Autumn Dining

Fall is in the air. To honor the changing of the seasons, get ready to tuck into some of the East End’s best restaurants. It’s sweater weather, and that means it’s time to get serious about dining again. From iconic Italian American haunts to Bavarian revivals to the new kids in town, we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite cozy dining destinations for when the weather turns a little cooler. For a sense of where to go when the leaves start dropping, check out these recommendations. You won’t want to miss out on one of the best times to dine in the Hamptons. 

At Sam’s Restaurant, originally established by Sam Nasca in East Hampton in 1947, coziness is practically built into the woodwork. And there’s plenty of woodwork, from the paneling to the original bar. Although Nasca holds the namesake (and the original restaurant), Graham Quinn has operated Sam’s Restaurant for about two decades, and the food remains nostalgic, cozy, and filling. At dinner, visitors can expect tasty baked clams, gooey and cheesy garlic bread, chicken and eggplant Parms, and pizzas in three different sizes with a host of mix-n-match toppings. (There are also over a dozen specialty pies to help you along, in case you need assistance making choices.) 

Amagansett’s newest iteration of The Meeting House, a space that was previously Christian’s by Wölffer, offers a clean and comfortable interior where those in search of a tasty fall meal can find the perfect dinner. Stained glass design features, warm wood herringbone floors, and plenty of light from transom windows makes this space a welcoming place to while away an early evening. And a menu that includes items like mac and cheese with Gruyere and chives; Vietnamese chicken wings with toasted garlic and lime; and classic spaghetti Bolognese is one that will make you and your dining companions go: mmm. 

Southampton’s Shippy’s is celebrating its seventh decade. Last year, North Sea native John Betts took over the classic Bavarian spot and revamped the menu, but the much-beloved restaurant remains open for both lunch and dinner, with specials that make it worth a daytime visit. As one of the East End’s coziest spots, visitors can still expect booths, dark wood, and plenty of nooks and crannies. The menu now includes a raw bar, warm German pretzels with beer cheese and Bavarian mustard, a rotating selection of green-plate lunch specials, and, as always, a wurstplate platter of select German meats. 

At Water Mill’s Bistro Eté, Chef Arie Pavlou dry ages his steaks, making them a central East End attraction. Cuts, aging, and prices all vary, making this one of the more exciting — and unexpected — finds in the Hamptons, ideal for a special fall night out. Still, those in search of something less decadent can still find something at this bistro, which offers up delights like charcoal rotisserie chicken (cooked on Fridays), smoked Long Island duck breast, and pork Milanese. A side of potato poppers, topped with shaved truffle, provides a coda to any autumn dinner.