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    Whaleback Restaurant

    4.3 (170 reviews)
    ModerateBars, Seafood
    Closed 12:00 pm - 11:00 PM

    Whaleback Restaurant Photos

    WHALEBACK RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Divey
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Whaleback Restaurant

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    David K.

    One reason to come here is the cheap prices. For example, $9 fish&chips, which I read somewhere they haven't changed the price in 20 years! $22 for fried clam plate is cheap these days when up to $38 is not unheard of. Lobster rolls, $18, is also considered cheap. Another reason could be if you enjoy the ambience of an old-fashioned dive bar. The bar totally dominates the room, with just a few tiny tables squeezed against the walls on three sides, and a huge TV over the bar which was tuned to golf that day. It was pretty full when I arrived, with almost everybody sitting at the bar. I chose a table. There's also a large outdoor space with a few diners but it was too windy and bright for me. Order at the bar and they bring the food when it's ready. I ordered a fried clam plate and a ginger ale. The portion was certainly adequate for the price, the batter was light and crunchy, and the clams were fresh. However, the big flaw: the larger of the clams - they varied in size - were unpleasantly undercooked. Does anybody like them like that? Not me. I left a few of the largest ones uneaten. The fries were, no other way to put it, awful. Soggy and tasting of nothing but frying oil. No cole slaw served with this, though it's available as a side. On the positive side, the waitress / bartender was really nice and welcoming to me. Service was fast so you won't waste much of your day if you stop for quick lunch. And the prices, as I mentioned. So 2 stars for the food: the quality and lack of cole slaw. Are the friendliness, ambience, and prices enough to make up for this? Maybe? So I'm adding a star. It's doubtful I'd ever go back but if I do I hope I remember to request the clams cooked well-done. But in truth I might be growing tired of clams.

    Stuffed Scallop - $6
    Maria L.

    Food was excellent-- Fish was super fresh and moist. My server was friendly and accommodating. Ambiance is quaint and you can tell the establishment is well loved through loyal and continuing patronage. Would highly recommend.

    Front door of the whaleback.
    Joe K.

    Rated second best dive bar on the cape. Small but great seafood , drinks and bartender. Prices out of the 90's Ill be back

    Christmas cookie martini ! Mind blowing and great price

    I'm so happy to have this local place to go for a quick bite and cocktail after a long day at work . The fried scallop roll with its buttery toasted bun is my favorite go to and this Christmas cookie martini was epic and incredibly priced !

    Seafood platter w a few missing piece's

    Really quaint lively dive bar. Service was good and the food was even better. We had the seafood platter and was shocked at how much food was on it. Two people eating on it and still didn't eat it all. Visiting from out of state, so not familiar with the area but could tell it was almost all locals here. Really hoping to hit this place again before taking back off for home.

    LOBSTER ROLL!!! Nom nom nom
    Grace D.

    We were in town for a wedding and one of the souvenir shops in Onset told us we needed to check this place out if we were looking for lobster rolls. And when a local tells you to check a place out...you do it. And soooo glad we did! I LOVED THIS PLACE!!! It's this small establishment with the bar in the middle and surrounding bar tables along the walls. The bartender was...AWESOME!!! She was super attentive to every customer in that space and had the BEST personality! She was hilarious and just overall awesome! And fellow Buckeye! O-H! I-O! She enhanced our experience a great deal! The local souvenir shop lady was NOT KIDDING. These lobster rolls were AMAZING! The roll was buttery soft and the lobster was so plentiful for a really affordable price!!! I would have normally expected it to be a lot more expensive, but again...the local lady said..."you will NOT find another lobster roll at this price that is really good..." And she was right! The whole experience was so awesome...I HIGHLY recommend going to this place if you're in the area and are wanting to try some delicious lobster rolls. Thanks to the entire staff at Bob O'Malley's! You're place was FANTASTIC!

    $2.00 "takeout" charge for 2 plates

    Disappointed!! We've been here several times and always great ... until today. Called at 5:09 pm to order takeout, was told "just come in it'll only take 10 minutes". Arrived at 5.15 and placed order at 5:19. Waited, waited, waited .... at 5:50 asked about my "10 minute" order, was told it was next. Finally got my order at 5:57 (making me 20 minutes late for work). Paid $21 for 12 small clams?!?!?! And also a $2 takeout charge?? What was my favorite seafood place deeply disappointed us. Maybe we'll try again after Labor Day, maybe we'll find someplace better.

    the bar and counter area

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    6 months ago

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    5 months ago

    Awesome everything ! Great prices. Want to taste everything on the menu. Love the bar. Nothing there not to love!

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

    Best Fish and Chips around. Nice light batter. No better price anywhere. Great local clientele

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    9 months ago

    Locals place with few tables and subpar food... there is no reason to go out of your way to try this place.

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    8 months ago

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    8 months ago

    Portion are excellent and food is delicious fast service . Hometown feel great cocktail and outside seating very cozy

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    3 years ago

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    10 months ago

    Fish and chips $9 wonderful meal. First time there. Will definitely go again!!!Scallops next time or seafood plate.

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    Closed on weekends?!?!

    Was closed for renovation but open now at noon 7 days a week.

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    Sandie's - Philadelphia Roll

    Sandie's

    4.2(10 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $

    Great spot for a lunch appetizer with a fabulous view of the canal! This restaurant is notoriously…read morepacked during the summer (I'm talking I try and find a reservation a week before I head to the cape) and forget it if you have a group larger than 5, which I always do. However Sandie's is your patio deck bar with small eats that are just as delicious and the raw bar is not to be missed! I recommend going during the week around 1/2pm for the best chance at grabbing some good seats and while there are plenty out here, it fills up! Also have live music so check their website!

    Sandie's gives you an opportunity to sample a taste of F/V menu without going there…read more You have to go inside F/V, take the stairs up to the restaurant, cross the dining area, go out the deck door, down the stairs, cross the patio, to the other side of the patio. I know many just hang out here on the deck overlooking the harbor, below F/V. Sometimes the waitlist is just too long. *Note that they do accept F/V gift cards here also. So you're looking at about 8 picnic tables with umbrellas pushed together. A small walk up shack mixing drinks, and cooking food. The menu is in chalk, and changing daily. Most items are on the snack size. Then again, 2-3 Blackened salmon tacos, or F/V beef sliders is enough to fill the belly. Now you're fed, enjoying a cool libation, and some live guitar music with a scenic view. The prices are good. The service at the shack is good. The drinks are good. The food is great. Everything is pay at the shack or run a tab. Many never even went back to their F/V reservation. I wish there was more attention to silverware and napkins. I know it's hard to keep tables clean when a butt sits down as soon as one gets up. You basically bus the garbage of the previous tenant. They highly discourage entry and exit through the sidewalk gate. The exception was made for a handicapped person in our party. *Note that we did encounter some biting, flying insects on first week of July. Lot's of bug bites the next day.

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    Sandie's
    Sandie's - Butter Swordfish Bites

    Butter Swordfish Bites

    Sandie's - Frozen drinks

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    Frozen drinks

    Whaleback Restaurant - bars - Updated May 2026

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