Chilmark Tavern

I like the concept of this place, relaxed, easy, airy, yet with a bent towards sophistication, but there were several misses. First the hits... The mussels were very well done. The sauce was deep, rich and well executed. The big boxy bread was a treat - and the butter a perfect herb infused compliment. The fish and chips, a staple, had an excellent batter, but for nearly $50, was a bit of a eye watering price for two pieces of fried fish on a bed of fries. The fish that night, in an iridescent green broth, looked divine, but it was thin and rather bland. I heard the duck was well done, but didn't taste it. In general, if you come here, the service will be great, the prices astronomical, and the food overall solid to very good, the prices knock this down to a B overall.

A fancy, expensive restaurant with genuinely good food. I had the pasta with cream sauce, and the portion was much more generous than I expected. A couple people with me raved about the fish. Dessert was a shared creme brulee, which was a little toasty in flavor. Overall, a good meal. Reservations are a must in the summer. Be warned: it's BYOB, with a corking fee for wine bottles.

Came on a Monday night for a 5:30pm reservation with 3 girlfriends. We came on the early side because we wanted to watch the sunset on the beach after dinner. The dining room was pretty sparsely populated when we arrived but both the main dining room and the outdoor patio had filled up by the time we left at 6:45. Since it’s BYOB, we brought a bottle of wine and a bottle of batched Negronis which our waitress quickly brought out glasses for and served. For dinner we started with the bread, special cheese starter and summer squash. I thought that the squash was really exceptional. For my main course I ordered the half chicken. It came with a side salad and was crispy, juicy and delicious. Two of my girlfriends got the chicken pot pie and said it was one of the best they ever had. The Buffalo Brussels were also on point. The food here felt like having a great home cooked meal. Looking forward to coming back!

Blown away by the food and service. 10/10 recommend. My husband was only a week into his Celiac diagnosis when we visited Martha's Vineyard. We were concerned we wouldn't be able to find Celiac restaurants AND delicious meals. Chilmark Tavern delivered. Their Halibut dish was perfectly cooked with a bright broth and crispy spring veggies. Their duck was rich with a beautiful cherry sauce and skin was crispy crispy crispy. They even had an incredible gluten free crème brûlée which happens to be my husband and I's favorite dessert. We came with my 3 year old daughter and I'm sure they don't have any toddlers here yet they were so kind and accommodating. Our waiter went above and beyond making sure our meals were celiac safe and made toddler modifications. Oh and before I forget their mocktails were refreshing and it's hard to find a good mocktail that isn't overly sweet. I am very grateful for Chilmark Tavern!

We stayed in Aquinnah this past week. First night we needed to find a place to eat. Called here and was greeted by a very friendly person who made us a reservation for 7p. We got there right around 650. Parking was a little tough but we ended up in the market lot next door since they closed at 7. We were seated quickly outside. Great spot. Comfortable atmosphere. Very nice waitress. Menu had a lot to offer. Ended up ordering the squid, 2 orders of fish and chips and the steak. Food came out surprisingly fast but it was piping hot and very good. We all enjoyed our food, no complaints. Service continued to be great through out dinner. No alcohol in this town, we didn’t bring anything with us but you are allowed to BYOB which is cool. Pricing was on the higher side particularly the steak. Understandable for a nice restaurant in a quaint MA island town. With that said we were happy and left satisfied. From all the restaurants we ate at during our 4 day visit to MV I will say this was the best food especially the fish and chips. Well that’s it for now. Hopefully we see you again in a future visit! For those reading this i recommend this place!

Chilmark Tavern definitely defied my expectations. I came here simply because I’m staying in West Tisbury, and by the time I had checked in to my hostel it was one of the few places still open nearby. I saw “tavern” and figured it would be typical tavern fare, but it definitely is not. It’s an upscale and expensive restaurant, and the food and service were both incredible. Be aware that it is BYOB, I was an idiot and ordered a virgin paloma not realizing that. It’s probably the closest to fine dining I’ve ever been, although the dinosaur coloring pages at the bar undercut that a bit. While fine dining isn’t really my style, I was very happy with my experience. Never had I experienced so much order regret at a restaurant before, and it’s not because I didn’t enjoy what I had but just that I wanted to try so many things on the menu. I had a ricotta toast special and tuna tartare, both were supremely presented, thoughtfully flavored dishes. The price is quite steep, but I have no regrets.

This restaurant has a comfortable and welcoming vibe. The staff is attentive and superb; working as a team. The dishes are creative and always on point as are the cocktails/mocktails. I would highly recommend making a trip up island to dine here. BYOB but the basil martini is not to be missed, nor the hot fudge sundae! Go to Resy now!

Best dinner we’ve eaten on the Cape! Steak was excellent and the chicken pot pie was delicious. If you travel to Chilmark, you have to stop in!

Came on a Monday night for a 5:30pm reservation with 3 girlfriends. We came on the early side because we wanted to watch the sunset on the beach after dinner. The dining room was pretty sparsely populated when we arrived but both the main dining room and the outdoor patio had filled up by the time we left at 6:45. Since it's BYOB, we brought a bottle of wine and a bottle of batched Negronis which our waitress quickly brought out glasses for and served. For dinner we started with the bread, special cheese starter and summer squash. I thought that the squash was really exceptional. For my main course I ordered the half chicken. It came with a side salad and was crispy, juicy and delicious. Two of my girlfriends got the chicken pot pie and said it was one of the best they ever had. The Buffalo Brussels were also on point. The food here felt like having a great home cooked meal. Looking forward to coming back!

Not great. Cold boring bland bread, unremarkable salads, arid tasteless halibut, dry chicken. I usually don't post reviews but people should expect more from such a well known restaurant. Maybe it was an off night but everything was so off I'd have to say the quality is slipping. The table service was excellent but what was served was not.

the food is ALWAYS great!! but noticed the portions were quite noticeably smaller.. for the same price...which is significant...and for the second time we were rushed out for the second seating...the servers were nice.. but management was pressuring them to turn the tables... she even came over to ask us to leave... despite being regular customers in a very touristy community...it was rude and I wont be making a resy in my name again...sorry but true..in this world... $$$ is more valued than friendship....or loyalty....thankx for the memories!!!

Worst meal of our lives--overpriced, underseasoned, and soul-crushing from start to toilet.

We dined last week - 2 couples on MV and tried Chilmark Tavern... great choice The place is very appealing with a great vibe. Our server, a young Serbian lady was fantastic and everything we had was delicious: homemade fettuccine bolognese, pork chop, fish dish, spatzel and dessert. This and Pawnee House are our favorites on MV. Also, since Chilmark is a dry town it is BYOB Might also want to increase your credit card limit- very pricey

Always top notch here. You won't be disappointed! Didn't find it as loud inside as most restaurants these days.

Pricey? Yes. Always delivers a perfect meal? Yes. Got pasta (squid ink) with a side of pasta (the Mac- just order it) and went home a very happy girl. One of my favorites . Don't forget to byoalcohol!

The food was fresh and the ambiance, quaint and lovely. They don't serve alcohol which I am not used to. It is BYOB. The hostess was so friendly and helpful.

Always a must stop on our annual MV vacation. The food, service and setting never disappoints.

Let's be honest- Any place on the island is going to be pricey. Yes you get nickle and dimed with extra fees for bread ect. But you have to admit the food was good, the service was impeccable. You should definitely try this place out. You won't be disappointed.

Everything you've read it true. Yes, there's charges for bread and bottle service. From my experience, this is to be expected at a higher end restaurant with a byob rule. Lets get past that and onto the amazingly delicious food. it is superb and I've tried several items including the chicken, halibut, chicken pot pie and burger. Can we move onto the basil martini? yes, byob, but this mix is divine. Take it to go for the beach! The staff is attentive and they work together to guarantee you have all of your needs met. The ambiance is impeccable. Stop reading this now and move over to the Resy app to book your best dinner on the island!

Well I said I would be back and I wasn't disappointed. We ordered the mussels again and saved the sauce for our chips. The best fish & chips I have ever eaten. Hugh portion perfectly prepared. Service was exceptional. Took notice of all the details. A must when on MV. See you next season!

Ah Chilmark Tavern... very nice covid-era take-out process. Gotta love efficiency. We traveled way out of our way to get here so thank goodness it was excellent. Imagine a large table with a spread of deliciousness- or if you have a bad imagination, just look at our picture! Man, everything here was so wonderful, with the highlight being an excellent roast chicken. Perfectly cooked and wonderful. Don't miss it...

The outdoor area was beautiful. Quaint and seating was immediate with reservation. There is a 20% gratuity for parties greater than 6 and a 5% kitchen fee on the bill The food was were the stars dropped We had the chicken, halibut main course the mussels and sides Our favorites : buffalo Brussels sprouts and the mussels Our least favorite: the chicken ( dryyyyyyy), mashed potatoes were bland , the squash was heavy on the peppercorn Probably won't be returning but at least we tried a local staple Also for the cost and additional fees , BYOB which we poured ourselves :(

A little pricy but worth it in my opinion! I got the special of the day which was chicken pot pie and let me tell you... DELISH. We got Brussel sprouts and bread to start and both were super yummy. My boyfriend got the burger which was about the size of his head and super flavorful. We had to finish the night with the ice cream sundae which was so amazing. Perfect for two to share and loaded with chocolate fudge sauce and whip cream!! Service was great as well.

Located on the far side of MV, away from the more popular tourist areas of Edgartown, Oak, Bluffs, and Vineyard Haven, this fits in nicely when planning an upscale experience while on Island. In the summertime, I think reservations are a definite, as this place has a reputation for being a special occasion restaurant and draws a consistent crowd. Although they have a very nice indoor aesthetic (though the wood paneling makes it loud), the outdoor seating, which wraps around the exterior of the building, has a more authentic New England feel. Be advised, the menu is definitely priced so that your wallet will be hit you more than you think. This is a BYOB(ooze) joint, and there is a corking fee for any alcohol that you might bring. The highlight of this place, aside from the ambience (as long as you are not looking for an intimate meal), is the service. The staff-to-diner ratio is such that service is swarming everywhere and very attentive, which is terrific. The food is good - not memorable - but professionally prepared. Meaning, everything is cooked well, presented nicely, and tastes great. Capitalizing on the strength of the Vineyard, which is acres and acres of lush vegetation yielding intensely flavorful produce, the result is a fine dinner for a night out away from the hustle bustle of the usual haunts in the other side of the Island.

My first visit in almost 5 years. The food and service is still amazing. The best pork chop I have ever eaten. Prepared perfectly.

My first time at the Chilmark Tavern and will definitely return! Our server Mark was the best! Our food was amazing, atmosphere as well. The fact that they were able to serve gluten free options made it more enjoyable for me! Fried calamari was the best!!! Cannot wait to go back!

Can I just say how imaginative and yummy the food is here?! OMG, truly! The staff works as a team to provide stellar, attention to detail service. And the owner is incredibly welcoming and delightful. The Chilmark Tavern is one of our family's favorite restaurants on Martha's Vineyard!

Even the best restaurants have an off night, last night was one of them. The service was great, the food was not. We had the caesar salad and the chicken, they were mid to ok at best. We also had the bread with cheese, it was just ok. We had the chicken wings and the tuna tartar also, again not spectacular. When you are paying top dollar you expect a place like CT to bring their A game every night. Last night just wasnt it.

7:30 reservation turned into an 8:05 seating at a table meant for 4 people (there were 6 of us). Plenty of outdoor seating came available in the meantime. Apps were served later than needed to be (for basic salads). No air circulation; food was very good, but dessert was basic at best.

Awesome service and great ambiance. The food was good not great. We got the greens salad, bread, chicken and burger. Nothing blew us away but it was all good and well cooked. The restaurant is BYOB which was fine, however, they charged us a $15 "wine bottle service" fee to simply chill and poor a few glasses and also a $3 "chilled beer glass" fee. Didn't love those fees.

Stopped spontaneously on the way back from the magnificent sunset at the cliffs!! I would definitely recommend having a reservation here. Plan ahead. We waited 45 min, but decided that was the best option as we were starving and the menu was inviting. Note, Chillmark is a dry community so you are welcomed to bring in your own wine or Liquor. In fact, they sell lovely cocktail mixers - you just provide the main ingredient! Love this notion, everyone seemed to have brought in their own spirits. A little on the pricier side, but the ingredients are farm to table FRESH. We both ordered the Vegan noodles dish and it was outstanding. Great flavor, not heavy in thick sauce or salt/seasoning, it was very good. The Burrata appetizer was also delicious, but go ahead and ask for more bread. Not sure why only two little slices come with, when 4-5 slices supports the serving amount. Our waitress was super nice but seemed overwhelmed - service was slow and she forgot a couple of things - a couple of times. All and all a lovely place. Great atmosphere - sit outside, if you can!

The first thing to note is that the service here is excellent! The second thing is that they have no liquor so you cannot order mixed drinks. However, they do allow you to bring in your own bottle of wine, (very nice)! Too bad we did not know that until after we arrived. However they have a very limited supply of wine on hand for you to choose from. I had the Poulet Frites and it was very good.This place is pricey, but we expected it to be since it is pretty much isolated and everything else on the island is pricey as well. The difference is that this place has better quality food than the same pricey restaurants on the island.

Sublime! This special spot ranks as one our favorite dining experiences. Everything is stellar - the vibe, the service and the food. We dined here 3 out of 8 nights because it was just that wonderful [reserve ahead]. Jenna is a hands-on owner that orchestrates the room masterfully from the hostess stand. It's clear she reveres both her staff and customers equally. The servers are attentive and knowledgeable. The food is consistently sublime - creative and perfectly executed time and again. It can be loud but the room buzzes with good energy and still manages to feel intimate with it's twinkly candlelight and attentive service. Chilmark Tavern is a magical gem!

Been coming to CT for a big family dinner for a few years now and it doesn't disappoint. Service is wonderful and the food is some of the best on the Island. The quality is super high on everything they make. We had a large party and didn't care about the automatic 25% tip or the 5% kitchen charge the experience was that great.

What an amazing meal ! Would never have found this place if not recommended to me by someone that lives on MV. The food was amazing. Started with the muscles. So good we asked for extra bread to dip in the broth. We had the sirloin and pork chop dinners Both were fantastic. Ordered a couple "mocktails" raspberry lime Rickey and lemons (dry town BYOB) and they were great as well. Looking at the presentation of all the meals brought out around us and they all looked good. We Almost went back the next night but with only a few nights we already had other plans. Highly recommend, defiantly going back next summer. Make a reservation , they fill up fast.

Extremely fresh and properly prepared food! We loved the grilled asparagus and the Caesar salad and the fish and chips was perfectly seasoned and fried, not to mention that the card was extremely fresh. The service was great and the vibe is casual and perfect for an early evening after a day at the beach. Bring your own wine they don't have a liquor license and Chilmark is dry The closest place to get a bottle of wine is at the airport!

We popped in for dinner in this popular spot in the one dry town on the island...a BYO paradise with $14 corkage. Grabbing our favorite seats at the corner of the bar, we were greeted warmly by the bartender - who in addition to serving patrons at the bar - makes your drinks for you with your liquor. She and the test of the staff made the evening extra special. The space accommodate about 100, with a few outside tables. It can get a bit loud, but it's a fun atmosphere, and the restaurant is warm and relaxing. We started with mussels in a light curry - a huge appetizer portion - and after dunking our brains out we were mostly full. But on to entrees we charged, and wound up packing half for take-home. My steak was done perfectly, pairing with the 2002 Corison Cab, and my wife's seafood pasta was delish! This is another one of those spots we would live it if it were closer to home!

Great atmosphere. One of only options up island for quality sit down meal but you'll pay for it.

Ok let me start off by saying quite possibly the nicest staff on island, I'd never been there before... walked in without a reservation and they took me in 15 minutes before closing and were awesome, never rushed.. pushed .. just relaxed:)) The food was so on point I went back the follow night ( earlier:) and had a duplicated dinner, is there a better recommendation than that?? I think not:)) to not visit this location and the people that make it a incredible would be a huge miss, casual enough for jeans and a tee, but you can dress it up too you'll fit right in, it's BYOB so plan accordingly, prices were totally fair, awesome front porch/ patio for outdoor dining. Inside is upscale but with a casual vibe, it's just really comfortable. I'm on island pretty often and already look forward to my next visit, see you soon. Todd A

This restaurant is the epitome of getting nickeled and dimed except in dollars. We had a party of 6 and they automatically put 25% gratuity on check and a 5% kitchen appreciation fee. Pretty ballsy assuming you'll get great service. We were there 7/10 and our waitress seemed like we were an inconvenience and a burden. She felt no need to earn a large tip. Then there's the corkage fees. OMG $4 for your beer glass and that's the starting point for other beverages as a BYOB restaurant. Used to love this place but now it's robbery. Very disappointed and will warn others.

Food is terrific, service is great, ambiance is special. Not to be missed if you are up Island Jenna is the best.

Fantastic experience in Menemsha. Great owner, staff, and eating environment. Food is super and worth every penny. Yes, it's expensive but the best usually is! Great job Jenna! We come all the way from Boston just to have your great food!

My favorite restaurant on the island. The food is always amazing, staff is super friendly and the outside and inside dining spaces are great. Love it here!

For the price, there are much better restaurants on the island. The $47. fish & chips were small & over cooked. As opposed to, say, Atria where they give you an entire fresh cod filet perfectly breaded & cooked, for a fraction of the cost. The service is great & they added sound attenuation so the dining room isn't as loud as it used to be, but parking is a huge problem if the market is still opened. Also, BYOB $15. corking fee & they never even came back to fill the glasses. Not cool.

This place has huge service problems.The food took an hour and forty minutes to arrive. Waitress and manager both were surly and condescending when we asked why the food was taking so long. You should expect a certain level of politeness at any restaurant but especially one at this price point. They did nothing to make us feel taken care of or heard. Rude and unprofessional

Absolutely loved it! To me, Heaven is any five star event mixed with casual luxury. Like staying in a luxurious tent in the woods or something like that. This is what the Chilmark was to me. The menu was beyond creative, inventive and interesting. Plenty of vegan and vegetarian options. Everything fresh and well thought out. I personally love the grilled Caesar they had. Pricey as others say? I suppose... But when you are getting excellent food prepared with love, can you really put a price on it? Not in my book. I will gladly pay for quality. Though...this is funny to me...a family is waiting for a table and the children (like 10 years old) are commenting on entree prices, like the $19 burger and the $30 pasta. As a child, do you even notice these things? Anyway, after much contemplating, the family of four is dining elsewhere. So maybe it is pricey to some? Who knows...they are missing out. Very, very happy. This will become a staple in the arsenal.

For my money, this is the best restaurant on Martha's Vineyard. The setting is wonderful - eat outdoors under the sparkling lights. Even the adjacent parking lot is scenic. The staff is warm, funny, and just great at their jobs. Delilah is a fantastic hostess that makes every guest feel special. And the food: The burger is perfect but so is the chicken, the fish and chips. I even had a great salade nicoise for one dinner (that's not like me). Save room for the hot fudge sundae and bring your own wine or even liquor of choice for the lime basic cocktail.

If you're looking for mediocre food, inflated prices, smarmy wait staff, and hidden service fees, then this is the restaurant for you. It was the 9th day of our vacation on MV and until Chilmark Tavern we had great food and service at every restaurant. We were looking forward to dining at the Chilmark Tavern but what a letdown. We were EXTREMELY disappointed. The food is bland, underwhelming, and very overpriced! Fish and chips for $46 - a thin overcooked and unappealing pork chop was $46 - 6 brussel sprouts $15. We ordered these items plus our two companions had equally unappealing and expensive dishes, all ordered from a smarmy waiter who we never saw again because the food was dropped on our table by a condescending group of waitstaff. After that, nobody stopped by our table to see if we were happy with our meals or to see if we needed anything. That is, nobody stopped by until yet another person delivered the bill. Yikes! As if their inflated menu prices weren't enough, they gouge you a little more with the "Kitchen Appreciation fee of 5%". Are you kidding me? By the way, if you decide to try this place anyway and you're seated inside, please know it is very noisy. We could hardly hear each other talking. Dining at Chilmark Tavern was an extremely unsatisfactory experience and I caution everyone against wasting money and time at this place.

Great food, better than great staff! Things get busy, however, they are so attentive and upbeat that you cannot help but have fun, and the food is fresh, interesting, and carefully prepared. A must!

Food was excellent and service spot on. The waitress recommended the fish and chips special and everyone loved it.

The squid Inc. pasta was dry and had such an accurate taste it wa inedible. The $45 skimpy piece of halibut was dry, tasteless and tough. The best part of the meal, indeed the only good part of the meal, was the bread and butter. Service was pleasant but spare. Overall it was a very disappointing experience.

Chilmark Tavern is one of the best restaurants on the Vineyard and we make it a duty to stop there at least once during our stay. We have never had a bad meal and this year was no exception we shared appetizers, including musselsurant is BYOB, Caesar salad and smoked fish pate. All we large enough to share and quite delicious. I had the steak which was cooked to perfection with outstanding mashed potatoes. All the others in my party were very happy with their meals. The prices are a little high but you do get bang for your bucks. The restaurant is BYOB. It's always crowded, so make sure you have a reservation and you'll have no reservations about returning!

It's rare that the hype a restaurant receives, matches my improbable expectations. The Chilmark Tavern did that and more. Jenna, the multitasking owner watched over her domain with care and precision. That set the atmosphere for our evening way past the improbable and unrealistic bar I had set. Did I mention the food was extraordinary.

Finally, after years of "driving by" the madness and hub hub of next door's $30.00 Chilmark Pizza scam on our way out to our summer home, my wife and I decided to try the Tavern. What a find! We are still talking about it and we just had our delicious leftovers for a late lunch. We'll be back. Great food, service and atmosphere. So darned happy we finally did it. So mad we didn't do it sooner...

OVERPRICED, MEDICORE FOOD, SO-SO Service Don't usually review, but in this case we got home after an overpriced meal that left a bad taste in our mouth. Our waitress could definitely up her "people skills" game. Meat that was ordered medium, came out totally rare. The $52 steak (yes, that's the price) was near cold. The biggest insult to injury, there's a BUILT IN 20 percent tip, so it makes sense why the customer service effort made all around was pretty low.

Their takeout was fantastic. Amazing paella, great packaging, stayed warm, lots of care taken.

the Gals Club returns to Martha's Vineyard and hope to return to Chilmark Tavern for dinner. but ONLY if that insulting (to customers) 'kitchen appreciation' fee is not on the menu. as we wrote previously it seems like the owners should pay their help more and not add that classless charge to the bill. it really cheapens the restaurant and experience in our opinion. or have the waitstaff who seem to make alot of tips at the expensive restaurant tip out the kitchen more. we'll report next week!