Came down with friends for a few drinks and Sea Shanty Night. Good drinks at fairly reasonable prices. The singalong is always a good time. Come early to get a spot, place is small and fills in quickly.Parking: Plenty of parking on a Monday night in the off season, but weekends and peak season is a completely different story
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
A.L. P.
Nice, historic building. Very cool old art. Clean considering how old it is. No bathroom fan, heat was way too high, smelled a little like cigarettes actually. The band was a little annoying below as you try sleep but it didn't go super late. No tv kinda sucks considering the cost. $225 for a Thursday night should have a tv and a better breakfast. Breakfast was disappointing. People there were extremely nice tho. I'm glad I gave it a try but wouldn't again unless more amenities were offered or price was lower. Oh, and it's not haunted.
Ant Rilley
Really liked this place. I had a salad but others with me had other options. Everything tasted great and was well designed.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bread and Maple Butter
Overpriced and overcooked - food came out about 10 minutes after ordering. Salmon looked like it had been sitting under a heat lamp for an hour - the peas on top were grey. Chicken was dry and the “creamed Kale” was just sautéed kale. We received our bread at the end of the meal after we had finished. Cool interior but one visit will be it for us. $100.00 for a Meh meal, never again.
We had made reservations for two by the fireplace . The hostess was very confused and sad us in the middle of the room Shortly there after the table for two by the fireplace opened up and it took us another 20 minutes to be able to move there because the hostess had to find the manager and get permission The Cobb salad was bland with iceberg lettuce  We've gone there quite often, but now we're gonna choose another restaurant across the street in Essex
RobertH
Restaurant was very cold. Hostess had to reseat at least two other groups. When we left, she asked how everything was. When we told her how cold the restaurant was, she said why didn't we tell her. Didn't she know already? The service was so slow that the server kept apologizing.
JRine
I think it's a great spot for lunch. The food is just ok, although the new england clam chowder was excellent. really wanted to love it, but, we were in the main room and it was like eating in a ship's mess hall...
Jimp
Food average. Potato pancakes and sausage were greasy, not hot and over cooked. Asked for Irish coffee and received a drink which looked like a vanilla milkshake. Must have been all baileys.
NMB2020
The overall experience was wonderful. Appetizers big enough to share, nice selection of classic plus seasonal entrees. Extensive wine and beer offerings, plus cocktails. The dining room is comfortable and it was easy to converse. We were finished just as the band started! Looked like a fun bar scene, as well.
DeborahS
Good food, good service, old historic Inn dressed to perfection, cannot say anything bad about the dining experience at all. My family and I have been coming to the Griswold Inn for brunch and dinner since the late 60's.
My husband and I were at the restaurant four years prior to our visit and had been thinking about the Sunday buffet brunch ever since. We learned the buffet did not operate anymore (except in Dec. we were told) but figured we'd have a la carte brunch/lunch there after four years. We loved the ambience, we sat next to the fireplace and had a very friendly server. We both ordered the only two breakfast options, an omlete and blueberry pancakes. We were disappointed with the food. The batter was not fully cooked in the pancakes, the "hash browns" were potato pancakes (which we normally love) but were over cooked, almost burnt and there were no non-pork substitutions for the bacon or sausage. We were definitely bummed out about our food experience. We miss the "good old days" of a delicious Sunday brunch but unfortunately that is not the case here anymore. We still love this historic inn but not for brunch.
Susan O.
Horrific. An Emperor's new clothes experience. Sarah our waitress was excellent! Everything else from reception, to seating, to dining was dreadful. Rude reception, as we were being seated we were already being told when we would have to leave. As experienced travelers we are well aware that during high seasons and holidays it is best to be aware of a busy establishment' s time constraints. We were given a poor table choice even with requests made weeks in advance for a special occasion. The food was mediocre at best. My family started coming here in the 60's by boat. I hadn't been back for twenty years .. My husband tried calling the next day, but never received a response. The building is still charming and comfortable and looked very welcoming decorated for Christmas. The proprietors rely on that to mask the lack of graciousness. So sad to return to a place that had generationally held so many fond memories.
AmyB
It was our first time dining at the Griswold Inn. My friend and I had a wonderful experience. The food was exceptional!!! Our waiter and the young gentleman who was in training were friendly, professional and attentive. We sat by the fireplace and it was charming. We will certainly return in the future.
RJC1
We drive over 90 minutes from NYC just to dine at The Griswold Inn. Especially love their Steak and Black Bean Chili that comes with the biggest piece of cornbread. Staff is great too
SusanC
This is my favorite go to dining spot along the shoreline. It doesn't matter the season it just always has a wonderful atmosphere. I love my monthly lunches with my best friend and after trying many different places, this is our favorite. They have a very nice wine selection and great menu. For those with allergies, there is a menu for you too. The service is great, you never feel rushed and our server would magically appear when we needed her, allowing us to just enjoy the afternoon.
Came down with friends for a few drinks and Sea Shanty Night. Good drinks at fairly reasonable prices. The singalong is always a good time. Come early to get a spot, place is small and fills in quickly.Parking: Plenty of parking on a Monday night in the off season, but weekends and peak season is a completely different story
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Nice, historic building. Very cool old art. Clean considering how old it is. No bathroom fan, heat was way too high, smelled a little like cigarettes actually. The band was a little annoying below as you try sleep but it didn't go super late. No tv kinda sucks considering the cost. $225 for a Thursday night should have a tv and a better breakfast. Breakfast was disappointing. People there were extremely nice tho. I'm glad I gave it a try but wouldn't again unless more amenities were offered or price was lower. Oh, and it's not haunted.
Really liked this place. I had a salad but others with me had other options. Everything tasted great and was well designed.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bread and Maple Butter
Overpriced and overcooked - food came out about 10 minutes after ordering. Salmon looked like it had been sitting under a heat lamp for an hour - the peas on top were grey. Chicken was dry and the “creamed Kale” was just sautéed kale. We received our bread at the end of the meal after we had finished. Cool interior but one visit will be it for us. $100.00 for a Meh meal, never again.
We had made reservations for two by the fireplace . The hostess was very confused and sad us in the middle of the room Shortly there after the table for two by the fireplace opened up and it took us another 20 minutes to be able to move there because the hostess had to find the manager and get permission The Cobb salad was bland with iceberg lettuce  We've gone there quite often, but now we're gonna choose another restaurant across the street in Essex
Restaurant was very cold. Hostess had to reseat at least two other groups. When we left, she asked how everything was. When we told her how cold the restaurant was, she said why didn't we tell her. Didn't she know already? The service was so slow that the server kept apologizing.
I think it's a great spot for lunch. The food is just ok, although the new england clam chowder was excellent. really wanted to love it, but, we were in the main room and it was like eating in a ship's mess hall...
Food average. Potato pancakes and sausage were greasy, not hot and over cooked. Asked for Irish coffee and received a drink which looked like a vanilla milkshake. Must have been all baileys.
The overall experience was wonderful. Appetizers big enough to share, nice selection of classic plus seasonal entrees. Extensive wine and beer offerings, plus cocktails. The dining room is comfortable and it was easy to converse. We were finished just as the band started! Looked like a fun bar scene, as well.
Good food, good service, old historic Inn dressed to perfection, cannot say anything bad about the dining experience at all. My family and I have been coming to the Griswold Inn for brunch and dinner since the late 60's.
Restaurantji Recommends
My husband and I were at the restaurant four years prior to our visit and had been thinking about the Sunday buffet brunch ever since. We learned the buffet did not operate anymore (except in Dec. we were told) but figured we'd have a la carte brunch/lunch there after four years. We loved the ambience, we sat next to the fireplace and had a very friendly server. We both ordered the only two breakfast options, an omlete and blueberry pancakes. We were disappointed with the food. The batter was not fully cooked in the pancakes, the "hash browns" were potato pancakes (which we normally love) but were over cooked, almost burnt and there were no non-pork substitutions for the bacon or sausage. We were definitely bummed out about our food experience. We miss the "good old days" of a delicious Sunday brunch but unfortunately that is not the case here anymore. We still love this historic inn but not for brunch.
Horrific. An Emperor's new clothes experience. Sarah our waitress was excellent! Everything else from reception, to seating, to dining was dreadful. Rude reception, as we were being seated we were already being told when we would have to leave. As experienced travelers we are well aware that during high seasons and holidays it is best to be aware of a busy establishment' s time constraints. We were given a poor table choice even with requests made weeks in advance for a special occasion. The food was mediocre at best. My family started coming here in the 60's by boat. I hadn't been back for twenty years .. My husband tried calling the next day, but never received a response. The building is still charming and comfortable and looked very welcoming decorated for Christmas. The proprietors rely on that to mask the lack of graciousness. So sad to return to a place that had generationally held so many fond memories.
It was our first time dining at the Griswold Inn. My friend and I had a wonderful experience. The food was exceptional!!! Our waiter and the young gentleman who was in training were friendly, professional and attentive. We sat by the fireplace and it was charming. We will certainly return in the future.
We drive over 90 minutes from NYC just to dine at The Griswold Inn. Especially love their Steak and Black Bean Chili that comes with the biggest piece of cornbread. Staff is great too
This is my favorite go to dining spot along the shoreline. It doesn't matter the season it just always has a wonderful atmosphere. I love my monthly lunches with my best friend and after trying many different places, this is our favorite. They have a very nice wine selection and great menu. For those with allergies, there is a menu for you too. The service is great, you never feel rushed and our server would magically appear when we needed her, allowing us to just enjoy the afternoon.