10 best restaurants on Nantucket

Joining the island’s foodie ranks in 2021, Sister Ship at Faraway Nantucket is a shiny beacon on Centre Street. The farm-to-table restaurant presents a Mediterranean-influenced menu with all their ingredients sourced from farmers and producers throughout Nantucket. The courtyard lounge is the place to be on a balmy summer evening, perched in a wicker chair under fringed umbrellas. And when you start to get peckish, head inside for some delicious sharable plates. 

What began as a lunch shack to serve beach goers decades ago is now an island hot spot serving casual lunches and elegant dinners to longtime residents, all manner of celebrities and visitors alike. The star here is the view and what enhances any beach view? A cocktail of course. The cocktail program here stands up to anything we have in Boston. And given the scenery you will be enjoying them; you may find yourself booking another trip back to the island just to enjoy them one more time before the summer is over. While you cannot go wrong on the drinks list here, the winner has to be the Angry Guava, fruity and refreshing with a touch of heat--you may find yourself indulging in more than you planned once that first sip hits your lips. 

Located on the historic Old South Wharf, bar Yoshi offers Asian-fusion style cuisine, but of course the restaurant is known for its raw bar and sushi selections. The team at Bar Yoshi have just opened a new space across from their main location called O Bar, which is worth a visit this summer. Designer Christian P. Arkay-Leliever and the ownership team collaborated to create an cottage boathouse aesthetic, while taking cues from bar Yoshi. The tri-layered design of the ceiling allows sound to disappear while music emanates and surrounds in a subtle way. Basically, they mastered the science of creating the perfect vibe.

The Brant Point Grill is one of those places that is truly synonymous with Nantucket. Whether you have dined during a stay at the White Elephant, met someone for coffee, or more likely met someone there for a drink, you are probably familiar with the restaurant. Centrally located, BPG is also a great choice.

This Broad Street staple is reopening with three distinct spatial concepts. As an homage to its younger years, the downstairs will maintain its pub-like draw, while the upstairs will feature a refined speakeasy-esque rebuild with rotating live music acts and new owners’ Triple 8 award-winning single malt whiskey on the menu. Lastly, Brotherhood has expanded their outdoors to replicate a beer garden decked out in Cisco swag, so if you can’t get out to the brewery, this will be your next best bet.

A favorite among locals and visitors alike, there’s a reason there’s always a line out the door at this intimate eatery throughout peak season⁠—namely, its creative Asian-inspired seafood offerings, like its blue crab fried rice or tempura east coast tacos. There is so much variety on this menu, you’ll want to bring your appetite (and probably a few friends for sharing). It’s already a well-established hotspot on Nantucket, so seek out reservations or plan to arrive early and wait in line with the rest of the crowd in the hopes of snagging a bar seat.

With a strong emphasis on seasonal menus, you may not be able to order your favorite dish from last summer, but you can expect one thing to remain the same here: Everything will be fresh. Sourcing vegetables from Washashore Farm, produce from Fog Town Farms and seafood from Salty Balls Fish, Proprietors leans into the superb supplies that are right at its fingertips. Another highlight? Its mixology program is impressive, taking contemporary favorites and adding a twist to them, like its Wake Me Up (Before You Go Go), a nitro cold brew espresso martini with vanilla vodka and Borghetti espresso liqueur.

Venture off the beaten path to the northeastern hook of the island, where you’ll find this upscale restaurant within The Wauwinet Resort. Positioned along Nantucket Bay, the patio is an idyllic spot for oysters on the half shell⁠—harvested 300 yards away⁠—or indulging in the menu showcasing seasonally inspired New England cuisine. Oenophiles pay attention! Topper’s isn’t all about the eats and views, offering an impressive collection of 1550 wines and rare vintages to stand up to the award-winning fare.

This unassuming spot on Main Street opens up to a sizable outdoor patio and bar, creating the perfect location for post-boating or beaching bites and beverages. The restaurant emphasizes shareable dishes, but it’s not all small plates. There are also more substantial table feasts for large parties, like the locally caught, whole black bass served with tortillas and salsas for a build-your-own taco experience, or the slow-roasted, five-pound pork shoulder offered ssam style with sushi rice, kimchi and lettuce wraps.

Elegant and ever-changing is what Dune is all about. With a daily menu, you can return every night and bite into something different each time. Established as a fine-dining venue, the plates match the environs with immaculate presentations that are as aesthetically pleasing as they are flavorful and satiating. The upstairs is slightly more airy and relaxed, thus, the perfect place to unwind with a bigger reservation.