take on 1692 at The Cellar at Hotel Salem. Grab a drink, and try not to get accused.
- Salem’s Comedy Coven. A haunted stand-up pop-up that only exists in the fall, hidden in The Lost Library’s Black Box Theater and at The Cellar at Hotel Salem.
- Sips and Myths. A mead, wine, and cider tasting at Salem Wine Imports, pairing each pour with a bit of mythology. There are non-alcoholic options too.
- Costume days at Witch City Hibachi. Themed cocktails, decor, and costume contests on select October dates.
- Kids’ Pub at Old Town Hall. A booze-free colonial tavern for kids and their grown-ups, with games, spooky stories, cider and popcorn.
- Blacklight Cookie Decorating. A glow-in-the-dark cookie class at the Satanic Temple with Sugar Anarchy. It’s ticketed and sells out.
- The big balls: The Hawthorne Hotel’s Halloween Ball and the Heaven & Hell Ball at Colonial Hall both land on Saturday, October 24. Buy tickets early.
Dates, prices, and lineups shift, so check each event’s page before you plan a night around it.
Salem Food Tours
If you’d rather someone else plan, Salem Food Tours runs morning walking tours that mix Salem’s spice-trade history with tastings. You start with a locally baked breakfast treat and finish near the waterfront with a spice tasting. There are October dates. It’s a smart first-morning activity because you leave with a list of places to eat for the rest of your trip.
Check out this fun Salem Boos and Brews Tour if you’re visiting during the Halloween Season!
Dog-Friendly Patios in Salem
Traveling with three dogs means I plan meals around patios. These Salem spots are listed as welcoming dogs outside, but always confirm before you show up:
- East Regiment Beer Company: leashed dogs on the heated, covered patio.
- Couch Dog Brewing: named after the owners’ dog, and dogs are welcome.
- Notch Brewery: dog-friendly biergarten.
- Mercy Tavern: dogs at outdoor tables.
- Longboards Restaurant & Bar: oceanfront patio and a dog menu.
- Village Tavern: patio with a pup menu.
- Gulu-Gulu Café: outdoor seating by the Bewitched statue.
In October, think hard before bringing a dog downtown on a weekend. The crowds are shoulder to shoulder, patios are full, and there’s nowhere quiet to step away. Weekday mornings are a different story.
Tips for Eating in Salem in October
- Reserve dinner as early as you can. Sit-down restaurants like Turner’s, Settler, Bernadette, and Ledger book up for October weekends. Settler opens its reservations 30 days out, so plan around that.
- Eat at odd hours. Breakfast right at opening, lunch at 11 am or 2:30 pm, dinner at 4:30 pm. The noon and 6 pm rushes are when waits get painful.
- Have a fast backup. Counter spots like New England Soup Factory, Garçon, and Flying Saucer will feed you quickly when every host stand is quoting two hours. The Old Town Hall food court is another good fallback.
- Walk ten minutes out. Dotty & Ray’s, Coffee Time, Far From The Tree, and Deacon Giles are all outside the busiest blocks. Dube’s is a short drive or rideshare.
- Eat near the train. Odd Meter, the Ugly Mug, Melt, Bernadette, Ledger and Flying Saucer are all a few minutes from Salem Station.
- Plan around Halloween night. Halloween 2026 is a Saturday, so expect the busiest restaurant day of the year. Eat early, carry snacks, and don’t count on a walk-in table after dark.
- Check what’s closed. Several good spots take a weekday or two off, and a quick look at Instagram saves a wasted walk.
FAQ
What food is Salem, MA known for?
Seafood, first of all: fried clams, lobster rolls, and chowder. Salem is also known for Gibraltars and Blackjacks from Ye Olde Pepper Companie, the country’s oldest candy company, and for a strong brewery and cider scene.
Do you need reservations to eat in Salem in October?
For sit-down dinners on weekends, yes. Book as far ahead as the restaurant allows. For lunch, counter-service spots don’t take reservations, so go early or late.
Where can I eat near the Salem train station?
Washington Street runs straight from the station into downtown, and Odd Meter, the Ugly Mug Diner, Melt, Bernadette, Ledger, and Flying Saucer Pizza are all on or just off it.
Where’s the best breakfast in Salem?
Red’s Sandwich Shop is my pick, in the historic Old London Coffee House on Central Street. The Ugly Mug Diner and Ledger’s weekend brunch are the other two I’d point you to.
Are there Halloween-themed restaurants in Salem?
A few places lean into it year-round, like Blackcraft Coffee’s witch cottage and Flying Saucer’s sci-fi theme. In October, many bars and cafés add seasonal drinks and treats, and events like Salem Night Faire and the Haunted Speakeasy add food and cocktails to the mix.
Is there a haunted restaurant in Salem?
Turner’s Seafood at Lyceum Hall is the best known. Local legend ties the building to Bridget Bishop, the first person executed in the 1692 witch trials.
Where can vegans and vegetarians eat in Salem?
Life Alive is almost entirely plant-based. Flying Saucer Pizza has plenty of vegan options, and Blue Fez has several vegetarian tagines.
Are Salem restaurants dog-friendly?
Several have dog-friendly patios, including East Regiment, Couch Dog, Notch and Mercy Tavern. Only service animals are allowed inside restaurants, and patios fill fast in October.
What’s the best cheap eat in Salem?
A slice at Garçon, a bowl at New England Soup Factory or a burrito at Howling Wolf will fill you up without a long wait.
Planning your Salem trip? The Ultimate Salem Guide covers where to stay, eat, shop, and explore year-round, including the dog-friendly version. ($ – Downloadable PDF)
The Salem in October Cheat Sheet is the short one for your phone: trains, ticket release times, and Halloween-night rules. ($ – Downloadable PDF)
So that’s Salem, one plate at a time. Come for the witches if you want, but leave room for the lobster benedict, the drinking chocolate and at least one cider donut. My best advice is the same whether it’s a quiet Tuesday in March or the Saturday before Halloween: book the one dinner you care most about, eat everything else at odd hours, and don’t be afraid to wander a few blocks off Essex Street. Some of the best food in town is hiding where the crowds aren’t.
Have a favorite Salem spot I missed? Tell me in the comments. I’m always looking for an excuse to go back.
Like This Post? Save It For Later
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.