1 Water St
Sandwich, MA 02563
Dunbar House Restaurant and Tea Room · Retail Property For Sale

The site now occupied by the Dunbar House, on a low hill overlooking Shawme Pond, close to a fresh water spring (still gushing forth) and a grist mill was a favored one from the time the first European settlers moved onto the Cape in the 1630s. The new dining room was recently completed, and it has greatly expanded the year-round seating. The guests enjoy the warmth of the fireplace in the winter, and cool breezes in the warmer months. Various special events are held in this beautiful addition. In the 1920s, Colonel Henry Dunbar bought the house, so he could be close to his supervision of the widening of the Cape Cod Canal. They added the carriage house, a billiard room, tennis court and planted wonderful landscaped rose gardens. During these years Mrs. Dunbar established the tradition of hosting teas. In the process they have maintained the traditions of Mrs. Dunbar by providing a comforting atmosphere in the adjacent Tea Room. There, in a beautiful wood paneled room that was formerly a gentleman’s billiard and smoking room, you now hear the clink of tea cups instead of billiard balls and smell the home baked aromas of pies, cakes, shortbreads and scones.