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A tastemaker’s guide to the shops, eats, and stays on New England’s chicest island.
There really is no place like Nantucket. I’ve been fortunate enough to travel the world as a travel editor and writer—from the cloud-covered peaks of Lake Lucerne to the culture-filled streets of London, and the bustling street markets of Shanghai—but, for me, nothing comes close to this New England island. Nantucket has been a part of my life since, well, since forever. And now, I’m honoring my home island with a new storefront for my Nantucket-founded lifestyle brand, Steplane.
All this to say, I think about Nantucket and what makes it different a lot. And what it really comes down to, I’ve deduced, is restraint—and Nantucket as the ultimate exercise in it.
Some restraint isn’t by choice. As an island 30 miles out to sea, certain amenities simply aren’t afforded here. The journey alone proves that you have to earn your place. Other restraint is by design. There are no neon lights. No buildings over 35 feet. No chain stores (though a few newer storefronts have found clever ways around that rule). No traffic lights. The result is a place preserved and protected by people who care deeply to keep it that way—which is exactly why others love coming here.
That’s also why this week in particular, Nantucket by Design—an annual celebration of art, design, and history hosted by the Nantucket Historical Association, gathering the design world’s darlings, from Martha Stewart to Ken Fulk and Aerin Lauder—is among my favorites of the season, and such a special time to be on the island.
Naturally, that means a steady stream of design-minded friends asking me for the same thing: where to dine, imbibe, shop, and stay while they’re here. So I thought I’d put it in writing for them—and for you—here.
Where to Shop
Steplane: At Steplane, we offer what I like to call “coastalwear,” i.e., the types of knits, oxfords, and accessories I constantly reach for while I’m on the island (all customizable with embroidery), and work directly with makers near and far to offer exclusive, handcrafted items. Aside from that, one of the things I’m most proud of at Steplane is The Nantucket Tartan, which is Nantucket’s first officially registered tartan that I had formally recorded in the Scottish Register of Tartans and permanently preserved in the National Records of Scotland.
Murray’s Toggery: A family-owned-and-operated storefront since 1945, which happens to also be the family behind the original Nantucket Reds—those salmon-colored trousers you see everywhere. Introduced in the 1960s by Philip C. Murray, these canvas trousers were inspired by the weathered, red-tanned sails of Breton fishing boats in France. Designed to fade from a brick-red to a soft, sun-washed pink with exposure to salt, sun, and time, they have become the unofficial uniform of Nantucket.
Craftmasters: Craftmasters, one of the island’s oldest shops, is best known for its one-of-a-kind scrimshaw, created by some of the few remaining master scrimshanders using premium prehistoric woolly mammoth ivory. Beyond its signature scrimshaw, the shop’s rustic, character-filled interior offers a curated treasure trove of high-quality goods.
Nantucket Bookworks: Nantucket Bookworks is where you’ll find reads from local authors, including Elin Hilderbrand (you may have seen the 2024 Netflix series “The Perfect Couple,” which is based on her novel), Nathaniel Philbrick, and Nancy Thayer, as well as charming knickknacks and an assortment of artisanal chocolates.
Where to Eat and Drink
Black-Eyed Susan’s: Black-Eyed Susan’s is a sweet little breakfast spot that is the closest thing to a diner on the island. There are maybe 10 tables, max, and it’s walk-in only, so arrive early and hungry.
Sconset Market: The Sconset Market has delicious, fresh-baked daily blueberry muffins, ice cream, and snacks. It’s a great spot to grab a treat before or after exploring the nearby Bluff Walk.
Galley Beach: Galley Beach offers a fantastic lunch and an even better setting. It’s better known for its evening offering, thanks to breathtaking sunsets, but I prefer the more pared-back afternoon atmosphere, which is ideal for digging into its steamed PEI mussels and a divine lobster roll.
Straight Wharf Restaurant: For dinner, you can’t go wrong with Straight Wharf Restaurant, which boasts a harborside view as delicious as the prix fixe menu. The menu changes daily and with the seasons, but you can expect dishes like salmon crudo and Nantucket oysters alongside scallops and swordfish.
Bloom Bar: Bloom Bar is a place that doesn’t fit neatly into any single category. It’s a café-meets-cocktail bar right in the heart of downtown, where you can get the best Italian doughnuts in the morning and sidewalk spritzes at night.
Where to Stay
Faraway Nantucket: No one will deny that Faraway Nantucket is one of the most design-savvy spaces on the island. It’s a property that has a very strong sense of identity, with an on-site restaurant called Sister Ship that’s inspired by a fictional female sea captain and filled with treasures she would’ve collected during her travels sailing the world.
White Elephant: White Elephant is your white-glove option. It’s the more traditional full-service resort experience that you’ll find on the island, offering everything from classic hotel rooms to cottage rentals, and even full residences for those who want to make it feel like home.
Greydon House: One of my favorite properties on the island is Greydon House. It’s a 20-room boutique hotel, outfitted by Roman and Williams with an incredibly chic, intimate bar. To me, it feels the most authentically Nantucket, like you’re staying in a whaling captain’s antique home.
Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
