Franklin Cape Ann

My wife and I dropped in early for dinner on a Tuesday night, and were lucky to get a table. (Make reservations.) The main room is smallish, but even when it was busy, it wasn't super noisy. In fact, there was live music - a jazz duo of string bass and clarinet - that was amazing. I had their special Manhattan, which was good but not to my liking. We split the arugula salad, which was tasty. I loved the morsel of fried goat cheese. We also split a bowl if the fish chowder, which was delicious. The fish chunks were substantial, and the over all flavor was subtle, with a touch of heat (maybe white pepper?). I would order this. For dinner, my wife ordered the pan seared cod, which was concealed between a generous portion of mashed potatoes and a pile of oyster mushrooms on top. The mush

We arrived in Gloucester after a long drive from nyc on a friday evening, absolutely starving and looking for dinner around 9pm. Most restaurants had already closed for the night, and we were about ready to give up when we thankfully found Franklin Cape Ann. This small, cozy restaurant welcomed us even at that late hour. At first they brought out fresh bread before our appetizer, which was very nice. The grilled octopus was excellent. I had the pasta of the day with perfectly cooked shrimp. My dad got the sautéed mussels, and my brother went for the fresh ground sirloin burger with fries. Everything was perfect and delicious. So happy we found this place - it really saved the night!

We hosted our company Christmas dinner at Franklin Cape Ann in Gloucester, and it was absolutely outstanding. Our group of 21 arrived at different times, yet the staff handled everything with such grace and professionalism that the evening felt effortless. We pre-ordered several appetizers to be on the table right at 6, and they were not only perfectly timed but incredibly delicious—an ideal start to the night. Everyone was able to order their own drinks, entrées, and desserts from the menu, and every dish that came out was exceptional. From the first bite of the appetizers to the last spoonful of dessert, the food was consistently flavorful, beautifully prepared, and generously portioned. Our waitress deserves special praise. She was attentive without ever feeling intrusive, quick with re

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We had an absolutely fantastic experience at The Franklin! The food alone is worth five stars—the sushi was incredibly fresh and beautifully prepared, and the steak was cooked to perfection with amazing flavor. Pair that with their expertly crafted cocktails, and it made for such a memorable night out. What truly elevated the experience, though, was the service. Our server, Grace, was phenomenal—warm, attentive, and knowledgeable, making us feel genuinely cared for from start to finish. And the owner, Maria, was so friendly and welcoming, taking the time to connect with guests and create such a positive, inviting atmosphere. Amazing food, fantastic drinks, and even better people. We can’t wait to come back!

10 out of 10. Best dining experience and scratch cooking I've had in years. Halibut special with scampi sauce, asparagus, and garlic mashed potatoes. Tuna sashimi perfectly quick seared with a side salad and mashed potatoes. All desserts made in house - so hard to choose, but the key lime pie was a perfect end. Three of us dined in last night and raved about our meals even after we left. The Franklin is worth every penny and calorie. Highly recommend. **November update. I Finally ordered something other than the Tuna! The Organic Grilled Salmon with Warm Sweet Potato Salad, Honey & Sriracha Glaze is also very easy to recommend. Top 3 salmon dish I've ever had.**