Covering only about two square miles, Sag Harbor is one of the East End’s best examples of a truly walkable town. As a principal port during the American Revolution and the first town in New York state to establish an official fire department, the village itself contains a ton of protected historic landmarks.
The Best Restaurants in Sag Harbor
Given its small size and incredible surroundings, Sag Harbor is an easy place to spend a whole day sampling, sipping and snacking. Here’s our list of the best restaurants in Sag Harbor — a guide that will cover you from morning espresso to fireside evenings in a grand old hotel.
Best Coffee Shop in Sag Harbor: SagTown Coffee
What to order: Traditional latte with La Colombe espresso
Tucked into a small alley in Sag Harbor’s business district, SagTown Coffee serves up fresh-roasted joe made with exquisite La Colombe beans. Combine one of its rich lattes with a pastry, and grab a table. Sag Harbor has foundations as a writers’ community, so maybe bring a notebook in case inspiration strikes.
Best for Afternoon Snacks: Grindstone Coffee and Donuts
What to order: Brioche donuts with rotating flavors, like lemon poppyseed and peach jam
Few things beckon like the wafting scent of coffee and donuts, and Grindstone is perhaps Sag Harbor’s most delicious purveyor of each. This bright, airy storefront provides an old-school atmosphere to go with its Stumptown coffee and rotating lineup of fried, sugary goodness.
Best for Wine Pairings: Wölffer Kitchen
What to order: Mushroom flatbread and a “Sagaponack Sangria” cocktail
Arguably the best-known winemaker in the Hamptons, Wölffer also runs this restaurant on Main Street in Sag Harbor. Naturally, the stars of this rustic-meets-upscale establishment are the wine labels and neo-Mediterranean menu, covering options from a chilled raw bar lineup to an empanada loaded with duck confit.
Best for Harbor Views: The Beacon
What to order: “Beacon-style” steamed mussels doused in garlic, white wine, lemon, thyme and cream
The name “The Beacon” elicits the same glowing ambiance you’ll get if you snag a table right on the railing overlooking a sunset at this trendy eatery, clearly one of the best restaurants in Sag Harbor. But don’t let the views overshadow the eats, because with a menu that includes new American, Mediterranean, and Asian cuisines, you’re going to want to order at least a couple of courses, plus dessert (did someone say “maple créme brulée?”).
Best for a Quick Drink: The Corner Bar
What to order: Corner Bar burger
If you’re looking to share a beer with some locals, head to the cozy, casual Corner Bar. There are usually Long Island brews on tap, and if you happen to be there on a Monday, the house-braised pork belly tacos with ancho chili salsa offer a value you can’t beat.
Best Sag Harbor Restaurant for Date Night: Page at 63 Main
What to order: L.I. Crescent Farm duck “Two Ways” with port wine gooseberry glaze
Head a couple blocks in from the water to find the swanky setup inside Page at 63 Main. Named after George Page, a beloved local whaling captain, and built on a foundation of granite and limestone originally meant to serve as ballast for 1800s whaling vessels, Page has plenty of local cred. Its seasonal selection of plates will earn you plenty of date-night cred.
Best Historic Digs: American Hotel
What to order: Lobster bisque chaudiere
Built in 1846 on the site of a Revolutionary War-era inn, you really can’t get much more “grand old hotel” than the American Hotel. Though it only has eight guest rooms, the warm, rich interior of the restaurant breathes some cool relaxation into a hot summer afternoon. The food and drink aren’t to be missed either, with a 1,000-label wine list recognized as one of the best in the country by Wine Spectator, and a French-inspired menu with plenty of local oysters, littlenecks and fresh fish.
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