The Red Cat Kitchen — Restaurant in Oak Bluffs

Red Cat Kitchen is where bold creativity meets thoughtful, soulful food. From the very first bite to the last moment of the meal, it’s clear this spot is about more than just dinner — it’s about experience.

I started with the Island Fresca, a chilled soup that surprised and delighted me. Light, flavorful, and full of freshness. Definitely order it with the Boris Made the Focaccia — the name is fun, and the bread is perfectly herby and warm. My husband had the Blue Hill Maine Mussels, which were such a hit he ordered extra focaccia just to soak up the broth. I followed with the fish and corn risotto — creamy, rich, and full of late-summer flavor. It was all so well-balanced and thoughtful.

One thing I loved: you can watch the chefs at work. The open kitchen adds an energetic, almost theatrical feel to the night — you’re watching art happen in real time.

The atmosphere is definitely lively — expect a noisy dining room with close seating. It’s part of the charm, but something to be aware of if you’re looking for quiet conversation.

Another important note: the menu changes often, and modifications aren’t allowed on cocktails or menu items. I actually respect that — they make everything in-house, from their cocktail syrups to the sauces, so there’s a strong sense of integrity in what they serve. But if you’re picky or have specific needs, it’s something to know ahead of time.

And finally — the women’s bathroom. Yes, it deserves its own paragraph. The walls are adorned with Shel Silverstein’s “The Thinker of Tender Thoughts”, expressed in whimsical sketches that gradually transform a man’s head into a bouquet of flowers. The floral decals along the ceiling and the rustic wood vanity mirror give it a personal, poetic feel. I had to stop and take photos. It’s that thoughtful.

If you’re in Oak Bluffs and want a meal that feeds both your appetite and your imagination, Red Cat Kitchen should be on your list. Just come ready for a full sensory experience — noise, flavor,...

The first restaurant we visit on every trip to Martha's Vineyard is The Red Cat Kitchen. In normal times (before coronavirus), it was a hatchet fight to get a table in the restaurant. This week, we decided to try to takeout process. We proceeded with caution because we have stayed away from restaurants for months. The ordering process was online, and the communication was excellent through text updates. The food was ready at the specified time and had been placed outdoors on a table clearly marked for pickup - completely contactless. We raced home with our dinner and were thrilled to enjoy the unbelievable food we order every time we come to the restaurant. The scallops are served over a criminally delicious sweet corn risotto. This dish is so good I can't begin to describe it properly. The fried chicken is among the best you will ever taste. The Fresca with corn and fresh tomatoes is spectacular. Our family also ordered the beet salad and it disappeared so fast I thought the restaurant forgot to include it in our order. The restaurant is within walking distance of the Oak Bluffs ferry terminal. Don't miss it when you come to Martha's Vineyard. If there was a way to rate The Red Cat Kitchen and The Cardboard Box more than 5-stars, we would. Considering there are so many great restaurants on the island, it should tell you all you need to know that these are the only two places we talk about all year and plot and plan our visits around dinners...

Our reservation for 8 people was at 7:30 on Wednesday 6/25/25. They required a credit card to make the on line reservation and stated a 30.00 no- show fee. We arrived at 7:20 and were seated promptly. Our server greeted us and was friendly and helpful. We ordered drinks. My drink arrived incorrectly, not as I had asked for it. The server noted the error but did not offer to correct it. She returned a few minutes later and I asked that she please bring me the correct drink. She attempted to add an additional drink to my order made Advised her , “No”, I would like this drink returned and made as I requested. She took the drink back and returned the drink to me the same as it was originally.

That was not acceptable. She took the second attempt back and brought me the drink correctly. At the conclusion they attempted to charge me for the incorrect drink.

They are known for their fried chicken. That was one of the recommended dishes at Red Cat. I disagree. The chicken was good but certainly not worth the asking price. 40.00 for a mediocre breast of fried chicken with mashed potatoes is certainly not up to my expectations of a fine dining experience. The Brussels sprouts were great. The bluefish was very good. Although I didn’t eat any , others very much enjoyed the steak.

Overall not worth the price of the meal.

Additionally we were served dinner at 8:55 for our 7:30 reservation on a Wednesday evening

Generally...