If you love seafood, then New England is perfect! These are the 5 BEST places to eat in Nantucket on your next vacation.
You may know Nantucket, Massachusetts, for its fresh scallops, clams, and lobster rolls. But the truth is that this island is home to some of the best traditional and modern cuisine, the leading chefs, and the top-of-the-line restaurants, casual breweries, and places to eat in the state and area.
If you are heading off on vacation to Nantucket and have already booked your ferry tickets and found the perfect short-term rental place for your stay, it is time to plan your exploration of the best local cuisine.
Tastiest Places To Eat In Nantucket
Here are five of the best places in Nantucket to enjoy some delicious food and the local vibes. The list contains some fine dining options, casual chic places, and eateries and family-friendly places for every budget and taste.
CRU
CRU is one of the top-rated fine-dining restaurants in Nantucket. It is preferred for its breezy waterfront view and some of the best lobster rolls and fresh oysters served on the island.
It is a great place to celebrate a special event while enjoying the refined hot lobster roll with handmade gourmet fries. Or, if you prefer the cold version, you can opt for the chilled lobster cocktail made with kumquat and tarragon.
The CRU Oyster Bar is the place to go for fresh local oysters, caviar served on toasted brioche with crème fresh, and to enjoy a glass of fine chilled rose, champagne, or one of the unique craft mixed drinks of the house, such as the famous Crucomber cocktail.
Galley Beach
Galley Beach is another waterfront restaurant offering a one-of-a-kind fine dining experience. You can enjoy a delicious meal, sip on a cocktail, or a glass of champagne while admiring the stunning sunset from the table.
Galley Beach has an elegant bar and dining room. If you are lucky, you can book one of the outdoor tables and eat your delicious meals or sip on some of the best cocktails in town right on the beach.
Some of the dishes to try at this fine dining establishment include lobster frites, escargot, cassoulet, or sweetbreads. Don’t forget to order one of the house-crafted cocktails or spritzes, such as the Shipwreck, the tropical Blooming Pitaya, or the Mescal Me Maybe. You can enjoy sipping it while dipping your toes in the soft sand and admiring the view at the outdoor tables.
The Chanticleer
What used to be a tiny tea house, the Chanticleer is now a leading restaurant in Nantucket. It is also one of the most romantic and charming places to eat and enjoy a drink on the island. This makes it a preferred location for weddings and other romantic events.
The restaurant has several unique dining rooms. These are the Main Dining Room with a view of the stunning rose garden, the Sun Room, and the club-like Grill Room.
Apart from them, there are two private dining rooms. One is the Paris Room, with a single table for eight people and a fireplace. Then there is The Saloon which can seat up to 40 people.
Of course, one of the most stunning areas to pick for your visit to The Chanticleer is its gorgeous Rose Garden.
The extensive menu includes some of the best handmade pasta, local seafood, and vegetables. These top-quality products are combined in refined dishes, such as Yellowfin Tuna Tartar and the Red’s Best Local Halibut Provencal. There is an extensive curated wine list. It includes the best local and international wines and champagnes to complete your perfect lunch or dinner.
Cisco Brewers
This is not simply a brewery. It is one of the most popular party centers, and gathering places on the island, loved by locals and vacationers alike.
Cisco Brewers combines the only local craft beer brewery with the Nantucket Winery and the Triple Eight Distillery.
People often go to Cisco Brewers after spending the day on the beach. You can go there for a refreshing drink, delicious snacks, and live music, available every afternoon during the summer.
There are food trucks and playgrounds for the kids similar to playground equipment for schools.
The adults can try some refreshing drinks like the local Wandering Haze or Gripha IPAs, the Whale’s Tale Pale Ale, The Grey Lady Wheat Ale, and local liquors such as the Cranberry or Blueberry vodkas.
Wine lovers won’t be disappointed either, as you can choose from a wide variety of locally made and international wines.
For the adventurers, there is an extensive list of crafted cocktails infused with local beverages, such as the Kale Force One, which is made with gin, cucumber, kale juice, and ginger puree. The Sangria can be ordered on the rocks or frozen, and the Frasberry Frose is a top favorite drink for those hot summer evenings and nights.
The place has a large beer garden, a stage for live music, and available snacks and dishes from the many food trucks on site. You can eat veggie dumplings, elaborate steamed pork, swordfish sliders, and even raw oysters with your drinks.
The Nautilus
This is one of the most popular eateries in Nantucket. The Nautilus serves creative Asian-inspired dishes alongside some of the best-crafted cocktails and sparkling wines.
Most of the dishes, such as the Hawaiian tuna poke, the Tempura West Coast Oyster Tacos, and the Crispy Marinated Calamari, are in tapas style and are made for sharing.
But there are delicious entrée-sized ones, such as Asian-style Blue Crab Fried Rice, a whole roasted Peking Duck, or 30-oz Bone-in prime ribeye, which you can share with others.
The crafted cocktails include reinvented classics along with original creations by The Nautilus. Some of the mixed drinks to try are the Nauti Dog, Nantucket Nectar, and The Golden Goose.
The restaurant has an overall New England style, a unique nautical-inspired décor, and a friendly and happy atmosphere like no other.
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