Coming soon: Long Island restaurants opening
The rigatoni with fennel sausage, spinach, hot peppers, and pomodoro rossa with an artichoke appetizer at The Farm Italy Restaurant & Bar in Huntington. A second location is planned for Westbury. Credit: Megan Schlow
Crazy Pizza, East Hampton
Crazy Pizza, the festive SoHo spot that debuted in 2024, is landing in East Hampton this summer. The global brand — which has locations across Italy in as well as in Monte Carlo, London, Spain, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia — will open in June, bringing thin-crust pizza and over-the-top dining room dough-spinning antics to the East End. It takes over the former Kizzy T’s burger joint.
Roast Sandwich House, Babylon
Joseph Cordaro is opening a second Suffolk County location of the fast-casual eatery that is popular for its soups and sandwiches. The new Roast Sandwich House will open at 114 Deer Park Ave. at the former Babylon Bagel. The space is about 2,000 square feet and will have around 25 seats. While this location will not have a full bar, it will offer beer, wine and signature cocktails, something not available at any other Roast Sandwich House location. Cordaro is planning to open in May.
Gigi's at Gurney's, Montauk
The oceanfront resort shuttered its upscale Italian restaurant, Scarpetta Beach, at the end of 2024 for an offseason renovation that will bring in a new American restaurant in time for summer visitors.
La Plage Bistro, Bellport
Chef-owner Wayne Waddington is giving South Shore diners a chance to see what North Shore diners have been enjoying since this Wading River eatery opened in 1996. The eatery, which blends French, Italian and New American fare, will open in the former Bellport Brewing Company on Station Road. Waddington hopes to have a May opening
Bonchon, Westbury
Those who love Korean fare are in luck: Bonchon, which translates to "my hometown" in English, will be among the newest restaurants to join Samanea’s restaurant row. The Korean fried chicken franchise recently opened in Centereach and is planning its second Long Island location in a 2,350-square-foot space expected to open in July. On the menu, patrons will find appetizers such as pot sticker dumplings stuffed with pork and cabbage, fried octopus dumplings and more. Main dishes include glass noodles with bulgogi and chicken katsu.
Tulum Tacos and Tequila, Baldwin
The brunch spread, including chilaques and quesadillas, at Tulum Tacos & Tequila. Credit: Newsday/Marie Elena Martinez
Mineola’s Tulum Tacos will expand into Baldwin this spring, opening at a former Friendly’s. Owner Nicolas Geeraerts said he will keep the bohemian chic ambience the brand is known for while differentiating the decor. The menu will be essentially the same: think their spice grilled chicken torta ($21) or their crunch wrap ($21) as well as a variety of tacos including seared sushi grade tuna ($22) birria ($22) and more. There will also be chef specials.
The Farm Italy, Westbury
The Farm Italy was one of the biggest and most anticipated restaurant openings in 2023, serving Italian dishes in a Tuscan farmhouse-style eatery in the middle of Huntington village. Owner John Tunney said he plans to open a second location on Merrick Avenue in Westbury in the spring. While the menu will be the same — think antipasto platters, homemade pastas such as pappardelle Bolognese and entrées from branzino to steak — the Westbury location will be about twice as large and have easy, ample parking. Tunney's other Long Island restaurants include the all-day-brunch chainlet, The Shed, and Besito Mexican eateries.
Tony’s Tacos, Holbrook
Italian classics in the form of tacos at Tony's Tacos in Garden City. Credit: Newsday/Marie Elena Martinez
Owner Mike Scotto's brand of Italian Mexican fusion fare is expanding to Holbrook in 2025 with a new location at The Shops at Sun-Vet Mall. The new restaurant will encompass 4,000 square feet. Customers will find a familiar ambience and menu from the brand’s established locations in Floral Park, Huntington, Franklin Square and Garden City. Scott said he hopes to open between August and September.
Babylon Social
Horace & Sylvia’s Publick House is getting new life as Babylon Social this spring. Co-owners James Economou and Chris Cappiello hope to open the gastropub in May. The 3,000 square-foot space will seat approximately 100 guests. The menu will include brick oven pizza, shareable appetizers, oversize sandwiches, wraps, burgers and fresh salads.
The Study by Toast, East Setauket
The all-day breakfast and brunch chain Toast is spawning a new concept: The Study. Owner Terry Scarlatos said the East Setauket shop will serve as a hub of sorts for the chainlet, with staffers roasting coffee, baking pastries such as English muffins and mixing pancake batter for the brand's locations in Port Jefferson Station, Bay Shore, Long Beach and Patchogue. The space is the former Pita House at 100 S. Jersey Ave.
Sur La Table, Smith Haven Mall
As part of Smith Haven Mall’s multimillion dollar revamp, Sur La Table will be coming to Lake Grove this June according to a news release. Culinary enthusiasts will find top-of-the-line kitchen gear as well as cooking classes. Starting June, the store’s hours will be 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday to Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays.
Culpers 1778, East Setauket
The 250-seat space which used to be Mario’s Italian Restaurant in East Setauket will be transformed to a new concept for a modern steakhouse named Culpers 1778. The name refers to the Culper Ring which, according to the Three Village Historical Society, was "the nation’s first spy ring [and] operated in secrecy, providing General George Washington with critical information that helped turn the tide of the American Revolution." The spy ring was based in Setauket and New York City. The new owners, Ed Fabian, Scott Brittman and Chris Otero hope to open the bar in May. The menu is still not finalized, but owners confirmed the focus will be prime steak.
Sup Vietnamese, Farmingdale and Jericho
Sup Vietnamese, with restaurants in Stony Brook, Massapequa, and Rockville Centre will be expanding to two much larger, more visible spots, in Farmingdale and Jericho scheduled to open by the end of the year. Each of the new locations — 2120 Broadhollow Rd. in Farmingdale, and 399 Jericho Tpke., in Jericho — will seat about 120 guests.
A new restaurant in the former Jolly Fisherman, Roslyn
Answering the calls of countless North Shore glutterati, Gillis and George Poll bought the Roslyn spot that, for 66 years, was the Jolly Fisherman — and, for eight months in 2023, was an outpost of the Manhattan restaurant Pietro’s. The Poll brothers also operate Hendrick’s Tavern and Bryant & Cooper in Roslyn, Toku and Cipollini in Manhasset, Bar Frites in Greenvale, Major’s Steakhouse in East Meadow and The Bryant in Huntington Station. They are shooting for a summer opening but have not settled on a concept or name for the new venue.
Erica Marcus contributed to this story.
Melissa Azofeifa is a restaurants reporter with Newsday's FeedMe team. Having grown up on Long Island, she loves talking about food and its impact on culture. A graduate of Stony Brook University, she joined Newsday in the fall of 2024.
