Historic Inn • Tavern • Raw Bar — Cape Ann, MA
A 1959 shingle-style house turned coastal inn and hearth restaurant. Salt air, creaking floors, lobster rolls, chowder, wood fire, and 17 rooms that smell of cedar and sea.
01 — About The House
The New England House began as a sea captain's home in 1892, became a boarding house for artists in the 1930s, and since 1959 has welcomed travelers as an inn and tavern. We kept the wide-plank floors, the fieldstone fireplaces, the creaky stairs — and added great coffee, natural wine, and very good pillows.
Every morning we bake Anadama bread and blueberry grunt muffins. Every evening we light the tavern fire at 4pm sharp. In between: beach towels, bikes, lobster bibs, board games, and a porch built for doing nothing beautifully.
02 — Stay
No two rooms alike. All with Frette linens, Malin bath goods, quilts from Maine, and blackout shades for deep coastal sleep.
Wake to lobster boats. Coffee on the widow's walk. Soaking tub with sea view.
Low beams, rope details, bunk nook for kids, board games and hot cocoa kit.
03 — Dining • Tavern • Raw Bar
Hearth-driven New England classics with a modern coastal pantry. Day-boat fish from Gloucester, oysters from Duxbury, veggies from our garden.
| To Start | |
|---|---|
| New England Clam Chowder — salt pork, oyster crackers | $14 |
| Wood-Fired Oysters — brown butter, beach herbs | $19 |
| Tuna Crudo — apple, cider, sea greens | $21 |
| Hearth Mains | |
| Lobster Roll, brown butter bun, fries — the legend since 1962 | $32 |
| Cedar Plank Salmon — charred leeks, maple | $34 |
| Half Chicken al Mattone — hearth potatoes, jus | $29 |
| House Lobster Bake for Two — 2x 1.5lb, corn, clams | $89 |
Breakfast 7–10:30am • Lunch 11:30–2:30 • Tavern 3–10pm • Sunday Bake 5pm. Reserve porch →
04 — Experiences
Daily 6amGuided harbor kayak, then cedar sauna and chowder breakfast. Towels included.
Sat 11amLearn the 1962 recipe, shuck clams, bake Anadama. Eat your homework with cider.
Fri 5pmDuxbury oysters, natural wine, sea shanties. Blankets if chilly. Dogs welcome.
05 — House Journal • News
Seasonal menus, inn stories, coastal guides and restoration diaries. Click any story to read the full article.
Our stories are being set in type. Check back for chowder recipes and room reveals.
06 — Kind Words
“The lobster roll ruined all other lobster rolls. We sat on the porch till the lighthouse blinked on.”— Maya R., Boston • Harbor View King
“Like visiting grandparents who happen to be incredible chefs. Kids still talk about the bunk room.”— The Okafor Family, New York
“Chowder by the fire, sauna after kayaking, best sleep in years. We'll be back every fall.”— Jonas & Freya, Portland
07 — Good to Know
Parking free, EV chargers, dogs welcome in 4 rooms and on porch. Beach 5 min walk.
No — tavern, raw bar and porch are open to all. Reservations recommended Fri–Sun. Hotel guests get priority seating.
Yes. Winter is our secret season: fires all day, storm-watching packages, lobster bake Fridays, lower rates.
Very. Kids eat free Sunday brunch, bunk rooms, games library. Dogs welcome in Harbor Cottage + porch with menu for pups.
Yes — up to 80 on the lawn + barn. Elopements on the rocks at sunrise are our specialty. Write via the form below.
08 — Visit Us
234 Harbor Light Lane, Rockport, MA 01966
Open Daily 7am–10pm • Kitchen till 9:30pm
+1 (978) 555-0195
[email protected]
No prepayment. Cancel free up to 48h. We reply within a day.
