14 Massachusetts Seafood Feasts That Make Christmas Dinner A Cape Cod Classic
Christmas in Massachusetts tastes a little different along the coast, where seafood often takes center stage instead of the usual holiday spread.
On Cape Cod, tables fill with buttery lobster, briny oysters, baked cod, and chowder that warms you from the inside out.
Many classic Cape seafood spots operate seasonally and may be closed in winter, so not every place on this list will be serving Christmas dinner in late December.
Holiday plans still feel rooted in local tradition and salty breezes, and this list works best as a mix of year-round favorites plus warm-weather Cape staples to bookmark for spring and summer.
1. The Lobster Pot — Provincetown
Perched at the very tip of Cape Cod, this iconic restaurant has been serving hungry visitors for decades.
The building features weathered shingles and nautical decor that makes you feel like you’re dining inside a classic New England fishing cottage.
Large windows offer stunning views of Provincetown Harbor, where fishing boats bob in the water year-round.
Their Portuguese seafood stew is legendary, packed with clams, mussels, shrimp, and chunks of fresh fish swimming in a tomato-based broth.
The recipe honors the town’s rich Portuguese heritage.
Locals also rave about the whole belly fried clams, which arrive golden and crispy.
Fun fact: The restaurant sits on the same wharf where fishermen have unloaded their catches for over a century.
You’ll find The Lobster Pot at 321 Commercial Street in Provincetown, right where the action happens along the bustling waterfront.
2. Moby Dick’s Restaurant — Wellfleet
Named after the famous whale from Herman Melville’s novel, this casual spot has been a Wellfleet fixture since 1983.
The interior showcases knotty pine walls and maritime memorabilia that transport diners to a simpler time.
Picnic tables fill the outdoor patio, perfect for sunny summer afternoons when Cape weather cooperates.
Their fried whole belly clams are absolutely massive, sourced locally when available.
The clam chowder comes loaded with tender chunks of clam and just the right amount of cream.
Many visitors order the seafood platter to sample everything at once.
Here’s something cool: The restaurant processes its own clams right on site, ensuring maximum freshness.
Located at 3225 State Highway (Route 6) in Wellfleet, Moby Dick’s sits conveniently along the main Cape Cod route.
3. Mac’s Shack — Wellfleet
Tucked away on a quiet road, this colorful restaurant started as a small seafood market before expanding into a full dining destination.
Bright turquoise and coral paint covers the exterior, making it impossible to miss.
The dining room features mismatched furniture and local artwork that creates a funky, relaxed vibe.
Mac’s famous oysters come straight from Wellfleet’s pristine beds, served raw on the half shell with creative toppings like ginger-soy mignonette.
Their lobster mac and cheese combines two comfort foods into one glorious dish.
The fish tacos also deserve attention, stuffed with perfectly seasoned white fish and crunchy slaw.
Interesting tidbit: The restaurant’s owners are passionate about sustainable fishing practices and change their menu based on what’s freshest each day.
Find Mac’s Shack at 91 Commercial Street in Wellfleet, nestled among the town’s charming shops and galleries.
4. Arnold’s Lobster & Clam Bar — Eastham
Operating since 1977, Arnold’s started as a tiny clam shack and grew into a Cape Cod institution.
The simple wooden structure features red trim and a sprawling outdoor seating area under large umbrellas.
String lights add magic to evening dining, creating a festive atmosphere perfect for summer gatherings.
Their lobster rolls overflow with sweet meat mixed with just enough mayo to hold everything together.
The onion rings arrive hot and crispy, cut thick and fried to golden perfection.
Arnold’s also serves an incredible seafood platter that includes scallops, shrimp, clams, and fish.
Cool detail: The restaurant maintains its own lobster pound, keeping hundreds of lobsters alive in circulating seawater until ordered.
You’ll discover Arnold’s at 3580 State Highway (Route 6) in Eastham.
5. Baxter’s Boathouse — Hyannis
Sitting directly on the harbor, Baxter’s offers unbeatable water views from every table.
The building resembles an actual boathouse with exposed beams and nautical ropes hanging from the ceiling.
A large deck extends over the water, letting diners watch boats cruise past while enjoying their meals.
Baxter’s clam chowder has won multiple awards and tastes like pure Cape Cod in a bowl.
Their baked stuffed lobster comes packed with seafood stuffing and melted butter.
The restaurant’s famous fish and chips features flaky cod wrapped in crispy batter.
Fun fact: Ferries to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket depart from docks nearby, making it a perfect stop before or after island adventures.
Find Baxter’s Boathouse at 177 Pleasant Street in Hyannis, where the Christmas lights reflecting off the harbor create magical evening dining experiences.
6. The Skipper Chowder House — South Yarmouth
Established in 1936, this Cape Cod standby has been a South Yarmouth landmark for generations.
The interior features dark wood paneling and captain’s chairs surrounding sturdy tables.
Nautical paintings and vintage fishing equipment decorate every available wall space.
Their New England clam chowder is thick, creamy, and absolutely loaded with clams that taste fresh from the ocean.
The baked scallops arrive bubbling hot with a buttery crumb topping.
Skipper’s also serves an excellent lobster pie, combining chunks of lobster with a rich sauce under a flaky pastry crust.
Here’s something neat: recipes and traditions here get passed along, helping the place keep its long-running appeal.
Located at 152 South Shore Drive in South Yarmouth, The Skipper sits close enough to the shoreline that you can smell the salt air.
7. Captain Parker’s Pub — West Yarmouth
Winner of countless chowder competitions, Captain Parker’s takes its soup seriously.
The building looks like a traditional Cape Cod home from the outside, painted in classic grey with white trim.
Inside, the pub atmosphere features dark wood, brass fixtures, and a long bar where locals gather year-round.
Their award-winning clam chowder has been named the best in New England multiple times, thick enough to coat your spoon but never gloppy.
The baked stuffed shrimp comes overflowing with crabmeat stuffing.
Captain Parker’s fish and chips uses haddock, resulting in tender fish inside that crispy coating.
Interesting note: The restaurant sells its famous chowder so visitors can take the taste of Cape Cod home with them.
You’ll find Captain Parker’s Pub at 668 Route 28 in West Yarmouth.
8. Seafood Sam’s — Falmouth
Started in 1974, Seafood Sam’s has grown while maintaining its casual, family-friendly atmosphere.
The Falmouth location features bright blue exterior paint and large windows that flood the dining room with natural light.
Simple wooden tables and a no-frills approach keep the focus squarely on the food.
Their fried clam strips are perfectly crispy without being greasy, served with tangy tartar sauce.
The lobster bisque is smooth and rich, tasting strongly of sweet lobster meat.
Sam’s also offers an excellent grilled swordfish when you want something lighter than fried options.
Fun detail: The restaurant’s motto is “It’s gotta be fresh or it’s gotta go,” and they refuse to serve anything that doesn’t meet their strict quality standards.
Located at 356 Palmer Avenue in Falmouth, Seafood Sam’s delivers reliable deliciousness for Cape cravings.
9. The Captain Kidd — Woods Hole
Named after the famous pirate, this waterfront tavern has welcomed locals and visitors for generations in Woods Hole.
The building sits right on the harbor with a nautical theme throughout, including ship wheels, brass portholes, and maritime charts.
A large outdoor deck lets diners watch harbor activity while enjoying their meals.
Their fish tacos are legendary in Woods Hole, stuffed with blackened fish and topped with fresh pico de gallo.
The lobster roll comes served Connecticut-style with warm butter instead of mayo.
Captain Kidd’s clam chowder follows a traditional recipe that keeps regulars coming back.
Cool fact: the place sits right in Woods Hole, where many visitors connected to the village’s marine science community stop in to eat.
Find The Captain Kidd at 77 Water Street in Woods Hole.
10. Sesuit Harbor Cafe — Dennis
Overlooking the picturesque Sesuit Harbor, this charming cafe occupies a renovated building with large picture windows showcasing water views.
The interior combines modern updates with classic Cape touches like ship-lap walls painted white.
A small outdoor patio provides front-row seats to stunning sunset views over the marsh.
Their lobster Benedict transforms the classic brunch dish by adding chunks of fresh lobster meat over perfectly poached eggs.
The fried oysters arrive golden and crunchy on the outside while staying tender inside.
Sesuit’s fish tacos use locally caught striped bass when in season.
Interesting tidbit: The cafe sits right where fishing boats depart each morning, so on busy days the seafood can be especially fresh.
Located at 357 Sesuit Neck Road in Dennis.
11. Chatham Pier Fish Market — Chatham
Part fish market, part casual eatery, this Chatham institution lets you buy fresh seafood or eat it right there at picnic tables.
The simple building features weathered cedar shingles and a no-nonsense layout focused entirely on freshness.
Seals often swim near the pier, entertaining diners while they eat.
Their lobster rolls are stuffed so full of meat that it spills over the sides of the toasted bun.
The fish and chips uses whatever white fish is coming in fresh.
Chatham Pier also offers raw oysters shucked to order, tasting like pure ocean.
Fun fact: Commercial fishing boats unload their catches right at this pier, keeping the setting deeply tied to working-waterfront Chatham.
You’ll find Chatham Pier Fish Market at 45 Barcliff Avenue Extension in Chatham.
12. Nauset Fish & Lobster Pool — Orleans
Hidden behind trees on a quiet road, this unassuming spot has been a local secret since 1986.
The small building resembles a traditional fish market with simple construction and minimal decoration.
Outdoor picnic tables scatter across a grassy area where families spread out blankets and enjoy their meals under the sun.
Nauset’s lobster rolls are generous and delicious, using only knuckle and claw meat.
Their fried whole belly clams taste incredibly sweet, sourced from the cleanest waters around Cape Cod.
The clam chowder follows a simple recipe that lets the clam flavor shine through without heavy cream masking the taste.
Cool detail: The restaurant maintains large tanks where you can pick your own live lobster before they cook it.
Located at 38 Route 6A in Orleans, Nauset Fish & Lobster Pool offers a low-key Christmas dining option where the focus stays entirely on quality seafood without fancy atmosphere or high prices.
13. Osterville Fish Too — Barnstable
Combining a fish market with a casual restaurant, this Barnstable gem serves fresh seafood in a relaxed setting.
Inside, a glass case displays the day’s catches while diners place orders at a counter before finding seats.
Market energy keeps the experience straightforward and focused on what looks best that day.
Their tuna gets seared and served over mixed greens.
The lobster bisque is velvety smooth with chunks of lobster throughout.
Osterville Fish Too also prepares grilled swordfish topped with fruit salsa that adds brightness to the meaty fish.
Interesting note: the menu can shift with availability and season.
Find Osterville Fish Too at 275 Millway, Barnstable, MA 02630.
14. The Seafood Shanty — Buzzards Bay
Overlooking the Cape Cod Canal, this restaurant provides front-row views of ships passing through one of the region’s busiest waterways.
The building features multiple levels of outdoor decks stacked to maximize water views.
Inside, large windows ensure every table gets a glimpse of the maritime action outside.
Their baked stuffed lobster arrives overflowing with seafood stuffing and drawn butter.
The fried seafood platter includes scallops, shrimp, clams, and fish, all cooked to crispy perfection.
Seafood Shanty’s clam chowder is thick and creamy, loaded with tender clams.
Fun fact: Diners can watch cargo ships, sailboats, and yachts cruise past while eating.
Located at 803 Scenic Hwy (Route 6), Bournedale, MA 02532.