Salt Water Grille — Restaurant in Gloucester

Below is my review from last spring and here is my latest! 2024 - So happy to see Saltwater Grille back again this spring! The parking lot has been jammed night and day and have dropped by for lunch and dinner!

Saltwater has a great team, Colleen is a server and host, always has a smile and when serving she is there before you need her - she's fantastic! Jack, one of the owners is always visible, so friendly and wanting to know how things are and the chef/co-owner is there behind the scenes cooking up some great meals! LOVE they have daily specials, love that - keeps things fresh and we usually order one basic menu item and a special! Their caesar salad is a mainstay and so far have had the haddock sandwich with onion rings and baked scallops with squash - both amazing!

Food and drinks are consistently good - plus know that everyone says they are here to make you happy and they really do! Tweaks never upset them...and I usually ask for one or two!

Keep up the great work and we'll see you again soon!

2023 - Welcome back Salt Water, so happy you were able to re-open and it's wonderful seeing the parking lot packed every night!

We dined here when they opened in 2021 where the food, service and ambiance got high marks. We loved the food...the seafood and burgers were our favs. This location used to be a Friendly's and the new owners poured a lot of money into making this place, making it feel like home. It has a great bar and several seating options. Sadly they were unable to open in 2022 due to the sudden passing of one their owners, who happened to be the chef.

Was so happy to see the restaurant re-open this year...and so strong! We stopped in for dinner last night to a full, highly organized dining room - so nice to see so many people there on a Wednesday night. We shared calamari (excellent with banana peppers and marinara sauce) and baked haddock (also delicious). Cocktail list was very creative using local names and landmarks plus the drinks were excellent too! The only thing we wished was on the dinner menu was a fish sandwich, it goes hand in hand with a Lobster Roll in Gloucester. Was fantastic though and we will be back throughout the summer!

PS: Excited to learn they will be open 7...

I'm from central Massachusetts and found a DIAMOND in Gloucester!!!! Don't let the lack of reviews, 10 minute drive or in land location by the rotary stop you from coming here!!!

If you want great food, service and perfect cocktails come here! We came here because all other restaurants were booked and almost drove away when we got the parking lot and it was close to empty.

I came with 2 other restaurant owners and myself and other friend are bartenders.

Food and Service was a 10!

Clean bathrooms and saw them cleaning all tables and chairs as others left.

We ordered a Margarita and a Manhattan and for my friend not to say a drink is perfect is rare, normally some type of small criticism is given! Plus my other friend never orders more than one drink and she got 2 margaritas! But she didn't finish it because she got a little tipsy!

We found out the owner was the bartender! He came by at end of meal and was very pleasant and did mention his restaurant was newer, I forget the exact date they opened but the restaurant is less than 8 months in and was closed for a few months because of Covid19.

CHECK THIS PLACE OUT, YOU WILL NOT BE...

Salt Water Grille has been one of our go-to spots since it opened in 2019. Its location is incredibly convenient—right at the 1st rotary with plenty of parking—and the atmosphere is always welcoming.

What truly sets Salt Water apart is the personal touch and pride that Jack, the owner, brings to the table. You can see it in everything: the consistently great food, the thoughtful drink menu, and the attentive service. There’s a real sense of care here, and it makes each visit feel special.

The menu is diverse and always evolving, with daily specials that make it easy (and fun!) to try something new each time we stop in. That said, you really can’t go wrong with their burgers, salmon, haddock or fried seafood—they’re all excellent.

We also love how Salt Water continues to evolve and invest in the community. From the expanded outdoor seating to the addition of brunch and this year acquiring a year-round liquor license, it’s clear they’re here for the long haul and committed to improving the experience for guests year after year. Thank you Jack and the Salt Water Team!

Looking forward to many more great meals at Salt...