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A summer in New York brings alive thoughts of lounging on beach chairs with your toes in the sand, sipping on delicious fruity cocktails, and being surrounded by all the best nightlife and hottest happenings…that’s to say a summer in the Hamptons is a summer well spent.
From the best places to grab a cup of joe to start your day to concerts surrounded by the gentle glow of candlelight, here’s our ultimate guide of all the best things to do in the Hamptons.
Best Coffee Shops in the Hamptons
We could all use a bit of a caffeine pick me up in the mornings, and as New Yorkers we’re spoiled with coffee shops that make us salivate just at the thought. Thankfully heading out east is no different, and the Hamptons is no stranger to spots to grab a heavenly cup of joe.
1. Hampton Coffee Company, Multiple Locations
Hampton Coffee Company is Long Island’s largest independent coffee roaster and retailer that has a small chain of cafés on the East End of Long Island as well as a Southampton Coffee Roastery. Their famous iced coffee is absolutely essential to starting your day off on the right foot, because what kind of day would it be if it didn’t start off with a cup of joe?!
2. Jack’s Stir Brew Coffee, Amagansett
For the highest quality organic coffee, delicious vegan baked goods, and thoughtfully curated marketplace items, look no further than Jack’s Stir Brew Coffee. This shop has been serving caffeine-seeking guests since 2010, and quickly became a Hamptons gem after opening. P.S. – they also have locations in NYC!
📍 146 Montauk Hwy
3. Tutto Caffé, East Hampton
This modern Italian-style café and bar is an indoor/outdoor coffee spot where guests can enjoy delicious organic coffee, cappuccino, and espressos…and even wine and cocktails if you’re feeling a bit risqué. Be sure to grab one of their pastries to pair with your coffee, or gelato if it’s a warm day!
📍 55 Main St.
Best Brunch Spots in the Hamptons
We’ll be the first to admit we’re not always morning people, but the smell of bacon and eggs and thoughts of bottomless mimosas is more than enough to drag us out of bed. That being said, if you catch us in the Hamptons you’re likely to find us starting out our day at one of these delicious breakfast spots.
4. Cowfish, Hampton Bays
There’s not many things better than a delicious meal paired with a gorgeous view, and Cowfish definitely delivers on both. Serving brunch, lunch, and dinner, whether you’re dining outdoors on the water on a hot, summer day or hiding from the chill in the colder season, you can’t go wrong with a meal at Cowfish.
📍 258 E. Montauk Hwy.
5. Rita Cantina, East Hampton Springs
Rita Cantina offers absolutely mouthwatering Mexican-inspired dishes, with classics such as Masa Harina Pancakes with vanilla infused strawberry syrup, Chilaquiles with fried eggs & chorizo, tomato queso fresco, Rita Breakfast Burrito of birria rice, beans, egg, cheese, and Mexican Sweet Toast with orange infused maple & blueberry syrup. Plus, their interior is so cute it definitely makes for an aesthetic Instagram-worthy photo op!
📍 28 Maidstone Park Rd.
6. John Papas Cafe, East Hampton
According to Hamptons locals it’s not a weekend without breakfast at John Papas Cafe. From Huevos Rancheros and Eggs Benedict to the most delicious French Toast, whether you choose to go sweet or savory you can’t go wrong.
📍 18 Park Pl.
Best Restaurants in the Hamptons
If we can convince you to do one thing in the Hamptons let it be this–eat as much as you can! The amount of restaurants nestled right on the water in the Hamptons means the fresh seafood is out of this world–and luckily we know a thing or two about where to dine.
7. Talya, Montauk
One of the Hamptons hottest new restaurants is Tayla, which is a Mediterranean vibe-dining concept that pays homage to the diverse culinary traditions of the Mediterranean. That’s to say their menu is absolutely to die for, and you’ll find dishes such as Stuffed Clams, Beef Tartare Dolmades, Fluke Tartare & Sea Urchin, Taverna Style Lamb Chops, and more.
📍 161 2nd House Rd.
8. Nick & Toni’s, East Hampton
If you can score a reservation–which isn’t an easy feat–at Nick & Toni’s we promise it will be worth it. This Italian restaurant has been serving the most mouthwatering dishes since 1988 with an authentic wood-burning oven. Their antipasti is to die for, and we suggest saving room for dessert.
📍 136 North Main St.
9. Out of the Blue Seafood, Hampton Bays
Of course we couldn’t talk about Long Island, specifically the Hamptons, without mentioning a seafood restaurant. And Out of the Blue Seafood offers the freshest seafood in the Hamptons–they purchase from local baymen daily, and whether that means they’re serving sea scallops, striped bass, flounder, or monkfish you know it’s fresh. You have to try their “Pick Up a Party,” fondly known as the “PUP,” which is a lobster-bake that includes lobster, steamers, little necks, mussels, shrimp, corn, baked potato and more.
📍 252 E Montauk Hwy
10. Kizzy T’s, East Hampton
Kizzy T’s is celebrating their first summer in the Hamptons, offering a brand new menu of global Asian and American sports bar fare. Complete with a pool table, dart board, shuffleboard, ring toss, giant connect-four, and foosball tables, you can snack on Crispy Chicken Wings, dim sum, big plates and a whole lot more…while watching sports on the TVs. It’s the best crossover restaurant we’ve seen in a while. See their full menu and plan a visit here.
📍 47 Montauk Hwy, East Hampton
Best Bars & Wineries in the Hamptons
Long Island is home to a rich wine region and is the most diverse wine region in the U.S., so you know you’ll find us with a chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc at all times when we’re vacationing in the Hamptons. Wine not really your style? Thankfully, the Hamptons doesn’t discriminate–they’re home to tons of great bars as well!
11. The Station Bar, Hampton Bays
For a gorgeous waterfront view and an amazing time, head to The Station Bar where you can enjoy a delicious cocktail in the sand along with the freshest seafood around. The best part–their marina was just redone, which means this summer you can expect water sport rentals, bait & tackle, and fishing boat rentals.
📍 22 Shinnecock Rd.
12. Rowdy Hall, East Hampton
This English Pub is the perfect place to unwind and throw back a few drinks without a care in the world. They serve French cuisine, such as escargot, clams casino, and moules frites, which all pair perfectly with a cocktail or beer.
📍 10 Main St.
13. Channing Daughters Winery, Bridgehampton
Sip from over two dozen varieties of grapes at Channing Daughters Winery, including Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Their wine tasting includes themed flights, wines by the glass, and snacks to pair with your drink, and they even have a beautiful sculpture garden to browse through.
📍 1927 Scuttle Hole Rd.
14. Duck Walk Vineyard, Southampton
Family-owned Duck Walk is one of the most well known names in quality wine on Long Island, encompassing 140 scenic acres and producing some 5,000 cases of awarding winning wine each year. Their flagship winery is located in Southampton, but they also added a second location on the North Fork of Long Island in 2007.
📍 231 Montauk Hwy
Bonus: find some more of our favorite wineries on Long Island here.
Things To Do in the Hamptons
Our favorite part about traveling and visiting new neighborhoods is experiencing all the unique activities there are to do there–and a summer in the Hamptons is filled with everything from candlelight concerts to endless art and culture. You won’t be disappointed.
15. Guild Hall, East Hampton
One of the United States’ first multidisciplinary cultural institutions, Guild Hall is the best place in the Hamptons to immerse yourself in some art and culture. Part museum, part performing arts theatre visitors here can catch anything from a concert or dance performance to a reading or play.
📍 158 Main St.
16. Candlelight Summer concerts, East Hampton
The Guild Hall never looked better by candlelight! This summer Candlelight brings to East Hampton a unique musical experience in an intime atmosphere. Be swept away by a beautiful sea of candles as a string quartet plays the songs from contemporaries such as Coldplay & Imagine Dragons, and Adele to classic like From Bach to the Beatles, and Queen. It’s happening on July 24 and August 19. However if you can’t wait check out their ABBA tribute at Hampton Bays happening on June 29. Grab tickets to these one-of-a-kind events here!
📍 Guild Hall
17. The Hamptons, Sag Harbor, & Outlet Shopping
Head to Southampton where you’ll wander through its bustling streets and delight in the stunning vineyard views while sipping on delectable wines at one of the oldest wineries. Afterwards, explore unique boutiques and restaurants in the charming and historic Sag Harbor before ending your day doing some retail therapy at the Tanger Outlets. Grab your tickets to this all-in-one experience here!
📍 Multiple Locations
18. Calissa Sounds live summer performances, Water Mill
Calissa in Water Mill has partnered with BCL Entertainment for a fourth summer season of music-filled Calissa Sounds nights! This year they’ll welcome back Wyclef Jean for a 4th consecutive year to do a one-night-only performance on August 1! See the full event calendar here.
📍 Calissa Hamptons – 1020 Montauk Hwy
Best Beaches in the Hamptons
Be sure to pack your fair share of swimsuits and sunscreen because going to the Hamptons and not heading to the beach is like going to NYC and not eating a bagel or slice of pizza–i.e. sacrilege. For a great day of tanning and splashing around in the ocean, we recommend heading to the following beaches:
19. East Hampton Main Beach, East Hampton
East Hampton Main Beach is arguably the best beach in the Hamptons–it was even voted the #1 beach in America from 2003 – 2013, so you definitely can’t skip out on it. Spend your day soaking in the sun before chilling around a fire with your friends (just not between the hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. between Memorial Day and Labor Day).
📍 101 Ocean Ave.
20. Atlantic Avenue Beach, Amagansett
This lifeguard protected beach has daily beach parking, a concession stand, and vehicular beach access (Town of East Hampton permit required). Plus, when the lifeguards are on duty you can even spend your morning riding some waves, making it a go-to beach in the Hamptons.
📍 191 Atlantic Ave.
21. Coopers Beach Southampton, Southampton
📍 268 Meadow Ln.
Best Hotels in the Hamptons
With all our suggestions above there’s only one thing left to do–book your trip to the Hamptons! If you’re not lucky enough to have a friend who spends their summers there at their vacation home (and if you do have that friend please invite us into the friend group!), you’ll certainly need a place to stay. While there are some gorgeous villas in the Hamptons, there’s also great low-key spots if you’re looking to have more of a chill experience. Here are some of the best places to stay in the Hamptons:
22. Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa
Gurney’s is the only luxury hotel in the Hamptons that is located right on the beach–and honestly what could be better than that?! Gurney’s is the definition of living a lavish summer, offering guests mouthwatering food and drinks, a spa, beach club, summer fitness program, and more.
📍 290 Old Montauk Hwy
23. The Reform Club, Amagansett
Experience the ultimate homey luxury at The Reform Club, which is home to a tea house, common room, garden, park, and orchard. The main house houses multiple hotel rooms, while there are also cottages along the property that are perfect for larger groups. Plus, the hotel is close to the Amagansett town, making it super easy to spend a day exploring before retreating back to your room for a pre-dinner nap.
📍 23 Windmill Lane
24. A Room at the Beach, Bridgehampton
Just a few minutes away from some of the area’s prettiest beaches, a Room at the Beach is a ten-room boutique hotel in the heart of the Hamptons. Each of the ten rooms invoke comfort and serenity, with rainfall showers, spa tubs, heated floors, and cedar-lined sauna. Their grounds are so peaceful it makes for the perfect relaxing stay in the Hamptons.
📍 2668 Montauk Hwy
25. The Surf Lodge, Montauk
The Surf Lodge is the ultimate place to stay to really feel like you’re in a beach bungalow…just a way more lavish one. Complete with hammocks, complimentary bike rentals, weekend wellness classes, and even a weekend summer concert series, whether you’re looking to spend the weekend relaxing or singing your little heart out The Surf Lodge is definitely worth a stay.
📍 183 Edgemere St.