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The Spring 2018 Restaurant Opening Guide: Cape and Islands

Start planning your summer road trips

A breakfast roll from the Buffalo Jump
A breakfast roll from the Buffalo Jump
The Buffalo Jump/Facebook

Among all of the seasonal restaurant re-openings on the Cape, there are some brand new spots in the works as well. Here’s the rundown on the new restaurants that could debut this spring (and later) around Falmouth, Martha’s Vineyard, Hyannis, and beyond.

Keep in mind that restaurant opening timelines often change; we’ll be updating this guide frequently throughout the season as new information becomes available. Get in touch if you know of a forthcoming restaurant that should be on our radar.

Note: The clickable table of contents below may not display properly (or at all) on certain mobile platforms. For best results, view on a tablet or desktop.



The past Red Pheasant and future Pheasant
The past Red Pheasant and future Pheasant
The Pheasant/Instagram

The Pheasant

905 Main St., Dennis

The decades-old Red Pheasant closed at the end of 2017 and will reopen this spring under new ownership (Adam and Erica Dunn) as the Pheasant, serving “New England coastal farm-to-table fare” by executive chef Toby Hill (Pain D’Avignon, Brewster Fish House).
Projected opening: Spring 2018


Lamb stew from the Buffalo Jump
Lamb stew from the Buffalo Jump
The Buffalo Jump/Facebook

Aquatic Brewing Co.

661 Main St., Falmouth

This forthcoming brewery may open as soon as spring; keep an eye on the website for updates. A checklist indicates that the brewery and taproom buildout is currently in progress, and Aquatic has already received its federal and state approvals, as well as its local zoning and pouring permits. The beer lineup may include a hefeweizen made with Jarrylo hops. Here’s brew pup Leela.
Projected opening: Spring 2018

Buffalo Jump

Coonamessett Farm, 277 Hatchville Rd. East Falmouth

As announced last summer, Brandon Baltzley and Laura Higgins-Baltzley are making their Buffalo Jump pop-up permanent, taking over food operations at Coonamessett Farm in East Falmouth with a daytime cafe and multi-course fine dining several nights a week. The cafe will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. with breakfast and lunch, including a full menu for kids. Reservations are now open for dinner, which will be served on Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays and will be “influenced by exploration, nostalgia, and history, using only the best ingredients found locally grown, fished, and foraged.” Dinners are BYOB, and diners are welcome to arrive early to explore the farm.
Projected opening: April 27, 2018

Soprano’s Casino by the Sea

286 Grand Ave., Falmouth

This sibling to Soprano’s Ristorante, an Italian restaurant in Mashpee, will be open year-round in the former Casino Wharf FX space. The Mashpee location has been around since 2005.
Projected opening: Mid-April 2018


Barbecue at the Lanyard Bar and Grill, now open in Harwich Port
Barbecue at the Lanyard Bar and Grill, now open in Harwich Port
The Lanyard Bar and Grill/Facebook

The Lanyard Bar and Grill [NOW OPEN]

429 Main St., Harwich Port

After Land Ho! closed in mid-February, it quickly transitioned — under new ownership — to the Lanyard Bar and Grill. Ben Porter (who owns Viera in West Harwich) is behind the new venture, along with Matt Kelley and Lou Malzone, and they don’t intend to make too many changes to the food, price point, etc. at the iconic space, which was the 400 Club for a very long time before it was Land Ho! for the better part of the past decade. One change is the addition of some barbecue to the menu. There’s also fried seafood, sandwiches, tacos, appetizers such as stuffed quahogs and fried mac and cheese, and lots more.
Opened: March 23, 2018


Salmon, steak tips, and shrimp — a menu sneak peek from Ten Pin Eatery
Salmon, steak tips, and shrimp — a menu sneak peek from Ten Pin Eatery
Ten Pin Eatery/Facebook

Ten Pin Eatery

Cape Cod Mall, 769 Iyannough Rd., Hyannis

At the Cape Cod Mall, a collaboration between Chapin’s Restaurant Group and Ryan’s Family Amusements will result in a 300-seat restaurant, bar, and games, including bowling, laser tag, and more.
Projected opening: Early April 2018


The Cardboard Box art
The Cardboard Box art
The Cardboard Box/Facebook

The Cardboard Box

6 Circuit Ave., Oak Bluffs, Martha’s Vineyard

Red Cat owner Ben deForest has purchased Down Island and will reopen it as the Cardboard Box this spring. It could have “elements of a steakhouse culture but will not strictly be a steakhouse,” as the Vineyard Gazette previously reported. Expect farm-to-table and “sea-to-table” New England cuisine, as well as a late-night scene.
Projected opening: Early May 2018

Martha’s Vineyard openings beyond spring 2018

Black Sheep (18 N. Summer St., Edgartown), a market and cafe, could expand to the former Tin Hangar space by the airport (17 Airport Rd., Edgartown), selling prepared foods and taking advantage of the larger kitchen space. The new location would be open seasonally, approximately April through late December


Naukabout Beer Company
Naukabout Beer Company
Naukabout/Facebook

Naukabout Beer Company [NOW OPEN]

13 Lake Ave., Mashpee

This seven-barrel brewhouse features lake and river views and a lineup of beers that includes a “juicy” and “tropical” New England IPA, a triple dry-hopped double IPA, and more.
Opened: March 29, 2018


Nothing on our radar for spring 2018 in Orleans. Know of something? Let us know.

Orleans openings beyond spring 2018

Summer could see the opening of an outdoor food court of sorts, complete with picnic tables, food trucks, and a container bar, pending various permitting hurdles. If it happens, it’ll be located on route 6A, near the Red Balloon.


Nothing on our radar for spring 2018 in Provincetown. Know of something? Let us know.

Provincetown openings beyond spring 2018

After a successful Kickstarter campaign, Japanese izakaya and pastry shop Tanuki is headed toward opening a brick-and-mortar location in Provincetown, serving yakitori, beach bento boxes, lots of matcha things, rare whiskey, and more. Drink alum Rebekah Powers is behind it and will be popping up in and around Boston leading up to the eventual opening.


Pizzas in the oven at Rock Harbor Grill, big sibling to the forthcoming Grill 43
Pizzas in the oven at Rock Harbor Grill, big sibling to the forthcoming Grill 43
Rock Harbor Grill/Facebook

Grill 43

43 Route 6A, Yarmouth Port

Orleans’ Rock Harbor Grill will get a sibling restaurant soon, Grill 43. “We are a neighborhood restaurant with something for everyone,” co-owner Stephen Baroni told Eater. “You can get a salad and a burger or a gourmet meal.” (Baroni is behind Grill 43 with Charles Konner, who is the sole owner of Rock Harbor Grill.) Per a sample menu filed with the licensing board, dishes might include smoked haddock chowder, candied bacon mac and cheese, Korean fried chicken, portobello burgers, wood-fired pizza with a variety of toppings, and more, and there could be a full gluten-free menu as well. It’ll be open year-round, seven nights a week.
Projected opening: Within the first few weeks of May 2018