Our Favorite Outdoor Dining on the East End

As we begin to adjust to the new normal, we are excited to have outdoor dining return here on Long Island and we are looking forward to enjoying a long awaited night out. There are many  local restaurants offering lovely outdoor dining experiences and we have a guide to some of the best spots here on the East End.

Greenport

Greenport Village offers the classic East End atmosphere and is one of our favorite spots with beautiful views of Peconic Bay and a variety of outdoor dining options. Visit Port Waterfront Bar & Grill for seafood, fun cocktails, and their must-have parmesan truffle fries or check out Claudio’s Waterfront serving all your bar and grill favorites. Also offering limited outdoor seating, stop by Emilio’s for traditional Italian cuisine or First & South for a creative spin on American fare. And for dessert, Greenport Creamery is the perfect spot for a sweet treat to cap off the evening.

Take Out Spot: Visit 1943 Pizza Bar for their delicious specialty brick-oven pizzas or Lucharito’s for tacos and margaritas to go.

North Fork

If you are venturing through wine country on the North Fork, there are many restaurants providing lovely outdoor dining experiences. If you are looking for water views to enjoy, check out Waypoint in Southold for farm-to-table Italian dishes or Case’s Place in New Suffolk for seafood and burgers. We also love the Red Rooster Bistro in Cutchogue with a French café vibe. Further west, On the Docks Waterfront Bar & Grill in Aquebogue offers more scenic water views and an array of delicious American dishes as well.

Take Out Spot: Check out Mattitaco in Mattituck for a fun twist on your favorite Mexican dishes from tacos to burritos.

East Quogue & Hampton Bays

Moving to the South Fork, East Quogue and Hampton Bays provide several beautiful outdoor dining options overlooking the water. Docker’s Waterside in East Quogue provides a laidback beach vibe with delicious seafood and fun specialty cocktails and Oakland’s in Hampton Bays is a local favorite for a lobster dinner. Also in Hampton Bays, we highly recommend Cowfish for their creative gourmet menus and the quintessential Hamptons dining experience or Edgewater for an array of upscale Italian fare.

Take Out Spot: For a quick and easy pizza night, Francesca’s in Hampton Bays is our top pick. We recommend grabbing a few cannolis for dessert as well.

Hamptons

From Southampton to East Hampton, there is a wide array of outdoor dining options to enjoy. In Southampton, check out Union Burger Bar for gourmet burgers and milkshakes or Pellegrino’s on the water for specialty pizzas and pasta. Also in Southampton, visit the recently renovated Silver Lining Diner for their house-smoked ribs and brisket or for the full clambake experience. Further east, we also love Calissa in Water Mill for delicious Greek fare or Almond in Bridgehampton for artisanal French cuisine. East Hampton also offers several great options for outdoor dining including Babette’s serving organic, local food and Nick & Toni’s for delectable Italian dishes.

Take Out Spot: For sushi to go, we suggest Show Win in Southampton offering a large variety of specialty sushi rolls and Japanese cuisine.

Sag Harbor & Shelter Island

Outdoor dining options in Sag Harbor include several great restaurants we highly recommend such as MJ Dowling’s Steakhouse for pub specials, Baron’s Cove serving American fare, and Page at 63 Main for seafood and pasta. Lulu Kitchen & Bar and Estia’s Little Kitchen also offer outdoor dining and are both great spots for your brunch favorites. And, do not visit Sag Harbor without stopping for some fro-yo at BuddhaBerry.

A short ferry ride from Sag Harbor, Shelter Island is home to several lovely restaurants with outdoor dining as well. The Islander offers a laid back atmosphere for lunch or breakfast serving a selection of grill options, and for fine dining, Vine Street Café is a popular spot for gourmet French cuisine. Also, check out Salt Waterfront Bar & Grill with specialty cocktails and views of the water.

Take Out Spot: Grab a famous homemade focaccia sandwich from Espresso da Asporto for a delicious take out alternative.

Montauk

For a more casual, surfer side to the Hamptons, be sure to visit Montauk with an array of outdoor dining options to enjoy. For some of the best seafood on the South Fork, be sure to visit the famous Lobster Roll on Montauk Highway, a local favorite since 1965. Also known for their seafood, Sammy’s Restaurant & Bar is another laid back, local spot with views of the marina and home to the original lobster burger. And, for a gorgeous beachfront setting, we highly recommend dining at Navy Beach where you can enjoy casual coastal cuisine while taking in a beautiful sunset.

Take Out Spot: Brand new to the Montauk scene but already receiving rave reviews, stop by Sweet Az Sandos for delicious salads and sandwiches.

No matter what you are in the mood for, you are sure to find an East End restaurant serving up delicious food, beautiful views, and lovely outdoor dining experiences. Please check individual restaurant websites for the most up-to-date information regarding dining offerings and availability.