The Seafood Shanty’s New Deck Delivers!
By Peter Conway
Photographed by Jack Conway Jr.
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 can be experienced firsthand at The Seafood Shanty.
The Seafood Shanty is a hotspot known for its food and welcoming atmosphere on any day; and, their newly-renovated deck makes all the difference. 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 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.
The view is not limited to the deck. The Seafood Shanty features two floors that offer a glimpse of the harbor from any one of the cozy booths, the wooden tables spaced upon the floor, or from the copper-carved bar top. The panorama is impressive, still, 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.
An eavesdropper, Ed Demasi, visiting from California, 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 openair environment that The Seafood Shanty provides. 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.
Another entrée worth mentioning are 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, do not be afraid to try your taste buds with a serving of sweetness. The Key Lime Pie is served ready for a fork to be driven into is milky top and into its 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.
“[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 location to grab a bite, meet up with friends for a drink, or to simply take in the distinct beauty of Edgartown Harbor.
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
