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Way to the Water

The Best Meals Are The Ones With A View

Hello, summer. It’s nice to have you back. On the North Fork, there’s no better way to greet this best of seasons than with a meal (or two, or three) with a view. Luckily, there’s no shortage of waterfront dining on the North Fork. 

Grab dinner and a cocktail at Crabby Jerry’s or Claudio’s Waterfront while the weather is still hot. At Greenport’s Crabby Jerry’s, a 180-degree view of the water is paired with casual food and a convivial vibe. Fresh seafood is the name of the game here, and you’ll find the local, fresh North Fork oysters just as exciting as the impeccable view. Across the street, a more upscale dining experience — with a still-unparalleled water view — awaits at Claudio’s Waterfront. Start with the steamed clams with garlic and white wine and head directly to the lobster bake, with fresh lobster, mussels, clams, shrimp, potatoes, and, naturally, cole slaw. 

PORT Waterfront Bar & Grill

Seasonal PORT Waterfront Bar & Grill is open again for the season for lunch and dinner. The restaurant’s incomparable view of the water makes it a Greenport staple. This year’s streamlined platter includes dishes for seafood devotees and land lovers alike. Try the appetizer of Japanese fried chicken with sweet chili sauce, or the tender mussels cooked with chorizo and local Lenz rosé to start. And don’t skip the daily selection of local oysters and littleneck clams on the half shell, or the iconic New England lobster roll, served with a Dijonnaise. A pitcher of the Rum Punch in the Face is enough to serve five, and you can top it with a little extra coconut or banana rum for some extra punch. 

Down the road, at the Halyard, the seasonal menu is usurped only by the view of the water. Indoor and outdoor seating is complemented by the Shinnecock sea scallops, served over asparagus risotto, with a Parmesan mousse. A 15-day dry-aged duck breast — from Long Island, of course — comes with white asparagus, rhubarb, and a duck jus. And local Oyster Ponds oysters, shucked to order, are always a perfect way to enjoy a sundowner over the water at this waterfront retreat. 

Duryea’s Orient Point

Don’t overlook Orient Point, the idyllic, verdant and easternmost town on the North Fork when looking for waterfront places to dine this summer. Duryea’s Orient Point, which sits adjacent to the hulking Cross Sound Ferry (it runs a regular route between Orient and New London, Connecticut) has reopened for the 2022 season, offering outdoor seating and a seafood-heavy menu for diners looking to indulge at the beach this summer. Specialties include Spanish octopus with roasted tomato and garbanzo beans, a Greek melon salad, and a three-pound local bass with a Green-Thai salad and flat bread. It may be hard to decide, from Duryea’s vantage point, which is more stunning: the food or the unobstructed view of the water. 

In June, Duryea’s also launched their Beach Club, another waterfront oasis, with views of Gardiners Bay. Located a few feet from the restaurant, this smaller, more casual outpost is for lounging, kicking back, and taking full advantage of the water views. A raw bar, Asado-style barbecue, and Duryea’s signature crudités platters and Mediterranean spreads will all be available, along with plenty of ice-cold rosé. And while you can get there by car, both restaurants also offer transient boat slips, for the ultimate in waterfront dining.