Kid-friendly + toddler-approved spots

Planning a trip to Nantucket with kids and wondering where to eat? Finding kid-friendly restaurants in Nantucket that both parents and toddlers enjoy can feel surprisingly tricky, especially in a destination known for upscale dining.

After visiting Nantucket with our three-year-old, we found several family-friendly Nantucket restaurants that strike the perfect balance. They were casual enough for little kids, but still delicious enough for adults to love.

Here are our favorite toddler-approved restaurants in Nantucket, plus a few additional spots worth adding to your list. After you check out this list, don’t miss my complete guide to Nantucket with kids for more tips!

What makes a kid-friendly restaurant in Nantucket?

What you should look for in kid-friendly restaurants in Nantucket isn’t too different from what you’d look for anywhere. Things like a casual atmosphere, quick service and kids menus are always top of our list. In Nantucket, you’ll also want to look for restaurants with outdoor seating if you’re visiting in summer and want to enjoy some outdoor patio time and walkability within Town or from the ferry. The majority of restaurants are located close to Town, so this isn’t difficult to do!

Provisions

Best for: Casual lunch, to-go sandwiches straight from the ferry

Provisions is one of the best Nantucket restaurants for families for a few reasons. It’s a MUST-stop casual sandwich restaurant right next to the ferry dock. Whether you grab sandwiches to enjoy in Town, or to make part of a picnic, make sure one day you grab lunch here. They even have a kids menu with kid-friendly sandwiches like PB&J. I will be dreaming about these sandwiches until I can have one again!

Want more planning tips for visiting Nantucket with kids? Check out my full travel guide for hotel, restaurant and activity recommendations!

Brotherhood of Thieves

Best for: Sit down but still kid-friendly

Brotherhood of Thieves is a great casual restaurant in the middle of Town. There are two seating options, either inside the 1840s whaling bar or outside on a covered patio. We opted for the covered patio which was a great way to eat outside, even though it was rainy! They have a great drinks menu, with Cisco Brewers beers on tap, with many others we well. This was also where I’ve had possibly the best Caesar salad of my life. It had tons of fresh grated parm and buffalo chicken tenders. This is a great place to stop before or after a visit to the Whaling Museum. It was one of our favorite stops on our full itinerary!

Straight Wharf Fish

Best for: Waterfront dining with kids

Straight Wharf Fish is right on the harbor, so not only is the food great, but it’s also a great spot to watch boats in the harbor – you even have a great view of the HyLine Ferry coming and going! Try to get a seat on the patio if possible for the best view, but the view from the inside dining room is great too. They have a huge selection of fresh seafood (this is where I decided to get my mandatory lobster roll!). This restaurant somehow gives a sophisticated and casual vibe at the same time, so perfect for families looking for a finer dining experience that still works with little kids.

And a few others that we’d include on our list of best Nantucket restaurants for families, because I guess I can’t pick just three…

• Bar Yoshi, which would only be more for adventurous kid eaters. It’s right on the harbor, has incredible sushi (and fried rice!), and has the cutest nautical decor. 
• Nantucket Tavern had a great kids menu and is very casual. They have great drinks and are located in a great spot for people watching!
• The Rose & Crown was a great casual spot too. We stopped here for lunch, and they had delicious burgers and make sure to get the chef’s fries (topped with olive oil, sea salt and parm!)
• Jack & Charlie’s is a must-visit spot for an after-dinner ice cream treat. They have so many flavors, are located right in the harbor and even have gluten-free, dairy-free and sugar-free options.

FAQ: Nantucket restaurants for families

Are restaurants in Nantucket kid-friendly?

Yes! But many are upscale, so choose carefully if you think that is a good fit for your family. We opted for more casual restaurants on our visit and still had some amazing meals!

Do Nantucket restaurants have kids menus?

Many do! Our favorite kids menu was at the Nantucket Tavern. It had the staples that our picky eater still enjoyed (we actually ordered him two servings of macaroni and cheese because he loved it so much!).

Do you need reservations in Nantucket with kids?

I’d recommend it, especially in the peak of summer. We visited in early June and could get away without them, but if there’s a place you really want to go, it’s always better safe than sorry!

What is the best area to eat with kids in Nantucket?

Town has the most restaurants, and it’s also convenient to activities, shopping and the ferry.