North Fork Favorite Restaurants
Photo above: Peconic Gold Oysters Friskafella, photo credit - The Frisky Oyster.
When we moved out here full time, nearly 30 years ago, there would have been one or two restaurants on this list. Today there are many to choose from with new ones opening each season. Standing the test of time, these are our current favorites.
Updated January 2020
The Frisky Oyster in Greenport
Consistently exceptional cuisine, year round, with a changing menu. Best drinks, great bar. In fact, we chose The Frisky Oyster to celebrate the launch of "hummingbird" more than 2 years ago—and were just back again a few weeks ago (and also many evenings in between). Focused on the local seasonal bounty, Chef Robby Beaver brings forth creative delicious food. From appetizers such as their "famous" Peconic Gold Oysters Friskafella and Crispy Calamari Salad, and main dishes like Atlantic Halibut with coconut sticky rice, and a Meyer Lemon Cream Lobster Pasta which is out of this world, you cannot go wrong. And... did someone say Parmesan Truffle Fries ? Yes, definitely. This review wouldn’t be complete without a shout out to Bianca, who makes the front of the house as much if not more fun and relaxing as the dining room.
Stone Creek Inn in East Quogue
Located in East Quogue, just west of Hampton Bays, we acknowledge that it is not on the North Fork. However, its proximity—only 30 minutes from Cutchogue, and its lack of pretense makes us count it among our local favorites. In fact it is one of our two favorite restaurants on the East End. Opened in 1996, and owned and operated by culinary couple Chef Christian Mir and Elaine DiGiacomo, dining at Stone Creek is a top shelf experience, from the ambiance including a traditional style bar—big, heavy and friendly with top notch bar tending, to the table service. And of course, the food is delicious, innovative and beautiful. Seasonal local ingredients are featured. During the winter, Stone Creek has a prix fixe menu on Thursday and Sunday. Weekend prices are moderate to expensive, but well worth the price. The prix fixe is a wonderful value. Favorite dishes include Long Island Duck Meatballs, Crispy Calamari Salad, Bouillabaisse, Scottish Salmon, Roasted Duck Breast, Veal Osso Buco Ragu—pretty much everything! Desserts also are wonderful.
North Fork Table in Southold
North Fork Table is the restaurant of North Fork Table and Inn. It has been extraordinary and is the only restaurant in our region to have received a "30 points" rating from Zagat. That is why our world was rocked this past December (2019) when it served it last seating, and its sale was announced. Founded by Gerry Haden, Claudia Fleming, and Mike and Mary Mraz, the NFT as we know it will surely be missed. HOWEVER, we are told not to despair, as its new owner, John Fraser (Michelin-starred JF Restaurants) and his investor group have just closed NFT until spring for some renovations, at which time it will reopen with current/former, acclaimed Executive Chef Brian Wilson in place as well as Claudia Fleming as pastry chef. This promises to be an excellent culinary experience to look forward to. AND, come springtime, it is reported that the NFT food truck will also be back! On a personal note, I am lucky enough to live within a short walk from the North Fork Table, and I always feel like we live in a fabulous resort when we have guests and walk over for dinner on a lovely summer or fall night. This was my brother Jeff 's and sister-in-law Angela's favorite restaurant out here, and the food, service, wine and good company made memories I will treasure forever.
Grana Trattoria Antica in Jamesport
Known as "Grana's," calling it a pizzeria would be like calling Delmonico's a steak joint. But they do have outstanding wood fired pizza, featuring thin crust and creative combinations of flavors. They also have hand-made pastas, and special dishes each evening. I recall stopping there to pick up one of their pizzas to bring home for dinner after work on a cold winter evening, and a gentleman sitting next to me at the bar was eating a freshly made fettuccine with home made sausage and peas and a lovely cream sauce. I seriously had to contain myself from asking him to taste it. The bread and salads are always a treat. Grana's is casual, delicious dining.
Noah’s in Greenport
Noah's is a bit more trendy, and is usually packed on the weekends. Visitors staying at the Harbor Front Inn or Greenport B&Bs walk over, as do boaters that dock at the Greenport Municipal Marina across the street. It has a great bar, and Chef Noah Schwartz definitely knows what he is doing in the kitchen.
American Beech in Greenport
At American Beech, the food is creative and delicious, the service friendly and professional, the atmosphere casual and upbeat. American Beech has a nice, comfortable bar, where patrons enjoy drinks, and also dining at the bar and its nearby tables. We find that the back room is better for eating and talking as it is usually quieter there. There are a wide variety of appetizers and sides to share to start off with and entrees run the gamut including items such as pork schnitzel, sautéed tilapia, and buttermilk fried chicken, which is a specialty of the house—it’s that good. Other options include—skirt steak, burgers, pasta, great salads. Although not all local, their wine list features many local vineyards. Draft beers also get the thumbs up. Prices are reasonable to moderate.
Lucharitos in Greenport
I have to mention Lucharitos, not because it is the best Mexican restaurant I've ever eaten at, but because it attracts a great crowd of locals and visitors, it is welcoming and the staff is great, the food and drinks are good, and it's always a fun time. It has a constant following year-round. Little Lucharitos, with a more limited menu, and mainly carry-out versus dining, opened in Aquebogue more than a year ago. It is always PACKED, for good reason.
Caci in Southold
Caci closed and it has been rumored that it will reopen, but has not to date.
Best Bar
The Frisky Oyster in Greenport
Friendly, comfortable, great drinks. They seriously make the best cosmopolitan and dry martini (with the perfect olives) we've had on the East End. And, if having cocktails and/or dining in the casual lounge seating in front, Bianca keeps it all going on. FABULOUS!!!
These are also good places to dine, or grab a bite.
Jamesport Manor Inn, lunch and dinner, Jamesport
Jedediah Hawkins, dinner, and lunch and brunch on the weekends, Jamesport
Legends, Sports Bar and Dining Room, lunch and dinner, New Suffolk
Love Lane Kitchen, breakfast and lunch daily, and dinner Friday - Monday, Mattituck
Erik’s, breakfast and lunch, Southold
The North Fork Shack, closed for January - February, back in March, Southold
Main Road Biscuit, breakfast and lunch, Jamesport
Ellen’s on Front, lunch and dinner, Greenport
Red Rooster Bistro, lunch and dinner, Cutchogue
These restaurant reviews, and much more about the North Fork of Long Island can be found in "North Fork." Check it out!
