Black Dog Tavern

Frommer's Review

How does a humble harbor shack come to be a national icon? Location helps. So do cool T-shirts. Soon after Shenandoah captain Robert Douglas decided, in 1971, that this hardworking port could use a good restaurant, influential vacationers stuck waiting for the ferry began to wander into this saltbox to tide themselves over with a bit of "blackout cake" or peanut-butter pie. The rest is history, as smart marketing moves extrapolated on word of mouth. The smartest of these moves was the invention of the signature "Martha's Vineyard whitefoot," a black Lab whose stalwart profile now adorns everything from babies' overalls to doggy bandannas, golf balls, and needlepoint kits. Originally the symbol signaled Vineyard ties to fellow insiders; now it merely bespeaks an acquaintance with mail-order catalogs.

Still, tourists love this rough-hewn tavern, and it's not just hype that keeps them happy. The food is home-cooking good -- heavy on the seafood, of course (including grilled swordfish with banana, basil, and lime; and bluefish with mustard-soufflé sauce) -- and the blackout cake has lost none of its appeal. Though the lines grow ever longer (there can be a wait to get on the wait list!), nothing much has changed at this beloved spot. Eggs Galveston for breakfast at the Black Dog Tavern is still one of the ultimate Vineyard experiences -- go early, when it first opens, and sit on the porch, where the views are perfect.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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