One of Long Island ’s well kept secrets is that there are , in fact , shoes to deplete other than bagel stores , pizza pie places , andThe Cheesecake Factory . It ’s true ! The past 10 years have fetch a transition from the Olive Garden to the parking lot garden , from Sizzler to Sous Vide , and possibly a chef or two plating with tweezers . The railroad tie that tie Long Islanders will always be such epic nutrient traditions as the Little Vincent ’s cold cut , an all - American cheeseburger , or a deli Hungry Man . But famed spots like Tullulah ’s and Old Fields are combine custom and trends with prominent consequence , and newcomers are watch wooing . Whether your stylus is old - school or trailblazer , you ’ve got dinner party selection aplenty . These are our favorite .
Old Fields
Located just off the train track in quaint Greenlawn , Old Fields is a prima neck of the woods tavern that primitively opened in 1955 . For five decades , this was the place you ’d impose once a twelvemonth with your grandfather and his comrade look upon Moose Lodge members because he have a free birthday steak post card . Enter David and Christine Tunney , who somehow changed nothing yet everything , and reopened with a nerveless and cozy vibe . The menu feature pubby conveniences , with nonindulgent attention bear to food for thought character . Those who do n’t worry about the little affair – like their arteria – will adore the Davey Gravey : a cheeseburger housed between two grilled tall mallow sandwich . The chick steak , marinated in the original recipe from 1955 , is a mod classic . Rustic icebox pie makes a fitting signature dessert for this small-scale town star .
Waterzooi
This lively Garden City mainstay has been around for nearly two 10 , and is known best for its moules frites . The mussels are available in a twelve fertile broths with world inspiration . The Thai and Montrachet varieties are standouts , and the traditional Provencal is great as well . All are accompanied by fresh - reduce frites for your stock - dip pleasance . If mussels are n’t your affair , there are a routine of alternative entrées , as well as an indulgent Wellington burger . straight Belgian trademark are n’t forgotten ; Waterzooi vaunt the gravid Belgian beer selection on Long Island , as well as celestial sweet - baked Brussels waffle for dessert .
Sandbar
As the sole James Beard Award - nominee on Long Island , Guy Reuge cognize a affair or two about the matrimony of classic cookery and updated trend . Sandbar is his latest outpost , situate in a completely renovated space in the nub of Cold Spring Harbor . Like the chef himself , Sandbar delay lawful to its Long Island ascendent with a frequently exchange farm - to - table menu and an abundance of seafood strength . Try the Long Island clam chowder ( because when in Rome / Suffolk … ) and Reuge ’s touch Berkshire pork chop shot . The interior is racing yacht nine - chic , and will make you regret leaving your khakis crease up in the box of your closet .
All American Hamburger Drive-In
It is extremely potential that All American has had a argument every 2nd since it give in 1963 . To this day , its simple hamburgers – swelled than White Castle , small than McDonald ’s – come in at less than a buck-50 , which makes it entirely cost effective and a fairly sound investment funds to exhaust a dozen . All American is as old - school as it comes . You grade at a foresightful counter , and rust your food wherever there ’s space – the disconnected outside table , a counter on the front wall , or perhaps sitting on your tailgate . No matter how highbrow the scene flex , the true solid food soul of Long Island lies in a few cheeseburger , a hearty knish , and a chocolate shake .
South Shore Dive
What bump when you compound a dive bar , a gastropub , and some vintage Aqua-Lung equipment ? You get this quirky entrant offering lowbrow / highbrow pothouse fare . Duck hot dogs topped with duck confit chili , apple mustard butter , and some optional foie gras epitomize the concept . Plus , in a almost impossible feat , the Dive ’s homemade tater tot are far ranking to their wintry counterparts . The beer lineup rule the neighborhood , as does the wacked - out cocktail tilt , including a bottled and nitrogenated Cosmo knight the Sarah Jessica Parker . Fun fact : supporter can realize discounts for various random thing , like having a fantastical beard or being the aliveness of the party – qualities that sincerely do deserve constant accolades .
Off The Block
Chef Stephen Rizzo ’s bungler shop and perfunctory restaurant combo has all the townies buzzing , and for right reason . Crispy apple - glaze Brussels spud with theater - smoked Roger Bacon bits are large enough for sharing , but it ai n’t gon na come about , my friend . The 5 Cut Burger is a masterpiece , using a nice blend of meats and served with absolutely salted thick - cut French minor . Should you prefer for a cut out of the blunderer sheath , ( which you absolutely should ) there ’s a 50 % markup to prepare the meat in - sign of the zodiac , and it include one side . The selection of topically produced beverages such as Great South Bay Blood Orange pale ale , Subtle Tea , and Sail by cold brewage round out the entrant ’s small town vibe .
The Flour Shoppe Cafe
They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day , and the Flour Shoppe treats it that mode . The cafe subsist previously as a bakery , but late in 2015 owners Samantha Caltagirone and Madison Kaer converted it into a charming trivial farm - to - table breakfast and luncheon spot play up Stumptown Coffee , Satur Farms raise , and other local entities . Menu bests are the home fried breakfast poutine ( yes , seriously ) and scrambled Florentine tartine , with flossy egg , spinach , and Gruyère atop a freshly baked rustic toast – basically bruschetta on steroids . start - baked goods and homemade granola try out no less spectacular than their entrée counterparts . lightness fixtures are made from whisks and graters , which line up absolutely with the eating place ’s light - hearted personality .
Mosaic
Chefs Jonathan Contes and Tate Morris ’ plot - changer restaurant offers a day-to-day rotating menu based on what is in time of year , and patently , whatever the chefs are in the mode for . There is no forcible menu at Mosaic – you just offer up your solid food allergies and uttermost dislikes ( but really do n’t , you check freak ) and let the courses roll ! AFifty Shades of Grey - style waiter delivers your five whodunit courses and a heartfelt soliloquy describing the beauty . A late calamari ink alimentary paste “ which we made today ! By hand ! ” was twirl so attractively it was deserving admiring for a good three bit before eating . While the plating is Instagram gold , meal are so enchant that you wo n’t even call back what an iPhone is .
Kyma
Sometimes you just involve a Greek Isle lam for a span hour to declare oneself to your girlfriend , and for those times , there ’s Kyma . Nestled in a box of Roslyn small town , this elegant Mediterranean space is best know for impeccable seafood , educate just . Be certain to start with the Kyma Chips , newspaper publisher flimsy slices of fried eggplant and courgette . Choose from a smattering of whole fish ( that friendly server will debone mesa - side ) or a range of inventive entrees . You ’ll find oneself unexpected love in a housemade Greek yogurt with honey , black cherry , and walnut for dessert . table are virtually insufferable to mark on Saturday nights , but you’re able to also prefer for the casual three - course lunch prix fixe ( tote up incentive : you do n’t have to iron your fancy gasp ) .
Grotta di Fuoco
Let ’s face it , all you Italian Stallions out there . Nobody makes sauce as well as your nan . But inside an unassuming construction on Long Beach ’s main cartoon strip is Chef Andrew Alotti , and he ’s ready to give your nonna a sincere run for her money . Though his menu is accessible , each peach is beautifully prepared and plated . The charred octopus starter is a must - order , as are the homemade pastas ( like broil cannelloni and veal cheek cappelletti ) , with nightly special pushing the saloon even further . Brick oven pizzas , desserts , and cocktails are also on point .
Tullulah’s
Bay Shore has blossom forth into Long Island ’s best eating town , and Tullulah ’s is the queen bee . This sexy spot will make you finger exceptionally uncool , unless you ’re a transplanted Brooklynite . The menu change seasonally , always offering a variety of small plates from mac & cheese and salads to seafood and dry - ripened meats . It ’s hard to go incorrectly when say here , and there ’s a clear accent on nutrient presentation . During the summer , there ’s special outside seating and the chef tend a garden for saucy herbs and produce . gallus - clad mixologist are passe-partout of their land , specializing in updated classic cocktail and a star beer batting order .
Peter Luger
locate on a busy road off the Island ’s famed Gold Coast is the German beer hall - exalt rest home of Peter Luger , an branch of the Brooklyn original . Though the Department of the Interior has n’t been touched since it open up in the eighties , most self - and - boeuf - respecting folks would agree that the steak for two remains the enceinte slice of pith on Long Island . The cardinal ingredient ? About seven stick of sizzle butter per serving , which your veteran host will expertly ladle over your portion of porterhouse steak . Everything about Luger ’s is simple ; a slice ripe tomato plant is an appetizer , so is one slice of bacon . No need for frills when you ’re eating the steak of the century .
Salumi
If you compared the Long Island dining scene to your record collection , Salumi would be the newish Beck record album . And we ’re talking vinyl group . This dimly illumine strip promenade gemstone is known best for its laid - back vibraphone and harebrained tappa menu . highlight let in daily empanadas and braise oxtail . The in earnest delightful pork abdomen bocadillo ( alien name for sandwich ) is perhaps the most recommended menu token on the entire Island . Craft your own meat and cheese board , or countenance them do the pick for you with a Spanish or French planetary house spread of centre and cheeses . Servers are knowledgable , and will blithely assist in pair your food choices with their extensive wine-colored selection , or vice versa .
Prime
cast anchor in Huntington Harbor , Prime is the reliable champion of the ever - popular “ steak and sushi ” scene dominating Long Island – it works bloody backbreaking to make it happen , but it ’s the hottest plot in townspeople . Though the dining room is gorgeous and primed for any particular occasion , the warm conditions is what really have Prime a terminus . During the summertime , al fresco dining and drink are simply the only elbow room to go . Spend an good afternoon with some friend out on the deck , ogle the impeccably dressed driver of railcar you ca n’t afford . Drown your wretchedness in a spectacular beef Wellington , and perhaps a fruity martini .
Biscuits & Barbeque
On those day when Louisiana is just too far for lunch , lead to this small train car diner . prefer for the alligator blimp ( taste like chicken ! ) follow by the delightful – and not - greasy – fried chicken and waffles , which taste like a freaking funnel bar , and are served with both beloved and raspberry butters . Or fulfill your other Southern consolation need with a deep-fried oyster po - son , sign of the zodiac - smoke BBQ brisket , or shrimp etouffee . Do all of this while enjoying some Preservation Hall Jazz Band and stare out of your train motorcar windowpane at neighboring industrial car park employee on their smoke breaks .
Bonus: the diner
Literally everywhereWe all know that this is the truthful best repast on Long Island , and when any fancy schmancy meal fails you , you ’re heading to the dining compartment at midnight to deplete a Western omelette or some disco fries , and make it all go away .
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Shelby Poole owns two restaurants on Long Island that she did n’t include on this list even though she rust there the most . Her best-loved food is the pickle that try like cucumbers .
Old Fields
Courtesy of Waterzooi
Sandbar
South Shore Drive
Courtey of The Flour Shoppe Cafe
Kimberly Mufferi Photography
Tullulah’s
Salumi
Prime
