Best Bar/Pub: Offshore Ale Company
30 Kennebec Avenue, Oak Bluffs, 508-693-2626, offshoreale.com
Runner-up: Lookout Tavern
8 Seaview Avenue, Oak Bluffs, 508-696-9844, lookoutmv.com
Solo at the bar or with a large group of friends, you’re always at home at Offshore Ale. The changing variety of brews and extensive list of excellent pub food make this gathering spot a place to return to again and again. For Bruins and Sox fans, head over to the Lookout Tavern for great beers and wings or margaritas and fish tacos.
Best Bakery: Back Door Donuts/Martha’s Vineyard Gourmet Café & Bakery
5 Post Office Square, Oak Bluffs, 508-627-3688, mvbakery.com
Runner-up: Scottish Bakehouse
977 State Road, Vineyard Haven, 508-693-6633, scottishbakehousemv.com
Two words: apple fritter. The long line for fresh-out-of-the-fryer donuts at Back Door Donuts is an annual harbinger of summer. And don’t miss the gorgeous cakes sold during the day through the front door of the Oak Bluffs bakery. For a variety of seasonal baked goods, standbys, and great gluten-free options, head over to the Scottish Bakehouse in Vineyard Haven.
Best Breakfast: ArtCliff Diner
39 Beach Road, Vineyard Haven, 508-693-1224
Runner-up: Linda Jean’s Restaurant
25 Circuit Avenue, Oak Bluffs, 508-693-4093, lindajeansrestaurant.com
With all of the delicious choices at ArtCliff Diner, it’s hard to know where to start. How about the Farmer’s Market Frittata with fresh herbs, spinach, tomato, mushrooms, and chevre? Or Katama Almond and Honey Crepes? No, wait, the Bull’s Eye – codfish cake, two eggs, arugula, spicy hollandaise, and mustard oil. See what we mean? In Oak Bluffs, Linda Jean’s serves up classic breakfast favorites year after year with its family-friendly hometown feel.
Best Breakfast Sandwich: Scottish Bakehouse
977 State Road, Vineyard Haven, 508-693-6633, scottishbakehousemv.com
Runner-up: 7a Foods
1045 State Road, West Tisbury, 508-693-4636, 7afoods.com
Wrapped up in a bundle of warm tinfoil goodness is Scottish Bakehouse’s breakfast sandwich: two eggs, cheese, spinach, red onion, tomato, and bacon (fakin’ or the real deal) on a soft English muffin. Bring it to the beach or sit out on the picnic benches and get the day started. 7a’s egg sandwich on a cheddar-jalapeño biscuit is a life changer.
Best Burger: Atria
137 Main Street, Edgartown, 508-627-5850, atriamv.com
Runner-up: Fat Ronnie’s Burger Bar
7 Circuit Avenue, Oak Bluffs, 774-563-9311
Sunday night at Atria is where locals go in the off-season to take advantage of Burger Night. Cozy up with the classy Frenchy, the breakfast-meets-dinner Fast Eddie, or the vegetarian PETA in the restaurant’s downstairs Brick Cellar Bar. Relative newcomer Fat Ronnie’s serves up no-nonsense classic burgers on Circuit Avenue. Don’t forget the onion rings.
Best Caterer: V. Jaime Hamlin and Sons
508-693-6313, vhamlincatering.com
Runner-up: Kitchen Porch Catering
508-645-5000, kitchenporch.com
From presidential birthday parties to rehearsal dinners and intimate anniversary dinners, V. Jaime Hamlin and Sons caters to it all. Hamlin has been cooking and planning parties since 1978, so it’s no wonder she comes in at number one. Jan Buhrman of Kitchen Porch Catering is another Island favorite, with unique brunch, luncheon, and holiday menus that’ll have you brainstorming reasons to have a party just to get her through your front door.
Best Chowder: Martha’s Vineyard Chowder Company
9 Oak Bluffs Avenue, Oak Bluffs, 508-696-3000, mvchowder.com
Runner-up: The Net Result
Tisbury Marketplace, 79 Beach Road, Vineyard Haven, 508-693-6071, mvseafood.com
The name says it all, and the bragging rights are deserved. The Martha’s Vineyard Chowder Company wins again for its deliciously light, flavorful chowder in which the quahaug is the star. Find yourself in Vineyard Haven? Try runner-up the Net Result’s creamy clam chowder. You’ll be as happy as a . . . clam. (Sorry, couldn’t resist.)
Best Clambake: The Net Result
Tisbury Marketplace, 79 Beach Road, Vineyard Haven, 508-693-6071, mvseafood.com
Runner-up (tie): Bill Smith’s Martha’s Vineyard Clambake Co.
508-627-8809, mvclambake.com
Runner-up (tie): Larsen’s Fish Market
56 Basin Road, Chilmark, 508-645-2680, larsensfishmarket.com
Steamers, lobsters, corn on the cob, and butter (lots of butter) are best served up clambake-style alongside family and friends. Thankfully, the Net Result has everything you need for a DIY clambake. Up-Island, Larsen’s has you covered for that perfect Menemsha experience. Or you can call Bill Smith’s and they’ll take care of everything and bring it to your chosen location, from linens and bibs to enough food for a wedding or small dinner party.
Best Cocktails: Alchemy
71 Main Street, Edgartown, 508-627-9999, alchemyedgartown.com
Runner-up: Nancy’s Snack Bar/Donovan’s Reef
29 Lake Avenue, Oak Bluffs, 508-693-0006, nancysrestaurant.com
Order a Ginger Gimlet or French Quarter martini and sit under sparkling white lights on the upstairs porch at Alchemy, the ideal place to relax and watch the action on Edgartown’s Main Street. On the Oak Bluffs harbor, nothing says summer like a Dirty Banana or two. Reggae jams flow from the frozen drink shack while bartender Donovan whips up delicious summer libations.
Best Coffee: Mocha Mott’s
10 Circuit Avenue, Oak Bluffs, 508-696-1922
15 Main Street, Vineyard Haven, 508-693-3155, mochamotts.com
Runner-up: Espresso Love
17 Church Street, Edgartown, 508-627-9211, espressolove.com
Buying local has its perks. Head to one of the two Mocha Mott’s locations and you’ll find a bakery case brimming with bagels and muffins, all surrounded by the sweet smell of freshly roasted coffee. Don’t let the long line fool you – it moves quickly. In Edgartown head to Espresso Love, order a cappuccino, and sit out on the patio to take in the charming ambience this daily grind has to offer.
Best Fine Dining: State Road Restaurant
688 State Road, West Tisbury, 508-693-8582, stateroadrestaurant.com
Runner-up: Atria
137 Main Street, Edgartown, 508-627-5850, atriamv.com
State Road Restaurant continues to please with daily menu changes and a variety of local ingredients, plus one of the most inviting atmospheres on the Island. (How to recreate that dining room glow at home?) Atria’s attention to service and detail makes this longstanding Edgartown restaurant a standout.
Best Family Dining: Giordano’s Restaurant
18 Lake Avenue, Oak Bluffs, 508-693-0184, giosmv.com
Runner-up: Offshore Ale Company
30 Kennebec Avenue, Oak Bluffs, 508-693-2626, offshoreale.com
We’re giving Giordano’s two forks up! Since 1930, the family-run establishment has been dishing out favorites like manicotti, cacciatore, lobster ravioli, and, of course, hand-spun pizza pies. Kids have it made there too, as all children’s meals are topped off with a Hoodsie Cup. Just up the road, Offshore Ale caters to patrons of all ages, serving hoppy Island-brewed beer for mom and dad, and sugary sweet root beer for junior and his friends.
Best Fish and Chips: The Newes from America
23 Kelley Street, Edgartown, 508-627-4397, kelley-house.com
Runner-up: The Net Result
Tisbury Marketplace, 79 Beach Road, Vineyard Haven, 508-693-6071, mvseafood.com
This just in! The fish ’n’ chips served at the Newes has people flocking to the subterranean pub at all hours of the day. And no wonder – it is good: fresh haddock, crispy fries, creamy slaw, and the Newes’ own special tartar sauce. Not in the mood to sit down and savor? Get takeout from the Net Result, an “upper-scale” fish market where the portions are massive and the fish is most definitely always fresh.
Best Fish Market: The Net Result
Tisbury Marketplace, 79 Beach Road, Vineyard Haven, 508-693-6071, mvseafood.com
Runner-up: Larsen’s Fish Market
56 Basin Road, Chilmark, 508-645-2680, larsensfishmarket.com
If there’s one thing the Larsen family knows, it’s fish. Louis Larsen and his crew at the Net Result offer a variety of beautiful seafood and takeout in Vineyard Haven, and also supply many of the Island restaurants with the daily catch. Betsy Larsen runs a tight ship on the docks of Menemsha; be sure to ask her what’s fresh off the boat.
Best French Fries: Atria
137 Main Street, Edgartown, 508-627-5850, atriamv.com
Runner-up: Offshore Ale Company
30 Kennebec Avenue, Oak Bluffs, 508-693-2626, offshoreale.com
Truffle-Parmesan fries, anyone? These restaurants will have you diving into a side of hot, salty, crunchy fries before you can pour ketchup on your sandwich. Upscale Atria (and its downstairs Brick Cellar Bar) serves shoestring potatoes fried with local baby arugula. At Offshore Ale in Oak Bluffs, the hand-cut fries are a two-day labor of love.
Best Fried Clams: Giordano’s Restaurant
18 Lake Avenue, Oak Bluffs, 508-693-0184, giosmv.com
Runner-up: The Bite
29 Basin Road, Chilmark, 508-645-9239
Fried clams may be the ultimate taste of summer, and these iconic restaurants know how to make sure their flavor shines. Enjoy lightly breaded full bellies and crispy strips at Giordano’s, now in its eighty-fifth season, or head up-Island to the Bite, where you can dive into a takeout box under the setting sun.
Best Farm, Market,or Stand: Morning Glory Farm
120 Meshacket Road, Edgartown, 508-627-9003, morninggloryfarm.com
Runner-up: West Tisbury Farmers’ Market
The Grange Hall, 1067 State Road, thewesttisburyfarmersmarket.com
Customers go crazy for Morning Glory Farm’s fresh pies, zucchini bread, and corn, as well as daily kitchen offerings that change with the season and feature fresh produce from more than 120 acres of land. There’s no arguing that this farm stand specializes in the best of what the Island has to offer. If you have a taste for all things local, the West Tisbury Farmers’ Market is your jam. Choose from Island-raised chickens and ducks to Flat Point Farm soaps and the most delightful flowers you’ll see and smell all season. Don’t forget the glorious, fresh-picked vegetables, either!
Best Grocery Store: Cronig’s Markets
357 State Road, Vineyard Haven, 508-693-4457
469 State Road, West Tisbury, 508-693-2234, cronigsmarket.com
Runner-up: Reliable Market
36 Circuit Avenue, Oak Bluffs, 508-693-1102, thereliablemarket.com
High-quality ingredients, great customer service, up- and down-Island locations, and a commitment to selling locally grown products make Cronig’s Markets the consistent first-place choice. Be sure to try the daily salad bar and excellent ice cream selection. Family-owned and operated Reliable Market has a top-rate meat department and great prices, making this Circuit Avenue shop a Vineyard institution.
Best Ice Cream Shop: Ben and Bill’s Chocolate Emporium
20A Circuit Avenue, Oak Bluffs, 508-696-0008, benandbills.com
Runner-up: Mad Martha’s
48 Main Street, Vineyard Haven, 508-693-5883
10 Circuit Avenue, Oak Bluffs, 508-693-9151
7 North Water Street, Edgartown, 508-627-8761
Here’s the scoop: it can be a rocky road to get the perfect cone, but Ben and Bill’s has got you covered. Cherry chip, peanut butter, mint Oreo, butter pecan ... this Oak Bluffs ice creamery has got it all. Looking to mix up your ice cream fix? Mad Martha’s, with locations all over the Island, serves up must-try flavors of the week like Chocolate Safari (chocolate ice cream with crushed frosted animal crackers) and Coffee Crunch (coffee ice cream with Nestlé Crunch pieces).
Best Island-Made Candy/Chocolate: Chilmark Chocolates
19 State Road, Chilmark, 508-645-3013
Runner-up: Murdick’s Fudge
21 North Water Street, Edgartown, 508-627-8047
5 Circuit Avenue, Oak Bluffs, 508-693-2335
79 Main Street, Vineyard Haven, 508-693-7344, murdicks.com
Has anyone met a Chilmark Chocolate he or she didn’t like? Beetlebung Bar, Menemsha Mint, Cranberry Cluster – take your pick, either in a strictly no-sharing personal bag or a generous gift box. For a slice of the Island, head to Murdick’s Fudge, where the aroma of fudge being made on premises is bound to make you weak in the knees.
Best Lobster Roll: Grace Episcopal Church
36 Woodlawn Avenue and William Street, Vineyard Haven, 508-693-0332. (Fridays, 4:30–7:30 p.m. from May to September)
Runner-up: Larsen’s Fish Market
56 Basin Road, Chilmark, 508-645-2680, larsensfishmarket.com
For more than twenty-five years, Grace Church volunteers have been serving top-notch
lobster rolls with mayonnaise and white pepper to long lines of adoring fans. Even better, devotees are doing good by eating well: the weekly event raises money for local organizations and nonprofits. Larsen’s rolls are best enjoyed on Menemsha Beach with a good friend and a great sunset.
Best Lunch: Little House Cafe
339 State Road, Vineyard Haven, 508-687-9794, littlehousemv.com
Runner-up: Slice of Life
50 Circuit Avenue, Oak Bluffs, 508-693-3838, sliceoflifemv.com
Lunch, glorious lunch! Hot falafel and shawarma! While you’re in the mood, Little House also has a great muffuletta. In fact, most of the lunch items will leave you asking for more. And oh, what we wouldn’t give for a portabella sandwich or personal pizza at Slice of Life.
Best Outdoor Dining: The Seafood Shanty
31 Dock Street, Edgartown, 508-627-8622, theseafoodshanty.com
Runner-up: Nancy’s Restaurant and Snack Bar
29 Lake Avenue, Oak Bluffs, 508-693-0006, nancysrestaurant.com
What’s better than slurping fresh clams on the half shell while taking in the Edgartown lighthouse? Chasing them down with a Stumbling Islander, a signature Seafood Shanty cocktail made with fresh juices and a hint of coconut. Nancy’s in Oak Bluffs has two styles of dining, plus fresh seafood and creative cocktails. No wonder it’s on our top list of places to watch a Vineyard sunset.
Best Package Store: Our Market
1 East Chop Drive, Oak Bluffs, 508-693-3000, ourmarketmv.com
Runner-up: MV Wine and Spirits
17A Airport Road, Edgartown, 508-627-7557, mvwinestore.com
Sure, both Our Market and MV Wine and Spirits stock microbrews and small winery offerings, along with popular name brands. But did you know that the knowledgeable staff members will help you plan your next event, or just help you find the right white to accompany your freshly caught flounder? Plus, both host wine tastings. Our Market also keeps customers satisfied with ongoing half-gallon liquor specials.
Best Picnic Food: Humphreys Bakery
Woodland Center, 455 State Road, Vineyard Haven, 508-693-6518
Runner-up: Soigné
190 Upper Main Street, Edgartown, 508-627-8489, soignemv.com
There’s something for everyone at laid-back Humphreys, including the classic Thanksgiving Gobbler and Tree Hugger sandwiches and much-loved sugar cookies. At Soigné you can prepare a gourmet picnic without any of the work. The only hard part is choosing from the wide selection, which includes pâtés, crusty baguettes, crispy crudités, chicken curry, and, of course, the signature ganache-covered brownies.
Best Pizza: Giordano’s Restaurant
18 Lake Avenue, Oak Bluffs, 508-693-0184, giosmv.com
Runner-up: Rocco’s Pizzeria
Tisbury Marketplace, 79 Beach Road, Vineyard Haven, 508-693-1125, marthasvineyardpizza.com
Giordano’s is still using its famous family recipe to create award-winning pies. This is a family that really gets into the crust of the matter, too: sauce made from scratch, fresh toppings, and a crispy, perfectly cooked base. Want a superb gluten-free pizza? Runner-up Rocco’s in Vineyard Haven has a pizza that will please even those not needing to eliminate gluten from their diets.
Best Sandwich: Humphreys Bakery
Woodland Center, 455 State Road, Vineyard Haven, 508-693-6518
Runner-up: 7a Foods
1045 State Road, West Tisbury, 508-693-4636, 7afoods.com
At Humphreys it all starts with the homemade bread, which is sliced thick and then piled
high with favorite fillings. Choose from old favorites, like the Gobbler, Cuban, or Tree Hugger, or compose your own. You don’t want to mess with these sandwiches, but they might make a mess of you. At 7a, Dan Sauer’s meatball sub and Liz Lemon sandwiches will make your day.
Best Seafood Restaurant: The Net Result
Tisbury Marketplace, 79 Beach Road, Vineyard Haven, 508-693-6071, mvseafood.com
Runner-up: Home Port Restaurant
512 North Road, Chilmark, 508-645-2679, homeportmv.com
Buttery lobster, fried scallops, stuffed clams – when classic New England fresh catch is what you’ve been craving, head to the Net Result. It’s very Vineyard: simple takeout and a couple of picnic tables in the parking lot. At the Home Port, in Menemsha, diners enjoy the spectacular sunsets and table service.
Best Sushi: Lookout Tavern
8 Seaview Avenue, Oak Bluffs, 508-696-9844, lookoutmv.com
Runner-up: The Net Result
Tisbury Marketplace, 79 Beach Road, Vineyard Haven, 508-693-6071, mvseafood.com
Rainbow rolls, unagi rolls, hamachi rolls, spider rolls . . . you name it, the Lookout Tavern makes it. Try the more adventurous one-bite wonders, such as Shawn’s Special Roll (salmon, cucumber, mango, yellowtail, avocado, and scallions) or the Fantasy Roll (spicy blue crab, cucumber, BBQ eel, and avocado). Sometimes you just want to eat a California roll out of a plastic container. In that case, head to the Net Result, which specializes in takeout sushi right by the Vineyard Haven harbor.
Best Takeout: Giordano’s Restaurant
18 Lake Avenue, Oak Bluffs, 508-693-0184, giosmv.com
Runner-up: The Net Result
Tisbury Marketplace, 79 Beach Road, Vineyard Haven, 508-693-6071, mvseafood.com
You haven’t experienced an Oak Bluffs summer until you’ve stood in line for a slice from Gio’s. Besides pies, you can grab a plate of pasta or fried clams and dine picnic-style in Ocean Park or on State Beach. If you’re looking for a great fish sandwich, fresh sushi, or just a cup of chowdah, the Net Result will hook you up.
Best Vegetarian Meal: Little House Cafe
339 State Road, Vineyard Haven, 508-687-9794, littlehousemv.com
Runner-up: Scottish Bakehouse
977 State Road, Vineyard Haven, 508-693-6633, scottishbakehousemv.com
French lentil salad with raisins, red pepper, carrots, walnuts, and feta cheese croutons? You had Little House fans at lentils, but the feta cheese croutons sealed the deal for this top vegetarian meal. (Not to mention the pressed sandwiches and daily selection of soups.) At the Scottish Bakehouse, vegetarian options like coconut tofu, sweet potato mash, and a quinoa burger rule the day.
Best Wings: Coop de Ville
Dockside Marketplace, Oak Bluffs, 508-693-3420, coopdevillemv.com
Runner-up: Sharky’s Cantina
31 Circuit Avenue, Oak Bluffs, 508-693-7501
266 Upper Main Street, Edgartown, 508-627-6565, sharkyscantina.com
Wings and soccer on Oak Bluffs harbor – what more can you ask for on a summer afternoon? Petey and his team serve up ten different varieties. Still hungry? Sharky’s wild flavors will become your guilty pleasure.
Best Year-Round Restaurant: Offshore Ale Company
30 Kennebec Avenue, Oak Bluffs, 508-693-2626, offshoreale.com
Runner-up: State Road Restaurant
688 State Road, West Tisbury, 508-693-8582, stateroadrestaurant.com
Open seven days a week all year long, this family-run pub is known for adding TLC – totally local creations – to both its beer and food menus. From the special pizzas, to the Lazy Frog IPA, it’s win-win all around. Head up-Island to State Road Restaurant, where the wait staff knows you by name and, in the off-season, you can enjoy house-made ricotta and a juicy sirloin without booking a reservation weeks in advance.
