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.

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.

Like a flower garden or the Beach Boys, Summer Stock blooms during the warm months, with its chefs crafting seasonal New American fare from April to December using locally sourced ingredients from Cape Cod fishermen and farms. Sumptuous starters such as flatbread, crab cakes, and raw-bar selections lead into a menu of traditional sandwiches and entrees of pasta, seafood, and steak. Imaginative cocktails and carefully curated wines please adult palates, and little ones choose from a simple kids’ menu and ply sweet teeth with cake, pie, and ice cream. Live music fills ears as diners take in the relaxed New England atmosphere and sights of the nearby Dennis Cape Playhouse, Cape Cinema, and Cape Cod Museum of Art.

Growing up on a New York dairy farm and rural Maine town, respectively, Sailing Cow Cafe co-owners Robyn Thibodeau and Sandy Jessup were always proud of their landlocked homes, but each longed for the sea. The pair eventually opened their waterside Sailing Cow Cafe in 1998 to serve up the tastiest catches the waters could provide, plus land-raised specialties. Nestled along Nantucket Sound, the eatery concocts breakfast, lunch, and dinner coupled with the fresh sea breeze on its open patio during fair-weather months or inside its protective walls during the rest of the year. During dinner, guests can sup on lobster loaded with a homemade crabmeat stuffing, broiled scallops, or country-classic liver and onions. Live blues, folk, and rock occasionally fill the dining room, while out on the patio guests can enjoy a cocktail as seagulls audition for local bands. Early risers can grab breakfast starting at 7 a.m. or pop in between 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to take advantage of lunch specials.

Clancy's, heralded by Cape Cod Life in 2009 as one of Mid Cape's "Best Family Dining" restaurants, brings its beloved banquet of fresh fare into area homes with its to-go family-style menu. Serve four to six diners desiring bite-sized beef with Clancy's half-pan of choice sirloin-steak tips ($80), or feed the other four members of your Aerosmith tribute band with a half-pan of fettucine alfredo ($40). An array of appetizers is available, including 24 potato skins ($30) or a full pan of boneless buffalo wings ($65). Salads, stir-fry dishes, and baked seafood entrees are also available for bulk buying.