Tucked neatly into strip malls, located down side streets, or hidden behind non-descript awnings, you’ll find an assortment of restaurants that let their reputations speak for themselves. Word of mouth will make you want to seek out these delicious hideaways that can be found all across Long Island. Offering everything from mouth-watering traditional fare like burgers and fries or steaks and seafood, to more eclectic and ethnic dishes, these hidden hotspots add help make the Long Island restaurant scene unique and exciting.
BUTTERFIELDS (631) 851-1507 661 Old Willets Path Hauppauge, NY 11788
Cuisine – New American
Old Willets Path in Hauppauge acts as sort of a go-between road, linking access to Veterans Highway and the Northern State Parkway, to Motor Parkway and the Long Island Expressway. Along this tree-lined road, you’ll find a few side streets opening into a large industrial complex on one side, and a few industry-specific businesses on the other side. Those who work in the area likely pass by Butterfields everyday and so are quite familiar with the fairly new restaurant owned and operated by veterans in the food industry. An impressive menu offers New American dishes in the vein of Cajun Crawfish Gumbo, Marinated Grilled Portobello Mushrooms, and Crispy Wonton Wrapped Shrimp for appetizers, Prince Edward Island Mussels done six ways, and amazing entrees such as Pan Toasted Cavatelli with Shaved Prosciutto & Gulf Shrimp, Apricot Glazed Pork Tenderloin, and Iron Skillet Seared Yellowfin Tuna. All items are offered at reasonable prices, making Butterfields a sure bet. For lighter meals, burgers, sandwiches and pizettes are also available.
Average price per person: $30 (plus tax and gratuity)
THE BAYHOUSE (718) 318-9660 500 Bayside Far Rockaway, NY 11697
Cuisine – American, Pub Food
The easiest way to get to the Bayhouse in Far Rockaway is to pull your boat or jet ski up to the adjacent dock that overlooks Raritan Bay. Otherwise, you’ll have to keep a sharp eye out for the sign on Oceanside Avenue that points you toward the side-streets that are little more than wide alleyways leading through a mess of industrial factories and junkyards. At the end, you’ll find the Bayhouse, a large pub-style eatery with an outdoor deck where diners can enjoy their meals only a few feet away from the calm waters of the bay, a nice attraction for summer dining. The Bayhouse serves traditional pub food, burgers and sandwiches, along with a host of steaks and seafood. You wont find gourmet presentation here, but the calm, relaxing atmosphere is further complimented by the basic table settings and the seaside pirate shack décor. Prices are relatively low, and good spirits are high.
Call for hours
Average price per person: $20 (plus tax and gratuity)
PANAMA HATTIES (631) 351-1727 872 Jericho Tpke Huntington Sta, NY 11746
Cuisine – Contemporary, Eclectic, New American
Travelers who pass idly by this strip mall in Huntington Station will be passing up a rare treat. A Manhattan-style gourmet restaurant offering seasonal menus with original, creative dishes awaits your patronage, and a healthy dose of regulars can already attest to the grand allure of Panama Hatties delicious food. Sleek and stylish, your extraordinary dining experience here will make you forget all about the outside world as you simply savor your meal in this sophisticated atmosphere. Diners have the option of a prix fixe of regular menu, and the accompanying wine list is superb. Service is friendly and courteous, and the restaurant may be a bit on the pricier side for some, take comfort in the fact that your meal will be top-notch and portions are not skimpy.
Average price per person: $8 (plus tax and gratuity)
KITCHEN A BISTRO (631) 862-0151 532 N Country Rd Saint James, NY 11780
Cuisine – French, American
This, tiny, cozy restaurant hides in the corner of a small strip mall, and the welcoming appearance is somewhat reminiscent of an eclectic kitchen. Only a few tables are available for diners, and with creative menus that change almost daily and top-notch service by the staff, the table are often filled by those who frequent the restaurant often. The cuisine lies somewhere between comfort food and gourmet fare, an enticing combination. Diners are invited to bring their own wine or liquor to accompany the fine meals that are always made using the freshest ingredients. Kitchen A Bistro is frequented by chefs as well, a testament to the food and the quality of the meal itself. The menu often features French specialties, along with a few interesting choices. Desserts are heavenly and a cheese platter can contain many different cheeses to sample. Surprisingly, the prices are fairly reasonable considering the excellence of the meal.
Tuesday - Friday 12noon – 2:30pm Tuesday - Thursday 5:30pm – 9:00pm Friday – Sun - Dinner by Reservation only Closed Monday
Average price per person: $40 (plus tax and gratuity)
SLO JACKS (631) 728-9601 212 W Montauk Highway Hampton Bays, NY 11946
Cuisine - Hamburgers
A hangout for the locals and those who frequent the area to do some surfing, Slo Jacks is not to be missed should you be passing by and find yourself craving some good eats at cheap prices. Comfort food that we are all familiar with can be found at Slo Jacks. Hamburgers, fried shrimp, fried chicken, burritos, tacos made with fresh ingredients, and refreshing smoothies can all be had for a few measly dollars. Regulars swear by the French fries, and a section of the menu features healthier fare for those who are so inclined. Be sure to hang out and enjoy some ice cream in the summer, and if you’re interested in surfing yourself, you may be lucky enough to be invited to see the owners surfboard collection.
Daily 90:00am - 10:00pm
Average price per person: $10 (plus tax and gratuity)
VOILA (631) 584-5686 244 Lake Ave Saint James, NY 11780
Cuisine - French
Gourmet French dining in a quaint, cozy bistro tucked within a small strip mall in St. James. While many of the restaurants in St. James call out to you with easy-to-spot signs or beautiful outdoor décor, Voila is a bit more discreet, but well worth seeking out, and actually not too hard to find at all; it just has a tendency to blend in with the surroundings. The menu may seem limited at first, but as you read the selections, you’ll find it hard to make a decision, as exquisite French specialties and original creations abound. A Prix Fixe and a Tasting Menu is also available. Portions are well-sized, and the chef takes great pride in serving only the freshest, tastiest dishes. As this little bistro is also quite warming, it makes a wonderful romantic dinner spot as well.
Average price per person: $40 (plus tax and gratuity)
TOKYO (631) 754-8411 192 Laurel Rd East Northport, NY 11731
Cuisine – Sushi, Japanese
Long Island certainly has its fair share of sushi restaurants, with more cropping up every day, it seems. And while Tokyo, in East Northport, may look vastly similar to all the others, with its blonde wood accents and white wall décor, its food is anything but ordinary. Garnering rave reviews from the sushi crowd, Tokyo is quickly getting a reputation for having some of the best sushi around, as well as exciting and original Japanese-style dishes for those who don’t favor raw fish. Beef, shrimp, and other items marinated in Japanese sauces tantalize, and the fresh sushi is superb. Other traditional Japanese dishes can also be found, such as tempura and seaweed salads, and of course miso soup. Prices are very reasonable, and so Tokyo can sometimes be quite crowded.
Average price per person: $10-20 (plus tax and gratuity)
WEST END CAFE (516) 294-5608 187 Glen Cove Rd. Carle Place, NY 11514
Cuisine – American
Hiding within yet another shopping center is the West End Café, just waiting to dazzle you with its upscale, stylish décor and innovative menu, featuring items such as Quesadilla with Lobster & Shrimp, Mango Glazed Atlantic Salmon with Caribbean jerk rice, and Passion Fruit & Miso Glazed Grouper. Delicious signature dishes such as those and many more at reasonable prices make this hideaway a favorite restaurant for many regulars. The West End Café also offers Twilight Dinner Specials, considered one of the best deals on Long Island by the NY Times, and wine tastings. Owner and Chef William Holden has created a real treat with the West End Café, and it shows in both his culinary creations and the friendly, attentive staff.
Average price per person: $25 (plus tax and gratuity)
BRICKHOUSE BREWERY (631) 447-BEER 67 West Main St. Patchogue, NY 11772
Cuisine – New American
The Brickhouse Brewery makes its home in an 1850s brick building that still retains much of the original architecture, adding to the allure and aiding in setting a comfortable, nostalgic atmosphere. Serving up great food, brewed beer, and live entertainment, the Brickhouse Brewery is a great place to settle in for an evening of fun feasting. A prix fixe dinner is available and the regular menu holds a fine assortment of appetizing treats such as Brewers Sausage, Coconut Shrimp, Broccoli Poppers, and a long list of burgers, sandwiches, wraps, steaks, chicken, fish, and pasta. You’ll find traditional, simple favorites along with a few creative dishes to entice you. The Brickhouse Brewery holds a complete BBQ dinner every Wednesday, and kids eat free on Mondays (one per adult).
Average price per person: $20 (plus tax and gratuity)
ABE CONKLIN’S (631) 385-1955 54 New St Huntington, NY 11743
Cuisine – English, Pub Food
Huntington at times seems overwhelmed with an abundance of good restaurants, so it can be easy to miss one or two. If you’re in the area, you’ll want to pay a visit to Abel Conklin’s perhaps best known for prime aged steaks and fresh seafood, as well as upscale English pub food serving with a Victorian grace. The décor is at once charming and warming, with old-world traditional wood paneling. Don’t let the initial though of pub food fool you. This is English food at its finest and tastiest. You’ll even find Welsh rabbit gracing the menu, along with Garlic-Herb Infused Chopped Steak, Sauteed Calf's Liver, and Maryland Backfin Crab Cake. The restaurant lies within the old walls of the Abel Conklin house, built in 1841, and when dining here, you’ll feel as though you’ve been transported to another era. Regulars insist that the porterhouse steak is the best on Long Island.
The Top List of Delicious Hideaways - Long Island, NY