Chef Emmanuel "Manny" Rojas might be one of the best chefs on Nantucket. This former New Yorker and Momofuku Ssam Bar alum draws from culinary traditions of every sort, from Mexican and Caribbean, to Korean and Thai. Perhaps in reflection of his New York City roots, all these varied culinary cultures are thrown into the same kitchen, tossed together with abandon, and sprinkled with some Chef Rojas magic, resulting in some of the most interesting, intelligent flavors you can find on Nantucket. The current menu includes dishes like Taiwanese fried prawns, duck wontons and street corn strips with miso aioli, cotija and furikake, which play alongside ingredients like kimchi, water chestnuts, and curtido! Perhaps not surprisingly, given Chef Rojas's Momofuku pedigree, the dinner menu features Korean Barbecue Pork, a large-format family meal that closely resembles Chef David Chang's famous bo ssäm, a slow-roasted, sugar-and-salt-cured whole pork shoulder. KOREAN PORK BBQ ($170; sushi rice - cucumber kimchi - korean bbq sauce - ginger scallion sauce - bibb lettuce wraps) allegedly feeds four to six people. Given the small dent that the four of us made in the dish, even with a few growth-spurting ravenous eaters, the dish could probably feed eight hungry adults. Be prepared for leftovers and meal plan accordingly! At a more recent Sunday brunch, we had the wonderfully culturally ambiguous TUNA TOSTADA ($27; pickled jicama - aji amarillo - charred cipollini & sesame puree - shallot). It was a bit Mexican, a bit Peruvian, a bit East Asian -- and a lot delicious. I'm one of those people who don't get all the hoopla over AVOCADO TOAST, but the Progeny seem to be on the bandwagon. The version served at or, The Whale ($22; cherry tomato - fried egg - everything bagel spice on toasted sourdough) might just win me over. Excellent, ripe sliced avocados came topped with a sunny-side-up egg, lots of tender microgreens, and slightly pan-seared sweet cherry tomatoes. The EGGS BENEDICT ($26; choice of country ham or smoked salmon - poached eggs - house biscuit - hollandaise) were classic and well made with perfectly runny yolk and super rich, buttery hollandaise sauce. But the most delicious thing on the plate was the side of hash browns, a generous slab that was beautifully browned to a crisp on the outside. Cocktails are delicious, though a touch wimpy by our lush standards. Predictably, I'm fond of the entertainingly named UNCLE BAD NEWS ($17; jalapeño-infused tequila, passionfruit, lime) since I'm a sucker for any cocktail with jalapeño as an ingredient. read more

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Very popular and loud place!! The bar area outdoors is lovely with the garden decor and lights strung around. There were SO many people here; looked like a college crowd. The food was delicious and expensive. We had the asparagus salad and summer salad. Both were delicious and fresh. Steak frites were delicious and the serving size was decent. Duck carnitas was the hit! The duck was delicious and tender. The toppings (pickled onions, pickled veggies, salsa) with the corn tortillas were just right. You prep your own tacos with all the fillings. This was our favorite and we enjoyed the unique concept to use duck! It was an expensive meal but worth it! Service was great. I took more photos but realized they were quite blurry due to it being dark out and I didn't give my phone enough time to capture the photo. I wanted to eat!!! I would definitely come again. read more

Or The Whale - Duck carnitas - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Nantucket, Massachusetts

Wonderful seating service, great ladies with a great sense of humor. Seated easily on a Wednesday with no wait; there were about three other sets of patrons, two younger collegiate types, and an older jet-set like ourselves. This being 1:00 pm too. Or, The Whale boasts a great wait staff who are accommodating and professional, as well as being just plain nice. A very clean establishment. We started with the crudités as an appetizer, and we both had the asparagus salad as our lunch - to die for! Very, very good! Priced nicely, and no negatives whatsoever. This place is always packed for dinner, so we were glad that on a Wednesday we were able to waltz in for luncheon. A must do when on island. read more

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It was our first night and our first trip to Nantucket and Or, the Whale set the bar high! What a wonderful experience from the warm, welcoming and knowledgeable staff to the exquisite light and fresh summer-y flavors that absolutely kicked off our hearts and tastebuds for summer on the island! I cannot rave enough about the great service, my amazingly delicious drink and my husband's UNBELIEVABLE chicken. I must say I was surprisingly blown away by the crisp, delightfully light asparagus salad to start! While my coconut curry fish was delicious it was his chicken that stole the show. Oh, the ambiance, we were lucky enough to be seated outside in the back on a perfect June evening that left me dreaming about our return! Thank you Or, the Whale for truly putting time, effort and love into what you do! read more

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We had a really great lunch at or, The Whale. We had a reservation for lunch on a Friday but it appeared that walk ins were welcome. The back patio and bar area was delightful. There was abundant shade from umbrellas and a sail covering and our table had cushioned bench seating that was very comfortable. The cocktails were delicious and our food that followed was also very good. We ordered patas bravas, tomato burrata salad and the burger to share. Everything was delicious. Service was attentive without overwhelming and quick. read more

Or The Whale - Tomato burrata salas, patatas bravas, burger - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Nantucket, Massachusetts

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Extraordinary friendly management and service, top notch delicious, exquisite tasting food, comfortable seating and gorgeous backyard patio!!! A must visit experience on Nantucket!! read more

Delicious and great service!! Melissa was so fun and attentive. Back patio is cute - we sat in the front window and it was amazing! Reef and Jack are amazing bartenders - definitely go see them read more

Or The Whale - Steak - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Nantucket, Massachusetts

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I had an incredible birthday dinner at The Whale. The food was delicious! Ally was our server and was extremely attentive. Thank you for such wonderful memories. read more

We came here twice with a large group and young kids. Very kid friendly. The outdoor seating in the back is perfect for groups with young kids. They took us as walk ins both times during off-peak season for lunch. The food and service is great. The cocktails are also very good. The menu is American with some noticeable Asian fusion influence. Would definitely come back here again. read more

My husband tried the blackened cod and I had the strip steak. We ended the meal sharing a piece of crustless cheesecake. Both the dinners and dessert were delicious! The service was great. We sat on the back patio and enjoyed a couple drinks prior to our dinner and had an awesome time listening to the music that was playing. I definitely recommend this restaurant. read more

The food was fine; it was some version of mid-tier Asian-inspired foods but pretty expensive. The patio was beautiful and a good vibe though. Really horrendous service. We had to wait even with a reservation. They refused to take multiple forms of ID and vaguely threatened to take IDs away even though they were real, and overall the service was a bit weird and microaggresive. read more

We sat outside for lunch and it was nice. Good service and a pleasant atmosphere. The food is good and pricey but we didn't expect anything less for Nantucket, MA. The tables and chairs need to be upgraded as they seem to be from a cheap swap meet. Not comfortable at all. read more

We were very intrigued by the name Or the whale and how it was an alternative name to Moby Dick. The garden seating was charming and service was excellent. Food was disappointing though. The chicken wrap had too much dressing and dripped all over my outfit and the ciabatta in the shrimp sandwich wasn't fresh. read more

Exactly what I was looking for in a midday snack and drink. Super bright and upbeat music pumping throughout. The bar is large enough where you can typically find a seat - also, has TVs! read more

Or The Whale - French onion soup - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Nantucket, Massachusetts

Good food. The duck was a bit salty. Great service. Very expensive but that's average for Nantucket.

Fantastic lunch. Food and drinks were delicious. Staff was knowledgeable and welcoming from the hostess to the wait staff. Bonus is that they were great with food allergies and so welcoming of our service dog. I would not hesitate to return. read more

Or the whale is one of my go to's when craving Duck Carnitas in nantucket. It comes whole with tortillas to make little tacos and herbs to top it all off, it's a perfect date spot for dinner or sit at the bar with any of the friendly bartenders! Whole Roasted fish when they have it is another solid options, super fresh and feeds 2 people. One of my favorite apps has to be the corn ribs, they get topped off with cheese and cilantro and much easier to eat than corn on the cob. Highly recommend read more

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We took our chances showing up at 7:00pm without reservations, and were pleasantly surprised when we were seated at a table on the outside patio. The open-air atmosphere was welcomed on a warm evening. Our waitress was friendly and attentive. The NY Strip was cooked per request and well-seasoned, and the potato fingerlings were a nice complement. The grilled Halibut was tasty and nicely garnished. The dessert of "the Dome" (chocolate and cherry mousse encased in chocolate with a side of cherry gelato) was a perfect finale. An overall pleasant experience and highly recommended! read more

Our latest visit to Or The Whale was disappointing. We had been before and remember that visit being "pretty good". Our most recent dinner there, however, was just not good. The Tuna Tostada app was the best thing we had. The street corn ribs were also good. The summer salad sounded great but actually was fairly bland.. The peaches weren't really ripe in the salad so it threw off the entire thing. For entrees we had the chicken Milanese and the NY Strip. I truly hate to say this but the Milanese was borderline terrible. It was overdone and just completely lacked flavor. The NY Strip was better but was nothing to rave about. Another disappointment was the drinks. I'm a social drinker only. I'm never looking to "get drunk" or want a super stiff drink, but the vodka drinks I ordered literally tasted like they had no alcohol in them at all. Our server was friendly and super nice! The atmosphere in the place is inviting. read more

Visit the island just before Memorial Day and stopped in for a drink and an appetizer. We ordered the Smoked bluefish pate red onion - chives - salmon roe - toasted sourdough...and man, Let me tell you something . It was delicious, fresh, and a game changer with the Roe. I'm gonna maybe make this at my house one day, but doubt it will be even remotely wonderful. read more

Or The Whale - Smoked fish spread - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Nantucket, Massachusetts

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We ordered the Korean BBQ meal. This was a great meal for the whole table, and it was delicious! The restaurant informed us there's a limited quantity each night, so be sure to let the restaurant know in advance if you would like to order or go early. read more

Or The Whale - Korean BBQ - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Nantucket, Massachusetts

Reservations a must. Visited our Nantucket-based friends. The menu - especially entrees - are for sharing. Service goof for how busy they were. Here's our bill: pickle plate $18 crudite $20 duck carnitas for 2 $78 3-lb whole fish $95 add some sparkling water and some drinks You are at $400 with tip. Nantucket prices. Overall good and we had a swell time. But be prepared for a large bill. read more

We absolutely love this restaurant. The wings are amazing. The wait staff is welcoming and fantastic. The drinks are delicious and I wish you could order them by the pitcher. We always sit inside because we seem to always pick the hottest week of the year to be in Nantucket. The inside and patio or both beautiful. They do really well attending to children as well. Our server without being asked put In our toddlers food and was super kind to her. read more

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While the inside was slammed and extremely busy, the back patio dining experience was 5 out of 5 stars. It was so gorgeous out there, and the food and drinks made our experience that much better. Everything was absolutely delicious. (We dined with a party aged 6-73 and everyone was beyond delighted with everything they ate and drank.) I would 1000% recommend this restaurant to anyone who likes amazing food and an incredible vibe. read more

Or The Whale - Back patio, Or, the Whale - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Nantucket, Massachusetts

Great service. Loved the atmosphere. Good was perfect. Charming place. Very well run. Look forward to returning again tonight! Mitko is an amazing server. Great personality. read more

Or The Whale - Branzino - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Nantucket, Massachusetts

We were told that they were booked for the day and were very bummed but last minute told they may be a small table and it worked out perfectly for us! So, a tip: make a reservation! We snagged a snug little corner spot in the booth area and I ordered the Tomato Salad which actually has watermelon on it and it was so good. Beautiful, plump juicy tomatoes with fresh watermelon and a giant ball of burrata to tie it all together. I felt so healthy/refreshed just eating it! My friend and I also split the clam chowder - which I'm glad we did because it's quite a sizable portion. It was so creamy and delicate - highly recommend! read more

Or The Whale - Watermelon heirloom tomato salad - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Nantucket, Massachusetts

Absolutely loved this restaurant! We had one of the best tables in the house -- we were in the front window and it was so pleasant. Love all the nods to Moby Dick with the theming. The food was really really good. I loved the pickled veggies. The wings were good, but had too much batter. Bok choy was tasty, but the winner was the duck that was recommended to us down the street at another bar. Definitely recommend stopping in, even if for a drink at the bar. read more

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Jamie - my review was left about 3 years ago, and as of 4 months ago, you have people complaining about the same things. So instead of taking issue with my honest, and yes, accurate review, perhaps you should be focusing on the issues that still continue to plague your restaurant. Scroll down and read the common thread in all of the negative reviews - service is SUB PAR. In response to our experience 3 years ago, I still stand by my review. The girls next to us sat AFTER us, but got their food 45 min before we even ordered. Why? Because they just happened to get a server while we were overlooked. Again, why? I don't think it was a personal thing, but rather a lack of training, organization and knowledge of how to operate. In regards to my reviews, I have also left well over 40 reviews that are 5 star, as well as another 20 that are anywhere in between. My 1 star for this one was generous. So again, I invite you to read the other negative reviews and then perhaps you can give me a more thoughtful and productive response, versus taking a defensive stance. Good luck surviving with that type of attitude. read more

I'd give it like 3 and a half. Like super close to a four. I just wasn't wowed by it. I got the burger and the French onion soup, I think the most creative part of that was the kimchi mayo, which was phenomenal. The fries were super fresh too, they were the highlight. The atmosphere, specifically the back patio, is the best part. The outdoor seating is beautiful and secluded, it feels like you entered Narnia. Last year we went and saw Donald Glover with his family, it's definitely a hidden gem. If you go for brunch just know you're either getting cold brew or hot coffee, the Corner Table Cafe might be your stop for coffee after. The staff was great, we got there early and they seated us immediately. We sent back bacon that was underdone and they cooked it more without question, super gracious. This was my second time going, this time for brunch rather than dinner. I'd highly recommend dinner here but brunch isn't really a must. read more

Or The Whale - Burger and French onion soup - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Nantucket, Massachusetts

Fabulous meal. We order the tomato salad. Just wonderful. For the main, I had the branzino, my wife had, a vegetarian rice dish. Both were amazing. Only drawback to the place, was the noise, probably having more to do with me being a senior citizen (hard of hearing). Most of the clientele were young people and they were not disturbed by the loudness. Highly recommend this restaurant. read more

To make last review 3.5 stars instead of 3. Again, had a good experience last summer and good service both times

*** Brunch Review *** Service is a bit of a struggle, as many others have pointed out, and this place is impossible to get into, but its a pretty great spot (if you can manage). The duck confit was downright awesome. Duck was perfectly tender and salted nicely, while coming with hash and an acidic chimi to cut right through it all. read more

We came here for brunch on Sunday and had a very pleasant time. We made a reservation and although it was busy, there were still a couple tables available indoors. The space itself is very beautiful, tastefully decorated and the outdoor patio is cozy. They have several options but we went for the avocado toast and steak and eggs. My avocado toast was fantastic, probably one of the best i've ever had. The avocado tasted very creamy and fresh, and the paprika oil added a nice smokiness. The microgreens added a bright touch as well. My husbands steak and eggs were very yummy too but nothing extraordinary. Our server was attentive and service was also pretty quick. Overall we had a good time and would definitely recommend this place. read more

Or The Whale - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Nantucket, Massachusetts

This restaurant hadn't been on my radar at all before arriving in Nantucket, but we needed a last minute reservation during our week on the island and ended up booking here. It was a great decision. There was plenty of variety for our party of 5 and the food was delicious. Highlights of the meal included Bistro Steak Frites and Duck Carnitas for Two. The ambiance was very nice and service was decent enough, although just slightly inattentive. I wouldn't hesitate to book here again if in Nantucket. read more

Good - but not the best food I've ever had. My favorite item ended up being the tomato and watermelon buratta salad. The cheese was creamy and the watermelon paired perfectly with the tomatoes. The shrimp croquettes tasted like they were missing something. It was essentially a fried ball of lots of shrimp clumped together. On the other hand, the street corn was really good I had never had it served this way and definitely recommend it if coming here. For our meal we had the whole fish taco special. It wasn't bad but there wasn't anything special to it. Overall this is a good place to come if you're looking to grab something quick. This may be hard for family's as the menu tends to have twists on a typical dish. read more

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First time in a very long time that we've found a dinner place that we continue to talk about. The duck tacos were absolutely worth the cost. Perfect serving size for 2. We sat at the bar and the bartender was really nice. Patio was cute and just overall a good vibe. read more

Or The Whale - The best meal I've ever had. Get the duck! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Nantucket, Massachusetts

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Excellent flavors, service and atmosphere. Our favorites were the mussels, shrimp sandwich and tuna tostada. Highly recommend!

Mediocre. I love Papas Bravas but I could not bring myself to order $21 potatoes with aioli. Why not charge $121? I opted for the $44 dollar roasted chicken dinner. I got dry chicken, cold mashed potatoes and one (count em) Cippolini onion. Though "jus" was promised on the menu it wasn't in evidence in the presented dish. My favorite part of the meal was when the food runners came to "auction off" the dishes one by one. You'd think for a $44 dollar airline quality chicken dish SOMEONE could keep track of who had which dish! This was perhaps the most over-priced mediocre meal I've had in years. read more

Great spot, ate in the back patio. Friendly staff. Get the Korean pork to share, insane!

The staff was incredibly friendly and were very accommodating for our 3 year old and offered to bring some off the menu chicken tenders for him. We got the steak and frites and it was delicious. Will come back in the future! read more