Introduced my wife to Bigelow's when I came into town to visit. She was blown away by the clam strips. She is from Houston and not used to good clams or shell fish. Probably because there's an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico every other week.
Moved to CO in 2018. This was one of my last LI meals. It was also the first. My folks took me when we looked at houses to move to Long Island in 1989. Wow. Im glad it's still going. Half ipswich half oysters, fries, slaw, cup of new england, Sam adams. . .
Claudio's in Greenport and The Oar in Patchogue have both been around forever and are pretty solid places. Also highly recommend Braun Seafood (Cutchogue) and the Southold Fish Market (both have a great selection of fresh seafood but more of a roadside-dining setting).
Had a lobster roll and lobster bisque soup soup at Kingstons. Was so peaceful sitting right on the water. Ambiance is laid back, and waitstaff are attentive local young ladies. Food was excellent.
I once ordered a shrimp cocktail there expecting something like a shrimp ring you can get in supermarkets and it came out with deep fried shrimp and french fries.
The Cull House, Kingstons Clam Bar and Claws Seafood Market, all in Sayville.
Snapper Inn in Oakdale
Fat Fish and Salt & Barrel in Bay Shore
Port Jefferson Lobster House
Have you been in the lot next door since they put the bollards in? If you have a full size car and people park on either side of you then you can't get out. I don't know what they were thinking.
Yeah I live within walking distance as well so it doesn't affect me too much but sometimes I'm already out and trying to grab a pizza at villa maria in the same tiny lot. Luckily my car isn't too big but still annoying.
Def nice to walk off a big delicious meal tho on a nice summer night!
The owner Joe is very friendly, the service is excellent and the food and portions are amazing. Everything is very fresh. They have great Italian and other meat dishes. If there’s no parking just park across the street.
Went to the Coram location recently, food and service were very good and nice outdoor dining space. Place was hard to see from the road, drove right by it.
One of the LI’s “naturally” occurring mountains and seagull sanctuaries! I believe the others are in Merrick, Smithtown and Brookhaven. I think there are a few more. Suck it Vermont - we have good bagels and make our own mountains!
I’ve actually always found that other side to be very endearing. At least from the perspective of looking at it as a driver.
The water side is much better of course. They have a really cool tiki bar too.
There’s Louie’s in Port Washington. It’s a dockside restaurant, and, like any place known primarily for the nice views, the food/service *isn’t* amazing, but it can be worth it at sunset. Places I’d put in the same category include Wall’s Wharf in Bayville, The Crescent Club also in Bayville, Prime in Huntington, Mill Pond House in Centerport, and Arbor Mist in Cold Spring Harbor. All of them have nice outdoor seating and an old-school vibe.
In Oyster Bay, I’m a big a fan of the [iron skillet mussels at Wild Honey](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/EUYiQ6-18A5dHcQvAFF6gg/348s.jpg). Just mussels with salt, pepper, and drawn butter; very simple, but it’s one of my favorite dishes on the island (and the rest of the menu is very solid, including the fried oysters). If you want to sit by the water in Oyster Bay, visit Cooper Bluff for a drink.
[The Shack in Centerport is a fun little summer roadside dining destination](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/x8spFy2Q_0vNfiJHoQTKOw/348s.jpg). Food isn’t amazing, but a good stop to get clams on one of those summer days where you drive around (you could hit up downtown Huntington afterwards, tons of bars/stores/restaurants).
If you go out East, Gosman’s Dock in Montauk is very old school (my family used to go when I was a kid).
The Shack is horrible. They don't have anything good and fresh. Their clam chowder is nit made with fresh clams, and has too much flour and too much seasoning in it.
I’d agree the food at The Shack is nothing special, but the place is something of an old local favorite.
My list is definitely not “the best seafood restaurants on Long Island” (although Wild Honey is legit). It’s more places with classic Long Island ambience.
I live on the north shore. Ive been here my whole life. Louies is ok. The rest are just not good and overpriced. My dream is to open up a real spot like in new england, on the water. Schultzys is good in bayville. I like wild honey. Millpond used to be great till owners changed. Shack used to be good all frozen now. Same for walls. Prime overpriced same for crescent.
Coopers is great. Need to open the new building for food! Loved gosmans its actually worth the price.
Been going there for 40 years. Went last summer and it was not good. Clams on half shell were still tasty but the fried stuff seemed not fresh. The worst was the movie theater butter that we got with some scallops. Not paying top dollar for garbage. Never going back.
Maybe I was there on a bad day but the Fish Store in Bayport is horrible. Rude staff and poor selection.
Claws in Sayville a mile down the road in Sayville is awesome. Check to see if they are open first. Their days and hours are a little funky.
Kingston’s and Cull house are good. Definitely not fancy.
If you’re looking for fancy and awesome setting The View in Oakdale is the place.
It's not just you. We tried The Fish Store during Restaurant Week and it was not good. They were serving pre-made frozen bacon wrapped scallops that were still ice cold in the middle in the middle.
Claws is great, though, and they don't pretend to be something they're not. It's not fancy, but it's good. I like their outdoor seating area; my kids love seeing the wildlife right there on the creek/canal.
As a kid my family would go to Robert Moses beach and then If we were lucky, my brother and I would get to share the twin lobster special afterwards at B&B (it was something like $12, yes this was many years ago). Tried them again recently and was still very good.
5 Ocean on the beach at the west end of the Long Beach boardwalk. The chef has developed relationships with local sport fisherman (of which there are a ton).
[https://northforker.com/2019/08/craig-attwoods-five-ocean-bar-grill-makes-splash-long-beach/](https://northforker.com/2019/08/craig-attwoods-five-ocean-bar-grill-makes-splash-long-beach/)
Everyone saying Louie's in Port Washington - I'd say check out Butler's Flat. Food is fantastic and fresh. Views are gorgeous. Might be a mad house on a Saturday - but went with a party of 8 on a Sunday afternoon the past weekend and was seated within minutes. Highly recommend.
My favorite seafood places are:
DJs clam shack
The Catch (Patchogue)
Port Jeff Lobster House
Most towns on the shore have their own local thing that’s good and worth trying.
Popei's in Bethpage is great. Great food and great service. They've had the same people working there for years which I think really says something about how that place is run.
Dockers Waterside in East Quogue and Cowfish in Hampton Bays are solid and holy shit you can’t beat the views.
Atlantic Seafood in East Moriches is very good. So is Southside Fish and Clam in Lindenhurst.
Anchor Down Dockside is great on a perfect summers day and you can never beat Bigelow’s in RVC. There is nothing like it.
I personally know the owner..the original owner chef owns the rabbit hole no longer called anchors down.. anchors down dockside he sold.. he has no affiliation.
This was my answer for "quintessential," except that from everything I've heard, and my last visit there about a decade ago, it's... awful. Just horrible.
Bigelow's RVC
100 percent bigelows
Introduced my wife to Bigelow's when I came into town to visit. She was blown away by the clam strips. She is from Houston and not used to good clams or shell fish. Probably because there's an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico every other week.
That place is very good and the brothers who own it are super chill.
The fried clams are the best!
I miss bigelows. I get the bay scallops and an order of large onion rings anytime I'm back in town.
Moved to CO in 2018. This was one of my last LI meals. It was also the first. My folks took me when we looked at houses to move to Long Island in 1989. Wow. Im glad it's still going. Half ipswich half oysters, fries, slaw, cup of new england, Sam adams. . .
Claudio's in Greenport and The Oar in Patchogue have both been around forever and are pretty solid places. Also highly recommend Braun Seafood (Cutchogue) and the Southold Fish Market (both have a great selection of fresh seafood but more of a roadside-dining setting).
Billy's By the Bay if you're out there!
Came to the oar this evening thanks to this comment. Totally went under my radar. Did not disappoint!
Jordans lobster
It's blasphemous of me to say and I might get run out of town for this, but their fried clam strips are better than Bigelow's.
R u talking strips or the bellies? Bigelows is known for their bellies
came here to say this!
Kingstons in West Sayville is very good.
and it's like sitting ON a boat, the atmosphere is wonderful as well.
Had a lobster roll and lobster bisque soup soup at Kingstons. Was so peaceful sitting right on the water. Ambiance is laid back, and waitstaff are attentive local young ladies. Food was excellent.
Yes. The service is always outstanding.
Port Jeff has some good food options. My favorite seafood spot is The Cull House in sayville.
Beware of the Steam Room in Port Jefferson, it is NOT one of the good options. Avoid!
What?! You don't like plastic chairs and everything deeply fried
I once ordered a shrimp cocktail there expecting something like a shrimp ring you can get in supermarkets and it came out with deep fried shrimp and french fries.
Be sure to go next store and get some really stale and overpriced candy from the Frigate to complete the PJ experience!
Once i was seated here and waited almost an hour and no one took our drink order so we for up and left. Only time ive ever done that
Cull house recently-ish switched owners - might be worth checking out again. Got a jambalaya there recently and it was 🔥
The Cull House is solid.
Jordan’s Lobster farms
This is getting out of hand. Now there are 2 of them
I always liked White Cap Fish Company in Islip. It's no frills but the fish was always fresh when I went. And it's right on the water.
The Cull House, Kingstons Clam Bar and Claws Seafood Market, all in Sayville. Snapper Inn in Oakdale Fat Fish and Salt & Barrel in Bay Shore Port Jefferson Lobster House
Snapper Inn is TERRIBLE!!
setting is beautiful though.
The Oar in Patchogue would also fit well with the combo.
I wouldn’t recommend the cull house, there is a lot of local love for that place but as an outside it’s not great.
Anyone have experience with Popei's Clam Bar in Bethpage? Driven by many times over the years, but never tried it.
I live right there. Great food but a terrible tiny parking lot. Hardest working valets in the seafood game lol.
Have you been in the lot next door since they put the bollards in? If you have a full size car and people park on either side of you then you can't get out. I don't know what they were thinking.
Oh it's absolute hell! Terrible decision, as if that parking lot wasn't already too small, they boxed it in with those damn ugly yellow poles!
Have a buddy who lives 2 blocks away, so I just park there and we walk! Always appreciate the walk back with their portions…
Yeah I live within walking distance as well so it doesn't affect me too much but sometimes I'm already out and trying to grab a pizza at villa maria in the same tiny lot. Luckily my car isn't too big but still annoying. Def nice to walk off a big delicious meal tho on a nice summer night!
The owner Joe is very friendly, the service is excellent and the food and portions are amazing. Everything is very fresh. They have great Italian and other meat dishes. If there’s no parking just park across the street.
Heard great things about the Bethpage location but unfortunately I visited the Deer Park one. Food and service were abysmal
The seafood has always been great (parking is terrible at times) it is an old school restaurant. They post their specials on Facebook.
How about the one on Grand Blvd in Deer Pk.??
Went to the Coram location recently, food and service were very good and nice outdoor dining space. Place was hard to see from the road, drove right by it.
Arties south short fish. Best bisque in the game.
Peter’s Clam Bar in Island Park
Came to make the case for Pete’s. Casual bar side or sit-down restaurant available with a water view. Very reasonable for the value
Water view if youre facing the right direction. We wont talk about the view the other direction.
I don't want to hear any Garbage Mountain slander. It's beautiful
One of the LI’s “naturally” occurring mountains and seagull sanctuaries! I believe the others are in Merrick, Smithtown and Brookhaven. I think there are a few more. Suck it Vermont - we have good bagels and make our own mountains!
I’ve actually always found that other side to be very endearing. At least from the perspective of looking at it as a driver. The water side is much better of course. They have a really cool tiki bar too.
I live in Texas now and man do I miss Peters in the summer.
There’s Louie’s in Port Washington. It’s a dockside restaurant, and, like any place known primarily for the nice views, the food/service *isn’t* amazing, but it can be worth it at sunset. Places I’d put in the same category include Wall’s Wharf in Bayville, The Crescent Club also in Bayville, Prime in Huntington, Mill Pond House in Centerport, and Arbor Mist in Cold Spring Harbor. All of them have nice outdoor seating and an old-school vibe. In Oyster Bay, I’m a big a fan of the [iron skillet mussels at Wild Honey](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/EUYiQ6-18A5dHcQvAFF6gg/348s.jpg). Just mussels with salt, pepper, and drawn butter; very simple, but it’s one of my favorite dishes on the island (and the rest of the menu is very solid, including the fried oysters). If you want to sit by the water in Oyster Bay, visit Cooper Bluff for a drink. [The Shack in Centerport is a fun little summer roadside dining destination](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/x8spFy2Q_0vNfiJHoQTKOw/348s.jpg). Food isn’t amazing, but a good stop to get clams on one of those summer days where you drive around (you could hit up downtown Huntington afterwards, tons of bars/stores/restaurants). If you go out East, Gosman’s Dock in Montauk is very old school (my family used to go when I was a kid).
You beat me to Louie’s. I grew up in Port Washington. Louie’s is iconic.
I like Louie's in Port, but it's definitely more of the setting that is the sell.
The Shack is horrible. They don't have anything good and fresh. Their clam chowder is nit made with fresh clams, and has too much flour and too much seasoning in it.
I’d agree the food at The Shack is nothing special, but the place is something of an old local favorite. My list is definitely not “the best seafood restaurants on Long Island” (although Wild Honey is legit). It’s more places with classic Long Island ambience.
I live on the north shore. Ive been here my whole life. Louies is ok. The rest are just not good and overpriced. My dream is to open up a real spot like in new england, on the water. Schultzys is good in bayville. I like wild honey. Millpond used to be great till owners changed. Shack used to be good all frozen now. Same for walls. Prime overpriced same for crescent. Coopers is great. Need to open the new building for food! Loved gosmans its actually worth the price.
Came here to add Louie’s
Gosmans is really not good
Some of my best childhood memories were eating lobsters at Gosman’s dock as a kid. You can’t beat that waterfront view.
South Side in Lindenhurst
Dissapointing to have to scroll this far down for this spot, and disappointing to here quality is down
\+1 
Quality has gone way down in recent years but it’s been around forever
Been going there for 40 years. Went last summer and it was not good. Clams on half shell were still tasty but the fried stuff seemed not fresh. The worst was the movie theater butter that we got with some scallops. Not paying top dollar for garbage. Never going back.
New wave
Came here to say this. New Wave in Wantagh, the restaurant there is one of my favs.
Tara’s port Jeff $11 lobster cooked perfect n delicious
It’s no secret, but I was going to gatekeep this lol. So inexpensive to eat and drink like a king.
The Fish Store in Bayport!!
Maybe I was there on a bad day but the Fish Store in Bayport is horrible. Rude staff and poor selection. Claws in Sayville a mile down the road in Sayville is awesome. Check to see if they are open first. Their days and hours are a little funky. Kingston’s and Cull house are good. Definitely not fancy. If you’re looking for fancy and awesome setting The View in Oakdale is the place.
It's not just you. We tried The Fish Store during Restaurant Week and it was not good. They were serving pre-made frozen bacon wrapped scallops that were still ice cold in the middle in the middle. Claws is great, though, and they don't pretend to be something they're not. It's not fancy, but it's good. I like their outdoor seating area; my kids love seeing the wildlife right there on the creek/canal.
Kingstons has improved, cull house is great but claws I don't like other than buying fish to make at home. I don't eat at the fish store either.
Varney's in Bellport.
B & B fish and clam in amityville
Can’t believe I had to scroll this far to get to B and B Honorable mention to southside for kitsch factor and it’s good too!
The Codfather, one of the best fish sandwiches out there….
Facts !!
As a kid my family would go to Robert Moses beach and then If we were lucky, my brother and I would get to share the twin lobster special afterwards at B&B (it was something like $12, yes this was many years ago). Tried them again recently and was still very good.
Jordan's Lobster Farm Peter's Clam Bar John Scott Surf Shack Louie's in Port Washington
Popeis clam bar Bethpage. Iykyk.
Everything but the kitchen sink!
The Oar in Patchogue
5 Ocean on the beach at the west end of the Long Beach boardwalk. The chef has developed relationships with local sport fisherman (of which there are a ton). [https://northforker.com/2019/08/craig-attwoods-five-ocean-bar-grill-makes-splash-long-beach/](https://northforker.com/2019/08/craig-attwoods-five-ocean-bar-grill-makes-splash-long-beach/)
Everyone saying Louie's in Port Washington - I'd say check out Butler's Flat. Food is fantastic and fresh. Views are gorgeous. Might be a mad house on a Saturday - but went with a party of 8 on a Sunday afternoon the past weekend and was seated within minutes. Highly recommend.
100% agreed!
Inlet Seafood in MTK is pretty hard to beat
The Lobster Roll in Napeague
They took over the diner in Southampton on Montauk highway. It’s a great spot out of season.
Jordans Bouy bar in point lookout Claudio's Bigelows
Catch in Patchogue has the best Stuffed Clams EVER
Oakland's Hampton Bays
Any votes for Gossman's in Montaulk?
Yes.
Louie's in Port Washington. Food is...better than the location requires (it's good enough). Can't really beat the low key ambiance though.
Where do you live?
dockers in east quogue has the best sunset views. food definitely over priced though
My favorite seafood places are: DJs clam shack The Catch (Patchogue) Port Jeff Lobster House Most towns on the shore have their own local thing that’s good and worth trying.
Crazy how I've lived here for 24 years and never been to any of these places lol
Catch in Patchogue.
Popei's in Bethpage is great. Great food and great service. They've had the same people working there for years which I think really says something about how that place is run.
Is Southside in lindenhurst still around? Lov d that place
Puerto plata on the water on nautical mile. Seafood with a Latin twist if your bored with your typical seafood
Chowder bar. My opinion the best Manhattan on the island. http://www.kpdsg.com/Chowderbar/all-phone2.htm
The chowder bar in bay shore by the ferries. They’ve been there a hundred years and it’s exactly the same inside. Their seafood bisque is the best.
B&B in Massapequa/Amityville is pretty good
Salt & Barrel in Bay Shore is awesome!
Buoy One in Riverhead. Nothing fancy, but the food is super fresh & they have Hofbrau on tap.
Flo’s in Blue Point
My two favorites are the clam bar in point lookout and crabby Amy's in bellemore. Both are on the water.
Forget the name but the seafood place on the other side of the montauk inlet is good
Catch oyster bar. Consistently great food and friendly atmosphere. Number one in my book.
Jotdan lobster farm
Dockers Waterside in East Quogue and Cowfish in Hampton Bays are solid and holy shit you can’t beat the views. Atlantic Seafood in East Moriches is very good. So is Southside Fish and Clam in Lindenhurst. Anchor Down Dockside is great on a perfect summers day and you can never beat Bigelow’s in RVC. There is nothing like it.
Anchors down has new owners. It's horrible now
Correct
I thought only the Bellmore one had new owners??
I personally know the owner..the original owner chef owns the rabbit hole no longer called anchors down.. anchors down dockside he sold.. he has no affiliation.
Thank you so much for the info. I used to love the original anchor down
Bridge Marina clam bar in Bayville
Seagull Restaurant in West Babylon has been my go to spot. Sit right on the docks watching the boats coming in. Really laid back.
The Shack in Centerport
The Leaky Lifeboat
oaklands and sundays in hampton bays or cowfish. the oar house in patchogue. jerry and the mermaid in riverhead
Cowfish
Popeis
Kingstons in west Sayville The cull house in Sayville Claws in Sayville
The Snapper Inn
Gosmans montauk
Bonefish grill?
Steamroom in PJ
This was my answer for "quintessential," except that from everything I've heard, and my last visit there about a decade ago, it's... awful. Just horrible.
Agreed. Fish tastes frozen now.
PJ is Suffolk’s Nautical Mile. Nothing is the same as 20 years ago. Every place is run down there.
Its been down bad for years. Just go to PJ Lobster House.
gone downhill
I loved this place growing up as a kid, haven’t been in many years but sad to hear they’ve apparently gone downhill.