Food & Drink in Hyannis

The aromas of hickory-smoked meats and rotisserie sauces spiral upward from the dark, wooden tables at Porky's BBQ and Grill, a haven for lovers of all things barbecue. Here, tangy tastes range from St. Louis–style ribs to Texas-style beef brisket to slow-baked beans culled from the bubbling pit of barbecue sauce that lies under Kansas City. As patrons dig into Southern sides, rustic aluminum siding and tree-trunk poles conjure the atmosphere of a country hideaway. In the winter, Porky’s opens its doors from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and serves dinner Thursday–Saturday during the warmer months of May and beyond.

Inside emBargo, a martini and tapas bar located in downtown Hyannis, servers arrive at lamplit tables with trays of hot and cold small plates, oysters on half shells, and seafood sliders. Each order of tapas resembles a work of art: applewood bacon and arugula add color to a plate of pan-seared scallops, and delicate drizzles of pomegranate molasses sauce spell out the word "Art!" on the grilled lamb so there's no mistaking what you're seeing. After dining on marinated artichokes wrapped in Serrano ham, diners can sip one of 20 signature martinis while listening to live entertainment, including jazz on Saturday nights and after-hours karaoke on Wednesdays.

Helmed by chef and owner Weldon Fizell, the gastronomic gurus at The Regatta of Cotuit infuse a menu of classic ingredients with inventive twists, earning accolades from Zagat, AAA, and Boston magazine. After finding seats in the 218-year-old mansion, taste buds stockpile rich flavors of seared Hudson Valley foie gras garnished with grilled rosemary bread and blackberry-brandy compote to rival luxurious stores inside Fort Knox. Tender Georges Bank sea scallops land on tables with a caramelized coat and an entourage of butternut-squash ravioli and pea tendrils dressed with brown butter. Ovens slowly roast lacquered half ducks to ensure a crispy skin that complements sides of ginger-scallion pancakes and sautéed asian vegetables. A sorbet intermezzo cleanses palates of edible echoes from previous courses before entrees and further represses memories of fallen soufflés from ages past. Postmeal cool downs commence as forks ferry dollops of key-lime mousse into mouths to surprise unsuspecting sweet teeth.

When Ciro Cozzi and Sal Del Deo opened up a cozy basement restaurant in Provincetown in 1956, they thought they were financing a future art career, not establishing an institution that would win over the hearts of tourists, locals, and celebrities for over 60 years. Soft light bounces off the brick walls of the Kiley Court cellar to illuminate the straw-wrapped fiasco bottles, which hang above guests as they savor dishes of fine North Italian cuisine. Plates of spicy puttanesca, delicate broiled fish, roasted chicken, and grilled steak burst with the flavors of local ingredients alongside lemon, garlic, and fresh herbs. Nestled amid the dark varnished woods and rustic brick, guests sip glasses of Tuscan wine, share laughs, and keep eyes out for celebrity fingerpainters.