Bookstore & Restaurant
50 Kendrick Ave, Wellfleet, MA, 02667
Bookstore & Restaurant Menu
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Address :
50 Kendrick Ave
Wellfleet, MA, 02667 - Phone (508) 349-3154
- Website https://www.wellfleetoyster.com/restaurant/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
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Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Dan N.
Staff could have been more friendly Enjoyed Portuguese Stew - very spicy and good Good craft beer selection Good offerings - both food and beverage - on specials menu Ask for second floor eating so that you can enjoy the view of the water Plenty of free parking in restaurant lot Suggestion would be to keep the place cleaner. Carpet looked soiled and dirty. Windows needed to be cleaned. The little things mean a lot.
(3)Maggie G.
Place was highly recommended for great local food. Far from great! Small portions with huge price tags. Nothing to rave about. Food tasted ordinary. For $30 a plate one would expect to come out full and happy. Not the case here. Soggy small plates of sea food with a ton of pasta. Most expensive pasta ever. Service slow and not very helpful.
(2)Beau L.
Sat at the bar and ordered a budlight and some oysters. Beer was properly priced as were the oysters. Bartender was a great guy named Chris who answered all my questions about the area. Great experience overall. Would definitely come back with some friends for drinks.
(5)Judy C.
Typical summer place with mediocre food. Lame service. Only one bathroom?! Waitress didn't really care because she was getting her 20% irregardless of service. Would not recommend.
(2)Venn R.
The oysters were fantastic. Fresh as can be, large, briny, and exactly what you hope for. Get this. One dozen each feels almost short. Also trued the oyster po boy. Very good, cooked perfectly and juicy. The fish tacos, codfish and manchego cheese, we're just ok. This one lacked in flavor. Nothing to write hope about. Skip this. Ok if you don't want oyster and just want fish. Stick to the oysters! Delicious.
(5)Chloe S.
I came here with a group of friends and we got a big tray of oysters and lobster rolls all around. It wasn't a bad lobster roll, but it wasn't standout great. I definitely wouldn't order it here again. They cooked the lobster nearly perfectly (but not quite) but then they seemed to try to overcompensate by DROWNING it in butter. Now I love a lobster roll with plentiful butter. I mean a LOT of butter. So when I say a place overdid the butter, I mean it. The fries weren't great either. Kind of dry and flavorless. Overall it was an OK but underwhelming meal. The beer selection was great though. The bookstore is a heck of a lot of fun though if you can catch it when it's actually open!
(3)Dom M.
When we visit the outer cape, this is our favorite breakfast spot. The egg dishes are well prepared and always have the taste of fresh ingredients. These egg dishes are my wife's choice and she loves them. I, however, can make egg dishes at home. For me, vacation breakfasts are all about things that I can't make. Here, their blueberry pancakes get the call. Again, fresh ingredients and careful preparation are the hallmark. I occasionally order a side if bacon or spicy sausage - alas, under the watchful gaze of my wife. The room is inviting, staff polite and efficient and tables spotless. A good cup of coffee completes the deal. Easy parking across the street. In good weather, you can eat on the porch. There are water views too (across the street). Highly recommended for breakfast.
(5)Brendan M.
What a great restaurant. All around, it's a great spot that i'm glad I got to before the mad rush of tourist season. The view, the staff, the drinks and the food are all top notch. Between the three of us we had the cajun shrimp, baked fisherman, fish tacos and seafood reuben. Everything was very good and quite fresh, and my personal favorite was the shrimp. It's not hard to make delicious shrimp but it is very easy to screw it up. Ditto with the scallops. We had the blood orange margaritas which had what tasted like very fresh juice and it gave a nice buzz which I expect for 8.75$. If you have a strong arm you might be able to hit the ocean with a rock from the deck. I can't speak about the bookstore which was part of the draw as I love all things books. It was closed and i've heard it's usually closed but I forgot to ask our server because I was so enthralled with the food. There is also a nice playground and skatepark right behind the place. You could parley this spot into a full day of walking, playing and dining in this beautiful location just minutes away from Main St. In Wellfleet.
(5)Lori G.
The Bookstore & Restaurant has always been my favorite restaurant when staying in Wellfleet. It's usually my first stop for lunch or dinner because I love their big, plump, Wellfleet oysters and delicious oyster stew. Ask to be seated on the second floor porch because the view towards Wellfleet Harbor is lovely. This is a good place to go for lunch, drinks and nibbies, and dinner (starts at 5 p.m. when the full menu is available). Service can be unpredictable (thus the 4 stars instead of 5), but that shouldn't deter you from coming here. Park in the lot adjacent to their building or across the street - very convenient.
(4)Hannah E.
Been dying to try this place, but Joe has some weird aversion to driving toward the outer cape. A half hour to Hyannis for dinner? No problem. A half hour to Wellfleet? Hell no. But eventually I shanghai'd a friend to go with me (also named Joe, so that's convenient!) Beautiful drive, beautiful location. I wish we had been able to sit in the upper deck, since I bet you could see more water. As it was, we were out on the lower deck, with a delicious breeze and a slight view of the water past the parking lot. Service was alright. Girl was very nice and fun, but there were definite lulls in attention. Also, the bookstore doesn't keep the same hours as the restaurant. It closes at 5. I know... obvious. But they supposedly have comic books there so I was bummed I missed it. Wish the hours were clearer on the website. Food.... meh. Please don't hate on me for being a vegetarian and rating an obvious seafood restaurant! We ate enough that I think my review is valid. First up: the caprese salad and spinach/artichoke dip. The salad was delicious. I'm a whore for burrata mozzarella, so that was a treat. The tomatoes were delicious and fresh. My biggest criticism would be that there was a lot of arugula and not a lot of basil. Still, the salad was the best thing we ate, IMO. The spinach/artichoke dip was also very good. Super cheesy and obviously freshly made. But this is where we noticed the first big problem with the food here. No flavor. There wasn't any seasoning, and the whole dip was just kind of bland. That carried into my entree, which was a butternut squash ravioli. Didn't taste squashy at all. The sauce had a wonderful, silky texture, but it was just like a basic cream sauce. I added about a tablespoon of pepper and even some salt! Also it came with black beans in the sauce. Yummy, but isn't that kind of a weird addition to a ravioli dish? My friend got the breaded cod. See?! someone who ate fish!!! He said it was well prepared, but commented that it would have been better without the fancy aioli they dumped all over it. (Which was totally in the menu description, so it's his own damn fault for not ordering it on the side, says I.) Also, the first bite of his vegetable side dish was lukewarm, the second was nuclear hot. That usually spells: microwaaaaave. We rounded out the meal with a creme brulee and drinks. Again, the dessert was tasty, but not special. And my drink was downright weird. It couldn't decide if it wanted to taste like hard liquor, tropical fruitiness, or an herbal concoction. Also, it was the color of mud and served in a diner-style juice glass. Now, despite what seems like a lukewarm review, I would have still been inclined to do 4 stars. After all, everything was fine, just not superlative. And the setting was so wonderful; you just can't help getting that Outer Cape high, especially after surviving the winter we had on this god-forsaken peninsula. HOWEVER, a salad, an app, two entrees, two drinks, and one dessert came to $100. All of a sudden, I expect that food to be goddamned life-changing. They must have to jack up their prices to pay for all the salt and pepper guests have to use to give the food flavor. In fact, I would have dropped to 2 stars, but the bizarro musical act singing Bad Leroy Brown in a lounge style (with keyboard) kind of made up for it.
(3)Gary D.
Wow they did a fantastic job taking care of 20 of us on a Friday night. How many places anywhere, never mind a Cape Cod town at the height of the season can say that? We showed up at 8:15 with kids and adults and they were wonderful accomdating us. They pushed tables together and sat us together upstairs. The waitress was wonderful, wish I could remember her name to give her some kudos. She was timely with taking the orders, getting drinks out on time, dinners all came out together. My daughter who is a waitress was very imrpessed by her. The food kept everyone happy, not a complaint in the crowd. I had the Fisherman's platter which was very good. The prices were what you'd expect of a place on Cape Cod in the middle of the summer....high, but so isn't everything there at that time. A foodie would give this place 5 stars but I did because of the great accomdation by the restuarant and the awesome service by the waitress. The facility is a little tired but acceptable, the location is great, right across from the bay in Wellfleet... G
(5)Liam D.
Had the fish and chips, and they were good, but certainly not some of the best that I've ever had.
(4)Robert G.
We had a pleasant dinner on the outside front porch. The service was very good. I had two Bombay Saphire Martinis and Beverly had a glass of pino grigio. Some bread was served with an interesting olive oil dip which had a pesto sauce in it. For entrees I Had Portuguese seafood stew and Beverly had pan seared tuna. The food was very good. After dinner we went to the beach to enjoy the view. The reason I only gave this restaurant three stars was that when the bill came I was charged for three martinis instead of two. When I told them about it they adjusted the bill.
(3)The Shop Girl G.
This has been sitting as a draft in my folder here but I am going to post it anyways. It was from last summer 2013 My guy and I came here after surfing at White Crest... We wanted an afternoon snack before dinner, so we shared a clam roll and a Caesar salad... Can I just say first off, any restaurant (non asian) with Sriracha on the table automatically gets 3 stars... That clam roll had the juiciest tastiest clams I've had in a roll before... And being a tough judge on Caesar salad this one gets a 4. Not anchovyie at all which I should give a minus in points but it was still fresh and good...
(4)Erin B.
3.5 stars This restaurant is cool, but I must have missed the bookstore part. I guess it's not open in the winter? Anyway, we came here for lunch and the service was a little odd. Friendly enough, but odd. We must have ben the youngest people here by about 30 years and the beer selection was so-so. I had oysters Rockefeller (good, but very rich)and some clam chowder. I can't get over how varying the chowder is in this town. I must have had it at 4 places and they were all distinctly different. The chowder here is more like a whipped cream, light and fluffy with a decent amount of clams. I'd love to come back in the summer and try again because I do think that seasonal places are at their best during peak season!
(3)Edward M.
Trying to find a place to eat with 11 people (including three 5-year-olds) in July on The Cape is not as easy as you would think. Arnold's is perfect but we already went there so we needed to find someplace else. We called around and struggled to find a place that actually took reservations (even for 11 people!) and could seat us all together. Some of the family had been to The Bookstore before and after some cajoling they agreed to save us a spot at 5.30 on Sunday night. This was my first visit. As expected it was pretty empty at 5.30 so we got a decent parking spot. Luckily there's a huge lot (public parking?) across the street for when the place gets busy. The had a nice spot ready for us and shortly after we arrived a couple other families with kids showed up so we didn't feel so bad. The location is nice, right across the street from the water. Overall I wasn't expecting much from The Bookstore but it was pretty good. The wine list was nice, heavy on Italian wines which is my preference. Ordered a nice Barolo. The menu is all over the place with seafood, steaks, even some Italian dishes. I and others had the chowder, which was very thick but pretty good. I'm told the onion soup was decent as well. The pasta with seafood (red and white) as well as the Portuguese Stew were well-received. Same with the surf & turf. I had the chicken parm which was good if not great. At the end of the meal pretty much everything was gone and everyone was happy, even the kids, so I guess that says something. We skipped dessert in favor of a trip to the ice cream parlor. The prices aren't cheap but about average for a place like this on The Cape. I think my chicken parm was a reasonable $17 but the prices climb from there. The service was fine. One waitress took care of our large party with only minimal help. Food arrived quickly and efficiently, which is important when you have hungry whiny kids. Overall it was pretty much exactly what we were looking for, so we were happy with The Bookstore.. I would say the food gets 3.5 stars and I'll bump them up for adequately talking care of our large group.
(4)Kira G.
The food was okay, but portions too large and a little bland. A slight price/portion adjustment would probably suit most people... The decor was uninspiring - although if you're sitting next to a window it probably doesn't matter.
(3)Brittany L.
Great place to eat! Amazing view of the water. I had the hot lobster roll and it was to die for! The service was very good as well; definitely would recommend this place.
(5)Rusty C.
Mouth watering fresh littlenecks on half shell. Fried oysters, sweet potato fries and blue cheese bacon salad were excellent. Love the location overlooking water. Very good wine and beer selection ad well as specialty drinks...blood orange marguerita was excellent.
(4)Kyle T.
Yelp needs a negative star review. Minus 1 star for terrible service, I don't like to swear but the woman (she is NOT a lady) server with the short curly blonde hair is a real class-A b**ch. If you don't like your job, just quit or get fired, I'm a proponent for the latter really, and if you don't like your life, please don't take it out on me. I sympathise with all the hard-working people in the f&b industry who get a bad name because of you. And whoever has to live with you doesn't deserve my sympathy but definitely has my pity. Food was less than decent -- $80 for 2 people, I can definitely do better things with that money. Fruits of the sea was bland at best, Portuguese stew was dry and too spicy, fish pot is just unappetising. This place was recommended a couple of times while we were visiting Cape Cod so thanks for nothing guys! I've been told i have high standards, but this time it really isn't me, it's you.
(1)M H.
fast. great gourmet food. clean tables (& br). lots of options on the menu. pleasant, quick, knowledgeable wait staff. just what we wanted. plus, seafood was baked, not fried, which is what I wanted.
(5)J M.
Busy Busy Busy in July and August. My kids love their Clam Chowda
(4)Greg m.
It was a beautiful afternoon to have lunch at a beautiful harbour. Recently I was visiting Wellfleet Massachusetts and found this wonderful little restaurant and bookstore all in the same location. The book store carries mainly older and used books but the real star of the show was the restaurant. We had a variety of different eats there. My son had the steak sandwich, he cleaned his plate. My other son had a buffalo and blue cheeseburger, he cleaned his plate . My wife had a steak and cheese panini and she almost cleaned her plate but there was too much food. I had fish and chips and I really don't eat fish very much but this was the best fish and chips I've had in a long time. The fish was a cod , very fresh ,very light and very flavorful. Just lightly battered. With a great coleslaw that was not over medicated with mayonnaise. We had a great lunch and would recommend it to anyone that comes out that way. There is outdoor seating which is very nice on a hot sunny day with a cool breeze coming in off the ocean and of course they have indoor seating as well. We did not have dessert there but they did have an extensive wine and drink list. It was a very good experience and I would go back again anytime I'm in the area! Eat well!!
(4)Vicky L.
We enjoyed our meal here a lot. The fig martini with fig infused vodka was worth coming back for alone. I loved that! Service was great; no complaint there. I had cod with salsa and aioli that was very fresh and tasty. It came piping hot too. My partner had fried oysters that he thought were delicious. We also had some steamers. My only complaint was my sides of rice and a melange of vegetables. They weren't bad but they were very uninspired. I've often found these sorts of sides at restaurants and they really seem like a slapped on addition. I'd rather be offered a creative salad or something more thoughtful. Other than that, I would definitely return.
(4)Scott S.
This place had the best fish & chips I've ever had. Hands down, bar none. I grew up on Cape Cod and even after leaving have lived not more than 30 minutes from the ocean in New England, so yeah, I've had my share of fish. The super fresh cod was cooked to perfection. Moist, tender and amazingly delicious, wrapped in a light batter cooked to a mouth-watering golden brown. The fries were perfectly cooked as well. Highly recommend it. Everyone in our party raved about the food. The clam chowder was also delicious, if a bit too thick. Atmosphere is quaint, not fancy, and we had a nice view of the water. Beer selection is good. I don't drink wine much so I cant speak to that. Service was excellent for our large group of eleven, of whom four were nine years old or less. The kid's menu is varied enough that all the little ones in our party found something they liked. We were there during the last week of December, so I don't know how crowded it is in the summer but whatever the wait, I promise it's worth it! Round out your visit with a stroll on the beach across the street and work off some of that amazing food. I didn't get to check out the bookstore, the kids wanted to go beach combing. But next year we'll be sure to hit the bookstore before the beach.
(5)Sal P.
A-maxing seafood, great drink list, kid friendly. A++. The raw bar is incredibly fresh. Shrimp are best I've had, oysters as well. The fish pot will leave you wanting more!
(5)Chung C.
Great seafood: little neck, oyster, lobster, scallop, shrimp. And also fresh vegetables!
(5)Gail T.
Please ,please -- Spiff this place up a little! One of the most perfect locations on the Cape overlooking Wellfleet Harbor with distant waterviews and romantic sunsets ....but the interior is in serious need of refreshment. For example, we were sitting at one of the tables on the second floor with a wooden top and the finish was worn off half of the table...On a slow day take a table outside, sand it down and apply some new varnish.... The dining room rug and foggy plastic window coverings could also use replacement. On the plus side we almost love this place, which is a Cape Cod institution. The fish and shellfish are always incredibly fresh. They have their own oyster and clam beds and a clam shucker in permanent position on the open porch. I love their Seafood Fra Diavolo which includes an incredible amount of fresh mussels, clams and scallops... My husband always orders the broiled cod - and of course, their incredible oysters... Be aware that the lines can be long on a summer weekend....For those traveling with children there is a nice public playground right next door.
(4)John C.
Mediocre service and bland over cooked food at too high a price. Great location. It wasn't terribly busy but the waitress seemed oblivious to my table after our order. No water, bread or silverware/napkins. We finished our drinks and waited for about 20 minutes before I decided to go to the bar for another drink. She didn't seem to notice. Ten minutes later our food came. The seafood was overcooked and sauces were bland. My family used to go there when I was a kid and it was great. I went by a few years ago and got a salad with packs of salad dressing. I was hesitant to go back because that kind of thing turns me off. I should have trusted my instincts because tonight was a disappointment.
(2)Norman P.
A tasty menu and fun location. Plenty of outdoor seating for the summer. Try their Portuguese stew -- very spicy.
(4)Debrin S.
4 stars for the raw bar. Fresh. Delish. Good beer choices. Wellfleet oysters, steamed little necks. Huge tender, sweet shrimp. Great view. Varied menu. Not the best service but I don't care bcz of the other 2 points I mention. Portugees kale soup, fried fishermans platter. Interior & bathroom updates & new season freshen ups are always a good idea though....
(4)Nathan O.
Great healthy lunch items at good prices. I would definitely go back if I'm in the area.
(5)Jana C.
That glorious view from their second floor---simply stunning....awesome, sublime view of the water. Wellfleet oysters, made famous since 1606 accdg to my history book put out by Smithsonian. Soo famous around here with its distinctive local flavor, we had them again at posh Abba restaurant on the half shell (raw!) that night . Tried---oyster stew..creamy, plump oysters. A hot pastrami sandwich, grilled cod burger and local Berkshire EPA (extra pale ale)---22 oz of it for $7.50!! Nice little stop-off en route to P-town to enjoy the sunset on a relatively gorgeous, "warm", blue-sky day! PS Little tidbit.. didja all know that the Pilgrims actually first landed in Provincetown a month before settling and landing in Plymouth? Yep; all true. Also lil more trivia: in the summertime, there's a direct ferry that sails from Boston to P-town... pretty awesome, eh?!
(4)Jason W.
Great location next to the Wellfleet harbor with views of the water, boats, and beach. I ordered the Belgian Mussels app, which was delicious but I had to ask for bread to sop up some of the broth. My entree was a Portuguese Oyster Stew, which was phenomenal. It was served hot and the oysters were cooked well - recommended.
(4)Douglas A.
Oysters, Oysters, and more Oysters. This is where you get them on the Cape. It is on the harbor and you get a great view from the second floor of the restaurant. This is a must do on the Cape if you are travelling north towards P-town. In fact, skip P-town and just go here. The lobster roll is excellent and so are Oysters how ever you want them. This is a good place for for groups or kids or just hanging out at the bar or on the deck. The bookstore is in the back and there is a pub on the side of the building. This is a great spot and well worth the drive.
(4)Gregory H.
I've been to this restaurant about 10 times over the last 4 or 5 years. We bring our out of town guests for the oysters since they're always terrific and the view from the deck is great. They have a good selection of beer, but the wine selection is characteristically overpriced. Besides the oysters and clams, we've sampled a variety of other dishes off the menu, and for the most part the food has been decent. My biggest complaint is that the service can be spotty. I guess if you run a business based on summer tourism, finding reliable help can be a challenge.
(3)Ryan G.
Although I was younger than everyone by probably 20 years at the restaurant, I still believe this place is fabulous. My friends and I came here during a spontaneous cape cod trip and was definitely a happy mistake traveling that far in. As seen by the other reviews, the view is spectacular. You are right on the cape with access to beaches extremely close. Just a great place to have a romantic dinner. Food: You have to get the Lobster Roll. OMG it is to die for, like i literally melted with the butter within the roll. Although it was somewhat small (recommend getting an appetizer with it) definitely cannot go wrong. Seafood as a whole at this restaurant was pretty great. Service: the service here was very friendly, not quite sure why people had problems with it. Our waitress was very insightful of the menu and provided strong recommendations. My only complaint is how far of a drive it is to actually get to this place because it is so deep in. However, I believe that its worth it, especially around summer season when the weather is beautiful and the views are extraordinary.
(5)Violet R.
Excellent oysters, great view and nice service. My son and his daughter absolutely loved it and said this was there favorite spot on Cape Cod!
(4)Harry S.
The host made us feel like we were bothering him when we asked to be seated. He had a pompous way about him and he alone is the reason we won't go back. The $25.00 baked seafood platter was under seasoned and bland. Salad was a separate charge. The oil that came with the bread had an odd taste. By no means was this a good experience. There are far nicer, better staffed, better priced places to eat at cape cod.
(2)Carlos C.
Great place to go on a beautiful afternoon to sit outside and enjoy good food, good drinks, and a great view of the harbor
(5)Kerry R.
French onion soup was beyond salty. I could've just drank out of the bay if I wanted to taste that. Oyster Po' Boy was nothing to write home about. The roll was hard and the remoulade so-so at best. The service was awful. If I didn't like the view so much, I probably would never go there again. I'll give it another try and fingers crossed it's better.
(2)Ali C.
My most favorite place to go in Wellfleet. Ideally, you can sit at the bar at a window seat while the sun is setting, sip a local brew, and eat some delicious Wellfleet oysters.
(5)Chas K.
Just got a "compliment" on my year-old review from someone named Your L. in Wellfleet: "Thank god we wont see you there, while we're on vacation." (sic). Hmmm...could this anonymous person with no reviews and no friends be associated with the restaurant?
(1)Wendell G.
Terrible! Blonde hostess was not friendly; not even a smile. clams in wine broth was one if the saltiest dishes I've ever eaten. Check the seasoning before sending the food out. Clam chowder was bland and no clams to be found. All in all, a poor experience and waste of $60.
(1)Jason S.
If you're expecting good service at the bookstore from wait staff, then it's best if you look elsewhere in wellfleet for something to eat. The service is consistently bad. The first time my girlfriend and I went to this restaurant, they brought us out the wrong order. I'm not one for wasting food, so we went ahead and ate it. Food was good, but it's the principle of not getting what was originally ordered. Our other two experiences were similar. Our drink orders were filled infrequently and waitstaff failed to wait on us. If you do go to the bookstore, skip fried food all together as you will be disappointed. The fish pot was good.
(2)Phil C.
Normally like The Bookstore very much , however went there on 4th of July weekend , wanted to have a drink and watch the World Cup. Sat at bar for 10 minutes , not real crowded , bartender walked by about 5 times , never asked if we wanted a drink , second time that has happened , very frustrating .
(2)Jenny G.
I had been to The Bookstore a few times before, and always found the customer service and the food to be....just....ok. After my last visit however, I will NEVER go back! Just like some of the other people commented, I would rather spend my money at the other great Wellfleet restaurants like Mac's Shack, and The Pearl. I was actually offended at the meal I received during my last visit! I ordered the Swordfish, which was on special. When it arrived the very first thing I noticed was that the side of "vegetables" that came with it was CANNED PEAS! How do I know they were canned as opposed to fresh or frozen? Well, if you have ever eaten canned peas, then you just know! They were yellowish-green, with that mushy texture you can only get from canned vegetables. I was already thoroughly disgusted and upset that I was paying for a nice meal and got canned peas, but I decided to try the swordfish to see if it could possibly save this dish. One bite was enough for me! It was dried out, and had a very unpleasant flavor. I sent the meal back and ordered nothing in exchange as I didn't want a meal full of spit. Save your time and money, and go somewhere else!!!
(1)Jeff B.
We went - for our last day/meal at the Cape...this visit - surprisingly - the food was actually BETTER then we had remembered in years past. We were pleasantly surprised - that was one fine meal. From appetizers to our actual meal- we left impressed .....seafood was cooked perfectly- service was spot on. Good job!
(5)Jimmy J.
Terrible service and really poor food. This restaurant reminds me of those restaurants on TV that have a chef come in and turn them around. Except, the turn around guy has not been called yet. It's needs a serious turn around. The service people act troubled that you are there. The food is just poor quality. There are so many better places in Wellfleet to eat (Mac's Shack, Wicket Oyster are strong). Avoid this place!
(1)Allison G.
The appetizer mussels were amazing! And a great sized appetizer. The hot lobster roll wasn't as good as others we have had, but wasn't bad.
(4)Amy N.
Meh - wouldn't ever go back but it wasn't terrible. I had swordfish and it was the thinnest piece I'd ever seen. It came with some super bland rice and some sort of vegetable. The service was terrible. Although it was the Saturday, following the 4th of July, they could have planned better. Our waitress was beyond frazzled. We waited so long for drinks that we ordered another round, as soon as she brought them. At the end of the meal, she did apologize and didn't charge us for a round of beers. Nice touch but the damage was already done (VERY mediocre food).
(2)Jess L.
This place has an awesome view going for it. Right by the water, you can enjoy your seafood with from whence it came. However, the inside kind of feels like an olive garden. Or some cabin. Not sure where to place it, but it didn't necessarily feel like a restaurant that should be off the water. The artichoke dip was awesome. Probably one of the best artichoke dips I've ever had because it had real artichoke hearts in it. However, it took a long, long time to arrive, and my group was very hungry. In addition, they serve only 1 1/4 lb lobsters whereas other places on the Cape can get you a 1 1/2 lb. It was also served with rice. Who serves lobster with rice?! I'd say Bookstore has a surprisingly awesome beer list, however. We were quite excited about that. Next time I'll come back and probably just get a beer...
(3)Maura G.
Had another staff meeting at the Bookstore today and I walked away for the first time thinking, "lunch was . . . good!" I had the steak frites - a nicely marinated and grilled piece of flank steak accompanied by sweet potato fries and a mild greens mix with a sweet vinaigrette - very tasty. No radicchio which I appreciated because bitter lettuce does nothing for me. More to the point, we sat at the identical table as we have the last two visits here. The floor was spotless, the breeze was nice and even the table wasn't sticky as they normally tend to be. I noticed another waitress windexing the outside deck tables as they freed up and although ours wasn't as attentive, she was pleasant enough. One of the ladies lunching at the adjoining table had the mussels special - a big bowl with spinach, tomato, garlic and we couldn't help but notice it came with the french baguette slice that I missed the last time we were there, so also a step up! The daily special burgers were huge, also came with sweet potato fries and looked yummy! Big step up from last time.
(4)Marla B.
It was really hot in the dining room - I'd prefer A/C to ceiling fans; The food was good, the specialty drinks were GREAT (my favorite was the "blood orange margarita") and refreshing; The service was phenomenal - We had a big party and our waitress was very efficient and accommodated some picky eaters gracefully. I just didn't care for what I ordered, but that's ok. If things weren't so expensive on Cape Cod, I'd probably enjoy the dining better.
(4)Eric G.
Was on the Cape for the first time this summer and was taken to this little place in Wellfleet. The warm Lobster Roll(Connecticut style,I came to learn) was so amazing, and admittedly htthe only thing I had as an entree. I was on a mission to have lobster for as many ttdays as possible, (or that my stomach would tolerate!) so in my short jbunghgbc cf cdds cazzass:::sfwwewwzredhgfctime, I tried a lot of different joints. The clam chowder was the best I've ever had, and even the french onion soup was fantastic. It's the only place we ate twice in the 10 days up there. I would have gone again if not for the rest of the group, I couldn't drag them all there again... thou I wish I had, lol Service started out slow, but they made up for it quickly, and the food definitely made up for it! Sat at the outside tables by bar the second time, make sure they see you, but again, once they saw us, all was fine and quick. Even that couldn't detract from the food. A must go if you're ever on the Cape. Can't wait to get back up there to go again!
(5)Kim L.
This place was packed when we went. Our server messed up one of party's orders and the correct order didn't come until everyone was done with their food. Then they didn't even offer to take anything off the bill or give us dessert on the house. The Sangria tasted too much like Sprite, there was no fruit in one of the glasses we ordered and the glass was completely filled with ice, even after we asked for light ice. The Parrot Head was a great drink and had an adequate amount of alcohol in it. We were disappointed that a local restaurant did not have any local beer. Everyone's dinners (ravioli sauté, swordfish and stuffed salmon) were all mediocre and overpriced at $30.00. The creme brûlée was not thick enough and slightly runny. The oysters were not fresh and tasted bland. Overall, a mediocre experience, but over priced and not worth it.
(3)Jason H.
This place has been around for 25+ years. On the water and amazing. Just returned recently for a great dinner. We sat outside (large porch) and had: -- local oysters on the half shell -- oyster po boy sammy -- pot of scallop, shrimp, clam, mussels, and cod in a garlic and butter broth A+ on every plate. Also the beer list includes a bunch of micro brews. Perfect way to cap off a day in the sun in Cape Cod. FYI -- dinner starts at 5pm and you can't get a table outside of the bar area bf then.
(5)Michael S.
I had high hopes for Bookstore & Restaurant. We had eaten here about 15 years ago when we were staying with some friends in the area and had fond memories. They are overlooking the water and claim to have their own oyster beds. It is all for naught. We have tried a large amount of NE Clam chowders in the past several weeks and have not made a determination on the thick/thin debate but the clam chowder here is like wallpaper paste with all the attendant taste. The Wedge salad was acceptable, it is pretty tough to screw that one up. But screw up the oysters they did. I don't know how they can serve a dozen oysters without any ice. When I asked for mignonette sauce, which they didn't have, they quickly chopped some onions and but them in white vinegar?? The only saving grace was the half bottle of Sancerre they had on the menu.
(2)jean m.
Hot and cold on this place.....It is very inconsistent.....Have had several wonderful and fresh seafood meals with fabulous vegetables and really nice servers.....And have had just as many very mediocre meals with terribly unfriendly....actually rude service. Our most recent visit was on a very busy Friday night....so we expected some compromise due to the number of people being served......Fried clams we got were not very good and were cooked in onion tasting oil......Fillets of fish were not that great and swimming in some sort of oil/butter....Sides were just OK....Server was not just unfriendly, but seemed miserable.....We understand that it is very hard to wait on these summer crowds, but we were just so turned off by the attitude....especially since we went out of our way to be nice to her....And the mediocre food just added to our unpleasant experience. I don't write many reviews, but hope the management sees this and appreciates my critique.....Because I really want to like this place!
(2)Kathryn R.
Random find after attending a Green Drinks evening at the Frying Pan Gallery (****), an interesting business combination that works. The dinning room is two storeys, each with a good size patio for eating and looking out onto Cape Cod Bay. While they have a raw bar and a fairly traditional seafood menu, what caught my interest on this initial visit was the oyster Po'Boy. Having spent some time in New Orleans, I developed an affinity for these sandwiches and have been hard pressed to find one in New England and this one definitely hit the spot. Hoping to get back soon.
(4)Gregory C.
Just awful. In every sense of the word. Tired and awful. There are so many better options nearby. Go to Mac's Shack or the Winslow Inn; both great. Bookstore was a bust.
(1)Erna r.
Good view. Inconsistent food and service. Go on a beautiful day when you want to lounge on the upper porch. Avoid the bar if there is a male bartender. He's awful if you are not a local.
(2)Patrik W.
Seafood galore. The best Wellfleet oysters in Wellfleet.
(5)Rainbowz R.
Came here on a rather stormy night, but the interior was quite cozy and warm. Started off with their famous wellfleet oysters, which were briny yet succulent. Get it for def! We then got the fried oysters and fisherman's pot. The fried oysters were a delicious golden color, and were just perfect. The fisherman's pot was as some special said, "It was OUT of the world!" So that's what you should get, you won't go wrong.
(5)Catherine S.
Delicious! Great service. Very good specials. Been coming here for a long time.
(5)e s.
I'm conflicted about the Bookstore. In the summer, I've sat on the deck outside and enjoyed some of the freshest raw oysters I've ever tasted. In the winter I've shared Belgian mussels in a tarragon broth that I can't stop talking about because it was so tasty and unique. And I agree with another reviewer about the artichoke dip - it's amazing. However, the quality of the food is inconsistent, and I also agree with another reviewer about the slow, and sometimes downright snippy, service. Last time we were there it was off-putting enough that I would have walked out, but my friends wanted to stay and in the off-season there isn't much else open anyway. Then we found a hair in not one, but two of the dishes we were served. Gross. Overall I'd say there are too many places with good seafood to bother going somewhere with such bad service and hygiene. If any other places are open - especially the Pearl - definitely go there instead.
(2)James K.
Wonderful oysters, as fresh as can be. Super rolls. We enjoyed the Lobster, hot and cold; the scallops, and the oyster fried clam rolls. All perfect. Sorry the bookstore was not open today. I enjoyed looking through it last summer and picking up several hard to find items.
(4)Richard C.
Freshest and best raw clams we have ever had. Been here twice in past two years and clams excellent both times.
(5)Laurie P.
Nice view out on the deck. Good service, food decent, but lost a star for charging for ice tea refill..
(3)Taylor Y.
I came all the way from CA to try this place! Not! j/k. I'd heard about this place the first time I visited Cape Cod, but didn't have to time try it. On the 2nd trip, we were driving through Wellfleet just to see the town and the pier and such, and ran into it. It was rainy and super windy out, and we were tired after a long day of sightseeing and hiking. We weren't that hungry, but we thought we'd go browse the bookstore and then eat. We walked in, asked the waitress if there really was a bookstore here, and she said yes, and it's downstairs. But, for some reason, she couldn't tell us if it's still open or not. Bizarre. Anyways, we sat down for dinner, and decided to order light. My friend and I both ordered from the specials of the day. I ordered the "Saute" over a bed of butternut squash ravioli's. "Saute" turned out to be a mix of shrimp, squid, mussels, and sea scallops. When I read "saute" I expect it to be a drier pan saute, but it came pretty liquidy...almost soup like. The butternut squash raviolis were nice and tender and sweet. All in all an interesting yet strange dish. I would have never thought of pairing seafood with squash raviolis, but it was tasty. Our server was ok, but not really attentive. Maybe he was disappointed we didn't order more food? Who knows, but I do know service seems to be lacking on the East Coast.
(3)John S.
The best clams casino on Cape Cod! The menu is great and the prices are reasonable. Kid friendly. The view is awesome year round. Staff may be hit or miss. Bathrooms could use a rehab.
(4)Tai Z.
We had various fried seafood, a Caesar salad, hamburger club, etc. All the food was very good. The decor was so-so. Liked our waiter. Didn't like the radio they had on. Nice view.
(4)Jay P.
Been going to third place for years. It's always GO TO. Hands down. Steak and cheese sandwich comes as a baddass real steak. Burgers good. Everything is always solid, consistent.
(4)Bob L.
This is one if the things I was looking forward to during my off season week on the cape. I had 6 Wellfleet oysters on the half shell and a fried seafood platter. The scallops were sweet and the fish so fresh. Service was just right. Prices reasonable for the portion and quality. We will definately return here.
(4)Stuart S.
One of 3 restaurants in Wellfleet that are neck & neck for swordfish, tuna, Wellfleet Oysters and drinks. I think everyone likes The Bookstore for many reasons. I'm not a foodie but I don't eat meat or poultry so fish is my diet and they have a great menu. I have had the scallops, one time only, when they could have been better but I have not taken that into consideration in giving them 5 stars (everyone gets one hiccup).
(5)George L.
"Food was good, Oysters were very good and also the Clams Casino. Service a little slow. Overall good"
(4)Lydia L.
We sought out Bookstore based on a friend's love love love for the place so much so that she got married there. It is beautifully located across the street from Mayo Beach where there are many oysters in the water but one is not allowed to collect them (eat them). Oh the unfairness of it!!! So instead we doled out some ca$h at Bookstore for dinner. It was aight not outstanding but we would go back next time in Wellfleet. Unless we figure out some way to clandestinely collect them oysties!
(4)Matt M.
SImply put: The Bookstore & Restaurant sucks! Been here a few times now, and each time, it just gets worse and worse. Other reviewers have noted that the service is awful -- slow & unfriendly -- this is a huge understatement. Look, I'l make this easy because I don't feel like wasting any more of my time on this place: just do yourself a favor and don't go here.
(1)Regina T.
What a splendid find this place was for us on our recent visit to the cape. This understated little place is so amazing, hubby and I went three times - all three visits were wonderful. The first visit was simply for the raw bar. WE weren't disappointed. All oysters and clams we at optimum freshness (YUMMY). The secod visit was for lunch - I had a seafood rueben and hubby engulfed the lobster roll (Wow). The third visit rounded out our trifecta - I had the fish pot and hubby enjoyed the Portuguesse stew. My fish pot was wonderfully delicous with a great broth. Our service all three times was friendly, helpful, and prompt.
(5)Jim P.
Dismal clam chowder, so over-thickened you could eat it with a fork! My cup had a big lump of undissolved flour in it. Baked cod Ok, belgian mussels quite good, with a tasty broth & good pomme frites.
(2)C H.
This place was a waste of almost $100. The beer was warm, the frozen drink, tasteless, the cod was drowning in butter, the rice was mushy, and place stank and was dirty, and the waitperson was distracted and unfriendly. It was really one of the worst vacation dining experiences ever. Avoid!
(1)Tracy C.
I had a wonderful dining experience at Bookstore despite the bad weather and physically illness I was suffering during my first visit to the cape (yeah, very bad timing, tell me about it). Friend I was traveling with know the area well, and highly recommended this place as our first night out. We go to the place and I realized that it has a charming view, except the weather was too horrible for me to enjoy it at the time. As we walked in, I saw a restaurant staff breaking fresh oysters that just got brought in from the ocean, and that cheered me up big time. So of course, I got a half dozen oysters for appetizer, and I would have gotten more if I was feeling better physically. For entree, I got linguine with shrimps and scallops in a creamy sauce. I was very excited to find lots and lots of shrimps and scallops in my pasta, but the cream sauce lack depth and it got too heavy and boring quickly. I love the atmosphere of the place (especially the bar area). I would definitely return if I am in Wellfleet again, and I look forward to trying other dishes.
(4)Brian P.
Fresh beyond fresh seafood...... Great prices...... And fast courteous wait staff.... only downer was the chowder.... Tasty.... Full of clams.... But consistency like spackle.
(4)Gee M.
We have been to the bookstore about three times now--the first two were good experiences--the view of the water and the food were both winners. This last time however, has killed it for us. We will never go back. It has really gone down hill. For starters, we ordered oysters which were warm and sandy. We often have oysters from our local supermarket--those are far fresher and tastier than the ones we had. Secondly, the pound and a half lobster was more like a pound. What's more , waiter had no clue as to whether it was steamed or boiled. 'Isn't it the same thing?" No, it isnt. The iced tea was clearly instant. My tuna was overcooked and overcrusted with heavy spices. I could barely taste the fish at all. For a lot less money, you can go to Moby Dick's--not much on atmosphere, but at least the food is honestly prepared and tasty. Do not bother, unless the view is all you care about.
(1)Annemarie B.
My first visit and though I was a bit disappointed, I'm comfortable with 2 stars at this point. Definitely a great location with a fabulous view! My dining companion and I sat upstairs on the porch to take in the lovely water view on a fabulous sunny day. Arrived for lunch approximately noontime -- the restaurant wasn't terribly busy -- four other tables of 2 diners each on the porch served by 1 waitperson. Service was very slow, but friendly. I chose the fish tacos entree. Not sure how the dish qualified for "entree" status -- two tacos in crispy corn shells (a la Ortega box quality) filled with a meager offering of lightly fried cod with toppings of manchego cheese, mixed greens, pico de gallo (bland), and seasoned crema (bland). I felt this light offering didn't live up to its $13 price tag. My companion had the Belgian mussels ($14) with fries, and while he enjoyed them, he also felt the dish was rather bland. A more appropriate accompaniment to the dish would be crusty bread to sop up the mussel juices instead of fries. I really wanted to like this place...but I'd think twice before giving it another go. I was a bit surprised at what I felt was an overall lackluster performance, especially with the Welfleet Oyster Festival 2012 was starting the next day. Welfleet is a charming village and I'll definitely return to sample other restaurants and enjoy more of what it has to offer.
(2)Jason R.
Classic Cape dining
(4)Paul B.
Best Food on the Cape. We go to the Cape for a week every summer and we eat there at least 2 or 3 times. Wonderful food. Best steaks on the Cape and the lobster is top notch as well.
(5)Jan D.
I was just perusing the site thinking about where to have dinner tonight as we head to the area to see a play and couldn't help notice the negative comments from others. I want to reinforce that. I was here with my family 2 yrs ago and the fish we ordered was terrible - didn't seem fresh, floating in butter....When we complained about it, the staff were less than professional and we ended up leaving on a bad note. We have never been back, and I don't intend to, even though we frequent the area for theatre. Too bad they not only have poor food, but also poor customer service - why would you ever go back for either of those?.
(1)G. K. S.
You can sit outside and see the ocean in the distance (better view on upper level, on ground floor you mostly see parked cars). Food was very good. Staff was OK.
(4)Margo V.
Excellent food and water views in an authentic seaside restaurant atmosphere. Completely unpretentious. The bookstore underneath has some really interesting old books and comics, too.
(4)s k.
Had a birthday dinner here on a week night. Short wait for our large group. Would not recommend eating outside at sunset because the mosquitoes were swarming. The NY steak was charbroiled and delicious, as was the stuffed lobster and stuffed shrimp. For dessert the key lime pie and creme brullee were excellent. I would have given them 5 stars but they were out of a lot of salads and entrees. Would recommend this place if you are near Wellfleet.
(4)Paul M.
For fresh seafood, simply prepared, it's hard to beat The Bookstore. Since it's located in Wellfleet, you'd expect the oysters to be superb, and they are. For main courses, I always stick with either the fish pot or the Portuguese stew. The upstairs dining room is bland but has a nice view of the bay. The bar is small, but lively, and sometimes has live music. Last time we went, we were seated on the porch and had a great view of the town fireworks as we dined--just a coincidence, but a memorable one.
(4)Lillian C.
We stopped in for lunch on Saturday 11/26. I really wish we hadn't bothered with this place. Ordered oysters and littlenecks on the halfshell and they were poorly shucked and administered. No lemon came with the oyster. The seafood itself was fresh BUT the service was atrocious, extremely slow, unfriendly and uncaring. More like I was putting them out for eating there. I don't know if it was because it was off season or what but will never set foot inside this establishment again and we are pretty regular going to the cape. Lunch took over a hour and a half with very light fare involved, as I mention the oysters and littlenecks, 2 bowls of oyster stew and a couple of drafts - that was it. Do yourself a favor and continue on to another restaurant. It shouldn't be this difficult. Two stars only and that is being generous. Location and freshness of the shellfish (but not how served with loose bits of shell)
(2)Lauren B.
Great place. If you want to watch the sunset while eating dinner then the Bookstore is the place for you. They always have fresh oysters, for there is a man shucking them for each order. I recommend the Fish Pot and the Salmon Plate.
(4)Tanya D.
The Bookstore was a nice place to spend my birthday with the family. The service was really good. Our waitress, Helmi was really friendly and attentive to our 3 year old. My Mom and I had the clam chowder and lobster stuffed with scallops and crabmeat. The lobster and scallops were very tasty. The crabmeat stuffing had a little more bread than I'd prefer, but it was still tasty. My sister-in-law got the salmon special with a wasabi, ginger and garlic sauce and she said it was good. My husband had the swordfish and he said it was good. The Jamaican spice cake was for dessert and that was okay too. Overall, it was pretty good.
(4)Nan A.
The fresh oysters and outdoor seating, overlooking the Cape sunset were great. However, the ambiance was ruined when I had to make too much effort to get the waitress to place my order and an even longer wait for the food to arrive. I only ordered appetizers. To top it off, I was pestered the entire time I was there by a patron who had so much to drink, he couldn't stand up. He claimed he had spent the entire day there, and was going to drive 200 miles home, at the end of the night. I wish the Bookstore had found him a place wherever they do keep the books, to sleep it off.
(2)Aaron T.
This review is for Oceans of Books only, which is the actual bookstore of the 2 spots owned by the same proprietor. This is the type of joint that when you walk in you are instantly in awe of the place. The store is a mom and pop spot, and is very similiar to a record shop that you might find in many city neighborhoods. There is huge selection of vintage comics and magazines that provides great source material for collages. They also have a great selection of literature as well. At first the clutter of the place may seem daunting , there is a method to the madness and staff are effecient when you have questions and need to find somthing specific.
(5)Rick B.
Tried Bookstore & Restaurant for the first time on a Friday night. This place has got a great location on Mayo Beach in Wellfleet with great vies of the harbor. Got there at 7:30 and got a table upstairs (inside) right away. Waitress didn't appear for 10 minutes or so, which is too long. :-( The decor is a bit tired. Too much dark wood and heavy furniture. First off, big yay for the lemon-grass and ginger martini. Salad was decent as were the fried oysters. Jamaican rum cake for dessert was a bit disappointing. The waitress warmed up as the evening went on so maybe we just arrived as one of those times when she was a bit stressed. There is always a crowd at the Bookstore & Restaurant, so I will give them another chance, but I'm worried that they are just cruising...
(3)Paul L.
Great Dinner even though it was a rainy night and not much of a view had the oysters (super fresh - could taste the ocean) and the Portugese Stew was tremendous. Service was smart and quick, but we went pretty early. The only gripe i would have is no mignonette sauce for the oysters, why would anyone use cocktail sauce to mask the great flavor of fresh oysters is beyond me. The prices where extremely reasonable.
(4)Joanne N.
My family always had get togethers and still do at the bookstore. The clam chowder and the oysters are always good. The waitstaff has always been friendly and serve you up the best. Plus you are right near the beach.
(4)Francesca R.
The seafood is fresh and fantastic. Amongst six of us we had it prepared every way possible (baked, fried, steamed, over pasta...) and every dish was simple and tasty. Service was the cheeky/friendly kind you'd expect at a seaside town restaurant. The draught beers were all a bit off, though - we had just been drinking Stella at home so could immeidately tell the difference in taste. Overall a great choice if your in Wellfleet or want to get away from P-town's hustle and bustle for a nice seafood meal with a great bay view.
(3)Arlyne B.
This restaurant actually began as a bookstore, then they started serving coffee, and over the years -- as everything else that happens in Cape Cod -- it grew and expanded. The bookstore is still there in the back end of the building with very old magazines, from the 30s and 40s, and lots of interesting books that are probably all out of print. It's a great place to browse after lunch on a clowdy day. The restaurant now covers two floors. They serve the best oysters (after all, this is Wellfleet!) and good pub food. Sit upstairs, outside, for a gorgeous water view.
(4)Jen S.
Steamed littlenecks were faaaabulous!! I forgot the name of the mixed drink I had, blended, but I don't think it had any alcohol in it. It was yummy, but unsure if worth the $7 or 8 charged. Margarita was pretty good, though, and definitely had some tequila. The crabcake that came with my salad was mediocre at best. I'm guessing it had been sitting around for hours or maybe was re-warmed from the day before. Not so excellent. The shrimp atop the salad was good, but there were only two! Boohoo. Salad itself was okay, could've been better. The stuffed shrimp we ordered were insanely unhealthy but delicious. All in all, definitely a good experience with friendly service. Things could stand to be kicked up a notch, perhaps, but after the dreamy bowl of clams in butterywinesauce, I can't really complain.
(4)Jon R.
This place was hit-or-miss for many years, but it's gotten reliably great in the past 3 or so. Their raw bar is delicious, as are their soups if you go on a chilly day. I recommend sitting outside for the view.
(4)Emily K.
Right by the water, this place had a great, lively atmosphere. We came by for a late dinner, and while the restaurant was bustling, we still had good service. They had incredibly fresh oysters and mussels -- musts if you're going to come here. Their lobster roll was tasty and packed with lobster meat, but I really loved their portuguese stew, which came with the most perfectly cooked scallops, among other seafood.
(4)Enay V.
damn good seafood & great location
(4)Margaret O.
The only thing worth eating here are the oysters, which are unarguably terrific. Once upon a time you could sit on the upper balcony in the afternoon and have a beer and a dozen really, really fresh oysters. No longer. if you aren't ordering a full meal they now consign you to the ground floor bar, and if you want to be outside you run a good chance of being subjected to cigarette smoke. Yuck.
(2)David X.
This place is weird. It's on the pier in wellfleet, overlooking the ocean. It's sort of a dump. The waitresses are the kind of rough kind of women you expect to be serving you in a diner. The food is adequate. Entrees are $20 - $25. The margaritas are good, though watered down considerably. I guess what I like about the place is the location. If it were on route 6 instead, I'd probably give it 2 stars.
(3)kim D.
A year ago I would have given this establishment a 5. My husband and I have spent the month of September (and holidays) in Wellfleet for over a decade, and we always ate at the Bookstore at least ten or twelve times a season (lunches primarily). So, over the course of the last ten years we have eaten there well over a hundred times. Last year we ate there twice and will probably not return. A few revievers have mentioned the fact that the staff isn't very friendly, and I agree- but that has always been the case- in fact it's been part of its charm. I am aware of the fact that the management has had issues with the town of Wellfleet in regards to water, and am patient enough to wait to use the one women's restroom even though it can be a long wait. . The restaurant does have a lovely view. So why am I so ready to abandon what was a favorite haunt? To put it bluntly, their food last year was so inferior to anything else I have had on the Cape, where I believe they take their food quite seriously. In addition, I am a food professional and know when a problem is likely to EVER be fixed (and why it might or might not be). One of my favorite dishes was their Seafood Chowder, which for want of a better description was similar to a seafood Newburg. While it may have varied a bit in the amount of seafood present, it was always delicious. The first time I ordered it last year it wasn't as good as usual, but still edible. The second time it was like a watered down clam chowder and when I told the waitress I had ordered the Seafood Chowder, not the clam chowder, she said....THAT'S WHAT I BROUGHT YOU. She brought another "seafood Chowder" and it was the same watery clam based soup. My husband and our guest were served a watery French Onion Soup that resembled a cheese ball. Mind you, my husband had eaten French Onion soup there dozens of times and loved it. They finally comped the soups, but probably only because our guest is the manager of a very popular Cape Cod restaurant. We were informed that they were training a new chef. I really think they were just cheapening their ingredients. As far as the seafood chowder, I'm thinking that they might have used a Knorr base which is no longer available. ...as no one can make soup as bad as the ones we were served in 2008. My scallop roll was good on our second visit, but all of the other entrees (both the first and second time) weren't good at all. The wait for our "soup" was close to an hour- oddly enough when she finally did bring our soup (prior to our entrees, which she had not put in yet) she said that she had had them "remake" them as they had burned- or some such dribble. Even though we were starving we couldn't choke them down. Both meals were such a disappointment that I doubt we will give them another chance. The only upside of this situation is that I have now learned to make fantastic seafood chowder and French Onion soup that is to die for!
(1)Lisa N.
Sitting at a table on the deck, surrounded by mostly tourists, everyone sucking up the spectacular sunset over Mayo Beach, smiles all around... And then I bit into my burger. Greasy and RAW in the middle. What a buzz kill! ;) Waiter among the missing, so I focused on the view and not on my plate. Fried scallop plate, a-ok. Pre-frozen, cardboard-tasting french fries on all plates--not worth the calories. Lazy, kitchen shortcut. Have a cocktail, maybe a simple app, but avoid the food if you want to leave on a sunset high.
(2)John S.
The food was mediocre and the service was horrible all for the honor of having a 20% gratuity added to our bill.
(1)S. C. C.
This is one of my favorite places. First, they own their own oyster beds, so these are the best and freshest oysters in Wellfleet. The mussels are some of the nicest anywhere, coming in an awesome broth. The oyster po'boy is one of the specialities and is slamming. Great outdoor seating right across from Mayo beach. But you gotta love that there is a bookstore, a very quirky used bookstore that is fun to browse and get some summer reading, and the bar in the back, The Bomb Shelter, is in an old bomb shelter which gives it fun vibe. It's great place to hang out out and shoot some pool.
(5)Alon S.
Service was great! Food was amazing! We were a party of eight people and waited about 45 minutes on a Friday evening. French onion soup was one of the best I've had. Clam chowder was a bit too creamy, in my opinion.
(4)