Found during a 40 mile bike ride, we made a special trip back to take advantage of the $10 lobster roll special for lunch. Â Reasonable options for the kids and fish tacos and lobster roll for the adults. Â Food was great but the service was amazing! Â The two guys working during this heat wave were helpful and personable with one even referring to himself as everyone's "mom" as he walked around with cold ice water for all takers. Â Glad we went and I am sure we'll be back again!
Review Source:Thank you for fixing the Home Port!
My husband & I just returned from there and enjoyed swordfish dinners. Â Jackie greeted us at the door with a warm greeting and a huge smile. Â Gretchen was our server and she was gracious once we explained the circumstances (we had the worst meal there last year and vowed never to return). Â Jackie sent the new manager, Angela, over to us to check on us. Â We were happy to report to each of them that the Home Port's reputation for a memorable (in a good way) dining experience has returned. Â The new chef, Matthew, is making a huge difference.
We are the first from our family visiting the island each year. Â Everyone stayed away from the Home Port last year after we told them about our bad experience. Â They'll be happy to hear that it is now safe to go back (in the water).
It was my third swordfish meal on MV this week and it was terrific - freshest, largest portion, cooked perfectly. Â The swordfish at Ocean View was predictably boring, the MV Chowder Company was great but was a much smaller portion.
And, let's face it, the pier and the sunset are the icing on the cake.
Worth the trip.
I remember reading through the reviews just as I sat down for a Saturday night dinner here and immediately though "oh crap, this place might suck" after seeing a bunch of negative reviews. Although Homeport wasn't our first choice for the night, I'm glad it ended up being our choice, cause it ended up being a great experience.
My gf and I snagged a table just before the dinner rush and also during their happy hour. While the BYOB thing bummed me out at first, we luckily stocked up on wine before coming and cracked open a nice white wine. We lucked out that night since the happy hour was half price raw bar and got some delicious Katama oysters and a mix of Little Necks and Cherrystones on the half shell. I know some folks weren't fans of the bivalves they serve here, but the Katama oysters I had that night were some of the best oysters I had this past summer. The Cherrystones and Little Necks were top notch as well.
While we did notice the entree list to be pretty pricey, the lady and I decided to split a twin lobster platter and a side of fries. We thought it might not be enough for both of us, but were blown away over the quality and amount of lobster we got. Unlike previous reviews, our lobster was ultra fresh and tasty. The steamed corn and potatos that came with it hit the spot as well. And the fries, oh the fries. If I'm going to a seafood joint on the Vineyard, I'm expecting zero from a side of fries. These fries were cut fresh and seasoned perfectly.
Decor and vibe were great. Although a bit nicer than other seafood  restaurants on the Vineyard, Homeport still had a nice laid back feel. We also lucked out in the way of getting a table right next to the window, which was another nice touch.
Maybe my experience was an anomaly? Regardless, I'll pay Homeport a visit and try to make it in again for happy hour.
On the ride home, and my cousin encouraged me to get on Yelp right away to write this review. And so, here it is...
Awful.
I've been to this same restaurant 3 consecutive summers. This year was a complete disappointment not only to the the meals I remember but just a terrible dining experience.
Yes. I read the most recent reviews on Yelp before going to The restaurant ... I should have heeded the advice.
A few quotes from my table...
"my lobster is sour and mushy"
"the bacon was the best part of my lobster Cobb salad"
"I've had better clams at Legal Seafood's in New Jersey"
"is this really tartar sauce? looks like blue cheese and capers"
Last year, I had an incredible Lobster Pot Pie. Under the direction of a new cooking staff (as our waitress explained) the menu has been revamped. The place is obviously going downhill. It's sad.
Backdoor and raw bar outside are a complete scam. They add gratuity but fail to tell you that when you sign so of course you add more. Raw bar took over 45 minutes to deliver. Backdoor was a little better on timing but they say you are getting a 1 lb lobster and I highly doubt it is 1 lb - more like a chicken lobster for $24 which is the MOST expensive down there. Better deals at Menemsha market and Larson's for sure!! All beware of parking tickets which came in at $30 & $60.
Review Source:Went there with my family last week and had a nice relaxed meal. The Bluefish was excellent and the views were great as well. BYOB was also a nice part of the experience.
They are doing great work with their new menu and focus on sustainable fishing. It is clear why Home Port has been a favorite of so many over the years on the Vineyard.
We did not order $58 3 course dinner but fried calamari($13), corn on the cob, Linguine with Clam($21), and fisherman's platter($36) for two of us yesterday.
The calamari, on a smaller portion for the island standard, they were  fresh meat but all their fry dises were cooked just disappointingly in a strangely poor batter. The brown color and thick oil smell were a sign of unfiltered, never replaced oil, I had gotten half way sick eating the dinner. However its sauce was homemade kind and tasty.So was Tar Tar sauce.
Linguine, the noodles, and clams were properly cooked but the white sauce, that should pull all the ingredients together was nothing but a plain butter or a poured in churned milk , not even with a hint of lemon, wine or salt. No flavor but a raw dairy smell. I took it as a great insult from the kitchen. But, our waitress did not show up until we finished the dinner.
The fisherman's platter came with very salty double fried chips-extremely salty, and coleslaw. The fried fish stuff were  two shrimps, and two scallops, and a medium size fish patty, The crust was dark brown, and fried so hard, but the inside was still medium-raw. Again, the hot brown unfiltered oil with strong smell, again with the weird batter. But my partner seems to enjoy it, but he also mentioned that he would never come here again for the price and the poor quality food.
In fact, I would never eat their food even if it is given for free.
The sunset was still great in mid-August evening, but the food we had kept us upset and silent throughout our dinner. But the waitress never came to check how we were doing, and, because I ate up the tiny handful of the pasta, she didn't quite take my comments. And, I clearly stated that the ambiance and waiting service is separately good but the kitchen is sub par. And, I asked her to make sure the kitchen should know what I said.
I am sure I will never recommend this place to anyone I know. This place is the second worst on the island as in the "restaurant" category, that we will avoid at all times. Or, if you think this is good enough, you haven't tried any decent eatery on the island yet.
We walked over from the beach for lunch at the Back Door. Â We had the calamari, blue fish pate, fish taco's, chowder, and lemonade. Â All in all it was just okay. Â The fish tacos were overly fried but the slaw on the side was good - made with red onion which was a nice untraditional surprise. Â Chowder was missing something - pepper or some sort of seasoning. Â The clam ratio was good but the flavor was missing. Â The blue fish pate was the star of the meal - perfectly smoked and predictably salty. Â For $8 it was a huge portion that could be shared amongst 4 people or more. Â The calamari fry was very good and the dipping sauce was very unique. Â Almost a barbecue cocktail. Â All in all it was a good experience but doesn't lead me to want to eat at the restaurant indoors.
Review Source:Since under new management the service has been utterly slow and the food has also suffered. I had the baked stuffed lobster (48 dollar plate), the claws on the lobster were under cooked and there wasn't enough lobster in the actual dish it self not to mention that it had to much celery in the stuffing. The best part of this dish was the decorative potato. I find my self questioning if I'm ever going to return here again. I'd rather walk down the street to "The Bite" and have better quality food at an eighth of the price.
Enough said!
Notice how after a year that the New "Home Port" won't put the menu and prices on the website? If they did nobody would ever go based on BOTH the horrible food and the astronomical prices. The worst food at the highest prices that you have ever imagined in your entire life. Let the "New" Home Port die, PLEASE and soon, the new owners have already killed every single piece of the original pre-2011 restaurant . Please don't waste the evening let alone the $200 to walk into likely the worst dining experience you can imagine. It's extremely sad to see what they have done to one of the best restaurants ever. Remember the Home Port before, it's gone, these new owners unbelievably completely destroyed it. If you don't believe me...just try it. Or stop by to see the laughs of the new owners as you deposit your money.
Review Source:Just went here on August 22, 2011.. OMG, it was terrible! The hostess walks around with her nose in the air, suggests we get the 3 course meal, and talks down to us like we've never eaten food before and she's a connoisseur. I ordered the Baked Stuff Shrimp, my fiance got the baked scallops. These had so much potential to be delicious, and they were awful. There was almost a whole stick of butter in each dish, to the point where the stuffing with the shrimp was under a layer of butter. We had the lobster bisque which came with butter melting on the top plus another stick mixed in. My family got ill just from their improper use of butter. The only thing they got right were the oysters, which thankfully were provided by the Atlantic ocean. Don't go here, don't pay their almost exotic prices, and don't encourage them to stay the same. If it wasn't for the potential embarrassment of my family for making a scene, I would have demanded my meal free because it was so terrible. I was so angry.
Review Source:Pretty long wait here sometimes. Â In fact so long that we were planning on just doing the take out but we actually got in to the restaurant after about 30 minutes of waiting.
Had the calamari app. Â Very nicely done, lightly breaded, quick fried. Â Tasty, not chewey or too much bread.
SO had blue fish and liked it, very good.
I had the lazy man's lobster, it was pretty good, in fact a fair amount of lobster. Â Corn on the cob side was nice, grilled just right and corn was sweet.
Nice harborside setting with sunset in the background.
All in all a nice place worth returning to.
I have bought my Menemsha sunset picnic here a hundred times. Last week I come back after being away for a couple years and everything goes downhill. First, it took SO LONG to take orders. Gal in front of me ordered for 10 minutes and THEN the cashier tells her the credit card machine is broken. Me and my friend pay for her $200 order just so we can stop standing there (and NY gal writes us a check). Then we order for 7 people waiting for us at the beach. An hour later, sunset long gone, we still don't have our food. Finally get up the nerve to ask for it and find out she gave it away to someone else. YOU WOULD THINK SHE WOULD COMP OUR FOOD AND MAKE SOMETHING REAL QUICKLY... OR BE APOLOGETIC... no this is the land of Mass-holes where she makes us stand an extra 10 minutes so she can do her cash-register reverse order bookkeeping instead of at least handing us our cash back quickly so she can figure out the register later. WORST NIGHT EVER, vacation for seven nights and the Homeport single-handedly ruined one of them. I'll be getting lobsters, cooked shrimp, mussels and delicious spreads for my crackers at Larsen's for the rest of my life. The Homeport has been in my life for 16 years and NEVER MORE.
Review Source:The new concept at Home Port using local catches and locally grown foods is to be applauded. The waitress was knowledgeable and helpful. But the prices were outrageously high for a restaurant whose interior still looks like a casual dining spot. And at those prices, one should expect that their lobster will be hard-shelled instead of the cheaper, molting soft shell with less meat inside. Despite the much higher prices and the soft shelled lobster, the food was nicely prepared, the Menemsha oysters were extremely fresh and sweet, the heirloom tomato salad in a lovely buttermilk dressing was divine. If you liked the old Home Port concept, a staple in Menemsha for many years, you may not welcome the change.
Review Source:I am a stunned to read some of the recent reviews below and happy to say I haven't had the same experience. I have been coming to Menemsha for the past 15 years, and lived in Chilmark for a couple as well. The Homeport is one of my favorite places to eat and still is! (I usually use the takeout window).
I was there 2 weeks ago, we ordered chowder, Lobster and fries, it was delicious! prices have gone up, but I'm willing to pay if the meal was worth it...Keep up the good work and we'll keep coming back. A staple in Menemsha.
6-26-11 Despite local newspaper articles about the changes at Homeport, my husband and I decided to go for dinner celebrate our 28th wedding anniversary. First I would like to say that I applaud the new owners support of the local fishermen by including only locally caught fish on their menu. Unfortunately, there is not enough locally caught fish to sustain a menu for a seafood restaurant. I ordered the $64 complete lobster dinner and the lobster and steamed clam were delicious. The corn and stuffed quaghog were burned and inedible. My husband could not find anything he liked on the menu (they were out of chicken), so he settled for the fish and chips. It was the most unappetizing plate of food I have ever seen. The fish looked grey and the fries had other bits of food mixed into it from the fryer. Malt vinegar was not even offered to help get it down! The dessert that came with my meal was good, though. Our meals cost $120 and our only consolation was we didn't ask other family members to join us, so the cost was manageable.
The people at a table near to us complained about the saltiness of the clams and the waitress said, "That's how those clams are." A young couple with an infant ordered appetizers, then left.
I do believe the Homeport will make it through this season due to the number of people that will try in once. However, I will be very surprised if it is here next season, unless MAJOR changes are implemented. So sad. It used to be one of our favorite restaurants.
Used to be our favorite place on the island - so much that we'd gladly spend the taxi money to get there from OB. Â The food and service has progressively gone downhill every year (although the price has remained steady). Â The baked stuffed shrimp dish was a mere caserole of shrimp in melted butter (I think) with bread crumbs sprinkled on top. Â The fried shrimp and lobster sautee were average. Â The only enjoyable part of the dinner was the quahog chowder - still very good - but it couldn't save the meal.
Review Source:Our group of 10-13 makes an annual trek to this great island and always stops by Homeport for lobster. Â We're kind of sorry we did this year - while the steamed lobsters were tasty, the baked stuffed lobsters were disappointing. Â First, they charged an extra $12 for stuffed versus steamed lobster, making it $47 for a 1 1/4 lb lobster. Â Stuffing was advertised as "seafood"; nothing but crushed Ritz crackers. Â One of us ordered lobster pot pie - not one piece of lobster to be found. Â Appetizer special of tuna cerviche - the most unappetizing dish I've ever seen. Â Grey chunks of fish, minced onion topped with thin slices of radish served with four thin 6" disks of tortilla chip (think CDs). Â Grey upon beige; didn't taste good either, especially for $14. Â They also charged us $30 as a corking fee for the 5 bottles of wine that we brought which they neither opened nor poured for us. Â Bluefin tuna pate - bland. Â I heard the baked oysters were good. Â They even ran out of lobster forks and the restaurant wasn't even full! Â Everything ala carte so very, very expensive for amateur (albeit friendly) service and disappointing food. Â Will have to re-evaluate whether or not we return to Homeport next year.
Review Source:Home Port honestly had the best lobster I've ever had in Massachusetts. Â We stopped by during a trip in May 2010 because it had been recommended in the Frommers' guidebook. Â
While watching the sunset from our window, we ordered their three-course meal, which was a fairly good deal for MV (it was around $30-$40 if I remember correctly). Â We ordered the stuffed quahog as an appetizer, a single steamed lobster with red bliss potatoes, and a dessert that I can't remember. Â Â The stuffed quahog was unusual and delicious, but it was the lobster that really stole the show. Â It wasn't particularly big, but it was distinctively fresh, moist, and flavorful, with a salty goodness that tasted as if it had just been plucked from the sea moments before it went in to the steamer. Â Â In comparison, the lobster I've had before at chain restaurants like Legal Sea Foods tastes relatively bland. Â Â The service was relatively efficient and it's a big restaurant with plenty of seating and nice views.
Cruising through the Vineyard for an over night visit, we gravitated toward the aptly named  Home Port, which has been my  "Any Port in a Storm" restaurant for the past decade and a half.  I usually shout my order into the take out window outside the kitchen, then harvest the succulent lobster, cool cole slaw, and corn on the cob and hustle over to the outdoor tables on the patio while there are any left.  Always open, always consistent, reasonably priced for the Vineyard, and a convivial atmosphere with lots of people watching and nature watching thrown in, this restaurant is like eating in your own back yard.
This visit, I had the pleasure of dining indoors, and tried the baked lobster, topped with bread crumbs and grilled, along with a dozen Oysters Rockefeller. Â Home made ice cream finished us off.
We BYOBed with a nice dry white and a rich red, and savored the eats while watching the famous and well produced Menemsha sun sink into the west, an anomoly on the East Coast.  All in all, a rich cultural experience along with a good  meal.
My third trip in 5 years. Â We go for lobster every summer. Â This place is located in a beautiful spot in Menemsha, take a walk on the pier after dinner. Â Overall the food is good, not great, although the lobster ROCKS. Â Service is acceptable to good. Â Remember to bring your own wine - this part of the island is dry!
Review Source:This past weekend I went to the Homeport Restaurant in Menemsha - and wooo weee what a delight.
We began the night off by watching the sunset down the road from the Homeport at the beach. We packed a cooler full of beverages, relaxed, and took some awesome pictures.
We had made a reservation at Homeport for 8PM which was perfect timing. We waited less than 5 minutes to be seated. Luckily upon making our reservation the hostess had told us it was BYOB. Which at first seemed odd - but later we found it was brilliant!
The food was amazing. Where else can you get mussels, 2 steamed lobsters, side of steamed veggies, and a full dessert for $45? No where I tell you! Of course with 4 people we spent quite a bit of money, but let me repeat I HAD 2 LOBSTERS!
I wouldn't recommend the place for light eaters as you may not get your money's worth. Also, the owner came around several times to our table. She was insanely nice and even drew us a map to make sure we got home safely.
A fantastic dining experience all around. I will definitely return to the Homeport. Oh, and there is parking just for restaurant patrons. No circling the block like you do in Edgartown or Vineyard Haven.
I'm a fan of any restaurant that Johnny Graham, formerly of the Red Cat and Johnny's Fine Carryout, is a part of.
Summer 2009 is a new beginning for the Homeport. The beloved restaurant, popular with sunset seekers, has a new owner and a new kick in the kitchen. Johnny Graham is bringing his skills to benefit all the hungry peeps that wander into this tried and true seafood restaurant.
Though the Homeport is mostly a dinner destination, expect a little spin on the menu for Sunday brunches. Johnny will be bringing back his famous grilled salmon clubs with bacon and arugula, delicious lobster rolls and seared tuna sandwiches.
Menemsha is an awesome place to spend a late afternoon/ evening. Get some soft serve ice cream with the kids or bring a bottle of wine and watch the sunset. Top it off with a couple of twin lobsters at the Homeport and you'll be thanking your lucky stars for another beautiful on the Vineyard.
BTW, this is a BYOB restaurant. Bring your favorite bottle and enjoy the food.
Let me correct the previous "information." The town of Chilmark did not buy the Homeport. It's now owned and managed by the owners of the Beach Plum Inn and Menemsha Inn and Cottages. I had dinner there Memorial Day weekend, and it was wonderful. The old Homeport had become tired and not very good by last summer. The new owners have kept most of the old menu, but instead of all prix-fixe, you can now order a la carte. The food is MUCH improved, fresher, more modern. Some may quibble that the portions are smaller, but to my mind, that's all to the good.
Review Source:Homeport is one of those places that, even if you've never been to a New England town, you can pretty much imagine what it must be like. Â Wood, sunset view, lobster bibs, baked potatoes. Â Portions are large--my swordfish was the size of the plate practically--and the fish is very fresh. Â Clam chowder, and bluefish pate were excellent, and the lobster is great.
We were in a large party celebrating a birthday, and the staff was friendly, though a little spaced out. Â But when we needed another bottle of wine opened (Menemsha is BYOB) they were right there.
I would like to try the takeout sometime, but you have to stand next to a  smelly dumpster while you wait for it.  But it's still popular!
This is going to be the last summer of the Home Port
The city has bought the land, and is going to turn it into a place to park and pee when you go to cheer at the Menemsha sunset
I would make some casual reference to a well loved Joni Mitchell tune, only the Home Port is in no way paradise
In fact, the primarily fried and occasionally boiled food has good from mediocre to downright terrible this year.
So, why do we go? Â For the fun, dag nab it, for the fun!
You sit outside, getting bit by nasty bugs, eating crap seafood and watching the kids run around like maniacs until they get their soft serve
And that's just the set up. Â The fun part is listening to the tourists say really stupid things whilst sucking down their over-priced frozen french fries.
Maybe it's not so fun, actually. Â Maybe it's just tradition...?
But I'm a sucker for tradition so I go
By the time you read this review, the Home Port will probably be gone
So let me be the first and last to say it,
alas poor Home Port we knew ye well...
so long, suckers!
I would have given them only one star but the beautiful view added another. The outdoor seating was nice but the trash was overflowing and smelled awful. Â The shrimp cocktail was very good and the highlight of our meal, which also included a fried seafood plate with scallops, oysters, fish, and shrimp. The fried food had little flavor and the tarter sauce was just average. Â
The service was awful and two members of our party did not recieve their food until the rest of us had already completed our meal (good thing we did not wait for them to eat!). Â When we asked the management inside the restaurant about the hold up they stated that they have nothing to do with the take out portion of the restaurant. The poor young man working the counter was nice but could not do anything to rectify the situation.
I would skip the Home Port and hit up one of the other delicious and service orientated spots on the Vineyard.
Let me preface by saying I have NEVER eaten in side the restaurant. Â I have only done take out. Â
This place is great because they have a take out window by the kitchen were you can order the same meals but for about 1/2 the price of what you would pay inside.
Their is ample out door seating with a fantastic view of the harbor.
Many people I know consider Homeport to have the BETS scallops on the island. Â I love their lobster and sword fish. Â If you are looking for a really casual dinner with great seafood that isn't going to be too expensive, get homeport take-out and enjoy the beauties of the island.
OK, you know you are going to pay more on MV, but $40 for fried seafood? Â Yeah, it does come with an appetizer, salad, bread and dessert, but I'm still hung up on $40 for fried scallops. Â Yeah, the food was incredibly fresh, but it should be on island in the Atlantic. Â As an FYI - Chilmark/Menemsha is BYOB. Â If you want to eat at a true restaurant while you catch an awesome sunset, this is your only bet in the area. Â But still, $40 for fried seafood? Â
Had I known better (or just walked a little further) we'd have grabbed food to go at The Bite just down the road (the definition of a seafood shack) and hit the beach for sunset.
The 5 best restaurants in the 2015 Denver Restaurant Week
3,607 Views | Category: Denver
The complete list of 2015 Denver Restaurant Week businesses
1,970 Views | Category: Denver
The tourists' guide to Portillos: 5 must have dishes
3,306 Views | Category: Chicago
Pho = Pronounced "fuh" not "foe" for pho-king sake
2,905 Views | Category: Denver
Indulgery selected to exhibit at Collision Conference
2,983 Views | Category: Press Releases
Not Logged In
BUSINESSES
Local Businesses
Near Me
My Favorites
SOCIAL
Blog & News
MY ACCOUNT
Login
Register
Contact Us
Add Your Business
