Where to Dine on the North Fork: A Quick & Easy List

The towns and villages of the North Fork are bursting with a variety of culinary delights. Award-winning chefs, hometown favorites, fine dining and take out—there’s something to sate even the most particular of cravings. So whether you’re in the mood for ice cream, oysters, pierogies or tapas, you’ll be sure to find a menu that’s fresh and exciting.

Click restaurant names for linked reviews.

The Birchwood of Polish Town (thebirchwoodofpolishtown.com, 631-904-0580, American/Polish) in Riverhead offers 15 beers on tap, pub style. Their full lunch and dinner menu features American favorites as well as Polish delicacies.

At Buoy One (buoyone.com, 631-208-9737, Seafood & Steak), Chef David Girard delivers New England delicacies to the East End, including fine steaks and fresh fish from Buoy One’s in-house seafood market. Inside a converted car garage in Riverhead, this charming and casual café offers patio seating and plenty of options for landlubbers. Also in Westhampton (631-998-3808).

On the Greenport waterfront, Claudio’s Restaurant (claudios.com, 631-477-0627, American) is the oldest, same-family-run restaurant in the United States. Also check out Claudio’s Clam Bar and its Crabby Jerry’s eatery, each offering a different dining ambience. Try the clam chowder!

Cliff’s Elbow Room (elbowroomli.com, 631-722-3292, Steak/Seafood) in Jamesport and Laurel (631-298-3262) serves the best aged and marinated steak, freshest seafood and local wines in a casual, warm atmosphere.

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Riverhead’s Dark Horse Restaurant (darkhorseriverhead.com, 631-208-0072, American) serves up an eclectic menu with local fare and flair, plus delicious gluten-free breads and desserts.

Unique and casual Greenport bistro First and South (firstandsouth.com, 631-333-2200, American) has a diverse and creative menu filled with comfort food selections and delicious treats.

Located in Jamesport, Grana Trattoria Antica (granajamesport.com, 631-779-2844, Italian) specializes in wood-fired pizza, fresh-made pastas and ravioli and wood-roasted meats and fish.

The long-awaited Hampton Coffee Company (hamptoncoffeecompany.com) opened last July on Main Road in Aquebogue. Hampton Coffee Company also has cafes in Southampton, Water Mill and Westhampton Beach and sells its locally roasted coffee far and wide.

The Jamesport Country Kitchen, Christopher Michael Catering and Twin Forks Catering (jamesportmanorinn.com, 631-722-0500) have all moved to Jamesport Manor Inn, 370 Manor Lane, Jamesport, where the Kar family continues to serve farm-to-table food, local wine and beer.

The ever-popular Jedediah Hawkins Inn (jedediahhawkinsinn.com, 631-722-2900, American) in Jamesport incorporates local foods, many of which are grown on the grounds, into innovative gourmet dishes. The Speakeasy Menu is available from 5 p.m. to close.

In historic New Suffolk for 22 years, Legends (legends-restaurant.com, 631-734-5123, American) offers “The Best of Both Worlds”: fine dining in the cozy and eclectic dining room, and the classic bar with rich, warm woods and brass accents. Both serve the same innovative food. Late-night burgers and light fare are also available.

Lombardi’s Love Lane Market, (lombardislovelanemarket.com, 631-298-9500) 170 Love Lane, Mattituck, is part of the Long Island-based Lombardi’s group of Italian restaurants, markets and sauce makers. The market offers a variety of sandwiches and panini, plus wood-fired pizza. Catering is also available.

If sweet is what you crave, try Magic Fountain (magicfountainicecream.net, 631-298-4908, Ice Cream) in Mattituck. Known for their homemade ice cream in all the classic favorites—as well as seasonal flavors that include Fig & Date, Cinnamon Bun and Rice Krispies Treat—they also offer milkshakes, sundaes and fruit smoothies.

Love barbecue? You can’t go wrong with Maple Tree BBQ (mapletreebbq.com, 631-727-2819, BBQ) in Riverhead. Known for succulent ribs and pulled pork dishes cooked low and slow, plus traditional sides including corn bread and collard greens.

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If you have a hankering for small plates, check out noah’s (chefnoahs.com, 631-477-6720, American) in Greenport for an array of seafood dishes and adventurous American entrées.

At the North Fork Table & Inn (nofoti.com, 631-765-0177, American) in Southold, enjoy delicious meals crafted from locally grown biodynamic and organic produce, the freshest seafood from Peconic Bay and Long Island Sound and award winning North Fork artisanal cheese. The restaurant’s American cuisine has been described by many as “unforgettable.”

Pace’s Dockside Restaurant (pacesdockside.com, 631-315-5252, Seafood) is located on the beautiful Mattituck Inlet at Strong’s Water Club & Marina. Enjoy Happy Hour at the bar on Thursday and Friday evenings, from 4–7 p.m., with half-price drinks and specially-priced appetizers. There’s a good chance you’ll catch live music on Friday nights..

The Petulant Wino (petulantwino.com, 631-779-3900, American) in Aquebogue has a relaxed vibe with a focus on local wines and beers, featuring Comtesse Therese wines. Famed Long Island restaurateur and chef Tom Schaudel serves up tapas and a raw bar of local shellfish in the 28-seat restaurant within the circa 1830 farmhouse.

One of the North Fork’s hidden treasures, Porto Bello (portobellonorthfork.com, 631-477-1515, Italian) offers local and imported wines at their waterfront location in Greenport.

Red Maple at The Chequit (thechequit.com/redmaple, 631-749-0183, American & Seafood) on Shelter Island has launched its new summer menu just in time for the season. Enjoy dishes such as smoked bluefish rillettes or spinach panzanella in the “minimalist rustic atmosphere,” all while taking in the breathtaking water views.

Smitty’s All American Grill, under Executive Chef John Holmes, at The All Star (theallstar.com, 631-998-3565, American), is Riverhead’s premier bowling, sports bar and entertainment venue. This industrial-chic facility boasts 22 state-of-the-art bowling lanes, a VIP room with six private lanes and a vortex bar with 12 inverted beer taps.

Touch of Venice (touchofvenice.com, 631-298-5851, Italian) in Cutchogue has been proudly serving the North Fork for over 20 years, preparing local cuisine with Italian soul. Extensive wine list featuring local and Italian wines, full bar with happy hour specials. Private room available for all occasions. Special chef’s family-style menu available for small groups.

Tweed’s Restaurant & Buffalo Bar (tweedsrestaurant.com, 631-237-8120, American) in historic Riverhead’s J.J. Sullivan Hotel serves the finest local food specialties and wines. Tweed’s also has a variety of delicious and healthy bison dishes.

Vines & Hops (vinesandhopsli.com, 631-369-3100, Bar) in downtown Riverhead is an inviting gathering place with live music, small plate appetizers and a sampling of craft beers and the best wines from Long Island wine country. Specialty coffees are available all night.

Recipient of the 2014 Long Island Food Critic Award for Excellence for Finest Chocolatier, North Fork Chocolate Company (northforkchocolate.com, 631-599-4944, Dessert) now has a new storefront at 740 Main Road in Aquebogue, where they offer small batch, handcrafted artisanal chocolates.

Visit DansBOTB.com for Dan’s Best of the Best restaurants on the Twin Forks, and look out for our comprehensive East End Dining Guide, coming soon to a newsstand near you!