Coastal Charm and Culinary Excellence

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You’ve probably heard of the Hamptons, the destination favored by celebrities, influencers and vacationers simply wanting to chill on the beach. The Hamptons sit at the end of the island in an area known as the East End, providing an oceanside escape rich in farms, estates and history.

With a mix of communities like boho Ditch Plains and Montauk at the furthermost tip of the island to chic East Hampton and Amagansett, and historic Sag Harbor and Southampton, there’s somewhere to match everyone’s tastes be they shopping-oriented, foodie or simple relaxation.

You might be familiar with the Hamptons lifestyle from TV series like Sex in the City or the reality show Summer House. Or maybe you recall Something’s Gotta Give, the movie with the all-star cast of Jack Nicholson, Diane Keaton, Keanu Reeves and Frances McDormand, set in the Hamptons.

The Hamptons has been a popular go-to for generations as evidenced by the  fabulous estates and small cottages set along the area’s beautiful coast, making it a desirable (and beautiful) filming location.

Dining in the Hamptons

It comes as no surprise that the farms, vineyards and proximity to the ocean have attracted many chefs to stake their claim in the verdant Hamptons. Long Island corn and tomatoes are famous as are local clams, oysters and fish.

Wine is an integral part of dining here and the vineyards of the North Fork and South Fork have achieved acclaim with notable rosé, cabernet franc, merlot, chardonnay and sauvignon blanc, all benefiting from the maritime climate.

For diners visiting the Hamptons, there are many distinctive farm-to-table and sea-to-table choices. Beach vibes and locations color the newest offerings with many exciting pop-ups and openings including a notable vegan option. Here are some of the very best East End dining and drinking discoveries.

Read More: Hamptons Holiday: A New York Country Escape

Il Pellicano

Il Pellicano sits in a stand-alone house on the edge of Southampton’s town center. Taking over the former Blu Mar/Nello’s space, the restaurant and nightclub of Little Italy fame is helmed by James Beard award-winner Rocco DiSpirito (Union Pacific) and offers Italian dining with a  Hamptons orientation.

Weather permitting, patio tables offer prime spots for outdoor dining while the pretty indoor room features stunning architecture and a giant painting of a pelican. A well-curated menu shows off Long Island at its best with highly recommended sweet nut-crusted halibut as well as pastas with local clams and royal red shrimp.

Produce from area farms is dominant with simple but perfect tomatoes served on toast and Brussels sprouts smothered with creamy cashew sauce, accompanied by bone marrow. DiSpirito’s European sensibility carries over to appetizers like buttery jamón Iberico and marinated olives, and desserts that include tiramisu and burnt Basque cheesecake.

Libations sparkle here as well — the rich espresso martini is a work of art, made with 100% espresso. Il Pellicano’s wine list spans the globe with an emphasis on Italian varietals.

Bijoux

Behind Il Pellicano, Bijoux is a surprise nightclub where only “songs with words” are played and no shorts are allowed. Outdoor daybeds and cabanas are available for guests who might not be ready to dance the night away.

Uno Mas Tequila and Tacos

For a more casual dining experience, Uno Mas Tequila and Tacos has opened next to popular La Parmigiana in Southampton. The über-cute Mexican eatery is cozy with counter and table seating and a small cocktail bar. The earnest staff will help you decide which of their tacos or quesadillas to order – portions are large and you might want to consider sharing.

Among the options are carne asada, adobada (pork grilled on a spit), and grilled shrimp cooked and flavored with pineapple. Cocktails are spot-on Mexican with a potent pineapple-passionfruit margarita rimmed with tajin or the mangorita, two of the most popular. Non-Mexican choices and beer are also available. Look for a second location soon in Westhampton Beach.

Amalfi Coastal Kitchen and Cocktails

Owning a prized waterfront location, Amalfi Coastal Kitchen and Cocktails is a buzzy new spot by Ponquogue Bridge in Hampton Bays with indoor, porch and lawn seating. Restaurateurs Salvatore and Nina Biundo have taken their years of Southern Italian cooking at nearby Centro and created a friendly eatery that’s attractive for both date nights and family get-togethers.

Plan a visit to enjoy selections from the raw bar and the aptly named Private Plane to Amalfi cocktail, a potent combination of bourbon, Aperol, amaro and peach, as the sun sets in the distance.

Then grab your table for a selection of Italian-inflected Mediterranean dishes like Sicilian artichokes, chicken Milanese, clams oreganata, moussaka and linguine vongole.

Be sure to finish with a classic spumoni, here made with homemade pistachio ice cream as well as traditional chocolate and strawberrry. Patio seating overlooking Shinnecock Bay is in high demand, allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Read More: Tips For Visiting the Hamptons on a Budget

Sag Harbor Tavern

In the year-round village of Sag Harbor, Sag Harbor Tavern has taken over the American Legion space that formerly housed seafood restaurant Dockside. Keeping the popular outdoor seating and fire pits overlooking Sag Harbor’s marina, Sag Harbor Tavern offers a menu reminiscent of its sibling Red Hook Tavern in Brooklyn enlivened with Hamptons touches.

Everyone here orders the signature 45-day dry-aged cheeseburger and Coney Island-type cottage fries combinable with very-Hamptons-y dishes like Long Island fluke crudo or chopped kale salad. Wine selections range from nearby North and South Fork vineyards to others across the US and Europe.

The restaurant opens for lunch on weekends and is perfect for a meal and “Tavern” or “Temperance” cocktail prior to theater at its neighbor, Bay Street Theater.

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Il Buco al Mare

A seaside outpost of Manhattan’s popular Il Buco and Il Buco Alimentari, Il Buco al Mare offers a breezy dining option in Amagansett. Book ahead if you’re planning for an evening with a concert (or karaoke) at Stephen Talkhouse – the restaurant has both indoor and garden seating and is busy with families as well as groups of friends starting in the earlier dinner hours.

As in New York City, the menu is Italian in orientation but favors dishes befitting the Hamptons’ ocean setting. Octopus, fish, and crab are all prepared simply along with seasonal specials from the wood-burning oven.

Focaccias and tinned fish from Italy and the Iberian Peninsula also distinguish the menu. Meat eaters aren’t left out — the whole roasted chicken is a house specialty. Il Buco’s wine list is diverse with red, white, rose and orange selections that focus on coastal regions.  

Arthur & Sons

A Greenwich Village favorite, Arthur & Sons is a welcome addition for casual-chic, year-round dining in Bridgehampton. Already a celebrity favorite with its somewhat secluded location, Arthur & Sons has both a comfortably rustic indoor space and attractive outdoor seating in its Amalfi Terrace.

Michelin-starred chef Joe Isidori’s Italian comfort food reflects old-school New York Italian-American classics, cooking up signature dishes like meatballs with ricotta, spicy rigatoni alla vodka, and veal marsala along with Arthur & Sons specialties like Old School Sunday Gravy and “Spumoni My Way.”

Pair your meal with a glass of Chianti or a chilled limoncello, upholding another Italian tradition. A plus in the Hamptons, the restaurant stays open for dinner until 10pm. Outdoor heat lamps guarantee that the terrace will buzz late into the year.

Nikki’s Not Dog Stand

For something completely different, Nikki’s Not Dog Stand is paradise for vegans and vegetarians. The adorable 50s-style Sag Harbor newbie takes its inspiration from road stands across the country with décor right out of Grease.

The menu is all about road stand takeout food, from hot dogs and hamburgers to fries and shakes, all made with vegan ingredients. If you like hot dogs, a must is the Chicago Dog, done to Windy City perfection sans meat with sport peppers, tomatoes, and electric-green relish.

Burger choices include the New Mexican made with picante green chile sauce. Must-have add-ons are Nikki’s chili and white sweet potato fries. Instead of ordering a standard iced coffee, try Nikki’s espresso shake, a frothy concoction that’s thick and satisfying.

Ketchy Beach

Returning next spring at the Capri Hotel, Manhattan’s Ketchy Shuby transformed this year into Ketchy Beach. The vibe, crafted by Jamie Mulholland (Surf Lodge), is reminiscent of Ibiza or Cannes or perhaps the appropriately named host hotel, Capri.

With an attractive indoor restaurant as well as outdoor seating where a DJ spins, Ketchy Beach is the epitome of a restaurant “party,” complete with a pool, gardens and overnight accommodations.

While the location on County Road 39A may not sound like a beach – and it’s truly a distance from the shore itself – Ketchy Beach is secluded and landscaped to create a feeling of exclusivity and entertainment.

Order the sea bass or whatever the local fish of the day is, prepared exquisitely by James Beard honoree Sean Olnowich (Ketchy Shuby). Another seafood favorite, local crab, finds its way into bucatini. Non-seafood eaters and vegetarians have choices like beet tartare, truffle fries, roasted cauliflower, or chicken. A fun cocktail menu utilizes beachy ingredients like guava and pineapple.

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