Just a quick train journey away from Manhattan, we found that the vibe, culture, and food options on Long Island are distinctly different from those in Manhattan.
In addition to its natural beauty as an island surrounded by water and crossed by rivers, Long Island is also famous for its excellent dining options. They range from subtle to opulent. Fresh fish and seafood are abundant, as are other seasonal fruits and vegetables and wines from area vineyards.
With so many choices, it’s hard to narrow this down to a list of 10 or 20, so we are offering a mix of the best, from affordable family to exclusive fine dining experiences.
Bostwick’s Chowder House
$$-$$$ | 631-324-1111 | WEBSITE
View this post on Instagram
For almost 20 years, Bostwick’s Chowder House has reigned as the best chowder in Hampton.
Everything revolves around the delicious food: a steamy cup of chowder, a basket of fried clams, a lobster roll, or the day’s catch of mako, swordfish, tuna, halibut, or anything else happens to make it into the net.
You won’t want to leave Bostwick’s once you’ve tried the ice-cold beer and huge, delectable cocktails. They shut down for the season in the colder months.
Nantucket’s
$$ | 631-509-4848 | WEBSITE
In the heart of Port Jefferson on Long Island, you’ll find Nantucket’s, a restaurant that serves up classic American dishes alongside seafood.
The two peaceful, charming dining rooms can be reserved for private meetings if desired, but the finest seats in the house are outdoors, on the massive patio that is sheltered by enormous umbrellas.
Everyone can find something they like to eat here because the menu has so many options. The chef really shines when he makes his seafood Bolognese.
There is a full bar with freshly crafted drinks (both traditional and modern), wine, and beer. There’s a reason why the Lobster Bacon Bloody Mary is their most popular beverage; it’s delicious.
John Brown BBQ
$$$ | 347- 617-1120 | WEBSITE
If you’re looking for a restaurant that offers a wide variety of menu options in a single sitting, look no further; this is one of the best in the neighborhood.
Enjoy your dinner while listening to the amazing local talent play on stage for that lively atmosphere. Sitting in the vicinity of all those lush green plants will provide you with the peaceful atmosphere you need.
The Smoked Turkey makes perhaps the best lunch in Long Island. However, the Kansas City-style barbecue selection is the main attraction. Feast your teeth on the tender, flavorful meat and experience a symphony of tastes. The fries, sliced by hand, are a great accompaniment.
Tullulah’s
$$$$ | 631-969-9800 | WEBSITE
View this post on Instagram
A visit to the newly remodeled Tullulah’s in Bay Shore is sure to please. Once inside, you’ll get the impression that you’ve stepped into a quaint restaurant.
After passing the long, modern bar and peeking over the curtain, you’ll find yourself in a large dining room outfitted with minimalist furnishings, leather banquettes, and a stunning photo by Alfred Eisenstaedt.
The food is another pleasant surprise, featuring a wide variety of creative sliders and delicacies such risotto with suckling pig confit, venison with black barley, and duck with red beets.
Menu items change with the seasons and are based on what is in season and readily available in the area. The selection of specialty beers and classic cocktails is excellent.
Tweeds Restaurant & Buffalo Bar
$$$ | 631-237-8120 | WEBSITE
View this post on Instagram
We discovered a lovely gourmet tour throughout the world in this location, with its diverse assortment of cuisines that would tantalize your taste buds.
Expect a holistic gastronomic experience that will sweep you off your feet, from Taim’s Mediterranean meals like kebabs and falafels and to Temakase’s Japanese sushi rolls.
We highly recommend the “Natural Skirt Steak Burrito”. You’ll want to keep going back for more of that whole wheat tortilla filled with beans and rice, pico de gallo, and guacamole. The meal, especially with the added cream and cheese, is unrivaled throughout the entirety of Long Island City.
M. Wells
$$-$$$$ | 718 786-9060 | WEBSITE
View this post on Instagram
It’s easy to see why this restaurant is one of THE casual spots to eat in the area. This dining spot is one of the local restaurants that is worth a visit for its luscious steaks and pasta served in beautiful surroundings.
You can meet pals for drinks and pub grub at the bar. With its fantastic views of the neighborhood, the patio is a great place to tell stories.
The Stack of Pork Chops is our favorites. The elegant meat exudes with such juicy goodness that your taste buds will ask for a repeat. Covered in that anchovy butter that gives it that creamy taste, the dish is truly a culinary masterpiece.
Court Square Diner
$$ | 718-392-1222 | WEBSITE
The restaurant combines old and new to offer the perfect setting for an amazing meal. Picture red booths and a galley kitchen from the 1900s, and TVs and trendy lighting from the ceiling.
Buffalo Chicken Sandwich wins. The grilled chicken on that ciabatta roll is tender and moist. With red onion, buffalo sauce, and bleu cheese crumble, the sandwich is cloud nine. And of course, there’s breakfast 24 hours a day.
Vittorio’s Restaurant and Wine Bar
$$$ | 631-264-3333 | WEBSITE
Famous for its matured steaks, superb wine lists, and daily specials, Vittorio’s has become a local favorite in Amityville. White tablecloths and subdued lighting make for an intimate meal for two. The decor is minimal because the major attraction is the food.
Try the Veal Saltimbocca with spinach, prosciutto, and mozzarella cooked in a sage and white wine sauce; it’s the perfect example of how well American chefs can reimagine traditional Italian fare. The lobster on Monday special is a great price, and the portions are large.
There are 80 different wines to choose from, many of which may be enjoyed by the glass. Even though it’s not authentic Italian, their weekend brunch is superb and contains everything you could want for breakfast and more. Try the breakfast fries topped with a sunny-side up egg, mozzarella, and pastrami that has been melted in the oven.
Toast Coffeehouse
$$ | 631-654-7091 | WEBSITE
View this post on Instagram
Patchogue resident and chef Terence Scarlatos established Toast Coffeehouse in 2016. The café serves creative breakfast and lunch options like peanut butter mochas and caramel apple chai throughout the week in its cozy setting, along with a full menu of espresso-based beverages and inventive tea.
Hearty scrambles, breakfast burritos, inventive omelets, sweet and savory French toast dishes, and waffles in novel flavors like sweet potato and cranberry apple are just some of the breakfast options. Fun burgers, toasted sandwiches, and wrap sandwiches with a focus on health are just a few of the lunch offerings.
There can be a 45-90 minute wait for a table, however, the NoWait app allows you to make a reservation in advance.
The Inkan
$$-$$$ | 718-433-4171 | WEBSITE
This brick-and-stone restaurant serves real Latin American meals including empanada and ceviche. Each dish here is cooked using traditional Latin American recipes. The restaurant’s ethnic decor will transport you there.
A personal favorite is the Aji de Gallina is delicious and the Chicken with a Peruvian sauce made with a yellow pepper sauce will satisfy your taste buds.
Beebe’s
$$ | 718- 208-2895 | WEBSITE
View this post on Instagram
Located inside the Boro Hotel, this restaurant serves up some of the best wood-fired pizzas, pasta, beer, and cocktails in all of Long Island City.
The Jimmy Forager Pizza is an absolute must for breakfast or brunch. The combination of pecorino and sweet fennel sausage over excellent bread creates a dish with a harmonious blend of meat flavors. Toss in some mozzarella, mushrooms, and red onion, and suddenly you have a mouthwatering feast.
DiMaggio’s Trattoria
$$$ | 516-944-6363 | WEBSITE
DiMaggio’s has been Port Washington’s go-to Italian eatery since 1978, and it’s the kind of place where you can bring your whole family for a lunch and catch up on old times.
Both the formal dining room with its big mural of village scenes and the more casual dining room styled like a traditional courtyard are warm and inviting.
Traditional delicacies, like pizza, chicken parmigiana, and succulent veal chop, as well as the laid-back, domestic ambience, provide a pleasant environment.
The proprietors also offer other regional specialties typical to the Bari area of Italy, such as roasted rabbit and stuffed zucchini flowers. Both Old and New World wines are represented on the excellent wine list.
Farm Country Kitchen
$$$ | 631-369-6311 | WEBSITE
View this post on Instagram
On the banks of the Peconic River sits a beautifully restored colonial property from the 1800s, where you’ll find Farm Country Kitchen. This restaurant truly embraces the farm-to-table idea, serving lunch and dinner daily using products that are in season locally.
Lunch specials are updated daily, and the evening menu is revamped every few months to showcase the finest of seasonal American cooking.
Wraps, paninis, sandwiches, and salads come in a rainbow of colors and flavors, and the “bring your own wine” policy keeps prices low. Pick up one of their boxed lunches for a delicious picnic while you’re out seeing the nearby wine region.
Murray’s Cheese Bar
$$ – $$$ | 347- 990-2130 | WEBSITE
View this post on Instagram
Here’s the destination for cheese lovers. From the Big Buffalo Bleu Sandwich to the parmesan-soaked Salmon, expect a cheesy experience.
The Risotto is wonderful. The creamy Grana Padano and mascarpone spaghetti will take you to gourmet bliss with every bite. With mushrooms and black garlic, the dish is tasty.
Summary
There’s just about everything you can imagine, when it comes to great food, in Long Island. From burgers to lobster, you can find just what you are craving.
Hayden has been a digital director for years. He has five years of experience editing and writing about food, restaurant, and recipe review content. At Birch Restaurant, he’s in charge of scouting, showing up unannounced in different restaurants, and writing a thorough food guide!
