1. Cape Sea Grille
City: Harwich Port, MA
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (508) 432-4745
Address: 31 Sea St.
Description: The Sea Grille’s menu focuses on fresh seafood, seasonal produce, and sophisticated—not fried!—preparation. The beautifully restored sea captain’s estate exudes casual elegance with its hardwood floors and an open, airy interior. From mid-May through Oct, dinner is served seven nights a week, while from Apr to mid-May the restaurant suspends service on Tues and Wed. The schedule changes again from mid-Oct through mid-Dec, when dinner is served Thurs through Sun.
2. Jake Rooney’S
City: Harwich Port, MA
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (508) 430-1100
Address: 119 Brooks Rd.
Description: Talk about an extensive menu—the one here is longer than some novels and caters to tastes both traditional and trendy. Along with fresh seafood, chicken, burgers, steaks, and pasta, the restaurant serves pizza, fajitas, and other international dishes. House specialties include aged Black Angus steak and sautéed clams Portuguese, simmered with linguica, peppers, and onions in a hearty white wine broth. The restaurant has a casual publike atmosphere, with an old-school brass bar and an array of vintage paintings on the walls providing a nice touch. Jake Rooney’s is open daily for lunch and dinner plus brunch on Sun year-round.
3. L’Alouette
City: Harwich Port, MA
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (508) 430-0405
Address: 787 Rte. 28
Description: Known for its sophisticated French food, L’Alouette also boasts a cozy, candlelit atmosphere and cordial, attentive staff. The pistachio-crusted roast rack of lamb with goat cheese soufflé is a particular favorite. For dessert try the crème brûlée, for which the restaurant is known, or the chocolate truffle cake with raspberry sauce. Open year-round, the restaurant has a celebrated wine list featuring small, handcrafted, estate-grown wines. Dinner is served Tues through Sun in season and Wed through Sun in winter. Reservations are requested.
4. The Port
City: Harwich Port, MA
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (508) 430-5410
Address: 541 Rte. 28
Description: The horseshoe-shaped bar is always hopping at this cozy storefront cafe, which aims to import urban flair to downtown Harwich Port. But don’t be misled by the orange walls, black banquettes, and hand-blown light fixtures: the decor may evoke the city, but the menu is straight from the shores and fields of New England. The recipient of several culinary awards since its inception in 2004, The Port puts a contemporary twist on regional seafood, serving specialties like pistachio-encrusted halibut and Thai salmon (with cucumber-cilantro yogurt sauce). Serving dinner only, from May through Nov.