The Legend of Moby Dick’s: Wellfleet’s Premier Seafood Shack

If you’re at all familiar with Herman Melville’s classic novel, Moby Dick, you know that parts of the story take place near Cape Cod. In fact, the tale begins with Ishmael traveling from Manhattan to New Bedford before making a stop on Nantucket, and the second mate of the Pequod is a man named Stubb who hails from the Cape.

Cape Cod’s history as a shipbuilding and whaling hub also creates a connection with the book because the entire story is about Captain Ahab’s obsession with the giant sperm whale he’s chasing.

It makes sense, then, that someone on Cape Cod would create a business named after this famous story, and that’s precisely what has happened in Wellfleet with Moby Dick’s Restaurant.

This clam shack on Route 6 is a local favorite because of the fresh seafood dishes they serve and is a location you’ll definitely want to check out if you’re visiting the Cape in the summer.

Here’s a look at what you can expect once you walk through the doors of Moby Dick’s Restaurant in Wellfleet, Massachusetts.

The Atmosphere

As you approach Moby Dick’s, you’ll feel like you’re walking up to a beach house. There’s a nautical theme, both inside and out, and the venue makes you feel like you’re right on the ocean.

Heading into the building, you might think you’ve walked onto a ship. The interior is designed to feel like the inside of a wooden boat, which definitely adds to the ambiance.

You can enjoy your meal outside on their patio, too, which is a nice touch when you don’t want to leave the Cape’s beautiful summertime weather.

The Menu

You’ll want to take a few minutes to read the entire menu at Moby Dick’s because there are many options.

First, there’s the soup, including clam chowder, lobster bisque, and seafood gumbo. Appetizers include steamers, mussels, crab cakes, and Moby’s Famous deep-fried Spanish onion, as well.

You can also grab Wellfleet oysters, scallops, cod, swordfish, and salmon, to name a few options, and they have a full menu of fried platters from which to choose.

If you’re in the mood for lobster, Moby Dick’s has full dinners served with corn on the cob. You can add Chatham steamers to the meal and make it a clambake, too, or go for their lobster roll platter.

The seafood sandwiches at Moby Dick’s are well-known throughout the Cape, as you can choose from cod, salmon, crab, and clam, all of which are served on a bun or roll with fries.

Those who aren’t into seafood don’t have to worry because Moby Dick’s has a decent selection of burgers, and a chicken breast sandwich, as well.

There are kid’s and dessert menus, with Moby’s Famous Key Lime Pie being the headliner.

No matter what you’re looking to eat this vacation, there’s a good chance you’ll find it at Wellfleet’s Moby Dick’s Restaurant.

Bring Your Own Beer

For beverages, you can order ice tea, iced coffee, milk, juice, water, frappes, and freezes from the restaurant. They also have hot coffee and tea.

If you’d like an alcoholic drink with your meal, though, you’ll have to head to the store and bring it yourself. Moby Dick’s is a BYOB establishment, so you can grab a bottle of wine or a couple of beers and enjoy them with your food for no extra charge. They’ll even supply cups, bottle openers, and ice buckets.

Wellfleet Spirits Shoppe is a two-minute drive from the restaurant, so you won’t have to travel far to bring your own drinks to Moby Dick’s.

The Gift Shop

Moby Dick’s is a pretty well-known establishment, so it makes sense that they’d sell some merchandise. What you might not expect, though, is that they have a full souvenir shop next door called Moby’s Cargo.

After your meal, you can head over to Moby’s Cargo to look at their selection of t-shirts, sweatshirts, travel mugs, coffee cups, hats, and other memorabilia that are equipped with the restaurant’s logo.

These items are the perfect way to remember your meal at this famous restaurant and a great thing to bring home at the end of your Cape Cod vacation.

Your Cape Cod Vacation

Moby Dick’s has a long history on the Cape, as it first opened its doors in 1983. It’s known as a gathering spot for locals, but its doors are always open to Cape Cod visitors looking for one of the area’s best dining experiences.

Spending your vacation in Wellfleet allows you to wander its beaches, explore its quaint downtown, and head to the Cape Cod National Seashore. Finding some of the Cape’s best seafood along the way at Moby Dick’s is sure to make your time here that much more special.