The Oldest Restaurants on the Cape You MUST Visit

According to a 2003 study by H.G. Parsa, associate professor of hospitality management at Ohio State University, 57-61% of all restaurants fail within their first three years of existence.  Sadly this has been the case on Cape Cod over the decades with numerous restaurants being opened only to be shuttered and replaced soon thereafter.  The streets of the Cape have a continuously changing appearance with restaurants coming and going like interchangeable parts.

However there are some, a small group of establishments, which have bucked the study.  These places, scattered all across the peninsula, have become icons and built a tremendous legacy.  What makes these spots different from the countless that have failed is not for sure, still there is something special and unique about this group.  This is why year after year locals and visitors alike flock to them, keeping the flame burning.  These are some of the landmark restaurants of Cape Cod, seasonal and year-round.  There is still time to check them out and see what it is that makes them different from so many others.

The Skipper Restaurant & Chowder House, 152 South Shore Drive, South Yarmouth

Opened 1936

The oldest spot on this list has the distinction of being a Triple Crown clam chowder champion, meaning it won the contests for Cape Cod, Boston, and Newport.  Two floors of views of Parker’s River Beach make the dining more than just a meal.  They do not accept reservations so get there early as wait times can reach two hours.

KA_Ptown_lobster pot_provincetown_light snow_flurries_winter_commercial street_010416199The Lobster Pot, 321 Commercial Street, Provincetown

Opened 1943

For more than seventy years this iconic restaurant has attracted customers to its Commercial Street locale thanks to its amazing view, fresh seafood, and unmistakable neon sign.  It is usually a must for visitors to the tip of the Cape.  This spot does not only specialize in seafood though as it dabbles in Portuguese items as well as steaks and chicken.  This seasonal restaurant is opened through the end of November.

KA_Yarmouth_Riverway Lobster house_110915Riverway Lobster House, 1338 Rt. 28, West Yarmouth

Opened 1944

Located within sight of Bass River this landmark is still hugely popular after more than seven decades in service.  People come literally by the busload to feast on the seafood, steak, chicken, and lobster.  In addition to a regular dinner service this spot also caters to weddings and private functions as well.  It is opened year round.

KA_Falmouth_landfall restaurant_111215 (1)Landfall Restaurant, 9 Luscombe Avenue, Woods Hole

Opened 1946

The ferries routinely pass by heading to Martha’s Vineyard adding to the fabulous waterfront view of this establishment.  The restaurant itself is made of wood from shipwrecks and boards from other old buildings.  The food and atmosphere is award winning, the dining room seats 180, and reservations are accepted.

KA_Dennis_Red Cottage_Winter_Cloudy_122315_5Red Cottage Restaurant, 36 Old Bass River Road, South Dennis

Opened 1951

The home of amazing breakfasts with lines routinely out the door waiting to get a seat, this is a must-visit on the Mid-Cape.  There is a special section on their menu and website for ‘first timers’ to better help them understand what goes into making this place unique.  The Red Cottage Home Fries are legendary and they only accept cash so keep that in mind when arriving.

BaxtersDeckBaxter’s Boathouse, 177 Pleasant Street, Hyannis

Opened 1957

Serving the freshest seafood with a spectacular view of Hyannis Harbor this is a spot to bring the family or to have a few drinks with friends.  There is the Fish ‘n’ Chips restaurant for the kids and the Boathouse for the 21+ crowd.  They are known for their Award-Winning Binnacle Bloody Cocktail which would go perfect with any of the fried, baked, or broiled seafood.

The Ebb Tide, 94 Chase Avenue, Dennis Port

Opened 1959

Originally a sea captain’s home turned into a restaurant this spot has grown considerably since its inception.  It now showcases five elegant dining rooms and features traditional New England cuisine within a short walk of the beach.  The lobster fritters are a favorite and they are opened just for dinner so be sure to arrive early to get a table.

Hundreds of restaurants on Cape Cod have come and gone over the last half century.  Some have been iconic lasting decades, some have flamed out in a few short months.  The one constant over that period of time has been these fine institutions that have bucked the trend and withstood the test of time.  Though they are highly likely to be around for many more years to come why not enjoy the last traces of summer by dining at one or more of these fabulous locales?

By Christopher Setterlund

Comments

  1. Joyce I Keay says

    You missed Pie in the Sky in Woods Hole and Captain Frosty’s in Dennis.

  2. Stephen Farrell says

    The Dolphin Restaurant, owned by the same family for three generations and Mattakeese Wharf, the same family since the late 60s or early 70s.

  3. Pamela Cryer says

    Old Yarmouth Inn!!!!

  4. Karen Mastroianni says

    I know its not old..but definitely has staying power..Keltic Kitchen…..best breakfast and lunch on the Cape!!!!

  5. Deb Tudor says

    I would add Wimpy’s in Osterville to the list.

    • Christopher Setterlund says

      You’re right! I just looked it up and it was originally opened in 1938, wow, there is my big omission. I tried to stick to places opened before 1960, good call by you.

    • Started as a hamburger counter in 1938. The Hostetter Family.

  6. You also left ‘the Orleans inn’ off the list!!

  7. Deb Wickwire says

    Does the Wee Packet in Dennisport qualify? Seems to have been around a long time.

    • Sheila Briggs-Snyder says

      Deb Wickwire. Nope my family sold it in 2003 after 54 years. It is all new except for the name since 2004!

  8. The Original Seafood Restaurant 1953
    Dennis

  9. Ciro and Sal’s, kiley Court, Provincetown

  10. David Shortt says

    Wee packet in Dennis Port has been
    opened since 1949

  11. Nanette Olsen says

    Gina’s By the Sea, Dennis, since 1938.
    Yardarm, Orleans, 1972
    Land Ho, Orleans, early 70’s
    Wee Packet, Dennisport,1949
    Swan River Fish Market & Restaurant, 1950’s
    Sagamore Inn, Sandwich, 1930
    The Dolphin, Barnstable, 1948
    Mattakeese Wharf, Barnstable, 1968
    …and I’m sure there are plenty more!

  12. Melissa Burnell says

    Silver Lounge in North Falmouth-1938

  13. Old Yarmouth Inn has been serving great food for centuries!!”

  14. Heard Rockwell King on the piano both in Stow and on the Cape at the Ebb Tide. Years ago.

  15. William Alger says

    Hows about THE WICKED OYSTER in Wellfleet

  16. Mary Jude Szymanski says

    Mayflower Cafe, Privencetown, 1929.

  17. Dana R Worthen says

    What ever happened to the Mayflower Restaurant on Main Street in Hyannis?? Also Mitchell’s Steakhouse near the Airport?? I always loved Baxters!! I left the Cape in 72!!

    • I worked at mitchells steak and rib late 80s, early 90s. Fantastic food and staff. Momma mitchell still alive into her 90 yrs young visited oncie7 a long wk 4 lunch, keeping her eyes on things. Rumor, after her passing, the 2 sons sold property to plaza next door. Later i discovered son john (nice one) opened his own establishment on the way 2 falmouth. Town and rest name escapes me, sorry

    • David Cartier says

      It was very sad. The building sat there deteriorating slowly for years, was finally torn down a few years ago. They are building either a Rite Aid or Walgreens there now. Mildred’s Chowder House likewise has been a parking lot, the last twenty years or so.

  18. Thank you for all the awesome recommendations! I wish that more of them had vegan options!

    • Vegan ice cream at Ice Cream Cafe in Orleans! 🙂

    • Let's be honest for once says

      None of these places listed had any idea what a vegan was when they started and if they did they would have been out of business catering to what maybe 1 percent of the population?

  19. M c O’Boyle says

    What about the kettle and drum or fife and kettle o whatever in cotui. It was there in the sixties when I walked in from mashpee. And the daniel Webster in Barnstable?

  20. Grumpy’s for sure. Best breakfasts on Cape.

  21. The inimitable , family-owned Arnold’s Lobster & Clam Bar in Eastham has been drawing crowds, local & tourist alike, for four decades! Definitely should be on the list!!

  22. Deborah from Gainesville, FL says

    OMG! Add The Original Gourmet Brunch in Hyannis!

  23. Lianne Ricciarelli says

    Wow been to a lot of the restaurants on the article….
    Love the cape..

  24. Kathy Adams says

    Spanky Clams. Hyannis
    Great food, great service. A must go to when down in Hyannis

  25. Karyn Hewitt says

    Hiw about The Roadhouse in Hyannis? Around 30 years and wonderful food and jazz!

  26. Alex DiTaranto RN says

    The Squire in Chatham. Wicked good chowda!

  27. Maura Famulare says

    The Red Inn in Provincetown

  28. Anyone remember a restaurant heading west on 6A in Barnstable, set back from the road with a huge lawn, it was “______?_______ Farm” I think the name began with a B.

  29. Gary Bayerowski says

    Whitman House in North Truro. Famous for there cattle man cut prime rib, or any meal from there is fantastic. Well worth the money.

  30. It was the Bacon Farm Inn! I waited tables there for 2 college summers, 1969 and ’70, I think!

  31. Sir Robert says

    BAXTERS is a 5 on a scale of 1 to 10 food is cold drinks are watered down and over priced. I am Sir Robert Lord of Hatfield Manor Global Ambassador and Undersecretary for the United Nations Global Infrastructure Development and International Finance Agency.

  32. Steven Goldblatt says

    I worked the door at Mitchell’s in 1989 after cooking and bartending at “Fins, Skins, & Gins” the year before (now DJs sports bar). John = the nice one! Classic!

  33. The Mayflower Restaurant, Provincetown in 1929

  34. Raymond Desrochers says

    The Lobster Pot’s sauteed calamari is a must.

  35. David Cartier says

    The Riverway Lobster House and the Red Cottage have been out of business a while, now, and are closed through at least the end of 2021 – and you missed the wonderful waterfront dining at The Lighthouse Inn of West Dennis, which has been in operation for more than 100 years, and under the same family’s ownership since 1938. It really can’t be all that difficult, to update these puff pieces. You are providing inaccurate information to visitors and you could gain advertisers by adding some replacements. We shouldn’t have to tell you this!

    • P D MacGuire says

      LoL! That’s telling them! It’s a pity that local journalism fails to maintain the professional standards that keep these restaurants going, year after year! My suggestion is The Yarmouth House on Rt 28 in West Yarmouth. They’ve been owned by the same family since the mid 1970s and still an early bird favorite.

    • 👍

  36. Riverwalk Restaurant has been sold and is now closed.

  37. Joey’s pizza in Dennis Port. The best pizza on the Cape. Also Buca’s in Harwich for great Italian food, and service.

  38. P D MacGuire says

    Is there ANY responsibility left in media? Two of these places are closed. The Ebb Way moved, and, I believe, is closed for the season. Beyond that, you missed the Lighthouse Inn, which has offered waterfront dining since 1938. Directing visitors to closed restaurants is extremely unprofessional, makes things harder on the rest of us. You have an obligation to update these years old articles, if you too lazy to produce anything new!

  39. A correction on the story accompanying the Ebb Tide Restaurant in Dennisport. My grandfather, Joe Cody, built the Ebb Tide as a cottage. I’m sitting with my father, Henry DeVries, age 93, working out the year when the Ebb Tide was built. My parents honeymooned in the Ebb Tide in September 1953. My mother, Jane Cody, was returning home each summer evening to that same cottage after working at the Belmont Hotel in 1950. My father was visiting her, his girlfriend, in about 1949, the year he almost ran down Fred Allen while driving too fast at the jog in the road at the end of Old Wharf Road. So the cottage was built probably about 1948, when the Codys moved from their beach-side cottage on Old Wharf Road near Grindell’s mobile-home park. Joe and his wife Rose moved to Old Mill Point in West Harwich in 1958-1959, which would coincide with the opening of the Ebb Tide in 1959. I would have slept at the Ebb Tide cottage as a baby and very young child from 1955-1958.

  40. J. Valentine says

    Anyone remember blue.bell resturant dennisport.ma opened.in 1959
    Don’t know when it.closed.

Speak Your Mind

*



CapeCod.com
737 West Main Street
Hyannis, MA 02601
Contact Us | Advertise Terms of Use 
Employment and EEO | Privacy