Water Street Kitchen is a Woods Hole staple, owned by Molly and John Wilson and serving seasonal, globally inspired fare. The restaurant is committed to supporting the local food chain by using the best locally and sustainably fished and farmed ingredients. The menu, executed by chef John Wilson, is simple and outstanding, from bluefish pate to tempura rock shrimp to duck confit to the famous Water Street burger. Enjoy walk-in sidewalk seating or make a reservation for indoor seating to enjoy views of fishing boats passing through the Woods Hole channel.

Osteria La Civetta (“The Little Owl”) channels the cuisine of Emilia Romagna, the famous food region in Italy, into its location in Falmouth. Led by chefs Fabio Pozzati and Massimiliano Zarotti, the kitchen continues to impress after nearly 20 years in business with a simple, traditional Italian menu consisting of favorites such as tagliatelle Bolognese, spaghetti carbonara, grilled octopus, baked branzino, and dessert classics like stracciatella gelato. All pasta is handmade, and the charming, 80-seat dining room includes many elements imported from Italian flea markets over the years.

Añejo Mexican Bistro, with locations in Falmouth and Hyannis, is a coveted tequila bar and taqueria serving reliably tasty tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas, burritos, tostadas, and chimichangas, as well as a wide array of margaritas, cocktails, tequila, and mezcal. Añejo is a great choice for lunch or dinner and there are always copious seating options at both locations, despite the no-reservations policy. The Hyannis location has five indoor and outdoor seating areas, one of which is a patio under a historic weeping beech tree dating back to 1776. The original Falmouth location has tables right on Main Street, perfect for sipping a cold drink, tucking into a plate of tacos, and enjoying people-watching during the summer months.

The Dunbar House Tea Room and Wine Bar is in Sandwich’s town center, housed in a beautifully restored 1800s carriage house on a hill overlooking Shawme Pond. The Dunbar House is owned by Kathryn Wolstenholme, who was born and raised on Cape Cod, and has been in the ownership of only six families throughout its 250-year history. Enjoy a traditional three-tier afternoon tea, including a pot of tea, scone with jam and cream, assorted finger sandwiches, and dessert, in the quaint interior or on the patio. In addition to traditional afternoon tea, Dunbar offers a full lunch menu of British fare, including ale, cider, and wine. Favorites include a mini beef Wellington, roast turkey sandwich, smoked salmon plate, curried chicken salad, and Guinness-braised beef stew. Perfect for a rainy day on the Cape and even better for a sunny one, when you can enjoy a long lunch and take a stroll through the historic Sandwich and along Shawme Pond. 

Bleu, the upscale French restaurant in Mashpee Commons, is a longtime favorite of Cape Codders and visitors. Executive chef and owner Frederic Feufeu, originally from the Loire Valley in France, brings the French bistro experience to Cape Cod with Bleu. Open for lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch, the restaurant is a crowd pleaser, featuring bistro classics such as escargots, French onion soup, steak tartare, and croque monsieur and more formal dinner fare such as rack of lamb, roasted mallard duck breast, and filet mignon au Poivre. The staff is warm and attentive, and both the interior and patio are well-suited for a special meal with friends and family.

Inaho in Yarmouth Port is a longtime favorite of sushi lovers, both locals and visitors alike. Located on the historic Route 6A in the quintessential Cape Cod town of Yarmouth Port, Inaho is a wonderful spot for dinner (or take-out) any time of year. Chef and owner Yuji Watanabe sources fresh fish and churns out sushi platters, classic Japanese appetizers like tempura and shumai, and a variety of delicious mains, including fried whole fish, chicken katsu, and salmon teriyaki. Don’t miss the impressive sake selection and the flourless chocolate cake for dessert.

Lighthouse Keeper’s Pantry, founded by Yarmouth Port native Kelly O’Connell in 2020, has quickly become an area staple for coffee, baked goods, and breakfast and lunch sandwiches. The interior is light-filled and charming, offering tables to enjoy your meal, as well as house-made condiments and specialty groceries for purchase. Alternatively, grab a table or Adirondack chair outside to take in all the beauty Yarmouth Port has to offer.

Scargo Café in Dennis, founded in 1987 and owned by brothers Peter and David Troutman, remains a popular year-round spot for lunch and dinner after nearly 40 years in business. Open every day of the week, Scargo offers up New England classics like calamari, seafood chowder, grilled swordfish, lobster Florentine, and an assortment of sandwiches. The wine list is impressive, and the hot fudge sundae and cheesecake are not to be missed. Half of the tables are kept open for walk-ins, and while there may be a wait during the busy season, it is well worth it.

La Tacodilla opened in 2020 and serves Mexican street food out of a food truck in West Dennis. Open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday for lunch, chef and owner Jason Montigel works with his team to serve up chips and dips, mulitas (“Mexican grilled cheese”), street tacos, sides, and La Tacodilla’s specialty, tacos dorados, which include your choice of filling (the quesabirria is a favorite) in a folded, grilled corn tortilla with onion and cilantro. Round out your meal with churros and dulce de leche. First-come, first-served picnic tables are available for seating.

Sesuit Harbor Cafe, the iconic, waterside restaurant in Dennis owned by J.C. Cuchetti, is a must-go for anyone seeking the quintessential Cape Cod clam shack experience. The long lines on summer weekends are worth it to devour your lobster roll, fish and chips, or whole belly clams while enjoying the sea breeze off Cape Cod Bay. Sesuit is cash only and BYOB, so make sure to have your favorite summer drink in hand on arrival.

The Ocean House is an acclaimed contemporary American restaurant located in Dennis Port and overlooking the Nantucket Sound. Owned by Janet Hart-Barbato, the Ocean House celebrated its 40th anniversary last year. The restaurant has lots to celebrate, having received numerous accolades over the years, all under the ownership of three generations of the Hart family. Executive chef Tom Woods churns out dishes that please regulars and newcomers alike, blending traditional New England and pan-Asian fare in the form of tuna tataki, lobster dumplings, charred octopus, seafood paella, panko chicken with shrimp fried rice, and an impressive chop house menu. “Smart casual” attire is required, including sleeved shirts for men.

Ceraldi is an Outer Cape gem. Chef and owner Michael Ceraldi, who has worked in respected kitchens in Bologna and New York City, brought his talent to Wellfleet to serve locally sourced, elegant fare (with a strong Italian influence) in a rotating, seven-course menu that changes depending on what is in season. Ingredients are sourced close to home, including from the restaurant’s own garden. Pasta, seafood, and vegetable dishes are all delicious and meticulously prepared. Ceraldi offers an optional wine pairing and two seatings per night ($212 pp, an additional $70 pp for wine). Regardless of what is on the menu when you visit, count on a special and memorable meal.

Twenty-Eight Atlantic, located in the renowned Wequassett Resort in Harwich, is housed in an 18th-century sea captain’s home with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Pleasant Bay. Executive chef James Hackney leads the kitchen in presenting a fine dining, three-course prix fixe menu at $145 pp or a seven-course tasting menu for $195 pp, plus an optional $80 pp for a wine pairing from the award-winning wine list. Twenty-Eight Atlantic is the only Forbes five-star restaurant on Cape Cod, and the menu is inspired by the rich coast of New England, including fan favorites such as lobster carbonara, foie gras torchon, Atlantic halibut, tuna crudo, and Duxbury oysters. “Resort casual” dress code.

Mac’s Seafood is a Cape Cod institution, drawing crowds who enthusiastically enjoy the fresh seafood menu, including Mac’s clam chowder, lobster rolls, fried fish and clams, and a full lobster dinner. Owner Mac Hay spent his childhood summers fishing on the Cape and has worked with his team since 1995 to source the freshest fish and support the local food chain and community. Any trip to the Cape should include a stop at one of Mac’s restaurants: Mac’s Shack Wellfleet, Mac’s on the Pier Wellfleet, Mac’s Chatham Fish & Lobster, Mac’s Market & Kitchen Eastham, and Mac’s Fish House Provincetown. Mac’s also operates fish markets in Chatham, Dennis, Eastham, Provincetown, and Wellfleet.

Aplaya Kitchen + Tiki Bar in downtown Chatham serves pitch-perfect Filipino fare. Aplaya began as a pop-up in Chatham two years ago and officially opened its doors last summer, with owners Pelinda and Tom Deegan at the helm. The menu is executed by culinary director Nate Dress and chef Toby Hill and is inspired by the Filipino food that owner Pelinda ate growing up, including lumpia (hand-rolled Filipino pork egg rolls), smoked peel-and-eat shrimp, chicken adobo, monkfish, fried plantains, papaya slaw, and house-made ube ice cream sandwiches for dessert. The drink menu is equally outstanding, offering both tiki drinks and Aplaya-original cocktails, all to be enjoyed on the fun, colorful outdoor patio.