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Nantucket, Massachusetts, has become a leading summer house and vacation destination for the famous and affluent people in the country, and fine dining experiences to note!

This New England island oasis is home to some of the most exclusive restaurants and boutiques and attracts culinary gurus and appreciators worldwide.

Luckily, you don’t need to own a house on the island to spend a sophisticated and memorable vacation in Nantucket.

You can book a luxurious hotel or one of the many exclusive residences available for short-term rent for your upscale vacation there. There are some stately waterfront mansions with pools, piers, and manicured gardens offered to guests.

To complete your luxurious vacation, you can book a table at one or more of the island’s stunning fine dining establishments, preferably ahead of time.

Here are the top-rated fine-dining restaurants to consider for your stay on Nantucket.

The SeaGrille

This fine dining restaurant has offered a sophisticated and modern twist on grilled local seafood dishes to its local and seasonal guests for 31 years.

EJ and Robin Harvey are the owners and chefs of the Grille, with EJ’s son Tucker recently becoming the Chef de Cuisine.

The owners have relied on the highest quality local seafood and ingredients and the persistent consistency of the dishes throughout the years.

The SeaGrille has won recognition and multiple awards from Cape Cod Life Magazine, Boston Magazine, and Inquirer and Mirror for best clam chowder and best restaurant.

The signature Quahog Chowder is a feast for all senses.

The elegant rustic décor includes a stunning ceiling and wood tables, chairs, and floors. Last spring, the SeaGrille was refurbished under the guidance of the owner’s daughter. The updates were done without making it too modern or white, according to the wishes of Ms. Harvey Lindsay.

It is a perfect venue to plan events, including larger ones, and best of all, unlike many of the restaurants in Nantucket, SeaGrille is open year-round.

Breeze Restaurant

Breeze is a nautical-inspired picture-perfect restaurant located at the Nantucket Hotel. It offers a unique combination of a casual and family-friendly style paired with an upscale, sophisticated coastal cuisine menu.

The signature New England clam chowder is the most famous dish at Breeze, often enjoyed by celebrities and other notable guests. But other superb options on the menu include the delicious lobster tacos and lobster bisque prepared by head chef Philip Sireci.

The restaurant and hotel are located in another stunning historic and grand building at 77 Easton Street.

The interior is nautical and charming. Breeze features a classy ship décor with stylish blue couches and ceilings. The fine-dining establishment has a European-inspired menu based on the freshest and best local seafood and produce.

You can book a table at Breeze for breakfast, Sunday brunch, lunch, and dinner during the summer. You can also enjoy the weekly Old Fashioned Clambakes. They take place every Monday night during the high season at the restaurant’s beautiful terrace.

Ships Inn Restaurant

Ships Inn Restaurant is located in the boutique hotel of the same name at 13 Fair Street. The hotel and restaurant are housed in a grand colonial-style captain’s mansion. It was built in 1831 when Nantucket was considered “the whaling capital of the world.”

The restaurant is perfect for intimate romantic dinners as well as for large parties and events.

Its current Chef, Mark Gotwald, has designed an exquisite menu. It is based on his unique take on classic American dishes with a French twist.

Some of his signature dishes include the Maple-cured Smoked Salmon, the Grilled Sea Scallops topped with black truffle hollandaise, the Chopped Buffalo, and the Grilled Fluke with Lemon Thyme butter sauce.

The atmosphere in the restaurant is cozy. Its interior has a distinctly historical feel thanks to the marvelous Victorian paintings, drapes, chairs, and furniture.

Ships Inn restaurant is open from May to October every year, and reservations well ahead are highly recommended.

Dune

This fabulous Nantucket fine dining restaurant advertises itself as “modern chic meets casual comfort,” and its interior and vibe offer just that.

Dune was opened in 2009 by Michael Getter, who is the Chef and owner. Joseph Ranstatler is the restaurant’s Chef de Cuisine. Together, these two creative culinary experts have managed to create a modern menu based on the best and freshest local produce, meat, and seafood.

The restaurant located at 20 Broad Street has three dining areas, each designed to provide comfort and elegance to the guests.

The wooden tables, chic lamps and chandeliers, and other rustic design elements add to the unmatched experience of enjoying a drink or meal at Dune.

There is a glamorous centerpiece quartzite bar at Dune. The restaurant also has a charming outdoor patio where you can enjoy some of the mouthwatering dishes and drinks while appreciating the stunning harbor and ocean views.

The bar and restaurant work all summer long and have been rated consistently as the number one in Nantucket for years.

Some of the best dishes from the contemporary American cuisine menu of Dune include the Grilled Atlantic swordfish, Seared YellowFin Tuna, Roasted Local Oysters, and Sautéed Organic King Salmon, or if you prefer meat – the Grilled Angus Steak Frites.

TOPPER’S Restaurant

TOPPER’S offers the best waterfront view of all fine dining restaurants on the island of nantucket. It is located at the iconic Wauwinet hotel on Nantucket Bay. It has won multiple coveted awards, including the AAA Five Diamond Award and the Wine Spectator Grand Award, for 23 years in a row.

Chef Kyle Zachary and the famous sommelier Jason Irving have created outstanding menus and wine lists based on the best and most luxurious local seafood flavors and wines from around the world.

It is best known for the hyper-local fresh oysters, which are harvested only 300 yards from the restaurant. Other notable dishes to try are the TOPPER’S crab cakes and lobsters.

Guests can choose from a list of 1,550 carefully curated wines from the award-winning wine list.

You can book a table either indoors or outside. 

The interior décor is elegant, with Victorian-style paintings and elements. The outdoor dining area is set among lush greenery with an exceptional ocean view.

The restaurant offers a breakfast, brunch, deck, and tasting menu and is open year-round.

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