- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Margarets Restaurant
Categories: Restaurants Seafood Restaurants American (Traditional) Seafood, American (Traditional) [Edit]
16 Main StFairhaven, MA 02719
(508) 992-9942
- Hours:
Mon, Wed-Sat 7 am - 2 pm
Mon, Wed-Sat 5 pm - 9 pm
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
22 reviews for Margarets Restaurant
Review Highlights
"Baked haddock with mussels is delicious, authentic seafood."
(in 2 reviews)
"...and honeyed pecans with a poached pear and field greens."
(in 3 reviews)
"It's BYOB, so come prepared."
(in 5 reviews)
Loading...
22 reviews in English
-
Review from Brian H.
Fall River, MA
7/31/2011 8 Check-ins Here
Went for breakfast forr the first time and it was great. Quick easy and it was very cheap. I can't wait to go back for diner also. Will provide a update at a later time.
For breakfast the eggds were great and the french toast was beyond fantastic! -
Review from Carly B.
7/10/2011 1 photo
Let's just get this out there: Margaret's is one of my favorite places to eat. Never a less than moan-worthy meal in at least 15 visits.
Seafood is the star here. I am a groupie. There is surely something to be said for serving fresh fish pure and simple, a squirt of lemon and dollop of butter and calling it a day. But there will be none of that here, because there is also something to be said for a seafood dish that is RICH, lush, creative and oh-so-much-more than its sum of parts. For example, a special I devoured last night: generous mounds of lobster over housemade penne perfection in a sherry parmesan cream sauce with mushrooms. For $17! I can't forget to share that you must order this death row last meal giant salad: poached pear, spiced toasted pecans, goat cheese, dried cranberries, fresh greens, strawberry orange vinaigrette. For $7!
The prices here would easily double in Providence. Two people can enjoy a starter and two entrees and leave spending $50 including tip. Because it's also a BYO establishment.
There is just one mighty fierce bee in my bonnet when it comes to Margaret's: inconsistent service. Most of the time, it's friendly, informed, relaxed. But when the place is jammed on a weekend night and there is a crowd of ravenous wannabe diners gathered in the upstairs waiting/BYO drinking lounge, waiting for YOUR table... you can pretty much count on being blatantly rushed with rudeness. Took a gamble and went on a summer Saturday night and was pleasantly surprised that this wasn't the case; not quite as crowded as the colder months.
I've got buckets of love for this small and casual seafood spot, sweet location by the water (and the Steamship Authority maintenance docks.)Listed in: Tippity-top Food Spots, BYOB
-
Review from Sean M.
East Wareham, MA
Updated - 9/22/2011
Went to margarets again and wanted to update. Last time I had the chowder and it was watery and finding clams in it was a chore. I didn't mention it because my meal was so good. This time I ordered the Chunky beef and potato soup.I found 0 chunks of beef, but the flavor was very tasty. and my meal (mussels with ground linguica, feta, bacon, olives, and minced clam) was incredible. I wanted to pick up the bowl and drink the broth down. If you are watching your sodium skip this one, if not grab extra bread for sopping up all that delicous broth.
My wife had the fish and chips and was not happy with the fish. Dry and tasteless was her description, but coleslaw and fries A+. Again $7 bucks for a great lunch.1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
5/15/2011
Looked on Yelp for a good lunch and wanted seafood. We found Margarets with glowing reviews. I would… Read more »
-
-
Review from Megan K.
12/14/2010
My husband's family is from Fairhaven so everytime we are visiting them I make sure we hit Margaret's at least once. This place is phenomenal! It is itty bitty and so quaint and you wouldn't suspect that such a small place that doesn't look like much from the outside could prepare such wonderful food! I am always in disbelief how reasonable the prices are here for the quality of the ingredients and the creativity of the menu.
The food here is so unique and combines ingredients I'd never think to put together but everything always end up tasting unreal good. The most amazing dish I ever ate here was one of their daily specials. It was a pumpkin ravioli with a cream sauce, bacon, cranberries, and asparagus I believe. On the regular menu I especially love the linguine with chicken, cranberries, and spinach. Their bread is also super tasty and fresh!
Margaret's is definitely a hidden gem serving up incredible food. I'm totally getting hungry just thinking about how awesome the food is here, I can't wait for my next trip back East!! -
Review from Gini J.
6/14/2010
We found Margarets thanks to Yelp, and what a find! This small restaurant serves up some of the finest seafood we've eaten in New England. Margarets takes no reservations, and when we arrived we were invited to spend our 20 minute wait for a table upstairs in their charming library/waiting room. We were actually disappointed when they called us to our table - we hadn't finished exploring the library!
For starters, I ordered the apple and scallops salad with a honey-lavender dressing. The salad was enough to split between three of us and we agreed that it was one of the best salads we've ever eaten - if the restaurant had offered the dressing for sale, I would have bought a case of it! The clam chowder was made without any gummy thickeners and was flavorful. All four main dishes were excellent, the fish perfectly cooked and the sauces and accompaniments ideal.
My experience with seafood in Massachusetts has not impressed me in the past, but this trip I enjoyed the seafood that MA is famous for, and Margarets was a pinnacle.
Good to note: Margarets does not sell any alcohol, but welcomes you to bring your own bottle or wine or beers. -
Review from Kalama B.
Portage, MI
8/4/2010
Yes, Yes, Yes. This is an amazing little place is a treasure of New England. It's not pretentious, but it serves delicious well-priced food (specializing in seafood).
This might sound like an overstatement, but Margaret's restored my faith in non-foreign, non-diner, hole-in-wall joints with one bite of garilcky fried calamari.
If you are a business traveler, to the New Bedford/Fairhaven area, make a wise choice and stop by this local treasure.
It's BYOB, so come prepared. They did NOT frown on my friend and I bringing in a bottle of liquor (Jameson) to mix with our sodas, pops, cokes (whatever you call them). -
Review from Jeff G.
New Bedford, MA
7/17/2011
Hadn't been here in quite some time. The pluses: BYOB, great service, cozy ambiance, decent food. Was a little lukewarm on my fish, it was tasty but nothing to jump up and down over, I think I was more disappointed that my smashed potatoes were not hot. Desert was outstanding. Prices have got up a tad since my last visit. Still a good value.
-
Review from Suzanne G.
Dunstable, MA
5/16/2011
Awesome place. Love BYOB establishments, we get to bring exactly what we want and pay for it without the restaurant charging thru the roof! Wine mark-ups are getting nutty. But that is another story.
Our party of 7 was seated on a busy Friday evening in the second dining room. My one complaint is that it is very tight; the group at the table behind us were not using their indoor voices so the sound level became a bit much. Why is it that in European restaurants diners are seated very close together, yet the atmosphere is intimate and lovely, whereas here PEOPLE TEND TO SCREAM LOUDER AND LOUDER TO BE HEARD OVER THE OTHER DINERS??? I guess that's another story too.
Husband and I shared an appetizer of calamari--if you've read many of my other reviews you'll see we've made this a bit of an adventure, trying calamari wherever we can. I voted Margaret's the best I've ever had, but had to add "best in this country" when my husband recalled some super fresh calamari we'd had in Greece. In any case, super delicious with a lovely linguica and tomato based sauce, nice and fresh and crispy.
We all had bites and tastes from our various entrees, all were very good. For dessert we ordered a big slice of white chocolate cheesecake with cranberries, drizzled with caramel sauce and dollops of whipped cream. So so crazy good my head almost exploded.
We'll definitely be back when in the area. -
Review from anne o.
Fairhaven, MA
3/28/2007
Food is always fresh, unique, and appealing. Depending on the time of day or the day of the week, you could be looking at a significant wait (especially for brunch) but the food is worth it. I actually prefer their lunch items over their breakfast, but that's just me. Their goat cheese and pear salad was really good, but my favorite dish there is a "Krispy" fish roll-up with cole slaw and chipotle ranch dressing. It was ridiculously good, and they've got the best fries on the planet. They also have healthier options, so don't be scared away from my favorite dish there.
Service is prompt, but not always terribly friendly. Small price to pay for excellent food served quickly. Actual prices vary - breakfast and lunch are about what you would pay at a chain restaurant, dinner is perhaps a little more.Listed in: Top Restaurants
-
Review from Kait M.
Boston, MA
9/17/2010
i haven't been in a while but my parents go often. Their sister restaurant right next door is excellent too!
i don't know if they still have the 'caged mousse' desert but if they do GET IT! -
Review from James R.
Providence, RI
4/5/2011
My wife and I had several lunches at Margarets and I would recommend this place to everyone to give it a try. The food is simple but good and inexpensive.
-
Review from Momo Y.
Boston, MA
9/7/2006 3 photos
Quaint little restaurant near the water. My bf and I weren't expecting to eat here, but as we drove by it he said he remembered reading that the food was pretty good. We figured why not try it out? Breakfast was being served and I ordered the honey & almond French toast. It was so huge that I wasn't able to finish the last slice. We also had the Norwegian pancake, and some delicious (and the best I've ever tasted) home-fries. I'm not sure about lunch/dinner, but the breakfast is awesome!
The place is decorated with lots of different types of fishes. There are only a few tables, so I am guessing at night it can be quite busy and people have to wait a long time. The door specifically said no reservations, but I heard you can call in and ask them to hold a table for you that night. Nice service and friendly patrons. And I give them an extra point for a clean bathroom. -
Review from Lynn F.
Randolph, MA
4/3/2011 1 photo
You must absolutely make a trip to Fairhaven just to go to this amazing restaurant. We went to Fairhaven to explore historic Fort Phoenix but the real adventure of the day was within Margaret's four walls: exquisitely-prepared fresh food at extremely reasonable prices. I enjoyed a special of the day of lobster and penne with a light mushroom sauce topped with bread crumbs and wilted spinach. I had to hold myself back from licking the plate! I have paid the same price for appetizers at other restaurants that I paid for my meal at Margaret's! The cakes we had for dessert were extraordinarily delicious: chocolate velvet and pistachio.
Very nice, attentive waitstaff, simple but clean surroundings. But the meal! The meal was simply the best I've had at a restaurant in years, and I live close to Boston and have access to the very best restaurants around. Or so I thought, until now. I look forward to getting to know Fairhaven better as I sample every one of Margaret's outstanding creations. -
Review from Colleen S.
Fair Oaks, CA
10/18/2010 1 Check-in Here
The pear salad is fantastic - goat cheese and honeyed pecans with a poached pear and field greens. I had the oven baked haddock with mussels as an entree and it was really good. This place is a gem.
-
Review from Ger T.
Arlington, MA
10/16/2008
A really cute place that has homey food and a great laid-back atmosphere! Their seafood is not shabby at all, and the prices can't be beat. I had a haddock seafood plate for around $8! It's definitely small and can feel a bit cramped sometimes, but it's a great place to go on a rainy day. They also have a parking lot - something you don't find everyday in New England. If you're looking for good, solid seafood or just family-friendly food in the New Bedford area, I highly recommend this place.
Listed in: New Bedford
-
Review from Gary M.
Topsfield, MA
6/9/2011
After reading great reviews, I decided to give Margarets a try when passing through. The reviews were spot on. Ambiance is small and cozy. The waitstaff was warm, positive spirited, and attentive despite being busy. They helped each other to make sure that customers were well taken care of. The food? Wow. Even their bread and butter are homemade and jaw droppingly good. Excellent homemade chowder, lots of clams, light dill seasoning. My calamari was perfectly cooked, in a spicy base that included linguica and garlic. I sat at the breakfast bar and watched every meal go past. Each plate was presented beautifully and looked delicious. Desserts were over the top. The prices are very fair, especially given the high level of quality and service. I will find a way to come back, and bring as many friends and family as I can. If you are a foodie, just go. You will be glad you did.
-
Review from Crysi K.
New Bedford, MA
4/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
I first heard of Margarets when checking into a nearby restaurant on Yelp. I made it a point to try it out. We went there at about 10:30 am just in time for breakfast. I had the cranberry omelet that also had spinach and Vermont Cheddar in it. I also ordered a Norwegian pancake. My husband ordered the french toast and an omelet. He wasn't to impressed with his omelet and neither was I however the pancake was great. They charge extra for lingonberry sauce which is worth trying however i wish they warmed it. About a month later we decided to go back in for lunch. The lunch menu has a lot of choices on it they also have specials of the day. I think my husband and I will keep going back until we put a dent in the menu. I was super impressed by my salad, that featured a poached pear, spice pecans, goat cheese and homemade salad dressing. Lunch prices are very reasonable and the wait for a table wasn't bad. However by the time we left about 1:30 the lunch rush had died down and there was no wait for tables. Can't wait to go back and try something else on the menu!!
-
Review from Katherine I.
Boston, MA
12/6/2007
Fantastic food is the standard in this casual, seaside eatery with odd hours. Ignore my nearly nondescript review and let the stars be your guide to Mmm Mmm Mmm!
Listed in: Breakfast or Brunch
-
Review from bruce r.
New York, NY
9/17/2010
OMG. Awesome food. Baked haddock with mussels is delicious, authentic seafood. Highly recommended. BYOB
-
Review from Lindsay H.
Charlestown, MA
10/23/2008
I went here last weekend with my boyfriend, we sat in the back smaller dining room. The dining area is quaint, since the building is an old house, cozy rooms with lots of hungry people. In the back room we sat underneath the aquarium and we were fascinated by the little turtle as we waited for our meal. Pancakes, yum! The pancakes were big, fluffy and extremely filling. Way better than any chain restaurant (IHOP in Dartmouth you suck!) and much cheaper as well! I would love to go back sometime soon and try lunch or dinner.
-
Review from Ellen L.
Walpole, MA
7/14/2010
Margaret's is a tiny little jewel with some of the best seafood you can find. I thank my friend who is from Marion for taking me there as it is off the beaten track. It is worth finding if you love seafood.
-
Review from Erin M.
Wareham, MA
7/12/2010
Margarets has a charming atmosphere and is built in what appears to be a converted house. The waiting room is upstairs in what was probably once a bedroom, and is quite charming. The waitstaff are dressed casually and the decor is rustic, so you get the feeling that you are in a typical Portuguese diner, but the food is out of this world, and the presentation is lovely. The menu plays to the strengths of the location. I had a seared tuna on a bed of kale and asparagus, my mother had the salmon, which she got with scallops instead of shrimp and which was absolutely incredible, my stepfather got another variety of the seared tuna, and my boyfriend got the lobster shrimp risotto, which was very rich and mind-bendingly good. We all split the apple and scallops salad, which had a very spicy honey-mustard-lavender dressing. I've never been in a situation where I was fighting over the last bites of a salad, but the dressing was so incredible that we ate every last leaf. The prices are reasonable. Entrees averaged about $16.50, and you don't end up running up a large bill with drinks because Margarets is BYOB. Check this place out when you're in the mood for some local flavor with a fine-dining twist. You won't spend any more than you would going to Chilis and you'll get an infinitely better meal.
