17 Best Restaurants in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts

A dark, intimate wine bar and restaurant with hardwood floors and richly colored banquette seating, Détente serves more than a dozen wines by the glass as well as numerous half bottles. Even if you're not much of an oenophile, it's worth a trip just for the innovative food, much of it from local farms and seafood purveyors. Owned by a husband and wife, the menu reflects their travels; think of it as Europe-meets-New England on a plate.

Basically a retail fish store, Larsen's has a raw take-out counter and will also boil lobsters for you. They also offer stuffed quahogs, crab cakes, steamers, and mussels, cooked to order. Dig into a plate of fresh littlenecks or cherrystones; oysters are not a bad alternative. There's also seafood chowder and a variety of smoked fish and dips. Bring your own bottle of wine or beer, buy your dinner here, and then set up on the rocks, the docks, or the beach: there's no finer alfresco rustic dining on the island. Sunset-watching is wildly popular here; call ahead or expect to wait a bit.

High ceilings, exposed beams, and a beautiful stone fireplace make for a warm and light-filled meal. The menu takes advantage of delightfully prepared local and organic products, creating memorable dishes. Everything is made from scratch, with many ingredients culled from their own herb, fruit, and vegetable gardens.

Nothing says 'summer on the island' like slurping local oysters outdoors on a patio, and head chef Joe Monteiro will make sure you have a shucking good time. They aim for a true oyster bar—something the Vineyard was lacking—and they nail it, right down to the reclaimed wood and industrial accents. While glistening oysters are the star of the show, other fresh seafood dishes (that ceviche!), even duck, pack plenty of flavor.

Alchemy aims for a European-chic bistro-style scene and menu, missing only the patina of age—and French working-folks' prices—but you can expect quality and imagination. On balmy evenings, the half-dozen outdoor tables on the candlelit brick patio are highly coveted.

Who needs saltwater taffy when you can have a freshly baked apple fritter or gooey, buttermilk-glazed donut? This is a donut shop with a secret: by day, it's a tucked-away bakery; at 7 pm, they open the back door and sell warm treats to in-the-know fans who line up for the privilege.

This family-friendly roadhouse wins fans with its worth-the-greasy-fingers fried chicken, kale salad, fish-and-chips, and pizza, but it's the combination of all-American comfort food, affordable-for-the-Vineyard-prices, and friendly vibe that keep 'em coming back. A great addition to the Oak Bluffs restaurant scene with bowling to boot, this place is also open year-round.

With its ample windows looking out to the serene lagoon, lofted ceilings, and mellow globe lighting held aloft by sturdy ropes, the decor aptly reflects the kitchen's "sea-to-table" theme for its seasonally inspired and locally sourced offerings. Everything is scratch-made, including the baked goods, and the massive bar is a popular spot for dining and cocktails.

There will be a line, but this hole-in-the-wall breakfast joint is a great spot for grabbing a hand-held breakfast sandwich—say, a honey-chicken biscuit—en route to the ferry. If you're not in a rush, nab a table, and peruse the extensive menu featuring Southern favorites like shrimp and grits and chicken and waffles along with avocado toast, brioche-and-berry French toast and linguica hash.

This island landmark—part of a mini-complex that includes a general store and a kid's shop—lies just steps from the ferry terminal in Vineyard Haven. The dining room—roaring fireplace, dark-wood walls, maritime memorabilia, and a grand view of the water—makes everyone feel at home; there's additional seating on the patio when the weather allows. Sure, it's touristy---but it's fun.

When you need a pick-me-up, pop into Espresso Love for a cappuccino and a homemade raspberry scone or blueberry muffin. If you prefer something cold, the staff also makes fruit smoothies. Light lunch fare is served: bagel sandwiches, burgers, salads, soups, and delicious pastries and cookies—all homemade, of course.

Michael Brisson has been at the helm of this creative French kitchen since the mid-1980s, yet his dedication to fresh, exquisitely prepared local food remains as fervent as ever. Changing with what's seasonally available, his menu features fresh fish and game; for lighter fare (and less intimidating prices) or to indulge in a fancy martini, head to the stunning copper bar with its sleek leather-backed chairs or the lovely terrace for alfresco dining. No children under age six, please.

Sometimes, you don't feel like a fifty-dollar, fancy-schmancy entrée—you just want a big, fat lobster roll and a beer, and that's what you'll get at Lookout Tavern. Dig into fresh lobsters from Katama Bay, eight kinds of tacos (beer-battered cod is the best), or their award-winning sushi and sashimi. Pro tip: Skip the indoor tables and head to one of the stools facing the water—perfect for watching ferries and pleasure boats glide by (and even better with a rum punch in hand.)

Line up at this rustic family-owned spot, around for more than 70 years, for everything from chowder to fresh swordfish sandwiches to soft serve ice cream. Once you pick up your order, enjoy it sitting on the rocks at the harbor or head to the beach.

The island's first microbrewery restaurant is quite popular with locals and visitors alike, especially since it is open year-round. There are private wooden booths, a dart board in the corner, and live music from October--May. Grab some peanuts from a barrel by the door and drop the shells on the floor; then order from a menu that includes steaks and burgers, chicken, pasta, gumbo, and fish. However, to truly appreciate the beer, try it with one of the wood-fired brick-oven pizzas. There's a nice shaded patio for outdoor dining.

The venue has changed, but the spirit hasn't with its "stellar cuisine meets lively bar" vibe. Standing at nearly 6½ feet tall and covered with colorful tattoos, chef--owner Ben Deforest turns out an extraordinary array of dishes—think seared yellowfin tuna in a coconut red curry broth, slow-braised short rib, linguine and clams, or a fried tomato and snow crab salad—in the heart of Oak Bluffs. The service is so friendly, everyone feels like a regular. Whatever else you order, get a plate of crispy Brussels sprouts (or two) for the table. 

When Chef Christopher Stam and the Alchemy crew opened a burger joint in a strip mall, the Vineyard took notice. Happy to report that this simple spot (just a few tables and some plants, with a take-out counter) is a fun find in Edgartown—and a nice respite from the eye-popping prices at the fancy spots. You wouldn't plan an anniversary dinner here, for sure, but the smash burgers are tasty and the veggie burgers pack some flavor. Sides include shakes, onion rings, and salty skinny fries.