19 Best Restaurants in Long Island, New York

This is really the place to be in WHB. Sit and sip an iced coffee and watch the world go by from the porch or sidewalk tables or grab a gelato and join the others on the stoop. With cases filled with fresh-baked goods, the worst thing about this place is that it's just so hard to decide. Try the devilishly delicious deep-fried jelly- or cream-filled "cronuts"—all the rage these days, but this bakery has been doing it for years. A full menu of bagels, pancakes, omelets, salads, sandwiches, pizza, and entree dishes will keep you coming back for more. Don't let the long lines and chaotic scene inside scare you away—there are many friendly young people behind the counter who keep things moving and do it with a smile.

One of Paul McCartney's favorites, this place is not much bigger than a shack, and is tucked away in the back of Amagansett Square off Main Street. It has just a few picnic tables on the lawn and a couple of hightop tables inside, but the flavors put out here are huge. Dosas range from the traditional masala potato variety to one with grilled chicken with goat cheese and spinach. A selection of homemade chutneys are available: cilantro, mango, tomato, curry, pumpkin, and peanut. Salads, sandwiches, and Indian specialties are offered. Try a cardomom coffee, soy chai latte, or orange-ginger iced tea.

Fresh-baked buns and house-ground beef define the gourmet cheeseburger nirvana that keeps the locals coming back to this little spot just outside the village—and a rotating $2 beer selection doesn't hurt. The burgers are a little on the small side, but that means there will certainly be room for Joe & Liza's delicious ice cream, made with milk that comes from happy cows in New York State. If beef isn't your thing, try the veggie or turkey burger, falafel, or house-made fish burger. A live jazz jam takes place here on Thursday nights.

Don't let the name fool you, the candy selection here is sparse. This is a classic luncheonette and soda fountain where locals rub elbows with celebrities—and no one makes a big deal of it. The waitstaff is efficient and the food is simple. They offer burgers with fries, fried chicken, grilled cheese, and omelets, and some Greek specialties, but really there is one reason to come here, the delicious ice cream—homemade, of course.

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.

This family-favorite Main Street mainstay is best known for simple but good pub fare served up in a warm, homey atmosphere. Menu items include burgers, toasted sandwiches on crusty bread, steaks, and appetizers like the "bloomin' onion" with garlicky creamy dressing, plus complimentary popovers. Expect a wait on weekends, during which time you can grab a frosty draft from the bar while noshing on complimentary popcorn.

Originally opened as Glovers' in 1941, this North Fork staple serves up good, old-fashioned home cooking: omelets, burgers, sandwiches, meatloaf, and turkey dinners until 3 pm daily. Wines from neighboring vineyards are offered, and the fresh, local pies are alone worth a visit.

The eponymous burger—smothered with a variety of cheeses, sauteed onion, and secret sauce—has quickly made this relative newcomer to Sayville's Main Street a part of the landscape and a favorite among locals looking for good, unfussy fare in a lively environment. Outdoor dining is available, and live music is offered several nights a week year-round. Selections include a half-rack of babyback ribs and classic mac and cheese. Even if you're not vegetarian or a health nut, try the delicious veggie burger, packed with spinach and sweet potato.

With dark-wood furniture, wood beam ceilings, and Yankees memorabilia on almost every wall, this one of the few true old-school neighborhood sports-themed bar and grills you'll find hereabouts. It's all very un-Hamptons. Established in 1980, it probably hasn't changed much since then, and the locals like it that way. There's no cocktail menu, no local wines, and if you ask what type of beer they have, they'll simply says "cold." But if you like steak, you'll love the 16-oz porterhouse marinated in Budweiser and ketchup; corn fritters are served with a zesty, creamy horseradish sauce; and if you just want a chili dog, you can get one here. The prices are also very un-Hamptons, and it's open year-round.

Make your way to the counter of this small, often crowded café, and then sit at a table and watch Southampton's scene from the large windows while you wait to be served. For breakfast, try scrambled eggs on a croissant with a side of fruit. Good lunch choices include chili, vegetable lasagna, and the interesting combo sandwiches. The coffee is delicious at any time of day.

The smell of coffee roasting is enough to entice you inside, but there's more: homemade nachos and salsa; breakfast to go or eat in the bright dining area, and a good range of lunch choices. Beer-battered fish and chips are a favorite, and the Mexican entrees like chicken enchiladas à la Mexicana and huevos rancheros with chorizo, avocado, and queso blanco will get your heart going. There are many low-fat, vegetarian, and gluten-free options too, including salads, sandwiches, wraps, and entrees. Bring home a pound of the fresh-roasted, estate-grown coffee.

This year-round neighborhood joint serves delicious pancakes and creative omelets all day, along with hearty homemade soups and chowders, thick burgers, shakes, and spicy chicken-salad wraps. The fried ice cream is famous. Come at off-hours especially on weekends, because there's usually a line. Early risers can get breakfast from 6 am, and it's open every day except Christmas.

This casual spot serves good coffee, salads, rejuvenating fresh-squeezed juices and smoothies, daily breakfast and lunch specials, and exotic wraps such as the Thai Me Up, with gingered tofu or chicken with veggies in peanut sauce, or the Slum Burger Millionaire, an Indian-style tuna burger. Eat at the outdoor picnic tables or bring your meal to the beach or hotel. The place is popular for a quick bite, but there's usually a line at the counter and a bit of a wait.

So much more than breakfast, this bagel store offers a mind-boggling array of out-of-the-ordinary salads including Thai chicken salad, Buffalo chicken, taco chicken, balsamic or honey-mustard tuna, egg salad with caramelized onion and mushroom, as well as cream cheese flavors like sundried tomato–jalapeño, chocolate chip, and apple-walnut-raisin. Be prepared to wait on a long line, especially on weekends.

In the center of town, with outdoor seating out front, this casual restaurant attracts visitors and locals of all ages, lured by the aroma of sizzing fajitas wafting in the air and the sight of diners enjoying colorful pint-sized cocktails with fresh fruit (which are more expensive than most of the mains). While you may have to wait a bit for the server to take your order—the place gets pretty packed—you can munch on the complimentary chips with fresh salsa, and know that once your order is placed, the food will likely be out quickly. It's not gourmet dining, but the carnitas are quite tasty, the guacamole delicious, and with lots of affordable options, your wallet won't take a hit.

This spot is popular for Mexican takeout. With only a handful of stools and counters lining the perimeter and a busy galley kitchen, Salsa Salsa is tiny, so it's best to time your arrival to beat the lunch and dinner crushes. All the expected fare is done well, but it's truly the salsa that is memorable.

Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this retro luncheonette serves the usual casual fare: burgers, sandwiches, omelets, salads, and homemade ice cream.

This is as real as Montauk gets: a weathered old sea captain having lunch at the bar, fishermen stopping in for an afternoon pint or quick bite, and locals sharing a laugh with friends any time of the day. Here, tucked away on a side street close to Gosman's Dock yet a world apart, the beer is cold and the food is good and as down to earth as the folks who hang out here. Weird and wacky tchotchkes and seafaring-related antiques festoon the rustic wood walls and ceiling.

Outsiders are welcomed but should be aware of the "list," including: no checks, no cell phones, no strollers or screaming kids, no whining, wimps, or chickenhawks. Stick with these rules, and you'll be just fine.

There's a definite West Coast vibe to this café. Head to the counter to order chicken salad, a wrap, carrot-ginger soup, or one of the satisfying home-cooked vegetarian selections, then settle into a big comfortable chair or couch in the rear (adults only here). Occasionally there's live music on weekend afternoons. The place is open only until 5 pm.