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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How We Chose These Restaurants

This guide highlights restaurants that have become destinations in their own right on Long Island. Rather than attempting to list every highly rated restaurant, we focused on establishments with longstanding reputations, regional recognition, historic significance, distinctive settings, or loyal followings that have endured over time.

The selections include classic steakhouses, waterfront seafood restaurants, historic dining rooms, Italian institutions, and casual favorites that have become part of Long Island’s dining culture. Some are polished destinations for special occasions, while others are informal local landmarks known for a particular dish, atmosphere, or tradition.

We also sought geographic variety, with restaurants representing Nassau County, Suffolk County, the North Shore, the South Shore, the North Fork, and the Hamptons. This is a curated collection rather than a ranking, and inclusion does not suggest that these are the only restaurants worth visiting.

Choosing a Restaurant

Looking For…	Restaurants to Consider
Classic steakhouse experience	Peter Luger Steak House, Bryant & Cooper Steak House, and Tellers
Waterfront dining	Prime, Louie’s Oyster Bar & Grille, and Claudio’s
Historic atmosphere	The 1770 House, Claudio’s, and Mirabelle Restaurant & Tavern
Seafood and Long Island classics	Louie’s Oyster Bar & Grille, Bigelow’s Fried Clams, Peter’s Clam Bar, and The Lobster Roll
Italian dining	Vincent’s Clam Bar, Umberto’s of New Hyde Park, and Nick & Toni’s
Romantic dinner or special occasion	The 1770 House, Limani, Prime, and Mirabelle Restaurant & Tavern
Casual local institution	All American Hamburger Drive-In, Flo’s Famous Luncheonette, Bigelow’s Fried Clams, and Hildebrandt’s
East End dining	Claudio’s, Nick & Toni’s, The Lobster Roll, and Clam Bar at Napeague

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