My husband and I are here last weekend and were not impressed. I ordered a dish off the specials which contained mussels. 20 minutes later after we placed the order I was told the kitchen was out of mussels. Not a big deal but right after the waitress informed us and asked what else I would like for dinner the food came out. It was as if the restaurant waited until the last minute to let us know about the mussels. My dish turned out good - I substituted shrimp for the mussels. My husband had linguini and white clams. The dish was ok. I was secretly happy it wasn't me who got stuck eating it. The pasta looked different as well - almost like noodles you would find in chicken noodle soup. The appetizers were ok at best. The shrimp special had no taste and baked clams were big but again tasteless. There are much tastier restaurants on the water to try right in the area of this one.
(3)
Katie S.
My boyfriend and I decided to try this restaurant out for Valentine's day, and I cannot say enough about it! I got the honey glazed salmon with a mixed berry compote and everything was just wonderful and cooked perfectly. Our waitress Jennifer was absolutely amazing, solicitous but not overly so and extremely helpful. My boyfriend got the seafood mac and cheese and he loved it. This is without a doubt our new favorite! If you haven't tried it you are missing out!
(5)
Justin T.
I will tell ya, the water service at this place made one of the strongest comebacks in the history of water services. As a person who loves to drink water during meals, when we first sat down the size of the water glass immediately made me nervous. These water glasses were tiny and this guy was thirsty. As i downed the two sips of water in glass the waitress did not return to fill my water for about 20 minutes, I almost passed out from dehydration. When she did return to fill my glass, it was like she could read my mind, as I downed the next glass she quickly came to refill right away. After that she caught fire on the refills, I'm talking ray Allen from 3 on fire, refill after refill. Totally redeemed herself. What a comeback......Food was mediocre. You can do better Gloucester.
(3)
Mark T.
I gave this 3 stars because my prior experience influenced my lunch today. Last year I stopped by the Gloucester House and sat in the bar area. It wasn't too busy and I ordered fish & chips. Those were the best fish and chips ever! Back in town, I decided to drive up and get some more of the delicious fish and chips. The restaurant was busy being a weekend and we were seated in the back patio section - which was nice. Sunny, nice breeze from the water, good view of boats. I'm excited. I don't really look at the menu - just order the fish and chips! My friend ordered the honey & nut salmon and we split a bowl of the clam chowder. She ordered a diet coke and me a water. It took a bit of time, but the server came by with the drinks and soon after the soup & corn bread. The soup was good, the corn bread was excellent and things were looking up. Earlier in the day I ran a 5 mile run and was still a little thirsty. Mistake. The coke came in a regular sized cup, but the water was a small goblet, mostly of ice. It didn't last long, but the server was nowhere to be found. We waited and waited, still no sign of him. Eventually he returned to collect the soup bowl and he started to walk away - we had to ask for refills. I don't know where he went to get the refills because he was gone about 10 minutes before returning. Again, I started on the water, but realized I better pace myself. It might be a while before we saw him again - and it was. The next appearance was when he brought out the food. It looked great. 3 huge pieces of fish, and the salmon looked good as well. Last time the fish was crunchy and nicely fried - but this time, a little soggy. Maybe it was a soft fry? Somewhere between baked and fried. The fish was flaky and good. No vinegar - I had to ask for that, and since he was here, I had to ask for another water too. As it turns out the water was able to be refilled at a station close to our table - so why the long wait? Then the bill arrived. The fish and chips was showing as the $11.99 lunch portion, but the salmon, which my friend ordered from the lunch page was charged at the regular $21 price. She asked if she had not ordered the lunch dish. The server said oh yeah, took the ticket and was gone for a while. He returned with the price adjusted - which the difference between the regular and the lunch price is $10, so it is definitely noticeable. That made me wonder what he put in to the kitchen. Was it the lunch portion and he charge the wrong one, or did he order the regular portion? I don't really think he knew what he was doing. The food was good, but not nearly as good as it was before. The service was definitely weak. Too slow and a little unsure of what he was doing. Keeping the drinks full should be basic. After this experience, the Gloucester House wasn't as exciting as I remembered.
(3)
Julie N.
When in Gloucester... get f*cking lobster. My husband and I joked that every restaurant in Gloucester should be called Lobster A, Lobster B, Lobster C, Lobster D... you get my point. The waitress was pretty bad, the sangria was far too sweet, but the lobster? Yeah. That's why we came to Gloucester. The lobster was fresh out of the boat like a minute beforehand. Btw: Gloucester and Lobster sound a little far alike, don't you think? The lobster was affordable and delicious and the coleslaw and nine fries that came with it were perfect. We weren't looking to venture far too out of the box here and what we got matched our expectations. If you're looking for more than that? Listen to the Yelpers.
(4)
Gisele M.
If you want lobster and you are in Gloucester - I would go here. The lobster is fresh and delicious. I love how it comes with a twice baked potato. The standard bread here is cornbread which is delicious! I'm pretty sure all of the locals come here as well because it is usually pretty busy at lunch.
(4)
Cindy l.
Very good food, atmosphere is a little tired. Good view of the docks.
(3)
Jennifer P.
Husband & I took a motorcycle trip to Gloucester today. We were looking for a place to grab a late lunch and this place seemed like a nice place to stop. We parked & went in. We waited for a few minutes waiting to be acknowledged by a waitress or waiter and although at least 6-7 walked past us, not one looked at us or gave us the time of day. Kind of sad - must not have appreciated our "biker" look lol. Their loss - we walked out and went to a place down the street where we got waited on upon entering. We were glad we left this place & spent our money somewhere else.
(1)
Y. S.
Table for 5 on Saturday afternoon sat out on the deck perfect weather to eat out. We ordered apps. Steamers, 1/2 dozen oysters, & o-rings. My son had calamari dinner, my girls spilt a garden salad & clam chowder, my wife had the lobster salad roll that was HUGE, and for myself I had the Haddock Oscar so delicious I just wish that portion was bigger. Our waitress was very friendly & quick. "Yes we will be back" about a 40-50 minute drive from Methuen but worth the drive : )
(4)
Jamie H.
i was really impressed with the food, and it's a great value with cost considered. it's a bit rustic, but it does offer indoor and outdoor seating as well as the porch option. we ordered a few appetizers, including the bing bang calamari, clam chowder, scallop salad, and a few oysters. before we ordered, we received a basket of cornbread that was absolutely delicious - it was very moist and served hot. my favorite dish was the scallop salad, which had a sweet raspberry dressing, perfectly cooked scallops, and seared apples. it was dressed a bit heavily, but i did really like it. the oysters were very fresh, although the sauce leaned much closer to ketchup than cocktail sauce. the calamari was also very good, and had a nice crisp and a spicy, sweet dressing. i liked the flavor of the chowder, but i didn't think it had quite enough clam or texture. overall, the food was really good and our waitress was very sweet. however, we sat on the covered porch and there were quite a few black flies that were hanging around, which was a bit of a turn-off. despite this, gloucester house is an excellent, affordable option with easy to please items.
(3)
George K.
When in Gloucester eat like the locals. It was a choice between this and Latitude, and we decided on this. Obviously had to get the lobsters, which were tasty and fresh. Waitress was very helpful in helping us with getting to all the tasty bits (although older locals sitting behind us were a bit too opinionated for our tastes).
(4)
Theresa M.
I heard some hype about this place so I had high expectations. After a lovely time in Gloucester on the water I decided to check it out. Sadly, I was disappointed from the start...although the chocolate martini sampler was pretty cool I'll admit that. I ordered a Caesar salad with fried shrimp on it and I felt sick all night afterwards; instant heartburn. My boyfriend was not impressed with what he ordered as well. Needless to say we will not return anytime soon to try some other options...oh and it's kinda pricey too...
(1)
Angela P.
Great place !!! Came for festival !!! Great time
(4)
James D.
It was very clean. Great atmosphere. The fisherman platter was perfectly prepared, and the Sirloin tips were cooked to perfection. It had a great view of the docks and they had a fire place going. We had a wonderful experience.
(5)
Chih C.
Great food and friendly service. I had soup and Lobster roll lunch for their special. I was amazed by how much of the lobster they were given.
(4)
Brooke D.
Sit in the back room.. You'll feel like you are on a ship! Neat place with good charm. I've had a few good meals here.
(3)
James G.
the haddock tacos are to die for!
(5)
Mike G.
not driving through a fishing town without a taste of the fresh catch (plus needed to use the loo). scored a table on the sunny waterside deck and had a heaping plate of fried calamari, shrimp, baby scallops, clams and cod w/ buttered cornbread. no question about freshness cuz i saw boat crew cleaning catch then deliver bounty to kitchen.
(4)
Tricia V.
there was a very large bus tour there when we got there so we had to wait a bit at the bar. they have watermellon martinis!!!! already looking good for me :-) the bartender was super nice. Rick wanted a beer but they were out of his first 3 choices...so he setteled for just a beer. we waited probably 20-30 mins but the hostest kept coming up to us and updating the table time. we didnt have a time limit so it was fine. we got to our table. there was a guy at the whale watch booth that suggested the calamari. so we got the clamari that was on special with a sweet and spicey sauce on it.. it was yummy yummy yummy. i could of ate three. rick got the fried fish platter which was large and plenty. i got the lobster casserole. the breadcrumbs on top were a little over done but the lobster was good. this was good, we would go back.
(4)
lella b.
This is a solid 2.0. I'm allergic to shellfish - yes i get this is a shellfish resturant but when you have out of town visitors. . . I swear I'll never go back. I asked the server if they have a non-shellfish menu (it makes it easier, some places do). Thet don't. It became compounded when I asked if all the items (ie non-shellfish) were fried in the same oil as the shellfish. She said they were: here is the problem, now the chicken, fries, calamari, fish are out. I then asked if there was a dedicated grill: nope. more chicken, burgers, steak out. I'm down to 3 types of salad: greek, house and ceasar. Seriously? These are my option for lunch? Look, I get you are a seafood house but many people don't eat shellfish one fry basket or one grill that you *don't* put shellfish on? Ok, let's move onto the salad. For $12.50, I got lettuce drenched in what I swear was bottled salad dressing. It wasn't a big bowl, it was a moderate sized salad that I paid about $4 too much for . . . .the lettuce hadn't been dried so the water mixed with the doused dressing. I wasn't amused. The server was probably the most disinterested person around. She brought the check promptly after we finished: the thing is? 2 of us wanted coffee and one of us wanted dessert: seems to me that could have been a few more bucks to her tip. We were constantly having to flag her down for things like water, bread, butter. It wasn't that busy, there was enough staff. My mom intially asked about the lobster: $32 for a 1.5lb lobster: hey, that's great but at the warehouse next door? they are $6.95/lb. That is a markup! Needless to say, she took a pass. Maybe this place is great for functions: but we all left feeling meh. The food wasn't horrific, but the lack of innovation (with a price tag to indicate innovation), lack of ability to accomidate an allergy and having exactly 1 non-shellfish item coupled with inattentive service makes it worth noting not to go back. Again, if you love seafood and everybody in your party does, this might work. But it's not a place for non seafood lovers. It's a shame: the location is fantastic.
(2)
Sara L.
This place was pretty crowded and we faced a 45 minute wait for dinner so I thought it had to be good. I was sorely disappointed. We were lucky to get seated on the patio -- even though we didn't ask. It was nice to see the water but it was sort of a more industrial area and not as attractive as other views. The patio chairs were awful iron deals that seemed to have been made to sit way back in them. Not conducive to eating. I hate when restaurants just put out cheap patio furniture! The food, like many said, was expensive for what you get. Entrees that run about $20 are the same quality you'd get for $15 somewhere else. More along the line of quality of the likes of Picadilly Pub or 99 (I actually think I've had much better at Picadilly Pub and they give out ridiculously amazing coupons). Nothing standing out that is terrible about the food but not good either. Lowest point: I was delighted to find that the vegetable of the day was summer squash but it was cooked in such a way to be mushy and just bad. Highest: The bread was delicious and homemade. Our dinners took long and the server brought out more! Service was nice and friendly -- nothing to complain about there. Parking was adjacent and ample, even on a Saturday. My husband and i joked that you really just paid for the close parking with this establishment. Will have to try others in Gloucester. This was our first time there.
(2)
Karen K.
After spending a day whale-watching, we were famished. Gloucester House is right on the pier where our boat docked, so we decided to try it. It was a perfect end to a perfect day. They sat us in the covered porch room, which is right on the water, so we enjoyed all the sounds of the water and seagulls flying by. The bacon-wrapped scallops were awesome (my first time trying sea scallops...YUM). My husband's lobster pie was soo buttery and rich, but amazing. My lobster roll was a bit bland. My boss had raved about the lobster rolls in New England, but this one didn't have a ton of flavor. The lobster meat was very good though. I wish I didn't live so far away, in Chicago, because I miss all the fresh New England seafood!! If I make it back to Gloucester, we will definitely be back.
(4)
Uncle A.
Based on what was passed off as food at the two company parties I attended here, I'd only come here for another meal if MacDonald's was out of business. The only reason this place is still in business HAS to be because the owner is a longtime Gloucesterman and owns the building and the land/wharf it's on.
(1)
James Q.
No time to write a detailed review so I'll give the highlights. I like the place itself. It's in a good location and decor and ambiance is good. The wait staff was very friendly and down to earth. The food was just ok. I had the lazy man's lobster and not much was done with it. For $35 I expected a bit more. My friend had the stuffed sole I believe, or some stuffed whitefish. That I didn't think was good at all. The gravy they poured all over it overwhelmed the fish and even the crabmeat stuffing. The wine list was not great and the bottle we had was ok. The prices for the wine were ok but the prices for the food were high considering the quality. Overall I'd give it a 4.5/10 if they used a 10 point scale.
(2)
Shannon H.
I dont have too much to base my opinion on but i will give you the impression i got. We went in for dinner on a Sunday evening. Parking was pretty full but we found a spot. There was a "short" wait and we were given a light up lobster to be called when our table is ready. After checking out the place a little (menu looks ok, they had specials, some of which were already gone and crossed off, it is pretty dark and not fun inside, outdoor seating was limited but the bathroom was clean and user friendly) we let the hostess know we were going to wait out side for a few minutes and asked about how long the wait would be like 15? She responded "atleast 45"!... So as im sure you can guess we did not stay to eat. Did not seem like the type of atmosphere that we would wait 45 minutes in a parking lot to eat at. First impressions really stick.... and we didnt get a very good first impression.
(2)
Chris B.
We went to Gloucester to roam and tried this place for a late lunch. I loved that we sat in the back room. The clam chowder and the children's Mac n cheese were good. On the flip side, the fish and chips were bland and so was my husband's lobster Mac n cheese, although they DID NOT skimp on the lobster. The service was a bit iffy as well. By far no the worst meal, but we will not be going back on our next adventure.
(3)
G. J.
One day my mother had a hankering for lobster...in the middle of March. So the whole family and I looked high and low for a good lobster restaurant and found this tourist attraction in Gloucester. It was cloudy and chilly out, so dining outside wasn't an option. The atmosphere was very welcoming: comfy seating, good lighting. Old people? Maybe some, but don't let that ruin your dining experience. The food was very delicious but very EXPENSIVE. A word to the wise: don't go out for lobster when it's not lobster season. We dropped at least $150 easy for a stuffed lobster and two of the steamed lobster clambake entrees. My lobster macaroni and cheese was divine, but not $20 divine for such a small portion. If we ever make the trek up north to this restaurant again, we will go in the summertime when the lobster catch is more plentiful.
(3)
Rudy G.
I'm sorry, I WANT to rave about hometown establishments, but my recent two experiences here were not great. The location is awesome with views of the working harbor and plenty of parking. As a self-admitted foodie and picky about quality food, I will not dine here again. Very middle-of-road which is great for those who seek little adventure or creativity for their meal out. The place could use a decent scrubbing; not thrilled with picking up a pepper shaker slick with grease. Giving two stars for the potential of having a drink at the bar/view. There are plenty of other places in Gloucester with far better fare.
(2)
Nick S.
Meh. I stopped here while visiting Gloucester, expecting that the popularity of the place would mean that some good food was waiting on the inside, but that turned out to not really be the case. Sure, my lunch was ok, but it was incredibly overpriced. My clam strip roll cost almost twice as much as I would pay elsewhere, and it was lacking in flavor and much too chewy. A cup of soup is also $7 and mediocre, while other places nearby have really excellent $4 cups. The whole place also felt a bit kitsch to me. It was raining when we went, so we couldn't eat outside (which looked nicer) but the inside felt like typical phoned-in nautical decor that you would see anywhere but on the shore. Except that's where we were. Avoid it unless you're REALLY itching to go for some reason. There's no shortage of seafood restaurants in the area, and this is not one of the best.
(2)
The Hungry American E.
Their food tastes like rubber and their prices are silly for a dump. Gloucester has so many better restaurants.
(1)
Fabian M.
The food here was good. We were there for one day, and the area is beautiful. The food was yummy. I would eat here again.
(3)
Steve R.
The seafood stew was fantastic. My wife ordered it. Unfortunately, I ordered the skewered shrimp, which came with one skewer of 6 shrimp for $16. Really? Totally not worth it! But my wife's stew was abundant and fantastic. So it gets a 2 for the shrimp and a 4 for the stew and you end up with a 3 overall. I would go back, but not for the shrimp.
(3)
Nippa E.
My husband and I made a trip to Gloucester because all things nautical fascinate him and Gloucester is just about the oldest seaport in America. It's been on his list of places to visit. The town itself is super cute and quaint. Back to the actual restaurant....We chose the restaurant The Gloucester House due to the positive reviews from TripAdvisor. We sat on the outside on the deck with a view of docked fishing boats. We had water, a beer, an appetizer - calamari, a cup of soup - clam chowder, Lobster ravioli and Lobster supreme. Our tab ran about $120 including tax and tip which is a bit pricey, but about normal for an upscale seafood restaurant. This was not an upscale seafood restaurant. The calamari was fresh and the batter was light, but it was a bit on the greasy side. The clam chowder was good, but nothing to really celebrate. The Lobster Ravioli which was my main course and a "house special"....was really disappointing. The ravioli itself was really thick and heavy--not at all what I expect a lobster ravioli to be. The sauce was also really thick and looked and heavy which is not what a lobster ravioli sauce should be. It tasted alright, but sat like a lump in my stomach. The Lobster Supreme was pretty good and a bib wasn't necessary. Why might you ask? This lobster dish is one that has been dissected for you. It's 1lb of lobster that has already been worked out of the lobster and combined with shrimp and scallops and stuffed back into the shell of the lobster it once was. I can't remember what the market price of this was but it was somewhere between $45-49 on its own. The service was okay. There were two waitresses working the deck tables and occasionally my water glass was filled when we were able to flag one down. The food came out pretty timely though and I was super hungry at the time so I really appreciated that. What I didn't like most about the experience was when the Whale Watching ship pulled into dock. It was cool watching the boat come in and all those people staring at us like an ad for the restaurant, but along with the boat came the incredibly awful diesel smell and smoke or dirt that it blew up from below. That came all directly at us. Yuck. Also, beware of those seagulls. I think the restaurant actually does this right. They have these Sam Adams umbrellas at the tables. They're there not only to shield you from the sun, but also the seagulls. We got bombed twice during our meal, but we weren't directly hit thanks the the umbrella and thanks to the fact that we sat more towards the restaurant than the outer part of the deck. This just wasn't my kind of place. The food was okay. It wasn't the most horrible, but it only strikes the mediocre cord with me. Pricing is a little high for what you get. Service could have been better, but they were at least nice. If you're visiting town, I wouldn't say to avoid this place altogether. Some people may actually really enjoy it, but for me, I would probably try somewhere else if I'm ever in Gloucester again.
(2)
Martha N.
Went here in the last week of September for lobster. It was a tiny bit overcooked. Would have been 3 stars but the waitress overheard that I had been celebrating a birthday and comped us a chocolate cake sundae with a candle and song. I'd go back for the bread and the kindness.
(4)
Edward S.
If you are looking for a traditional, seafood restaurant while in Gloucester, try the Gloucester House. Service was excellent, food was above average and prices were slightly above average. View of Gloucester harbor was ok but then again, it is a working harbor so do expect to see working fishing boats, warehouses, ferries, etc. It seemed like a good place to bring a family.
(3)
Kat H.
Jeffery N. is totally right--everyone there could easily be a grandparent. And now I know, if my grandparents ever come down here, I'll probably take them to the Gloucester House. The atmosphere is obviously suited to match such patrons. The food is WAY overpriced and if you don't like seafood (like me), you're pretty much out of luck. I counted 4 non-seafood items, and almost all of them were over $15.00. I got the steaktips and could easily have eaten them all and gotten a dessert afterwards. Well cooked, to be sure, but there was nothing special about it. The water view isn't worth it folks...go downtown to eat, where there are much better establishments. Oh, and the metered parking in front is for the tours. Go to the back for the free restaurant parking. We were too hungry to care at the moment.
(2)
Ray C.
Long wait for our table (dinner party of 8 with two kids under 10), notably cold dining room, over 45 minute wait for our food after ordering, three surrounding tables were seated after and fed before us (incl another table of 8), baked haddock was good.
(2)
Bill M.
A fun place to hit for a weekday lunch. Food is priced well, drinks are killer and service is amazing. I try to stay away on those beautiful sunny days, because I shy way from crowds when I can.
(4)
Bill S.
Food is very good. Prices are quite high. They have a service mentality. They initially seated our party in a very noisy location, but agreed to re-seat us. This took a lot longer than expected. They offered us free drinks while we waited, but no one was interested so instead they gave us complementary desserts. Menu is heavy on seafood, but has other meat. Only veg item on menu is veggie burger. However, if you ask they will tell you they have a veg scampi. This is very delicious, but I don't understand why they refuse to put it on the menu.
(4)
Sita M.
I went here for Valentines day because of a lack of planning, and although we had a fun time, the food was terrible. The wait staff was very nice, pleasant, helpful - but the food was bland, the menu not so interesting (especially as someone else mentioned for the non-seafood folks). There is something a bit charming about the campy fisherman decor (I like the giant harpoon). I would not recommend this place to anyone looking to have a good dinner. The prices are too high for what you get. However, it might be a nice place to go on a David-Lynch type date, just for coffee. The lamps on the tables are fantastic, but overall I give this place a thumbs down.
(1)
Amber K.
I just went here for a wedding rehearsal dinner. It was really good! I was a little nervous at first, because I realized upon arriving that my lobster order consisted of a whole boiled lobster. I'm originally from inland California and not accustomed to eating fresh shellfish! The staff were really friendly and efficient and made sure we were set up with space heaters (it was cold so close to the ocean!). They had a ridiculous abundance of food, including fresh clam chowder, cornbread, and then the main course of either lobster or steak, plus chicken, corn on the cob, and a baked potato. Yowzers! I had just enough room for the chowder, cornbread, and my lobster, after feasting on a variety of tasty appetizers. These included cheese and crackers, calamari, fresh veggies, and a few different dips. The staff set up and served each course quickly, which is not easy for a crowd of 25 hungry people! The clam chowder was soooo good that I texted my mom, a native New Hampshire-ite transplanted to rural California, to tell her about it. And then there was the fresh lobster... Once I got over the initial, "what the H-- do I do with this thing?!" I enjoyed cracking open the hot leg/claw/tail shells to reveal deliciously tender lobster meat. When seafood is as fresh as that, you don't need anything more than a little clarified butter to put you in foodie heaven!! I was a little disappointed that they didn't have any Sam Adams beer. And for those who ordered steak, their options were essentially medium-rare or well-done. That seemed like a limited range, but that could have been due to the size of the group. We were even given some Gloucester history by someone that I'm assuming was the owner. I will now always remember that the "most important church in all of America" is in Gloucester, MA, as it was the congregation that spurred the First Amendment right to freedom of religion. We all would have preferred, though, that they served the chowder before he started telling stories ;) No doubt I'll be back when I'm in the area again!
(4)
Bigby S.
Not my kind of place. Feels like a place trying to be upscale, but not too much in order to attract locals and lower middle class tourists. The food was decent and fresh. I have tried salmon, cod, haddock, mussels, clams. lobster here. All of it was solid but unmemorable. The beer selections was so so. Potato sides were lackluster. A standout was the tartar sauce. Pre dinner snacks were weird. Service was very nice but slow.
(3)
Katia M.
I take my parents here for seafoody goodness that's not as expensive as, say, Legal, and has a little more character as well. They're big fans, and love eating out on the deck in the summer, smell of the wharves and all (it wasn't noticeable when we went, actually, but it was high tide). Last time I went, there was nothing non-seafood on the menu that I liked, so they made me a special dish. I'll probably go next time I'm in Gloucester. Oh, and their popovers were to die for.
(4)
jenilee p.
wow, lot of negative reviews... i think this restaurant by the water deserves another tale of a good experience. said plainly, i have fun here, and presently, lobster is cheap. not to mention, al fresco dining is one of their options. sure, there are a lot of old people, who :: RESPECT :: have had an awful lot of opportunity to shop around, and understand sometimes that its nice to sit outside, and messily crack into a red crustacean. as of a week ago, this restaurant had a 15 dollar boiled lobster dinner special. you can choose between an air conditioned dining room with quirky nautical, old school decor, or a covered semi-outdoor area, overlooking a sort of dance floor (did anyone say labor day party?!), or again, the outdoor seating area. when i've gone here, its usually a bonus round to a nice walk around gloucester's downtown area. i like the clientele of this restaurant, which sort of throws trendiness to the wind, and just plain enjoys themselves. i would bring my mother here, my godparents here, uncles and aunts, and any out of town guests that would like a nice sit down new england experience. lobster bibs and all, i accept it as a casual time to smile with ones companions. be assured, the lobster is cooked perfectly and you'll get a nice view of gloucester's harbor. i just thought it would be worth throwing this place a bone, and recommend it especially if you're a tourist to this famous little fishing town, and don't mind dining with a bunch of grandmas and grandpas. if you don't like seafood... what the hell is wrong with you... jk jk , first, as much as i know every person hates to hear this, why not just try it? start simple and go for a stuffed baked lobster? if the answer is still no, perhaps you would do better outside of coastal new england towns and be more apt to a culinary venture to the midwest... may i recommend kansas city bbq? but if you're still anti-seafood and intent on eating on the new england coast, you're sure to enjoy some of the more upscale restaurants in boston? another little tip for those who do enjoy jewels of the ocean but may not be from new england -- if you like mussels, you might want to try some steamers, as most mussels are going to be imported from pei (as is the case from most parts of this country), and steamers are more likely to give you a taste of the local flavor.
(4)
Lauren W.
So the first sign that it's probably a bad restaurant is the sign that says "Yes we're open!" and "AAA approved!". My husband made the remark, it's probably full of grandparents trying to get an early bird special. And yet, somehow we ended up eating here. Ugh! It was still sunny out when we came in to the restaurant but somehow the restaurant was very dark and gloomy! We got brought to our booth table and the seat cushion was all ripped up which made for a very uncomfortable, uneven seated dinner. The food was ok but SO EXPENSIVE! To top it off our friend got violently sick from his fried clams! There are so many better seafood options in Massachusetts, don't come here!
(1)
Jeff R.
Old school style family dining that used to be the predominant type of seafood joint on the Mass shore. I have always enjoyed the food, although you can find cheaper options in Gloucester, but I find the kitschy atmosphere and helpful staff worth the money. Yes, lots of old folks, but so what? Are you afraid of the elderly? They are longtime patrons and are usually long gone by 7pm. Lively bar frequented by locals, too.
(4)
Kai L.
Gloucester is a very quiet pretty seaside town. I had Hopper's painting in mind when I visited the area and went to this restaurant upon recommendation of a lady at the tourist info center. It was quite a disappointment. I had a lobster meal, which was one of the least gourmet ones I ever had. The price was not terribly bad, probably around the same range as the ones you can find in many New England seaside establishments. The ambience was yes, outdated, and mostly older folks (probably locals), which I don't mind much. After all, if this is what the locals want, I wouldn't mind experience some local flavor, but the food was just not impressive at all.
(2)
R B.
overpriced and full of very old people, nothing hip or interesting about this place.
(2)
Jeffrey N.
i felt like everyone eating here was 3 times my age- out dated decor and not impressed with the menu. sorry. my other 2 friends and I left sad and still hungry. whoooooom wamp.
(1)
Jeannie C.
Tourist spot. It sits right on Seven Seas Wharf and you can see Whale Watch boats, fishing boats and all go in and out. The prices are high! The food is good enough.
(3)
Dmitry P.
Amazing place! Onion sup is the best I ever tried. Onions are thin cut, a lot of cheese - delicious. Baked haddock is very suggested, especially with mashed potato. The place itself is nice wig a lot parking spots available.
(5)
Michele K.
My husband and I spent 3 days in Rockport. Pretty much everything was closed on the day it rained so after looking around on Yelp, I found this place. We were seated right away and our orders were quickly taken. We each got a french onion soup to start. I got the seafood mac and cheese. They were out of the steak my husband wanted so he opted for the baby back ribs. The soup was perfect on a cool, rainy day! Very good flavor and the onions were not too thick. Then, my mac and cheese arrived. It was huge! It was mounded up over the top of the casserole and covered in toasted bread crumbs. The cheese sauce was rich and abundant and there were large chunks of lobster, scallops, and shrimp. No dry mac and cheese here! I could only eat half. My husband liked his ribs. They were tender and had a good amount of sauce. Not as good as in a bbq place, but better than what he expected for a predominantly seafood restaurant. (He's not a seafood lover). Good service. No issues. Price was comparable to other restaurants of this type. I had the leftover mac and cheese for lunch the next day and it reheated well.
(4)
Cathy M.
A group of four of us had a fantastic meal on Sunday. Give it a try. Cocktails were great and food was super deluxe... Mexican Chicken was amazing. My husband had shrimp Zarella and just loved it. We started with stuffed clams and they were homemade and yummy .. We have been to Sunday brunch numerous times and have never been disappointed Always get a great meal here and service is spot on. !!!!!
(5)
John T.
Attention, only my third 5 star review in 60 reviews. I have a rule if it's the best thing you've ever eaten 5 stars. 4 of us went last night. Place was full but nobody was at bar. I think you get better service at the bar anyways. Bartender told me the oysters were big and meaty. We got a dozen. Everyone ordered there food and drink. Oysters came out and they were big ones. Then my friend gave me the biggest oyster I have eaten. Not the shell but the oyster was the size of a fried egg . All the food was great. Our server Lily and her brother were great! The space was awesome with lots of historical maritime pictures. Hope to go back to try more seafood.
(5)
Cookie M.
I came off the whale watch tour and decided to go to this place given it had seating outside and and the weather was nice. Big mistake. No raw clams on the menu. The girl gave me some BS about availability and too high of a demand etc. I was in the cape right before and I can tell you clams were Everywhere. Oysters were ok but not great. All and all avoid the place if you can. There are other options around.
(1)
Gerald F.
Great outdoor lobster pond dining. Hey. Get a quad for $35. 4 rolls. Dip in butter. That's $8/ lobster roll. Hot too. Which I like. On. The wharf. Nice.
(5)
Kayo P.
Great seating options, and well prepared lobsters. The server attending us was visibly busy, but was trying her best to accommodate our wishes. Had a table with rather abnoxious people next to ours, but their incessant loud chatter and drunken attempts at including us in their conversations didn't hamper our experience.
(4)
Heather S.
I had my wedding rehearsal diner and the Gloucester House. Dotty and her team did a fantastic job. The tables were was set up beautifully and the food was very good. The prices were reasonable and it was nicer than I could have imagined. If you are looking for a venue to have a large dinner party, no need to look any further. I highly recommend the Gloucester House.
(5)
Shelby S.
My boyfriend and I were just visiting and looking for a place to sit overlooking the water. Unfortunately it was too cold to sit outside so we compromised sitting inside overlooking the water. We walked into Gloucester House and the hostess said we could sit wherever we wanted! We found a nice booth right next to the window. We ordered some mussels and beers and they were both pretty delicious. We weren't looking to eat dinner just drinks and appetizers. Our waitress seemed not to be happy in our choice and was just rushing us the entire time. An okay experience as we were visiting but would rather go a couple blocks away to Latitude 43.
(2)
Cupcake C.
Blandest food I've ever had. Most of us weren't at all impressed, even the 3 yr old. The easy-mac from a box for the mac n'cheese on the kids menu was also special, especially for what they charge. Yum, plastic cheese.
(1)
John O.
Had a good early dinner here today. Service was very good. Fisherman's platter a bit pricey for what it was, especially a little heavy on the calamari. Definitely fresh and good tasting. Would go back again and try something straight forward like a lobster roll.
(3)
Britt D.
Took my sister here a few months ago and I am finally reviewing! This was the best fish and chips on this coast. The seafood was fresh and view of the docks was perfect. Will come back again soon as I loved the view.
(4)
Rita V.
We were hungry before the Schooner sail, so we waltzed in. Since we didn't have a reservation, we couldn't get an outdoor table, but they put us as close to outdoors as possible. One thing, they FRY RIGHT - the calamari, the shrimp and the super fresh local haddock - spot on. Great cornbread, and great service. Best seafood I've had? No, not really. But certainly not the worst either, so for being in the middle, they do a decent job and don't break the bank. Reasonably priced, I wasn't expecting much based on the reviews, but I have to say it was a pleasant surprise.
(3)
Craig S.
Was expecting a boring traditional seafood jont like lobsta land but I was pleasantly surprised. Amazing inventive menu. I was in the mood for Mexican and they actually had 2 Mexican fish options blackened haddock tacos and Mexican style fish both were awesome. Also tried the buffalo scallops such a great idea and perfectly executed. Was told French onion soup was bomb as well. Great friendly service large open indoor and outside seating. I will definitely be back.
(5)
K H.
This was a pit stop for a couple beers at the bar and some oysters. The duxbury oysters were great and I am now a fan of Plum Island white Belgian style beer. Plus they had a large selection of beer with locals too It was a Wednesday early evening and looked to be a decent amount of locals at the bar and dining room for this casual restaurant overlooking the waterfront
(4)
Shawn R.
They didn't have brewed tea, which is always a bummer - but i discovered not many places near Boston do. I ordered the clam strips and they were the best I ever had in my life. I mean stunningly good. Golden and buttery, perfect texture. Excellent.
(4)
Cee L.
awash with butter the baked haddock is awash with butter and the ratio of fish/breadcrumbs/butter is woefully off base. the service was so so and the lack of vegetable choices [corn on the cob and coleslaw] is sorely lacking. they've been in business for nearly 60 years and it would be a good place to take your grandparents, if they were still alive. hopefully they will update their business model as they have a good location and loads of potential.
(2)
Janis C.
Long wait to get seated -- no one was at the front, and when there finally was, I just got stared at without a hello. The food came quickly and was super hot as though everything had just been microwaved. I ordered broccoli as a side and was given green beans without being told that they had switched the veg. The rice pilaf was crunchy. ... Crunchy. Like, I'm still digging rice out of my teeth where it got jammed down to the gums because it was that hard. Sent back the rice and it was a little better, but still had that super-hot "freshly microwaved" heat to it. Not a fan.
(2)
Staci S.
Fairly decent food. Fish and chips were bland. Baked clams were ok. Ok place if you just want to grab a quick bite. Nothing too exciting.
(3)
Shelly Z.
We were told to try this restaurant by some friends. The customer service was ok. Nothing to write home about. We actually had lunch and dinner here. The cornbread at lunch was very good. My salad was not. For dinner, I had the lobster pie. It was good. I assume the woman who was the hostess is the owner/manager. She seemed snobby, which isn't a good look for tourists!
(3)
John M.
Came here for lunch, first time. Excellent service. My wife got the lobster roll -loved it, quality and fresh. I got the fried haddock, not overly fried or crispy - delicious. I'm surprised to see the average 3 stars, we're locals and will definitely be returning with friends. Lastly, we called a local competitor first, and they were rude on the phone. This place was super friendly via phone - so we came here; glad we did.
(5)
Melissa W.
We went here for lunch while walking around Gloucester. I loved the cornbread they brought out. They say us by the water and my son loved watching the boats. I had a fish sandwich that was quite tasty. My sister had the warm lobster roll, and she said it was delicious too. Service was great. Love the history of this place!
(4)
Crystal R.
The staff was friendly no wait on a Saturday afternoon and the food was fresh and delicious. I had a cup of clam chowder perfectly thick with bacon pieces in it. For my entree the baked haddock fries and green beans. The fish was cooked perfectly the green beans nice and fresh and the French fries crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Everything tasted like it was made from scratch that day. It came with cran apple relish on the side which was to die for I could eat a bowl of that! Not to mention the beautiful view of the ocean. An hour later I'm happy relaxed and full for a mere $27
(5)
Sam O.
WOW!! What a great place to eat. Unbelievable traditional chowder, fantastic service and atmosphere. You just have to try it.
(5)
Bob O.
My wife and 2 sons had dinner here. Everthing was excellent! It exceeded my expectations. I had the clam chowder and stuffed lobster with lobster. The chowder had a great clam stock with a great depth of flavor.the clams were tender. The stuffed lobster was superb, it came out hot and full of lobster with a butter breadcrumb topping, side of butter and lemons. My wife had the lobster roll. A full 8 ounces the waitress told us. It was heaving with lobster! Plus you could get it 2 different ways one with drawn butter on it or mayo based that is what she had and she loved it. Ordered a manhattan and it came with the glass and shaker/pourer filled with liquor. I ended up having three glasses out of it! The sides were mashed sweet potatoes they had a wonderful seasoned flavor. Also a nice tart cranberry relish/slaw that countered the sweet potatoes. The waitress we had was very thourough and answered all of our questions, also very professional. It was our first time in gloucester and we'll definitely be back to the gloucester house in the future. Definitley satisfied our lobster craving!
(5)
Emily T.
We went yesterday on a busy Sunday. My cousin and friends always came here for lobster roll every year. I was having high hopes about this place. However the bread was stale in the beginning. The service was good. However the kitchen messed up our orders and we all order fries and corn to come with our lobster roll. We got cold slaw with our meal which we told many times that we didn't want it. My cousin was disappointed on how they downsize the lobster roll and how they burnt our fries. I thought the lobster roll was kind of bland. I don't think we are going to come back again sadly.
(2)
Beau S.
We stopped in here after exploring Glouster. Most parking is paid FYI. As far as the decor- This looks like someplace your grandmother would eat. It's very old school. Besides that, it's right on the water and fisherman and working on their boats, and walking around. It was very interesting. Our food was amazing. Best clam chowder I've ever had! Also, the lobster, shrimp and scallops Mac n cheese is incredible! It big too, my wife and I split it.
(4)
Dawn B.
Having been born and raised in New England and moving west I was so glad to be home....Food is what I missed the most, and food was what I wanted my husband to experience. We had lunch at the Gloucester House....My husbands exact words were "If you have not had their clam chowder, you have NOT had clam chowder" He also had the cold lobster roll and was in heaven. I had the crab stuffed mushrooms that were wonderful and the 1.25 pound lobster....AMAZING!!!! Great prices and awesome atmosphere! Strongly recommend!
(5)
Theo B.
Service sucks to those morons 20 min to finally seat us. the waitress had no clue what she was doing took hours to serve us or completely forgot about us...oh well no tip for her. And the food was ok for the most part it's a TOURIST TRAP there are a THOUSAND OTHER BETTER PLACES to go to in either rock port or Gloucester it was an hour and and half until finally we complained to the manager. oh and i almost forgot one guy nearly keeled over from heat exhaustion and a large party and a few other which had come in after us was serve prior to us. as an owner id be EMBARRASSED by the staff overall service and conduct.
(2)
Larry D.
The lobster pie was super. Kim had the seafood pasta and it was the best we have ever had. The pieces of seafood were huge in both dishes. We had heard the service was poor. Our server, Jackie, was the best we have had in a while.
(5)
Ann A.
Am not a complainer by nature, but this was sadly underwhelming, especially for my first fried clam experience of the season... It's Gloucester, man; come ON! And I treated my dearest to lunch, and it was so mediocre... I did not allow it to be so important that it would upset a holiday (July 4th) weekend, but I can't recommend it, and won't return. July 4th weekend (will not allow that to be an excuse for what follows!). Hostess: Passive/aggressive (looks at people [a little old lady who was inquiring about handicapped access] like they're crazy for asking questions, and we, too, for asking "Is there outside seating?" "You can sit INSIDE! We're near the reservation hour!" then says, "We're so glad you're here with us today." Food: Clam chowder: Less bacon, more clams, please (it's CLAM chowder!), and it seemed gloppy/corn-starchy like it was from a can. Marinated octopus salad: Great texture with the octo, but no octo taste; need to use fresh cherry tomatoes, not big slices of unripe tomatoes... Whole-belly clams: Again, great texture, not greasy, impeccably prepped, but barely any taste/clam essence. Tartar sauce mainly mayo, not qualitative. Beverage: Don't serve me rail when I order, and you charge me for, Belvedere or Grey Goose (yes, people can tell the diff!). I looked at other customers' dishes, which looked lovely - perhaps order the pasta dishes, if you go. Ambience: Nothing special. Rest rooms were messy, with hooks on stall doors about to fall off, and holes in the wall, TP and paper towels strewn all about. When we were there, they were giving the owner his 89th birthday cake and clapping. On the way out the door, the hostess was saying to him, "We didn't get you presents 'cause you have EVERYthing!" He employs you - the greatest gift would be to rep him well...
(1)
Shayda G.
My fish was cooked to perfection and the mango apple salsa they had was delicious!! Customer service was great, our waiter was very attentive and they even had a gluten free and vegan menu! I got the cod fish which was one of the specials and I was super happy!! My boyfriend got the crab lobster sandwich and he said it was the best one he has ever had. I just wish they had the patio open to enjoy the ocean breeze.
(4)
Carol S.
This place is for the tour buses. The food is nothing special and meager and the prices are above average, as you'd expect of a tired old-school seaside restaurant. They were out of steamers when we arrived and apparently the chef is unaware that mussels that don't open after cooking started as dead mussels. I put them on a plate for the waitress to see. Not that there were many mussels. My friends had seafood dinners that reminded me of Howard Johnson's---but with higher prices. You can do better.
(2)
Jessica P.
We had our rehearsal dinner here for 11 people. When I called to make the reservation I was just expecting a table in the back nothing fancy. When we got there a portion of the function room was portioned off and a large table was set for us with centerpieces. Most of the party ordered seafood, mostly scallops and they liked it allot. One got steak and really enjoyed it. I got (vegetarian) Greek scampi. It was wonderful!
(5)
Michelle B.
I'd love to give this place more stars because the food is excellent, but the service was horrible. We politely asked if we could move to a table with an umbrella because it was so hot in the sun, and 2 ladies were extremely rude. She said people were waiting on the tables, yet there were 3 empty tables with no one else seated. They definitely need to work on their customer servi ce here. They certainly continued to give us grief for moving. I even addressed her rude behavior to her, and she was still hateful. We love good food and good service is key. Unfortunately, we will not return.
(2)
Sherry Y.
The food is expensive (comparing to Cape Cod). The quality is decent but the service is horrible. Our server is very unfriendly, did not come to our table to pour water and did not gave us corn cake, and was slow in everything.
(1)
Caleb B.
The food was good, when it came out right... Which took a few tries. The service is hit or miss and the staff didn't seem to happy to be working there. I discovered why when I overheard a conversation of the owner screaming at a member of his staff. I think the only reason that this place is still surviving is due to the locals that have been coming here for years and years. I wont be back. Anyone who treats his staff like that doesn't deserve my money, regardless of the quality of food. Good luck.
(1)
Edwin M.
THREE WORDS: Lobster-stuffed lobster.....I'm really surprised that the average rating for The Gloucester house is 3 stars, we really enjoyed this place. The food was phenomenal, we loved the fresh baked cornbread and fresh fried calamari appetizer. They have their own craft beer which was great and I must say that our server Jenny gave us immaculate service during our time spent there. This is another location I can't wait to go back to. It's just a 45 ride north of Boston.
(5)
Tim J.
RIGHT on the water with huge ships just outside the window. Fishing ships bring their catch in the backside of this place. Oil paintings on the wall..wood ship models....candlelight and tablecloths...yes this is a rustic, seafood house. They do have steak and chicken...I suggest the sizzling chicken. I also had lobster pizza appetizer which was very good homemade cracker crust with buttery cheese and quarter sized slices of lobster...more coverage than a dominos pepperoni pie. Chowder wad chock full of multi sized clams and decent medium thickness buttery thyme-y broth. Beats the hell outta Campbells. Wait service was lightning fast with accuracy and constantly filled drinks. pretty good.....slightly pricey but what you would expect from a waterside seafood house. There were several men whom looked like the media version of ships captains. Waitstaff were really nice local gals. Be sure to tip them well because they take good care of you.
(4)
melissa T.
We were on a mission for Lobster Rolls. We came, We found, we conquered. Not only did we get our amazing lobster rolls, - they serve 2 kinds, appeasing to our individual tastes. They also had Lobster mac n cheese- most delicious. We both really liked the clam chowder as well. The Lobster stuffed Lobster was pretty tempting as well. The fresh baked corn bread was delicious. We arrived for a very late lunch, and the place was empty, which was totally fine. Our waitress was very friendly. Would most definitely visit again!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Accepts Bitcoin : No Good For : Dinner Parking : Street, Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
arielle s.
My husband and I are here last weekend and were not impressed. I ordered a dish off the specials which contained mussels. 20 minutes later after we placed the order I was told the kitchen was out of mussels. Not a big deal but right after the waitress informed us and asked what else I would like for dinner the food came out. It was as if the restaurant waited until the last minute to let us know about the mussels. My dish turned out good - I substituted shrimp for the mussels. My husband had linguini and white clams. The dish was ok. I was secretly happy it wasn't me who got stuck eating it. The pasta looked different as well - almost like noodles you would find in chicken noodle soup. The appetizers were ok at best. The shrimp special had no taste and baked clams were big but again tasteless. There are much tastier restaurants on the water to try right in the area of this one.
(3)Katie S.
My boyfriend and I decided to try this restaurant out for Valentine's day, and I cannot say enough about it! I got the honey glazed salmon with a mixed berry compote and everything was just wonderful and cooked perfectly. Our waitress Jennifer was absolutely amazing, solicitous but not overly so and extremely helpful. My boyfriend got the seafood mac and cheese and he loved it. This is without a doubt our new favorite! If you haven't tried it you are missing out!
(5)Justin T.
I will tell ya, the water service at this place made one of the strongest comebacks in the history of water services. As a person who loves to drink water during meals, when we first sat down the size of the water glass immediately made me nervous. These water glasses were tiny and this guy was thirsty. As i downed the two sips of water in glass the waitress did not return to fill my water for about 20 minutes, I almost passed out from dehydration. When she did return to fill my glass, it was like she could read my mind, as I downed the next glass she quickly came to refill right away. After that she caught fire on the refills, I'm talking ray Allen from 3 on fire, refill after refill. Totally redeemed herself. What a comeback......Food was mediocre. You can do better Gloucester.
(3)Mark T.
I gave this 3 stars because my prior experience influenced my lunch today. Last year I stopped by the Gloucester House and sat in the bar area. It wasn't too busy and I ordered fish & chips. Those were the best fish and chips ever! Back in town, I decided to drive up and get some more of the delicious fish and chips. The restaurant was busy being a weekend and we were seated in the back patio section - which was nice. Sunny, nice breeze from the water, good view of boats. I'm excited. I don't really look at the menu - just order the fish and chips! My friend ordered the honey & nut salmon and we split a bowl of the clam chowder. She ordered a diet coke and me a water. It took a bit of time, but the server came by with the drinks and soon after the soup & corn bread. The soup was good, the corn bread was excellent and things were looking up. Earlier in the day I ran a 5 mile run and was still a little thirsty. Mistake. The coke came in a regular sized cup, but the water was a small goblet, mostly of ice. It didn't last long, but the server was nowhere to be found. We waited and waited, still no sign of him. Eventually he returned to collect the soup bowl and he started to walk away - we had to ask for refills. I don't know where he went to get the refills because he was gone about 10 minutes before returning. Again, I started on the water, but realized I better pace myself. It might be a while before we saw him again - and it was. The next appearance was when he brought out the food. It looked great. 3 huge pieces of fish, and the salmon looked good as well. Last time the fish was crunchy and nicely fried - but this time, a little soggy. Maybe it was a soft fry? Somewhere between baked and fried. The fish was flaky and good. No vinegar - I had to ask for that, and since he was here, I had to ask for another water too. As it turns out the water was able to be refilled at a station close to our table - so why the long wait? Then the bill arrived. The fish and chips was showing as the $11.99 lunch portion, but the salmon, which my friend ordered from the lunch page was charged at the regular $21 price. She asked if she had not ordered the lunch dish. The server said oh yeah, took the ticket and was gone for a while. He returned with the price adjusted - which the difference between the regular and the lunch price is $10, so it is definitely noticeable. That made me wonder what he put in to the kitchen. Was it the lunch portion and he charge the wrong one, or did he order the regular portion? I don't really think he knew what he was doing. The food was good, but not nearly as good as it was before. The service was definitely weak. Too slow and a little unsure of what he was doing. Keeping the drinks full should be basic. After this experience, the Gloucester House wasn't as exciting as I remembered.
(3)Julie N.
When in Gloucester... get f*cking lobster. My husband and I joked that every restaurant in Gloucester should be called Lobster A, Lobster B, Lobster C, Lobster D... you get my point. The waitress was pretty bad, the sangria was far too sweet, but the lobster? Yeah. That's why we came to Gloucester. The lobster was fresh out of the boat like a minute beforehand. Btw: Gloucester and Lobster sound a little far alike, don't you think? The lobster was affordable and delicious and the coleslaw and nine fries that came with it were perfect. We weren't looking to venture far too out of the box here and what we got matched our expectations. If you're looking for more than that? Listen to the Yelpers.
(4)Gisele M.
If you want lobster and you are in Gloucester - I would go here. The lobster is fresh and delicious. I love how it comes with a twice baked potato. The standard bread here is cornbread which is delicious! I'm pretty sure all of the locals come here as well because it is usually pretty busy at lunch.
(4)Cindy l.
Very good food, atmosphere is a little tired. Good view of the docks.
(3)Jennifer P.
Husband & I took a motorcycle trip to Gloucester today. We were looking for a place to grab a late lunch and this place seemed like a nice place to stop. We parked & went in. We waited for a few minutes waiting to be acknowledged by a waitress or waiter and although at least 6-7 walked past us, not one looked at us or gave us the time of day. Kind of sad - must not have appreciated our "biker" look lol. Their loss - we walked out and went to a place down the street where we got waited on upon entering. We were glad we left this place & spent our money somewhere else.
(1)Y. S.
Table for 5 on Saturday afternoon sat out on the deck perfect weather to eat out. We ordered apps. Steamers, 1/2 dozen oysters, & o-rings. My son had calamari dinner, my girls spilt a garden salad & clam chowder, my wife had the lobster salad roll that was HUGE, and for myself I had the Haddock Oscar so delicious I just wish that portion was bigger. Our waitress was very friendly & quick. "Yes we will be back" about a 40-50 minute drive from Methuen but worth the drive : )
(4)Jamie H.
i was really impressed with the food, and it's a great value with cost considered. it's a bit rustic, but it does offer indoor and outdoor seating as well as the porch option. we ordered a few appetizers, including the bing bang calamari, clam chowder, scallop salad, and a few oysters. before we ordered, we received a basket of cornbread that was absolutely delicious - it was very moist and served hot. my favorite dish was the scallop salad, which had a sweet raspberry dressing, perfectly cooked scallops, and seared apples. it was dressed a bit heavily, but i did really like it. the oysters were very fresh, although the sauce leaned much closer to ketchup than cocktail sauce. the calamari was also very good, and had a nice crisp and a spicy, sweet dressing. i liked the flavor of the chowder, but i didn't think it had quite enough clam or texture. overall, the food was really good and our waitress was very sweet. however, we sat on the covered porch and there were quite a few black flies that were hanging around, which was a bit of a turn-off. despite this, gloucester house is an excellent, affordable option with easy to please items.
(3)George K.
When in Gloucester eat like the locals. It was a choice between this and Latitude, and we decided on this. Obviously had to get the lobsters, which were tasty and fresh. Waitress was very helpful in helping us with getting to all the tasty bits (although older locals sitting behind us were a bit too opinionated for our tastes).
(4)Theresa M.
I heard some hype about this place so I had high expectations. After a lovely time in Gloucester on the water I decided to check it out. Sadly, I was disappointed from the start...although the chocolate martini sampler was pretty cool I'll admit that. I ordered a Caesar salad with fried shrimp on it and I felt sick all night afterwards; instant heartburn. My boyfriend was not impressed with what he ordered as well. Needless to say we will not return anytime soon to try some other options...oh and it's kinda pricey too...
(1)Angela P.
Great place !!! Came for festival !!! Great time
(4)James D.
It was very clean. Great atmosphere. The fisherman platter was perfectly prepared, and the Sirloin tips were cooked to perfection. It had a great view of the docks and they had a fire place going. We had a wonderful experience.
(5)Chih C.
Great food and friendly service. I had soup and Lobster roll lunch for their special. I was amazed by how much of the lobster they were given.
(4)Brooke D.
Sit in the back room.. You'll feel like you are on a ship! Neat place with good charm. I've had a few good meals here.
(3)James G.
the haddock tacos are to die for!
(5)Mike G.
not driving through a fishing town without a taste of the fresh catch (plus needed to use the loo). scored a table on the sunny waterside deck and had a heaping plate of fried calamari, shrimp, baby scallops, clams and cod w/ buttered cornbread. no question about freshness cuz i saw boat crew cleaning catch then deliver bounty to kitchen.
(4)Tricia V.
there was a very large bus tour there when we got there so we had to wait a bit at the bar. they have watermellon martinis!!!! already looking good for me :-) the bartender was super nice. Rick wanted a beer but they were out of his first 3 choices...so he setteled for just a beer. we waited probably 20-30 mins but the hostest kept coming up to us and updating the table time. we didnt have a time limit so it was fine. we got to our table. there was a guy at the whale watch booth that suggested the calamari. so we got the clamari that was on special with a sweet and spicey sauce on it.. it was yummy yummy yummy. i could of ate three. rick got the fried fish platter which was large and plenty. i got the lobster casserole. the breadcrumbs on top were a little over done but the lobster was good. this was good, we would go back.
(4)lella b.
This is a solid 2.0. I'm allergic to shellfish - yes i get this is a shellfish resturant but when you have out of town visitors. . . I swear I'll never go back. I asked the server if they have a non-shellfish menu (it makes it easier, some places do). Thet don't. It became compounded when I asked if all the items (ie non-shellfish) were fried in the same oil as the shellfish. She said they were: here is the problem, now the chicken, fries, calamari, fish are out. I then asked if there was a dedicated grill: nope. more chicken, burgers, steak out. I'm down to 3 types of salad: greek, house and ceasar. Seriously? These are my option for lunch? Look, I get you are a seafood house but many people don't eat shellfish one fry basket or one grill that you *don't* put shellfish on? Ok, let's move onto the salad. For $12.50, I got lettuce drenched in what I swear was bottled salad dressing. It wasn't a big bowl, it was a moderate sized salad that I paid about $4 too much for . . . .the lettuce hadn't been dried so the water mixed with the doused dressing. I wasn't amused. The server was probably the most disinterested person around. She brought the check promptly after we finished: the thing is? 2 of us wanted coffee and one of us wanted dessert: seems to me that could have been a few more bucks to her tip. We were constantly having to flag her down for things like water, bread, butter. It wasn't that busy, there was enough staff. My mom intially asked about the lobster: $32 for a 1.5lb lobster: hey, that's great but at the warehouse next door? they are $6.95/lb. That is a markup! Needless to say, she took a pass. Maybe this place is great for functions: but we all left feeling meh. The food wasn't horrific, but the lack of innovation (with a price tag to indicate innovation), lack of ability to accomidate an allergy and having exactly 1 non-shellfish item coupled with inattentive service makes it worth noting not to go back. Again, if you love seafood and everybody in your party does, this might work. But it's not a place for non seafood lovers. It's a shame: the location is fantastic.
(2)Sara L.
This place was pretty crowded and we faced a 45 minute wait for dinner so I thought it had to be good. I was sorely disappointed. We were lucky to get seated on the patio -- even though we didn't ask. It was nice to see the water but it was sort of a more industrial area and not as attractive as other views. The patio chairs were awful iron deals that seemed to have been made to sit way back in them. Not conducive to eating. I hate when restaurants just put out cheap patio furniture! The food, like many said, was expensive for what you get. Entrees that run about $20 are the same quality you'd get for $15 somewhere else. More along the line of quality of the likes of Picadilly Pub or 99 (I actually think I've had much better at Picadilly Pub and they give out ridiculously amazing coupons). Nothing standing out that is terrible about the food but not good either. Lowest point: I was delighted to find that the vegetable of the day was summer squash but it was cooked in such a way to be mushy and just bad. Highest: The bread was delicious and homemade. Our dinners took long and the server brought out more! Service was nice and friendly -- nothing to complain about there. Parking was adjacent and ample, even on a Saturday. My husband and i joked that you really just paid for the close parking with this establishment. Will have to try others in Gloucester. This was our first time there.
(2)Karen K.
After spending a day whale-watching, we were famished. Gloucester House is right on the pier where our boat docked, so we decided to try it. It was a perfect end to a perfect day. They sat us in the covered porch room, which is right on the water, so we enjoyed all the sounds of the water and seagulls flying by. The bacon-wrapped scallops were awesome (my first time trying sea scallops...YUM). My husband's lobster pie was soo buttery and rich, but amazing. My lobster roll was a bit bland. My boss had raved about the lobster rolls in New England, but this one didn't have a ton of flavor. The lobster meat was very good though. I wish I didn't live so far away, in Chicago, because I miss all the fresh New England seafood!! If I make it back to Gloucester, we will definitely be back.
(4)Uncle A.
Based on what was passed off as food at the two company parties I attended here, I'd only come here for another meal if MacDonald's was out of business. The only reason this place is still in business HAS to be because the owner is a longtime Gloucesterman and owns the building and the land/wharf it's on.
(1)James Q.
No time to write a detailed review so I'll give the highlights. I like the place itself. It's in a good location and decor and ambiance is good. The wait staff was very friendly and down to earth. The food was just ok. I had the lazy man's lobster and not much was done with it. For $35 I expected a bit more. My friend had the stuffed sole I believe, or some stuffed whitefish. That I didn't think was good at all. The gravy they poured all over it overwhelmed the fish and even the crabmeat stuffing. The wine list was not great and the bottle we had was ok. The prices for the wine were ok but the prices for the food were high considering the quality. Overall I'd give it a 4.5/10 if they used a 10 point scale.
(2)Shannon H.
I dont have too much to base my opinion on but i will give you the impression i got. We went in for dinner on a Sunday evening. Parking was pretty full but we found a spot. There was a "short" wait and we were given a light up lobster to be called when our table is ready. After checking out the place a little (menu looks ok, they had specials, some of which were already gone and crossed off, it is pretty dark and not fun inside, outdoor seating was limited but the bathroom was clean and user friendly) we let the hostess know we were going to wait out side for a few minutes and asked about how long the wait would be like 15? She responded "atleast 45"!... So as im sure you can guess we did not stay to eat. Did not seem like the type of atmosphere that we would wait 45 minutes in a parking lot to eat at. First impressions really stick.... and we didnt get a very good first impression.
(2)Chris B.
We went to Gloucester to roam and tried this place for a late lunch. I loved that we sat in the back room. The clam chowder and the children's Mac n cheese were good. On the flip side, the fish and chips were bland and so was my husband's lobster Mac n cheese, although they DID NOT skimp on the lobster. The service was a bit iffy as well. By far no the worst meal, but we will not be going back on our next adventure.
(3)G. J.
One day my mother had a hankering for lobster...in the middle of March. So the whole family and I looked high and low for a good lobster restaurant and found this tourist attraction in Gloucester. It was cloudy and chilly out, so dining outside wasn't an option. The atmosphere was very welcoming: comfy seating, good lighting. Old people? Maybe some, but don't let that ruin your dining experience. The food was very delicious but very EXPENSIVE. A word to the wise: don't go out for lobster when it's not lobster season. We dropped at least $150 easy for a stuffed lobster and two of the steamed lobster clambake entrees. My lobster macaroni and cheese was divine, but not $20 divine for such a small portion. If we ever make the trek up north to this restaurant again, we will go in the summertime when the lobster catch is more plentiful.
(3)Rudy G.
I'm sorry, I WANT to rave about hometown establishments, but my recent two experiences here were not great. The location is awesome with views of the working harbor and plenty of parking. As a self-admitted foodie and picky about quality food, I will not dine here again. Very middle-of-road which is great for those who seek little adventure or creativity for their meal out. The place could use a decent scrubbing; not thrilled with picking up a pepper shaker slick with grease. Giving two stars for the potential of having a drink at the bar/view. There are plenty of other places in Gloucester with far better fare.
(2)Nick S.
Meh. I stopped here while visiting Gloucester, expecting that the popularity of the place would mean that some good food was waiting on the inside, but that turned out to not really be the case. Sure, my lunch was ok, but it was incredibly overpriced. My clam strip roll cost almost twice as much as I would pay elsewhere, and it was lacking in flavor and much too chewy. A cup of soup is also $7 and mediocre, while other places nearby have really excellent $4 cups. The whole place also felt a bit kitsch to me. It was raining when we went, so we couldn't eat outside (which looked nicer) but the inside felt like typical phoned-in nautical decor that you would see anywhere but on the shore. Except that's where we were. Avoid it unless you're REALLY itching to go for some reason. There's no shortage of seafood restaurants in the area, and this is not one of the best.
(2)The Hungry American E.
Their food tastes like rubber and their prices are silly for a dump. Gloucester has so many better restaurants.
(1)Fabian M.
The food here was good. We were there for one day, and the area is beautiful. The food was yummy. I would eat here again.
(3)Steve R.
The seafood stew was fantastic. My wife ordered it. Unfortunately, I ordered the skewered shrimp, which came with one skewer of 6 shrimp for $16. Really? Totally not worth it! But my wife's stew was abundant and fantastic. So it gets a 2 for the shrimp and a 4 for the stew and you end up with a 3 overall. I would go back, but not for the shrimp.
(3)Nippa E.
My husband and I made a trip to Gloucester because all things nautical fascinate him and Gloucester is just about the oldest seaport in America. It's been on his list of places to visit. The town itself is super cute and quaint. Back to the actual restaurant....We chose the restaurant The Gloucester House due to the positive reviews from TripAdvisor. We sat on the outside on the deck with a view of docked fishing boats. We had water, a beer, an appetizer - calamari, a cup of soup - clam chowder, Lobster ravioli and Lobster supreme. Our tab ran about $120 including tax and tip which is a bit pricey, but about normal for an upscale seafood restaurant. This was not an upscale seafood restaurant. The calamari was fresh and the batter was light, but it was a bit on the greasy side. The clam chowder was good, but nothing to really celebrate. The Lobster Ravioli which was my main course and a "house special"....was really disappointing. The ravioli itself was really thick and heavy--not at all what I expect a lobster ravioli to be. The sauce was also really thick and looked and heavy which is not what a lobster ravioli sauce should be. It tasted alright, but sat like a lump in my stomach. The Lobster Supreme was pretty good and a bib wasn't necessary. Why might you ask? This lobster dish is one that has been dissected for you. It's 1lb of lobster that has already been worked out of the lobster and combined with shrimp and scallops and stuffed back into the shell of the lobster it once was. I can't remember what the market price of this was but it was somewhere between $45-49 on its own. The service was okay. There were two waitresses working the deck tables and occasionally my water glass was filled when we were able to flag one down. The food came out pretty timely though and I was super hungry at the time so I really appreciated that. What I didn't like most about the experience was when the Whale Watching ship pulled into dock. It was cool watching the boat come in and all those people staring at us like an ad for the restaurant, but along with the boat came the incredibly awful diesel smell and smoke or dirt that it blew up from below. That came all directly at us. Yuck. Also, beware of those seagulls. I think the restaurant actually does this right. They have these Sam Adams umbrellas at the tables. They're there not only to shield you from the sun, but also the seagulls. We got bombed twice during our meal, but we weren't directly hit thanks the the umbrella and thanks to the fact that we sat more towards the restaurant than the outer part of the deck. This just wasn't my kind of place. The food was okay. It wasn't the most horrible, but it only strikes the mediocre cord with me. Pricing is a little high for what you get. Service could have been better, but they were at least nice. If you're visiting town, I wouldn't say to avoid this place altogether. Some people may actually really enjoy it, but for me, I would probably try somewhere else if I'm ever in Gloucester again.
(2)Martha N.
Went here in the last week of September for lobster. It was a tiny bit overcooked. Would have been 3 stars but the waitress overheard that I had been celebrating a birthday and comped us a chocolate cake sundae with a candle and song. I'd go back for the bread and the kindness.
(4)Edward S.
If you are looking for a traditional, seafood restaurant while in Gloucester, try the Gloucester House. Service was excellent, food was above average and prices were slightly above average. View of Gloucester harbor was ok but then again, it is a working harbor so do expect to see working fishing boats, warehouses, ferries, etc. It seemed like a good place to bring a family.
(3)Kat H.
Jeffery N. is totally right--everyone there could easily be a grandparent. And now I know, if my grandparents ever come down here, I'll probably take them to the Gloucester House. The atmosphere is obviously suited to match such patrons. The food is WAY overpriced and if you don't like seafood (like me), you're pretty much out of luck. I counted 4 non-seafood items, and almost all of them were over $15.00. I got the steaktips and could easily have eaten them all and gotten a dessert afterwards. Well cooked, to be sure, but there was nothing special about it. The water view isn't worth it folks...go downtown to eat, where there are much better establishments. Oh, and the metered parking in front is for the tours. Go to the back for the free restaurant parking. We were too hungry to care at the moment.
(2)Ray C.
Long wait for our table (dinner party of 8 with two kids under 10), notably cold dining room, over 45 minute wait for our food after ordering, three surrounding tables were seated after and fed before us (incl another table of 8), baked haddock was good.
(2)Bill M.
A fun place to hit for a weekday lunch. Food is priced well, drinks are killer and service is amazing. I try to stay away on those beautiful sunny days, because I shy way from crowds when I can.
(4)Bill S.
Food is very good. Prices are quite high. They have a service mentality. They initially seated our party in a very noisy location, but agreed to re-seat us. This took a lot longer than expected. They offered us free drinks while we waited, but no one was interested so instead they gave us complementary desserts. Menu is heavy on seafood, but has other meat. Only veg item on menu is veggie burger. However, if you ask they will tell you they have a veg scampi. This is very delicious, but I don't understand why they refuse to put it on the menu.
(4)Sita M.
I went here for Valentines day because of a lack of planning, and although we had a fun time, the food was terrible. The wait staff was very nice, pleasant, helpful - but the food was bland, the menu not so interesting (especially as someone else mentioned for the non-seafood folks). There is something a bit charming about the campy fisherman decor (I like the giant harpoon). I would not recommend this place to anyone looking to have a good dinner. The prices are too high for what you get. However, it might be a nice place to go on a David-Lynch type date, just for coffee. The lamps on the tables are fantastic, but overall I give this place a thumbs down.
(1)Amber K.
I just went here for a wedding rehearsal dinner. It was really good! I was a little nervous at first, because I realized upon arriving that my lobster order consisted of a whole boiled lobster. I'm originally from inland California and not accustomed to eating fresh shellfish! The staff were really friendly and efficient and made sure we were set up with space heaters (it was cold so close to the ocean!). They had a ridiculous abundance of food, including fresh clam chowder, cornbread, and then the main course of either lobster or steak, plus chicken, corn on the cob, and a baked potato. Yowzers! I had just enough room for the chowder, cornbread, and my lobster, after feasting on a variety of tasty appetizers. These included cheese and crackers, calamari, fresh veggies, and a few different dips. The staff set up and served each course quickly, which is not easy for a crowd of 25 hungry people! The clam chowder was soooo good that I texted my mom, a native New Hampshire-ite transplanted to rural California, to tell her about it. And then there was the fresh lobster... Once I got over the initial, "what the H-- do I do with this thing?!" I enjoyed cracking open the hot leg/claw/tail shells to reveal deliciously tender lobster meat. When seafood is as fresh as that, you don't need anything more than a little clarified butter to put you in foodie heaven!! I was a little disappointed that they didn't have any Sam Adams beer. And for those who ordered steak, their options were essentially medium-rare or well-done. That seemed like a limited range, but that could have been due to the size of the group. We were even given some Gloucester history by someone that I'm assuming was the owner. I will now always remember that the "most important church in all of America" is in Gloucester, MA, as it was the congregation that spurred the First Amendment right to freedom of religion. We all would have preferred, though, that they served the chowder before he started telling stories ;) No doubt I'll be back when I'm in the area again!
(4)Bigby S.
Not my kind of place. Feels like a place trying to be upscale, but not too much in order to attract locals and lower middle class tourists. The food was decent and fresh. I have tried salmon, cod, haddock, mussels, clams. lobster here. All of it was solid but unmemorable. The beer selections was so so. Potato sides were lackluster. A standout was the tartar sauce. Pre dinner snacks were weird. Service was very nice but slow.
(3)Katia M.
I take my parents here for seafoody goodness that's not as expensive as, say, Legal, and has a little more character as well. They're big fans, and love eating out on the deck in the summer, smell of the wharves and all (it wasn't noticeable when we went, actually, but it was high tide). Last time I went, there was nothing non-seafood on the menu that I liked, so they made me a special dish. I'll probably go next time I'm in Gloucester. Oh, and their popovers were to die for.
(4)jenilee p.
wow, lot of negative reviews... i think this restaurant by the water deserves another tale of a good experience. said plainly, i have fun here, and presently, lobster is cheap. not to mention, al fresco dining is one of their options. sure, there are a lot of old people, who :: RESPECT :: have had an awful lot of opportunity to shop around, and understand sometimes that its nice to sit outside, and messily crack into a red crustacean. as of a week ago, this restaurant had a 15 dollar boiled lobster dinner special. you can choose between an air conditioned dining room with quirky nautical, old school decor, or a covered semi-outdoor area, overlooking a sort of dance floor (did anyone say labor day party?!), or again, the outdoor seating area. when i've gone here, its usually a bonus round to a nice walk around gloucester's downtown area. i like the clientele of this restaurant, which sort of throws trendiness to the wind, and just plain enjoys themselves. i would bring my mother here, my godparents here, uncles and aunts, and any out of town guests that would like a nice sit down new england experience. lobster bibs and all, i accept it as a casual time to smile with ones companions. be assured, the lobster is cooked perfectly and you'll get a nice view of gloucester's harbor. i just thought it would be worth throwing this place a bone, and recommend it especially if you're a tourist to this famous little fishing town, and don't mind dining with a bunch of grandmas and grandpas. if you don't like seafood... what the hell is wrong with you... jk jk , first, as much as i know every person hates to hear this, why not just try it? start simple and go for a stuffed baked lobster? if the answer is still no, perhaps you would do better outside of coastal new england towns and be more apt to a culinary venture to the midwest... may i recommend kansas city bbq? but if you're still anti-seafood and intent on eating on the new england coast, you're sure to enjoy some of the more upscale restaurants in boston? another little tip for those who do enjoy jewels of the ocean but may not be from new england -- if you like mussels, you might want to try some steamers, as most mussels are going to be imported from pei (as is the case from most parts of this country), and steamers are more likely to give you a taste of the local flavor.
(4)Lauren W.
So the first sign that it's probably a bad restaurant is the sign that says "Yes we're open!" and "AAA approved!". My husband made the remark, it's probably full of grandparents trying to get an early bird special. And yet, somehow we ended up eating here. Ugh! It was still sunny out when we came in to the restaurant but somehow the restaurant was very dark and gloomy! We got brought to our booth table and the seat cushion was all ripped up which made for a very uncomfortable, uneven seated dinner. The food was ok but SO EXPENSIVE! To top it off our friend got violently sick from his fried clams! There are so many better seafood options in Massachusetts, don't come here!
(1)Jeff R.
Old school style family dining that used to be the predominant type of seafood joint on the Mass shore. I have always enjoyed the food, although you can find cheaper options in Gloucester, but I find the kitschy atmosphere and helpful staff worth the money. Yes, lots of old folks, but so what? Are you afraid of the elderly? They are longtime patrons and are usually long gone by 7pm. Lively bar frequented by locals, too.
(4)Kai L.
Gloucester is a very quiet pretty seaside town. I had Hopper's painting in mind when I visited the area and went to this restaurant upon recommendation of a lady at the tourist info center. It was quite a disappointment. I had a lobster meal, which was one of the least gourmet ones I ever had. The price was not terribly bad, probably around the same range as the ones you can find in many New England seaside establishments. The ambience was yes, outdated, and mostly older folks (probably locals), which I don't mind much. After all, if this is what the locals want, I wouldn't mind experience some local flavor, but the food was just not impressive at all.
(2)R B.
overpriced and full of very old people, nothing hip or interesting about this place.
(2)Jeffrey N.
i felt like everyone eating here was 3 times my age- out dated decor and not impressed with the menu. sorry. my other 2 friends and I left sad and still hungry. whoooooom wamp.
(1)Jeannie C.
Tourist spot. It sits right on Seven Seas Wharf and you can see Whale Watch boats, fishing boats and all go in and out. The prices are high! The food is good enough.
(3)Dmitry P.
Amazing place! Onion sup is the best I ever tried. Onions are thin cut, a lot of cheese - delicious. Baked haddock is very suggested, especially with mashed potato. The place itself is nice wig a lot parking spots available.
(5)Michele K.
My husband and I spent 3 days in Rockport. Pretty much everything was closed on the day it rained so after looking around on Yelp, I found this place. We were seated right away and our orders were quickly taken. We each got a french onion soup to start. I got the seafood mac and cheese. They were out of the steak my husband wanted so he opted for the baby back ribs. The soup was perfect on a cool, rainy day! Very good flavor and the onions were not too thick. Then, my mac and cheese arrived. It was huge! It was mounded up over the top of the casserole and covered in toasted bread crumbs. The cheese sauce was rich and abundant and there were large chunks of lobster, scallops, and shrimp. No dry mac and cheese here! I could only eat half. My husband liked his ribs. They were tender and had a good amount of sauce. Not as good as in a bbq place, but better than what he expected for a predominantly seafood restaurant. (He's not a seafood lover). Good service. No issues. Price was comparable to other restaurants of this type. I had the leftover mac and cheese for lunch the next day and it reheated well.
(4)Cathy M.
A group of four of us had a fantastic meal on Sunday. Give it a try. Cocktails were great and food was super deluxe... Mexican Chicken was amazing. My husband had shrimp Zarella and just loved it. We started with stuffed clams and they were homemade and yummy .. We have been to Sunday brunch numerous times and have never been disappointed Always get a great meal here and service is spot on. !!!!!
(5)John T.
Attention, only my third 5 star review in 60 reviews. I have a rule if it's the best thing you've ever eaten 5 stars. 4 of us went last night. Place was full but nobody was at bar. I think you get better service at the bar anyways. Bartender told me the oysters were big and meaty. We got a dozen. Everyone ordered there food and drink. Oysters came out and they were big ones. Then my friend gave me the biggest oyster I have eaten. Not the shell but the oyster was the size of a fried egg . All the food was great. Our server Lily and her brother were great! The space was awesome with lots of historical maritime pictures. Hope to go back to try more seafood.
(5)Cookie M.
I came off the whale watch tour and decided to go to this place given it had seating outside and and the weather was nice. Big mistake. No raw clams on the menu. The girl gave me some BS about availability and too high of a demand etc. I was in the cape right before and I can tell you clams were Everywhere. Oysters were ok but not great. All and all avoid the place if you can. There are other options around.
(1)Gerald F.
Great outdoor lobster pond dining. Hey. Get a quad for $35. 4 rolls. Dip in butter. That's $8/ lobster roll. Hot too. Which I like. On. The wharf. Nice.
(5)Kayo P.
Great seating options, and well prepared lobsters. The server attending us was visibly busy, but was trying her best to accommodate our wishes. Had a table with rather abnoxious people next to ours, but their incessant loud chatter and drunken attempts at including us in their conversations didn't hamper our experience.
(4)Heather S.
I had my wedding rehearsal diner and the Gloucester House. Dotty and her team did a fantastic job. The tables were was set up beautifully and the food was very good. The prices were reasonable and it was nicer than I could have imagined. If you are looking for a venue to have a large dinner party, no need to look any further. I highly recommend the Gloucester House.
(5)Shelby S.
My boyfriend and I were just visiting and looking for a place to sit overlooking the water. Unfortunately it was too cold to sit outside so we compromised sitting inside overlooking the water. We walked into Gloucester House and the hostess said we could sit wherever we wanted! We found a nice booth right next to the window. We ordered some mussels and beers and they were both pretty delicious. We weren't looking to eat dinner just drinks and appetizers. Our waitress seemed not to be happy in our choice and was just rushing us the entire time. An okay experience as we were visiting but would rather go a couple blocks away to Latitude 43.
(2)Cupcake C.
Blandest food I've ever had. Most of us weren't at all impressed, even the 3 yr old. The easy-mac from a box for the mac n'cheese on the kids menu was also special, especially for what they charge. Yum, plastic cheese.
(1)John O.
Had a good early dinner here today. Service was very good. Fisherman's platter a bit pricey for what it was, especially a little heavy on the calamari. Definitely fresh and good tasting. Would go back again and try something straight forward like a lobster roll.
(3)Britt D.
Took my sister here a few months ago and I am finally reviewing! This was the best fish and chips on this coast. The seafood was fresh and view of the docks was perfect. Will come back again soon as I loved the view.
(4)Rita V.
We were hungry before the Schooner sail, so we waltzed in. Since we didn't have a reservation, we couldn't get an outdoor table, but they put us as close to outdoors as possible. One thing, they FRY RIGHT - the calamari, the shrimp and the super fresh local haddock - spot on. Great cornbread, and great service. Best seafood I've had? No, not really. But certainly not the worst either, so for being in the middle, they do a decent job and don't break the bank. Reasonably priced, I wasn't expecting much based on the reviews, but I have to say it was a pleasant surprise.
(3)Craig S.
Was expecting a boring traditional seafood jont like lobsta land but I was pleasantly surprised. Amazing inventive menu. I was in the mood for Mexican and they actually had 2 Mexican fish options blackened haddock tacos and Mexican style fish both were awesome. Also tried the buffalo scallops such a great idea and perfectly executed. Was told French onion soup was bomb as well. Great friendly service large open indoor and outside seating. I will definitely be back.
(5)K H.
This was a pit stop for a couple beers at the bar and some oysters. The duxbury oysters were great and I am now a fan of Plum Island white Belgian style beer. Plus they had a large selection of beer with locals too It was a Wednesday early evening and looked to be a decent amount of locals at the bar and dining room for this casual restaurant overlooking the waterfront
(4)Shawn R.
They didn't have brewed tea, which is always a bummer - but i discovered not many places near Boston do. I ordered the clam strips and they were the best I ever had in my life. I mean stunningly good. Golden and buttery, perfect texture. Excellent.
(4)Cee L.
awash with butter the baked haddock is awash with butter and the ratio of fish/breadcrumbs/butter is woefully off base. the service was so so and the lack of vegetable choices [corn on the cob and coleslaw] is sorely lacking. they've been in business for nearly 60 years and it would be a good place to take your grandparents, if they were still alive. hopefully they will update their business model as they have a good location and loads of potential.
(2)Janis C.
Long wait to get seated -- no one was at the front, and when there finally was, I just got stared at without a hello. The food came quickly and was super hot as though everything had just been microwaved. I ordered broccoli as a side and was given green beans without being told that they had switched the veg. The rice pilaf was crunchy. ... Crunchy. Like, I'm still digging rice out of my teeth where it got jammed down to the gums because it was that hard. Sent back the rice and it was a little better, but still had that super-hot "freshly microwaved" heat to it. Not a fan.
(2)Staci S.
Fairly decent food. Fish and chips were bland. Baked clams were ok. Ok place if you just want to grab a quick bite. Nothing too exciting.
(3)Shelly Z.
We were told to try this restaurant by some friends. The customer service was ok. Nothing to write home about. We actually had lunch and dinner here. The cornbread at lunch was very good. My salad was not. For dinner, I had the lobster pie. It was good. I assume the woman who was the hostess is the owner/manager. She seemed snobby, which isn't a good look for tourists!
(3)John M.
Came here for lunch, first time. Excellent service. My wife got the lobster roll -loved it, quality and fresh. I got the fried haddock, not overly fried or crispy - delicious. I'm surprised to see the average 3 stars, we're locals and will definitely be returning with friends. Lastly, we called a local competitor first, and they were rude on the phone. This place was super friendly via phone - so we came here; glad we did.
(5)Melissa W.
We went here for lunch while walking around Gloucester. I loved the cornbread they brought out. They say us by the water and my son loved watching the boats. I had a fish sandwich that was quite tasty. My sister had the warm lobster roll, and she said it was delicious too. Service was great. Love the history of this place!
(4)Crystal R.
The staff was friendly no wait on a Saturday afternoon and the food was fresh and delicious. I had a cup of clam chowder perfectly thick with bacon pieces in it. For my entree the baked haddock fries and green beans. The fish was cooked perfectly the green beans nice and fresh and the French fries crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Everything tasted like it was made from scratch that day. It came with cran apple relish on the side which was to die for I could eat a bowl of that! Not to mention the beautiful view of the ocean. An hour later I'm happy relaxed and full for a mere $27
(5)Sam O.
WOW!! What a great place to eat. Unbelievable traditional chowder, fantastic service and atmosphere. You just have to try it.
(5)Bob O.
My wife and 2 sons had dinner here. Everthing was excellent! It exceeded my expectations. I had the clam chowder and stuffed lobster with lobster. The chowder had a great clam stock with a great depth of flavor.the clams were tender. The stuffed lobster was superb, it came out hot and full of lobster with a butter breadcrumb topping, side of butter and lemons. My wife had the lobster roll. A full 8 ounces the waitress told us. It was heaving with lobster! Plus you could get it 2 different ways one with drawn butter on it or mayo based that is what she had and she loved it. Ordered a manhattan and it came with the glass and shaker/pourer filled with liquor. I ended up having three glasses out of it! The sides were mashed sweet potatoes they had a wonderful seasoned flavor. Also a nice tart cranberry relish/slaw that countered the sweet potatoes. The waitress we had was very thourough and answered all of our questions, also very professional. It was our first time in gloucester and we'll definitely be back to the gloucester house in the future. Definitley satisfied our lobster craving!
(5)Emily T.
We went yesterday on a busy Sunday. My cousin and friends always came here for lobster roll every year. I was having high hopes about this place. However the bread was stale in the beginning. The service was good. However the kitchen messed up our orders and we all order fries and corn to come with our lobster roll. We got cold slaw with our meal which we told many times that we didn't want it. My cousin was disappointed on how they downsize the lobster roll and how they burnt our fries. I thought the lobster roll was kind of bland. I don't think we are going to come back again sadly.
(2)Beau S.
We stopped in here after exploring Glouster. Most parking is paid FYI. As far as the decor- This looks like someplace your grandmother would eat. It's very old school. Besides that, it's right on the water and fisherman and working on their boats, and walking around. It was very interesting. Our food was amazing. Best clam chowder I've ever had! Also, the lobster, shrimp and scallops Mac n cheese is incredible! It big too, my wife and I split it.
(4)Dawn B.
Having been born and raised in New England and moving west I was so glad to be home....Food is what I missed the most, and food was what I wanted my husband to experience. We had lunch at the Gloucester House....My husbands exact words were "If you have not had their clam chowder, you have NOT had clam chowder" He also had the cold lobster roll and was in heaven. I had the crab stuffed mushrooms that were wonderful and the 1.25 pound lobster....AMAZING!!!! Great prices and awesome atmosphere! Strongly recommend!
(5)Theo B.
Service sucks to those morons 20 min to finally seat us. the waitress had no clue what she was doing took hours to serve us or completely forgot about us...oh well no tip for her. And the food was ok for the most part it's a TOURIST TRAP there are a THOUSAND OTHER BETTER PLACES to go to in either rock port or Gloucester it was an hour and and half until finally we complained to the manager. oh and i almost forgot one guy nearly keeled over from heat exhaustion and a large party and a few other which had come in after us was serve prior to us. as an owner id be EMBARRASSED by the staff overall service and conduct.
(2)Larry D.
The lobster pie was super. Kim had the seafood pasta and it was the best we have ever had. The pieces of seafood were huge in both dishes. We had heard the service was poor. Our server, Jackie, was the best we have had in a while.
(5)Ann A.
Am not a complainer by nature, but this was sadly underwhelming, especially for my first fried clam experience of the season... It's Gloucester, man; come ON! And I treated my dearest to lunch, and it was so mediocre... I did not allow it to be so important that it would upset a holiday (July 4th) weekend, but I can't recommend it, and won't return. July 4th weekend (will not allow that to be an excuse for what follows!). Hostess: Passive/aggressive (looks at people [a little old lady who was inquiring about handicapped access] like they're crazy for asking questions, and we, too, for asking "Is there outside seating?" "You can sit INSIDE! We're near the reservation hour!" then says, "We're so glad you're here with us today." Food: Clam chowder: Less bacon, more clams, please (it's CLAM chowder!), and it seemed gloppy/corn-starchy like it was from a can. Marinated octopus salad: Great texture with the octo, but no octo taste; need to use fresh cherry tomatoes, not big slices of unripe tomatoes... Whole-belly clams: Again, great texture, not greasy, impeccably prepped, but barely any taste/clam essence. Tartar sauce mainly mayo, not qualitative. Beverage: Don't serve me rail when I order, and you charge me for, Belvedere or Grey Goose (yes, people can tell the diff!). I looked at other customers' dishes, which looked lovely - perhaps order the pasta dishes, if you go. Ambience: Nothing special. Rest rooms were messy, with hooks on stall doors about to fall off, and holes in the wall, TP and paper towels strewn all about. When we were there, they were giving the owner his 89th birthday cake and clapping. On the way out the door, the hostess was saying to him, "We didn't get you presents 'cause you have EVERYthing!" He employs you - the greatest gift would be to rep him well...
(1)Shayda G.
My fish was cooked to perfection and the mango apple salsa they had was delicious!! Customer service was great, our waiter was very attentive and they even had a gluten free and vegan menu! I got the cod fish which was one of the specials and I was super happy!! My boyfriend got the crab lobster sandwich and he said it was the best one he has ever had. I just wish they had the patio open to enjoy the ocean breeze.
(4)Carol S.
This place is for the tour buses. The food is nothing special and meager and the prices are above average, as you'd expect of a tired old-school seaside restaurant. They were out of steamers when we arrived and apparently the chef is unaware that mussels that don't open after cooking started as dead mussels. I put them on a plate for the waitress to see. Not that there were many mussels. My friends had seafood dinners that reminded me of Howard Johnson's---but with higher prices. You can do better.
(2)Jessica P.
We had our rehearsal dinner here for 11 people. When I called to make the reservation I was just expecting a table in the back nothing fancy. When we got there a portion of the function room was portioned off and a large table was set for us with centerpieces. Most of the party ordered seafood, mostly scallops and they liked it allot. One got steak and really enjoyed it. I got (vegetarian) Greek scampi. It was wonderful!
(5)Michelle B.
I'd love to give this place more stars because the food is excellent, but the service was horrible. We politely asked if we could move to a table with an umbrella because it was so hot in the sun, and 2 ladies were extremely rude. She said people were waiting on the tables, yet there were 3 empty tables with no one else seated. They definitely need to work on their customer servi ce here. They certainly continued to give us grief for moving. I even addressed her rude behavior to her, and she was still hateful. We love good food and good service is key. Unfortunately, we will not return.
(2)Sherry Y.
The food is expensive (comparing to Cape Cod). The quality is decent but the service is horrible. Our server is very unfriendly, did not come to our table to pour water and did not gave us corn cake, and was slow in everything.
(1)Caleb B.
The food was good, when it came out right... Which took a few tries. The service is hit or miss and the staff didn't seem to happy to be working there. I discovered why when I overheard a conversation of the owner screaming at a member of his staff. I think the only reason that this place is still surviving is due to the locals that have been coming here for years and years. I wont be back. Anyone who treats his staff like that doesn't deserve my money, regardless of the quality of food. Good luck.
(1)Edwin M.
THREE WORDS: Lobster-stuffed lobster.....I'm really surprised that the average rating for The Gloucester house is 3 stars, we really enjoyed this place. The food was phenomenal, we loved the fresh baked cornbread and fresh fried calamari appetizer. They have their own craft beer which was great and I must say that our server Jenny gave us immaculate service during our time spent there. This is another location I can't wait to go back to. It's just a 45 ride north of Boston.
(5)Tim J.
RIGHT on the water with huge ships just outside the window. Fishing ships bring their catch in the backside of this place. Oil paintings on the wall..wood ship models....candlelight and tablecloths...yes this is a rustic, seafood house. They do have steak and chicken...I suggest the sizzling chicken. I also had lobster pizza appetizer which was very good homemade cracker crust with buttery cheese and quarter sized slices of lobster...more coverage than a dominos pepperoni pie. Chowder wad chock full of multi sized clams and decent medium thickness buttery thyme-y broth. Beats the hell outta Campbells. Wait service was lightning fast with accuracy and constantly filled drinks. pretty good.....slightly pricey but what you would expect from a waterside seafood house. There were several men whom looked like the media version of ships captains. Waitstaff were really nice local gals. Be sure to tip them well because they take good care of you.
(4)melissa T.
We were on a mission for Lobster Rolls. We came, We found, we conquered. Not only did we get our amazing lobster rolls, - they serve 2 kinds, appeasing to our individual tastes. They also had Lobster mac n cheese- most delicious. We both really liked the clam chowder as well. The Lobster stuffed Lobster was pretty tempting as well. The fresh baked corn bread was delicious. We arrived for a very late lunch, and the place was empty, which was totally fine. Our waitress was very friendly. Would most definitely visit again!
(4)