North Shore Restaurants
Pizza
Bambolina, Salem
Insider Tip: If it sounds a little weird, order it. This North Shore Restaurant features a truffled egg and cauliflower pie. Its amazing. It’s only one of the reasons why they’ve made our best restaurants list.
Fun Fact: Just three seconds can mean the difference between perfectly charred and burned in the restaurant’s wood-fired oven.
288 Derby St., Salem, 978-594-8709, bambolinarestaurant.com
Power Lunch
The Bancroft, Burlington
Standout Qualities: A variety of intimate seating arrangements with a modern flair can suit anything from sensitive negotiations to a casual get-to-know-you meal.
Insider Tip: The Coravin wine list enables tastes of bucket-list tipples. Impress your companion by ordering a glass of something rare.
What’s Unique: A power steak house atmosphere with a surprising number of lighter offerings.
15 Third Ave., Burlington, 781-221-2100, the-bancroft.com
Ramen
Kokeshi, Salem
Standout Qualities: Umami-laden Kokeshi Broth, simmered for 17 hours, provides a satisfying base for a variety of toppings, like pork belly (natch) or fried chicken.
Fun Fact: The broth arose from a compromise between the owners. One prefers a rich, thick tonkatsu style, while the other likes a light miso style, so they combined the two.
Insider Tip: For an appetizer, try the flash-fried chicken wings, slow-braised for four hours in a mixture of broth and chicken fat. Next it’s dusted with a secret Asian-style coating and deep fried.
41 Lafayette St., Salem, 978-594-4197, kokeshirestaurant.com
Raw Bar
A well executed raw bar can make to your favorite restaurants. Here are the best on the North Shore.
Sea Level Oyster Bar, Salem
Standout Qualities: The Sinker is a $70 platter loaded with 10 oysters, 10 littleneck clams, 8 jumbo shrimps, and a whole lobster. It is either a fabulous party or a gluttonous meal for one.
What’s Unique: House-made roasted red pepper cocktail sauce.
Insider Tip: With 20 beers on tap and another 24 in cans, their selection is one of the best around.
94 Wharf St., Salem, 978-741-0555, sealeveloysterbar.com
Roast Beef
Nick’s Famous Roast Beef, Beverly
Standout Qualities: The Super Beef Three-Way, with sauce, mayo, and cheese, is breathtaking in size and flavor. Nick’s may be the most filling North Shore Restaurants on the list.
Unique Qualities: The plates come with a mountain of fries and onion rings and a small but tasty salad, if you’re into that.
Fun Fact: Both owners are named Nick.
139 Dodge St., Beverly, 978-922-9075, nicksfamousroastbeef.com
Keep Reading Our North Shore’s Best Restaurants to see the Best Romantic Restaurants!