Long Island runs about 120 miles from the city out to Montauk, and along the way you can find some of the best seafood in New York. Crab cakes are a favorite here, whether you like them packed with lump crab, fried golden, or stacked on a sandwich near the water.
This list rounds up 12 seafood shacks and clam bars that give you a real reason to plan a drive. Grab a booth, park near the docks, and get ready to eat well.
1. The Lobster Roll (LUNCH), Amagansett
Locals and road trippers alike know this Amagansett spot simply by the big LUNCH sign on the roof, which is why it has been a Montauk Highway landmark since 1965.
The menu leans into East End seafood classics, with fried and broiled options that draw crowds all summer. Crab cakes fit right in alongside the lobster rolls and fresh fish plates.
Parking fills up fast on weekends, so an early lunch or a late-afternoon stop is the smart play. If you are heading out toward Montauk, this makes a natural pause before the last stretch of highway.
2. Bigelow’s, Rockville Centre
Open since 1939, Bigelow’s is a tiny counter-service spot on Sunrise Highway that has kept its old-school setup for decades.
The kitchen is known for New England style fried clams and a light batter that has made it a Nassau County favorite. Crab cakes and clam chowder round out a menu that stays focused on the classics.
Seating is limited to a short counter, so plan on a quick meal or takeout. For anyone driving through the South Shore, it is one of the oldest fry shacks still going strong.
3. Clam Bar at Napeague, Amagansett
Sitting right on the Napeague stretch between Amagansett and Montauk, this open-air clam bar has been feeding hungry drivers since 1979.
Everything is served outdoors at picnic tables, which makes it a favorite quick stop when the weather is warm. The menu covers chowders, lobster rolls, fried seafood, and crab cakes.
It runs on a seasonal schedule, so it is a spring-through-fall destination rather than a year-round one. The no-frills setup is part of the charm for anyone driving the far East End.
4. Duryea’s Lobster Deck, Montauk
Few seafood spots on Long Island have a view like Duryea’s, which overlooks Fort Pond Bay near the Montauk docks.
The setting is the main draw here, with outdoor seating right at the water’s edge. Lobster and fresh seafood dominate the menu, and the crab cakes fit the upscale-casual style.
It gets busy, especially at sunset, so timing your visit earlier in the day helps with both seating and parking. If you make the full drive out to Montauk, this is the kind of waterfront meal worth building the trip around.
5. Fisherman’s Catch, Point Lookout
Right near the western end of the South Shore, Point Lookout is a small beach community, and Fisherman’s Catch takes full advantage of the location.
Waterfront seating gives you a marina view while you eat, which makes it a relaxed spot after a beach day. The menu covers fried seafood, raw bar options, and crab cakes.
Because it sits so close to the beaches, weekend crowds can be heavy in summer. For anyone starting a seafood drive from the Nassau side, this is an easy first stop.
6. Cull House, Sayville
Sayville has a long fishing history tied to the Great South Bay, and Cull House keeps that tradition alive right near the Fire Island ferries.
The restaurant is known for steamers, clams, and hearty seafood platters served in a casual dockside setting. Crab cakes join a menu built around fresh local shellfish.
Its spot near the ferry terminals makes it a convenient stop before or after a Fire Island trip. The bay views and unfussy vibe make it a solid mid-Island choice.
7. Claudio’s Clam Bar, Greenport
Greenport anchors the North Fork, and the Claudio’s waterfront complex has been part of the village harbor scene for well over a century.
The clam bar portion offers casual outdoor dining right on the docks, with a view of the boats coming in. Seafood classics and crab cakes make for an easy harbor-side lunch.
Greenport is walkable, so you can pair a meal here with a stroll through the village or the nearby carousel. For a North Fork seafood run, this is a natural landmark stop.
8. Gosman’s Dock, Montauk
At the far tip of Long Island, Gosman’s Dock has grown from a small operation into a sprawling waterfront complex at the Montauk harbor inlet.
The setting includes multiple dining spots and shops right along the water where fishing boats pass by. Fresh seafood is the whole point here, and crab cakes are part of the lineup.
It is seasonal, running through the warmer months, and the inlet views are the big attraction. If Montauk is the endpoint of your drive, this is a fitting place to celebrate reaching land’s end.
9. Prime, Huntington
Huntington Harbor gives the North Shore a more polished seafood option, and Prime makes the most of its marina setting.
The restaurant blends a steakhouse and seafood menu, with a waterfront deck that overlooks docked boats. Crab cakes appear among the raw bar and seafood selections.
Because it leans upscale, reservations are a good idea, especially on weekends. For a North Shore seafood outing with a dressier feel, it stands apart from the paper-plate shacks on this list.
10. Sea Basin Restaurant, Montauk
While much of Montauk’s dining sits on the water, Sea Basin has held down a village location as a longtime family seafood restaurant.
The menu sticks to broiled and fried classics, chowders, and seafood platters at a friendlier price point than the harbor spots. Crab cakes fit the straightforward, home-style approach.
Its indoor setting makes it a good choice when the weather turns or the outdoor spots are packed. For a no-fuss Montauk meal away from the crowds, it is an easy pick.
11. Grabbin’ Crabs, West Sayville
The name says it all at this West Sayville spot, where crab takes center stage on the menu.
Beyond crab cakes, the kitchen serves seafood boils, snow crab, and Southern-style shellfish platters. That focus on crab specifically sets it apart from the more general seafood shacks nearby.
The casual, hands-on style makes it a fun stop for a group meal. If crab cakes are the whole reason you are driving, this South Shore stop earns a spot near the top of the list.
12. Southold Fish Market, Southold
Part fish market, part takeout counter, the Southold Fish Market on the North Fork has built a reputation for fresh, simple seafood.
Alongside its retail seafood cases, it serves prepared favorites like lobster rolls, fried plates, and crab cakes. The market side means what you eat is about as fresh as it gets.
Seating is limited, so many people grab their order to go and eat nearby. For a North Fork drive that mixes shopping and a quick bite, it is a smart, low-key finish.
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