Long Beach, Fire Island, Montauk and Greenport: How to spend the day in the sand at Long Island's beach towns
Living on an island means being surrounded by beach towns.
Lounging in the sand, dining on the water, strolling along the boardwalk, and being stuck in oceanfront traffic are all part of the Long Island beachgoer’s rite of passage.
Here's a guide instructing those seeking sand and sun on how to get to some at Long Island's beach towns. So grab a towel and some sunblock, and follow the sound of the waves.
FIRE ISLAND
Eugenie Trott, of Jersey City Heights, takes out a kayak in Ocean Beach, Fire Island.; Check ferry schedules before you head out to Fire Island. Credit: Linda Rosier; James Carbone
Take the kids for some of the island’s best pancakes, French toast and egg sandwiches at Rachel’s Bakery and Restaurant (325 Bay Walk, Ocean Beach), or simply stop in for a cup of coffee and comfort foods like the famed crumb cake at the all-day eatery. For upscale dining, there are options like Top of the Bay in Cherry Grove (1 Dock Walk), The Hideaway in Ocean Beach (785 Evergreen Walk), and the Pines Bistro and Martini Bar in Fire Island Pines (36 Fire Island Blvd.).
MONTAUK
View of the ocean beach at Gurney's Resort & Seawater Spa in Montauk.; Montauk Lighthouse is a must for Long Island photo-ops. Credit: Gordon M. Grant
Montauk's ever-expanding menu continues to evolve with a growing list of popular eateries like Navy Beach (16 Navy Rd.), where diners can eat on a private beach overlooking Fort Pond Bay with their toes in the sand; Joni's Kitchen (28 S. Etna Ave.), with creative breakfast offerings, acai bowls, salads, wraps and healthy alternatives; and The Inlet Seafood Restaurant (541 E. Lake Dr.), for sushi and views of Long Island Sound. Wash it all down at Montauk Brewing Co. (62 S. Erie Ave.)
LONG BEACH
A surfer rides a wave in Long Beach.;Beachgoers bike along the Long Beach boardwalk. Credit: J. Conrad Williams Jr; Johnny Milano
If there's still room after lunch, hit Swingbelly's Beachside BBQ (909 W. Beech St.). The appropriately named BBQ joint will send diners home full, with its burnt-end chili, pulled pork-stuffed jalapeños, Buffalo mac-and-cheese, grilled shrimp tacos and all the traditional barbecue dishes one would expect. The dining list also includes LB Social (62 W. Park Ave.), Roc & Olive (180 W. Park Ave.) and JJ Coopers (124 W. Park Ave.). The kids will love Dough Hut (891 W. Beech St.), offering specialty doughnuts, and Waffle Cabin (874-B W. Beech St.), for signature Belgian waffles to go.
GREENPORT
Claudio's waterfront restaurant is a Greenport institution.; Frazer Dougherty from Greenport fishes for striped bass at Truman's Beach in East Marion. Credit: Randee Daddona; Corey Sipkin
For upscale seafood and new American fare, head to Noah's (136 Front St.). For breakfast and lunch made with local produce, try Bruce & Son (208 Main St.). For a classic diner with a twist, grab a seat at Crazy Beans (2 Front St.). The list goes on with The Frisky Oyster (27 Front St.), First and South (100 South St.), PORT Waterfront Bar & Grill (104 Third St.), and so on. Depending on your preference of post-meal beverage, head to either Brix & Rye (308A Main St.), a speak-easy with classic cocktails, or to Greenport Harbor Brewing Company (234 Carpenter St.), a brewery and tasting room situated in a mid-1800s firehouse.
