Dining outside when the weather is perfect on the Cape is one of the best things to do when visiting, and today’s post is all about the best Cape Cod waterfront restaurants with a view!
Having visited so many times over the years, I’ve eaten at quite a few of the best waterside restaurants, and I’m happy to share all my recommendations with you. So, get ready to take some notes, and scope out those menus online (because you know you will!), and let’s get planning.
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Best Cape Cod Waterfront Restaurants With A View
1. Ocean House – Dennis Port
The first on my list is the one restaurant I always recommend for anyone hoping to have a nice dinner out while visiting Cape Cod, and that’s Ocean House is Dennis Port. Not only is it one of the best things to do in Dennis, it’s also one of the best restaurants in the entire region.
Located right on the beach along the waters of Nantucket Sound, it has the best of everything when it comes to atmosphere: an exciting and fun beach bar, an al fresco dining area outside, and a more upscale dining room indoors.
One of the best things to come out of COVID was the permanent addition to extra outdoor seating at restaurants, and the Ocean House has continued with this new tradition. In the past, the only outdoor seating they used to have was limited, first come, first served tables next to the beach bar. Now? They have a sprawling outdoor dining area in the same location, with lots more tables!
To enjoy both atmospheres, I highly suggest you arrive early and allow yourself time to have a pre-dinner cocktail at the beach bar, which overlooks the ocean. This is especially wonderful on a warm summer night! Then, depending on your preference, snatch up a reservation for dinner either outside or indoors. Even indoors, you’ll have a gorgeous view of the ocean – it feels like you’re floating on water inside.
The food here is also incredible. I’ve been here at least 10 times, and have had a lot of their seafood dishes, and I’ve always raved about every single one. But my favorite here is the Cioppino, which is perfect for a special occasion (or just because!).
Menu Highlights: Crab cakes, specialty cocktails, Cioppino, Street Corn Rangoons, Chocolate Bag Sundae for Two.
Pro Tip: Parking at Ocean House is valet-only, but free. Just be sure to have cash on you for a tip!
Reservations: Reservations at Ocean House are highly recommended, and I suggest you book well in advance, especially in the summer season. Reservations can be made on OpenTable by clicking here, and can be made for indoor dining and the indoor bar only, 30 days in advance.
2. The Beachcomber – Wellfleet
One of the most popular waterfront restaurants on Cape Cod in the summer is The Beachcomber, and it’s absolutely worth all the hype to experience at least once! This restaurant is perched amongst the sand dunes, overlooking Cahoon Hollow Beach in Wellfleet, which is one of the most beautiful beaches on the Outer Cape. Wellfleet is also one of the best beach towns in New England.
Often referred to simply as The ‘Comber by the locals, this is a very casual restaurant that has a fun cocktail list, an awesome raw bar menu and a great mix of comfort food and seafood staples. It also usually has more of a party atmosphere, especially in the evenings.
The view from The Beachcomber is also amazing! While you can’t see the water from the actual restaurant, you’re just a few steps away from taking in breathtaking sand dune and gorgeous shoreline views. Before or after your visit to the restaurant, you’re also free to spend time at the beach!
Pro Tip: Parking here is limited, and in the summer, you’ll want to arrive early, or it’s possible you won’t be able to park. I recommend getting here by 10am at the latest. There is no overflow parking for the beach or restaurant, so if you have your heart on visiting, arrive early.
Parking For The Beachcomber: There is a $30 charge from 9am-6pm, and the parking fee comes with a voucher to use the entire $30 toward food and merchandise at the restaurant (which means parking is free as long as you spend the $30!). There is no limit on how long you can stay, so you’re welcome to visit the beach and the restaurant once you park.
*Parking info as of 2023.
Reservations: Reservations are not accepted at The Beachcomber.
3. Sesuit Harbor Cafe – Dennis
Home to my personal favorite lobster roll on Cape Cod, Sesuit Harbor Cafe makes for a lovely lunch or dinner outside overlooking the harbor and Cape Cod Bay. I prefer it in the evenings for dinner, as you’ll get a partial view of the sunset from the outdoor seating area.
Sesuit is now famous for their popular lobster rolls (which deserves all the hype), but pretty much everything on their menu is amazing. This is a very casual place where you place your order inside, and then seat yourself at the picnic tables along the water.
If you’re looking for a more unique experience, you can also book a table on their Lobster Roll Cruise, which goes around Cape Cod Bay.
Pro Tips:
- Because of its popularity, it gets very busy at peak times. Expect wait times of 30-60 minutes just to place your order around dinnertime in the summer season.
- It’s BYOB! Bring a cooler with a nice bottle of wine or your favorite beers, and enjoy with your meal!
- They’re actually open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with breakfast being the least crowded time to visit.
Parking At Sesuit Harbor Cafe: Parking is free, and can fill up fast during peak times. There are usually people directing traffic once you arrive to help you find a spot. Keep in mind that if you arrive for dinner, you may have to park pretty far down from the restaurant, and walk a bit to get there.
Reservations: Reservations are not accepted at Sesuit Harbor Cafe.
4. The Canteen – Provincetown
A fun and casual spot in Ptown that has tables right in the sand is The Canteen. This is another casual place where you order inside and wait for your food in their back yard/ocean-front oasis. It has a fancy deli vibe, and they also offer some really nice vegetarian options and great cocktails.
Once you place your order, head to the back and get a table in the sand. You’ll see the ocean floating above the beach grass, and you can even walk to the shoreline from the seating area. All the food I’ve gotten here has been awesome, and I also love their drinks.
Reservations: Reservations are not accepted at The Canteen.
5. Ross Grill – Provincetown
A hidden gem in Ptown that offers lovely views of the harbor is Ross Grill, and by hidden, I mean that you have to be looking for it to find it. Tucked away on the second floor all the way in the back of the Whalers Wharf market, this cozy little restaurant is perfect for both lunch and dinner when exploring Provincetown.
Since it’s pretty small, every table can see the water view outside, and they also have an outdoor deck that’s perfect for cocktails. Every single thing I’ve ever gotten here has been awesome, too!
Reservations: You can make a reservation at Ross Grill on OpenTable by clicking here.
6. The Lobster Pot – Provincetown
One of the most famous restaurants in Provincetown is The Lobster Pot, and that’s because it has awesome food, including one of the best lobster rolls on the Cape, and an iconic location right on Commercial Street that faces the harbor. Most tables have a partial or full view of the water, and if you get lucky, you’ll get seated in a prime spot with a panorama ocean view. They also have a small outdoor deck overlooking the water.
The Lobster Pot’s menu is very extensive, and has everything from New England seafood staples to traditional Portuguese dishes, so there’s something for everyone. The food here is wonderful, and absolutely worth waiting in line for.
Pro Tip: The Lobster Pot is always busy at peak times in the summer, so you’re likely to wait in line for lunch and dinner. However, I usually have luck getting in right away around 3:30-4pm.
Reservations: Reservations are not accepted at The Lobster Pot.
7. Beach House Grill & The Veranda – Chatham Bars Inn, Chatham
The Chatham Bars Inn is the top luxury resort on Cape Cod, but you don’t have to be a guest to enjoy their restaurants. In fact, they offer some pretty amazing waterfront dining experiences that are worth checking out.
The two restaurants at the inn that I recommend are The Beach House Grill and The Veranda. The Veranda is the slightly more upscale of the two, with a more elevated menu, and water views. The Beach House Grille is more casual and has tables right on the sand, as well as a deck with water views. Both are great with awesome food and delicious cocktails. This is a more pricey option, but definitely fun when you’re in the mood for a splurge.
Parking For Dining At The Chatham Bars Inn: The inn offers free valet service for anyone looking to dine at one of their restaurants. If you plan to explore Chatham for the day, you can also park in downtown Chatham (close to Main Street) and take a 10-minute or so walk to the inn (the side streets on the walk over during hydrangea season are especially lovely!).
Reservations: Reservations can be made on OpenTable for the Chatham Bars Inn restaurants by clicking here.
Click here to read my list of the most incredible New England resorts and spas!
8. Fishermen’s View – Sandwich
My favorite restaurant in Sandwich is most definitely the Fishermen’s View, which offers both indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the Cape Cod Canal. The food here is fantastic, and they have a variety of seating options to suit your preferences including indoor, closed deck and patio.
Reservations: They can be made at the Fishermen’s View on Resy by clicking here. When making your reservation, you can also select which type of dining space you’d like, including outdoor!
9. Mac’s On The Pier – Wellfleet
With picnic tables that sit right along the beach at Wellfleet Harbor, this is the perfect casual place to eat with great views.
It’s a standard seafood joint that has everything you could possibly want, including fried seafood plates, a raw bar, soups and chowders, burritos (I especially love their fish burrito!), lobster dinners and tons more. They also have ice cream on-site (but I have to admit, it’s not my most favorite ice cream ever, but it’s very convenient if you want something sweet after dinner).
Parking at Mac’s On The Pier: There’s a huge and free lot at the harbor that’s available to visitors heading to the restaurants. I never have an issue getting a spot.
Reservations: Reservations are not accepted at Mac’s On The Pier.
Click here to check out all the best things to do while in Wellfleet!
10. Brax Landing – Harwich Port
The best place for a lobster roll and water view in Harwich is at Brax Landing. But, of course, they serve more than just lobster rolls, and you’ll find everything on the menu from chowders and pub food favorites, to burgers and seafood entrees. They also have a great cocktail list!
Brax has a lovely outdoor patio that has gorgeous views of the harbor, and many of their indoor seating options also offer views of the water.
Reservations: Brax Landing does not accept reservations. This is a popular restaurant, especially in the summer, and can fill up fast. I recommend you arrive early to put your name in for a table, and enjoy a drink at the bar while you wait.
11. The Rooftop & Waves Restaurant At The Pelham House Resort – Dennis Port
A newer addition to Cape Cod is the beautiful Pelham House Resort in Dennis Port, which sits right on the ocean along the Nantucket Sound. And the great thing is, their rooftop restaurant & Waves Sushi/Raw Bar are open to the public for a wonderful night of ocean breezes, great cocktails and yummy food!
Offering brunch, lunch and dinner, you’ll have plenty of options when it comes to what time of day to visit. During each meal service, they serve cocktails, appetizers and entrees, and pretty much every table at The Rooftop provides a stunning view of the ocean.
Reservations: The Rooftop accepts reservations, which can be made on OpenTable by clicking here.
Pro Tip: All parking at The Pelham House is complimentary valet, including those just visiting to dine. Just come with a few singles to tip your friendly valet workers!
12. The Wequassett Resort Dining – Harwich
For a special occasion, or just because you’re feelin’ a bit fancy, some really great options for waterfront dining on Cape Cod are at the Wequassett Resort. You can choose from the Outer Bar & Grille, or the LiBAYtions bar, both of which are casual, and serve up the same food and drinks menu.
The Outer Bar & Grille is a gorgeous covered deck that overlooks the harbor and ocean, and the LiBAYtions Bar is right on the water with a nice uncovered patio.
And the food and cocktails here are fantastic! They have some really good raw bar selections, some unique small plates and also cater to vegetarians. And don’t forget to peruse their drink list because their cocktails are really worth the splurge.
Here, I’m especially fond of their eggplant small plate, wild flower pizza, and the lobster arepas.
Reservations: The Outer Bar & Grille accepts reservations, which can be made on OpenTable by clicking here.
Pro Tip: The Wequassett Resort includes a 20% service charge on all dining checks, so keep in mind that gratuity will already be added into your check (one less thing to worry about!).
Click here to read about more fun things to do in Harwich, MA!
13. The Marshside – East Dennis
For serene views of the local salt marshes, The Marshside is a lovely waterfront restaurant on Cape Cod! It’s also a very family-friendly place, so this is a great option for a special night out with kids.
Most tables indoors will have panorama views of the beautiful salt marshes, and they also have a small, outdoor patio seating area that’s open when the weather is nice. Their menu features classic New England dishes like clam chowder, seafood entrees and local oysters, and they also have some comfort food favorites like burgers and mac and cheese.
Reservations: The Marshside does not take reservations.
14. The Skipper Chowder House – Yarmouth
The Skipper Chowder House is one of the restaurants that I always have to go to when I come to the Cape. The food is just that good, and it’s definitely one of the best chowders on Cape Cod! While it’s not right on the ocean, it sits just across the street from a beach, and you can see the water from their upper deck area.
Everything here has always been wonderful, including their lobster roll, seafood entrees, pastas, and raw bar. They also have an ice cream shack which serves up pretty awesome desserts.
Pro Tip: Since the restaurant is just across the street from the beach, you can head there after lunch or before dinner for a quick beach walk!
Reservations: The Skipper Chowder House does not accept reservations. It can get pretty busy in the summer season, so I recommend arriving early and having a drink at the bar while you wait for a table.
15. 28 Atlantic – Harwich
Last on my list of the best Cape Cod waterfront restaurants is 28 Atlantic which is also located in the Wequassett Resort, but deserved its own section because it’s a much more upscale experience than the two others listed earlier in the post. This is one of the most upscale dining experiences you can have on the Cape, and it’s made a name for itself as the only Forbes 5-star restaurant in the area.
The setting of this restaurant is also rather unique – it’s located inside an old sea captain’s home from the 1700’s, but the dining room has been completely renovated to feature plush seating and sweeping views of the ocean, all while remaining very quaint and cozy.
The menu here features all fine dining options, including caviar, local oysters, and expertly-crafted entrees. You can also opt for a 7-course tasting menu with wine and cheese pairing options.
You may also find these posts helpful:
- Best Lobster Rolls On Cape Cod
- Best Ice Cream On Cape Cod
- Best Sunsets On Cape Cod
- Best Towns To Stay In On Cape Cod
- Ultimate List Of The Best Things To Do On Cape Cod
- Best Time To Visit Cape Cod
- Ultimate Guide To The Cape Cod National Seashore Beaches
- Best Things To Do On Cape Cod For Adults
- Unique Things To Do On Cape Cod
- Best Things To Do On Cape Cod For First-Timers
- Most Scenic Walking & Hiking Trails On Cape Cod
- Summer In New England: Best Places To Go & Things To Do!
And here are some guides to Cape Cod towns you may also enjoy:
- Best Things To Do In Wellfleet, MA
- Best Things To Do In Harwich, MA
- Best Things To Do In Dennis, MA
- Best Things To Do In Falmouth, MA
- Best Things To Do In Brewster, MA
- Best Things To Do In Provincetown, MA
- Best Things To Do In Chatham, MA
- Best Things To Do In Sandwich, MA
- Best Things To Do In Eastham, MA
- Best Things To Do In Orleans, MA
Editor’s Note: Many restaurants on Cape Cod are only open seasonally, and if they’re open year-round, they may have limited or abbreviated hours. Please be sure to check the individual restaurant’s hours prior to visiting to ensure they’re open during your planned trip!
That’s A Wrap On The Best Cape Cod Waterfront Restaurants
And there you have it! All my suggestions and tips for visiting the very best waterfront restaurants on Cape Cod! Now that you know where to go, the next challenge is narrowing down which you plan to visit during your next trip. Whether it’s a casual sunset dinner at Sesuit Harbor Cafe for the best lobster roll, a date night at Ocean House, or dining with your toes in the sand at The Canteen in Ptown, one thing’s for sure – it’s going to be an awesome night with incredible food.
