Long Island restaurants usher in fall with new menus, heated outdoor spaces and creative touches that make dining out memorable long after the check has been paid.

FALL OUTDOOR DINING EXPERIENCES

2 Spring (2 Spring St., Oyster Bay): This polished New American restaurant has an Instagram-ready streetside patio decked out with burlap, sheepskin throws, pillows and string lights, plus forced heat from above. Elevated small plates run from light bites (caviar and smoked bacon) to seasonal fish. Reservations for Friday and Saturday are suggested. More info: 516-624-2411, 2springstreet.com

Centro Trattoria (336 W. Montauk Hwy., Hampton Bays): An outdoor fireplace creates a measure of coziness on chilly evenings, but Centro’s gravel "piazza" builds a case for warm ones too, with strings of party lights swooping down from blond wood beams, bringing a friendly glow to the white tablecloth dining area. Equally unexpected: the seriousness with which area old-timers play the bocce courts on select evenings. More info: 631-594-5744, centrohamptons.com

Gatsby's Landing (1362 Old Northern Blvd., Roslyn) Head to the back deck overlooking Roslyn Pond to dine on New American classics with a striking view of fall's foilage splendor taking shape. Tables here seat up to 4 people and are first-come, first serve, but the vantage point from the rear of the main dining room aren't bad, either. More info: 516-277-2318, gatsbyslanding.com

Hooks & Chops (6330 Jericho Tpke., Commack): The large bluestone- and Nicolock-paved patio adjacent to the restaurant’s main dining room is attractive and organic-looking. Arborvitae trees around the periphery shield diners from busy Jericho Turnpike, and musical duos and trios now play on select evenings. More info: 631-600-0521, hooksandchops.com

Maria's Mexican & Latin Cuisine (211 Smithtown Blvd., Smithtown): It's hard not to do a double-take at the oasis of tropicalia that on the east side of Smithtown Blvd. in Nesconset. Blooming hibiscus bushes, palm trees and strings of twinkling lights blanket the stone patio of Maria's, lending it a transportive vibe, with outdoor tables wedged into the patio's nooks. A long roster of margaritas deepens the Caribbean vibe and the menu takes you across many countries, from ceviche to Mexican tamales to Cubana-style quesadillas and Argentinian-style churrasco steak. For a final romantic flourish, share a churro sundae. More info: 631-979-7724, marias211.com

Stone Creek Inn (405 Montauk Hwy., East Quogue): The restaurant’s fabulous outdoor setup stays in place until Columus Day weekend, bringing fine dining to the great outdoors via a giant sailcloth tent that’s as beautiful to look at as it is to eat under. Not far away, a vintage camper pairs well with two other vehicles on display, a pair of circa-1940 Fords that were part of the owner's late father’s collection. Flowering potted plants, bistro lights, Adirondack chairs and tiki torches add the trimming to a fun outdoor space where patrons can repair for drinks before or after dinner. More info: 631-653-6770, stonecreekinn.com

The Refuge (515 Broadhollow Rd., Melville): The indoor-outdoor restaurant perched along Route 110 is a magnet for after-work gatherings or meeting up with friends on the weekend. There's a long list of specialty cocktails, plus easy-to-share apps and pizzas. Weekend brunch, offered 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, offers a crowd-pleasing menu of eggs, loaded waffles, bowls, salads and beyond to be enjoyed in the modern rustic dining room or outdoor patio. More info: 631-577-4444, refuge110.com

ITA Kitchen (45 W. Main St., Bay Shore): This Italian restaurant turned its side and back patios into an outdoor dining wonderland, where guets can dine within private open-air cabanas, greenhouses (and later in the season, igloos) that seat six to eight people. All feature mini chandeliers, heaters and music that guests can largely control. Reservations require a $200 minimum spend on weekends. More info: 631-267-5916, itakitchenbayshore.com

BEER GARDENS

Garden Social (1964 Hempstead Tpke., East Meadow): Outside, the landscaped "beer garden" sits beneath a towering cedar pergola. The 20-plus taps feature Long Island and New York State beers almost exclusively, and there are even more craft beers in bottles and cans. More info: 516-750-5338, gardensocialli.com

Dark Horse Tavern (12 S. Park Ave., Rockville Centre): This pub provides a buoyant crowd and a laid-back, old-world-style place to mingle, watch a game and enjoy bar food. Specializing in craft beer, it also features a large courtyard that's open all year. Other locations at 273 Main St. in Farmingdale and 1029A Park Blvd. in Massapequa Park. More info: 516-442-5477, darkhorservc.com
Main Street Tavern (177 Main St., Amagansett): The former Indian Wells Tavern was transformed into this outdoor-oriented hangout with a 54-seat beer garden of blond-wood picnic tables flanked by shrubs and planters. The tapped, canned and bottled beers are a blend of local (Montauk Wave Chaser) and not-so-local (Peroni); the eats runs to pub staples such as wings, burgers, and fish & chips, plus a few hearty salads for more virtuous revelers. More info: 631-267-0400, mainstreettavern.com
Plattduetsche Park Restaurant (1132 Hempstead Tpke., Franklin Square): This century-old German American restaurant with an outdoor area is the closest Long Island has to a traditional German beer garden, with tables spread across a concrete patio. There is also an outdoor bar, a bratwurst pit, a dance floor and a bandshell, where cover bands get the party started. More info: 516-354-3131, parkrestaurant.com
Southampton Publick House (62 Jobs Lane, Southampton): Grab one of the house-brewed beers, such as Double White or Burton IPA, to accompany the classic pub fare at this spot's pretty patio and outdoor bar. More info: 631-283-2800, publick.com
Prost Grill & Garten (652 Franklin Ave., Garden City): Prost’s patio with three picnic tables is part of the restaurant's sudsy appeal, furthered by Spaten Oktoberfest and Hofbräu Original. The main dining area sports tables made from old bowling alley wood, the German eagle flag, the blue-and-white banner of Bavaria, and a hearty menu with wursts, burgers and chicken wings. More info: 516-427-5656, prostgrill.com

Repeal XVIII Cocktail Lounge & Beer Garden (30 New St., Huntington): This spot features a rustic lounge atmosphere with two rooms, each having its own bar, in addition to an outdoor beer garden. Enjoy craft cocktails and a large selection of local, domestic and imported craft beers. More info: 631-629-5878, repealxviii.com

ON THE APPLE-PUMPKIN TRAIL

Picking a bushel of apples and hauling pumpkins straight from the field works up an appetite, as does sitting in the car inching along Suffolk's notoriously traffic-clogged roads during fall harvest season. You'll want a place to eat with a crowd-pleasing menu that doesn't require reservations.

MID-SUFFOLK

Sound Bistro (3225 Sound Ave., Riverhead): With its blue-awning-ed windows and proud yardarm flagpole, the big, rambling Sound Bistro is unmissable as you travel along Sound Avenue. The former Lobster Roll Northside is one of the only places around to find that Long Island specialty, fried puffer fish tails. You’ll also find lobster rolls, fried fish baskets, local clams and oysters and, in season, soft-shell crabs and lobster-stuffed beefsteak tomatoes. The family-friendly menu features roast chicken, seared tuna, linguine and clams sauce, veal Milanese and much more. A terraced patio offers outdoor dining. More info: 631-381-0519, soundbistroriverhead.com

Broadway Market (643 Broadway, Rocky Point): Fuel up for a day in the patch or wind down afterward at this indoor-outdoor cafe, which serves brunch in the form of pancakes, loaded flatbreads, salads and burgers. The hearty market sandwich is layered with fried eggs, maple bacon, tomato and Mornay sauce on a house-baked potato bun ($12). The eatery's cleverly designed backyard seating area gives kids (and adults) space to roam and play. The restaurant's perch is just west of several u-pick farms on Route 27-A in Baiting Hollow and Wading River, making it a good pitstop. More info: 631-849-1729. bmropo.com

Lucha Farm (177 Main St., Center Moriches): Part of Marc LaMaina’s growing empire of Lucharitos restaurants, “the farm” rambles over more than an acre of multiple outdoor dining areas. The menu will be familiar to patrons of the original Lucharitos in Greenport and its outposts in Aquebogue, Mattituck and Melville. The exuberant take on Mexican and Mexican American street food — tacos filled with coconut shrimp, quesadillas made with local duck — may all be washed down with premium tequilas, beer and Mexican soft drinks. More info: 631-400-9625, lucharitos.com

NORTH FORK

Cooperage Inn (2218 Sound Ave., Baiting Hollow): This North Fork stalwart is the very model of a rural restaurant, situated across the street from Fox Hollow Farm and next to Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard. The restaurant’s décor reflects its setting, with a verdant patio, old-fashioned tap room, a "harvest" dining room with a fireplace. The menu blends American standards (homemade pot pies, steaks, meatloaf, roast duck) with more contemporary touches and, of course, pasta. Cooperage Inn’s annual fall festival runs every weekend through October, featuring face painting, a hay playground and a petting zoo. Festival menu specials include roasted corn, pulled pork sandwiches, barbecued ribs and chicken and bratwurst. More info: 631-727-8994, cooperageinn.com

Barrow Food House (452 Main Rd., Aquebogue): It's an eatery of high aspirations and distinction at a wallet-friendly price point. The setting is a dramatic one: a rebuilt 1850s farmhouse (the owners live upstairs) with a handsome indoor dining area and a partially shaded picnic table area outside, plus a front porch perfect for dining and drinking. All the dining areas are quaint and cozy, but no reservations are accepted, so get there early. More info: 631-779-3379, barrowfoodhouse.com

Modern Snack Bar (628 Main Rd., Aquebogue) Modern Snack Bar in Aquebogue is like a welcoming center on the North Fork, warm and reliable, as it has been since Truman was president. Recommended: fried soft-shell crabs; lobster salad; chicken croquettes; deep-fried flounder sandwich; fried chicken; roast loin of pork with mashed potatoes, sauerkraut, and apple sauce; roast turkey, with stuffing, gravy, and cranberry sauce; meat loaf; New England-style clam chowder; sauerbraten with red cabbage, potato dumplings, and gingersnap gravy; all pies. More info: 631-722-3655, modernsnackbar.com

North Fork Shack (41150 County Rd. 48, Southold): A compelling little spot whose casual vibe belies its culinary ambitions. Follow a local clam chowder with a sandwich of local fish with tomato, arugula and Old Bay aioli, or a wrap of pulled lamb with cucumber yogurt sauce and pickled vegetables. Tacos and tostadas are filled with your choice of pulled chicken, marinated steak, fried fish or Buffalo eggplant. Order at the counter and dine at picnic tables outside. More info: 631-876-5566, thenorthforkshack.com

SOUTH FORK

Little Gull Cafe (54 N. Phillips Ave., Speonk): At this charmer located in a decommissioned train depot, chef-owner Will Pendergast offers homestyle breakfasts and lunches made with truly local ingredients. The dining room offers unobstructed views of the chefs as they make tender, towering buttermilk biscuits, sourdough pancakes, egg sandwiches on thick-cut toast, lobster rolls on homemade buns, greens-and-grains bowls and much more. Don’t leave without dessert, whether it’s a local fruit buckle or Pendergast’s signature pistachio-olive oil Bundt with a tunnel of chocolate. More info: 631-801-2176, littlegullcafe.com

Shinnecock Lobster Factory (42 Montauk Hwy., Southampton): If you’re heading to the Hamptons, it’s worth getting off of Route 27 once you cross the Shinnecock Canal. Not only will the scenery improve, but you’ll pass right by Shinnecock Lobster Factory, a collaboration between former Shinnecock tribal leader Lance Gumbs and Sicilian-born chef-caterer Marco Barrila. Lobster rolls here come in guppy, shark and whale sizes and in six varieties, from classic or BLT-style to diablo (with spicy tomato sauce) or “Shinnecock” (with extra-virgin olive oil and lemon). There’s also lobster bisque, lobster salad, lobster tacos...you get the idea. Dine on the porch or at picnic tables on the lawn out back. More info: 631-259-3334, shinnecocklobsterfactory.com

TownLine BBQ (3593 Montauk Hwy., Sagaponack): The roadside barbecue joint is casual and counter-service, making it a perfect turnoff for a quick bite when you've had your fill of agri-tainment at nearby Hank's Pumpkintown or The Milk Pail. Smoked meats reign, of course, especially St. Louis-style ribs. Sides, from cornbread to collard greens, are solid. TownLine is the rare BBQ spot that makes its own (and very good) desserts. More info: 631-537-2271, townlinebbq.com

PIZZA GARDENS

Piñons (23 Birch Hill Rd., Locust Valley): The succinct menu of organic-flour crust pies includes simple mozzarella cheese with herbs to more unorthodox creations involving Vermont maple syrup and white Cheddar cheese. Rotating weekly specials draw on what's around. Diners can choose to sit outdoors in a dog-friendly walled-off sidewalk garden area bolstered, as needed, with heat towers. More info: 516-801-3200, pinonspizza.com

1943 Pizza Company (308 D Main St., Greenport): Since 2014, Greenporters have congregated at Matt Michel’s wood-oven pizzeria, whose seating begins on a small deck with a view of the oven and then spreads out all over Stirling Square and onto the sidewalk of Main Street. Specialties include the "New Haven," topped with mashed potato and bacon, and seasonal pizzas that draw on the bounty of the North Fork. Folks wait all year for the white pie with Comté cheese, red onion, rosemary and sliced potatoes More info: 631-477-6984, rollingindoughpizza.com

Cena 081 (103 Post Ave., Westbury): Its outdoor patio offers an eyeful of attractions, from a moderately sized waterfall to a wood-burning oven that churns out calzones, focaccia and pizza, including a Buffalo chicken bacon pizza, "Quattro Stagioni," with capocollo, anchovies, olives and mushrooms, and an artichoke, spinach, Gorgonzola pizza. About 20 tables make up the area, which features light music, some standing heaters and a fire pit. A lounge occupies the space just outside of the restaurant’s back door. More info: 516-385-3795, cena081.com

King Umberto (1343 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont): King Umberto's pizza-on-the-patio spot is a huge, marble-floored, open-sided terrace with tables and couches. With more than 140 seats, it was the perfect excuse to introduce a new menu, "pizza on the patio." Nor could the timing have been better for John Cesarano, who owns King Umberto with his brother, Ciro, and the 45-year-old venue’s original partner Rosario Fuschetto. It’s John who runs the pizzeria and, over the last A fancy new oven churns out 14-inch artisinal pies that have the structure and refinement of a classic Neapolitan, but with the crunch and crackle of New York. Along with the classic Margherita and Marinara, there are more fanciful pies such as those inspired by cacio e pepe and Amatriciana pastas. Plus an amazing calzone, filled with ricotta and either meatballs or eggplant. More info: 516-352-8391, kingumberto.com

Mangia Bene (14 S. Park Ave., Rockville Centre): The menu at this new Rockville Centre trattoria ranges all over the boot, but attention must be paid to the individual Neapolitan-style pizzas. Crust and toppings are in perfect harmony, from the simplest marinara and Margherita to the "PLT" (smoked Tyrolean Speck, arugula, cherry tomatoes, lemon, mozzarella and Parmesan) and the "Calabrese," sparked by hot sausage and Calabrian chilies. Enjoy them in a tented "giardino" out back that has standing heaters to lengthen the al fresco season. More info: 516-447-6744, mangiabenervc.com

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