ConciergeOnLine - Restaurants

Kent Kelley

Cape Cod is known for its excellent seafood - particularly its succulent lobsters, incredibly fresh shellfish and local daily catches that range from the simple scrod and haddock to our famous striped bass and hearty scallops. Shortly before dinner time, the sumptuous smell of simmering seafood is never far away, but remember, Cape Codders don't live by seafood alone! There are so many superb restaurants offering fine Italian, French, Oriental, American and other ethnic cuisines - all of which incorporate fresh, local ingredients, the decision often comes down to what environment do you prefer?

If you're vacationing here for a week or so, you are fortunate to have enough time to sample a variety of restaurants.

581 Rte. 28, W. Dennis, 394-7333. Christine's is celebrating their 17th year of providing the best in dining, dancing & live entertainment. Voted the best restaurant in Dennis, Christine's specialize in fresh local seafood, choice steaks and pasta dishes, topped with our spectacular sauces. Christine's showclub features live entertainment nightly, including big name groups, dinner theater, comedy, jazz and cabaret. Call for reserved seating. No reservations.

Christopher's is the newest restaurant venture of the Kounadis family, who have been in the restaurant business for well over two decades. Your hosts take pride in presenting guests with excellence in dining and have made Chritopher's one of Cape Cod's most popular dining experiences. Whether your craving is for fresh, native seafood, choice beef entrees, or the featured chef-prepared specialties, Christopher's is sure to please. Open for Lunch, Dinner and Special Functions from April to November.

28 West Rd., Orleans, 255-JAIL. Enjoy a unique menu in the historical old jailhouse, which once served as a lock for pirates and poachers. Offering an atmosphere like no other amidst landscaped grounds and award-winning architecture. Choose from our air-conditioned dining room, outside patio, or tavern with a full bar. Open year-round for lunch and dinner, 11:30 am-1 am. Sunday brunch from 11 am-2:30 p.m. No reservations.

Rte. 6 (opposite Marconi station), Wellfleet, 349-2127. Serving the freshest locally-caught seafood and superbly prepared beef, veal and poultry dishes in a casual and attractive environment. Family-owned and operated for 30 years, Peter and Diane Hall invite you to enjoy delightful appetizers like Wellfleet oysters, Aromatic mussels and lobster cakes to delectable entrees such as grilled native swordfish, seafood fettucini, glazed duck and steak au poivre. Vegetarian selections, lighter fare and junior/senior menus are offered. Reservations suggested

3176 Rte. 6A, Barnstable Village, 362-2355. The Barnstable Tavern & Grill specializes in Black Angus Steak & Chops. Fresh grilled fish and pasta specialties. Enjoy dinner in the ambience of an 18th century New England tavern. Dine in one of our intimate dining rooms or outdoors in our courtyard overlooking historic Rte. 6A in Barnstable Village. Our award-winning wine list features over 20 wines served by the glass.

Rte. 28, S. Yarmouth, 398-9532. This local favorite is known for a lot more than pancakes. Serving breakfast all day and lunch and dinner fare that includes burgers and lobsters.

Rte. 6, Wellfleet, 349-7500. This is a reasonably priced restaurant with a dynamic menu! Now into its seventh season, chef/owner John Pontius uses only the freshest ingredients to create original and delicious appetizers, entrees and desserts. Some local favorites include blackened beef with charred pepper relish, poached salmon with ginger and soy sauce, and apple cranberry crisp. Or choose from the nightly specials. A complementing wine menu, full service bar, and espresso, cappuccino are available. Open year-round, 5 pm, 7 days in season. Take out available. No reservations.

West Rd., Orleans, 240-0111; Rte. 28, S. Yarmouth, 394-2252; Rte. 28 Centerville, 775-8878; 412 Main St., Hyannis, 771-3737; Rte. 28 Colonial Shopping Center, Falmouth, 548-6111. Open daily 7 am-10 pm. Family dining, sensibly priced in a colonial atmosphere offering breakfast, lunch, dinner, and cocktails.

Rte. 6A, Yarmouth Port (Yarmouth/Dennis town line), 362-6062. Warm, inviting interior, great casual service and wonderful food at moderate prices. Menu changes with the seasons to take advantage of local gardens and seafood. Dining room offers both tables and booths. Casual dress, children's menu, daily specials in two portion sizes.

East Harwich, 14421 Orleans Road, Harwich, 432-1800. The inside of this restaurant is so clean and well cared for, first time visitors often think it just opened. But the consistency of the wide variety of food items and efficient friendly service evidence the eight-plus years of excellence in this location. Fun appetizers, numerous salads, fresh ground charbroiled burgers, grilled gourmet pizzas, pastas, steaks, fresh seafood and more. Noted for creative daily specials.

Shore Road, Chatham, 945-0096 or 800-527-4884. With a sweeping ocean view, the elegantly appointed, newly restored Main Dining Room offers a daily breakfast buffet of fresh fruits, cheeses, pastries, breakfasts meats and hot specialties, along with an omelet and Belgian Waffle station on weekends. Open every night for dinner featuring creative New England cuisine, complemented by carefully chosen wines and cordials, in a romantic candlelight setting. Enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail and a gentle sea breeze on the breeze on the adjacent veranda.

Chatham Bars Inn, Shore Road, Chatham, 945-0096 or 800-527-4884. Situated at water's edge, the Beach House Grill is open for the season from early June through Labor Day, serving a buffet breakfast, along with lunch and dinner, seven days a week. Casual and perfect for come-as-you-are beachgoers. Summer evenings are party time, with theme nights that include an authentic New England Clam and Lobster Bake, a "Sounds of Summer" Beach Party, and Caribbean Night, with a lively steel drum band.

165 Ocean St., Hyannis, 778-1233. Serving the freshest seafood from our local waters, and also steaks, chops, homemade pastas and desserts. Relax in our cozy dining room with a nautical setting overlooking, Hyannis Harbor.

252 Main St., Hyannis, 771-3800. Travel back in time to a period of classic elegance with fine rail car dining as it once was The dinner train meanders through the backroads of the upper Cape offering terrific views and fine cuisine that includes choices of beef poultry, seafood and vegetarian dinners. Jacket or tie required. Reservations required.

Ocean Edge Resort, Brewster, 896-8251. Overlook the championship golf course or relax in the beautifully-appointed dining room. The menu features fresh seafood and lobster specialties, traditional gourmet favorites, and excellent wine list and a lighter cafe menu. Summer events: Sun.- seafood buffet, Tues.- Cape Cod Clambake, Wed.-Tex-Mex night. Cape Cod Life voted Mulligan's brunch the best in 1996. Come see why.

355 Rte. 28, W. Yarmouth (508) 771-5154. Family-owned and operated for more than 18 years, the Yarmouth House provides a truly satisfying experience by providing elegant choices that include Oysters Rockefeller, shrimp scampi, boneless duck breast, choice beef, veal, chicken, seafood pasta stir-fry dishes. Specialties include Alaskan king crab legs, roast rack of lamb, charbroiled filet mignon and veal oscar. Extensive wine list and tempting desserts. Reservations suggested.

14 Gallo Road, Sandwich, MA 02563 508-888-8889; Fax: 508-888-8886

8 Jarves Street, Sandwich, MA 02563; Reservations: 508-888-8550; Toll Free: 800-844-4542; Fax: 508-888-3922

413 Nathan Ellis Hwy. (Rt. 151) Mashpee, MA 02649; (508) 477-4481 - Reservations not accepted.

876 East Falmouth Highway,Ê(Route 28),ÊEast Falmouth, MA 02536; Ê(508) 548-9191

Route 28 W. Yarmouth, MA; (508) 771-4266

20 Scudder Ave., Hyannis, MA 02601; Phone: 508-775-7677; Fax: 508-771-9517

235 Ocean Street, Hyannis, MA; (508) 778-0818

703 Main Street, Harwich, MA (508) 432-9800

297 Shore Road. Chatham, MA 02633; (508) 945-0096; (800) 527-4884; Fax: (508) 945-5491

512 Main Street, Chatham, MA 02633; Reservations: (800) 391-5734; Telephone: (508) 945-5550; Fax: (508) 945-3407

443 Main Street, Chatham, MA 02633; Phone: (508) 945-3362; Fax: 508-945-9058

3 Old County Road, Orleans MA 02653; Tel: (508) 255-2222; Fax: (508) 255-6722

On Pleasant Bay; Chatham, MA 02633; Tel: (800) 225-7125; (508) 432-5400; Fax: (508) 432-5032

Located at West Main Street Rotary, next to the Melody Tent, (508) 775-7677. For 28 years, the Zartarian family has provided affordable excellence, and is considered one of the finest restaurants on Cape Cod by Boston Magazine. The menu boasts 2-lb lobsters, farm-raised shellfish, local seafood, Black Angus steaks, roast duckling tournedos and pastas. Reservations suggested.

488 South St., Hyannis, 775-2386. Voted best fine dining restaurant in the Mid-Cape by Cape Cod Life and Boston Magazine. Serving innovative Italian dishes, fresh seafood, thick steaks, chops and creative pizzas in four distinctively different dining rooms. Excellent wine list. Lighter fare served in the Backdoor Bistro. Piano Bar also voted best in the mid-Cape. Reservations suggested.

787 Main St., Harwich Port, 430-0405. Danielle and Jean-louis welcome you into their special world where fine French cuisine is mastered on a nightly basis. Serving dinner nightly at 5:30. Closed Mondays

Rtes. 134 & 28, W. Dennis, 394-3531. Offering delectable, authentic Italian cuisine, but we don't stop there. You can enjoy fresh seafood, lobster, prime rib & steak in our cheerful & friendly atmosphere. We cater to kids with their own menu & crayons. Sample our homemade pizza with all of your favorite toppings, then finish with cappuccino or espresso and one of our unique desserts.

Rte. 6, Wellfleet (one mile north of Eastham/Wellfleet line), 349-9370. Serving Italian and seafood specialties that include Cape Schrod, Chatham haddock, Wellfleet-grown little necks and Boston squid.Daily specials reflect varying ethnic approaches. Voted one of the best restaurants on the lower Cape for the last four years by Cape Cod Life. Offering a children's menu and take-out is available.

360 Main St., Hyannis, 778-1770. Experience fine dining-Northern Italian style, featuring classic and creative Italian dishes in an elegant setting. Reservations suggested.

43 Main St, (Route 6A) Yarmouth Port, 362-3501. Serving creative contemporary Italian cuisine, with an emphasis on native seafood & pasta a specialty. Authentic cooking with a light, creative touch and emphasis on quality, freshness and patience- the rudiments of fine Italian cooking. Serving lunch and dinner daily, as well as Sunday buffet brunch. Reservations suggestions.

157 Rte. 6A, Yarmouth Port, 362-5522. Inaho serves fabulous authentic Japanese cuisines and spirits in what from the outside looks like a typical Cape Cod house. Inside, it is a whole different story with shoji screens, booths, and a full sushi bar with the freshest fish you'll ever find. Or try any of the tempura dishes, teriyakis, appetizers to please either a meat, fish or vegetarian lover. Inaho is open year round.

Route 6, Eastham, 508-255-2575. Dine in our open-air patio or picnic in the pines. You'll find Arnold's a truly unique family restaurant, serving casual meals at affordable prices.

"Casual meals at affordable prices. Our favorite roadside stop. Melt-in-your-mouth fried clams and mountainous, fluffy onion rings." Boston Globe Calendar - Susan Wilson

2175 Main Street, South Chatham, 432-9060. Chatham Seafood House - Serving Cape Cod for over 20 years. A family operation that concentrates on quality and freshness of ingredients. Daily specials centered around fresh native seafood with sandwiches and baskets for lighter meals. Beer, wines and cocktails are available and our outdoor patio provides a relaxing atmosphere for lunch or dinner.

Rte. 6A, Orleans, 255-1800. Voted best family dining and lobster roll according to Cape Cod Life. Unpretentious and immaculate. Relax upstairs in our Surfboat Lounge overlooking town Cove where the raw bar is a 30-foot boat. Now celebrating our 28th year. Children's menu available. Open daily, April-November. Serving lunch and dinner from 11:30 AM.

21 Arlington St. (Hyannis Marina), 775-6433. Overlooking all of the harbor, tugboats has been acclaimed one of the top five waterfront restaurants in New England. Winner five years running "Best Waterfront Restaurant" by Cape Cod Life's local poll. Open daily from 11:30 am for lunch & dinner. AAA recommended. All major credit cards. Watch ferries and local fishing fleet while dining outdoors on one of three decks. Home of the two pound lobster. Family, affordable waterfront dining. Inside and outside cocktail bars.

Town Pier, Wellfleet, 349-6027. This Wellfleet tradition continues with another year of waterview dining at its best. Enjoy fresh seafood dishes such as grilled fish and shrimp, lobster and pasta dishes that combine the freshest ingredients and a peaceful view of Town Pier. Lunch and dinner specials served daily. Summer hours: lunch noon-5 p.m., dinner 5 p.m. to closing. Make reservations before 6 p.m.