Mews Restaurant & Cafe

Went without a reservation on a Monday night, were seated fairly quickly and had a lovely view. Margaritas were excellent, server was knowledgeable and professional, our water glasses were kept filled. Lobster risotto and lobster vindaloo were DELICIOUS, as was the gazpacho or the day and the crab terrine appetizer. This was our first visit to the Mews and it won’t be our last. Great dining experience.

Fourth time in Provincetown and by far the best restaurant I’ve eaten at here. Started with a couple martinis which were made to perfection. I had the lobster risotto and my fiancé had the almond crusted cod. No complaints about either. Perfect balance of flavors. The homemade ficcocia bread between drinks was amazing. You get a water view with most of the places you sit. I’d highly recommend this place!

Where to begin… Last year we’re attempted to give this Ptown establishment a try — based on the reviews, it seemed that we must. Unfortunately they are booked well in advance (not sure why) and they don’t make it easy make a reservation. This year the town was less crowded and we scored a Sunday brunch reservation — so this is based on our brunch experience and having looked at the dinner menu numerous times.
Before we ever stepped foot in The Mews we posited that it had the look and feel of a great, «surf & turf» spot at the beach — the tired «country club» sort of place that can toss a mean salad and twice bake the day lights out of a baked potato. And, well, we were right. It’s a neat, older contemporary building in a beautiful spot with an interior that looks like the «Golden Girls» set designer was called upon to create a fishing lodge, perhaps. Very outdated and could stand a good scrubbing in spots.
The food was, as I feared — heavy, old-​school fare. Crepes drowning in cheese and sauce, destroying any of the crepes integrity and one very thin — I mean paper thin — slice of maybe, Boar’s Head Black Forest Ham, in my ham and spinach crepes. The home fries looked a little weary and struggled to have flavor, to no avail. Who could do that to a potato — the humblest of all vegetables. The shrimp cocktail was good, not special — please add some zip to the cocktail sauce! The mimosas were a proper ratio of fresh OJ and a decent champagne and the coffee was just fine. Service was friendly, polite and very slow… For the reputation, the effort to get a seat and the price point, The Mews is sorely lacking in nearly every way, in our opinions. There are much better menus, in much more interesting spaces in town. Good luck!

The food was amazing wish the appetizers were a little larger! Had a bad ass time chillin with all the batchlorettes and drinking a lot of wine! Our server bless his heart was so sweet wish I had got his name!

I have been there only once and I had great experience with the Lobster Risotto. Strongly recommended. This place also has a nice view.

Below average fare, woefully outdated interior, decent service. It felt like a roadside motel. The fact that this is the highest rated restaurant in Ptown is inexplicable… Perhaps a testament to how horrible the other options are.
Do not get the lobster risotto or the cod. The shaken baby beef (or whatever) was the best thing on the menu.

The bread they give you to start is super yummy– but we could do wout the crackers! The food is very good but it took a little over an hour to get our food after we ordered which was pretty disappointing. The views are beautiful and for the most part the wait staff is very friendly. While the food was good, prices were a little high for what you got.

I want to premise this review with the fact that my first two experiences here (two years ago) were excellent and literally put the Mews in my top 10, but that was then and you should definitely give the place a try to form your own opinion but don’t say I didn’t tell you so.
My first experience two years ago was amazing (I remember everything because I had such a great time). I walked in and was slightly skeptical because the place was very dated. We were seated right next to the waterfront window an hour before sunset with the waves rolling on the sand which immediately set the mood. We started with a couple of cucumber cocktails that were very light and refreshing. I can’t quite remember what we had for appetizers but I’m sure they were good. For entrees we had the Mahi Mahi and a deconstructed pot roast dish. The Mahi was very good but the meal was dominated by the pot roast dish that was out of this world amazing. So amazing that we decided right then and there to try to cancel our reservation for the next night and come back (that didn’t happen though)! For desert we got the strawberry rhubarb crumble which was unbelievably good. We couldn’t get back for diner the following night so we ate light and came back for appetizers, drinks, and desert… again we had a fabulous time. On both occasions our servers were outstanding giving us several home-​run recommendations.
So now for the bad part, again please visit to form your own opinion… even great restaurants have bad nights but I doubt that I will be back its much to expensive to risk wasting money again. We walk in with high expectations and high spirits because we are so excited to finally be back. They have remodeled… they should have kept it the way it was because all they really did was paint and add lights attached to branches on the ceiling. The cocktails along with the rest of the menu looked exactly the same so we opted for wine, and I will say that all selections and recommendations were very good. We took the servers recommendation on the appetizer which was some shrimp dish that was very good; the shrimp were cooked perfectly, very flavorful, but the sauce was extremely heavy. We were pleased so far and still very excited at this point. By this time it was 9:15 PM and we have been there for maybe 45 minutes, we like to take our time and enjoy our drinks so after telling us we had all the time in the world that there was no rush our server came back to tell us the kitchen was going to close in 5 minutes. No big deal, we are ready anyways and ordered the roasted duck and the braised lamb shank. I wish I took pictures because when the meals arrived they were by far the worst presentations I had seen in the last year (both pieces of meat were slapped on what looked like white baby food and completely covered in disgusting looking gelatinous gravy). Not to mention these literally came out in 5 mins flat. not a good look for $ 35 dollar plates. The duck came with asparagus (perfectly cooked), horse radish mashed potatoes (literally cold and terrible), and a pathetic attempt at a gravy-​glaze combo that looked like it came from a Smucker’s jar. The duck itself looked promising from the outside but cutting into it had me reliving National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and the cutting of their Christmas turkey; Duck is cooked rare. medium rare if you’re squeamish, no exceptions. This duck was cooked straight through until it was grey, at least 40 degrees over temperature and we literally couldn’t stomach it. The lamb shank was much better than the duck and I almost could have forgiven it if the duck had been excellent but it wasn’t. The lamb shank came on a bed of cheesy grits that were actually pretty good but the lamb itself was warm, slimy, and extremely gamy but we ate the whole thing because we couldn’t touch the duck. I’m not one to complain as I would rather just not give them my business and not recommend it to anyone but the duck plate was completely untouched and the senseless server came over and happily took away our plates without saying a word. We regrettably finished off with coffee and desert (I guess thinking it couldn’t get much worse) and ordered the strawberry rhubarb crumble special (same special as two years ago) this time it came out before our coffee (in literally three minutes), piping hot (clearly microwaved), and bubbling over all its over nuked innards. We picked away at the crust and the ice cream, paid the bill, and left looking desperately for something to salvage the night… that didn’t happen. All in all we had three glasses of wine, one appetizer, two entrees, two coffees, and one desert which came to $ 160 including tip. I would say they owe me that money back but I guess they’ll pay for it in the loss of two very loyal customers and anybody we might have otherwise recommended it to. Like I said, given my past experience I would say its worth a visit to form your own opinion but don’t come crying to me!

Great experience. Service and food were exceptional. The oyster appetizer was very very good.

Cozy pub like resto. Huge menu with a lot going on. The crab cakes were great but entrees were a miss. The seafood was super fresh but lobster, squash, mushrooms and cream don’t belong in a risotto together. And a mandarin beurre blanc doesn’t go with almond cod and garlic mash (I don’t think oranges and potatoes ever work). That said service was really friendly and we chose those dishes!

I’ve eaten here a number of times over the past 20 years. The food is always very good, the staff is friendly, and the service is good. Being located on the water, the view of the bay is beautiful. The Mews is one of the few restaurants open year-​round in Provincetown. Off season Monday nights, the Mews hosts a legendary open mic night. If you’re around, you don’t want to miss it.

The food was tasty, but nothing special. Could’ve been what we ordered, which I’ll admit were not adventurous choices: ribeye, lobster risotto, crab cakes. Crème brûlée for dessert. All just fine, no complaints really.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
We each ordered an old fashioned, and almost burst out laughing when it arrived. It looked more like a scorpion bowl full of ice rather than a classic cocktail. I wish I had taken a picture. Maybe stick with cocktails that can be served in a martini glass.
2 apps, 2 entrees, 4 cocktails, coffee and 1 dessert = $ 200. Is that good or bad? Meh.

Coming to Provincetown in the off season, it isn’t always easy to find a great meal. After walking up and down Commercial Street for awhile with none of the open places catching our attention, we decided to give Mews a try.
We arrived right before they started serving dinner, and were able to get a seat without reservations (which may sound normal in the off season, but this was in April and the place was completely filled before we left).
Our waitress was awesome. She recommended a beer for my fiancé based on the types of beers he prefers normally, and he loved it. She was friendly and personable, giving advice on food and drinks.
To drink I had the cucumber lemon drop martini. It wasn’t great, but it was very good.
For food, we began with the Camarones al Ajillo to start, and it was incredible. The sauce for the shrimp was one of the best things I’ve ever tasted. I love garlic and always want more. This was actually garlicky enough for even me!
For dinner my fiancé has the Macaroni and cheese with beef short rib, and I had the choice ribeye steak. We both LOVED our food. A perfect amount of flavor, and in my case my steak was cooked perfectly (and I am very picky about that). The portions were large, and we both had plenty leftover to take with us.
We enjoyed our meal so much, that my fiancé wanted some dessert to take home along with our leftovers. Our waitress recommended the Jamaican chocolate peanut butter pie, not just based on how it tasted, but also based on how well it would travel since we would be walking back to our B&B. Later that night, it got a big thumbs up from my fiancé.
In addition to great food and great service, you cannot beat the view. Even without a window seat, you can still look across the room and see the ocean.
Mews will be at the top of my list of place to go next time I am in Provincetown, that is for sure !

We were given the hot tip about Mews’ open mic night by a very nice, very butch Cabbi named Kent.
We strolled over in the crisp and clear New England air, took a seat at a 6 top in the bottom floor and what happened next was the thing of Ptown legend.
Question: How good can the food be at the only open restaurant at 8p during off season?
Answer: this place should be renamed Satan’s Kitchen because the food is sinful.
We shared a bunch of items: the pork belly app, the lobster risotto, the salmon… eat plate was hit after hit like being front row at a Bad Girl RiRi concert… the hits just kept on coming.
And don’t even get me started on the oysters… they were so good I nearly blacked out and sold my patty to the local townies for a free dozen.

One of my favorite Ptown eateries. Excellent food, creative specials, fair pricing, dozens of unusual vodkas to try. Plus the view is spectacular.

By far one of the best meals I’ve had. I wanted more and more of everything I had! The place also has beautiful views of the ocean.
We started with burrata and lobster dumplings. The burrata was great, but it’s hard to go wrong with cheese. Lobster dumpling was also really good but not really great for sharing as it’s basically a soup. Still tasty though!
The lobster risotto was spectacular. It was creamy, cheesy, and they didn’t skimp on the meat. I almost licked my plate clean. One of the best things I’ve had in a restaurant. My friend got the polenta tower which is also loved.
For dessert we got the cookie sandwich which came with hilarious instructions on how to eat it and a steak knife to cut it. Cookie and ice cream combo definitely didn’t fail us. Can’t WAIT to go back!

For all the times I’ve been to P-​Town I never went to the Mews. I always knew many people went here when they wanted a really good meal — it was always the «nice» place to go. We went without a reservation but were seated immediately on the lower level next to a window which I’m sure has a beautiful view during the day. It just seemed like the place could have used a good modern updating! The menu was extensive with a lot of options. We ended up getting the lobster risotto and and the Shaking Beef — both were very yummy! I think our biggest hesitation is that it felt outdated and «banquet-​y». Our server was super fun and great until the very end of the evening when he indulged us a 20 minute story about something going on in his personal life — at this point, we just wanted to leave!
I can’t say I’m dying to go back but overall it was a fine experience.

Amazing from start to finish. Seated downstairs for dinner in a nice booth. We both ordered vodka from the approximately 250+ different list. My bf ordered the Russian beluga with a twist. I opted for the Polish ultimate with a twist. Both very different filtered vodkas at a reasonable price point.
From there we split a mixed greens salad. Good, not presplit and nothing to shock and awe.
Next came the phenomenal course… went with our fellow Unilocalers and got the lobster risotto. My bf listened to you and got the shaking beef. Per our server, the beef is filet mignon. Even I liked it and was amazed. Ditto for the lobster risotto.
We did not have room for dessert. Decent decaf coffee and keokue decaf coffee for my bf. Walked back to our b&b very happy foodies. Can’t wait to return.

Mews is a solid P-​town restaurant with a great view and good service. The food leaves a little to be desired but, aside from that, a nice place.
We had chicken liver pâté, lobster risotto, and mole chicken. The pâté was overcooked and was gray rather then the usual pinkish color and had a corresponding metallic, gamey taste.
The lobster risotto was ok but really, really rich and not really in a good way. I believe there was ricotta in there along with the butter and Parmesan, and all together it was a bit much. The lobster portion on top, however, was abundant and excellent.
The chicken mole was a really basic dish with a grilled, overcooked chicken breast topped with a solid mole sauce and placed next to some blanched aspargus and baked potatoes. Nothing really spectacular.
All in all, our waiter was a nice guy and I can see a lot of people coming here and enjoying it.
So no real problem, just not for me.

The Mews is The Best! The food is spectacular, the atmosphere is lively, and the service is wonderful. You can’t find a better place to eat and drink with your loved one in Provincetown. We had great service from Dot, who’s expertise kept offering various options that pleased us. We had great appetizers like the tuna sushi tempura, the froi gras, and the carpaccio. Then for entrees we enjoyed the pork vindaloo (nice spice level, served with a cool tomato chutney) and the duck breast & shrimp. Both full of flavor and so delicious. The dessert menu has great choices but we went for the cheesecake with raspberry coulis.
The Mews has a full menu that can satisfy anyone, the food is served in a classy and elegant manner, and the atmosphere makes you fully enjoy your time here. The Mews is a must for everyone. We look for to returning next year!