Bay Shore does not always get mentioned alongside the bigger food destinations on Long Island. But Bay Shore restaurants have been quietly building a dining scene worth paying attention to. The Great South Bay sets the backdrop for some of the better waterfront restaurants on the South Shore, and the area around Main Street has added enough variety in recent years to make a full evening here easy.
The range covers more ground than the town’s size might suggest. You will find upscale New American, strong cocktail bars, casual seafood spots on the water, and a few places that work just as well for a laid-back brunch as they do for dinner. It is a balanced mix without feeling repetitive.
If you are spending time on Long Island’s South Shore, these are the best restaurants in Bay Shore, NY to build your visit around.
My Top Picks in Bay Shore
If you are not sure where to start, these are my top picks in Bay Shore. Each one highlights a different part of the dining scene, from a waterfront dinner at The LakeHouse to cocktails at Sweet Jane.
BEST OVERALL DINNER
Tula Kitchen
Creative, seasonal New American cuisine with a refined feel and one of the most complete dining experiences in Bay Shore.
BEST BAR
Goody Two Shoes
A stylish cocktail bar with strong drinks, elevated bar food, and a lively atmosphere. Also a go-to spot in Bay Shore for Arsenal match days.
BEST WATERFRONT DINING
The LakeHouse
An upscale spot on the Great South Bay with strong views, outdoor seating, and a well-executed New American menu.
BEST COCKTAILS
Sweet Jane
A modern, intimate cocktail bar with a creative drink program and a small, well-chosen food menu.
The Best Restaurants in Bay Shore, NY
Tula Kitchen
Tula Kitchen is one of the stronger restaurants in Bay Shore, NY, with a creative take on American cuisine that stands out from most spots in town. The space is modern and polished, making it a good choice for a date night or a more elevated dinner.
The menu is globally influenced and changes seasonally, with a mix of small plates and larger entrées that feel thoughtful without being overcomplicated. The flavors go beyond typical local fare, but the cooking stays grounded and approachable.
For the best overall dining experience in Bay Shore, Tula Kitchen is an easy first pick.
NEW AMERICAN | SEASONAL | SMALL PLATES
Sweet Jane
Sweet Jane is a modern cocktail bar in the heart of Bay Shore, NY and one of the more stylish spots in town for a night out. The space is darker and more intimate than most, with a feel closer to a New York City cocktail bar than a typical Long Island spot.
The focus is on the drinks, with a creative cocktail program that gets real attention to detail. The food menu is small but well chosen, with shareable plates and a few larger dishes that are meant to complement the drinks rather than compete with them.
Sweet Jane works best as a place to start or end the night rather than a traditional dinner destination. For a true cocktail bar experience in Bay Shore, it is the top option.
COCKTAILS | SMALL PLATES | INTIMATE
The LakeHouse
The LakeHouse is one of the more upscale restaurants in Bay Shore, NY, set right along the Great South Bay with some of the best waterfront views in the area. The space is polished but relaxed, with a dining room, bar, and outdoor deck that work well for date nights, special occasions, or a casual drink outside on a warm evening.
The menu is New American with a seasonal focus, built around seafood, steak, and well-prepared entrées that highlight fresh ingredients. The food is consistently good, but the setting is just as much a part of the experience.
In the warmer months, the outdoor deck overlooking the bay makes The LakeHouse one of the best places to have dinner in Bay Shore.
WATERFRONT | UPSCALE | DATE NIGHT | VIEWS
Goody Two Shoes
Goody Two Shoes is one of the more stylish and energetic spots in Bay Shore, NY, combining a modern cocktail bar with a full food menu. The space has a polished, design-forward feel that shifts into a livelier bar scene as the night goes on.
The drinks are the main draw, with a creative cocktail list alongside beer and wine. The food leans toward elevated bar fare, with burgers, shareable plates, and comfort-driven dishes that hold up well without feeling like an afterthought.
It is also the home base for Arsenal supporters on Long Island, regularly hosting matchday watch parties and drawing a consistent crowd for games. That built-in community is part of what sets it apart from a typical bar.
For drinks with a group, a casual night out, or catching a morning soccer match on tv, Goody Two Shoes is one of the more versatile bars in Bay Shore.
BAR SCENE | CASUAL | COCKTAILS | SPORTS
Whalers
Whalers is a casual waterfront restaurant in Bay Shore, NY, set right on the Great South Bay, where the views are as much of a draw as the food. The atmosphere is relaxed and coastal, and it gets busy in the warmer months for good reason.
The menu leans modern American with a seafood focus, covering shareable plates, larger entrées, and a raw bar. The cocktail program is solid, and the setup works just as well for a full dinner as it does for drinks by the water.
Weekend brunch runs Friday through Sunday and tends to draw a crowd, with a mix of breakfast dishes, sandwiches, and appetizers alongside mimosas and other drinks. It is one of the more popular daytime spots in Bay Shore.
One of the more unique features is that you can arrive by boat and dock at the restaurant, with space available on a first come, first served basis. It adds something to the experience that most places in the area cannot match.
WEEKEND BRUNCH | WATERFRONT | OUTDOOR SEATING
Verde Kitchen and Cocktails
Verde Kitchen and Cocktails has been one of the more distinctive restaurants in Bay Shore, NY since opening in 2014. The main dining room is a 40-seat live greenhouse, home to over 50 varieties of herbs, peppers, and edible garnishes grown on site and used throughout the kitchen and bar. It is a space that feels different from anything else in town.
The focus is on Mexico City and Oaxacan-style cooking, with tacos, ceviche, and creative entrées that go beyond typical Long Island Mexican spots. The cocktail program is a major part of the appeal, with over 150 tequila and mezcal options and handcrafted margaritas that stand out in the area. Happy hour runs Monday through Friday from 3 to 7pm with half-price tacos and discounted drinks.
Sunday brunch includes live music starting at 1pm, which makes it one of the livelier daytime options in Bay Shore.
MEXICAN | COCKTAILS | TEQUILA | BRUNCH
Roadtrip
Roadtrip opened in Bay Shore, NY in 2024 with a concept that sets it apart from most spots in the area. The menu rotates weekly, with each week focused on a different American state and the regional dishes and flavors that come with it. A regular menu runs alongside the weekly theme, so there is always something familiar, but the rotation gives people a reason to keep coming back.
The food takes the concept seriously. USDA Prime beef anchors the burger program, the wings have built a strong following, and the weekly specials lean into the regional idea in ways that go beyond the obvious. The cocktail program gets similar attention, and Chef Ian Russo runs the kitchen with an ambition that shows in the food.
For a newer restaurant in Bay Shore, Roadtrip has already built a following. It works well for a casual dinner or a more planned night out, and the rotating format makes it one of the more interesting spots in town.
AMERICAN | ROTATING MENU | BURGERS | CRAFT COCKTAILS
Salt & Barrel
Salt & Barrel is a modern American restaurant in Bay Shore, NY with a coastal feel and a strong focus on seafood. The atmosphere is polished but relaxed, sitting comfortably between a casual dinner spot and a more upscale night out.
The menu leans seafood-forward, with steaks and classic entrées rounding things out. The focus is on fresh ingredients and clean, well-executed flavors that keep the dishes balanced rather than heavy.
For a more refined seafood dinner in Bay Shore, Salt & Barrel is a good option.
SEAFOOD | MODERN COASTAL
Bay Shore is one of the more varied dining areas on Long Island’s South Shore, with a mix of waterfront spots, cocktail bars, and newer restaurants that give it more range than most towns nearby. From a full dinner at Tula Kitchen to drinks at Sweet Jane or a casual night at Whalers, there are enough options here to build a night around.
If you are exploring more of Long Island, check out my guides to the best restaurants in Northport, NY and the best restaurants in Oyster Bay, NY for more spots worth the trip.
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