5 Favorite Eateries in Nantucket

With plenty of casual and fine dining options to explore, Nantucket is a great culinary destination. Dining on the island is all about getting a taste of locally-curated cuisine, classic cocktails, and fresh-caught seafood. 

For an unforgettable vacation experience and complete privacy, you may consider staying in a Nantucket rental. Especially if it is situated near cozy and chic eateries that allow you to experience the island’s culinary delights. The suggestions for the eateries are as follows:

Downyflake Restaurant

To grab a fresh box of doughnuts, stop by Downyflake restaurant. The restaurant’s menu also features several breakfast and lunch options served daily, only ten months a year. 

Downyflake is more than a restaurant for residents and visitors. It is a great meeting spot thanks to its cozy and inviting setting. The eatery also boasts a classic diner atmosphere for people looking for great dining experiences.

Situated in the mid-island area, Downyflake is quite convenient to access. Depending on where you live, you may take an NRTA bus, drive a car or ride a bicycle to the restaurant. Once you arrive at the eatery, you’ll see a large doughnut signage outside.

Downyflake offers both take-out and dine-in services with a menu comprising deli sandwiches, fresh salads, and homemade soups, among others. You can check their social media pages for updates on the daily specials.

Sayle’s Seafood

It is a retail fish market and take-out joint with a wide range of frozen and fresh seafood. Some of the food items you can find from the fish market include fresh shellfish, fresh fish, and smoked/frozen seafood. As for the eatery, the outdoor seating can only accommodate a few people, leaving you with the option of ordering a take-out.

Though Sayle’s Seafood specializes in Atlantic Sea Scallops, Home Made Nantucket Clam Chowder, and Nantucket Bay Scallops, its standout dish is lobster rolls. You can enjoy a lobster dinner as a take-out or a dine-in meal at their waterfront deck. You may have lobster served with corn on the cob, clam chowder, steamed red potatoes, butter, and coleslaw.

If you have an event or a party that requires you to stock up on seafood, Sayle’s can meet your needs. Thanks to the online ordering platform, you don’t have to leave the house to enjoy the eatery’s food offerings.

Dune

It is an eatery that combines casual comfort with modern chic. Since 2009, the Dune has been known for its upscale setting and refined cocktails.

Depending on what you want to eat, your options at the eatery include halibut, Crispy Pork Belly Tostada, Crispy Garlic Fingerlings, and Grilled Atlantic Swordfish, among others. The grilled halibut is the best dish served at the restaurant.

Dune’s layout comprises three unique dining rooms that feature a mix of soothing comfort and sophisticated elegance. Along with the charming patio and unique quartzite bar, the joint offers a wide selection of cordials, liquors, wines, and cocktails.

Since Dune’s menu is ever-changing, check for updates on their site. The ever-changing food and beverage menu comprises food items sourced from seasonal local produce, meats, and fish.

The Nautilus

If you are looking for a world-class dining spot that combines Asian and global street food with New England coastal dishes, you may add The Nautilus to your list. The eatery boasts a relaxed ambiance and great hospitality. Its menu features plenty of food options with spirits and wine.

Crab-fried rice is one of the tastiest meals to enjoy at The Nautilus. The restaurant prepares it in a way you just can’t get enough. Other food and beverage options to explore include grilled lamb chops and craft cocktails.

Whether you are new in town or a resident, you can always find something exciting to try at this Asian-fusion restaurant. It’s a good idea to book a reservation early to secure a great dining spot at the restaurant. Check their website for their operational hours and extensive menu. 

The Charlie Noble

Blending progressive and classic regional New England cuisine, the Charlie Noble stands out in terms of service and quality. It features a comfortable setting and in-house specialties (including Fried Chicken, Golden Fried Whole Belly Clams, and Local Bluefish Pate) for your dining experiences. The lobster Mac & Cheese is undeniably the restaurant’s cuisine highlight.

The Charlie Noble lies in a convenient location (between the whaling museum and the dock), making it easy for food lovers to access. It’s also a great place to immerse yourself in history captured by the surrounding art pieces and architectural designs.

Not many people know that this eatery lies on the site of Nantucket’s oldest known restaurant (The Green Coffee Pot). When the current owners bought the site, they kept and restored a mural belonging to the old restaurant to help preserve its history. 

The Charlie Noble also boasts a nice outdoor pet-friendly dining area where you can sit with your pet and enjoy a meal or beverage. You can find this spot behind the eatery, next to the wharf.

Final Thoughts

For a food trip destination off Cape Cod, Nantucket has a thriving culinary scene you may want to explore. From dishes with international influences to classic comfort dishes, the island’s diverse food items are readily available in the above mentioned eateries.