Just a few blocks beyond Nantucket’s downtown fringe, American Seasons has the air of a longtime classic but the cuisine of a hip new spot. Foodies delight in the farm-to-table dishes, which may include such tastes as carrot soup with cream cheese falafel and bulgar wheat risotto with farm egg and fried pickled ramps in a baked potato broth. With a wine list with over 500 titles, American Seasons is the perfect spot for a romantic evening, especially when dining in the garden patio.

There’s still no easy way of getting into this island favorite—reservations are accepted only for dinner—but locals and longtime visitors have accepted the fact that lining up in front of the unassuming restaurant is part of the experience. Opened in 1992 by chef Jeff Worster and Susan Handy, the BYOB restaurant has a small dining room with white-washed walls and green copper chandeliers, as well as a lovely outdoor dining space. The hearty breakfast, served until 1 p.m., is the most popular; arrive early and be prepared to wait.

A longtime reliable takeout place in Siasconset, Claudette prepares hearty—and pricey—sandwiches to go for visitors en route to the local beach. You can also eat on the petite patio in front of the cute storefront with its red-and-white-striped awning.

Located within the Nantucket Culinary Center, this cheery café welcomes guests with plenty of natural light and comfortable banquette seating. In addition to excellent coffee, pastries, sandwiches and salads, the menu features a selection of goodies created by chefs in town. Locals swear that these cookies are the most delectable treats on island.

One of few coveted waterfront spaces in town, Cru Oyster Bar opened in 2012 and offers a front-row view of the wharf and bay beyond. The nautical interior is thoughtfully done and features plush banquettes, a central communal high table, dark wood and beautiful bubbled glass light fixtures. Seafood lovers should not miss the oyster bar, which offers fresh local selections daily. But be warned: the restaurant’s location right next to the Hy-Line Ferry can lead to overcrowding.

Chef Michael Getter of American Seasons fame founded Dune Restaurant and Bar, a modern, high-ceilinged restaurant with three dining rooms and a long quartzite bar. Dune is as ideal for pre-dinner cocktails as it is for a dinner consisting of seasonal local produce and seafood.

Opened in 1958, Galley Beach is an island classic due to its spectacular location on Cliffside Beach. The beachside dining room offers unrivaled sunset views, and after a 2008 renovation the iconic eatery is sophisticated without being too sleek. While the food is not outstanding, the view is breathtaking, and Galley Beach remains the see-and-be-seen spot for summer locals.

A favorite among locals and visitors, this lively café is a beloved breakfast destination. In addition to the superb egg dishes (don’t miss the turkey hash), Island Kitchen serves excellent lunch and dinner year-round. It is also one of the few eateries on Nantucket that remains reasonably priced.

Few customers actually order juice at this simple shop at the corner of Broad Street; instead they line up for delicious homemade ice cream and sorbets (if you’re lucky, you’ll arrive in time for their famous blackberry, made with locally harvested fruits). For the ultimate indulgence, get an ice-cream sandwich made to order with your choice of flavor between two homemade chocolate-chip cookies. The housemade waffle cones are another favorite.

An island institution, this French go-to is always packed with locals and summer visitors, usually found catching up on island gossip with the friendly staff. There’s a formal dining room upstairs, but follow the locals’ lead and get a seat at the bistro downstairs. There are just seven tables, covered in blue-and-white-checked tablecloths, and the menu includes such haute-brasserie favorites as sweetbreads, filet of sole, rib eye and lobster. Those waiting for a table can have a glass of wine at the zinc-clad bar.

Lola is a happening spot for a drink or dinner (which is served until 11 p.m.), and remains lively well into the night. The concept menu focuses on regional dishes from places located along latitude 41°, where Nantucket lies, and includes everything from sashimi and sushi to pork-chop Milanese and the beloved LoLa Burger (which inspired its own eponymous restaurant).

A no-frills clam shack overlooking the harbor, the popular Lobster Trap serves up fresh seafood. The spot also has a special children’s menu.

Chef Chris Freeman made big news in 2000’s when he left Topper’s restaurant at the Wauwinet to take over this romantic restaurant. Occupying the second floor of a historic house, Òran Mór spills across three light-filled rooms. Freeman, who trained at the Culinary Institute of America and also worked at Connecticut’s acclaimed Mayflower Inn, has created a diverse menu that features such simply prepared yet elegant dishes as local Nantucket farm greens with roasted beets and chèvre, velvety Hudson Valley foie gras torchon with black mission figs and crispy roasted striped bass with littleneck clams and sweet corn.

Even if you don’t stay for dinner, the cozy bar is a great place for a specialty cocktail. With its booth seating (request the one with views of the harbor), the front room is the most jovial space. For an intimate dinner for two, ask to be seated in the back room overlooking the pretty garden.

A gourmet deli in town, Provisions is a nice spot to grab a salad, sandwich or baked goods. It’s near the ferry hub, so the setting is less than ideal for a peaceful lunch. Best to get takeout to bring to the nearby jetties or beaches.

If you’re biking toward Nantucket town along the challenging—and aptly named—Cliff Road and suddenly get a whiff of freshly-baked bread, you know you’ve arrived at Something Natural, a lunch standby located in a cottage surrounded by a large garden. The sandwiches are prepared on tasty homemade bread (they also sell muffins and pastries). It’s a good spot to stock up before a bike tour, or take a break at one of the picnic tables scattered across the lawn. For those who can’t get enough of their lauded chocolate chip cookies, quarts of dough are available for sale.

Despite opening 1975, Straight Wharf has never gone out of style or aged one bit; in fact, it’s as popular as ever, enticing patrons with watermelon and tomato salad, arugula and French green olives and zucchini-blossom appetizers. For a drink at sunset, the simple wooden bar inside the main dining room and the patio overlooking Straight Wharf are always crowded. This is not the place for an intimate cocktail (for that, go to Òran Mór), but to see and be seen, there’s no better location on the island.