The Paddle Inn

It is a pretty little restaurant and the menu is a little bizarre for the setting but I figured what the heck I’d try it. The waitress got my girl two drinks which tasted terrible. Not even tasting like alcohol but like cologne. She messed up my order forgetting something on my burger because she didn’t write anything down. Overall though the food was decent but when I saw the check my jaw dropped. 96 dollars for two badly made mixed drinks, a beer, and two entrees. The quality was really bad for being so over priced.

We enjoyed Paddle Inn twice in one week! First, for dinner we tried the pork belly ramen and the shrimp poke bowl. Then for brunch we had the shrimp and grits along with the fried chicken and scallion pancake. While dinner was delicious the star was the brunch menu! As a born and raised southerner, those shrimp and grits were by far the best I’ve ever had. Service for both meals was on point. We will be back for brunch again soon!

We were the only table at 5pm and still treated like an inconvenience. Our waiter wore sunglasses indoors, didn’t smile, didn’t ask a single question, and said nothing beyond a flat “alright” after taking our order. He then laughed about it with the owner—right in front of us. I confronted the owner directly, and neither he nor the waiter said a single word. No apology, no explanation—just smug silence. Food was average at best. Given the attitude and the quality, I honestly don’t understand the good reviews. There are plenty of nice restaurants and kind people in and around Newburyport; do yourself a favor and go anywhere else.

Quite the interesting menu, definitely the place to go to spice up date night or drinks with friends. The whole place has such a fun vibe, add in the splashy cocktails and unique menu, and it's a recipe for a great time. I really liked their take on crab rangoons, the crab was very fresh and flavorful, and the sauce on point. The pupusas were also excellent, and honestly I can't say I've ever seen those on a menu anywhere else in the area. This is the kind of place where you want to come back just so you can try the rest of the menu!

Cool small bar right on the main strip. Good sandwiches & drinks. Good prices

The food was very good, lots of flavors and spice! Our server was phenomenal, very attentive and knowledgable about the menu offerings. The music was loud, maybe for a younger crowd, but our seating was comfortable. We would go back!

Grabbed some small plates and drinks on our way home from Maine here, and it was perfect! We both got the thai tofu appetizer which was light and flavorful.

Absolutely fantastic dinner spot with impeccable service. Definitely try the wings and steak frites! The server was outstanding (really knew his stuff when recommending drinks) and truly went above & beyond in making the dinner special. Can’t wait to return!

If you're ever stuck wondering where to go for Sunday brunch, let me save you the trouble: The Paddle Inn. Honestly, it's not even a question anymore. Every Sunday, we all just look at each other and say, "Well, guess we're going to the Paddle again," like it's some grand revelation. But hey, when the bartenders are as engaging as they are (and have voices that could stop traffic), it's hard to argue. Let's talk about the bartenders for a second. These aren't your average "here's your drink, enjoy" kind of people. No, no. These are performers. They mix up drinks while casually belting out tunes like they're auditioning for The Voice. Don't be surprised if you catch yourself humming along to a song you didn't even know you liked, all while sipping on a perfectly crafted mimosa. It's like a Broadway show, but with more booze and less awkward choreography. And the brunch? Pfft. It's practically impossible to order anything bad here. Their food is so good, you'll find yourself trying to sneak bites off your friend's plate just to make sure you didn't miss something better. Spoiler: you didn't. It's all incredible. So yeah, I guess you could go somewhere else for brunch... but why would you? You'd be depriving yourself of the best Sunday tradition known to mankind: singing bartenders, mimosas, and food so good you'll pretend to be full just so you can eat more later.

Food quality was great. Service was great. Singing bartender was a negative. (Not for me and was singing to himself too loudly and seriously for service operations). Portions were tiny. Over $100 for tiny tiny portions. I went home and am looking for something to eat. Opportunity for value. Disappointed.

Good vibes weren't enough to overcome bad food. Tuna poke was bland and uninspired, rice was undercooked. Thai noodles were a strange texture and lacked deep flavor. Appetizers generally underwhelmed.

I truly can't decide what I like more- the biscuits or the bartender whose voice sounds like a gentle breeze on a warm sunny day. The serenading is as smooth as the butter that melts into my biscuit. Do yourself a favor and get a seat a the bar where you can get a front row ticket to the whole experience yourself!

Great portion size, food is amazing and the staff is what makes the whole experience! The beautiful blonde bartender also has a voice of angels and you may catch him if you're lucky singing under his breath. I wish he was louder ! Will 100% be back.

If you are anywhere nearby you have to try the The Paddle Inn. Between, the food, service, and ambiance the Paddle inn is the place to be. My wife and I found the paddle inn on accident driving through Massachusetts and we are quite glad we did. To start, the service was incredible. The staff was knowledgeable of both the food and drinks and was able to provide informed recommendations. My wife and I sampled the short rib egg rolls, Thai fries, crab Rangoon, and the burger. Each dish surprised us with its complexity and balance. Trust the waiter when it comes to cocktails. We tried a jerk old fashioned, pistola, liquid snake, and rocking chair. Each one was unique and well crafted. In summary, if I am anywhere near this place again I will be back.

The Paddle Inn is hands down my favorite spot in Newburyport! This little spot has the coolest beach vibes with a really unique menu. Their service is top-notch, and I have never had a bad meal here! You MUST get the mai tai popcorn as an appetizer. Trust me, it will change your life. Their brunch items and veggie tacos for dinner are also amazing! Don't sleep on their cocktails, either. Super impressive. Make the stop at Paddle Inn - you'll love it!

Th restaurant is really cute and beachy feels and I loved it for that. Its a small restaurant but they definitely use all the room in it. my server was a sweetheart as well and helped me pick what I was going to order from her favorite on the menu- fish wich. I wasn't sure what to eat because the brunch menu is very limited especially compared to other ones. The drinks were really fun and especially loved my Pimmela Anderson drink which tasty like a fruity lifesaver. However, the sandwich was just an okay for me sauce was pretty good. Service is great and food comes out fast so I would definitely come back but maybe for lunch or dinner so I can have more options.

The Paddle Inn is a quaint bar/restaurant with an outdoor patio and serves American/Asian fusion cuisine. We came in on a Sunday for lunch and it didn't seem very busy; most of the indoor tables were empty. There were two servers, a host, and a bartender working. While we were seated right away, it took 15 minutes for anyone to take a drink order and then another 30 minutes for our food once we placed that order. I only noticed food come out of the kitchen every 10 minutes or so (since after a while I was desperate for any order to be ours). We got the fish tacos and a salad with tofu for a vegan meal. 6/10 on taste. It would have been perfectly fine if it was quick service, but we ended up wasting an hour that we could have used exploring the town. It seems like a party bar first and a restaurant as a second thought. TLDR: the food is okay but not worth the wait.

My expresso martini was the best I have ever had they top it with homemade Irish cream yummy my girlfriend had the Bloody Mary so good and we shared some Crab Rangoons soo good 4 to an order

Drinks are excellent! The energy is always high and fun here! I love the menu and drink list! The service is excellent and you can't beat the location! This is the perfect spot to meet friends for fun drinks and a bite to eat!

This place was so fun! We went yesterday while window shopping and we loved the surf ambiance. They were celebrating shark week so there were shark themed decorations and it was playing on the tv. The menu items are really unique, we really liked the mai tai popcorn. The shrimp tacos I got were very flavorful, they were a little steep at 26 for three tacos but they were actually very good.

Excellent food. Excellent drinks. Super friendly wait staff! Outdoor seating in the summertime is a plus!

While the service and ambiance were nice, the food was just fine. I ordered the tuna poke which was very simple and a bit bland. The tuna did not taste very fresh, and the rice tasted like it was a day old. Though the menu said the poke came served with seaweed salad, the only green on the plate was a couple of cucumber slices. Could've been much better.

Love the Paddle Inn. Creative cocktails and food. If you're willing to try something different this place never disappoints. Thai fries are a must.

Came for brunch and it was an all around good experience. Ambience - cute surf decor + hipster vibes. Love the vinyl in the back. Service - friendly and attentive Food + Drink - Solid bloody Mary with pickle stick garnish. Crab rangoons were my favorite, but make sure you let them cool down a bit cause I totally burned my mouth from the fresh fried cream cheese filling. The donuts were like crack and rolled generously in sugar with whipped cream on the side. I had the fishwich for my main and it was good - the presentation was nice with a big piece of fish served open face style, but it was difficult to eat as a sandwich, so I fork and knifed it. I tried my friend's Thai fries and they were pretty tasty. Would definitely return next time I visit Plum Island.

Wonderful service. Nice ambiance. Creative menu. Everything was delicious -- we got the tofu/eggplant cold dish, thai fries, & steak salad. Love!

Two words: Thai Fries. The rest is gravy--the hipster pulse, the loud vinyl beachy soundtrack, the creative drinks. You really go for that moment when they serve the platter of fries dripping with scallion mayo, peanuts, cilantro, carrot strips and other delicacies. Also you must try the veggie tacos. Skip the pulled pork pupusas which I found to be overpoweringly rich with too much barbecue sauce. I'll just order another platter of the fries next time.

The music was chill and the vibe was good. All of the staff were fabulous and had great recommendations. We tried four different cocktails and they were all creative and amazing. The popcorn was tasty and the cod and eggplant mains were spectacular. Overall then food and drink were innovative and spot on and the servers were friendly and attentive.

Great food and great espresso martini on tap. Burgers are delicious too! The salad with chicken is delicious

The same loud music blasting out of this place to the streets that attracted us to come in, made us not like it anymore when seated inside. Maybe we're just turning into bunch of old Karens but I don't enjoy sitting down and eating while unable hearing my partner or the voices in my head... The place feels claustrophobic, it was packed on Sunday afternoon and the tables placement made me feel like sitting on other guests laps... But! Our Greek snack meal looked gorgeous and tasted even better. Just wished there was more veggies... Service was quick and friendly... Probably wouldn't come again but would recommend!

So three of us - Newburyport locals - go to the Paddle Inn for drinks, apps, dinner. First time there for all of us. We sit at the bar at the only seats available, in front of the flat screen behind the bar. There's a silly movie on the screen about an alien invasion. The three of us have been watching the very big news lately - a former president is shot in the head, the current president exits the race, a black woman becomes the front-runner for the job - so we asked if the alien invasion movie could be switched to CNN with closed captioning. A kitchen guy came out and accommodated very quickly. Thank you! After a few minutes, a manager walks up to us and says the owner has "a strict policy" against having the news on at the bar. She switched to - literally, no kidding - a cartoon channel. We're the only ones in front of the TV. No one else is watching. But the Paddle Inn responds to three adults asking to watch CNN instead of an alien invasion movie by sending over a manager who instead makes us watch a kid's cartoon, citing "the owner's" policy. We finished our drinks and left without dinner. I tipped the kitchen guy $10 but left nothing on the check. We don't much like kids' cartoons, or owners and managers who foist them on us. so we won't go back to Paddle Inn, or "the owner's" other restaurant on Plum Island, the Sunset Club. You should skip it too, unless you like kid's cartoons on the flat screens and owners and managers who believe that's better fare for their adult clientele then public affairs. PS: the drinks are skimpy. Now playing on the big screen at the Paddle Inn! (see attached pic)

Sat at the bar for a drink and an app-- I got a mocktail from their menu: I was happy to see they have a mocktail menu that looks adventurous and interesting, which is great for when you don't want to drink or if you don't. My dining companion got a mezcal drink- we both really liked our drinks. The Crab Rangoon were fantastic. There was a loop of an old surfing video on the TV. Vibes are pretty good for a bar hop.

Good late night vibe. Fun specialty cocktails and tasty beers. Thai fries are great when dining in.

My wife and I have been here at least 5 or 6 times since moving to a neighboring town. Great food, quick efficient service, and really solid cocktails. Something actually a little on the creative side for the north shore instead of more "new american" or "italian". Really reasonably priced as well.

We finally went for dinner after living in the area for 2.5 years. It was a Tuesday night at 4:30pm so we had no trouble getting seated. There didn't seem to be good air flow inside so we sat outside with the breeze. It was my husband and I plus our 16 month old. They didn't have a kids menu, but they did bring her a water in a cute shark cup (I imagine they typically put a fun cocktail in there). & they did have high chairs. The service was really nice, but I did overhear the hostess and a waitress bad mouthing another waitress that worked there, so that was a bit of a turnoff, as someone who's worked in the industry - that just makes you look bad. The peach chicken was good and the bourbon burger and fries were delicious. For the price, I probably wouldn't order the chicken again. The real MVP were the crab Rangoon. I would come back just to get all the appetizers - they all sounded amazing. The portions were good. I am pregnant, so I was happy they had Athletic Beer co - alcohol free beer. Although I can't wait to go back to get some fun cocktails when I can! All in all, I'd recommend it and would definitely go again. Fun vibe, good food, good service. Just pricey which is to be expected downtown. Sounds like I need to try it out for brunch too!

The best veggie tacos I've consumed in my entire life. It veers from one palate pleaser to the next. The crunch. The sauce. The soft tortilla. What an experience. I'm drooling on myself thinking about it. The whining music might contribute to premature hearing loss (psychedelic surf rock would be a better vibe) but you'll be too distracted by the flavor frenzy to care. If the tunes get too grating while you're waiting, you can drown it out with one of their silk-smooth cocktails. I did.

Meh.. I must have caught them on an off day.I ordered the Thai Weeping Tiger Salad. A nice blend of leaves and vegetables with thinly sliced beef. Sadly, the dressing completely overpowered the entire dish. It was soaked with dressing and I could not taste another thing. $24 bucks for a smallish serving. My bad for not addressing it at the time. I guess their request for two tips kind of did me in as well. Maybe try again someday.

New favorite spot! Staff is amazing and so friendly and the drinks are delicious. Ambiance is super nice and chill!

Fantastic food, absolutely loved the service at the bar also. Quality hospitality by Katie and her team

Jackie made us feel extremely welcomed as she is a warm, extroverted, kind and helpful person. Bar atmosphere was average lighting dim and all the millennials talking crap about someone who will assume she's a pal. It's a break from the norm in Newburyport MA and well worth the trip

We came here for lunch on a weekday. It's end of November so it's freezing outside and they have the door wide open! They don't have enough tables in the back for 3 people so we had to sit by the door and the whole time, it was very very cold. Aside from that, our waitress was super rude and snappy. She had black hair and was tall and heavyset but definitely one of the rudest waitresses I've encountered. Everything I said, she would snap back. I asked if they can close the door and she said no people were sitting outside with heat lamps. I asked for sauce on the side and she said "all sauces?" I said yes please and she said "ooookay" and made a face. When she cleared our plates, I asked for the check please and she rudely snapped "that's what I'm doing once I clear this." RUDE! The food itself, the tuna poke was pretty good. It was overpriced at $16 but it was very nicely presented and tasted great. As far as coming back or recommending this place, no thanks! Please hire a better waitress! She definitely scared me off.

Have tried to eat here twice at the encouragement of friends. The atmosphere inside is horrific with the worst music played way too loud. Bar staff is dismissive and rude. Both occasions we got up and left....never even tried any of their "pub food". Over and out!

This time was very disappointing. We had a nice brunch here a few months ago so decided to return. The most annoying thing was that the music was blasting! It was so loud we could not carry on a conversation. So of course the loud music made everyone talk or yell even louder. The food was not fabulous. The hot blueberry donuts holes were good. They were nice to make the burrito w/o the chorizo for me, but the flavor was very bland. My husband's grits were soupy. The waitress was working the room alone and she was a pro. We did not get offered refills on our coffee but she was fast and attentive other than that.

Super chill place, spinning records on vinyl. Simple menu with awesome drink selection and local beers on tap. Got the not Waldorf salad which was nice. But the HIT was dessert. Homemade choco tacos and peach brandy ice cream. And server was super nice and was great about allergies with a member of out party. Check it out when you're in NBPT.

We showed up around 9:45 pm when the kitchen was closing at 10 so the staff immediately let us know this, sat us down and gave us a few minutes with the menus. The staff were especially friendly and helpful and we felt welcomed that they could feed us before the kitchen closed. Great people work here. We were happy with our choice. We were pretty simple orders, a burger and a salad with grilled shrimp. The street seating was great as it was a perfect evening and not a lot of traffic so we didn't get overcome with traffic fumes. There were other diners at tables and we didn't feel rushed. Our orders came out quickly, we enjoyed about 1/2 a drink before they arrived and the other half with our meals. We came to Newburyport by way of a private yacht so we really liked the name and we were able to walk from the dock to the restaurant in a matter of minutes. Nice town, nice people, good eats.

Bang bang so bang! Thai fries are legit - perfectly crispy with the right amount of toppings and flavor combo is on point. Also had the wings, papusas, and pork belly. All delicious.

Service always super nice, food always great. The drink menu is creative. Ambience is usually (in my experience) busy, maybe packed, but worth every second! :)

Food and drinks are the best. My favorite place to eat in Newburyport. The service is always great too.

Quite the interesting menu, definitely the place to go to spice up date night or drinks with friends. The whole place has such a fun vibe, add in the splashy cocktails and unique menu, and it's a recipe for a great time. I really liked their take on crab rangoons, the crab was very fresh and flavorful, and the sauce on point. The pupusas were also excellent, and honestly I can't say I've ever seen those on a menu anywhere else in the area. This is the kind of place where you want to come back just so you can try the rest of the menu!

Love Paddle Inn! I like the drinks really good! Food is really good too. They serve different food than most places! The servers are all really attentive! I also love the energy and vibe of this place! It's a win , win for me!

Incredible atmosphere at the Paddle Inn. Fun pop music is pumping and strong cocktails are flowing. They also offer a great selection of local beers if cocktails aren't your jam. We only had a quick snack of popcorn (super unique with sweet and salty mai tai flavorings), but the food passing our table looked delicious. Service was impeccable. Great vibes here at the Paddle Inn. Will return if I'm ever in town again.

Stopped by here on a whim a couple weekends ago, and we had so much fun! The bartenders were great, the TV was playing all cartoons (they do this all day every Sunday!), and the food was REALLY GOOD! We ordered off the specials menu, and honestly, I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. Everything on the menu (food and drinks) was super creative and anything but boring. This is definitely a place we will visit more often when we come to town! Note, the place is a little small and space inside is tight, but they they do have tables setup for outdoor dining, too, if you prefer!

Food was mediocre, bar staff was too busy with regulars to give us more attentiveness.

I've been here before and I'm sad to say this restaurant has taken a nose dive down. The broccoli rabe was burnt and inedible. The ribs were tough and the drinks were watery. Highly disappointed.

Always great! The food is fresh. The menu is innovative. The service is super friendly. The vibe is on point. Consistently consistent is no small feat!

Was in town for an overnight, wonderful history etc. Ordered the Spanish Garlic Shrimp for a snack to go. They were wonderful with perfectly cooked fresh shrimp and a delicious olive oil garlic sauce that is so great to dip bread in. My criticism would be there were a small number of shrimp for the price. The staff was very friendly when I came in to pick up my order.

This place was incredible! Sat outside in the sun for Sunday brunch -- everybody seemed so relaxed and happy to be there, which maybe is a function of the environment they've created. Or maybe I'm just projecting... High top and low top tables in the sun, serving delicious (like DELICIOUS) food on a street lined with adorable cafes and clothing stores. I live about an hour from this town but this place was so good it would be worth the drive on a weekend. As for the food itself, the chicken sandwich was scrumptious - melted cheddar, jalapeños, and some sort of spicy tequila cabbage thing on the brioche bun. I substituted fruit for fries, and the fruit was a nice combination of melon, strawberries, and blueberries. All in all, one of the easiest 5 stars I could give to a restaurant!

Hey rude guy behind the bar....get a life! Went in with my daughter - ready to order nice big dinner - long story short female bartender nice - other guy just an A-hole - left and Charles it up to a great learning opportunity for my young Ivy leaguer - just NEVER makes sense to be rude for no good reason.