Adriatic is the best...love the formal table settings, service and food is perfection.

If your answer isn't 62 Restaurant and Winebar then you don't know food. From service, to atmosphere, to food, they get it all right.

We love the Lobster Shanty!! That's one of my three submissions, since thankfully, there are so many good choices right now....

We love the Lobster Shanty! That will be one of my three submissions, since thankfully, there are so many good choices in Salem right now....

Next up, the GreenLand Cafe. Awesome newcomer!!

And finally, Passage to India. Really great authentic Indian, and great martinis....

Best Ive eaten at as far as fine dining stuff is also 62 (but its kinda pricey for a place to frequent often for me so doesnt make favorite list for me) as far as "favorite" I love Beer works, I just do. and REDS! Best breakfast anywhere dont count them out its one great place!

Victoria Station has been in our city quite a while. Must be some reason why. Everything they serve is excellent. Have had many, many dinners there without one complaint. Their longevity is testimony. The best all around in price, quality, quantity, server professionalism and all the other accolades for fine dining.

My three favorites, in order of preference, based entirely on the food are
1. 62 Cafe & Wine bar
2. Adriatic and
3. Old Spot.
Tony, Tom & Brendan are the three chefs in town that I would entirely trust to cook me anything. Rare Meat? Offal? Brains? I'd eat it if they prepared it. These guys know their food, and prove it every day.

There are other places in town that I frequent more often because of atmosphere, price, location or my blatant love for the place (Gulu Gulu) but culinarily, those three win my heart.

I love Bella Verona. The food is fantastic, never anything less than great service and it has a warm, intimate atmosphere.

I love Bella Verona. The food is fantastic, service is always great and there is a warm, intimate atmosphere.

Ristorante Gioa...great atmosphere....amazing Italian food!!! Awesome service and staff!!!

62 Restaurant & Wine Bar hands down! Chef Bettencourt is a master, the staff is wonderful, each meal is impeccable, and every visit is spectacular; there simply isn't a more consistent dining experience to be had in this area! We are very lucky to have so many good restaurants in Salem but 62 offers an amazing experience every time...
Sam Avola

62 Restaurant & Wine Bar hands down! Chef Bettencourt is a master, the staff is wonderful, each meal is impeccable, and every visit is spectacular; there simply isn't a more consistent dining experience to be had in this area! We are very lucky to have so many good restaurants in Salem but 62 offers an amazing experience every time...

Having lived in Salem for over 30 years, and a self confessed foodie, I sooo have an opinion on this fun question! Frankly, the best restaurant and coolest hang-out evah' in Salem is long gone. In the 80’s, the food served at the hole in the wall called "As You Like It" across from Almys, was just perfect. I forget the chef’s name now, but he had this sort of French thing going on, and every meal was delicious and every person in there was cooler than the next. But, I digress.

Greenland Café makes the best burger I have ever eaten. Hands down. Done.

62 on Wharf is simply superb. Polenta Gnocchi? Stop it! Warm olives in a canning jar, vinaigrette beets as an appetizer. Seriously, what’s not to love? I could go on and on.

My favorite is by far Gulu Gulu Cafe. I have met so many wise souls there and the waitstaff is super helpful and attentive.

The Lycium is superior in food and atmosphere. Had a delicious lobster mac n' cheese and experienced some of the best service I have ever had.

Dube's - my all time Salem favorite. The food is always great, and I've been going there since my parents would bring me in the baby carrier. Long time! Most is fried, but it's the only fried food I can eat, it's truly yummy. Service is super also.

In a Pig's Eye on Derby Street. I've never had a bad meal there and their desserts are to die for.

My favorites would be Bella Verona, Old Spot, and Beerworks. The Beerworks gets no love! You can always get a consistently good burger or sandwich there, unlike another large sports bar type restaurant in town.

Finz!!!! I need a raw bar with my dinner.

Passage to India is my #1 fave in Salem. Indian food is my passion and I would often take trips to Central Square in Cambridge which has long been known as the Mecca of Indian food in Massachusetts. I can honestly say that Passage to India is better than any Indian place I have been to and I am so pleased it's here in my home town and saves me those trips to Boston!

The Lobster Shanty

I love eating at Coven! They have a great selection of vegan eats, including an AMAZING Rueben! Add to that great lattes and you have a perfect dining experience! :-)

The Lobster Shanty!!!

Coven for their Gluten Free options, Cilantro for the freshest Mexican cuisine, and of course Gulu-Gulu. :)
(hard to pick just three with such fantastic restaurants everywhere!)

Coven for the gluten free options, Cilantro for the freshest Mexican cuisine and Gulu for their apps and atmosphere.
(hard to pick just 3 in a town full of amazing places to eat and drink)

Passage to India is outstanding ad gets my vote, followed closely by Finz, Lyceum and Asahi (before it closed : ( But judging by all the feedback, I have to head to 62 on the Wharf ASAP!

So many amazing restaurants in Salem... but my favorite is 62 Restaurant and Wine Bar. The amazing food and the great service from friendly and informed staff keep us coming back. Never had anything less than a wonderful experience there.

Since I've lived here for almost 15 years, and dined throughout the city over that time, Bella Verona has hit the target with myself, my guests, and others I have talked to about restaurants around here, 100% of the time. Bella has NEVER not thrilled, whether entertaining taste buds, filling stomachs, or providing a great dining environment. The intimacy & menu have never been matched in this town in the time I've been present. I've heard stories and seen incidents at other eateries, but never heard one bad thing said about Bella Verona. Thus, to me, nothing impresses or compares to BV.

Passage to India!

Passage to India!!

My husband and I eat at Bella Verona every year on our anniversary.
Intimate, comfortable, good wine list, and delicious food.
You want to lick the plate!

Bella Verona is hands down the best! Small, intimate, delicious, with the nicest people. Just order anything off the chalkboard specials. I have been going there for years and it is my go-to place for dinner.

Lobster Shanty gets my 1st vote. Good food, good people and the outside patio is great. Im there 4 times a week. Good luck.

62 gets my 2nd vote. Great food, great wine list and the lounge is great for a date.

The Old Spot gets my 3rd. Perfect place for some drinks and comfort food in the winter.

Salem States Marsh Hall dining all u can eat for under 8 dollars

Passage to India, Bella Verona, 62 on the Wharf

Passage to India, Bella Verona, Reds

The Doggie Style Bar & Bistro on Essex St. 5 stars!!

We Love the Grapevine..The food is fantastic. I love the Owner Stacey She is awesome. Everyone is always very nice.It is not very big inside which makes it cozy>>> The Bread Pudding is to die for!!!!

My three favorites are:

#1 - Lyceum Bar & Grille
#2 - The Grapevine
#3 - Bells Verona

Red's Sandwich Shop

Definitely the best for breakfast. Great food, great service, friendly people.

1. Bella Verona. Intimate and DELICIOUS! 2. Fresh Taste of Asia. The name says it all--FRESH! 3. Tavern at the Hawthorne. Intimate and GREAT hotel food--and we've been to many hotels in our careers and eaten much hotel food.

My top 3 are Lyceum, Grapevine and Red's. They all win for food AND great service!

Another favorite is Gulu-Gulu. Where else in Salem can you get crepes? And they're delicious!

Coven is amazing!

Passage to India is a vegetarian's dream.

I <3 Bankok Paradise.

Lobster shanty is great!

tavern on the green

rockafella's

Beer Works for Burgers, Cilantro's for great Mexican and The best Margarita's.

Whenever my husband and I have a chance to go out to eat, we head straight to Passage to India. The atmosphere and service are great, and the food is INCREDIBLE!

I have to add some love for Passage to India. Always delicious.

And finally, Adriatic is the best of the new kids on the block.

Gulu Gulu, Cafe Graziani, Beerworks and Cafe Polonia, though after reading the comments here we will be going back to 62, Bella Verona and Passage to India again soon!

Bella Verona

Grapevine is still my favorite!

I love Green Land & Rockafellas too...sounds like I better try 62!

Green Land
Rockafellas

So many! My Top three would have to be:
62 restaurant & wine bar
passage to india
Greenland cafe

Three warm & cozy spots for superb food and great drinks:
Lyceum
Cafe Polonia
The Old Spot

Favorite veggie friendly hot spots: Bangkok Paradise, Passage to India and Howling Wolf. Gulu Gulu has got some great options as well: try the Essjay, you dig?

Bella Verona has good food in a cozy place (love the trout in lemon sauce with capers), Passage to India (I try to try something different each time I go), and I love the seared tuna at Finz.
Alas, I miss Asahi, (they had good food, but lousy service, and I would always tell Gerry that) so where is the best place to hit for sushi now?

What a fun thread!

1. New York Fried Chicken - This is no KFC. This place does fried chicken right.
2. Boston Hot Dog - Angus Dogs? Root Beer on Tap? Steamed Pastrami? Open til 1-2am weekends?
3. 99 Restaurant - Not fine dining, but 1000% reliable to be served some really decent meals for under $10 -- perfect for a sluggish economy. Can eat here with a friend 10 times for what it costs on one night at some of the upscale establishments.

My father was born on a farm in Medway. I'm easy to please. ;)

62 takes the prize for me too! And I would name Passage to India as a very close second.

62 Restaurant and Wine Bar!

62 Restaurant & Wine Bar

I'd say 62 Restaurant & Wine Bar too!

Please...no contest. 62 Restaurant

62! I dream about their handmade pasta

Always loved the food at the Hawthorne Hotel but Victoria Station was superb!

The Lobster Shanty! Great people, great food, great fun.

Love 62!

Reds!!! Always our first stop of the day!

The Lyceum, The Grapevine and Finz!

1.Lobster Shanty
2.Thai Place
3.Passage to India
although, it appears I need to check out 62!

Salem has so many great options, but if I could only spend my money at 1 place it would be 62!

Lobster Shanty~~!!! Best crab cakes, ever--

Lobster Shanty hands down

Passage to India had some of the best food and atmosphere in Salem. Great drinks too!

62 is the best restaurant in Salem and that's high praise as the overall quality has grown exponentially in Salem. The food is consistently creative, always delicious and the service exceptional.

A great food day in Salem would be
Red's for breakfast
Beerworks or Old Spot for lunch
Lobster Shanty for evening food and fun!!
Just my preference!
Mangia!

Bella Verona!

The Salem Beer Works is always a part of our visit!! great Beer & Wings !!!

62 without a doubt!!!!

Runners up for me are Grapevine, Bella Verona and Adriatic :)

62 and Adriatic are tops, Bella Verona makes me feel like I'm in Italy, Tavern at the Hawthorne feels like living room among friends, Howling Wolf veggie burrito, nothing like hanging at Gulu Gulu, Passage to India, an omelet at Red's. We are very lucky to have so many choices in our little city.

Maybe it's just my quirkly eating habits, but Gulu, Coven and The Pig do it for me. Healthy & De-Lish! When it's time to go off the reservation, The Grapevine never lets me down.

best family value: Bertini's, always a good meal
best overall: too many to list. Salem just has too many great restaurants, 62, passage to India, Victoria's station, cafe polonia, bella verona, grapevine, lyceum, to name just a few are all excellent.

Green Land Cafe
Delicious food, warm atmosphere, and great location!

Green Land .... of course!

1. Green Land Cafe
2. Finz
3. 62 on the Wharf

I stayed in Salem for a weekend last October and ate at Green Land Cafe twice. They were the best two meals I had in the city and I look forward to eating there several times when I bring my husband back with me this fall.

Gotta go with 62! We've had a number of fabulous and memorable meals there and consider it our go-to special-occasion place. Their service sets the bar to which all other restaurants should aspire.

Close second would be Green Land Cafe, fast becoming our destination of choice when we want to go out on a weekend for a nice but not too-fancy meal. Extra props for their eco-friendliness and commitment to organic and sustainable (and local!) sources, too.

Going with Bella Verona for my third choice. It's such a great casual, affordable, friendly, and yummy little place and holds its own (and then some) against the North End.

By all means, Green Land Café! Local, organic, seasonal, elegant food without being pretentious. Great bar & atmosphere, too.

Green Land Cafe is the best. I have brought a dozen people there over the past year and everyone of them has gone back on their own. Love the tapas and fresh foods.

For breakfast - Cafe Grazziani (best omelets in town)
For lunch in winter - Red's Luncheon Specials
For lunch in summer - Capt's patio, Finz' patio, The Shanty's patio and Victoria station's patio
For takeout - Passage to India
For a special dinner - Adriatic
For a late night winter drink - The Tavern at the Hawthorne
Most friendly bars - The Shanty, Vic's Boathouse
Favorite places for coffee - Cafe Valverde, Gulu Gulu

I love A Passage To India. Some of the best Indian food in New England. I'm so glad that it's located right around the corner.

I also love Bella Verona, for an intimate Italian meal. No need to go to the North End. Their puttanesca sauce is wonderful.

Finally, I love Dube's Seafood. The best fried clams and fish in the area. The ambiance is perfect. My Mom loves their ratatouille.

My vote goes to the White Dove. If I am going to grab a bite just for me, that's where I will go. If they had a dining room instead of convenience store, they would rule the roost.

Major Magleashes. If you are looking for Burgers, Steaktips, Ribs and chowder and great drinks this is the place for you!

Roberta and Howard

Lyceum our favorite and Grapevine our runner up.

Howling Wolf and Fran and Diane's

Breakfast .... Deb's Diner
Celebration Dinner....... Nathaniel's in the Hawthorne
Take-out Subs etc......hand's down Lena's

I dream about the Eggplant Parma at The Grapevine for days before we even get there. I love sitting at the bar for a grownup cocktail before heading into the twinkly dining room... where the service, the chewy bread and that mouthwatering parma never disappoint. And the warm bread pudding is simply incredible.

The Lobster Shanty!