If you’re like us, you spend the better part of the summer feasting on seafood and ice cream. But since the season always seems to pass in the blink of an eye, you’d better make sure you’ve checked off every lobster roll and milk shake before it’s too late. Here are 14 quintessential Hamptons summer eats to hunt down ASAP.
The Ultimate Hamptons Summer Food Bucket List
A Shake From Lt Burger
We’ll admit it: We’ve gone to LT Burger with every intention of eating a proper meal and ended up skipping straight to the ice cream. With flavors like French Toast, Death by Oreo and Berry Good, we may need to stop in for “lunch” a few more times before Labor Day.
62 Main St., Sag Harbor; 631-899-4646 or ltburger.com
A Burger From Union Burger Bar
Resist the urge to stop at McDonald’s on your way back to the city and instead get your burger fix before you leave. From the classic grass-fed Black Angus beef to the turkey, chicken or veggie options, Union Burger Bar’s patties are some of the best around.
40 Bowden Square, Southampton; 631-377-3323 or unionburgerbar.com
A Cocktail At Nick & Toni’s
The drinks at the East Hampton mainstay are one of summer’s greatest pleasures, especially when consumed on the charming patio. Our favorite? The Lazy Bee, made with gin, freshly squeezed lemon, local honey and chamomile-flower syrup.
136 N. Main St., East Hampton; 631-324-3550 or nickandtonis.com
Neapolitan Pizza From Il Forno
Two of our favorite words in the English language: pizza night. Especially when said pizza makes you feel like you’re on the Italian coast. At Il Forno at Gurney’s Star Island Resort and Marina, beloved Hamptons chef Jeremy Blutstein dishes out seven different Neapolitan-style pies. Keep it traditional with the Margherita or grab a slice of the ocean with the white clam.
32 Star Island Rd., Montauk; 631-668-3100 or gurneysresorts.com
A Beer On The Patio At Montauk Brewing Company
If the come-as-you-are motto doesn’t give you a hint to the laid-back vibe of Montauk Brewery, the welcoming outdoor picnic area will. The brewery celebrates its seventh anniversary this summer, which seems like a pretty good excuse (not that we needed one) to grab a seasonal Watermelon Session Ale for a summer toast.
62 S. Erie Ave., Montauk; 631-668-8471 or montaukbrewingco.com
A Lobster Roll From…the Lobster Roll
If you’re going to have only one lobster roll in the Hamptons, make it one from Lunch, aka the Lobster Roll Restaurant. The casual eatery is, after all, named for summer’s favorite sandwich for a reason. The Classic (Maine-style) is the most popular, but we also love the Hot (Connecticut-style) and the lobster sliders. You can even get a gluten-free bun.
1980 Montauk Hwy., Amagansett; 631-267-3740 or lobsterroll.com
A Glass Of RosÉ From Wölffer Estate Vineyard
Look, we’ve never been subscribers to the idea that rosé season comes to a hard stop the minute September rolls around. But summer would be incomplete without a stop at Wölffer and a tasting of its rosé cider and table wine.
139 Sagg Rd., Sagaponack; 631-537-5106 or wolffer.com
The Salty Soured Pickled Rye From Carissa’s The Bakery
Straight-up or stuffed with smoked salmon and chive crème fraîche, baker Carissa Waechter’s salty soured pickled rye is the bread you’ll crave all year round. Luckily the bakery does ship—but you need to try it straight from the oven at the East Hampton bakery at least once.
68 Newtown Lane, East Hampton; 631-879-7179 or carissasthebakery.com
A Burrito From Estia’s Little Kitchen
It’s not so much about which burrito you choose—the shredded beef and chili chicken are equally amazing—but about the setting. Estia’s Little Kitchen has a hot burrito pop-up at its Sag Harbor location, where you can eat outside in the adorable (and, until recently, off-limits) garden.
1615 Sag Harbor Tpke., Sag Harbor; 631-725-1045 or estias.com
A Clam Bake At Duryea’s
Few meals are more summery than an unfussy eat-with-your-hands clam bake, complete with delicious fresh seafood and the company of friends and family. Dig into one of Duryea’s generously sized mains on its gorgeous waterfront deck.
65 Tuthill Rd., Montauk; 631-668-2410 or duryealobsters.com
Sweet Corn From Local Farms
For those backyard barbecues, make sure you pick up some peak-season corn on the cob. Grilled to a char and drizzled with butter, its summer in vegetable form.
284 Town Lane, Amagansett; 631-267-5635 or balsamfarms.com
Treats From Tate’s Bake Shop
From the unicorn and sunflower cupcakes to the buttery chocolate-chip cookies to the ice-cream sandwiches, Tate’s Bake Shop is the one line everyone is willing to stand in. Sure, you can find the packaged cookies back in the city, but trust us: You’ll want to indulge in the freshly made treats while they’re just a few minutes away.
43 N. Sea Rd., Southampton; 631-283-9830 or tatesbakeshop.com
Blueberry Pie From The Blue Duck Bakery Cafe
Summer fruit pie season is short and sweet, so don’t miss it. Take a trip to the North Fork, where the Blue Duck dishes out the type of pies you dream about long after you’ve had the last bite. We’re partial to the blueberry and the cherry.
56275 Main Rd., Southold; 631-629-4123 or blueduckbakerycafe.com
A Cone At Gemelli Gelato
You didn’t think we’d leave ice cream off this list, did you? Order one of Gemelli’s flavored waffle cones (the toasted coconut can’t be beat) and fill it with the gelato or sorbet of your choice before heading outside to snag a picnic table on the giant lawn out front.
139 W. Montauk Hwy., Hampton Bays; 631-594-5600 or gemelligelatohamptonbays.com