The Best Restaurants In Montauk

You probably don’t need us to tell you that Montauk has changed quite a bit over the years. What used to be a sleepy surf town full of artists and fishermen has slowly turned into an extension of the West Village on summer weekends.

However, what you do possibly need us to tell you is what to eat when you’re out east. The changing Montauk scene does mean you’ll find plenty of city-based pop-ups and high-end restaurants, but the mainstay local spots also still keep this town running (and are where you’ll often find us). 

A quick note: it’s worth mentioning that with increased popularity comes increased prices. These days, you’d be hard-pressed to find something cheap out there—especially when it comes to hotels and fine dining. Our best advice? Book early. 

For our guide to restaurants in the rest of the Hamptons, click here.

THE SPOTS

New to Montauk in 2022, this year-round Italian restaurant and specialty grocer is a go-to for all your red sauce needs. Located in the former Tacombi space, this bright corner spot is the ideal stop to grab a cappuccino and charcuterie platter to take to the beach. Alternatively, book a table to bite into Neapolitan-style pizzas (the owners of Williamsburg’s L'industrie helped create the pizza menu), lasagna, extensive pasta options, plus a full cocktail list that will keep you snacking on crispy artichokes alongside negronis and espresso martinis.

Bird on the Roof feels like it was designed exclusively for folks who miss the city’s busy coffeeshops, eavesdropping while remote working, or just slightly overpaying for lattes and toast. This seasonal Aussie coffee shop offers third-wave espresso drinks, plus a sunny, chill cafe serving all types of brunch dishes. You can get things like housemade granola on coconut yogurt and a warm grain bowl topped with a runny egg and roasted vegetables—all of which might be a nice break from vacation chicken tenders. The blueberry buttermilk pancakes and steak frites with chimichurri and aioli are also excellent.

The Brooklyn favorite known for its wood-fired pizzas has a new year-round outpost, in the space that used to be Arbor, just outside town by the train station. They’ve come a long way from their original Bushwick-based converted warehouse, but this spot feels somewhat similar to their newer location in Domino Park. Expect a mix of current Brooklynites, former Brooklynites relocated to the suburbs, and wannabe Brooklynites all vying for pizzas like the Bee Sting, Famous Original, and Ursula’s Parade.

At a newish Montauk resort right on the ocean, this casual daytime cafe is run by a chef and restaurateur behind some beloved restaurants in Uruguay and Argentina. Order from the counter and make a plate using any of their daily-rotating dishes, which includes things like roasted vegetables and grilled meats. It’s a super casual situation, but a fun find for lunch before walking down the stairs to the beach. An extension in the city, Mostrador at the Walker Tribeca, recently opened.

A local classic since the ‘20s, Montauket is one of those Montauk spots where you can sip local beer, take in the sunset, and enjoy some live music, all while looking out at the bay. The menu is relatively simple with lobster rolls, caesar salads, and burgers, but that’s exactly why you come to a place like this— classics eaten on picnic tables, great water views, and plenty of drinks.

If you want to eat dinner at Crow’s Nest, come early. Like, before 6pm early. This restaurant, located within a hotel property on Lake Montauk, is first come, first served and is one of the best dining experiences in the area. While the menu is full of Montauk staples (think fluke crudo, scallops, lobster pasta, etc.), they’re all a little more interesting than most of what you’ll find nearby, thanks to the use of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern spices. If you can’t get a table, or have to wait, the property is huge, and the beach bar is an excellent low-key, yet still kinda sceney hang.

Sel Rrose is an LES spot where you probably once saw someone from a Glossier ad drinking rose. But this oyster bar has a second location in Montauk, which means you can now get their oyster platters, cocktails, and lobster rolls by the beach. It's located conveniently right at the start of town, near John's Drive-In and Memory Motel, and the space is decorated with lots of white and florals. They also have some outdoor seating available, first come, first served. 

Family-owned and operated for more than 25 years, Ditch Witch is the best (and quite possibly only) food truck in Montauk. They serve everything from salads, poke bowls, and burritos to cold sesame noodles and cinnamon buns, and can be found where the sand meets the parking lot at the famous surfing beach, Ditch Plains. Make sure to come on the earlier side, as they close at 4pm daily.

Westlake Fish House, located right beside the docks of Westlake Marina, is so close to the water that you just might see your dinner being hauled ashore by one of the many resident fishermen. With live music, games in the back, and surprisingly good sushi, this is one of our go-to’s for a casual dinner of fresh seafood, excellent New England chowder, and good cocktails.

Herb’s is the beloved family-owned market in town. It’s a great place to pick up sandwiches and beers to take to the beach, but the real reason to come here is for the fried chicken, which is the best on the East End. We specifically recommend getting as many wings as they have in stock. Congrats, you’re about to become the most popular person at Ditch.

This lively seafood restaurant is two blocks away from the ocean and consistently puts out some of the best food on the East End. The menu is loaded with exciting seafood, but there are also plenty of other land-dwelling animals to eat, too, like pork chop parm and a brisket patty smashburger. The great wine list, solid local beer selection, and Bloody Mary oyster shooters also keep us coming back.

Opened in May 2021, this French spot partners with local farms, vineyards, and fishermen—and the whole thing feels pretty unique to the area. Opt into coastal-inflected French dishes such as mussels in a herby white wine broth topped with shaved fennel or the lobster cavatelli soaking in a lobster reduction with umami-packed anchovy bread crumbs for crunch. The space features great views of the Montauk Harbor, making it ideal for sunset cocktails or just staring into the eyes of someone you like with the sounds of crashing waves in the background.

Navy Beach has one of the best setups of any restaurant in all of the Hamptons, let alone Montauk. It’s situated in a little hidden alcove of Bayside Beach off the backroads and over the train tracks. In other words, you have to know where you’re going to find it. They have tables on the sand, excellent beers on tap, and the kind of food (think crudo, salads, and seafood) you want to eat while you’re drinking that beer with your toes in the sand.

Duryea’s was a Montauk classic for years, and a place where you ate lobster off paper plates. It's still a spot to eat lobster, but after a takeover and renovation a few years ago, you won't be doing that on a paper plate anymore. Soak in the exceptional water views to feel like you’re probably, likely (definitely), on a fancy vacation. We’re fans of all the raw bar items, as well as the huge (though very pricey) shareable salads, such as the mixed greens and garden vegetable salad with tarragon vinaigrette. They don't take reservations, so plan accordingly.

Located in the Cove Marina, The Hideaway is a casual little shack that’s home to some of Montauk’s best Mexican food. With fresh seafood (make sure to get some ceviche), tacos, platos, and an impressive cocktail menu, this is one of our favorite places to grab a casual meal away from the rowdiness of some of the nearby bars and hotels. Vegan elote, and more-plant based options, are also worth visiting for.

Drive all the way around Lake Montauk, pull into a parking lot/shipyard, and you’ll find the best sushi around. Seats are up on the second floor, right across the lake from Gosman’s, giving you an incredible view of the Long Island Sound. In addition to the sushi rolls, there’s a solid menu of salads, sandwiches, and fried seafood, and you should go for lunch when you can take in the view. Also, if you ever find yourself on a boat, it’s an excellent destination to stop by for a meal—there’s plenty of room for docking.

Located within the beautiful gardens of Sole East Resort, Backyard serves Mediterranean dishes (like grilled octopus, cavatelli, and lots of dips) throughout the sprawling property. They also do both poolside dining and live music (including reggae on Thursdays and jazz brunch on Sundays).

Ice cream is an integral part of the Montauk experience. If you’re not eating ice cream out here, you’re doing it all wrong. And John’s Drive-In is, hands down, our favorite. They make everything themselves, from the soft serve to the hard shell. We can't get enough of the double chocolate fudge Oreo, as well as the mint chip. They also have incredible french fries and cheap, simple, snack bar-style burgers and dogs.

Got kids? It doesn’t get much better than Gosman’s. The dock, the boats, the clam bar, the ice cream—it’s a child’s paradise. But big kids like us can appreciate it, too. Drinks overlooking the water at Topside (the bar upstairs) are certainly never a bad idea either. However, you don’t want to eat up there. Head down for the clam bar on the dock where you can dig into freshly-caught local fish, delicious chowder, and other good stuff.