8 spectacular US islands for food lovers
Swap busy cities for salty sea air, pristine beaches and some seriously good food.
Swap busy cities for salty sea air, pristine beaches and some seriously good food. From just-caught seafood and tropical produce to local specialities you won’t find anywhere else, these eight spectacular US islands are must-visits for food lovers. For more US travel inspiration, check out our guide to 8 incredible US coastal destinations , worth travelling to for the food alone.
San Juan Island, Washington State
Famous for its striking rocky coastline along the Pacific Northwest, lush green forests and orca whale watching, the remote archipelago of San Juan Island is also something of a culinary destination. Friday Harbor is the island’s only incorporated town – accessible via ferries from Anacortes or by seaplane from Seattle – and is home to the island’s most exciting eateries. Duck Soup is a farm-to-table cabin with a menu of fresh, locally sourced seafood, foraged ingredients and seasonal produce, cooked into dishes like wild nettle gnocchi, Westcott Bay mussels in white wine and house-made sourdough with anchovies and yeasted butter. Overlooking the marina, Oystertale is a contemporary bar that specialises in fresh Salish Sea oysters, toasty waffle seafood tartines and craft cocktails. The family-owned Downriggers has spectacular views over the waterfront, serving up comforting dishes like
Key West, Florida
Key West’s vibrant culinary scene is set against a backdrop of pastel-painted conch houses, turquoise waters and breathtaking tropical beaches. The cuisine of this Floridian island combines influences from Cuban, Bahamian and Caribbean cultures – characterised by fresh seafood (like pink shrimp and yellowtail snapper), island spices and juicy Key limes. Blue Heaven is an open-air institution famous for indulgent brunch dishes like lobster eggs benedict, ultra fluffy banana pecan pancakes and a ‘mile high’ Key lime pie with a mountain of torched meringue. The Seaside Cafe at the Southernmost House is a breath-taking oceanfront gem, known for it’s laid-back vibe and wood-fired coastal pizzas – with toppings like Mexican sweetcorn, hot honey salami and truffle. In the heart of Old Town, intimate restaurant Little Pearl serves up a tasting menu of seasonal dishes such as lobster bao, prosciu
Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
Nowhere captures New England coastal beauty quite like Martha’s Vineyard – a captivating island of dramatic clay cliffs, sandy beaches, rural pastures and towns dotted with elegant captain's homes. The island’s food scene is deeply rooted in "farm-to-table" and "boat-to-plate" philosophies – showcasing local components like Menemsha lobsters, Katama Bay oysters and just-picked organic produce. Head to the chic 19 Raw Oyster Bar to discover ultra-fresh, locally harvested oysters with house mignonette, their famous lobster tagine and creative seafood crudos with bright citrussy dressings. Overlooking the waters of Lagoon Pond, Beach Road is a coastal canteen that perfectly channels the relaxed elegance of the island, with panoramic views, wooden-beamed ceilings and striking glass-bauble lighting. Their seafood-centric menu includes pan-seared scallops with miso brown butter, New England c
Mount Desert Island, Maine
Home to Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island is renowned for its rugged coastline, cobblestone beaches and glacial lakes. It has a maritime culinary scene that spotlights elements like sweet Maine lobsters, wild blueberries and local artisan cheeses. Project Social Kitchen & Bar is a fairy-lit garden oasis known for its creative tapas, savoury crepes and inventive cocktails. Try the beef skewers with fiery aji amarillo sauce, fresh local crab cakes with tangy lemon-caper aioli, or the towering charcuterie board with local cheeses, cured meats, smoked trout and house tomato jam. Situated inside the national park, Jordon Pond House is a rustic restaurant that serves up hearty Maine classics like flaky golden pop-overs, New England clam chowder and a warm wild blueberry crisp. Havana is a vibrant, high-end Latin-American restaurant committed to sustainable principals and organic pro
Oahu, Hawaii
Emerald-green volcanic ridges, swaying palm trees and turquoise waters form the backdrop for the world-class culinary scene of paradise island Oahu, where cuisine fuses native Hawaiian traditions with Japanese, Filipino, Portuguese and Korean influences. Merriman's Honolulu is one of the island’s culinary highlights – a contemporary restaurant with a sleek glass façade, specialising in dynamic farm-to-table small plates. Dishes include macadamia nut crusted mahi mahi, vine-ripened tomato salad with crisp Maui onions and poke with soy and seaweed. Giovanni's Shrimp Truck is a graffiti-covered culinary landmark offering no-frills paper plates, overflowing with fresh, shell-on local shrimp and sticky rice. Try the hot and spicy with numbing chilli pepper paste, classic scampi with garlic-butter and fresh pineapple wedges as a tropical palate cleanser. High-energy Asian-inspired comfort fusi
Shelter Island, New York
Nestled between Long Island’s North and South Forks, Shelter Island is a coastal sanctuary accessible only by ferry – known for its serene slow-paced maritime setting and hidden sandy coves. The island’s culinary culture is deeply intertwined with the region's rich agricultural roots, showcasing fresh sustainably sourced Atlantic seafood, organic heirloom vegetables and award-winning wines from neighbouring vineyards. Vine Street Café is a new American bistro celebrating hyper-local produce, cooked up into comforting brasserie classics like bay scallop ceviche, country fried chicken and their signature bouillabaisse loaded with local fish, lobster, mussels and clams in a fragrant saffron broth. Perched on a scenic hillside, The Ram's Head Inn is a historic 1929 landmark with a beam-ceilinged dining room specialising in hyper-local seafood with estate-grown herbs. The menu includes grille
Mackinac Island, Michigan
Nestled in Lake Huron, this breathtaking car-free paradise is famous for its horse, pedestrian and vintage bicycles only traffic. The island’s visual beauty lies in its dramatic limestone formations, Victorian architecture and panoramic views of the sparkling Straits of Mackinac. The Pink Pony is the most iconic restaurant on the island with a menu of hearty comforting classics and fresh harbour seafood dishes – Great Lakes whitefish chowder, smoked cured salmon with capers and crostini, and extra crispy Pony wings with zesty buffalo sauce. Mary's Bistro Draught House is a bustling hotspot known for its brick-oven pizzas and the island's largest selection of Michigan craft beers. Perched on the water's edge at the Hotel Iroquois, the Carriage House is the crown jewel of upscale waterfront dining on Mackinac Island. Their menu features refined American classics such as filet mignon with b
Kelleys Island, Ohio
This tranquil maritime gem in Lake Erie is an eco-tourism paradise complete with ancient glacial grooves, limestone cliffs and lush coastal trails with panoramic lake viewpoints. Located steps from the ferry dock on Lakeshore Drive, The Village Pump is the iconic heartbeat of Kelleys Island – famous for their local fried walleye fish bites, Lake Erie perch tacos and Brandy Alexander blended with vanilla ice cream. The Island House is an upscale casual bistro tucked inside a late-1800s house, with a menu of Lake Erie seafood traditional dishes, New Orleans-inspired brunch and gastropub comforting classics. Try the New Orleans jumbo shrimp and grits or the baked truffle mac and cheese. Sprawling across manicured grounds, Kelleys Wine Co houses a rustic wine tasting room where they showcase their estate-bottled Lake Erie flights, served up alongside house-baked flatbread pizzas and artisana
