Like seasoned sailors, those heading to The Rooftop at Pelham House Resort for dinner know to check the weather forecast and the time the sun sets.
Perched at the edge of Nantucket Sound, Cape Cod’s third-floor restaurant gives the impression ― especially when the windows are slid fully off to the side ― of dining al fresco on the deck of a ship.
According to the USA Today’s 2025 Restaurants of the Year list, the Cape Cod waterfront spot is one of the top places to eat in America. Food writers across the country nominated restaurants that excited them, restaurants they would recommend to friends and family, restaurants they’d return to again and again.
What’s the best restaurant near you? Check out USA TODAY’s 2025 Restaurants of the Year.
“We are so very grateful to be put on the map like this. I think this will give a lot more people the chance to hear about what we are doing here,” said John McCarthy, a managing partner at Pelham House Resort.
Richard Harris of Hyannis and Brenda Tri of Hyannis take in the the view from the dining room on The Rooftop at Pelham House Resort in Dennis port . November 7 2024
First and foremost, The Rooftop management is taking advantage of its waterfront perch in Dennis Port with floor-to-ceiling glass walls. And what would a spectacular ocean view be without ocean breezes? Before it opened, McCarthy and his team had Shade & Shutter Systems sunroom company in Hyannis install a louvered roof that can, at the touch of a remote, be angled to let in various amounts of fresh ocean air. The Rooftop is open year-round with overhead heaters casting swaths of warmth when needed.
The Rooftop’s decor is clean and sparse ― like deck chairs and tables ― letting the setting, food and libations take center stage. There is an elevator on the ground floor or stairs to the restaurant. Expect valet parking only during the busy summer season.
What makes The Rooftop at Pelham House Resort special?
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The menu ― for both food and cocktails ― changes seasonally, taking advantage of Cape Cod seafood and locally grown produce, but also weaving in seasonings and sauces from around the world.
Little tastes of the world have been The Rooftop’s forte since it opened in August 2021, with Adjarian Khachapuri ― a nod to executive chef Dan Cote’s Russian in-laws ― on the brunch menu. The traditional cheese bread, from the country of Georgia, is baked in the shape of a boat, with an egg and herbs in the center that cook into a dipping sauce as the bread bakes.
Adjarian Khachapuri is on and off the menu, generally appearing in summer, as do many of the more unusual dishes that appeal, McCarthy said, to foodies visiting from around the world.
What to order at The Rooftop
Jumbo Lump Crab Cake at the Rooftop at Pelham Resort. November 7 2024
Jumbo Lump Crab Cake: More than two inches high and laden with crab, it is served with Old Bay remoulade and fennel-Asian pear slaw.
Last year’s list: Check out USA TODAY’s 2024 Restaurants of the Year.
PHR Beef Meatballs for Two: Almost all foods (including pickles) are scratch-made by Pelham House chefs (30 on staff in summer, 10 in winter) or baked at the group’s bakery, Pelham on the Rise, so you see the abbreviations PHR or POTR on the menu frequently. These three oversized meatballs are covered in marinara, house-made ricotta, parmesan and basil. Use the grilled country bread to enjoy every bite.
Local pan-seared scallops: Served with vanilla bean parsnip risotto, roasted parsnip, parsnip crisps, bacon and walnut relish, this dish complements the natural sweetness of the shellfish.
Those are some of the creative dishes fancy enough for first dates, anniversaries or other special occasions. But you can also just stop by for a burger: The 14 Sea Street Burger is 8 ounces of Feather Brook Farms Ground Beef on an onion brioche roll, PHR pickles, truffle mayo and Cabot Cheddar. It comes with a side ― we recommend the Russian Korean Carrot Slaw.
The Rooftop looks for fun ways to engage Cape residents
The Rooftop at Pelham House Resort is sometimes paired with the soaring restaurant/banquet room downstairs. The $190 Thanksgiving buffet started with a cocktail hour and raw bar at The Rooftop with the dinner buffet held downstairs in the dining room. Oktoberfest is celebrated with special prix fixe pricing.
How did we do it? Inside look at how USA TODAY chose its Restaurants of the Year for 2025
Two years ago, during Christmas, McCarthy had the downstairs restaurant, with its 18-foot ceilings, turned into a roller skating rink. It has also been decorated as a winter fantasy with Santa’s workshop.
Executive pastry chef Patti Anne Curtin and Executive chef Dan Cote at The Rooftop at Pelham House Resort in Dennis Port. November 7 2024
This past winter The Rooftop was upping its music scene by partnering with the Cape Symphony Presents program to have small groups play during dinner. They also added a Vinyl Lounge in a room next to the restaurant, where a DJ spins only vinyl records. Seasonal cocktails and appetizers can be ordered.
Details: 14 Sea St 3rd Floor, Dennis Port; 508-398-6076, pelhamhouseresort.com.
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Gwenn Friss is the editor of CapeWeek and covers entertainment, restaurants and the arts. Contact her at [email protected]. Follow her or X, formerly Twitter: @dailyrecipeCCT
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See the entire list of Restaurants of the Year here:
This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Cape Cod restaurant named one of best by USA TODAY
