Located at the farthest tip of the South Fork peninsula of Long Island, 118 miles (190 km) east of Manhattan, lies Montauk, a small beach town that has every tourist talking. Whether an adventurer, foodie, fisherman, sailor, surfer or lover of the sand and sea, Montauk leaves little to be desired. Montauk has six state parks and its beaches rank among the top in the country. Great rolling breakers move in on miles of white gleaming sand. Montauk is known for its spectacular 70 foot high bluffs, which stretch all the way to the point.
Below is our list of “favorites” for eating, drinking, and doing…
BEACHES
The Bungalow is very well located for access to a number of the best beaches. The closest beach is Ditch Plains, a 5 minute drive from the Bungalow. Ditch Plains is popular with surfers. The super long break makes surfing ideal for newbies or veteran long borders. This iconic beach has beautiful cliffs rising at its western end at Shadmoor Park, restrooms, outdoor showers, lifeguards during the summer season, and concession trailers that serve just about anything you're in the mood for. (Permit parking).
Gin Beach is located on the south side also close to the Bungalow. Its calm, great for families, with gentle water and sandy beaches. You can watch the boats come in and out of Montauk Harbor, or take a walk on the jetty. Restrooms, outdoor showers, a concession trailer, lifeguards during the summer season, and a nearby restaurant provide all the family needs for a day at the beach. (Permit parking).
Hither Hills State Park is 4 miles west of town on old Montauk highway. Lifeguards daily from mid June through Labor Day. They offer a nice playground, picnic tables, outdoor showers, restrooms, a changing area, and a general store. This is a public beach so no permit necessary.
Kirk Beach lies just west of the village by the IGA supermarket. This sandy beach stretches over 500 feet. Park for free at Kirk Park parking lot. Public restrooms located next to the parking lot. Lifeguards, restaurants and stores are with in walking distance, along with the park and picnic area across the street. The dunes on this beach were recently stabilized and stairways were put in place.
South Edison Beach is located at the heart of the village at the end of S. Edison St. This popular beach as a lifeguard on duty during the summer months, restaurants, restrooms, and stores nearby. Limited public parking
ACTIVITIES
Surf lessons :
We love Austin and his surf school!
We would also recommend Corey! He's amazing! Corey also offers Stand Up Paddle Board Lessons, which is a good alternative for those that wish to experience a more relaxed, calm sport.
Best Beach Rentals:
Air and Speed...we absolutely love the family that runs this local surf shop!
Best Boat Rentals:
Rent a Sailboat for the day - we've done this and it was magical!
Hike:
Pine Ride Trail, Montauk Lake Trail (Montauk State Park)
Shadmoor State Preserve Trail (Shadmoor State Park)
Montauk Point Park Trail, Point Woods Loop Trail (Camp Hero State Park)
Montauk Point Beach Beach Trail, Montauk Point Lighthouse (Montauk Point State Park)
Walking Dunes Trail, Petticoat Hill Trail, Napeague Trail, Elisha's Valley Trail, Fresh Pond Trail, Rocky Point (Hither Hills State Park)
Exercise:
SoulCycle Montauk
Body Tech Fitness Gym
B Yoga
New York Pilates Montauk
If you feel like taking a drive 15 minutes on the stretch, there are a few great places in Amagansett as well!
Barry's Bootcamp
Tracy Anderson Method Studio
Flywheel Sports
Spa
Gurney's Montauk: We love The Seawater Spa at Gurney's! It's got everything you need - including therapeutic treatment and salon services to renew your body, mind, and soul while overlooking the ocean and giving yourself some good ole TLC.
SHOPPING
Surf Bazaar at The Surf Lodge: We LOVE Surf Bazaar at The Surf Lodge - swimsuits, coverups and all things beachy and pretty.
Whalebone Flagship: Also super cool! A hip designer outpost for casual apparel
Melet Mercantile Outpost: Our fav hidden gem. A collection of men's and women's and children's vintage clothing, accessories, art and photography very beautifully curated and mindfully chosen.
Vintage Pink: A great place to find a unique gift - anything from Buddhas, candles, incense, inspirational signs, yoga mats, yoga clothes, books, cards.
Cynthia Rowley: A premier destination for every well appointed fashionista, including, alongside the ready-to-wear options, a fitness collection, wetsuits and swimsuits.
Air and Speed Surf Shop: Covers everything from swimsuits, beach coverups, going out on the town, flip-flops, Surf gear and board shorts, sunblock, everything beach!
Adam Mar: Great men's shop!
It's fun to walk around the center of town and pop in all the local beach shops, bookstores and even the famous Whites General Store where you'll find everything from toiletries, magazines, pharmaceutical needs, and beach accessories to name a few! These are among our favorites in Montauk listed above but you may stumble on one that you find just what you're looking for so be sure and take a few hours to cruise the center of town!
EATING
Here's what a typical day looks like for us: we get up and make breakfast at home, which usually consists of an herb scramble and piece of toasted yummy bread or oatmeal with fresh berries. This is always accompanied by a double espresso with frothed milk, compliments of our Nespresso machine. Our beach weekends always consist of beach days. We will either make fresh tuna salad to take with a loaf of bread and whip together a green salad for lunch or make a stop at Naturally Good where they have an assortment of to-go salads and spreads. And off we go with our cooler full of goodies to last the day! Sunsets are really special on our back deck so typically we will come home and make our favorite cocktail, either an Aperol spritz or tequila slushy. We love to cook and entertain so if we feel like having a quiet evening at home with a few friends, we will head to Gosman's Market to pick up the catch of the day and fresh veggies to grill on the BBQ. Eating, sipping rose and listening to our favorite tunes with our favorite people! You can't go wrong with this kind of day!
Our Favorite Restaurants...
The Crows Nest: Seasonal and organic ingredients lead the new American /Mediterranean menu at this rustic eatery. Take a walk down the beautifully lit lawn to enjoy a cocktail on the waterfront and sit fire side and cozy up next to the ones you love.
Duryea's: Amazing food with amazing views! Picnic tables and self serve seafood eatery. Great for families.
The Surf Lodge: Clean, fresh, and organic market driven menu with a focus on daily caught seafood. Great atmosphere and fun people watching where you can also catch live music with their summer concert series featuring various artists.
Ruschmeyer's: Set up like an adult summer camp, this restaurant is good for large groups. Pizza, burrata, grilled octopus, tuna crudo and so on. The food is really yummy!
Navy Beach: Delicious seafood and burgers perfect for a laid back family-friendly setting on a 200 foot private beach. Eat outside on the sand!
Harvest on Fort Pond: Tuscan style Italian cooking served on platters family style with waterfront views
Inlet Seafood Restaurant: Offering everything from fish and shellfish, traditional meat dishes and sushi as well. Great for families. Gorgeous views!
Swallow East: Rustic, chic waterside eatery serving great bar bites and seafood, plus weekly live reggae music.
Dave's Gone Fishing: A lovely, cozy setting on the Montauk docks serving fresh seafood. It's a must!
Tacombi Montauk: Yummy Mexican food and super casual!
The Dock Bar and Grill: A classic! Low key, fun and funky. Great seafood, burgers and steaks in a saloon type environment. Cash only.
Clam and Chowder House at Salivar's Dock: Family fun, dockside eatery with great seafood dishes and a sushi bar as well.
Scarpetta Beach: Upscale dining with a sophisticated Italian fare with an open, airy dining room located at Gurney's.
The Hideaway: Hidden off of West Lake Drive in a marina, this Mexican spot is among the favorites for Hamptonites!
South Edison: A great go-to serving delicious food from crab claws to pasta and beer!
The Gig Shack: Right in the center of town, this low key bar/restaurant offers a menu to please everyone. From burgers to ribs, tuna tartare, taquitos and the billy goat salad, the food is good!
Zum Schneider MTK: This is a proper Bavarian biergarten. Drink huge beers with a menu full of things like bratwurst, spaetzle, and soft pretzels.
Arbor: This new Mediterranean spot is great for moules frites and wine!
Naturally Good: Hands down our favorite go to for both breakfast and lunch. DELICIOUS, healthy options, vegan and gluten free, baked goods, smoothies, and a mini market health food store to pick up everything from almond milk to baking ingredients, organic coffee beans to Toms toothpaste.
Happy Bowls: Amazing acai bowls and poke bowls!
Joni's: Super healthy and organic tasty salads, wraps, sandwiches, baked goods, fresh juices and smoothies
Red Hook Lobster MTK: The best lobster rolls and steps to the beach
John's Drive-In: Obsessed with the double fudge oreo and mint chip ice cream here! There are also incredible french fries and cheap, simple, snack bar style burgers and dogs.
Herbs Market: Best fried chicken around! Great spot to pick up sandwiches and beer to take to the beach.
Hoodoos MTK: Great spot for brunch and the ULTIMATE sandwich
Goldberg's Bagels: The BEST bagels around!
Ditch Witch: If you are camped on the beach near ditch Plains this is the spot for lunch! There tends to be a long line around prime lunchtime but it's well worth the wait.
Bird On the Roof: As classic as classic breakfast comes! Cute and cozy.
John's Pancake House: A local fixture for breakfast and burgers.
Pizza Village: A good slice of pizza!
Gosman's Clam Bar: Dockside seafood. Super casual.
Tillie's: Located in Gurneys serving delicious breakfast, lunch, dinner and brunch on Sunday's.
Buddha Berry: Yummy frozen yogurt with every flavor and topping you can imagine!