Finding a warm and cozy restaurant near Salem, MA, is no challenge, as the district has many family-owned and traditional eateries. Most of these restaurants specialize in European, Mediterranean, Italian, and Greek cuisine fused with locally produced fresh ingredients. If you are confused about where to visit next time, keep reading.
1. Ledger Restaurant & Bar
- Opening Hours: 10 am to 9 pm
- Delivery: Available
- Takeout: Available
- Dine-in: Available
Located on 125 Washington St, Salem, Ledger Restaurant & Bar is a unique place by Chef Matt O’Neil, who owns The Blue Ox in Lynn. This restaurant delivers the New England concept by combining traditional 19th-century techniques and modern ingredients. The place has a massive dining hall with art pieces and hanging lights, giving you a comfortable and cozy experience.
2. Hawthorne Hotel Dining
- Opening Hours: 11 am to 11 pm
- Delivery: Not Available
- Takeout: Available
- Dine-in: Available
The Hawthorne Hotel dining is a must-visit if you want some hearty and comforting American cuisine to start and end any day. It has an extensive menu with popular hits like Back New England haddock, cheese boards, coconut curry bowl, pancakes, and special Chef waffles, all made with organic ingredients grown at local farms. The place gives a vintage vibe with a wooden interior, checkered flooring, and warm lighting.
3. Toscana Bar Italiano
- Opening Hours: 4 pm to 10 pm
- Delivery: Available
- Takeout: Available
- Dine-in: Available
Toscana Bar Italiano is undoubtedly an excellent warm and cozy place for Italian cuisine lovers striving for authentic dishes. The restaurant offers an intimate dining experience with modern seating, a fire pit, a separate bar counter, and an extended outdoor patio. At Toscano Bar Italiano, chef specials like salmon limone and Arancini are on the weekend’s lunch menu.
4. Pellana Steakhouse
- Opening Hours: 10:30 am to 10 pm
- Delivery: Not Available
- Takeout: Available
- Dine-in: Available
The next place on our list of warm and cozy restaurants near Salem, MA, is Pellana Steakhouse, which serves fresh seafood and prime beef. The most attractive feature of this steakhouse is its vintage vibe that incorporates subdued hanging lights, a dark interior, and private dining tables for families and groups of friends. The place also has a wine counter and was awarded the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence in 2009.
5. Daniella’s Ristorante – Peabody
- Opening Hours: 11:30 am to 10 pm
- Delivery: Not Available
- Takeout: Available
- Dine-in: Available
Daniella’s Ristorante is yet another cozy Italian eatery for those searching for authentic traditional Italian cuisine. Located in an unoccupied neighborhood, the restaurant has an overall relaxed atmosphere with laid-back lighting, an open layout, and glass windows to let the natural light into the dining area. Apart from aesthetics, this place has Italian staples like eggplant rollatini, parmesan fries, caprese, and a European-inspired wine list and cocktails.
6. Rossetti Restaurant of Beverly
- Opening Hours: 5 pm to 9:30 pm
- Delivery: Not Available
- Takeout: Available
- Dine-in: Available
Rossetti Restaurant of Beverly is an Italian-American place with a vast collection of European-inspired recipes fused with modern American techniques, innovative cocktails, and contemporary wines. The place highly prioritizes hospitality, and its staff is extremely attentive and accommodates you. If you visit the Rossetti restaurant on weekends, ask them to dine on the patio; you won’t be disappointed.
7. Elia Taverna Marblehead
- Opening Hours: 5 pm to 10 pm
- Delivery: Available
- Takeout: Available
- Dine-in: Available
For all European cuisine lovers, Elia Taverna Marblehead is a family-owned Greek restaurant in a small neighborhood. The place has a small and cozy open kitchen-dining layout with plenty of flowers, lights, and natural sunlight, making it a perfect way to spend your weekend with friends and family. The authentic menu options like Mediterranean grill, grilled octopus, and shrimp Santorini make it worth the experience.
8. Paolo’s Restaurant
- Opening Hours: 11 am to 11 pm
- Delivery: Not Available
- Takeout: Available
- Dine-in: Fine Dining Available
Paolo’s is your go-to 50-seat kitchen and bar with intercontinental Italian-American, Mediterranean, and New England cuisine, developed under Chef Paul Delios, who has around 40 years of experience in multi-cuisine. At Paolo, you can enjoy his signature pizza crust, pasta combos, and other Mediterranean entrees. Though the dining is nothing extraordinary, the natural sunlight and laid-off seating arrangement provide a comforting experience.
9. Ithaki Modern Mediterranean
- Opening Hours: 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm
- Delivery: Available
- Takeout: Available
- Dine-in: Available
Ithaki Modern Mediterranean restaurant on Newbury St, MA, offers the most memorable timeless experience that takes you back to old Europe. It has an extensive menu with savory and sweet Greek and Mediterranean staples. The overall ambiance of the place is warm, all thanks to its outdoor dining space, offering a perfect opportunity to enjoy the spirit of togetherness and friendship on weekends.
10. Giacomo’s Ristorante – Melrose
- Opening Hours: 4 pm to 10 pm
- Delivery: Available
- Takeout: Available
- Dine-in: Available
At this point, you would know that the inhabitants of Salem thoroughly enjoy Italian cuisine, and Giacomo’s Ristorante is yet another warm and comfortable place for this. The place opens for authentic Italian dinners with large portions and locally produced fresh ingredients. Some hits on the menu include arugula salad, chicken piccata, beef tenderloin, pan-roasted cod, and parmigiana.
Final Thoughts
In essence, a warm and welcoming restaurant with comforting food options can quickly lighten the mood instantly. Luckily, Salem, MA, is filled with eateries that have vintage vibes, rich exteriors, and multi-cuisine options. I hope this guide has helped you find the best spot to visit on weekends with friends and families.