Long Island’s culinary reputation continues to shine on the international stage, with more than two dozen local restaurants honored in Wine Spectator’s 2025 Restaurant Awards, announced on July 15.
The annual awards Program recognizes outstanding wine lists at restaurants across the world. This year, 3,811 restaurants across all 50 states and more than 80 countries have earned accolades, among them a standout group of establishments from across Nassau and Suffolk counties, including fine dining icons, modern steakhouses, and beloved neighborhood gems.
“A wine list is a restaurant’s identity in print, and this year’s Wine Spectator Restaurant Award winners reflect both deep knowledge and a passion for discovery,” said Marvin R. Shanken, editor and publisher of Wine Spectator. “We raise a glass to all our winners.”
Long Island’s honorees represent a wide range of styles, from historic inns and waterside destinations to sleek, contemporary hotspots known for wine-forward menus and knowledgeable staff.
The American Hotel in Sag Harbor continues its streak, earning a place on the list for the 44th consecutive year, having been one of the first restaurants ever honored when the awards began in 1981. Other East End Mainstays include Baron’s Cove, Lulu’s Kitchen & Bar, The 1700 House Restaurant & Inn, and The Palm East Hampton.
Western Suffolk and Nassau restaurants also made a strong showing. Top steakhouses such as Rothmann’s in East Norwich, Rare650 in Syosset, and Blackstone in Melville were recognized alongside Italian standouts, including King Umberto in Elmont, Osteria Umbra in Smithtown, and Jonathan’s Ristorante.
“In honor of receiving Wine Spectator Award of Excellence this year, every Wednesday we will be doing 50% off bottles of wine over $100!” said the restaurant’s Instagram page.
Several of the honored establishments, Blackstone, Insignia, Rare650, One10, Opus & The Halston, are all part of the Anthony Scotto Restaurants group, which was recognized across the board.
“We are incredibly honored to announce that all of Anthony Scotto’s Restaurants have been recognized with the prestigious Wine Spectator Award of Excellence,” said Vicki Colacicco, director of marketing for Anthony Scotto. “This award is a testament to our team’s passion, dedication, and commitment to offering an exceptional dining experience with a thoughtfully curated wine program. At each of our restaurants, we strive to pair outstanding cuisine with a diverse and high-quality wine selection that complements every guest’s palate. We thank Wine Spectator for this recognition and extend our deepest gratitude to our loyal guests and devoted staff who make achievements like this possible. We look forward to raising a glass together!”
Also among the honorees is Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas in Garden City, recognized for its curated and globally inspired wine offerings since 2019.
“We are honored to receive the prestigious Best of Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator again this year,” said Regan DeBenedetto, wine director at Spuntino. At Spuntino, we pride ourselves on providing a wine program that highlights all the major wine regions globally with multiple verticals and highly sought-after reserve wines. We host multiple interactive wine & culinary events each year and offer an expansive by-the-glass selection. Our goal is a distinguished yet approachable wine list and program that our guests can enjoy for every occasion.”
Another of the honorees is The Capital Grille in Garden City, which is celebrated for its extensive global wine selection. “This award reflects the dedication of our entire team, from our sommeliers who thoughtfully curate and care for our wine list, to our staff who train continuously to provide an outstanding experience for every guest. With more than 3,500 bottles and 350 selections from around the world, we’re proud to offer a wine selection that brings something special to every table. This recognition means the world to the entire team at The Capital Grille,” said Gabrial Valle, director of beverage strategy.
Michael Chien, the restaurant man and wine director at The 1770 House, also emphasized the collaborative nature of a successful wine program, “As Wine Director, I have the privilege and responsibility to oversee and curate the wine list on a daily basis but this award is really a recognition of the passion and dedication of the entire restaurant staff. Daily maintenance, staff training and menu inspiration are all pivotal to the success of our wine program. As we change and update the wine list, almost daily, it is often the team of hostesses who are tasked with this tedious job. As I work with our staff with training and wine knowledge, it’s the servers that are table side doing the wine service, presenting and pouring wine. The amount of stemware used throughout the night is tremendous. It takes a small army of support staff to wash and polish every single wine glass before it can be used for service. So, while often it is the wine director or sommelier that get the credit for a successful wine list and wine program, the credit must absolutely be shared with the entire staff.”
Here is the full list of Long Island winners for 2025:
- The American Hotel, Sag Harbor
- Baron’s Cove, Sag Harbor
- Bayberry, Islip
- Blackstone Steakhouse, Melville
- The Capital Grille, Garden City
- City Cellar Wine Bar & Grill, Westbury
- The Halston, Melville
- IMC Restaurant & Bar, Huntington
- Insignia Prime Steak & Sushi, Smithtown
- Jonathan’s Ristorante, Huntington
- King Umberto, Elmont
- La Parma II Italian Restaurant, Huntington
- Lulu Kitchen & Bar, Sag Harbor
- Morton’s, The Steakhouse, Great Neck
- North Fork Table and Inn, Southold
- One10 Modern Italian Steakhouse, Melville
- Osteria Umbra, Smithtown
- Piccolo Restaurant of Huntington, Huntington
- Rare650, Syosset
- Rothmann’s Steakhouse, East Norwich
- Seasons 52, Garden City
- Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas, Garden City
- Stone Creek Inn, East Quogue
- The 1770 House Restaurant & Inn, East Hampton
- The Palm, East Hampton
Each of these Restaurants earned either the Award of Excellence or Best Award of Excellence, designations that indicate strong wine programs curated to complement each restaurant’s menu. Award levels are based on factors including wine selection, pricing, presentation, and service.
As wine culture continues to grow across Long Island, from Montauk to Mineola, these restaurants prove the region’s commitment to excellence both on the plate and in the glass.
For a full list of award winners and to search by location, cuisine, or price point, visit https://www.winespectator.com/restaurants.
