💝 Iconic Foods and Gifts from Martha's Vineyard

must-tries that stand out as "MV" traditions

You're in an airport somewhere across the country and spot someone wearing a Black Dog T-shirt. You strike up a conversation, and before long they’re saying, “Ahh, I would kill for some chowder right now.”

There are certain foods and gifts that bring to mind Martha’s Vineyard immediately, no matter where you are.

We’ve rounded up our most iconic MV traditions below. If you want to keep track of what you’ve done, consider downloading our MV Bucket List App and bookmark some of these to do later!

⭐️ Lis’s Picks are marked throughout to highlight my personal favorites.

🦞Iconic Foods from Martha’s Vineyard

🐟 Seafood

• ⭐️A Hot Lobster Roll from Lookout Tavern: New England offers lots of lobster rolls up the coast, but on MV you’ll see most people opt for the “hot” version, covered in butter as opposed to mayo. A favorite is at Lookout Tavern overlooking the ocean, though you can find one at most island seafood spots whenever the mood strikes you. Our pick for a cold lobster roll would be Waterside Market.

• Clam Chowder from Net Result: another New England favorite, there’s something about digging into some chowder while you feel the fresh ocean breeze.

• Raw Oysters from Cottage City: Oysters aren’t nearly as fresh as when you have them from MV, harvested from coastal waters that morning. Cottage City supplies many oysters to restaurants on the island.

• Stuffed Quahogs ("Stuffies") from Larsen's or The Wharf: A true New England classic, these baked stuffed clams are loaded with breadcrumbs, herbs, and sometimes linguica or bacon. You’ll find them in seafood cases all over the island.

🥧 Baked Goods

• An apple fritter from Back Door Donuts: A hot donut after the bar at 10 PM? That’s a feeling that you can’t find elsewhere! The iconic apple fritter is bigger than your face!

• ⭐️Pie or Zucchini Bread from Morning Glory Farm: grabbing pie or zucchini bread from MGF is always a treat because it’s likely going to be warm and fresh out of the oven as you snatch it off the shelf. With fresh fruit and vegetables picked that day, it’s unforgettable.

🍫 Treats or Artisanal Goods

• Dirty Banana from Donovan’s: Tucked below Nancy’s Restaurant, the most iconic bartender on the island serves up a mudslide with a banana he’s deemed a dirty banana. Visitors come back for this treat every summer as a rite-of-passage on Oak Bluffs Harbor.

• Salt Rock Chocolates: Locals remember these chocolate recipes (from the old Chilmark Chocolates) as an age-old tradition of fresh homemade treats that you can now grab at the West Tisbury Farmer’s Market.

• ⭐️Murdick’s Fudge: Walking along Main Street in VH, OB or Edgartown you will smell the wafting chocolate and see fresh fudge being made as you walk by.

• Prufrock Cheese from Grey Barn: If you see a Grey Barn cheese off-island, it’s likely accompanied by a little sign praising it’s award-winning history. When you come to MV you can visit the farm and see that it’s truly a homemade operation and why the taste is so unique.

• ⭐️Mimi’s Hittin’ the Sauce: Locally crafted on Martha's Vineyard, Mimi's hot sauces are a flavorful addition to any meal. Made from peppers grown by the creators themselves, these sauces range from mild to extra hot, offering something for every palate.

• Island Bee Company Honey: Harvested in small batches from hives across Martha's Vineyard, this raw honey captures the unique flavors of the island's flora. A sweet souvenir that's as local as it gets.

• MV Sea Salt:Harvested on a West Tisbury farm, this all-natural sea salt is a favorite among local chefs and home cooks. Often found in gift boxes and island-made sets, it's a small but flavorful taste of the Vineyard.

• Chilmark Coffee Company: For coffee aficionados, Chilmark Coffee Company offers small-batch, specialty-grade beans roasted right on the island. Their commitment to quality and sustainability makes their coffee a true MV staple.

🎁 Iconic Gifts from Martha’s Vineyard

• A Black Dog T-Shirt: It’s funny how much this brand has grown to other coastal destinations, when in fact the Black Dog was founded on MV. You can find 5+ cafes, and 4+ stores on the island with a wide variety of options for the whole family.

• ⭐️A Vineyard Vines Hat: Vineyard Vines is also an MV-founded brand that has been globalized! The iconic little whale is recognizable anywhere now, and the stores on the island customize their clothes to share “Martha’s Vineyard” below the logo to share that it was purchased here.

• Wampum Jewelry: MV is home to an Indigenous population -The Wampanoag tribe based in Aquinnah (Gay Head). You can find wampum jewelry handmade from quahog shells throughout the island to celebrate this tradition.

🛍️ Lis's Shortlist of Favorite Iconic Shops by Town

My favorite towns to shop in are Vineyard Haven and Edgartown! They have a different vibe but have a wide array of great options.

• ⭐️Vineyard Haven: Black Dog General Store, Bunch of Grapes Bookstore, CB Stark Jewelers, Coastal Supply Co., Conrado, Green Room, La Roux at Home, Rainy Day, Soft As A Grape

• ⭐️Edgartown: Black Dog General Store, CB Stark Jewelers, Edgartown Books, Juniper, Lilly Pulitzer, Vineyard Vines​

• Oak Bluffs: Craftworks, Island Outfitters, Slip Seventy Seven, Soft As A Grape, Stefanie Wolf Designs, Vineyard Vines​

• Aquinnah, Chilmark, or West Tisbury: Alley’s General Store, Beetlebung Farm, Grey Barn & Farm

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If you’re traveling to Martha’s Vineyard for the first time, consider exploring our travel and visitors section below: