SWAMPSCOTT, Mass. — A North Shore legend has officially served its last meal. Hawthorne by the Sea, the iconic oceanfront restaurant that stood overlooking the water for almost 80 years, announced it was closing for good and served its last meals on November 15 — leaving generations of Massachusetts families stunned and heartbroken.
For decades, Hawthorne by the Sea wasn’t just a restaurant. It was the backdrop of countless birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, celebrations, and weekend family dinners. Known for its sweeping ocean views, classic New England seafood, and old-school charm, the restaurant became a beloved part of life on the North Shore, especially for Swampscott, Lynn, and other Boston-area residents who grew up visiting year after year.
The Athanas family, who have been tied to the region’s dining scene for generations, confirmed the closure in an emotional announcement. They thanked decades of loyal customers and staff but said it was time to bring the long-running restaurant’s story to an end. For many locals, the news felt like losing a part of their own family history.
The family had sold the land to Swampscott three years ago and decided to end their tenancy on their terms (i.e. unlike so many restaurant closures, this doesn’t appear to be because of rough economics), 20 years after its founder (Anthony Athanas) passed…