The last stop on the LIRR and the last of the Hamptons towns, Montauk has attracted quite the crowd during the high summer season in recent years. At the most eastern point of Long Island, the trek out to Montauk can take up to 4 hours depending on the time of day you leave. This is especially true during the peak summer weekends when Manhattan residents take advantage of Summer Friday hours. Once in Montauk, there is a plethora of places to enjoy waterfront dining, sunset cocktails, or a casual bite.
What are the best restaurants in Montauk?
CROW’S NEST
The Crow’s Nest is the perfect destination for a group dinner with friends. The New-American style restaurant has great shareables, from whipped ricotta to mezze platters. The interior is eclectic and welcoming but during a warm summer evening, try and grab a table outside on the lawn under bistro lights. The Crow’s Nest does not take reservations and works on a first-come, first-served basis so plan accordingly. If there is a wait, head down across the lawn to the outdoor bar area right on Lake Montauk for drinks around the fire pit or under a wooden cabana.
NAVY BEACH
A great place to catch the sunset, Navy Beach is a laidback and casual spot right on the bay. Reservations can be made via Resy and are required to get seated. The menu is seafood heavy but also offers a lot of non-seafood options. With a group, there are a lot of shareables and it’s also a great spot for families with casual bites and plenty of room for the little ones to run around.
JONI’S
A casual eatery near the beach in Montauk, Joni’s has plenty of healthy options from sandwiches and wraps to salads and smoothies. There are a couple of outdoor picnic tables out front but seating is limited. Pick up a casual bite to eat to go in during a beach day or stop by in the morning for one of their breakfast wraps. It can get busy so be prepared to wait in line.
SCARPETTA BEACH
Located in the Gurney’s resort in Montauk, Scarpetta Beach is a delicious option for pasta and Italian fare. There are both indoor or outdoor dining but on a nice summer night, opt for a table on the patio overlooking the beach. Reservations can be made via Sevenrooms and are highly recommended. Their signature pastas won’t disappoint – the short rib and bone marrow agnolotti is a favorite. Get to the reservation early and grab a drink at the Gurney’s outdoor bar around a fire pit overlooking the beach.
DURYEA’S LOBSTER DECK
No visit to Montauk is complete without a stop to Duryea’s. The waterfront restaurant gets extremely busy and for good reason – nothing beats their famous lobster cobb salad, a shared bottle of rose, and sunset views of the bay. (For anyone not familiar, the lobster cobb is a very generous portion – it’s enough salad to share among 4 people plus some bites.) The crowd it draws and the vibe of the outdoor dining experience draws on a European summer – or as close as you’ll get without leaving the country.
SEL RROSE
The Montauk outpost of Manhattan’s Lower East Side restaurant Sel RRose serves up raw bar and seafood small bites. There are also larger plates for dinner with both options from land and sea. There are tables inside in the main dining area, the bar area, and outdoor seating. The décor is light and airy, mostly in white with marble accents and hints of rose. It’s a great option for an aperitivo or a group dinner with your girl friends.
CLAM BAR
In Amagansett on the way out to Montauk, the Clam Bar is a perfect no-frills spot for a casual lunch. Right off Montauk Highway, this roadside stand is the perfect pit stop after the beach. Order at the counter and grab a seat at the all-outdoor setting. It gets crowded so time your visit accordingly. The lobster roll here is pretty good but come here for the clam strips and clam chowder.
LOBSTER ROLL AKA LUNCH
Another causal seafood shack in Amagansett, Lobster Roll AKA Lunch serves up (as the name suggests) lobster rolls and other seafood items. Right down the street from Clam Bar and very much similar in style, order at the window and either grab a seat outside or take your food to go. It’s a great pit stop on the way into Montauk or for a casual lunch after the beach.
SURF LODGE
The Surf Lodge is a trendy hotel and restaurant located right on Fort Pond. It’s one of the most popular spots out in Montauk and garners a stylish crowd. People come here for a lively dinner, a great option for a group, and stay for a night out. The outdoor area features a bar, stage for live music, and a sandy lounge area. On Sunday’s, the Surf Lodge hosts a concert series for all those fighting the return to the city and the onset of the coming week.
LA FIN
La Fin is one of the latest adds to Montauk, a French farm-to-table kitchen overlooking the Montauk Harbor. Located in former Swallow East space, La Fin features a pretty healthy menu using fresh product from local farms and features seafood-heavy dishes.