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Best Restaurants in Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, MA

by I. Wang

As the two picturesque islands off the coast of Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard & Nantucket have long attracted summer vacationers with their beautiful beaches and incredible seafood. Here, I have selected some of the finest restaurants on the islands, and for the ones on Martha’s Vineyard, also specified the names of the towns for your travel convenience. As for Nantucket, the island’s only town is also called Nantucket.

 

Martha’s Vineyard

Art Cliff Diner
(Vineyard Haven)
39 Beach Rd. (Five Corners)
(508) 693-1224
Upon getting off the ferry from Cape Cod to Vineyard Haven, you shouldn’t rush to your favorite beach just yet, but instead, head to this funky, retro diner for their superb breakfasts and innovative lunches. The food is fresh and homey, the service friendly and sufficient; no wonder there is always a long line waiting outside. Call before you go as the hours of operation can be unpredictable.

Atria
(Edgartown)
137 Main St. (bet. Green & Pine Sts.)
(508) 627-5850
www.atriamv.com
Set in an old sea captain’s home, this Edgartown gem delivers scrumptious and predictable New American dishes. For your preference, the restaurant has a formal dinning room, a basement bar, and a lovely garden. The restaurant’s divine New England charm is intoxicating, so be sure to watch your wallet as the bill can end up on the pricey side.

Détente
(Edgartown)
3 Nevin Sq., Winter St. (Water St.)
(508) 627-8810
www.detentewinebar.com
A cozy restaurant and bar owned by the husband-and-wife team Kevin and Suzanna Crowell, Détente (French for relaxation and good relations) lays out a delectable contemporary American menu with French and Italian flairs. The food is creative and seasonal ¾ almost in lieu of the chic and popular Brooklyn restaurant such as Applewood (or is it the other way around?!). The service is warm, and the ambience relaxing; Détente is definitely a treasured spot on the island.

Lambert’s Cove Inn
(West Tisbury)
Lambert’s Cove Country Inn
90 Manaquay Rd. (Lambert’s Cove Rd.)
(508) 693-2298
www.lambertscoveinn.com
This beautiful, New England country side inn may be a little out of the way in the woods, but if you can make it there without getting lost, you will be rewarded with the restaurant’s incredible, high-quality American food. Enjoy the elegant service and lay-back atmosphere; don’t forget to bring your own booze since the restaurant is located in a dry town. Reservations are a must.

Larsen’s Fish Market
(Menemsha)
56 Basin Rd. (Edy’s Island Way)
(508) 645-2608
Yes, you read it right, it is a fish market with fresh-off-the-boat seafood all for $20 or so! There is no décor as the place is literally a fishing dock piled with crates for seats. But when the weather is nice and you are having a picnic with the cooked-to-order delicacies by the sea, it is as authentic New England gourmet experience as you can get.

L’Etoile
(Edgartown)
22 N. Water St. (Winter St.)
(508) 627-5187
www.letoile.net
As a twinkling French star, this popular, high-end restaurant serves delicious New French food in romantic surroundings. Diners flock here for its classic cuisine and comfortable service. To get over you fear of French cooking, check their website for chef Michael Brisson’s weekly cooking class.

Lure
(Edgartown)
Winnetu Inn & Resort
31 Dunes Rd. (Katama Rd.)
(508) 627-3663
www.luremv.com
This hidden jewel located on the ground of Winnetu Inn serves fresh American dishes that are absolutely worth the trip. Do not miss their signature poached lobster as it is one of the best on the Island. When in-season, make your reservations for their complimentary, sunset water tax cruises from Edgartown to Lure, and enjoy the astonishing view.

 

Nantucket

American Seasons
80 Centre St. (W. Chester St.)
(508) 228-7111
www.americanseasons.com
At American Seasons, chef Michael LaScola whips up innovative, seasonal new American dishes that highlights the cuisines of our four different regions (New England, Down South, Wild West, Pacific Coast). With its romantic feel, the place is one of the most popular restaurants set in the island’s historic district. But be prepared for a hefty bill and possibly an empty stomach as the prices are famously high and the portions are notoriously small.

Company of the Cauldron
5 India St. (bet. Centre & Federal Sts.)
(508) 228-4016
www.companyofthecauldron.com
With its intimate dining area, live harp music, and a daily changing menu, Company of the Cauldron is a warm, welcoming place for private parties and rehearsal dinners. Their new American food is exquisitely prepared and brought to you by the observant wait staff; no wonder a league of loyal patrons keep returning.

Galley Beach
54 Jefferson Ave. (off N. Beach St.)
(508) 228-9641
“Dining on the beach with the sunset behind you” is all there is about this precious gem on the island (and can you ask for more?). With its unbelievable view and eclectic menu, Galley Beach will leave you with picture-worthy sweet memories and the yearning to go back soon. Although it also serves lunch, but why go when the star of the show is absent? Wait for dinner time and dine with the sunset behind you!

Le Languedoc Bistro
Le Languedoc Inn
24 Broad St. (bet. Centre & Federal Sts.)
(508) 228-2552
www.lelanguedoc.com
Le Languedoc Bistro is divided into three areas: the formal dining room upstairs, the café downstairs, and the basement bar ¾ each providing a perfect fit for any occasion. Their French menu is classic yet creative (employing local ingredients), and the professional service will make you feel comfortable no matter where you choose to dine.

Pearl
12 Federal St. (India St.)
(508) 228-9701
www.boardinghouse-pearl.com
Famed for its Asian fusion/ French food and NY chic décor, Pearl attracts trendy astronomers with deep pockets. Yes, the place is gorgeous, the food delicious, and the service delightful; but the experience is really for diners who wish to feel like being in a fashionable restaurant in Tribeca, Manhattan, rather than on the Nantucket island.

Topper’s
Wauwinet Inn
120 Wauwinet Rd. (2 mi. north of Polpis Rd.)
(508) 228-8768
www.wauwinet.com
If you are looking for pampered service and exceptional food on the island, Topper’s is the top place to go. Chef David Daniels’ New American dishes and the restaurant’s beautiful settings have won devotees’ hearts since it opened. Everything feels perfect there, but like almost all exquisite dining experiences, the only drawback is a hefty bill.


I Wang is a New York based writer who will go anywhere there’s good food. She chronicles her epicurean adventures on her blog http://ggadventures.blogspot.com/ and can be reached at missywang6@yahoo.com



Note: This information was accurate when it was published. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the businesses in question before making your plans.

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