Let me just say it: if you only have one night in Salem, make a reservation at Settler Salem Restaurant. It’s not just good — it’s one of the top three meals I’ve ever had in my life (and I eat for a living, so that’s saying something). Before or after your meal at Settler, check out my Salem Day Trip from Boston guide for more can’t-miss food and history spots nearby.
The Settler is tucked just far enough off Salem’s busy streets that it feels like you’ve discovered a secret. Make a reservation early — seriously, this place books up — and pick your vibe. The outdoor patio is small and ridiculously charming, with twinkly string lights that basically say, “yes, you are about to have a magical night.” Inside is romantic and moody in the best way, with warm lighting and tables that just beg you to linger over a long meal.
The staff sets the tone from the second you walk in. Our server treated us like old friends, happily walking us through every dish on the menu like we were about to embark on a culinary quest (which, spoiler alert, we were). Even the manager came over, chatted with us for a bit, and shared where they source their farm-fresh ingredients. You can just feel how much the whole team loves working here — and it makes the experience even better.
Our food adventure kicked off with the homemade sourdough bread and oil pairing, and honestly, the first bite was when I knew this night was going to be special.
We went for the Chef’s Meze — a curated selection of small bites that night featuring their crispy herb falafel with mint and harissa aioli, plus two chef-selected surprises. One was homemade chips with a spicy, creamy, crunchy dip that dreams are made of (you know the kind you’re sad to see end). We also added a cucumber pomegranate salad made with cucumbers from a farm just a few towns over — super fresh, bright, and exactly what you want to start a meal like this.
Next came the whipped ricotta with grilled sourdough and vegetable crudité. The chili honey drizzle on top gives it just the right amount of sweetness, and the fact that the carrot and cucumber bowl came out with ice so every bite was crisp and cold? That’s the kind of detail that makes my Type-A heart so happy.
Then came the star of the show: the sumac roasted carrots. I never thought I’d dedicate an entire paragraph to carrots, but here we are. These were crunchy from the hazelnuts, tangy from the pickled golden raisins, balanced with tzatziki, and slightly charred on the edges — they were basically vegetable perfection. If someone had told me I’d be planning my return trip for a plate of carrots, I’d have laughed. And yet.
For mains, I went for the Niman Ranch NY strip cooked medium, served with grilled eggplant, olive vinaigrette, and the silkiest soubise sauce. The steak practically melted in my mouth. Brad ordered the pasta special with fresh lobster and burst tomatoes and immediately started guarding his plate like it was a national treasure — which, to be fair, it kind of was.
We couldn’t leave without ordering the crispy potatoes. Perfectly golden, topped with lemon aioli and finely shredded pecorino Romano, they were the side dish of my dreams.
At this point, I was stuffed, but when the server asked if we wanted dessert, of course I said yes. (Dessert is not optional here.) Get the pistachio gelato. It’s creamy, nutty, and so good I actually slowed down just to make it last longer — which, if you know me, is saying a lot. If you want to level it up, get it as an affogato and pour the espresso over top. That hot-and-cold contrast? Magic. We also had the chocolate torte, which was rich, decadent, and the perfect “I definitely didn’t need this but I have zero regrets” finale.
Settler is that rare unicorn of a restaurant that feels both special and approachable. The menu is elevated but not intimidating, the staff clearly loves what they do, and every plate that comes out feels like it’s been crafted just for you.
It’s the kind of place where you find yourself looking around the room halfway through your meal thinking, “Yep, everyone here is having the best night too.”
Everything about The Settler is dialed in — the food, the atmosphere, the service. Every dish is layered with flavor in a way that surprises you with every bite, and the whole experience feels like a special occasion even if you’re just there on a random Thursday night.
So yes, I’m putting this in writing: Settler isn’t just one of Salem’s best restaurants — it’s one of the best I’ve ever been to, anywhere. Make the reservation, clear some space on your phone for food photos, and prepare to have your taste buds ruined for all other meals. If you’re planning to stay overnight, my Perfect 3-Day Boston and Salem Itinerary includes Settler plus other must-try stops.
Italian food felt like the last thing I expected to find in the middle of the Appalachian Mountains... until I sat down at Ilda in Sylva.🍝
They call it Italian-Appalachian, and that’s not just a tagline. Homemade pasta, craft cocktails, local ingredients pulled straight from the mountains around it, this is the kind of meal that makes you forget you’re two hours from the nearest city. It’s cozy, it’s a little upscale, and it is not a walk-in kind of place, call ahead, because tables go fast on weekends.
It’s not cheap, and it’s not trying to be. But if you’re already making the trip out to Sylva, this is the one reservation worth planning your day around.
Full write-up, including what to order, link in bio.
Booked my fall cabin before September even started, and I’m not sorry about it. 🍂
These are the stays that make you actually want the cold to hurry up fireplaces, mountain views, the kind of porch you don’t leave. Not every one of these is going to fit every trip, but if a cozy fall getaway is on your radar, this is the roundup to start with.
One of my favorite travel seasons is almost here, and I have zero chill about it. 🍁✈️
There’s just something about fall trips cooler air, apple orchards, that first flannel of the season, food that actually makes sense with the weather again. I’m already mentally packing for it before September even starts.
If fall is your favorite time to travel too, tell me where you’re headed... I’m taking notes for the list.
Pack your bags... ✈️🧳My hiking and road trip gear shop just got a refresh, and this is everything that actually earns a spot in my bag. The dry bag pulls double duty for beach days and trail days, the Osprey backpack is the one I grab for anything motorcycle or day-hike related, and the GoPro comes with me literally everywhere at this point.
Nothing on this list is filler it’s all stuff I’ve used, packed, and repacked more times than I can count. Full shop linked in my bio if you want to build out your own kit before your next trip.
Filing this one under “go now before it gets cold.” Bonneville Hot Springs is one of those trips where fall access is honestly the sweet spot the campground road is open, the hike in is short, and you skip the snow-and-gate situation we dealt with when we went in March.
September and early fall mean clearer trails, easier parking, and pools that are just as good without the extra mile of hiking to earn them. Fewer than 10 people out there when we visited, a rustic changing booth, zero amenities, and pools that range from “relax” to “actually scalding” until you move some rocks around and mix in river water. Small waterfalls feeding in, mountains in every direction, not polished, and that’s exactly the point.
Full breakdown on parking, what to pack, and timing it right is linked in my bio.
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