Casual dining in Massachusetts is a tasty and fun option for families

Massachusetts > State > Dining & Restaurants > Casual Dining

Everyone -- perhaps especially families with children -- likes to dine at a casual restaurant, diner, or drive-in on occasion, particularly on a vacation. Massachusetts has plenty of great restaurants serving American and traditional New England food that serve inexpensive and good food.

Check out more great dining experiences at our VNE Blog!

Hotel on North

297 North Street Pittsfield, MA, 01201 Phone: 413-358-4741

Chefs Who Think Globally & Shop Locally

When you walk through the front doors, you can see that Hotel on North in a place of understated sophistication. Things are simply done well, without pretense. Similarly, the hotels’ Eat on North is a casual restaurant where fresh, uncomplicated food from local ingredients is served proudly by Chef de Cuisine Ron Reda. Menus present tasty American cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Small plates, large plates, snacks, and other options satisfy every appetite. A very cool oyster bar with views of the lobby and the hotel’s coming and goings serves delicious shellfish and oyster samplers; cured meats and cheeses. A kids menu corrals the taste and needs of young ones on a family vacation.

Cape Codder Resort & Spa

1225 Iyannough Road Hyannis, MA, 02601 Phone: 855-861-4370

Warm, casual atmosphere and fresh, down-home food at this resort’s two restaurants

A warm, casual atmosphere with food everyone loves: That’s what the Hearth ’n Kettle and Grand Cru restaurants at the Cape Codder Resort & Spa strive to provide their guests. At the Hearth ’n Kettle, comfort-food specialties include a classic turkey dinner, Yankee pot roast, chicken pot pie and lazy lobster casserole. Desserts are legendary, from apple crisp, Toll House cookie pie to strawberry shortcake. And, the breakfasts are bountiful and delicious. At the Grand Cru, enjoy Italian and American fare from calamari appetizers to Tuscan shrimp to grilled flat-iron steaks and burgers, as well as an array of pizzas. Enjoy Friday evening live jazz and blues as you sip your wine, cold brew, creative martini or other classic cocktail.

Hampton Inn Boston Downtown MA Dining Area - Hampton Inns New England

Hampton Inns of New England

Hotels’ piping hot breakfasts a great way to begin your exploration vacation

There’s so much to explore when you stay at one of the Hampton Inn Hotels of New England’s Massachusetts inns. And how better to start your getaway adventures than with a piping hot breakfast? Complimentary hot breakfasts with options from eggs and waffles to fruit and pastries are just one of the many amenities at Hampton inns. All of the hotels also have free wifi, spacious rooms, flexible booking options with free changes and cancellations and great service. Many also have business centers, indoor pools and fitness centers and shuttles to nearby transportation hubs, shopping areas and other attractions. Those attractions range from mountain trails in the Berkshires to the historic Freedom Trail in Boston.

Harbor Light Inn

58 Washington Street Marblehead, MA, 01945 Phone: 781-631-2186

Romance, history and high quality casual dining

Dine casually in one of the most romantic Inns in America in one of the most beautiful small towns in America. Located in the heart of historic Marblehead’s harbor the intimate and popular tavern is open to the public and serves an extensive list of fine wines, beer, cordials and house specialty drinks and is the perfect spot for relaxing during or after an evening out. You’ll also find a limited but high-quality menu highlighting favorites like shrimp and corn chowders, cheese and fruit platters, Maryland crab cakes, shrimp cocktail, grilled Panini and great burgers. Guests staying at the Inn can also enjoy the extensive continental breakfast buffet served in the dining room each day with a special smoked salmon platter available on Sundays.

Lenox Hotel

61 Exeter Street at Boylston Boston, MA, 02116 Phone: 617-536-5300 Toll-Free: 800-225-7676

Small plates to nosh, warm friendly service, there’s always a reason to stop in. Open nightly ‘til 2am.

City Table’s free spirited approach to the menu allows guests more freedom to share and try a wide offering of starters, entrees and sides that put a creative twist on classic American fare. We embody a casual approach and an emphasis on fresh and organic ingredients.
City Table is an intimate gathering spot for pre-dinner or after work with an extensive beverage list featuring a variety of traditional cocktails and signature libations along with one-of-a-kind martinis and an impressive wine list with many selections available by the glass. City Table’s full menu is served until 1am daily with cocktails until 2am.

Deerfield Inn

81 Old Main Street Deerfield, MA, 01342 Phone: 413-774-5587

Peaceful, comforting surroundings, a creative menu add up to perfect casual dining

The surroundings of the historic Deerfield Inn’s restaurant and tavern are as comforting as the food, and that’s saying something. At Champney’s Restaurant & Tavern, diners can relax in comfortable wing chairs, get warm by the fireplaces and sample seasonal dishes that rely on the freshest local ingredients. The creative cuisine, perfect for a casual dinner or a quick lunch before sightseeing, includes modern renditions of classic favorites from chicken pot pie to fish and chips, as well as some eclectic surprises like artisanal mushroom risotto or bouillabaisse. A variety of beers on tap, a good wine list and signature cocktails guarantee a pleasant evening in a peaceful, inviting atmosphere both inside and out on the lawn, porch and terrace. Please visit our website to see current COVID policies.

Salem Waterfront Hotel

225 Derby Street Salem, MA, 01970 Phone: 978-740-8788 Toll-Free: 888-337-2536

Restaurant features great pub food and outside dining just steps from the docks

Enjoy a relaxing dining experience on historic Pickering Wharf at the Regatta Pub and Patio, the casual, comfortable restaurant at the Salem Waterfront Hotel & Suites. Start your day with a lobster omelet or buttermilk pancakes for breakfast. Traditional and creative pub food for lunch and dinner includes clam chowder, fish and chips, grilled steak tips – or you can build your own burger. The patio, just steps from the docks, is a great place to enjoy a meal or a seasonal cocktail (wicked rum punch, anyone?), with its fire pits and fire towers creating a warm atmosphere. The restaurant has kids’ menus with everything from chicken fingers and mac and cheese to that can’t-miss PB&J.

Mirbeau Inn & Spa Plymouth

35 Landmark Drive Plymouth, MA, 02360 Phone: 508-209-2626 Toll-Free: 877-647-2328

Savor the delightful offerings at this inn’s bistro-inspired signature restaurant

A meal at the elegant Mirbeau Inn & Spa is something to savor. At the luxurious inn’s Bistro & Wine Bar, its signature restaurant, that means enjoying a French bistro-inspired menu infused with the flavors of New England. You might start your dinner with butternut squash and apple bisque or iced oysters, moving on to a poulet cassoulet or seared sea scallops. Or, you might just want a Mirbeau Burger! Breakfast features omelets, crepes, brioche French toast and house-baked croissants. (Ask about the Sunday Jazz Brunch.) The dining room is casually elegant, with an outdoor patio for relaxed nights with delightful meals and an extensive wine and spirits list.
Mirbeau accolades include Forbes Travel Guide recognition, AAA Four Diamonds and Conde Nast Top 20 Resorts in New England and Top 100 Hotels and Resorts in the World.

Briar Barn Inn

101 Main Street Rowley, MA, 01969 Phone: 978-653-5323

Classic fare with a modern twist a specialty of this inn’s rustic restaurant

Featuring modern fare with a focus on fresh, local ingredients, Grove restaurant at the Briar Barn Inn is a favorite with locals and guests alike. Partnering with local farms and purveyors, and under the guidance of an award-winning chef, this relaxed, rustic farm-to-table restaurant specializes in inventive cuisine as well as casual New England favorites, served in a post-and-beam barn and outdoor terrace. Three separate bar areas offer classic cocktails, local craft beers and a vibrant wine list. Start your dinner off with crispy calamari or red curry squash soup, move on to pan-roasted swordfish, duck or steak frites. Or come for weekend brunch and enjoy a bloody Mary flight with your fresh frittata or juicy burger.

Hilton Boston Logan Airport

One Hotel Drive Boston, MA, 02128 Phone: 617-568-6700 Toll-Free: 800-445-8667

You'll love eating at Hilton's Boston airport hotel

Keeping you nourished and on the go is a top priority at the Hilton Boston Logan Airport. the day with breakfast a Berkshires, offering dishes like Huevos Rancheros, and a full buffet. At Cafe Presto, grab a Starbucks coffee and snack while on the run, or pack a wholesome meal for your trip. Berkshires is our breakfast cafe. Enjoy something low-fat and high-energy, like Irish steel cut oatmeal or house-made granola with berries. Or treat yourself to something more indulgent, like our Maine Lobster Towers, a New England twist on eggs benedict. For lunch or dinner, head to Connolly's Publik House and enjoy local seafood favorites -- clam chowder, lobster roll, baked scrod -- as well as stone-baked pizza, salads, and sandwiches.

Dan'l Webster Inn and Spa

149 Main Street Historic Sandwich Village, MA, 02563 Phone: Toll-Free: 855-520-0550

From the tavern to the glassed-in conservatory, dining at this inn is an experience not to be missed

You have your choice of places for delightful dining at the Dan’l Webster Inn & Spa: And all of them are exceptional. Experience the fusion of regional and organic ingredients in the one-of-a-kind glass-enclosed Conservatory or by sunlight or moonlight in the Marshview Terrace or patio. Relax with a burger and a brew in the Tavern at the Inn, where Daniel Webster visited when it was a tap room. Or, enjoy candle-lit, fireside dining in the cozy Music and Webster Rooms. Savor tender prime rib as well as creative dishes inspired by the Cape’s bountiful seafood. The inn’s wine cellar has received the Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence. And don’t forget dessert, with confections including carrot coconut cake and key lime pie.

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