The Seafood Shanty’s panoramic views of the Edgartown Harbor are why you travelled here!
“Widening the deck worked out really well. It’s a great spot to sit in Edgartown and look at the water…Every table has a view.”
By Peter Conway
As the Chappy Ferry scoots back-and-forth for the short trip to Chappaquiddick Island, scattered boats on the Edgartown Harbor bob ever-so-slightly with the steady sea. The view is beckoning a photograph. In downtown Edgartown, this picturesque vista and an unforgettable delicious meal awaits you at The Seafood Shanty.
Known primarily for its unmatched waterfront location, the “Shanty” as it is affectionally referred to by local’s, is also known for its great food and welcoming atmosphere. For many years everyone has known where to go for the best waterfront dining. And now, thanks to renovations made over last winter, the deck is substantially bigger and a whole lot better. The most obvious change from last year’s deck is the replacement of the impeding wood railings with the pristine infinity railings. The addition allows for an unobstructed view of the harbor through glass partitions.
Matthew Byrne, manager of the Seafood Shanty says, “[Widening the deck] worked out really well. It’s a great spot to sit in Edgartown and look at the water…Every table has a view.”
The view is not limited to the deck. The Seafood Shanty features two floors that offer a view of the harbor from any one of the cozy booths, the wooden tables spaced upon the floor, or from the custom copper-carved bar top. The panorama is just as impressive on the first floor through their wide-framed glass windows.
The menu is the only reason to keep your eyes off the sights. Consider trying the Shrimp Cocktail or the Lobster Dip for appetizers along with the Shanty Burger and other beef or chicken options for your main course. If you are a sushi lover there is a whole menu dedicated to sushi dishes and platters. The Seafood Shanty is best-known for their Lobster Roll, served with hefty portions of lobster and a bun lathered with butter that draws out a savory taste. Lindsey Leclair, a server at the Seafood Shanty is quick to suggest the Lobster Roll. “You can’t beat it,” Leclair said.
Visiting from California, diner Ed Demasi overhears the recommendation and hollers to Leclair before it’s too late. He wants to change his order to the house specialty. The friendly exchange that followed is indicative of the open-air environment that The Seafood Shanty provisions. One moment you are talking with your friend; the next, the words “Lobster Roll” spark an involved conversation with your neighboring table about their reasoning for coming to Martha’s Vineyard. Friends are literally made here.
Another entrée worth mentioning is the Fish Tacos. This plate of grilled Cajun Mahi is served in a folded tortilla and topped with diced pineapple and red and yellow peppers that impart the taste of summer. After the main course, if you have room, there are many options to satisfy your sweet tooth. The Key Lime Pie is served ready for a fork to be driven into with its milky top and sugary crust. Drizzles of caramel and strawberry syrup checkerboard the plate with dollops of whip cream on its sides. It is even further accented with its lime and mint leaf décor. The Chocolate Layer Cake for Two is frankly, more like for four! The menu states “We bet you can only eat one” but even if you arrived starving and skipped dinner, you would be hard pressed to finish the mound of Chocolatey goodness that is place before you.
“[With people visiting] from all over the world… [The Seafood Shanty] is a great place to sit down and meet people. [You can] bring your family here. Come at night – dance, drink, and have a good time,” Byrne said.
The Seafood Shanty offers the ideal place to dine, meet up with friends for a drink, and to take in the incredible views that makes this destination well worth the journey.
MORE INFO
31 Dock St., Edgartown
(508) 627 8622
Lunch: 11am – 5pm
Dinner: 5pm – 9pm (Sun-Thurs) & 10pm (Fri-Sat)
Upstairs Bar: Serving drinks until 12:30am
theseafoodshanty.com
