by Brittney Wright
The sign inside says it all –– Eat to live.
During the 1800’s, Edgartown was recognized for being a thriving port for the whaling industry. International voyages would dock inside the sheltered harbor, bringing with them a number of captains and their families who built the grand mansions that would later give Edgartown its upscale vibe. These sea captains spent months on end out in their expertly crafted wooden ships, scouring the ocean for the one thing that they could earn a living off of –– whales. Although the town no longer functions as a whaling port, its history still lingers in the same air that blows through the sails of the boats that presently dock inside the harbor. Follow that ocean breeze and it will blow you straight through the front door of a restaurant that is delightfully reminiscent of Edgartown’s rich history. Located just steps away from the harbor, the Wharf offers a restaurant-pub bar combination that is a family favorite among locals and visitors alike. And if you didn’t know better, you’d probably expect to see the ghost of an old whaling captain stroll out of the back kitchen.
“Things have changed in Edgartown, but we used to be the only place that had music every single night, and that’s what drew people in,” says head server Elizabeth Wallo. The Wharf first opened as the Edgartown Cafe in 1993 before being renamed in 2004. It is now owned and operated by the Coogan family, but has held on to what made it so popular in the first place; delicious food, great music, and one of the most popular bars on the island.
The restaurant itself is divided into three distinct sections. You enter through the dining room, which could be easily mistaken for a swanky captain’s cabin aboard any historic whaling ship; with rich wood paneling, leather-covered seating, and lighting in the form of vintage lanterns, your eyes will have just as much to feast on as your stomach will. The dining room serves a variety of classic New England appetizers, salads, and surf-and-turf entrees.
“We get all of our seafood locally from the Net Result,” says Wallo, which means that it’s likely that your delicious lobster dinner could likely have been sitting at the bottom of the ocean just that morning.
Off of the dining room is the Wharf ’s cozy and casual pub area, which also offers the complete dining menu you would find on the other side of the door. A selection of beers on tap is available, as well as wine, liquor, and one of the best Bloody Marys you’ll find on the island. The space also boasts a smattering of high-definition television perfect for watching the Red Sox; Yankees fans are (unfortunately) welcome too.
“I remember coming here when I had just turned 21 and this place was jam-packed! It’s always been the place to be,” says Wallo.
And it’s true; nearly every night it’s as though the whole island turns out to occupy the third section of the restaurant which serves as a bar and dance floor. After the last diners have paid their bill, the tables are pushed aside and a huge dancefloor is made available to bust out that shopping-cart move to the beats of either a live band or DJ. A mini-bar is set up to serve up signature drinks and shots like the Snowcone, a delicious mix of red bull, clementine vodka, and a spritz of Sprite.
Although you can’t order up any whale meat from the kitchen, stepping across the threshold of the Wharf really does feel like you’re stepping across the gangplank onto a historic whaling ship. Next time you’re looking to feed your rumbling stomach, step aboard and enjoy a feast fit for a captain at the Wharf.
