Where to Eat and Drink in Cape Cod

Lobster. Clams. …Quahogs? Cape Cod has the expected New England seafood dishes and its own unique delicacies like quahogs and steamers that may surprise you. The challenge is eating it all on your short-lived stay on the Cape. From Hyannis to Wellfleet, we’ll dive into some of the best places to eat on Cape Cod. 

On the Cape, you can have the best meal of your trip from a shack on the side of the road. The places on this list aren’t fussy or pretentious, giving you a bang for your buck in every bite. All of these options are group-friendly and serve non-seafood dishes for picky eaters. But, you’re on the Cape, so there are plenty of delicious New England seafood spots on this list.

Without further ado, here are all the best places to eat, drink, and caffeinate on Cape Cod:

The Seafood Shanty

The best lobster roll deal in all of New England is at The Seafood Shanty. For $32 you can get a giant lobster roll that’s so big that you can split it into two. Order an extra bun on the side and stuff your second roll with lobster meat. Viola, two jam-packed lobster rolls for $16 each. Oh, and it comes with French fries. It doesn’t get better than this. 

This should be your first stop on your way to the Cape right before you cross the Sagamore Bridge. It’s so good, my friends and I went on the way home too. 

Black Cat Tavern

For more of a sit-down lunch vibe, go to Black Cat Tavern in Hyannis Port. At the Black Cat Tavern, you can add a heaping scoop of lobster salad to just about anything. They serve lunch classics like wraps, burgers, and salad, plus all the seafood you crave on the Cape. Next door you’ll find Black Cat Harbor Shack which is owned by the same cats but with a more casual lunch vibe. 

Añejo

Añejo is a Mexican spot serving up the classics like enchiladas and tacos. The food is good but the drinks and vibe are even better. In the downtown Hyannis location, Añejo has a back patio and lounge that turns into a going-out scene later in the night. 

Embargo

Embargo serves tapas and martinis to dinner guests and shots and tequila sodas to partygoers after 11 p.m. It’s the perfect place to turn dinner with a big group into a party. Late at night, Embargo moves all the tables and turns their dining room into a dance floor. It’s best to come here for a late dinner and stay put because cover is $10 per person (which is typical for downtown Hyannis on summer weekends). 

It’s pricier than most places on this list but the martinis are a good bang for your buck compared to what you’d get in a big city like Boston or New York City.

Captain Parker’s Pub

More restaurant than pub, Captain Parker’s Pub serves amazing food with a laid-back vibe. The restaurant itself is adorned with patches from first responders. Captain Parker’s serves the Cape Cod classics, including Quahog, a big clam stuffed with chorizo. If there’s a wait, you can hang out by the outdoor bar or the gas fire pit. 

Old King’s Coffeehouse

If you’re looking for a grab-and-go breakfast, look no further than Old King’s Coffeehouse. It’s the perfect spot to feed a big group on the go while you make your way down the Cape. They have it all: coffee and matcha, sweet and savory, light and filling. 

Three Fins Coffee Roasters

Coffee connoisseurs will fall in love with Three Fins Coffee Roasters, a big artisanal coffee shop. Unlike Old King’s, it’s the kind of place you want to hang out at for a little while. There isn’t much seating because it’s likely already taken by someone getting work done on their laptop or reading a book. The space feels like it could be transported to Brooklyn, New York without anyone batting an eye. 

Summer Shanty

Not to be confused with The Seafood Shanty in Buzzard’s Bay, Summer Shanty in West Dennis embodies the summer vibe. This waterfront spot faces the Bass River Marina and is a great place to enjoy drinks and the sunset. It’s only open during the summer but makes the most of it with live music on most nights. 

Mac’s On the Pier

Mac’s is an institution, so much so that they have two locations in Welfleet and three other locations across the Cape. Mac’s Shack is the original location in Wellfleet but for a more salty experience, go to Mac’s On the Pier. At Mac’s, you order at a counter (preferably a half dozen Wellfleet oysters) and wait for your number to be called. There are picnic tables by the water for you to enjoy your fresh seafood with a view. 

The Beachcomber

The Beachcomber feels like a darty, dayger, or whatever you call a day-drinking get-together back home. It’s the only bar on the Cape Cod National Seashore because it was grandfathered in being that it was there before the National Seashore was established. 

No one can resist the infectious vibe of the Beachcomber, so it gets packed. The parking lot gets full and the wait time for people who get dropped off can be well over an hour. If you have time to kill, it’s not a bad wait when your view is Cahoon Hollow Beach. At night, the Beachcomber also has live music.

Truro Vineyards

Coastal regions aren’t known for their red wine, but Truro Vineyards will prove you wrong with a selection of white and red wine from grapes grown on their vineyard. You can spend an afternoon at Truro Vineyards tasting new wines, playing corn hole, and grabbing a bite from their food truck. 

To order a wine flight, you’ll need to book a table through Tock. But, if you’re traveling with a big party the best thing to do is to take your group to the back bar to order wine by the glass. 

More Cape Cod travel guides

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10 Things to Do in Cape Cod

Your Cape Cape Cod Travel Guide