Topper's, a Nantucket Island Resorts Restaurant property located inside the Four-Star The Wauwinet, is the domain of chef Kyle Zachary, who lends his extensive New England-honed skills to the fine-dining restaurant.
Regulars know to order the seasonal prix fixe menu, which offers locally inspired treats including fresh product and regionally caught seafood. Or opt for chef’s tasting menu for a seven-course feast featuring delicious delicacies like pan-seared Hudson Valley foes gras with butternut squash. All meals can be paired with a selection from the award-winning 1,450-label wine list.
The lunch and dinner menus on Topper’s outdoor, bay-front deck are slightly more casual but just as inspired. Raw options and dock-to-table favorites (lobster rolls, anyone?) pair perfectly with one of Topper’s specialty cocktails— the peach-tinged vodka Wauwinet-ini, perhaps.
Regulars know to order the seasonal prix fixe menu, which offers locally inspired treats including fresh product and regionally caught seafood. Or opt for chef’s tasting menu for a seven-course feast featuring delicious delicacies like pan-seared Hudson Valley foes gras with butternut squash. All meals can be paired with a selection from the award-winning 1,450-label wine list.
The lunch and dinner menus on Topper’s outdoor, bay-front deck are slightly more casual but just as inspired. Raw options and dock-to-table favorites (lobster rolls, anyone?) pair perfectly with one of Topper’s specialty cocktails— the peach-tinged vodka Wauwinet-ini, perhaps.
Our Inspector's Highlights
- The restaurant's prime spot allows Topper's to offer diverse dining experiences to patrons. If you’re in the mood for a traditional, sophisticated culinary experience in the main dining room, stick with the restaurant; but if you’re looking for something more casual while still experiencing top-notch cuisine, try the Topper's outdoor deck.
- The amazing, remote location adds to the freshness of the food, since the chefs have the opportunity to use dock-to-table local ingredients like Wauwinet Bay oysters and quahog clams.
- The view while dining at Topper's is incredible—the restaurant overlooks picturesque Nantucket Bay.
- If you’re not staying at The Wauwinet, Topper’s is still worth the trip. Make an afternoon or night of it by reserving a seat on the complimentary 50-minute Wauwinet Lady cruise from Nantucket Town.
- If you’re planning on dining outside at Topper's Deck, you don’t have to be concerned with getting cold as the sun goes down — the laid-back deck area is heated.
Things to Know
- You’ll find the Four-Star restaurant inside The Wauwinet hotel at 120 Wauwinet Road in Nantucket, Mass., about nine miles outside of Nantucket Town.
- You’ll want to take advantage of Topper’s while you can, since it is only open seasonally between early May and the end of October.
- Topper's has a casual dress code, despite the prestigious chefs and sophisticated menu. For dinner, the informal vibe transcends, and Topper's recommends resort casual attire.
The Food
- Regulars know to order the seasonal prix fixe menu, which has locally inspired treats such as sea urchin risotto with truffle and Maine rock shrimp, or local Lightship Diver scallops with oxtail ragout, green apple, cipollini onion and potato espuma.
- Or opt for the chef’s tasting menu, which features seven delicious courses such as pan-seared Hudson Valley foie gras with butternut squash, smoked maple syrup and French toast; roasted duck with chestnut spaetzle, red cabbage, quince and hibiscus.
- For dessert, try the sea-salted caramel soufflé with chocolate ice cream.
- Raw options on Topper’s outdoor deck include Wauwinet Bay oysters and togarashi-spiced hamachi pizza; our can’t-miss pick from the dock-to-table list is the flavorful Topper’s lobster roll, served on a round bun with Boston bibb, lemon aioli and pickles.
The Drinks
- In addition to an award-winning 1,450-label wine list, Topper’s features a full bar and a wide array of specialty cocktails.
- A cocktail menu of refreshing sips includes drinks like Cucumbered (cucumber vodka, Lillet Blanc, basil and fresh lemon juice) and a Frozen Pink Sangria—the perfect pairing for a summer afternoon lunch on the deck.
- A small beer list keeps you in an island state of mind, offering mostly Caribbean brews from Barbados and Jamaica, among others.
Getting There
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