In all honestly I haven’t had a great meal like this in a longggggg time. Every single thing we ordered was fantastic. GET THE MUSSELS. Wow! The broth was unreal. We took it home at the end. The carrot cake was probably the best dessert I’ve ever had. Everything was so fresh and the drinks were great too. Just strong enough and not overly sweet. Very balanced drinks. The service was also wonderful. We had the best server and the owner checked in on us as well. The hosts were also so attentive and kind. They checked in on our temperature because we were on the patio on a cooler night. She adjusted the heaters over us and we were very comfortable. I really couldn’t say one bad thing. I actually cant wait to eat here again.
Overview
Discover Square Cafe Hanover, a polished yet approachable New American restaurant at 283 Columbia Rd, Hanover, MA 02339, United States. Located beside Previte’s Marketplace on Route 53, this South Shore dining spot blends contemporary American cooking with Asian and European influences. From a food blogger’s perspective, Square Cafe Hanover is designed for diners who appreciate refined flavors without an overly formal setting. It works equally well for a relaxed lunch, date night, celebratory dinner, or cocktails with friends, with typical spending currently falling around $31–$50 per person.
The menu moves comfortably between seafood, steak, pasta, creative appetizers, salads, and upscale sandwiches. Highlights include Maine lobster bisque, lump crab cakes, crispy pork spareribs, tuna poke, Thai-spiced mussels, steak frites, and the Square Café Burger. The House Made Szechuan Pork & Shrimp Dumplings, currently listed around $16, are an excellent introduction to the kitchen’s Asian-inspired side. Their savory pork-and-shrimp filling and aromatic seasoning make them richer and more distinctive than a standard appetizer.
Another standout is the Sesame Salmon. A customer praised its crisp seared exterior and tender center, paired with spicy soy beurre blanc and wakame seaweed salad. That combination brings together buttery fish, gentle heat, saltiness, and fresh marine notes in a plate that represents the restaurant’s fusion-minded approach particularly well. The Crispy Hot & Sour Calamari is also frequently mentioned among customer favorites, offering a lively balance of crunch, acidity, spice, and seafood sweetness.
Dessert should not be overlooked at Square Cafe Hanover in Hanover. The Bread Pudding has developed its own following, with one diner calling it “the star” and saying they were still dreaming about it afterward. It provides the warm, comforting finish that works especially well after the restaurant’s more contemporary seafood and steak dishes.
The atmosphere is best described as casual-elegant: polished enough for a special occasion but comfortable enough for an everyday meal. A full bar, creative cocktails, beer, wine, private parking, wheelchair accessibility, takeout, gluten-free choices, and non-smoking dining add practical convenience. One of the restaurant’s most attractive features is its year-round patio, which can also be reserved for private celebrations. Reservations are worthwhile during busy evenings, as current listings show strong demand.
Customer sentiment is generally positive, particularly around food quality and hospitality. A recent diner described the restaurant as having “Excellent food. Good friendly service, warm and inviting atmosphere.” The main limitation is price: this is notably more expensive than a casual neighborhood café, so diners looking for a budget meal may prefer another option. Some reviews also mention occasional service inconsistencies or a dining room that can feel quite cool.
For anyone comparing the best restaurants in Hanover for memorable local dining experiences, Square Cafe Hanover deserves consideration for its seafood, imaginative appetizers, cocktails, excellent desserts, and stylish yet welcoming setting. Call +1 781-924-2581 and visit for a relaxed lunch or an evening meal that brings contemporary South Shore dining to the table.
Good to know
Service options
âś“ Outdoor seating âś“ Delivery âś“ Takeaway âś“ Dine-inHighlights
âś“ Fast service âś“ Great beer selection âś“ Great cocktails âś“ Great dessert âś“ Great wine list âś“ SportPopular for
âś“ Lunch âś“ Dinner âś“ Solo diningAccessibility
âś“ Wheelchair-accessible car park âś“ Wheelchair-accessible entrance âś“ Wheelchair-accessible seating âś“ Wheelchair-accessible toiletOfferings
âś“ Alcohol âś“ Beer âś“ Cocktails âś“ Coffee âś“ Comfort food âś“ Healthy options âś“ Small plates âś“ Spirits âś“ WineDining options
âś“ Lunch âś“ Dinner âś“ Dessert âś“ Seating âś“ Table serviceAmenities
âś“ Bar on site âś“ Toilet âś“ Wi-Fi âś“ Wi-FiAtmosphere
âś“ Casual âś“ Cosy âś“ TrendyCrowd
âś“ Groups âś“ TouristsPlanning
âś“ Accepts reservationsPayments
âś“ Credit cards âś“ Debit cards âś“ NFC mobile payments âś“ Credit cardsChildren
âś“ High chairs âś“ Kids' menuParking
âś“ Free of charge street parking âś“ Free parking lot âś“ ParkingPhotos
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Location
Reviews
- No ratings yet 140 reviews
First time visiting Square Cafe Hanover! Excellent food- Burrata black truffle ravioli w/chicken and Key like with raspberry sauce! great patio dining, romantic and cozy. Service was pretty good- Manda was efficient and polite!
The Square Cafe is now my go-to spot. Their bread pudding is the star - I'm still dreaming about it. The holiday cocktail menu is fun creative and festive. The Sesame Salmon is a masterpiece - perfectly seared with a crispy crust while staying tender inside. The spicy soy beurre blanc sauce and wakame seaweed salad create an amazing blend of flavors and textures. What makes this place truly special is the exceptional service. Sean, Amanda, and Jimmy created such a welcoming atmosphere for our party of 9. Jimmy didn't miss a beat and was very attentive. Sean & Amanda's friendly personalities made the experience even better. Thank you! Whether you're coming for the amazing bread pudding (which you absolutely should) or the delicious food and cocktails, their warm hospitality made our visit extra special. Five stars, easily one of the best dining experiences on the South Shore.
We are here tonight with friends. Our last evening before flying home in the morning. From the moment you enter you feel very welcome. Our waitress, Sherrie, could not have been more wonderful. I got the steak fries and it was absolutely amazing. Great food, relaxed and beautiful atmosphere......the whole nine yards. We will definitely be back next year!
Went to the cafe because we had been given a gift card. When we went in it was a very nice, staff was friendly & attentive , atmosphere was great. Seating at the bar is tight! You can’t move without bumping your neighbor. Pear ginger martini was delicious, but bartender threw out the dirty rocks so quickly I couldn’t ask to have them. (my mistake not asking for them up front). Pork rib appetizer was good but super salty. Our meals were good but portions are small for the price. In my opinion it is over priced & the menu is limited.
Very few places truly do it right and Square Cafe in Hanover is one of them. I spent most of my life in the restaurant business, which in turn means I am typically disappointed when I go out to eat. From the moment we walked into Square Cafe we knew we came to the right place. The hostess was so good with our two kids. Once we sat we were immediately greeted and offered water. Why can't more places do this? The service from our waitress was prompt, professional, and everything you could ask for. Then the food comes and seals the deal! You can tell when you are working with a chef and kitchen staff that are putting together dishes with thought and care. Everything was cooked to perfection. The flavors were paired perfectly. When it was time to go, we were immediately brought our check without delay. Other restaurants should take note... this is how you do it! Great job Square Cafe