Ship's Inn

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Ship's Inn, Nantucket: Award-Winning American Brasserie & Seafood

Ship's Inn, Nantucket: Award-Winning American Brasserie & Seafood

For 36 seasons, the Ship's Inn has welcomed guests to its historic Nantucket building, a unique piece of island history on Fair Street, just two blocks from the bustle of Main Street. The restaurant on the premises calls itself an "award-winning American Brasserie" – a fitting description for a place that balances the bounty of the sea with the warmth of a trusted neighborhood spot.

The menu is a showcase for New England seafood. First courses include cold smoked trout with horseradish cream, grilled sea scallops with black truffle hollandaise, and clams broiled 'crôte herb'. The main course list is dominated by the ocean: medallions of cod with celery root purée, grilled paillard of king salmon with Malbec and balsamic reduction, and sautéed halibut with wild mushroom risotto and morel sauce. For those who prefer land, there is a dry-aged sirloin steak au poivre, a vegetarian risotto, and a rigatoni with duck Bolognese. The takeout menu extends the same quality to curbside pickup on Fair Street.

The wine list has earned the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence since 1998, reflecting careful curation. The restaurant has also been honored as a James Beard House Guest Chef of honor and received Cape Cod Life Magazine's Gold award for most romantic and fine dining restaurant.

The dining room is part of a boutique bed and breakfast inn, but the restaurant stands on its own. The team – led by general manager Bob Moulder and innkeeper Mary Lou Quayle, under owner Mark Gottwald – prides itself on being "one of the friendliest, most helpful and most consistent staffs on the island." That consistency, combined with thoughtful American cooking and a strong wine program, makes this a destination for locals and visitors alike. The full bar and outdoor seating add to the appeal, whether for a special dinner or a relaxed evening out.