Things to do / Travel Guide
Long Island easily rivals - if not surpasses - Manhattan's restaurant scene when it comes to haute cuisine, fresh gourmet seafood, ocean views, and outdoor dining. But don't think that by escaping New York City you'll also escape the City's prices - you may be surprised to find that many of Long Island's more posh eateries also surpass their New York City counterparts in cost. Another thing to keep in mind is that while during the spring, summer, and early fall reservations are a must at nearly all of Long Island's more popular restaurants; many seaside eateries are closed during the harsh winter weather months, generally December through March. It is always best to call ahead either to stake out your table or simply to ensure that the restaurant is open for service.
For down-to-earth, moderately-priced restaurants you'll have plenty of options, nearly every coastal town has a plethora of eateries boasting the day's fresh catch. Long Island is reputed to have outstanding pizza joints located within 10 minutes of any spot in the region, and for a beach picnic, stop off for sandwiches at one of the many Kosher or Italian delis - just about every community has one.
If you salivate at the thought of good seafood, be sure to stop at a clam shack along the marinas and docks throughout Long Island. Tender quahogs (hard clams) are served with lemon juice and cocktail sauce, and steamer clams are simmered in broth and melted butter. And try to memorize this quick fact to avoid revealing your tourist-status: Manhattan chowder is tomato-based and New England chowder is milk-based - both are served on Long Island. While on Long Island you may also want to try a Long Island Iced Tea - no one is exactly sure where this famous alcoholic drink originated - but the mix of vodka, rum, gin, tequila, triple sec, and cola will certainly help you warm up to the local ambience.
Montauk, Long Island
In Montauk you'll enjoy sumptuous seafood eateries with serene seaside views. There are also a couple of noteworthy and elegant dining options overlooking Fort Pond. While Montauk's best restaurants serve seafood, the town also boasts several solid steak houses and even an Asian Fusion option.
Sag Harbor, Long Island
Sag Harbor's dining scene, like most coastal towns, is dominated by seafood eateries. Nonetheless, if you're in the mood for something else, Sag Harbor also has Tex-Mex, Southern, and Japanese restaurants. For elegant dining, choose a restaurant with sweeping vistas of Noyac Bay.
The Hamptons, Long Island
Clam bars and gourmet seafood eateries with stunning sea views abound in the Hamptons area. Mussels, clams, tuna, lobster, and crab are all local delicacies. But that's not all you'll find -trendy French bistros, Asian Fusion, Tex-Mex, Greek, Southwestern, and first-rate Japanese round out the Hamptons eclectic cuisine scene. Tierra Mar, in Westhampton, offers breathtaking views along with palate-teasing lobster bisque, crab cakes, among other delicacies thanks to expert, French-trained chef Todd Jacobs.
Shelter Island
Shelter Island has a wide range of eating possibilities from down-to-earth brunch and sandwich joints to stunning sunset views and open-air deck trendy bistros.
Long Island, the Hamptons, Montauk, Fire Island
Restaurants-Fine-Dining
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