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Manna at Lobster Inn on the water.
Manna at Lobster Inn.
Lobster Inn

16 Late Summer Dining Spots in the Hamptons

Where to eat peak season out east

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Manna at Lobster Inn.
| Lobster Inn

Part of the joy of an East End visit at the height of summer is the seasonal local bounty, from tomatoes and corn to striped bass, whether dishes are prepared with a Mediterranean accent or Mexican flair. Here are some restaurants worth checking out.

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The Chequit

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Built in 1872 as a meeting hall, the dining room at this iconic hotel that played host to Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller, has an expansive outdoor seating area and large wooden center bar with an antique billiard table. Asian and tavern dishes share a menu that ranges from an extensive sushi selection to filet mignon and lobster rolls.

Sí Sí Mediterranean Restaurant

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If you are looking for an ideal sunset perch, this Mediterranean within EHP resort offers one of the best panoramic views over the marina at Three Mile Harbor.  Start with something from the raw bar, crispy soft shells, or za’atar roasted cauliflower, and move on to day boat scallops with leek vinaigrette or tamarind braised short ribs. The branzino is an oversized showstopper (but it does carry a $95 fee), and the more modest lamb burger with smoked feta will awaken any jaded palate.

El Tacobar

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Laurent Tourondel’s burger restaurant on Sag Harbor’s Main Street morphed into a cantina this season with dishes like lobster and corn tucked into homemade soft tortillas with chiles, smoked pork, and pineapple-jicama pico. Bowls with a base of either cumin green rice or cauliflower rice can be topped with carne asada, chicken asada or glazed pork belly, among other options.

The Blend at Three Mile Harbor

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It’s hard to find a good restaurant in the area that’s still a bit under the radar, but this homey and unassuming spot in a house next to Three Mille Harbor is popular with locals, but still fairly undiscovered by visitors. Tuna and swordfish from Montauk are perfectly grilled and amped with Asian flavors. Local duck is presented with dried fruit, wild rice, and a mixed berry coulis. And ravioli comes stuffed with mushroom and served with truffle burrata. Every Wednesday the Blend has steak night: $45 for a choice of cuts, including a 16-ounce ribeye and rack of lamb, along with two sides.

A sliced steak with sauces.
Steak at the Blend.
The Blend

Sant Ambroeus East Hampton

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After years in Southampton, the Milanese restaurant that has also become popular in New York and Palm Beach, opened an intimate location in East Hampton on the bones of the legendary Babette’s.  Along with menu items like the spaghetti pomodoro and veal Milanese, there are new Hamptons creations including casarecce with tuna ragout; ravioli with Swiss chard, ricotta ravioli, wild herbs and aged Parmigiano-Reggiano; and a lobster roll with brioche.

A white bowl of spaghetti in red sauce with a basil garnish on top.
Spaghetti from Sant Ambroeus.
Sant Ambroeus

Buttero

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Maurizio Marfoglia has a hot restaurant in practically every Hampton hamlet and his latest is this Italian steakhouse with a huge tree- and flower-filled outdoor area.  Meats include a Berkshire pork chop, and 45 ounce steak Florentine that feeds three, while a whole Maine lobster enhances linguini with spicy tomato sauce.

LouLou La Plage

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The Maidstone hotel’s dining room has been co-opted this summer by the owners of Chelsea bistro, Loulou, and its signatures like duck leg confit, petit poulet roti with purple potatoes and steak au poivre, as well as cocktails served in bird-shaped glasses, have all come along for the ride. Check out the landscaped secret garden out back.

Highway

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It might look like an unassuming spot off the main road, but this New American owned by Toms Hospitality (Charlie Bird, Pasquale Jones, Shuko) has a chic interior with black and white photos hanging above upholstered banquettes, and a crowd of heavy hitters who jones for its crab and papaya salad with mint, cilantro, peanuts and lemongrass; and crispy spit-roasted chicken presented on a cutting board.

Pierre's

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Open 365 days a year, the cozy bistro with a bakery up front and market next door has become a regular kitchen for residents as well as visitors who enjoy staples like roast chicken or rack of lamb as well as nightly specials such as  bouillabaisse. Vegetarians can make a plate by selecting 4 items from the extensive list of sides, and local grilled tuna is so tender you don’t need a knife to cut it. Though prices are in line with other top Hamptons spots, a massive lobster at $60 is a relative bargain.  Save room for the oversized macaron filled with fresh raspberries and cream.

Bistro Ete

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Cordon Bleu trained chef Arie Pavlou has been wowing diners with coastal French cuisine ranging from escargot to steak he dry ages himself.  Local striped bass gets a champagne truffle sauce, and zucchini noodles swim in a zesty pomodoro that can be topped with wild shrimp.  Fridays there are specials of foie gras (which comes with a complimentary glass of wine), and charcoal rotisserie chicken, that can also be picked up and enjoyed at home. The Hamptons most pampered pups have a menu of their own here, complete with truffles and peanut butter coconut ice cream.

Naia Restaurant and Lounge Hamptons

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Tucked in the Capri Hotel with an outdoor terrace and view of the pool, this Mediterranean spot has expertly prepared Greek classics, from mezze, grilled octopus and tomato salad, to charcoal grilled lavraki and lamb chops.  The chef also turns out some succulent lobster options including Cobb salad and pasta with the popular crustacean.

A spread of dishes across a white tablecloth.
A spread at Naia.
Naia

Manna at Lobster Inn

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For decades the unassuming shack at the entrance to Southampton was a New England style fish house with simple chowders and crustaceans, but this season Drew Hiatt, who was formerly executive chef at Jean Georges Vongerichten’s Topping Rose, took over the kitchen and upped the ante. Now, there are appetizers such as lobster burrata toast with peas, radish and lemon-ginger vinaigrette; or wagyu beef tartare on crunchy sushi rice with pickled chiles; a raw bar with options like burnt scallop sashimi with flower vinaigrette, and entrees that include striped bass with smoke-chili vinaigrette. 

A high-walled, stainless steel pot is filled with lobster, shrimp, sausage, oysters, and clams.
A lobster boil from Manna at Lobster Inn.
Manna at Lobster Inn

T Bar Southampton

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The Upper East Side watering hole’s eastern outpost has a buzzy back patio and many of the favorite dishes, like chopped salad, thin crust pizza, crispy sushi and  have made the transition from the city.  A steak bar features a black Angus porterhouse that serves a crew, and there is a burger bar with Pat LaFrieda beef and turkey. Herbivores should sample the toothsome vegan farro risotto.

The outside of T Bar has striped awnings and white seating.
The exterior of T Bar in Southampton.
T Bar

75 Main St

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From A Rod to Sofia Vergara, boldfaces flock to this popular spot in the middle of Southampton that is the subject of the reality show, Serving the Hamptons.  Fried calamari is so crispy you can hear the crunch; steamed little neck clams are made heartier with the addition of salami; and the Super Bowl salad with sugar snaps, kale, avocado, toasted hemp seeds and quinoa is a satisfying mix of tastes and textures that can be topped with grilled salmon, tuna, shrimp or chicken.  Even when the cameras aren’t rolling, watching the crowd on Main Street is pure theater.

El Verano

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Julian Medina and partner Meghan Manzi expanded to the Hamptons this summer with the opening of this high-end Mexican restaurant a prime corner in Southampton. Among dishes, local greens with jicama and almonds are drizzled with an avocado mint dressing; lobster is wrapped in a homemade corn tortilla and dressed with a peanut salsa; and Long Island duck is slow roasted with a tamarind-chocolate habanero glaze and served with lettuce cups.  There are lots of margaritas to accompany the food, including one with mezcal served in a pineapple; and a version with rose, strawberries, and cherries.

Centro Trattoria & Bar

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There is a longtime love affair with Italian food in the Hamptons, but even the most well-heeled diners have been balking at high prices. Head a little west to Hampton Bays and costs are a bit gentler at this popular spot where a large chunk of wild salmon is $35; and shrimp Francese with parmesan risotto or veal sorrentino with prosciutto, mozzarella and eggplant are each $39. Sunday nights are particularly fun, when a pianist croons to Sinatra tunes.

Centro patio in Montauk.
The exterior of Centro in Montauk.
Centro.

The Chequit

Built in 1872 as a meeting hall, the dining room at this iconic hotel that played host to Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller, has an expansive outdoor seating area and large wooden center bar with an antique billiard table. Asian and tavern dishes share a menu that ranges from an extensive sushi selection to filet mignon and lobster rolls.

Sí Sí Mediterranean Restaurant

If you are looking for an ideal sunset perch, this Mediterranean within EHP resort offers one of the best panoramic views over the marina at Three Mile Harbor.  Start with something from the raw bar, crispy soft shells, or za’atar roasted cauliflower, and move on to day boat scallops with leek vinaigrette or tamarind braised short ribs. The branzino is an oversized showstopper (but it does carry a $95 fee), and the more modest lamb burger with smoked feta will awaken any jaded palate.

El Tacobar

Laurent Tourondel’s burger restaurant on Sag Harbor’s Main Street morphed into a cantina this season with dishes like lobster and corn tucked into homemade soft tortillas with chiles, smoked pork, and pineapple-jicama pico. Bowls with a base of either cumin green rice or cauliflower rice can be topped with carne asada, chicken asada or glazed pork belly, among other options.

The Blend at Three Mile Harbor

It’s hard to find a good restaurant in the area that’s still a bit under the radar, but this homey and unassuming spot in a house next to Three Mille Harbor is popular with locals, but still fairly undiscovered by visitors. Tuna and swordfish from Montauk are perfectly grilled and amped with Asian flavors. Local duck is presented with dried fruit, wild rice, and a mixed berry coulis. And ravioli comes stuffed with mushroom and served with truffle burrata. Every Wednesday the Blend has steak night: $45 for a choice of cuts, including a 16-ounce ribeye and rack of lamb, along with two sides.

A sliced steak with sauces.
Steak at the Blend.
The Blend

Sant Ambroeus East Hampton

After years in Southampton, the Milanese restaurant that has also become popular in New York and Palm Beach, opened an intimate location in East Hampton on the bones of the legendary Babette’s.  Along with menu items like the spaghetti pomodoro and veal Milanese, there are new Hamptons creations including casarecce with tuna ragout; ravioli with Swiss chard, ricotta ravioli, wild herbs and aged Parmigiano-Reggiano; and a lobster roll with brioche.

A white bowl of spaghetti in red sauce with a basil garnish on top.
Spaghetti from Sant Ambroeus.
Sant Ambroeus

Buttero

Maurizio Marfoglia has a hot restaurant in practically every Hampton hamlet and his latest is this Italian steakhouse with a huge tree- and flower-filled outdoor area.  Meats include a Berkshire pork chop, and 45 ounce steak Florentine that feeds three, while a whole Maine lobster enhances linguini with spicy tomato sauce.

LouLou La Plage

The Maidstone hotel’s dining room has been co-opted this summer by the owners of Chelsea bistro, Loulou, and its signatures like duck leg confit, petit poulet roti with purple potatoes and steak au poivre, as well as cocktails served in bird-shaped glasses, have all come along for the ride. Check out the landscaped secret garden out back.

Highway

It might look like an unassuming spot off the main road, but this New American owned by Toms Hospitality (Charlie Bird, Pasquale Jones, Shuko) has a chic interior with black and white photos hanging above upholstered banquettes, and a crowd of heavy hitters who jones for its crab and papaya salad with mint, cilantro, peanuts and lemongrass; and crispy spit-roasted chicken presented on a cutting board.

Pierre's

Open 365 days a year, the cozy bistro with a bakery up front and market next door has become a regular kitchen for residents as well as visitors who enjoy staples like roast chicken or rack of lamb as well as nightly specials such as  bouillabaisse. Vegetarians can make a plate by selecting 4 items from the extensive list of sides, and local grilled tuna is so tender you don’t need a knife to cut it. Though prices are in line with other top Hamptons spots, a massive lobster at $60 is a relative bargain.  Save room for the oversized macaron filled with fresh raspberries and cream.

Bistro Ete

Cordon Bleu trained chef Arie Pavlou has been wowing diners with coastal French cuisine ranging from escargot to steak he dry ages himself.  Local striped bass gets a champagne truffle sauce, and zucchini noodles swim in a zesty pomodoro that can be topped with wild shrimp.  Fridays there are specials of foie gras (which comes with a complimentary glass of wine), and charcoal rotisserie chicken, that can also be picked up and enjoyed at home. The Hamptons most pampered pups have a menu of their own here, complete with truffles and peanut butter coconut ice cream.

Naia Restaurant and Lounge Hamptons

Tucked in the Capri Hotel with an outdoor terrace and view of the pool, this Mediterranean spot has expertly prepared Greek classics, from mezze, grilled octopus and tomato salad, to charcoal grilled lavraki and lamb chops.  The chef also turns out some succulent lobster options including Cobb salad and pasta with the popular crustacean.

A spread of dishes across a white tablecloth.
A spread at Naia.
Naia

Manna at Lobster Inn

For decades the unassuming shack at the entrance to Southampton was a New England style fish house with simple chowders and crustaceans, but this season Drew Hiatt, who was formerly executive chef at Jean Georges Vongerichten’s Topping Rose, took over the kitchen and upped the ante. Now, there are appetizers such as lobster burrata toast with peas, radish and lemon-ginger vinaigrette; or wagyu beef tartare on crunchy sushi rice with pickled chiles; a raw bar with options like burnt scallop sashimi with flower vinaigrette, and entrees that include striped bass with smoke-chili vinaigrette. 

A high-walled, stainless steel pot is filled with lobster, shrimp, sausage, oysters, and clams.
A lobster boil from Manna at Lobster Inn.
Manna at Lobster Inn

T Bar Southampton

The Upper East Side watering hole’s eastern outpost has a buzzy back patio and many of the favorite dishes, like chopped salad, thin crust pizza, crispy sushi and  have made the transition from the city.  A steak bar features a black Angus porterhouse that serves a crew, and there is a burger bar with Pat LaFrieda beef and turkey. Herbivores should sample the toothsome vegan farro risotto.

The outside of T Bar has striped awnings and white seating.
The exterior of T Bar in Southampton.
T Bar

75 Main St

From A Rod to Sofia Vergara, boldfaces flock to this popular spot in the middle of Southampton that is the subject of the reality show, Serving the Hamptons.  Fried calamari is so crispy you can hear the crunch; steamed little neck clams are made heartier with the addition of salami; and the Super Bowl salad with sugar snaps, kale, avocado, toasted hemp seeds and quinoa is a satisfying mix of tastes and textures that can be topped with grilled salmon, tuna, shrimp or chicken.  Even when the cameras aren’t rolling, watching the crowd on Main Street is pure theater.

El Verano

Julian Medina and partner Meghan Manzi expanded to the Hamptons this summer with the opening of this high-end Mexican restaurant a prime corner in Southampton. Among dishes, local greens with jicama and almonds are drizzled with an avocado mint dressing; lobster is wrapped in a homemade corn tortilla and dressed with a peanut salsa; and Long Island duck is slow roasted with a tamarind-chocolate habanero glaze and served with lettuce cups.  There are lots of margaritas to accompany the food, including one with mezcal served in a pineapple; and a version with rose, strawberries, and cherries.

Related Maps

Centro Trattoria & Bar

There is a longtime love affair with Italian food in the Hamptons, but even the most well-heeled diners have been balking at high prices. Head a little west to Hampton Bays and costs are a bit gentler at this popular spot where a large chunk of wild salmon is $35; and shrimp Francese with parmesan risotto or veal sorrentino with prosciutto, mozzarella and eggplant are each $39. Sunday nights are particularly fun, when a pianist croons to Sinatra tunes.

Centro patio in Montauk.
The exterior of Centro in Montauk.
Centro.

Related Maps