Topper's at the Wauwinet

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

One of Nantucket's Most Acclaimed Tables

Perched at the edge of Nantucket Bay, Topper's at the Wauwinet has earned its place as one of the island's most celebrated restaurants. The setting alone is striking — a covered waterfront deck with unobstructed views of the bay — but what keeps guests returning is a kitchen rooted in the rhythms of the island itself. The menu leans into seasonal American cuisine, with a particular emphasis on native seafood sourced close to home.

The Food and the Setting

Locally harvested Fifth Bend oysters on the half shell are a signature touchstone, best enjoyed with a glass chosen from the sommelier team's extensive list. The broader menu reflects Nantucket's culinary spirit: fresh, ingredient-driven, and shaped by what the island and the surrounding waters have to offer each season. Whether you're on the lively deck at lunch or settling in for a more deliberate dinner, the experience is casual in atmosphere but serious in execution.

A Wine Cellar Worth the Trip Alone

Topper's houses a collection of more than 2,200 wine labels, spanning Old and New World regions, with a notably deep Burgundy selection and rare vintages. Wine Spectator has recognized the cellar with its prestigious Grand Award continuously since 1996 — one of the most enduring marks of distinction in American dining. For those who want the full experience, a seven-course tasting menu with paired selections from the cellar is available, guided by the in-house sommelier team.

Arriving by Water

Part of what makes Topper's genuinely singular is how you can get there. The Wauwinet Lady, a 20-passenger open-air boat captained by a U.S. Coast Guard-licensed skipper, departs from the White Elephant dock in town and makes the 50-minute crossing to the restaurant from late June through early September. Dinner cruises include a three-course prix-fixe menu and are reserved for guests 21 and over. Private charters with custom hors d'oeuvres and drink selections are also available for groups.

For a seasonal American restaurant on a remote New England island, Topper's manages to feel both unhurried and exceptional — the kind of place where the view, the oysters, and the wine list all pull their weight equally.