Top 10 Cape Cod Waterfront Restaurants

The ocean views on the Cape are unrivaled, lending to the abundance of Cape Cod waterfront restaurants with spacious outdoor seating offer fantastic vantage points for you and your companions to relax, enjoy delicious cuisine, and share unforgettable memories.

Waterfront dining is a staple on the Cape and there is something for everyone, whether you are planning a luxurious sunset dinner for two, dinner and dancing with friends, or just a casual bite while you watch the boats go by. There are waterfront restaurants and bars with expansive decks and patios, restaurants directly on the beach with nothing between you and the ocean view, and marina restaurants overlooking the harbors for your enjoyment.

Our Pick of the Favorite Cape Cod Waterfront Restaurants

The Chart Room at Cataumet (Bourne) | 1 Shipyard Ln | Cataumet

The Chart Room first opened on a converted railroad barge in the 1960’s and is now a Cape Cod dining staple. They serve the best seafood available, meals made in-house from fresh, local ingredients, and beautiful views of the ocean and sunset across the harbor. Outdoor seating is available and highly recommended!

Their second location in Osterville, the Chart Room at Crosby’s offers more gorgeous views of the Osterville harbor, nestled in the historic Crosby Yacht Yard.

Landfall Restaurant | 9 Luscombe Avenue | Woods Hole

Landfall offers a spacious dining room built with of wood salvaged from shipwrecks and old buildings and ample outdoor seating for an outstanding oceanfront dining experience. Their specialties are fresh local lobster, swordfish, clams, scallops and other seasonal items, and the seaside bar serves creative fresh squeezed cocktails for your enjoyment.

Captain Kidd | 77 Water St | Woods Hole

Captain Kidd provides family friendly waterfront dining in one of the most stunning dining rooms on Cape Cod, with piers extending well out over the water. Relax on the waterside patio with a cocktail and indulge in local oysters from the raw bar, or step inside to warm up by the tavern’s stone fireplace on a chilly night with classic Cape fare like award winning chowder and lobster rolls.

Bluewater Grille | 213 Ocean St | Hyannis

The Raw Bar at the Blue Water Grille is all about fresh seafood and seasonal Cape Cod favorites, from oysters on the half shell to lobster any way you like it. The restaurant offers true harborside dining with spectacular views from the main dining room, out on the large stone patio next to the cozy firepit, or even from the poolside bar.

Tugboats | 11 Arlington St | West Yarmouth

Tugboats overlooks Hyannis Harbor and offers quality, family friendly dining at affordable prices not to mention arguably the best outside waterfront dining on the Cape. Covered, heated decks and an elevated, glassed-in wheelhouse bar make Tugboats an ideal setting for watching the ferries come and go and taking in a perfect Cape Cod sunset.

Ocean House | 425 Old Wharf Road | Dennis Port

The Ocean House Restaurant has some of the Cape’s best coastal views, cocktails and cuisine. Simple locally sourced and organically farmed foods, artful presentation, specialty martinis and an extensive wine list complement live jazz in the oceanfront lounge and the spectacular views over Nantucket Sound.

For a more casual vibe you can enjoy drinks at the adjoining outdoor Beach Bar and soak in the salt air with the sunset. Many summer nights you can dance the night away to the sound of live local bands.

Summer Shanty | 140 Main St | West Dennis

The Summer Shanty is a fun waterfront bar and restaurant located at Bass River Marina. They’ve got an outdoor patio, a fantastic harbor view, classic seafood dishes, and tasty burgers. The Summer Shanty is a great spot for boaters, offers regular live entertainment, and is open weekends year-round, daily in season.

Beach House Grill | 297 Shore Rd | Chatham

The Beach House Grill serves local seafood including a clambake buffet, fresh produce from the Chatham Bars Inn Farm, seasonally inspired cocktails and locally brewed beer in an unforgettable beachfront setting. To go with the fantastic views of Chatham Harbor, The Beach House also hosts live music daily (in season) for your entertainment.

Beachcomber | 1120 Cahoon Hollow Rd | Wellfleet

The Beachcomber has been a popular summer hangout for surfers, families, beachgoers, and music lovers since 1978. Open seasonally, this beachside oasis offers fantastic food, cool cocktails, friendly service, DJs and live music, stunning beachfront views, and a very welcoming atmosphere. Their beachfront parking is also popular – many guests arrive early and make a day of it.

Canteen | 225 Commercial St | Provincetown

The Canteen is partially housed in a 200-year old building reminiscent of a traditional beach shack. They have outdoor beach seating (dog friendly!) right on Cape Cod Bay with views of the harbor, the town pier and Macmillan Wharf. The Canteen serves great American cuisine and all the Cape Cod classics, has a full bar on the beach, and is a wonderful place to gather with family and friends.

Fishermen’s View | 20 Freezer Rd | Sandwich

A restaurant in Sandwich is 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.

Mac’s On The Pier | 265 Commercial St | 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, lobster dinners and tons more.

The Lobster Pot – Provincetown | 321 Commercial St | Provincetown

One of the most famous Cape Cod waterfront restaurants is the Lobster Pot in Provincetown, 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.

28 Atlantic | 2173 Head of the Bay Road | Harwich

Last on our list of the best Cape Cod waterfront restaurants is 28 Atlantic which is also located in the Wequassett Resort. This is an upscale experience for Cape Cod waterfront dining as it is 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.

Also located within the Wequassett Inn, but more casual, is The Outer Bar & Grille overlooking the ocean, and the LiBAYtions Bar is right on the water. The food and cocktails here are fantastic!

Savoring Cuisine by the Sea

These Cape Cod waterfront restaurants provide a perfect opportunity to savor delicious seafood and other dishes while enjoying the natural beauty of the Cape’s coastline. Do be sure to make reservations, especially during the busy summer season, to secure your spot with a view.

Check out more culinary delights on Cape Cod- Casual Restaurants , Breakfast Spots or Fine Dining on Cape Cod.