The food scene on the Outer Cape is vibrant and wide-ranging, with Provincetown restaurants that specialize in everything from the freshest seafood and classic brunch to romantic ambiance and casual but delicious dishes, all just a scenic walk, bike ride, or quick drive from our Provincetown bed and breakfast. All of them are open year-round, so whether you visit during the busy height of summer or during the quieter winter months (check our website for special winter rates), grab a bite at these esteemed eateries nearby!

Best Seafood

Fresh seafood is synonymous with Cape Cod, a part of our culture for centuries and a tradition passed down through local families who have fished the waters off Provincetown. That family-fishing spirit is alive and well at Mac’s Fish House Provincetown, which celebrates its 10th anniversary in P-Town in 2023 but has its humble roots in a tiny fish shack that Mac opened in 1995. Establishing their reputation over the last three decades on the Cape with culinary chops to match their top-notch fish sourcing (their market adjacent to the restaurant is the best place to shop for caught-that-day fish), you can’t go wrong with their extensive seafood menu options. They’re just a 10-minute stroll (or even shorter bike ride) from Gabriel’s, and with their massive menu, Mac’s may be one of those Provincetown restaurants you visit more than once during your stay.

Enjoy fresh oysters at Mac's Fish House Provincetown during their daily happy hour

Start with their clams, mussels, calamari, or octopus, all from the marine-rich waters of Cape Cod Bay. Main dishes include lobster rolls and whole lobster, always a treat, or other standbys like full sea bass, halibut, bluefish, or spice-crusted ahi tuna. If sushi is more your speed, you’ll be hard-pressed to choose between the 20+ maki rolls, nigiri, and sashimi. Their fried menu items, like fish and chips – one of their most popular choices – are also gluten-free, convenient for accommodating those in your group with dietary restrictions. If you have an adventurous palate, try one of their creative preparations, like prosciutto-wrapped cod or the swordfish and mussel curry, flavorfully merging Thai heat with fresh seafood.

A kids’ menu is great for the little ones in your group, and non-seafood options like steak, salads, and burgers are available for those who aren’t in the mood for seafood. Insider tip: if you’re on the hunt for the best oysters in town, don’t miss their daily happy hour from 3-5 pm, when all of their oysters are half-priced – share a plate of oysters on the half-shell and imbibe one of their ten housemade specialty cocktails, like the eponymous “Mac’s Manhattan.”

Provincetown Restaurants: Best Brunch

Before heading off for a day at the Cape Cod National Seashore, fuel up on delicious brunch with charming ambiance at Liz’s Cafe, Anybody’s Bar – located just a half-mile down from the friendliest year-round hotel in Provincetown on Bradford St, this classic brunch spot is on the way to Herring Cove Beach, making it convenient for fitting into your P-Town itinerary. Since 2017, they have been serving up breakfast and lunch favorites like corned beef hash, delectable scrambles/omelets (try the unique Norwegian smoked salmon scramble), and no less than six choices of Egg Benedicts, including traditional, veggie Florentine, and a mouth-watering lobster variation.

The building housing the restaurant dates back to the 1940s, a relic from Provincetown’s yesteryear, and the interior pays homage to the town’s fishing heritage with its boat-shaped wooden bar. Don’t miss trying their Flippers, Portuguese-style fried dough served with Vermont maple syrup and powdered sugar – a sweet-tasting nod to the Portuguese history and families who have called Provincetown home for generations.

Best Romantic Dinner

Whether celebrating a honeymoon, anniversary, or date night with your special someone, your meal will be memorable at The Mews. One of the longest-lasting Provincetown restaurants, dating back to its opening almost six decades ago, the kitchen at The Mews puts out classy dishes made with grass-fed meat, organic produce, and freshly-caught seafood; even their burgers are a step above, featuring Wagyu beef.

Share some fresh oysters and nosh on small plates like crab and avocado terrine before choosing from their delicious main dishes like baked miso cod, rack of lamb, duck leg confit, and their always-popular lobster risotto. In addition to the elegant flavors with every course, you’ll be wowed by the stunning tableside views overlooking Cape Cod Bay, as romantic a setting as you’ll find anywhere in town.

A rack of lamb with side dish - one of the things you can order at The Mews, a Provincetown restaurant

Make a reservation (recommended, especially on weekends) in the upstairs “Bistro room” to coincide with the sunset over the water, with Cape Cod’s beauty on full display. After your meal, enjoy the 10-minute evening stroll back to Gabriel’s, walking hand-in-hand along the shoreline on Commercial Street. Note: The Mews is open from 5 pm Tuesday through Saturday and closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Provincetown Restaurants: Best Casual (and Kid/Dog-Friendly) Dining

Practically our neighbors and just two blocks away, the Canteen is a local fave, with laidback vibes, outdoor tables right on the sand, and a menu perfect for the whole family. Inspired by the seafood shacks that once lined the coast of Cape Cod, their fish & chips (huge and shareable), locally-caught cod fish tacos, and lobster rolls are all standout dishes. The lobster rolls come with no less than ¼ pound of the freshest lobster, so if you haven’t ever tried a lobster roll, this is the place to indulge your taste buds. They also serve plenty of non-seafood options, like tofu banh mi, fried chicken, crispy Brussels sprouts, and various salads. Kids will enjoy biting into one of their several styles of grilled cheeses, hot dogs, or kids-sized fish and chips.

Ask for a table on their back patio, which overlooks Cape Cod Bay, and where your dogs and kids will love having their feet in the sand. They even have a summertime “beach bar” to add to the waterside scene, with three types of Bloody Marys, 18 beers, and creative cocktails like the Canteen Margarita, watermelon Cosmo, and lavender Paloma. After finishing your meal with a view, walk towards the causeway and down to the town dog beach, where dogs are allowed off-leash between 6-9 pm through November 1st. The Canteen is proudly dog-friendly, as is the rest of Provincetown (see our recent dogs in P-Town blog for more info about visiting with your furry friends), so bring your pup on your getaway to the Cape.

Stay with us and take a culinary adventure at these Provincetown restaurants, each as incredible as the next!