Eat

Best Asian Cuisine

Japanese cuisine and riffs on it dominate our plates for this year’s Best Asian Cuisine winners. From traditional sushi to American interpretations and some slurpy noodle fun, here are our picks on the North Fork.

Haiku Sushi

40 East Main St., Riverhead

631-727-7778

haikuriverhead.com

Legends

835 1st St., New Suffolk

631-734-5123

legends-restaurant.com

Opties & Dinghies

87 North Ferry Road, Shelter Island

917-822-1230

optiesanddinghies.com

Salt Waterfront Bar & Grill

63 Menantic Road, Shelter Island

631-749-5535

saltshelterisland.com

Stirling Sake

477 Main St., Greenport

631-477-6782

sterlingsake.com

Best Bagel

Some like ‘em big like a wagonwheel. Some like ‘em more compact and loaded with seeds, seeds, seeds. Some want the rainbow (literally!) and some just go for simple and plain. However you like to bagel, we’ve got the bread right here…

Bagel Lovers Cafe

673 Osborn Ave., Riverhead

631-727-5080

bagelloversofriverhead.com

Bean and Bagel

4426 Middle Country Road, Calverton

631-237-8979

beanandbagelcafe.com

Black Sheep Bagels

1451 Main Road, Jamesport

631-779-2914

31000 Main Road, Cutchogue

631-735-9998

blacksheepbagelsnf.com

Eccentric Bagel

25 West Neck Road, Shelter Island

631-749-5363

eccentricbagel.com

Goldberg’s

131 3rd St., Greenport

10095 Main Road, Mattituck, 

138 Main St., Riverhead

theoriginalgoldbergsbagels.com

Best Baked Clams

It’s a delicate balance, all cupped in a clam shell. The right amount of clam to bread to herbs to moisture, all with a nice squeeze of fresh lemon. There’s nothing like an East End stuffed clam; it’s practically a rite of edible passage. Who’s still making stand-up stuffies? Here’s our list for 2026!

Braun’s Seafood Company

30840 Main Road, Cutchogue

631-734-6700

braunseafood.com

Cliff’s Elbow Room

1549 Main Road, Jamesport

631-722-3292

cliffselbowroom.com

Jerry and the Mermaid

469 E. Main St., Riverhead

855-445-3072

jerryandthemermaid.com

Legends

835 1st St., New Suffolk

631-734-5123

legends-restaurant.com

Port Waterfront Bar & Grill

104 3rd St., Greenport

631-333-2501

portnorthfork.com

Best Breakfast or Brunch

Eggs? Waffles? Oatmeal? Whatever your breakfast preferences, these five North Fork and Shelter Island options offer a very good morning start, indeed!

Bruce & Son

208 Main St., Greenport

bruceandsongreenport.com

Main Road Biscuit

1601 Main Road, Jamesport

631-779-3463

mainroadbiscuitco.com

Mugs on Main

33 E. Main St., Riverhead

631-381-0494

mugsonmain.com

North Fork Roasting
Company

55795 Main Road, Southold

631-876-5450 

northforkroastingco.com

Ram’s Head Inn

108 S. Ram Island Drive, Shelter Island

631-749-0811

theramsheadinn.com

Best Burgers

Who’s got the juice? These brawny burgers! We spent this whole year chomping on patty after patty in search of the most flavorful, satisfying burger busters up and down the fork.

Barrow Food House

452 Main Road, Riverhead

631-779-3379

barrowfoodhouse.com

Legends

835 1st St., New Suffolk

631-734-5123

legends-restaurant.com

On the Docks

177 Meetinghouse Creek Road, Aquebogue

631-886-1160

onthedocksgrill.com

Sophie’s

730 Main Bayview Road, Southold

631-765-5700

sophiesrest.com

Tucker’s Taproom & Smokehouse

9095 Sound Ave., Mattituck

631-298-7077

tuckerstaproom.com

Best Chef

Making a restaurant’s menu stand out while still providing the kind of joy and comfort that makes diners want to come back again and again is no small skill. These East End chefs could make their mark anywhere in the world, but boy are we glad they’re here!

Armond Joseph

Léon 1909

29 West Neck Road, Shelter Island

631-749-9123

leon1909.com 

Taylor Knapp

Paw Paw

exploretock.com/pawpaw 

Finn O’Hara

Nookies, Eddie’s, The Boathouse

1400 Silvermere Road, Greenport

631-997-1957

silversandsmotel.com

Elizabeth Ronzetti

18 Bay

370 Manor Lane, Jamesport

631-809-3542

18bayrestaurant.com

Jessica Taccone

Rams Head Inn

108 S. Ram Island Drive, Shelter Island

631-749-0811

ramsheadinn.com

Best Clam or Seafood Chowder

Slurp, slurp! There are few things more warming, soothing and satisfying than a cup or bowl of chowduh. Like most soups, the best chowders employ a something-special-from-nothing ethos, which kind of makes them even more magical. Who’s got us clamoring for clams and other swimmy specialties in our special soup? Glad you asked…

A Lure Chowder House and Oysteria

62300 Main Road, Southold

631-876-5300

alurenorthfork.com

Braun’s Seafood Company

30840 Main Road, Cutchogue

631-734-6700

braunseafood.com

Cliff’s Elbow Room

1549 Main Road, Jamesport

631-722-3292

cliffselbowroom.com

Jerry and the Mermaid

469 E. Main St., Riverhead

855-445-3072

jerryandthemermaid.com

Southold Fish Market

64755 Route 25, Southold

631-725-3200

Best CSA

Signing up for your local Community Supported Agriculture might seem like a lot out of pocket all at once, but think about it — or, better yet, add up how much you spend all spring, summer and fall at the supermarket. Not only are you supporting your local favorite farm and farmer, you’re part of keeping a way of life sustainable on the East End. Plus, the produce, eggs, meats, etc. are so good and so fresh! You can’t beat it — which is why you ought to join it.

Golden Acres Organic Farm

652 Peconic Bay Blvd., Jamesport

631-722-5100

goldenacresorganicfarm.com

Oregon Road Organics

12595 Oregon Road, Cutchogue

631-735-9195

oregonroadorganics.com

Sang Lee Farms

25180 County Road 48, Peconic

631-734-7001

sangleefarms.com

Sylvester Manor

80 North Ferry Road, Shelter Island

631-749-0626,

sylvestermanor.org

Zilnicki Farms

3747 Sound Ave., Riverhead

631-255-2598,

zilnickifarms.com

Best Date Spot

A cozy booth. A beautiful waterview on the sunset side. A dining room fit for a dream. A hidden away gem for a toastworthy tete a tete. However you want to manifest your perfect romantic ideal of a date, these spots bring the charm — and the delicious dining to match.

18 Bay

370 Manor Lane, Jamesport

631-809-3542

18bayrestaurant.com

Demarchelier Bistro

471 Main St., Greenport

631-593-1650

demarchelierrestaurant.com

The Frisky Oyster

27 Front St., Greenport

631-477-4265,

thefriskyoyster.com 

Minnow at the Galley Ho

650 1st St., New Suffolk

631-734-8474,

minnowrestaurant.com

The Watershed Kitchen
and Bar

46 Front St., S. Jamesport

631-779-3454

thewatershedli.com

Best Deli

From turkey on wheat to the whole-megillah Italian sub with all the fixins, these spots will make you your selected sammies just like you want ‘em — like any good deli worth its salt, pepper, tomato, lettuce and mayo ought to!

Ammirati’s of Love Lane

135 Love Lane, Mattituck

631-298-7812,

ammiratisoflovelane.com

Duffy’s Deli

1566 Main Road, Jamesport

631-722-2150

duffysdeli.com

Sterlington Deli

3 Sterlington Commons, Greenport

631-477-8547

sterlingtondeli.com

Wayside Market

55575 Main Road, Southold

631-765-3575

southoldwaysidemarket.com

Wendy’s Deli

55 Middle Road, Mattituck

631-298-1500

Best Dock and Dine

Put on your best boat shoes and slip on into a slip — who needs to white-knuckle through traffic when you can glide on into one of these boat-friendly feeding spots. 

Claudio’s Waterfront

111 Main St., Greenport

631-477-0627

claudios.com

On the Docks Waterfront Bar & Grill

177 Meeting House Creek Road, Aquebogue

631-886-1160

onthedocksgrill.com

Salt Waterfront Bar & Grill

63 Menantic Road, Shelter Island

631-749-5535

saltshelterisland.com

Waypoint Restaurant

400 Old Main Road, Southold

631-765-6373

waypointrestaurant.com

Windamere

2255 Wickham Ave., Mattituck

631-315-5252

windamerenofo.com

Best Doughnuts

Dunked or torn into bites; powdered or plump with jelly or cream, there’s nothing like a great homemade doughnut. Plush, sweet and absolutely irresistible, there’s no shortage of the cake-y, yummy, sweet orbs on the East End. 

Breeze Hill Farm

31215 County Road 48, Peconic

631-876-5159

breezehillfarmpreserve.com

Kyle’s

27 N. Ferry Road, Shelter Island

631-749-0579

North Fork Doughnut Co.

100 Love Lane, Mattituck

631-298-7941

nofodoco.com

Wickham’s Fruit Farm

287800 Main Road, Cutchogue 

631-734-6441

wickhamsfruitfarm.com

Woodside Orchards

729 Route 25, Aquebogue

631-722-5770

woodsideorchards.com

Best Family Restaurant

Bring the kids. Bring the grandparents. Bring the grumpy uncle and kooky cousin. Bring your whole brood to these something-for-everyone casual spots that make eating out as a family a fun night out (and no one’s fighting over getting stuck with the dishes!).

Andy’s

34 Front St., Greenport

631-333-2525

andysnofo.com

Country Corner Cafe

55765 Route 25, Southold

631-765-6766

countrycornersouthold.com

Founders Tavern

55500 Main Road, Southold

631-765-3100

founderstavern.com

The Islander

63 North Ferry Road, Shelter Island

631-749-1998

theislandersi.com

Michelangelo’s of Southold

53345 Main Road, Southold

631-765-0300

Best Farm Stand

Pulled from the earth, plucked from a branch or cut from a vine, you can’t beat the proximity and time factor in freshness from our local farm stands. While we encourage you to pull over roadside for all of our local farmers on the East End, here are a few of our go-to growers that we love to fill our ‘fridges from.

Bayview Market & Farms

891 Main Road, Riverhead

631-722-3077

bayviewfarmmarket.com

Country View Farm Stand

57995 Main Road, Southold

631-903-1335

Latham Farms

21920 Main Road, Orient

631-323-3701

lathamfarms.org

Schmitt’s Farm Stand

3355 Sound Ave., Riverhead

631-983-6565

schmittsfarmstandonsound.com

Sylvester Manor Farmstand 

80 N. Ferry Road, Shelter Island

631-749-0626

sylvestermanor.org

Best Fried Chicken

Trends come and trends go, but fried chicken? It’s always in finger-lickin’-good fashion. Crispy and golden brown, the wings, legs, breasts and thighs from these crunchmasters top
our list.

Ali Katz Kitchen

55 Middle Road, Mattituck

631-298-7694

alikatzkitchen.com

Commander Cody’s

41 Smith St., Shelter Island

631-749-1851

Ellen’s on Front

38 Front St., Greenport

631-333-2743

ellensonfront.com

Main Road Biscuit Co.

1601 Main Road, Jamesport

631-779-3463

mainroadbiscuitco.com

North Fork Shack

41150 County Road 48, Southold

631-876-5566

thenorthforkshack.com

Best Ice Cream & Frozen Treats

Creamy, cold, drippy deliciousness — is there anything better than ice cream, gelato or frogurt on a hot summer day? Nope, there’s not. From traditional ice cream parlors to specialty shops, there’s plenty of places to find a frozen treat.

Greenport Creamery

142 Main St., Greenport

631-333-2818

greenportcreamery.com

Hellenic Restaurant

5145 Main Road, East Marion

631-477-0138

thehellenic.com

Magic Fountain

9825 Main Road, Mattituck

631-298-4908

magicfountainlongisland.com

Patty’s Berries & Bunches

410 Sound Ave., Mattituck

631-655-7996

pattysberriesandbunches.org

Snowflake Ice Cream Shoppe

1148 West Main St.,
Riverhead

631-727-4394

snowflakeicecream.com

Best Italian Food

There’s a world of variation at the ready in Italian cuisine. Depending on what region you wish to dive into, north to south, mountains to sea, or if you’re just jonesing for some comforting Italian-American classics, there are a multitude of choices and interpretations available on the North Fork. 

18 Bay

370 Manor Lane, Jamesport

631-809-3542

18bayrestaurant.com

A Mano

13550 Main Road, Mattituck

631-298-4800

amanorestaurant.net

Grana Trattoria Antica & Enoteca

1556 Main Road, Jamesport

631-779-2844

granajamesport.com

Il Giardino

739 Main Road, Aquebogue

631-779-3900

ilgiardinoaquebogue.com

Touch of Venice

28350 Main Road, Cutchogue

631-298-5851

touchofvenice.com

Best Lobster Roll

Hot and buttery or cool and refreshing, the lobster rolls from these stand-out spots will satisfy your summery lunchtime crustacean-packed cravings.

Billy’s by the Bay

2530 Manhanset Ave., Greenport

631-477-8300

billysbythebayrestaurant.com

Little Fish

50 N. Sea Drive, Southold

631-765-8756 

littlefishnofo.com

North Fork Table & Inn Food Truck & Beer Garden

57255 Main Road, Southold

631-765-0177

northforktableandinn.com

Port Waterfront Bar & Grill

104 Third St., Greenport

631-333-2501

portbarandgrill.com

Southold Fish Market

64755 Main Road, Southold

631-765-3200

southoldfishmarket.com

Best Lunch Spot

Your stomach is grumbling! Your attention span is fading! For the love of sandwiches, get yourself some lunch. On the North Fork, we’ve got choices galore in every type of cuisine, in every town. This might be one of the most difficult Best Ofs on the list because… how in hero-with-all-the-fixins do you pick? Here are a few we hungry Times Reviewers like for midday chow-down energy.

Country Corner Cafe 

55765 Route 25, Southold

631-765-6766

countrycornersouthold.com

First and South

100 South St., Greenport

631-333-2200

firstandsouth.com

North Fork Shack

41150 County Road 48, Southold

631-876-5566

thenorthforkshack.com

Peconic Eatery

871 Old Country Road, Riverhead

631-591-0291

Pip’s Cafe

28 Main St., Greenport

631-318-0363

pips-cafe.com

Best Mainstay

They are as much a part of our towns as our neighbors. Actually, they kind of are like neighbors. Small businesses, often family owned, that comfort us with their dependability, service with a smile and that dish you need to know is always waiting for you, no matter what.

The Birchwood of Polish Town

512 Pulaski St., Riverhead

631-727-4449

thebirchwoodofpolishtown.com

Cliff’s Elbow Room

1549 Main Road, Jamesport

631-722-3292

cliffselbowroom.com

Cutchogue Diner

27850 Main Road, Cutchogue

631-734-7016

cutchoguediner.com

Modern Snack Bar

628 Main Road, Aquebogue

631-722-3655

modernsnackbar.com

Tweed’s Restaurant and Buffalo Bar

17 East Main St., Riverhead

631-237-8120

tweedsrestaurantriverhead.com

Best Mexican and Latin Food

According to the Latino Advocacy Organization of Eastern Long Island, almost a quarter of the East End’s population hails from Mexico and Central and South America. What comes with the cultures of these myriad countries to our south: some pretty awesome food traditions. (Can anyone live without tacos anymore? We think not.)  Here are a few where you might find the Northforker staff chowing down…

Casa Amigos Restaurante

131 Third St., Greenport

631-333-2323

casaamigosrestaurante.com

Funchos

1156 West Main St., Riverhead

631-369-7277

funchos.com

Lucharitos

119 Main St., Greenport

631-477-6666

lucharitos.com

Lucia 

13000 Main Road, Mattituck

631-315-5165

luciamattituck.com

Maria’s Kitchen

55 North Ferry Road, Shelter Island

631-749-5450

mariaskitchenshelterisland.com

Best Outdoor Dining

Ahhhh, al fresco! On sunny days and breezy, starry nights, there’s nothing better than dining outdoors — especially when someone else is doing the cooking. A lovely, shaded patio or garden or even sand-side sitting is a warm-weather treat we love taking advantage of at these splendid spots.

Eddie’s at Silver Sands

1400 Silvermere Road, Greenport

631-997-7747

silversandsmotel.com

Il Giardino

739 Main Road, Aquebogue

631-779-3900

ilgiardinoaquebogue.com

Jedediah Hawkins Inn

400 S. Jamesport Ave., Jamesport

631-722-2900

jedediahhawkinsinn.com

Ram’s Head Inn

108 S. Ram Island Drive, Shelter Island

631-749-0811

ramsheadinn.com 

Southold Social 

56125 Main Road, Southold

631-765-8888

southoldsocial.com

Best Pies

Some of the best desserts to come out of the North Fork are these slices of heaven. If you need a host gift, of want to serve up something special at your next function, consider these pies the centerpiece. 

Briermere Farms

4414 Sound Ave., Riverhead

631-722-3931

briermerefarms.com

Country View Farm Stand Southold

57995 Main Road, Southold

631-903-1335

facebook.com/countryviewfarmstand/

Hallock’s Cider Mill

1960 Main Road, Jamesport

631-298-1140

facebook.com/p/Hallocks-Cider-Mill-100052003101026/

Orient Country Store

950 Village Lane, Orient

631-323-2580

orientcountrystore.com

Wickham’s Fruit Farm

28700 Route 25, Cutchogue

631-734-6441

wickhamsfruitfarm.com

Best Pizza

Whether you’re grabbing takeout for the family or are craving a loaded pie, these take the cake on the North Fork. However you like your pizza, there’s a slice for you on the list. 

1943 Pizza Bar

308 Main St., Greenport 

631-477-6984

rollingindoughpizza.com

Eddie’s at Silver Sands Motel 

1400 Silvermere Road, Greenport

631-997-7747

silversandsmotel.com/best-restaurants-greenport-north-fork-ny 

Grana Trattoria & Enoteca

1556 Main Road, Jamesport

631-779-2844

granajamesport.com 

Lenny’s Pizza

1451 Main Road, Jamesport 

631-722-8589

instagram.com/lennyspizzabistro

Sophie’s Rest

730 Main Bayview Road, Southold

631-765-5700

sophiesrest.com

Best Seafood Spot

There’s nothing like a bucket of shellfish or a gorgeous fillet — especially on a North Fork summer day. Check out our list of the best seafood around our part of the island. 

A Lure Chowder House & Oysteria

62300 Main Road, Southold

631-876-5300

alurenorthfork.com

Anker

47 Front St., Greenport

631-477-1300

ankerny.com

Braun Fishmonger & Kitchen

30840 Main Road, Cutchogue

631-734-7770

braunseafood.com

Buoy One

40 Peconic Ave., Unit 38, Riverhead

631-208-9737

instagram.com/buoyone

Southold Fish Market

64755 Route 25, Southold

631-765-3200

Best Special Occasion Spot

No matter what you’re celebrating, there’s a great place on the North Fork for the occasion. These are our favorite locations for those extra exciting moments in life — or just a spot to get a great meal. 

Dureya’s Orient Point

40200 Main Road, Orient

631-323-2424

duryeas.com/pages/duryeas-orient-point 

The Halyard

58775 Route 48, Greenport

631-477-0666

thehalyardgreenport.com

Jedediah Hawkins Inn 

400 S. Jamesport Ave., Jamesport

631-722-2900

jedediahhawkinsinn.com

La Plage 

131 Creek Road, Wading River

631-744-9200

laplagewadingriver.com

North Fork Table & Inn 

57225 Main Road, Southold

631-745-0177

northforktableandinn.com

Best Specialty Market 

Grab some ingredients for dinner, a delicious snack to serve to your guests or a prepared meal from these stocked up specialty markets. With loads of cheese, produce packed foods and scrumptions grab-and-go selections our list has a little bit of everything.  

Fit-Foods

46025 County Road 48, Southold

631-765-8199

fitfoodnofo.com

The Little Greek Market by Parea

610b Pike St. Mattituck

631-315-5070

pareany.com

Lombardi’s Love Lane Market

170 Love Lane, Mattituck

631-298-9500

lombardislovelanemarket.com

NoFo Pot Pies

11160 Main Road, Mattituck

631-548-7437

nofopotpies.com

The Village Cheese Shop

105 Love Lane, Mattituck

631-298-8556

thevillagecheeseshop.com

Best Steak Dinner

Get your fork and knife ready to dig into this list of juicy, coveted steak dinners. Special steak nights or just stopping by, you won’t be disappointed by what’s served up at these joints. 

Cliff’s Elbow Room

1549 Main Road, Jamesport

631-722-3292

cliffselbowroom.com

Jedediah Hawkins Inn 

400 S. Jamesport Ave., Jamesport

631-722-2900

jedediahhawkinsinn.com

Léon 1909

29 W. Neck Road, Shelter Island

631-749-9123

leon1909.com

Sophie’s Rest

730 Main Bayview Road, Southold

631-765-5700

sophiesrest.com

Tweed’s Restaurant & Buffalo Bar

17 E. Main St., Riverhead

631-208-3151

tweedsrestaurantriverhead.com

Best Sweets & Treats

We know all about the war on sugar, but when it comes to these irresistible sweet slingers, we’re all in, calories be damned! 

Atelier Disset Chocolate

28080 Main Road, Cutchogue

631-734-8387

dissetchocolateonline.com

Encanto Crepes & Cafe

117 Main St., Greenport

631-477-6533

encantocrepescafe.com

Love Lane Sweet Shoppe

125 Love Lane, Mattituck

631-298-2276

lovelanesweets.com

North Fork Chocolate Company

8700 Main Road, Mattituck

631-779-2963

northforkchocolate.com

The Treatery

1564 Main Road, Jamesport

631-779-2883

thetreateryli.com

Best Takeout

No time to cook? Need lunch on the go? Just… hangry on the road from here to there? These spots have you covered, paper bag included.

GoodFood.

535 Pike St., Mattituck

631-298-7599

gfperiod.com

Hellenic Restaurant

5145 Main Road, East Marion

631-477-0138

thehellenic.com

Jennie’s at Drossos

69125 Main Road, Greenport

631-477-1339

jenniesatdrossos.com

The North Fork Shack

41150 County Road 48, Southold

631-876-5566

thenorthforkshack.com

Pip’s Café & Provisions

218 Main St., Greenport

631-318-0363

pips-cafe.com

Best Waterfront Dining

What’s the point of living by the water if you don’t take the time to gaze at it every now and again? Grab a deck chair with the best tableside view in town at these seaside restaurants.

Farm Country Kitchen

513 West Main St., Riverhead

631-369-6311

farmcountrykitchenli.com

The Old Mill Inn

5775 W. Mill Road, Mattituck

631-621-2251

oldmillnorthfork.com

On the Docks Waterfront Bar & Grill

177 Meeting House Creek Road, Riverhead

631-886-1160

onthedocksgrill.com

Salt Waterfront Bar & Grill

63 Menantic Road, Shelter Island

631-749-5535

saltshelterisland.com

Waypoint Restaurant

400 Old Main Road, Southold

631-765-6373

waypointrestaurant.com

Best Wings

This classic dish, great for watching the game with friends or as an app before digging into a burger, is held to a high standard by many. These North Fork spots serve up flavorful, great textured wings, perfect for any occasion. 

Biggie’s at The Catered Fork

43715 County Road 48, Southold

631-765-8448

thecateredfork.com/biggies

The Clam Bar @ Alize Brewing

10560 Main Road, Mattituck

631-298-7793

alizebrewing.com

Digger’s Ales N’ Eats

58 W. Main St., Riverhead

631-369-3200

diggerspub.com

First and South

100 South St., Greenport

631-333-2200

firstandsouth.com

Legends Restaurant

835 First St., New Suffolk 

631-734-5123

legends-restaurant.com