Things to do in Port Jefferson: Restaurants, shopping and more
Dine at Steamroom, enjoy a drink at Port Jeff Brewing Co. and Po'Boy Brewery and more: There's plenty to do in Port Jefferson. Credit: Yvonne Albinowski
When you go to Port Jefferson, you spend the day "Down Port." Once there, the waterfront community offers an eclectic menu (at spots like Prohibition Kitchen and The Whiskey Barrel), a wide range of shopping options, and a vibrant downtown strip with activities for all ages. Here's how you can spend the day in the area.
THINGS TO DO
Port Jeff Brewing Co. and Po’Boy Brewery
Patrons sip craft beer and mingle on the front patio of the dog-friendly Port Jeff Brewing Company in Port Jefferson. Credit: Daniel Brennan
Grab a home-brewed cold one at either microbrewery, which offer a wide range of beers on tap and by the can. Port Jeff Brewing Company pours local-themed crafts like the citrusy Port Jeff Party Boat IPA and the crisp Port Jeff Beach Beer. The microbrewery also hosts a free summer concert series every Wednesday night in Chandler Square. Po’Boy Brewery offers a mix of Pilseners, ales and IPAs, along with hard ciders and sours. The Sour Patch — available on Fridays and Saturdays from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. — includes specialties like the Sour Mashup (kettle sour with blackberry, raspberry, blueberry and marshmallow) and the Donut Touch My Bacon (an American porter combining the tastes of bacon and doughnut).
INFO Port Jeff Brewing Co, 22 Mill Creek Road, 631-331-2959, portjeffbrewing.com; Po’Boy Brewery, 200 Wilson Street Building E3, 631-828-1131, poboybrewery.com
Captain Fish Port Jefferson
Spend the day fishing on the Long Island Sound aboard a chartered boat with Captain Eric. The 30-foot Albin takes a private party of anywhere from one to six passengers as far out as the Middle Ground, where guests can drop a line and fish for striped bass. All bait and high-quality fishing equipment are provided. The boat includes a full kitchen and stand-up bathroom. Captain Fish also offers charted tours of Port Jefferson Harbor.
INFO: 118 W Broadway, 631-974-4933, captainfishportjefferson.com
Port Jeff Salt Cave
Step into a salt cave made with three tons of Himalayan salt crystals and unwind in a zero gravity lounge chair as your healing process begins through salt therapy. Cool down with a three-minute, full-body cryotherapy session to detox, relieve pain and inflammation, and receive a natural energy boost and mood enhancer. Additional body treatment and healing services include aroma touch therapy, an infrared sauna, CBS oil therapy and more.
INFO 320 Main St., 631-938-2102, thehealingcenteratportjeffsaltcave.com
Muse Paintbar
Patrons paint portraits at the Muse Paintbar. Credit: James Carbone
With a paintbrush in one hand and a glass of wine in the other, spend a night out getting a painting session at this studio. Pick the painting you want to create, make a reservation for your party, and let the paint and sip experience begin. Virtual and private events are also available.
INFO134 Main St., 888-607-6873, musepaintbar.com
McAllister Park
McAllister County Park, at the northern end of Belle Terre, offers opportunities to fish and hike along the beach and dunes of Pirate's Cove, or launch kayaks onto Port Jefferson Harbor. Credit: Newsday/John Paraskevas
Climb the dunes that stand between the Long Island Sound and the Port Jefferson Harbor at this hidden gem, which includes Pirates Cove, and get water views from all angles. Limited parking is available in Belle Terre, but even better to make the walk from town or arrive by boat, drop anchor and enjoy the tranquility.
INFO Anchorage Road, Belle Terre
Rocketship Park
The Rocketship Park playground in Port Jefferson. Credit: Ian J. Stark
The kids will have a blast at this 4,000-square-foot playground, just off the Port Jefferson Harbor. It includes a spacecraft structure with two slides, a pirate ship climbing apparatus, and other play areas, all within a fenced area with a rubberized surface. Nearby are basketball courts, tennis courts and a covered picnic area.
INFO 34 Roessner Lane
SHOPPING
You, me & Tea
This is a tea-lover’s cup of tea. With over 150 different loose teas, including handcrafted blends, the 375-square foot tea shop offers everything from black and green and oolong teas, to the always-trendy bubble tea, to relaxation blends that help with sleep and anxiety. Also available are tea accessories, including tea pots, mugs infusers, bag squeezers and more.
INFO 45 Chandler Square, 631-828-5558, youmeandtea.com
The East End Shirt Company
Port Jefferson hoodie and knit beanie with Long Island embroidery at The East End Shirt Company in Port Jefferson. Credit: Randee Daddona
It’s one-stop shopping for Long Island apparel at this longtime clothing and souvenir store, which is entering its 42nd summer. Whether looking for a Long Island emblazoned T-shirt or pair of sweatpants, a Port Jeff hat or sweatshirt, or some LI-centric merch, accessories or décor, there’s something for everyone, with sizes ranging from infant to 4-XL.
INFO 3 Mill Creek Road, 631-473-2093, eastendco.com
Fame & Rebel
Fame & Rebel boutique in Port Jefferson. Credit: Johnny Milano
This women’s fashion boutique prides itself on offering the latest trends and styles for all, ranging from rocker chic to beachy boho. Browse through this eclectic shop and find stylish dresses, linen rompers, unique denim pieces, boho hair accessories, slides, matching sets and even candles.
INFO 415 E. Main St., 631-509-0378
Kate & Hale
Sisters Haley Shea, 35, of Lake Grove, and Kate Tuccillo, 41, of Port Jefferson co-own Kate & Hale — a clothing boutique in Huntington and Port Jefferson. Credit: Michelle Orellana
New items hit the shelves each week to keep up with the latest trends and fashion in contemporary clothing, accessories and handbags for women. Owned and operated by sisters Kate Tuccillo, 41, and Haley Shea, 35, the shop features dresses, tops, leggings, coats, rompers, hats, jewelry and more.
INFO 227 Main St., 631-509-5950, kateandhaleshop.com
Pindar Wine Store
It’s as if a North Fork vineyard was dropped right into the heart of downtown Port Jefferson. The store brings Pindar and Duck Walk wine further west to be purchased by the bottle, by the glass at the bar, or sampled in the tasting room along with a cheese platter, with a fee of $12 per person for a tasting of up to five wines. Gift baskets can be made for any occasion.
INFO: 117 Main St., 631-331-7070, pindar.net
GRAB A BITE
For more restaurant picks in Port Jefferson by Newsday critic Erica Marcus, visit Newsday.com/FeedMe.
Slurp Ramen
Enjoy ramen noodles with tofu, corn, cabbage, scallions and red ginger at Slurp Ramen in Port Jefferson. Credit: Yvonne Albinowski
Slurp is one of the Island's top ramen shops, and it certainly has the best view. Watch the ferry dock as you slurp contentedly one of Slurp's traditional ramen soups, from the classic tonkotsu pork version to yuzu-kissed broth with Japanese fried chicken to vegan ramen with tofu, corn and cabbage. Owners Francesca Nakagawa and her husband, chef Atsushi Nakagawa, met as students in Kyoto before eventually moving back to her native Long Island. In 2016, they opened this cozy, no-frills spot that also serves rice bowls, steamed buns and salads. The pandemic bestowed additional seating outdoors.
INFO: 109 W. Broadway, 631-509-1166, slurpusa.com
The Steam Room
Lobster dinner with corn and potato, Steamroom, Port Jefferson, June 25, 2021. Credit: Yvonne Albinowski
The ferry from Bridgeport is aimed directly at The Steam Room and who can blame it? The menu, extensive and affordable, features seafood classics — clams and oysters on the half shell, steamers and mussels, fried shrimp and scallops, crab legs, fish and chips, lobster rolls and full lobster dinners — plus paella, sopa de mariscos, fried whole porgy and, for the kids, burgers and chicken fingers. The outdoor dining room (dogs welcome) is raised just high enough to be able to see across East Broadway to the water.
INFO: 4 E. Broadway, 631-928-6690, steamroomrestaurant.com
Prohibition Kitchen
The Inferno burger is among the offerings at Prohibition Kitchen in Port Jefferson. Credit: Daniel Brennan
This rollicking, cozy morning-til-night gastropub serves dishes that bounce from Latin to soul food to vegan, and that almost seem designed for social media cameos: mac and cheese egg rolls; banana pudding pancakes and piña colada waffles; a fried chicken sandwich on a doughnut (The Dirty Mother Clucker); a Tiki burger, topped with pulled pork, bacon jam, pineapple and a cherry; or a huge platter of poutine for the table, served with fried potato tots and sweet-potato tots (plus goat cheese, maple bacon and three dips). Breakfast is served all day, the wine list is wholly drawn from Long Island (beers are from New York State), and cocktails are eclectic but totally on point, from a mint-topped rye julep to a spiced paloma with fresh grapefruit juice and hot honey.
INFO: 115 E. Main St., 631-473-0613, prohibitionkitchenpj.com
The Whiskey Barrel
Kyra Walls makes an old fashioned at The Whiskey Barrel in Port Jefferson. Credit: Yvonne Albinowski
This shrine to American spirits boasts nearly 100 bourbons, from Maker’s Mark, Bulleit and Old Granddad to 15-year-old Pappy Van Winkle, 20-year-old Michter’s, and Colonel E.H. Taylor Warehouse C Tornado Surviving Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey ($200, $650 and $1,500 per ounce, respectively). You’ll also find Scotch and Irish whiskeys, beer and wine and an exuberant menu that ranges from pub classics such as fish and chips, giant Bavarian pretzels and chicken wings to on-trend vegan burgers and sandwiches, grilled cheese stuffed with pulled pork and a Japanese-inspired pork katsu sando.
INFO: 138 Main St., 631-743-9418, thewhiskeybarrelpj.com
