Where to Eat in the Hamptons Before Summer Ends

East End restaurants serve up the area’s freshest local seafood and produce, and what better time of year to sample them? The new Wolffer kitchen even pours its own wine. It’s notoriously tough to score a table at in the last weeks of summer when half the city seems to be out east, so we’re giving you an array of options. Below, an update on our favorite spots:

All photos courtesy of the restaurants unless otherwise noted.

What’s new

Winstons

Jamaican-born Winston Lyons who worked in the kitchen of Bostwick’s and East Hampton Grill opened his own place this season and it’s one of the most festive spots on the East End. People come in flip-flops to enjoy reasonably priced whole lobsters and chicken prepared with jerk spices or on the rotisserie.

100 Montauk Highway, East Hampton; 631-267-5400

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Via Del Mare

The former Mirko’s space that was always filled with moguls has been co-opted by Paolo della Puppa, the man behind the city’s Via Quadronno and Bottega del Vino, and morphed it into a Northern Italian restaurant with such offerings as penne with fresh tuna, black olives, capers, and tomato.

670 Montauk Highway, Water Mill; 631-726-4444

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Wolffer Kitchen

Opened mid summer by the siblings that own Wolffer Vineyards, the menu at this casually buzzy room features largely locally sourced seasonal dishes, geared to pair with the wine list, which also has many East End selections.

29 Main Street, Sag Harbor; 621-725-0101

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North Sea Tavern and Raw’r Bar

An extensive list of raw items along with small plates like toast with uni, dill, tarragon aioli, purple basil, and peppermint; and gazpacho with shrimp, coconut, chiles, and sea salt are a main draw at this pretty rustic newcomer.

1271 North Sea Road, Southampton; 631-353-3322

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By the Water

Bay Kitchen and Bar

It’s the second year for this place with breathtaking views of Three Mile Harbor, and already it’s become one of the hottest spots in the Hamptons. Crusty bread on every table is served with a zesty warm tomato sauce topped with baked feta. The sweetest day boat scallops can be ordered as crudo, with watermelon, ginger, and citrus vinaigrette, or cooked to custardy perfection and served on a grain salad. Long Island duck is slow-roasted and offered up with balsamic glazed cherries. Save room for Key lime pie.

39 Gann Rd, East Hampton; 631-329-3663

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Harbor Bistro

Loved by locals, this place is still a bit under the radar for New Yorkers, so you can get a sunset seat without the struggle you may find elsewhere. Chef/owner Damien O’Donnell prepares flavorful fare including tandoori-spiced fluke with quinoa and raita, and five–spiced duck breast seared on the plancha.

313 Three Mile Harbor Rd., East Hampton; 631-324-7300

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Westlake Fishhouse

This casual spot right off the docks is drawing rave reviews for its super fresh sushi — try the house special roll of avocado, spicy tuna, shiso, fluke, and sea bass. Other menu options include tilefish scampi, mushroom udon, and duck tacos.

352 West Lake Drive, Montauk, 631-668-3474.

[Photo: Facebook]

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Osteria Salina

The popular Sicilian spot moved from a cozy corner in Bridgehampton to a beautifully restored old Tudor house that sits on Georgica Pond. Chef Cinzia Gaglio does wonders with seafood, like tilefish with roasted sweet corn and blueberries. This month, a new Sunday supper has been added, featuring a five-course feast for $45 per person.

108 Wainscott Stone Road, Wainscott, 631-527-5396

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Harlow East

Richie Notar’s Eastern outpost overlooks Sag Harbor’s bay and the impressive yachts it harbors. Take advantage of tomato season with heirloom carpaccio, then check out lobster sliders, sesame seared local tuna, and roasted carrots with heirloom crema.

1 Long Wharf, Sag Harbor, 631-725-5858.

[Photo: Facebook]

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Harbor

This place, which opened earlier in the summer featuring a late night DJ and dancing, became so busy its first year that the town tried to shut it down. The menu runs the gamut from smoked bluefish salads to spaghettini with crab to flatiron steaks.

440 W Lake Drive, Montauk; 631-668-8260.

[Photo: Facebook]

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Asian

Sen

It’s the 20th year for the Hamptons’ most popular sushi spot. In addition to a wide array of creative makis like torched salmon over a California roll with miso mustard, and some sushi made with local catch, there are great share plates such as crispy rice topped with spicy tuna and jalapenos.

23 Main Street, Sag Harbor; 631-725-1774

[Photo: Facebook]

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Philippe

Apart from signature bright red chicken satay and emerald green shrimp, there are cleaner options like steamed dumplings, whole fish with ginger and scallion sauce, and Peking chicken with perfectly moist meat and crisp skin. This location, which returned after a long absence, also has a full sushi bar, with brown rice as an option, and an adjoining club, so if you’re looking for nightlife, you won’t have far to go.

44 Three Mile Harbor Road, East Hampton; 631-324-3332

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Red Stixs

There are seven varieties of dumplings and six different prawn dishes at this popular Beijing style eatery that draws partying celebs like Leo DiCaprio and P Diddy. This season, the restaurant added healthier dishes like crispy seaweed as well as chicken and broccoli made with a lighter sauce.

1020 Montauk Highway, Water Mill; 631-726-6200.

[Photo: Facebook]

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Outdoor Dining

Sotto Sopra

A salumi plate or robiola crostini with grilled figs, spiced walnuts, and orange vinaigrette makes a great start to a meal at this popular Tuscan-influenced spot with a picturesque garden in the back. The brick oven turns out five varieties of thin crust pizza, as well as local fluke oreganata. Veal porterhouse, lamb chops, and sirloin are seared on the grill.

231 Main Street, Amagansett, 631-267-3695

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Moby’s

The late-night hit of the season is this spot run by hipster Australians Nick Hatsatouris and Lincoln Pilcher, who have Eveleigh in L.A. and had Kingswood in the West Village and Moby Dick’s in Montauk. A wood-burning oven turns out pizza as well as whole fish and lobster.

341 Pantigo Road, East Hampton; 631-527-5388.

[Photo: Facebook]

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Serafina

A favorite spot for casual dining, this location has a fun outdoor area, so you can sip bellinis, and munch on artichoke salad, truffled pizza, pasta, and grilled fish, while watching the crowds go by.

104 N Main Street, East Hampton; 631-267-3500.

[Photo: Lennart Perby]

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Tutto Il Giorno

The Sag Harbour flagship may get Calvin Klein, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Keith Richards, but chef Maurizio Marfoglia’a newer Southampton offshoot designed by partner Gabby Karan has a kitchen more than double the size and turns out fabulous Italian fare. Wafer thin pane carasau topped with olive oil, sea salt, and rosemary sprigs is a great way to begin, and you can’t go wrong with the Brussels sprouts salad with dried fruit and nuts or the rigatoni with sausage and peas. Chicken under a brick with baby artichokes or whole fire roasted branzino with rainbow kale are standouts. Grab a table under an umbrella at one of the garden tables if you can.

56 Nugent Street, Southampton. 631-377-3611

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Race Lane

Near the East Hampton train station, this is a perfect first stop for a glass of wine. Next to the active bar is one the prettiest dining gardens around, filled with large trees and wildflowers. Check out asparagus salad with arugula, Reggiano and black truffle vinaigrette; Montauk pearl oysters with cucumber mignonette, blood orange granite, and sorrel; an American Wagyu burger with red onion jam, spiced bacon, aged cheddar, and an egg; or seared cod with rainbow swiss chard, roast fingerling potatoes, and saffron.

31 Race Lane, East Hampton; 631-324-5022

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Fresno

Whether you sit on the large landscaped patio or opt for the social bar, Gretchen Menser’s food is worth checking out. Hummus is given extra layers with green garbonzos, jalapeno, and lime, and a plate of linguini with Montauk littlenecks is made more flavorful with a hit of chorizo.

8 Fresno Place, East Hampton. 631-324-8700.

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South Edison

This season the popular foodie haunt near the beach opened a late night offshoot called Disco Fries, serving an array of potato crisp toppings including short ribs, cotija cheese, and gravy, or Nutella and vanilla ice cream. The main restaurant still features impressive crudo, like day boat fluke with heirloom tomato, chili jam, and kaffir lime, as well as cooked items such as olive oil braised baby octopus tacos.

17 South Edison Street, Montauk; 631-668-4200

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Golden Pear Café

There is one of these beloved cafes in nearly every Hampton hamlet and they serve all day, so you can start with organic Belgian waffles or a spa burrito, and end the day with one of 15 rotating soups or a seafood stew. The Southampton flagship has great people watching, but if you prefer, you can take your meal and enjoy it in your own backyard or on the beach.

99 Main Street, Southampton; 631-283-8900.

[Photo: Facebook]

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Doppio

Sag Harbor has become a Hamptons social center and this Italian restaurant with French doors that open onto the street is a good place to watch the action. If you prefer something more subdued, head to the back patio. Pastas include squid ink tagliolini with octopus, saffron, Calabrian chile, and uni cream, and the roasted chicken is served with pickled cauliflower, roasted beets, and cucumber yogurt.

126 Main Street, Sag Harbor; 631-808-3444.

[Photo: Facebook]

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Bostwick’s Chowder House

The secret’s out about this super casual roadside spot that draws families (okay, so it’s Gwyneth Paltrow and Apple) and chefs (Bobby Flay is a regular). It takes no reservations, which means you may well wait over an hour, but the seafood is super fresh, from raw cherrystones to expertly prepared daily local catch to fish tacos.

277 Pantigo Road, East Hampton; 631-324-1111

[Photo: Eric Stiffler]

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Hotels

Topping Rose House

This summer Ryan Murphy, who served as executive chef at the Ballyfin Demesne and the Savoy, is now manning the range at the stunning white house Tom Colicchio helped launch. He makes good use of the full acre of plantings out back, with dishes like garden beetroot salad with fennel, horseradish, lovage, and bone marrow, and risotto with garden peas, golden chanterelles, and parmesan.

One Bridgehampton/Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton; 631-537-0870.

[Photo: Facebook]

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Tillie's

LDV Hospitality took over the food and beverage at Gurney’s, opening glamorous and popular Scarpetta with its famous pastas and perfect perch over the waves, but at the more casual Tillie’s you can have a surprisingly good meal. The kitchen kicks into gear early with lobster hash and challah French toast, and continues into the evening with bone-in rib eye and onion-curry spiced cauliflower Royale. On Wednesdays, there is a lobster bake.

290 Old Montauk Highway
, Montauk, 631-668-1729.

[Photo: Melissa Hom]

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Gulf Coast Kitchen

Former Top Chef contestant Ron Duprat has taken over the kitchen at Montauk Yacht Club’s signature restaurant, and elevated the food. Tuna fresh from the docks comes crusted with sesame seeds, while Long Island duck breast nests on sweet potato mash with sautéed figs and rum sauce.

32 Star Island Road, Montauk, 631-668-3100

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Veggie-Centric

Fresh

From interesting starters like curried red lentil and coconut dahl to 17 veggie sides, this spot is an herbivore’s dream. Produce comes almost exclusively from local farms, and chef Todd Jacob’s garden out front. There are also fish and meat options like all natural boneless beef short ribs braised with five spice and merlot.

203 Bridgehampton Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton; 631-537-4700

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Babette’s

Want to know what Bill Clinton or Paul McCartney look like fresh out of bed? This is the place where power plant lovers start their day. They both love the Tuscan quinoa bowl, while Jimmy Fallon goes for the scrambled tofu with jalapenos. Dinner is a bit more low key: you can enjoy a candle lit summer sauté of greens or a non veggie entrée like Montauk bass with baby bok choy, red quinoa, and oregano vinaigrette.

66 Newtown Lane, East Hampton; 631-329-5377

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Steak

The Palm

In the two years since maître d Andrew Tobin has taken the reigns, this classic steakhouse in a lovely inn has become a welcoming clubhouse. Top-quality meats and outsize lobster are tradition, but wild salmon with pineapple salsa is another great choice. If you don’t have a reservation, head to the friendly and cozy bar – booths there are first come, first served, and you never know who might be sitting next to you.

94 Main Street, East Hampton; 631-324-0411.

[Photo: Facebook]

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Old Stove Pub

An old Hamptons house with a sprawling lawn provides the backdrop for this legendary favorite, which chars its meat to perfection using intense heat. Greek favorites like tomato salad, grilled octopus, and lavraki are also on the menu.

3516 Montauk Highway, Sagaponack; 631-537-3300