8 Bountiful Long Island Seafood Restaurants

Chef William Muzio’s food is inspired by the views image: view

If seafood restaurants were separated into baseball categories, Long Island would be in the majors. The local waters alone are full of bounty like sea bass, oysters and kelp. Mix in waterfront views, laid-back elegant ambiances and creative seasonings and you’ve got yourself a catch. When cravings call for fish, get one of these eight Long Island seafood restaurants on the line. And for a no-frills kind of dining experience, be sure to check out our list of favorite Long Island seafood shacks.

Salt & Barrel, Bay Shore

Bay Shore’s first oyster bar has been a shucking success. Salt & Barrel shells out oysters from New Zealand to Blue Point in its expansive digs. A dramatic white marble bar serves as the centerpiece for the front of house and provides a jovial happy hour setting. The London Calling cocktail has both gin and prosecco (and pimms, earl grey syrup and lemon), making it an ideal cocktail to sip while slurping. Other seafood favorites include the sweet-and-spicy blackened spiced mahi mahi (english pea puree, caramel carrots, spring peas and charred asparagus) and indulgent shrimp & grits (truffled polenta cake, mushroom bolognese, rosemary parmesan foam). Phone: 631-647-8818 | Address: 61 W. Main St. Click to dive in 

noah’s, Greenport

Noah’s emphasis on small plates allows guests to have their crab cakes and eat their calamari too. The 100% lump crab cake combines avocado, citrus, watercress and chive oil for a dish with quite a few kicks. The prawns are a tastebud rollercoaster—they’re made with red fresno chiles, lemon and cilantro. Hangry guests can spring for the Maine style lobster rolls, which nix mayo in favor of a garlic parsley butter that begs to be poured generously. The space has clean lines, white table cloths and a lively outdoor patio that feels as fresh and modern as the menu. Phone: 631-477-6720 | Address: 136 Front St. Click to dive in 

Spiro’s, Rocky Point

Spiro’s dessert-inspired cocktails are so drool-worthy, looking at the restaurant’s Instagram profile might as well be classified as NSFW. But the seafood offerings are not to be overlooked. The appetizer menu alone, arguably headlined by Spiro’s Famous Mussels P.E.I., is 95 percent fish-based. If dining with a land-locked Islander (they’re rare but existent), the surf ’n turf, which comes with a cold water lobster tail and 8oz filet mignon, provides the perfect compromise. Phone: 631-744-4100 | Address: 4 Patchogue Dr. Click to dive in 

H2O Seafood & Sushi, Smithtown and East Islip

The Bohlsen Group didn’t just strike gold with H2O Seafood & Sushi, which debuted a second restaurant in East Islip in December, they opened an underwater treasure chest. Each restaurant uses blues, greens and fish decor to create a nautical atmosphere. But it’s really just setting the stage for the lobster thermidor, a 1¼ lb lobster stuffed with wild mushrooms, an indulgent brandy cream sauce and gruyere. It’s served with a liberal portion of whipped mashed potatoes to boot. Those feeling raw can order off the sushi menu, which boasts standouts like the Montauk roll (spicy tuna, avocado, tempura crunch, lobster, yuzu, mayo and eel sauce) and crunch crustacean (lobster, shrimp, tempura crunch, avocado, yuzu mayo). Smithtown: Phone: 631-361-6464 Address: 215 W. Main St. | East Islip Phone: 631-277-4800  Address: 166 W. Main  St. Click to dive in 

Rumba, Hampton Bays

Rumba takes guests to a different kind of Island, where the vibes are chiller than Long Island and the seafood has a tropical twist. Take the soy and sugar cane salmon, which comes with a coconut risotto and tastes like vacation on a plate. Taco Tuesday is any day on Island time, and the shrimp taco (fried shrimp, island slaw, passion fruit aioli, mango, sriracha, eel sauce) keeps tastebuds guessing. The small but hopping restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating. Indoors, wooden accents and barrels and reggae tunes hit a Caribbean note. But, on a gorgeous evening, it would be pretty fishy not to ask for an outdoor seat, where views of the Shinnecock Canal, particularly at sunset, are as delicious as the bounty. Phone: 631-594-3544 | Address: 43 Canoe Rd. Click to dive in 

The Steam Room, Port Jefferson

The restaurant scene down Port can be fickle, but The Steam Room has ridden a wave of fresh fish, amiable service and gorgeous views for nearly four decades. Even when the mercury nears triple digits, people still order homemade chowders by the bowl. Creamy and served with a side of crackers, the New England clam chowder and seafood bisque bring the heat in all the right ways. When the weather is right, as it tends to be this time of year, The Steam Room becomes an open-air establishment, exposing guests to the cool breezes coming off the Sound. The marina provides a stunning backdrop to the meal. Phone: 631-928-6690 | Address: 4 East Broadway Click to dive in 

View, Oakdale

First timers typically have to pick their jaws off the table before indulging in seafood at this Lessing’s-owned restaurant. The views of the Great South Bay really are that good. But if it’s Thursday and you’re a lobster lover, try to come back to earth real quick because the Caribbean lobster dinners are bucket list worthy. The crispy lobster lollipops may be on a stick, but don’t expect a sweet treat. Rather, prepare for a deliciously spicy one made with avocado aioli and Jamaican spiced remoulade. For a sweeter entree, spring for the mango (butter poached 8oz lobster tail, shrimp-saffron risotto, fresh soy beans, mango and cognac-butter sauce). Phone: 631-589-269 | Address: 3 Consuelo Pl. Click to dive in 

The Jolly Fisherman, Roslyn

This family-run joint has been baiting customers with surf ’n turf to write home about for nearly six decades. The interior is warm, friendly and nautical. There are blue chairs, white table cloths and large windows that allow for views of a pond and lush greenery. But the straightforward menu is the real star. The crispy shrimp dumplings with ginger dip offer a brief trip to Asia, while the Manhattan clam chowder tastes like home. Phone: 516-621-0055 | Address: 25 Main St. Click to dive in