By Vanessa Gordon
Looking on the South Fork of Long Island, the Hamptons has some of the most notable restaurants all within a short distance of one another. From farm-to-table based menus, seafood staples, and high-end hot spots, here’s a roundup of the essential Hamptons restaurants you must dine at during your next visit.

East Hampton Grill

East Hampton Grill is a true classic high-end American restaurant in the heart of East Hampton. There perhaps is not one dish on the menu that you wouldn’t want to try. An essential starter is their Heavenly [rosemary] Biscuits served with butter and local honey. Their BBQ ribs are some of the best around paired with their creamy coleslaw. This popular Hamptons dining destination is open year round for dinner.
99 North Main St, East Hampton, 631-329-6666

Il Capuccino

A local’s favorite for many years, Il Capuccino is an Italian restaurant that serves comfort classics like Baked Ziti, Carbonara, Lasagna, and the incredibly delicious Salmon Capuccino. It is never a full experience unless you take a deep dive into their basket of garlic rolls before dinner even begins. For dessert, go for the Italian Cheesecake or the Tartufo.
30 Madison St, Sag Harbor, 631-725-2747

Lulu Kitchen & Bar

Lulu Kitchen & Bar, located on Sag Harbor‘s Main Street, is a top-choice for dining out. This bistro features an open kitchen with a wood-burning grill that is the centerpiece of the restaurant.Don’t miss their signature grilled heirloom cauliflower with spicy grapes, yogurt, toasted sesame seeds, white balsamic, and extra virgin olive oil. In the mood for pizza? Don’t second-guess their Trufata Wood Fired Pizza with Stracciatella cheese, wild mushrooms, and arugula. Their desserts rotate with the season. For summer, we recommend their Chocolate Caramel Molten Cake or colorful and fruity macarons.
126 Main St, Sag Harbor, 631-725-0900

Nick & Toni’s

Nick & Toni’s may be world famous for their celebrity-dressed dining crowd. When you are dining at a table close to the likes of Sir Paul McCartney, Sarah Jessica Parker, or Gwyneth Paltrow, you know you have made the right choice. The Mediterranean menu is also star-studded, with many of the dishes ingredients coming straight from the garden outback. For dinner, discover dishes like Reginetti Pasta with spring lamb ragu and sheep’s milk ricotta; and Jumbo Fluke with cranberry beans and escarole. Dessert is gelato, sorbetto, biscotti, and several great house made desserts that rotate regularly. Open year round for dinner. A weekend brunch is also served.
136 Main St, East Hampton, 631-324-3550

The 1770 House

With service and staff that runs like a well-oiled machine, and an ever-changing gourmet menu to honor each season on the East End, The 1770 House is a dining establishment that never cuts corners. Find dishes that honor the change of seasons like the Mixed Greens salad with Halsey Farm’s Jonah Gold Apple & Celery Root Salad and the Pan Roasted Natural Chicken with butternut squash. Their signature Sticky Date Cake is a must for dessert and it is almost always on the menu. Their phone number is so easy to remember, you will also know who to call for your Hamptons dining reservation.
143 Main St, East Hampton, 631-324-1770

SantAmbroeus

One of the most elegant spots to dine at in the Hamptons, SantAmbroeus is known for its consistent, reputable service coupled with top-notch Northern Italian cuisine. SantAmbroeus is the name, in Milanese dialect, of SantAmbrogio, the patron saint of Milan who was born in 334 A.D.Sit in their back dining room and start with their Spaghetti allaCarbonara with pancetta and an organic egg. Your next course? The BranzinoallaGriglia: grilled Mediterranean sea bass, with potatoes and roasted pearl onions.
If you are not dining in, come inside for a scoop of gelato and a latte from their takeout counter. They also have a standing counter room inside.
30 Main St, Southampton, 631-283-1233

Topping Rose House

Jean-George Vongerichten’s restaurant is located within the luxurious Topping Rose House in Bridgehampton. A regular dining destination for many Hamptonites, they are known for their great service, quality of ingredients, and dishes that are consistent and always very memorable. Their Crispy Salmon Sushi is unbeatable as is their Tuna Tartare. Dine al fresco on their wrap-around porch or patio during their warmer months. Desserts rotate with the seasons. One of their recent desserts was the Buttermilk Panna Cotta with Caramelized Oats and Blood Orange.
1 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton, 631-537-0870