This winter has been an exciting time of change for Nantucket restaurants! We have been watching the transition of new ownership and creative concepts coming to life just in time for a busy summer season. We already have some new favorites that have opened this winter and are eagerly awaiting others. Here are the new Nantucket restaurants to dine at in 2017!
Click here for our Fine Dining Restaurant Guide
Click here for our Family Friendly Restaurant Guide
Downtown Nantucket Restaurants
Greydon House
17 Broad Street, Nantucket, MA
@GreydonHouse
This winter, many locals have relied on the Greydon House as their new go-to restaurant. Their doors always seem to be open – for breakfast, lunch and dinner. With dark wood-planked walls and a great collection of art and books, it feels as if you’re taking a step back in time to Nantucket’s historic whaling days. You can’t go wrong with Marcus Ware’s menu, a Michelin star chef. Each dish is beautifully plated and is a work of art. For dinner, we always order the local crudité, oysters and mussels to start. The Roasted Free Range chicken is cooked sous-vide and is incredible juicy on the inside, with a perfect layer of crispy skin. This summer we think the Greydon’s Cup is going to be a hit, mixed with Absolut Elyx, banana, coconut, lime and champagne all served in a golden pineapple goblet. Stop by Greydon House as your first destination for a night on the town!
The Club Car
1 Main Street, Nantucket, MA
@NantucketClubCar
One of our favorite island chefs, Mayumi Hattori (of Straight Wharf fame) has moved over to iconic Club Car. Her new menu features California cuisine with a Mediterranean twist, mostly small plates to share (like tapas) and a nice selection of entrées. There are plenty of vegetarian options, and there was a steak special the night we visited (not on the regular menu). Also involved with the new Club Car is a team including Ty Costa and Tanya McDonough. They did a major renovation and the interior design by Tharon Anderson Design is absolutely STUNNING, bright and filled with lush plants. They have dinner service beginning at 5:30 every night and lunch service five days a week beginning at 11:30am.
Afterhouse Raw & Wine Bar
18 Broad Street, Nantucket, MA
@afterhouse_nantucket
The ever-chic Galley Beach has taken over Mersault, the private wine club that you may have missed in 2016. This is a collaborative project with Galley Beach’s Chef Scott Osif, Managing Partner David Silva and Director of Operations Kevin Anderson. Interior design was done by Eliza Alles Interiors. They say, “Afterhouse raw and wine bar is a true Nantucket seafood bistro, focused on serving chilled shellfish, raw fish preparations, caviars and tinned seafood. For non-seafood lovers, there is a local vegetarian offerings, and some charcuterie selections.” The will be serving their entire menu, wine and beer from 2:30pm – 12:30am. It’s a great place to stop if you are looking for a mid-day snack and find other restaurants closed between lunch and dinner. Cheers!
Sandbar at the Jetties
4 Bathing Beach Road, Nantucket, MA
@AckSandbar
Sandbar, you had us at frosé… but we are happy to indulge in the rest of your slushy menu besides frozen rosé! Other frosty drinks on the menu include a Margarita Slush and a 888 Blueberry Lemonade Slush. Sandbar has already become a hot spot, with kids running around in the sand, delicious food, lively bar and great live music including Buckle & Shake every Saturday from 4-7pm. Owners Nick Nashington (formerly of CRU) and George Kelly (formerly of Nautilus) have brought on Chef Manny Rojas as their head chef (formerly of Nautilus and The Pearl Sous Chef). The Sandbar’s Instagram page features mouth-watering images of their Jetty Clambake, served on a platter for a family (or “framily”) of four. Fisher Real Estate will certainly be calling Sandbar our new #FisherFriends now that they will be open from Mid-May to Columbus Day. Don’t miss brunch from 9am-3pm on weekends!
The Charlie Noble
15 South Water Street, Nantucket, MA
@TheCharlieNobleNantucket
This great, open space formally occupied by NIXS and Atlantic Cafe has been reinvigorated by owners Denise Corson and Fred Bisaillon. This dynamic duo also own the popular Back Yard BBQ. The focus at the Charlie Noble is now on beautifully plated seafood dishes, raw bar and Bloody Mary Bar.
Mid-Island Nantucket Restaurants
Keepers Restaurant
5 Amelia Drive, Nantucket, MA
@Keepers_Restaurant
Finally, 5 Amelia Drive has found it’s new owners! Nantucket natives Sabrina Dawson and Gaven Norton have brought a fun, vibrant energy to this great space. Don’t be fooled by their youthful look, this pair embodies the Nantucket work-ethic to a tee. Sabrina has local restaurant background working at Fog Island Café, and Gaven is the owner of ACK Surf School. Keepers is open year-round and is very family friendly. We are looking forward to trying their “Pair & Share” menu selection and outside patio!
Island Kitchen
1 Chins Way, Nantucket, MA
@IKnantucket
You can’t go wrong ordering off Patrick Ridge’s menu at Island Kitchen. We are partial to their breakfast, but lunch and dinner seldom disappoint. You can imagine our joy when we found out they would be expanding into the former Grey Lady space next door to make their new compound more family friendly. The new space has 50 new patio seats, an outdoor bar, fire pit and an upstairs bar. But MOST importantly, Island Kitchen has ICE CREAM AND DONUT walk-in storefront, with 32 flavors of homemade ice cream and 6 types of homemade donuts!!! One Blueberry Pie Ice Cream and one Brownie Batter Chocolate, please!
45 Surfside
45 Surfside Road, Nantucket, MA
@45surfside
45 Surfside is a cute café and bakery that opened in December and has been bustling every day this winte. They now stay open until 9pm, have outdoor seating on their deck, full menu, beer and wine and plenty of grab and go items. They have great daily lunch specials and holiday dessert specials (chocolate covered strawberries for Valentine’s Day and Shamrock Cupcakes for St. Patrick’s Day). At lunch, we love the “Tom Brady” Sandwich – roasted turkey, Havarti, herb aioli, greens on wheat. If you have a special celebration coming up, we highly recommend ordering one of their spectacular tasting AND looking custom cakes from owner Rebecca Moesinger (former owner/founder of Konditor Meister in Braintree, MA).
Nantucket Meat & Fish Market
21 Old South Road, Nantucket, MA
@ackmeatandfish
Even though this market is not a sit-down restaurant, it has plenty of to-go food options for all you Nantucket foodies, including the best bagels on island and Starbucks coffee. Principal Broker Brian Sullivan stopped by the day they opened and snapped some great photos of their beautiful space! Nantucket Meat & Fish Market has been getting a lot of attention at the intersection of Old South Road and Amelia Drive. Owner Sean Ready says, “We are a family owned and operated market. Our cafe offers an array of freshly baked bagels, sandwiches, sushi, coffee and espresso. The market offers everything needed to provision a meal at home, on the beach or boat. Local seafood, prime steaks, marinated meats, produce, and prepared foods are some of the highlights of what will be offered.” They have had great success on Martha’s Vineyard with the Edgartown Meat & Fish Market, and we have welcomed them with open arms to Nantucket!
