Went in SEPT in 2023. Overall, the dining experience was pleasurable and memorable. But, for the prices... no thanks.The portions were good and plating was great. Potates were out of this world delicious. The steak, while cooked as ordered, was not a great cut. While the in-bone marrow was a next level touch, Ive also had easier to eat steaks for a third of the cost. Also... please don't cut my steak up and let every last drop of juice leave the $100 steak before i get to eat it....but at least it looked nice right?The asparagus with my plate was aweful. I ate maybe a 1/3 of the stems. My wife enjoyed her plate, but said was not "wowed".Service was... different? We did not receive the normal amount of visits, and it made it hard for me to order a second drink timed well. Very polite and pleasant though.The atmosphere was confusing and chaotic maybe? We sat in the back right and it just seemed that the restaurant couldnt make up its mind. Very open. The name of the restaurant does not evoke the atmosphere we found.Nice place? Yes. Nice people? Yes. Would I rather drop $200+ at another local spot with a more comfortable space and perfectly juicy meat with money to spare for dessert? Absolutely.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Crispy Potatoes
marty harrington
Amazing Food Great Service best meal I've had in a long long time... grilled oysters, Monk Fish, grilled Calamari, the wings are fantastic...can't wait to go back and try some
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sil Moss
We were very excited after seeing the menu, so many interesting items to choose from. Unfortunately we had only time for a few snacks, but thought we would be back for sure. Well...the food fell a bit flat: fries were overcooked, wings dry and chili garlic crunch was pretty much just charred pieces. Brussel sprouts were ok, nothing too crazy. The clam chowder is a great different take on the good old chowdah, but unfortunately tasted watery, not hot enough, bacon was kind of stale, potatoes too soft. For the price it was disappointing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 3
Brad L.
Lila was the BEST. And the food was, too! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!! Fish tacos, WOW! Chowder, amazing!
Ryan Orzechowski
Oak to Ember is in a great spot and looks amazing, creating a really cozy vibe. They use fresh local ingredients, and the chef, Neal Maver, is super talented. The service is awesome, making the whole experience really great. You've got to try the smash burger, and the oysters and calamari are also really good starters. It's a fantastic place for people who love delicious food, a nice atmosphere, and great service. Plus, it's family-friendly, so it's perfect for all ages!Kid-friendliness: Family-friendly, so it's perfect for all ages!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Wood Grilled Calamari, Whipped Ricotta, Chess Pie, Fries, Fresh Oysters, Burger, Grilled Octopus, Grilled Oysters, Maine Mussels, House Cut French Fries
Janet Glew
Last night we went to Oak to Ember , chosen by my husband for his birthday dinner. Boy am I glad he chose this restaurant. Love the decor and atmosphere, it is a happening place , and has such a cool vibe.The service by our waiter Daniel was superb. He was able to help us with any questions we had about the menu, and he seemed extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic.We started with the wood fired calamari! ( this is certainly not our first time having this wonderful appetizer). The flavors are so unusual with macon almonds and pepper dew peppers. We enjoyed sharing this appetizer along side sourdough bread with herb butter.Our entrées were divine. My husband had a sirloin steak with crispy potatoes, and a small arugula salad. It was cooked to perfection . I had the clam scampi special. This was perhaps one of the best pasta dishes I have ever had . It was made with homemade fresh linguine, served al dente …. perfection!!!! The flavors from the homemade crumbled sausage, pickled jalapeños, and fresh clams were outstanding!We ended our meal sharing a piece of Chess Pie that came with a scoop of vanilla icecream and a side of peanut brittle ! This pie never disappoints …. total decadence.Obviously, our evening was so enjoyed; and we can’t wait to come back.Thank you Oak to Ember ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Really impressed. The service, drinks and meals were great. Can’t wait to go back in the summer to sit outside!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Louisa del Rio
Love Oak to Ember! It is our favorite go-to spot in Gloucester. The staff is incredible and the quality of the cuisine is next level. Hats off to the chef for the elevated dining experience, wonderful service and perfect city vibe.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ryan O.
Oak to Ember is in a great spot and looks amazing, creating a really cozy vibe. They use fresh local ingredients, and the chef, Neal Maver, is super talented. The service is awesome, making the whole experience really great. You've got to try the smash burger, and the oysters and calamari are also really good starters. It's a fantastic place for people who love delicious food, a nice atmosphere, and great service. Plus, it's family-friendly, so it's perfect for all ages!
Chris F.
What a wonderful discovery for lunch on a cold New Years Day! Looking at their special menu that combined lunch and dinner options, we were a little put off by many prices, given the casual pubby feel of the place. But we found several reasonably priced items, which were delivered to the table in no time. Overall, we were delighted with our server and thrilled by every one of our dishes. The smash burgers were outstanding, accompanied by really terrific fries and even a top-notch dill spear. (These people have high standards for everything they serve --No back of the hand on their sides!) We also shared an amazing plate of thinly sliced delicata squash rounds, lightly battered and fried, with a perfect maply dijonnaise dipping sauce. But it was what they call their "smoked tuna melt" that really knocked our booties off! Fresh shredded tuna, expertly smoked, in a garlicky aioli with a nice melty cheese, inside an unusually fluffy hunk of focaccia. All these interesting pieces came together in a sandwich that will make every future tuna melt seem unworthy. We'll be back no matter the cost. Worth...every...penny!
Went for a pre wedding welcome party! Food, drinks, service, and atmosphere was great. Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
George Lovely
Had dinner with a party of 7 the night before News Years Eve. We had a nix of full dinners and small plates. Apps to dessert. Bunch of foodies, but all were impressed. Very good to excellent. Good wine and cocktails. Lively bar with water views. Cool deco. Easily the best meal I've had in Gloucester. Looking forward to another visit.Parking: They have a lot, but we found a spot on the street nearby,Wheelchair accessibility: Accessible
Ordered the brisket burger and fried haddock sandwich. The food and cocktails were fantastic!!!! Not one bad drink or food item on that menu. The atmosphere is very open with natural sunlight compliment with amazing views of the marina and good music. Highly recommend to anyone and will definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Elizabeth P
Each entry was exceptional- the fries with the burger were perfect!! Ribs were tasty , tender. Acorn squash vegetarian entree was delicious. Craft Buzz was over the top! Thank you all. OH! Whipped ricotta was over the top!
Had great dinner at Oak to Ember. Looking forward to going back in the future to try more of their menu. The atmosphere is cool and laid back and the service is attentive. For the price point, we were not disappointed.Had a couple cocktails - they were solid. And they have a nice signature cocktail menu with a few creative items. One tip for management, fir some of the spirit forward drinks (like the old fashioned I ordered) consider a large cube of ice rather than a bunch of small cubes. They melt fast and water it down. Will also help with the received value of the drink.For starters we had the monk fish burnt ends, French onion soup, and Caesar salad. The mini fish was a hit. Super creative and one of the best bites of the night. Highly recommend. The Caesar was one of the better presented Caesar salads I’ve seen. Well dressed, tasty dressing, and using toasted bread crumbs instead of croutons. They provide the whole Romain stem. Presents well by lettuce gets bitter closer to the base. Nevertheless, very tasty. The French onion soup was, unfortunatley, a miss. I’m not sure what went wrong but the broth tasted like water. Maybe they failed to put in the sherry? Hoping it was just a bad batch - but it wasn’t good.For the mains, we got the Haddock and the Scollops. Both were very tasty, but the Haddock was the standout. Well conceived dish with a phenomenal broth. When I go back I’ll be hard pressed not to order it again. But plan to try more items off the menu.Two people, a couple drinks, apps, and mains: $195 after tip. Looking forward to returning.
Went in SEPT in 2023. Overall, the dining experience was pleasurable and memorable. But, for the prices... no thanks.The portions were good and plating was great. Potates were out of this world delicious. The steak, while cooked as ordered, was not a great cut. While the in-bone marrow was a next level touch, Ive also had easier to eat steaks for a third of the cost. Also... please don't cut my steak up and let every last drop of juice leave the $100 steak before i get to eat it....but at least it looked nice right?The asparagus with my plate was aweful. I ate maybe a 1/3 of the stems. My wife enjoyed her plate, but said was not "wowed".Service was... different? We did not receive the normal amount of visits, and it made it hard for me to order a second drink timed well. Very polite and pleasant though.The atmosphere was confusing and chaotic maybe? We sat in the back right and it just seemed that the restaurant couldnt make up its mind. Very open. The name of the restaurant does not evoke the atmosphere we found.Nice place? Yes. Nice people? Yes. Would I rather drop $200+ at another local spot with a more comfortable space and perfectly juicy meat with money to spare for dessert? Absolutely.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Crispy Potatoes
Amazing Food Great Service best meal I've had in a long long time... grilled oysters, Monk Fish, grilled Calamari, the wings are fantastic...can't wait to go back and try some
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We were very excited after seeing the menu, so many interesting items to choose from. Unfortunately we had only time for a few snacks, but thought we would be back for sure. Well...the food fell a bit flat: fries were overcooked, wings dry and chili garlic crunch was pretty much just charred pieces. Brussel sprouts were ok, nothing too crazy. The clam chowder is a great different take on the good old chowdah, but unfortunately tasted watery, not hot enough, bacon was kind of stale, potatoes too soft. For the price it was disappointing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 3
Lila was the BEST. And the food was, too! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!! Fish tacos, WOW! Chowder, amazing!
Oak to Ember is in a great spot and looks amazing, creating a really cozy vibe. They use fresh local ingredients, and the chef, Neal Maver, is super talented. The service is awesome, making the whole experience really great. You've got to try the smash burger, and the oysters and calamari are also really good starters. It's a fantastic place for people who love delicious food, a nice atmosphere, and great service. Plus, it's family-friendly, so it's perfect for all ages!Kid-friendliness: Family-friendly, so it's perfect for all ages!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Wood Grilled Calamari, Whipped Ricotta, Chess Pie, Fries, Fresh Oysters, Burger, Grilled Octopus, Grilled Oysters, Maine Mussels, House Cut French Fries
Last night we went to Oak to Ember , chosen by my husband for his birthday dinner. Boy am I glad he chose this restaurant. Love the decor and atmosphere, it is a happening place , and has such a cool vibe.The service by our waiter Daniel was superb. He was able to help us with any questions we had about the menu, and he seemed extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic.We started with the wood fired calamari! ( this is certainly not our first time having this wonderful appetizer). The flavors are so unusual with macon almonds and pepper dew peppers. We enjoyed sharing this appetizer along side sourdough bread with herb butter.Our entrées were divine. My husband had a sirloin steak with crispy potatoes, and a small arugula salad. It was cooked to perfection . I had the clam scampi special. This was perhaps one of the best pasta dishes I have ever had . It was made with homemade fresh linguine, served al dente …. perfection!!!! The flavors from the homemade crumbled sausage, pickled jalapeños, and fresh clams were outstanding!We ended our meal sharing a piece of Chess Pie that came with a scoop of vanilla icecream and a side of peanut brittle ! This pie never disappoints …. total decadence.Obviously, our evening was so enjoyed; and we can’t wait to come back.Thank you Oak to Ember ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Wood Grilled Calamari, Chess Pie, Steak Frites
Really impressed. The service, drinks and meals were great. Can’t wait to go back in the summer to sit outside!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Love Oak to Ember! It is our favorite go-to spot in Gloucester. The staff is incredible and the quality of the cuisine is next level. Hats off to the chef for the elevated dining experience, wonderful service and perfect city vibe.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Oak to Ember is in a great spot and looks amazing, creating a really cozy vibe. They use fresh local ingredients, and the chef, Neal Maver, is super talented. The service is awesome, making the whole experience really great. You've got to try the smash burger, and the oysters and calamari are also really good starters. It's a fantastic place for people who love delicious food, a nice atmosphere, and great service. Plus, it's family-friendly, so it's perfect for all ages!
What a wonderful discovery for lunch on a cold New Years Day! Looking at their special menu that combined lunch and dinner options, we were a little put off by many prices, given the casual pubby feel of the place. But we found several reasonably priced items, which were delivered to the table in no time. Overall, we were delighted with our server and thrilled by every one of our dishes. The smash burgers were outstanding, accompanied by really terrific fries and even a top-notch dill spear. (These people have high standards for everything they serve --No back of the hand on their sides!) We also shared an amazing plate of thinly sliced delicata squash rounds, lightly battered and fried, with a perfect maply dijonnaise dipping sauce. But it was what they call their "smoked tuna melt" that really knocked our booties off! Fresh shredded tuna, expertly smoked, in a garlicky aioli with a nice melty cheese, inside an unusually fluffy hunk of focaccia. All these interesting pieces came together in a sandwich that will make every future tuna melt seem unworthy. We'll be back no matter the cost. Worth...every...penny!
Restaurantji Recommends
Went for a pre wedding welcome party! Food, drinks, service, and atmosphere was great. Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Had dinner with a party of 7 the night before News Years Eve. We had a nix of full dinners and small plates. Apps to dessert. Bunch of foodies, but all were impressed. Very good to excellent. Good wine and cocktails. Lively bar with water views. Cool deco. Easily the best meal I've had in Gloucester. Looking forward to another visit.Parking: They have a lot, but we found a spot on the street nearby,Wheelchair accessibility: Accessible
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Wood Grilled Calamari, Chess Pie, Fresh Oysters, Maine Mussels
Ordered the brisket burger and fried haddock sandwich. The food and cocktails were fantastic!!!! Not one bad drink or food item on that menu. The atmosphere is very open with natural sunlight compliment with amazing views of the marina and good music. Highly recommend to anyone and will definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Each entry was exceptional- the fries with the burger were perfect!! Ribs were tasty , tender. Acorn squash vegetarian entree was delicious. Craft Buzz was over the top! Thank you all. OH! Whipped ricotta was over the top!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Whipped Ricotta, Fries, Burger
Had great dinner at Oak to Ember. Looking forward to going back in the future to try more of their menu. The atmosphere is cool and laid back and the service is attentive. For the price point, we were not disappointed.Had a couple cocktails - they were solid. And they have a nice signature cocktail menu with a few creative items. One tip for management, fir some of the spirit forward drinks (like the old fashioned I ordered) consider a large cube of ice rather than a bunch of small cubes. They melt fast and water it down. Will also help with the received value of the drink.For starters we had the monk fish burnt ends, French onion soup, and Caesar salad. The mini fish was a hit. Super creative and one of the best bites of the night. Highly recommend. The Caesar was one of the better presented Caesar salads I’ve seen. Well dressed, tasty dressing, and using toasted bread crumbs instead of croutons. They provide the whole Romain stem. Presents well by lettuce gets bitter closer to the base. Nevertheless, very tasty. The French onion soup was, unfortunatley, a miss. I’m not sure what went wrong but the broth tasted like water. Maybe they failed to put in the sherry? Hoping it was just a bad batch - but it wasn’t good.For the mains, we got the Haddock and the Scollops. Both were very tasty, but the Haddock was the standout. Well conceived dish with a phenomenal broth. When I go back I’ll be hard pressed not to order it again. But plan to try more items off the menu.Two people, a couple drinks, apps, and mains: $195 after tip. Looking forward to returning.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5