NYCGuide

The Best Restaurants In The Hamptons

These are the 31 best places to eat in the Hamptons, according to us.
The Best Restaurants In The Hamptons image

photo credit: Erica Gannett

Eating in the Hamptons is all about how you do it. You can find yourself in mediocre, overpriced restaurants that you’ll regret stepping foot into, or, you can do it our way and head to the selection of actually good places that are worth your time. 

On the list below, you’ll find everything from taco stands and clam shacks to sit-down restaurants that, while admittedly pricey, actually serve great food in nice environments. Just make reservations wherever you can to avoid the peak season waits. Procrastinate picking a spot or in a rush? A handful of specialty shops including Loaves and FishesHen of the WoodsVilla Italian Specialties, and even Citarella Gourmet Market offer excellent grab-and-go meals and snacks—all better than (and unfortunately, almost as expensive) the mediocre restaurants you may stumble upon Out East.

Headed out to Montauk? For our separate guide to the best restaurants there, click here.


AMAGANSETT


photo credit: Buco Al Mare

Italian

The Hamptons

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An outpost of the Noho restaurant, Il Buco al Mare opened in Amagansett after a summer 2021 pop-up in Montauk. The menu has an entire section devoted to imported tinned fish from the Iberian Peninsula and Italy, but we’re bigger fans of their small plates and ancient grain focaccia that’s made with flour straight from Sicily. It’s perfect for a dinner that’s not too fussy but still a bit upscale.


In the heart of Amagansett Square, Doubles does quick service and high-quality Caribbean food. Wake up with a breakfast roti filled with soft scrambled eggs, crispy potatoes, melty cheese, and pepper sauce, or visit for lunch when curried potato, chicken, chickpea, and pumpkin come in crisp roti or over rice. The burger is also delicious, doused in special sauce, and the Freddie Bowl offers the best of all worlds: rice and peas, stewed vegetables, and chutney topped with salad in a tangy vinaigrette and housemade hot sauce. Eat indoors or at shady picnic benches, and grab a can of beer from Cavaniola’s next door to chase it all down.


Rosie’s is a breakfast and lunch spot right in the middle of town in Amagansett (they also serve dinner Thursday through Sunday), making it ideal for people-watching with an iced coffee (or glass of rosé). The first-come, first-served restaurant has a “blunch” menu with everything from granola and avocado toast to a smash burger, but we especially like the crispy chicken BLT. Look out for when they host other restaurants, like Wayan, Charlie Bird, and other NYC spots, for dinner pop-ups.


La Fondita has been a casual taco order-at-the-counter mainstay for years, and in 2019 they added this great sit-down restaurant right next door. While La Fondita is still decent in a pinch, it seems like they’ve put all their energy into Coche, which has quickly become one of our favorites in the area. Settle in with something from their extensive tequila list, then order some ceviche and the chicken or duck, both of which come with homemade tortillas. They don't take reservations, so get there early.


Just a bit down the road from the OG Lunch, you’ll find Clam Bar. The menu is similar, and while we love the lobster salad roll here too, we like to come to Clam Bar for everything else—oysters, clams, and even whole lobsters. The all-outdoor setting is the perfect place to eat before or after you hit the beach, and they even have a solid wine and beer list.


EAST HAMPTON


Some may recognize this seasonal indoor-outdoor restaurant as the former spot of Eleven Madison Park’s summer pop-up. But things have majorly shifted and now there’s cornhole, fire pits, dogs and kids playing across the lawn every night, and plenty of chill group hangs. Salads, wood-fired pizzas, and fun pasta dishes are all worth visiting for, or you can just pop in for Happy Hour and bar snacks. The new daytime cafe that opened in 2022 also does coffee, small bites, and has ample seating, so you can Zoom from Moby’s with a cocktail on the side.


In a chic space filled with lots of gold and navy velvet, O by Kissaki does itameshi cuisine, which combines Italian and Japanese dishes to make things like crispy rice layered with uni and a thin slice of lardo, creamy dashi spaghetti, and steakhouse classics served with yuzu zabaglione. They're also a sushi go-to, with excellent sushi sets, a la carte pieces, and oversized futomaki rolls filled with salmon tartare, sesame-spinach, tofu, cucumber, and avocado.


This fast-casual Indian spot, which has been open since 1997, is the best choice for a casual but still excellent lunch that’s a little different from other places you’ll find in the Hamptons. The extensive menu of all homemade dosas and uttapams has both traditional (masala potatoes) and more beachy (grilled chicken with goat cheese) fillings, along with a list of daily specials like coconut chicken or seasonal veggie curries. The move is to order a thali platter with soup, naan, yogurt, and chutney, which you should enjoy at the counter indoors, outside on the benches, or as takeout for a picnic nearby.


Carissa’s makes some of the best baked goods and bread in the Hamptons, which makes it a great spot for lunch. The large Pantigo Road (a.k.a. Montauk Highway a.k.a. “27”) location looks like a cool person’s home in Oslo, and also has a more extensive menu that includes a bunch of salads and bowls. The original space, in a parking lot behind Newtown Lane, is a convenient spot to pick up a sandwich in town. It’s also the best place to get a coffee to-go in East Hampton.


If you're looking to have a sunset cocktail in East Hampton, do it at Sí Sí, located at East Hampton Point in Three Mile Harbor. This place uses local, seasonal ingredients in things like paella and paccheri verde. And best of all, EHP Resort (where Sí Sí is located) has an impressive marina, which means you can get here by boat. You know, if you happen to own one or know someone that does.


Located just past town, East Hampton Grill is one of the more high-end options in the area. It’s owned by the Hillstone Group, so if you’ve been to a Hillstone or Houston’s, you have some idea of what to expect. And if not, just expect a very nice place to have meal that's not too casual and not too upscale. The ribs and tuna tartare are the move. For a more casual vibe you can sit at the bar, still order the full menu, and watch sports on TV.


As the name indicates, Highway is indeed right on the Montauk Highway—though the Hamptons version of a highway is a two-way road, so excessive noise isn’t something to worry about, even on the patio. The menu kind of jumps all over the place, with options like crab and papaya salad, wonton soup, seafood pastas, and eggplant parm, but they pull it all off. They also do a nice kid’s menu (homemade penne in tomato sauce or butter) and family-style takeout packages with hearty pastas, chicken parm, and top-notch veal and prosciutto meatballs.


This isn’t our favorite restaurant out East, but it’s the one that we wind up going to the most (thanks for being open on Monday’s, Bostwick’s). The diner-style seafood restaurant is the perfect spot to visit when you can’t decide where else to go, or just don’t have the energy to cook for yourself. It’s quick, it’s casual, and the seafood-heavy menu has a lot of solid options—there’s something fried, grilled, or on a bun for everyone. Our top picks: the hot lobster roll, the seared tuna, and burrito-sized fish tacos.

There’s also a second location in Three Mile Harbor (north of East Hampton town) called Bostwick’s On The Harbor with great views, though the menu is a bit more upscale—think yellowfin tuna poke—and most enjoyable during sunset.


WAINSCOTT


At first glance, this old-school fish market may not look like one of the Hamptons’ most beloved restaurants, but step inside the tiny, 50-something-year-old grocer and head to the back for a pretty unique dining experience. The extensive menu can be overwhelming in the best way possible, since there are so many options for people who love eating stuff from the ocean. Go for the made-to-order combo seafood platter with fried scallops, shrimp, and white fish, and add cocktail sauce on the side. They also do a catch of the day, like blackened tuna steaks or grilled miso-glazed halibut, chowders, bisques, and more.

Prices are reasonable for the generous portions—a heaping takeout container of hot fish goes for about $20—and the small outdoor patio is perfect for eating on-site. Otherwise, take your picnic to a nearby beach (Wainscott Beach is a five-minute drive). Rumor has it, Ina G herself buys her fish at this Wainscott shop, but she has yet to text us back to confirm.


SAG HARBOR


If you know a Lulu loyalist, you’ve probably already heard about this place because your friend/coworker/Airbnb host won’t stop talking about this cute and classic year-round restaurant. This Sag Harbor spot offers white tablecloths and friendly service, where you should fill up on wood-fired dishes like melted camembert and roasted cauliflower with grapes. Come on Thursdays for $22 mussels pots that are available in three flavors, plus $5 beer and $10 wines.


There have been several high-end sushi pop-ups in the Hamptons over the years, but for a more casual, daily situation, Sen is Sag Harbor’s go-to. We once read that Eric Ripert (chef of Le Bernardin) likes to come here, which is a good sign about the quality of fish. Waits can be long at peak times, but they’ve added a nice garden in the back.


With restaurants coming and going quicker than a Jitney round-trip, there aren’t many spots in the Hamptons that can say they’ve been around for over 20 years. But The Beacon has been a Sag staple since 1999, thanks to its consistently good food and great views of the Sag Harbor Bay. Come for $75 two-course sunset dinners or hop over to their sister restaurant, Bell & Anchor, for year-round waterfront fine dining.


A tiny restaurant on Route 114 between Sag Harbor and Bridgehampton, Estia’s is our go-to brunch spot and it should be yours as well. Breakfast burritos, any of the egg platters, and the tortilla soup are all good bets. They also regularly have great specials, like a homey pozole verde or sweet corn and shrimp enchiladas drenched in salsa verde and avocado sauce.


BRIDGEHAMPTON


photo credit: Judy

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For years, we’ve known Armin & Judy as that place on 27 right before Bridgehampton town, with a sign that says “I Baguette You.” We don't know what that means, but after trying this spot, we’re all in on them and their bread offerings. The focaccia-y pizza is a standout, but the menu full of salads, vegetables, and other entrees is worth a try as well. It’s also very large, and a good last-minute option if you’re with a group.


With an impressive list of wine and cocktails (along with a huge food menu), Elaia is probably the best Greek restaurant in the Hamptons. But besides all the great dips, spreads, and seafood, we like coming here just to hang out in the lovely space. With floor-to-ceiling windows and lots of candles and flowers, it’s perfect for a chill date night or a low-key dinner with everyone in your house.


Despite being smack in the middle of Bridgehampton on Montauk Highway, Yama-Q somehow feels like a secret. They only do takeout, but it's still worth going out of your way for the good quality, straightforward sushi—purists will be relieved to know the nigiri and rolls here aren’t blowtorched, or covered in mayo sauces and tempura flakes.


Almond is another Bridgehampton mainstay. The food is French bistro stuff like roast chicken and escargot, and there’s an extensive raw bar selection. It’s also one of the liveliest dining rooms you’ll find in the immediate area with an ample sidewalk cafe.


Pierre’s is a French bistro in Bridgehampton designed to appeal to the Hamptons crowd that spends winters in St. Bart’s. The food is actually good, including daily bistro-style specials and staples like Maine lobster fricassée flambéed with cognac and roast rack of lamb coated in herbs de provence. Pierre’s can be a great time if you’re in the right mindset (and budget). Just slick your hair back and wear your finest white pants—you’ll fit right in. For a more casual experience, grab a salad, sandwich, or smoothie from Pierre’s market next door.


WATERMILL


Kissaki’s Watermill location is a welcome addition to the area. We suggest checking out the intimate dining situation (the inside offers sushi bar-only seating) by enjoying their omakase-style menu and sake flights. With courtyard dining available for groups who want a bit more privacy, it’s a romantic spot for date nights and also spacious enough for large gatherings. Know that in-restaurant omakase dining is only available Thursday night through Saturday night—though there’s always delivery and takeout if you’re feeling lazy.


Most people come to Suki Zuki for two things: the spicy tuna sandwich and the chicken teriyaki salad. The former is basically a spicy tuna roll in the shape of a triangular tea sandwich, while the latter is a finely chopped salad with chicken, wonton strips, and a tangy dressing. Overall, this is an easygoing sushi place with reasonable prices (vegetable rolls start at $5, seafood at $8) on the one-block strip known as the town of Watermill. Expect a wait on Friday or Saturday nights.


Located in the back of the Watermill Commons, Bistro Ete is run by a husband and wife team that serves a mix of delicious French-inspired Mediterranean food. It’s charming, laid-back, and a bit more hidden away, which is the opposite of all other Hamptons restaurants.


SOUTHAMPTON


In peak Hamptons form, you can expect to see caviar and designer bags everywhere at this New York City-style steakhouse. TBar is a crowd-pleaser for really anybody who comes Out East, with a menu of crispy sushi, ceviche, and truffle arancini to start. Bring a crew to share the black angus porterhouse with tangy housemade steak sauce, or stain the white tablecloth solo with a prime-aged burger.


New to Southampton in 2022, this indoor expansion of the local roadside staple is now a year-round attraction. Stop in for a Long Island-style seafood menu, including lobster rolls both drenched in warm butter or packed with lobster salad, creamy clam chowder, and fried clam strips, plus a full bar happily slinging dirty shirleys. Summer brings late nights on the patio, where city visitors, industry folk, and anyone eager to dance to a Top 40 DJ come to party. The OG is also called The Lobster Roll, but everyone calls it “Lunch,” thanks to the huge LUNCH sign you can't miss when driving on Montauk Highway.


Come for the fresh pasta, stay for the private garden that you’ll immediately want to move into. We go to Tutto Il Giorno (which now has a few locations throughout the Hamptons) for one of two reasons: a big meal before a night out, or to drink some wine after checking out the stores in town. Either way, it’s a Southampton staple that we find ourselves coming back to time and time again thanks to its reliable food (the spicy tuna tartare is a must) and casual feel. They have a second location in Sag Harbor, plus a new extension in East Hampton, Tutto Caffe, which has a similar experience.


WESTHAMPTON


Serving lunch, dinner, and year-round brunch, Flora’s menus are packed with staples like their crispy chicken sandwich with a sriracha coconut reduction, as well as standouts like the short rib roastie and soba noodles. We suggest heading over for a low-key brunch or lunch with friends the morning after one too many drinks. And be sure to grab the flower pot dessert.


If summer to you sounds like lobster rolls and delicious fried things you can eat with your hands, you’ll be very happy at this super casual spot in Westhampton, the first seafood spot on the highway entering the Hamptons (and the last if you’re heading back). There isn’t much else like this between here and Montauk.


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