Eating out is a big part of any family vacation. But dining out (or getting takeout), can be expensive, especially for a longer trip. It’s important that you research restaurants to make sure they have food that you want, and that the quality and value for the money is what you expect.
Cape Cod is filled with fantastic restaurants, especially in the summertime. Lobster rolls, fried clams, and oysters are some of the main specialties, but you’ll find all sorts of cuisines in the area, including Italian, Greek, and Vietnamese. While several of these top restaurants are open year-round, many are seasonal restaurants only open in the warmer months.
We spent a lot of time at our vacation home in South Yarmouth, and have enjoyed eating at so many restaurants in Yarmouth. This mid-Cape town offers lots of kid-friendly activities, and there are many families that vacation in the area each year. If you plan to visit, whether for a day trip or a full vacation, here are some of the best restaurants in Yarmouth MA.
Keep in mind that many popular restaurants have varying hours throughout the season – especially this year. Be sure to check their websites and social media to find out the latest information.
In addition, many of these restaurants get very busy so check to see if reservations are accepted, and then book in advance. Otherwise, it’s best to arrive early to avoid the lunch/dinner rush.
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Best Restaurants in Yarmouth MA
Captain Parker’s Pub
Captain Parker’s Pub, located in West Yarmouth, is a Cape Cod institution. Their award-winning chowder can be found in grocery stores and smaller markets across the state. But, it’s definitely worth eating there for the atmosphere, and all of the other delicious food.
This restaurant is family-friendly and doesn’t take reservations. In the busy season, it’s extremely popular and you’ll often drive by to see parties waiting outside for their table. The Whydah Pirate Museum is located right behind it, so many families will do a combination trip.
They do takeout, but not if the restaurant is busy. I’ve found that it’s best to visit in person if you really want to try their food. The chowder is my favorite, but we also love their other popular dishes like stuffed quahogs and lobster rolls. While many places have award-winning New England clam chowder, I find that Captain Parker’s has the best clam chowder on Cape Cod.
Captain Parker’s is open year-round, so if you are visiting in the off-season, it’s a great option.
Old Yarmouth Inn
The Old Yarmouth Inn is another institution in Yarmouth. This classic restaurant offers a raw bar, seafood (including lobster dishes), pasta, chicken, and more. It also has a children’s menu.
Reservations are accepted, and the reservation offers takeout and delivery (through the apps). We’ve gotten food from there a few times (but haven’t dined there) and the food has always been delicious.
It’s a little more of a higher-end restaurant than the others we’ve listed here but isn’t too high-end. Because it has a children’s menu, it is a family-friendly restaurant and you can definitely bring kids there.
Skipper Chowder House
One of my favorite restaurants in Yarmouth MA is the Skipper Chowder House and it’s one of the best places to visit in the summer. Located on South Shore Drive, it offers waterfront dining with views of the Nantucket Sound. There’s also an ice cream shack with great flavors and unique toppings.
If you love fresh seafood, the menu at Skipper Chowder House is fantastic. They have three different lobster roll options including two sizes of cold lobster rolls and a warm lobster roll. If you want a lobster roll – this is the place to visit because they are delicious.
Skipper Chowder House has other popular seafood dishes on its menu, including clam chowder, fried seafood, and a raw bar. There are also several non-seafood options including pasta, chicken, and burgers, as well as a kids’ menu.
One of my favorite items is one of the most unique – the fried clam chowdah. This appetizer is made up of six deep-fried battered chowder pieces, and it comes with a spicy sauce on the side. I definitely recommend trying this if you like chowder!
The Skipper Chowder House is open for lunch and dinner, as well as brunch on the weekends. Reservations are not accepted but they do have takeout. The location is right near several Yarmouth beaches, including Smugglers’ Beach.
Seafood Sam’s
There are multiple Seafood Sam locations on the Cape, and the Yarmouth location is conveniently located right on Route 28. It’s a large, casual restaurant where you order at the counter and then seat yourself (either indoors or outdoors).
Seafood Sam’s is very family-friendly, with a kid’s menu and a relaxed atmosphere. The prices are also very reasonable, and there’s a large menu with something for everyone.
As the name implies, much of the menu is filled with seafood entrees, like lobster rolls, fish tacos, and fish and chips. This is where you can get a lobster roll at the most reasonable price.
Seafood Sam’s is a counter-service restaurant, so reservations aren’t necessary. They also offer takeout, and you can place your order online so that it will be ready when you pick it up. It’s open seasonally, so if you are visiting in the off-season you’ll need to check their opening schedule.
Scapicchio’s Bakery
It’s not a restaurant, but the desserts and baked goods at Scapicchio’s bakery definitely make it worth a stop. It’s located on Route 28 in South Yarmouth and offers Italian pastries like cannolis, cream puffs, and pizzelles. They also have bread as well as Sicilian pizza.
Leonessa
Leonessa is one of the newest restaurants in Yarmouth. Located on Main Street (Route 6A) in Yarmouth Port, Leonessa is a great place to go for a special occasion.
Reservations are accepted and are highly recommended. We visited in the off-season and still found it to be very busy.
Leonessa has an Italian-inspired menu, including specialties such as Spaghetti Vongole, Chicken Under A Brick, and Steak Au Poivre. They also have a great drink menu. Everything we’ve had there has been excellent.
Sea Dog Brew Pub
Whenever we are in Yarmouth, my kids always insist that we go to Sea Dog Brew Pub. Located in Yarmouth in a Stop and Shop Plaza, Sea Dog Brewery is not just a bar. The food is delicious – both the seafood and non-seafood entrees.
You can order traditional Cape Cod entrees including lobster rolls, fried seafood, and clams. But you can also get macaroni and cheese (my kids’ favorite), fried chicken breast, steak tips, tacos, and more.
It’s really a great place for dinner when visiting with a group of diverse tastes. I’ve eaten there several times and have loved everything I’ve tried.
Sea Dog Brew Pub also has a great drink menu with specialty cocktails, wine, and beer (including their own). There’s also a kids’ menu with lots of choices for children.
Royal II
Located in Yarmouth Port, Royal II is a casual Mediterranean restaurant offering authentic Greek cuisine. Guests receive a small slice of pizza to taste as they review the menu, which is a nice (and unique) touch.
In addition to great service, Royal II also had a huge menu. So there are plenty of choices for everyone in the family.
Peterson’s Market
Peterson’s Market, located on Route 6A in Yarmouth Port, is a must-visit during your family vacation on the Cape. It’s a grocery store with beer and wine, and you can pick up any of your vacation essentials. The shelves are also stocked with some local favorites including Truro Wines and Captain Parker’s chowder.
In addition, Peterson’s offers some of the more delicious pizzas around, as well as some of the biggest pizzas. Orders can be placed in the back of the shop. There’s also a sandwich counter where you can get picnic essentials for a day at Yarmouth’s beautiful beaches.
Love seafood? Adjacent to the market is their fish market. It offers raw seafood that you can take back to your vacation rental, or you can call ahead and have your lobsters cooked for you. They also offer fried seafood on Wednesdays and Fridays. The market and the fish market have separate hours, so check in advance before you visit.
Cape Cod Creamery
Ice cream is such a quintessential part of any Cape Cod vacation, and you’ll definitely want to try more than one spot. One of our favorites is Cape Cod Creamery, which has locations in South Yarmouth, Hyannis, and Dennis.
Cape Cod Creamery offers soft-serve ice cream, as well as homemade ice cream. Flavors all take their inspiration from places on the Cape, so you’ll find unique flavors such as Monomoy Mud Pie and Truro Turtle. The South Yarmouth location has bright yellow and blue Adirondack chairs throughout the outdoors, so you can get your ice cream and enjoy it outdoors.
Tugboats
One of my favorite waterfront restaurants on the Cape is Tugboats in West Yarmouth, located at the Hyannis Marina. This fun restaurant has a casual yet upscale feel and is lots of fun in the evenings.
In addition to the beautiful location, Tugboats has an innovative menu with creative seafood dishes. One of my favorites is the ahi tuna burrito which is absolutely delicious.
Tugboats is first-come, first-served, and they have indoor and outdoor seating. Valet parking is offered. There isn’t a children’s menu, so review the menu in advance before visiting if going with kids.
In addition to these restaurants in Yarmouth, you’ll have lots of great restaurant options in neighboring towns including Dennis and Hyannis. If you’d prefer fast food, there are several options in Hyannis including Jersey Mikes and Chipotle.
Hotels in Yarmouth
Many guests to Cape Cod rent vacation homes, which can be a great option for families looking for more space. We rent out our Yarmouth home for much of the summer. In addition, there are lots of family-friendly hotels in the area. Here are some of the most popular options:
- Red Jacket Beach Resort
- Ocean Club on Smuggler’s Beach
- Red Jacket Riviera Beach Resort
- The Escape Inn
You can also find lots of great places to stay in Yarmouth on this map (affiliate links).
Looking for more Cape Cod travel tips? Click to see our guide with town recommendations, things to do, restaurants, and more in Cape Cod.
