The Landing Restaurant — Restaurant in Marblehead

Great energy at this place! From the moment we walked in, we could tell it was going to be a great night. The ambiance was lively, and the patrons’ faces reflected pure enjoyment.

We arrived early, and the staff went above and beyond to accommodate us, practically tripping over one another to make us comfortable while we waited. They seated us at the bar and even asked other patrons to make room for us. I had been bracing for the occasional grumpy customer, but instead, we were surrounded by friendly people with a “the more, the merrier” attitude. We struck up meaningful conversations with locals who not only welcomed us but also shared tips on things to do in the area. The type of crowd a place attracts says a lot about the establishment, and this one had all the right vibes.

The music was perfectly suited to the crowd, and I couldn’t help but be amazed by the stunning water views. Overall, a solid 5-star rating for ambiance.

The bartender was a pro—courteous, efficient, and handling the crowd with ease. He quickly handed us menus and drinks while serving everyone with impressive skill. We started with the calamari, which was crispy and fresh—a great start.

Once seated at our table, the service remained top-notch. By this point, we had interacted with at least four or five employees, and each one seemed genuinely invested in ensuring we had a fantastic experience. Another 5 stars for service.

Now, onto the food. Simply put, they knocked it out of the park. As a seafood restaurant, expectations were high, and they delivered. I ordered the salmon, which I don’t typically go for, but something told me to try it. It was a revelation. The creamy farro risotto was to die for, the salmon was textbook perfection, and—shockingly—the grilled, smoked lettuce stole the show. I wasn’t prepared for this level of execution.

We also had clams and a salad, and while I won’t go into detail, suffice it to say they were equally well-crafted and delicious. Yet another 5-star rating for the food.

All in all, my honest assessment? I can’t wait to go back—and come...

My friend visiting from Phoenix and I chose The Landing based on several glowing recommendations from locals during our trip to Salem the week before Halloween—and we were not disappointed!

We loved it. We made a reservation ahead of time, and even though we arrived a bit early, we were seated promptly. The restaurant is small and quaint, with that classic New England charm, and it’s right on the water. Unlike other spots we tried in Salem, we could actually see the water from our table, which made the experience feel even more special.

The atmosphere was lively yet intimate—a perfect setting to relax and reconnect with a good friend. The food was delicious, and the cocktails were wonderfully strong.

One highlight of our evening was the exceptional service. My friend accidentally ordered a dish that contained gluten, which she didn’t realize until it arrived. When she spotted the breadcrumbs, she mentioned it, and even offered to pay for a different dish. The team handled it flawlessly. Without hesitation or guilt (or a charge), they replaced the dish with the Heirloom Tomato & Burrata salad, which was fantastic. Their professionalism and kindness made us feel so comfortable and cared for.

Our server, Jada, was an absolute gem—warm, friendly, and clearly someone who loves what she does. She greeted us quickly, took great care of us throughout the evening, and made the whole experience even better. The manager also made sure everything was perfect, which added an extra touch of hospitality.

I can honestly say that The Landing was BY FAR the best restaurant we visited during our week in the Salem area. Our only regret is that we didn’t discover it earlier in the trip so we could have returned for another meal.

If I could give more than five stars, I absolutely would. I can’t recommend The Landing enough, and I already can’t wait to come back on our next...

Landings is in a fantastic location on the Marblehead sea front. The staff are pleasant and welcoming.

We chose to seat indoors and there is a lively vibe here. We could have waited for a table on the deck, but I was ready for my food.

It was quite busy but a table was available almost immediately.

The menu had a clear seafood focus with a fascinating range, there was also a specials board with some interesting items.

For starters I had Grilled octopus - chickpeas and cucumber in a vinaigrette with pesto on the octopus. Lovely and tasty, the pesto set things off very well.

French onion Soup - lots of cheese on top. Very french style with lots of caramelised onions. Giving it a sweet flavour rather than the sharper Spanish sopa de cebolla style which retains more of the onion flavour itself. This is not a complaint as it was to be expected given it was called french onion soup. It was very good.

My partner's main was Honey Maple Glazed Salmon with sweet potato and corn hash Brussels sprouts and corn bread which was as billed. Sweet with honey, yet firm salmon lightly charred with accompaniments which were well cooked and complemented the sweetness of the honey very well. The corn bread (or madeline) was a little dry, but overall it was a success.

I opted for one of the specials - Seafood Casserole with Rice and Greens. The Seafood Casserole had shrimps, scallops and haddock braised in butter with a bread crumb on top, this had been baked in the oven and I felt it had been in for about 2 minutes to long as the seafood was drier than I would have expected rather than rich and plump as scallops and shrimps can be. The rice was lovely, el dente to the taste and the greens were rich in iron - a mix between broccoli and spinach in both texture and flavour. I loved them.

Overall a good meal, but my main could have been cooked more carefully...