There are few better places to have lunch than Nantucket. On a summer day, lunch might mean a lobster roll overlooking the harbor, a sandwich before heading to the beach, sushi on the wharf, or a cold drink and tacos after a morning in Madaket.

At Westbrook Real Estate, we've spent decades on Nantucket, and these are 10 places we'd recommend when someone asks us, “Where should we go for lunch?”

1. CRU — Best Waterfront Lunch

Cru

3.6•Seafood restaurant•Open

Reserve•Website•Directions

1 Straight Wharf

If you're looking for the quintessential Nantucket lunch, it's hard to beat CRU.

Right at the end of Straight Wharf, CRU combines Nantucket Harbor views with oysters, seafood, lobster rolls and cocktails. It's one of the island's signature waterfront restaurants and remains one of the most talked-about lunch destinations in 2026.

Westbrook pick: Lobster roll, oysters and a glass of something cold.

Best for: Waterfront dining, people-watching and a special Nantucket lunch.

2. Something Natural — Best Sandwiches

29 India Street

For a casual Nantucket lunch, Something Natural is one of our favorites.

It's the kind of place where you pick up a giant sandwich, grab a drink and find somewhere outside to enjoy it. Tripadvisor currently ranks it among Nantucket's highest-rated lunch spots, with a 4.6 rating.

Westbrook pick: One of the famous sandwiches on homemade bread.

Best for: Beach picnics, families and takeout.

3. Millie's — Best for a Casual Island Lunch

Millie's

4.6•Restaurant•Closed

Website•Directions•(774) 333-3807

326 Madaket Road

Heading out toward Madaket? Make Millie's part of the trip.

Millie's combines a casual island atmosphere with seafood, tacos, sandwiches and drinks. It's particularly popular for a relaxed lunch before or after heading to Madaket Beach.

It's also one of the strongest-rated lunch spots in current Nantucket restaurant rankings.

Westbrook pick: Lobster roll or fish tacos.

Best for: Madaket, families and a laid-back lunch.

4. Walter's Deli — Best Grab-and-Go Lunch

Walter's Deli

4.5•Fast food restaurant•Open

Website•Directions•(508) 228-0010

10 Broad Street

Sometimes you don't need a two-hour Nantucket lunch.

Walter's is a longtime downtown deli that's especially popular for big sandwiches and lobster rolls. It's close to the ferry, making it an excellent choice when you're arriving on-island or looking for something to take to the beach. Current listings give it a 4.5 rating.

Westbrook pick: Lobster roll or one of the deli's oversized sandwiches.

Best for: Quick lunches and beach takeout.

5. Bar Yoshi — Best Waterfront Sushi

Bar Yoshi

3.8•Sushi restaurant•Open

Reserve•Website•Directions

21 Old South Wharf

Want something besides lobster rolls?

Head to Bar Yoshi on Old South Wharf.

The menu combines sushi, Japanese and Asian-inspired dishes with seafood, poke, ceviche and a strong cocktail and sake program. The waterfront location makes it particularly good for a long summer lunch. Current 2026 guides also highlight Bar Yoshi as a lunch destination.

Westbrook pick: Sushi, poke or ceviche.

Best for: Sushi lovers, cocktails and waterfront dining.

6. Straight Wharf Fish — Best for Fresh Seafood

Straight Wharf Fish

4.5•Restaurant•Open

Website•Directions•(508) 680-1208

4 Harbor Square

Straight Wharf Fish is a great choice when fresh seafood is the reason you're having lunch.

Located right near the ferry and harbor, it's both a seafood market and restaurant. The menu focuses on seafood favorites including lobster rolls, fried clams and scallops.

Westbrook pick: The lobster roll and a seat outside.

Best for: Fresh seafood and harbor views.

7. Brotherhood of Thieves — Best Casual Downtown Lunch

Brotherhood of Thieves

3.9•American restaurant•Open

Reserve•Website•Directions

23 Broad Street

Brotherhood of Thieves has been a Nantucket institution for decades.

It's a great choice when you're looking for something casual, lively and right downtown. The menu goes well beyond typical pub food, with burgers, sandwiches, seafood and other island favorites.

It's currently one of Tripadvisor's top-ranked lunch restaurants on Nantucket.

Westbrook pick: Burger, swordfish sandwich or clam chowder.

Best for: Families, groups and casual lunches.

8. Lemon Press — Best Healthy Lunch

Lemon Press

3.8•Restaurant•Open

Reserve•Website•Directions

41 Main Street

Lemon Press is a great option when you want lunch that feels a little lighter.

The downtown restaurant focuses on fresh bowls, wraps, salads, smoothies and Mediterranean- and Middle Eastern-inspired flavors. It's also an easy place to combine lunch with a little Main Street shopping.

Westbrook pick: A fresh bowl or wrap with one of their juices.

Best for: Healthy lunches, girls' trips and downtown dining.

9. Born & Bread — Best Sandwich + Bakery Lunch

Born & Bread: Mercantile and Bakery

3.9•Bakery•Closed

Website•Directions•(508) 228-3700

35 Centre Street

Born & Bread is another one of our favorite options for a quick but really good lunch.

The downtown bakery specializes in naturally leavened sourdough and uses its bread for sandwiches, panini and breakfast items. Current local listings describe it as a strong choice for a high-quality, casual lunch.

Westbrook pick: A hot-pressed sandwich with something from the pastry case.

Best for: Sandwiches, pastries and a quick downtown stop.

10. The Sandbar at Jetties Beach — Best Beach Lunch

The Jetties

3.7•Restaurant•Open

Website•Directions•(508) 228-2279

4 Bathing Beach Road

For us, this is one of those lunches that just feels like summer on Nantucket.

The Sandbar at Jetties Beach puts you right next to the water, with beach seating, seafood, casual food and frozen drinks. The setting is as much a part of the experience as the food.

Westbrook pick: Oysters or a casual seafood lunch followed by a frozen drink.

Best for: Beach days, families and sunset.

🦞 Westbrook Real Estate's Nantucket Lunch Picks

Our Westbrook Pick

If someone visiting Nantucket asked us for one lunch recommendation, we'd probably say CRU.

There's something about sitting on Straight Wharf, watching the boats come and go, eating fresh seafood and having a cold drink that captures Nantucket better than almost anything else.

But if you're spending a week on the island, don't have the same type of lunch every day.

CRU for the harbor.Something Natural for a beach picnic.Millie's for Madaket.Walter's for a quick lobster roll.Bar Yoshi when you're craving sushi.Sandbar when you want your feet practically in the sand.

That's the beauty of a Nantucket summer.