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It’s no secret that the Hamptons offers some of the best dining experiences you can find in the U.S. Hamptons clientele can be demanding, and these best restaurants in the Hamptons have risen to the challenge. We’ve sampled the offering and surveyed locals and frequent visitors to put together this list so you know where to find the best cuisine.
The Hamptons is a big place, so we’ve broken up this guide into town or area (because people who are eating in Montauk probably aren’t eating in Southampton). We’ve given all of the insider tips and strategies to keep reservations because at least during Memorial Day to Labor Day there actually needs to be some strategizing to get a table.
Montauk
Duryea’s
Long gone are the days when Duryea’s was a simple deck serving lobster rolls. It’s grown up and fancy these days, but you can still get a lobster roll. It’s probably the most upscale reservation for a lobster roll (and upscale does also mean a higher price tag of about US$50) – but the lobster roll is actually absolutely magnificent (we think it’s one of the best lobster rolls in the Hamptons).
It doesn’t stop there with Duryea’s: it’s one of the most beautiful settings in the area which is why it’s one of the best restaurants in the Hamptons. If you need more more than a lobster roll, their Cobb salad is delightful (naturally, you can ask for it with lobster). Get your lobster Cobb salad, white wine, and let the magic of the setting (and hopefully the sunset) do the rest of the work.
Skip the dinner rush and get a late lunch instead. You’ll get to watch the boats come in and the sun go down.
Duryea’s is also a great spot for big groups, though you should fully expect to wait (even more than an hour) if you haven’t booked in advance during the busy times.
The Crow’s Nest
The Crow’s Nest is effortlessly cool; it is undoubtedly one of the best restaurants in the Hamptons and not just because of the culinary delights that you get to eat, but also because the restaurant turns into a party after dinner much like you’d expect in Mykonos. If that’s not enough for you, sunset dinners at The Crow’s Nest rival even those in the Greek Islands. The experience is enchanting, and it truly never fails to set the heart at ease.
Every dish the team at The Crow’s Nest serves is well balanced, beautifully presented and just delicious, but you absolutely must try the lobster tagliatelle (yes, lobster again). Before or after dinner, you can walk yourself to the beach bar area which perfect for an evening nightcap and soak in the scenic waterside views.
There isn’t really a booking system at The Crow’s Nest, so arrive early (4-5 pm) and check in so you can get a table at a reasonable hour.
Maverick’s
Overlooking Fort Pond, Maverick’s is the wild child of Montauk. It’s a “steak place” (as their marketing team calls it) and they go the whole way with that concept: you pick your own knife to cut your steak. Apparently there is something deeply satisfying about choosing your own knife to rip into a New York Strip with.
We won’t sugar coat it: the service can be hit or miss, but they also serve excellent martinis so you might not be too bothered about that pretty quickly. Otherwise, Maverick’s is one of the best restaurants in the Hamptons for its upscale seating, perfectly grilled meat and (get ready) shockingly good kimchi fried rice.
What locals and frequent visitors alike really love about Maverick’s is that it feels a bit like you’re at a resort; spectacular sunsets, picturesque expansive water views, and that feeling of being somewhere where you know everyone else would rather be. Save room for the pecan pot pie because it’s just so great.
Gosman’s
Gosman’s is located at the edge of Montauk Harbor so it’s usually paired with a leisurely walk before or after your meal. In many ways, Gosman’s represents the original Montauk experience (read: before the Hamptons became the haunt of the rich and famous). You can still get a lobster roll to go if that’s all you need, but sitting down at the restaurant (for lunchtime, in particular) is the right move.
If you ask anyone who lives, or has lived or visited (and maybe even will live and will visit), they will know and respect Gosman’s. The views are spectacular (it’s easy when you’re dining virtually on the water), the menu is extensive and includes plenty of dishes which feature lobster just as locals like, and the staff are absolutely wonderful.
Scarpetta Beach at Gurney’s
Located within Gurney’s Montauk Resort, Scarpetta Beach has been described as the place where you go when you want to feel like a Kardashian for the night. If you go to Scarpetta at night, head to the fire pit for a DJ and dancing in the way the Hamptons does best. The vibe is unparalleled, and it’s one of the quintessential experiences you should have in the Hamptons.
Make sure to request an outdoor table so you can get a prime view of the sea – and potentially the party that you’ll want to join.
Pasta is one of the chef’s specialities, so you will absolutely not be disappointed with a pasta dish. If you’re having trouble, try the pappardelle for hearty Italian experience.
Amagansett and East Hampton
Sí Sí
Sí Sí gets it right on all fronts. It’s like the team was so inspired by Mediterranean dining that they searched the whole of the Hamptons for the right space and then replicated the Mediterranean dining experience in all its glory. The restaurant sits right on Three Mile Harbor in Springs which is the northern part of East Hampton.
The menu is pan-Mediterranean so you’ll find that fun mix of everything from baba ghanoush to octopus Mediterranean style (think grilled on an open hearth) to za’atar roasted cauliflower. If you can’t go one meal without lobster, don’t fret, Sí Sí has a lobster Cobb salad which is knockout.
It’s extra cool because you can also get to the restaurant by yacht (maybe dock further away if you’re arriving by boat). Sí Sí is made for long dinners that start early, go through sunset and end late. You’ll be too comfortable and relaxed to leave, having eaten ridiculously good food at one of the best restaurants in the Hamptons with one of the best views in the area.
il Buco al Mare
It’s true that Amagansett generally offers some of the best upscale dining in the Hamptons, and nowhere captures that experience quite as well as il Buco al Mare. The restaurant draws from ingredients mostly sourced in the local area (including from some of the incredible farm stands in the area), but then the chefs turn it into something great.
We have to mention their burrata which is just so wonderfully done that it may be a good enough reason on its own to pay il Buco al Mare a second visit. The restaurant is inspired by its sister restaurant in Ibiza which has its own reputation for great times and amazing food, and il Buco al Mare manages to do the same in the Hamptons.
Beyond the food, il Buco al Mare’s wine list is something special on its own. They have put together a short list of treasures that will keep you excited and interested, sourced from wine regions throughout Italy, Spain and France (and maybe one or two from the Hamptons, just for good measure).
Nick & Toni’s
Another Italian-inspired institution in the Hamptons, Nick & Toni’s has been serving the top cadre of Hamptons frequenters for decades – and they’ve been doing it very well. Nick & Toni’s is loud, a scene, crowded, energetic, fun; in short, it’s everything you want the Hamptons to be, and it is absolutely one of the best restaurants in the Hamptons.
The truth of the matter is that getting a reservation at Nick & Toni’s is no easy feat. You have to make sure you have booked well in advance, know the right person, or turn up right when they open and charm the front of house staff. It might seem ridiculous, but this is a restaurant where you might find yourself rubbing shoulders with some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry.
Everyone is going to recommend the zucchini fritti (they are wonderful and you will order another round), but the secret showstopper is the crispy eggplant which is cooked to perfection.
One thing we want to say is that Nick & Toni’s sounds, looks and even feels expensive and fancy, but it’s not actually the experience they’re serving. The atmosphere is warm, inviting and nobody is going to make you feel like you don’t belong.
Fini
Some will be disappointed that a pizza restaurant with locations in New York City is considered one of the best restaurants in the Hamptons, but Fini delivers a unique addition to the Hamptons lifestyle that nobody else has quite replicated. It’s very popular with locals who will gladly wait in line for a slice of this perfectly made pizza.
The whole concept of Fini is casual playfulness, and the Hamptons needs a little bit of that. There is something extremely satisfying about excellent pizza in a relaxed environment, and Fini does that every time. When you’re ready to give into the urge of an excellent pizza, Fini is ready to offer its services.
Special Mention for Lobster Rolls
LUNCH
If we were religious, we would probably describe the lobster roll at LUNCH as something akin to a revelation or a spiritual experience – or, at the least, a pilgrimage. LUNCH is the quintessential lobster roll eatery and is one of our top picks for best lobster rolls in the Hamptons.
If you’re really struggling to get a table or you don’t have time to wait, go in between lunch and dinner (3-5 pm) and you’ll almost always get a lobster roll quickly. It’s an awkward time, but at least you have a much higher chance of not spending lunchtime queuing.
Clam Bar
Virtually just across the road from LUNCH is Clam Bar which has cemented its position as one of the best restaurants in the Hamptons. You’ll get an incredibly tasty lobster roll (or any other seafood) in a setting with super fun décor and a great vibe.
If you want the best lobster on something other than a brioche roll, the lobster BLT at the Clam Bar is made to perfection. Frankly, Clam Bar never disappoints. The atmosphere and ambiance of a place absolutely does affect the quality of a meal, and the Clam Bar gets it right.
Bridgehampton
Bridgehampton Inn
What’s funny about the Bridgehampton Inn is that if you’ve ever visited the Hamptons you’ll probably have driven by the building, appreciated how pretty it is, and continued on your way elsewhere. But if stopped, you’d have experienced one of the most immaculate culinary experiences that the Hamptons has to offer.
If we had to choose the best of the best restaurants in the Hamptons right now, Bridgehampton Inn might just be it. The team delivers an impossibly perfect yet laidback experience with stunningly good food that will keep you coming back for more. It’s located in a charming historic inn which takes overnight guests so they even offer a very satisfying breakfast.
It’s tough to get it right, but it’s near impossible to get it this right, and somehow Bridgehampton Inn manages it. You’ll love everything from the ambiance to local ingredients to the manicured cocktails.
Pierre’s
Of course there is a French restaurant in the Hamptons, and of course it’s in Bridgehampton. Pierre’s is an institution in Bridgehampton, serving up some of the best food in the Hamptons in a modest environment which puts the focus squarely on the food. The team does fabulous things with local and imported ingredients which combine to make special flavors that you can’t easily find elsewhere.
I’m not convinced that you’ll get the best service, but you will absolutely get an amazing meal. You’ll want to book in advance because Pierre’s gets booked up very quickly during peak season. When you find something good, you stick to it. And that’s what Hamptons locals do with Pierre’s.
Arthur & Son’s
If you’re looking for one of the better indoor atmospheres in the Hamptons, Arthur & Son’s is ready to sweep you up and take you on an Italian-American journey of comfort foods. You’ll notice there’s a whole section of their menu labelled “the parms.” Take heed: these are absolutely delicious, but they are huge. The chicken parm is obviously the most popular, but you can’t really go wrong.
Arthur & Son’s delivers Italian family-style dining at its finest. But that’s not to say it’s fine dining; just that the food is at its finest. And when you’re eating that parm and thinking “can’t stop, won’t stop,” get yourself a glass of one of their fine selection of Italian whites to wash it down.
Jean-Georges at Topping Rose House
This truly is a special place in the Hamptons. Jean-Georges at Topping Rose House (Topping Rose for short) is a luxurious dining experience housed in a beautiful resorted mansion that makes you want to look your best. The team presents farm-to-table dishes using ingredients sourced from local farmers and fishermen that feel polished and considered.
The only thing to note is that there are limited vegetarian options. Aside from that, everything you order will be absolutely fantastic, which is why this is one of the best restaurants in the Hamptons.
Special Mention for Coffee
Java Nation
Java Nation is simply the place to be when it comes to coffee shops in the Hamptons. It’s surprising how quickly Bridgehampton locals and frequent visitors are to sing the praises of Java Nation, but it really is a space that captures the type of vibe that the Hamptons exudes. You probably won’t see a sign outside, but you’ll see plenty of people inside once you find it and that should be sufficient validation.
They also have excellent baked goods (because you do need a chocolate donut in the morning), and you can even smell the beans near the roaster in the back. It’s the OG coffee shop in the Hamptons – there’s no pretence to worry about, but behind the scenes the team takes their coffee very seriously.
Thankfully, the price of their coffee and baked goods is decidedly quite un-Hamptons (read: it’s actually affordable). Also, if you order the “red eye,” expect to be bouncing off the walls.
Sag Harbor
Sag Harbor is a particularly special part of the Hamptons. There is so a lot more to do in Sag Harbor than meets the eye, and this little pocket of the Hamptons has such a large concentration of innovative and delicious restaurants that we’ve written a whole separate article on the best restaurants in Sag Harbor.
Le Bilboquet
Le Bilboquet is the ultimate upscale lunch spot in Sag Harbor and is a little slice of the French Riviera lifestyle in the Hamptons. There’s no doubt that this is the restaurant to see and be seen, but we can confirm that it isn’t just the impossibly cool vibe which makes it one of the best restaurants in the Hamptons, but also the stunningly good food.
One might call this the impossible reservation to get in the Hamptons given the very healthy celebrity appearances at Le Bilboquet, including what Hamptons locals will call “Bravo-lebrities” (for the uninitiated, Bravo-lebrities are personalities who have come to fame by way of programs on Bravo).
Beacon
Beacon is an upscale restaurant that combines waterfront views, excellent food and a (surprisingly?) cool bar scene. It’s perched right on the harbor which means you get all of the joy and calmness that comes with the impressive water views. Make sure to get a table on the deck so you can experience the special brand of Hamptons magic which makes Beacon so wonderful.
Beacon is only open in the summer, but the group has sister restaurants (including the Bell & Anchor) that are open year round. There’s always a lively crowd towards the end of the evening with lots of regulars that give it a particular vibe. Make sure to stay a little bit after dinner so you can enjoy the whole experience that is Beacon.
Tutto il Giorno
If Le Bilboquet is the place to see and be seen for lunch, the same might be said of Tutto il Giorno for the evening. But at Tutto, you’re here for the scene and the incredible Italian food. The restaurant is designed beautifully with a boho theme (and that makes sense given it’s connected to Urban Zen, a stunning luxury lifestyle store founded by Donna Karan).
And for good measure, the staff are always impeccable in their service and will go out of their way to make your time at Tutto special. The crowd at Tutto is typically older but don’t confuse that for being slow.
The ambience is amazing with all the hustle and liveliness that you want out of a good night out in the Hamptons. Tutto also has a bar area that is perfect if you can’t get in for dinner. Stop by before or after your dinner at another restaurant just to soak up that characteristic Tutto vibe.
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