Where to go for a delicious meal, a refreshing drink and a breathtaking VIEW
During the summer months, the warm weather, sunshine and cool ocean breezes beckon us to spend every minute outside—and that includes mealtimes. There’s nothing better than sharing delicious fare with good company. Fortunately, plenty of delightful eateries on the Gold Coast offer outdoor seating where you can do just that. Whether you’re looking for a place to enjoy a cocktail on a patio after work, a gourmet dinner overlooking the beach or a casual bite before heading to a concert, there are lots of outdoor dining options that enable you to make the most of every summer second.
La Bussola Ristorante
Enjoy the best of La Bussola’s Italian menu outside on their front patio. The space provides an intimate feel for diners looking for high-end cuisine. It’s the perfect place for seafood, a salad or sharing appetizers with friends, though it’ll be tough to decide as the menu seems endless and everything is cooked to perfection.
La Bussola Ristorante is located at 40 School Street in Glen Cove; www.labussolaristorante.com/glen-cove; 516-671-2100.
La Bottega
At the Roslyn location of this local staple, where you know you’ll get great food every time, patrons can dine alfresco on the intimate front patio. La Bottega is known for their salads and panini, but it’s also the perfect place for homemade pizza or gelato. On cooler days, guests can still enjoy outdoor dining as they’re warmed by overhead heaters and protected by a retractable awning. But come early, as the restaurant doesn’t accept reservations and gets busy quickly, especially on Thursdays through Sundays.
La Bottega is located at 1424 Old Northern Boulevard in Roslyn; www.labottegagourmet.com; 516-621-2685.
The Downtown Café
If you’re in the mood for a casual bite or want to relax over drinks with friends, The Downtown Café is the place to go. Their extensive menu, which includes chicken marsala, steak fajitas, burgers, salads and pizzas, offers something for everyone. Located in the heart of Glen Cove, the restaurant is within walking distance to both the stores and Downtown Sounds, Glen Cove’s summer concert series.
The Downtown Café is located at 4 School Street in Glen Cove;
www.downtowncafeandpizza.com; 516-759-2233.
Ocean
When you’re searching for the perfect spot for fabulous fare while watching a gorgeous sunset, Ocean is the place to go.
The aptly-named waterfront restaurant faces the Long Island Sound and is one of the North Shore’s most popular places because of its spectacular views.
Ocean features two restaurant levels. The main floor and second level, also called Ocean, offer a casual, fine-dining menu. Diners will find American cuisine with a focus on modern and beautifully designed seafood dishes that include various types of fish, as well as lobster and scallops. The third-level deck, called Sunset, is right for those looking for a more laid-back outdoor dining experience. It features an open-air kitchen, where guests can choose casual seafood, including grilled salmon burgers and clams. Diners can enjoy sushi on all levels.
The restaurant always fills up right around sunset, around 6:30 and 9 p.m., according to Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Matt Silver.
“We’re known for our sunsets,” Silver says. “We have the best sunsets in all the North Shore. There’s no better place to go.”
Ocean also features happy hour in the summer with half-price sushi and drinks on Mondays through Thursdays and lobster nights on Thursdays. Diners can relax to the sounds of a reggae band on Sundays from 2 to 6 p.m.
Ocean is located at 333 Bayville Avenue in Bayville;
www.cometotheocean.com; 516-628-3330.
The Shipwreck Tavern
The Shipwreck Tavern stands out for its nautical decor and beautiful views of the Long Island sound. Footsteps away from the beach and Bayville Adventure Park, this is a great spot to enjoy a bite as you hear seagulls chant and waves crash in the background. The restaurant has two outdoor decks (the Outlook Bar and Roof Deck), plus the Tiki Bar and Cafe, which serves tropical drinks in tiki glasses. You’ll feel like you’re at sea when you pair those drinks with fresh seafood from their summer menu, which offers baked clams, local oysters and tilapia.
The Shipwreck Tavern is located at 10 Bayville Avenue in Bayville; www.shipwreckpub.com; 516-628-2628.
Bar Frites
Bar Frites is a high-energy, welcoming restaurant with a delightful outdoor dining area, perfect for any time of day. Whether you’re looking for brunch, lunch, dinner or something in between, this Wheatley Plaza mainstay consistently provides diners delicious fare in a French-bistro environment. It scores extra points for the diverse menu, which includes everything from mussels, salads, frog legs and cheeseburgers.
Bar Frites is located at 400 Wheatley Plaza in Greenvale; www.pollrestaurants.com/restaurants/bar-frites; 516-484-7500.
Cipollini
Located in the Americana Manhasset shopping center, Cipollini Trattoria and Bar is a casual, Manhattan-style restaurant, perfect for getting fortified after shopping or for a cocktail after work or to celebrate a special occasion.
Dining outside is a delight at this inviting eatery. During warmer months, sun umbrellas come together to provide a shady canopy and natural elements and beautiful flowers immerse guests in a Mediterranean dining experience.
In cooler months, outdoor dining accommodations include heaters. At night, diners are greeted by a simple, elegant landscape of dark wood, warm lighting and crisp, white table linens.
Cipollini has gained a reputation for its array of contemporary Italian specialties. Whether you’re craving a savory salad, flavorful entrée or authentic brick-oven pizza, Cipollini offers high-quality fare that suits any taste.
Cipollini is located at 2110 Northern Boulevard in Manhasset;
www.poll restaurants.com/restaurants/cipollini; 516-627-7172.
