1. Academy Ocean Grill
City: Orleans, MA
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (508) 240-1585
Address: 2 Academy Place
Description: This Orleans charmer holds the distinction of being the only Cape restaurant to showcase line-caught fish. In keeping with this specialty, the seafood here is exceptionally fresh and masterfully prepared, including standouts such as codfish Florentine (coated in spinach, Parmesan, and eggs) and wood fire-grilled swordfish with basil-Parmesan glaze. Ensconced in a property filled with flower gardens, the dining room is ringed with windows and decorated with tasteful maritime accents. Open six days a week in season, Wed through Sun in the off-season, and through the holidays. The Grill is closed from mid-Jan through Mar.
2. The Beacon Room
City: Orleans, MA
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (508) 255-2211
Address: 23 West Rd.
Description: Inviting in any season, this wood-beamed cottage offers adventurous cuisine in a homespun setting. Simple wood chairs and floral linens evoke the atmosphere of grandmother’s house, but specials that change every night, such as the roasted half duck with the sauce of the day, are anything but old school.
3. Captain Linnell House
City: Orleans, MA
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (508) 255-3400
Address: 137 Skaket Beach Rd.
Description: This classic 1840 mansion, on the road toward Skaket Beach, is well worth finding. Since 1988, owner/chef Bill Conway has been creating award-winning cuisine such as sautéed Wellfleet oysters in a champagne-ginger sauce, and shrimp and scallops sautéed in tarragon lobster butter. Open year-round, the restaurant serves dinner seven days a week in season, with a reduced schedule in winter; call for hours then. Reservations are required.
4. Cottage Street Bakery
City: Orleans, MA
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (508) 255-2821
Address: 2 Cottage St.
Description: Tucked away on a little street off Route 28, opposite the Christmas Tree Shop, this charming little bakery turns out scrumptious muffins, cookies, coffeecakes, and scones, among other specialties. Come here for the perfect birthday cake or just the perfect muffin. Try the Dirtbombs, generous sugar-smothered pastries. Sit down at a table or buy something to take home. The bakery is open daily year-round and does catering, wedding cakes, and mail order.
5. The Hot Chocolate Sparrow
City: Orleans, MA
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (508) 240-2230
Address: 5 Old Colony Way
Description: The Sparrow is the hot spot in town for espresso, cappuccino, or just plain coffee. Even that is anything but plain—every day there are a half-dozen flavors from which to choose. In warm weather try one of their frozen coffee-chocolate drinks. There’s an array of munchies to go with your coffee, including muffins, cookies, and coffeecake. And then there’s the chocolate. Homemade at the Sparrow’s mother store in North Eastham are incredible truffles, fudge, caramels, toffee, and chocolates. All candy is sold by the pound or piece, and gift tins and packages are available as well. And, yes, they do mail orders. Open daily year-round, the Sparrow also serves ice cream, bagels, and panini sandwiches.
6. Land Ho!
City: Orleans, MA
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (508) 255-5165
Address: 38 Main St.
Description: This is a favorite haunt of locals, just as it’s been since owner John Murphy took it over in 1969. This wood-paneled pub is a comfortable place to sit and chat over a meal and is brightened by red-and-white checked tablecloths and hundreds of original, wood-carved signs hanging from the ceiling. The blackboard specials are always good, as are the chowder, kale soup, and burgers. The Ho! is open for lunch and dinner daily all year. It’s also a cool nightspot, and serves a limited food menu until midnight.
7. Old Jailhouse Tavern
City: Orleans, MA
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (508) 255-5245
Address: 28 West Rd.
Description: Occupying the former home of Orleans constable Henry Perry (the stone room was actually used as a jail), the Jailhouse is popular with the locals. You’ll find all the basics here: seafood salads and lobster rolls, burgers and Reubens, veal medallions and prime rib. Then there’s the menu’s most unusual dish: toast Nelson, which is French bread smothered with bacon, onion, shrimp, scallops, crabmeat, and hollandaise sauce. The Jailhouse is open year-round for lunch and dinner.
City: Orleans, MA
Category: Restaurants
Address: 3 Old Country Rd.
9. Saltwater Grille
City: Orleans, MA
Category: Restaurants
Address: 20 South Rte. 28
Description: Formerly the Arbor Restaurant and Binnacle Tavern, the Saltwater maintains many of the Binnacle Tavern favorites, including pizzas, salads, and pastas. The layout is comfortable and friendly, with a horseshoe bar at the center of the action and tables and other rooms radiating outward. The atmosphere isn’t quite the same as the eclectic feel the Binnacle was famous for, but it’s not a bad place to hang out and have a drink or a bite to eat. The Saltwater is open for dinner year-round.