Ledger, a Salem restaurant inside a former bank. / Courtesy photo

FULL-SERVICE DINING

All Souls Lounge

Have you had a happy cry today? Here, let us help: Gourmet hot dogs, grilled cheese sandwiches, and vintage cocktails. Yes, there is a restaurant and cocktail lounge in Salem that builds its food menu around franks and melty sandwiches—the former might be topped with sweet brown mustard, remoulade, bacon, and fried onion (the Icelandic Dog), and the latter could be stuffed with creamy brie, house-made strawberry jam, bacon, arugula, and balsamic reduction (the Strawbrie grilled cheese). The drinks, meanwhile, pull on historic recipes from as early as 1775 (the Stone Fence, a concoction of spiced rum, apple cider, maple, and Angostura bitters). As for the vibe? When the jukebox isn’t jumping, the place spins vinyl.

282 Derby St., Salem, allsoulssalem.com.

A cheesesteak (and a Reuben in the background) at the Babe. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal

The Babe

Boston restaurateur Seth Gerber (of Mida) spiffed up the old Major Magleashe’s space, transforming it into the Babe in early 2024. (“I love the North Shore,” he announced when he bought the place. “This is my home.”) Now, velvet chairs and funky light fixtures brighten the historical pub space, and customers dine on a sandwich-focused menu “inspired by Northeast sandwich culture … from Philly to NYC, and of course, Boston.” You won’t want to miss the cocktail menu, which includes drinks such as Dark Matter: rum, black sesame syrup, lime, absinthe rinse, and black lime. Try to grab a seat on the hidden back patio if weather permits.

268 Washington St., Salem, thebabesalem.com.

Bambolina (and Kokeshi)

Wood-fired, Neapolitan-style pizzas anchor the rustic Italian cookery at Bambolina, where the pies are topped simply with, for example, wood-fired mushrooms and truffle oil or fresh mozzarella and basil. You’ll also find pasta plates and sides, such as mushrooms marinated in lemon, thyme, and crushed red pepper. Also, take note: Sibling restaurant Kokeshi is currently operating out of the Bambolina kitchen, serving ramen and more Asian-inspired noodle dishes and snacks. You can order from one or both—perfect if half your table is in a pizza mood and half wants dan dan noodles.

288 Derby St., Salem, 978-594-8709, bambolinarestaurant.com, kokeshirestaurant.com.

Bella Verona

When you’re seeking old-school Italian, you’ll find fabulous red-sauce plates (just like nonna made them!) at this cozy downtown stalwart. The homey interior is matched by bowls of hearty Bolognese or seafood linguini. Big portions of lemon-sauced chicken or pepper-sauced pork loin taste just as great via takeout as they do over carafes of Chianti in the dining room.

107 Essex St., Salem, 978-825-9911, bellaverona.com.

A spread of food at Bernadette. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal

Bernadette

French-inspired fine dining with a focus on local sourcing. This is the second restaurant from the Settler crew (see below), with chef and co-owner Aaron Chambers pulling from his background in the Daniel Boulud empire and elsewhere. (“Between bread, butter, and pâté, I think French food was a destiny for me,” Chambers previously told Boston.) Dine on, for instance, Maine mussels with garlic green butter; market greens with Roquefort, almonds, and buttermilk dressing; or Marblehead lobster and other seafood over lemon saffron spaghetti.

65 Washington St., Salem, bernadettesalem.com.

October in Salem, photographed in 2024. / Photos by Rachel Leah Blumenthal

Blue Fez

Open since 2019, this Moroccan restaurant is relatively new to the Salem dining scene, but it quickly cemented its place as a local favorite for its flavorful dishes, including a variety of tagine-cooked options. (The Moroccan tagine, for example, offers diners braised lamb shank cooked with an aromatic mix of apricots, figs, prunes, and cinnamon.) Vegetarians will find plenty to love, including several veggie-packed tagine dishes or a falafel dish with spicy curry and shredded crepes.

118 Washington St., Salem, 978-744-2700, bluefezrestaurant.com.

Dube’s Seafood

Escape downtown and head south to join the locals at Dube’s, serving up the crispiest fried seafood since 1961. Pretty much anything you can think of gets dunked in the fryer here: oysters, scallops, clams, and more, served in various combinations with fries, coleslaw, and tartar sauce. Enjoy your seafood feast—and a break from the tourist throngs—in the cozy, wood-paneled space.

317 Jefferson Ave., Salem, 978-744-9531, dubesseafood.com.

Flying Saucer Pizza. / Photo by Scott Kearnan

Flying Saucer Pizza

Let your geek flag fly here. From the “Spaceballs the Appetizer” (aka garlic knots) to the many specialty pies, the menu abounds with nerdy references: The “Audrey II,” for instance—covered in arugula, roasted red peppers, and balsamic fig glaze—nods to the hungry plant of Little Shop of Horrors. But you can also build your own pizza using ingredients like Cajun-style chicken, hot honey, ranch, and a ton of vegan alternatives. Dietary restrictions welcome: Everything at Flying Saucer is nut-free, and gluten-free pizza crust is available. Trust us: It’s out of this world.

118 Washington St., Salem, 978-594-8189, flyingsaucerpizzacompany.com.

Gulu-Gulu Café

While this could also arguably be in the café category below, the boho-style Gulu-Gulu—a self-described “artisan sandwich shop and craft beer bar”—is a little bit of everything. It’s the kind of place where laptop warriors hammer out emails while sipping on draft-poured cold brew coffee, or toe-tapping music fans vibe out to local musicians while tipping back craft beers. Stick around for drag brunches, game nights, and open-mic shindigs. Or just grab a breakfast item (served until 2 p.m.) like a Belgian waffle, or a sandwich, such as a turkey BLT, and consider enjoying it in the grassy park out front, where you’ll find the photo-opp-friendly Bewitched statue.

247 Essex St., Salem, 978-740-8882, gulugulucafe.com.

Ledger Restaurant & Bar

Even Ledger’s glitzy interior, a former bank, is outshone by the truly radiant, upscale New American cuisine from chef-owner Matt O’Neil and executive chef Daniel Gursha. You might find smoked Long Island duck breast with huckleberries and chai parsnip puree, or cauliflower al pastor with corn and pineapple salsa. Some of the biggest surprises, though, are saved for the brunch menu—more specifically its rotating doughnuts in flavors like salted brown sugar caramel or dirt cup and pumpkin spice.

125 Washington St., Salem, 978-594-1908, ledgersalem.com.

The Lobster Shanty. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal

The Lobster Shanty

This seasonal dive bar and seafood restaurant has been doing its thing in Derby Square since the 1970s, snagging plenty of media attention along the way. (Yep, Guy Fieri has been here; he featured steak tips, pulled pork, and the Lobstertini, a lobster-y take on a dirty martini.) The cheeky signage out front says it best: “Warm beer, lousy food, surly waitresses, rude bartenders, rowdy regulars, cranky cooks.” (There’s often trivia and live music, too, although trivia goes on hiatus during October.) Closed from mid-January through the end of March.

25 Front St., Salem, 978-645-5449, lobstershantysalem.com.

Maitland Farm, Kitchen, & Spirits

Open since late 2024, this farm-to-table newbie comes from Salem’s own pickle-focused Maitland Mountain Farm. (Try an Italian sandwich or rotating special on a pickle instead of bread.) In addition to creative sandwiches, find small plates such as mushroom tartine and entrees such as summer vegetable panzanella highlighting New England ingredients and flavors. Some retail goodies from the farm are on sale at the restaurant, too, such as giardiniera, honey, and eggs.

84 Derby St., Salem, 978-306-7097, maitlandfarms.com.

Mercy Tavern

It’s good-vibes-only at Mercy Tavern, a sunny, friendly hang serving excellent (and eclectic) comfort food. One might find fish and chips featuring coconut fried haddock; garlicky French fries covered in tzatziki sauce and feta cheese; and baked mac and cheese smothered in caramelized onions, Ritz crackers, and chorizo. Meanwhile, potions like the Hocus Pocus—tequila with autumnal fruits and spices—keep us energized for Friday Blues jams (on pause in October) and more live music.

148 Derby St., Salem, 978-741-4436, mercysalem.com.

Olde Main Street Pub

Follow up a visit to the Peabody Essex Museum with a pint or a meal steps away at the Olde Main Street Pub. The cozy spot serves classic pub fare (smoked fish chowder, fish and chips) and some creative twists (charred broccoli mac and cheese with bacon jam). Bonus: quite a nice selection of whiskey and Scotch.

121 Essex St., Salem, 978-594-8188, oldemainstpub.com.

Salem in 2024. / Photo by Joseph Prezioso / AFP) (Photo by JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images)

Sea Level Oyster Bar

Water views beckon to this harborside spot, where the seafood-focused menu is wide-ranging: Caribbean-spiced salmon and fish stew share space with New England classics like the Salem Sound clambake, which is anchored by a one-and-a-quarter-pound lobster. Of course, you’ll want to start off with the eponymous bivalves, served freshly shucked on shellfish platters or baked with lemon-spinach butter, mozzarella, and Ritz cracker crumbs.

94 Wharf St., Salem, 978-741-0555, sealeveloysterbar.com.

Settler

Chef Aaron Chambers—a longtime alum of restaurants by acclaimed chef Daniel Boulud, including Boston’s now-closed Bar Boulud—opened this destination-worthy, fancy-but-not-unfriendly restaurant in Salem with his wife Shanna in 2020 (followed by Bernadette in 2024; see above). Settler is all about local sourcing, scratch-made food, and Mediterranean influences, which results in dishes like local oysters with pomegranate rose mignonette and trout roe; kofta spiced lamb ragu with pumpkin hummus; and heritage-breed chicken with honey nut squash and pumpkin-seed granola. (Note: In October, à la carte dining is not available; all diners will get the $78 prix fixe menu.)

2 Lynde St., Salem, 978-744-2094, settlersalem.com.

Trade House

This comforting new pub opened in 2025, taking over the Witch’s Brew Cafe space. It’s off to a smashing start with globe-trotting gastropub fare—rotating empanada specials, Korean barbecue beef-stuffed steamed buns, Southern fried chicken sandwiches, tofu bánh mì, and more. Plus: classic desserts. Who doesn’t love a brownie sundae?

156 Derby St., Salem, tradehousesalem.com.

Turner’s Seafood

A fabulous, family-run seafood restaurant inside Salem’s historic Lyceum Hall, Turner’s wholesales its super-fresh New England catch to customers around the country. But we’d argue it’s best enjoyed at its Salem restaurant, where our favorite has to be the finnan haddie, house-smoked haddock in a pearl onion au gratin sauce. Every preparation is excellent, though, so swim on by for similarly stellar Gloucester hake marsala, mussels and calamari fra diavolo, or salmon pasta in cream sauce. And if you opt for takeout, you can always add on-ice swordfish, scallops, and other seafood for creative cooking at home.

43 Church St., Salem, 978-745-7665, turners-seafood.com.

See also: Six Haunted Restaurants You Need to Try Near Boston

October in Salem. / Photos by Rachel Leah Blumenthal

FAST-CASUAL DINING

Au Gratin

We love a fine-dining-chef-goes-casual story: The result, often, is comforting delights done extremely well, and affordably. Case in point: Au Gratin. This is a new, cheesy chapter for Boston Hot Dog Company, which chef Mike Denk and his wife Alexandra bought in 2019. Before going the hot dog route, Mike worked in higher-end restaurants, including various Daniel Boulud spots (including under fellow Salem restaurateur Aaron Chambers; see Bernadette and Settler above). Now, using his classical French training, he’s spinning magic out of fromage, from half a dozen mac and cheese variations to paninis to French onion soup. (There’s a substantial vegan menu, too, with the cheese alternative Chao and other substitutes.)

60 Washington St., Salem, 978-306-7140, augratinsalem.com.

Bill & Bob’s Roast Beef

When on the North Shore, eat a North Shore-style roast beef sandwich; we don’t make the rules. With locations in Woburn and Peabody as well as the Salem one, Bill & Bob’s has been doing its thing for more than half a century. Grab a roast beef three-way for the classic barbecue, cheese, and mayo topping. Note: The different sizes come on different types of buns (junior, hamburger; big, sesame; super, onion), all toasted.

9 Bridge St., Salem, 978-744-9835, billandbobs.com.

Garçon SuperSlice Pizza Pie Parlor

Another fine-dining-to-casual story (see Au Gratin above). This pizzeria comes from chef Keenan Langlois, whose lengthy resume includes stints at Greater Boston’s late, great Hamersley’s Bistro, Lumière, and Gaslight Brasserie, to name a few spots. The well-traveled Martha’s Vineyard native has also worked in San Francisco; Montpellier, France; and beyond. Starting with the opening of ChezCasa in 2019 (now closed), followed by Garçon, he’s been realizing his dream of putting an artisanal spin on casual food. Garçon—the name is a nod to his unpaid intern days in France—is an homage to old-school pizza parlors, but a little bit fancied up. Linguiça and caramelized onion pizza? Fried eggplant and feta? Maitake with porcini crema and garlic “fudge”? Check, check, and check. Complement your slices with a milkshake or root beer float.

14 New Derby St., Salem, 978-594-5771, garconsuperslicepizzapieparlor.com.

Life Alive food and drinks. / Photo by Joe St.Pierre

Life Alive

Nowadays, Life Alive is a locally based chain with over a dozen outposts, but the Salem location was the third location and debuted over a decade ago. (Might we suggest renaming this location Life Unalive, just for October?) The colorful, funky space continues to offer a hearty vegetarian (and mostly vegan) menu of salads, noodle bowls, juices, and more with names like “Rainbow Harvest” and “Adventurer Bowl.” Gluten-free and nut-free diners will find plenty of options.

281 Essex St., Salem, 978-594-4644, lifealive.com.

New England Soup Factory

Soup! Come here for your hearty bowls of clam and corn chowder, chicken pot pie soup, chili con carne, and lots more. The restaurant’s repertoire includes over 150 recipes, and you’ll find a rotating collection of at least 10 on any given day. (We love the classic matzoh ball chicken soup and cold summer specials like the “sexy tomato peach.”) There are sandwiches, salads, and sides, too, but New England Soup, Sandwich, Salad, and Side Factory wouldn’t have quite the same ring to it.

140 Washington St., Salem, 978-744-0444, nesoupfactorysalem.com.

Two (of 75+) murals at the Punto Urban Art Museum in Salem’s El Punto neighborhood: Super Dali by Sipros (left) and Untitled by Hoxxoh. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal

Ray Adea’s Mediterranean & Jamaican Cuisine

Like the name says, this local favorite offers both Mediterranean and Jamaican cuisine—convenient when you’re in the mood for shakshuka, but your dining companion wants slow-cooked oxtail with rice and peas, veggies, and fried plantains. (You two should definitely share some jerk wings, though.) Grab a bottle of Jamaican ginger beer or house-made mango sorrel juice to accompany your meal. Bonus: Dining at Ray Adea’s puts you steps from the outstanding (and free!) Punto Urban Art Museum, over 75 murals spanning three blocks—the perfect post-lunch stroll.

90 Lafayette St., Unit 1B, Salem, 978-594-4271, rayadeasmk.com.

The Jaho location on Derby Street at Pickering Wharf. / Courtesy of Jaho

CAFÉS AND BREAKFAST-Y SPOTS

Brew Box

This coffee nook serves up a wide variety of hot and iced beverages to give you a jolt, from the traditional (red eye, cortado) to the extra-fun (cereal milk latte, seasonal specials like a spiced apple caramel latte). A concise breakfast and lunch menu—avocado toast, grilled cheese, and such—help you refuel, too.

131 Essex St. Ste. 2, Salem, 978-594-0064, brewboxsalem.com.

Coffee Time Bake Shop

Come for the Bismarcks; stay for the tasty drinks, from Mexican frozen hot chocolates to hot apple cider to fruit smoothies. And this is the place to go for seasonal doughnut-related specials, whether you’re looking for paczki (February 1 through Easter), sufganiyot (around Chanukah), or cider doughnuts (mid-September through Thanksgiving).

96 Bridge St., Salem, 978-744-0995, coffeetimebakeshop.net.

Broad Street Cemetery in Salem. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal

Dotty & Ray’s

Billing itself as Salem’s oldest diner at 60+ years, the family-owned spot serves up no-frills breakfast and lunch fare for your omelet and pancake needs. Ok, some frills: jalapeño grilled cheese on a croissant, anyone? You can add a White Russian or Bloody Mary and call it brunch.

112 North St., Salem, 978-744-9730, dottyrays.com.

Jaho

With a trio of Salem locations (plus Boston, Cambridge, and Tokyo), Jaho is great at keeping visitors, locals, and Salem State students caffeinated. The flavored lattes are a highlight, with options like lavender vanilla, Nutella, and kulfi—with the option to add a shot of booze. On that note, there are boba drinks, too, which can also be made boozy. Fun!

Multiple locations, jaho.com.

Jolie Tea Company

From elegant high tea to light lunch to macaron and tea tastings, Jolie does just about everything related to tea (and sells plenty of it, too!) The lovely sunny space is perfect for private events or casual café time for tea lovers of all ages; there’s even high tea specifically for kids. There’s a newer location in Beverly, too.

316 Derby St., Salem, 978-745-5654, istheteainyou.com.

Odd Meter Coffee Co. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal

Odd Meter Coffee Co.

Coming into Salem on the train? (Especially during October, this is a wise choice!) Odd Meter’s one of the first spots you’ll encounter along Washington Street after leaving the station, so it’s an easy choice to caffeinate for a day of exploring. Don’t plan to sit; there’s a little bit of standing counter space, but this is more a grab-and-go type of place. Look for fun seasonal specials like pumpkin pie lattes (autumn) or coconut-chocolate lattes (summer).

60 Washington St., Salem, oddmetercoffee.com.

The Ugly Mug Diner

This friendly diner has hearty breakfasts of all kinds, from the sweet (candy-stuffed French toast) to the savory (crab cake sandwiches)—and, yes, ugly mugs, to hold plenty of lattes and more. (Mimosas and beer cocktails are another good way to kick off the day here.)

122 Washington St., Salem, 978-745-6844, uglymugdiner.com.

A&J King. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal

SWEETS AND TREATS

A&J King Artisan Bakers

The A&J King team mills grains in-house to create irresistible breads, breakfast pastries, and other baked goods, selling them out of two bustling Salem locations. Swing by the Central Street outpost to enjoy a range of breakfast and lunch sandwiches—showcasing A&J King’s own breads, naturally.

48 Central St., Salem, 978-744-4881; 139 Boston St., Salem, 978-674-5387; ajkingbakery.com.

Caramel French Patisserie

This is the place to go for gorgeous French treats: sweet kouign-amann, colorful macarons, buttery croissants, crusty baguettes, and so much more. Keep an eye out for seasonal specials, like an autumn pumpkin and chocolate cheesecake.

281 Essex St., Salem, 978-594-0244, caramel-patisserie.com.

Dairy Witch

It’s a little bit of a hike from downtown, but we love this classic ice cream stand—which dates back to the 1950s!—for its mega sundaes in flavors like peanut butter cup and strawberry shortcake. Sorry to the Halloween crowds: Dairy Witch is seasonal and typically closes at the end of September. Stay tuned for a spring reopening.

117 Boston St., Salem, 978-744-5413, dairywitch.com.

Hocus Pocus-themed doughnuts at Funhouse Donuts. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal

Funhouse Donuts

The shop is pretty new (it opened in June 2024), but the business is not: Funhouse Donuts is the brick-and-mortar storefront for the popular pop-up Speakeasy Donuts, which was founded in 2017. Speakeasy Donuts grew a following for baking up ultra-creative themed doughnuts—often booze-infused and available for pickup at local distilleries, breweries, and such. (Note: There’s no booze at Funhouse.)

282 Derby St., Salem, 978-893-8497, funhousedonuts.com.

Goodnight Fatty

You need to know about Goodnight Fatty, a maker of cookies (or “fatties”) that are wildly delicious. As late as 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights and 10 p.m. on Thursdays and Sundays, fans show up to the tiny, secret-feeling shop for flavors like Cinnamon Toast Crunch, studded with white chocolate chips, or the Midnight Fatty, a chocolate cookie with toffee and pecans. Goodnight’s cult following has even supported a breakfast spin-off, Good Morning Chubby, bagel bite-like buns with fillings both savory (cheddar cheese shallots) and spicy (hot vegan sausage). And if you’re lucky enough to live in Salem or nearby towns, you can even send for home-delivered “drops”—no pre-ordering necessary—from your phone.

1 Washington Sq., Salem, goodnightfatty.com.

Harbor Sweets

This decades-old chocolate company is probably best known for its Sweet Sloops—chocolate-covered, pecan-dipped almond buttercrunch toffee sailboats. Swing by the storefront to stock up on these as well as other chocolate, caramel, and nut treats.

85 Leavitt St., Salem, 978-745-7648, harborsweets.com.

Chocolate elixir at Kakawa in Salem. / Photo by Lane Turner/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

Kakawa Chocolate House

This Santa Fe-based chocolatier showcases the history of chocolate, drawing inspiration from old recipes from around the world and creating contemporary spins. You’ll definitely want to try some of the chili-based selections (green chili caramels are a nice nod to a signature Santa Fe ingredient) and the drinking elixirs, like the herbal, spicy Aztec Warrior. If your visit isn’t during October, you can sample a few elixirs in a handy flight.

173 Essex St., Salem, 617-548-4567, kakawachocolates.com.

Lulu’s Bakery and Pantry. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal

Lulu’s Bakery and Pantry

Baked goods are the draw at this cheerful shop, which serves pastries, sandwiches, and more with a subtle southern twist. The house-made biscuits are best enjoyed with black pepper sausage gravy if you’re in the mood for savory or maple butter if you want something sweet.

285 Derby St., Salem, 978-594-4531, lulusbakeryandpantry.com.

Melt ice cream shop. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal

Melt Ice Cream

This little ice cream shop is always busy—plan to take your treat and eat on the go, strolling around downtown. Choose from an ever-rotating list of fun flavors, like banana Nutella with peanut butter cups, salted caramel with sea salt brownies, and—our favorite—white minty chip.

60 Washington St., Salem, 978-826-5703, meltsalem.com.

Ye Olde Pepper Companie. / Photo by Paolo Picciotto/REDA&CO/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Ye Olde Pepper Candy Companie

It’s not just the name that’s old-timey: Ye Old Pepper Candy Companie lays claim to being the oldest candy company in the country, and it features some really old-fashioned candies you probably won’t find anywhere else, like lemon or peppermint Gibraltars and molasses sticks called Black Jacks.

122 Derby St., Salem, 978-745-2744, oldepeppercandy.com.

The Roof. / Photo by Tammara Flanagan

BOOZE

Bunghole Liquors

If you didn’t stop into this liquor store to buy a T-shirt, did you really go to Salem?

204 Derby St., Salem, 978- 744-4539, bungholeliquors.com.

Couch Dog Brewing Co.

This 2023 arrival is named for the owners’ cute Jindo mix and “a state of mind, where dogs lounge in utmost comfort and a craft beer is always close at hand.” We’re already sold. Asian-inspired flavors are showcased here: Take, for instance, the five spice wheat beer or the session rice ale with yuzu. While there are some packaged snacks available onsite, you’re welcome to bring in food—check out neighboring spots such as Howling Wolf Taqueria (see above). Kids and dogs also welcome.

76 Lafayatte St., Salem, couchdogbrewing.com.

Deacon Giles Distillery

Around for a decade, Deacon Giles makes what it describes as “damn righteous spirits”—a growing collection of vodka, rum, gin, and even absinthe. There are some canned cocktails, too, including the “Trader Giles” mai tai. Try a tour and tasting (available on alternate Saturdays, or every Saturday during peak Halloween season; book here), or swing by the Deacon Giles cocktail bar, the Speakeasy Lab, to taste its spirits in delightful cocktail form.

75 Canal St., Salem, 978-306-6675, deacongiles.com.

East Regiment Beer Company

Fruited sour ales, German-style Hefeweizens, Japanese-style rice lagers, golden Mexican lagers, and more—East Regiment, founded by a duo of Salem locals and avid home brewers, draws inspiration from everywhere for its brews. The taproom boasts a heated, four-season patio (leashed dogs welcome!), and Malden-based burger joint Crazy Good Kitchen is onsite, serving up burgers, crispy chicken, and more. Watch for trivia nights and other fun events.

30 Church St., Salem, eastregimentbeercompany.com.

The Witch House in Salem. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal

Far From The Tree Cider

If it’s fall in New England, you’re probably thinking about apples: where to pick them, where to find apple cider doughnuts, etc. How about where to drink them? Far From The Tree (which turned 10 last year) makes killer hard cider in a wide variety of flavors—pineapple jalapeño! Earl grey! Spiced blackcurrant!—from Central Massachusetts-sourced apples, and it has a cozy tasting room in which to try them.

102-108 Jackson St., Salem, 978-224-2904, farfromthetreecider.com.

Notch Brewery & Tap Room

When weather permits, you’ll want to post up in Notch’s lovely biergarten for hours, enjoying the sun and Notch’s easy drinkers. (The brewery focuses on session beers, so you’ll find most of the options have ABVs topping out below 5%.) Even in colder months, the taproom is a blast—watch the events calendar for food pop-ups, Skee-Ball nights, and more.

283R Derby St., Salem, 978-412-7674, notchbrewing.com.

The Roof

Check out Salem’s only rooftop bar for views and drinks that’ll make you long for summer even when the first fall chill sets in (prickly pear margaritas, key lime pie shooters). The short food menu is mostly Mexican-inspired, with street corn dip, lobster quesadillas, carne asada tacos, churros, and the like. Open seasonally, the Roof is atop the Hotel Salem.

209 Essex St. (the Hotel Salem), Salem, 978-451-4950, theroofsalem.com.

Costumed revelers dressed as the Sandersons sisters from the movie Hocus Pocus, walk through a graveyard as they celebrate Halloween eve in Salem on October 30, 2024. / Photo by Joseph Prezioso / AFP via Getty Images

FUN AND SHOPPING

Bit Bar

Anytime you need a sweet retreat to the simpler days of childhood, get to Bit Bar—a retro-cool arcade and restaurant that trades on your fondest memories of ’80s Nintendo. The playful eats range from loaded “Tetris tots” to Biscoff cookie cheesecake. Meanwhile, cocktails like the Princess Peach (vodka with fruity schnapps and cranberry juice) may just give your mood a 1-Up. As for the arcade? If you remember Bit Bar’s original space at the Old Salem Jail but haven’t been back since the relocation to Derby Street, in the former Salem Beer Works space, you’ll be pleased to find much more elbow room for toggling joysticks on the “Pac-Man” or “Burger Time” machines. (Note: 21+ after 8 p.m.)

278 Derby St., Salem, 978-594-4838, bit.bar. 

Diehl Marcus & Co. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal

Diehl Marcus & Co.

Want to stock up on interesting teas, not to mention soaps, candles, and more? This intriguing shop—located in an old bank space and decorated with antique curiosities, from taxidermy to teapots—is a worthwhile stop on your Salem excursion. Don’t forget to open the mysterious door near the register for a fun surprise.

11 Central St., Salem, diehlmarcus.com.

Koto Underground

Live music, DJs, drag shows, metal open mics, karaoke, and more—catch it all at Koto (and sushi, too). The Asian fusion restaurant plays host to a jam-packed events calendar; you’ll want to keep an eye on social media for details about the covers, dress codes, etc., which vary by event.

90 Washington St., Salem, facebook.com/kotoundergroundmusic.

Pamplemousse

This Essex Street mainstay has been around for over 20 years, and we can’t resist stopping by whenever we’re in town to stock up on kitchen knickknacks, craft beers, tasty cheeses, gourmet hot sauces, and so much more.

185 Essex St., Salem, 978-745-2900.

Salem Willows Park. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal

Salem Willows Park

Need to escape the downtown crowds and get some fresh air? This waterfront strip features a big arcade, old-timey carnival rides for the kids (maybe a few too many creepy clown-themed ones, but otherwise very fun), lots of picnic space, and a few fast-casual food options. Alas, Salem Lowe and its famous chop suey sandwich are no more, but there’s plenty of fried seafood, ice cream, and such.

165 Fort Ave., Salem, willowsarcade.com.