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Food and ambience
Local cuisine, American, Seafood, Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Does this restaurant offer highchairs for toddlers?
Details
About
CRU is a premier oyster bar offering casually elegant cuisine in a visually stunning waterfront setting on Nantucket harbor.
PRICE RANGE
$31.00 – $50.00
CUISINES
American, Seafood
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Late Night, Drinks
FEATURES
Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Television, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, American Express, Mastercard, Visa, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Waterfront
Contribute
4.0
695 reviews
Excellent
338
Very good
204
Average
88
Poor
30
Terrible
35
Sharon K
5 contributions
Oct 2024 • friends
We had a wonderful lunch at Cru!
Our food and drinks were delicious and everyone enjoyed lunch.
We had the fried Haddock sandwich, which was cooked perfectly with a light and delicious coating, and the cold lobster roll. The lobster salad was full of lobster meat and seasoned with just right with mayo.
Our server was friendly and efficient.
I definitely recommend this restaurant!
Written October 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ask2416
Naples585 contributions
Jun 2024 • family
The team at CRU is always hustling to make sure you have the best experience.
We enjoyed excellent wine, oysters, burgers, shrimp cocktail, soups and bread. Come to CRU if you want to be treated like a VIP and see how it’s done right in ACK !
Written June 28, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daniel S
32 contributions
Jul 2023 • business
An excellent venue and atmosphere, food came quickly, our server on the other hand, seemed more interested in chatting with his coworkers than attending to his guests. We sat with menu’s closed and made eye contact several times, before he finally came around, this happened again when we were trying to get our check and leave. I had a the lobster pasta, which while bountiful in lobster, was so overpowered by it’s peppery ‘kick’ that the sweetness of the lobster meat was lost in the sauce and buried by the ‘kick.’ My associates pasta dish ‘tasted only of spinach’ (her words). Others in my party had the Halibut, and the steak, they were without complaint. THe bread was good, though obnoxiously priced. The fried clams were excellent. The service certainly reduced the experience.
Written July 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EMK
Shavertown17 contributions
Sep 2023 • couples
This was recommended to us by a family member, and though we enjoyed our (very expensive) meals (Parker House rolls - $16; REALLY??), the atmosphere was “cold.” We did not feel particularly welcomed, though our waiter was pleasant. It appears this is a place for the well-heeled set to be seen. Clearly, we did not fit into that mold (even though we were properly dressed for the evening).. There seemed to be a glut of staff not doing anything. One young man walked from one dining room, past the bar, into another dining room, and back again. But we never saw him doing anything. He did bring our dessert, which he plopped on the table and left again. The view would have been very pretty had it not been pouring rain (not the fault of the restaurant); it is waterside, at the end of the wharf where the ferry comes in. Not worth the view, 7nless you have money to burn.
Written September 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
thej
Peoria96 contributions
Sep 2023 • couples
We stopped in for lunch on a cool, drizzly day for lunch. Loved the location and were seated in the back bar area right by windows, which we enjoyed. The place was busy and the tables all occupied. I guess we were lucky to walk in without reservations and be seated immediately (well it was last week of September). Our server was a pleasant and efficient young woman. We wanted Lobster Rolls and Cru has both hot and cold. She told us most love the hot roll. We ordered one of each and split them. Though the cold one was very tasty, the hot one was really good - the winner for sure. We thought service was good. We expected to pay $$$ for the lobster rolls so no surprise. The only negative comment was that the clam chowder we ordered was basically potato soup - full of potato and not much else, though the flavor was good. One other observation - the oysters seemed to be very popular as we saw servers delivering many trays of oysters to other tables while we were there. I regret somewhat we did not try them.
Written September 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mcobrien
Boston306 contributions
Aug 2022 • none
On an Island who's slogan in 2022 should be "Why pay less?" Cru was, dish for dish and drink for drink, the most expensive meal of our week on the island. The location is one of the best on Nantucket, right at the end of straight wharf with stellar views of the harbor and the million dollar yachts.
The oysters are superb and the fifth bends are grown only for Cru. A glass of NV champagne will run you $35, the lobster roll $48 and for maybe 6 ounces of lobster in a brioche bun with fries you might want to skip it. Lobster, after all can only be so good. A single U8 shrimp will run you $8.50. Cocktails were superb and my on-tap Belgian ale hit the spot of a warm, sunny day.
Some have said the food has slipped in recent visits. The head chef Erin Zircher has moved on to have a baby and maybe Cru isn't what is used to be. Cru is a scene, a place to see and be seen. I don't regret the visit and the outdoor lunch was a classy way to begin the week's stay on the island. But if you don't have a hedge fund bank account it's probably going to be a one-time thing. That's fine with me. Glad we went but Cru is really mostly atmosphere in the end. Enjoy a little slice of the luxe life. After all, you're on Nantucket. Lucky you.
Written August 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
emorygrad
Atlanta315 contributions
Jun 2024 • couples
Really great lobster roll and menu in general. As soon as the server realized we weren’t ordering a bottle of wine at lunch and only got a couple beers, she stopped paying attention to us. She would literally help the table next to us (so close I could touch it) and ignore us. Then the bill included an automatic 20% tip. Food and vibe are great but their service model leaves a lot to be desired. Our service was not deserving of 20% by any means.
Written June 28, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Melanie M
Dublin452 contributions
Sep 2021 • couples
Perfect location right on the wharf. You can’t go wrong eating inside or outside, the outside has great waterfront views of the ocean and all the boats and the inside is beautifully decorated and a “see and be seen” vibe at night. We ate here twice during our weeklong stay and requested outside both times, wish we would have asked to eat inside once. Had the hot buttered lobster rolls both times and were delicious. Watch for the automatic 20% gratuity added to the bill so you don’t end up accidentally adding another tip to an already expensive meal.
Written October 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wbladesr
Vero Beach218 contributions
Sep 2021 • couples
We had a delicious dinner, good drinks and excellent service. So why wouldn’t I give this place a five star review???
Well I was both surprised and disappointed when I discovered that our waiter had failed to mention that our receipt already had 20% gratuity added to our bill. I was calculating my normal 20%, then adding to that for good service when I saw the way they added up my bill. Granted it’s “clearly” printed on the receipt but honestly, in a dimly lit restaurant and not wearing reading glasses to eat a meal, NOTHING is clearly written on the receipt.
After returning home, I reviewed their online menu and to their credit, there is mention of the gratuity. Ironically though, is not as bold as the print that’s used to name and describe their menu items and it’s not bold like the names of the chefs and owners. (Picture attached)
In summary, under normal circumstances I would have rated my experience five stars but I think our waiter should have clearly pointed out that gratuity had been added snd I think the restaurant should have used the same font to state their gratuity policy as they did to describe their food.
Written September 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bostravel122
Wellesley245 contributions
Aug 2021 • none
We come here every year when we're on Nantucket. It's one of our favorite restaurants and one of the most consistent.
Recommended dishes: tuna tartar, oysters, lobster role (excellent)
The calamari is decent. Service has been spotty this year - started of well initially but then tapered off throughout the meal, couldn't get the attention of the waiter for another glass of wine or 2.
Cons: steak for 2 was WAY overpriced and dry - it was $145. We wouldn't recommend this. Said it was 28 oz on the menu but there's no way that's how big it was. We were given very small plates to share the steak - can the kitchen not spare a medium or large plate for this type of very expensive dish?
Written August 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AlanWeiss2013
New York City17 contributions
Aug 2022 • none
The location is fantastic, the reservation tough to get, and everyone wants to be seen there. We've been coming since it opened. But the food is now barely above average, the menu small in choices, and the crowded tables and noise level about unbearable. They add 20% gratuity to the bill, and at least for our server, this didn't exactly improve his attitude. They have a wonderful wine list, and the menu promotes caviar on every line, but who wants a great wine and caviar when someone is shouting across their table which is three feet from yours while servers jostle you going by or clearing plates? My martini took 15 minutes and wasn't cold. I guess if you just want to make money and allow people to throw it at you, it makes sense, but this is no longer a culinary experience and I'm not returning if it remains as it is. I don't need strangers to see me that badly.
Written August 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter M
Oakton7 contributions
Jun 2022 • friends
We’ve been going to Cru for the last few years and looked forward to our lunch with friends. We were all remembering our meal last year, especially the lobster rolls and the amazing French fries. We ordered two dozen assorted oysters, which were excellent, as were the drinks. The meal went downhill from there. The lobster rolls were unremarkable, my double order of fried Ipswich clams arrived cold. And the French fries we longed for from previous years were mushy and boring, like they were scooped out of an Ore-Ida bag and put in a Taoist ER oven. We were clearly disappointed and asked to speak to the manager. She was polite but defensive, insisting that the fries were the same as last year, which was obviously not true. We knew that Cru had a new chef, so we assume the kitchen was just not what it was. The manager said it was a matter of “execution” but we are foodies, and know the problem goes beyond execution. We have since heard others describing similar experiences. We would go back for oysters, but if you’re looking to enjoy the Cru cuisine of prior years, prepare to be disappointed.
Written June 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Flyer106456
3 contributions
Jul 2021 • couples
After waiting to get a reservation here, we were looking forward to dining at this waterfront spot at the far end of the pier. My husband does not eat seafood and unfortunately the only menu option for him was half of a chicken, which did not interest him. No steaks, no pasta. I’m not sure what a pure vegetarian would order besides a side salad. The wait staff was not helpful- when asked about other options said “did you read the menu?” (They actually don’t have a menu- you have to use a QR code on your phone) I did order a crab starter and hush puppies, both of which were excellent. Sadly, we left before having a main course.
The vibe is definitely yachties and trust fund college kids- some of whom, while enjoying multiple cocktails were overheard to say, “when I turn 21…” The restaurant either doesn’t check IDs, or cannot tell a fake one from a real one.
Save your money and find a less pretentious place to eat.
Written July 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TJQ26
Los Angeles18 contributions
Jul 2021 • couples
Delicious!! Totally lived up to the hype. I used the notification feature on Resy to score a Monday 5:30 patio spot and my husband and I kicked off our week in Nantucket in the best way possible- with the freshest local oysters and a splurgy half bottle of champagne.
You have to really be quick when you get notified of an availability but it does work.
I noticed complaints about a limited menu, which make no sense- this is a seafood restaurant literally called Cru! I applaud them for doing what they do super well.
At our server’s recommendation, we started with the Fifth Bend oysters and they were the best I’ve ever had. So this is what oysters are supposed to taste like! We ordered a few other types too but they didn’t compare to the local ones. The shrimp cocktail was amazing with great cocktail sauce. I am still dreaming about it. We also split a warm lobster roll and it was just divine. There are so many great restaurants on Nantucket but this was a major highlight.
I asked about the two bar areas (looked really fun and lively) and apparently they are walk-in only. You could always try for that if you can’t get a reset.
Written August 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Haywood J
Bradenton43 contributions
Oct 2021 • none
Nice location, but that's where it ends for me. Lobster is my absolute favorite and I get it whenever I can, so of coarse I have to try supposedly one of the best Lobster Rolls around...MY MISTAKE
Seemed to be all parts of the Lobster minus the tail, way too expensive to not be tail, but what do I know.
Won't return.
Written October 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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