Destination
Type of Restaurant
Type of Meal
Editors Pick
Read MoreAmerican Seasons
Just a few blocks beyond Nantucket’s downtown fringe, American Seasons has the air of a longtime classic but the cuisine of a hip new spot. Foodies delight in the farm-to-table dishes, which may include such tastes as carrot soup with...
Courtesy Summer House ResortRead MoreBeachside Bistro
The more casual alternative to the Summer House Restaurant, Beachside Bistro is located right on Sconset Beach and is ideal for alfresco lunches and dinner with ocean views. The Mediterranean menu features light options like a mezze platter and Caprese...
Read MoreBlack-Eyed Susan’s
There’s still no easy way of getting into this island favorite—reservations are accepted only for dinner—but locals and longtime visitors have accepted the fact that lining up in front of the unassuming restaurant is part of the experience. Opened in...
Read MoreClaudette’s
A longtime reliable takeout place in Siasconset, Claudette prepares hearty—and pricey—sandwiches to go for visitors en route to the local beach. You can also eat on the petite patio in front of the cute storefront with its red-and-white-striped awning.
Courtesy Company of the CauldronRead MoreCompany of the Cauldron
Tucked off a cobblestoned street in a shingled, ivy-covered cottage, Company of the Cauldron is one of Nantucket’s most beloved restaurants. Every night a new, three-course prix-fixe menu is featured, highlighting local ingredients and seasonal produce. Locals in the know...
Read MoreCorner Table Café
Located within the Nantucket Culinary Center, this cheery café welcomes guests with plenty of natural light and comfortable banquette seating. In addition to excellent coffee, pastries, sandwiches and salads, the menu features a selection of goodies created by chefs in town....
Read MoreCru
One of few coveted waterfront spaces in town, Cru Oyster Bar opened in 2012 and offers a front-row view of the wharf and bay beyond. The nautical interior is thoughtfully done and features plush banquettes, a central communal high table,...
Courtesy The DownyflakeRead MoreDownyflake Donuts
Outside of town, this charming, no-frills diner has been serving its famous donuts since 1953. Devotees flock for reasonably priced breakfast classics like generously sized omelets and blueberry pancakes or stop in later for a simple lunch.
Read MoreDune Restaurant and Bar
Chef Michael Getter of American Seasons fame founded Dune Restaurant and Bar, a modern, high-ceilinged restaurant with three dining rooms and a long quartzite bar. Dune is as ideal for pre-dinner cocktails as it is for a dinner consisting of...
Courtesy FreshRead MoreFresh
On the way to the beach, stop by Fresh for oversized sandwiches stuffed with fresh produce and local ingredients. The shop also serves coffee and pastries in the morning for early risers.
Read MoreGalley Beach
Opened in 1958, Galley Beach is an island classic due to its spectacular location on Cliffside Beach. The beachside dining room offers unrivaled sunset views, and after a 2008 renovation the iconic eatery is sophisticated without being too sleek. While...
Read MoreIsland Kitchen
A favorite among locals and visitors, this lively café is a beloved breakfast destination. In addition to the superb egg dishes (don’t miss the turkey hash), Island Kitchen serves excellent lunch and dinner year-round. It is also one of the few eateries...
Read MoreJuice Bar
Few customers actually order juice at this simple shop at the corner of Broad Street; instead they line up for delicious homemade ice cream and sorbets (if you’re lucky, you’ll arrive in time for their famous blackberry, made with locally...
Read MoreLe Languedoc
An island institution, this French go-to is always packed with locals and summer visitors, usually found catching up on island gossip with the friendly staff. There’s a formal dining room upstairs, but follow the locals’ lead and get a seat...
Courtesy of Zofia CompanyRead MoreLoLa 41°
Lola is a happening spot for a drink or dinner (which is served until 11 p.m.), and remains lively well into the night. The concept menu focuses on regional dishes from places located along latitude 41°, where Nantucket lies, and...
Read MoreMillie’s Restaurant
A 20-minute drive from the center of town, Millie’s serves exceptional seafood in a delightfully laid-back atmosphere. Due to its proximity to Madaket Beach, it’s popular with beachgoers and families (there is a great kids’ menu) and boasts standout dishes...
Read MoreNantucket Bake Shop
Stop by this delicious bakeshop on the way in or out of town for fresh breads, sweet and savory treats and specialty cakes. The Portuguese bread is a speciality.
Read MoreNantucket Lobster Trap
A no-frills clam shack overlooking the harbor, the popular Lobster Trap serves up fresh seafood. The spot also has a special children’s menu.
Read MoreÒran Mór
Chef Chris Freeman made big news in 2000’s when he left Topper’s restaurant at the Wauwinet to take over this romantic restaurant. Occupying the second floor of a historic house, Òran Mór spills across three light-filled rooms. Freeman, who trained...
Read MoreProvisions
A gourmet deli in town, Provisions is a nice spot to grab a salad, sandwich or baked goods. It’s near the ferry hub, so the setting is less than ideal for a peaceful lunch. Best to get takeout to bring...
Courtesy Queequegs RestaurantRead MoreQueequeg’s
Housed in a classic shingled cottage in the heart of town, Queequeg's is a popular bistro serving innovative American cuisine. The menu focuses on locally sourced seafood, offering lobster bisque, pan-seared scallops and roasted fluke, all coupled with creative finishes...
Read MoreSandbar at the Jetties
The casual beachside eatery at Jetties Beach has been reimagined into Sandbar, a full-fledged restaurant with picnic tables in the sand for long Champagne lunches under orange Veuve Clicquot umbrellas.
Read MoreScooter’s
Locals and visitors flock to Scooter’s or a delicious health fix. In addition to tasty salads and grain bowls, the café is beloved for its açaí bowls.
Courtesy Sea GrilleRead MoreSea Grille
Locals and visitors alike swarm this weathered restaurant just outside town for excellent seafood in a non-fussy setting. As the island becomes increasingly upscale, Sea Grille has remained reasonably priced, turning out hearty portions of lobster bisque, stuffed shrimp and...
Courtesy Slip 14Read MoreSlip 14
At the end of Old South Wharf’s crushed-shell path, Slip 14 is a local favorite for creative cocktails and seafood-focused fare served in an airy setting.
Read MoreSomething Natural
If you’re biking toward Nantucket town along the challenging—and aptly named—Cliff Road and suddenly get a whiff of freshly-baked bread, you know you’ve arrived at Something Natural, a lunch standby located in a cottage surrounded by a large garden. The...
Read MoreStraight Wharf
Despite opening 1975, Straight Wharf has never gone out of style or aged one bit; in fact, it’s as popular as ever, enticing patrons with watermelon and tomato salad, arugula and French green olives and zucchini-blossom appetizers. For a drink...
Read MoreThe Club Car
The Club Car, the beloved shingled restaurant attached to a train car-turned-bar at the base of Main Street, was purchased by chefs from Straight Wharf and unveiled an updated, contemporary look and revamped menu. The traditional old-world dining room with...
Read MoreThe Corner on Main at Nantucket Pharmacy
This Nantucket institution stocks everything from bug repellant to suntan lotion, but the soda shop up front is the real treasure. The old-school-style diner serves a simple breakfast as well as thick milkshakes and soda floats.
Read MoreThe Nautilus
This contemporary bar has quickly become one of Nantucket’s most popular spots. A stylish crowd congregates here for craft cocktails that incorporate unique ingredients like spicy ginger, maple syrup and coconut foam and stays after for fusion cuisine served tapas-style.
Courtesy of Lisa FrayRead MoreThe Proprietors Bar & Table
A happy accident led me to this cozy spot in downtown Nantucket; American Seasons was closed, so I headed to the owners’ newest venture, Proprietors, for a memorable meal of Halloumi cheese with eggplant puree, orange blossom honey and crispy...
Read MoreTopper’s
The restaurant of the Wauwinet, Topper's, remains at the top of the Nantucket dining scene. The innovative menu is mostly a riff on French cuisine, with the occasional Asian, American or Italian touch. Memorable past dishes include a creamy lobster...
Courtesy TownRead MoreTown
Housed in a classic white cottage with a buzzy outdoor patio, Town presents Asian-inspired interiors and fusion cuisine. The classic shingled cottage façade belies the chic décor of Buddha figurines and Indian lattice-work within, while the umbrella-shaded patio is an...
Read MoreVentuno
Located in the old space of famed 21 Federal, Ventuno comes from the owners of Straight Wharf and Provisions. Regulars enjoy fresh, in-house pastas, artisan mozzarella and other Italian specialties in the dining room or the open-air back bar.
Read MoreVia Mare
The fine dining restaurant at Greydon House offers a playful take on Venetian cuisine by way of Nantucket.
