Nantucket restaurants that made our list offer a great way to relax, reconnect and celebrate in a unique setting Dine with a view of the water, stop at a restaurant located in a historic building, or try a popular local Nantucket bistro for lunch or dinner. To reach Nantucket from Boston, drive 1 hour 45 minutes to Hyannis (71.1 miles via MA-3 S) and then take a ferry to the island. Make sure your car rental company will let you take the car on the ferry if you are renting a car in Boston.
The Steamship Authority offers two options to reach Nantucket from Hyannis: high-speed passenger ferry or the 2 hour and 15 minute ride on the traditional ferry. You can see the schedule here. You should definitely reserve tickets before you go, especially in the summer.
CRU Premier Oyster Bar
Located on the water’s edge in a beautiful locale on Nantucket Harbor, CRU Premier Oyster Bar is an elegant restaurant that blends traditional seafood favorites with timeless classics from the grill, and they are known for their fresh oysters and fine wines. High ceilings, exposed brick, and wooden finishes add a nautical feel while beautiful views flood in through large multi-paned windows.
The restaurant’s signature dishes range from Royal Oscietra Caviar, Nantucket Lobster Cocktail, and Grilled Atlantic Swordfish, as well as fresh oysters of the day. A separate bar is an ideal place for a drink before or after dinner or an informal business meeting, and it features a lengthy list of wines, champagnes, and cocktails.
One Straight Wharf, Nantucket, MA 02554, Phone: 508-228-9278
Dune
Fairly new to Nantucket, Dune is an elegant restaurant that offers diners a unique dining experience in the heart of the seaside town. Featuring three distinct dining rooms adorned in sophisticated, stylish décor, an exotic quartzite bar, and a beautiful outdoor patio that is ideal for alfresco dining, Dune presents a menu of traditional American cuisine with an infusion of contemporary flavors.
Prime cut meats feature in dishes such Grilled Angus Sirloin Steak Frites served with garlic fries and bacon bearnaise, while fresh seafood makes an appearance in the form of Grilled Atlantic Swordfish, Sautéed Organic King Salmon, and Seared Yellowfin Tuna. An impressive wine list features Old and New World wines from around the world, handcrafted cocktails, imported spirits, and craft beers.
20 Broad Street, Nantucket, MA 02554, Phone: 508-228-5550
Straight Wharf Restaurant
Overlooking the working hub of Nantucket’s harbor, the Straight Wharf Restaurant is an award-winning restaurant serving fresh seafood and ocean-inspired fare for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. Boasting a laid-back, inviting vibe with a vibrant cobalt-blue dining room adorned with nautical prints and comfortable tables and chairs, the Straight Wharf Restaurant is ideal for quiet lunch, crafty cocktails at sunset, or an enjoyable dinner with friends.
Made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients, timeless seafood dishes make their mark, and include starters of iced island creek oysters with Meyer lemon granite and yellowfin tuna conserve with preserved lemon and salsa verde followed by mains of harpooned local swordfish with summer squash spiced yogurt and wood-grilled sirloin served with roasted apples, savoy, and maple-chili vinaigrette. End on a sweet note with warm banana cake and chai cream, dark rum cheesecake coconut, or a platter of artisan cheeses and red wine crackers. An elegant bar serves an enticing range of cocktails and a diverse selection of wines and spirits from around the globe.
6 Harbor Square, Nantucket, MA 02554, Phone: 508-228-4499
The Nautilus
The Nautilus is one of Nantucket Island’s newest dining destinations. Located just steps from historic Main Street, this comfortable eatery features a beautifully restored “rustic-meets-modern” dining room with stylish banquette seating and an oversized captain’s table, a special chef’s bar overlooking a bustling open kitchen, and an elegant craft cocktail bar.
Giving diners the freedom to choose their own culinary adventure, the menu features globally styled dishes created by Chef Liam Mackey, which focus on interesting small plate offerings and large multi-person sharing platters of New England seafood with a Japanese sushi and Spanish tapas-style twist. The cuisine is accompanied by an array of culinary-inspired craft cocktails, local and micro-brews, and over 250 selections of wine and sake from around the world.
12 Cambridge Street, Nantucket, MA 02554, Phone: 508-228-0301
B-ACK Yard BBQ
Located on the Straight Wharf overlooking Nantucket’s harbor, B-ACK Yard BBQ is a casual, family-friendly restaurant that pays homage to the finest barbecue through prime cuts of succulent meat served with a variety of mouth-watering sauces, freshly made sides, and a selection of brews and wines.
The menu features appetizers of clam chowder, lobster and corn hush puppies, and shrimp by the half pound while mains consist of house smoked pork shoulder, kielbasa, and sliced and chopped beef brisket and chicken accompanied by a range of sides. Wash it all down with a cold lager, craft beer or brew, or a glass of easy-drinking wine from the selective wine list.
20 Straight Wharf, Nantucket, MA 02554, Phone: 508-228-0227
The Proprietors Bar & Table
The Proprietors Bar & Table boasts a stylish and sophisticated dining space and casual ambience in which to enjoy a distinctly Nantucket dining experience. Dove-grey walls, rich décor, and modern works of art complement beautifully dressed tables, and friendly, professional staff offer outstanding service.
A seasonal menu presents traditional dishes with a global twist that also embrace local ingredients harvested from small Nantucket and New England farms. Chef Michael LaScola creates an adventurous menu of shareable plates and hot dishes with a strong focus on freshly caught seafood, and imaginative grain and vegetable presentations. An award-winning wine list features carefully curated Old and New World wines from small local producers that can be enjoyed by the glass or bottle.
9 India Street Nantucket, MA 02554, Phone: 508-228-7477
Lola 41
One of Nantucket’s most loved restaurants, Lola 41 is a casual eatery that offers a bistro-style and sushi menu in a laid-back, friendly atmosphere. Dark wood and deep shades adorn the interior of the restaurant while metal accessories add a modern touch.
Their sleek full-service bar is the perfect place to enjoy a pre-dinner drink with friends. While the focus is on fresh sushi, the bistro menu does offer a variety of global and contemporary dishes such as burgers, macaroni and cheese, and gnocchi Bolognese. An extensive wine and sake selection goes well with the delicious food.
15 S Beach St., Nantucket, MA 02554, Phone: 508-325-4001
Galley Beach
With humble beginnings as a clam shack on Cliffside Beach, Galley Beach has grown into one of Nantucket’s top seafood restaurants. Owned and operated by the Silva Family since 1958, the recently renovated eatery has garnered awards for its exquisite coastal cuisine, décor, and ambiance.
Executive Chef W. Scott Osif combines the best of locally caught seafood with fresh ingredients sourced from regional farms and producers to create inspiring and imaginative menus whose items are impeccably presented and served against a backdrop of breathtaking beach and ocean views.
Expect starters of tuna sashimi, kale and quinoa salad and honeycomb tripe, and tomato and olive stew followed by mains of Nantucket fluke with sushi rice, fresh sea scallops, and Wagyu beef short rib with rosemary polenta. End on a sweet note with carrot cake, chocolate torte, and lemon-lime mousse.
On the Beach at 54 Jefferson Avenue, Nantucket MA 02554, Phone: 508-228-9641
Something Natural
Something Natural is a favorite sandwich shop and bakery located on Cliff Road that bakes fresh bread, pastries, cakes and award-winning cookies on a daily basis. Freshly baked products can be bought and taken home, or you can enjoy them in the casual, inviting café and beautiful surrounding gardens.
Relax at wooden picnic tables and tuck in to handmade sandwiches piled high with delicious fillings ranging from roast beef, smoked ham, lobster, tuna, and turkey, accompanied by fresh salads, vegetables, and sides. Something Natural’s gorgeous garden is perfect for lunch with the kids.
50 Cliff Road Nantucket, MA 02554, Phone: 508-228-0504
Company of the Cauldron
Company of the Cauldron offers a dining experience like no other. Soft candlelit hurricane lamps, fresh flowers, and the beautiful tinkling harp music of Mary Keller create an intimate ambiance, making it one of the most charming restaurants on the island. The lovely eatery serves one New American Prix Fixe menu in two seatings each night so that all diners are served the same cuisine, which creates a private dinner party ambiance.
The courses are posted weekly on the façade of the restaurant, allowing patrons to check what the restaurant is serving. Typical menus might include delectable dishes of grilled shrimp, beef Wellington, and vanilla pannacotta, while Monday’s single seating always includes lobster prepared four ways (bisque, salad, steamed, and grilled). A knowledgeable sommelier will help you select the best wine for the meal, your tastes, and budget from the excellent wine list.
5 India St, Nantucket, MA 02554, Phone: 508-228-4016
Oran Mor Bistro
Relaxed, inviting, and convenient, Oran Mor Bistro is the perfect place for a drink or a quiet dinner for two. Located in a historic Nantucket home and boasting beautiful décor in earthy tones and a flight of original copper stairs, the cozy eatery has an intimate bar and three elegant dining rooms that set the tone for the exquisite food to follow.
Owned by Chef Chris Freeman and his wife Heather, the Bistro relies on a cooking style of divine simplicity with each dish showcasing native seafood, fresh local produce, and naturally raised meats from select farms. The sleek bar echoes its heritage with wooden flooring, a classic pen and ink bar top, and gaff-rigged wine glass racks, and it presents handcrafted cocktails and wines from small American producers, France, and other countries around the world.
2 South Beach Street, Nantucket, MA, 02554, Phone: 508-228-8655
