Unless you’re content with bland pub grub and watery cocktails, you’ll likely find yourself craving a proper drink and bite in Plymouth at some point. And when you do, you’ll want to avoid the tourist trap chowder and overpriced pints. We’ve scouted the waterfront and side streets to bring you the spots serving craft cocktails and New England fare that’s actually worth your hard-earned cash.
Aroma Tavern and Grill
$$ | (508) 224-1514 | WEBSITE
Right in the heart of Plymouth’s plaza is Aroma Tavern and Grill, which serves up refined dishes with standout flavors. Our favorite is the lemon cello cream sauce with rigatoni and scallops, with perfectly cooked pasta, creamy sauce, tender scallops, and bright citrus notes. It’s an elegant experience, so grab a table in the upscale dining room to savor it all before your special occasion begins.
Rio Brazilian Steakhouse
$$ | (508) 830-6802 | WEBSITE
Rio Brazilian Steakhouse offers authentic Brazilian churrasco, with perfectly seasoned meats and traditional dishes like feijoada. The dining room feels like the main hall of a Brazilian ranch house, and enjoying picanha steak here will make you feel much farther than just a few miles from the historic Plymouth waterfront.
Jefes: A Betta Bar & Grille
$ | (774) 343-5002 | WEBSITE
Plymouth has plenty of spots with long waits for tacos, but you’ll have to pay some premium prices for them. Luckily, there’s a hidden gem in town where you can skip the lines and enjoy authentic flavors. Jefes: A Betta Bar & Grille is a welcoming place that’s one of the better choices in Plymouth for a fun night out. There’s also great drinks here, like the Don Julio margarita, and if cocktails aren’t your thing, there’s plenty of beer and other options as well.
If you’re looking for variety or a quick takeout, there’s also homemade tortillas, flavorful nachos, and delightful churros with chocolate sauce.
The Galway Pub
$ | (508) 746-6452 | WEBSITE
Yes, there is a Galway Pub location in Plymouth, and we recommend you go there over other bars for better atmosphere and a more authentic local experience. If you’re not familiar, the popular downtown spot offers some of the best dive bar vibes in the area, not to mention friendly staff and the chance to play keno. This place has the same cool and comfortable look with a cash-only policy and available ATM as you’d expect from a true local hangout.
British Beer Company
$ | (508) 747-1776 | WEBSITE
British Beer Company is the perfect spot if you’re looking for a lively night out after exploring Plymouth. The cozy tavern feels like a genuine London pub, where you can enjoy local and international brews while live music plays upstairs on weekends. You might think a place with games like Jenga and darts would prioritize fun over quality, but their ‘killer brews’ selection—from hoppy IPAs to smooth stouts—is seriously good.
If you’re here with friends, the doorman’s friendly Boston welcome sets the tone for a great evening that won’t break the bank, with most pints costing around $7–9.
The New World Tavern
$ | (508) 927-4250 | WEBSITE
A plate of The New World Tavern’s crispy, saucy, and satisfying chicken parm flatbread will give you plenty of fuel to cheer on the local bands playing as loud as they damn please. The sit-down tavern, which comes from a team dedicated to Plymouth’s dining scene, specializes in hearty, flavorful pub fare and a wide selection of craft beers. The downtown spot is only a short stroll from the waterfront, so you can take your sweet time enjoying the live music here.
Tavern on the Wharf
$$ | (508) 927-4961 | WEBSITE
We didn’t expect to find some of the best food in Plymouth at a place called Tavern on the Wharf, but then we spotted the fish tacos. For the uninitiated, Tavern on the Wharf is a waterfront restaurant that, for a while, you could only find near the water. But now your meal out can involve fresh and delicious shrimp scampi or salmon. They also have great gluten-free options, with most of the menu available for those diets.
1620 Wine Bar
$$ | (508) 746-3532 | WEBSITE
The chicken parm sliders refer to a trio of mini sandwiches with marinara and melted mozzarella. They’re a solid appetizer option for anyone who thinks too hard about wine pairings. But the surprise menu item here isn’t slider-based at all: It’s the short ribs, which are, yes, served in a cast-iron skillet, with mashed potatoes, carrots, and lots of red wine reduction. Are they anything special? Not particularly. But hello—they’re served in a skillet.
Rye Tavern
$$$ | (508) 591-7515 | WEBSITE
Rye Tavern looks like hundreds of other cozy New England taverns, but they’re serving some of the best farm-to-table food in the region. Not just for a rustic spot, but for any spot. The focus here is on seasonal ingredients, and for $42, you get a three-course prix fixe with options like clam chowder, New York strip, and that peanut buttery sundae. It’s a dining deal that should cause lines down that bumpy dirt road, but you should be able to squeeze in as a walk-in on weekdays.
Prime-time tables in the gazebo overlooking the garden get scooped up in advance on weekends, so make reservations for those.
Pillory Pub
$ | (774) 608-7207 | WEBSITE
Almost every coastal New England town has a great pub, and in Plymouth, that’s Pillory Pub. Just steps from the waterfront and right across from the Mayflower, this is a quintessential casual-dining-and-drinking spot. The open windows and rocking chairs offer stunning views, so you can grab a generous meal of pub classics like the TBCM sandwich and piping hot chowder and still enjoy the scenery.
They’ve also got a great selection of beers on tap, including the Boston Celtics seasonal release and Allagash, with bartenders who are helpful in recommending drinks.
