Peconic BayEst. 1870
Claudio's
Greenport
America's oldest same-family-run restaurant, perched on the Greenport waterfront with sweeping views of Shelter Island and the Peconic.
Signature
Local oysters on the half shell, lobster rolls
Where to Eat
Waterside Dining & Recipes
From dockside lobster decks in Montauk to harbor raw bars on the North Shore, these are the Long Island institutions where the view is half the meal and the shellfish travels feet, not miles — plus the classic recipes to bring that same catch home to your own kitchen.
Napeague StretchEst. 1965
The Lobster Roll (LUNCH)
Amagansett
The iconic 'LUNCH' sign on Montauk Highway has welcomed bay-bound travelers for sixty years. Picnic tables, paper plates, and the smell of the sea.
Signature
Warm-buttered lobster roll, fried clams
Fort Pond BayEst. 1939
Duryea's Lobster Deck
Montauk
A working dock turned sunset destination. Order at the window, sit on the deck, watch the boats unload the day's catch.
Signature
Whole steamed lobster, lobster cobb
Great South BayEst. 1979
Pier 95 / Captain Bill's
Bay Shore
South-shore mainstay overlooking the channel to Fire Island. Boats tie up alongside diners through the summer.
Signature
Local clams, blackened bluefish
Great South BayEst. 2010
Nicky's On The Bay
150 S Clinton Ave, Bay Shore
Italian-leaning bayfront kitchen at the foot of Clinton Ave. Head to the upper deck for the best elevated, near-180° view of the Great South Bay — sunsets over the channel, Fire Island on the horizon, and a raw bar and pasta menu to match.
Signature
Baked clams, lobster ravioli, jumbo shrimp cocktail
Coecles HarborEst. 1972
Coecles Harbor Marina
Shelter Island
A quiet harbor-side spot where the catch travels feet, not miles. Bay scallop season here is a Long Island ritual.
Signature
Peconic Bay scallops in season
Connetquot RiverEst. 1929
Snapper Inn
Oakdale
Old-school riverfront dining room with a wraparound deck. Generations have docked their boats and walked up for dinner.
Signature
Baked clams oreganata, broiled flounder
Huntington HarborEst. 2007
Prime
Huntington
A north-shore harbor view with a serious raw bar. Sunset on the patio is a Long Island Sound tradition.
Signature
Raw bar tower, dry-aged steaks with shellfish
Woodcleft Canal (The Nautical Mile)Est. 1996
Rachel's Waterside Grill
Freeport
On Freeport's storied Nautical Mile, where charter boats line the canal and the smell of garlic and butter drifts down the dock.
Signature
Snapper francaise, lobster fra diavolo
Lake MontaukEst. 2005
Inlet Seafood
Montauk
Owned by six commercial fishing captains. The fish is unloaded, walked across the dock, and on your plate the same day.
Signature
Tuna, fluke, and whatever just came off the boats
Kitchen
Shellfish Recipes
From the raw bar to the cast-iron skillet — classic preparations for Long Island's finest shellfish.
Raw Bar5 min
Classic Mignonette
The quintessential accompaniment to freshly shucked oysters. Shallots, red wine vinegar, cracked black pepper — nothing more, nothing less.
Soups45 min
Long Island Clam Chowder
A creamy New England-style chowder made with fresh littleneck clams, Yukon potatoes, salt pork, and thyme. Served with oyster crackers.
Grilled15 min
Grilled Oysters with Garlic Butter
Large oysters grilled in the half shell with compound butter, garlic, parsley, and a squeeze of lemon. Summer entertaining at its best.
Pasta30 min
Linguine alle Vongole
Briny littleneck clams tossed with al dente linguine, white wine, garlic, crushed red pepper, and fresh parsley. A Long Island Italian classic.
Sandwiches25 min
Oyster Po' Boy
Crispy cornmeal-crusted oysters on a toasted roll with shredded lettuce, pickles, and remoulade. A Southern transplant that found a home on Long Island.
Appetizers20 min
Baked Clams Oreganata
Chopped clams mixed with seasoned breadcrumbs, oregano, garlic, and olive oil, baked until golden. A fixture at every Long Island Italian feast.