Top Rated Restaurants & Cafes in Nantucket

Combining the bold flavors of the the Mediterranean with the freshness of local seafood and meat, Ventuno offers a gourmet dining experience in Nantucket. The restaurant has an upscale vibe and elegant interiors that are well suited to romantic dinners and evenings with friends. Start with a platter of fritto misto - fried Nantucket calamari, fluke, wild Apalachicola shrimp, peppers, and preserved lemon. Follow with dishes like line-caught fluke with kabocha squash and smoked bacon or slow-cooked lamb steak with pumpkin agrodolce and smoked onion puree, served alongside exceptional wine pairings from Italy. The classy ambiance and gourmet dishes that simply burst with flavor combined with personable service make for one of the best Italian meals you'll have on the island.

Open from the middle of May to the middle of December, The Club Car offers truly gourmet dining on the island of Nantucket. While they serve a light lunch menu during the day in the bar, the Club Car truly shines at night when it begins serving the dinner menu. Grilled free-range chicken breast, fresh Maryland soft shell crabs, even exotic dishes like Bangkok Octopus. Try something new or try and old favorite, and enjoy the live entertainment in the lounge, which stays open till late.

This seasonal restaurant serves delicious American fare, with a twist of Italian and French. The very French name means to relax, release tensions and form good relations. That's exactly what patrons do here, in an attentive and casual ambiance. The staff is polite, efficient and knows when to leave you alone. Enjoy a meal with Island Lobster and Marrow Raviolis to start, followed by the Roasted Half Chicken and the tempting Warm Valrhona Chocolate Cake for dessert. A variety of dessert wines are available too. The extensive wine list features reds, whites, roses and sparkles, served by the half-bottle or the glass.

Straight Wharf Restaurant serves upscale New American fare in a stylish setting overlooking the harbor. The restaurant is a seafood lover's haven, serving a delicious array of fresh ocean fare with contemporary flair. Drawing inspiration from Nantucket's culinary legacy and oceanic roots, the restaurant brings together local ingredients and inspired cooking under one roof. Classy yet casual, the ambiance is romantic, making this perfect for a date night dinner. The seasonal menu changes regularly, highlighting such dishes as yellowfin tuna conserva with preserved lemon and patty's peppers; SWR clam bake with buttered lobster, chorizo, and littleneck clams; and local swordfish with summer squash and eggplant charmoula.

The proprietors of Boarding House opened this restaurant, which features a creative seafood menu, an extensive wine and champagne list and the unique chef's garden tasting table where as many as eight guests may enjoy a private view into the state-of-the-art kitchen. Selections from the dinner menu include crab spring rolls with carrot wakame slaw and sweet and sour dipping sauce, a martini of yellowfin tuna, creme Fraiche, wasabi, tobiko and sesame, soft shell crabs and wild striped bass with local lobster & rouille. Call for reservations.

Dune (formerly Cioppino's) is a contemporary restaurant located on Nantucket. Much of the menu includes modern takes on classic dishes, such as yellow fin tuna with gazpacho or lobster salad with avocado and vinaigrette sauce. There is a small and festive bar area and patio dining, which helps make this a favorite spot on Nantucket.