Weathervane Tavern - Essex

Unexpected! This is the neighborhood go to and it's wonderful. Great service, atmosphere, and food! Anytime I have friends visit we walk over for lunch or dinner and it never disappoints. Visitors from outside New England love what I call regional comfort food (sometimes including Yankee Pot Roast), and the vibe and the friendly servers always impress them. What happened to the snooty reputation of New Englanders? ‍ It's not here!

Look, I don't care if you're vegan or a light eater or you live on the North Shore, anybody who reads this review needs to come to Weathervane for their prime rib dinner special on Thursdays. The cut is ridiculous (see pics) and the sides are tremendous and it's just so much food. SO MUCH FOOD. Sure, if it were just quantity, they'd have a following, but it's rare, lean yet tender and exquisitely seasoned. And if you're still on the fence about eating indoors (we are), Weathervane has a screened in covered and heated patio for COVID-conscious diners. A rarity on the south shore. You know how old people rave about prime rib? Like, they show up at 4p for dinner because of the limited prime rib inventory, which then sets them on a path of eating early until their final meal? I'm old now. Weathervane made it happen.

What a nice surprise. Went in an afternoon and sat at the bar. We had stuffed clams which were lovely. I had blackened haddock with mash and veg. The fish was so fresh and the sides were very good. The veggies were cooked!! Not mush but not raw. Very pleased and will definitely return.

I wanted to take a moment to express my appreciation for Weathervane. The food they serve is absolutely exceptional, and the staff is always friendly and attentive. I have had the pleasure of dining there multiple times, and each experience has been consistently outstanding. From the delicious flavors to the impeccable service

I have always liked the Weathervane, its a place you go to THAT DOESNT CHANGE like everything else in that horrible country. I don't live in that country anymore . The food is always good , went there 34 years ago and have gone A LOT since then. It's small and intimate, very warm feeling place. I do however Have a small interruption in my praise. The man who owns it is very nice, very welcoming, however, he does like to talk, and talk and talk. coming to a table and asking if the food is good, and enjoy your meal is fine. however, I sat there one time more than once or twice And heard the man talk almost thru the customers dinner. I was facing the sitting guy, and i could see him getting frustrated, however him being the gentlemen he was, kept listening. What's funny, is there was a young guy at the reception desk. We sat close to it, and that kid, bless him, also wouldn't stop talking, this happened twice . .I was thinking, is this in the training ? As i said ...food... terriffic, atmosphere ...great, there clientele, also good people. Just let people enjoy their meal, the public goes out to forget their day at the office, spend it with their husband, wife, kids, whatever, or whatever the circumstance. I hope the WEATHERVANE is open for another 40 years!!!