Don’t miss a moment in the sun and salt air with these six outdoor dining options around Falmouth. In a town as beautiful as Falmouth, it would be a shame to spend too much time indoors during the summer. Fortunately, a smorgasbord of outdoor dining options in town awaits. You can enjoy a delicious meal and a cold libation while appreciating the Cape’s trademark salty air and laid-back vibe. Despite its small-town feel, Falmouth boasts an array of cuisines, many of which transport diners to faraway places. While it’s hard to beat a slab of crispy fried cod dipped in tangy tartar sauce, sometimes it’s nice to mix things up, especially for those who live here year-round or all summer long. Join us on a jaunt about town as we check out the different outdoor dining options Falmouth has to offer.
The Flying Bridge
Located on Falmouth Harbor, newly renovated this spring, the Flying Bridge Restaurant is a mainstay for locals and visitors, with multiple tiers of outdoor dining decks and an event space perfect for an ocean view wedding.
Some say the fisherman’s platter—complete with cod, clams, shrimp and scallops, along with the requisite fries and coleslaw—just can’t be beat, especially when enjoyed outside against the backdrop of an early evening sunset. Having tucked into such a spread, you might feel as contentedly tired as the pleasure boats returning to their slips for the evening. flyingbridgerestaurant.com
Estia
A more recent addition to Main Street, Estia is a modern Greek restaurant located in the former Eastern Bank location across from the post office. Its front terrace overlooks the corner of Post Office Lane and Main Street, as well as the tip of the town green. A spot on the terrace can only be further enhanced by selections like grilled octopus, spicy feta spread, zucchini chips and a chilled glass of assyrtiko, a Greek white wine from Santorini. Other menu choices include coal-fired pizza, steaks and chops, burgers and Greek specialties such as spanakopita and dolmades. estiacapecod.com
The Captain Kidd
Located at the starting line of the Falmouth Road Race, the Captain Kidd has been a part of the Woods Hole community for more than 50 years. Guests seated in the outdoor dining areas will have a front-row view of Eel Pond’s leisurely boat traffic and unique floating houses. Tables even extend along the piers that jut out over the pond. A classic seafood restaurant through and through, the Captain Kidd offers classics like fried seafood platters and baked seafood entrées. The go-to, though, might have to be a succulent lobster roll paired with a glass of sangria, enjoyed while watching the sun set over Eel Pond. thecaptainkidd.com
Shipwrecked
Let’s pretend we ran the Falmouth Road Race and are crossing the finish line, only to find ourselves at Shipwrecked on Grand Avenue in Falmouth Heights. The newest spot on this list, Shipwrecked opened in 2021 and offers what it describes as “a little bit of everything,” from sushi to fried seafood to non-fish landlubber items like burgers, pizza and steak tips. Just outside to the right of the restaurant is a courtyard with full-service seating at tables and Adirondack chairs, as well as a bar overlooking the beach. The restaurant’s front windows slide open, so even guests dining inside can enjoy an outdoor dining vibe while taking in the views of Falmouth Heights Beach. Shipwrecked is friendly to beachgoers and is the perfect watering hole for a mid-afternoon snack and drink (mudslide!). shipwreckedfalmouth.com
Añejo Mexican Bistro
Añejo, an authentic Mexican restaurant with a self-described Cape Cod twist, sits at the corner of Academy Lane and Main Street, just steps from the Falmouth Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center. Guests on the front terrace can people-watch while snacking on specialties like tableside guacamole and sipping one of more than 100 tequilas. Or you could try the ultimate lineup: a La Casa Margarita, Main Street Corn and Tres Enchiladas—pork verde, chicken mole and beef roja enchiladas all in one entrée so you don’t have to choose. anejo.cc
Landfall
Winning the prize for longevity on this list, Landfall has been perched at the entrance to Eel Pond in Woods Hole for 77 years. The restaurant’s authentic aesthetic pays homage to the area, with its construction and décor largely composed of materials from old ships and historic local buildings. There are a few outdoor dining options: a patio with a firepit and a separate area designated by its crushed-shell ground cover. Guests can also enjoy drinks and small appetizers on a small dock area. Landfall showcases fresh seafood like lobster, swordfish, clams, scallops and seasonal fin fish. An ideal evening might include an Aperol Spritz paired with the Fish Bites appetizer, followed by the Broiled Seafood Platter, which includes broiled swordfish, shrimp, and scallops with breadcrumbs and a creamy scampi sauce. landfallwoodshole.com
For more information visit Falmouth Eats falmouthlivingmag.com/falmouth-eats/