Salt Water Grille: An Inviting Seafood Haven in Gloucester, MA

We rolled up to the restaurant and the parking lot was kinda full - a good sign. It was going to be a 40 minute wait, but they said would you like to eat outside. The hot weather had broken, there was a nice breeze, so we sat outside. As soon as we did, a lot of others did too! On the menu was Pistachio Scallops as a special. Never had seen that before so I had to try it. It was wonderful and flavorful. Other choices for the evening included the steak tips, the tik taco's with haddock, and chopped cobb salad. Everything was good, no complaints on anything!

Great restaurant with indoor/outdoor seating and bar area, serving the best clam chowder I had during a two week New England Coast road trip. I also ordered the True Grit Burger which was cooked to perfection and massive in size. They certainly don't skimp on the French fries or onion rings either. The service was great. Staff was friendly and food was delivered quickly. I would definitely visit again.

Bloody Mary was awful. Salty, strong (not a bad thing) and bitter. Mediocre garnish. Fish and chips should be battered not breaded, but I guess that’s their way. Calamari app was HUGE. Very cozy atmosphere and very inviting dining room. Especially the bar. It was packed when we left. It seems like a great place to gather with friends. I almost question if the Haddock was frozen, not fresh. Done right it is soft, and moist. Mine seemed dry. It wasn’t overcooked, but find it hard to believe it wouldn’t be fresh, in Gloucester of all places. Very nicely done on design and decor. I’ll be back to give it another try.

This restaurant was excellent. My haddock was cooked to perfection. Hubby had the steak tips which were good. Clam chowda’ is a must. It was a great vibe and the service was top tier. Everyone was very warm and welcoming. If you are in Gloucester check them out!

Awesome St. Patrick’s day specials, I had the McFallon Ruben. Their normal menu is terrific too, and service always friendly and attentive while remaining casual. Worth a stop when you’re in Gloucester looking for both seafood and non-seafood options!

Just went there for the first time. It was AWESOME!! It was recommended by 2 people so my friend and I decided to give it a shot. The hostess was very nice and we were seated right away. We ordered specialty beverages that were very tasty. We then ordered the daily special that was haddock picatta. It was absolutely delicious. The fish was cooked perfect. Just the right amount of capers and wine sauce. The waitress was on point. Checking back at the right times. All and all it was a great experience and we will definitely be going back. Check it out. You'll definitely be happy!!

Salt Water Grille has been one of our go-to spots since it opened in 2019. Its location is incredibly convenient—right at the 1st rotary with plenty of parking—and the atmosphere is always welcoming. What truly sets Salt Water apart is the personal touch and pride that Jack, the owner, brings to the table. You can see it in everything: the consistently great food, the thoughtful drink menu, and the attentive service. There’s a real sense of care here, and it makes each visit feel special. The menu is diverse and always evolving, with daily specials that make it easy (and fun!) to try something new each time we stop in. That said, you really can’t go wrong with their burgers, salmon, haddock or fried seafood—they’re all excellent. We also love how Salt Water continues to evolve and invest in the community. From the expanded outdoor seating to the addition of brunch and this year acquiring a year-round liquor license, it’s clear they’re here for the long haul and committed to improving the experience for guests year after year. Thank you Jack and the Salt Water Team! Looking forward to many more great meals at Salt Water Grille!

Service was excellent, food was okay. I ordered fried clams, which came with about 10 clams and probably 6 of them were huge and only half fried, so that was pretty disappointing. Chowder was pretty good. The restaurant itself is nice inside, but a little cramped.