Palmers Restaurant & Tavern
18 Elm St, Andover, MA, 01810
Palmers Restaurant & Tavern Menu
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Address :
18 Elm St
Andover, MA, 01810 - Phone (978) 470-1606
- Website https://palmers-restaurant.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:30 am - 11
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Trendy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Jessica D.
Palmer's is a wonderful setting for a quiet and classy dinner. The decor of the restaurant is very understated. Our server was amazingly attentive and personable. I had the Beef Tournedos and my friend had the salmon. The food was seasoned and simple and truly brought out the natural flavors of each plate. I would definetely recommend Palmer's for any get together- from a romantic dinner, to a family celebration. They also offer live entertainment through the weekends and have a less formal pub downstairs.
(5)Robyn V.
I thought Palmer's was wonderful! The grouper salad with wasabi dressing (on the specials menu) was delicious! The table outside in the sunshine was heaven and the waitstaff were friendly and made being there fun! I would go back in a second!
(4)J. W.
Being that Palmer's is within walking distance from where I live, makes it a definite go- to place for me. r me. My review is of The Tavern only. Whatever I've ordered from the menu has been very good. My last visit a few days ago I had a seasonal salad of ultra-fresh greens. sliced local peaches, goat cheese, & pecans.. On the menu it included grilled chicken which I asked them to omit - not a problem. The person who waited on our small group wasn't the best, but at the same time wasn't awful. Perhaps it's my warped sense of humor, but I always wonder when they deliver your meal to the table & no utensils if they are bored and its some kind of childish in- house joke just to see what people will do? Ha-ha.... :( Our drinks were good & served promptly. Although is it an antiquated thing to wish and hope for a napkin? It took a few tries, but eventually it happened. The live music is always great - never a cover charge. Yes, it s a small venue & it gets very crowded. I really don't mind . Palmer's will still be my go-to place
(4)Bill Z.
If Andover is your idea of an appealing upscale New England town, then Palmer's would fit into the model. The atmosphere inside, from which you can choose to sit at the bar, or at bistro-style tables, or on the terrace (and I guess outside in nice weather) reflects this. If you prefer more of a pub experience, you can sit at the bar and select from many drafts and food off the pub menu, or you can opt for cocktails or wine from an impressive list as well as the full dinner menu at nearby tables - or some mixture.. Service is top-notch. Since we had had a late lunch earlier in the day, we opted for appetizers and food off the pub menu instead of dinner. I wish I had been hungrier, because the dinner menu appealed more to me both in selection and quality, and that included several very tempting dinner specials. We ordered chowders among us, their regular clam chowder, and tonight's special fish chowder. My clam chowder had a nice little zing to it, not quite sure just what but perhaps lemon, which made it distinctive from other chowders I've had. But the amount of potatoes in the chowder outnumbered the clams by about 5:1. The fish chowder was a bit more balanced, with a hint of bacon flavor. Our meals were off the pub menu, which included the fish tacos, and I ordered a cheeseburger. The fish tacos are a unique take - they had the citrus flavor, but little slaw and instead accompanied by fresh avocado. My burger, ordered medium, came out closer to medium-well but was fine otherwise. It was presented simply, with just the cheese on top, and with lettuce, thick tomato slices, and pickles on the side. I was not impressed with the fries that accompanied the burger. They tasted industrial to me, with what felt like a coating. I feel that for a place like this and a nice burger, hand-cut steak fries would have been more appealing as a side. My overall impression was quite favorable, and if I come here again, as previously mentioned, I plan to be a bit hungrier to sample from the dinner menu. One final warning - if you sit at the smaller bistro tables (square, seat 4), do not place any significant weight on the corners, as the tables will very easily tip. I almost lost our drinks because of that.
(4)George G.
Had dinner there on a Thursday night and tried the "Chef Caught Striped Bass" special. It was delicious -- striped bass is hard to find, and I confirmed it was actually caught by the chef. Went back on Saturday night and had the same meal -- again was fantastic. Everyone else enjoyed their meals as well -- seems there are many great choices on the menu. Probably the best food service in Andover. Bar scene on weekends is lively as well with live music - sometimes even on Thursday nights.
(5)Douglas M.
Returned to my hometown for a funeral and then luncheon at Palmer's. We arrived in groups and we all had to ask which room we were in. None of the staff were acting as hostess or host or if they even cared that we were there. No one seemed to care about our group. Food was good, but there weren't enough desserts to go around. Facility offered pies to those of us who didn't get any desserts. We said, no thanks, because no one else had had pie. Very disappointed in the service and quantity of food. Would go elsewhere next time I am in town.
(2)Maureen F.
Palmers is an old and well established Andover mainstay. Lovely dining rooms, a cozy bar, tables outside on the porch there is something for everyone. The menu ranges from gourmet main dishes to delicious entrees and salads including some of the best panini style sandwiches anywhere. One of our favorites and should be one of yours as well! Palmers is a winner!
(5)Bill D.
Went to Palmers for dinner. Everyone enjoyed their dinner. Drinks and appetizers were good as well. Dinners are pricey and I was taken back when they told me there would be an upcharge if I wanted to change my choice of side. I didn't want what came with the meal and wanted something else. I can go to the 99 and get whatever I want and there is no upcharge. Doesn't speak well for this restaurant....it's a small thing but they should stop this practice.
(3)John C.
My wife and I went for New Years first time.Yes the food was over priced for the small quantity but it was good.The atmosphere was great and the stay very attentive to our needs.The band was very electrifying and has everyone singing and up Danceing.
(5)Steven S.
Stopped in again for lunch with my team and again the food was awesome! The burger is one of the best you can have in MA and the Turkey Palmers with home made chips was very good and John the owner and staff were great. After seeing a one star post I can only imagine it was from a drunk and unruly patron as we will always come back here.
(5)Salvy D.
Went for some dinner and to enjoy some live music. Salmon was absolutely delicious and the steak looked really good as well. Good crowd me atmosphere! The band was great and kept the place hopping all night!
(4)George L.
Upstairs at Palmer's is really great. Rarely busy enough for a wait but the quality of the menu and service is quite high. Our servers have been extremely professional while keeping things relaxed. The steak sliders are phenomenal. Great caesar salad and always an excellent beer selection from downstairs. I usually get something off the specials menu and have always enjoyed myself. Upstairs at Palmer's is a bit expensive but not excessively so for the quality and the service. Pass
(4)Ryan G.
The place is rather pricey, and I will only sit outside because the inside is rather boring and smells gross. The bathrooms are absolutely disgusting. The meals are rather pricey, and there is an up charge if you want to substitute the side dish of your meal. That is just pathetic. The food is average, but certainly nothing to write home about. I stop by occasionally, but only when the other places are busy. I do enjoy sitting outside. Overall it is a decent place, but could use some improvements (open on Sunday...seriously!).
(3)Cynthia E.
Fancy place to relax, unwind, and feel like a special night. The crowd is respectful older gentlemen gathering after work or with their wives. I really enjoyed the food as well. It was delicious. Service was outstanding. Looking forward to coming back someday.
(5)Erin T.
Really surprised at the varied reviews. My husband and I love Palmers. Mondays half price burgers ($6) are the best. Weekend music in the tavern is great- "older' crowd but it is perfect if you aren't 20 something. Prices upstairs are a bit more expensive but quite in line with Andover. PLUS fabulous.
(5)John B.
I've been to Palmers over the years but we've never had great service. Having said that our most recent visit was our last. First, every time we've been to this place at least one of the wait staff has been rude and or unprofessional. Most recently my family and I went in after our fathers wake to have a drink and some dinner. We sat in the bar area and found numerous empty tables. However most of the tables would not accommodate the number of people we had. When we asked if we could put two table tops together the waiter was not nice at all and was just plan rude. In fact someone in our party is a chef and manager and after he asked politely if they could accommodate us he was only met with more resistance. And the waiter got in his face! A restaurant is supposed to accommodate their customers to the best of their ability and in this case the waiter was just plain rude. To make matters worse when we asked for the manager we were told they would come talk to us but they never did. We asked twice. No response. My family and I will never go back here as long as that waiter is employed there. Shame on you guys.
(1)Rodger L.
Best New England clam chowder I have ever had, but I was not as impressed with the swordfish. Great service, but would go with a different menu option next time
(3)Jennifer S.
We picked this place because of the outside seating. It was a perfect night to sit outside. If I had to judge it only on the food, I would give it 5 stars. I have only good things to say about the food. The drinks were great summer cocktails. My husband got the fish and chips and very much enjoyed it. I got the fillet sliders and they were perfectly medium rare. The profiteroles for dessert were flakey and delicious. Unfortunately, the food is really the only thing I have anything positive to say about. If I could have physically eaten the meal somewhere else, I would have been a happy customer. But the overall experience was craptastical. The outdoor seating is a nice idea with terrible execution. The process to get a table outside is awkward and uncomfortable at best. At worst I felt like I was a stalker. Our waiter was nice but never checked on us once he dropped the food off. My husband had to wait until dessert to get a second drink. PROS: -great food -outdoor seating (if you don't mind a weird, uncomfortable experience to get a table) CONS: -waiter never checked on us -they police the outdoor seating in a way that is both rude and uncomfortable...there was an empty table for 4 but because we were a party of 2 they wouldn't let us sit there...the table sat empty for more than 20 minutes while we waited for a table for 2 to open up -outdoor seating is "first come, first serve" which left me feeling like I had to hover over people or risk losing the table to someone else...I am not sure who was more uncomfortable, me or the people we kept watching like a hawk to see when they were leaving... Unfortunately, the experience of waiting for the table outside was the first and most lasting impression I had. and I doubt there is any food that could have overcome that awful first impression.
(2)Jason K.
Went for dinner with the GF, loved the outdoor seating. Great service, but the food was not impressive. From the start with the clam cowder for me and chicken soup of the day for her, everything needed salt and pepper. With a good amount of both the cowder was real good, the chicken soup was also great. The fish and chips were also lacking seasoning, the fries were the best part unfortunately. She had the petite filet, also lacking seasoning. The mushroom her dish came with has a ridiculously strong and sweet port sauce. Steak was overcooked. Drinks were also unimpressive. Probably will give it a try again, but will stick with bar food.
(3)Joshua E.
First off, I was sold on going here, because they told me it was once a funeral parlor. So I figure, if it was once a funeral parlor and people are still going there must be something really special about the food. The menu is pretty diverse, which has bar food, as well as salads, ala carte items and sides. For the appetizer we had the tuna tartare which was a decent size portion with chips and the brie bread dip which was a little rich but still very tasty. The texture of the crunch bread with the melt brie topped with capers was very interesting. I ordered the braised short ribs ravioli and asparagus. The Sauce was a little salty, but I ended up dipping the asparagus in it which really made it even the taste. The wine selection is good, the beer selection on tap, a little shallow. I did have a Chocolate Stout which had some good smell and initial flavor but the lacked a powerful clean after taste which I prefer stouts to have. The waiter was helpful, and my drinks never ran dry. The price for 3 people was $182, which is a little pricey for the area but it's an ala carte menu, sooo you should expect pricey and small rich tasting portions. This ain't applebees folks. I would definitely go there again!
(4)Craig H.
Funky location in a reclaimed funeral parlor, but well worth a visit. If you're averse to chain restaurants as I am, this is a refreshing alternative. Exceptional food definitely worth the price. No other restaurant in area comes close having tried many. Recommend the filet mignon.
(5)Michael L.
Came in after a long flight... lots of things on the menu looked interesting, but nothing was really shouting at me... in the end, I ordered BUTTERNUT SQUASH RAVIOLI served with a maple brown butter and cranberry infused spaghetti squash... thought the portion looked small, but it was the right size and surprisingly delicious
(4)Gail C.
A disappointing menu selection. But what they did have on the menu was made to perfection. Good food, good service,good atmosphere.
(4)Michele A.
I cannot say enough positive about Palmers. We celebrated our anniversary there last November and decided to go back because we enjoyed it that much. The food was incredible (well worth the price and portion sizes were perfect, btw). This year, they reserved the entire wine cellar for us and were so accommodating to my boyfriend's wishes. The waitress was very attentive and friendly. They helped make our night even more special...before and after the proposal! They allowed us to have a guitarist come in to play for the duration of our reservation. Overall, there is not a negative comment I can come up with for them. Thank you all again for a wonderful evening!
(5)Mark E.
Service, food, ambience all impeccable. For lunch today I enjoyed Palmer's petite filet mignon and a glass of Penfold's shiraz. The filet was cooked to a perfect medium rare and accompanied by an herbed butter with mash potatoes and fresh green beans. I thought my lunch was delicious and a good value too.
(5)Betsy H.
Palmers has the best food in downtown Andover! So many options, I just tried the Lobster salad on a brioche bun and it was unbelievable. My other favorites are the crabmeat & avocado salad and the steak sliders! Live music Thurs-Sat and great service.
(5)John P.
Please avoid! The food is good but extremely overpriced and the portions are tiny. I ordered the pan seared scallops as a appetizer ( $14.00) and out came two tiny scallops, they were tasty, but there were two of them. I ordered the rack of lamb special ( $38.00) and Palmers version of a "rack" is three lamb chops and there pieces of white asparagus. The "rack" consisted of two small end pieces and a small chop, very disappointing. Who is making the price point here? Jesse James? I complained to the manager who did take half off for my "rack of lamb" but $13.00 for each tiny chop? Really?
(1)Jennifer K.
Met a few friends here for a weeknight dinner. Parking was ridiculously difficult - it was raining, so that didn't help! The tavern was loud, so we went upstairs to dine so we could talk. Food was relatively good - a bit pricey. . . but all in all good experience. Wine list was full of reasonable priced selections - which was a plus.
(3)Dawn F.
We celebrated my husbands 50th birthday this past weekend in the Wine Lounge. We couldn't be happier with our experience. The service was fantastic! Nancy was in charge of our room and she was amazing. She had a smile on her face the entire night and went out of her way to make sure everyone was happy. The entire wait staff was first class! The dinner was fantastic and all of our guests raved about the food. Organizing the event with Lisa was a pleasure. She went above and beyond to answer all of our questions and made sure our event was a success. We're so grateful to have such a great restaurant here in Andover! We also ordered stunning centerpieces from Kokee on Main St and they gave the room the perfect final touch. We can't wait to plan another event at Palmers!!
(4)Kimberly K.
Petit filet medium rare with blue cheese, mashed potatoes and asparagus. Prepared beautifully and tasted great. My first cocktail, something cucumber... Was really horrible. The waitress brought me a lemon drop instead and it was great. She returned with a freshly made cucumber, stating the manager wanted me to try it as it was intended to be prepared (complimentary). It was MUCH, much better. Nice place, great food, good drinks. There's no dance floor, so the tavern got too crowded with a band and lots of people dancing between tables.
(4)Tim R.
Palmer's has a great hands on owner and fantastic staff. The food is fantastic and consistent. They have the best stuffed pork chops that I have ever had. My wife and I go there every Monday and love it. Tim from Andover
(4)William S.
My wife and I have passed this place often and we decided to try it. Not happy. First off when we came in the back door staff was standing out there smoking, so we walked through a cloud of smoke to get in. Sat at a High top in bar. The atmosphere is nice with wainscot walls and such. Our server was pleasant and attentive. I got a Greek Salad and it was good. My wife got the caesar and she said it taste better than it looked, so far so good. For an entree My wife got the Tuna. It came out more brown than black but was not bad tasting, along with the wasabi mashed I actually liked it. But then there was mine....It was a special. Grilled Bass with 1/2 grilled lobster tail, on purée corn and heirloom tomato...sounded good, $29, better be.... Presentation was stacked on a large plate. It should have been a nice meal but it lacked in flavor and substance. The lobster tail was tiny, from like a 1lb lobster, and the tiny piece of fish, no more than 3 ounces, the pairing of the corn, tomato and fish did not really work, the overall dish has a very salty smell, If it was not for the wasabi mashed I eat of my wife's plate I would have left hungry. I am not in Andover to eat often but I will probably not give this place another shot, I am sure there are decent places to eat in this town.
(2)Fran D.
Love this spot for good food at all hours, lunch, dinner or late night snack. The food choices are upscale and gourmet. The prices are very reasonable. Palmers has been a few different places over the years but this is the best one. I love the fried clams, the salads, the appetizers are all great for lunch. If you want a quiet dinner ask to be seated upstairs, it's never crowded and always quiet and relaxing if you want to talk to your dinner mates. otherwise, downstairs is fun and a pub-like atmosphere but gets super noisy when full. On weekends there is live music and dancing on a small dance floor! They make the best martinis and the wine by the glass list is very good!
(4)Matthew M.
This place is over rated for its food and drinks and it's very over priced and there lots better Restaurants around
(2)Tim S.
I'm really pissed at this place, but let me start with the good. We had my wedding rehearsal dinner here in their upstairs function area. When we walked in and saw the area I thought it was going to be amazing. It was beautiful and welcoming, and the fire place was fantastic especially on a freezing cold night. The food was also very good, we did buffet style and the meatballs were killer. And on to why I'm pissed. This was legitimately some of the worst service I've ever had. We had our own bar and two bartenders, one of which I only saw for about a combined 4 minutes. Every time we went up to the bar to get a drink, nobody was there. There were times were people waited for 10 minutes not to just get a drink but to actually get the bartender to come back from where ever the hell she was! The night ended in probably the most unprofessional way I've ever seen. Now I have to say that my very blonde (and also very generous) sister who was paying for the night forgot to call the bank and put a temporary allowance on her debit card so she had put the bill on 3 credit cards to make it work, so that was our fault, fine. And the gratuity was added to that, fine. My brother had thrown $500 to use up for the bar which they added gratuity to, that was fine as well. There was also a tip jar on the bar which contained at least another $150. After we paid I went over to the "bartenders" to see if we could stay a little while longer (because believe it or not, we were having fun) and just do a cash bar. As I walked up to them I heard them complaining to each other that we didnt give them anything extra as far as a tip. You know, minus $600 the 2 of them already got to split on a thursday night in a half empty restaurant. And when I asked them about staying they rolled their eyes and acted like we were severely inconveniencing them.. They were rude about it and then when they realized that they pissed me off they tried to save themselves. I told them we were leaving and one of the "bartenders" said very loudly, "Wait, what do you want????" I said, "Lady, I want to get out of here and never come back." And I never will. How dare employees act like that after all the money my family spent in that place. Rude, arrogant, and unhelpful. The trifecta. ************ On a brighter note, one of the owner's of Palmer's contacted me shortly after I posted this and I have to say that shows me a lot about their character as a business. She was genuinely upset and concerned about our displeasure and she also said how her husband (the chef and other owner) was sick to his stomach about what happened and they were calling an emergency staff meeting to address it. I'm still not sure if I'll ever be back but it is comforting to know that some restaurants take pride in their customer's experience. I also made her promise not to send me anything to make up for it because that was not why I said what I said and she held up her end of the bargain. Thanks for the call, guys.
(1)janice m.
This place was a rip off Horrible food and drinks. My son's Margareta was all bitter and no booze. A 15.00 shrimp cocktail was 6 tiny Market Basket shrimp, frozen. A 17 dollar Caesar salad with beef was not a creamy dressing, but a bottled dressing from who knows where. A glass of Cab for 9 dollars was maybe 6 ozs. Just horrible. Waitress was wonderful Bill was 86 dollars.
(1)Cecilia J.
Get the sticky toffee pudding! Get the sticky toffee pudding!! My friend and I (a little embarrassingly) admitted that the sticky toffee pudding was the best dish of our meal. Everything else was good too, but oh, that sticky toffee pudding, with the warm cake filled with dates and the cool scoop of ice cream and sprig of mint and then the caramel all over... mmmmm. Get the sticky toffee pudding! The dessert might convince me to sit through another 2 hour dinner again. (Maybe they'll let me to takeout on the dessert.... probably not). Ok I get that the upstairs dining room is supposed to be romantic and dark and all, but I felt like I needed to get up and stretch to get through a dinner that takes 2 hours. Service was polite and even a bit entertaining but also a bit slow. Oh, and get the mussels appetizer too. But the baked haddock and lobster risotto wasn't worth calling home about.
(3)Leslie B.
I've been to Palmers twice in the past 6 months. The first time the service was below par, but the second time it was just plain awful. My friend and I were sitting at the bar, so the bartenders were often right in front of us. They saw that we only had one menu and never offered us a second one. It took 15 minutes for them to ask me what I wanted to drink. Another 15 minutes for us to order our appetizer. After the app came out, we ate it, and then another 30 minutes after we ate the whole appetizer our order was taken. The first bartender asked us if we wanted our order taken, left like he was going to get a pad of paper to take our order on, but never came back to us. It was so awkward! He was still behind the bar the whole time, just completely ignoring us. Finally the second bartender took our order. After that it took 40 minutes for our food to come out. They told us the kitchen was slammed, which we would not have been upset about if the service wasn't so horrible to begin with. The times I wrote are no exaggeration at all..we were there for an hour and a half, being ignored most of the time. The food was pretty good, not the best. I definitely won't be returning just because of the horrible service. If you're going to overcharge so much on dinner, at least make sure the service is good.
(2)Anne W.
When I drove this place.. I almost thought it was a funeral home. I went inside and was pleasantly surprised. I'm not really a big fan of things from Andover... I'd rather drive to Boston. The ribs were delicious... fell right off the bone and totally reasonably priced. Dare I say it.. it was better than Red Bones in Davis Square that has no sauce and not tasty. They seemed to have a lot of different choices though. I would totally go again... who knew this was actually in Andover.
(4)Robert H.
Good food. Good old fashioned bar type atmosphere. Good service. Live music was just starting up as we were leaving, but sounded promising. We'll definitely be back
(4)Diana K.
Had reservations, hostess and waitress were lovely but food was so-so. We started by sharing a house salad which was good but small after it was split onto two plates. The bread, which was already on the table when we were seated, wasn't anything special to write about. I had the baked haddock which was placed on top of a tomato based risotto and had about two chunks of lobster. The center of my risotto was very hot but the haddock and outer rim of the risotto was luke warm. The dish was0 somewhat bland. My husband had the 8 oz. filet mignon with a side of asparagus and mashed pototoes. It was cooked to his specifications, tender but he has had better. He thought the mashed potatoes were exceptional. Overall, the meal was OK but for the price (about $75 including tip but no drinks), we would consider other options.
(2)Mary O.
Had a great meal, risotto and bass were great. Nice bar with good beer selections. A little expensive but it was worth it.
(4)Brian L.
Been here a few times. You walk in the front and it is a dark bar/lounge area full of older adults. Ive seen 50 year old guys unbuttoning there shirts dancin there. So if I was new I would be pretty confused where the dining room is. Came on a Saturday night. Sat upstairs which was very nice. It looked like there was someone elses bread basket already on the table. Service was very slow. The waitress disapeared after we asked for a minute before picking out a drink. She came back and we orded appetizer and drinks. Again took a very long time, so she said she upgraded the glass of wine for the same price. Crab cakes and house salad were very good. Entrees of haddock with lobster rissoto and filet were not good, and priced at $26 each. Desert was decent. If she wasnt so slow I defintely would have ordered more drinks. We got the bill and she charged for the more expensive wine which pissed me off ontop of not liking the meal and bad service. If I didnt have a $75 dollar groupon the meal would have been over $100 and it wasnt even good. I will not be returning to Palmer's unless I want to dance.
(2)Erik J.
Bar restaurant is Old Dependable. Never had a bad meal here, never had an exceptional meal. Not a great value all things considered. I have eaten upstairs a couple o times, but frankly can't remember a thing about it. Hmmm, that says something doesn't it?
(3)Marti S.
My husband and I took our parents here the other night after buying the Groupon. Everyone really enjoyed their meals. We got the scallops, crab cakes, and bruschetta for appetizers. I think the only criticism was that the bread for the bruschetta was a little too hard. The entrees were all well received as well - grilled shrimp salad, baked haddock, beef tips, scallops, etc. I don't remember hearing one criticism. The desserts were also quite good - decadent chocolate cake, creme brulee, and profiteroles. The room we ate in - right next to the maitre d's desk - was so warm and homey - beautiful red walls and a fireplace. It made for a really homey meal. My only criticisms revolved around the server. When she approached the table, she would ALWAYS interrupt whoever was talking. She wouldn't wait for a break in conversation or quietly inquire if the person next to her was finished with their meal. She just... interrupted... and it was rude. And she also wasn't great about making sure people had enough water. Also, there was no good place to stand while waiting for our table to be open, so we ended up standing awkwardly in a hallway. But the food was good (if a bit overpriced), and I would return.
(4)Mimi E.
I love Palmers for every reason. The food is great, the people are great and there is always fantastic music and dancing Thurs, Fri, Sat. Very fun!
(5)Kim K.
We came in for lunch on a Saturday and to also scope out the place for our wedding rehearsal dinner. The lunch was very nice, the food was surprisingly upscale and yet felt like comfort food. The tuna melt and minestrone was the perfect combination! The service left something to be desired because there was only one staffer. Our waitress was very nice but could have been more attentive. The function space upstairs offers two room sizes, one that seats 30 and one that seats about 70 or so. I've emailed the function coordinator and will keep Yelp posted on our rehearsal dinner plans!
(4)M. Z.
Relatively solid, but entirely plain restaurant - especially for the price. Not my style. Appetizers were good. Main courses were well received by the group I was with, but my pesto pasta tasted like anything but basil. It was oily, but not in that yummy nice-olive-oil way. The noodles required a second shipment of sauteed veggies to balance out the taste and oiliness... odd, for a nice restaurant. Nobody raved about the food. Most comments centered around "this is a nice place." And it was....
(3)Leila T.
Only reviewing the bar- not the food. Lovely deck, well lit. Moderately sized bar area, there was a New Orleans sounding jazz band playing tonight, no cover. There were no tables available so we just gathered a bunch of bar stools. A bit of an older crowd, and a little more high brow...or rather middle brow, country clubish type atmosphere. Even tho the music was loud I could still hear myself speak which was refreshing. Lots of white collar older men on the prowl...look out!
(4)Dan A.
Disappointing, the first 11$ Reuben was turkey, the second try was 2 slices of corned beef with... cole slaw, I wasn't willing to try a third. We generally find the food here decent but recently we've found ourselves more often disappointed than pleased. For a restaurant who touts their chefs culinary abilities I'd expect more.
(1)Robin W.
This place okay. I have nothing much to add to the other reviews, except to warn you against the hot wings. They were borderline inedible for me due to the weird tasting, too-mild sauce and unsatisfying size and texture. If they were 10 cent wings I would have just eaten them and gotten over it, but I expect a lot out of a $1.50 wing and these did not deliver. Also, they do not serve shots here, according to our server that night. Boooo. Their loss. Okay, complaining over; on to the good stuff. My crab and lobster salad sliders were small but very tasty. Mr. W ordered a tuna melt that was large and pleasing. Also, they have a decent selection of beers on tap that are priced reasonably.
(3)Layla B.
I am not going back to this place again. The service is VERY poor!!! The staff are not friendly. The food is okay but not that great. I visited this place three times. The first time I found a bug in my salad. They did not charge me for the salad and changed it for one that was bug free but they took it very casually. It seems like it happens often. If I was the manager, I would have come and talked to the guest. I guess that is a lot to ask for. It was nice of them to offer a fresh salad free of charge but they seemed not to care much about what had just happened. The second time, I visited for lunch and I sat at the bar. The bartender was very unfriendly!!! He seemed unhappy that he had to take care of a customer. At one point, he just disappeared for a long time and no one was at the bar. Good thing, he gave me the check before he left and good thing I did not need any change back. As I was walking out, I noticed him in the stairway talking to another waitress. I made a point of saying bye to him and now this is the interesting part: He told the waitress, "I better attend to the bar!" Amazing!!! The third time (I usually give a place three chances) was tonight for dinner and the waitress seemed unfriendly and cold. The food (lamb chops) was not well prepared at all. It was tonight's special and you would think a chef would do his best to make the special taste better but no! If I am going to pay, I might as well go to a place that takes better care of their customers!
(1)Heather O.
Food was incredible! I savored every bite. Server was terrible, she's the sole reason I won't be back anytime soon. Rating is based on food, not service.
(5)Bill S.
This is an instance where the reviews proved to be right on. The food was fresh and served with style, but basically it was no better than what I could have prepared at home. The chef seems to hold back on using any interesting seasonings as I found the crab cakes (app) and scallops (main course) to be bland. The service was good and the ambiance very nice. But for the price, I'd look for a better place to eat.
(2)Jessica R.
Live music is great fun on the weekends and the inside is beautiful! Personally this isn't my bar scene - I prefer lounges that aren't jam packed and loud. If this is your sort of thing than you'd love this! Hard to find parking too - so get there early on the weekends or have fun walking. :) The average age of the crowd is mid-30s early-40s.
(3)dajian x.
Overpriced bland food in setting that has minimal character. The only value is the large TV sets in the lounge. Used to be better, but apparently lost its way. Given this, I would rather go elsewhere. P.s. This was for lunch.
(2)Ash T.
PROS: Old Speckled Hen Beer (England) on draft! This beer is amazing. On the heaviness scale it falls above Sam Adams and below Guinness. Great aroma and super smooth, goes down very easy and leaves a hopsy and nutty after taste. Goes really well with the Steak and Lamb chops. Ok, the Lamb Chops done medium well are probably the best I've had so far. The Filet Mignon was good but the Lamb chops won the Meat battle rounds and the evening. We ended with Coffee and a Decadent flourless Chocolate cake that prevented any repenting on our part like when we pack our mouths with a three ton heavy sugary chocolaty brownie The bar area seems nice and they had a live band. Good beer, good food, good wait staff, live music...this place does it right CONS: Peppered Bacon wrapped scallops - avoid; 2 pieces and 2 overpriced. Maybe the price is for the friggin truffle butter which is not (in my opinion) worth a premium seal of approval from one's taste buds.
(4)Chris C.
Good food, a little costly for what is essentially pub-fare, but still worth it. Decent selection of beer on tap, nice wine list, plethora of higher-end liquors. Crowd varies. Weekend nights are crowded with middle-aged drinkers and a few diners. Weeknights are mostly diners with some people out for drinks mixed in. Now that the deck/patio is open there's more reason to go for a drink. Andover needs more outdoor seating, bar or restaurant.
(3)J D.
Cougar den thursday night - save that wildlife baby
(3)Phil M.
The g/f & I really enjoyed Palmers last night. We had some absolutely fantastic scallops and steaks. Definitely recommend. If you missed the Groupon deal you might try finding it on CoupFlip.com . They had the Groupon deal still available. Saved us a ton of money.
(4)Amit G.
Came here a couple of times and had q similar experience: Food is pretty good for a bar, they carry plenty of options, including healthy salads, and have a nice beer selection. The main problem is The slow service in the bar area.
(2)Valeria H.
Palmer's is a nice restaurant in Andover, and totally needed up here! During the summer they have the front deck open for outdoor seating, and they offer brunch. The restaurant is modern and you will find all age groups enjoying it. They have a bar in the center of the first floor and seating up stairs. The menu is modern american and also pub eats. Their drink menu is great and the service is too. Enjoy hanging out on the front porch whenever I can.
(4)Bob V.
Hadn't been in years even though we live round the corner. Had a 6:30 reservation and we were seated promptly (first timers - go to the side entrance so you don't have to wade through the bar) at a nice table. The server was efficient and friendly, helpful with my wife's dietary needs. Food was good, especially the salads - had the House salad, my wife had the Autumn Harvest salad. Did see a guy at the next table having a Caesar and the romaine looked white, so you you should steer clear of that if you prefer your lettuce green. My wife enjoyed the Wild Mushroom Tagliatelle , and my Filet Mignon tasted great, even though it arrived well done and I had requested medium-well. This was promptly removed from our bill, as I didn't want to send it back, as it tasted just fine, plus I was starved. The only other observation was the mashed potatoes (bland) and the asparagus (great). Overall, a good experience, and we will come back.
(4)Danielle C.
I visited for the first time last week for the bf's birthday. The restaurant was quiet for a Friday but you couldn't find standing room at the bar. Food was deelish and the server was great and funny (bonus) :) It looked like we may have been her only table at the time but she was not intrusive and we had a nice, relaxing dinner that did not include crayons or a a kids meal. Chilled oysters were super yummy as were the mussels. Steak was cooked perfectly. We will definately return.
(4)A S.
The food & the service here was very good. Dessert wasn't up to par with the rest of the meal which bummed me out. The only negative for me was that when they seated us upstairs in the dining room, we were put in a corner by a window (no problem) but it ended up we must have been right on top of the live band playing down stairs in the tavern and the vibration alone was enough to make us rather distracted. We shall return though!
(4)Riccardo D.
Went here recently for a company dinner. The entrees are pricey but creatively prepared. My filet was perfectly cooked and the sides were delicious while the proportions were good. Although I wasn't knocked off my chair, the food was worth the price and the service was equally adept.
(4)Dan W.
First of all- the reason we go to restaurants is to enjoy great food, Palmers has this culinary task down pat with 4 stars for creativity and menu choice and of course an overall flavorful experience. The reason for the three stars is the bar area is SUPER LOUD, prices are very high and waitstaff is over-anxious for the gratuity.
(3)john g.
The GF and I have been there 3-4 times and it has been good each trip. We have tried a variety of items and they were all tasty and reasonably priced (bar menu, not dinner items). The petite filet is excellent and very well priced; it was actually better than a steak I ordered at Abe and Louies. The bar can get loud when the band plays but the music has been ok. Definitely worth a trip, give it a try.
(4)Jennifer D.
Soooo.... My parents got myself and my fiance a gift card to Palmers for X-mas. We opted to go this evening, as it is our usual date night, and I was definitely in the mood for some quality food. We arrived and had no problem with their back lot. We walked in and waited for a minute or so before we were seated. We were led up some stairs to the upper dining area and were placed in a very cozy area that felt a bit more intimate for a date, which was very appropriate. The person that came over initially (not our server) was some young kid that obviously didn't give a hoot about his job (bussing tables/filling water) he didn't speak at all and even when thanked, did not mouth a word. Our server came over and she was very sweet and pleasant. I started with their house salad and vinaigrette on the side, whilst my fiance opted for the clam chowder. He loved the chowder, I sampled a bit and it was quite good. My salad was just fine and I enjoyed the vinaigrette, good flavor. We both ordered the filet for our main course, and my hunnie asked for a sort of "pepper rub" on the steak, and they didn't hesitate to accommodate him. It sounded good so I asked for the same. When our meals arrived presentation was spot on. The portabellos were fanned out beautifully on the plate, and tasted just as well. The asparagus was cooked perfectly, I despise overcooked vegetables of any kind. And the highlight, the filet, was cooked to perfection! And the port wine reduction was delish, I only wish there was more of it. We were both equally satisfied with our entrees. I kind of forgot about the mashed potatoes to be honest, but then again I am not a potato person in general, so I can't give an accurate assessment on those. They tasted just fine, but I had only one bite. Overall this was a great evening out! This is, of course, based solely on our first experience, I have read some negative reviews for this place, but we enjoyed. I know a lot of people think it's a bit pricey, and some of the menu items are, which is accurate, but $16.95 for a great filet and sides is definitely reasonable to me. They do have some "pub fare," and the menu isn't exactly inventive, but it is kinda a "steak and potatoes" place, so if that's what you want, they do it well. I wish I could comment on the dessert menu, but we took a glance and nothing seemed to stand out, kinda the basics, and I was pretty full from my meal anyways. I think that at least for what we ordered, the price definitely fit the bill, with or without a gift card. I would definitely come back.
(4)Marko M.
Poor food prep with my mussels appetizer having more than its share of bad mussels not open-should have been noticed in kitchen. Haddock Piccata was tasteless and artichoke hearts and capers tasted like they were dumped on after cooking on top of gluey wide noodles. Long wait between courses and real disappointing.
(2)Stepvan V.
Food is good. Nothing to shout from the rooftops about in my opinion, but not bad either. A bit expensive for what you get in my opinion. The last time we were there, we were in the upstairs dining room. There was a live music act downstairs. It was loud. And only marginally talented. But; the restaurant was still piping musac into the upstairs area. So we had dueling bad music while trying to enjoy our dinner. We asked the staff to try to do something about it, but in the end they were unable to do anything. It ruined the meal for us. Obviously, this isn't a situation you would run into all the time. It might have been a one-off. But still, it left a bad taste in our mouths. We haven't been back since.
(3)Ellen S.
Had a dinner meeting at Palmers last night - first time I had ever been there. Nice location and I was impressed. Good selection of food to choose from on the menu,good wine list and excellent service. They have live music in the bar area - we were seated in the upstairs dining room which was nice. I'd definitely go back.
(4)Willard P.
Amazingly, an upscale town like Andover has very few food choices that are top notch- it is getting better but not too many very good places. You can always count on Palmer's to be active, friendly, and very good quality. This is by far the local favorite for an upscale casual dinner with adults; not really a kid place. I stay out on weekend nights when a band is playing as the room is too loud to eat! The pub is so popular that the upstairs restaurant does not always gets its due. But the quality of the food is typically very good.
(4)Ellen S.
Went to Palmer's tonight, sat in the "Tavern's porch". Service was very slow, food not so great or hot, room was extremely noisy. Who would have thought on a Monday night? Not an experience I would repeat, next time I pass.
(2)Jennifer M.
Palmers is my local staple. Great bar, reasonable wine prices, great menu. The restaurant upstairs is chic rustic atmosphere with beamed ceilings and white table cloths. Service is usually great. Food is always amazing from burgers and wings to delicious seafood dishes and flat iron steak. There's also live entertainment - Thurs-Sat which packs the downstairs with an eclectic crew. Great date night!
(5)Aimee G.
I have been to Palmers on 2 occasions. One for lunch and the other just last week for my office holiday party. Everything I have had there was delicious and cooked just how I like it. The macadamia chicken was fabulous! I love the atmosphere because you get that cozy, small town feel. We sat in the upstairs dining room that has a fireplace and its own private bar. The prices are a little above average, but is worth it because of the excellent food and wonderful customer service. This is a great place for a date night or a night out with a group of friends.
(5)Dave B.
This is just a nice place to go! It offers something for what ever you might be in the mood for. If you want a nice romantic dinner & your not afraid to pay for it the menu & the main dining room can accommodate you. If you want to sit at the bar a put a few down that's fine too. If you want meet up with some friends, hang in the lounge & listen to some live music they have that covered too. Regular menu is far from cheap, however the bar menu while far from imaginative is affordable. Weekends can be very busy. Service always good.
(4)D. Z.
Had a great meal here in the upstairs dining room; next time will try the tavern when there's a band.
(4)Dianna K.
Met a friend at Palmers last night and sat down at the bar. Service was fine. Ordered fried clams that were gritty. I mentioned it to the bartender who did nothing. The food was not edible and this was evident by what was left on the plate. I split this dish with my friend. We both felt the same way. We mentioned it a second time to the other bartender, and once again nothing was done. I was really surprised. If I were an establishment, I would have apologized and tried to make it right. I'd go there again but not for the food.
(2)Francesca R.
This is a classic suburban upscale dining kind of place. The food is what you'd expect - goat cheese, crab cakes, surf & turf et al - but it's done well and in an elegant, friendly atmosphere. Definitely a good dining destination for the area.
(4)Will K.
Palmer's is a good restaurant trying to be great. The atmosphere and music are a little better than the bar drinks, and the prices in the upstairs restaurant are a little higher than the quality of the food. The bar downstairs has a nice bar-feel, the drinks are well-mixed, and they have a good selection of better beers (and lots on draught). The bar features live music on weekend nights. Upstairs is the restaurant area. I'd recommend a reservation, but we've had problems with them even having a table ready in time for a reservation (perhaps an anomaly). It's a quiet area, good for medium-sized parties looking for a leisurely dinner over wine and conversation. The laminated menus reveal the corners that were cut, keeping this joint from being truly upscale, but the chef's creations are very solid, and interesting menu with good presentation. Overall, I recommend the experience. For anyone looking for a night out without venturing into the city, Palmers is a great option. I give it 4-stars for that reason. It'd be 3-stars by Boston standards, but is a high-class alternative to suburban chain bars.
(4)Jane H.
Even though I lived in Andover for 6 years I never ventured to the restaurant upstairs because the bar is so great. The service is usually fabulous and it has a really nice bar feel to it but without seeming seedy or dirty at all. The food they serve in the tavern is better than good bar food.
(4)