The DRL Hamptons Guide Archives

We remember Moby’s, in all its iterations, and we just love the fact that they’re returning to the old spot on Pantigo Rd. We could sit back here and tell you stories of the old days, when we were young and reckless, drinking the night away at the old spot. But then things changed. We grew up. New spots opened up. Montauk boomed. Moby’s moved away, doing a brief stint in Northwest Harbor.

Nothing feels more like summer than BBQ. If you want to skip the grilling and cleaning that goes with doing it yourself, TownLine BBQ has you covered. You can expect a menu of meats that are smoked and dry-rubbed on site, southern inspired sides (cue the cornbread), and a large selection of housemade sauces.

Owned and operated by Honest Management (the parent company that also runs Nick & Toni’s, La Fondita, and TownLine BBQ), Coche Comedor brings a fresh take to Mexican inspired cuisine. With small plates meant for sharing, bring your crew for some lite bites and margarita’s. 

In need of a relaxing beach weekend out East? Look no further than Hero Beach Club. Located close to the heart of Montauk, on Umbrella Beach, the resort features a vast garden equipped with fire pits, a pool decorated with furniture imported from Bali, and elegant modern beach inspired rooms.

Since the late eighties, Nick & Toni’s has been a mainstay of East Hampton. Their Tuscan farmhouse setting, extensive drink offerings, and wood burning oven, make for a quintessentially Hamptons experience.

Recovering from a big night out and need sustenance ASAP? Just finished your morning Soul and ready for brunch? Swing by Babette’s, a cozy eatery with outdoor seating in the heart of East Hampton. 

It’s late afternoon and the sun is about to set. You need a glass of rose and some bites as you bask in the remainder of the day. Head over to Crow’s Nest, a chic restaurant and inn with outdoor lounge seating, offering a menu that includes a mezze platter, spiced roasted cauliflower, and local fluke and tuna crudo among a variety of other dishes. Order a tray of oysters, take your wine down to the beach, and enjoy your summer evening as string lights turn on over the lawn and dusk gives way to the stars twinkling. 

The bar on what “luxury” means in the Hamptons is pretty lofty. The Baker House, an East Hampton B&B, continually sets the high mark.

Want to find great Mexican out east? Follow the cars heading out of Ditch Plains after a long day surfing. You’ll find that more than a few make a pit-stop at La Fondita in Amagansett. The “little kitchen” just off Montauk Highway serves up amazing iterations of classic casual Mexican fare (e.g., tacos, burritos, ‘dillas, etc.).

Probably our favorite thing to do on a lazy summer afternoon is to head over to Duck Walk, grab a bottle with friends, and hang out in their super chill, zero-pretenses tasting room. A stark contrast to some of the other vineyard tasting rooms you’ll find on the south fork, it’s no surprise that people looking to avoid city vibes choose it, and its wine club, as their go to vino destination for time spent on the east end.

Known to all as the premier vineyard on Long Island, the renowned Wolffer Estate has a tasting room that is a must-do for your summer out east.

One of our favorite things about the east end is frankly how much excellence can be crammed into such a small corner of the country. Sag Harbor Baking Company is a piece of all that excellence.

We’ve heard people say things like “there should really be a Dos Caminos out east.” And if you, like them, think good Mexican food can only be found at a big brand NYC resto, we pity you. You’ve never been to La Hacienda.

Named after a real life local Hamptons legend, the Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett is probably the most quintessential out east bar we can think of. That being said, prepare yourself, especially if you’re over 25.

Most of the crowd on peak weekend nights is most definitely NOT over 25. Talkhouse during the season looks like the kind of place you’d imagine a real life Chuck Bass making a move on a real life Serena Van Der Woodsen, while real life Blair Waldorf cries in the bathroom. Is it a scene? Yes. Is it fun? Yes. Do we recommend it for every night you’re out east? Absolutely not. (Unless you’re Gossip Girl.)

There’s usually a long line at the front on Friday and Saturday nights during the season, so be prepared to wait. There’s a cover at the end of that line, so there’s also that. But, there’s usually live music, and it’s usually pretty great. Drinks are what they are: light beers, vodka sodas, and anything else you might order at what’s basically a college bar out east.

It’s usually a super fun scene on the inside once you’re in and get into it. Put back a few vodka sodas and get to dancing. Get to the bar, order shots, make new friends, and remember what it’s like to be back in college for a night. You might run into that cute person you sat across from on the Jitney. Definitely buy them a vodka soda.

If you’ve been out to the east end enough, you know that the name Wolffer is synonymous out here with luxury experiences. But what you might not know is that it doesn’t just stop at the wine. Enter, Wolffer Kitchen, the latest offering of the Wolffer food and beverage empire.

The east end sisters of the restaurant in TriBeCa by the same name, Tutto Il Giorno out east don’t mess around. The menus are different at each, which gives you a reason to try both.