Summer days on the Cape are warm and drenched with sunshine. If you don’t want to miss a minute of it, you can always skip the restaurant and take lunch with you to the beach, park, back to the hotel or wherever you’re going. Plenty of eateries in Orleans are either designed for take-out or can turn your sit-down meal into a moveable feast with ease.

Even fresh seafood is on the go in Orleans, where Sir Crickets (nausetlobster.com) on Route 6A can package up hot and crunchy fish and chips, lobster rolls, fish sandwiches and containers of fried clams, scallops, oysters and shrimp. Landlubbers, rejoice—they also have chicken tenders, hot dogs and hamburgers.

At the neighboring Lobster Claw (lobsterclaw.com), the entire menu is available for take-out, including a variety of seafood dishes, sandwiches—everything from a fried fish sandwich to a clam roll—and kid-style meals like mac & cheese and chicken tenders.

Other good choices for seafood to go are Land Ho (land-ho.com), at the corner of Main Street and 6A; and Liam’s at Nauset Beach (liamsandkates.squarespace.com), a quick-serve clam shack featuring a whole range of sandwiches and favorites that are tastiest when eaten by hand.

From the Grill

If beef and bacon on the go are more your speed, Nauset Grill (nausetgrill.com) on Main Street obliges with all-day breakfast sandwiches—including the Big Nasty with eggs, cheese, bacon and sausage—along with ham and roast beef sandwiches and even veggie burgers.

Nearby is the Yardarm (yardarmrestaurant.com), a neighborhood-style pub where tasty take-out might include anything from fried scallop rolls to a variety of juicy burgers and sky-high turkey clubs.

From the pizza oven come artisan and specialty pizzas from Zia Pizzeria (ziapizzeria.com) in East Orleans, also boasting extremely portable (and scrumptious) hot and cold sandwiches, including pulled pork and Cuban style with ham, pork loin and spicy mango mustard.

Market Value

A food lover’s heaven, Friends’ Marketplace & Garden Center (friendsmarketplace.net) on Main Street in downtown Orleans features a wine shop and gourmet selections alongside typical grocery store items. Soups, store-made sandwiches and entrees, and even pizza, are ready to go when you are, along with fresh and organic produce to complement your meal.

Just down the street from Friends’, the Corner Store (FreshFastFun.com) is known for their commitment to the freshest ingredients offers something for everyone. Start with a custom-built burrito or salad, like their slow roasted pork or locally-caught fish. Vegan options are also covered as well as a range of homemade treats such as whoopie pies, and the biggest Rice Krispies treats you’ll probably ever see.

Also in the neighborhood is Orleans Whole Food Store (orleanswholefoodstore.com), stocked with organic options in produce, meats and dairy and also offering gluten-free and vegan products.

On your way to Nauset Beach? Stock up at Nauset Farms (nausetfarms.com) on Main Street in East Orleans, where they’re ready for you with lobster bakes in a bag, and picnic lunches featuring a variety of made-to-order hot and cold sandwiches, salads, and their famous homemade potato and tortilla chips partnered with homemade dips. Stop on the way back to pick up dinner? Sounds like a plan. But don’t forget to check out the selection of Cape Cod-sourced items, including salt, coffee and beer.

Fast and Fabulous

When there’s no time to browse, no worries…pick up the pace—and some savory burgers—at Wendy’s (wendys.com) on 6A.

Right across the street is the Knack (theknackcapecod.com), offering a classic “Cape Cod summer” menu of burgers, hot dogs and seafood sandwiches, all made-in-house fresh and delicious.

If you need supplies like sunscreen or sunglasses—but don’t want to stop twice—local grocery stores offer a selection of prepared foods that are ready to grab and go: Stop and Shop (stopandshop.com), a neighbor of Wendy’s and the Knack; and Shaw’s (shaws.com), set right by the entrance/exit of the Mid-Cape Highway.

Of course, say the words “fast” and “to go,” and many automatically think “Chinese.” They’re in luck, because Orleans offers two choices that are perennial favorites among locals: Hunan Gourmet III, set on the other side of the highway from Shaw’s and serving up full Chinese combos as well as Japanese selections like sushi and sashimi; and the Double Dragon Inn (doubledragonorleans.com), located where 6A and Route 28 merge and offering an extensive menu of Chinese and Polynesian specialties.

Sweet Treats

The day gets off to a great start with donuts from Hole in One (theholecapecod.com) off Route 6A, specializing in fresh, hand-cut donuts in decadent flavors like coconut, chocolate frosted, honey dipped and Boston cream. They also offer lunch, with homemade specials, sandwiches, and hot subs among the temptations.