The tiny Island of Martha’s Vineyard takes your breath away. The ‘Vineyard’ as it is cheerfully nicknamed by locals and seasonal residents evokes pleasant memories of a simplistic bygone era.
My affair with the Vineyard started 40 years ago. The island is known for catering to the rich and famous, but they are just locals when vacationing on this gem of an island. I have shared conversations with LeVar Burton, Spike Lee, Holly Peete Robinson and Carly Simon, and trust me they are just fun people sharing a tony island together. The Vineyard showcases some of the best seafood that makes your mouth salivate for more. Believe it or not, you can eat in Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Haven and Edgartown on a budget of $50 a day. Let’s run through a three-day stay covering three meals and snacks for $50 per day.
Day One starts in Oak Bluffs amongst the historic campgrounds which served as the first resort for elite African Americans. For a hearty breakfast, eat at Biscuits and partake in a scrumptious buttermilk biscuit, two slices of crispy bacon, two eggs anyway and a cup of coffee for $10. Now that’s good eating for less money. For lunch, stroll over to Giordano’s Clam Bar for a delicious haddock sandwich with fries for under $10.00. At sunset, stroll down the dock to The Shuck Shack and suck your teeth into a buttery lobster roll with fries for $15 or a steamed 1 ½ pound lobster in butter with fresh corn on the cob. After sunset, satisfy your sweet tooth with a tantalizing sugary donut from Back Door Donuts from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Beware lines are in the hundreds.
Day Two leads us to Vineyard Haven, a beautiful year-round port. Stop for breakfast at an organic spot dubbed Waterside Market for a traditional breakfast of two eggs, roasted potatoes, toast and choice of meat for $11.00. Pick up lunch at The Net Result for around $12. Run to Grace Episcopal Church at 4:30 p.m. for a delicious lobster roll, chips and drink for $17. If you miss the lobster roll, return to Waterside Market for their mouthwatering organic burger with homemade fries for $17. Remember, nothing says summer like a double dip of ice cream!
Day Three takes us to the elegant whaling town of Edgartown for breakfast at Espresso Love. Indulge in cappuccino with a sunrise English muffin of egg, bacon and cheese for $10. Lunch takes us to Amongst the Flowers Cafe for a grilled chicken sandwich with chips for $11. Dinner leads us to Backyard Taco for fish tacos with a drink for under $20.00.
As your time on this idyllic island winds down, make a dash to the Menemsha fishing village to catch the sunset. Stop at Lauren’s Fish Market for a steamed lobster, and don’t forget to bring a bottle of vino. That’s living Vineyard style! See you next time!
