18 Best Restaurants in Long Island, New York

Fish doesn't come any fresher than at this waterfront resturant, where it was most likely caught that very morning off the Pridwin's boat by owner Richard Petry and his son Gregg. In 2014 Peruvian-born chef de cuisine Varon Barrio joined chef Marcel Iatoni to create a fresh new menu, adding specialties such as casusa, a layered potato, avocado, and shrimp dish, and the citrusy ceviche. It's not often that you see octopus as a main course—here it's served over mushroom-Manchego quinoa. "Kids Movies," most nights from 7–9, allow parents to enjoy a romantic dinner while their children enjoy supervised fun. Wednesday's cookout night, a family party and Shelter Island institution, includes live music, and Sunday brunch is served with a samba and soul soundtrack. Reservations are suggested for both.

Enjoy creative, contemporary cuisine and sample local wines in a waterside setting at this restaurant owned by acclaimed chef Tom Schaudel and restaurateur Adam Lovett, with chef-partner Jeff Yguil at the helm in the kitchen. Deep-toned wood and a stone fireplace create a warm indoor environment, and there's seating out on the deck too. Fresh seafood is the draw here, including macadamia-crusted flounder with lime beurre blanc, four sizes of lobster, grilled calamari, Thai curry mussels, and fish tacos, but they also do a mean flatiron steak. Prices are surprisingly reasonable, and there is live music three days a week in season.

There may be better, trendier, friendlier restaurants in town, but in Greenport Claudio's is a fixture, and a something of a destination in itself. Three restaurants share this 2½-acre waterfront property. The Clam Bar, right on the dock, serves salads, hot dogs, fried clams, mussels, and soft-shell crab, and is known for live music and a lively bar crowd. Claudio's, for more upscale indoor dining, is known for seafood, porterhouse steaks, and lobsters; the bar dates from the late 1800s. Crabby Jerry's offers self-service with picnic tables on the Main Street Dock.

Some of the freshest natural, sustainable seafood in the area is to be found at this cute little red-and-white New England–style seafood market and restaurant with outdoors-only seating. It has arguably the best lobster roll around, along with market grilled fish, smoked fish, a raw bar, and some decent burgers. Have a hankering for frog’s legs? You can get them here. Live acoustic music sets the tone for a laid-back, relaxed meal. Expect a wait, however. The staff is helpful and friendly, but it sometimes takes a bit of time to prepare your food. Beer and wine are available while you wait.

Once a fisherman's haunt, this unpretentious yet stylish bistro at the Montauk fishing docks is known for offering the freshest seafood, including the signature cioppino, in addition to creative steak and vegetarian dishes. Indoor seating is in a small, candlelit room or a cozy adjoining bar; outdoor seating is on a deck next to the harbor. For dessert, try the famous "Chocolate Bag."

This is a popular spot, but they'll take same-day reservations—call after 4:15.

People stop in at this upscale, yet casual and lively, waterfront restaurant on their way home from the beach just across the road or after kayaking or paddleboarding right off their dock. Appetizers include sushi and sashimi appetizer, duck egg roll, lobster mac-and-cheese; aged steak, clambake platter, or lobster are always popular entrees. The large deck overlooking the bay has good sunset views. At night the bar scene attracts a mixed crowd, with three bars, outdoor living-room areas with lots of comfortable seating, and live music several nights a week throughout the summer.

On the first warm day of the season, locals flock to the umbrella-shaded patio tables of this casual spot next to the American Legion Hall. Have a bowl of steamers and watch the boats head into the marina. Traditional seafood favorites such as seared scallops and fried oysters share the menu with paella and chicken pot pie. Inside are two simple dining rooms and a small bar.

Steamers, mussels, and fresh fish are the mainstays at this casual, nautical-theme restaurant overlooking the bay, and the big waterside deck, shaded by a tent canopy, is a great spot on a sunny day. Steaks, chops, and chicken are also on the menu, joined by salads and panini at lunchtime. The wine list features local and international selections, with 25 available by the glass. Great for family dining, there is always a lively bar and live music scene as well.

The glass-enclosed dining room of this cozy restaurant affords stunning views of sunsets on Fort Pond, and the menu is inspired by local fresh seafood and homegrown produce. You might start with calamari salad with red pepper vinaigrette, then try the swordfish picatta with sautéed spinach, capers, olives, and cherry tomatoes, or the pork tenderloin with apricot-apple chutney with watercress pine-nut salad and Spanish prosciutto. With family-style service and often a buzzing crowd of return customers, there's a nice vibe about the place—and entrées are huge.

The scenery surrounding the waterside tables at the Inlet Café and sushi bar is so mesmerizing that you may forget to bite into the sushi or succulent local lobster on your plate. There are four Gosman's eating establishments on the dock; this one serves fresh seafood right off the boat.

There is much debate over where you can get the best Rocket Fuel (a Fire Island specialty–piña colada with amaretto and a 151 rum floater), but many say it's here. You can also get fresh seafood, steaks, and some really good meatballs while dining bayside (the clam bake is tasty and a good value, but nothing to write home about). Serving the community for about a quarter-century, this place is an institution. There's a fun bar crowd at night.

Waiters in tuxedos serve simple dishes such as broiled fish at this seafood restaurant with fireplaces and paintings of old Roslyn. Children get their own menu.

Set along the no-man's-land between Amagansett and Montauk, this local institution (affectionately known as "Lunch") is the proverbial shanty by the sea, with recognizable red, white, and blue awning. Attracting customers from far and wide, its booths and outdoor picnic tables are filled with people coming and going from the beach. Kids are often seen running around its grounds while carefree vacationers take in a quintessential summertime experience. They come for the fresh lobster rolls, both the classic and now also a hot variety; fish-and-chips; puffers (blowfish); and mouth-watering grilled tuna and swordfish.

This rustic, wood-paneled seafood restaurant with high ceilings, moldings, and brass railings at the wooden bar affords views of the harbor. Try the classic fish-and-chips or the salmon fillet with a soy-ginger glaze, asparagus, and black olives.

Locals love chef Noah Schwartz's restaurant. A Long Island native who began his career in California's wine country, Schwartz has created a menu based on farm-to-table produce, fresh and locally-sourced seafood, and artfully presented small-plate dishes. A carefully selected wine list provides for perfect pairings. The most popular dishes here are seared tuna tartare with avocado, jalapeño, and cucumber, with seaweed salad and soy vinaigrette; local seafood bouillabaisse in saffron fennel broth; and filet mignon sliders on toasted brioche with creamed spinach and truffle hollandaise. Oysters are a specialty, too. Brunch is served on weekends.

It's the unmatched marina views and an open-air bar that attract crowds in summer. Although the menu varies, the emphasis is on shrimp, lobster, and local fish. The crabcake with sweet-and-sour corn-mango chutney is a favorite. This is also a popular spot to have a cocktail while watching the sunset. There is a full schedule of live music Friday to Sunday.

Converted out of a vacant boatyard, this fun and vibrant spot on picturesque Chase Creek was the brainchild of two Shelter Island "summer kids," Keith Bavaro and Alison Bevilacqua. The nautical-themed restaurant utilizes the most local, freshest seafood available for its raw bar, delicious fish tacos, and some Hawaiian-influenced dishes. Out back, locals and tourists mix it up at the Shipwreck Bar (Thursday–Monday), a converted 1928 scalloping ship on land. In summer it's an outdoor party with fresh cocktails—try the Whale Killer, made with local Sag Harbor Rum—lawn games, and live music. Boaters can dock at the Island Boatyard and walk up to the restaurant and bar; day passes are also available for non-boaters for use of the pool, lounge area, and shower facilities.

A wall of windows provides stunning views of the Great South Bay at this restaurant known for its seasonal, seafood-focused menu and raw bar. Modern small-plate dishes such as Peking duck tacos join traditional favorites like filet mignon and Mantattan clam chowder, and the menus are designed to appeal to a variety of personal tastes and budgets. Sushi (available weekends) has made a splash, and The View has become a favorite Sunday brunch spot. In warm weather patio dining is available, and the happy hour and party crowds swell on weekends, with live bands to entertain them on Saturday. The restaurant is 3½ miles west of Sayville. To be sure of eating here on a weekend, reservations are advisable.