Village - Essex

If you want to reserve a table and not be hassled by the lines at Woodman’s, this is a good option in the Essex area (near Crane Beach). This place is good for fried clams, fish dishes and lobster roll. For fried clams we prefer the strips not the belly. The baked Atlantic trio of scallop, shrimp, and haddock was delicious. Their Lobster roll version is the one with the bread toasted and barely there mayo. Just the way I like it. Very meaty and satisfying. Skip the chowder. It’s very thin and soupy. Not the best representative of New England chowder. Excellent service! Easy to park. Lots of indoor and outdoor seating.

I have eaten at this Cape Ann staple several times over many years and have never been disappointed. Located in the town that is birthplace of the fried clam, this restaurant stands out. The clams come in a variety of sizes (roll, appetizer, small and large diners with sides) are light, plumb, tender juicy. While the tourists line up to place their order at a window in one of the famous clam shacks in town, locals bypass the crowds and head to the comfort of this full-service restaurant. In addition to the best fried clams on the North Shore, the Village also offers a variety of fried and baked seafood as well as sandwiches and several tasty appetizers. Lobster is available in a roll, steamed or baked stuffed. The twin lobsters are a great deal if you are hungry and in the mood. The full bar offers creative and favorable drinks. I have always found the staff to be friendly and efficient. Finally, the prices are reasonable. This is not a tourist trap. This is a laid-back place frequented mostly by locals (it is admittedly an older crowd, but children are welcome too).

Ordered drinks. Ordered dinner right away. Waitress was excellent. She came and apologized once as it was extremely delayed. Waited longer while watching many others who came in afterwards get their appetizers while we were still waiting for our meals. Meals were nothing special that would cause delays. We waited longer then waitress came over and what we we thought maybe manager although she did not say who she was, but told us it would another 10 minutes. We asked for the bill for drinks and paid. This is certainly not the village of old or the quality and customer service that had in past. Normally would always rave about the food and send people who were looking for great seafood and atmosphere. Will no longer recommend..

Packed restaurant with a really good manu. Loved the atmosphere and seating arrangements. It was pouring rain on a Sunday but it was packed to the brim. Gotta have patience to have your meal served.

Love Essex, the seafood restaurants and the area! We 've gone to other places in the same area and have never been disappointed.But the food here was awful, so bland and just overall weird. I got the fish stew which was a bunch of chunky vegetables and tiny pieces of what looked like cod? One of the worst soups I 've ever had lol.My family all got fish chips, none of them liked it. Service was ok, no complaints except for being double charged for one item. Maybe an off day, but yeah everything was pretty bad unfortunately.