6 Places to Enjoy Amazing Food in Nantucket

The summer vacation paradise island of Nantucket is best known for its prized beaches, perfectly preserved historic buildings, rose-covered cottages, and infrastructure from the pre-Civil War times, when it was considered “the whaling capital of the world” and its protected spectacular nature.

You can reach it by ferry or plane. There, you can stay in one of its many beautiful short-term rentals or luxurious houses and enjoy all of its sites to see and beaches and places to explore.

But this New England island has also been drawing the attention of foodies and food experts from around the country for some time now.

It is definitely a place to go and try some of the most fantastic seafood dishes and the best-crafted cocktails at its top-notch outdoor dining venues.

Here are some of the best restaurants and places to get a taste of the best food and drinks in Nantucket.

CRU

CRU is the place to go for the ultimate upscale Nantucket fine dining experience. The waterfront restaurant is perfect for spending an unforgettable time or celebrating a special event. 

You can eat some of the best oysters, a chilled lobster roll with crème Fraiche on toasted brioche, or a lobster cocktail with tarragon and kumquat while sipping on fine champagne or the signature Cru comber cocktail. 

And enjoy this chic dining experience while gazing at the mega yachts and boats rolling back into the harbor at sunset. 

Clients can choose among some of the best seafood dishes and raw bar specialties and select a world-class wine, rose, or champagne from the curated wine list.

Straight Wharf

One of the pillars of the island’s lifestyle, Straight Wharf has been offering elevated versions of the classic seaside cuisine for over five decades.

The restaurant is dedicated to producing the best and most sustainable dishes. So you can enjoy the freshest catches and seasonal local produce whenever you decide to treat yourself to a meal there. Some of the dishes to taste include the Day Boat Scallops or Spice Crusted Sustainable Catch with a portion of Five Iced Nantucket Oysters seasoned with Persian cucumber granita and kumquat-Aleppo vinaigrette.

Straight Wharf has a famous bar, where you can try some of the local craft beers and classic and unique crafted cocktails along with some smoked bluefish pate and enjoy the atmosphere of this luxurious establishment.

Its sister restaurant, Provisions, is a more casual place to get some delicious baked goods, salads, and sandwiches.

or, The Whale

The name of this popular eatery is based on the less-known subtitle of the classic American novel “Moby-Dick.” The adventure novel was inspired by true stories from the glorious whaling years on the island.

This relatively new bistro, bar, and patio on Main Street offers an Asian-inspired take on the local seafood cuisine. It has a modern décor and a friendly atmosphere where locals and tourists alike can enjoy dishes like Shrimp Croquettes, Vietnamese Pho, and Korean Pork BBQ.

It is a popular bistro to enjoy a leisurely and delicious Sunday brunch with some Tuna Tostadas, Avocado Toast, and Duck Confit Rosti.

Your alfresco meal can be combined with some of the best brews, wines, and cocktails from the highly curated beverage menu.

The Chanticleer

This beautiful house with a stunning rose garden used to be a tea house. Today it is one of the leading fine-dining restaurants in Nantucket.

The extensive menu offers elevated fresh veggies and herbs from the garden and sea dishes alongside some of the best wines and beverages from around the globe.

Some of the dinner dishes we recommend include Lobster Salad Pai Thai style or Nantucket Oysters on the Half Shell as hors d’oeuvres and U-8 Asian Shrimp Togarashi Spiced and Chargrilled, Red’s Best Local Halibut A La Provencal.

Apart from the freshly-caught seafood, you can try dishes with delicious seasonal vegetables, handmade pasta, and other unique ingredients.

You can select a table in one of the beautiful dining rooms, such as the Main Dining Room, the Grill Room, or the Sun Room. There are two private rooms, the Saloon and The Paris Rooms, on the second floor. Best of all, there are several tables in the spectacular rose garden of The Chanticleer.

Cisco Brewers

A brewery may not sound like your typical fine dining experience, but Cisco Brewers is definitely a place to visit while vacationing in Nantucket.

It is one of the top-rated sites to see and among the most Instagrammed spots on the island.

Once dubbed “the happiest place on Earth,” it is a favorite gathering spot for locals and visitors of the island alike.

You can spend all afternoon in the spacious beer garden. There you can enjoy tasting and drinking the excellent local craft brews. Or, if you prefer – the local wines from the Nantucket Winery, as well as hard liquor or craft cocktails made with the best local spirits from the Triple Eight Distillery. 

Some of the unique craft mixed drinks to taste are the Kale Force One or the Frasberry Frose. You can also enjoy some delicious and refreshing Sangria – chilled or on the rocks.

The lively spot has a stage with live music every day, which starts in the early afternoon and ends at night.

There are multiple food trucks on-site, where you can eat casual snacks or enjoy elaborate dishes like swordfish sliders or steamed pork.

Cisco Brewers is a fun party center, but it is also family and even dog friendly.

The Nautilus

The Nautilus is another nautical-inspired eatery that will give you that unique Nantucket vibe. It will feed you some of the best dishes inspired by the local fresh seafood and produce and the Mediterranean and Asian cuisine.

The restaurant is best known for its menu of small plates made for sharing, its award-winning selection of wines, spirits, and sake, and its interior. 

The decor and atmosphere will take you in a time capsule to the original Nautilus depicted by Jules Verne in his famous novel “20,000 Leagues Under The Sea.”

Some of the Tapa’s style small dishes to order when dining at The Nautilus include the Tempura West Coast Tacos, Hawaiian Tuna Poke, or the Crispy marinated Calamari.

For the main, you should try the Whole Roasted Peking Duck or an entrée like the Asian-style Blue Crab Fried Rice.

Pair the meal with a suitable drink, and dive deep into the nautical-inspired friendly atmosphere of this fine eatery.