For those of us who love good food, 2025 on Martha’s Vineyard was kind to us.

Theresa Manning opened Quitsa Kitchen in the old Life at Humphrey’s Bakery in January with delicious pastries, meals to go, and a welcoming hang-out vibe. Late spring brought us the grand opening of Chef Ting’s Black Joy Kitchen, with a global menu featuring the flavors of the Black Diaspora.

Over the summer, Carlos Montoya and Sheenagh Caridi opened The Maker in the former Little House space in Vineyard Haven, featuring house-made pasta and much more.

In late August, Babu Kognati opened his much anticipated new Indian restaurant, Indigo, in Edgartown in the former Sharky’s Cantina space.

Sam Dunn’s Ocean Club Restaurant & Bar debuted in Vineyard Haven in September with a modern Bistro kitchen and award winning chef Marc Orfaly.

Unfortunately, September also saw the closing of the Grey Barn and Farm’s farmstand and dairy operation.

More openings included MV Tap at Five Corners in Vineyard Haven, Revel Catering at 342 State Road in Vineyard Haven, and a new occupant just approved for the restaurant space at the airport where The Plane View has been.

In early December, Island chef Shamel Abraham opened Honorary Tavern at the VFW in Oak Bluffs, where Chef Deon had been cooking for many years.

For those looking to do more cooking at home, no less than four new cookbooks by Vineyard authors were published in 2025 — all of them beautiful and inspiring. Three of these books recently won awards in this year’s New England-based Readable Feast competition: The Martha’s Vineyard Cookbook (Julia Blanter), The Sea Table (The Martha’s Vineyard Fishermen’s Preservation Trust and Catherine Walthers), and Braided Heritage (Jessica B. Harris). And Dan Martino’s The Oyster Book, was nominated for an International Association of Culinary Professionals award.

To wind up the year in a festive way, Cook the Vineyard hosted its first annual Great Vineyard Cookie Sale in early December at the Grange Hall, as part of the Great Vineyard Bake Off weekend. Thanks to amazing bakers and attendees, more than $2,000 was raised for Martha’s Vineyard Community Services, and the Bake Off raised a total of $5,000 for Island nonprofits.

Visit cookthevineyard.substack.com to check out the top ten recipes of 2025.