Food Scene
An outpost from Boston's North End (Best of Boston 2014)
Great food & ambience, 2 floors
Live music on certain nights, can get noisy- try upstairs for quieter dining
Reservations recommended
47 locals recommend
Franklin Cafe Cape Ann
118 Main StAn outpost from Boston's North End (Best of Boston 2014)
Great food & ambience, 2 floors
Live music on certain nights, can get noisy- try upstairs for quieter dining
Reservations recommended
Chef-owner Anthony Caturano (Prezza) expands his culinary reach from Boston's North End to the North Shore, bringing upscale coastal Italian cooking to Gloucester.¬
Reservations at Opentable
43 locals recommend
Tonno Restaurant
2 Main StChef-owner Anthony Caturano (Prezza) expands his culinary reach from Boston's North End to the North Shore, bringing upscale coastal Italian cooking to Gloucester.¬
Reservations at Opentable
A locals' favorite, find out why.
Great food, creative menu, eat on the deck overlooking Smith Cove.
Watch people trying to park while you stroll to the restaurant from your front door.
Dinner Reservations encouraged
12 locals recommend
Rudder Restaurant
73 Rocky Neck AveA locals' favorite, find out why.
Great food, creative menu, eat on the deck overlooking Smith Cove.
Watch people trying to park while you stroll to the restaurant from your front door.
Dinner Reservations encouraged
Full bar, fresh salads, sandwiches, seafood, sushi bar.
Varied musical entertainment on Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun evenings.
Reservations not accepted
26 locals recommend
The Studio
51 Rocky Neck AveFull bar, fresh salads, sandwiches, seafood, sushi bar.
Varied musical entertainment on Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun evenings.
Reservations not accepted
Lately Chef of Maison Robert in Boston, great food, a year-round favorite.
Half portions for light eaters or experimenters, varied wine list, intimate ambience.
Reservations recommended. Highly. Even during the week.
Closed Sundays & Mondays
34 locals recommend
Duckworth's Bistrot
197 E Main StLately Chef of Maison Robert in Boston, great food, a year-round favorite.
Half portions for light eaters or experimenters, varied wine list, intimate ambience.
Reservations recommended. Highly. Even during the week.
Closed Sundays & Mondays
A foodies’ contrarian, wood-oven pizza, salads, an unusual wine list, and a menu that changes daily collaborating with the Gloucester Farmer's Market and Backyard Grower's Program. Locals love the dollar-oysters before 6pm on Sundays.
Reservations not accepted
39 locals recommend
Short & Main
36 Main StA foodies’ contrarian, wood-oven pizza, salads, an unusual wine list, and a menu that changes daily collaborating with the Gloucester Farmer's Market and Backyard Grower's Program. Locals love the dollar-oysters before 6pm on Sundays.
Reservations not accepted
A varied and tasty menu from around the world. Famous for their Popovers! Generous portions, great brunch!
23 locals recommend
Passports
110 Main StA varied and tasty menu from around the world. Famous for their Popovers! Generous portions, great brunch!
Jalapeños
88 Main StLunch & Dinner, bar, year-round
Great, Authentic, Mexican food.
Another former chef from Chez Panisse, Berkeley CA, this place is right on Lobster Cove in Annisquam. Small, with a dinner menu that changes daily and is inspired by what is most fresh from partner farms, fisheries, ranchers and bakers.
Dinner Reservations encouraged
19 locals recommend
The Market Restaurant
Another former chef from Chez Panisse, Berkeley CA, this place is right on Lobster Cove in Annisquam. Small, with a dinner menu that changes daily and is inspired by what is most fresh from partner farms, fisheries, ranchers and bakers.
Dinner Reservations encouraged
On vacation? Draw the line at cooking breakfast? Stick some shoes on your dogs and hobble down to Sailor Stan's for a great omelet and a hot coffee. Leave the car at home, enjoy some local color, see some art.
Sailor Stan's
1 Wonson StOn vacation? Draw the line at cooking breakfast? Stick some shoes on your dogs and hobble down to Sailor Stan's for a great omelet and a hot coffee. Leave the car at home, enjoy some local color, see some art.
Zeke's Place
66 E Main StGreat breakfast and brunch! Homemade breads.
If you are willing to drive 10 minutes, this place serves a fantastic homestyle breakfast, lunch, and a multitude of other goodies in a cozy setting. You won’t want to leave. Take advantage of its location on the west side of Cape Ann to drive through scenic Annisquam, Lanesville, and Rockport before coming back to East Gloucester.
15 locals recommend
Willow Rest station
If you are willing to drive 10 minutes, this place serves a fantastic homestyle breakfast, lunch, and a multitude of other goodies in a cozy setting. You won’t want to leave. Take advantage of its location on the west side of Cape Ann to drive through scenic Annisquam, Lanesville, and Rockport before coming back to East Gloucester.
Casual and inexpensive, a Gloucester institution.
Order the Gloucester Fish Sandwich- super fresh!
14 locals recommend
Charlie's Place
83 Bass AveCasual and inexpensive, a Gloucester institution.
Order the Gloucester Fish Sandwich- super fresh!
Great food, awesome chowder, generous portions, inexpensive. A local favorite.
41 locals recommend
Causeway Restaurant
78 Essex AveGreat food, awesome chowder, generous portions, inexpensive. A local favorite.
The Cave
44 Main StImported wines, cheeses, olives, and all those other tasty things!
A great health, specialty and gourmet food market with lots of other things.
41 locals recommend
Common Crow Natural Market
200 Eastern AveA great health, specialty and gourmet food market with lots of other things.
Just like the name... great choices and regular, free wine-tasting sessions!
7 locals recommend
Savour Wine & Cheese
76 Prospect StJust like the name... great choices and regular, free wine-tasting sessions!
Get there early (and check their hours) because they run out of the best bread in town fast!
8 locals recommend
Alexandra's Bread
265 Main StGet there early (and check their hours) because they run out of the best bread in town fast!
Sandpiper Bakery
29 North Main StreetIncredible breakfast pastries, albeit pricey.
Getting Around
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
123 Eastern AveArts & Culture
World-renowned, catch a play during your stay, and no need to drive, they are just across the street!
18 locals recommend
Gloucester Stage Company
267 E Main StWorld-renowned, catch a play during your stay, and no need to drive, they are just across the street!
New exhibitions each month in this beautifully renovated church space, by local (and not so local) artists and artisans. Concerts, workshops, lectures and more, are also held here, and it's just down the street! Open seasonally.
Gallery Hours: Thursday-Sunday: September-May, Noon-4pm • June-August, 12-6pm
22 locals recommend
The Cultural Center at Rocky Neck
6 Wonson StNew exhibitions each month in this beautifully renovated church space, by local (and not so local) artists and artisans. Concerts, workshops, lectures and more, are also held here, and it's just down the street! Open seasonally.
Gallery Hours: Thursday-Sunday: September-May, Noon-4pm • June-August, 12-6pm
An incredible permanent collection with rotating exhibits as well. A must-see.
69 locals recommend
Cape Ann Museum
27 Pleasant StAn incredible permanent collection with rotating exhibits as well. A must-see.
Essentials
Stop & Shop
779 McGrath HwyThis is the closet supermarket and has a wide selection.
A little further out than Stop&Shop, this is the freshest and best-priced supermarket with a very wide selection too. Our favorite place to shop for groceries!
236 locals recommend
Market Basket
400 Somerville AveA little further out than Stop&Shop, this is the freshest and best-priced supermarket with a very wide selection too. Our favorite place to shop for groceries!
Traveler advice
Customs and culture
Covid 19 cleaning guidelines for guests
We recommend:
Bringing your own linens, towels, and furniture coverings. Although everything has been cleaned with the appropriate products, if you still feel uncomfortable, please consider covering them with your own linens. We provide a tablecloth.
IMPORTANT: Please do not use any cleaning products on the furniture, including the antique dining table which has an aged patina. Nothing but mild soap and water (NO BLEACH) and a gentle cloth should be used on it.
Removing your shoes when entering the property and leaving them at the entrance (if possible, outside).