Our History
Whitman House Menu


Our History
The current restaurant building was once the farm house of the Whitman Family, established as a bed and breakfast in 1894. Burt Hart, a son-in-law, expanded the business by converting chicken coops, tool sheds, and whatever into rental cabins along with maintaining the bed and breakfast. In the 1950's a local schoolteacher, George Rose, purchased the Whitman House from Burt Hart's widow, but teaching school was his true calling.

In 1962, the Rice Family, with little restaurant knowledge but an abundance of determination, opened a pancake kitchen. The business was a success and in the early 1970's, dining rooms were constructed. The "porch" has a flagstone floor and stone fireplace; the "barn room" was built with materials from a Connecticut River tobacco shed; and the "main" is a remodeled room of the farm house. The winter of 2001 brought yet another change, the building of the "Bass Tavern". This 35 seat tavern featuring twin TV's, local color on the walls, fishing motif and tavern fare ($6.95 - $11.95) will be open for lunch and dinner through November.

The present owners, Bob and Sally Rice and family (son Bobby and daughter Susie), have been involved with the business since the purchase in 1962. Bob, a graduate from the Culinary Institute, and his wife Sally, a graduate in Restaurant Management from Paul Smiths College, have combined their skills to establish one of the finer restaurants on Cape Cod. Along with the Rice children, son Bob working in the kitchen, daughter Susan managing in the dining rooms, and thirty local employees, one can be assured of a wonderful dining experience.

After dinner walk across the parking lot and browse through our Amish quilt shop, which features the largest display of quilts in New England.

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Whitman House Menu
The restaurant is recognized as one of the finer establishments on the lower Cape. Our season is from early April through the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. We open daily at noon in the "Bass Tavern" for lunch ($6.95 - $11.95); hours noon - 3:00 and 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. for tavern fare.  Dinner starts at 5:00 p.m..  The menu offers homemade soups, oyster and clam combinations, shrimp cocktail and the always popular "Whitman House Sampler".  

Garden fresh salad and honey wheat bread loaves are followed by an ample selection of seafood, beef, and chicken dishes. Seafood has become our largest seller including: fresh tuna, cod, sole, shrimp, swordfish, and of course - lobsters. The Roast Prime Rib is our signature item but we also feature a 10 oz. Filet Mignon, N.Y. Sirloin, Center-cut Veal and Pork Chops, Lamb and Steak Teriyaki.

A variety of chicken and combination dishes are also offered including "Chicken a la Whitman", sautéed chicken breast topped with asparagus and cheese.  To complement the perfect meal, we offer a delectable variety of our homemade desserts: Strawberry Meringue Shell, New York Cheesecake, Hot Fudge Sundaes, and many more.  Average guest check is $28.00 per person.  Our menu will soon be available in PDF format..