Arrive to Martha’s Vineyard hungry, because there’s a plethora of food options for you to sample and savor during your stay. Each year, returning summer residents and visitors can enjoy their favorite Vineyard dining spots, and they can also expect to find a few new restaurants to pop up on the ever-shifting culinary scene. Martha’s Vineyard has welcomed several exciting additions and changes to its restaurant lineup this season that we wanted to let you know about. From revamped establishments to brand-new ventures, here’s a roundup of the news restaurants on Martha’s Vineyard that should be on your radar when spending time on-Island.
New Additions to the Martha’s Vineyard Restaurant Scene Summer 2023 – Eleven Circuit
Centrally located in Oak Bluffs, at 11 Circuit Avenue to be exact, Eleven Circuit Restaurant and Bar has emerged as a fresh addition to the dining scene. Under the ownership of Ralston Francis, a renowned figure in the Vineyard restaurant industry and owner of the Edgartown Diner, this establishment offers a laid-back atmosphere with a revamped food and drink menu. Influenced by Southern and Caribbean flavors, the Americana-style cuisine provides a wide variety of options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In addition, late-night food service will be introduced in July, creating an enticing club-like ambiance. This is already turning into a popular late-night spot in Oak Bluffs, paying homage to the old Island House, which formerly existed in the space as well.
New Additions to the Martha’s Vineyard Restaurant Scene Summer 2023 – Mikado Hawaiian BBQ & Sushi
The popular Vineyard Haven restaurant, Mikado, has expanded its presence to Oak Bluffs. Taking over the space formerly occupied by the Cardboard Box, Mikado brings its traditional Japanese and sushi menu to the new location. Patrons can also enjoy Hawaiian barbecue options alongside their favorite dishes. Operating daily, and open until 12:30 am on the weekends, Mikado offers an extended window to indulge in their delectable offerings of Asian cuisine. Midnight sushi anyone?
New Additions to the Martha’s Vineyard Restaurant Scene Summer 2023 – Midnight Taco
Speaking of late-night eats, the all-new Midnight Taco is another option in downtown Oak Bluffs where you can satisfy those after-hours cravings. This new venture by the Wallace family, owners of the Sandbar, Jim’s Package Store, and the Midnight Train food truck, bring you coastal-inspired Mexican cuisine just steps away from the Oak Bluffs waterfront (in the former location of Stella Salumeria). With a focus on tacos, burritos, bowls, Birria, and local ceviche, this establishment satisfies those late-night cravings until 1 am. Offering online ordering and a convenient walk-up window, Midnight Taco became a big hit immediately upon opening this season and provides a quick, easy, and convenient dining experience!
New Additions to the Martha’s Vineyard Restaurant Scene Summer 2023 – Blackbird Cafe
Blackbird Cafe has landed on Martha’s Vineyard, now with locations on North Water Street in Edgartown as well as a Blackbird Food Truck on Chappaquiddick at the Chappy Store! Known as the only store on Chappy, the Chappy Store is truly the only place to buy groceries on this small island within an island. That makes the new food truck a pretty big deal for Chappaquiddick residents, who can now get breakfast and lunch without having to leave the Island! This charming food truck offers a range of delightful dishes to savor, currently open every day from 8 am to 3 pm. And for those shopping the streets of downtown Edgartown, you can satisfy your cravings for breakfast or lunch with their baked goods, sandwiches, and satisfying staples at their cafe next to Murdick’s Fudge.
New Additions to the Martha’s Vineyard Restaurant Scene Summer 2023 – The Attic
Located on Main Street Vineyard Haven, The Attic is a newly renovated space above Waterside Market, formerly known as La Soffitta. This elevated tavern-style restaurant presents an inviting ambiance reminiscent of the Prohibition era. With a focus on quality and consistency, Chef Bill Hart and his team offer a mouthwatering menu featuring creative burgers, steak entrees, and seafood-focused dishes. The bar boasts the largest collection of bourbons on Martha’s Vineyard, alongside a meticulously crafted wine list and a cocktail menu designed to keep you happy and satisfied well into the night. A sister restaurant to Waterside Market and Fish MV it delivers on the quality and consistency this restaurant group has become known for!
New Additions to the Martha’s Vineyard Restaurant Scene Summer 2023 – The Newes and the Pelican Club at the Faraway Hotel
As part of the recently rebranded Faraway Hotel, The Newes from America at the Faraway offers a historic dining experience in Edgartown. Infused with local ingredients, their menu features seasonally-inspired American and British pub fare. With a rich history dating back to 1742, The Newes continues to be a gathering place for locals and travelers alike, providing a taste of Martha’s Vineyard’s unique hospitality.
Additionally the Faraway Hotel has reimagined and reopened the Pelican Club, a picturesque sushi restaurant and cocktail bar you’ll want to hang out all summer.
New Additions to the Martha’s Vineyard Restaurant Scene Summer 2023 – Square Rigger by Nina’s
After relocating their trailer to Beach Road, the Nina’s team had the opportunity to take over the Square Rigger, a beloved Edgartown seafood establishment. Nina’s intends to pay homage to the Square Rigger while infusing their Brazilian culinary expertise. Currently, Sandro’s team serves up Brazilian staples from the takeout window at the Square Rigger, and we recommend giving it a try! They have plans for a full dining experience inside the restaurant with a delightful fusion of Square Rigger favorites, Brazilian fare, themed dinner nights, and a range of specialty entrees that are sure to entice and delight diners. You can order takeout online here! For more information about Nina’s and their other locations on the island, read our blog post from earlier this year.
New Additions to the Martha’s Vineyard Restaurant Scene Summer 2023 – Ice Box
The Ice Box is not quite a restaurant per say, but it is an eatery, and we’d argue that ice cream makes a satisfying meal any time of day, so we’ve added it to the list! Ice Box is a delightful new ice cream shop nestled within the Tisbury Market Place on Beach Road in Vineyard Haven. Owned by the same passionate team behind the Tisbury Toy Box, the Ice Box offers a delectable array of ice cream treats to satisfy every sweet tooth. Whether you prefer classic cones, cups, frappes, sundaes, or indulgent cookie sandwiches, you’ll find a delightful selection to choose from. Elevating the experience further, the Ice Box provides homemade cookies and brownies to create mouthwatering sundaes and ice cream sandwiches. Take advantage of their freshly made waffle cones, which are crafted from scratch daily.
Noteworthy Changes to Existing Restaurants
New Raw Bar at Nomans in Oak Bluffs:
The popular outdoor dining spot, Nomans, has a new food truck and rum huts! Their expansive lawn offers games, fire pits, live music, and delicious food every night during the summer, and now they are shucking Island oysters from their new raw bar truck. In partnership with Cottage City Oysters, the raw bar is open 7 days a week starting at 4 pm, you can buy fresh oysters to enjoy with your cocktail and live music! Plus they’ve added rum huts, covered open air seating for 10 people that you can reserve in advance and be guaranteed a good party.
Guy Benjamin Coffee at S & S Kitchenette:
Renowned Martha’s Vineyard private chef and caterer Spring Sheldon opened S & S Kitchenette a few years ago as a space to host pop-up dining experiences. This year for the first time, they are hosting a regular coffee popup called Guy’s Espresso Bar! Every Monday, visitors can enjoy traditional espresso-based drinks made with the Guy Benjamin Select Blend, a unique coffee blend roasted locally on the Island.
New Location of the Red Cat in Oak Bluffs:
The Red Cat Kitchen has relocated to Circuit Ave, offering a larger space and a refreshed menu, in the former location of Oyster Bar 02557. Known for its farm-to-table unique dishes, this establishment serves up crafty cocktails, mocktails, and a range of delectable dishes. If you loved Red Cat before, you might love it even more now. And if you’ve never tried it, we recommend adding it to your MV dining bucket list!
The Martha’s Vineyard restaurant scene continues to evolve, with new ventures and exciting changes enhancing the culinary landscape on the Island. From Eleven Circuit’s fusion of Southern and Caribbean flavors to The Attic’s elevated tavern experience, and the historic charm of The Newes at the Faraway Hotel, there’s a wealth of options to satisfy every palate. Make sure to explore these new and revamped restaurants during your visit to Martha’s Vineyard this season.