Olde Main Street Pub

Olde Main Street Pub is an inviting Irish-style pub & restaurant tucked along historic Essex Street in downtown Salem. It's open Thursday through Sunday from 12:00 PM to 1:00 AM. On our first night in Salem, my friends and I chose this place for dinner, and we were immediately glad we did. Every dish tasted homemade and full of flavor, and the service, especially from our server Elisha, was warm, attentive, and personable. We started with the charred broccoli mac & cheese, which arrived piping hot and baked to perfection. Every bite was rich, creamy, and delicious. Honestly, it's up there with the best mac & cheeses I've ever had. For entrées, we shared the shepherds pie and the steak tips. The shepherds pie, made with a hearty mix of lamb, beef, peas, carrots, house mashed, and cheddar cheese, was fresh and perfectly balanced. The steak tips were cooked to our liking, tender, and seasoned beautifully. Both dishes were comforting and satisfying. Olde Main Street Pub delivered exactly what we were hoping for: great food, genuine service, and a cozy atmosphere. I would definitely come back the next time I'm in Salem.

The drink specials were very tasty. Our party of 6 each tried different things and everyone was pleased. I got the autumn sprites $14. Beware they automatically add 20% tip onto bill for 2 or more people. Our hostess was very accommodating.

This was non-witchy themed and like an Old Town Pub. Tight seating inside but nice patio outside. Wait to be seated. Food was great but drink selection as yet to be desired. They were way too strong!

Heather was an awesome bartender!! Took great care of us. So friendly and did the best Guinness pour. Thank you, Olde Main Street!

So glad we stopped in while exploring Salem, because we had a wonderful time here! We sat at the bar for some drinks and lunch and the bartender was the sweetest, and most efficient person I’ve ever met! She was always looking out for us and entertaining everyone else at the bar. I’m sorry I didn’t catch her name, but we came on June 19th around lunch time. She was STELLAR!

Went here for dinner while visiting Salem. Worth the wait on line for sure! Got the buffalo wings, shepherds pie and fish and chips and a Guinness. I would highly recommend coming here, I would come here again simply for the food. Flavorful, great portion and delicious! Not “touristy” at all, just a great place for some Irish food and beer!

We dropped in to get dinner before our ghost tour. Great drinks and excellent fish and chips! I will add this to my go to restaurants when I am in Salem.

A cozy pub in Salem, just a block from the Witch Museum, is the perfect spot to pop into while exploring the town! 🧙🏻‍♀️🧹We arrived around 4:45, just before their 5 PM dinner service began, and the line moved quickly—we were seated within 20-30 minutes. Pro tip: arrive earlier for drinks before dinner starts, and you’ll smoothly transition into dinner time while avoiding the wait. We were seated outside on the patio with pretty views of the streets. As the sun set, the charming streets lit up, and it was fun to people-watch, especially with everyone dressed up in October. The inside had a cozy atmosphere too, but the outdoor vibes were perfect for a fall evening. For appetizers, we had the burrata arancini and curry fries. The fries, in particular, were a pleasant surprise—the curry was delicious and complemented the fries perfectly. I also tried the pumpkin Shipyard beer, which tasted just like pumpkin and added to the fall feel of the evening 🍂 For our main dishes, I had the shepherd’s pie, which arrived with an oozy layer of cheese on top and was scrumptious. My boyfriend had the steak tips, and he loved them. The fish & chips were also quite good. I was really happy with the food and service, but what truly made the experience special was the location. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy great food while soaking in the charm of Salem 🎃

Best burger of my life. seriously i can't eat a burger without thinking about this place. No burger compares. Michelin star worthy.

From the time the hostess greeted us at the door and took good care in guiding us to our seats, I knew we were in great hands! We had lunch during a busy Saturday (9/20/2025), at the Olde Main Street Pub in downtown Salem, Massachusetts. My fish 'n chips were as delicious as I remembered them being in Ireland, and my daughter loved her pulled pork sandwich (she added onion and stuff from my granddaughter's cheeseburger), and my granddaughter said her cheeseburger was good but the fries were the best she'd ever had! She gobbled them all up! We had a great fun time and it didn't break the bank!

Olde Main Street Pub is an inviting Irish-style pub & restaurant tucked along historic Essex Street in downtown Salem. It's open Thursday through Sunday from 12:00 PM to 1:00 AM. On our first night in Salem, my friends and I chose this place for dinner, and we were immediately glad we did. Every dish tasted homemade and full of flavor, and the service, especially from our server Elisha, was warm, attentive, and personable. We started with the charred broccoli mac & cheese, which arrived piping hot and baked to perfection. Every bite was rich, creamy, and delicious. Honestly, it's up there with the best mac & cheeses I've ever had. For entrées, we shared the shepherds pie and the steak tips. The shepherds pie, made with a hearty mix of lamb, beef, peas, carrots, house mashed, and cheddar cheese, was fresh and perfectly balanced. The steak tips were cooked to our liking, tender, and seasoned beautifully. Both dishes were comforting and satisfying. Olde Main Street Pub delivered exactly what we were hoping for: great food, genuine service, and a cozy atmosphere. I would definitely come back the next time I'm in Salem.

Cute little irish pub right in the middle of Salem. I needed something to eat and they were about 20 minutes from closing down lunch, I thought we made it but apparently they don't actually serve the full allotted time. Luckily, they had a snack menu, but it didn't have much. The one thing I was okay with was their curry fries, which were great - I was impressed with them. Service was good to start out with. We had some friends join us and after about 10 minutes of waiting, they just went in to grab a beer...then got lectured since we were sitting on their patio, so that was weird. Otherwise, an expected experience for a touristy spot. Not the best food but it's okay and a good patio to chill on.

Came here on the weekend before Halloween for dinner and it was packed! We waited on line to be seated and their system was very organized and attentive. After being seated, we ordered some pumpkin beers and for our entrees we got the half chicken dinner and the shepards pie. It's classic pub food in there with the classic brews as well. The chicken was tender with the savory gravy and smooth mash. A little salty but was great overall. My friend said her Shepard's pie was pretty good with a nice mince lamb stew topped with buttery mash and cheese. The portions here were huge and entrees could definitely be shared. Overall a great pub in Salem!

I had such a great experience at Olde Main Street Pub in Salem. From start to finish, everything hit the spot. We started with the fries and curry--absolutely delicious, full of flavor, and the kind of dish you keep going back to even when you say "just one more bite." The Caesar salad was also really well done, perfectly dressed without being overdressed, crisp and fresh. The highlight, though, was the shepherd's pie with lamb. It was rich, savory, and so comforting. We honestly thought we'd have leftovers to bring home, but it was way too hard to stop eating--it disappeared quickly! The atmosphere is warm and cozy with comfortable lighting, and it feels like a spot where locals and visitors alike gather, which makes for a really nice vibe. The staff was wonderful--though we technically had one waiter, it felt like we had three because everyone was so attentive and helpful. If you're in Salem and want a cozy, welcoming spot with excellent food and a great crowd, Olde Main Street Pub is definitely worth a stop.

My husband and I went here while we were in Salem around Christmas time. It had a very cozy and quaint vibe while also being right on Essex street so it's right around everything. We were sat right away and the staff were very nice. The drinks were amazing I had the autumn spritz and the raspberry lemonade. The food was good I got the broccoli Mac and my husband got a burger we both enjoyed the experience very much and would absolutely come again.

Ambiance: Feels like a true Irish pub. The broccoli mac and cheese was good; the cheese was nicely charred and very tasty. The curry and fries were okay, but not the best. It's a dipping app, not a smothered dish. The Pina Claddagh was exceptional. The alcohol was heavy handed in the alcoholic beverages. The wait staff were attentive and excellent.

A cozy pub in Salem, just a block from the Witch Museum, is the perfect spot to pop into while exploring the town! ‍We arrived around 4:45, just before their 5 PM dinner service began, and the line moved quickly--we were seated within 20-30 minutes. Pro tip: arrive earlier for drinks before dinner starts, and you'll smoothly transition into dinner time while avoiding the wait. We were seated outside on the patio with pretty views of the streets. As the sun set, the charming streets lit up, and it was fun to people-watch, especially with everyone dressed up in October. The inside had a cozy atmosphere too, but the outdoor vibes were perfect for a fall evening. For appetizers, we had the burrata arancini and curry fries. The fries, in particular, were a pleasant surprise--the curry was delicious and complemented the fries perfectly. I also tried the pumpkin Shipyard beer, which tasted just like pumpkin and added to the fall feel of the evening For our main dishes, I had the shepherd's pie, which arrived with an oozy layer of cheese on top and was scrumptious. My boyfriend had the steak tips, and he loved them. The fish & chips were also quite good. I was really happy with the food and service, but what truly made the experience special was the location. It's the perfect spot to enjoy great food while soaking in the charm of Salem!

This place has the coziest vibe and the best food in town. I love it and it's a great place for a family dinner and a Guinness! It is also owned by extremely kind people. I left my purse here and the staff set it aside and the owner drove to my house! Truly a awesome place run by awesome people.

Food was good. Wtf.....why are hostess and wait staff so freaking rude... dear manager get a better staff people that actually want to work workers are rude and don't want to do s*** because 20% tip is already included tip should always be optional

This place really surprised me. Being right in the center of Salem, I thought it might be popular because of the location but this place shocked me with how yummy all the food was! We had the chicken liver mouse and house made curry fries to start. Both delicious. I had the pork tenderloin as my main which I highly recommend. Pork is hard to cook without being dry but this was cooked perfectly. And ended with the sticky toffee pudding. Amazing! Service was fast and attentive even though it went from empty to no seat open during the time we were there. And it's a true Irish style pub, feels like you're in a true local spot. I will be back!

My brother wanted a night cap after dinner so we meandered over here across the street from the Hawthorne Hotel. There were people dining on one side and bar seating on the other. Plenty of space available to us on the bar side. He ordered a pint and I ordered a mocktail. It was delicious! The inside is really cozy and old world feeling.

What a beautiful little lunch spot in Salem! Brings the warmth and coziness of an English/Irish pub to the streets of historical Salem. Just a block from the Witch Museum and down the street from the old graveyard. Perfect place to pop in for a bite while doing touristy things. We started off on the patio but were rained out. The staff was incredibly accommodating and kind. Making sure we weren't too soaked and our food was ok. Speaking of food, the burrata arancini starter is a must try. Truly the best arancini i've ever had. We both got the burger and I am still thinking of the bacon jam. It made the whole burger.

Such a cute little pub!!! Everything I love in a pub. Cold beer, friendly service, and good food. We got the arugula salad and the fish and chips. Both dishes were extremely flavorful and delicious!!

My husband thoroughly enjoyed the fish and chips. I thought that they were quite soggy and not crispy enough. I did think the taste of the fish was fantastic and super fresh. Service was wonderful and even with a line they were attentive and quickly seating people. Fun location.

Honestly didn't hate or love this place, just meh. We came in around 8pm and they were not super busy but had no one in the front of the restaurant and waited almost 15mins for someone to greet and seat us, it was very awkward and we almost left. We ended up sitting outside and the service ended up being much better. The server was very friendly and made us suggestions for the menu, for instance they were out of the wine we order us so she brought us a couple of samples to try instead so we could order a different option. Wish we had more time to give them another chance during the daytime.

This is a limited review. No food. Late night walkabout after a move to the area and this traditional English/Irish pub was open. Big wooden booths, tight quarters, but welcoming old world vibe. Quick drink service on an off night, and a short walk from home. What can I say, I'm a fan. If you're in the area and want Sheppard pie the way it was meant to be to be made? Come here. Otherwise close out your night on the walk to the Hawthorne hotel with this gem at the end of the cobblestone road.

Went with my a couple of friends after church. The food has improved so much since last year. My new favorite spot. Server was really nice and the ambience is calm.

Finally some decent grub! Boston as a whole was not living up to the hype in terms of food for us. This is not to say that food was necessarily bad, just that we expected more. After our trolley tour in Salem, we chose to have lunch at the Olde Main Street Pub. It looks like we made it just in time as they close between lunch and dinner. He ordered a burger; I had a pasta dish with chicken, broccoli, and plenty of cheese. It was hearty and oh so filling. I really enjoyed this meal and just in general watching the tourists (much like myself) walk on by and get souvenirs. I would revisit if in the area.

My husband and I decided last minute to try this restaurant out, at the height of Halloween Happenings last night (Oct 31, 7PM) was there a wait? Yes. Anyone in this area knows there would be one. The hostess checking us in was so pleasant, and patient with the line of customers. We finally sat down, ordered immediately, enjoyed the festive ambiance while waiting for dinner. Did not take long, and did not disappoint. Fish and Chips and Steak Tips were on the menu. The portion was a reasonable size, the steak was cooked a perfect medium rare, mashed potatoes were spot on, the battered fish was crispy enough and not drowning in batter, and the fries-crispy! Had one of their fall drink menu drinks and our server was friendly and quick, in spite of the number of hungry customers and line down the side of the building to get in. Pleasantly surprised that they maintained their standards despite, I'm sure, the pressure to get people in and out. As we recently relocated to the area, we will be back!!! Thank you for making our Halloween Night, memorable!

The food and service was great. Connor was a great server. We had the Mac and cheese. Perfect for a cold fall day.

Services is bad food is ok drinks are great hostess are not friendly server not friendly

Delicious food and friendly bar . It does feel like a pub I enjoyed in Dublin . If you want to do something different that is a break from witch watching

Omg. Loved this tavern. The waitress and bartender were awesome. Cozy place to eat on a cold night. They stay open late. The fish and chips were delicious. Fresh haddock! And - save room for bread pudding!! We sat in the bar area at a high top close to the fireplace. Very cool local pub!

Absolutely terrible! Usually pubs are super fun and great environment's. Even waited for them to open. Went in for drinks and food. Wait staff was super rude. Drinks were absolutely terrible. Would not go back.

Staff was so nice and Liv was amazing! Food was very homey and filling and you MUST try the green tea shots!

The service was okay, the food was okay. True Irish pub. Read the fine print on the menu, "service charge" MAY be added to a party of 4 or more... but we were told is gratuity, not a service charge. We also weren't given an option. Not much of a menu for food, and beer.

Arlene was our hostess to sit us and she gave us recommendations of what to order. Ashley was our waitress and she did a great job! Thank you for making our 1st time here great! We ordered the Smoked gouda fritters and the Korean wings... deliciousness in my mouth! Then we ordered the seafood tacos, swordfish was the catch. Not overcooked and paired well with the arugula. The aoli on the tacos made the dish perfect! French fries were just cooked, came out hot and crispy. Great choice for lunch today!!!! Restroom was very clean, as was the entire restaurant. Stop by if in the area.

They sat us very quickly outside on an October weeknight. My daughters both got the steak and mashed potatoes with asparagus. I got the half chicken over mashed potatoes with asparagus. Everything was yummy. Very happy with our food and would definitely return. Ran in to use the restroom and definitely a pub feel to this place. The windows were all decorated differently and they give you an informative sheet explaining their choices.

Wonderful food and experience eating on the patio. The bar has a nice cozy atmosphere inside as well.

This doesn't get five stars for being gourmet. It gets five stars because the food was actually good bar food, the service was attentive and kind, and this place really has a New England "townie" feel. Please note I sat in the lounge/bar area, not the dining room. And I'm glad I did! My burger was cooked perfectly (I asked for medium) and the fries were crispy. I had the Gouda and goat cheese fritters for an appetizer and they were light and savory, the aioli was dynamite, and the grilled tomatoes added a light palate cleanser between bites. My first drink, the sunburn, with tequila/orange liqueur/cranberry/lime was a little watery and tasted too much like alcohol. The second drink I got however, made with their homemade limeade was good enough that I got a second one. I had the appetizer, burger, fries, and three drinks for under 60 dollars (not including tip). They have fish, pot roast, beef tips, and a good brunch menu. Located right in downtown Salem near the main attractions.

Great food and service, my wife's macaroni and broccoli was delicious, was my son's burger and my salad. Very cozy ambience

Cozy, comfortable, easy going, great food and drinks, downtown Salem. What's not to love?! Oh did I mention you'll also find quality microbrews here too.

Stopped in for a bite tonight with someone who has a ton of food allergies. Stephanie was our server and was top notch in making sure the food was safe. She went above and beyond to help. The curry and chips were great and the half chicken was phenomenal. 100% recommend stopping in for a bite.

Excellent waiter, knowledgeable and attentive. Dark and cool inside, lovely respite on a hot summer day. Great beer selection. The beet salad was out of this world, same applies to the beef tips (tender and well marinated) and the French fries (fresh and well seasoned but not salty).

The steak tips at Olde Main Street Pub in Salem were so tasty and savory! Delicious premium steak tips made with a house marinade. Perfectly grilled asparagus with a red wine demi and last but certainly not least the fluffy and buttery mashed potatoes. My mouth is watering just thinking about how exceptional this meal really was! Our drinks were so yummy and refreshing also! Sam had the Irish lemonade made with Irish gin, lemonade and fresh mint! I had the house limeade made with raspberry vodka, house made lime-aid and framboise! This was definitely the best meal I had on my trip! Highly recommend dining at this authentic and delicious Irish restaurant in Salem, Massachusetts! The service was top tier also and very on point! The staff here were attentive and helpful also! Also loved the ambiance and vibe here! Loved the Irish pub realness! Highly recommend trying it next time you're vacationing here in Salem, Massachusetts!

We were looking for food and there was no wait so we popped in here. I ordered the caramel apple cocktail, I would not order this again. It tasted kind of off to me and very artificial. Others may enjoy it, it just wasn't my jam and I might have been better off just ordering the cider by itself. My aunt and I ordered the caprese and Arancini to share since we weren't super hungry. It was pretty tasty and the burrata was so smooth and pleasant with the warm arancini. My friend ordered the steak tips and they were cooked and seasoned perfectly.

We had lunch there ....we didn't realize that lunch closes at 3.00 It was 2.45 so we really had to hurry to order ...our server was very nice and friendly ....our sandwiches were delicious ... she said we could stay as long as we wanted because the bar was opened. I Felt like I was walking into a pub in Dublin! Pretty authentic! My only problem was the hostess probably should have told us the kitchen was about to close before seating us....but we'll definitely be back !! Thank you !!

Absolutely amazing pub. Great comfort food, great service, and an amazing draft list that you won't be able to find anywhere else. Might be in the running for my favorite Irish pub outside of Boston/Cambridge. Got a Belhaven Scottish Ale and the fish & chips. Both were spectacular. Can't wait to go back!

The service we received at Olde Main Street Pub was amazing! Our waitress with green hair (unfortunately I forget her name) was a ray of sunshine. She was very attentive and overall just a genuinely nice person. The food was good and decently priced! We started off with the house made curry and fries, which was delicious. I then got the main street caesar salad. For me personally the smoky chipotle dressing was a bit much; the spice really built up near the end and I couldn't finish it. But I am also someone who doesn't appreciate spicy and has a low tolerance! My boyfriend got the BLT and he said it was delicious. The pub itself is really neat with historic news clips and photos all around. Overall we'd definitely visit again and ask for the same waitress!

Stephanie was amazing we had an appointment for our tour at 8 we got the food so fast. It tasted great drinks were good and service was fast and friendly.

The menu wasn't that large but had some good stapes of Irish food. The service was quick for it being October in Salem. And the inside was a bit tight but I never felt over crowded.

We had a great dinner here yesterday!! Our server was very friendly and efficient! I enjoyed my martini and my husband enjoyed his bourbon. Good selection of all whiskeys and bourbons as well as a good selection of draught beers. We saw lots of folks drinking mules and Guinness. The crowd here is a mix of all ages; couples, families, young children, twenty something's. A comfortable, cozy vibe for everyone! We shared the streak tips and the fish and chips. The tips were tender and perfect cooked, served with basic mashed potatoes and Brussels Sprouts. The only minus on this plate were the sprouts-they were cold and undercooked. I'd prefer to see some crisp green beans. The fish and chips were a shareable portion for sure. The batter was the traditional, beer batter, crisp and perfectly golden. The fresh cod was really tasty! I loved that they offered malt vinegar-this was the perfect touch! I'll be getting this again next time and craving this until we go back! This pub is definitely a great place for locals and tourists to enjoy a great meal in the heart of Salem. The prices for the cocktails and food are reasonable!

My last night in Salem was spent having dinner and drinks at Olde Main Street Pub and I'm thankful I ended up here. I sat at the bar for my whole experience and had wonderful conversation with the bartender, my fellow patrons, and the wait staff. I loved most the interaction between the regulars and the staff, and the blackened shrimp was the best shrimp I've had outside of New Orleans in ages--exactly the right amount of spice (PLENTY) and served simply and elegantly. There is plenty of seating for couples or parties of four, and each table offers enough space and privacy to make everything feel quite intimate. You'll feel like you've stepped back in time (in some respects) with the natural wood everywhere--just like pubs used to be (and perhaps still are in the UK?).

Food was great, no complaints here. I loved the steak and potatoes. Everyone else in my party loved their food too. It was fantastic. It was a busy night when we went and because of that we did not see much of our waitress but she was super nice and made sure to attend to us despite the busyness. I felt super bad because it seemed like they were super understaffed but either way we got our food fast after we ordered and it was good. The ambiance was great with the cutest little lights but it was a little loud, but we didn't mind it at all. I didn't take any pictures because I ate it so fast.

Loved this restaurant!! Best fish fry I've had in years!! Our waitress, Lindsey, was a sweetheart. So nice. We got water right away. We didn't have to wait for our food. They needed to brew more tea, so that came with the meal at no charge, which is unheard-of where I come from! She did everything perfectly! Refilled our water, just a pleasure. Our boys ordered burgers, and they were also amazing! Large portions! Reasonably priced! Totally recommend 121 Essex St.

This restaurant is really close to Essex and always has a wait but we decided to do a late night cap especially while there was no wait and drinks were ok. The espresso cocktail tasted like just baileys over ice and was hard to drink and even a simple Jack and coke was watered down. It's a beautiful Irish pub but I think it's only perk is it's convenient location

For the love of God/Hecate.. whatever you do.. DO NOT MOVE THE TABLES.. or ELSE ‍ Other than that good drinks and service. Would visit again.