North Shore Restaurants
Mediterranean
Yella, Andover
Standout Qualities: Local provisions meet Lebanese preparations—Yella partners with everyone from Boston Hill Farm in North Andover to Dolce Freddo in Newburyport.
What’s Unique: Visit for “Appy Hour” Tuesday through Thursday from 3:45 to 5:45 p.m. for buy one, get one half price apps. Get apps like the Mediterranean Mezza Platter with minted lamb meatballs, grape leaves, spring rolls, minted crushed potato, falafel, and baba ghanoush.
16 Post Office Ave., Andover, 978-749-0011, yellagrille.com
Mexican
Howling Wolf Taqueria, Salem
Philosophy: Freshness, flavor, and value. This trio of taquerias around the North Shore is focused on using high-quality ingredients for its scratch-made Mexican goodness while keeping prices low.
Insider Tip: The Salem location offers a wide selection of craft beers, as well as beer cocktails.
76 Lafayette St., Salem, 978-744-WOLF (9653); The Crossroads, 550 Turnpike St., North Andover, 978-208-1701; 87 Pleasant St., Marblehead, 781-990-1866, howlingwolftaqueria.com
Mussels
Sea Level Oyster Bar, Salem
Standout Qualities: A choice of three sauces: smoked tomato, provençal, or seafood bisque. We like the light smoked tomato broth.
Insider Tip: Order a side of fries to dip in the broth.
Fun Fact: Servers’ t-shirts have cheeky expressions like “Wanna see my mussels?”
94 Wharf St., Salem, 978-741-0555, sealeveloysterbar.com
Oysters
Island Creek Oyster Bar, Burlington
Standout Qualities: ICOB has access to the best from their own farms, as well as unique small-allocation bivalves from far-flung parts of the world.
Fun Fact: The Burlington location sells about 2,000 oysters a day.
300 District Ave., Burlington, 781-761-6500, islandcreekoysterbar.com
Reader’ Choice
Brine, Newburyport
Insider Tip: Until Columbus Day, the restaurant offers buck-a-shuck oysters on Thursdays from 9 to 11 p.m.
25 State St., Newburyport, 978-358-8479, brineoyster.com
Runner Up
Keep Reading Our North Shore’s Best Restaurants to see the Best Pizza!