There are lots of ways to explore the Hamptons. You could swim your way through the surf and sand on the best beaches on the shoreline. You could shop your way through the chic boutiques and local markets. Or, if you’re like us, you could eat your way through it. Lucky you (and your appetite), we found 18 Hamptons spots where the ratio of sun to shade is just right, the food is simple and delicious, and the cocktails are fresh and colorful. Here are some of the best Hamptons restaurants with outdoor dining.
Our 18 Favorite Hamptons Restaurants with Outdoor Dining
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Published Jun 23, 2022
Tutto il Giorno Southampton/Luca Pioltelli
1. Tutto Il Giorno: Sag Harbor, Southampton, & Easthampton
In the mood for some clam linguine or meat sauce rigatoni? Tutto il Giorno’s got you covered, whether you’re in Sag Harbor or Southampton. Just be sure to make a same-day reservation from 11 a.m. on for a table in one of their chic, manicured gardens. And don’t forget to order a round of cucumber and mint gimlets. P.S. East Hampton’s soon-to-open Tutto Caffe will dish out pastries, coffee and more.
56 Nugent Street, Southampton; 631-377-3611
16 Main Street, Sag Harbor, 631-919-5353
55 Main Street, East Hampton or tuttoilgiorno.com
2. The Crow’s Nest: Montauk
After a day of corralling the kids on the beach, the last thing we want to do is cook a home meal. Yet, finding a restaurant that caters to kids and still makes us feel reasonably hip is no small feat in the Hamptons. Thankfully, there’s The Crow’s Nest. Pull up a bench or patch of grass and order a summer strawberry punch while you wait for that fresh whipped ricotta with honey and truffle oil. Yes, it’s still on the menu. Your kids are more than welcome to run around on the grass while they wait for their slices of flourless chocolate cake. Open at 4:30 p.m., daily; first come, first serve.
4 Old West Lake Drive, Montauk; 631-668-2077 or crowsnestmtk.com
3. Morty’s Oyster Stand: Amagansett
Don’t let the name fool you. With indoor and outdoor dining space for 150, Morty’s Oyster Stand is no shipwrecked seafood shack. The full-service restaurant serves a variety of rotating fresh oysters, mains like grilled local squid with zucchini, fried chicken with spicy honey and celeriac slaw, and desserts like grilled pineapple with black sesame and coconut caramel.
2167 Montauk Hwy., Amagansett, 631-668-8355 or mortysoysterstand.com
4. The Clam Bar: Amagansett
The Clam Bar, the notorious roadside eatery on the Napeague stretch, is open from 11:30 a.m. to sundown, seven days a week. And while ordering a lobster roll is a given, you’ll also want to give the clam chowder a try. Don’t forget to save room for the peanut butter pie.
2025 Montauk Highway, Amagansett; 631-267-6348 or clambarhamptons.com
DUREYA’S
5. Duryea's: Montauk
You might feel like you’re in Greece while you dine at Dureya’s sleek outdoor space, but the view you’re soaking up is actually Montauk’s Fort Pond Bay. Despite the luxe exterior, you’ll still have to order your two-pound lobsters and fresh oysters at the cashier and wait for a table (yeah, it’s first-come-first-serve). But at least you can sip on rosé and take in that view while you wait.
65 Tuthill Road, Montauk; 631-668-2410 or duryealobsters.com
JOHN’S PANCAKE HOUSE
6. John’s Pancake House: Montauk
This is the closest to diner fare that you’ll get in Montauk—right down to the insanely affordable prices. They’ve got all the breakfast staples at this popular eatery: stacks of pancakes (of almost every variety), fluffy eggs, buttery waffles and sweet crepes, plus views of Main Street from each of their outdoor tables.
721 Montauk Highway, Montauk; 631-668-2383
7. Vine Street Cafe: Shelter Island
Better make that reservation stat. A meal at Vine Street Cafe is a hot commodity. The menu is pulled together from local ingredients, making dinner here well worth the ferry ride to Shelter Island. With ample options for vegans, carnivores and pescatarians alike, this family-friendly spot is an outdoor dining oasis. Plus, once your meal is over you can peruse the Vine Street Cafe Market, to stock your own kitchen with their sauces, spices and more.
41 South Ferry Road, Shelter Island; 631-749-3210 or vinestreetcafe.com
8. Sant Ambroeus: Southampton
This authentic Italian eatery boasts a charming outdoor garden that’s the perfect backdrop for a round of Aperol spritzes and plates of Caprese salad. BTW, you won’t regret finishing off your meal with a scoop or two of gelato and a shot of espresso.
30 Main Street, Southampton; 631-283-1233 or santambroeus.com
9. Almond: Bridgehampton
Serving dinner six nights a week—Almond is closed on Sunday—pick between sidewalk dining or snag a table on the new patio. Located on the edge of Bridgehampton’s main drag, right on Route 27, this is a great place to grab a bite as you're driving into town or heading home at the end of the weekend. The market-driven fare sources local ingredients (seriously, some items are grown at farms just a couple of miles up the street) but you’ll find riffs on a variety of cuisines, from classic French cooking (try the Le Grand Macaroni & Cheese) to Korean street food, (don’t miss the Korean Style Short Ribs ). And you can never go wrong with the Lobster Lettuce Wraps.
1 Ocean Road; Bridgehampton; 631-537-5665 or almondrestaurant.com
10. Calissa: Watermill
Craving fresh hummus and avocado tzatziki? Indulge at Calissa, whose outdoor space features plush couches and string lights, making it the place to be during sunset. The Greek fare is equally drool-worthy (think: grilled octopus with fingerling potatoes and sticky baklava). Plus, if you’d rather go casual (and are really craving a gyro), you can always order to-go from Jimmy’s Gyros food truck that’s parked out front.
1020 Montauk Highway, Watermill, 631-500-9292 or calissahamptons.com
11. Rumba: Hampton Bays
Gather your squad for a trip to the Caribbean…er, Hampton Bays. Known for its specialty rum cocktails (a few of our favorites are the Caribbean Rum Punch, Dark and Stormy, and Coconut Martini), Rumba’s island-style hideaway is the ideal place to spend a leisurely afternoon. Bonus: For that extra-authentic experience, arrive by boat. You can dock right there (or grab the water shuttle from nearby Cowfish).
43 Canoe Place Rd., Hampton Bays; 631-594-3544 or rumbahamptonbays.com
Navy Beach/Facebook
12. Navy Beach: Montauk
Is it really summer on the East End if you haven’t been to Navy Beach? We think not. The local favorite serves up casual seafood including local whole-roasted fish, seared sea scallops and local swordfish and some of the best sunsets on the Eastern Seaboard along a 200-foot private beach. Grab a cocktail and savor that sunset.
16 Navy Rd., Montauk; 631-668-6868 or navybeach.com
Fresno/Facebook
13. Fresno: East Hampton
A few blocks from East Hampton’s Main Street is one of the Hamptons’ hidden gems. Make a reservation seven days in advance (Fresno is closed Wednesday) and ask for a seat on the patio. The chef’s always-changing seasonal menu features classics like calamari with sriracha-lime aioli, pan-roasted wild mushroom, and spicy Gemelli seafood pasta.
8 Fresno Pl., East Hampton; 631-324-8700 or fresnorestaurant.com
Solé East Resort, Montauk/Facebook
14. The Backyard At Solé East: Montauk
Sink into one of the garden hammocks, snag a spot in the outdoor dining area or stop by late for drinks by the firepit. The Backyard at Solé East has the whole “magical summer” thing down to a science. For brunch you’re going to want to order the backyard pancakes (we can’t get enough of that mascarpone butter), by the pool you might as well order up the Montauk Oysters and for dinner our vote is the pan-seared scallops.
90 Second House Rd., Montauk; 631-668-2105 or soleeast.com
Elaia Estiatorio
15. Elaia Estiatorio: Bridgehampton
Between the white wicker chairs and the lush potted planters, this idyllic spot is where you’ll want to catch up with those friends you haven’t seen in two years over a bottle of Greek wine and tonos (tuna tartare, cucumber, peppers, anchovy, citrus, kalamata olives, dill), kavourokeftedes (herbed crab cakes, barley husk, chopped horiatiki, red vinaigrette), and tiganatia thalassina (lightly fried calamari, shrimp, mushroom, lemon wedge, lemon zest, yogurt dip), and more. Make sure to make a reservation in advance, and remember they’re closed Mondays.
95 School Street, Bridgehampton 631-613-6469 or elaiaestiatoriohamptons.com
Eric Striffler Photography/Rita Cantina
16. Rita Cantina: East Hampton
This inviting neighborhood gem is debuting full-service outdoor dining on a sandy outdoor patio. It’s first-come, first-serve to snag one of the six picnic tables beneath a canopy of vintage yellow umbrellas, but it’s worth the wait to sip one of their spicy margaritas while sharing chips and guacamole or the Rita Clambake.
28 Maidstone Park Rd, East Hampton; 631.329.3663 or ritacantinahamptons.com
17. Ruschmeyer's: Montauk
From the hammocks to the firepits to the lawn games, Ruschmeyer’s is designed for families. With a spacious dining room, outdoor seating and all-day dining, this is a place where your whole crew will happily spend an afternoon. Plus, this year, NYC-favorite Ruby’s Cafe is partnering with Ruschmeyer’s to create an offshoot called Little Ruby’s offering delish bites like avo toast and banana bread in the morning to cacio e pepe pizza all day.
161 Second House Rd., Montauk; 631-668-2877 or ruschmeyers.com
18. La Fin: Montauk
The crepes, the lobster lettuce wraps, the fluke credo—all are musts at the French-inspired La Fin. Did we mention they have more than 100 bottles of wine? We’ll see you on the deck for a glass or two.
474 West Lake Dr., Montauk; 631.668.8344 or lafinkitchen.com
