As a lifelong lover of Martha's Vineyard, I've tried my fair share of food around the island. One of my favorite aspects of summer is the excuse to enjoy leisurely meals with family and friends. After all, what better way to catch up with those you haven't seen all year than over a good sandwich or some ice cream?
This list is a tried-and-true roundup of some of the best Martha's Vineyard foods I've ever tried and serves as a go-to summer bucket list for anyone who will be spending some time out there. From land to sea to veggie, be prepared to try a little bit of everything the Vineyard has to offer.
With that, here are 16 foods to try on Martha's Vineyard this summer, sunburn not included:
1. Lobster Roll from MacPhail's Corner Cafe
There are plenty of delicious lobster rolls on Martha's Vineyard, which makes giving this one the coveted title of must-try all the more significant. MacPhail's is known for piling their rolls high with huge chunks of lobster meat, so much so that it's (almost) hard to finish. But, let's be honest, how could you not chow down on all of this delicious lobster-goodness?
#SpoonTip: order a couple of these goodies and bring them to the beach for the perfect no-fuss dinner. Bam. You'll seem just like a local.
2. The Frenchy from Atria
The Brick Cellar Bar at Atria, with its low-light atmosphere and hidden photo booth, is home to fair share of creative burgers. You'll find anything from classic beef to shrimp to portobello mushroom, but The Frenchy is something to behold.
Topped with St. Andre cheese, prosciutto, arugula, and onions, this burger is a definite must-try. You'll truly feel like you've been transported to Paris when enjoying this burger. Want a little insider knowledge? Upgrade to the truffle fries for the best Atria experience possible.
3. Lobster Bisque from Menemsha Fish Market
This is another one of those 'you can find this anywhere but this one is special' deals. As a child, I was an avid eater of lobster bisque. That spark was relit this past summer when I tried a bowl from Menemsha Fish Market. Get ready for true lobster flavor in a warm, satisfying cup, or quart if you're like me and that's more your style.
4. Onion Rings from The Newes from America
The Newes from America is one of the best restaurants on Martha's Vineyard if you're looking for some good pub-style comfort food.
No Newes meal is complete, however, without a bag or two of onion rings for the table. They're hot and crispy and just greasy enough to satisfy any craving. Be sure to let them cool for a moment; you'll be getting them fresh out of the fryer.
5. Fudge from Murdick's Fudge
Listen to any Martha's Vineyard radio station for more than five minutes and you'll hear Murdick's catchy jingle: "a slice of the island." You may not believe it, but, trust me, it's true.
Every visitor I've ever had has left with a neat box of this iconic fudge as a souvenir, and none have been disappointed. They're always giving out free samples inside, too, in case you can't decide between the multitude of flavors available.
#SpoonTip: Murdick's does a lot of their fudge making out in the open, so try to stop by when you can see them working.
6. Crêpes from Among the Flowers
At peak breakfast time, there is nearly always a line waiting outside Among the Flowers. It's for good reason, though, so don't let that deter you from trying some of their hearty crepe dishes. With three different types of crêpes, fresh fruit, apple cinnamon, and banana split, any option would be a sweet start to your day of exploring (or lounging).
#SpoonTip: Among the Flowers also has a darn good cinnamon roll, so pick one up if you don't have a sugar hangover yet
7. Donuts from Back Door Donuts
While my personal favorite are the fried dough sticks, which resemble french fries covered in powdered sugar, it would be unfair for me to pick just one donut to try from Back Door Donuts. This is mostly because, any time we go, we always pick up a huge variety to split and share.
The best part about Back Door is that the donuts are literally sold out of the back door of a bakery, and they only open at night... You'll know when they're open because the line will snake through the entire parking lot.
8. Liz Lemon from 7a Foods
7a is well-loved by Martha's Vineyard, and for good reason. They frequently use locally sourced ingredients and make their food from scratch.
Made with pastrami, turkey, swiss, coleslaw, and topped with Russian dressing, their take on the classic "Rachel" sandwich includes one very special ingredient: potato chips. There's nothing like this savory sandwich with a good crunch to satisfy all the necessary parts of a meal.
9. Fried Green Tomato BLT from Slice of Life
Fried. Green. Tomatoes. Just the words get me excited.
I consider regular old tomatoes to be the most boring part of a BLT, but these salty, crunchy additions to Slice of Life's BLT are completely the opposite. Slice of Life also uses arugula and basil mayo in this sandwich, so get ready, because it'll ruin you for all other BLTs.
10. Clam Chowder from Martha's Vineyard Chowder Company
MV Chowder Co's clam chowder is special for a particular reason: it's completely gluten free. They don't use any flour in the broth, leaving a soup with a thinner, creamy broth that's chock full of yummy fillings.
Trust me, you'll never eat a chowder with more clam and potato chunks than this one. Delicious, I know.
11. Pizza from Giordano's
Giordano's has two options for obtaining a slice of their delicious pizza: you can sit down in their authentic Italian restaurant or order by the slice from their window outside. I always order from the window and am never disappointed by the melty cheese and soft yet sturdy crust. Gio's pizza is easily one of the best slices Martha's Vineyard has to offer.
12. Avocado Toast from Behind the Bookstore
Behind the Bookstore is a relatively new addition to downtown Edgartown, but it's been quick to make a name for itself with its creative coffees and food menus. Their avocado toast is something you can't miss, as it's loaded with the good stuff and served on levain bread. You can even get an egg on top, if you so desire.
13. Scooby Snack from The Black Dog Tavern
The Scooby Snack is one of The Black Dog Tavern's take on the traditional eggs benedict, served on an english muffin with ham, tomato, and cheddar cheese. You really can't go wrong grabbing brunch at the Tavern, with its comfort food, cozy vibes, and excellent water views.
14. Fried Clams from The Bite
The Bite may look like just a shack on the outside because, well, it is, but don't let looks deceive you. They're well known for their crispy fried clams, which are the perfect to-go snack or meal on your way to Menemsha beach. You can't really try the best of Martha's Vineyard food without some good ol' deep fried seafood.
15. Fresh Mozzarella and Pesto Sandwich from Humphrey's Bakery
This exact sandwich was the first of its kind I'd ever tried, and it got me hooked on mozzarella and pesto sandwiches ever since. I still remember my mom packing me my favorite sandwich for middle school lunches and thinking of the Vineyard whenever I bit into it. If you're a fan of caprese, Humphreys' version will be of the best sandwiches you've ever had.
16. Ice Cream from The Scoop Shack
And, of course, no Martha's Vineyard food list would be complete without a good ice cream cone...
While you could really try any ice cream shop and be in heaven, from Mad Martha's to Scoops to Ben and Bill's, I'm partial to the Scoop Shack for its fun flavors and cones and its location on right on the dock. They also have huge tubs of salt water taffy to grab as a side dish, so be sure to head over to Scoop Shack next time you're on the island.
Just writing this article has me excited and ready to get away from dining halls and enjoy some real, delicious Martha's Vineyard food. Whether you're staying for a few days or the entire summer, try to hit up as many of these places as possible during your visit, as you'll be able to explore each town along the way.