THINGS TO DO:
Our very own Vineyard Gazette has a very robust calendar of the goings on around the Island. HERE IS THE LINK: https://calendar.vineyardgazette.com/
We also found a wonderful new guide to Black-owned businesses on the Vineyard: https://experiencemvy.com
Our very own property manager Deb is a wonderful photographer and has a business called A Grand Day Out: Martha's Vineyard. She'll be your personal photographer for sessions out and about, as you enjoy your holiday - leave those selfie sticks at home! Her website is here - book early for a spot.
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GALLERIES:
Knowhere Art Gallery/Center of Knowhere: Val and Ralph own these galleries in Oak Bluffs, and feature extraordinary talent from all over. They are wonderful people and are just so kind and warm, and love art - and you get this feeling when you walk in!
Michael Johnson Photography: You know the 'famous' shot called Joy, from Inkwell Beach? Well, that's Michael! He has a wonderful gallery in VH and is truly our favorite Vineyard photographer. He's right at 34a Main Street, VH.
PLACES TO EAT, OUR RECOMMENDATIONS:
IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING ALL ISLAND RESTAURANTS:
These are only some personal reccos! An updated comprehensive guide can be found here: https://mvol.com. And we find this site helpful: https://whatsopenonmv.com.
OFF-SEASON -- some of these may not be open after the tourist season dies down, but some of them do stay open through October or year-round. We just found a blog on which someone did a round-up of year-round restaurants (AS OF OCT 2022). This list can change at any time of course, so we still recommend calling first: https://www.mvy.com/blog/mv-year-round-restaurants
OAK BLUFFS:
Offshore Ale Co: Brick oven pizza, wonderful salads, large entrees, nicely cooked. Outside seating. Casual.
Jimmy Seas Pan Pasta: If you like hot-out-of-the-pan pasta with lots of garlic, these guys have it down. HUGE portions. They are too busy chopping garlic to have a website. On the same block as our Oak Bluffs property.
Lookout Tavern: View of the water & the Oak Bluffs ferry. Extensive casual menu with good sushi as well. Outdoor and indoor seating.
Giordano’s: Pizza, clam bar and Italian family-style dining, almost at the end of Kennebec on your left-hand side - they span that whole block facing the Flying Horses. I love the pizza that comes out the window (cash only), but lots of people love the restaurant.
The Sweet Life: One of our absolute favorites with an outdoor garden. On a beautiful night ask for an outside table on the patio. Consistent, exceptional food and service. Reservations may be required.
The Red Cat: otherwise known as Ken-n-beck. It is casual, upbeat, fun and delicious. Try the Brussel sprouts and the Fresca. They are always busy, so make a reservation.
Dos Mas: Delicious tacos – right across street from our OB property on the main street.
Linda Jeans and Biscuits: Great diner-type places for breakfast! There are lines early, but they slow down around lunchtime.
The Barn Bowl & Bistro: Lively bar with surprisingly good food, and a hopping bowling alley! Very popular with locals.
Oak Bluffs Harbor Restaurants: Nancy’s, Lobsterville, Coop De Ville, The Sand Bar, etc. Fun music and beach bar settings are very popular with tourists, but us locals frequent them too. I love it down there. Not the finest food on the island, but some of it is good - and the harbor and people watching is fun.
VINEYARD HAVEN (TISBURY):
Art Cliff Diner: A must if you want casual but yummy, innovative cooking in a diner atmosphere. Get dinner from the truck in the parking lot at night if it’s open. Check ahead for hours - they usually close after lunch. And when they are open there is often a wait, especially for breakfast.
Black Dog Tavern and Bakery: Famous spot on the water. Great beach & ferry views. The breakfast choices are extensive. The dinner bread is hot and yummy. Can be very long waits - especially for breakfast. The Bakery is behind the Tavern, facing the road. Another BD location (the Black Dog Cafe) is up State Road, just north of town.
Scottish Bakehouse: On State Road, heading North out of town. Everything is great, and we locals love it. Often a crowd there. Get it to go, or hang with the islanders at the picnic tables.
Little House Cafe: French Lentil salad is my favorite, but everything is delish.
Net Result: For fresh sushi and fried fish lunches at a picnic table in the sun.
Beach Road: This may be my favorite - some of the best dinners/cocktails on the island, and fabulous staff too.
The Attic: Open year round, one of our favorite spots. Delicious food, great service, and a very delightful, speakeasy atmosphere. Amazing cocktails as well.
Salvatore's: Yummy Italian food! Back garden is delightful. They have also opened a wine bar/cafe/sandwich place on Main Street called La Strada. VERY tasty but pricy sandwiches. They also carry Italian pantry items.
WEST TISBURY:
Lambert’s Cove Inn Restaurant: A lovely country inn, out of the way, fine dining.
State Road Restaurant: Top notch, beautiful dining room, nice drive to get there. Try their house-made ricotta. Relaxed but upscale and delicious. Brunch is fun and fabulous. May require reservations.
EDGARTOWN:
Atria / Brick Cellar Bar: Upstairs, fine dining. Downstairs bar is fab with wonderful food & drinks. Casual but not too casual. Their truffle fries, broccolini & pastas are super yum.
Chesca's Restaurant / Bar: Casual with delicious food that has been consistently great for many years. Especially fun on a Thursday night. Go from 5 - 6pm to enjoy live music outside (select weeks). Sit in a rocking chair on the porch & watch the crowd. Usually a wait to get in, and they take reservations for large parties only.
Among the Flowers Cafe: I worked there for years as a teen. Love it. Outdoor seating. Great sandwiches, omelets, everything.
The Port Hunter: Great salads & veggie apps, like the buffalo cauliflower. Loud when busy. Reservations may be needed.
Covington: Delicious. Indoor/outdoor seating. Creative menu, and busy! Reservations may be needed.
Behind the Bookstore: Delicious lattes and breakfasts, lunch and dinner in a fabulous garden nook.
Détente: Delicious fine dining dinner restaurant with a small bar seating as well. Reservations needed.
L’Etoile: The only restaurant on the island with a dress code, but if you want to go more casual, they also have a fantastic bar for dining. The oysters are to die for. May require reservations.
The Dunes Restaurant: Faces the ocean near South beach, out of town – beautiful at sunset and great food and service. May require reservations.
CHILMARK:
The Chilmark General Store: Great place to rock in a porch rocking chair and enjoy a midday slice of pizza - sort of a must do here. Their groceries are crazy expensive but fabulous to peruse, and fun for a splurge. Seasonal Only.
The Chilmark Tavern: B.Y.O.B. A fresh restaurant with lovely atmosphere and fabulous food. Seasonal Only.
MENEMSHA:
Larsen’s Fish Market and Menemsha Fish Market: These fish markets are not to be missed! Get to-go lobsters for reasonable prices & set a blanket on the beach. Grab a bottle of wine & watch the sunset. Warning: the beach crowd will clap at sunset. A bit cheesy, but sweet.
Menemsha Galley: A stand with soft-serve ice cream and the best lobster rolls anywhere. Across from The Homeport Restaurant. Seasonal Only.
The Homeport Restaurant: Large well-known family restaurant with loads of fresh fish and wonderful views. Seasonal Only.
Beach Plum Inn Restaurant: One of the island's best views & wonderful food. Go at sunset on a beautiful night for sure. Update: Ownership has changed, so I have to check it out again to make sure it is still yummy. (Poor me.) Nothing can touch the view though – would be worth it just for that. May require reservations.
AQUINNAH:
The Orange Peel Bakery / Pizza Night: Wednesday nights only & seasonal. Bring toppings & put them on an outdoor wood fired grill. Seriously local & fun!
The Outermost Inn: Absolutely lovely. If you want to dine up-island overlooking the cliffs at sunset, make a sunset dinner reservation at James Taylor's family's place. It is almost another world - and at the furthest tip of the island – the setting and the vibe combine to make it a heavenly experience. Reservations needed.
GLUTEN FREE:
The gluten free thing hasn't quite caught on enough to point out recommended gluten free restaurants. Usually I ask the waiter or waitress if something is gluten free-and if contamination could be an issue or any possible gluten in sauces and other components. Make sure you say that you have an "allergy" to gluten. That's a buzz word that they'd definitely know! Luckily, there is so much local seafood, meat and farm produced here that it is very easy to eat gluten free.
For gluten free desserts, try Pie Chicks sold at most of the local grocery stores. Also, The Scottish Bakehouse in Vineyard Haven has a good selection of freshly made gluten-free baked goods and menu items.
I have just made myself exceptionally hungry writing this list. Enjoy every bite-and every moment! And please let me know how you like them! :))