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Village Restaurant, Essex, MA

Village Restaurant

4.5
4.5
319 Reviews
$30 and under
Seafood
Top Tags:
Village Restaurant located in Essex, MA since 1956. Serving New England fresh local seafood and award winning fried clams and clam chowder.

Permanently Closed

This restaurant is permanently closed.

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Seafood, Comfort Food, Fish
  • Hours of operation
    Fri, Sat 11:30 am–9:00 pm Lunch Wed, Thu, Sun 11:30 am–3:45 pm Dinner Wed, Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–8:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (978) 768-6400
  • Website
    http://www.wedigclams.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Location
    55 Main St, Essex, MA 01929
  • Neighborhood
    Essex
  • Cross street
    Junction of rt22 and rt133
  • Parking details
    Private Lot
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 319 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.5
4.5 based on all time ratings
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.5Service
  • 4.2Ambience
  • 4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

319 Reviews

  1. PeterS

    Greater Boston

    2 reviews

    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 28, 2023

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We were a party of 3 Sunday night this weekend. We arrived around 6:20. The place was so packed we were glad we placed a reservation. We all had a cocktail. Knowing they close at 8pm we said we better get our order in. As we ordered they were out of squash, baked potatoes, bread. etc. It took 1 1/2 for our food. The bill was well over $150. The waitress was as usual excellent & the food was delicious as always. Unfortunately the guy paying says to us .....I wouldn't go there again because of the wait and the no bread & he only likes a baked potato with his entree?

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  2. LouisP

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 28, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    A nice, down home restaurant with plenty of good options for everyone! Not very vegan friendly, but excellent lobster Mac n cheese.

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  3. nancyr

    Greater Boston

    4 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 28, 2023

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    Food was delicious One of my favorite Service was slow

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  4. OpenTable Diner

    Greater Boston

    10 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on May 27, 2023

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 4
    Poor service, will not return. Gave it a shot with a party of 5 and universally did not enjoy our meals or experience. In general, the seafood was over cooked and was underwhelming, but the poor service sealed the deal. The waitress appeared visibly annoyed every time she came to our table. This included when I found a half dollar sized mass floating at the bottom of my beer, I immediately stopped drinking it and mentioned it to her and she said ‘yeah, probably the end of the keg’ and walked away… not even a sorry, let alone attempting to fix the issue. Needless to say I was more than happy to leave the rest of my beer, pay the check, and get out of that place. Do yourself a favor and look for a different spot to eat.

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  5. AwomanBman

    Greater Boston

    43 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    43 reviews

    Dined on May 20, 2023

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Unfortunately The Village is not what it use to be! After fifty years of eating here a half dozen times a year, we had to admit The Village has slipped, hard to put a finger on just what is different it just doesn’t live up to being the institution it was. The Village will not be our go to place- but that is life.

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  6. Cher

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 18, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    A little pricier than others for the same dish. Nothing further to say

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  7. LindaJ

    Greater Boston

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    As always, the food was excellent. Baked stuffed Lobster was fabulous as were the fried clams, lobster mac and cheese and chowder. The desserts are big enough to share and equally delicious. The lobster wasn't listed, but glad we asked the waitress. We've been going here for Mother's Day for years and will be back next year.

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  8. ElizabethC

    Greater Boston

    22 reviews

    5.0

    22 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We went for Mother's Day and had the special 3 course menu. We all got different meals and they were all delicious. We had a delightful young man as a server who was very efficient.

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  9. AMYG

    Greater Boston

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderful mothers day lunch with the family at the Village. We where seated quickly, and meals,drinks where times perfectly.

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  10. jjwisco

    Greater Boston

    9 reviews

    4.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Really enjoyed our time at Village Restaurant! The service was fantastic! Thanks for making it a special occasion for us!

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  11. OpenTable Diner

    Greater Boston

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent food and great service. I had lobster pie it’s always great .

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  12. julieC

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 3
    U had server also working the bar. Working hard but can’t get to all the tables Food good but cold!!! And very slow to get. Tables some what forgotten, bar tenders were to busy to serve Had a reservation but not kept. Overall, food good but cold! Service was nice but really absent! Not sure I would return…..????

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  13. Catherine

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This restaurant is awesome. Food is delicious! You must try it!!

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  14. barbarat

    Greater Boston

    9 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    The food is outstanding. The fish was delicious .

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  15. JaneH

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 7, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The Village never disappoints, and thank you to Sheila for excellent service with a smile!!

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  16. KarelleM

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 5, 2023

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The Village is a place that I went with my grandmother,it is as good as ever over the last plus forty years

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  17. Wedgbert

    Greater Boston

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on May 4, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Nice dinner and old favorite of ours, and not disappointed.

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  18. JamesD

    Greater Boston

    35 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    35 reviews

    Dined on May 4, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    It's exactly what everybody says: Old fashioned value with great classic food.

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  19. Karen

    Greater Boston

    16 reviews

    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on May 3, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent food and service. And ambiance is good too

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  20. Karen

    Greater Boston

    39 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    39 reviews

    Dined on May 3, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I love this restaurant. The best clams I have ever had.

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  21. FrancisA

    Los Angeles

    19 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on April 28, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We have been going there for 40 years and they are always consistent.

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  22. thesilvias

    Greater Boston

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on April 22, 2023

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Food was very good and reasonable prices. Brett was a responsive waiter with a courteous personality. It was a very good experience overall

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  23. FrancisA

    Los Angeles

    19 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on April 22, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    A great local gem!

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  24. MKon

    Greater Boston

    36 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    36 reviews

    Dined on April 15, 2023

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Food was great. They were very short staffed so it was much slower than usual. Still, everyone was nice and apologetic about the delays.

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  25. Bevster

    Greater Boston

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 9, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Best Baked Haddock! Also had their delicious. Onion Rings, a small order was more than enough for the three of us. Attentive and personable servers, excellent service. One of my favorite restaurants.

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  26. Roger

    Greater Boston

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on April 9, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    They did little extras to make Easter special. Spring colored cloth napkins and table cloths and traditional speciEaster menu plus regular menu

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  27. LindaE

    Greater Boston

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 9, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent! Best Fried Clams Ive ever eaten. Service was Phenomenal!

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  28. ChuckB

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 9, 2023

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    All the food was very good. There was no weak dish.

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  29. MaddieP

    Greater Boston

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 9, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Another wonderful experience eating at the Village restaurant. Food, service, atmosphere and friendliness of staff make it a comfortable place to eat and enjoy yourself. Highly recommend this restaurant.

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  30. TinaK

    Greater Boston

    17 reviews

    4.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on April 2, 2023

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    We were seated in a sun room type area, which was very nice, the seats were comfortable and the sun was shining so it was perfectly warm on a cool day. This was a more modern area of the restaurant compared to the other rooms. Our waitress was very nice, and the food was good. Market price on the lobster was high for the amount of fried lobster, but the parm (maybe haddock parm) was delicious and the scallops were also excellent. Service was good, but the waitress could have more attentive, we seemed to wait to order, to ask for the check, for more drinks etc.....although she was lovely.

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  31. BobM

    Greater Boston

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on March 29, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Consistently good meals and service. Fried clams and onion rings among the best ever tasted. It’s old school ambiance is fun and comfortable. Having clams this time of year is less expensive as we happily found. - fresh & delicious! The baked Haddock was excellent and piping hot along w butternut squash. What’s not to like! Recommend!

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  32. LynneB

    Greater Boston

    224 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    224 reviews

    Dined on March 26, 2023

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 2
    Sadly, for me, the restaurant is a "Miss". Food is mediocre at best - some of us liked our entrees and others didn't. For example, I had baked scallops and it was extremely dry. Another person in our party had Haddock Parmesan and was overloaded with pasta instead of haddock. The strawberry shortcake was tasteless.

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  33. Lmr43

    Greater Boston

    5 reviews

    2.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on March 25, 2023

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    The appetizers were not good. Clam chowder was sour and the calamari had zero flavor and very rubbery. The meals were average. Waitress was the best part of dinner. Super nice and super attentive so she remedied the bad apps right away

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  34. TimG

    Greater Boston

    11 reviews

    3.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on March 22, 2023

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    I've been wanting to try Village Restaurant for many years as I've heard they have great fried clams. I was fairly underwhelmed by both the portion and the quality. Being right down the street from Woodman's, I would recommend to head there for fried food over Village Restaurant.

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  35. doghunterr

    Greater Boston

    28 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    28 reviews

    Dined on March 18, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    We eat at the Village about once a month, more often in summer. It is out go-to place for seafood. Love the chowder, not overly thickened. Fried clams make a great appetizer. Baked stuffed lobsters are awesome. Anything baked in sauce and covered with crumbs is delicious but the trio is best. I ask for my fried shrimp or scallops to be well done, and they come out perfect for me. Most people find them perfect cook regular. Desserts are delicious, try the Indian Pudding but order extra ice cream.

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  36. AllyO

    New York Area

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on March 12, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    What a pleasant surprise to come back after all these years, and have such an enjoyable time and meal in the bar! The service was great too - Uber friendly, thoughtful and well trained! We will be back soon!

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  37. ScottS

    Greater Boston

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 10, 2023

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Atmosphere was great, as was the food and service.

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  38. GayleF

    Greater Boston

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 10, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    The food here is amazing and the staff is always accommodating. I like to sit in a certain area and they never object. The service is excellent and it is always a quiet and relaxing atmosphere where you can enjoy your meal.

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  39. BrianO

    Greater Boston

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 18, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food was delicious and they were able to accommodate a gluten free meal.

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  40. BillM

    Greater Boston

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on February 17, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Delicious dinners, bountiful enough to serve us again at home this evening.

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Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers

  • Physical distancing

    • Limited number of seated diners
    • Distancing maintained in common areas
    • Extra space between tables

  • Protective equipment

    • Waitstaff wear masks
    • Diners must wear masks unless eating or drinking

  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

Village Restaurant offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (978) 768-6400.

Village Restaurant is rated 4.5 stars by 319 OpenTable diners.

Permanently Closed

This restaurant is permanently closed.

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Village Restaurant

55 Main St, Essex, MA 01929

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Junction of rt22 and rt133
  • Neighborhood
    Essex
  • Hours of operation
    Fri, Sat 11:30 am–9:00 pm Lunch Wed, Thu, Sun 11:30 am–3:45 pm Dinner Wed, Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–8:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Seafood, Comfort Food, Fish
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    Private Lot
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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