Restaurants on Long Island

Long Island is home to many of the New York region’s most recognizable restaurants, from historic steakhouses and waterfront seafood spots to polished fine-dining rooms and community institutions that have served generations. Whether you’re planning a romantic dinner, a celebratory night out, or a classic Long Island meal, the restaurants below are enduring favorites with strong local followings and lasting reputations.

This curated list highlights restaurants known for longevity, quality, atmosphere, and name recognition across the Island. While Long Island has thousands of places to eat, these are the kinds of restaurants visitors often seek out first and locals continue to recommend. Hours, menus, reservation policies, and seasonal schedules may change, so it is always smart to check ahead before visiting.

Restaurants on Long Island

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Legendary, Upscale & Staple Restaurants

Casual Classics

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Dining Tips & Insider Notes

Dining on Long Island is as much about setting as it is about the food. Reservations are often a good idea for popular waterfront restaurants, Hamptons dining rooms, and well-known steakhouses, especially on summer weekends, holiday periods, and event nights. Parking can also be tight in busy downtowns and harbor villages, so giving yourself extra time is wise.

Many East End seafood spots and seasonal destinations keep different schedules depending on the time of year, and some casual icons may have long lines during peak season. Hours, menus, dress expectations, and payment policies can change, so check the official website or call ahead if you are making a special trip.

What makes these restaurants memorable is not just the meal but the sense of place: a steakhouse in Roslyn or Great Neck, a lobster roll on Montauk Highway, red-sauce comfort food in Carle Place, or harborfront dining in Greenport, Huntington, or Port Washington. Together, they reflect the range of Long Island dining, from old-school classics to polished destination restaurants.

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