Whether boating up to the dock or bellying up to the bar, these restaurants feed the summertime beast and hit all the right notes with outstanding views, elegant settings, casual atmospheres and amazingly satisfying eats.
Captain Bill’s
122 Ocean Ave., Bay Shore • 631-665-6262 • www.captainbills.com
A waterfront restaurant on the South Shore of the Island, Captain Bill’s sits in the Bay Shore Marina with expansive ocean views and exquisite sunsets, making dining a summertime breeze.
Prime
117 North New York Ave., Huntington • 631-385-1515 • www.restaurantprime.com
With dining settings including the Fantail Deck, The Porch and Dockside Dining, Prime offers the latest trends in cuisine and dining with is a first-choice dining destination for any taste.
Wall’s Wharf
18 Greenwich Ave., Bayville • 516-628-9696 • www.wallswharf.com
Bayville boasts some of the best sunset vistas on the island, so it’s no suprise that Wall’s Wharf packs in the crowds during outdoor dining season. Waterfront history teems in the atmosphere and the food.
The Lake House
135 Maple Ave., Bay Shore • 631-666-0995 • www.thelakehouserest.com
The Lake House is a dockside treasure offers stunning views to complement an upscale menu that goes well beyond standard fare with dishes prepared by
some the island’s brightest kitchen talents.
Smuggler Jack’s
157 Forest Ave., Massapequa • 516-798-6000 • www.smugglerjacks.com
Smuggler Jack’s brings outdoor elegance to the casual dinner vibe with waterside dining all-year long so the party never stops.
Harbor Mist
105 Harbor Rd., Cold Spring Harbor • 631-659-3888 • www.harbormistrestaurant.com
Harbor Mist offers panoramic views in an indoor and outdoor setting while guests dine on premier cuisines, including fresh seafood and prime meats.
American Beauty Bistro
24 Central Ave., Massapequa • 516-590-7477 • www.americanbeautybistro.com
Casual and fully satisfying, American Beauty Bistro features a jovial staff serving carefully prepared food and drinks in a neighborhood saloon setting.
Butler’s Flat
86 Orchard Ave., Port Washington • 516-883-8330
This seasonal clam shack is located in Brewer Capri Marina West, offering a taste of the sea with a simple, yet robust menu of fried seafood favorites and lobster rolls.
Guajiro
95 Manorhaven Blvd., Port Washington • 516-439-5577 • www.guajirorestaurant.com
Guajiro preserves the culture, tradition and authenticity of Cuban cuisine while adding contemporary elements to classics like mofongo, ropa vieja and pernil.
The Wild Goose
75 Main St., Port Washington • 516-441-5505 • www.thewildgooseli.com
From the mind of the executive chief of Locust Valley’s Brass Rail and Sea Cliff’s Heirloom comes The Wild Goose, a gastro pub with a daring menu of dynamic eats.
Diwan
37 Shore Rd., Port Washington • 516-439-4200 • www.facebook.com/Diwan-Restaurant
This Indian restaurant sits perched upon Shore Road with an unmatched view of the harbor and family-style Indian cuisine that brightens the palate.
Bosphorus Cafe Grill
138 Shore Rd., Port Washington • 516-321-999 • www.bosphoruscafegrill.com
A Mediterranean restaurant specializing in Turkish cuisine, Bosphorus brings international authenticity to the locals with signature dishes and a well-rounded dining experience.
Lost And Found
951 West Beech St., Long Beach • 516-442-2606 • www.facebook.com/LostandFoundLBNY
This hard-to-find storefront is a bit of a local secret. Casual, rustic and friendly in all the right spots, Lost And Found is great for couples and small groups, but be sure to make reservations.
Swingbelly’s Beachside BBQ
909 West Beech St., Long Beach • 516-431-3404 • www.swingbellysbbq.com
Don’t expect to eat light at a place called Swingbellys. The meat is cooked long, slow, low and lovingly in a pit rotisserie fueled by hickory, cherry and apple woods. Just about everything here is made from scratch—and be sure to try the award-winning wings.
Gatsby’s Landing
1362 Old Northern Blvd., Roslyn • 516-277-2318 • www.gatsbyslanding.com
Views of the pond coming into play here as well, with Gatsby’s Landing offering a stylish and sophisticated menu of New American cuisine that is creative, seasonal and organic.
Lola
113A Middle Neck Rd., Great Neck • 516-466-5666 • www.restaurantlola.com
Lola brings Manhattan sophistication to the streets of Great Neck with eclectic Mediterranean cuisine in a setting that is all-together comforting while boasting an ambiance of urban chic.
The View Grill
111 Lattingtown Rd., Glen Cove • 516-200-9603 • www.viewgrill.com
Overlooking Long Island Sound at the Glen Cove Golf Course, is a classy American eatery with signature dishes regulars clamor for, including the Konrad Burger,
a burger quesadilla.
Oak Room Tavern
242 Sea Cliff Ave., Sea Cliff • 516-277-2350 • www.oakroomtavernseacliff.com
Located in the charming 19th century seaside village, Oak Room Tavern is a small pocket of delight—a classic neighborhood restaurant with great food and boundless history.
Anchor Down
1960 Bayberry Ave., Merrick • 516-544-4334 • www.anchordownny.com
All of the seafood favorites are well-represented at Anchor Down, including an oyster selection, littleneck clams, jumbo lump crab cake and mussels. Check out Anchor Down’s blackboard for daily specials.
Thyme
8 Tower Pl., Roslyn • 516-625-2566 • www.thymenewyork.com
Facing the tranquil Roslyn Duck Pond, Thyme’s quaint appearance belies the exciting culinary artistry inside. Large expansive windows and outdoor dining bring relaxing views to an overall comforting experience.
Naples Street Food
970 Hempstead Tpke., Franklin Square • 516-673-4630 • www.facebook.com/NaplesStreetFood081
A magnificent, wood-fired oven cooks more than 20 varieties of authentic, outstanding pizza at Naples Street Food. Pies include Marinara (tomato sauce, garlic, oregano, basil) and Margherita (tomato sauce, mozzarella, basil), along with a pizze blanche (no tomato sauce) side of the menu, with the Aurora featuring buffalo mozzarella topped with arugula, prosciutto di parma, shaved Parmesan and truffle oil.
Read our full review of Naples Street Food
Fat Ernie’s Cheesesteak Co.
249-24 Jericho Tpke., Floral Park • 516-216-5223 • www.faterniescheesesteaks.com
Fat Ernie’s lets you build your own cheesesteak, with rib-eye or chicken, plus toppings—everything from hot cherry peppers to sautéed mushrooms—and nine cheeses including provolone and Whiz cheddar cheese sauce. The lean meat develops a flavorful crust on the flat top and the cheese sauce permeates throughout each bite with that singular zesty flavor only found in Whiz.
Read our full review of Fat Ernie’s
Lido Kosher Deli
Lido Kosher Deli, 641 1/2 E. Park Ave., Long Beach • 516-431-4411 • www.lidokosherdeli.com
Lido churns out homemade, Jewish comfort food like matzo ball soup, knishes, latkas and hot dogs that snap with each bite. The eatery’s menu overflows with dinner specials like Roumanian tenderloin, roasted spring chicken and tongue polonaise; combination sandwiches like Bonni’s Best, a triple decker with pastrami, corned beef and fresh turkey. Lido’s sliced brisket is otherworldly in its lusciousness.
Biscuits & Barbeque
106 East 2nd St., Mineola • 516-493-9797 • www.biscuitsandbarbeque.com
This diminutive diner car-turned Cajun colossus boasts some of the island’s best barbecue, with finger licking ribs, po’boys and a rotating menu specials. The Dixie Southern Fried Chicken & Waffles is about as authentic as it gets in Nassau, with buttermilk fried chicken, maple syrup and two kinds of butter—raspberry and honey.
Read our full review of Biscuits and Barbeque
LL Dent
221 Old Country Rd., Carle Place • 516-742-0940 • www.lldent.com
Any search for a little soul-food flair on Long Island begins with LL Dent, where fried chicken is built on a solid foundation of tradition, with the chef’s own style shining through in a crisp smack of sage, rosemary and thyme. This proprietary blend of seasonings provides depth, with the chef’s honey, jalapeño and habanero concoction—dubbed “Sweet Jesus Sauce”—kicking in a shot of sweet-spicy vigor.
Roast Sandwich House
1040 S. Broadway, Hicksville • 516-261-9376
827 Walt Whitman Rd., Melville • 631-629-4869 • www.roastsandwichhouse.com
Roast’s menu consists of sandwiches, soups, salads and more, prepared fresh and made-to-order. All meat is whole roasted in-house. One of the top sellers at Roast, the braised brisket grilled cheese is an all-day affair, with the meat swimming in its own flavorful juices hours before it hits the Cheddar, Swiss, Havarti and country white bread.
Read our full review of Roast
Woodcleft Crab Shack
150 Woodcleft Ave., Freeport • 516-868-6198 • www.woodcleftcrabshack.com
The Woodcleft Crab Shack, established in 1978, has been owned and operated by the Drosinos family since day one and their commitment to quality has made Crab Shack the Nautical Mile’s most endearing spot. The Zupa di Mare is a belly-filling pasta dish with shrimp, scallops, calamari, clams and mussels. The Crab Shack warms the heart while satisfying the hunger—and don’t forget the garlic bread.
Burger City
1900 Hempstead Tpke., East Meadow • 516-385-3355 • www.burgercityli.com
Located in a shopping center parking lot on Hempstead Turnpike, this small shack slings burgers, hot dogs and knishes along with a killer black & white shake. The burgers—fresh, never frozen—are affordable (about $2) with chopped onions, thick-cut pickles and ketchup, served on potato buns—the perfect vehicle for any burger.
