When people gush about New England’s fabled coastline, Massachusetts’s Cape Ann is sometimes overlooked. Maine’s got its Midcoast, and there’s that other Massachusetts cape, of course, but this slice of the North Shore offers some of the prettiest oceanside stretches around. Especially in Rockport: Amid its upscale shops, colorful clapboard homes, and famous weatherbeaten lobster shack that has inspired generations of artists, you’ll find plenty of reasons to stay. That extends to its restaurant scene, which ensures visitors won’t go hungry, or even worry about a dearth of options. Upscale, down-home, and downright delicious are all on the menu. Ready for a tour? Read on for our favorite Rockport, MA, restaurants.
A view from the Rockport coastline | Best Rockport, MA, Restaurants Photo Credit : Courtesy Feather & Wedge
You won’t be judged if you don’t want to give up your seat at this oceanside eatery. There’s the gorgeous water view, of course, but also the caffeinated paradise of made-to-order cappuccinos, lattes, espressos, and specialty coffees. And then there are the freshly made morning pastries … and the soups and salads for lunch … you get where we’re going with this. Pick your perch, and drink (or eat) up the scene.
This intimate 23-seat restaurant is a breakfast staple in Rockport. The cakes — as in pancakes and fish cakes — are big here. Plus, the fish and chips are famously large, so come hungry.
Feather & Wedge | Best Rockport, MA, Restaurants Photo Credit : Courtesy Feather & Wedge
Rockport isn’t just a seafaring town, of course. Its history is also rooted in the granite industry that once shaped this community and nearby Gloucester. The upscale restaurant Feather & Wedge pays homage to that past while showcasing a modern menu inspired by the seasons. Explore classic dishes such as mussels, seared scallops, swordfish, and prime rib.
At this award-winning New American restaurant, local and in-season ingredients star in an ambitious menu. Don’t miss the barbecued shrimp, or the cedar plank–roasted salmon, or the baked scallop, shrimp, and artichoke. Or the … well, maybe you’ll just have to come back again.
This casual eatery is exactly what you want from a New England seafood joint. Open and airy, with indoor and outdoor seating. The Atlantic Ocean just a stone’s throw away. Then there’s the food: steamed clams, fresh lobster, homemade chowder, and gorgeous mounds of fried cuisine (fries, clams, and calamari, to name a few). Named a 2012 Yankee Editors’ Pick for “Best Lobster with a Sunset.”
Roy Moore’s Fish Shack | Best Rockport, MA, Restaurants Photo Credit : Bethany Bourgault
Ocean views are also on the menu at Roy Moore’s Fish Shack, which has gorgeous shots of Rockport’s Old Harbor and Sandy Bay. As the name suggests, seafood is the specialty, and favorites include clam chowder, lobster rolls, and baked scallops. Need more seafood indulgence? Check out its sister restaurant, Roy Moore Lobster.
This family-owned restaurant offers robust breakfast and lunch menus. Heaping omelets and rich egg Benedicts in the morning, fried fish and hefty burgers in the afternoon. Hungry?
Let us know your picks for the best Rockport, MA, restaurants in the comments below.
Ian Aldrich is the Senior Features Editor at Yankee magazine, where he has worked for more for nearly two decades. As the magazine’s staff feature writer, he writes stories that delve deep into issues facing communities throughout New England. In 2019 he received gold in the reporting category at the annual City-Regional Magazine conference for his story on New England’s opioid crisis. Ian’s work has been recognized by both the Best American Sports and Best American Travel Writing anthologies. He lives with his family in Dublin, New Hampshire.
