But since summer is just getting started, we thought now would be a good time to share a list of the best places we have been to that can provide you with that scenic Cape Cod dining experience that so many people crave when coming to the Cape on vacation. 

We have organized the list in alphabetical order, as we believe any attempt to rank them is an entirely subjective exercise that provides no value. People’s moods and tastes vary, so we’ll let you decide for yourself which of these is your favorite. As for us, we have enjoyed all of them, and all have earned our Washashores Seal of Approval. Be sure to click on the photo gallery links to get a visual look at the food, view, and ambience that each venue provides. Click on their names to go to their websites.

If you know of a place that you think deserves to be on this list, leave a note in the Comments section or shoot us an email at washashoreslife@gmail.com.  

To view our full list of restaurant and bar reviews, which is searchable by location, food type, and more, download The Washashores App. Click here to learn more.

NOTE: This post was last updated on August 22, 2024 to include reviews of more restaurants that we have visited since the original posting and to include more restaurants in the “Other Good Bets” list at the end of this post that were recommended to us by others.

_______________________

Baxter’s Boathouse (Hyannis)

Baxter’s is the place to go when you’re in the mood for good seafood and a view. Located right on Hyannis Harbor, Baxter’s has a casual clam shack vibe and offers a variety of tempting seafood dishes—clams, lobster, scallops—as well as burgers, salads, and sides like chicken tenders and onion rings. But what makes it special is the opportunity to enjoy your meal while sitting outside near the boats, where you can enjoy a soft ocean breeze while watching the activity in the harbor. And if you’re here in the early evening, you’ll be treated to a great sunset as well. There is indoor seating if you want it, but the fun is outdoors. (Seasonal)  Click to view a photo gallery

Brax Landing (Harwich Port)

Our quest to experience all the Cape restaurants with great water views continued with a visit to Brax Landing in Harwich Port. What a great find! The view overlooking Saquatucket Harbor is fantastic and the food is amazing. We sat outdoors with a group of six friends, and our entrees included baked stuffed shrimp, steak tips salad, and their signature lobster roll, which was enormous, modestly priced, and absolutely mouthwatering. The shared nachos appetizer was terrific as well. The service was outstanding, and they happily gave us four separate checks, which not every restaurant will do. Two big thumbs up from us.  Click here to view a photo gallery

Chatham Bars Inn (Chatham)

CBI bills itself as “Cape Cod’s Most Beautiful Address,” and it’s easy to see why. Offering 5-star oceanfront luxury, this iconic Inn is a favorite of well-heeled locals and world travelers alike. To our delight, we’ve also discovered it can be a great place for us more average folks to unwind, enjoy local music, and have a delicious, surprisingly moderately priced meal, all while taking in the natural beauty of Cape Cod, a place we are lucky to call home. Our first visit came on a beautiful Thursday evening in July when we decided to stop by to take in a performance by a Cape Cod favorite duo, Jack Leyden and Oriana Camish (aka Accent Band), who were providing the evening’s entertainment on the venue’s open-air Bayview Terrace, which offers live music daily from 5 to 8 p.m. in July and August. Upon arrival, we grabbed a few Adirondack chairs and wiled away an hour or so listening to this talented duo as they sang classic hits while we enjoyed the refreshing ocean breeze. Soon enough, we started to get hungry, and although the Bayview Terrace serves food, the menu is limited to pizza, wings, and a few light appetizers. Wanting something more substantial, we went across the street to CBI’s Beach House Grill. With a casual vibe and stunning views of the sand dunes surrounding Chatham Harbor, this mostly outdoor establishment boasts a more extensive menu featuring chilled seafood; pork, lamb, chicken, seafood, and beef entrees; and salads made with vegetables freshly harvested from CBI’s own farm. Our group enjoyed a variety of items. The local Jonah crab claws with dill and mustard sauce and the buttermilk fried calamari with pickled peppers and spicy aioli were fresh and tasty starters. Following that, we tried the Caesar salad and the iceberg wedge salad, both perfectly sized and beautifully presented. We also ordered the scallops, which we’re pleased to report were firm, sweet, and succulent, with just the right hint of salty brininess. Finally, we shared an order of French fries because, well, we just couldn’t resist. They arrived piping hot and were worth every calorie. Chatham Bars Inn is not a place that most of us will go to very often, but it’s definitely a place you should make a point to visit every once in a while as a special treat.  Click here to view a photo gallery

Fishermen’s View (Sandwich )

This is waterfront fine dining at its best. Fishermen’s View in Sandwich offers stunning panoramic views of the East Boat Basin and Cape Cod Canal and an extensive menu of creative seafood and sushi dishes, plus a selection of chicken, steak, burgers, and salads for those with more omnivorous palates. Sandie’s, an outdoor bar open during the summer, is perfect if you want to sit by the water and enjoy cocktails, light appetizers, and live music. Live music is also available in the main restaurant most afternoons and evenings.  Click here to view a photo gallery

Mac’s Shack (Wellfleet)

With so many local seafood options, it takes a lot to stand out. Mac’s Shack definitely does. With four locations spread between Chatham and Provincetown, Mac’s Shack is a Cape institution. We like the Wellfleet location the best. This fun venue boasts indoor/outdoor seating, a raw bar, and tons of dinner options ranging from sushi to lobster fettuccine. Everything we’ve had here has been so good that it’s hard to pick a favorite meal. The outstanding cocktails match the cool beach vibe. Parking is ample, but as always, peak times can be tough. When dinner is over, perusing the nearby art galleries and shops makes for a pretty perfect evening. (Seasonal)   Click to view a photo gallery

Mattakeese Wharf (Barnstable Village)

Mattakeese in Barnstable Village is one of our favorite restaurants. It’s spacious, with lots of windows overlooking Barnstable Harbor, making it a perfect spot for catching a beautiful Cape sunset while enjoying a delicious meal. We also love the casual bar area where you can hang out with drinks and have a bite to eat. In fact, we occasionally stop in at the bar on Friday evenings to enjoy some live music before heading out for the night. (Seasonal)   Click to view a photo gallery

Ocean 193 (Provincetown)

One of our favorite things to do in Provincetown is wander down the myriad little alleyways that sprout off of Commercial Street in search of the hidden gems–be it shops, restaurants, or spectacular views–that tend to be tucked away there. One such alleyway gem is Ocean 193, a cozy seafood restaurant with a large back deck where diners can enjoy a perfect view of Provincetown Harbor. We had lunch there with a group of 12 people on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon, and the experience was as satisfying as the view. Although we showed up there without reservations, they not only accommodated all of us but managed to provide us with corner tables out on the deck right by the harborside railing. On this day, that was definitely the place to be. The inside of the restaurant features a handsome bar and a dozen or so dining tables, but the spacious outdoor deck is clearly where you want to be when the weather is good. Provincetown Harbor is one of the most picturesque places on the Cape, and the deck gives you a wide angle view of all of it. In addition to the great view, Ocean 193 also serves up delicious food and cocktails, all presented with an artistic flair. A simple garden salad is a work of art, and the specialty drinks not only look fabulous but come with creatively amusing names, such as Pornstar martini and the Let Em Eat Cake martini. On this particular day, most of us ordered only light fare, such as the clam chowder and the Korean Cod Poppers, all of which were delicious. But the menu includes all kinds of seafood options, ranging from red snapper and seared tuna to oysters, lobster rolls, soft shell crab sandwiches, and fish tacos. We look forward to making a return visit to give them all a try.  Click to view a photo gallery

Skippy’s Pier 1 (South Yarmouth)

A longtime favorite of Cape locals, this waterfront spot in South Yarmouth is better than ever, having recently undergone a significant renovation. In addition to an indoor dining experience, it offers a spacious deck and grassy seating area where you can enjoy your meal and/or a delicious signature cocktail while taking in the view of the Pier One Marina on the Parker River. Skippy’s is known for its seafood, so naturally the menu is more heavily focused on “surf” than “turf”: it features mostly seafood dishes and just a few steak and burger options. We ordered the roasted haddock and lobster, and both were spectacular. We also love their chicken wings. If you want to enjoy some entertainment with your meal, that’s also an option if you go on a night when Skippy’s is hosting a comedy show or live music. Be sure to say hi to the owner, Sandy, who sometimes gets behind the bar to serve up drinks and friendly conversation.  Click to view a photo gallery

Spanky’s Clam Shack (Hyannis)

This family-friendly restaurant on Hyannis Harbor specializes in locally caught and harvested seafood, but it also offers steak, chicken, pasta, burgers, and salads. Spanky’s has a great outdoor dining space and a cozy bar where you can meet old friends and make new ones. Spanky’s also offers a variety of cocktails, some with imaginative names. We recommend the Slap My Clamshell and Call Me Spanky, the restaurant’s version of a Long Island Iced Tea. They limit you to two, and after drinking it, we can see why! (Seasonal)  Click to view a photo gallery

Swan River Restaurant & Fish Market (Dennis Port) 

If you are in the mood for fresh seafood and a beautiful waterfront view, the Swan River Restaurant & Fish Market in Dennis Port is a great place to go. This casual, family-owned restaurant overlooks the scenic Swan River tidal marsh, and its large plate-glass windows give you a beautiful view from almost any seat in the place. In good weather you can even sit out on the patio out back. Watch the kayakers during the day and the sunset at night, all while enjoying lobster, clams, cocktails, and more. (Seasonal)  Click to view a photo gallery

The BlueWater Grille (Hyannis)

The Bluewater Grill on Ocean Street in Hyannis is a perfect place for mingling with friends or relaxing over a drink while waiting to catch a ferry to the islands. Associated with the Hyannis Harbor Hotel, the Grill offers a view of the hotel pool on one side and an unobstructed view of the hustle and bustle of Hyannis Harbor on the other. In addition to its extensive offerings of craft cocktails and martinis, the Grill offers a varied menu that includes appetizers, lobster rolls, flat bread pizzas, sandwiches, burgers, salads, and more. Click to view a photo gallery

The Chart Room (Cataumet)

The Chart Room in Cataumet is more than just a great place to eat; it’s an experience unto itself. Our favorite thing about it is simply its location. Built on a former cargo barge, this vast restaurant is set in a marina on the water’s edge overlooking Buzzards Bay. A long pier runs right alongside the restaurant, providing a great place to hang out and have a drink as you wait for your table, which, given how busy they can get, you may well have to do even if you have a reservation. The restaurant is big enough to accommodate hundreds of diners, but even so, it was an overflow crowd on the night we were there. Some of the diners get to sit out in one of the two large outdoor dining areas, while others get to enjoy the restaurant’s large, rustic interior spaces. The outdoor areas give you unobstructed views of the docks, which are filled with boats and yachts of all sizes. The indoor dining areas let you enjoy the historic ambience of the place. There’s even one spot that gives you the opportunity to sit at a bar surrounding a grand piano, where you can enjoy some fun interaction with the evening’s piano player. The service is fantastic, the cocktails are great, and the food options skew heavily toward seafood, though there are a few options for meat lovers. We opted for clams casino and a wedge salad for our starters, both of which were delicious. For entrees, we had halibut, swordfish steaks, and swordfish tacos. Two of us loved the dinners, and two of us thought the fish was a bit on the dry side. The presentation of the food wasn’t particularly fancy, but given the number of people they serve, that’s probably understandable. Nevertheless, the experience as a whole was fantastic, and we’ll gladly return again. It’s a great place to bring out-of-town guests who are craving a Cape Cod dining experience. (Seasonal) Click to view a photo gallery

The Lobster Pot (Provincetown)

If you like seafood, especially lobster, and you want a dining experience that is truly an experience, then you have to go to the Lobster Pot. This iconic restaurant is a cornerstone of Provincetown’s Commercial Street scene. It’s expansive, busy, and rich in history—one of its claims to fame is that Anthony Bourdain started his career here. You can get a burger or steak here, but really, why would you? This place is all about the seafood, and especially the lobster. If you can, try and get a seat overlooking Provincetown Harbor. But even if you can’t, you’ll enjoy the chaotic hustle and bustle of the place. No reservations needed. (Seasonal)  Click to view a photo gallery

The Marshside Restaurant (East Dennis)

The Marshside in East Dennis is a beautifully architected restaurant featuring a stunning high-beamed ceiling and two walls of picture windows that give you a sweeping view of the surrounding tidal marsh. It was gorgeous when we were here on a rainy, gray Saturday evening in March, so we can only imagine how beautiful it is on a sunny spring or summer evening! The other couples in our party were well familiar with the place, but for us it was a wonderful discovery. They tell us the sunsets here are amazing. As for the food, it was delicious. Each of us ordered something different, and we all loved what we got. The selections included shrimp scampi, salmon, fish and chips, linguine with little neck clams, chicken Parma, and beet salad. Some of us managed to clean our plates, while others had leftovers to enjoy at home. We also enjoyed the cocktails, which for us included the maple old fashioned. We’re always on the lookout for restaurants that know how to make a good old fashioned, and Marshside makes the cut!  Click to view a photo gallery

The Mews Restaurant & Cafe (Provincetown)

Located on the far end of Commercial Street in Provincetown, tucked in among art galleries and picturesque homes, this award-winning restaurant offers tasty, creative gourmet cuisine and superb craft cocktails. Both the bistro (upstairs) and the beach-level dining room boast fantastic views of Provincetown Harbor. Lots of famous people from the worlds of politics, music, film/TV/stage, and radio have apparently enjoyed the food here so much that they gave the owner permission to include their names on a list of “famous diners,” so we consider ourselves to be in pretty good company when we say the food here is very good. We recommend the Vietnamese-inspired shaking beef, lobster risotto, and scallop scampi: perfection on a plate.  Click to view a photo gallery

The Pearl (Wellfleet)

Our first visit to The Pearl came on a sunny but cool Saturday afternoon in early May when we decided to stop in on our way back from a day trip to Truro. It was opening weekend, and we thought it’d be fun to see what their Happy Hour is like. Turns out, it was surprisingly busy. We managed to snag a high-top near the bar, but within a few minutes of our arrival, the area was standing room only. The Pearl is located in scenic Wellfleet Harbor, and on our visit, we thoroughly enjoyed the casual, high-energy vibe we found there: It really did feel like a happy hour – a happy place filled with people that were truly happy to be there. Although the restaurant was abuzz with conversation and laughter, it wasn’t too loud to carry on a conversation. Mr. Gotcha was in the enclosed deck area providing live music, and a few couples were up on their feet dancing. But the rest of us seemed content sitting and relaxing with our drinks and food and taking in the views of the harbor on a sunny day. The menu at The Pearl is limited but varied, and the food is good. We had a lobster roll and a crispy chicken sandwich, and both hit the spot. We also enjoyed a half-dozen Wellfleet oysters and a cup of clam chowder, and they were delicious as well. We look forward to making a return visit to enjoy the food, views, and music from the rooftop deck, which was not yet open during our visit. Until its closing in October, The Pearl offers live music every day of the week from 3 to 5 p.m. A complete list of scheduled bands can be found on the restaurant’s website. (Seasonal)  Click to view a photo gallery

The Pilot House (Sandwich)

Located at the East end of the Cape Cod Canal in Sandwich, The Pilot House is one of the more well-known restaurants in the Upper Cape. Situated in Sandwich Harbor it provides a nice venue for those who enjoy having a scenic water view with their meal. We visited the restaurant for the first time on a pleasant but cool evening in April, and found it was much bigger than we anticipated. It has at least three large dining rooms as well as a large bar area and a moderately sized dance floor, which was packed with people on the night we were there bouncing to the music of Thee Midnight Society. Large windows wrap around the building, giving you a great view of the harbor, and in the warmer weather, you’ll have the option of enjoying that view from one of the outside sitting areas. The Pilot House menu offers a variety of options from sandwiches and burgers to soups and salads, but the focus here is on seafood. The list of appetizers includes things like sushi, oysters, crab cakes, and PEI mussels, and there are also tuna, lobster, and mahi tacos. Our group of 10 ordered a variety of different entrees, including the lobster and chorizo bolognese, the Portuguese stuffed cod, the seafood pot pie, and the Korean fried chicken sandwich. The sauces that came with all the dishes were rich and tasty, and only one or two of us didn’t manage to clean our plates, which of course meant no room for dessert. But no matter. It gives us an excuse to return on a warm summer evening and enjoy a dessert, a glass of wine, the view, and the sea breezes from the comfort of an outdoor table.  Click to view a photo gallery

The Sand Bar (West Dennis)

There are a number of restaurants that can reasonably claim to have the best water view on the Cape, and the Sand Bar in West Dennis is one of them. This modest-sized pub is tucked away in the river marsh of West Dennis Beach, and the view is beautiful and serene. That’s reason enough to come here, but this seasonal spot also offers amazing seafood (try the fish tacos!), outdoor dining, lawn games, and nighttime entertainment, including live bands, karaoke, and comedy. We’ve only been here for dinner so far, and we’re eager to get back to experience the entertainment. The Sand Bar closes for the season in October. (Seasonal)  Click to view a photo gallery

Trader Ed’s (Hyannis)

This in-season waterfront bar/restaurant in Hyannis boasts a large outdoor patio that wraps around an in-ground swimming pool and offers scenic views of busy Hyannis Harbor. At night, it turns into an active party destination for a young crowd, but in the afternoon and early evening people of all ages flock here to enjoy the view and the amazing sunsets. The food is simple but tasty, consisting of lobster rolls, burgers, some innovative appetizers, and various sandwiches, and they do a pretty good job with their cocktails and frozen drinks. We’ve been here a few times and enjoyed the beauty and energy of the place, as well as the music, which on the nights we went was provided by a DJ and a solo performer. We’ve always come here in the late afternoon and stayed into the early evening. We haven’t been here at night, when the young crowd takes over—but we are curious to see what that’s like! (Seasonal)  Click to view a photo gallery

Tugboats (West Yarmouth)

When you are in the mood for seafood and great water views, then Tugboats should be at the top of your list of restaurants to visit. Located in West Yarmouth, the restaurant features large windows, multiple dining areas, and lots of outdoor deck seating, all of which offer sweeping views of Hyannis Harbor. Whether you go there for lunch or dinner, you’ll enjoy the chance to relax over a meal or drink while watching harbor life unfold in front of you as boats move to or from the open sea. We happened to make our first visit there early in the season, shortly after the restaurant had opened for the summer, so the deck seating was not yet open, but we can’t wait for the warmer weather to move in so we can experience the place in all its glory. But even this first early-season visit let us know this is a quality venue, with good food served hot (lots of tasty-sounding options), good drinks (loved the frozen mudslide!), excellent service, and a charming owner/host, Teddy Zambelis, who makes you feel welcome. (Seasonal)  Click to view a photo gallery

Wequassett Resort & Golf Club (Harwich)

Nothing says summer on the Cape like eating local oysters at an outdoor patio table overlooking the water. Perhaps one of the most elegant venues for this is the Veuve Verandah at Wequassett Resort and Golf Club in Harwich, with a view of Pleasant Bay. The backdrop is so stunning many people choose it as the place to say their wedding vows. We were lucky enough to stumble upon such a scene the other night, when we popped in for champagne cocktails and oysters – a combo Wequassett calls Bubbles and Brine. As we sipped our frothy pink Kir Royales – Veuve Clicquot sweetened with Crème de Cassis – we watched a lovely bride descend the sweeping staircase that leads from the verandah down to the hydrangea garden and lawn below, where she exchanged vows with her groom at the water’s edge. It was one of those perfect Cape summer nights: not too warm with a gentle breeze and clear skies above the sailboats anchored in the bay, with a peek at the Atlantic just beyond. From 3 to 5 pm the verandah offers a menu of small plates, including dollar oysters, hand-rolled sushi, poached shrimp and duck bao buns, among other delights presented by Executive Chef James Hackney and complemented by an award-winning champagne and wine list. After 5:00 p.m. you can order from the menu from Wequassett’s tavern, Thoreau’s. We sampled the oysters, which came from Plymouth on this particular evening. Though we prefer the ones from Wellfleet, these were tasty, especially when topped with a dollop of Wequassett’s signature cranberry horseradish cocktail sauce, something we’re anxious to try recreating in our own kitchen. We also enjoyed some jumbo poached shrimp, a Hollywood sushi roll (featuring crab and avocado) and a cheese plate. Our attentive server, Misha, surprised us by topping off our evening with a pair of chocolate-covered ice cream popsicles. This was our second visit to Wequassett in a week because we just couldn’t get enough of this hidden gem, which also offers five-star dining in its formal dining room, Twenty-Eight Atlantic, and more casual eating with equally stunning waterfront views of the Bay and Round Cover at its Outer Bar. The Outer Bar serves more traditional seafood favorites. The night we were there, we enjoyed the mouth-wateringly delicious coconut curry mussels with toast points, following an appetizer of hummus with green olives, roasted tomatoes, confit garlic and pita bread. Our table had a view of the pier below, where on that particular evening, a young man proposed to his love under the summer sky. We highly recommend this spectacular venue, where romance is clearly on the menu. Click to view a photo gallery

Other Good Bets

The following list of restaurants are places we’ve not been to yet, so we’ve not had the opportunity to give them a proper review. But we’ve heard good things about each of them, so we add them here as “good bets” that they’ll offer a scenic dining experience that you’ll enjoy. Click on the names to go to their websites.

The Flying Bridge (Falmouth)

Pier 37 Boathouse (Falmouth)

Captain Kidd (Woods Hole)

Landfalll Restaurant (Woods Hole)

Sesuit Harbor Cafe (Dennis)

The Pelham House (Dennis Port) 

The Ocean House Restaurant (Dennis)

Ocean Edge Terrace (Brewster)

The Inn on Shipyard Park (Mattapoisett)

Fanzzi’s By the Sea (Provincetown)

The Red Inn (Provincetown)

The Beachcomber (Wellfleet)

Bookstore Restaurant (Wellfleet)

_______________________________________________________

Click here to view our list of 
“Best Places To Go Dancing On Cape Cod”

Click here to return to the Washashores home page.