Mediterranean cooking meets seasonal New England ingredients at Settler. Local sourcing is at the core of the menu, which means diners will find bluefin tuna with cucumber, dill, and yogurt, oysters with a rosé mignonette, and spaghetti with local lobster. The drinks emphasis is on their curated wine list, but they offer a few cordial-based cocktails as well.

This classic seafood spot serves up clam chowder, lobster rolls, steamers, and a catch of the day in Lyceum Hall, rumored to be one of Salem’s most haunted historic sites where notable names like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau used to give lectures. The family-friendly restaurant also has an adjoining fish market serving local haddock from Gloucester.

Get your Italian fix in this charming red-and-white-checked tablecloth restaurant serving classic red-sauce pasta and big plates of pork loin in pepper sauce and shrimp doused in a white wine cream sauce and served over rice. Linguine with scallops and shrimp in a light red sauce is one of the specialties of the house.

A local community hub, Gulu-Gulu has a sought-after craft beer menu, a wide selection of stuffed sandwiches, and rotating displays by local artists. Try the festive Season of the Witch IPA from True North Ale Company in Ipswich or the Lychee Blueberry Sour from Couch Dog Brewing Co. right here in Salem. Warm weather bonus: the patio is dog-friendly.

Enjoy heartwarming Moroccan flavors at Blue Fez, like tagines made with braised lamb shank, dried figs, and saffron or with shrimp, peppers, lemon, and zucchini. The menu offers a hefty list of appetizers and small plates so you can try many different dishes in one sitting. Don’t pass over dessert: Moroccan pureed dates are a standout served with almonds, shaved coconuts, honey, orange blossom water, and cinnamon on top of ice cream.

The Ugly Mug Diner is a classic breakfast, brunch, and lunch spot in central Salem. Order up a breakfast feast with chicken and waffles, chipotle hash benedict, and steak and eggs or go for a hearty Cubano sandwich for lunch. They also make their own sodas and offer more than 22 syrup flavors for lattes and steamers.

All Souls is an industry hangout where you can order classic cocktails alongside fancified hot dogs and grilled cheese sandwiches literally overflowing with fun ingredients. Try a Tokyo dog with caramelized onion, Teriyaki mayo, black sesame seeds, and scallions or a banh mi grilled cheese with provolone, pickled daikon radishes and carrots, sriracha mayo, and more.

Channel your inner British royal at Jolie Tea Company’s daily high tea service with tiers of tea sandwiches, macarons, scones, and other traditional finger foods. The tea service is extremely allergy friendly, with variations for dairy and gluten-free eaters, vegetarian, vegan, and pescatarian diets, and pregnancy. They also offer tea cocktails and mocktails and a light lunch menu with salads, tartines, and quiche.

This hole-in-the-wall spot serves piping hot Dominican dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Try the chicharron mofongo with fried green plantains, a hearty carne de res guisada plate with rice and beans, or a handful of savory pastelitos to go.

Deacon Giles Distillery makes gin, vodka, and canned cocktails right here in Salem. At their in-house cocktail bar, customers can try out creative creations using their spirits. The menu rotates regularly but the Psycho Mantis with dry gin, amber rum, lemon, orgeat, anise seed, snap pea syrup, and Peychaud’s is a crowd favorite.

A family-run Japanese spot, Minzu Sushi has an extensive menu of maki, sushi, and sashimi offerings, plus sushi entrees and lunch specials. The Salem Maki includes shrimp tempura, avocado and cucumber with spicy salmon, tempura flakes, eel sauce, and spicy mayo. For a festive touch, try the avocado-wrapped sushi lollipops.