Brought my little sister here along with fiance last night. We are introducing her to all the hot spots of Marblehead before she makes her big move to Somerville in September. Again, we sat outside. This time, the sun was down and it was a little eery because we had come across a very interesting story just recently. I will share it for your edification! There's a small, stone strand called Screeching Lady Beach in Marblehead, Massachusetts, which is off Front street in Marblehead's old town. Also known as Lovis cove, the beach is home to a well-known restaurant, The Barnacle. The Barnacle's main claim to fame is that during Nor'easters, the waves actually crash over the building, which no doubt provides a great view for the locals who sit inside the glass encased dining room and watch the action. The Screeching Lady of Lovis Cove (from gothichorrorstories.com ) An English woman was captured by Spanish pirates in the late 17th century, and robbed of all her valuables with the exception of an emerald ring which wouldn't slide off her finger. Try as they might, the pirates couldn't deprive the hand of the ring. As a result, they let her live for the time being, and slaughtered all the others who were captured in the raid. A bit later, the pirates found themselves off the then tiny village of Marblehead, and decided to go ashore and engage in a bit of pillaging and plundering, as pirates oft-time do. Being so close to shore for the first time, the unfortunate woman with the swollen finger leapt from the ship, and made her way to shore, hoping to find sanctuary. By this time, the pirates had determined that there was nothing worth pillaging or plundering in Marblehead, and were in something of a foul mood. Finding the unfortunate woman dripping water on the beach did not improve their mood. The woman screeched, the pirates pounced upon her, and beat her savagely. The villagers in Marblehead, at first sight of pirates, had retreated to the woods, and from there could hear the screams of the unfortunately lady, which no doubt kicked up an octave or two when the scoundrels finally realized that they could remove the finger and obtain the ring. Which they did. Soon the screams ceased, the pirates went back to their ship and left. The townspeople came out from hiding, and there on the beach they found the mangled and mutilated corpse of the woman. They felt bad for ignoring her cries, and so buried her in the burial grounds. But old timers insist, that each year on the anniversary of her death, you can still hear her cries, rising up from the beach. OOOOOHHHHHHHH!!!! I admit, I'm intrigued. And I will be there next July 17th (the assumed anniversary) to see what happens! So screeching spectors aside, I enjoyed the surf and turf (baked scallops and a honking steak) for $20.95. My sister ordered the mussels and it was so good. I don't believe anyone who says the mussels aren't amazing. The garlic, butter yum broth that they are served in is ridiculous. Our only wish: that we had bread to sop it all up with! We ended up dipping everything we could find into it (including my steak). Watch out...I'm going to be the Duchess of this place in no time!
(4)
Anne K.
We came here on an overcast Saturday for a late lunch - having a bowl of clam chowder each and splitting the mussels. We would definitely go back - wish it was nicer to sit outside. The cons: The decor is rustic - the inside really could use a fresh coat of paint. There were a few flies buzzing around the dining area. The clam chowder was warm, not piping hot as we would have preferred. The pros: The outstanding view. I mean, if it weren't for this, I would not have given it as many stars. The mussels were the best I have ever had - the butter/garlic oil with bread was just a perfect finish to the dish. Service was quick - both in taking our orders and serving. We walked here from the town center - highly recommend walking over to Fort Sewell for some great views.
(4)
Doug J.
(score 1-100) - 78. I lived two doors away from the Barnacle for 10 years so I've been here a few times...lol. It is one of those places that people love or hate. It is located down on the end of Front St.. sort of hard to find if you are not familiar with the area. If you are not a Marbleheader, you can bring your mistress here and not be noticed! The skinny is the food can range from month to month, year to year. They change over the cooks rapidly so like many restaurants you are taking a risk. The steak tips have always been pretty good and the basics (burgers etc.) but I know many people think because it sits on the ocean that they are getting great seafood....well think again.. it's not bad but they are better options around the north shore. This place sits on the ocean and has a great view depending on your seat. It is very narrow and cramped so if you are on the larger side... you may find that getting in and around tables and the bar difficult.
(4)
Meagan S.
Cute place but bad food. Shrimp and steak were way over cooked and it took 15 minutes for someone to acknowledge us! The "stuffed" shrimp wasn't stuffed at all. Food improvements are definitely needed.
(1)
Fred M.
Another very good restaurant in Marblehead Harbor. Always find upscale locals celebrating and yakking it up like true boat people. Foods' better than at the Landing.
(4)
Jamie P.
My BBQ steak tips were delicious. Steak was perfectly cooked and full of flavor. I recommend the garlic mashed potatoes and green beans for sides. The garlic mashed potatoes were some of the best I've had in a restaurant. Our server was really good as well. The restaurant is a little pricey, but hey it's Marblehead.
(4)
Carol W.
The Barnacle nearly had it all: great ambiance and location, stellar steamer clams and wonderful fried oysters. Only off note was the lobster roll...way too salty. I don't know if they were having an off day that day, but it was quite disappointing. Still, it's a great place overall.
(4)
Elle C.
I'm a fan because of the location and view. But this isn't the best seafood in New England. So I can't give it 4 starts. Sorry Barnacle. I wouldn't go with more than 4 people, and don't go very hungry because the wait is a killer. We went on a not so busy day off season so I can't imagine what summer is like. That being said- it was def a good spot for our group who wanted to try "New England seafood". I was the only New England who knew it wasn't the best seafood. Very cute, and if you are in marblehead, fine. But I wouldn't drive here from Maine or NH. There are better spots!
(3)
Dean W.
We are new to the area and were looking for lobster. The atmosphere is casual and tne view is great. Very comfortable local place. Service was great. Good drinks from the bar with nice pours, steamed mussels were fantastic. The normal lobster size is 1.5 pounds but we asked for 2 pounds. The owner offered to go get them from his holding tank outside and brought them in to show us before cooking. Price is great and everything tasted great. We will be back for sure.
(4)
Jeanette W.
Eh. Average. Our waitress was ok. She wasn't very friendly at the door but when she was assigned our waitress, she was all of a sudden very friendly. The lobster roll was very average and bland. Definitely nothing special. The husband ordered their grilled sea bass. He wasn't too impressed. I definitely thought the fish was better though.
(3)
Tracy S.
Service was terrible. Waited 45 minutes until we were approached by the staff and told the computers messed up and our order was never put in. Not sure how much sense that makes but we cashed out and believe it or not was charged for our drinks. Would not return back.
(1)
Karen C.
Uh oh something is "off". We have been coming for 23 years and this wasn't a good visit. Hope owner reads review. Beautiful Day, Sunday 6 pm restaurant 1/2 full. Owner working. Not the usual Mussels, some not cooked properly. Not the same Barnacle chowder, no chunks of anything and lacked flavor. Hubby ordered seafood casserole, only one pinch of bread crumbs, lacked any flavor. Very disappointed. This wasn't what we've had in the past. My sliced Tuna was supposed to have blackened sesame seeds as the waitress said. No they were not. No flavor and It appeared the Tuna was rolled in the seeds. What happened? We love the Barnacle but we were soooo disappointed. I looked in the open kitchen and it appears the cooks are not the same. Imy hubby and I hope this is rectified. One thing that looked fine was the fried Seafood which we've ordered occasionally. Please fix this Barnacle as we are longtime customers but won't rush back after that visit .
(2)
S S.
If you're looking for a great CASUAL spot on the water with an excellent seaside menu (fish and chips, lobster roll, etc), the Barnacle is great.
(5)
C. M.
Way too over priced for what you get. Fish and Chips was priced at $17.95 for a small portion of fish served with store bought shoe string fries. Good service was good. Other than the really high prices, not a bad spot!
(4)
Ani C.
Not worth the price. This place has too many tourists.
(2)
Rick L.
An institution with a great view of everything that matters. I grew up in Marblehead and first went to The Barnacle as a kid when it wasn't much more than a walk-up counter. You could get a lobster roll for 50 cents, thereabouts. (If you find one now for less than a tenner, text me and I'll be right over!) It's grown up but never got fancy. Sometime after I moved away, they built a real restaurant off one of the marble heads (granite, really). With a small dining room, tiny bar and some alfresco seats hanging over a beach of small stones. That last may be the best place ever built to eat on a sunny warm day. It used to be that I'd order all sorts of things but when I came to town for a visit there was only one thing I craved. Quahogs (steamers), onion rings and that view. From the mid 1980s up until a year ago things have not changed. The steamers were always tender and sweet, and the rings were light. Even lighter than tempura-style which is best. (Heavily breaded rings aren't any more than a donut that tastes of onions.) It has always been a singular, simple pleasure for me. Predictable and the same as it's always been. (Indulge the nostalgic home-town boy.) Over the last quarter-century, the servers have sometimes been great but always pleasant, but if you want to be spoiled stay down in Boston. This is swamp Yankee territory. Oh, and if you're staying in or near town on a visit, go to The Driftwood off the town landing. You'll meet all the locals and step back in time. I've been to The Barnacle with many friends and most of my family. All have enjoyed it across the years. I remember being in Boston for a Mac World, flying in from LA and taking work friends from my company and a few from Apple up to this place. A small phalanx of rental cars were terrorized on the Lynnway and upon arrival we smushed a few tables together, told stories and splashed lobster-butter on each other for close to two hours. The staff didn't mind. My friends loved the food and I waved them off desert so we could trundle down the road to Peabody to eat ice cream standing in the parking lot of Russ Treadwell's. It's the only way I can end a Barnacle dinner and my companions agreed. (I have silly friends and like it that way!) In sum, The Barnacle is "same as it ever was" to quote the Talking Heads. Good New England seafood dinners, pleasant servers, great views and sunsets to die for (you're looking east but who cares!) Oh, and the fish you're eating tonight likely woke up out near Halfway Rock this morning. Nuff said.
(3)
susan H.
Crowded, nice view. What it lacks in atmosphere, decor and parking is offset by the service and the food. What we had that was good: baked haddock (without the cheese), fish-and-chips, lobster roll. What was just OK: lobster bisque, Casear salad. Server was friendly and helpful. We appreciated the honesty of the bartender; when asked if the white wine was dry, he shrugged and said he supposed it was dry enough (it was.) Definitely old-school with a slightly sticky, grubby feel. Prepare for a long wait, especially if you want to sit outside. And it will be a crowded wait.
(3)
ME G.
The service makes up for the view, which on a dreary day was simply amazing looking out at the harbor. What is amazing is that the food was pretty good given that good a view, normally it's not so good. What was useful is that prices were about 2x cambridge prices, it was the view again and Marblehead, and it keeps the riff-raff, err, flotsam, out. The service will not tell you, but they have oysters (did not try, found out on the way out), and clam rolls (did not try, found out the market price on teh way out, must change a lot and chalk boards are not available nor printers, just ask for all the 10 items at market price on the menu, they will only roll your eyes on the second one you ask about). So, go, but be mindful of how you can help serve youself, and help them do what they do poorly so you can enjoy the amazing view.
(4)
Alden G.
Some places are a touchstone, no matter what. I was pleased to see several reviewers below who frequented the Barnacle long ago and returned to enjoy it again. The last time I ate at The Barnacle was 1968; I remember with relish the view, the salt smell of the ocean, the sound of gulls, and wonderful clam and lobster rolls. Living in Colorado today (2009) I miss it all, and I vow on Yelp to return with my family someday soon, to once again enjoy the "Barnacle experience!"
(5)
Elmo G.
Nice view of the port & great location, but the food wasn't too good and took a while.
(2)
Bill S.
Six people showed up for dinner without a reservation and we were seated without a problem. The view of the harbor from this place is the best in Marblehead. If you happen to be in Marblehead during a storm go to the Barnacle for an unforgettable experience. The service is always great as is the food. The last time I was there they had a dinner special two one pound lobsters for $22.00. Outrageous. I love this place.
(5)
Beth B.
Seriously best fish and chips on the planet. Only place I've ever been to that I don't even need the tarter sauce! Super light and not greasy. Good fries. My husband loves their chowder! Amazing views of the lighthouse and harbor! Fourth time in Marblehead and this is always my favorite place!
(5)
John S.
Had family visiting and they wanted to go out for seafood. Being new to town, we chose the well-known harbor-side Barnacle for lunch. We sat on the porch in very tight quarters. Waitress was friendly but young and inattentive (perhaps understandably). We all ordered various stand-by seafood dishes. The consensus was that they were bland, over-cooked, and over-priced. I had the fish and chips, which seemed to be microwaved frozen fish nuggets and soggy from-frozen fries. Came with tartar sauce - yuck. No vinegar in sight, and could not flag down a server to ask for some.
(2)
Caitlin G.
This is a beautiful little restaurant tucked away in Marblehead, right on the harbor! The views are incredible, and it's worth a trip out there just for those alone. The place is teeny-tiny but the food they purvey is not, neither in flavor nor portion. The clam chowder that I had was probably one of the best I've tasted in a long time, very flavorful and just the right consistency. I was impressed. My dining companions had the lobster roll, and they said that it was beyond delicious (both are picky eaters). A nice feature of the lobster roll is that they put the mayonnaise on the side so that you can adjust the amount that goes into the roll to your liking. The onion rings that we ordered for the table were cooked perfectly crispy and without too much grease, nicely done. The only sub-par feature of the meal was the lobster Caesar salad that I ordered, the lobster had a funny taste to it and was slightly overcooked. It wasn't sweet or rich at all, which is one of the things that I love about lobster and was sad to see amiss here. I think that part of the problem might be because it's out of season. The greens, cheese, croutons and dressing used for the salad were not the greatest quality either, they were all storebought and that was a downer. But that's the only negative out of the entire Barnacle experience! Yet another bonus: we didn't order any alcohol, but I noticed that the surrounding tables that did had their wine and beer glasses filled to the very top, almost to the point of overflow. Cheers to that! On my return trip drinks will definitely be in order :0)
(4)
Anna H.
My boyfriend and I visited The Barnacle a few weeks ago during a weekend vacation to Marblehead. It was recommended to us as the best seafood in town, so it sounded like a sure thing. I wasn't expecting anything fancy, and The Barnacle definitely isn't. It's a small-ish, dark, rustic & no-frills atmosphere, with OK (not great, not bad) service, and decent food. Growing up in Eastern NC and now living on the Gulf Coast, I've had my share of fantastic seafood. Again, I wasn't expecting to have my socks knocked off, but for the price I was expecting a little better than I got. The dishes were huge - no complaint there - and the quality of the seafood was good, but the recipes were neither inspired nor excellently carried off. I had the stuffed scallops, and my boyfriend had surf and turf with stuffed shrimp. His shrimp were great, the steak was OK, and my scallops were just OK, as well. The rice pilaf that came with my dish was amateurish, and there was some sort of grit in my salad (the boyfriend thought it might be dirt from the lettuce, but it actually ground against my teeth, and made me think of how it feels to accidentally bite down on a little bit of oyster shell). Also, I had iced tea and it was obvious they needed to clean out the nozzle more thoroughly, since the tea had that fermented tang that it gets when you aren't cleaning your equipment well enough. If I lived in Marblehead, I'd go back again. I'll probably go back next time I'm in town. Just wish for the price tag they'd take care of a few things.
(2)
Tom F.
5 Stars for the view and overall ambience. If you can only go to one restaurant or bar in Marblehead, all things considered: this would be the best choice.
(5)
Ardit K.
Typical tourist trap, and they don't even try to hide it. The place is overpriced for what it offers. Anywhere esle this place would had probably closed down long time ago, but I am assuming the lack of choices and the location keeps it in business. It surely isn't the food or the friendliness of the staff. Plate of pasta was around $20.00. Which would be acceptable if the restaurant was 3-4 stars with decent tables, atmosphere and cuttlery. Well this place looked like we went back in time to 1975. Nothing had changed, not even the tablecloths. Tables had no condements to speak of, they probably stole the forks and spoons from their grandmother and the plates appeared to have been bought at a charity store. I am not sure who had pissed off our waitress but they surely must have done something drastic for that face to be that miserable for that long. Forget greeting, even taking an order or bringing water to the table was frowned upon and we were probably cursed the entire time we were there. Food was OK, not good and not bad. Anywehere else it would have cost 1/3 to 1/2 the price. They really could not care less of what you think or how you are treated. They just want your money and want you out of the place. No care or respect for the customer. If you are in Marblehead, might be a good idea to travel a bit further to avoid this place. It might affect your opinion of the entire city.
(2)
Chris D.
As a former Marbleheader I've been a patron at The Barnacle for a long time. Both when I lived in town and after I moved away. It has an atmosphere sort of like transplanting Cheers out of Boston but without the obnoxious people that The Landing Pub seems to attract. I go there mainly for the drinks. The food is average no matter what the season. I tend not to eat in the dining room. I prefer the bar. The bartenders are some real characters and they all have a mean pour. By that I mean that they serve up the stiffest drinks that I have had anywhere & since The Barnacle was within stumbling distance of my former house it was the place in town to go to get wasted. After what seemed like an eternity they finally started taking Amex which meant I could go & drink more. I tried to never eat in the dining room because of the close proximity of the tables to each other. Dining on the deck is fun if there isn't a stiff breeze off the harbor. The food... well its luck of the draw. You can order fish and have it be perfectly cooked or raw in the center. The fried stuff is generally well prepared and tasty. The only dessert I ever order is the ice cream sundae, but generally the food is just to blunt the alcohol so I can float upright if I fall in the harbor.
(4)
Sandy C.
Wonderful Lobster bisque, fresh seafood, good service, good portion size for a descent price. Seating on the deck was a little tight.
(4)
Maria R.
Wonderful fresh seafood & friendly service. This place is the real deal- small place, feels like someone's house and locals surround the bar. Add on killer water views and you've got all the hallmarks of a keeper! Of note: fabulous homemade bloody mary's, & clam chowder followed by crab cakes and the lobster roll. Yum, will go back.
(4)
Eric W.
A little nostalgia ain't a bad thing. Most of the time. When I was a kid, the Barnacle wasn't much to write home about. It was pretty rustic; all I can remember ordering were grilled cheese sandwiches. It even may have had a Fanta soda machine, the kind where you had to pull out the bottle by the neck. Now the Barnacle is a tiny, upscale restaurant with picturesque views of Marblehead Harbor and the Neck. It has a lively bar scene in front and a cozy dining room in back. There is also a deck for those interested in dining al fresco. One thing I will say is that the mussels are fantastic. Go to this place for the mussels. The broth was enhanced, I read, by a touch of honey, and this makes quite a difference. As for our meal, I had the jumbo shrimp scampi, which featured five or six plump and juicy flayed shrimp that arrived on a bed of buttery rice pilaf. My wife had the special, which was grouper, and it was quite good, though also served with the buttery pilaf. The downside? The noise. We were seated next to a boisterous four-top, two couples who were babbling at top volume about this, that, and the other thing. We moved over a table. I have to say, though, even if we hadn't been seated next to the annoying table, it still would have been difficult to carry on a conversation, as the place was packed. As a result, what started out as a "date night" became a "let's eat our meals and leave so we can talk" night.
(3)
Bill K.
Gets 2 stars for the view, and the view alone. Food is lousy. Always has been. Go for a drink and appetizer, as the view is truly worth it. Walk back up the street to Jac-Tar for dinner.
(2)
Jim O.
I have to add that we returned for dinner the other night and I had the mussels as an appetizer. The portion was huge, the mussels were plump and flavorful in a wonderful garlic herb sauce. Some of the best mussels I've had anywhere. The waitress sort of hinted that the quality varies from day to day, but she said when she smelled my dish as she was serving it she knew I had hit a good day.
(4)
Liv B.
I thought it was a lovely idea to go here but youch, what a mistake. It was very noisy in there. The staff was rude and acted too busy even though there was only 3/10 tables filled including us. The waitresses acted like they were annoyed because we wanted to order. They got the orders wrong, we were missing food and they were sitting in the corner gossiping and yakking like obnoxious cackling chickens who looked about as old as Hannah Montana. The total bill for McDonald's quality food (a ghetto McDonald's) was that of a sophisticated steakhouse. Ridiculous.
(1)
Ann B.
Good food and fantastic view! The food at this low-key restaurant is pretty good, but a bit over priced. The staff is friendly, low pressure and had no problem accommodating a modification request to a dish. The harbor side deck is small, but has such a charming view. The mahi-mahi special was the favored dish at our table, but next time I go back I'll order the mussels. The couple next to us devoured 3 servings!!
(4)
Lauren C.
Very cute! Good local food! If you like little New England towns and all of their gems, you can't miss this! Great view too!
(5)
Steve T.
Quaint little place on the water. Beautiful views of the bay. Don't expect a and expansive layout when you pull up. Although the building is big, the dining room is small. I had no complaints because I went there for lunch during the week and it was sort of empty so no need to worry about seating. The food was good. The batter on the fried foods was light and flaky, but somewhat bland. A cheeseburger in a seafood place to me is sacrilegious to order, but my friend was saving herself for a much better venue later that night. She did enjoy the burger so I guess we can give it a thumbs up. The service was quick and polite. Our server made sure we had what we needed and checked in regularly. I enjoyed the look of the restaurant pub. It kind of looked like my grandfather's den that was converted into a drinking hole for his old cronies. Lol! The pub there really adds to the whole theme. Recommend
(3)
Lynne B.
Love this place. I go there every week. I love the fish sandwich and anything with clams.
(5)
DeeJay H.
Stiff T&Ts. Perfect steamers. Not really much more one needs in life....
(4)
Hillary M.
I was wandering around Marblehead with some friends and we saw this place had lobster bisque. It was 5:30pm. The bar was noisy and crowded and we waited for a table in the dining room. The place was empty- only two other tables were full. It was a cramped but the view was great. The waitress brought our beer and water and we ordered soups. She informed us that we were sitting in the dining room and soups and drinks don't count as dining room food so we had to move to the bar. Are you kidding?! We took our stuff and beers to the other room and after about 10 minutes the bartender yelled over (you could barely hear anything, the bar was pretty noisy) to see if we wanted to order anything. Turns out the waitress from the dining room never even placed the soup order. Good thing, we weren't terribly interested in giving them our business anymore. This has never happened to me. We were kicked out of the empty dining area at 5:30 on a cold winter day - no one else was heading over anytime soon. Not to mention we wanted to order SOUP. Wouldn't exactly have kept the table busy for long! Instead we got $4 beers that were past their freshness date and drank them in a crowded incredibly loud bar filled with TVs and a few drunk people. Barnacle's service was so ridiculous I won't be back.
(1)
W S.
Favorite place in town for dinner. Can't go wrong!
(5)
T. U.
One never knows what the experience will be like at the Barnacle. Every so often, it's a five. Tonight, it was a one. Harried servers and overdone food. I'll give them another chance, as always, but sometimes I think they don't care what customers think.
(1)
Amy R.
I've eaten at the Barnacle twice during the past year on two separate visits to Marblehead. We sat inside once and outside once. On both visits, the service was great -- very friendly and attentive waitresses. On both visits, the view was great -- inside seats look out windows at the bay, and outdoor seats on the deck are the perfect spot to enjoy nice summer weather by the water. Most importantly, on both visits, the food was excellent. The first time (for dinner) I had scallops, which were fresh and delicious. The second time (for lunch) I had fried butterfly shrimp with cole slaw and fries, and it was some of the best fried shrimp I've ever had. For seafood in Marblehead, I haven't found anywhere better!
(5)
Alex U.
I hell of a lot better than the "Zagat" reviewed place down the block. The people were friendly, helpful, and honest. Of course it's hard to screw up fish and chips but this place had the best Fish and Chips I can remember.
(5)
Tanya S.
One of my favorite restaurants in the area. Highly recommend the lobster roll. The steamers were my 12yr old son's favorite. Tables outside are fantastic. A great experience.
(5)
John C.
I live in Marblehead and have eaten at the Barnacle at least 15 times. The greatest attribute of this small harbor-side restaurant is the view. Everything else falls short of what it could be. The service is generally good. Many of the staff have worked here for years and are friendly and efficient. The exception is usually the hostesses. They tend to be high school aged women who seem to begrudge the fact that their parents have made them get a job. Their goal appears to be to exert as little effort as possible while being unfriendly and uninterested in customers. The dining room is small and customers are crammed cheek to jowl. The food is here is marginal. The menu has a few better than average items and many that are ho-hum to bad. Think fried seafood and you get the idea. Two bright spots on the menu. First, the chowder is above average. Thick and creamy with enough clams in it to remind you that this really is clam chowder, not fish chowder. The rest of the better items tend to require little effort from the kitchen staff. Most notable are the steamer clams, fish and chips, and boiled lobster. No real culinary skill required here. Stay away from the crab though. It's not a regular menu item but appears frequently as a special. I had it once and it reeked of ammonia. A sure sign that it was well past its prime. When I reported this disturbing find I got an acknowledgement that I was correct and nothing more. That is, not even an apology. So I recommend coming here for the view and if you have low expectations for the food you'll probably be happy you came.
(2)
Megan A.
We mainly went there for the view. We sat outside and the view was quite nice. The food was also very good. The waitress wasn't rude, but we consistently had to keep asking her for refills of drinks, or to take away empty plates.
(3)
Nish N.
This isn't a completely fair review because we only stopped in to pick up an order of lobster rolls to take on our plane ride home, but while the lobster roll was decent, I thought The Landing's was superior. Plus, I don't think I've had worse and more soggy fries in the last ten years of my life.
(3)
Kathy B.
I've been visiting the Barnacle since I was a child. In the summer, you have to jockey for a seat with the tourists. But it's still worth it. I think their chowder is #1 (with Turner Fisheries in Boston at #2). The staff is lovely, regardless of the fact that they're shuffling around in very tight quarters and dealing with first-timers who all want a view of the harbor. The fried clams are outstanding. They make a mean grilled cheese for your kid. The Bloody Mary is solid. Finding a parking spot requires some prayer, but again - it's all worth it. The Barnacle is a classic that never disappoints.
(5)
Blayne D.
Hey, All ~ I want The Barnacle to be my "resting place". lol For those of you nearby... A MUST visit... truly. For those not so nearby - worth the road-trip. It's GORGEOUS, charming and rustic, it's delicious, it's intimate and best of all... it seems to TRULY be a place where people come together and what I love, as well, is that GREAT FOOD is why! You'll find it here, no doubt!
(4)
Kara B.
Really enjoyed this place! Sat at the back window, view was gorgeous and food was delicious. Simple and well prepared. Crunchy but juicy fried clams and haddock. Wonderful skinny fries. Friendly staff. In a world of over-thought, fjussy and sometimes ill-conceived food, this simple, well-well prepared meal was a pleasure. Can't wait to go back for the lobster bisque.
(4)
Lanette D.
We ate here for the first time. We were looking for a place to grab a drink after work. The outside deck is small, but has a beautiful view. The food was OK if your from New England. If your from Nebraska the seafood is great. I've had better food elsewhere for alot less money. It works for decent seafood, but pricey for what you get. Go there for appts and drinks. $68+tip for two, included drinks, dinner and dessert.
(3)
Ted C.
Having grown up in Marblehead, it was wonderfully nostalgic to come back 20 years later and walk about the town and the Barnacle is one of my favorite haunts from years gone by. I did not come for the atmosphere or the charm or for a table outside on the water. You take literally three steps from the restaurant and get more view and some revolutionary war history to boot. As a food snob I was uncertain whether I could still appreciate the rustic surroundings having just a month ago, dined at Joel Robuchon's in Las Vegas. I invoked Anthony Bourdain and anticipated getting good local indigenous cuisine. My wife had one of their famous Bloody Marys. Built by hand and served in a 16 oz shaker glass. Spicy and delicious! We had chowder, rich and full of clams. It tasted like clams. That is all you should expect from real clam chowder and it was wonderful. I literally inhaled mine. We had lobster rolls. They were gigantic. A new twist (a modern consideration) was that rather than mix the lobster with mayo and celery, they put a dob on top and allow the customer to decide whether to slather or not. We slather. Thats just how we roll. The lobster meat was fresh and plentiful. We had to eat half the lobster before we could pick up the toasted hot dog roll to fit them into our mouths. To top off, we shared a clam roll. That too was wonderful. The clams were perfectly cooked but a bit small. Larger clams is just a personal preference. We had other plans for the notoriously best fried clams in New England the next day. Nevertheless, they were delicious and I was completely satisfied. It was wonderful validation to come back to a place years later and find that they have not changed. The restaurant remains in the same family that founded the place many years ago.
(5)
S L.
The space inside is a little cramped, but it's also a neat experience, since the windows face the sea make you feel like you're on a ship. If you go at a lucky moment, you can get a seat out on the deck. We were directed to this place by a passerby while we were walking around Marblehead. I ordered a hamburger, and my husband ordered the fish sandwich. I took a bite of his fish sandwich and wouldn't give it back to him. It is SO good, with two steaks of fried haddock. The hamburger was also the best I've tasted since the patty was so thick and juicy. I highly recommend this place.
(5)
kathy s.
My husband & I have wonderful memories of the Barnacle-we were frequent visitors there when we lived in Salem. We loved the salmon poppers in particular and often brought visitors there. But that was more than 9 years ago & it seems that things have changed. Recently we returned w/ overseas guests. I was so excited to go back. Initially it seemed as though things were just the same-quaint little place, great view. But, the food was terrible, with the exception of the chowder. A previous reviewer raved about the lobster rolls-have they ever had one before? They were bland at best w/ ?previously frozen lobster meat & a spoonful of mayo on top-yuk! We went in after the lunch time rush & really felt that we were putting the staff out by being there. The prices were astronomical, I was quite shocked when I saw the bill. Also, 18% gratuity had been added-presumably because we were a party of 6 (even though that included 3 kids under 9) or maybe because they heard my British accent & Brits are notoriously bad tippers. More fool them, I normally leave at least 20%.... Extremely disappointing.
(1)
Jess M.
I came here on the recommendation of my airbnb host when I was visiting Marblehead. I got lucky and snagged a deck seat (side deck, but still a nice view) I got the fish and chips (haddock) and it came out super fast. Like 5 minutes. The people near me ordered unfried food and like the menu says, it takes about 20 minutes. At least they warn you. My fried fish was nice and hot and perfectly cooked. The fish was flaky and the breading was just right. The only downside is that they didn't seem to season the fish or fries so I basically had to dump salt, malted vineger, and lemon juice on it to get flavor. I think this was just a fluke because my airbnb host was surprised when I told her, since she goes to the Barnacle a lot. Otherwise, the service was fast and friendly and the view was fantastic.
(4)
Nicole B.
I don't know where some of these negative reviews are coming from but as a foodie who can be a bit critical I loved this place! We were coming back from the beach and honestly were trying to go to another spot but there was some sort of festival down town and couldn't get parking so stumbled upon this gem. Service was amazing, and friendly. We were quickly seated even got a great table on the deck by the water. Drinks were quickly brought to us and werent weak! We started with oysters (raw) which were well priced. I had e chowder next which is hands down the best I've had and I love chowder. Like I've had chowder everywhere! She had the lobster bisque and enjoyed the sherry flavor it had. We then finished with some coconut shrimp that were absolutely phenomenal and flavorful. The prices can't be beat and overall this is my new favorite spot in Marblehead. I will return soon!
(5)
Christine K.
Great New England Clam Chowder here - like the tough of paprika spice on top, just the thing to take away any potential greasy feeling from the chowder. Except, this one was relatively light, while managing to be hearty at the same time. Even if you're not a clam chowder/cream-based soup sort of person, this is worth getting! It came with a side of corn bread (a new twist on the boring bread side, I guess!), but I wasn't too big a fan on their corn bread. It was cold, poundcake-like in texture (I like cornbread that's got a little more cornmeal grit in it), and overall not a great combo with the chowder, mostly because it was so room temp/cold. I treated it as dessert, vs. a complement to the soup. Service was quick and friendly, best kind! It started to get busy as we left, so make sure you get there before 2:00pm!
(4)
A B.
I'm a frequent customer of The Barnacle, Marblehead MA establishment. I came in Mon Sept 14th for lunch with my 19mo son & family. Their senior staff member, an older woman with shoulder length red blonde hair, threw a chair at myself & my baby because we requested the highchair be placed on the wall. It is a fire hazard in the aisle & safety hazard with hot food near my baby. She rolled her eyes at me, said "why cant he just sit next to you, so now you want me to move the table back..." when we said thank you, she threw the adult chair at me & my son & stormed off without a word. IF THAT CHAIR HAD HIT MY BABY, SHE & THE BARNACLE WOULD BE LIABLE. THAT IS ATTEMPED ASSULT. We asked a young long haired brunette waitress for a manager & she said the older woman was the senior staff member. We told her what happened & she responded with "you made your point.." & shooed us out. This is appalling treatment of a group of LONGTIME FREQUENT paying customers. Ive never seen such violence or rudeness in the hospitality business until today at THE BARNACLE, MARBLEHEAD MA.
(1)
Lindsay M.
Not a bad spot in Marblehead. This was the second time I've been and it's always crowded. Wasn't able to sit outside, but the view inside was still nice. Service is good, but the food could be better. Everything is cooked perfectly, but could definitely use some salt and seasoning. The garlic mashed potatoes are pretty good and they go great with the grilled salmon. Good spot for families and there's a bar as well. Haven't had any of their cocktails here yet, but if I do go back, I'll be sure to get one.
(3)
Autumn S.
Some people that posted before sound quite snobby. They use plastic cups?! It's not like Dixie cups, folks. They look like glasses. Psh! The ambience is great. I'm a tourist so you can get over that. You're welcome for boosting your economy. The server I had was quite fantastic and had TONS of knowledge of the origin of the seafood! I had the clam chowder and it was lovely. Had the lobster and the owner goes out and catches them himself during this season! Great price too. Great place.
(5)
Amy C.
I was vacationing with some friends and they brought me here for my birthday. I was in the mood for fried clams, and this seems to be one of VERY few places in the area that had them. We all got the fisherman's platter, which was a wonderful sampling of fried seafood deliciousness! The waitress was attentive and very friendly. The view of the harbor is amazing. Though I probably won't get to visit again soon, I recommend this to anyone who is in the area and looking for delicious seafood.
(5)
Mary B.
This classic New England shabby seafood joint was just okay. The baked scallops while meaty and fresh had a cracker crumb coating which tasted terrible --- I'm not sure what went wrong (maybe burnt butter, turned spices or stale crumbs?), but I could only eat the scallops after scraping off the crumb crust. My friend's pricey ($22) lobster roll had large chunks of lobster, but the mayo dressing was bland. Our side salads were generous with mixed lettuce, red onion, black olives, cucumbers, shredded carrots and tomatoes and a nicely balanced balsamic vinaigrette. The onion rings, while not greasy, didn't have much flavor. The coleslaw was crispy with three types of cabbage, but the slaw dressing was overpowered by too much horseradish. On the plus side, the view of Marblehead harbour was lovely and the service was just right. Shoe-horned in a dense residential/commercial district, this place has very limited street parking, necessitating a walk of a few blocks on a Sunday afternoon. Given that there are dozens of better seafood places along the north shore of Boston, I'm unlikely to head back to the Barnacle again.
(2)
Marlene R.
Though we live in CA we are practically locals here because we come here at least once every time we come to Boston. On Father's Day and most recently last night, they ran out of lobster before we got there. Somehow, both times they were able to come up with more! Thankfully so, because the stuffing is the best we've ever had. Sweet scallops and shrimp with a thin though adequate layer of buttery cracker crumbs on top. And the friendliest service around. Love the food, love the view and love the local vibe.
(5)
Kim G.
We may have stopped in on a down day but, service was very poor. Plenty of wait staff, not overly busy, when we sat, we mentioned we had a time constraint of 30 mins. Our drinks came out swiftly, but our lunch, fried oysters and grilled salmon salad, never came out. We asked twice and second time the check came out to settle before the lunch was delivered! Out of time, we waited inside until both were boxed to go. Unfortunate. The food was quite good once we ate it!
(2)
Luba P.
This review is for all visitors! We yelped a place along the coast and this one looked the most authentic and cute. It's a tiny restaurant on a rock edge with beautiful views of the bay. The place was filled with locals which is a great sign. The inside is almost like a ship. We asked for recommendations to try everything and the best was definitely the lemoncello cake (the most moist lemony cake imaginable, we'be been thinking about it ever since coming back), followed by the crabcakes and scallops. Both were so fresh and melted in your mouth. The guys liked the lobster roll but it's not for me. Also, the clam chowder was slightly better than the lobster bisque. Everyone raved about the steamers....so we got them and did not enjoy them that much since they were filled with sand. Apparently the little water bowl is for you to rinse your steamer in and then dip it in the butter! Also, do not eat the little black foot! Highly recommend trying this place, plus the little town it's in is super adorable and Salem is nearby!
(4)
Cindy M.
The lobster and steamers were very good. The outdoor seating looked fabulous, but we were seated inside where it was too crowded and noisy to have an excellent experience. Wait for a patio table!
(4)
Dan D.
7/9/15 My wife and I have been coming to the Barnacle for years, although this would be out first visit in 3 years. The Barnacle is a small place with the buildings foundation built on the ocean rocks. Water splashes on 2 sides of the foundation. This is old town, old time dining in an old small building. The tables are tight, there is counter that overlooks the harbor and there is outdoor dining hanging over the water. Other than fresh paint, this place has not changed in 30 years. There is a small bar where locals and tourist hang out. It's a cool place to be, weather you're a local or tourist. We arrived at about 6PM. The bar was pretty full and the dining room about half full. The outdoor dining area was full. We had a very attentive waitress and equally attentive helper, who immediately served up some homemade corn bread, which was decent, a little different, and FREE. On the recommendation of the waitress, I started with a stuffed Quahog. It was piping hot and pretty good. My wife got the seafood chowder, and this was not good; the only disappointment on the night. The chowder was room temp, thin, not much in it, and not good. Very surprising as for years their chowder was the best around. My wife ordered baked scallops....The portion was borderline large, the scallops were large and cooked perfect. She said they were excellent. I had the fisherman's platter for $ 24.00..... The platter was exactly that, a platter of clams, scallops, shrimp, and haddock; a large portion of each item. The clams are easily the best I've had in years. Big, and big whole belly, and a lot of em. The scallops, and haddock, easily the best I've had in years.... The shrimp were very good, but hard to compare to jumbo shrimp I usually eat not fried.... The bill was $ 62.00. The service was excellent and the food was spaced out perfectly. I highly recommend the Barnacle, the old place still got it. PS, they do serve water and soft drinks in decent quality plastic cups.... I think its because the place is so small, glasses are a storage and cleaning sacrifice...
(5)
Beth W.
Beautiful location and at night the ocean view is breathtaking. The restaurant as a whole could use an update. The menu is pretty typical to that of a waterside bar and the food though plentiful could use a bit of a boost. Staff is friendly and the bartender pours with a heavy hand....especially for the locals.
(3)
Gregor H.
The place was a recommendation from a friend and I was excited to get some fresh seafood, right out of the ocean in front of which we were sitting. Everything promised a perfect meal and I was impressed by the waitress' knowledge of the origin of their seafood. The first disappointment came with the water, which was served in plastic cups. Then our food arrived - lobster roll, scallops, and fish and chips. The scallops had little taste, the lobster roll was ok, and the first bite of the fish was totally off. I excused the one bad piece and move on to eat a few more fresh, but mediocre tasting pieces until I had another totally expired piece. The fowl smell and taste killed my appetite, and my friends were done when I asked them to verify the condition of the fish. I usually never say anything when I didn't enjoy a meal, but this time I had to. So we kindly mentioned to the waitress that a few pieces of the fish were off. She didn't apologize, simple said ok and took the plate. At least she took 10$ off, but in a good restaurant this would be on the house.
(1)
Nina K.
First time visiting Marblehead we mainly chose this restaurant for it's location. The view is spectacular. It is a very small restaurant with a lot of families, so it's quite loud. The lobster bisque was good as was the jumbo shrimp cocktail. Those two get a 3/5. The fish and chips however, was the most bland dish I have ever had. I'm not a big fish fan and I'm very particular with smell. The fishy smell really turns me off. I must admit that the fish did not have a smell ... But the breading was very odd. I could tell that the fish was fresh but didn't have much taste. Even the tartar sauce was bland. With all of that said, you get A LOT of fish in small pieces. This dish gets a 2/5. The service wasn't anything special. We had too many people "taking care of us" - though we didn't get water until we were done eating our apps AND was mid way through dinner.
(3)
Pam D.
I had a great lunch there last week. Fisherman's platter was fresh. The batter was light, not greasy. I don't recall the plastic cups, but my margaritas were yummy. The waitress was attentive and very nice. I would definitely go back. I also loved the charm of the area.
(5)
Cris B.
It's ok. Not what I would expect from a seafood rest. In Marblehead of all places. The inside is old. The food ok. Seems more like it was thrown in a ton of butter and served.
(2)
Warren B.
A bowl of sand instead of premium steamers and pre shucked oysters, oh my! By the looks of the reviews everything should have been perfect, yet it was anything but. Oh it was service with a smile but you cannot eat service alone. Water in plastic cups. Hmmmm. Oysters were Blue Points. I should have skipped them. They were pre shucked, swimming in water and ice. The cocktail sauce was uninspired and said cheap food service ketchup to my palate. Filled with chips of the shells, each bite was punctuated by a crunch of the shell. I'd rather get aluminum foil on a filling in my tooth than an oyster shell in my mouth. I ordered the market priced premium steamers. Filled with sand, most of the shells were broken. Even with the clam broth it was tough going. I sent them back. The kitchen staff offered to "wash them off In hot water" #FAIL so..... I ordered a $ 5.95 cup of their famous lobster bisque. This thin, flavorless liquid hardly had even a smidgin of lobster meat in it. Knorr could have crafted better from a concentrate. Embarrassing and amateurish. My Anchor steam was served without a glass. "Classy" .....
(1)
George A.
I love this place!! It's the coolest. Great food. Great views. Excellent staff. I feel like I am home when I am here. Marblehead is a hidden treasure. And it's places like the Barnacle that makes this why!
(5)
J B.
The "meh" description that Yelp suggests for two-stars is quite appropriate for this joint. There is outdoor seating overlooking a beautiful harbor, which makes the meal worth it, but really its just run-of-the-mill fried seafood. The batter left a little bit to be desired: no color and not a lot of seasoning. This place is fine if you are in the area, but I would definitely not seek it out. Real life 2.5 stars, instead of 2.
(2)
M R.
Went here with the family on a Friday night. The place itself is small and tucked away in a beautiful old coastal New England neighborhood. I imagine the views are pretty nice, but there was a heavy fog so we couldn't see much. The wait staff was EXCELLENT, especially in accommodating our two small children. The food was slightly below expectation as virtually everything required seasoning, but the overall experience was positive.
(3)
Laura H.
I lived in Marblehead for 5 years, many years ago and would never visit without going back to the Barnacle! Great seafood, great view and such a special and unique place. So glad to see that it has not changed after many years and is till the wonderful place it always was!
(5)
Michael P.
Been here a number of times for beers and apps. The place is small, but friendly. The barkeep is attentive and patient. I've only had the stuffed clams and the burger, both of which were made very well and tasted great. This is definitely the place you go with a few friends to hang out, have a few drinks, and look at the scenery outside. Parking can be kind of a hassle in the busy months, but there's a bus stop right out front!
(5)
Gay P.
My friends and I stopped in for lunch during a Sunday while we were on a Marblehead stroll. While it is true that there is limited space, we had a great table. All the tables feature an ocean view. Four of us ordered four different entrees and we were all really pleased with our meals. I took a bit off because it is a noisy and crowded space. Parking is nearly impossible, but it is a terrific spot.
(4)
Sandy F.
Recommended by our fishing boat captain, a local. Dinner on a weekday night in July -- 7:30pm restaurant 80% full -- mostly locals, it seemed Tables outside all taken so we sat inside. Tables very crowded together -- but that is part of the charm--so long as your fellow diners don't feel entitled to stretch out and overtake the tight quarters (as our neighbors did.) Greeted quickly, but then it seems like our waitress lost interest in our table. Poor service the rest of the night. Waited nearly one hour with three hungry kids and the food came out barely warm. Tables around us who arrived after us were being served ahead of us. Another waitress stepped in to help and when our waitress re-appeared she was apologetic. Our bill was adjusted without our asking -- which we appreciated. Here is the rundown on the food: Crab cakes - yes, v good Golden butterfly shrimp - yes, perfect Fish and chips - yes, moist and mild Scallops - ok Grilled haddock - ok. Fresh but overcooked. I think it had been sitting for a while before it was brought to the table. Could have been excellent. I still think you should give it a try.
(2)
Chris F.
Oysters small and not fresh, mussels tiny...hardly worth taking them out of their shell, stale bread. Felt cheated. Seems like a place where you'd get honest, old fashioned New England seafood. Anything but.
(1)
Amy H.
Great view, right on the water, the inside definitely feels like you are on a fishing boat. The lobster rolls were great. It was pretty small and I thought it was overpriced. The food was great and it was authentic.
(4)
Elizabeth W.
My sister and her new husband had their rehearsal dinner at the Barnacle - and the staff and food were amazing. There were about 45 people at the dinner, so we took over the patio and main dining area. The fixed menu included 3-4 choices for appetizers, entrees, fried seafood, and so on. The food was delicious (I had steamed mussels and a shrimp scampi entree) and everyone else's also looked great. They're losing a star because there were a couple of minor issues (like I ordered broccoli on the side of my entree, and instead I got green beans), but considering how large of a party we had, I can't blame them too much. The staff was friendly, accommodating, and flexible. And the restaurant itself is so charming - just like the rest of Marblehead. A great local spot!
(4)
Anthony C.
The fish and chips were good. The seafood chowder and the lobster bisque were very good. Everything else was ok. The ambience was nice overlooking the water.
(3)
Dan K.
My wife and I stayed in a B&B about a half block from here so we walked over to look at the harbor our host for our B&B said we should check it out. As you walk up to it it looks like a dive bar. Well we went in and sat down on the deck the has a Great view of the harbor that was the first plus. The service was very good and the food was great. Not badly priced for what we had and where they are another plus. We were very pleasantly surprised about this place. When we go back to Marblehead will will stop in again.
(5)
Crystal B.
Good food with good prices and an amazing view. It's a tight fit, but in the off season it isn't too bad, haven't eaten here in the warm weather yet. The bar is great. It's small, but on a winter evening, it's perfect. I would rate the bar 5 stars.
(4)
A L.
Such a beautiful setting. Fish and chips were great, such a huge portion, but excellent. Perfect summertime spot!
(4)
Linda T.
We chose the Barnacle on a Monday afternoon for lunch. We were waiting to be seated when we were informed that the kitchen was closing for an hour so we needed to place our orders quick. I guess they close their kitchen every day to change shifts and the frying oil. Everything was delicious!!! Shrimp was fresh and yummy. The cold slaw was some of the best I've EVER had (and believe me I'm a cold slaw junkie). Very casual atmosphere, beautiful harbor location with a great view!! The only downside to the Barnacle was the extremely limited parking. But even though parking was tight, we will definitely go back.
(4)
Jack T.
Wednesday Night Twin Lobsters specials are only one if the reason to check out this local spot in town. Mussels to die for are another. Get there early. They don't take reservations. And extra bonus? Summer time season allows you to enjoy a nice outdoor view of one the nicest harbors north of Boston
(4)
Shannon B.
This place is great! The fish and chips were lightly breaded and not greasy at all. The salmon and swordfish were a huge portions and very moist. As far as quality for your dollar this place can't be beat. The only downsides are the lack of parking (there is a small lot a little east down the road) and the size of the dining room. They cram people in every square inch. Also, the service was pretty poor from the waitstaff. They'd walk over to bring food but not refill our drinks or ask if we wanted more beer (which only adds to their tip). It didn't make sense, but we made due. The food made up for it and we will come again (hopefully the staff is better).
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : No 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 : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Mindy L.
Brought my little sister here along with fiance last night. We are introducing her to all the hot spots of Marblehead before she makes her big move to Somerville in September. Again, we sat outside. This time, the sun was down and it was a little eery because we had come across a very interesting story just recently. I will share it for your edification! There's a small, stone strand called Screeching Lady Beach in Marblehead, Massachusetts, which is off Front street in Marblehead's old town. Also known as Lovis cove, the beach is home to a well-known restaurant, The Barnacle. The Barnacle's main claim to fame is that during Nor'easters, the waves actually crash over the building, which no doubt provides a great view for the locals who sit inside the glass encased dining room and watch the action. The Screeching Lady of Lovis Cove (from gothichorrorstories.com ) An English woman was captured by Spanish pirates in the late 17th century, and robbed of all her valuables with the exception of an emerald ring which wouldn't slide off her finger. Try as they might, the pirates couldn't deprive the hand of the ring. As a result, they let her live for the time being, and slaughtered all the others who were captured in the raid. A bit later, the pirates found themselves off the then tiny village of Marblehead, and decided to go ashore and engage in a bit of pillaging and plundering, as pirates oft-time do. Being so close to shore for the first time, the unfortunate woman with the swollen finger leapt from the ship, and made her way to shore, hoping to find sanctuary. By this time, the pirates had determined that there was nothing worth pillaging or plundering in Marblehead, and were in something of a foul mood. Finding the unfortunate woman dripping water on the beach did not improve their mood. The woman screeched, the pirates pounced upon her, and beat her savagely. The villagers in Marblehead, at first sight of pirates, had retreated to the woods, and from there could hear the screams of the unfortunately lady, which no doubt kicked up an octave or two when the scoundrels finally realized that they could remove the finger and obtain the ring. Which they did. Soon the screams ceased, the pirates went back to their ship and left. The townspeople came out from hiding, and there on the beach they found the mangled and mutilated corpse of the woman. They felt bad for ignoring her cries, and so buried her in the burial grounds. But old timers insist, that each year on the anniversary of her death, you can still hear her cries, rising up from the beach. OOOOOHHHHHHHH!!!! I admit, I'm intrigued. And I will be there next July 17th (the assumed anniversary) to see what happens! So screeching spectors aside, I enjoyed the surf and turf (baked scallops and a honking steak) for $20.95. My sister ordered the mussels and it was so good. I don't believe anyone who says the mussels aren't amazing. The garlic, butter yum broth that they are served in is ridiculous. Our only wish: that we had bread to sop it all up with! We ended up dipping everything we could find into it (including my steak). Watch out...I'm going to be the Duchess of this place in no time!
(4)Anne K.
We came here on an overcast Saturday for a late lunch - having a bowl of clam chowder each and splitting the mussels. We would definitely go back - wish it was nicer to sit outside. The cons: The decor is rustic - the inside really could use a fresh coat of paint. There were a few flies buzzing around the dining area. The clam chowder was warm, not piping hot as we would have preferred. The pros: The outstanding view. I mean, if it weren't for this, I would not have given it as many stars. The mussels were the best I have ever had - the butter/garlic oil with bread was just a perfect finish to the dish. Service was quick - both in taking our orders and serving. We walked here from the town center - highly recommend walking over to Fort Sewell for some great views.
(4)Doug J.
(score 1-100) - 78. I lived two doors away from the Barnacle for 10 years so I've been here a few times...lol. It is one of those places that people love or hate. It is located down on the end of Front St.. sort of hard to find if you are not familiar with the area. If you are not a Marbleheader, you can bring your mistress here and not be noticed! The skinny is the food can range from month to month, year to year. They change over the cooks rapidly so like many restaurants you are taking a risk. The steak tips have always been pretty good and the basics (burgers etc.) but I know many people think because it sits on the ocean that they are getting great seafood....well think again.. it's not bad but they are better options around the north shore. This place sits on the ocean and has a great view depending on your seat. It is very narrow and cramped so if you are on the larger side... you may find that getting in and around tables and the bar difficult.
(4)Meagan S.
Cute place but bad food. Shrimp and steak were way over cooked and it took 15 minutes for someone to acknowledge us! The "stuffed" shrimp wasn't stuffed at all. Food improvements are definitely needed.
(1)Fred M.
Another very good restaurant in Marblehead Harbor. Always find upscale locals celebrating and yakking it up like true boat people. Foods' better than at the Landing.
(4)Jamie P.
My BBQ steak tips were delicious. Steak was perfectly cooked and full of flavor. I recommend the garlic mashed potatoes and green beans for sides. The garlic mashed potatoes were some of the best I've had in a restaurant. Our server was really good as well. The restaurant is a little pricey, but hey it's Marblehead.
(4)Carol W.
The Barnacle nearly had it all: great ambiance and location, stellar steamer clams and wonderful fried oysters. Only off note was the lobster roll...way too salty. I don't know if they were having an off day that day, but it was quite disappointing. Still, it's a great place overall.
(4)Elle C.
I'm a fan because of the location and view. But this isn't the best seafood in New England. So I can't give it 4 starts. Sorry Barnacle. I wouldn't go with more than 4 people, and don't go very hungry because the wait is a killer. We went on a not so busy day off season so I can't imagine what summer is like. That being said- it was def a good spot for our group who wanted to try "New England seafood". I was the only New England who knew it wasn't the best seafood. Very cute, and if you are in marblehead, fine. But I wouldn't drive here from Maine or NH. There are better spots!
(3)Dean W.
We are new to the area and were looking for lobster. The atmosphere is casual and tne view is great. Very comfortable local place. Service was great. Good drinks from the bar with nice pours, steamed mussels were fantastic. The normal lobster size is 1.5 pounds but we asked for 2 pounds. The owner offered to go get them from his holding tank outside and brought them in to show us before cooking. Price is great and everything tasted great. We will be back for sure.
(4)Jeanette W.
Eh. Average. Our waitress was ok. She wasn't very friendly at the door but when she was assigned our waitress, she was all of a sudden very friendly. The lobster roll was very average and bland. Definitely nothing special. The husband ordered their grilled sea bass. He wasn't too impressed. I definitely thought the fish was better though.
(3)Tracy S.
Service was terrible. Waited 45 minutes until we were approached by the staff and told the computers messed up and our order was never put in. Not sure how much sense that makes but we cashed out and believe it or not was charged for our drinks. Would not return back.
(1)Karen C.
Uh oh something is "off". We have been coming for 23 years and this wasn't a good visit. Hope owner reads review. Beautiful Day, Sunday 6 pm restaurant 1/2 full. Owner working. Not the usual Mussels, some not cooked properly. Not the same Barnacle chowder, no chunks of anything and lacked flavor. Hubby ordered seafood casserole, only one pinch of bread crumbs, lacked any flavor. Very disappointed. This wasn't what we've had in the past. My sliced Tuna was supposed to have blackened sesame seeds as the waitress said. No they were not. No flavor and It appeared the Tuna was rolled in the seeds. What happened? We love the Barnacle but we were soooo disappointed. I looked in the open kitchen and it appears the cooks are not the same. Imy hubby and I hope this is rectified. One thing that looked fine was the fried Seafood which we've ordered occasionally. Please fix this Barnacle as we are longtime customers but won't rush back after that visit .
(2)S S.
If you're looking for a great CASUAL spot on the water with an excellent seaside menu (fish and chips, lobster roll, etc), the Barnacle is great.
(5)C. M.
Way too over priced for what you get. Fish and Chips was priced at $17.95 for a small portion of fish served with store bought shoe string fries. Good service was good. Other than the really high prices, not a bad spot!
(4)Ani C.
Not worth the price. This place has too many tourists.
(2)Rick L.
An institution with a great view of everything that matters. I grew up in Marblehead and first went to The Barnacle as a kid when it wasn't much more than a walk-up counter. You could get a lobster roll for 50 cents, thereabouts. (If you find one now for less than a tenner, text me and I'll be right over!) It's grown up but never got fancy. Sometime after I moved away, they built a real restaurant off one of the marble heads (granite, really). With a small dining room, tiny bar and some alfresco seats hanging over a beach of small stones. That last may be the best place ever built to eat on a sunny warm day. It used to be that I'd order all sorts of things but when I came to town for a visit there was only one thing I craved. Quahogs (steamers), onion rings and that view. From the mid 1980s up until a year ago things have not changed. The steamers were always tender and sweet, and the rings were light. Even lighter than tempura-style which is best. (Heavily breaded rings aren't any more than a donut that tastes of onions.) It has always been a singular, simple pleasure for me. Predictable and the same as it's always been. (Indulge the nostalgic home-town boy.) Over the last quarter-century, the servers have sometimes been great but always pleasant, but if you want to be spoiled stay down in Boston. This is swamp Yankee territory. Oh, and if you're staying in or near town on a visit, go to The Driftwood off the town landing. You'll meet all the locals and step back in time. I've been to The Barnacle with many friends and most of my family. All have enjoyed it across the years. I remember being in Boston for a Mac World, flying in from LA and taking work friends from my company and a few from Apple up to this place. A small phalanx of rental cars were terrorized on the Lynnway and upon arrival we smushed a few tables together, told stories and splashed lobster-butter on each other for close to two hours. The staff didn't mind. My friends loved the food and I waved them off desert so we could trundle down the road to Peabody to eat ice cream standing in the parking lot of Russ Treadwell's. It's the only way I can end a Barnacle dinner and my companions agreed. (I have silly friends and like it that way!) In sum, The Barnacle is "same as it ever was" to quote the Talking Heads. Good New England seafood dinners, pleasant servers, great views and sunsets to die for (you're looking east but who cares!) Oh, and the fish you're eating tonight likely woke up out near Halfway Rock this morning. Nuff said.
(3)susan H.
Crowded, nice view. What it lacks in atmosphere, decor and parking is offset by the service and the food. What we had that was good: baked haddock (without the cheese), fish-and-chips, lobster roll. What was just OK: lobster bisque, Casear salad. Server was friendly and helpful. We appreciated the honesty of the bartender; when asked if the white wine was dry, he shrugged and said he supposed it was dry enough (it was.) Definitely old-school with a slightly sticky, grubby feel. Prepare for a long wait, especially if you want to sit outside. And it will be a crowded wait.
(3)ME G.
The service makes up for the view, which on a dreary day was simply amazing looking out at the harbor. What is amazing is that the food was pretty good given that good a view, normally it's not so good. What was useful is that prices were about 2x cambridge prices, it was the view again and Marblehead, and it keeps the riff-raff, err, flotsam, out. The service will not tell you, but they have oysters (did not try, found out on the way out), and clam rolls (did not try, found out the market price on teh way out, must change a lot and chalk boards are not available nor printers, just ask for all the 10 items at market price on the menu, they will only roll your eyes on the second one you ask about). So, go, but be mindful of how you can help serve youself, and help them do what they do poorly so you can enjoy the amazing view.
(4)Alden G.
Some places are a touchstone, no matter what. I was pleased to see several reviewers below who frequented the Barnacle long ago and returned to enjoy it again. The last time I ate at The Barnacle was 1968; I remember with relish the view, the salt smell of the ocean, the sound of gulls, and wonderful clam and lobster rolls. Living in Colorado today (2009) I miss it all, and I vow on Yelp to return with my family someday soon, to once again enjoy the "Barnacle experience!"
(5)Elmo G.
Nice view of the port & great location, but the food wasn't too good and took a while.
(2)Bill S.
Six people showed up for dinner without a reservation and we were seated without a problem. The view of the harbor from this place is the best in Marblehead. If you happen to be in Marblehead during a storm go to the Barnacle for an unforgettable experience. The service is always great as is the food. The last time I was there they had a dinner special two one pound lobsters for $22.00. Outrageous. I love this place.
(5)Beth B.
Seriously best fish and chips on the planet. Only place I've ever been to that I don't even need the tarter sauce! Super light and not greasy. Good fries. My husband loves their chowder! Amazing views of the lighthouse and harbor! Fourth time in Marblehead and this is always my favorite place!
(5)John S.
Had family visiting and they wanted to go out for seafood. Being new to town, we chose the well-known harbor-side Barnacle for lunch. We sat on the porch in very tight quarters. Waitress was friendly but young and inattentive (perhaps understandably). We all ordered various stand-by seafood dishes. The consensus was that they were bland, over-cooked, and over-priced. I had the fish and chips, which seemed to be microwaved frozen fish nuggets and soggy from-frozen fries. Came with tartar sauce - yuck. No vinegar in sight, and could not flag down a server to ask for some.
(2)Caitlin G.
This is a beautiful little restaurant tucked away in Marblehead, right on the harbor! The views are incredible, and it's worth a trip out there just for those alone. The place is teeny-tiny but the food they purvey is not, neither in flavor nor portion. The clam chowder that I had was probably one of the best I've tasted in a long time, very flavorful and just the right consistency. I was impressed. My dining companions had the lobster roll, and they said that it was beyond delicious (both are picky eaters). A nice feature of the lobster roll is that they put the mayonnaise on the side so that you can adjust the amount that goes into the roll to your liking. The onion rings that we ordered for the table were cooked perfectly crispy and without too much grease, nicely done. The only sub-par feature of the meal was the lobster Caesar salad that I ordered, the lobster had a funny taste to it and was slightly overcooked. It wasn't sweet or rich at all, which is one of the things that I love about lobster and was sad to see amiss here. I think that part of the problem might be because it's out of season. The greens, cheese, croutons and dressing used for the salad were not the greatest quality either, they were all storebought and that was a downer. But that's the only negative out of the entire Barnacle experience! Yet another bonus: we didn't order any alcohol, but I noticed that the surrounding tables that did had their wine and beer glasses filled to the very top, almost to the point of overflow. Cheers to that! On my return trip drinks will definitely be in order :0)
(4)Anna H.
My boyfriend and I visited The Barnacle a few weeks ago during a weekend vacation to Marblehead. It was recommended to us as the best seafood in town, so it sounded like a sure thing. I wasn't expecting anything fancy, and The Barnacle definitely isn't. It's a small-ish, dark, rustic & no-frills atmosphere, with OK (not great, not bad) service, and decent food. Growing up in Eastern NC and now living on the Gulf Coast, I've had my share of fantastic seafood. Again, I wasn't expecting to have my socks knocked off, but for the price I was expecting a little better than I got. The dishes were huge - no complaint there - and the quality of the seafood was good, but the recipes were neither inspired nor excellently carried off. I had the stuffed scallops, and my boyfriend had surf and turf with stuffed shrimp. His shrimp were great, the steak was OK, and my scallops were just OK, as well. The rice pilaf that came with my dish was amateurish, and there was some sort of grit in my salad (the boyfriend thought it might be dirt from the lettuce, but it actually ground against my teeth, and made me think of how it feels to accidentally bite down on a little bit of oyster shell). Also, I had iced tea and it was obvious they needed to clean out the nozzle more thoroughly, since the tea had that fermented tang that it gets when you aren't cleaning your equipment well enough. If I lived in Marblehead, I'd go back again. I'll probably go back next time I'm in town. Just wish for the price tag they'd take care of a few things.
(2)Tom F.
5 Stars for the view and overall ambience. If you can only go to one restaurant or bar in Marblehead, all things considered: this would be the best choice.
(5)Ardit K.
Typical tourist trap, and they don't even try to hide it. The place is overpriced for what it offers. Anywhere esle this place would had probably closed down long time ago, but I am assuming the lack of choices and the location keeps it in business. It surely isn't the food or the friendliness of the staff. Plate of pasta was around $20.00. Which would be acceptable if the restaurant was 3-4 stars with decent tables, atmosphere and cuttlery. Well this place looked like we went back in time to 1975. Nothing had changed, not even the tablecloths. Tables had no condements to speak of, they probably stole the forks and spoons from their grandmother and the plates appeared to have been bought at a charity store. I am not sure who had pissed off our waitress but they surely must have done something drastic for that face to be that miserable for that long. Forget greeting, even taking an order or bringing water to the table was frowned upon and we were probably cursed the entire time we were there. Food was OK, not good and not bad. Anywehere else it would have cost 1/3 to 1/2 the price. They really could not care less of what you think or how you are treated. They just want your money and want you out of the place. No care or respect for the customer. If you are in Marblehead, might be a good idea to travel a bit further to avoid this place. It might affect your opinion of the entire city.
(2)Chris D.
As a former Marbleheader I've been a patron at The Barnacle for a long time. Both when I lived in town and after I moved away. It has an atmosphere sort of like transplanting Cheers out of Boston but without the obnoxious people that The Landing Pub seems to attract. I go there mainly for the drinks. The food is average no matter what the season. I tend not to eat in the dining room. I prefer the bar. The bartenders are some real characters and they all have a mean pour. By that I mean that they serve up the stiffest drinks that I have had anywhere & since The Barnacle was within stumbling distance of my former house it was the place in town to go to get wasted. After what seemed like an eternity they finally started taking Amex which meant I could go & drink more. I tried to never eat in the dining room because of the close proximity of the tables to each other. Dining on the deck is fun if there isn't a stiff breeze off the harbor. The food... well its luck of the draw. You can order fish and have it be perfectly cooked or raw in the center. The fried stuff is generally well prepared and tasty. The only dessert I ever order is the ice cream sundae, but generally the food is just to blunt the alcohol so I can float upright if I fall in the harbor.
(4)Sandy C.
Wonderful Lobster bisque, fresh seafood, good service, good portion size for a descent price. Seating on the deck was a little tight.
(4)Maria R.
Wonderful fresh seafood & friendly service. This place is the real deal- small place, feels like someone's house and locals surround the bar. Add on killer water views and you've got all the hallmarks of a keeper! Of note: fabulous homemade bloody mary's, & clam chowder followed by crab cakes and the lobster roll. Yum, will go back.
(4)Eric W.
A little nostalgia ain't a bad thing. Most of the time. When I was a kid, the Barnacle wasn't much to write home about. It was pretty rustic; all I can remember ordering were grilled cheese sandwiches. It even may have had a Fanta soda machine, the kind where you had to pull out the bottle by the neck. Now the Barnacle is a tiny, upscale restaurant with picturesque views of Marblehead Harbor and the Neck. It has a lively bar scene in front and a cozy dining room in back. There is also a deck for those interested in dining al fresco. One thing I will say is that the mussels are fantastic. Go to this place for the mussels. The broth was enhanced, I read, by a touch of honey, and this makes quite a difference. As for our meal, I had the jumbo shrimp scampi, which featured five or six plump and juicy flayed shrimp that arrived on a bed of buttery rice pilaf. My wife had the special, which was grouper, and it was quite good, though also served with the buttery pilaf. The downside? The noise. We were seated next to a boisterous four-top, two couples who were babbling at top volume about this, that, and the other thing. We moved over a table. I have to say, though, even if we hadn't been seated next to the annoying table, it still would have been difficult to carry on a conversation, as the place was packed. As a result, what started out as a "date night" became a "let's eat our meals and leave so we can talk" night.
(3)Bill K.
Gets 2 stars for the view, and the view alone. Food is lousy. Always has been. Go for a drink and appetizer, as the view is truly worth it. Walk back up the street to Jac-Tar for dinner.
(2)Jim O.
I have to add that we returned for dinner the other night and I had the mussels as an appetizer. The portion was huge, the mussels were plump and flavorful in a wonderful garlic herb sauce. Some of the best mussels I've had anywhere. The waitress sort of hinted that the quality varies from day to day, but she said when she smelled my dish as she was serving it she knew I had hit a good day.
(4)Liv B.
I thought it was a lovely idea to go here but youch, what a mistake. It was very noisy in there. The staff was rude and acted too busy even though there was only 3/10 tables filled including us. The waitresses acted like they were annoyed because we wanted to order. They got the orders wrong, we were missing food and they were sitting in the corner gossiping and yakking like obnoxious cackling chickens who looked about as old as Hannah Montana. The total bill for McDonald's quality food (a ghetto McDonald's) was that of a sophisticated steakhouse. Ridiculous.
(1)Ann B.
Good food and fantastic view! The food at this low-key restaurant is pretty good, but a bit over priced. The staff is friendly, low pressure and had no problem accommodating a modification request to a dish. The harbor side deck is small, but has such a charming view. The mahi-mahi special was the favored dish at our table, but next time I go back I'll order the mussels. The couple next to us devoured 3 servings!!
(4)Lauren C.
Very cute! Good local food! If you like little New England towns and all of their gems, you can't miss this! Great view too!
(5)Steve T.
Quaint little place on the water. Beautiful views of the bay. Don't expect a and expansive layout when you pull up. Although the building is big, the dining room is small. I had no complaints because I went there for lunch during the week and it was sort of empty so no need to worry about seating. The food was good. The batter on the fried foods was light and flaky, but somewhat bland. A cheeseburger in a seafood place to me is sacrilegious to order, but my friend was saving herself for a much better venue later that night. She did enjoy the burger so I guess we can give it a thumbs up. The service was quick and polite. Our server made sure we had what we needed and checked in regularly. I enjoyed the look of the restaurant pub. It kind of looked like my grandfather's den that was converted into a drinking hole for his old cronies. Lol! The pub there really adds to the whole theme. Recommend
(3)Lynne B.
Love this place. I go there every week. I love the fish sandwich and anything with clams.
(5)DeeJay H.
Stiff T&Ts. Perfect steamers. Not really much more one needs in life....
(4)Hillary M.
I was wandering around Marblehead with some friends and we saw this place had lobster bisque. It was 5:30pm. The bar was noisy and crowded and we waited for a table in the dining room. The place was empty- only two other tables were full. It was a cramped but the view was great. The waitress brought our beer and water and we ordered soups. She informed us that we were sitting in the dining room and soups and drinks don't count as dining room food so we had to move to the bar. Are you kidding?! We took our stuff and beers to the other room and after about 10 minutes the bartender yelled over (you could barely hear anything, the bar was pretty noisy) to see if we wanted to order anything. Turns out the waitress from the dining room never even placed the soup order. Good thing, we weren't terribly interested in giving them our business anymore. This has never happened to me. We were kicked out of the empty dining area at 5:30 on a cold winter day - no one else was heading over anytime soon. Not to mention we wanted to order SOUP. Wouldn't exactly have kept the table busy for long! Instead we got $4 beers that were past their freshness date and drank them in a crowded incredibly loud bar filled with TVs and a few drunk people. Barnacle's service was so ridiculous I won't be back.
(1)W S.
Favorite place in town for dinner. Can't go wrong!
(5)T. U.
One never knows what the experience will be like at the Barnacle. Every so often, it's a five. Tonight, it was a one. Harried servers and overdone food. I'll give them another chance, as always, but sometimes I think they don't care what customers think.
(1)Amy R.
I've eaten at the Barnacle twice during the past year on two separate visits to Marblehead. We sat inside once and outside once. On both visits, the service was great -- very friendly and attentive waitresses. On both visits, the view was great -- inside seats look out windows at the bay, and outdoor seats on the deck are the perfect spot to enjoy nice summer weather by the water. Most importantly, on both visits, the food was excellent. The first time (for dinner) I had scallops, which were fresh and delicious. The second time (for lunch) I had fried butterfly shrimp with cole slaw and fries, and it was some of the best fried shrimp I've ever had. For seafood in Marblehead, I haven't found anywhere better!
(5)Alex U.
I hell of a lot better than the "Zagat" reviewed place down the block. The people were friendly, helpful, and honest. Of course it's hard to screw up fish and chips but this place had the best Fish and Chips I can remember.
(5)Tanya S.
One of my favorite restaurants in the area. Highly recommend the lobster roll. The steamers were my 12yr old son's favorite. Tables outside are fantastic. A great experience.
(5)John C.
I live in Marblehead and have eaten at the Barnacle at least 15 times. The greatest attribute of this small harbor-side restaurant is the view. Everything else falls short of what it could be. The service is generally good. Many of the staff have worked here for years and are friendly and efficient. The exception is usually the hostesses. They tend to be high school aged women who seem to begrudge the fact that their parents have made them get a job. Their goal appears to be to exert as little effort as possible while being unfriendly and uninterested in customers. The dining room is small and customers are crammed cheek to jowl. The food is here is marginal. The menu has a few better than average items and many that are ho-hum to bad. Think fried seafood and you get the idea. Two bright spots on the menu. First, the chowder is above average. Thick and creamy with enough clams in it to remind you that this really is clam chowder, not fish chowder. The rest of the better items tend to require little effort from the kitchen staff. Most notable are the steamer clams, fish and chips, and boiled lobster. No real culinary skill required here. Stay away from the crab though. It's not a regular menu item but appears frequently as a special. I had it once and it reeked of ammonia. A sure sign that it was well past its prime. When I reported this disturbing find I got an acknowledgement that I was correct and nothing more. That is, not even an apology. So I recommend coming here for the view and if you have low expectations for the food you'll probably be happy you came.
(2)Megan A.
We mainly went there for the view. We sat outside and the view was quite nice. The food was also very good. The waitress wasn't rude, but we consistently had to keep asking her for refills of drinks, or to take away empty plates.
(3)Nish N.
This isn't a completely fair review because we only stopped in to pick up an order of lobster rolls to take on our plane ride home, but while the lobster roll was decent, I thought The Landing's was superior. Plus, I don't think I've had worse and more soggy fries in the last ten years of my life.
(3)Kathy B.
I've been visiting the Barnacle since I was a child. In the summer, you have to jockey for a seat with the tourists. But it's still worth it. I think their chowder is #1 (with Turner Fisheries in Boston at #2). The staff is lovely, regardless of the fact that they're shuffling around in very tight quarters and dealing with first-timers who all want a view of the harbor. The fried clams are outstanding. They make a mean grilled cheese for your kid. The Bloody Mary is solid. Finding a parking spot requires some prayer, but again - it's all worth it. The Barnacle is a classic that never disappoints.
(5)Blayne D.
Hey, All ~ I want The Barnacle to be my "resting place". lol For those of you nearby... A MUST visit... truly. For those not so nearby - worth the road-trip. It's GORGEOUS, charming and rustic, it's delicious, it's intimate and best of all... it seems to TRULY be a place where people come together and what I love, as well, is that GREAT FOOD is why! You'll find it here, no doubt!
(4)Kara B.
Really enjoyed this place! Sat at the back window, view was gorgeous and food was delicious. Simple and well prepared. Crunchy but juicy fried clams and haddock. Wonderful skinny fries. Friendly staff. In a world of over-thought, fjussy and sometimes ill-conceived food, this simple, well-well prepared meal was a pleasure. Can't wait to go back for the lobster bisque.
(4)Lanette D.
We ate here for the first time. We were looking for a place to grab a drink after work. The outside deck is small, but has a beautiful view. The food was OK if your from New England. If your from Nebraska the seafood is great. I've had better food elsewhere for alot less money. It works for decent seafood, but pricey for what you get. Go there for appts and drinks. $68+tip for two, included drinks, dinner and dessert.
(3)Ted C.
Having grown up in Marblehead, it was wonderfully nostalgic to come back 20 years later and walk about the town and the Barnacle is one of my favorite haunts from years gone by. I did not come for the atmosphere or the charm or for a table outside on the water. You take literally three steps from the restaurant and get more view and some revolutionary war history to boot. As a food snob I was uncertain whether I could still appreciate the rustic surroundings having just a month ago, dined at Joel Robuchon's in Las Vegas. I invoked Anthony Bourdain and anticipated getting good local indigenous cuisine. My wife had one of their famous Bloody Marys. Built by hand and served in a 16 oz shaker glass. Spicy and delicious! We had chowder, rich and full of clams. It tasted like clams. That is all you should expect from real clam chowder and it was wonderful. I literally inhaled mine. We had lobster rolls. They were gigantic. A new twist (a modern consideration) was that rather than mix the lobster with mayo and celery, they put a dob on top and allow the customer to decide whether to slather or not. We slather. Thats just how we roll. The lobster meat was fresh and plentiful. We had to eat half the lobster before we could pick up the toasted hot dog roll to fit them into our mouths. To top off, we shared a clam roll. That too was wonderful. The clams were perfectly cooked but a bit small. Larger clams is just a personal preference. We had other plans for the notoriously best fried clams in New England the next day. Nevertheless, they were delicious and I was completely satisfied. It was wonderful validation to come back to a place years later and find that they have not changed. The restaurant remains in the same family that founded the place many years ago.
(5)S L.
The space inside is a little cramped, but it's also a neat experience, since the windows face the sea make you feel like you're on a ship. If you go at a lucky moment, you can get a seat out on the deck. We were directed to this place by a passerby while we were walking around Marblehead. I ordered a hamburger, and my husband ordered the fish sandwich. I took a bite of his fish sandwich and wouldn't give it back to him. It is SO good, with two steaks of fried haddock. The hamburger was also the best I've tasted since the patty was so thick and juicy. I highly recommend this place.
(5)kathy s.
My husband & I have wonderful memories of the Barnacle-we were frequent visitors there when we lived in Salem. We loved the salmon poppers in particular and often brought visitors there. But that was more than 9 years ago & it seems that things have changed. Recently we returned w/ overseas guests. I was so excited to go back. Initially it seemed as though things were just the same-quaint little place, great view. But, the food was terrible, with the exception of the chowder. A previous reviewer raved about the lobster rolls-have they ever had one before? They were bland at best w/ ?previously frozen lobster meat & a spoonful of mayo on top-yuk! We went in after the lunch time rush & really felt that we were putting the staff out by being there. The prices were astronomical, I was quite shocked when I saw the bill. Also, 18% gratuity had been added-presumably because we were a party of 6 (even though that included 3 kids under 9) or maybe because they heard my British accent & Brits are notoriously bad tippers. More fool them, I normally leave at least 20%.... Extremely disappointing.
(1)Jess M.
I came here on the recommendation of my airbnb host when I was visiting Marblehead. I got lucky and snagged a deck seat (side deck, but still a nice view) I got the fish and chips (haddock) and it came out super fast. Like 5 minutes. The people near me ordered unfried food and like the menu says, it takes about 20 minutes. At least they warn you. My fried fish was nice and hot and perfectly cooked. The fish was flaky and the breading was just right. The only downside is that they didn't seem to season the fish or fries so I basically had to dump salt, malted vineger, and lemon juice on it to get flavor. I think this was just a fluke because my airbnb host was surprised when I told her, since she goes to the Barnacle a lot. Otherwise, the service was fast and friendly and the view was fantastic.
(4)Nicole B.
I don't know where some of these negative reviews are coming from but as a foodie who can be a bit critical I loved this place! We were coming back from the beach and honestly were trying to go to another spot but there was some sort of festival down town and couldn't get parking so stumbled upon this gem. Service was amazing, and friendly. We were quickly seated even got a great table on the deck by the water. Drinks were quickly brought to us and werent weak! We started with oysters (raw) which were well priced. I had e chowder next which is hands down the best I've had and I love chowder. Like I've had chowder everywhere! She had the lobster bisque and enjoyed the sherry flavor it had. We then finished with some coconut shrimp that were absolutely phenomenal and flavorful. The prices can't be beat and overall this is my new favorite spot in Marblehead. I will return soon!
(5)Christine K.
Great New England Clam Chowder here - like the tough of paprika spice on top, just the thing to take away any potential greasy feeling from the chowder. Except, this one was relatively light, while managing to be hearty at the same time. Even if you're not a clam chowder/cream-based soup sort of person, this is worth getting! It came with a side of corn bread (a new twist on the boring bread side, I guess!), but I wasn't too big a fan on their corn bread. It was cold, poundcake-like in texture (I like cornbread that's got a little more cornmeal grit in it), and overall not a great combo with the chowder, mostly because it was so room temp/cold. I treated it as dessert, vs. a complement to the soup. Service was quick and friendly, best kind! It started to get busy as we left, so make sure you get there before 2:00pm!
(4)A B.
I'm a frequent customer of The Barnacle, Marblehead MA establishment. I came in Mon Sept 14th for lunch with my 19mo son & family. Their senior staff member, an older woman with shoulder length red blonde hair, threw a chair at myself & my baby because we requested the highchair be placed on the wall. It is a fire hazard in the aisle & safety hazard with hot food near my baby. She rolled her eyes at me, said "why cant he just sit next to you, so now you want me to move the table back..." when we said thank you, she threw the adult chair at me & my son & stormed off without a word. IF THAT CHAIR HAD HIT MY BABY, SHE & THE BARNACLE WOULD BE LIABLE. THAT IS ATTEMPED ASSULT. We asked a young long haired brunette waitress for a manager & she said the older woman was the senior staff member. We told her what happened & she responded with "you made your point.." & shooed us out. This is appalling treatment of a group of LONGTIME FREQUENT paying customers. Ive never seen such violence or rudeness in the hospitality business until today at THE BARNACLE, MARBLEHEAD MA.
(1)Lindsay M.
Not a bad spot in Marblehead. This was the second time I've been and it's always crowded. Wasn't able to sit outside, but the view inside was still nice. Service is good, but the food could be better. Everything is cooked perfectly, but could definitely use some salt and seasoning. The garlic mashed potatoes are pretty good and they go great with the grilled salmon. Good spot for families and there's a bar as well. Haven't had any of their cocktails here yet, but if I do go back, I'll be sure to get one.
(3)Autumn S.
Some people that posted before sound quite snobby. They use plastic cups?! It's not like Dixie cups, folks. They look like glasses. Psh! The ambience is great. I'm a tourist so you can get over that. You're welcome for boosting your economy. The server I had was quite fantastic and had TONS of knowledge of the origin of the seafood! I had the clam chowder and it was lovely. Had the lobster and the owner goes out and catches them himself during this season! Great price too. Great place.
(5)Amy C.
I was vacationing with some friends and they brought me here for my birthday. I was in the mood for fried clams, and this seems to be one of VERY few places in the area that had them. We all got the fisherman's platter, which was a wonderful sampling of fried seafood deliciousness! The waitress was attentive and very friendly. The view of the harbor is amazing. Though I probably won't get to visit again soon, I recommend this to anyone who is in the area and looking for delicious seafood.
(5)Mary B.
This classic New England shabby seafood joint was just okay. The baked scallops while meaty and fresh had a cracker crumb coating which tasted terrible --- I'm not sure what went wrong (maybe burnt butter, turned spices or stale crumbs?), but I could only eat the scallops after scraping off the crumb crust. My friend's pricey ($22) lobster roll had large chunks of lobster, but the mayo dressing was bland. Our side salads were generous with mixed lettuce, red onion, black olives, cucumbers, shredded carrots and tomatoes and a nicely balanced balsamic vinaigrette. The onion rings, while not greasy, didn't have much flavor. The coleslaw was crispy with three types of cabbage, but the slaw dressing was overpowered by too much horseradish. On the plus side, the view of Marblehead harbour was lovely and the service was just right. Shoe-horned in a dense residential/commercial district, this place has very limited street parking, necessitating a walk of a few blocks on a Sunday afternoon. Given that there are dozens of better seafood places along the north shore of Boston, I'm unlikely to head back to the Barnacle again.
(2)Marlene R.
Though we live in CA we are practically locals here because we come here at least once every time we come to Boston. On Father's Day and most recently last night, they ran out of lobster before we got there. Somehow, both times they were able to come up with more! Thankfully so, because the stuffing is the best we've ever had. Sweet scallops and shrimp with a thin though adequate layer of buttery cracker crumbs on top. And the friendliest service around. Love the food, love the view and love the local vibe.
(5)Kim G.
We may have stopped in on a down day but, service was very poor. Plenty of wait staff, not overly busy, when we sat, we mentioned we had a time constraint of 30 mins. Our drinks came out swiftly, but our lunch, fried oysters and grilled salmon salad, never came out. We asked twice and second time the check came out to settle before the lunch was delivered! Out of time, we waited inside until both were boxed to go. Unfortunate. The food was quite good once we ate it!
(2)Luba P.
This review is for all visitors! We yelped a place along the coast and this one looked the most authentic and cute. It's a tiny restaurant on a rock edge with beautiful views of the bay. The place was filled with locals which is a great sign. The inside is almost like a ship. We asked for recommendations to try everything and the best was definitely the lemoncello cake (the most moist lemony cake imaginable, we'be been thinking about it ever since coming back), followed by the crabcakes and scallops. Both were so fresh and melted in your mouth. The guys liked the lobster roll but it's not for me. Also, the clam chowder was slightly better than the lobster bisque. Everyone raved about the steamers....so we got them and did not enjoy them that much since they were filled with sand. Apparently the little water bowl is for you to rinse your steamer in and then dip it in the butter! Also, do not eat the little black foot! Highly recommend trying this place, plus the little town it's in is super adorable and Salem is nearby!
(4)Cindy M.
The lobster and steamers were very good. The outdoor seating looked fabulous, but we were seated inside where it was too crowded and noisy to have an excellent experience. Wait for a patio table!
(4)Dan D.
7/9/15 My wife and I have been coming to the Barnacle for years, although this would be out first visit in 3 years. The Barnacle is a small place with the buildings foundation built on the ocean rocks. Water splashes on 2 sides of the foundation. This is old town, old time dining in an old small building. The tables are tight, there is counter that overlooks the harbor and there is outdoor dining hanging over the water. Other than fresh paint, this place has not changed in 30 years. There is a small bar where locals and tourist hang out. It's a cool place to be, weather you're a local or tourist. We arrived at about 6PM. The bar was pretty full and the dining room about half full. The outdoor dining area was full. We had a very attentive waitress and equally attentive helper, who immediately served up some homemade corn bread, which was decent, a little different, and FREE. On the recommendation of the waitress, I started with a stuffed Quahog. It was piping hot and pretty good. My wife got the seafood chowder, and this was not good; the only disappointment on the night. The chowder was room temp, thin, not much in it, and not good. Very surprising as for years their chowder was the best around. My wife ordered baked scallops....The portion was borderline large, the scallops were large and cooked perfect. She said they were excellent. I had the fisherman's platter for $ 24.00..... The platter was exactly that, a platter of clams, scallops, shrimp, and haddock; a large portion of each item. The clams are easily the best I've had in years. Big, and big whole belly, and a lot of em. The scallops, and haddock, easily the best I've had in years.... The shrimp were very good, but hard to compare to jumbo shrimp I usually eat not fried.... The bill was $ 62.00. The service was excellent and the food was spaced out perfectly. I highly recommend the Barnacle, the old place still got it. PS, they do serve water and soft drinks in decent quality plastic cups.... I think its because the place is so small, glasses are a storage and cleaning sacrifice...
(5)Beth W.
Beautiful location and at night the ocean view is breathtaking. The restaurant as a whole could use an update. The menu is pretty typical to that of a waterside bar and the food though plentiful could use a bit of a boost. Staff is friendly and the bartender pours with a heavy hand....especially for the locals.
(3)Gregor H.
The place was a recommendation from a friend and I was excited to get some fresh seafood, right out of the ocean in front of which we were sitting. Everything promised a perfect meal and I was impressed by the waitress' knowledge of the origin of their seafood. The first disappointment came with the water, which was served in plastic cups. Then our food arrived - lobster roll, scallops, and fish and chips. The scallops had little taste, the lobster roll was ok, and the first bite of the fish was totally off. I excused the one bad piece and move on to eat a few more fresh, but mediocre tasting pieces until I had another totally expired piece. The fowl smell and taste killed my appetite, and my friends were done when I asked them to verify the condition of the fish. I usually never say anything when I didn't enjoy a meal, but this time I had to. So we kindly mentioned to the waitress that a few pieces of the fish were off. She didn't apologize, simple said ok and took the plate. At least she took 10$ off, but in a good restaurant this would be on the house.
(1)Nina K.
First time visiting Marblehead we mainly chose this restaurant for it's location. The view is spectacular. It is a very small restaurant with a lot of families, so it's quite loud. The lobster bisque was good as was the jumbo shrimp cocktail. Those two get a 3/5. The fish and chips however, was the most bland dish I have ever had. I'm not a big fish fan and I'm very particular with smell. The fishy smell really turns me off. I must admit that the fish did not have a smell ... But the breading was very odd. I could tell that the fish was fresh but didn't have much taste. Even the tartar sauce was bland. With all of that said, you get A LOT of fish in small pieces. This dish gets a 2/5. The service wasn't anything special. We had too many people "taking care of us" - though we didn't get water until we were done eating our apps AND was mid way through dinner.
(3)Pam D.
I had a great lunch there last week. Fisherman's platter was fresh. The batter was light, not greasy. I don't recall the plastic cups, but my margaritas were yummy. The waitress was attentive and very nice. I would definitely go back. I also loved the charm of the area.
(5)Cris B.
It's ok. Not what I would expect from a seafood rest. In Marblehead of all places. The inside is old. The food ok. Seems more like it was thrown in a ton of butter and served.
(2)Warren B.
A bowl of sand instead of premium steamers and pre shucked oysters, oh my! By the looks of the reviews everything should have been perfect, yet it was anything but. Oh it was service with a smile but you cannot eat service alone. Water in plastic cups. Hmmmm. Oysters were Blue Points. I should have skipped them. They were pre shucked, swimming in water and ice. The cocktail sauce was uninspired and said cheap food service ketchup to my palate. Filled with chips of the shells, each bite was punctuated by a crunch of the shell. I'd rather get aluminum foil on a filling in my tooth than an oyster shell in my mouth. I ordered the market priced premium steamers. Filled with sand, most of the shells were broken. Even with the clam broth it was tough going. I sent them back. The kitchen staff offered to "wash them off In hot water" #FAIL so..... I ordered a $ 5.95 cup of their famous lobster bisque. This thin, flavorless liquid hardly had even a smidgin of lobster meat in it. Knorr could have crafted better from a concentrate. Embarrassing and amateurish. My Anchor steam was served without a glass. "Classy" .....
(1)George A.
I love this place!! It's the coolest. Great food. Great views. Excellent staff. I feel like I am home when I am here. Marblehead is a hidden treasure. And it's places like the Barnacle that makes this why!
(5)J B.
The "meh" description that Yelp suggests for two-stars is quite appropriate for this joint. There is outdoor seating overlooking a beautiful harbor, which makes the meal worth it, but really its just run-of-the-mill fried seafood. The batter left a little bit to be desired: no color and not a lot of seasoning. This place is fine if you are in the area, but I would definitely not seek it out. Real life 2.5 stars, instead of 2.
(2)M R.
Went here with the family on a Friday night. The place itself is small and tucked away in a beautiful old coastal New England neighborhood. I imagine the views are pretty nice, but there was a heavy fog so we couldn't see much. The wait staff was EXCELLENT, especially in accommodating our two small children. The food was slightly below expectation as virtually everything required seasoning, but the overall experience was positive.
(3)Laura H.
I lived in Marblehead for 5 years, many years ago and would never visit without going back to the Barnacle! Great seafood, great view and such a special and unique place. So glad to see that it has not changed after many years and is till the wonderful place it always was!
(5)Michael P.
Been here a number of times for beers and apps. The place is small, but friendly. The barkeep is attentive and patient. I've only had the stuffed clams and the burger, both of which were made very well and tasted great. This is definitely the place you go with a few friends to hang out, have a few drinks, and look at the scenery outside. Parking can be kind of a hassle in the busy months, but there's a bus stop right out front!
(5)Gay P.
My friends and I stopped in for lunch during a Sunday while we were on a Marblehead stroll. While it is true that there is limited space, we had a great table. All the tables feature an ocean view. Four of us ordered four different entrees and we were all really pleased with our meals. I took a bit off because it is a noisy and crowded space. Parking is nearly impossible, but it is a terrific spot.
(4)Sandy F.
Recommended by our fishing boat captain, a local. Dinner on a weekday night in July -- 7:30pm restaurant 80% full -- mostly locals, it seemed Tables outside all taken so we sat inside. Tables very crowded together -- but that is part of the charm--so long as your fellow diners don't feel entitled to stretch out and overtake the tight quarters (as our neighbors did.) Greeted quickly, but then it seems like our waitress lost interest in our table. Poor service the rest of the night. Waited nearly one hour with three hungry kids and the food came out barely warm. Tables around us who arrived after us were being served ahead of us. Another waitress stepped in to help and when our waitress re-appeared she was apologetic. Our bill was adjusted without our asking -- which we appreciated. Here is the rundown on the food: Crab cakes - yes, v good Golden butterfly shrimp - yes, perfect Fish and chips - yes, moist and mild Scallops - ok Grilled haddock - ok. Fresh but overcooked. I think it had been sitting for a while before it was brought to the table. Could have been excellent. I still think you should give it a try.
(2)Chris F.
Oysters small and not fresh, mussels tiny...hardly worth taking them out of their shell, stale bread. Felt cheated. Seems like a place where you'd get honest, old fashioned New England seafood. Anything but.
(1)Amy H.
Great view, right on the water, the inside definitely feels like you are on a fishing boat. The lobster rolls were great. It was pretty small and I thought it was overpriced. The food was great and it was authentic.
(4)Elizabeth W.
My sister and her new husband had their rehearsal dinner at the Barnacle - and the staff and food were amazing. There were about 45 people at the dinner, so we took over the patio and main dining area. The fixed menu included 3-4 choices for appetizers, entrees, fried seafood, and so on. The food was delicious (I had steamed mussels and a shrimp scampi entree) and everyone else's also looked great. They're losing a star because there were a couple of minor issues (like I ordered broccoli on the side of my entree, and instead I got green beans), but considering how large of a party we had, I can't blame them too much. The staff was friendly, accommodating, and flexible. And the restaurant itself is so charming - just like the rest of Marblehead. A great local spot!
(4)Anthony C.
The fish and chips were good. The seafood chowder and the lobster bisque were very good. Everything else was ok. The ambience was nice overlooking the water.
(3)Dan K.
My wife and I stayed in a B&B about a half block from here so we walked over to look at the harbor our host for our B&B said we should check it out. As you walk up to it it looks like a dive bar. Well we went in and sat down on the deck the has a Great view of the harbor that was the first plus. The service was very good and the food was great. Not badly priced for what we had and where they are another plus. We were very pleasantly surprised about this place. When we go back to Marblehead will will stop in again.
(5)Crystal B.
Good food with good prices and an amazing view. It's a tight fit, but in the off season it isn't too bad, haven't eaten here in the warm weather yet. The bar is great. It's small, but on a winter evening, it's perfect. I would rate the bar 5 stars.
(4)A L.
Such a beautiful setting. Fish and chips were great, such a huge portion, but excellent. Perfect summertime spot!
(4)Linda T.
We chose the Barnacle on a Monday afternoon for lunch. We were waiting to be seated when we were informed that the kitchen was closing for an hour so we needed to place our orders quick. I guess they close their kitchen every day to change shifts and the frying oil. Everything was delicious!!! Shrimp was fresh and yummy. The cold slaw was some of the best I've EVER had (and believe me I'm a cold slaw junkie). Very casual atmosphere, beautiful harbor location with a great view!! The only downside to the Barnacle was the extremely limited parking. But even though parking was tight, we will definitely go back.
(4)Jack T.
Wednesday Night Twin Lobsters specials are only one if the reason to check out this local spot in town. Mussels to die for are another. Get there early. They don't take reservations. And extra bonus? Summer time season allows you to enjoy a nice outdoor view of one the nicest harbors north of Boston
(4)Shannon B.
This place is great! The fish and chips were lightly breaded and not greasy at all. The salmon and swordfish were a huge portions and very moist. As far as quality for your dollar this place can't be beat. The only downsides are the lack of parking (there is a small lot a little east down the road) and the size of the dining room. They cram people in every square inch. Also, the service was pretty poor from the waitstaff. They'd walk over to bring food but not refill our drinks or ask if we wanted more beer (which only adds to their tip). It didn't make sense, but we made due. The food made up for it and we will come again (hopefully the staff is better).
(4)