Innkeepers Steve and Dave’s 2023 Provincetown Dining Guide

Here at Aerie House we take our dining out seriously.  Please find below our alpha listing of Provincetown’s dining establishments as well as our descriptions and commentary on each.  There are links for each restaurant to go to their web site where in most cases you can preview menus to help you plan your Ptown dining experience before you arrive as many of the most popular restaurants require advance reservations.  Advance reservations are always a good idea and are strongly recommended during peak summer season and fall weekends.  Feel free to contact Steve and Dave at Aerie House for recommendations and suggestions.    Happy Dining!

Aqua Bar – A unique dining setting, this is actually an outside beachfront deck bar at the end of the Aquarium Marketplace.  The Marketplace houses seven takeout food venders ranging from raw bar to burritos to burgers to Chinese and you can bring your food to the tables at Aqua Bar to enjoy with your favorite cocktail and stunning views.

Bayside Betsy’s – One of the few establishments with a waterfront deck to dine on.  Casual fare with a great Friday night all-you-can-eat fish fry and popular and fun bar overlooking Commercial Street.  Breakfast, lunch and dinner offered.

Blue Monkey Café – Light bistro fare and wonderful desserts with outdoor cafe dining.

1620 Brewhouse – Indoor and outdoor pub dining overlooking Commercial Street with a great beer selection.

Bubala’s By The Bay – Fun dining on a huge patio overlooking Commercial Street with an emphasis on excellent seafood.  No reservations for parties under 5.

Café Heaven – Breakfast, lunch and dinner in a lively spot favored by both locals and visitors alike for their take on “New American” fare.  Large  floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Commercial Street and candlelit dining in the evenings.

Canteen – A Ptown favorite.  Counter ordering from their eclectic, casual lunch or dinner menu  and enjoy your food on their backyard beach.  Great lobster rolls. Open all year with rotating theme nights during the winter.

Chach – Popular breakfast and brunch venue. Diner ambiance on Shank Painter Road.

Ciro & Sal’s – A Provincetown institution for over 70 years.  Focusing on delicious homemade Italian specialties.  Dine in either their cave-like atmospheric dining room or their romantic backyard courtyard with views up to Aerie House.  Ciro & Sal’s has been re-born under it’s current owner and is one of Steve and Dave’s favorites.

The Club – Entertainer Lea Delaria’s establishment with indoor and outdoor patio dining overlooking the beach followed later in the evening by live entertainment and a lively bar.

Crown & Anchor – Balena – Newly re-branded  in 2022 with a new upgraded menu.  Casual dining with a well crafted wine list.  A large covered patio overlooking Commercial Street is a perfect place to enjoy some raw bar delicacies while enjoying the people parade on Commercial Street.  A great pre-show choice for dinner if you are attending one of the live shows at the Crown.

Fanizzi’s – A local’s year-round favorite, Fanizzi’s offers a broad, eclectic menu with something for everyone.  The warm, comfortable dining room and lively bar abuts the crashing waves of the bay, creating a feeling of being on a ship.  The large portions ensures you will not leave hungry.

Freemans Tavern – This hot new spot opened in 2022 where Edwige was formerly located.  A beautiful renovation has created an intimate, upscale atmosphere offering some of the finest food in Ptown.  One of our favorites which we highly recommend. Fine dining by reservation only.  Reservations available 30 days ahead of dining date.

Front Street – Long time popular establishment featuring classic Italian dishes with ever-changing eclectic Continental specials.   Excellent food in a somewhat cramped facility without a lot of atmosphere.

George’s Pizza – Traditional pizza place fare with bar in front.  Offers delivery service.

Governor Bradford –  Refurbished and upgraded with a small but very good menu and expanded outdoor beer garden.  Loved their ceviche.

Grand Central – Charming spot down a side street across from the A-House.

Helltown Kitchen –  Latin fusion cuisine.  A fairly small menu so check it out before you go but everything is really delicious and service is great but the  location does not offer much in the way of ambience.

Impromptu – New for 2023.  Located on the second floor of the Pilgrim House.  Featuring sophisticated small plates, fine wines, champagnes and cocktails.

J.D.’s – Located on a second floor deck next to Town Hall overlooking Commercial Street.  Lively spot with pub style menu and sushi and lots of TVs for watching sporting events.

Jimmy’s Hideaway – Jimmy’s is a dark, intimate, cozy, warm restaurant with a Continental menu supplemented with comfort food specials and is extremely popular.  There is also outdoor deck seating on the beach.  One of the favorites of Aerie House guests.  Reservations essential.

Johnny Thai Bistro – Fully remodeled in 2022.  Featuring extensive Thai menu in a very lively, high energy setting.  Serve till late.  Adjacent Monkey Bar is a great place to enjoy a martini or two or three.

Joon Bar & Kitchen – A fun, cozy spot with great food and extensive wine bar. Back to an a la carte menu.

Kung Fu Dumplings – A casual take out Chinese eatery specializing in delectable dumplings  An expanded menu also includes other Chinese dishes.  Picnic tables outside to dine on-premise and delivery available.

Liz’s Café – Extremely popular with the locals, Liz’s serves breakfast, lunch and dinner year round.  Reasonable prices, delicious food and a warm, homey setting keep drawing them in.

Lobster Pot – A Provincetown seafood institution.  Offering a huge seafood menu from fried to gourmet in a traditional fish house atmosphere.  No reservations and you might have to wait in line to get a table.  We prefer and recommend eating in the second floor bar area either at the high top tables or at the bar.  In 2020 Lobster Pot Express opened nearby for casual counter and take out.

Local 186 – THE place for gourmet burgers of all kinds.  Large deck overlooking Commercial Street as well as a popular and fun bar.

Mac’s Fish House – Another of our favorites.  Trendy and popular seafood restaurant with a wonderful sushi counter and raw bar happy hour.  Fun and friendly bar where we love to sit, dine and chat,  They also have a fantastic adjacent seafood market which is worth checking out.

Mayflower Café – Old-world Cape tradition.  The type of place with paper placemats featuring a map of Cape Cod and lots of wood paneling.  Traditional fried seafood and Portuguese specialties.  Very reasonable prices.  Often a line to get a table.

Mews – There are two levels, each with a different atmosphere.  The upper, Bistro level, is our favorite.  This has a more lively energy and is where the bar is located.  There is bar seating as well as table seating with windows overlooking the beach and bay.  The lower level is more sedate and features glass doors looking right out at the beach.  Both levels feature the same great menu featuring Continental and some ethnic specialties.   The Mews is probably our favorite restaurant in Ptown for delicious food, flawless service and warm atmosphere.  Reservations are essential.

Mezze – In the space that Yolqueria occupies for breakfast and brunch.  Dinner specializing in Mediterranean small plates and craft cocktails.  Charming spot with indoor and outdoor dining and delicious food.

Mistralino – Classic Italian fare served in a charming, lively, rustic atmosphere.  Offering a lovely garden patio for outdoor dining as well as an intimate bar up their steep, narrow staircase on the second floor.  Very warm and welcoming.

Napi’s – This longtime Ptown dining institution has yet another new chef this year so we will have to wait and see to comment until we try it.  The menu is much abbreviated. The décor is eclectic and features a large collection of local art in its large dining room which has a throwback feel to the 1970’s.

Nine Ryder Seaside Dining – Old school southern Italian dining in a charming building at the foot of Provincetown Marina.  Water views and warm hospitality.  UPDATE –  Has closed until further notice due to the passing of the chef/owner.

Nor’east Beer Garden – Small menu but really delicious food in this intimate outdoor setting on Commercial Street with specialty beers on draft and in bottles as well as a full bar.  No reservations

Patio – One of our favorites for eating outside, being seen and watching the Commercial Street parade.  Inspired New England cuisine and craft cocktails.

Pepe”s Wharf – Seaside indoor and outdoor dining in an elegantly restored wharf building featuring local seafood.

Perfect Picnic – Offering everything you need for a day at the beach or a lovely meal on our bay view deck including food, beverages, beer and wine and even picnic baskets.

The Pointe @ Crowne Pointe – Delicious American coastal cuisine.  Dine in either their more formal dining room, more casual front porch or their outdoor patio overlooking the Pilgrim Monument.  Great craft drinks and impressive wine list but current menu is smaller and less creative than in the past.

Post Office Café –  Refreshed and still serving breakfast, lunch and dinner in a casual atmosphere.  Inside and outside dining and a good spot for dinner if you are seeing one of the shows in their upstairs cabaret room.

Provincetown Brewing Company – With a taproom located in the center of town this is a great place to sample their awesome brews and enjoy some light dining.  Inside you will find a large bar, lounge and bar table games or relax on their spacious outdoor patio overlooking Bradford St.  Friendly and very reasonable.

Provincetown House of Pizza – Traditional pizza fare and other favorites offering local delivery.

Red Inn – In our view, the most atmospheric restaurant in Ptown and the perfect place for that special celebration.  Sophisticated atmosphere overlooking Provincetown harbor in a historic inn dating back to 1805.  Great drinks and wine list and raw bar happy hour.  Reservations essential.  Our only gripe is they never change their menu.

Ross’s Grill – A very popular waterfront establishment featuring European style bistro fare and an extensive wine list.  Great energy, excellent food and service packs them in.  Reservations essential.

Royal Thai – Located in the Pilgrim House where The Landing was previously.  This is the second location for the popular Eastham Thai restauarant.

Spindlers – Under new corporate ownership in 2022 and now only offering an excellent gourmet Mexican menu.

Spiritus – Walk-in pizza place very popular late at night.  Cash only and no delivery service.

Squealing Pig – Elevated pub style food including fresh oysters and curry dishes in a fun, lively setting.  Great beer selection and  second floor deck for outside dining.  Great value.

Strangers & Saints – Unfortunately they are no longer a restaurant.  The bar is still open on weekends through the fall and then this will become a place to host events in 2024.

Surf Club – Newly reopened after a fire five years ago.  Great location right on the beach at the foot of McMillan Pier.  A place for fried seafood with outdoor and indoor dining.  Sit outdoors and look over the beach and pier as the inside has absolutely no atmosphere.

Terraza – A great new dining addition for 2023 by the owners of Helltown Kitchen.  A reimagined outdoor space on the second floor overlooking Commercial Street where Baie Bar previously was located offering an imaginative though small menu featuring flavors from Asia and Latin America.  Creative and large pour drinks compliment the food.

Tin Pan Alley – Directly across from Town Hall, featuring seasonal new American cuisine.  Very popular bar in front with nightly entertainment.  Inside dining in the rear as well as lovely outdoor dining on their patio on the beach.

Twisted Pizza – Traditional pizza fare offering local delivery.  Great pizza but if you are like us and love your pizza with anchovies you will have to look elsewhere as they do not offer them.

Victor’s – Located in the west end with indoor and outdoor dining.  Specializing in new American small plates meant to be shared .  Great cocktails and a very popular raw bar happy hour perfectly times as you head back from the beach.

Vorelli’s – Casual dining specializing in steaks.

Waydowntown – Centrally located across from Town Hall with beachfront indoor and outdoor dining.  Bar in front with live music.

Yolqueria – The place for breakfast and brunch.  Charming spot with indoor and outdoor seating.  Very popular.

2023 Restaurant News

Freeman’s Tavern, last year’s new hot spot, is now accepting reservations 30 days ahead of your dining date instead of last year’s 14 days.

Jimmy’s Hideaway has been sold and is under new ownership though the staff remains and the new owner vows to keep it the same.

Terraza is the new restaurant by the owners of Helltown Kitchen  in the second floor space previously occupied by Baie.

Napi’s has yet another new chef this year with a much abbreviated menu.

Joon Bar & Kitchen has reverted back to an a la carte menu after several seasons of a fix-prix tasting menu.

Royal Thai has opened in the Pilgrim House replacing The Landing.  Provincetown  is the second outlet of the popular Thai restaurant from Eastham.

Impromptu has opened on the second floor of the Pilgrim House.  Featuring sophisticated small plates, fine wines, champagnes and cocktails.

Strangers & Saints has announced they are closing as a restaurant and becoming an events hosting facility in 2024  Their bar will remain open through the fall but they have stopped serving food.