The 401 Tavern

Always a goodtime at the 401! Either drinking or dining your wont be disappointed!

Probably the best burger on the seacoast… My other half had the chicken pot pie and said it was awesome. Crust was flaky, vegetables were cooked just right, and very creamy…

Delicious food! My husband and I came here for a party last night and the food was incredible! I had the surf and turf and the steak was awesome! As were the scallops! My husband had the mate’s plate which was a great serving of a variety of seafood.

Food was terrible AND overpriced! Ambience is nil. Ambiance was NIL. Close this place down and make room for a chef that knows how to cook!

Food was pretty good, but the atmosphere isn’t.
It’s very dark, gloomy, crammed, old-​school, and the dining rooms are shaped oddly, like this used to be a house (probably was) and they’re shoving as many tables as they can, per room.
I can see it’s best use is as a watering hole — people were standing in the isles with drinks in hand because there’s no more room elsewhere. I had someone’s ass in my ear for half the meal.
Good luck finding a parking spot. They offer additional parking down the road, because they have such a small lot.

Love love love 401 Tavern. Great drinks, really solid satisfying food and attentive service. Something for everyone in my picky peeps– all are happy because there’s such a broad range to choose from. Special faves are Fish Chowder, Strawberry Quinoa Salad, Seared Scallops with Spinach and Gorgonzola Salad, Potatoes O’ Brien, Lobstah Pie, Tiramisu

Lets call it a 3 ½ but To the folks that gave this place a one star or a two star you simply were at the wrong place. If you are looking for a 4 or 5 star restaurant for you anniversary or something special, this is not the place.
If you are looking for a local, loud, fun, nostalgic local pub, with cluttered walls,(it may be possible to find a quite seat in one of the outer rooms) cold beers on tap and very good lunches and dinners, this is a nice place. Also would be a nice place to watch a football game, but come early if you want a seat the bar, there were 4 of us and we all had baked onion soup, seafood chowder, lobster rolls, seafood plate, patty melt, and non of us had any complaints, the service was prompt&friendly, the food was good and we enjoy this kind of sports bar, old nostalgic kid of places. We commented that is like and old English pub, but a bit larger. each of us had a couple of beers app’s and dinner, total bill with tip was $ 150.
We would definitely return.

Update
Summer, 2015
Went back to the 401 with some friends who were visiting, as they were excited to try a local hole-​in-​the-​wall they found. The food was very good, nothing out of this world, but we were all satisfied. Atmosphere was a bit too much like a bar for us; dark rooms and sloppy crowds unless you go upstairs to a smaller, cramped dining area. Service could still be improved, especially since there are so many other restaurants in the area where pleasant service is second nature. My past experience with this restaurant’s service and staff will continue to prevent my patronage, and I will instead visit other establishments with visiting family and friends. I suggest you do so as well.

Frankly the food was a one star, but I gave them two because the atmosphere was okay and the server was pretty good. It’s been a couple years since I had been here, so I figured I’d give it a try again. Somehow it was even worse than I remembered. Not a cheap dinner, so it was disappointing. Go for a cocktail and an appetizer but save your money when it comes to the entrees.

I have always loved the 401 it’s our go to place but today when we showed up there were two bartenders who I think must be the owners daughter’s other than that they have no business being behind the bar. We waited and waited for a drink because there was a very good looking guy at the end of the bar and they could not be bothered to take care of anybody who was sitting there.
The smaller of the two was the worst she had a terrible attitude could not get out of her own way at least the blonde was trying but they really need to get the old Bartender is back or they will not be seeing us there anymore.

Way over priced to the point it feels like a tourist trap. The food was decent, but the menu is pretty light on options.

I’ve never eaten at the 401, but I have been to the bar, so that’s what this review is for. My best friend and I stopped in here late one night before heading home because he wanted a few more drinks before calling it quits for the evening. I’d never been here before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was really impressed. The bar at the 401 is so intimate and cozy, it’s almost like drinking in your grandfather’s den. Lots of things to look at and super comfortable. The bartender was friendly and the drinks were affordable, and it was the perfect way to end our raucous night out. I would definitely come back.

For the most part I’ve had good luck with the food and service at 401 Tavern and will keep coming. Relaxed atmosphere and cozy wine bar upstairs.

We’ve been twice and the first time, I had the Mac n cheese. I thought it was awesome. Went back last week and I had the pizza. Don’t bother. I really, really, really, wanted to believe it was homemade but I’ve had microwave pizzas in college that tasted more authentic. It was also par-​cooked and therefor, semi cold. The good news is the eggs Benedict my hubs had was great. I chose poorly.

Great food, atmosphere and service! Our waitress was super sweet!
Only thing that irked me was they poured the wrong beer so she said it was on the house if one of us wanted it. I said sure since it was one I would typically order anyway but had chosen something else. We ended up getting charged for the beer. Not the end of the world for an extra $ 5 as the waitress, food and atmosphere were pretty awesome.

Food was decent. Servers seemed nice. But my sister for food poisoning so be careful and don’t get the meatballs

The reviews on this place are dead wrong, and I have no idea what they must have done to have such a horrible experience.
Went for the early bird special with my father, 3 courses for less that 14 $. Plenty to choose from on the special menu as well. Salad, a full plate of haddock, and warm apple pie. Salad was crisp and very fresh, haddock was fall apart flakey and served with some amazing mashed potatoes, and the pie was an amazing way to round out the evening.
The special is offered Monday through Friday from 2 pm until 5 pm. The place is a bit loud, but nothing too crazy. Lovely atmosphere, cozy booths, and a great place on a cold New England evening.

It’s a good thing I clicked to Unilocal *after* eating here — because these reviews are 100% wrong.
I don’t know why they are wrong, but I ate at the 401 last night with my girlfriend and we had a great meal! I ordered a new item on the menu called Mate’s Plate (bacon-​wrapped scallops, crab-​stuffed shrimp, lobster tail, and haddock; with a side of sauteed veggies and potato) and she ordered a salad with ½ boiled lobster — and we both thoroughly enjoyed our meal!
We arrived around 6:30 p.m. on a freezing night and were quickly escorted to a table, a booth next to windows. I counted several other couples also eating. There is a bar and that was about a quarter-​filled with patrons. The drink menu was expansive but we stuck to water. The menu is three pages long but very big in choices — from seafood entrees to burgers to mac and cheese bowls to assorted sliders.
I’ll definitely be back and try other menu items.
P. S. Walk upstairs and look at the wine room. The walls and ceiling are completely covered by used wine bottles. It’s the funkiest thing I’ve ever seen. And, they have a kids menu so bring your juniors.

I always enjoy going to the 401. I frequent the tavern several times a month. The staff is always friendly and helpful. The atmosphere is warm and inviting. Drinks are seved right away, and the quality of food is excellent. I have never been disappointed with my meal and have tried many different entrees on the menu.
The owner Desi and his wife Paula are there most all the time which says a lot for thier dedication to the customers they serve. They also donate to local charities and are supportive to community events.
I recently had a birthday party there and they were very accommodating to our group. Desi even gave me a bottle of champagne to toast the occasion. I have never had a negative experience at this establishment and enjoy my time spent there.

Absolutely horrible lunch experience! If I was offered a free meal here I would refuse. Our server was grumpy and unfriendly. She sighed while taking our order. The food was overpriced. The bun was stale. And the utensils were filthy which to me is an indication of management’s attitude toward cleanliness in the kitchen (see uploaded pic). I wish I had read through the 38 «Not recommended reviews» before walking into this restaurant. Worst meal of the year!
The building itself is quite charming. The bar has a warm and homey feeling. There are several flat screens. Beer selection is decent. However this review is for the food.