The best restaurants in East Hampton capture the ethereal loveliness of summertime along one of the East Coast’s most storied coasts.
Whether you’re looking for decadent dining experiences (like tucking into the East Hampton Grill’s epic Oysters St. Charles) or rustic seed-to-table beach food (looking at you, Page), these five wonderful East Hampton restaurants demonstrate why New York’s most iconic vacation destination has become a world-class food haven in its own right.
Bookmark this list for easy reference on your next weekend away. Enjoy!
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East Hampton Grill
Come for the heavenly rosemary biscuits and iconic fried Oysters St. Charles; stay for the surprisingly perfect salads and gorgeously executed filet mignon. East Hampton Grill is one of East Hampton’s best restaurants for a reason.
Locals love the dedicated service and reliably delicious fare, while visitors come pining for fresh seafood and decadent ambiance.
Fortunately, the East Hampton Grill can guarantee it all. They specialize in hearty, comforting dishes that emphasize local seafood, like their Lobster Po’ Boy and excellent biscuits.
Also, oenophiles will love the excellent selection of local and exceptionally unique wines. These range in price from modest to this-must-be-a-very-special-occasion, so there truly is something for everyone.
Highway Restaurant & Bar
Highway might initially seem removed from the main action in East Hampton– but don’t let its literal location on the highway fool you. The food is excellent and very original. For this reason, Highway Restaurant & Bar is fast becoming one of the area’s most popular dining spots.
Locals love the restaurant’s fresh, modern take on regional cuisine. Take, for example, their exquisite Lobster Avocado toast (above) is an appetizer that could be its own meal.
The menu also includes fashionable seasonal dishes like Sautéed Langoustine with Burned Lemon and Arugula Salad. Meanwhile, the Spit Roasted Organic Chicken is simple yet divine. You get the idea.
Even the sides of fresh, local vegetables are generous. A recent visit found us salivating over tenderly dressed swiss chard, which reminisces in texture of a hearty Indian saag.
Highway Restaurant is also filled with plants and beautiful, black-and-white photographs of the area’s most beautiful beaches. There’s even a stylish throw pillow in every booth. Design lovers, take note!
Nick & Toni’s
No Hamptons travel guide would be complete without mention of Nick & Toni’s. This rustic Italian staple is known for attracting celebrities like Paul McCartney. In East Hampton, it’s a quintessential dining destination.
Serving locally-caught fish and organic vegetables grown in the restaurant’s own garden, Nick & Toni’s is good for locavores and foodie snobs alike.
In short, the food is great. The salads are wonderful, and there’s an excellent beverage list featuring over 200 specialty liquors.
Just know that the tables are small and unfussy, so you’ll want to reserve in advance.
Almond (Technically Bridgehampton, But Close)
Located in Bridgehampton, Almond is an “un-Hamptons” French bistro that still manages to capture the unique je ne sais quoi of coastal New York dining.
Popular among celebrities, tourists, and food critics alike, this corner restaurant sits right on the main drag in downtown Bridgehampton. This means you’ll likely pass it if you’re driving from New York City.
Inside, the food is reliably excellent, showcasing local seafood, fresh salads, and upscale takes on homey dishes like meatloaf. You also can’t miss Almond’s quaint, painted exterior and 100-year-old tin ceilings. We love people watching through the big, airy (and usually open) windows.
Almond is only open for dinner, but the restaurant occasionally hosts special events like their recent Julia Child Dinner, part of a Food + Wine series that brings artists, writers, and foodies together in celebration of local cuisine. Bon appétit!
Page (Sag Harbor Classic)
Page is a lovely new seed-to-table concept restaurant in Sag Harbor, NY. Here you can enjoy delicacies like charred Spanish octopus, local oysters, or Page’s sautéed lump crab cake. It’s all super refined yet lovably rustic.
Above all, they serve the freshest possible local salads, scallops, and house-made pasta.
Meat lovers will enjoy the local duck, chicken, and fish dishes made with fresh aquaponic herbs and vegetables, as well. (And the clam chowder is also great– it was a winner at the local 2018 Harborfest.)
Page is open for lunch, dinner, and gorgeous Sunday brunch. We recommend all three. Bon Appetit!
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Related: An Insider’s Guide to East Hampton.
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