restaurants Archives - Vineyard Square Hotel & Suites

When most people think Martha’s Vineyard restaurants, they think fresh seafood. But did you know that our 90-square-mile island is also home to some 40 working farms? Many of the best local chefs prefer to get as much of their meat and produce as possible on-island—after all, nothing shipped from far away on a boat or plane could be as fresh. These six farm-to-table restaurants on Martha’s Vineyard make “eat local” their mantra, and the results are absolutely delicious.

State Road

State Road just might be the best dedicated farm-to-table restaurant on Martha’s Vineyard. As far as we can remember, when it opened in 2009, it was the first island fine-dining establishment to make local sourcing a core part of its mission and appeal. In season, they pick vegetables and herbs daily from their on-site garden. Additional produce comes from island favorites like Morning Glory Farm—a great place to stop in the morning for fresh baked goods, by the way. The restaurant’s meat and poultry are supplied by The Good Farm, located right on State Road as well.

The Best Farm-to-Table Burger on Martha’s Vineyard

Like State Road, The Scottish Bakehouse harvests greens from an on-site farm and sources almost all of its other ingredients from island producers. The atmosphere is a bit more casual—we especially love eating at the picnic tables around back, with a view of the garden. They work with an impressive number of fellow island farmers with an emphasis on community rather than competition. Those partnerships yield what we think might be the freshest, juiciest, and most flavorful burger on Martha’s Vineyard.

Farm.Field.Sea.

Farmer and Chef for the Day — Farm.Field.Sea. at Tabor Farm

More than simply a farm-to-table restaurant, Farm.Field.Sea. offers a variety of hands-on experiences, from cooking classes to foraging excursions. Our favorite is Farmer & Chef for a Day. You’ll visit a farm and harvest fresh ingredients, then watch as a local chef uses them to prepare your meal. Outdoor dining settings for this experience range from gardens to private beaches. The best part? You go home with all of the recipes used that day.

The Net Result Fish Market

The Net Result in Vineyard Haven is one of the island’s premiere fish markets if you’re looking for a fresh catch to take home and cook. What you might miss, though, is the extensive takeout menu of hot local seafood. The lobster roll is to die for, and this local eatery’s location near Vineyard Haven Harbor makes it a great stop on the way to or from your ferry.

7a Foods

If you plan on venturing up-island, be sure to stop at 7a Foods in West Tisbury for breakfast or lunch. Culinary Institute of America grad Daniel Sauer started this “farm-to-takeout” outfit in 1999, and it’s been stockpiling awards and winning over new visitors ever since. Get your egg sandwich on a housemade biscuit and thank us later.

Farm-to-Table Dining in Edgartown

Our North Water Street neighbor, l’étoile, is one of our favorite Edgartown restaurants for date night. For seating, take your pick between their elegant-yet-modern dining room, warm and cozy bar room, or covered patio. l’étoile’s seasonally inspired menu emphasizes creativity and top quality—a commitment that calls for the freshest produce available. Herbs, berries, and other ingredients come from island growers whenever possible and are accompanied by local seafood and the finest meat and poultry on the market.

Needs some more tips for your island vacation? Explore Martha’s Vineyard activities with us.

EDGARTOWN | April 5, 2024

Where to Get the Best Pizza on Martha’s Vineyard Near Edgartown

When you plan a stay at Vineyard Square Hotel & Suites, there are two things you never have to worry […]

FAMILY | March 29, 2024

Explore Memorable Things to Do & See in West Tisbury

Planning a relaxing vacation doesn’t mean it has to be boring. Known for its laid-back atmosphere, Martha’s Vineyard is the […]

EDGARTOWN | February 8, 2024

Spend a Day at the Manuel F. Correllus State Forest

For anyone looking to escape the hustle and bustle of life for a little while, there’s no better destination than […]

EDGARTOWN | January 31, 2024

See the Next Big Thing at a Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival

Sometimes, there’s nothing better than curling up and watching a movie. Take this pastime to the next level by planning […]

EDGARTOWN | December 18, 2023

A Guide on How to Get to Martha’s Vineyard

If you’re looking for a vacation filled with charm and adventure, look no further than Martha’s Vineyard. The New England […]

EDGARTOWN | November 30, 2023

A Look at the History of Our Edgartown Hotel

Situated in the heart of downtown Edgartown rests Vineyard Square Hotel & Suites. Located close to charming shops and world-class […]

EDGARTOWN | October 19, 2023

Celebrate the Season | A Guide to Christmas in Edgartown

As temperatures continue to drop and fall settles in, many people start looking ahead and working on their holiday plans. […]

EDGARTOWN | September 28, 2023

Where to Get the Best Lunch in Edgartown

There are a few ways you can make it through each adventure-filled day during your stay at Vineyard Square Hotel […]

1 2 3 … 37 »

There are few things we like more than chowing down on tasty island nosh. From creamy chowders to fresh raw oysters, Martha’s Vineyard has the distinct advantage of being surrounded by water on all sides. However, don’t think that seafood is our sole culinary triumph. From gulping down raw cow’s milk at a local farm stand to cutting into a hearty steak at a corner bistro, the ways to experience food on the island are as varied as the island itself. Instead of hiking, biking or swimming your way across the island, eat your way from Aquinnah to Edgartown with this foodie tour of the Vineyard.

Foodie Tour Martha's Vineyard — Photo: Farm. Field. Sea.

Festivals of the Foodie Variety

Get all the culinary delights of the island in one place — all you have to do is show up! Stroll through tent after tent of decadent food and wine as you breathe in the salty air of the island. Honestly, what could possibly be better?

Taste of the Vineyard

Martha’s Vineyard’s oldest food festival, Taste of the Vineyard Gourmet Stroll, started over 30 years ago and only continues to one-up itself every year with delightful cuisine. Held annually in June, this event kicks of the island’s social season with 1200 of your closest friends and 90 food & beverage vendors, serving everything from artisanal chocolates to oysters on the half shelf to craft brews. Plus, we’re particularly fond of the fact that you can burn all this grub off on the dance floor at the end of the night.

Martha’s Vineyard Food & Wine Festival

Who doesn’t like a hubbub? With 25-plus sold-out events each year, Martha’s Vineyard Food & Wine Festival in October is the highlight of the off-season. Bringing together island chefs, local farmers, and wine personalities from across the United States, this festival introduces the culinary creators of the island to the community at large. There’s basically too many wonderful tastings, pop-up dinners, and small batch experiences to describe, so we’re going to keep it simple and say, if you can only go to one event during this four-day feast, attend the Grand Tasting. Arrive with an empty stomach and prepare yourself for over 200 pours.

The MV Wine Festival

Can’t wait until October? Attend the MV Wine Festival in May. While this festival also features four days of feasting, its focus falls more towards wine (unsurprisingly, we suppose). With wine dinners, a cocktail competition, and even a forging challenge, you may just find your new favorite summer beverage.

Foodie Tour de Farms

It doesn’t get more local than this. Create the ultimate picnic by taking a tour de farms. Start your foodie tour by stopping at Morning Glory Farms, right outside of Edgartown. Stock up on fresh tomatoes and greens grown in their greenhouse, and, if you’re feeling romantic, gather up a bouquet of fresh flowers, courtesy of Heather Gardens. At your next stop, The Grey Barn in Chilmark, delight in their freshly made cheeses with names like Prufrock, Bluebird, and Eidolon, or pick up a pint of their raw cow’s milk. What’s a picnic without some sweet and yeasty goodness to round off the meal? You’ll have to keep your eyes peeled for Orange Peel Bakery. Identifiable mainly due to the large stone oven in the yard, this treasure serves up fresh bread, cookies, and even pizza on special nights if you decide cooking isn’t for you. It’s the only place in Aquinnah open 365 days a year — the head baker bakes breads and cakes every day, leaving them at the bakery in exchange for payment on the honor system. If that isn’t charming, we don’t know what is.

Go Classic with a Restaurant Tour

Take a seat and dig into the more established side of our foodie tour: Martha’s Vineyard’s booming restaurant scene. For an authentic, island snack, stop by Menemsha Fish Market for creamy chowder and a lobster roll. Located right on the water, you’re basically guaranteed some of the freshest seafood on the island. For a more upscale experience, settle into the romantic atmosphere of Alchemy where every bite is bursting with flavor. Ascend their staircase and head towards the back of the restaurant where you can dine in an old world library by the fire.

In our totally unbiased opinion (okay, maybe we’re a bit biased), Chesca’s Restaurant delivers the best of fine dining with a comforting flair. Grab a hand-crafted cocktail and sip it on our front porch; or settle in for a meal of delectable seared scallops. Honestly, it takes all our willpower not to eat there every evening.

Can’t narrow down the restaurants on your must-try list? Plan your visit for Restaurant Week. With discounts and special menus at participating restaurants, your foodie tour of Martha’s Vineyard can be more comprehensive and less expensive.

Embark on a Culinary Adventure

Not satisfied unless you get your hands a little dirty? You’ll gather plenty of salt and mud on your culinary adventure with Farm. Field. Sea. Through hands-on, knowledge-driven learning experiences, you can connect (or reconnect) with the food of the island in a way that is both satisfying and delicious. Master the art of cheesemaking, explore the island’s culinary heritage, or just join Farm. Field. Sea. for a pop-up dinner. Regardless of which adventure you choose (and trust us, it’s very hard to choose just one), your meal’s setting will be a feast for the eyes, set in some of the most beautiful locations on the island. As the sun sets, feel your body, tired but satisfied and full from a day of culinary adventure.

In your weary state, find an island home that is happy to welcome you in, covered in grime or otherwise. With fluffy, homemade muffins in the morning and saltwater taffy in the afternoons, Vineyard Square Hotel & Suites provides the treats and the luxury to perfectly punctuate your foodie tour.