Loretta
27 State St, Newburyport, MA, 01950
Loretta Menu
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Address :
27 State St
Newburyport, MA, 01950 - Phone (978) 463-0000
- Website https://www.lorettarestaurant.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 12
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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The Hungry American E.
My favorite place in Newburyport. Simple. Tasty. And doesn't break the bank. Any body that doesn't give it 4stars it OUT THEIR MIND. Enjoy.
(5)rheinheart b.
Loretta has possibly the most masterfully executed $15 entrees I've ever had. Frenched chicken outstanding, as was the fresh pasta and the sauce in the caprese pappardelle.
(5)Jamie E.
Pretty sure we were discriminated against this evening bc we had children with us. We left Boston in the hopes of finding a good place for dinner. Our son has allergies and therefore the typical fast food, chain grab and go doesn't work for us. Out kids have been brought up going out to eat and are extremely well behaved. (I find it ridiculous that I am even trying to justify why this host told us there were tables when there was clearly 4/5 open and didn't even offer to put us on a wait list.) we discovered Newburyport based solely on the fact that we were headed to this restaurant bc of the info on yelp. Anyways, after 45 min wait we needed up at Oregano and had a fabulous meal.
(1)L S.
Months after I posted my review for Loretta, I ended up going back with a friend. The service was excellent, the food was really great and I felt like they redeemed themselves! The owner let us in for dinner even though it was pretty close to closing time. I have since dined here several times and it is my favourite place for take-out in Newburyport. I love the Salmon!!! Their sweet potato mash is also excellent but what I would absolutely kill for... their Moroccan Carrot Stew. Holy Mama! Thank you for the changes you have made! Highly recommend dining at Loretta! The staff is so friendly and the food makes all right with the world!
(5)Jenny W.
This was such a disappointing experience! We scooped out places to eat on yelp to eat after running a half marathon in Newburyport today. Based on the reviews this place looked fantastic and my friend and I were excited to get a burger and fries after out race. After ordering and getting our drinks the waitress comes over and let's us know they are out of fries. Yea it is not even 2pm and apparently the restaurant is out of potatoes? We are super annoyed but stay and then see every single person get fries after we place our order (including a table that is served food after us). The waitress tells us she can give us home fries (pretty sure they are made with potatoes) which we get with our burgers which we hope live up to the yelp reviews. My burger is super thick and rare even though i ordered medium well and the potatoes are cold. I choke down half the burger and leave the potatoes. If you look at my yelp reviews you can see I'm not the pickiest eater and this place was such a let down.
(2)Terri Lee S.
Food and service were great. Loved chatting with the owner. My Asian Pear cocktail was excellent. The prices were great for the quality and amount of food. Would have given it 4 stars if it wasn't for the heat in the place. We were there on a very muggy night but the excessive heat and poor ventlation turned what should have be a nice relaxing meal into a "lets hurry up and get out of here meal." It effected our ability to enjoy our meals and made us leave to find a cooler place for dessert and more drinks. We'll go back again but not until winter.
(3)Anastasia B.
We were looking for a nice place to celebrate my mother's 60th birthday as a family today (Saturday night), with 5 adults, 3 kids and an 18 month old baby. I read reviews virtually for every restaurant in Newburyport and decided to settle on Loretta despite the small amount of room and that it isn't really great for a party of our size. We made a reservation the night before and were assured that they can accommodate us for 4 pm. What I didn't know is that they actually serve dinner starting at 5, not 4. So even though we were there at 4 and our table was waiting for us, only the lunch menu was available - makes sense. That was sort of my fault, I should have asked what time they serve dinner. At that time there were only about 2 to 3 tables occupied and they said it's fine if we go take a walk with the kids and the table will be waiting for us, which worked out well since the rest of our party arrived half an hour later. We explored the waterfront and it was a gorgeous day. We came back just ten of five o'clock and were greeted again. We ordered the salmon and ribs (2 of each), butternut squash soup, spinach salad. All the food came out at about the same time in 20-25 minutes, which is very reasonable. Around this time most tables were taken and it got pretty busy. The food was phenomenal, easily the best salmon I've ever had at a restaurant or at home. I'm not into spicy food, but the sauce on the salmon was just spicy enough not to overwhelm my taste buds and I nearly licked the plate clean. I tried the ribs my husband ordered and they were great as well. Tried a spoonful of the soup my sister ordered and it was absolutely delicious, something that would be perfect for a fall day yet it even went well with the 70 degree summer weather. For dessert we had creme brulee, it was perfect. Now, my review is for the service, the food, and overall quality of this restaurant - that's 5 stars in my book. I didn't take off a star for it being small because I feel that wouldn't be fair. Don't judge it by its size! It's cozy and I actually prefer that to larger restaurants, it feels like a large dining room of someone's home. Very personal I would say and the excellent service just adds to that. I even had a chance to chat a little with the owner as I was in and out with my 18 month old and didn't want him to disturb other patrons when he got cranky. The owner is a very nice gentleman and he is very much engaged in the quality of service at the restaurant. Moreover the waitress we had was very accommodating toward my toddler, she even brought some oyster crackers to keep him munching when he got a little restless while waiting for the food. We didn't get any condescending looks when my toddler spilled a glass of water. He was sitting in my mom's lap and before I even said anything to the waitress she was already right there with a cloth cleaning it up - with a smile! We do not dine out much, only a few times a year. But I've been to quite a few nice restaurants in the Boston area and North Shore and this is easily one of the best. I was actually a little surprised by the reasonable prices, they are great for the portion size you get, generous. It's not a place you'll leave hungry. I would consider coming back to Loretta's probably for lunch if we are with [younger] kids or for dinner if it's just my husband and I. I really want to come back to try the grassfed burger. As a family with small children, I would consider getting take out at Loretta and then just having a picnic on the waterfront lawn near the docks. I highly recommend it!
(5)Dan F.
I'm going to start by saying that if I we're going to include the size of the restaurant, I might give this a four star simply because it's usually very crowded and getting a table can be hit or miss. However, there is a reason it's crowded. Pros (abound): -Great service, the owner is there pretty much all the time if not all the time. He's a great guy. He is usually the host so you're often sat by him and he's good at guessing how long it will take for a table to open up. The wait staff are also professional but friendly people. -Everything my wife or I has had here in the several times that we have gone, has been absolutely superb. They offer a pretty good range of foods despite the small size of the restaurant. They have some New England dishes, Cajun/Bayou dishes, good BBQ, some Italian inspired stuff here and there, but in general just all around great American cuisine. -One of the best burgers I have ever had in my entire life. So simple. So good. I am picky about burgers because I make really good burgers (yeah yeah I know, how do you know? just trust me and if you're in Newburyport I'll even make you one). Loretta uses fresh beef, and cooks the burger to perfection every time. Nothing fancy here, just really juicy and flavorful. -The pulled pork is really good. I wish they had a carolina spicy vinegar sauce to go over it as well as their home made barbecue sauce which is more of a traditional triple S (sweet smokey spicy) style sauce, but it's still great. Give it a try. -French fries OMFG. The fries are amazing. I think they're cooked in peanut oil but don't take my word for. They rival Five Guys in this department. -Did I mention everyone here is really nice? It has a real family feel. -Full bar (small, but full). Cons: -Small (but not including this in the review), so make a reservation for a particularly large group (not sure if they do that, but hey they seem accommodating). I wouldn't go with more than 4 and you may be bumping elbows even then, but don't let it scare you off. -If you get a loud customer at a table near you, it can be pretty overbearing, but usually its not and its never awkwardly quiet either which is a good thing. Whoever that loud customer was, I hope he reads this and thinks, oh maybe that was me and I should shut my big mouth once in a while. -I ordered a Side Car at the bar one evening and the bartender didn't know what it was. This is such a minor thing, I'm trying to nitpick to find anything wrong with this place. He's a really nice guy, and he'd probably made one but just couldn't remember, it was also a really busy night. So I told him how to make it and it came out decently. It's one of the six drinks every bartender should know (I've done a bit of bar tending), oh and they left the spinach and artichoke dip in the oven a wee too long last time. But those are seriously the only things I've ever noticed that we're not absolutely perfect here. Come try it out and if you really can't get a table, its not as if there aren't a million other places to go.
(5)Billy W.
Great place! Sat at the bar and had wonderful drinks served by their bartender Michael. He made the night, extremely knowledgeable about the food, drinks, attractions in the area, and he let us stay as long as we wanted without feeling rushed. Michael suggested the Filet which was a perfect price, juicy, delicious, and perfectly cooked. Great atmosphere, nice folks, and dinner was great! Will be back the next time we go to Plum Island!
(5)Vanessa V.
Yum! Had a really great lunch here. We were looking at the menu for Fowle's and M mentioned that he wanted a humane burger. I rolled my eyes and said I didn't want to spend $40 on some fancy farm-to-table lunch. But lo and behold, the next restaurant we walk by has just that on the menu for $8! We were sold. We were seated by the window and enjoyed one of the best lunches we've had in awhile. I had a caesar salad, which was super fresh and tasty, and not too heavy. M had the burger, of course, and added fries for an extra $1.75. They were amazing... I wish we'd ordered an entire side of them. The waitstaff were pleasant, ambiance was relaxed yet upscale, and somehow the lunch still came in at under $20! I have to say, the only downside was that the menu was very limited. Other than the salads, there was only one vegetarian option. This will probably be the deciding factor in whether we come back again... however I feel like I'm going to get dragged back whether I want a salad for lunch or not.
(4)Dan S.
Loretta was great, but there were two problems that keep it at 4 (vs. 5) stars. We showed up at 6:35 for our 6:30 reservation, and the host (owner?) was really apologetic, but said that they had a mixup with some reservations, and it would be a little while before they could seat us. He was genuinely sorry, and comped us for a few drinks at the bar while we waited for the table which was really generous. But it was still kind of a pain because we had the reservation and were looking to get out of there fairly quickly (overall, the delay was about 20-30 minutes). The other minor complaint is that it was pretty warm in the restaurant, and it might have been a little nicer overall if they pumped up some AC. But everything else there was extremely positive. All of the staff was super friendly and everyone in the restaurant appeared to be having a great time (it looked like most of the people were regulars). The food was also really good. We had the salmon and swordfish for main courses, and everything else that we saw passing by our table looked delicious as well. Would have loved to try some dessert, but we were too stuffed to eat anything else after the meal. The prices were also very reasonable, especially considering the quality of the place. I definitely recommend going here, and if I'm back in Newburyport, I'll be back for another meal.
(4)Crash E.
I just got back from Mayor Donna Holaday's re-election kick-off party. The food was "light fare" catered by Kip and Ted from Loretta. The tortellini was over-cooked to a mushy paste. The rice was watery and flavorless. The salad was nothing to write home about. I didn't try the etouffe--it looked like chopped up, watery stewed tomatoes. The rolls were cold and should have been thrown out two days ago, they were that stale and lacking in flavor. Ted was, as at the restaurant, walking around led by his overly pregnant belly with that dull, glazed look reminiscent of Moose in the Archie comic books. Seeing him made me want to leave immediately, but the music (Beatlejuice) was excellent, the desserts were from other places, and I didn't want to slight Donna Holaday. You have been warned--DO NOT use Loretta to cater your event.
(1)Rachael K.
This is my favorite restaurant in town! They have the BEST fries and make you feel right at home. :)
(5)Alex M.
We had a really delicious lunch here. The interior is simple and nice. The seafood sandwiches (loretta roll and fried crab with dill-aioli) were both great (though to be fair we were starving). Fair prices.
(5)Ali K.
I just love this place. It's quaint and welcoming inside, with friendly service and delicious food. We've been a few times and I've had excellent meals every time. On our last visit, my husband and I came (along with my parents) to celebrate our anniversary. Halfway into our meal, a man, who I believe is the owner, came over to check on how everything was... we were all chatting and we mentioned how much we love the restaurant and how we were there to celebrate our anniversary. A few moments later he left and returned with a champagne for the 4 of us and joined us in a toast. Along with the top notch food, that's the kind of warm and welcoming environment that he has created at Loretta and why we will continue to go there as our go-to for a great meal out in Newburyport.
(5)Rich B.
Have gone back and tried other dishes. Incredibly delicious. If you are in Newburyport and do not treat yourself to a meal at Loretta, you are missing out big time. The Crawfish Etouffee is certainly another dish you won't find on a normal menu and it is fantastic.
(5)Grace W.
the pulled pork sliders were dry and the po boy sandwhich (fried oysters) left my boyfriend and i a fishy aftertaste. would not give this place a 4 star rating, the menu choices was nothing impressive either..
(1)Dan G.
My wife & I stopped in Newburyport last night for dinner, after being turned away from a couple of places (no seats) we popped into Loretta. Small place, real small but Ted (the infamous owner based on other reviews) said he could seat us. Did I mention it was small? I think my family room is bigger, but I'm more into the food than ambiance. Our waiter Michael made sure we had all our needs met. Limited menu but my wife had the Steak and I went for the Crawfish something. OMG - the food was absolutly amazing!! Unlike other places there was no skimping on what was important in that department. My meal wasn't a pile of rice and a scoop of the main part - it was a nice 50/50 mix. My wife raved about her dinner. After reading the reviews on here I decided I had to go for teh Bread Pudding - and it was everything it was said to be. Like Cynthia we arrived @ 5:00 on a Sat night and were able to get a table, I could see the arrivals just kept on coming. On a cold winter evening it could be tough to wait but if you want the best food I'd say wait for it.
(4)Jess L.
Decided to try Loretta on a random Wednesday night stopping by Newburyport to meet a friend on my way back to Boston. Having grown up in Newburyport I'm always interested in trying the new restaurants that have popped up among the old local familiars. The food was really good and the staff was incredibly welcoming and accommodating. The host, Ted (whom I've just read is the owner and GM) greeted us right away and seeing my hesitation looking at the menu asked if we were looking for anything in particular. I explained that I was vegetarian and he immediately said that he would speak to the chef to create a dish just for me. I didn't want anyone to go out of their way but he insisted that it wasn't a problem. So with that we took a table and an ordering fury began: Bowl of Butternut Squash Soup: good but probably my least favorite Sweet Potato Fries: These were more like thick cut chunks of sweet potato, different than any other fries I have had. Served with two dipping sauces-a gorgonzola and a roasted red pepper. Unreal. Grilled Romaine Salad: Amazing! Perfect balance of flavors; the bermuda onion jam with the gorgonzola was perfect. Side of grilled chicken for my carnivore friend. Spinach and Artichoke Dip: So rich, but sooo good with giant pita crisps to dip in it. My Vegetarian Special: Handmade spring rolls over jasmine rice with tri-colored baby carrots and a soy sauce reduction ( At this point we were full already, but plowed through it because it was delicious, fresh and very light even with the rice). Oh and the warm herb bread rolls they served were ridiculously good. All in all I very much enjoyed Loretta. It's a casual and intimate dining experience, with upscale service. The menu items seem like they could be on any American style menu, but they are done tastefully and artfully, making the food well above average. We were stunned when we got the bill (all of that food, plus a burger to go, a glass of wine, and a martini) because it was so low for all that we got! Great place with a warm, inviting atmosphere, top-notch service, good food, and moderately priced. A great addition to Newburyport's State Street.
(4)Grandpa B.
Last Sunday we happened to be in Newburyport later in the morning. Loretta opens at 11AM. This place is worth waiting for late breakfast, or for lunch. Food is great. It is a little trendy but well done. Service is very good. Coffee is great and really holds its flavor as iced coffee. I got the Drunken French Toast, consists of toasted baguette, pecans maple/bourbon syrup, and bowl of fresh fruit. It was a really testy breakfast. Grandma had the Catfish taco and said it was delicious. This is a great little place and we will definitely go again.
(4)Anna G.
This restaurant started out well, and it has a nice atmosphere and very friendly owner and bar staff. But on my last four visits, they were out whatever it was I ordered. On the very last visit, they were even out of the soup of the night, and we visited pretty early in the evening. I understand that no owner wants waste, but don't publish a menu if you don't plan on maintaining at least most of the items on there. I doubt I would try it again--it's too much trouble to find substitutions and/or put your coat on to go find another restaurant. Sorry!
(3)Frank B.
I had such high hopes..when I heard there was another option for Cajun/Creole food nearer by I could not wait. What made me look forward to trying them was that when we called to confirm that they were having their "Fat Tuesday" menu they put the chef on the phone to say what the menu for that night was for that night. We had no problem getting a table,service was pleasant but a little detached. Not much of a beer selection,but sufficient. For starters we ordered the fries and I had the gumbo, both were very good. The gumbo was spicy and full of flavor. Fries also rated a thumbs up. For main course we ordered the shrimp and grits and catfish . The shrimp was cooked fine as was the grits but was not a big fan of the gravy.. it's all just personal preference. My wife had the catfish which was crusted with mustard. The catfish was perfect but the mustard was overpowering. To end the meal we tried the Bourbon bread pudding, this was very good and would recommend. Overall there is potential and hope they continue "Fat Tuesday" menu. Would like to give it another chance..
(3)Michael G.
Very interesting menu, nice pub atmosphere, friendly owner, and very tasty food. Quite reasonable and very worth it!
(5)Christina M.
Loretta is amazing food is delicious and consistent. Friendly staff. Prices are so reasonable. I love this place I feel right at home here. You always have one of those meals that you never want to end.
(5)pat m.
We went here for my birthday last nite and had a really wonderful dinner. Three of us ordered the special, which was a brined pork chop with sage, trumpet mushromms and prosciutto. I was on the fence because I love their filet, but wasn't disappointed at all. Now I have two favorites. The other two of our group ordered the filet, always a good choice, and the shrimp scampi over angel hair. They were both happy with their food. I should mention that the menu is small, but my husband and I have never been disappointed with anything we have ordered. Their food is well planned out, Meats are of highest quality and cooked to perfection and the veggies and sides are very good, ie asparagus is cooked just right, not soggy and not raw either, just yummy! Ted, the owner and manager, got us a really nice table and was very accommodating. Service was also great and the waitress was knowledgeable about the menu and wine list. Thanks for a nice Birthday and a great dinner~
(5)Brian H.
Had an impromptu meal here recently. Good, not great. My pasta dish tasted fine, but the "sauce" or whatever was so thin, wish it had a little more body to it. Ribs really good though.
(3)Carly C.
I've dined at Loretta a handful of times, always for lunch, with either a few friends or family. The first time I ate here, I got the fried catfish tacos for lunch with a few friends. We were one of two tables in the restaurant at the time and our service was quite good, though nothing particularly outstanding. The tacos were served with far too large of a tortilla for the amount of fish and other stuffings inside (greens/salsa/etc). It wasn't an outstanding lunch, but it wasn't terrible either. My latest experience was what drove me to write this review. I stopped in with my mom to grab a quick bite before heading back to the city. We were first greeted by a very friendly waitress and told to pick any table we wished. We sat ourselves and were handed menus by a different, completely unenthusiastic and rather rude waitress. We ordered water to start before looking over the menu. I settled on getting the "Crabwich" since I'm a big fan of crab cakes and generally I've found restaurants in Newburyport to have rather good ones. Huge mistake. When I finally received my sandwich, it was about 75% bread, 15% salad greens, and only 10% "crabcake" which was hugely disappointing. After peeling off the top of the (unevenly sliced) roll, I decided to deal with what was given, hoping the crab would make up for it. The crabcake was hardly a cake, but rather slightly browned crabmeat (on one side, the other side was hardly cooked at all) and immediately fell apart. It seemed much more like plain crab slopped onto the bun and deemed a crabcake than anything else. The waitress stopped to ask how the food was, again entirely unenthusiastically, and after pointing out how unpleased we were with the sandwich, she offered different bread to go with it, only after beginning to walk away from our table and turning back to ask that as if out of obligation rather than actually caring. I declined since I was in a rush to catch a train within the hour and I had no desire to have a different sandwich or even a different meal made up. For a sandwich costing around $12, you'd think there would be an actual crabcake, or at least serve it on a roll where the meal wouldn't be 75% bread. My mom ordered a grilled chicken wrap which she didn't really complain about, but it wasn't really anything special either. Again, the majority of the sandwich seemed to be the wrap rather than the actual contents of the sandwich. I also think it's a bit absurd to charge nearly two dollars extra for french fries rather than the chips they give you, many of which seemed crushed or fragmented as if they're from the bottom of a bag. I will say that the highlight of our meals were our bloody marys which were quite good. After an initial dining experience that wasn't all that stellar and this altogether unenjoyable experience, I don't plan on revisiting Loretta in the future.
(2)Steve A.
Good burger, other dishes not so good. Ive gone a few times to give it a fair shake. Not likely to go back Would be a two star if not for the burger. Tables to close together.
(3)d d.
I'm half way through my lunch from Loretta and had to pause to sing its praises on the yelp. The reason? Quite simply, it tastes like food. I've all but given up on lunch meat because it usually tastes gross - like plastic or processing or flavoring. Odd though it may seem, I want to eat turkey that tastes like turkey. And this here turkey club tastes like turkey! It also tastes like bacon (not just fried crispy salt, but bacon), and avocado, and beans, and lettuce. You can actually taste the lettuce, it's not just a pretty filler. It is one of the most enjoyable wraps I have ever eaten. They're open until 12 every night, and since we're night owls I'm grateful to have another local option for late dinners. The prices are reasonable, and I'm pretty sure my takeout container is recyclable (or at least biodegradable). I look forward to becoming a regular.
(5)Bonni S.
Quality for our meal has never been disappointing! Live in Nashua NH will come here throughout the year, the quality is the same! Reasonable prices, great service, We would highly recommend !!!
(5)Eunice R.
It's a cute place for lunch with a nice atmosphere and solid food. I had a salad and the daily soup both of which were savory and yummy. My only complaint is that it's a tad bit cramped, so I wouldn't go during popular hours.
(4)Sara L.
Take out from Loretta tonight. i had been craving the pulled Pork since my husband got it a couple of months ago. Salad was good- sized and fresh. Listened to my request to omit the peppers ( most don't ). We both had the pulled pork sandwich. It was fabulous ! Plenty of yummy salty fries along side. The prices are great too!
(4)Nora S.
My Mom suggested this tiny jewel for my birthday lunch and it did not disappoint! I had a daily special salad with steak that was perfection. The food was great an no one got uptight when my two-year old was more interested in watching people on the street than eating his lunch. My whole party (5 adults) had a fantastic lunch. The staff was attentive and the crowd was friendly. I highly recommend!
(5)Ellen S.
One of my go-tos...love to walk down to Loretta for a lazy weekend lunch. As people have said it is small so it's pretty hard to get a table at dinner time but it's always a homerun for lunch...amazing burgers, pulled pork, salads etc. Their poached pear and gorgonzola salad is possibly my favorite lunch in nbpt. Service can be a little slow but the owner is almost always there and always greets you and makes sure your meal is good--always like to see that.
(4)Diana K.
This was our first visit to Loretta's but we've had the pleasure of consuming many great lunches by Dana (the chef) who was previously the proprietor of Raspberries in Andover, MA. We arrived a little before 5 PM on a Sunday and were seated immediately. Luckily, we caught Dana near the end of his work day and he treated us to their delicious hand cut fries. We shared a house salad which was a perfect size for sharing as an appetizer. My husband ordered the Whataburger with the hand cut fries and me, one of the Sunday specials .... Nonny's Gravy (al dente bow tie pasta with homemade red sauce filled with meatballs, sausage and chicken). Both were absolutely filling, cooked to perfection and very tasty. We were filled to the gills but couldn't resist dessert. We shared the apple pie a la mode. The apple pie was filled with big chunks of apples and the crust was just right. The guests seated around us raved about the smoked haddock chowder which I can't wait to try the next time we're in area. The next time you're in Newburyport, we highly suggest that you dine at Loretta's. Their prices are VERY reasonable given the quality and quantitiy of their faire.
(5)Iam T.
Good quality food at very reasonable prices. Downtown Newburyport location, a little small and sometimes noisy, but very clean and pleasant inside. Menu specials change frequently which add to the interest of the menu. The smoked items were really good!
(4)Linda M.
We walked in on a busy Saturday night and were not turned away. The owner had us wait outside for a short time until a table opened and we sat down to a great meal. We had the PEI mussel appetizer which was really, really good. We also enjoyed the crawfish etouffee and the brisket with mashed potatoes. The wait staff was excellent and we will definitely go back.
(5)Robert B.
Wow spent a couple of days on Plum Island (great place) but the real surprise and jewel in the area could be Loretta's in Newburyport. Had dinner there on Caribbean theme night: I had the Sea bass with a mango salsa, fabulous; my wife had the Jambalaya, terrific; lobster bisque was great and the Bread pudding dessert; NJ Shore forgettaboutit (outstanding). Lisa the bartender made my wife a pinneapple infused vodka mango martini, she was mentally transported to the islands (ridiculous) Went back for lunch 2 days later, pulled pork sandwich and my wife had a burger all excellent. Loretta's the best way to describe it is a fun, relaxed, comfortable, very friendly enjoyable place to dine. They have great imaginable food that is EXTREMELY reasonably priced and the quality makes it a helluva a value. Good size portions and after the meal and you say goodbye to the owner and he thanks you for coming, think his name was Ted you feel good and know that it's a place that you will definitely come back to. Gotta go to Loretta's when you're in Newburyport, give it a shot and you'll want to go back for more. BB
(5)Karla D.
Great food!! you can tell everything is fresh and the owner and employees are very accommodating. Love going here for lunch!
(5)T L.
Unfortunately I wish I could provide a better review. It had potential, however we left disappointed. We came by Loretta looking for a good brunch. The Mimosa was fantastic made with fresh squeezed Orange Juice. The Lobster Eggs Benedict caught my Fiancé and my eye, so we both ordered it. Here is where the problems start. The server brought out our plates and the first thing we noticed was the eggs were not poached. They were so overcooked, in fact, that the yolk had the consistency of a hard boiled egg and one plate had the asparagus on the English Muffin, while the other did not. At this point I tell the waitress of the situation. She returns to the kitchen, comes back out and tries to inform us that the "asparagus is under the egg". No kidding? I was looking for it because I saw that's where it was located on my fiancée's dish! At this point she recognizes that I don't have the asparagus and tries to remedy the situation by "bringing me a new serving". She takes my plate to the kitchen. 5 min later SHE RETURNS WITH THE SAME plate and a plate of asparagus, and a poached egg with Hollandaise sauce on it. Look, I know it stinks to work on Sunday mornings, but it was apparent that the chef was arguing with the waitress about being called on the cooking error and then instead of correcting it, being lazy and not remedying the issue. At $13.95 a plate you would expect what u pay for. Unfortunately this was not the case. I did get to watch my fiancé eat her meal, while I waited to have mine corrected. To the chef, have some pride in your work or you will be looking for a new employer soon with the way you handle things.
(1)S C.
First time - in for a late lunch. Nice decor, good atmosphere. My Cuban was a (two) handful - well made and super fresh. The fries as advertised were home cut - piping hot with the right amount of sea salt. For newburyport where most restaurants are 'ok' but charge Boston prices, I thought Loretta was a cut above. I'll be back ...l
(4)Shawn P.
We have visited twice. The first time they were not able to give us a table even though we had a reservation, so we left and chalked it up to new ownership. The second time we were seated promptly with our reservation. The prices are reasonable, but the service and food is subpar. It took 40 minutes for our meal to be served. The chicken was charred on the outside and pink in the middle and the pulled pork sandwich was so greasy that the bread was soggy. Ran out of water, couldn't get any ketchup....kind of a let down.
(2)Beach Girl M.
There are not many places you can visit and expect a warm hello from the owner each time welcoming you into his restaurant. this attitude is followed in service as well. The staff is warm, helpful and attentive. have really enjoyed all the dishes we have tried here. LOOOOve the gumbo, grits and other Southern dishes The prices kick butt! It is one of the only places in town where you can get a great meal and a decent price with excellent service. Hats off to Lorettas. It's great to have a place like this in town.
(4)Celia F.
We have been to Loretta's more then a half dozen times within the last 6 months and we have never had a dissatisfying meal yet. From the moment you walk in you are greeted with a warm welcome and quick service. Tim, the owner, is always ready to make your dining experience as pleasurable as possible. The first time we ate here he even rearranged the tables to make room for our baby stroller...now that is service! Now let's talk about the food, I'm with Jack F; if we lived in Newburyport we too would sell our stove. Their Haddock chowder is to die for, I could not stop eating their chicken gambo, and their WhattaBurger just melts in your mouth... no joke it's the best burger I have eaten and my partner and I consider ourselves big time food snobs. Loretta's is totally worth the hour drive from Boston.
(5)Chad F.
Came here for a business lunch. Was very surprised. I live in the town, and had passed by it several times, but I never went in. Always thought it was one of the up-scale yuppie tourist places that us townies avoid like the plague. But I was pleasantly surprised. Very down to earth feel once you shatter the notion that it *is* a restaurant on the Newburyport State Street strip. The owner has decorated his walls will all sorts of autographed memorabilia, which is really cool. The food prices were pretty good, and they have local beer on tap, which is always a plus in my book! I ended up getting a seafood Po'Boy, which was quite good, and the fries were awesome. Rustic-cut shoestring and were fried to golden perfection. Our server was attentive and very nice. I would gladly turn into a repeat customer.
(5)Melissa B.
Terrific spot! I was passing through this area and decided to give this place a try because the outside looked very inviting. Inside, it was a very cozy and energetic environment. We were seated very quickly and had attentive service the entire evening. I enjoyed the pulled pork sandwich and my fiance had the burger. We were very satisfied and would definitely go back again!
(4)Stuart K.
Went back last week. Had the burger once again and it was outstanding. One of the best I have ever had! Better than I remembered!
(5)L W.
Had dinner here on a quiet Sunday night on a whim and was very pleased! My husband got the special NY Strip w/ garlic mashed potatoes and broccolini. He loved it! I got the eggplant raviolis - delicious. Beer selection was a little lacking but it seems they are catering to the wine drinking crowd instead which is absolutely fine. We were pleasantly surprised with the quality of our meals! We will certainly be back!
(5)David L.
Great day to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon with the wife, walking along the boardwalk in Newburyport. We had a nice break from a week of oppressive humidity...it was a slightly overcast day with temps hovering around 75 degrees. We sat outside...my wife had the egg sandwich and gazpacho, and I had the fried oyster po'boy with french fries. Both meals were delicious. I washed down my lunch with a glass of red, and a bloody Mary (w/Ketel One) for the wife. I should also note that our server was very friendly and overall service was great.
(4)K M.
Sadly our second experience here was not ideal but the hostess was really great and saved the bad taste in my mouth. We may have to think twice though before returning. Came last weekend for brunch, luckily shortly after they opened and it was busy as it was the last weekend of Homecoming celebration in Newburyport. We'd been here once before in the winter and really enjoyed it, loved the handcut fresh fries and the burger was great. Looks like they added some more to their menu so my husband was eager to try. I asked the waiter his recommendation between the pulled pork sandwich and bbq grilled chicken breast sandwich. He told me both were good choices and he really likes the chicken so I went with that. We also had our year old son with us and asked if we could just get a scrambled egg and homefries for him. It was busy so the wait for the food reflected but not horrible. Waiter came out with the food, husband got the burger and then he had a chicken salad wrap in his hand. I reminded him of what I got and he thought maybe he picked up the wrong plate. He came back a minute later and said "it's going to be a bit longer for your meal, is that ok?" Um, so you messed up my meal after I asked your opinion and now you are asking if its ok that I have to wait for them to cook me my correct order, um I guess, what do you say at that point? Luckily my son got his food and enjoyed his homefries. Husband though ordered the swiss bacon burger medium, with hot peppers on the side. It was well-done, no pink whatsoever and dry. Not very tasty considering they used to have an amazing burger. He was less than thrilled but also upset that the waiter seemed a little unorganized and I had to wait. Also I am pregnant so skipping a meal is not an option. The Hostess finally brought out our meal and was very kind and apologized for the mistake. She then chatted with our son who loves people so was happy and smiling. He ate all his homefries but barely any eggs. She came back out later with a small dish of more homefries for him which we thought was just so sweet of her. He ate a few more and then was good. My sandwich was good but I was very unhappy with our waiter, he was just not on top of things. When the check came he informed they would not charge for my sandwich which I appreciated. But again, if it wasn't for the really nice hostess which was there the first time we came, I would not consider returning at all.
(2)Michael D.
My wife and I dined here about a month ago for lunch and enjoyed the food but the service was less than stellar. Our waitress seemed to be distracted with something other than her job, We dined here again four days ago with two other couples for an early evening meal and were very happy with everything. We all tried the grilled romaine and would get it again. I had the shrimp scampi which was as good as I've ever had. My wife had crab cakes and said she would not hesitate to get them again. The other couples all had seafood and said they really enjoyed what they ate and would get it again. It wasn't inexpensive but not over the top pricewise either. We will dine here again.
(4)Henry B.
Very good food and service, but much too loud - and I'm from New York City, where noise is standard. The crab cakes, dinner salad and chicken special were superb, but we did not stay for dessert because of the noise.
(3)Daniel C.
Another excellent meal at Loretta. I went with my wife and my very hungry 16 year old son. He was in the mood for a good burger, and the "Whatta Burger" did not disappoint. It comes with hand cut fries to rival Five Guys. I ordered the Mushroom Arancini appetizer, which is a pretty magnificent concoction of mushroom flavored risotto served as a big ball fried in a panko crust, sitting on a cheesy sauce. If it sounds rich, it is, and it could have easily sufficed as a full meal at $9.95. But I also ordered Caesar Salad with Seared Salmon, which is not an official menu item but the friendly bartender/waitress (we had to eat at the bar because we had no reservation) had no problem with the special request. The salad part was good, not great, but the salmon was extremely fresh and perfectly cooked and flavored. My wife ordered the house salad and the Caprese Parpadelle, with lots of fresh mozarella and basil. Very good but too much so she took most of it home. I've eaten at Loretta 3 or 4 other times and its hallmark is great food, ample portions, and more moderate prices than many other Newburyport restaurants.
(5)Dean N.
Friendly service makes you glad you came to Lorettas. Food is good, and even traditionally "heavy" foods such as the burgers and ribs aren't greasy. The Loretta House salad is very good, as is the Maple Orange Salmon. You walk out of that place feeling well served from all perspectives.
(4)Sarah C.
Went to Newburyport for day trip and found this cute lunch cafe/resto. I didn't check on Yelp before selecting this place. I like how it is not a place for mainly tourists. A lot of locals dine here as well so it gotta be good. I ordered the crabwich (crab cake serve on a bun) with chips on the side. It was so tasty that I wished i have room for seconds. It was lightly battered, with loads of crab meat. It was difficult to eat because the sauce (alioli sauce?) was dripping all over the place. I had to take 1/3 of it home because it was such a ginormous order. Next time, I will opt for their homemade fries instead of chips.
(4)Jason H.
I went to Loretta in Newburyport, MA as I saw on Yelp that it was a nice lunch spot, and I was looking for a new Friday Lunch Spot. I was lucky to find parking right away. The place is a bit small, but was perfect for lunch for one. I was greeted right away and decided to sit at the bar. I ordered off the daily special menu and started with the corn chowder soup which was excellent. I had their 'Spring Chicken Sandwich' which was very good and tasted very fresh. I actually couldn't finish the whole thing so I took half to eat later. Staff was very friendly and prices were not bad for what tasted like 'scratch' dishes. I plan to go back and try their grass fed burgers!
(4)Nicole B.
The place is tiny. I ordered the burger, which was perfectly seasoned but completely messy, falling all out of the bun. Fries were an additional $1.75 or so, which seems a little ridiculous. My friend had the grilled cheese, and was appropriately warned that it was a very small portion. Overall the food was ok, the service was ok, but I wouldn't make a special trip to be back.
(3)Frances K.
Lunch with my daughter. I had the Whatta Burger w/hand-cut fries. The bun had no flavor and fell apart. Otherwise, I was happy with my food. My daughter had the Caprese Sandwich on focaccia with a side of fries and loved it. Service was very efficient. They were busy, but didn't seem overworked. The room is very appealing--wood beams, lots of sports art. They have a big-screen tv, and it was turned off. Yes!!! Our table was wiggly. I've never understood how restaurants could allow that to happen. It's such an easy fix. The best part of the meal was the check. Under $20 for a filling lunch for two.
(4)Jamie B.
My wife and I wanted to find a place in Newburyport where we could eat outside on a beautiful summer Saturday evening, so we made an 8 o'clock reservation (recommended). We walked by at 7:30 and noticed one of the two outdoor tables was available, so we went in early and asked if we could grab that spot. The host was very friendly and welcoming, and happy to accommodate our request. We were off to a good start. We ordered off the wine list (moderate selection, $8-$12 per glass) and enjoyed the beautiful summer sky. The outdoor tables sit right on the sidewalk, with only a line of plants separating us from the pedestrians. My wife ordered the striped bass special, and I ordered the pan seared salmon. I give kudos to our waitress who was not only very friendly but also let me know that the sauce had red pepper flakes and was quite spicy, even though that wasn't mentioned in the menu. Both fish dishes were perfectly cooked, very moist and tasty. The inside of the restaurant was packed right up until about 8pm, when more tables started to open up. We were very happy with our experience, and would gladly recommend this to others.
(4)K. E.
Great little spot in a beautiful town. We were seated right away on a nice Sunday afternoon. I guess we had just missed the brunch rush. Lucky for us! The Caprese sandwich was solid and the crab cake sandwich was great (piping hot and very generously portioned). Great fries, too. It's a small place, so you might hear more of your neighbors' conversations than you want.
(4)Pamela M.
I visited this place for the first time tonight, and it was fabulous. When my friends and I stopped in, the place was full, and we almost decided to go to another place. The owner greeted us right as we walked in. He understood that we might not have wanted to wait for a table to open up, and kindly told us about other places nearby that we could go to, but we noticed some open seats at the bar so we decided to have a drink while we waited for a table to open up. I'm so glad we did. The owner is a total sweetheart. He was so nice and was happy that we decided to stay. After a little bit we got a table, and everything was wonderful. Their service is great, their drinks are tasty, and their food is absolutely delicious. I'm so glad that we decided to go there tonight. What a great place. The owner clearly takes pride in what he does, and it shows. I'm definitely looking forward to visiting again soon!
(5)Kell B.
This is one of our favorite restaurants and I wanted to post a update. We go here pretty regularly a few times a month. The food is always delicious and of excellent quality. The service is amazing, and were at a point where most of the staff remembers our orders. Everything I have had here is great and highly recommend this restaurant to all my friends and family!
(5)Kimberly B.
Been to Loretta's several times. Its right in the heart of State Street. Always well-prepared food, fair prices and a cozy, yet lively atmosphere. The menu is small, but satisfying. Big menus just overwhelm me! The ribs are selfish. They have a dark, Asian (??) sauce that comes with that makes them phenomenal. I had a special soup of parsnip and apple that arrived not amd just the right amount of creamy/chunky. Very earthy, not salty amd wonderful. My Mom amd sister declared their shrimp scampi the best they've had. As others have me toned, the owner was most apologetic and pleasant about the slightly late seating on the reservation. Our waitress was very nice and good. Dependably great meal here.
(4)Stephen C.
Nice little joint. Good location and comfortable atmosphere. I got a turkey sandwich to go. It had a tasty cranberry chutney and had thick real slices of roasted turkey. No deli stuff here.
(4)Salty S.
Delicious! Went for a late dinner on a weekday evening. The atmosphere was cozy, the service was very friendly and attentive, and the food was fantastic. We ordered the mussel appetizer which included big fresh mussels, the whatta burger and pulled pork sandwiches- all were delicious. Staff was very helpful and friendly. We will definitely go back! Have been back twice since the first post- Loretta's continues to be fantastic! Last visit we had a large party of 8 which they accommodated very skillfully given the small space. Food was delicious, and the service was exceptional (I don't remember her name, but she made the night! Thank you!).
(5)Mark S.
We had gone to the prior small location several times and always had a first rate experience. We tried the new location tonight and we were disappointed. We sat at the bar and the staff seemed in over their heads. Food was average, with the salad and vegetables very good but the prime rib was chewy and not tasty. The clam chowder was not good at all. There are much better places for a nice chowder in town. The stuffed chicken was very average. I think Loretta is a restaurant that was very good when it was small and then grew into mediocrity. There are much better choices for locals like us in Newburyport.
(2)Alexis T.
The special sweet potato soup was surprisingly flavorful. It was thick and delicious and came out piping hot. I'm glad I picked this special soup over the special beef chili. The crab cake sandwich was also a great choice. It came with chips and a pickle. We also ordered a salad with chicken, spiced pears, candied walnuts and gorgonzola cheese. The spiced pears were a nice surprise because usually places just use regular pears. All of the flavors went perfectly together! I would give this place a four and a half, but that isn't an option... So I'm going with a four!
(4)Rosy R.
Fabulous new space on Pleasant St. Beautiful interior, but so loud we had to leave. Why don't restaurants fix this problem before opening? Cannot return till fixed!!!!
(2)Mustachechuck S.
Had Bowl of Gazpachio was awesome tried a Lobster roll was ok for price, The person I was with had a Cesar Salad very average Her fish was much better They moved to a larger venue on Pleasant street across from Pizza Factory
(4)Clifford A.
One of the best places with great ribs, burgers, salads and a killer vibe. Oh right great tap beer. And expertly shaken cocktails. More of a bar with great food than a booshie gastropub, I can honestly say there is not a bad choice on the menu, although I can't honestly say I ate it all but I certainly intend to at some point. I am still setting goals in life. Only shortfall is lack of any serious super spicy condiments. If you ever want a memorable night, get a table at Loretta about 8:45 on a Saturday when EJ Ouellette and Crazy Maggie are booked and plan on staying till closing time. Doff my cap to Ted Levine, you are making it happen in The Port. THANK YOU.
(5)Kathryn D.
Amazing! We went in here for a light lunch and left satisfied. Great atmosphere, too. Highly recommend the seafood chowder, it was perfect.
(5)H C.
This restaurant should be five stars! Had dinner there last night. Food was excellent and service friendly and efficient. The owner was at the door greeting his customers and following up to make sure everything was perfect. Wine was excellent and priced very low. I had mussels and swordfish with salsa sauce. Don't pass this one up! Herb C
(5)Marco D.
So, very rarely would I start off a restaurant with 5 stars but here's a perfect example of an exception. Took a 2+ hour drive to NH to purchase fireworks and was looking for some late night eats. Checked Yelp for suggestions and stumbled upon this gem. It was rather late when we walked in, maybe 10:30? A well dressed, curious gentleman (we later found out was the owner) greeted us at the door. We asked if they were still serving food, which he replied yes and gave us our choice of table. After sitting down, within 30 seconds we were greeted by our extremely friendly waitress & the menu's / specials. Food: a top shelf Margarita & Manhattan made to absolute perfection. we both started off with the sausage / bean soup which was beyond amazing. Just as we finished the soup we asked if they had any bread, and we were quickly presented with the tastiest hunk of asiago cheese bread. Wow! Then our meals came. My cousin got the scallops which he claimed to love (his review is on here as well), and I got the sirloin special. This is, by far, one of the best meals I've ever had! It was a PERFECTLY cooked sirloin, with a green chimichurri topping and side of broccolini & white-sweet mashed potatoes (never even knew they existed). We were beyond stuffed, but when the friendly waitress came over to ask if we wanted dessert, we figured oh what the hell. Had the bread pudding and some fruit cheesecake. Another winner. Prices were very very reasonable! 4 top-shelf drinks, 2 large bowls of soup, Asiago bread, scallop & steak entrees, 2 desserts for $130. With any good review, I always find something to complain about. My only complaint here is that it's so far away from home! To the owner: thank you for a dining experience that certainly goes down as the top 3 meals I've ever had. See you soon, your worth the 2+ hour drive any day!
(5)Bethany B.
I can't say enough great things about this place. Recently it moved to a bigger location but whatever Ted is doing keep it up! Your Personal involvement in this place is what makes it so successful
(5)Chris W.
Uppers- Terrific dinner at their new location on Pleasant St in NBPT. Crab cakes thru a traditional steak, mashed potatoes and greens was excellent, topped off with just vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce, and some coffee. My sweetie had shrimp scampi: I tried a couple of bites, and it was delicious-- not too heavy but so good I almost had regrets on getting the filet, which was again, excellent. Wait staff was professional, friendly, and fun. Will definitely return- best meal I've had in Newburyport. Downers? Though spacious, it is very loud in there, and the lighting makes everyone look hideous, plus... No beers on tap. But the meal was to kill for- I woke up this morning, their crab cakes still mouth-watering evoking.
(4)Melissa R.
My husband and I had dinner at Loretta's on Saturday, August 8. We had reservations and were seated promptly at a table at the front next to the host stand. It was noisy and the manager and hostess were very distracting walking back and forth near our table throughout our dinner. The food was average and we were very disappointed with the atmosphere and the service. Our waitress never introduced herself and was not very attentive. We asked for bread and her response was "I will bring it but we generally don't offer bread service". She wasn't rude, just not personable at all. The bar scene was quite active so it seems that this place may be more suited for a night out with friends sitting at the bar and not a "date night meal".
(3)East West Coast Girl C.
We love a Newburyport visit and were excited to try Loretta. We bellied up to the bar and the bartender, although perfectly nice, was overwhelmed. She had two lame "helpers" that didn't help at all. This meant frustrating, exhausting s-l-o-w service. Hub's filet mignon and martini were perfect. My ribs were dry and chewy. Fries were tops, though. Wood bar seats were so hard on my boney butt that I had to keep standing up to take a break. No soft surfaces so noise level was high. I couldn't wait to get out of there. Despite the food being pretty good, given the lack of ambience, the untrained staff and those blasted rock hard seats, I look forward to other more charming options in town.
(2)Susan D.
My husband and I were in town for a memorial service. We stopped by Loretta's and were told that it would be about an hour before we could be seated. From what we had heard, it was worth the wait. We decided to go for a walk and left our number. The hostess said she would call when it was time to be seated. When we called back to check on the wait, she said- "Good news, we are just getting your table ready." We returned to the restaurant and watched as they prepared the table. The hostess informed us it would just be a moment. Right as she was gathering the menus to take us to the table, the manager told her to take a couple who had just walked in unannounced (friends of his) to our table. The hostess was uncomfortable and asked us if we would mind sitting in the bar. We declined and headed out. The manager was extremely disrespectful. He made a sad day even worse. He never acknowledged my husband and I. Most businesses in Newburyport are friendly and treat people with respect. I would eat almost anywhere else.
(1)J. K.
Tried the new expanded location. Bumped the review up one star because the over - bearing owner is spread much thinner now! The acoustics stink...way too loud. The lights are also very, very bright making it hard to relax and wind down. And they're very stingy with the air-conditioning! HOT. They should have also expanded the menu because it is still quite small. It's a very good-sized bar but the bar snacks/sharing apps are SO limited. A real missed opportunity here. Loretta is good for line-cooked food...so don't expect a chef cooked meal.
(2)D K.
Food is low priced, line cooked quality. Bar is so loud you can't wait to leave...Fix it for Christ's sake , you're losing customers forever!! Too few options on menu, fix it !!!! The owner just walks around controlling the seats. Bud, they will all be empty soon, fix it!!!
(1)Swetha S.
This is one sweet-looking place, good ambience! It didn't have too many vegetarian options though. You guys should have at least one vegetarian soup option for us :) I ordered the eggplant panini and it was good. The best part of our meal was the dessert. They had uh-maazing bread pudding and I would go back to this place just for that :) it was the best bread pudding I've ever had, and I'm still beating myself up for not ordering one more
(4)Sue M.
Took advantage of a gorgeous Saturday to take a ride to Newburyport to satisfy a craving for fresh crab cakes. After listening to live tunes in the park by the waterfront and poking through a few shops, by 5pm we figured we would find our seat at one of the many places in the area before the rush. We remembered that a guy we knew from years ago had relocated to Newburyport 6 years ago and with some sleuthing found his place- "Loretta" - with a line already in front. We are social folks most happy sitting at the bar - especially when there is a good vibe- all the couples in line with reservations had no interference from us. We found great seats at the sparking beautiful bar with the attentive, knowledgable bartender - Michael- who happily let us try tastes of a few recommendations. Once we had our perfect choice, filled wine glasses in hand, we ordered our dinners starting with the delicious crab cakes, No filler here- crab with a crunchy coat, crispy(!) capers and a drizzle of creamy spicy sauce - from there we had the prime rib ( roasted then finished on a hot grill) , garlic mashed, fresh veggies and a delicious spinach salad with goat cheese. And yup- we had a second glass of wine- made some friends and truly enjoyed ourselves. Best part was seeing Ted - he was so warm and friendly despite the full house! after catching up - he filled us in on the history of the beautiful new restaurant at its new location - which has only been open 6 weeks! With the full dining room and full bar I am most amazed at how great the staff was, the food delicious and beautifully presented, and how the overall vibe gave nothing away that it's still so new. Obviously the sign of a pro at the helm! Next time we find ourselves ready to drive an hour north, 'Loretta' will be on the agenda... ha and I woke up Sunday morning thinking about those crab cakes mmmmmmm
(5)J E.
Went here for my friend's birthday. Our server Casey was attentive and provided excellent service. My friend had the chicken, his girlfriend had salmon and I had the prime rib. Everything was delicious and cooked to perfection. The salmon had a nice crisp to the outer edges, the chicken was seasoned wonderfully and juicy and the prime rib was flavorful and not overly fatty like some places. The bread pudding dessert was simply amazing. We had wine and martinis and the entire bill came to ~$130. Very reasonable considering we had two drinks a piece. It is a little on the loud side but it's a small annoyance for great food and service.
(5)Bonnie C.
Good Food - fabulous! Mushroom Arancini app, super delish, Filet cooked to perfection, my scallops were wonderful, flavor - cooked right, rice & perfect al dente green beans. Very good food. Dessert - chocolate mousse was velvety smooth & wonderfully chocolately. However - our server was one of the most apathetic servers I've had in a very long time. For almost $30 entrees, you expect a little bit more from the person facilitating a meal.
(3)Robert B.
Everything was awesome! Dinner at 745pm. Were very accommodating with my husband's dairy allergy. He had the salmon. I had the steak with garlic mashed and baby broccoli. The food was perfectly cooked. The server was extremely attentive without feeling pushy. She was simply there whenever we needed something. The decor was nice, but not flashy, it felt comfortable to be dressed up or not. I will always eat here when visiting Newburyport.
(5)Adam W.
The overall experience we had at Loretta for lunch was very mixed. The food was simply amazing. The service was friendly but exhaustingly slow. First the food, my wife ordered the clam chowder for her entree and I had the Grilled Romaine Salad. I can't speak specifically for the chowder, but she was very pleased with it. The Grilled romaine salad with chicken was a perfect balance of sweet, smokey, juicy, and crunchy. The romaine was nicely charred yet was still extremely fresh and crunchy, the chicken was juicy and perfect, and the caramelized onions with the blue cheese dressing was tangy and sweet which tied everything together magically. For dessert we ordered the bread pudding, which was spot on. It was served with ice cream, whipped cream, and an amazing sauce that tasted like whisky and praline. So for the service, i'm not completely sure why it took them more than 30min to take our order, and another 45 min to serve our food. Overall the service was cordial, but was just inattentive. We noticed that 3 other tables seated after us had received their food, and eventually left before we even received our order. Call me a cranky uptight bostonian, but i felt that this part of the service was unacceptable. Perhaps it was because we had brought along our 7mo old who was a complete angel the entire time, or perhaps its because we do not fit the normal Newburyport customer demographic. All in all we loved the food, but we unfortunately will not be coming back to this restaurant due to the painfully slow and inattentive service.
(2)Duffy B.
Grilled romaine was was only grilled on the outside. It was ok but not good. Lemonade was great
(3)Norma H.
Lucked out with a last minute Friday night reservation when we happened to be in town. My husband had the cod special and I had the eggplant ravioli. Delicious! Will definitely come back if we are back in town.
(5)Joe C.
Really cool, comfortable little spot! The food is spot on! Everything I've tried here has been quality at a reasonable price! The grass fed burger was perfect and exactly what you want from a burger. The flavor and price of the grass fed here can't be beat! The Caesar Salad is the real deal! It reminds me of my favourite Caesar salads from the North End of Boston with real anchovy paste and crispy greens. The hot pastrami sandwich is the best I've ever had. Melts in your mouth and really hits the spot. The crab cakes are also the best I've had. The flavor, texture and size for the price is just unbeatable. I believe I've tried every appetizer and never been let down. The artichoke dip is amazing! The service is always great and it seems that they really care about everyone having a good experience here. Boston restaurants could learn a few things from some of the gems up here in Newburyport..
(5)Maddy M.
We had a wonderful lunch at Loretta. I had the eggplant sandwich with a side salad. It was a fantastic sandwich and great prices. The exposed brick and beams make it such a warm spot for lunch or dinner. I will definitely stop by here next time I'm in Newburyport.
(5)Ron R.
Loretta has moved to a new Newburyport location. my wife and I first had dinner here in 2010. wonderful experience. they have been open 2 weeks at the new Newburyport location, so this review needs to acknowledge this. BTW, we had reservations, arrived early to have a glass of wine at the bar and were seated at a window table. ( Best in the house). ( I'm not special, we got lucky !) restaurant was very busy (Saturday night). service at the bar was sketchy with 2 bartenders. one payed more attention to putting glassware away than on customers. bar seating was packed. the owner alerted us to " table is ready". thrilled to be here. we shared appetizers. Arancini appetizer was good. we liked 2nd appetizer with " chips", goat cheese, plus herbs? cannot recall. my wife had scallops. very good. I took a shot at the smaller prime rib order. good, not tender. odd that garlic mashed potatoes were served. it's June. not February. did not get the $1.95 uplift charge to have prime rib prepared alternate ways. asparagus side was good, not great ( over cooked). wait service was friendly yet a little scatter brained. UNDERSTAND this, ( week 2 from new opening). very noisy restaurant. this could come back and bite owner. understand loud buzz, this was just loud. acoustics need to be addressed. bar was wide and long. nice chairs. everything was new and wonderful. great carpentry detail. we will be back to check out lunch soon and lunch vibe. dinner vibe was exciting yet noisy. Loretta will nail all of my nits. it's a beautiful new place. as "A-nold" says, " we'll be back."
(3)Mel L.
Where do I begin. Stopped into this lovely town by boat for the evening and took a stroll up State Street with my friend. How fortunate we're we to come upon LORETTA. A bustling little bistro in the heart of town. Ted Epstein, the owner of the spot was greeting everyone at the door as if he's known them forever. We started off with curry mussels. Tender small mussels steamed in a sauce I needed a straw for not to miss one last drop. The wine selection was wonderful and beyond reasonably priced. We had a beautiful bottle of Cab which sells at most restaurants for $180 for $85. That being said they have a vast range of prices something to please all. For the entree I had the special which was local swordfish grilled with a red green and yellow pepper salsa rice and fresh crisp green berms all cooked to perfection. We will be sure to return to this fabulous little spot.
(5)Nick T.
Great food and drinks at a very low price. The waitress was very polite and pleasant as well.
(4)Meg H.
Small, but very cute. I parked in the lot near Oldies Marketplace, and Loretta is maybe a 7 minute walk from there. It was very busy on a Saturday, very small place. I had the veggie burger, and it was ok. VERY spicy, and kind eh. I didn't LOOOOVE it but I ate most of it. My boyfriend had the duck tacos and he LOVED them. The fries were very good! Also the butternut squash bisque was very very good & WARM!!! All in i think we paid $30 bucks not bad.
(3)Marc B.
Our first visit on a busy Saturday afternoon bodes well for this pleasant little storefront restaurant. Atmosphere is pleasant but not pretentious. High marks for prompt and friendly service, high quality sandwiches and soups, nice beer list. Good local products, including high quality all-natural meat from Maine Family Farms. Nothing fancy, but we walked out very happy. And i guarantee that we will be back. Nuff' said.
(4)Jeffrey L.
Went here for dinner. Pros: - According to my wife, the mussels appetizer was one of the best dishes she's ever had. Cons: - The chicken breast entree was entirely boring and dry and was not eaten. - The eggplant ravioli was simply ok. - The music is intolerable oldies you've heard 1000 times. No deep cuts here. - The service was bizarre. We couldn't leave because it seemed nearly impossible to get our check.
(2)Joan H.
We spent the afternoon in Newburyport which is a short distance from York, ME where we are vacationing... Walking around town we decided to go to Loretta's for lunch. When we arrived the air conditioner was facing us pouring out cold air I asked the waitress said it was hot but she would try to turn it down... I said it was very cold and uncomfortable she finally did when out meal arrived. I had a chicken salad wrap with cranberries and nuts which was delicious and my husband had a pulled pork sandwich with cabbage salad and fries in which he thought was dry. Husband had a coke and I had a Mimosa with fresh squeezed orange juice... I would go there again!
(4)Yelping W.
As a local I've tried to support this place. The burger is what gets people in but with Lexie's now open a few stores up the road for 1/3 the price and much fresher there is no point. The waitress is too busy gossiping with the regulars and the bartender smells like cigarettes. The owner is nice enough but should be managing his staff better. With classy restaurants like Brine and Ceia next door why anyone would choose to pay lorretas prices is beyond me.
(1)Jim P.
Sooooo good. Crab cake is all crab. Filet mignon entre is OUT OF THIS WORLD!! Very intimate. Awesome. Go!
(5)Ryan B.
Have been here 5 or 6 times for lunch and dinner. Always walk away with a shrug, just so-so. Service and food have been generally fine but never remarkable. Keep trying it because people keep recommending it, but haven't found what the fuss is about. There are much better options in Newburyport.
(3)Steven C.
Had a great meal and was worth the few mins wait to get seated. I went with a daily special, the Steak Au Poivre with a peppercorn run, Cabernet Demi glaze and tarragon butter. Sides were garlic mashed and roasted green and yellow string beans. It was excellent in taste, tenderness and a generous 14oz portion. My girlfriend went with two small plates. One was the blue grab cakes and the other was the mussels alagash. Both were generous and very tasty. Her daughter went with the rack of ribs. Again generous portion, cooked perfectly and had a good taste.
(4)Philip D.
I have dined here on multiple occasions with mixed results. As mentioned in other reviews, the hamburger and fries are quite good as is the pulled pork. On the other hand, the baby back ribs are, to be candid, dreadful. Even given the low standard of ribs in New England, the ribs here were well below par - fatty, under-marinated and a small portion to boot. Note that Loretta is a very small restaurant, so you may wish to stay clear of it during busy times as the entire place can only accommodate 50-60 guests. The location is in downtown Newburyport, so parking can be difficult at busy times as well. Still, Loretta is a reasonable choice for a casual lunch, but please do stay away from the ribs.
(3)Colleen S.
Really great little spot. The first I came in the food was good, but the service not so, the poor young girl got everything wrong, but she did so with a smile as if she hadn't a care in the world. Went back another time with a larger party and the service was much better. This time our waitress was a rock star. She was taking care of the entire place inside and out all while a "hostess" or manager maybe did nothing but seat people. Thankfully our waitress rocked and the food again was great. We will be back.
(4)Jamie M.
Sadly there aren't that many places around that give service that causes people to leave with a wow. From the second I walked in this restaurant was exceptional. Small, quaint place but the food looked mazing, we were greeted by the owner and we were taken care of every step of the way. I can go into detail about the friendliness, aptitude for service, and overall capability to serve a wonderful dining experience, but I will let the five stars do the talking. This place has my highest recommendation and I rarely give that out. Almost never do I post reviews, and almost always they are negative. This is one of he few that inspires to post for greatness of service.
(5)Me B. M.
Good, honest, straightforward food, but nothing special. Friendly staff and inviting, if crowded, atmosphere.
(3)Thomas N.
dinner recently, we have been here (the site) several times before as it keeps changing, hopefully loretta will stay a while, small place with a small bar in the rear and limited outside seating, service was excellent, the loretta burger one of the best i have had and wife's pistachio crusted port tenderloin was also excellent, drinks were good and as ordered...what's not to like??
(5)Cynthia Y.
Me and my husband took a weekend trip to Hampton, NH and decided to spend the afternoon in Newburyport, MA. We didn't have any place in mind for dinner and found Loretta to have a pretty high rating so decided to stop by. First and foremost - make a reservation on a Saturday night! We arrived early (just before 6 pm) and we were able to get a table without a reservation. If we had arrived half an hour later we would've been turned away. The place is very tiny and the host had to turn a couple of patrons away because they had no reservation. Overall, the food was very good! And the host was very hospitable and friendly. I had the grilled swordfish and my husband had the baked chicken. My swordfish was cooked just right and I could also taste the charred part from the grill. The sauce and the Spanish rice that came with it was an added touch, albeit a bit too oily for my taste. I also love the seasonal vegetables that came with it - not overcooked at all. My husband's baked chicken wasn't overcooked like many places tend to do. Price-wise was also reasonable. We've been to places where the prices were higher but the food didn't live up to the price. I do have to say though our server wasn't the least bit friendly and even though she tried to be I think she was probably not too happy to be there. Two couples that came in after us immediately had their orders taken and we waited for about 10 mins longer in which I had to make eye contact with the server who was just standing at the back of the room. However, the good food and good host trumps the less than enthusiastic server. So definitely a place for a recommendation.
(4)Marco D.
So, very rarely would I start off a restaurant with 5 stars but here's a perfect example of an exception. Took a 2+ hour drive to NH to purchase fireworks and was looking for some late night eats. Checked Yelp for suggestions and stumbled upon this gem. It was rather late when we walked in, maybe 10:30? A well dressed, curious gentleman (we later found out was the owner) greeted us at the door. We asked if they were still serving food, which he replied yes and gave us our choice of table. After sitting down, within 30 seconds we were greeted by our extremely friendly waitress & the menu's / specials. Food: a top shelf Margarita & Manhattan made to absolute perfection. we both started off with the sausage / bean soup which was beyond amazing. Just as we finished the soup we asked if they had any bread, and we were quickly presented with the tastiest hunk of asiago cheese bread. Wow! Then our meals came. My cousin got the scallops which he claimed to love (his review is on here as well), and I got the sirloin special. This is, by far, one of the best meals I've ever had! It was a PERFECTLY cooked sirloin, with a green chimichurri topping and side of broccolini & white-sweet mashed potatoes (never even knew they existed). We were beyond stuffed, but when the friendly waitress came over to ask if we wanted dessert, we figured oh what the hell. Had the bread pudding and some fruit cheesecake. Another winner. Prices were very very reasonable! 4 top-shelf drinks, 2 large bowls of soup, Asiago bread, scallop & steak entrees, 2 desserts for $130. With any good review, I always find something to complain about. My only complaint here is that it's so far away from home! To the owner: thank you for a dining experience that certainly goes down as the top 3 meals I've ever had. See you soon, your worth the 2+ hour drive any day!
(5)Bethany B.
I can't say enough great things about this place. Recently it moved to a bigger location but whatever Ted is doing keep it up! Your Personal involvement in this place is what makes it so successful
(5)J E.
Went here for my friend's birthday. Our server Casey was attentive and provided excellent service. My friend had the chicken, his girlfriend had salmon and I had the prime rib. Everything was delicious and cooked to perfection. The salmon had a nice crisp to the outer edges, the chicken was seasoned wonderfully and juicy and the prime rib was flavorful and not overly fatty like some places. The bread pudding dessert was simply amazing. We had wine and martinis and the entire bill came to ~$130. Very reasonable considering we had two drinks a piece. It is a little on the loud side but it's a small annoyance for great food and service.
(5)Chris W.
Uppers- Terrific dinner at their new location on Pleasant St in NBPT. Crab cakes thru a traditional steak, mashed potatoes and greens was excellent, topped off with just vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce, and some coffee. My sweetie had shrimp scampi: I tried a couple of bites, and it was delicious-- not too heavy but so good I almost had regrets on getting the filet, which was again, excellent. Wait staff was professional, friendly, and fun. Will definitely return- best meal I've had in Newburyport. Downers? Though spacious, it is very loud in there, and the lighting makes everyone look hideous, plus... No beers on tap. But the meal was to kill for- I woke up this morning, their crab cakes still mouth-watering evoking.
(4)Mustachechuck S.
Had Bowl of Gazpachio was awesome tried a Lobster roll was ok for price, The person I was with had a Cesar Salad very average Her fish was much better They moved to a larger venue on Pleasant street across from Pizza Factory
(4)Melissa R.
My husband and I had dinner at Loretta's on Saturday, August 8. We had reservations and were seated promptly at a table at the front next to the host stand. It was noisy and the manager and hostess were very distracting walking back and forth near our table throughout our dinner. The food was average and we were very disappointed with the atmosphere and the service. Our waitress never introduced herself and was not very attentive. We asked for bread and her response was "I will bring it but we generally don't offer bread service". She wasn't rude, just not personable at all. The bar scene was quite active so it seems that this place may be more suited for a night out with friends sitting at the bar and not a "date night meal".
(3)Mark S.
We had gone to the prior small location several times and always had a first rate experience. We tried the new location tonight and we were disappointed. We sat at the bar and the staff seemed in over their heads. Food was average, with the salad and vegetables very good but the prime rib was chewy and not tasty. The clam chowder was not good at all. There are much better places for a nice chowder in town. The stuffed chicken was very average. I think Loretta is a restaurant that was very good when it was small and then grew into mediocrity. There are much better choices for locals like us in Newburyport.
(2)East West Coast Girl C.
We love a Newburyport visit and were excited to try Loretta. We bellied up to the bar and the bartender, although perfectly nice, was overwhelmed. She had two lame "helpers" that didn't help at all. This meant frustrating, exhausting s-l-o-w service. Hub's filet mignon and martini were perfect. My ribs were dry and chewy. Fries were tops, though. Wood bar seats were so hard on my boney butt that I had to keep standing up to take a break. No soft surfaces so noise level was high. I couldn't wait to get out of there. Despite the food being pretty good, given the lack of ambience, the untrained staff and those blasted rock hard seats, I look forward to other more charming options in town.
(2)Sue M.
Took advantage of a gorgeous Saturday to take a ride to Newburyport to satisfy a craving for fresh crab cakes. After listening to live tunes in the park by the waterfront and poking through a few shops, by 5pm we figured we would find our seat at one of the many places in the area before the rush. We remembered that a guy we knew from years ago had relocated to Newburyport 6 years ago and with some sleuthing found his place- "Loretta" - with a line already in front. We are social folks most happy sitting at the bar - especially when there is a good vibe- all the couples in line with reservations had no interference from us. We found great seats at the sparking beautiful bar with the attentive, knowledgable bartender - Michael- who happily let us try tastes of a few recommendations. Once we had our perfect choice, filled wine glasses in hand, we ordered our dinners starting with the delicious crab cakes, No filler here- crab with a crunchy coat, crispy(!) capers and a drizzle of creamy spicy sauce - from there we had the prime rib ( roasted then finished on a hot grill) , garlic mashed, fresh veggies and a delicious spinach salad with goat cheese. And yup- we had a second glass of wine- made some friends and truly enjoyed ourselves. Best part was seeing Ted - he was so warm and friendly despite the full house! after catching up - he filled us in on the history of the beautiful new restaurant at its new location - which has only been open 6 weeks! With the full dining room and full bar I am most amazed at how great the staff was, the food delicious and beautifully presented, and how the overall vibe gave nothing away that it's still so new. Obviously the sign of a pro at the helm! Next time we find ourselves ready to drive an hour north, 'Loretta' will be on the agenda... ha and I woke up Sunday morning thinking about those crab cakes mmmmmmm
(5)Swetha S.
This is one sweet-looking place, good ambience! It didn't have too many vegetarian options though. You guys should have at least one vegetarian soup option for us :) I ordered the eggplant panini and it was good. The best part of our meal was the dessert. They had uh-maazing bread pudding and I would go back to this place just for that :) it was the best bread pudding I've ever had, and I'm still beating myself up for not ordering one more
(4)J. K.
Tried the new expanded location. Bumped the review up one star because the over - bearing owner is spread much thinner now! The acoustics stink...way too loud. The lights are also very, very bright making it hard to relax and wind down. And they're very stingy with the air-conditioning! HOT. They should have also expanded the menu because it is still quite small. It's a very good-sized bar but the bar snacks/sharing apps are SO limited. A real missed opportunity here. Loretta is good for line-cooked food...so don't expect a chef cooked meal.
(2)Alexis T.
The special sweet potato soup was surprisingly flavorful. It was thick and delicious and came out piping hot. I'm glad I picked this special soup over the special beef chili. The crab cake sandwich was also a great choice. It came with chips and a pickle. We also ordered a salad with chicken, spiced pears, candied walnuts and gorgonzola cheese. The spiced pears were a nice surprise because usually places just use regular pears. All of the flavors went perfectly together! I would give this place a four and a half, but that isn't an option... So I'm going with a four!
(4)Susan D.
My husband and I were in town for a memorial service. We stopped by Loretta's and were told that it would be about an hour before we could be seated. From what we had heard, it was worth the wait. We decided to go for a walk and left our number. The hostess said she would call when it was time to be seated. When we called back to check on the wait, she said- "Good news, we are just getting your table ready." We returned to the restaurant and watched as they prepared the table. The hostess informed us it would just be a moment. Right as she was gathering the menus to take us to the table, the manager told her to take a couple who had just walked in unannounced (friends of his) to our table. The hostess was uncomfortable and asked us if we would mind sitting in the bar. We declined and headed out. The manager was extremely disrespectful. He made a sad day even worse. He never acknowledged my husband and I. Most businesses in Newburyport are friendly and treat people with respect. I would eat almost anywhere else.
(1)D K.
Food is low priced, line cooked quality. Bar is so loud you can't wait to leave...Fix it for Christ's sake , you're losing customers forever!! Too few options on menu, fix it !!!! The owner just walks around controlling the seats. Bud, they will all be empty soon, fix it!!!
(1)Adam W.
The overall experience we had at Loretta for lunch was very mixed. The food was simply amazing. The service was friendly but exhaustingly slow. First the food, my wife ordered the clam chowder for her entree and I had the Grilled Romaine Salad. I can't speak specifically for the chowder, but she was very pleased with it. The Grilled romaine salad with chicken was a perfect balance of sweet, smokey, juicy, and crunchy. The romaine was nicely charred yet was still extremely fresh and crunchy, the chicken was juicy and perfect, and the caramelized onions with the blue cheese dressing was tangy and sweet which tied everything together magically. For dessert we ordered the bread pudding, which was spot on. It was served with ice cream, whipped cream, and an amazing sauce that tasted like whisky and praline. So for the service, i'm not completely sure why it took them more than 30min to take our order, and another 45 min to serve our food. Overall the service was cordial, but was just inattentive. We noticed that 3 other tables seated after us had received their food, and eventually left before we even received our order. Call me a cranky uptight bostonian, but i felt that this part of the service was unacceptable. Perhaps it was because we had brought along our 7mo old who was a complete angel the entire time, or perhaps its because we do not fit the normal Newburyport customer demographic. All in all we loved the food, but we unfortunately will not be coming back to this restaurant due to the painfully slow and inattentive service.
(2)Duffy B.
Grilled romaine was was only grilled on the outside. It was ok but not good. Lemonade was great
(3)Norma H.
Lucked out with a last minute Friday night reservation when we happened to be in town. My husband had the cod special and I had the eggplant ravioli. Delicious! Will definitely come back if we are back in town.
(5)Joe C.
Really cool, comfortable little spot! The food is spot on! Everything I've tried here has been quality at a reasonable price! The grass fed burger was perfect and exactly what you want from a burger. The flavor and price of the grass fed here can't be beat! The Caesar Salad is the real deal! It reminds me of my favourite Caesar salads from the North End of Boston with real anchovy paste and crispy greens. The hot pastrami sandwich is the best I've ever had. Melts in your mouth and really hits the spot. The crab cakes are also the best I've had. The flavor, texture and size for the price is just unbeatable. I believe I've tried every appetizer and never been let down. The artichoke dip is amazing! The service is always great and it seems that they really care about everyone having a good experience here. Boston restaurants could learn a few things from some of the gems up here in Newburyport..
(5)Maddy M.
We had a wonderful lunch at Loretta. I had the eggplant sandwich with a side salad. It was a fantastic sandwich and great prices. The exposed brick and beams make it such a warm spot for lunch or dinner. I will definitely stop by here next time I'm in Newburyport.
(5)Ron R.
Loretta has moved to a new Newburyport location. my wife and I first had dinner here in 2010. wonderful experience. they have been open 2 weeks at the new Newburyport location, so this review needs to acknowledge this. BTW, we had reservations, arrived early to have a glass of wine at the bar and were seated at a window table. ( Best in the house). ( I'm not special, we got lucky !) restaurant was very busy (Saturday night). service at the bar was sketchy with 2 bartenders. one payed more attention to putting glassware away than on customers. bar seating was packed. the owner alerted us to " table is ready". thrilled to be here. we shared appetizers. Arancini appetizer was good. we liked 2nd appetizer with " chips", goat cheese, plus herbs? cannot recall. my wife had scallops. very good. I took a shot at the smaller prime rib order. good, not tender. odd that garlic mashed potatoes were served. it's June. not February. did not get the $1.95 uplift charge to have prime rib prepared alternate ways. asparagus side was good, not great ( over cooked). wait service was friendly yet a little scatter brained. UNDERSTAND this, ( week 2 from new opening). very noisy restaurant. this could come back and bite owner. understand loud buzz, this was just loud. acoustics need to be addressed. bar was wide and long. nice chairs. everything was new and wonderful. great carpentry detail. we will be back to check out lunch soon and lunch vibe. dinner vibe was exciting yet noisy. Loretta will nail all of my nits. it's a beautiful new place. as "A-nold" says, " we'll be back."
(3)Rosy R.
Fabulous new space on Pleasant St. Beautiful interior, but so loud we had to leave. Why don't restaurants fix this problem before opening? Cannot return till fixed!!!!
(2)Mel L.
Where do I begin. Stopped into this lovely town by boat for the evening and took a stroll up State Street with my friend. How fortunate we're we to come upon LORETTA. A bustling little bistro in the heart of town. Ted Epstein, the owner of the spot was greeting everyone at the door as if he's known them forever. We started off with curry mussels. Tender small mussels steamed in a sauce I needed a straw for not to miss one last drop. The wine selection was wonderful and beyond reasonably priced. We had a beautiful bottle of Cab which sells at most restaurants for $180 for $85. That being said they have a vast range of prices something to please all. For the entree I had the special which was local swordfish grilled with a red green and yellow pepper salsa rice and fresh crisp green berms all cooked to perfection. We will be sure to return to this fabulous little spot.
(5)Nick T.
Great food and drinks at a very low price. The waitress was very polite and pleasant as well.
(4)Meg H.
Small, but very cute. I parked in the lot near Oldies Marketplace, and Loretta is maybe a 7 minute walk from there. It was very busy on a Saturday, very small place. I had the veggie burger, and it was ok. VERY spicy, and kind eh. I didn't LOOOOVE it but I ate most of it. My boyfriend had the duck tacos and he LOVED them. The fries were very good! Also the butternut squash bisque was very very good & WARM!!! All in i think we paid $30 bucks not bad.
(3)Marc B.
Our first visit on a busy Saturday afternoon bodes well for this pleasant little storefront restaurant. Atmosphere is pleasant but not pretentious. High marks for prompt and friendly service, high quality sandwiches and soups, nice beer list. Good local products, including high quality all-natural meat from Maine Family Farms. Nothing fancy, but we walked out very happy. And i guarantee that we will be back. Nuff' said.
(4)Bonnie C.
Good Food - fabulous! Mushroom Arancini app, super delish, Filet cooked to perfection, my scallops were wonderful, flavor - cooked right, rice & perfect al dente green beans. Very good food. Dessert - chocolate mousse was velvety smooth & wonderfully chocolately. However - our server was one of the most apathetic servers I've had in a very long time. For almost $30 entrees, you expect a little bit more from the person facilitating a meal.
(3)Robert B.
Everything was awesome! Dinner at 745pm. Were very accommodating with my husband's dairy allergy. He had the salmon. I had the steak with garlic mashed and baby broccoli. The food was perfectly cooked. The server was extremely attentive without feeling pushy. She was simply there whenever we needed something. The decor was nice, but not flashy, it felt comfortable to be dressed up or not. I will always eat here when visiting Newburyport.
(5)Clifford A.
One of the best places with great ribs, burgers, salads and a killer vibe. Oh right great tap beer. And expertly shaken cocktails. More of a bar with great food than a booshie gastropub, I can honestly say there is not a bad choice on the menu, although I can't honestly say I ate it all but I certainly intend to at some point. I am still setting goals in life. Only shortfall is lack of any serious super spicy condiments. If you ever want a memorable night, get a table at Loretta about 8:45 on a Saturday when EJ Ouellette and Crazy Maggie are booked and plan on staying till closing time. Doff my cap to Ted Levine, you are making it happen in The Port. THANK YOU.
(5)Kathryn D.
Amazing! We went in here for a light lunch and left satisfied. Great atmosphere, too. Highly recommend the seafood chowder, it was perfect.
(5)H C.
This restaurant should be five stars! Had dinner there last night. Food was excellent and service friendly and efficient. The owner was at the door greeting his customers and following up to make sure everything was perfect. Wine was excellent and priced very low. I had mussels and swordfish with salsa sauce. Don't pass this one up! Herb C
(5)Jeffrey L.
Went here for dinner. Pros: - According to my wife, the mussels appetizer was one of the best dishes she's ever had. Cons: - The chicken breast entree was entirely boring and dry and was not eaten. - The eggplant ravioli was simply ok. - The music is intolerable oldies you've heard 1000 times. No deep cuts here. - The service was bizarre. We couldn't leave because it seemed nearly impossible to get our check.
(2)Joan H.
We spent the afternoon in Newburyport which is a short distance from York, ME where we are vacationing... Walking around town we decided to go to Loretta's for lunch. When we arrived the air conditioner was facing us pouring out cold air I asked the waitress said it was hot but she would try to turn it down... I said it was very cold and uncomfortable she finally did when out meal arrived. I had a chicken salad wrap with cranberries and nuts which was delicious and my husband had a pulled pork sandwich with cabbage salad and fries in which he thought was dry. Husband had a coke and I had a Mimosa with fresh squeezed orange juice... I would go there again!
(4)Yelping W.
As a local I've tried to support this place. The burger is what gets people in but with Lexie's now open a few stores up the road for 1/3 the price and much fresher there is no point. The waitress is too busy gossiping with the regulars and the bartender smells like cigarettes. The owner is nice enough but should be managing his staff better. With classy restaurants like Brine and Ceia next door why anyone would choose to pay lorretas prices is beyond me.
(1)Jim P.
Sooooo good. Crab cake is all crab. Filet mignon entre is OUT OF THIS WORLD!! Very intimate. Awesome. Go!
(5)Ryan B.
Have been here 5 or 6 times for lunch and dinner. Always walk away with a shrug, just so-so. Service and food have been generally fine but never remarkable. Keep trying it because people keep recommending it, but haven't found what the fuss is about. There are much better options in Newburyport.
(3)Philip D.
I have dined here on multiple occasions with mixed results. As mentioned in other reviews, the hamburger and fries are quite good as is the pulled pork. On the other hand, the baby back ribs are, to be candid, dreadful. Even given the low standard of ribs in New England, the ribs here were well below par - fatty, under-marinated and a small portion to boot. Note that Loretta is a very small restaurant, so you may wish to stay clear of it during busy times as the entire place can only accommodate 50-60 guests. The location is in downtown Newburyport, so parking can be difficult at busy times as well. Still, Loretta is a reasonable choice for a casual lunch, but please do stay away from the ribs.
(3)Steven C.
Had a great meal and was worth the few mins wait to get seated. I went with a daily special, the Steak Au Poivre with a peppercorn run, Cabernet Demi glaze and tarragon butter. Sides were garlic mashed and roasted green and yellow string beans. It was excellent in taste, tenderness and a generous 14oz portion. My girlfriend went with two small plates. One was the blue grab cakes and the other was the mussels alagash. Both were generous and very tasty. Her daughter went with the rack of ribs. Again generous portion, cooked perfectly and had a good taste.
(4)Colleen S.
Really great little spot. The first I came in the food was good, but the service not so, the poor young girl got everything wrong, but she did so with a smile as if she hadn't a care in the world. Went back another time with a larger party and the service was much better. This time our waitress was a rock star. She was taking care of the entire place inside and out all while a "hostess" or manager maybe did nothing but seat people. Thankfully our waitress rocked and the food again was great. We will be back.
(4)Jamie M.
Sadly there aren't that many places around that give service that causes people to leave with a wow. From the second I walked in this restaurant was exceptional. Small, quaint place but the food looked mazing, we were greeted by the owner and we were taken care of every step of the way. I can go into detail about the friendliness, aptitude for service, and overall capability to serve a wonderful dining experience, but I will let the five stars do the talking. This place has my highest recommendation and I rarely give that out. Almost never do I post reviews, and almost always they are negative. This is one of he few that inspires to post for greatness of service.
(5)Me B. M.
Good, honest, straightforward food, but nothing special. Friendly staff and inviting, if crowded, atmosphere.
(3)Chad F.
Came here for a business lunch. Was very surprised. I live in the town, and had passed by it several times, but I never went in. Always thought it was one of the up-scale yuppie tourist places that us townies avoid like the plague. But I was pleasantly surprised. Very down to earth feel once you shatter the notion that it *is* a restaurant on the Newburyport State Street strip. The owner has decorated his walls will all sorts of autographed memorabilia, which is really cool. The food prices were pretty good, and they have local beer on tap, which is always a plus in my book! I ended up getting a seafood Po'Boy, which was quite good, and the fries were awesome. Rustic-cut shoestring and were fried to golden perfection. Our server was attentive and very nice. I would gladly turn into a repeat customer.
(5)K M.
Sadly our second experience here was not ideal but the hostess was really great and saved the bad taste in my mouth. We may have to think twice though before returning. Came last weekend for brunch, luckily shortly after they opened and it was busy as it was the last weekend of Homecoming celebration in Newburyport. We'd been here once before in the winter and really enjoyed it, loved the handcut fresh fries and the burger was great. Looks like they added some more to their menu so my husband was eager to try. I asked the waiter his recommendation between the pulled pork sandwich and bbq grilled chicken breast sandwich. He told me both were good choices and he really likes the chicken so I went with that. We also had our year old son with us and asked if we could just get a scrambled egg and homefries for him. It was busy so the wait for the food reflected but not horrible. Waiter came out with the food, husband got the burger and then he had a chicken salad wrap in his hand. I reminded him of what I got and he thought maybe he picked up the wrong plate. He came back a minute later and said "it's going to be a bit longer for your meal, is that ok?" Um, so you messed up my meal after I asked your opinion and now you are asking if its ok that I have to wait for them to cook me my correct order, um I guess, what do you say at that point? Luckily my son got his food and enjoyed his homefries. Husband though ordered the swiss bacon burger medium, with hot peppers on the side. It was well-done, no pink whatsoever and dry. Not very tasty considering they used to have an amazing burger. He was less than thrilled but also upset that the waiter seemed a little unorganized and I had to wait. Also I am pregnant so skipping a meal is not an option. The Hostess finally brought out our meal and was very kind and apologized for the mistake. She then chatted with our son who loves people so was happy and smiling. He ate all his homefries but barely any eggs. She came back out later with a small dish of more homefries for him which we thought was just so sweet of her. He ate a few more and then was good. My sandwich was good but I was very unhappy with our waiter, he was just not on top of things. When the check came he informed they would not charge for my sandwich which I appreciated. But again, if it wasn't for the really nice hostess which was there the first time we came, I would not consider returning at all.
(2)Henry B.
Very good food and service, but much too loud - and I'm from New York City, where noise is standard. The crab cakes, dinner salad and chicken special were superb, but we did not stay for dessert because of the noise.
(3)Michael D.
My wife and I dined here about a month ago for lunch and enjoyed the food but the service was less than stellar. Our waitress seemed to be distracted with something other than her job, We dined here again four days ago with two other couples for an early evening meal and were very happy with everything. We all tried the grilled romaine and would get it again. I had the shrimp scampi which was as good as I've ever had. My wife had crab cakes and said she would not hesitate to get them again. The other couples all had seafood and said they really enjoyed what they ate and would get it again. It wasn't inexpensive but not over the top pricewise either. We will dine here again.
(4)Daniel C.
Another excellent meal at Loretta. I went with my wife and my very hungry 16 year old son. He was in the mood for a good burger, and the "Whatta Burger" did not disappoint. It comes with hand cut fries to rival Five Guys. I ordered the Mushroom Arancini appetizer, which is a pretty magnificent concoction of mushroom flavored risotto served as a big ball fried in a panko crust, sitting on a cheesy sauce. If it sounds rich, it is, and it could have easily sufficed as a full meal at $9.95. But I also ordered Caesar Salad with Seared Salmon, which is not an official menu item but the friendly bartender/waitress (we had to eat at the bar because we had no reservation) had no problem with the special request. The salad part was good, not great, but the salmon was extremely fresh and perfectly cooked and flavored. My wife ordered the house salad and the Caprese Parpadelle, with lots of fresh mozarella and basil. Very good but too much so she took most of it home. I've eaten at Loretta 3 or 4 other times and its hallmark is great food, ample portions, and more moderate prices than many other Newburyport restaurants.
(5)Dean N.
Friendly service makes you glad you came to Lorettas. Food is good, and even traditionally "heavy" foods such as the burgers and ribs aren't greasy. The Loretta House salad is very good, as is the Maple Orange Salmon. You walk out of that place feeling well served from all perspectives.
(4)Jason H.
I went to Loretta in Newburyport, MA as I saw on Yelp that it was a nice lunch spot, and I was looking for a new Friday Lunch Spot. I was lucky to find parking right away. The place is a bit small, but was perfect for lunch for one. I was greeted right away and decided to sit at the bar. I ordered off the daily special menu and started with the corn chowder soup which was excellent. I had their 'Spring Chicken Sandwich' which was very good and tasted very fresh. I actually couldn't finish the whole thing so I took half to eat later. Staff was very friendly and prices were not bad for what tasted like 'scratch' dishes. I plan to go back and try their grass fed burgers!
(4)Sarah C.
Went to Newburyport for day trip and found this cute lunch cafe/resto. I didn't check on Yelp before selecting this place. I like how it is not a place for mainly tourists. A lot of locals dine here as well so it gotta be good. I ordered the crabwich (crab cake serve on a bun) with chips on the side. It was so tasty that I wished i have room for seconds. It was lightly battered, with loads of crab meat. It was difficult to eat because the sauce (alioli sauce?) was dripping all over the place. I had to take 1/3 of it home because it was such a ginormous order. Next time, I will opt for their homemade fries instead of chips.
(4)Nicole B.
The place is tiny. I ordered the burger, which was perfectly seasoned but completely messy, falling all out of the bun. Fries were an additional $1.75 or so, which seems a little ridiculous. My friend had the grilled cheese, and was appropriately warned that it was a very small portion. Overall the food was ok, the service was ok, but I wouldn't make a special trip to be back.
(3)L W.
Had dinner here on a quiet Sunday night on a whim and was very pleased! My husband got the special NY Strip w/ garlic mashed potatoes and broccolini. He loved it! I got the eggplant raviolis - delicious. Beer selection was a little lacking but it seems they are catering to the wine drinking crowd instead which is absolutely fine. We were pleasantly surprised with the quality of our meals! We will certainly be back!
(5)Melissa B.
Terrific spot! I was passing through this area and decided to give this place a try because the outside looked very inviting. Inside, it was a very cozy and energetic environment. We were seated very quickly and had attentive service the entire evening. I enjoyed the pulled pork sandwich and my fiance had the burger. We were very satisfied and would definitely go back again!
(4)Stuart K.
Went back last week. Had the burger once again and it was outstanding. One of the best I have ever had! Better than I remembered!
(5)David L.
Great day to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon with the wife, walking along the boardwalk in Newburyport. We had a nice break from a week of oppressive humidity...it was a slightly overcast day with temps hovering around 75 degrees. We sat outside...my wife had the egg sandwich and gazpacho, and I had the fried oyster po'boy with french fries. Both meals were delicious. I washed down my lunch with a glass of red, and a bloody Mary (w/Ketel One) for the wife. I should also note that our server was very friendly and overall service was great.
(4)Frances K.
Lunch with my daughter. I had the Whatta Burger w/hand-cut fries. The bun had no flavor and fell apart. Otherwise, I was happy with my food. My daughter had the Caprese Sandwich on focaccia with a side of fries and loved it. Service was very efficient. They were busy, but didn't seem overworked. The room is very appealing--wood beams, lots of sports art. They have a big-screen tv, and it was turned off. Yes!!! Our table was wiggly. I've never understood how restaurants could allow that to happen. It's such an easy fix. The best part of the meal was the check. Under $20 for a filling lunch for two.
(4)Cynthia Y.
Me and my husband took a weekend trip to Hampton, NH and decided to spend the afternoon in Newburyport, MA. We didn't have any place in mind for dinner and found Loretta to have a pretty high rating so decided to stop by. First and foremost - make a reservation on a Saturday night! We arrived early (just before 6 pm) and we were able to get a table without a reservation. If we had arrived half an hour later we would've been turned away. The place is very tiny and the host had to turn a couple of patrons away because they had no reservation. Overall, the food was very good! And the host was very hospitable and friendly. I had the grilled swordfish and my husband had the baked chicken. My swordfish was cooked just right and I could also taste the charred part from the grill. The sauce and the Spanish rice that came with it was an added touch, albeit a bit too oily for my taste. I also love the seasonal vegetables that came with it - not overcooked at all. My husband's baked chicken wasn't overcooked like many places tend to do. Price-wise was also reasonable. We've been to places where the prices were higher but the food didn't live up to the price. I do have to say though our server wasn't the least bit friendly and even though she tried to be I think she was probably not too happy to be there. Two couples that came in after us immediately had their orders taken and we waited for about 10 mins longer in which I had to make eye contact with the server who was just standing at the back of the room. However, the good food and good host trumps the less than enthusiastic server. So definitely a place for a recommendation.
(4)The Hungry American E.
My favorite place in Newburyport. Simple. Tasty. And doesn't break the bank. Any body that doesn't give it 4stars it OUT THEIR MIND. Enjoy.
(5)rheinheart b.
Loretta has possibly the most masterfully executed $15 entrees I've ever had. Frenched chicken outstanding, as was the fresh pasta and the sauce in the caprese pappardelle.
(5)Jamie E.
Pretty sure we were discriminated against this evening bc we had children with us. We left Boston in the hopes of finding a good place for dinner. Our son has allergies and therefore the typical fast food, chain grab and go doesn't work for us. Out kids have been brought up going out to eat and are extremely well behaved. (I find it ridiculous that I am even trying to justify why this host told us there were tables when there was clearly 4/5 open and didn't even offer to put us on a wait list.) we discovered Newburyport based solely on the fact that we were headed to this restaurant bc of the info on yelp. Anyways, after 45 min wait we needed up at Oregano and had a fabulous meal.
(1)Anastasia B.
We were looking for a nice place to celebrate my mother's 60th birthday as a family today (Saturday night), with 5 adults, 3 kids and an 18 month old baby. I read reviews virtually for every restaurant in Newburyport and decided to settle on Loretta despite the small amount of room and that it isn't really great for a party of our size. We made a reservation the night before and were assured that they can accommodate us for 4 pm. What I didn't know is that they actually serve dinner starting at 5, not 4. So even though we were there at 4 and our table was waiting for us, only the lunch menu was available - makes sense. That was sort of my fault, I should have asked what time they serve dinner. At that time there were only about 2 to 3 tables occupied and they said it's fine if we go take a walk with the kids and the table will be waiting for us, which worked out well since the rest of our party arrived half an hour later. We explored the waterfront and it was a gorgeous day. We came back just ten of five o'clock and were greeted again. We ordered the salmon and ribs (2 of each), butternut squash soup, spinach salad. All the food came out at about the same time in 20-25 minutes, which is very reasonable. Around this time most tables were taken and it got pretty busy. The food was phenomenal, easily the best salmon I've ever had at a restaurant or at home. I'm not into spicy food, but the sauce on the salmon was just spicy enough not to overwhelm my taste buds and I nearly licked the plate clean. I tried the ribs my husband ordered and they were great as well. Tried a spoonful of the soup my sister ordered and it was absolutely delicious, something that would be perfect for a fall day yet it even went well with the 70 degree summer weather. For dessert we had creme brulee, it was perfect. Now, my review is for the service, the food, and overall quality of this restaurant - that's 5 stars in my book. I didn't take off a star for it being small because I feel that wouldn't be fair. Don't judge it by its size! It's cozy and I actually prefer that to larger restaurants, it feels like a large dining room of someone's home. Very personal I would say and the excellent service just adds to that. I even had a chance to chat a little with the owner as I was in and out with my 18 month old and didn't want him to disturb other patrons when he got cranky. The owner is a very nice gentleman and he is very much engaged in the quality of service at the restaurant. Moreover the waitress we had was very accommodating toward my toddler, she even brought some oyster crackers to keep him munching when he got a little restless while waiting for the food. We didn't get any condescending looks when my toddler spilled a glass of water. He was sitting in my mom's lap and before I even said anything to the waitress she was already right there with a cloth cleaning it up - with a smile! We do not dine out much, only a few times a year. But I've been to quite a few nice restaurants in the Boston area and North Shore and this is easily one of the best. I was actually a little surprised by the reasonable prices, they are great for the portion size you get, generous. It's not a place you'll leave hungry. I would consider coming back to Loretta's probably for lunch if we are with [younger] kids or for dinner if it's just my husband and I. I really want to come back to try the grassfed burger. As a family with small children, I would consider getting take out at Loretta and then just having a picnic on the waterfront lawn near the docks. I highly recommend it!
(5)L S.
Months after I posted my review for Loretta, I ended up going back with a friend. The service was excellent, the food was really great and I felt like they redeemed themselves! The owner let us in for dinner even though it was pretty close to closing time. I have since dined here several times and it is my favourite place for take-out in Newburyport. I love the Salmon!!! Their sweet potato mash is also excellent but what I would absolutely kill for... their Moroccan Carrot Stew. Holy Mama! Thank you for the changes you have made! Highly recommend dining at Loretta! The staff is so friendly and the food makes all right with the world!
(5)Jenny W.
This was such a disappointing experience! We scooped out places to eat on yelp to eat after running a half marathon in Newburyport today. Based on the reviews this place looked fantastic and my friend and I were excited to get a burger and fries after out race. After ordering and getting our drinks the waitress comes over and let's us know they are out of fries. Yea it is not even 2pm and apparently the restaurant is out of potatoes? We are super annoyed but stay and then see every single person get fries after we place our order (including a table that is served food after us). The waitress tells us she can give us home fries (pretty sure they are made with potatoes) which we get with our burgers which we hope live up to the yelp reviews. My burger is super thick and rare even though i ordered medium well and the potatoes are cold. I choke down half the burger and leave the potatoes. If you look at my yelp reviews you can see I'm not the pickiest eater and this place was such a let down.
(2)Billy W.
Great place! Sat at the bar and had wonderful drinks served by their bartender Michael. He made the night, extremely knowledgeable about the food, drinks, attractions in the area, and he let us stay as long as we wanted without feeling rushed. Michael suggested the Filet which was a perfect price, juicy, delicious, and perfectly cooked. Great atmosphere, nice folks, and dinner was great! Will be back the next time we go to Plum Island!
(5)Alex M.
We had a really delicious lunch here. The interior is simple and nice. The seafood sandwiches (loretta roll and fried crab with dill-aioli) were both great (though to be fair we were starving). Fair prices.
(5)Ali K.
I just love this place. It's quaint and welcoming inside, with friendly service and delicious food. We've been a few times and I've had excellent meals every time. On our last visit, my husband and I came (along with my parents) to celebrate our anniversary. Halfway into our meal, a man, who I believe is the owner, came over to check on how everything was... we were all chatting and we mentioned how much we love the restaurant and how we were there to celebrate our anniversary. A few moments later he left and returned with a champagne for the 4 of us and joined us in a toast. Along with the top notch food, that's the kind of warm and welcoming environment that he has created at Loretta and why we will continue to go there as our go-to for a great meal out in Newburyport.
(5)Grace W.
the pulled pork sliders were dry and the po boy sandwhich (fried oysters) left my boyfriend and i a fishy aftertaste. would not give this place a 4 star rating, the menu choices was nothing impressive either..
(1)Dan F.
I'm going to start by saying that if I we're going to include the size of the restaurant, I might give this a four star simply because it's usually very crowded and getting a table can be hit or miss. However, there is a reason it's crowded. Pros (abound): -Great service, the owner is there pretty much all the time if not all the time. He's a great guy. He is usually the host so you're often sat by him and he's good at guessing how long it will take for a table to open up. The wait staff are also professional but friendly people. -Everything my wife or I has had here in the several times that we have gone, has been absolutely superb. They offer a pretty good range of foods despite the small size of the restaurant. They have some New England dishes, Cajun/Bayou dishes, good BBQ, some Italian inspired stuff here and there, but in general just all around great American cuisine. -One of the best burgers I have ever had in my entire life. So simple. So good. I am picky about burgers because I make really good burgers (yeah yeah I know, how do you know? just trust me and if you're in Newburyport I'll even make you one). Loretta uses fresh beef, and cooks the burger to perfection every time. Nothing fancy here, just really juicy and flavorful. -The pulled pork is really good. I wish they had a carolina spicy vinegar sauce to go over it as well as their home made barbecue sauce which is more of a traditional triple S (sweet smokey spicy) style sauce, but it's still great. Give it a try. -French fries OMFG. The fries are amazing. I think they're cooked in peanut oil but don't take my word for. They rival Five Guys in this department. -Did I mention everyone here is really nice? It has a real family feel. -Full bar (small, but full). Cons: -Small (but not including this in the review), so make a reservation for a particularly large group (not sure if they do that, but hey they seem accommodating). I wouldn't go with more than 4 and you may be bumping elbows even then, but don't let it scare you off. -If you get a loud customer at a table near you, it can be pretty overbearing, but usually its not and its never awkwardly quiet either which is a good thing. Whoever that loud customer was, I hope he reads this and thinks, oh maybe that was me and I should shut my big mouth once in a while. -I ordered a Side Car at the bar one evening and the bartender didn't know what it was. This is such a minor thing, I'm trying to nitpick to find anything wrong with this place. He's a really nice guy, and he'd probably made one but just couldn't remember, it was also a really busy night. So I told him how to make it and it came out decently. It's one of the six drinks every bartender should know (I've done a bit of bar tending), oh and they left the spinach and artichoke dip in the oven a wee too long last time. But those are seriously the only things I've ever noticed that we're not absolutely perfect here. Come try it out and if you really can't get a table, its not as if there aren't a million other places to go.
(5)Terri Lee S.
Food and service were great. Loved chatting with the owner. My Asian Pear cocktail was excellent. The prices were great for the quality and amount of food. Would have given it 4 stars if it wasn't for the heat in the place. We were there on a very muggy night but the excessive heat and poor ventlation turned what should have be a nice relaxing meal into a "lets hurry up and get out of here meal." It effected our ability to enjoy our meals and made us leave to find a cooler place for dessert and more drinks. We'll go back again but not until winter.
(3)Vanessa V.
Yum! Had a really great lunch here. We were looking at the menu for Fowle's and M mentioned that he wanted a humane burger. I rolled my eyes and said I didn't want to spend $40 on some fancy farm-to-table lunch. But lo and behold, the next restaurant we walk by has just that on the menu for $8! We were sold. We were seated by the window and enjoyed one of the best lunches we've had in awhile. I had a caesar salad, which was super fresh and tasty, and not too heavy. M had the burger, of course, and added fries for an extra $1.75. They were amazing... I wish we'd ordered an entire side of them. The waitstaff were pleasant, ambiance was relaxed yet upscale, and somehow the lunch still came in at under $20! I have to say, the only downside was that the menu was very limited. Other than the salads, there was only one vegetarian option. This will probably be the deciding factor in whether we come back again... however I feel like I'm going to get dragged back whether I want a salad for lunch or not.
(4)Dan S.
Loretta was great, but there were two problems that keep it at 4 (vs. 5) stars. We showed up at 6:35 for our 6:30 reservation, and the host (owner?) was really apologetic, but said that they had a mixup with some reservations, and it would be a little while before they could seat us. He was genuinely sorry, and comped us for a few drinks at the bar while we waited for the table which was really generous. But it was still kind of a pain because we had the reservation and were looking to get out of there fairly quickly (overall, the delay was about 20-30 minutes). The other minor complaint is that it was pretty warm in the restaurant, and it might have been a little nicer overall if they pumped up some AC. But everything else there was extremely positive. All of the staff was super friendly and everyone in the restaurant appeared to be having a great time (it looked like most of the people were regulars). The food was also really good. We had the salmon and swordfish for main courses, and everything else that we saw passing by our table looked delicious as well. Would have loved to try some dessert, but we were too stuffed to eat anything else after the meal. The prices were also very reasonable, especially considering the quality of the place. I definitely recommend going here, and if I'm back in Newburyport, I'll be back for another meal.
(4)Crash E.
I just got back from Mayor Donna Holaday's re-election kick-off party. The food was "light fare" catered by Kip and Ted from Loretta. The tortellini was over-cooked to a mushy paste. The rice was watery and flavorless. The salad was nothing to write home about. I didn't try the etouffe--it looked like chopped up, watery stewed tomatoes. The rolls were cold and should have been thrown out two days ago, they were that stale and lacking in flavor. Ted was, as at the restaurant, walking around led by his overly pregnant belly with that dull, glazed look reminiscent of Moose in the Archie comic books. Seeing him made me want to leave immediately, but the music (Beatlejuice) was excellent, the desserts were from other places, and I didn't want to slight Donna Holaday. You have been warned--DO NOT use Loretta to cater your event.
(1)Rachael K.
This is my favorite restaurant in town! They have the BEST fries and make you feel right at home. :)
(5)Rich B.
Have gone back and tried other dishes. Incredibly delicious. If you are in Newburyport and do not treat yourself to a meal at Loretta, you are missing out big time. The Crawfish Etouffee is certainly another dish you won't find on a normal menu and it is fantastic.
(5)Dan G.
My wife & I stopped in Newburyport last night for dinner, after being turned away from a couple of places (no seats) we popped into Loretta. Small place, real small but Ted (the infamous owner based on other reviews) said he could seat us. Did I mention it was small? I think my family room is bigger, but I'm more into the food than ambiance. Our waiter Michael made sure we had all our needs met. Limited menu but my wife had the Steak and I went for the Crawfish something. OMG - the food was absolutly amazing!! Unlike other places there was no skimping on what was important in that department. My meal wasn't a pile of rice and a scoop of the main part - it was a nice 50/50 mix. My wife raved about her dinner. After reading the reviews on here I decided I had to go for teh Bread Pudding - and it was everything it was said to be. Like Cynthia we arrived @ 5:00 on a Sat night and were able to get a table, I could see the arrivals just kept on coming. On a cold winter evening it could be tough to wait but if you want the best food I'd say wait for it.
(4)Jess L.
Decided to try Loretta on a random Wednesday night stopping by Newburyport to meet a friend on my way back to Boston. Having grown up in Newburyport I'm always interested in trying the new restaurants that have popped up among the old local familiars. The food was really good and the staff was incredibly welcoming and accommodating. The host, Ted (whom I've just read is the owner and GM) greeted us right away and seeing my hesitation looking at the menu asked if we were looking for anything in particular. I explained that I was vegetarian and he immediately said that he would speak to the chef to create a dish just for me. I didn't want anyone to go out of their way but he insisted that it wasn't a problem. So with that we took a table and an ordering fury began: Bowl of Butternut Squash Soup: good but probably my least favorite Sweet Potato Fries: These were more like thick cut chunks of sweet potato, different than any other fries I have had. Served with two dipping sauces-a gorgonzola and a roasted red pepper. Unreal. Grilled Romaine Salad: Amazing! Perfect balance of flavors; the bermuda onion jam with the gorgonzola was perfect. Side of grilled chicken for my carnivore friend. Spinach and Artichoke Dip: So rich, but sooo good with giant pita crisps to dip in it. My Vegetarian Special: Handmade spring rolls over jasmine rice with tri-colored baby carrots and a soy sauce reduction ( At this point we were full already, but plowed through it because it was delicious, fresh and very light even with the rice). Oh and the warm herb bread rolls they served were ridiculously good. All in all I very much enjoyed Loretta. It's a casual and intimate dining experience, with upscale service. The menu items seem like they could be on any American style menu, but they are done tastefully and artfully, making the food well above average. We were stunned when we got the bill (all of that food, plus a burger to go, a glass of wine, and a martini) because it was so low for all that we got! Great place with a warm, inviting atmosphere, top-notch service, good food, and moderately priced. A great addition to Newburyport's State Street.
(4)Grandpa B.
Last Sunday we happened to be in Newburyport later in the morning. Loretta opens at 11AM. This place is worth waiting for late breakfast, or for lunch. Food is great. It is a little trendy but well done. Service is very good. Coffee is great and really holds its flavor as iced coffee. I got the Drunken French Toast, consists of toasted baguette, pecans maple/bourbon syrup, and bowl of fresh fruit. It was a really testy breakfast. Grandma had the Catfish taco and said it was delicious. This is a great little place and we will definitely go again.
(4)Frank B.
I had such high hopes..when I heard there was another option for Cajun/Creole food nearer by I could not wait. What made me look forward to trying them was that when we called to confirm that they were having their "Fat Tuesday" menu they put the chef on the phone to say what the menu for that night was for that night. We had no problem getting a table,service was pleasant but a little detached. Not much of a beer selection,but sufficient. For starters we ordered the fries and I had the gumbo, both were very good. The gumbo was spicy and full of flavor. Fries also rated a thumbs up. For main course we ordered the shrimp and grits and catfish . The shrimp was cooked fine as was the grits but was not a big fan of the gravy.. it's all just personal preference. My wife had the catfish which was crusted with mustard. The catfish was perfect but the mustard was overpowering. To end the meal we tried the Bourbon bread pudding, this was very good and would recommend. Overall there is potential and hope they continue "Fat Tuesday" menu. Would like to give it another chance..
(3)Michael G.
Very interesting menu, nice pub atmosphere, friendly owner, and very tasty food. Quite reasonable and very worth it!
(5)Christina M.
Loretta is amazing food is delicious and consistent. Friendly staff. Prices are so reasonable. I love this place I feel right at home here. You always have one of those meals that you never want to end.
(5)pat m.
We went here for my birthday last nite and had a really wonderful dinner. Three of us ordered the special, which was a brined pork chop with sage, trumpet mushromms and prosciutto. I was on the fence because I love their filet, but wasn't disappointed at all. Now I have two favorites. The other two of our group ordered the filet, always a good choice, and the shrimp scampi over angel hair. They were both happy with their food. I should mention that the menu is small, but my husband and I have never been disappointed with anything we have ordered. Their food is well planned out, Meats are of highest quality and cooked to perfection and the veggies and sides are very good, ie asparagus is cooked just right, not soggy and not raw either, just yummy! Ted, the owner and manager, got us a really nice table and was very accommodating. Service was also great and the waitress was knowledgeable about the menu and wine list. Thanks for a nice Birthday and a great dinner~
(5)Brian H.
Had an impromptu meal here recently. Good, not great. My pasta dish tasted fine, but the "sauce" or whatever was so thin, wish it had a little more body to it. Ribs really good though.
(3)Carly C.
I've dined at Loretta a handful of times, always for lunch, with either a few friends or family. The first time I ate here, I got the fried catfish tacos for lunch with a few friends. We were one of two tables in the restaurant at the time and our service was quite good, though nothing particularly outstanding. The tacos were served with far too large of a tortilla for the amount of fish and other stuffings inside (greens/salsa/etc). It wasn't an outstanding lunch, but it wasn't terrible either. My latest experience was what drove me to write this review. I stopped in with my mom to grab a quick bite before heading back to the city. We were first greeted by a very friendly waitress and told to pick any table we wished. We sat ourselves and were handed menus by a different, completely unenthusiastic and rather rude waitress. We ordered water to start before looking over the menu. I settled on getting the "Crabwich" since I'm a big fan of crab cakes and generally I've found restaurants in Newburyport to have rather good ones. Huge mistake. When I finally received my sandwich, it was about 75% bread, 15% salad greens, and only 10% "crabcake" which was hugely disappointing. After peeling off the top of the (unevenly sliced) roll, I decided to deal with what was given, hoping the crab would make up for it. The crabcake was hardly a cake, but rather slightly browned crabmeat (on one side, the other side was hardly cooked at all) and immediately fell apart. It seemed much more like plain crab slopped onto the bun and deemed a crabcake than anything else. The waitress stopped to ask how the food was, again entirely unenthusiastically, and after pointing out how unpleased we were with the sandwich, she offered different bread to go with it, only after beginning to walk away from our table and turning back to ask that as if out of obligation rather than actually caring. I declined since I was in a rush to catch a train within the hour and I had no desire to have a different sandwich or even a different meal made up. For a sandwich costing around $12, you'd think there would be an actual crabcake, or at least serve it on a roll where the meal wouldn't be 75% bread. My mom ordered a grilled chicken wrap which she didn't really complain about, but it wasn't really anything special either. Again, the majority of the sandwich seemed to be the wrap rather than the actual contents of the sandwich. I also think it's a bit absurd to charge nearly two dollars extra for french fries rather than the chips they give you, many of which seemed crushed or fragmented as if they're from the bottom of a bag. I will say that the highlight of our meals were our bloody marys which were quite good. After an initial dining experience that wasn't all that stellar and this altogether unenjoyable experience, I don't plan on revisiting Loretta in the future.
(2)Steve A.
Good burger, other dishes not so good. Ive gone a few times to give it a fair shake. Not likely to go back Would be a two star if not for the burger. Tables to close together.
(3)d d.
I'm half way through my lunch from Loretta and had to pause to sing its praises on the yelp. The reason? Quite simply, it tastes like food. I've all but given up on lunch meat because it usually tastes gross - like plastic or processing or flavoring. Odd though it may seem, I want to eat turkey that tastes like turkey. And this here turkey club tastes like turkey! It also tastes like bacon (not just fried crispy salt, but bacon), and avocado, and beans, and lettuce. You can actually taste the lettuce, it's not just a pretty filler. It is one of the most enjoyable wraps I have ever eaten. They're open until 12 every night, and since we're night owls I'm grateful to have another local option for late dinners. The prices are reasonable, and I'm pretty sure my takeout container is recyclable (or at least biodegradable). I look forward to becoming a regular.
(5)Bonni S.
Quality for our meal has never been disappointing! Live in Nashua NH will come here throughout the year, the quality is the same! Reasonable prices, great service, We would highly recommend !!!
(5)Eunice R.
It's a cute place for lunch with a nice atmosphere and solid food. I had a salad and the daily soup both of which were savory and yummy. My only complaint is that it's a tad bit cramped, so I wouldn't go during popular hours.
(4)Sara L.
Take out from Loretta tonight. i had been craving the pulled Pork since my husband got it a couple of months ago. Salad was good- sized and fresh. Listened to my request to omit the peppers ( most don't ). We both had the pulled pork sandwich. It was fabulous ! Plenty of yummy salty fries along side. The prices are great too!
(4)Nora S.
My Mom suggested this tiny jewel for my birthday lunch and it did not disappoint! I had a daily special salad with steak that was perfection. The food was great an no one got uptight when my two-year old was more interested in watching people on the street than eating his lunch. My whole party (5 adults) had a fantastic lunch. The staff was attentive and the crowd was friendly. I highly recommend!
(5)Ellen S.
One of my go-tos...love to walk down to Loretta for a lazy weekend lunch. As people have said it is small so it's pretty hard to get a table at dinner time but it's always a homerun for lunch...amazing burgers, pulled pork, salads etc. Their poached pear and gorgonzola salad is possibly my favorite lunch in nbpt. Service can be a little slow but the owner is almost always there and always greets you and makes sure your meal is good--always like to see that.
(4)Anna G.
This restaurant started out well, and it has a nice atmosphere and very friendly owner and bar staff. But on my last four visits, they were out whatever it was I ordered. On the very last visit, they were even out of the soup of the night, and we visited pretty early in the evening. I understand that no owner wants waste, but don't publish a menu if you don't plan on maintaining at least most of the items on there. I doubt I would try it again--it's too much trouble to find substitutions and/or put your coat on to go find another restaurant. Sorry!
(3)Diana K.
This was our first visit to Loretta's but we've had the pleasure of consuming many great lunches by Dana (the chef) who was previously the proprietor of Raspberries in Andover, MA. We arrived a little before 5 PM on a Sunday and were seated immediately. Luckily, we caught Dana near the end of his work day and he treated us to their delicious hand cut fries. We shared a house salad which was a perfect size for sharing as an appetizer. My husband ordered the Whataburger with the hand cut fries and me, one of the Sunday specials .... Nonny's Gravy (al dente bow tie pasta with homemade red sauce filled with meatballs, sausage and chicken). Both were absolutely filling, cooked to perfection and very tasty. We were filled to the gills but couldn't resist dessert. We shared the apple pie a la mode. The apple pie was filled with big chunks of apples and the crust was just right. The guests seated around us raved about the smoked haddock chowder which I can't wait to try the next time we're in area. The next time you're in Newburyport, we highly suggest that you dine at Loretta's. Their prices are VERY reasonable given the quality and quantitiy of their faire.
(5)Iam T.
Good quality food at very reasonable prices. Downtown Newburyport location, a little small and sometimes noisy, but very clean and pleasant inside. Menu specials change frequently which add to the interest of the menu. The smoked items were really good!
(4)Linda M.
We walked in on a busy Saturday night and were not turned away. The owner had us wait outside for a short time until a table opened and we sat down to a great meal. We had the PEI mussel appetizer which was really, really good. We also enjoyed the crawfish etouffee and the brisket with mashed potatoes. The wait staff was excellent and we will definitely go back.
(5)Robert B.
Wow spent a couple of days on Plum Island (great place) but the real surprise and jewel in the area could be Loretta's in Newburyport. Had dinner there on Caribbean theme night: I had the Sea bass with a mango salsa, fabulous; my wife had the Jambalaya, terrific; lobster bisque was great and the Bread pudding dessert; NJ Shore forgettaboutit (outstanding). Lisa the bartender made my wife a pinneapple infused vodka mango martini, she was mentally transported to the islands (ridiculous) Went back for lunch 2 days later, pulled pork sandwich and my wife had a burger all excellent. Loretta's the best way to describe it is a fun, relaxed, comfortable, very friendly enjoyable place to dine. They have great imaginable food that is EXTREMELY reasonably priced and the quality makes it a helluva a value. Good size portions and after the meal and you say goodbye to the owner and he thanks you for coming, think his name was Ted you feel good and know that it's a place that you will definitely come back to. Gotta go to Loretta's when you're in Newburyport, give it a shot and you'll want to go back for more. BB
(5)Karla D.
Great food!! you can tell everything is fresh and the owner and employees are very accommodating. Love going here for lunch!
(5)T L.
Unfortunately I wish I could provide a better review. It had potential, however we left disappointed. We came by Loretta looking for a good brunch. The Mimosa was fantastic made with fresh squeezed Orange Juice. The Lobster Eggs Benedict caught my Fiancé and my eye, so we both ordered it. Here is where the problems start. The server brought out our plates and the first thing we noticed was the eggs were not poached. They were so overcooked, in fact, that the yolk had the consistency of a hard boiled egg and one plate had the asparagus on the English Muffin, while the other did not. At this point I tell the waitress of the situation. She returns to the kitchen, comes back out and tries to inform us that the "asparagus is under the egg". No kidding? I was looking for it because I saw that's where it was located on my fiancée's dish! At this point she recognizes that I don't have the asparagus and tries to remedy the situation by "bringing me a new serving". She takes my plate to the kitchen. 5 min later SHE RETURNS WITH THE SAME plate and a plate of asparagus, and a poached egg with Hollandaise sauce on it. Look, I know it stinks to work on Sunday mornings, but it was apparent that the chef was arguing with the waitress about being called on the cooking error and then instead of correcting it, being lazy and not remedying the issue. At $13.95 a plate you would expect what u pay for. Unfortunately this was not the case. I did get to watch my fiancé eat her meal, while I waited to have mine corrected. To the chef, have some pride in your work or you will be looking for a new employer soon with the way you handle things.
(1)S C.
First time - in for a late lunch. Nice decor, good atmosphere. My Cuban was a (two) handful - well made and super fresh. The fries as advertised were home cut - piping hot with the right amount of sea salt. For newburyport where most restaurants are 'ok' but charge Boston prices, I thought Loretta was a cut above. I'll be back ...l
(4)Shawn P.
We have visited twice. The first time they were not able to give us a table even though we had a reservation, so we left and chalked it up to new ownership. The second time we were seated promptly with our reservation. The prices are reasonable, but the service and food is subpar. It took 40 minutes for our meal to be served. The chicken was charred on the outside and pink in the middle and the pulled pork sandwich was so greasy that the bread was soggy. Ran out of water, couldn't get any ketchup....kind of a let down.
(2)Beach Girl M.
There are not many places you can visit and expect a warm hello from the owner each time welcoming you into his restaurant. this attitude is followed in service as well. The staff is warm, helpful and attentive. have really enjoyed all the dishes we have tried here. LOOOOve the gumbo, grits and other Southern dishes The prices kick butt! It is one of the only places in town where you can get a great meal and a decent price with excellent service. Hats off to Lorettas. It's great to have a place like this in town.
(4)Jamie B.
My wife and I wanted to find a place in Newburyport where we could eat outside on a beautiful summer Saturday evening, so we made an 8 o'clock reservation (recommended). We walked by at 7:30 and noticed one of the two outdoor tables was available, so we went in early and asked if we could grab that spot. The host was very friendly and welcoming, and happy to accommodate our request. We were off to a good start. We ordered off the wine list (moderate selection, $8-$12 per glass) and enjoyed the beautiful summer sky. The outdoor tables sit right on the sidewalk, with only a line of plants separating us from the pedestrians. My wife ordered the striped bass special, and I ordered the pan seared salmon. I give kudos to our waitress who was not only very friendly but also let me know that the sauce had red pepper flakes and was quite spicy, even though that wasn't mentioned in the menu. Both fish dishes were perfectly cooked, very moist and tasty. The inside of the restaurant was packed right up until about 8pm, when more tables started to open up. We were very happy with our experience, and would gladly recommend this to others.
(4)Pamela M.
I visited this place for the first time tonight, and it was fabulous. When my friends and I stopped in, the place was full, and we almost decided to go to another place. The owner greeted us right as we walked in. He understood that we might not have wanted to wait for a table to open up, and kindly told us about other places nearby that we could go to, but we noticed some open seats at the bar so we decided to have a drink while we waited for a table to open up. I'm so glad we did. The owner is a total sweetheart. He was so nice and was happy that we decided to stay. After a little bit we got a table, and everything was wonderful. Their service is great, their drinks are tasty, and their food is absolutely delicious. I'm so glad that we decided to go there tonight. What a great place. The owner clearly takes pride in what he does, and it shows. I'm definitely looking forward to visiting again soon!
(5)K. E.
Great little spot in a beautiful town. We were seated right away on a nice Sunday afternoon. I guess we had just missed the brunch rush. Lucky for us! The Caprese sandwich was solid and the crab cake sandwich was great (piping hot and very generously portioned). Great fries, too. It's a small place, so you might hear more of your neighbors' conversations than you want.
(4)Kell B.
This is one of our favorite restaurants and I wanted to post a update. We go here pretty regularly a few times a month. The food is always delicious and of excellent quality. The service is amazing, and were at a point where most of the staff remembers our orders. Everything I have had here is great and highly recommend this restaurant to all my friends and family!
(5)Kimberly B.
Been to Loretta's several times. Its right in the heart of State Street. Always well-prepared food, fair prices and a cozy, yet lively atmosphere. The menu is small, but satisfying. Big menus just overwhelm me! The ribs are selfish. They have a dark, Asian (??) sauce that comes with that makes them phenomenal. I had a special soup of parsnip and apple that arrived not amd just the right amount of creamy/chunky. Very earthy, not salty amd wonderful. My Mom amd sister declared their shrimp scampi the best they've had. As others have me toned, the owner was most apologetic and pleasant about the slightly late seating on the reservation. Our waitress was very nice and good. Dependably great meal here.
(4)Stephen C.
Nice little joint. Good location and comfortable atmosphere. I got a turkey sandwich to go. It had a tasty cranberry chutney and had thick real slices of roasted turkey. No deli stuff here.
(4)Salty S.
Delicious! Went for a late dinner on a weekday evening. The atmosphere was cozy, the service was very friendly and attentive, and the food was fantastic. We ordered the mussel appetizer which included big fresh mussels, the whatta burger and pulled pork sandwiches- all were delicious. Staff was very helpful and friendly. We will definitely go back! Have been back twice since the first post- Loretta's continues to be fantastic! Last visit we had a large party of 8 which they accommodated very skillfully given the small space. Food was delicious, and the service was exceptional (I don't remember her name, but she made the night! Thank you!).
(5)Thomas N.
dinner recently, we have been here (the site) several times before as it keeps changing, hopefully loretta will stay a while, small place with a small bar in the rear and limited outside seating, service was excellent, the loretta burger one of the best i have had and wife's pistachio crusted port tenderloin was also excellent, drinks were good and as ordered...what's not to like??
(5)Celia F.
We have been to Loretta's more then a half dozen times within the last 6 months and we have never had a dissatisfying meal yet. From the moment you walk in you are greeted with a warm welcome and quick service. Tim, the owner, is always ready to make your dining experience as pleasurable as possible. The first time we ate here he even rearranged the tables to make room for our baby stroller...now that is service! Now let's talk about the food, I'm with Jack F; if we lived in Newburyport we too would sell our stove. Their Haddock chowder is to die for, I could not stop eating their chicken gambo, and their WhattaBurger just melts in your mouth... no joke it's the best burger I have eaten and my partner and I consider ourselves big time food snobs. Loretta's is totally worth the hour drive from Boston.
(5)