Menemsha Galley

Nice, basic harborside restaurant with ice cream. Selection is soft serve, not a ton of variety, but the kids love it. Expensive because it's the Vineyard. Convenient to Menemsha Beach, but it closes at 8 so get there early if you want to get ice cream and see the summer sunset.

Man this place suck…. We spent $80 for a mini saggy lobster roll and a mini saggy fish “crispy” sandwich and all the canned magical salads which cost less than half dollars to make. Also they sit on all of their chips bags before they give it to you… so yeah check out my pictures to see this magical experience of Martha’s dark side.

Maybe it’s just the cost of buying food on the Island, but I felt like this was ridiculously expensive for fast food. I give it about 2.75 out of 5 at best. French fries are pretty good. Chicken fingers taste like the pre-cooked kind you get in the bag from Tyson in the frozen section at the grocery store.

The Galley serves the absolutely best lobster roll and New England clam chowder on the planet. I'm a proud foodie and have eaten and tracked those 2 items for decades from Maine to Maryland. The Galley has been family owned and operated since it's inception. It sits at the beginning of the Menemsha Pier, home of dozens of working lobster and fishing boats. The catch cannot be fresher than this. The Galley is totally unpretentious. You order and pay at windows in the front and then can sit on the multi-table porch overlooking the boats, working shacks, and homes. Or just carry out . There are great restaurants on the Vineyard but none match The Galley for lobster rolls and chowder. None!

Follow the locals and you, too, can have a fresh and tasty meal with views like this! Place your order at the window out front with the friendly, helpful staff. Then head around back to find a table with a wonderful view of the Menemsha Basin. They also do an awesome business with their soft serve ice cream.

This where 'Quint' had set up his bait shop and emporium in the (1975) film "Jaws," when Brody, Hooper, and Quint were heading out to hunt the Great White.

Small bite sized lobster rolls….Spent 35 dollars on a lobster roll and got the smallest roll on the island. Disappointed

Had an amazing day in Menemsha. The beach is worth the drive and hike to. I def recommend spending the day here!!! A must see while on island! ❤️

As the name implies, this is a down to earth food provider. The best item is their basic lobster roll (which contains a sizable amount of fresh and tasty lobster meat. The other items are good but not exceptional. Had the crab cake side order (two cakes) which were mostly crab meat. Another good benefit is that the view from the back (dining area) is picturesque

The food here was so good, I forgot to take any pictures. We had the clam chowder, cheeseburger, fries & ice tea. The line in the front goes quick! And the food arrives just as fast. The back views are gorgeous & we really enjoyed eating with the windows open. I would highly recommend.

Driving through MV we typed in "food near me" and this cute place came up called "The Galley" Right in the harbor that JAWS was filmed there is a nice deck out back to see the views! I had the Lobster Roll - toasted bun, very fresh! My wife had the grilled chicken salad! Wow, so much in it! Also very fresh! The service is very nice and friendly. Highly recommended, BTW if you want melted butter with the Lobster Roll order in advance. It's $2 extra after you check out. Thank you for lunch!

What could be better than a lobster roll at the place where they filmed Jaws. Perfectly toasted roll. Plenty of lobster barely dressed perfectly seasoned. You get what you pay for but $3.75 for a small. Cole Slaw is a bit much.

Such a great place for a grab and go lunch or eat in the back which is pretty freaking awesome! We didn't take pix of the food because we were to busy checking out the view. Clam chowder was yummy, sword fish Sandwich great. Great go to before the beach or take it with you!

This was my first ~authentic~ lobster roll!! It was full of fresh lobster meat, the bun was nice and toasted, and the meal came with chips. For $16.95, I think that's a great deal. On the other hand, I was at a bar earlier that day in Oak Bluffs and they had a lobster roll on the menu for $27..... yeah, no thanks. I don't know what else they put in there but I'm not going to pay that much for a lobster roll. The one from Menemsha Galley was simple, filling, and just perfect. My friend also ordered the clam chowder which was kind of on the thin/watery side but tasted great otherwise. They also have ice cream. I didn't get one myself but I saw a lot of people ordering a cone so it must be good! You order the food outside but they do have some seating in the back, they call it the porch. If you take it to go, the pick up window is right next to the ordering window. If you're staying and eating on the porch, there's a separate pick up window back there so you can wait for your food at your table instead of standing at the front. I would highly recommend this place. Menemsha public beach is within walking distance so the location is great. There's also a long dock next to the Galley where you can see the water and boats.

Soft serve, soft serve, whatcha gonna do? Whatcha gonna do when they swirl for you? Krunch Kote, Krunch Kote, what are you made from? Kinda candy, kinda not, I'm feelin' real dumb. Hey, cool - a Cops theme song parody starring the thing you'll want to get just before a summer sunset on your way to Menemsha Point: a soft serve in a cone, maybe with dip, maybe with Krunch Kote, but definitely tall and frosty and swirled and drippy on your toes, which you can bury in the sand and call it a day. Cones run around $4.

Excellent lunch spot! Very kid friendly food choices, that cured my hunger today! I got a fluffernutter with a side of chips. If you are very thirsty, I recommend getting a large drink because the medium was small on a hot day. There's no official seating as it's take out, but there are spots to eat on the rocks. A nice view!

Very good! Great food, service, and views. The lobster roll was packed with meat and the chips that come with it hit the spot!

Tonights experience will prevent me from ever going back to this establishment. My sister, myself and our niece ordered 2 salads and 1 fish sandwich. The order totaled approx. $44. we paid in cash with a $100 bill and tipped the server . We took our order when our number was called and proceeded to walk tbeach for "the" sunset! When we arrived at the beach, we opened our bag and realized there was no fish sandwich. Aggravated , but understanding we walked back from the beach, (the at least 1/2 mile walk) to collect the sandwich. The server remembered us as we paid with a $100 bill. but because we didn't have our "ticket" they would NOT give us the sandwich. Now, the server had said yes and he'd get another one to replace, and my sister while waiting purchased a$5 ice cream cone. Then when she asked about the timing of the replacement sandwich she was told a hard NO by the owner. He needed the "ticket". Now the ticket only showed the order, it did not prove if we had gotten it. After all this, we all walked away upset, my sister in tears as she felt she was treated terribly and made to look like she was trying to steal a "fish sandwich" ! Tony the owner was terrible at any customer service! People, stay away!! I will never go back!! Negative press is far more damaging!! Tony you were a total jerk! Good luck to you, your going to need it.

Full disclosure: we have been eating at the Galley for years and several of our grandchildren have worked there over the years. The management is new for the last several seasons and honestly it has taken us awhile to readjust. I miss the white bean and pesto grilled cheese sandwich a lot, also the eggplant sandwich. And, as I am a person who likes my chowder "brothy" without a lot of floury thickness, the new chowder suits me still but could be little thinner yet. But yesterday for the first time ever at the Galley I ordered a Lobster Roll. I am a parsimonious New Englander and it was tough to pony up $25 for a sandwich. But WOW!!! It was a perfect, truly perfect, Lobster Roll. Lots and lots of lobster, claws and tail, in big chunks, perfectly seasoned with a touch of mayo and a small bed of fresh lettuce. Best of all the top sliced soft hot dog roll was buttered and grilled warm. Even the bag of potato chips was above average, a new brand I had not seen before. Why can't the Galley expand across the street where the Homeport restaurant lies shuttered and is looking very dilapidated?

Oh my, Lobster Roll is Loaded with Lobster. Very friendly.

Very good soft-serve vanilla ice cream dipped in peanut butter chocolate. My lovely bride recommends the chocolate ice cream dipped in cherry. There is always a line of folks, but trust me it is well worth the wait!

Great lobster rolls, also love the swordfish sandwich with a touch of pesto. Nice people, great location and ice cream.

This place is located near the water so a great spot for the sunset. I mean I know we are not here for 5 * service but like the people working here were very young and very unaccommodating. They would not even give us a glass of water. Because we had an awkward interaction with the staff, I was worried they spat in our food or something. We came for the lobster roll which was ok, I do not want a huge piece of sad lettuce in my lobster roll so depends on your preference. The clam chowder was amazing and the crab cake was good too. The ice cream dip was good as well, we had chocolate but they have cherry dip as well. They have a lot of non seafood options which we did not try but if I was to return I would probably only get the clam chowder + ice cream. Theres an area to sit in the back and you can bring your own alcohol since this part of the island is dry.

Good spot, everything is simple but good. Swordfish sandwich is highly recommended. Clam chowder and lobster rolls also very good.

Stopped at the galley for lunch one afternoon and was not thrilled. I went to the counter and asked if they had outdoor seating which they told me they did out behind the restaurant. I walked around back and went to the counter and asked for a menu and they told me I could only order in front. Normally I wouldn't have cared but I was trekking my 80 year old parents around with me so the counter people came off as clueless. At least offer me a menu so I don't have to drag them back around the building but the staff was young and didn't really seem to give a crap. 3 lobster rolls and drinks set us back $50+ so I was expecting them to be pretty good. They weren't bad, but certainly didn't blow me away. I guess if its a place that you traditionally go to you can focus on the location, but I was pretty disappointed and annoyed by the time I left.

Worst service ever! We ordered our food at 5pm to be ready at 730 we waited for 30 minutes and missed the sunset when our food was suppose to be ready at 730 for pick up ! Not even that but they messed up every single order in front of Us & were extremely rude. And a young girl working for them kept sliding her mask up and down during COVID ! Very bad. I called the owner today asking for a refund & he told me that that doesn't sound bad. Now his phone is off the hook cause he can't deal with a customer complaining. Never go here!

We waited in line for about an hour. I got a cheeseburger that had a very thin patty and it was still undercooked. My husbands swordfish sandwich was "fine." We also waited in a separate line for ice cream. My husband ordered a cherry dipped cone and I got chocolate dipped. He was not thrilled with the cherry and while the chocolate tasted good, it never did harden. We agreed any fast food burger and ice cream would have been better. Not worth the wait.

After seeing some sights, we stopped in for lunch. The food was tasty and the service was courteous. Get a seat on the back porch and take in "Amity".

Food is ok. Not a lot if options here in Menemsha. View from the back deck is 5 star though!

My wife & I love this place for fresh pure Lobster Rolls,Chowder,Diet Pepsi and has magnificent views. We've been coming here for so may years and visit to the island wont be complete without eating here.

Horrible service! Servers were so rude..they practically threw the ice cream at other members in my group. Menu offers dairy free option and then when you order they claim to not be able to find the book and refuse to serve you. NEVER going back....so sad...

Yesterday, we enjoyed a late lunch at The Galley. We shared a delicious broiled swordfish sandwich with pesto, and a very tasty lobster roll, while sitting on their sweet back porch overlooking the marina. The food came out very quickly and the staff were all so friendly. We were thrilled that they were still open as we knew many of the seasonal restaurants were beginning to shut down. If only we had room for ice cream afterwards!

My son and I were here on Monday August 10th during The height of coronavirus and upon arrival at the galley we were both appalled the see that the young staff was completely and utterly ignoring COVID 19 protocol. The staff was over run with customers who were bringing back food that was made incorrectly and not only did we watch the staff give a previously opened burger from a complaining customer to an elderly man but the young staff member actually took down to mask to yell out numbers to customer. I WOULD NOT BE SURPISED TO HEAR THAT THIS BUSINESS HAS KILLED SOME OF THEIR CUSTOMERS!! We all understand that the Vineyard has a significant amount of elderly residents who chose our beautiful island as a retirement spot. If you have anyone sick in your family or elderly family members I would avoid this business like the Black Plague.

This place has been the best place to get chowder in the area for years! This is no small chore as there is tough competition. Sampled some chowder today with my better half. Clearly things have changed. Perhaps it was an off day but the chowder quality has dropped significantly. I will try them again soon

Came down with a group of us, we were there around 8:15 on 7/22/20 and the boy in window one was extremely rude and inconsiderate. He basically threw the ice cream out the window, countertops were full of ice cream fudge and not sanitary. Six of us ordered in one party and by the third person ordering the boy asked, "are you the last one?" .. I work in customer service in the restaurant business and I would never treat customers the way my party and myself were treated. Ice cream was 7/10

service was not great at all had to wait for 10 mins for a worker to come take our order and all the workers seemed like they had to wear masks the food and ice cream was not good either i place i would recommend skipping

We came here for a late dinner close to when they were closing right after enjoying the amazing Menemsha sunset. It was Labor Day weekend so it was busy and lots of people in line. Another spot in MV that closes earlier than you would expect. We were disappointed in the number of good restaurants in Menemsha, especially those that are vegetarian friendly. This had an option but not many. It was a kale and beet sandwich, I believe, which was nothing special. We got ice cream afterwards, chocolate dip cone that was good. The location is nice, right on the water; otherwise, okay.

Fantastic clam chowder. Great view. Think Jaws. Oh and how could i forget - LOBSTER ROLL HEAVEN. Prepare to wait to get a spot to sit though, it's crowded all the time.

Currently waiting in line for my food here on what is more or less an annual visit. Not quite as friendly here as I recall it being in my younger years. I wish they still sold T shirts with their iconic sunset shell logo, which I proudly sported off island as a sort of "local" equivalent of the Black Dog tee. But, they remain dependable and are the only real destination for a modest lunch on this side of Menemsha if you are not going to the beach area. The food tends to be consistent if not outstandingly flavorful, and each item is cooked to order, so I would say that their consistency is the key to their success. Worth utilizing as a stop for dependable and refreshing ice cream as well. On a grossly hot high summer traffic day like today, establishments such as the Galley should be praised for their dependability, consistency and good humor in the face of a nonstop onslaught of customers and voluminous crowds.

Bare feet, wind in your hair, sand in your toes, sunshine everywhere and good summer take out food. What more does anyone need? Especially in Menemsha. Get your sandwich, soup, ice cream....whatever, it's all delicious....and soak up the complete bliss that you will feel surrounded by this total perfection. Bring your camera, bring your family, bring a bottle of wine if you want one. Bring your treats from The Galley out to the rocks or onto the sand and you'll be restored. Islands need more places like The Galley.

Awesome food, great location! Really good food to be found here ~ the burgers are yummy, the pesto grilled cheese is surprising and delish! Worth the standing in line (or you can call ahead to skip that part).... Then take the food and sit on the rocks overlooking the channel. Picture perfect!

Inexpensive, lots of delicious fish options, and a gorgeous location overlooking Menemsha harbor...how can you go wrong?! When we were kids, we'd always come here for their delicious lobster rolls or fried fish and cheese sandwiches...and of course in the hot July afternoons, we'd beg our parents to let us get some of their soothing, creamy softserve ice cream on a cone! This is where I learned that people in MA call the sprinkles you put on ice cream "jimmies"...who knew! I still come here with my parents when I'm on-island. It's sentimental, but the quality is still great and prices low, especially for MV. Definitely a great pit stop to make when you're in Menemsha!

2nd update? I had the meatloaf sandwich again, but this time with extra cheese and BACON. Whoa now!! SO GOOD.

MMMM...we picked up tuna melts (made with fresh tuna!), swordfish sandwiches with pesto, lobster rolls and clam chowder on a ninety degree day for the five year old who has been coming to the island five summers already and insisted on it, got some lemonade to wash it down, and hit the beach. Walk-up stands with long lines that move fast. Seperate lines for food vs. soft-serve. It was so good, and so right! We wanted to sit on the deck overlooking the water, but it was packed, so we just ate it on the beach. Eating lobster rolls and looking at the ocean are good things to do. Bring cash.

Easily the worst dining experience I have ever had in my many years in the vineyard. Workers at the counter were extremely rude to us when we asked simple questions, not to mention I came here with the rest of my family and they had already finished eating their entire meals by the time mine was even called... which was interesting seeing as I got popcorn chicken and french fries. Watched three other numbers be called before mine even though I ordered and paid immediately after my parents. This all on top of ordering a large Pepsi but receiving the cup only halfway full. The great location and scenic deck in back is the only reason it earns a star.

The Galley, an institution since before my mother first visited in 1965, offers classic tastes -- if you stick to the dairy. The frappes (milkshakes, to those from outside Mass.) are thick and fine; I get the mocha, and sometimes tell them not to make it too chocolatey. For the child in all of us, the soft-serve remains a treat. The savory fare, however, leaves something to be desired. The clam chowder is far too salty, and the clams on the chewy side. The meat in the lobster rolls is too cold, and they have a heavy hand with the lettuce. The swordfish special was overcooked and dry the one time I had it. Although it can get crowded, the view from the back porch (where the ship departed in "Jaws") reminds me every time why I love the sensory pleasures -- sight, sound, smell, taste -- of Menemsha in summertime.

This is the worst meal we have ever had on the Vineyard and we have been coming here since 1985. The lobster roll was stuffed with lettuce..... The popcorn chicken was over cooked.... 30 seconds shy of burnt. The chowder was luke warm and the fish sandwich had something hard in the middle of it. The only thing that was tasty was bag of chips that came with the lobster roll. The reason for the one star? The back porch has a lovely view. Take a right and go the Larsen's, you can't go wrong there.

Great Soft Serve can be found at the Galley. It had been too long since I had real Soft Serve and the Galley provided just the fix I needed. It was a simple small chocolate cup. That was all that was necessary. I'm sure the sundaes are wonderful - they certainly look it. Its nice to look out over the ocean and slowly savor this scrumptious Soft-Serve. Friendly staff, good ice cream...I think that speaks for itself.

Great service & food! The best for sandwiches and lunch in Menemsha- great lobster rolls and ice cream!

Take the food to the beach Or to the little outside porch outside. It is really good! Can't miss here. Simple, creative, good food and fairly reasonable prices

The reason we ended up here, is that my wife doesn't eat seafood (Blasphemy I know :) and this was the only place we saw near the beach to watch the sunset that had non-seafood options. The gentlemen at the counter was very pleasant. I had the swordfish pesto sandwich which was awesome and my wife, the grilled tomato and pesto which she also really enjoyed. Great prices for MV - would definitely return.

The galley used to be my favorite restaurant, and I've been going there since I was a little kid but I'm over the last two years under the new management it's really gone down hill, I got a fish sandwich with an order of fries, it came out to 16$, the fish was dry and the breading was soggy and not at all crispy, my fries where cold and dried out, not at all fresh. I hate to say it but I'll never go back after going every summer for 18 years.

The lobster roll here was not very good. They put a big hunk of leaf lettuce in an unbuttered roll and throw a few pieces of lobster in top. Not impressed. The chowder is good.

Swordfish is great as sandwich or dinner. They add their homemade pesto which is fresh and a great addition. We sit in the back and live watching the boats and fishermen. One of the best chowders too.

Contrary to the information that says they are open at this time (7pm). They are not open. We were very disappointed. Hoping someone updates the hours of operation.

Love the galley - think our family would starve in the summer without it. Great menus options for all with great food. Don't forget to save room for ice cream after a great burger and fries!

I once had the lobster roll here on three separate occasions. On the same day! The purest, simplest, freshest lobster you have ever had. I didn't know what a true lobster roll was before The Galley. I had no idea a lobster roll could have so much...LOBSTER!!! Even if you don't like lobster, I PROMISE you will like this. Almost no mayo. Perfect little hotdog bun. Great shakes, lemonade, and ice cream, but why have dessert when you can just get another LOBSTER ROLL! The Galley is the main reason I want to go back to MV.