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The Worthen House Cafe, Lowell, MA

The Worthen House Cafe

4.4
4.4
12 Reviews
$30 and under
American
  • Great for craft beers
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Lively
Welcome to The Worthen House, Lowell's oldest and most historic restaurant and bar! The building, a traditional mid-nineteenth century vernacular survivor from Lowell’s Mill City development, was built in 1834. Much of our present interior remains, most notably the belt-linked fan system, which is the only existing set in its original building in the country. The pressed tin ceiling and the late nineteenth century bar along with the intricate woodwork behind the bar, are all from the building’s transformation into the Worthen House in 1898. A few notable patrons are said to have included Edgar Allan Poe, Jack Kerouac, and Jimmy Breslin. In 1989, “Lowell’s Oldest,” which is on the National Register of Historic Places and located in the heart of the National Historical Park, was restored.

Come in for a cold drink, a delicious meal, and a warm atmosphere.

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Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American, Pub, Burgers
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 11:00 am–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:00 am–12:00 am
  • Phone number
    (978) 459-0300
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Catering
    The Worthen House offers a specialized catering menu that includes casual American style pub food. Everything is fresh , homemade, and made to order.
  • Private party facilities
    The Worthen House offers a separate private events room located on the second floor. We host many birthday parties, company parties, and a variety of other gatherings. For additional information or to discuss date availability please contact the Special Events Manager Penny at 978.996.4468.
  • Area
    Lowell
  • Cross Street
    Merrimack Street
  • Parking details
    We have our own large free parking lot directly across the street.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Entertainment, Full Bar, Late Night, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 12 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.4
4.4 based on all time ratings
  • 4.3Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.3Ambience
  • 4.7Value

NoiseModerate

12 Reviews
  1. SueB

    Greater Boston

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 12 March 2022

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Went with a few friends, had a great time. Location easy to get to, free parking, food very good, service was outstanding! History made it even better! Totally worth it and will definitely be going back!! -- Thanks for a great night - too few and far between!!

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  2. KristinL

    Greater Boston

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 10 December 2021

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    We were able to make a reservation easily. When we hit traffic, they were awesome about moving our reservation a little later. Our server was extremely pleasant and attentive! The menu is a basic pub menu, but there was something to please everyone in our family.

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  3. PaulK

    Greater Boston

    4 reviews

    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on 24 April 2021

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    This is a *causal* bar, one of the oldest in New England, and it's definitely not a fine dining establishment by any means. The waitresses were both very attentive and kept tabs - we wanted for nothing. I will say, they have great bar fare and it's a unique experience for sure. It has dive vibes but it has charm as well! It sports one of only four antique pulley driven fans in New England. This is one of the old haunts of Jack Kerouac - drink accordingly and recite a poem or prose for full effect - but don't expect the locals to care. If you're looking for a casual lunch and a few drinks, go nuts - this isn't the Capital Grille, it's The Worthen - grab a hot dog or a burger, but nothing really on the menu has ever disappointed. Manage your expectations as such and you won't be disappointed.

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  4. Django

    Greater Boston

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 3 April 2021

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This is a sentence to capture at least fifty characters

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  5. MWorthen

    Greater Boston

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 31 January 2021

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Worthen Cafe was a great place to eat we ate upstairs plenty of room and we were social distance from others no problem was my wife’s 65th. Our last name happens to be Worthen so was a special night for us

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  6. lala

    Greater Boston

    30 reviews

    4.0

    30 reviews

    Dined on 23 May 2019

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    An old building with lots of charm- ask them to turn on the fans! Limited menu but try the homemade egg rolls! Great service, local charm. We’ll go back

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  7. OpenTable Diner

    Greater Boston

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 12 May 2019

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Mothers Day

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  8. OpenTable Diner

    Greater Boston

    4 reviews

    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on 7 April 2019

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    Quirky "Dive Bar" Average food Waitress nice but overwhelmed with table of 10. Vegan/ vegetarian options edible but clearly not a common order. Did not have cocktails

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  9. AmyB

    Greater Boston

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on 5 April 2019

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    A group of 11 went to have dinner and drinks and to hear my son and his band The Angry Tides play... unbelievable service! Delicious food! Great bartenders! After the performance we went down to first floor and played jukebox and danced- parking lot accommodated ALL of us! I will have my next function there!!! Thank you Worthen!!! You guys were the best!!!

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  10. OpenTable Diner

    Greater Boston

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on 30 March 2019

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    We didn’t realize it was more of a bar atmosphere. Very loud, but the burgers were delicious and highly recommended the egg rolls. So don’t go if you’re looking for intimate conversation! But a quick bite before an event at Tsongas arena makes it a good option

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FAQs

The Worthen House Cafe offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (978) 459-0300.

The Worthen House Cafe is rated 4.4 stars by 12 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable booking network. To check availability, please contact them directly.

Is this your restaurant?
Claim this listing

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for The Worthen House Cafe

141 Worthen St, Lowell, MA 01852-1821

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    Merrimack Street
  • Area
    Lowell
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 11:00 am–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:00 am–12:00 am
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American, Pub, Burgers
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    We have our own large free parking lot directly across the street.
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Entertainment, Full Bar, Late Night, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (978) 459-0300
  • Catering
    The Worthen House offers a specialized catering menu that includes casual American style pub food. Everything is fresh , homemade, and made to order.
  • Private party facilities
    The Worthen House offers a separate private events room located on the second floor. We host many birthday parties, company parties, and a variety of other gatherings. For additional information or to discuss date availability please contact the Special Events Manager Penny at 978.996.4468.
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