Nantucket Guide

Heading to Nantucket soon? We've put together a list of some of our favorite things to do, places to visit, and where to eat! Are we missing any of your favorites? Comment below!

Things to do: 

• Steps Beach - located off Cliff Road, it's named for the "many steps" to get down to the gorgeous beach. 

Photo by @monodon

• Cisco Brewers - Nantucket's first and only craft brewery. They pride themselves on celebrating a deep-rooted New England island heritage through world-class drinks, coastal-inspired beers, spirits, and wines. Come in just as you are and experience the original Cisco Brewers Nantucket firsthand!

Photo by @nantucketboatbasin

• Whaling Museum - operated by the Nantucket Historical Association (founded in 1894), the museum features exhibitions in 9 premium galleries, telling the island's fascinating stories spanning over 4 centuries.

Photo by @ackhistory

• Jack & Charlie's Ice Cream - named after the owner's sons, Jack & Charlie, this is your all-day, one-stop place for coffee, breakfast, smoothies, and ice cream!

Photo by @nyclunchguy

• Shop our Nantucket jewelry line in person at Four Winds Gifts located at 8 Straight Wharf, Nantucket, MA! We also offer FREE shipping on all orders on our website. Shop our entire Nantucket Jewelry Collection here!

Photo by @capeology

• Sconset Bluff Walk - also known as the "Cliff Walk", it's the most scenic path on Nantucket. If you're looking for a great photo spot, this is one of our favorites!

Lighthouses: 

• Brant Point Lighthouse - for those arriving on Nantucket via ferry, Brant Point Lighthouse is an iconic sighting that welcomes visitors to the island. Standing only 26 feet tall, it is America's second-oldest lighthouse, established in 1746. Its red light flashes every 4 seconds and can be seen 10 miles out. Today, Brant Point Lighthouse now stands only for our viewing pleasure. 

Photo by @shanerileyphoto

• Great Point Lighthouse - first built in 1784, the original wooden tower was destroyed by a fire in 1816. In 1984, it was destroyed again in a storm, but was rebuilt to replicate the old one and still remains in operation today!

Photo by @washashore_photography

• Sankaty Head Lighthouse - deriving from the Wampanoags word, "sankoty" meaning highland, the brick, and granite structure stands at 70 feet tall, 158 feet above sea level, and flashes every 7.5 seconds. The light is visible for 25 miles at sea and has been active for more than 160 years. It was built in 1850 and is still in operation today! Although the tower is not open to the public, visitors can explore the breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Photo by @minipropellers

Beaches: 

• Madaket Beach - located on the western end of the island, and a popular spot for watching sunsets!

Photo by @jennaalexandraphotos

• Cisco Beach - located along the south shore, several miles out of town that is popular with surfers! A great destination to bike to.

Photo by @ekett13

• Jetties Beach - one of the most popular beaches on the island, located on the north shore just outside of town. It's named for the large rock jetties that have been guiding ships into Nantucket Harbor since 1911. Jetties Beach is a wide, flat beach with shallow water and sandbars at low tide. P.S. Be sure to grab a drink on the beach at Sandbar!

Photo by @brown.eyed.flower.child

• Sconset Beach - a wide beach located on the eastern-most tip of the island. 

Photo by @hollyruthfinigan

• Surfside Beach - true to its name, a wide flat beach with rolling surf over sandbars. A great place to set up beach games or go surfing. 

Photo by @alifewellsaved

Restaurants: 

Breakfast

• Lemon Press - located on Nantucket's cobblestoned Main Street, Lemon Press is an organic eatery, café, and craft cocktail bar. They aim to provide a fresh and friendly space to gather over coffee and avocado toast, or shared plates and cocktails. Start your day off right with an energizing coffee drink, a delicious breakfast sandwich, and one of their famous cold-pressed juices.

Photo by @lemonpressnantucket

• 45 Surfside Bakery and Cafe - owner Rebecca always wanted to be a chef and opened her first bakery in 1985. Over time, her bakery became so successful that she was no longer able to bake herself. In 2015, Rebecca visited Nantucket with the hopes of opening another small shop where she could bake. She fell in love with the listing at 45 Surfside Road, and the rest is history! Today, 45 Surfside Bakery offers freshly baked pastries and wedding cakes, as well as a breakfast, lunch and smoothie menu. 

Photo by @kaitsplatess

• Island Kitchen - 'food brings people together' was the inspiration behind Island Kitchen. They are a year-round restaurant with a seasonal patio, ice cream parlor, and cocktail lounge. Island Kitchen is a place where fresh, simple, good food for all is served up daily in pursuit of sparking conversation, fostering connection, and building community. 
  

Photo by @iknantucket

• Handlebar Cafe - since 2014, they have been serving the best artisanal coffee on Nantucket. They are a community space disguised as a coffee shop, where you can sit with friends and family and create long-lasting memories together. Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy the sun on their outside patio, while enjoying the liveliness of Nantucket Streets!

Photo by @dininwithlive

• Provisions Nantucket -  since opening its doors in 1973, Provisions has been a mainstay for breakfast and lunch. Located right on the wharf next to the water, it is a great place to grab your breakfast on the way to the boat or before a beach day! You can enjoy a variety of freshly baked homemade bagels and made-to-order breakfast sandwiches. They offer something yummy for every taste, and best of all, it is handmade cooking inspired by your summer on the island! P.S. It's never too early for a little taste of Thanksgiving :)

Photo by @beli_eats

• Stubbys - in 2000 they began serving fries out of a fish market on "The strip", Nantucket's historic Broad Street, with the simple intent of feeding residents and visitors coming on and off the ferries. Stubbys quickly became a staple, and they now serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night snacks 7 days a week, all year long.

Photo by @eatstubbys

• Downyflake Restaurant - proudly satisfying the appetites of Nantucket locals and visitors for over 90 years! They are a family-friendly restaurant serving delicious homemade donuts, breakfast, lunch, and daily specials in a classic diner atmosphere. Note: temporarily closed!

Photo by @madeliinesmirror

Lunch 

• Fresh Nantucket - downtown Nantucket's premier one-stop shop for a perfect Nantucket beach day! There is no better match than a Fresh Nantucket Sandwich and the beach. Stop in or give them a call to arrange deliveries of food, alcohol, or both! 

Photo by @freshnantucket

• Scooters - they believe that healthy food should also be convenient and delicious. Scooters offers their guests a unique experience that lets you customize your own bowl, using the freshest and healthiest ingredients available. Their commitment to quality and variety is what sets them apart from other restaurants, making them a must-visit destination for anyone on Nantucket. 

Photo by @scooters.nantucket

Dinner 

• Brotherhood of Thieves - the name of this legendary local hangout is a nod to the title of an 1844 pamphlet written on Nantucket. Brotherhood of Thieves serves mouthwatering food, including one of our favorite burgers on the island. They are cooked to perfection and served with curly fries or mixed greens, on a seeded brioche. 

Photo by @brotherhoodnantucket

• Lola 41 - a unique and vibrant restaurant, specializing in cuisines from the 41st parallel. LoLa stands for longitude and latitude, and the number 41 represents the specific parallel that LoLa resides on. All aspects of the restaurant have been influenced by the countries and regions that the 41st parallel crosses through. P.S. Next time you find yourself at the sushi and cocktail bar, glance down to see coins embedded from many of the countries along the 41st parallel! 

Photo by @lola41restaurants

• The Chanticleer Nantucket - originally opened as a small tea house at the turn of the century, it has turned into one of the premier restaurants on Nantucket. The Chanticleer is one of the most romantic destinations on the island, with beautiful rose gardens to dine in. Their lush gardens produce organic herbs, flowers, berries, and seasonal products to be used in all recipes. Chef Jeff creates seasonal menus that celebrate New England's abundant local offerings from land to sea. 

 Photo by @sconsetandbeyond

• The Nautilus -  three friends' dreams came true when a small space on a side street of a tiny island became available. The Nautilus was founded on the principle that everything is better when shared. They are a New England restaurant with a coastal seafood base, but the inspiration is well-rooted in Asian flavors and ingredients. Come get a taste, and don't forget to ACKNauti! 

Photo by @thenautilus

• Millie's Restaurant - "Madaket Millie" Jewett was an island legend who spent her life caring for the beaches, the animals, and the people of Madaket. She patrolled the coastline and greeted travelers from her yard on Hither Creek. Millie's Nantucket honors the true spirit of summer, and their margaritas are sure to help you set sail into a seaside state of mind! 

Photo by @nourishwithmakenzi

• Straight Wharf - offering an experience that speaks of a time and a place, reinterpreting summer classics as food you'd enjoy after a day at the beach with a great sense of warmth & hospitality!

Photo by @straightwharf

• Oath Pizza - born in a charming seaside shop, fueled by a passion for creating pizza that is as delightful and comforting as the island itself. At Oath, they believe every great pizza begins with an exceptional crust, which is why they make theirs from real ingredients, hand-stretched, and then grilled and seared in avocado oil for perfection. Come taste the difference yourself! 

Photo by @bahstonsbest

• Galley Beach - since the 1920's this Nantucket landmark has sat directly in the sand overlooking Nantucket Sound in the Northwest Shore. Galley Beach originally started as a clam shack and has evolved into a beach-chic destination, and is one of the northeast's premier restaurant and event locations. They look forward to seeing you, "On The Beach!"

Photo by @alifewellsaved

• Bar Yoshi - located on the waterfront at the historic Old South Wharf, the restaurant offers classic Japanese cuisine, including sushi, noodles, dumplings, coupled with raw bar offerings, poke, and ceviche. They also have creative cocktails, sake, wine, and beer available!

Photo by @baryoshinantucket

• Sister Ship - located inside the beautiful and luxurious boutique hotel, Faraway Hotel Nantucket, the Sister Ship Nantucket is a restaurant, cafe, and relaxed cocktail club with elevated cocktails and seafood-forward Mediterranean dishes using local ingredients. 

Photo by @elizabeth.cecil

• Cru Nantucket Oyster Bar - this casual, yet elegant restaurant offers a dining experience unlike any other. Come in to enjoy perfectly-shucked fresh oysters, indulge in caviar, and enjoy a bubbly glass of champagne. 

Photo by @vantage.visual

• Rose & Crown Nantucket - a full-service restaurant during the day, turned nightclub after 10 pm. Rose & Crown is the perfect place to visit, feel welcome, and be treated like a local!

Photo by @foodscore