The 1640 Hart House
51 Linebrook Rd, Ipswich, MA, 01938
The 1640 Hart House Menu
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Address :
51 Linebrook Rd
Ipswich, MA, 01938 - Phone (978) 356-9411
- Website https://www.1640harthouse.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Romantic
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Andrew G.
I have been to the 1640 Hart House many times. Unfortunately I can't seem to find it on Yelp! Perhaps due to the poor cell service as this restaurant is just off the beaten path a bit. But just enough where you know you're in the right spot, but not too far away from downtown (less than 5 mins). The pub menu is very reasonable for the quick dine in, and the pub itself is incredibly cozy. The restaurant itself is very cozy as well. I have always had great meals here. The duck is usually prepared differently depending on the season, but was cooked perfectly. If you eat duck than you know it is a very difficult food to cook right. The last time I was there I had a lamb shank that was the biggest, but also very tender, that I have ever seen. I couldn't finish it. The only thing keeping this from being a 5 star review was the service the last few times. Although very nice, the absence sometimes was too long between visits. The last few times I have been I have had to search for my waitress both times. Not a deal breaker by any means, but the wait staff could have been more attentive. Both times were not terribly busy so I can't let it slide, unfortunately. But between the atmosphere and well prepared and tasty food, this place will always be a repeat.
(4)Jessica G.
What an amazing place. It's been my parents favorite for 30 years. We sat in the pub and I got the fish burrito. Yum! Fresh fish, slaw and a terrific sauce. And the lobster corn bisque was divine. Don't forget dessert. Bread pudding, nom nom nom. Big portions. Fab cocktails. Great service. Good for kids. Love the history of it. Highly recommended. Long waits so plan ahead!
(5)Natalie M.
My husband and I made dinner reservations here to celebrate our anniversary, and we were both wowed. The restaurant itself has a great atmosphere (fireplaces, candles on the table), and the staff were all very warm and helpful. We shared a bottle of the wine that was on special, and really enjoyed it. We both had a steak dinner and the sauce that was served with the meal was delicious. Huge portions for dinner, but we wanted to split a dessert. We opted for the caramel bread pudding. It was so yummy. Although the restaurant was packed (especially for a Thursday night), we never felt rushed, and our service was always very prompt. We'll be back again!
(5)Steve S.
Hit this place up on a Sunday after checking out the Ipswitch scene. As usual, the Yelp community did not disappoint with an accurate rating of a fine restaurant establishment. Cool decor, and friendly staff. GF and I sat down, and were greeted by a friendly server and a nice assortment of breads. I m not just talking some white and wheat rolls, but they had breads with berries in it and even had popovers (Look it up if you are not sure what these are. My GF knew, otherwise that is what I would have done). We ordered drinks, French Onion Soup, and a fish soup. They came out in these monster bowls. Both were delicious and after scarfing down a bunch of bread, and the soup, I was already getting full. However, then came the main course. She had lobster risotto that had large clumps of lobster and the rice was cooked just right. I had pasta with garlic and cream sauce with scallops and shrimp. The fish was all very fresh, and the price was affordable. Now at first, I thought that the food was extra yummy b.c. I was slightly drunk, but we brought some home and it was quite good the next day as well. I would be back if I was up this way again. Go Ipswich!
(4)Herb Z.
Great traditional New England restaurant. Try eating on the deck during the summer, it's real nice. Food and service are great!
(4)David M.
THE BEST SEAFOOD RISOTO I EVER ATE! Charming historic building, with multiple modestly sized dining rooms that allow for quiet dining. A great place for a romantic dinner.
(4)D M.
I visited to the 1640 Hart House last weekend to try the food and see their function space before deciding where to book a rehearsal dinner. First walking in, I fell in love. The place is incredibly charming. However, when we were brought down into the basement to be seated, I wasn't thrilled. It was extremely cold down there - yes, of course it's a drafty several hundred year old structure - but I think it's time they fixed that problem with some insulation and more heating ducts (or a working fireplace). After one member of our party asked the waiter about turning on the fireplace twice, he finally came back to tell us that it was broken and the room would become too smokey. (Sounds like maybe they just needed the chimney swept.) After that, she asked about turning on the heat twice before he finally did (or his manager did.) Sitting in the basement though, we could only feel the heat when we stood. My feet were blocks of ice for the entire meal. The only other thing I disliked about the atmosphere was how dark it was. I'm all for mood lighting, but another light bulb or candle in the room wouldn't have hurt. The food was good, although I hated how heavy the bread was. The homemade salad dressing was wonderful. I had the Hart House Chicken which was quite good, but not great. Everyone in the party seemed to enjoy their meals. The chicken pot pie looked incredible. The waiter did neglect us for quite a while and he also forgot a few requests - one guest asked for ketchup which he didn't remember until the rest of us had basically finished our meals. At that point, she was able to start eating her meal. My water glass was left empty for a little longer than I would have liked, luckily not everyone at my table is a water drinker, so I was able to take over another water when mine wasn't refilled quickly enough. The food did taste very good, unfortunately something that I ate there didn't sit well and I ended up sick when we got home. Of course this was unpleasant, but I know it could simply have been something in the food to which only I was sensitive. Needless to say, if I ever make it back there again, I won't be ordering the homemade blue cheese or the Hart House chicken. Just in case. Oh and on one final note, we were able to see the owner and ask her about booking a function. The place was incredibly busy, so she was likely stressed at the time, but she didn't seem very pleasant. She did show us the room our party would fit in and she also ran up to her office to print us the menus but body language really is everything and she just didn't seem interested in booking any functions at that time. Oh well, on with the search.
(2)Mimi B.
I just returned from a birthday dinner at the 1640 Hart House in Ipswich. What a great place! Walking in is like taking a time machine back to the colonies. Great ambiance, candle lit throughout, lively bar, and the food was really, really good. First, the portions are huge, so think about sharing. We started with the best brioche basket-warm and crunchy. Two of us got Mashed potatoes yummy for comfort food folks; sesame coated tuna-great; lamb chops were delicious; pumpkin ravioli so good. Our only complaint was the chicken pot pie--it had a great crust and veggie mix, but so few chicken pieces we almost sent it back. We all had doggie bags. The dessert menu looked so good we will have to go back just for a try. We did get the best bread pudding EVER for a birthday cake, and it tasted like french toast in the shape of a pie. Our waitress was friendly, attentive and at times funny. A great night. Price wise entrees are 16 to 26 with high side being steaks. Tons of food, so easy to share and then have room for dessert.
(5)Darius K.
First thing to know is that this place is divided into a fancy restaurant section and a more laid-back pub section. The menus are also divided: the restaurant menu is pretty pricey, with $20 to $35 entrees, and the pub menu is less so, with anything from $8 sandwiches to a $25 steak. You can order from either menu in the pub, though. I ate at the pub, and I really enjoyed the food. The artichoke gratin with pita chips was good but not great. The fried calamari was, again, good but not great. The lobster, corn, and chive soup was fantastic. It tasted mostly like an extraordinarily creamy corn chowder, but with strong notes of chive and a few pieces of lobster. I got the steak tips for my entree and was pleasantly surprised: steak tips are hit-or-miss for me, and these were a dead-on hit. I also have to agree with yelper Amy K. that the blue cheese dressing was incredibly good. It tasted sort of like buttermilk and blue cheese blended together. My dinner partners enjoyed their entrees as well. Also of note is the atmosphere: it's cozy old-school New England in the best way possible. And I mean old-school New England in the sense of, well, back in the 17th century when they were trying to make things seem as much like home (Ye Olde England) as possible. With drinks, appetizer, entree, and tip our meal came out to about $45 per person.
(4)Tai Z.
Very good food, lovely interior, mediocre service. I'm always surprised when a server at a $50/per-person meal lets a water glass stay empty for 20+ minutes. What's up with the exterior? On the outside, it looks like a junky pizza place on steroids! (Perhaps it looks better in the daytime? I doubt it.) The wine we had was good and a bargain! My only real complaint is that I ate too much. :)
(4)James G.
great food and awesome atmosphere. Love going here.
(4)Jerry C.
This has typically been one of our favorite restaurants as we are local to the area. However on a recent visit there were five of us celebrating a belated birthday dinner. Our reservation was for 7:30 and we were promptly seated in the lower dining room very dark with poor lighting , now I am all about intimate dining but I want to see what I am eating. We ordered drinks and two were poorly made and had to go back to be corrected. We ordered dinners all of which came with a complimentary salad. The skimpy salads arrived swimming in balsamic vinegar there was very little lettuce a few carrots shavings on top, these were clearly left over salads from the wedding going on up stars. We attempted to order one of their more popular wines which they were out of , can you imagine being out of a moderately priced wine at 7:30 on a Saturday night? I attempted to order a Grey goose citron martini. They were out of Grey goose. Someone didn't check the liquored cabinet before unlocking the doors. The entrees arrived. Two of us ordered the roasted chicken which was so salty we could not eat it. My partner had the cider brine pork which gave him Montezuma revenge all night. When we tried to talk about the poor salad presentation and salty food, the waitress sluffed it off and told us she would say something to the kitchen. The manager never came over to acknowledge our poor dining experience. It will be a while before we return. Buyer beware if there is a function going on when you arrive eat at your own risk
(2)M N.
I'm not really one to make lists of places for potential rehearsal dinners, birthday celebrations, etc., but if I were to make one... 1640 Hart House would be on it. The building itself is immaculate- looked like there were several private dining rooms but what I think is the pub area (long and narrow room) with leather high back georgian wing chairs is great. Intimate and cozy, perfect for a date night or celebratory dinner. The portions are quite large, which is nice for sharing. It's not that I was not impressed with the food, it was all good, but I could tell it wasn't the BEST quality ingredients (thinking specifically of the cheese on the margherita pizza). Maybe I am just used to going out in the Boston/Cambridge area and expect a spendy dinner tab at the end of the night, but this was surprisingly reasonable given the portion sizes and *very* full glasses of wine served. Will make a point of coming back here next time in the area just to sit in those comfy chairs once more!
(4)Eddie C.
It's on the pricey side and a bit of an older crown 60+. The food is good and the bar makes decent cocktails. It's always dark inside so be prepared to bring a flashlight or use your phone to read the menu. It is not a bad place to go if you don't mind waiting for a table. Better yet make sure you do a reservation before going.
(4)Casey B.
Great atmosphere, very cozy and comforting!! This restaurant has the slanty floors and walls, and has everything in tact from the 1600's. The bottle of red wine we had was excellent... a David Bruce 2006 Pinot Noir. For apps we had the eggplant, stuffed clams, escargot, etc. and everything was delicious except the stuffed clams had too much bread/flour and not enough seafood. Our dinners were excellent as well! I had the gnocci which was absolutely delicious. Definitely reccommend this restaurant!
(5)Wendy P.
Sorry Hart House. This is my mothers favorite Resturant, she eats here once a week. Every birthday and Christmas I buy her a gift certificate to this restaurant. The place is super cute and has a lot of history. The food was very good but the service was terrible! Our waitress was rude from the beginning. Brining us wrong food and giving us attitude about it. She obviously didn't like our kids for some unknown reason, they were very well behaved watching their iPads quietly the whole time. Half way through the dinner she changed her attitude to condescending and started calling us Hun. The ultimate sin was dropping our check and leaving. It was handwritten and hard to read in the dark room. We were 4 adults and 2 kids. My stepfather grabbed the bill and was prepared to tip on the amount. I called the waitress over and asked if she included the tip. Ina rude tone she said Yes it's clearly written on the check. Well it wasn't clear and she added 20%!!!! Food was great, experience Sucked!
(2)RL C.
A great pub. Beautifully decorated with low lighting, dark wood, and leather chairs. The bar is stocked well and the food is excellent.
(4)Chloe S.
I went to the Hart House last Friday night with my boyfriend and had an absolutely wonderful experience. Originally we had planned to eat in the pub area, and we actually put our names on the waiting list before heading over there. Upon arrival, however, we realized that the pub area was too busy and loud for our tastes and so we asked to be seated in the dining area instead. They sat us immediately in a ground floor room with low ceilings, exposed dark beams and a large open fireplace. The ambiance was definitely key :-) Both of our meals were fabulous (hanger steak, artichoke chicken) and I got a huge glass of Pinot Noir for a very good price. And we decided to end the evening with the blueberry cobbler which was also excellent. And to top it off, our waitress was absolutely amazing. Such wonderful service made it a pleasure to eat there. In the end it was a great meal for an awesome price (the bill came out to a little over 50 - we were surprised!) I highly recommend it and we will definitely be going back!
(5)C. B.
The Hart House never fails to impress. The atmosphere is warm and inviting. The bar area is great if you're looking for a more casual drink with friends, and the dining area and private rooms are wonderful for a more formal night out. The food is always great, as is the service. If you're planning on going there during the weekend, think about making a reservation, as it is always packed.
(5)Jessie S.
This place is a great atmosphere for a fancier cocktail in the evening, or an upscale event or special occasion. The service is wonderful, the drinks are strong, and the food is amazing, though sometimes a little oversalted for my taste.
(4)Journey M.
Charming and quaint the Hart House is a great place to go for a romantic dinner. Full of quiet nooks and fireplaces the atmosphere is warm and inviting. The menu is much larger than it was before it changed hands a few years ago with lots of variety and something for everyone. Our clam chowder, escargot, roasted chicken and steak tips were all delicious. The sides for the main entrees were redundant and not very imaginative which was disappointing. The service was good but SLOW so beware if you are in a hurry stick to sitting in the pub. If not enjoy the pace and savor the food it is worth it.
(4)Andrew D.
The Heart House is a home and now restaurant built in 1640 and its off the beaten track which still doesn't stop it from filling with locals that like to eat. The bar is nice and some of the dining areas have low ceilings and are reached through narrow staircases with smaller doors. The food is not typical pub fare and its not diner fare either but all sticks to your ribs like good home cooking with a modest twist should. I make it here every three or four months since I don't work one town away as I used to but once I introduced my brother and father to this place I hear they go almost every week. And the best part ... they don't say "enjoy" after they serve the food ... because they know you will.
(5)Angela B.
After spending the day at Crane Beach we were looking for a pub atmosphere and a couple of cold ones. We found the 1640 Hart House on Yelp! We were so pleasantly surprised by the uniqueness of the tavern and the history of the place. The food was excellent. The service was friendly. At first I felt a little under dressed with sand in my shoes but soon enough we saw some other casual diners. I would highly recommend this place!
(4)Christine S.
This is a wonderful New England eating experience. Be prepared for Boston prices in the dining room but experience suburb portion sizes (you'll take home half of the steak). Wonderful house wines, and they pour a good glass (unlike chain restaurants that give you a shot of wine in an over sized glass). House salad dressing is excellent. Let the chef lead the way when ordering sides and I think you'll be pleased with the selections of veg. and starch on the plate. The tavern is wonderfully cozy with high back wing chairs and a pub style menu for lighter fare. You can rent many of the 'house' rooms for parties. The fireplaces are all real with logs (no gas jets here) and give off a wonderful warmth. Watch your step EVERYWHERE. In and out of the bathrooms, between the rooms, out the back door. But if you can navigate this your in for a wonderful evening.
(4)Dan L.
First time there...and last time...we sat in the Tavern in the most uncomfortable chairs....they are way to low to actually eat at the table....we ordered the fish and chips, which were not prepared properly. The inside was OK but the batter was awful. We both ate around the batter.....
(1)Matt P.
After visitng the Hart house a few more times since my original visit I have really come to love this place. You really come here for the atmosphere, which is pretty cool with its old charm and slanting floors. The food is always cooked well, although I thought it lacked a lot flavor in my first visit. They have a nice loung with additional seating upstairs. Service is always good- a nice balance of attentiveness and leaving you alone to enjoy!
(5)Marly M.
Based solely on Yelp reviews, we decided to try the Hart House. We were impressed, it's a great hidden gem! The 1640 has a very rustic, romantic feel. The ambiance is dimly lit and low key. Our small dining room was illuminated solely by the candles on every table. We were immediately impressed with the menu variety and long specials list. For example, they offered a lobster risotto and ribeye ($30 as a special), a bacon wrapped beef tenderloin, a prime rib, ny sirloin, a few chicken, pork, duck and pasta dishes. The HH also has a martini list as well as a great wine list by the bottle & glass. The French Onion soup was perfect, not overly salty but tasty and large. My husband had the oysters (1/2 dozen for $9) as an app special; they were fresh and delicious. We both thoroughly enjoyed our entries . The ribeye/lobster risotto special was excellent. My tenderloin was cooked to perfection and the accompanying mashed potatoes were amazing. Our server was friendly and accommodating. Unlike in a previous review, our water glasses were filled without us having to ask. Bread-like muffins and butter were served at the beginning of our meal too. I highly recommend the 1640 HH. We'll definitely add this place to our list of favorite dinner locations and look forward to visiting again...definitely try it.
(5)Tom J.
Food is Excellent, cool place to go with family and friends. Lots of little and big rooms in this historic house. Winter will be nice with the fireplaces lit. Meal was not rushed, 6 of us enjoyed dinner and desert for over 2.5 hours. Reservations are a must - average wait without 2.5hrs+. Cant say enough about this place. Great Pub menu as well and the Pub is very charming with great serving staff
(5)Daniel N.
Very intimate. classy. Great place to bring a date or just some good family dining. Good food also.
(5)Lia M.
For a Tuesday night, this restaurant was very busy, and with good reason - the food is great. It's an old home, so it has low ceiling, wood floors, a fireplace - it's nice. The hostess was friendly. Our waitress was OK - I asked her a question and she said she didn't know, and she didn't offer to find out. I had to ask her to find out. She wasn't overly friendly, but she ended up leaving a pitcher of water on the table, which was nice. We started with eggplant napoleon, which was tasty. I had the parmesan crusted sole, which was good, but covered with onions. Onions are strong - you don't need to many too overpower a dish. But it was good anyways. My sister had the crab stuffed haddock, and she said it was too salty. All the food here is heavy - it's typical New England fare. I liked my dad's meal the best - he had salmon with a lobster sauce. It was very good. We did not try dessert, but definitely want to in the future.
(4)Jane B.
A quaint old home that has been turned into a restaurant and pub. The decor of the restaurant is very New England and super cozy when there is a fire going in the fire places. The menu of the restaurant is filled with traditional classics as well as some fusion with some newer recipes. Once seated, you're presented with a basket filled with delicious breads. The prices in the restaurant are a bit steeper than if you opt to eat in the pub, which features a fantastic 1640 salad with field greens, goat cheese, walnuts with a vinaigrette dressing - I usually get mine with grilled chicken but you can also get other add ons. The burgers and other sandwiches in the pub are also good. Portion size is larger than average too. The pub decor is more of an English/old American style, and somewhat dark, but it creates a nice ambiance. The new management has also created an outdoor roof deck which is very nice when the weather cooperates. Service is almost always great. In the many times I've been here I can only recall 1-2 times where service was not top-notch. You won't find cheap food here but you will find good food.
(5)Patricia F.
My son took me here for my birthday on a Sunday night in January (the coldest day that we had so far this year). Since he had made reservations and requested seating near a fireplace, we had a wonderful table in a small room next to a large blazing fire. This was our first time eating here and the food was wonderful. We shared a seafood cake appetizer that was the best I have ever had. I had the duck which was amazingly crispy on the outside and juicy inside, while he had a steak that was cooked to perfection. Both came with a salad and sides, a very nice touch as most restaurants now do salad ala cart. And I did try the blue cheese dressing per suggestion of others on this site and it was outstanding. I had a wonderful large glass of wine (I asked about the wine specials and a waitress actually steared me to a different glass of red that cost less than the specials). My son had ordered a cake for dessert which looked like a package complete with a chocolate bow and a candle. Very impressive! The place was mobbed for a Sunday night which was nice to see. The only downside of our evening was the attention given us by our waitress. She also had a table next to us of 6 who appeared to be locals and they got tremendous service while we had to try to get her attention, even to get the bill. Others have mentioned this as a problem as well. . But I would definitely go back to eat in the pub and now I heard they also do Sunday brunch so that is on my radar to try.
(5)Sonia J.
This is consistently an excellent restaurant. The food and drinks are always good. Make sure to call ahead to make a reservation as it gets very busy there. Can't recommend this place enough. Huge portions also, so that you can bring the leftovers home for another meal. 2 complaints: the bar closes too early! and the service can be on the slow side if they're real busy, which is most of the time! : )
(4)Donna M.
We usually go here once a year in November or December with a group of 10-15. We always reserve one of th eprivate rooms and it really lends to the cozy intimate atmosphere. Last night, I had the Tenderloin withh fried oysters and my husband had the seared tuna. Both were excellent and done to perfection. Portions are substantial, so you will either leave full or with a doggy bag! The martinis are wonderful, but do be careful, the more you have, the more the 300 + year old floors seem to wobble!
(4)Jessica R.
My husband and I held our wedding rehearsal dinner here and LOVED it! We were planning our wedding from out of state, so we never saw the Hart House until we showed up for our rehearsal dinner (the restaurant was recommended to us by our wedding venue). We took a bit of a chance, but we ended up LOVING the hart house! It was amazing! The private room was so lovely - it was better than I could have dreamed. The fireplace was roaring and the sofas surrounding it made for a darling sitting area. They also had adorable icicles hanging from the ceiling, which made the room feel magical. The room was very private, quiet and elegant. The service was great and the food was AMAZING! We had a 2-dinner buffet (including appetizers and dessert) and everything was delicious. We could not have been happier!!
(5)Matthew C.
It is a nice old house that has MANY rooms and if you can get one, you might be lucky, depending on who is in the rooms with you. Privacy and quiet might be a plus! Brunch is pricey but good, all you can eat, which isn't unusual, but their MUSIC, IS SO L-O-U-D ... IT IS HARD TO HEAR THE OTHER PERSON NEXT TO YOU! Their live piano and I think saxaphone or something else, WOULD be nice, if you were in ANOTHER room, as well it is just LOUD and when they take a break, I know myself and my family relaxed as the place turned back to normal. Just have some classical music on the house speakers at a LOW LEVEL! I sound like such an old man. The food is good and the place is nice, just a bit pricey and their Brunch is LOUD! Fireplaces make for a Winter Wonderland when it's COLD outside and WARM inside. Good for groups in rooms, but don't steal food and bring plastic seal bags RED HAT LADIES! OH YA! I was there when you took the dessert gobblets! SHAME ON YOU! If you need to save money do NOT go to this place as it's expensive, get hot pockets instead! Leave the pricey and NICE food for us!
(4)Ann G.
Wonderful and there is a ghost. Though a skeptic my wine glass kept moving all by itself. Witnessed by my even more skeptical dinner partner... That was fun.
(4)J B.
Very good food and service was excellent. Drinks took a very long time - but we had a large group which may have set them back some.
(4)Kelly F.
I am more than satisfied by the Hart House; I (heart) the Hart House. It's warm and cozy rooms, big fireplaces and delicious meals make it a favorite for a romantic dinner out. The service I've had there has been really good and the food... did I mention the food is delicious?!?! YUM! I don't think the prices are that bad. Maybe my idea of a nice night out is different than the other reviewers. It's not like the tasting menu at No. 9 Park or anything! Anyhow, great place for a cozy dinner with your S.O. It's been our go to place for the last few birthdays, anniversaries, etc. Really enjoyable. MAKE A RESERVATION- and try to plan ahead. They can be really busy. The parking lot fills up as well and it's gravel, so if you're wearing heels you might want somebody to lean on.
(5)Al B.
The current owners - Jim and Kim, did quite a bit to polish up what has always been a hidden jewel (to those that do not know it is there) of Ipswich. Not on the "main drag", this place survives by consistent good food, good service, cleanliness and a unique atmosphere, whether in the Pub or in the restaurant. It is hard to get a table on a Friday or Saturday night, often hard to ge ta seat in the bar any night of the week. I am biased, as I was married here, but the food is consitently great. The bartenders are the best and most friendly in Ipswich (though some of them moonlight at times for other places). The decor, 1600s Ipswich...in a town with more pre-1725 houses than any in America... I have eaten MANY, MANY meals at this place, and can not recall a bad one. Salads are good, the 1640 Hart House Salad is a classic...as is the Hearts salad with Blue Cheese. Dining Room - best in the Fall, Winter, or Early Spring - with a chill in the air. Bar is good anytime, if you can finad a seat. The only downside is it can be crowded - and they often close the kitchen early, even when they are busy. (Try not to come late) If you are visiting Ipswich, this place is one of the top 5 places that you MUST eat at.
(5)Jay and Jenn O.
We had our wedding rehearsal here and everyone loved it. Food was awesome, service was great, and they give you a big fat pour of wine.
(4)D F.
I'm totally disappointed at my experience at the Hart House. The service was absolutely terrible We showed up in the Pub at 9. We sat a table for 15 (even though bartender saw us). Only by happenstance did a waitress come acknowledge and to tell us that they stop serving at 9. Even when we sat at the bar all they could offer us was oyster crackers (u)sually for chowder. The bartender was annoying -- always butting into our conversation like he was sitting with us. Just terrible. A restaurant is all about service -- and they had none. Don't bother.
(1)Ed B.
Excellent food in a true colonial building. The keepers room was unlike any place I had eaten in before. , but many have since it opened in 1640. Great service and great stories of guests in the past who may have never left. The setting will give you goosebumps and the soup all warm you.
(5)Aaron T.
Loved going back in time simply while by dining at this antiquated establishment that was built only 20 years after the pilgrims landed at Plymouth. After dinner go upstairs to see the hallway that is so slanted due to the age of construction.
(5)Brian G.
My wife and I love this place! We've been twice and both times sat in the tavern. The service has always been great and the food is fantastic. Both times I got the French Onion Soup and it was delicious (very picky about French Onion Soup), also they gave so much I was barely hungry for my dinner. My wife has tried a couple appetizers and was very pleased. Pros: The ambiance is quite nice with high back chairs. The food and portions are great! I like that they have an extensive pub menu (relatively cheap) and a more expensive higher end menu. You can absolutely get out of here cheap (or spend a lot lol). Cons: The only downside is how busy they are and the noise associated with all those people (in the pub side at least). We have added this to our top restaurants in the local area for date night away from the baby.
(5)Jim W.
I score a restaurant based on how they intend to position themselves in the market. 1640 is a Tavern styled restaurant with good value foods. Really fairly priced and very tasty food. We like the bar and pub area around the bar. However would love to be in the dining rooms if we were to dine with other couples. Just charming. However I would have given a 5th star but they lose one for service. This is meant to be constructive and not mean. And this is a consistent issue not a one off night. Fix this and it can be easily fixed the 1640 would be a 5 star location. My one complaint. Bar tenders are consistently slow to recognize the customer, to welcome the patron, and hard to get their attention (unless you know their name) or you're two pretty girls at the end of the bar. They need to smile and make the bar fun. Say things like "will you be dining with us tonight?" I often feel like we're an inconvenience and we're the customer. So train that staff and it's a 5 star location. The staff are actually very nice and not mean, they seem to just need retraining and realize I'm going to tip them consistently for their service.
(4)Bob J.
Been there twice- once for dinner and once for lunch. Dinner was exceptional lunch only ok for me (dry meatloaf) but great onion soup for friend. Wonderful ambience. Great wait staff. Huge glasses of wine. Highly recommend.
(4)John S.
I absolutely love the Hart House The atmosphere, the Calamari and the drinks are awesome! The Hart house is just an amazing place to dine on a cold winter night. The name rings true: the restaurant is literally set in a 1640 house! The downstairs dining room is my absolute favorite, it houses a huge hearth and fireplace that is usually lit with a nice fire. The small room holds about five or six tables and is an ideal location for an elegant night out. The only thing keeping me from giving the Hart house a full five stars are two things: the food is not salted (at all) and my Wife's birthday. A few months ago, I made reservations for a very specific seat for the two of us in the downstairs dining room. I made the reservations a week in advance and called to confirm the day before. When we arrived, we here told we had to wait about ten minutes, which was fine, but it ended up being more than twenty minutes. We were finally taken to our seat and a young girl who arrived just after us was seated at our reserved table. I didn't say anything because I figured we would still enjoy our meal and conversation, even though we didn't get the table we wanted. About five minutes after we sat down, the girl who was given our seat had three other young female guests arrive. Now, this wouldn't be a problem but the four girls were SO loud! We literally couldn't hear each other talk across the table. Every other party in the room was also clearly annoyed by this. This still doesn't stop my love for the Hart House, so please don't let this stop you from going there!
(4)Casey H.
I've come here with my parents a few times and had a nice dinner, had good food, and was treated well. During my most recent visit, I came with group of friends. We had an 8 o'clock reservation and didn't get seated until 9pm. The waitstaff ignored us and we were eventually stashed in a tiny room upstairs with very uncomfortable chairs. The food was fine but we were just tired from having to stand around all night. We definitely weren't treated as well as other patrons for some reason. I originally wanted to have my wedding rehearsal dinner here but have reconsidered due to my last experience. Rude, snotty staff and management would definitely ruin the night. Don't think I'll be back here for any reason.
(1)Bert B.
I met 2 other couples here Saturday night with a reservation. Everything from the food and service was excellent. My wife and I love the rustic decor as well as the great food we'll be back on our own or with friends sometime soon.
(5)Glenn K.
After a long hiatus, we finally returned to the 1640 Hart House and I must say, we really enjoyed (and missed!) everything about this place. The atmosphere alone is worth the visit but the staff and of course the food really make this place shine! It's one of the busiest places around and once you try it you'll understand why.
(4)Geoffrey G.
May be the most enjoyable New England country Inn dinner. Delicious meal, our group enjoyed English cut roast beef, mussels in wine sauce, rack oh lamb, roast pork. Very good cocktails, wide choice of wines and beer. Fabulous dine, quiet cozy, fireplaces dining on a snowy night. It doesn't get better than this my friends!
(5)p h.
If you're lucky enough to get Nicole as you're server you are in for a perfect night. Went there with my family tonight and she anticipated all the needs of two young kids, plus us adults. Great food and wine recommendations, food cooked perfectly and very tasty. Wonderful night - can't wait to come back...without the kids next time.
(5)Kevin C.
A great atmosphere. It is a busy spot of Valentine's Day. Our steaks weren't made to our liking...it could have been the busy holiday.
(4)Sarah K.
WOW Yes, this is as good as it gets in the North Shore for tasty eating. I sat in the tavern area. Be warned - the bread basket alone is incredibly delicious with a raisin bread and a roll that seems to be apple/cinnamon scented. I attempted to not fill up on bread, not sure I won that fight. I got the baked scallops; they were amazing and the mashed potatoes were fantastic. 4 out of 5 stars for the Shrimp and Scallop sautee that my dad got - it was good but the heavy cream on it was too much for me. I preferred the baked scallops. Can't wait to go again when I'm in the area and learn more about this cool place. Only down side - my water glass was constantly empty and I had to really work to get it refilled.
(5)Kevin C.
1640 Hart House is my favorite restaurant in Massachusetts. It is a very romantic setting and the old colonial interior is cozy and beautiful. The meal is excellent whether you eat in the tavern section or the main restaurant areas. Portions are very generous and the service is great. I recommend it to everyone!
(5)Stan S.
We live close to the Hart House and have eaten there many times through the years. We had called last month to reserve an upstairs room for a special occasion party of 14. When confirming the reservation two days before the intended date, we were told that we were "bumped" from the room by a "bigger party". If we had not called, it does not seem that they would have advised us of the change and we would have showed up having to be told by the hostess about this change upon checking in. We were seated at a long table in the bar area which did not allow for the intended socializing that the private room would have. In addition, at 6:30 pm, the kitchen was out of their "famous" popovers and also the rack of lamb. The night was busy but it would seem that their planning could have been better Our waitress was lovely and could not have been more accommodating. However, no one from the management team came over to check on us after the change or to even offer a dessert or two for the table. It appears that some eating establishments feel confident that the crowd will continue to follow no matter what. Well...I know of 14 people who have no intentions of returning anytime soon.
(2)Clare F.
This would have been a 4, but one star off for service. I went here for a family Sunday dinner and it took us a good half hour (at least) to get everyone's drink order back to the table. It wasn't super busy either. The rest of the evening was solid. The food was delicious - just classic New England fare. Nothing stuffy, but all around good. I got scallops, my grandmother got duck, there were a few steaks around the table. Just about everyone licked their plates clean. The bathrooms are super cool. The ladies' room has some old timey french countryside scenes as wallpaper, and the mens' room has old maps (my husband took a photo for me; don't worry yelpers I didn't sneak in!)
(3)Kimberly K.
Atmosphere is very cool. Incredibly old and cozy on a cold winter night. The drinks were so-so and the food was very good. But I'm wondering why it wasn't as awesome as what everyone says? Good enough, but not amazing.
(3)Denise M.
I was here a few of years ago with girlfriends. Honestly, I still remember eating at the pub side of the restaurant, ordering the rack of lamb and being delightfully happy. The staff were lovely, the food was great and my friend who is as particular as myself goes often for date night and friends outing. I'm not sure about the negative reviews but I just made a reservation again and am thrilled to be going back.
(5)Jeff O.
One of our favorite restaurants, this place is oozing with character. Going upstairs is like traveling back in time. And I could fall asleep with a massive glass of wine in the comfy leather seats in the bar area. The portions are generous and the prices are surprisingly affordable for the quality of the food. Love it here!
(5)Sarah B.
Not a lot of parking, and it seems to be right in the middle of a neighborhood, so I felt like I was parking in front of somebody's private residence, but the food was outstanding. I went to a birthday party and we were in a side room - there were approximately 15 of us, and we were obnoxious, but seemed to be out of the way of regular diners on the Friday night we were there. We didn't interrupt their flow of customers, and they were on top of things as far as drink service, taking orders, bringing out food. My biggest recommendation would have to be the sangria - excellent drink choice!
(4)Brianna R.
AMAZING! Great atmosphere - good service and amazing food! We went there with another couple and it was awesome. They live in NH and we live in Boston, so a great meeting place between to the two areas. Try it out - you will love it!
(5)aja m.
This place doesn't need my good review but I really liked it here. Ate dinner with a friend, food was incredibly delicious and wait staff was friendly and fast. The interior is so gorgeous I couldn't get over it, very romantic and cozy. Can't wait to go back!
(5)D B.
I have never been to the Hart House until recently. I cannot understand why, no one I know ever mentioned it. What a undiscovered GEM! Old fashioned quality service nice New England Style menu with a few Southern Additions! I was surprised they sell a champagne cocktail made with St. Germaine - Elder Flower Liqueur from France. No one seems to even know what that is, except for a few of us who drinking it with Seltzer in the Summer. We dined in the Tavern, Menu which costs a bit less, seats were sink in tufted leather wing back chairs, excellent Waitresses! She was polite, kind, and attentive. This was an escape from the rude and boring chain restaurants. I think if we could have found a B&B nearby we would had a Martini drinking test.... We will be back again, I bet its a love for Thanksgiving or other Holidays! Dying to try more of their menu and visit again!
(5)Vandermeer V.
The 1640 House is a charming restaurant and always packed with Ipswichers and nearby locals. Food is consistently delicious. All bar drinks including wine are generously portioned. This is an authentic ancient building with lots of New England atmosphere. It is the stomping grounds of so many people I know. Keep it casual in the pub or have an elegant fireside dinner in any three of the lovely side dining rooms. For a fall or winter dinner have the pot roast in the bar... delicious roast beef and one of many new england deserts... love the Indian pudding. So many people have used this restaurant as a party venue. They have a lovely event room in the rear with a grand piano. I have been to brunches, cocktail parties and even after funeral receptions. It's our special Ipswich restaurant.
(5)Liz O.
My husband and I dined at the Hart House last night. We arrived at 6:10 for a 6:30 reservation. We checked in and received no response. At 6:30 my husband checked and was told our table wasn't ready. At 6:45 they couldn't eveln locate our reservation! All the while we were sitting in front of the hostess station! At 7:00 we were seated and told our desserts would be complimentary. Food was just ok. My husbands prime rib was very fatty my rack of lamb was interesting, potatoes au gratin were nice. Service was spotty and not very warm and friendly. My husband ordered plain ice cream since then kitchen couldn't guarantee any desert was "tree nut free", he has an allergy. My creme brûlée was burned. I said nothing, after all it was complimentary, but any kitchen or server should have noticed it was burnt! The atmosphere was the best part of the evening. I doubt we will return. There are many other restaurants who are looking for the business and know how to treat customers.
(3)Sam S.
This place has it all - the place is very rustic and very old, but has been kept up superbly. The staff is incredibly kind, courteous and very hard working. It is the best of both worlds - if you want pub fare, there is a great bar and lounge with leather seats. It is very warm, cozy and comfortable - also a great place to watch a game. The menu is very diverse, very reasonably priced and the food is delicious. Some of our favorites are the eggplant, reuben sandwich, Hart House salad. Now, the best part - their drinks are incredible large and not expensive - no half glass of wine here - you get a goblet of good wine for about $7 per glass and their hard drinks are over the top and inexpensive. Great bartenders. Now, if you want a more formal, but still warm and cozy (and very rustic) environment, the dining room serves a fine dining menu. We have not eaten in the dining room yet, but they also offer this menu on the bar side. Had the scallops from this menu and they were fantastic. It truly is the quaintest place in New England!
(5)Thomas N.
lunch recently....lovely old place with big red leather chairs (some women gor cushions as the chairs were so deep)....fireplaces...pretty busy...service was very nice though a little confused, martinis with a twist became dirty martinins???, ok we like them to so we kept them, chicken fried steak good, potatoes excellent, mixed grill was good, nice plae, seemed to have a lot of regulars which is always a good sign.
(4)Cindy C.
Delcious food, cool ambiance with loads of history, and romantic/dimly lit atmosphere. Loved our waitress. Chef did a terrific job with our meals/steaks. A special place for a date night!
(5)Eileen B.
One star taken off for not being sitted in restaurant. The food in the pub section is rather good. Just a little noisier than the main restaurant. The steaks are decent size, and cook just right.
(4)Spencer D.
It's nice to live in Ipswich and have such a great restaurant to go to. When you eat here it is like going back in time. We've been to the 1640 Hart House 5 times in the past year. Their American menu is robust. Their steaks are huge, cooked to perfection and are mouth watering. All around great atmosphere and phenomenal food. When friends come to visit us in Ipswich they always want to go back to the Hart House. No surprise here 5 BIG STARS!
(5)Terri Lee S.
I've had many wonderful dining experiences at the Hart House. The food is always good. This review is for our experience with getting drinks in the pub. We like to bring friends from out of town to the pub either for dinner or for drinks after dinner. We love the cozy atmosphere and showing off Ipswich history. However, the last two time we went there just for drinks later in the evening the wait staff made it very clear that we were not welcomed. Once about 6 months ago we sat down sometime between 9 and 10 and the waitress just snapped at us about not serving food in a few minutes. This last visit the waitress kept us waiting for quite awhile even though the place was pretty empty. Proceeded to clean the table next to then snapped "Do you know what you want". Had to ask for a drink/wine menu....never got the dessert menu we asked for. More time passed before whe returned for our order. Every interaction with the waitress was curt. Our guest even commented. Our bill was small granted but when my husband asked for change, they gave him a 5 dollar bill instead of 5 ones. Gee what was the hint there. After the uncomfortable interactions with the waitress, no way was he going to leave a whole 5 dollars. If you don't want people coming in for drinks after 8 o'clock, or people sitting in the pub area later for just drinks..... please put a sign up. Otherwise talk to your wait staff.
(2)Heather A.
I just love eating at The Hart House. My husband and I often go and sit in the Tavern side for dinner or at the bar. The bartenders, Barry and Paula, are very attentive and they know how to make a great chocolate martini. Not only are the drinks delicious, the food is outstanding. My favorite picks are the 1640 Salad, crab cakes and the filet. It is a treat when they have fried clams on their appetizer specials. It is also great to see Rosalie, a long time waitress, still attending to her own dining room and people walking out with big smiles from her great service. I admire a 70 year old woman that can hustle about and enjoy every minute of it. There isn't much to complain about here. Although at time there can be a long wait for a table, it is well worth every minute/hour. It gets two thumbs up from me. Now I think I will be heading there for dinner again tonight.
(5)Frank M.
Went last night for our anniversary dinner. The seafood risotto was excellent. Service was great. Unfortunately, we sat next to a very loud party of 6 which kind of ruined the intimate dining experience we were accustomed too. Wish the manager had stepped in and ask them to tone it down. But food was great.
(4)Sue C.
This place has become a tradition for both EASTER and THANKSGIVING, food is fabulous, as is the wait staff and historical atmosphere. We are usually a group of 20-25 and they have no problem accomodating us (with months of advance notice). Our group would not even consider going anywhere but! PS: There turkey dinner is delicious!
(5)Sean W.
We waited at the entrance for at least 15 mins and no one even cared to talk to us. The restaurant wasn't even busy. The waiters were just chatting with each other and ignored us. HORRIBLE SERVICE!
(1)Kris S.
The warmth and charm of the location is matched by great food and service. I have lived in Ipswich for 28 years and when I want a meal that is well prepared and delicious but not overly fancy, this is my first choice. The Yorkshire Puddings are great and I have never had anything that wasn't prepared well. Prime rib, fish and the deserts are all good choices. They take pride in filling you with good home cooked quality meals.
(5)Jim O.
We must have ordered the wrong things. I found the food pedestrian at best. We were seated in the tavern, the place was packed on Saturday night. We ordered from the restaurant rather than tavern menu, as we were in the mood to eat. The stuffed quahog appetizer tasted of smokey stuffing with some chewy bits which must have been clam, but certainly was not very appetizing. I ordered scallops wrapped in prosciuto. Scallops were pretty small and the prosciiuto tasted like Canadian bacon. The wife had seafood pasta which was just that, no magic at all. We shared a berry cobbler, which was oatmeal and some fruit heated up. The waitress was pleasant enough, although she forgot to bring our bill back after I gave her my credit card. I finally had to go to the front and ask for it. I honestly don't know what people are raving about, this place disappointed us.
(2)Mrs H.
The 1640 Hart House is a favorite! I love the ambiance of this antique building with the tavern like bar. Big comfy chairs, fireplaces and exposed beams all add to the warm atmosphere that make you feel like you're a guest in someone's lovely home. The employees as well make you feel like you are a welcomed guest every time you are there. Whether it's Rose with a funny joke, Julie with her beautiful smile, Barry with a wave from the bar or Sully coming out from the kitchen to say hi, I feel like it's a second home. Now to the real importance of a restaurant, the food and drinks. You know how when you look at a menu and you want over half a dozen of what they are serving and it's impossible to make a choice? Yeah, it's awesome and happens to me whenever I open their menu. The best part is, I know that whatever my choice may be, it will be seasoned and cooked to perfection EVERY time. As for the drinks, no tiny martini glasses here, they do it old school and their cosmos are fantastic! If you go for the first time, try to arrive early so you can get a seat in the tavern. Best clam chowder in New England, so definitely order a cup of that. And if you are overwhelmed by all the delicious choices, the Hart House Chicken is my go to.
(5)Norma R.
Our first time at 1640 Hart House but hopefully not the last! Great food, friendly and attentive service, cozy and and warm atmosphere! One star off because I hate high top tables and that was our only option. Also the dim "mood lighting" was SO dim I had a hard time reading the menu! Looking forward to going back (with a mini flashlight!).
(4)Kathleen H.
Had dinner here a couple weeks ago finally. Food was quite good, prompt service, large menu. Lots of things came with asparagus. I like the rabbit warren set up with little nooks and crannys - but if you are an extra large person, remember to duck.
(4)Philip C.
This place is quintessential New England and definitely one of my favorite spots in all of MA. Whenever I know that I'm headed to The Hart House I am excited because I know that I can count on delicious and hearty food, awesome local beers on tap and a super comfortable atmosphere. The tavern section of the house boasts a long bar along with table seating where you sit in large old leather chairs with a fireplace at the end of the room. Picture it. Oh yeah. Outside of the tavern area and throughout the rest of the house are several different dining rooms varying in size and charm. All of the food is delicious and so far I have never been disappointed with a meal. In the summer I lean towards the seared scallops, broiled haddock and other seafood specials while in the fall and winter I usually go for the Shepard's Pie (bring your best appetite) or the marinated grilled steak tips that are accompanied by a vegetable and fries. All of the prices are reasonable and you get a very generous portion of food with each dish. The different dining rooms make the house the perfect venue for private events. I only wish the Hart House was closer to my house.
(5)Ann M.
Great menu. Love sitting on the Pub side. Ask for Juli. Great drinks. Makes you feel like you are always welcome!
(5)