I live for beautiful sunsets and summer nights spent on Nantucket.
Galley Beach, a coastal chic restaurant on the Island, undoubtedly has one of the most gorgeous settings to watch the sun go down. Set on Cliffside Beach, which is situated on the North shore of Nantucket, Galley Beach is one of my must-visit spots each summer. You can make a reservation for one of their oceanside, beachfront tables and enjoy a golden hour meal with your feet in the sand.
The trick is to make a reservation for an hour and half before the sun goes down so you’ll have a prime viewing spot for sunset, because as soon as the sun even hints of going down, the energy of Galley Beach comes to life. Bronzed restaurant goers decked out in sleek summer attire, imbibe cool glasses of rosé and chic martinis as the sky begins to turn a myriad of beautiful colors.
While the menu is comprised of freshly caught seafood including New England staples like scallops, clam chowder, and lobster, I have to admit, we come for the view, not the food. On our most recent trip, we ordered the Tuna Tartare Taco and a Jumbo Lump Crab Cake to start, followed by Pan Roasted Halibut and Black Angus Filet Mignon as our entrees, which were all delicious.
As the evening progresses, most people abandon their tables and head down to the water to capture the perfect sunset photos, transforming the beach into a sea of well-dressed island goers. One of my favorite parts of the Galley Beach sunset ritual is the round of applause that erupts when the sun finally bids farewell to the day.
I bought this ultra feminine dress before our trip to the Island and it’s quickly become a summer favorite. I love how you can wear it both on and off the shoulder and the style strikes the perfect balance between summer casual and chic. It also comes in white, but I couldn’t resist the beautiful periwinkle blue hue.
When heading to Galley Beach for sunset, make sure to bring a wrap or a sweater as the temperature drops significantly once the sun goes down. My trusty white Dudley Stephens blanket scarf is my go-to for breezy summer evenings.
There’s no place quite like Nantucket, and I relish these summer nights watching the last glimmers of daylight descend into the ocean and fill the sky with intense color. Sweet summertime.
Photos by @TheLyleStevens
The A-Lyst is a Boston-based lifestyle blog curating the very best of style, beauty, food, and travel.