Spending your vacation in Chatham puts you in the heart of one of Cape Cod’s classic small towns. Upon arrival, you can wander Main Street and explore the shops, head to the beaches overlooking Nantucket Sound or Chatham Harbor, or enjoy the parks, trails, marinas, and ponds.

Of course, you’ll surely get hungry as you explore everything Chatham has to offer, giving you the perfect opportunity to check out a clam shack or two.

The good news is that Chatham has some outstanding clam shacks all over town, so you can experience some of the Cape’s best seafood without having to venture too far.

Here’s a look at the top five clam shacks you’ll come across in Chatham, MA.

1) Kream N’ Kone

There are Kream N’ Kone locations in West Dennis and West Chatham. Both venues are family-owned and operated, ensuring you get to experience a local gem during your time on the Cape.

The West Chatham restaurant sits on Main Street, across the road from the Chatham Farmers Market. This eatery has been around for over 30 years and is a summertime favorite among Cape Cod residents and visitors.

The menu is what you’d expect to find at a small clam shack, as there’s a significant selection of fried seafood plates and rolls, including their famous lobster roll. You can also choose between grilled or broiled fish dishes or go with a non-seafood option like a burger, chicken sandwich, or hot dog.

Dessert is always on the menu, too. There are ice creams, sundaes, malts, and frappes, and you can even get a beer or a glass of wine with your meal.

There’s a lot to like about the Kream N’ Kone, so make sure you stop by when staying in the Chatham area.

2) Mac’s Chatham Fish & Lobster

Mac’s Chatham Fish & Lobster is about a ten-minute walk down Main Street from the Kream N’ Kone, and it features an equally impressive menu.

Here, you’ll find a great selection of seafood dishes, including swordfish, clam chowder, sea scallops, steamers, mussels, and fish tacos. There are also classic Cape Cod specialties like fried clams, lobster rolls, fried cod, and crab cakes, in addition to a raw bar featuring local oysters. You can even grab a lobster dinner if you’re into a fancy meal.

Mac’s has other locations in Wellfleet, Provincetown, Eastham, and Dennis, making it a chain you’ll likely come across at some point during your Cape Cod travels.

3) Chatham Fish Pier Market

There are a couple of different reasons to visit the Chatham Fish Pier because it’s a market and restaurant in one. If you’re looking to grab some food to cook at your vacation rental, this is a great place to start because you can buy the freshest seafood you’ll find anywhere on the Cape.

You can also pick up a ready-made meal at the Fish Pier Restaurant. The venue’s menu includes lobster rolls, various fried seafood baskets, clam chowder, and crab cakes, many of which come with coleslaw and fries. There’s a kid’s menu, too, which is a perfect option if you’re traveling with the family.

The Chatham Fish Pier is on the town’s east side on Barcliff Avenue. It overlooks Aunt Lydia’s Cove and features outstanding views of Tern Island and North Beach Island. In short, it’s a one-of-a-kind location that is worth checking out for the scenery alone; the food is just a bonus.

4) Chatham Fish and Chips

Location is the name of the game for Chatham Fish & Chips, as they sit on Old Harbor Road, about a block from Main Street and steps from Veterans Field, home of the Chatham Anglers. If you plan to attend a baseball game on your Cape Cod vacation, stopping by this restaurant for a quick dinner beforehand is always a good idea.

The menu at Chatham Fish & Chips has a little bit of everything: There’s a wide selection of fried seafood dishes, including fish and chips, scallops, clams, and shrimp. You can also grab a lobster roll, crusted haddock, or clam chowder. There are boiled and roasted options, too, in addition to chicken and salads.

Chatham Fish & Chips has indoor and outdoor dining areas, so you can spend your time on the patio enjoying the fantastic Cape Cod weather while you eat. Keep in mind that this restaurant chose not to open in 2020 but plans to get back to business in the summer of 2021.

5) The Impudent Oyster

Location is also an important consideration when visiting the Impudent Oyster, which sits across the street from Kate Gould Park, home of the Whit Tileston Bandstand. This park hosts concerts by the Chatham Band every Friday night between early July and Labor Day Weekend. If you plan to make one of these concerts part of your vacation, it makes sense to begin your night at the Impudent Oyster.

The menu at the Impudent Oyster is diverse, as there’s a raw bar, some salads, and clam chowder, in addition to seasonal dishes featuring scallops, lobster, crab, sole, and oysters. You’ll also find lobster rolls, fish sandwiches, scallop sandwiches, and burgers on the menu. There are significant beer and wine lists, too.

Overall, the Impudent Oyster provides more of a sit-down experience than other restaurants on this list, particularly at dinnertime. Still, it also has many clam shack staples that you’re sure to enjoy.

No Wrong Choices in Chatham

The great thing about these clams shacks is that you can’t go wrong, no matter which one you select. Chatham has a fantastic dining scene for such a small place, and once you wander through this charming Cape Cod town, you’re sure to fall in love with everything it has to offer.

Take advantage of some of these lovely clam shacks to make the most of your dining experience on the Cape.