What’s great about living on Long Island is that there are so many restaurants to choose from. There are ones dedicated to different kinds of cuisines, ones with themes, ones known more for their desserts than their for main courses, and more. And in what may have been the most difficult category to vote in, Long Islanders were still able to pick their favorite. So stop by the Best Restaurant on Long Island, no matter what kind of food you prefer to eat, because with a title like that it’ll be sure to wow your tastebuds.
2024: Long Island Voted Foster Best Restaurant!
Foster
39 Roslyn Ave, Sea Cliff
(516) 759-0100 – fosterrestaurant.com
Foster, Long Island’s premier late-night restaurant and craft cocktail bar features seasonal farm-to-table offerings cooked traditionally using both a wood fired oven and grill! This chef-owned venue combines fresh ingredients with classic techniques to serve elegant meals. Everything at the restaurant is made from scratch with love, attention and simple, healthy ingredients from their pastas, doughs and pastries to dressings, sauces, and condiments. With an emphasis on seasonal offerings, most ingredients are locally sourced from farms on Long Island or across the tri-state area. Signature dishes include East Coast oysters, udon hot pot, grilled berkshire pork chop with apricot jam, braised short ribs of beef and a selection of wood fired pizzas. Other features include affordable special Sunday take-home meals and a Wednesday-Sunday Happy Hour!
2023: Long Islanders Voted Smok-Haus Best Restaurant!
Smok-Haus
7 12th Street, Garden City
(516) 400-7100 – www.smok-haus.com
Smok-Haus is the brainchild of ex-derivative trader and MIT Ford Technical Scholar, Manny Voumvourakis, and his fraternity brothers. His passion for great food and hospitality is hereditary – his surname should say it all. His love for the “low and slow” developed in Hancock New York during hunting trips with his childhood pals and was indoctrinated in Unadilla, GA by his mentor – Myron Mixon. His full-service restaurant and bar fuses traditional American barbecue with regional street food. The business has a cult following with fans who recently awarded the establishment with 11 Bethpage Best of Long Island Awards for 2023, including Best Restaurant and Best Wait Service. It has also included in Newsday’s coveted Top 100 Restaurants for the last 4 years. Construction is underway for its second location in Hicksville.
2022: Long Islanders Voted Salvatore’s of Elmont Pizzeria & Restaurant Best Restaurant!
Salvatore’s of Elmont Pizzeria & Restaurant
312 Meacham Ave, Elmont
(516) 488-8484 – salvatoresofelmontmenu.com
Salvatore’s of Elmont is a family owned business who brings their love of authentic Italian cooking to every meal. We have been told Salvatore’s of Elmont is a gem to our neighborhood as we make everyone feel like family as soon as they enter our indoor or outdoor garden dining experience. Each traditional Italian dish is cooked using Salvatore’s of Elmont own personal touch, love and flavor from our very own family recipes. At Salvatore’s we offer complimentary red, white or rose wine or you can BYOB at no charge. Whether you stop in for a Slice of Pizza or a Pasta Dish, you will always enjoy an unforgettable meal with an exceptional ambiance. We offer an exquisite menu of classically prepared Italian dishes, daily specials, plus brick over pizza and a full catering menu. Let us host your next special occasion at our outdoor garden dining area or at your home. We look forward to serving our Italian cuisine from our home to yours.
2021: Long Islanders Voted Anchor Down Seafood Bar and Grill Best Restaurant!
Anchor Down Seafood Bar and Grill
1960 Bayberry Ave, Merrick
(516) 544-4334 – anchordownny.com
Long Island has some of the best food available. If you’re looking for a great place to enjoy a nice meal, you have to pay a visit to Anchor Down Seafood Bar & Grill. Since 2014 Anchor Down has been serving up grub that has Long Islanders raving. Naturally, the seafood selection is not only delicious but also made from the best ingredients available. Don’t have your sea legs? No problem — Anchor Down as non-seafood options that are just as delicious as its sea fare. From the time you leave Anchor Down, you’ll be planning your next visit for you and your friends. Don’t forget to order something from the bar to wash down your incredible meal!
2020: Long Islanders Voted Anchor Down Seafood Bar and Grill Best Restaurant!
Anchor Down Seafood Bar and Grill
1960 Bayberry Ave, Merrick
(516) 544-4334 – anchordownny.com
Anchor Down Seafood Bar and Grill has been serving some of the best local seafood on the island in a comfortable and casual atmosphere since 2014. Customers rave over their classic fish and chips, lobster bisque, shrimp and po’boy sandwiches and enjoy Anchor Down’s more dynamic dishes such as the lobster pot pie—consisting of root vegetables, sherry bechamel and puff pastry. Anchor Down’s seafood menu is sure to satisfy the pickiest of fish eaters and even win over carnivores who are normally set on ordering a burger or steak!
2019: Long Islanders Voted R.S. Jones Best Restaurant!
R.S. Jones
153 Merrick Ave., Merrick
(516) 378-7177 – www.rsjones.com
Established in 1993, RS Jones Restaurant (originally Rattlesnake Jones) was part of owners Margaret & Carole’s dream was to build a unique space where people could come and find comfort in the food & atmosphere The love of country music inspired the cowboy theme. Margaret excels in the “front of the house”, making people feel welcomed and special, “as if you were visiting her home”. She was raised in Merrick and is the Immediate Past President of the Merrick Chamber of Commerce. Carole was brought up in Huntington where her first “real job” included several different positions in a local restaurant. She is a self-taught chef. Carole loves to create new dishes and plans the daily “specials” to be varied enough so everyone can find something that they’ll enjoy. RS Jones is blessed and proud to have a terrific staff, many of whom have been with them since they opened.
2018: Long Islanders Voted R.S. Jones Best Restaurant on Long Island
R.S. Jones
153 Merrick Ave., Merrick. 516-378-7177. rsjones.com
The competition could not be hotter, but R.S. Jones has come out on top as the Best Restaurant on Long Island. How cool is that! Perhaps it’s their exceptional cuisine. Among other absolutely delicious specialties, R.S. Jones serves up electrifying dishes that include: gumbo, chili, fried pickles, alligator wontons, nachos, shrimp and grits, and biscuits and gravy! Then there’s its absolutely amazing vibe: food aficionados and music lovers both frequently call R.S. Jones home. Their staff is friendly and knowledgeable and always willing to please, too! All this, and so much more, make R.S. Jones the absolute Best Restaurant on Long Island!
2017: Long Islanders Voted R.S. Jones Best Restaurant on Long Island
R.S. Jones
153 Merrick Ave., Merrick. 516-378-7177. rsjones.com
The competition could not be hotter, but R.S. Jones has come out on top as the Best Restaurant on Long Island. How cool is that! Perhaps it’s their exceptional cuisine. Among other absolutely delicious specialties, R.S. Jones serves up electrifying dishes that include: gumbo, chili, fried pickles, alligator wontons, nachos, shrimp and grits, and biscuits and gravy! Then there’s its absolutely amazing vibe: food aficionados and music lovers both frequently call R.S. Jones home. Their staff is friendly and knowledgeable and always willing to please, too! All this, and so much more, make R.S. Jones the absolute Best Restaurant on Long Island!
2016: Long Islanders Voted Storyville American Table Best Restaurant on Long Island
Storyville American Table
43 Green St., Huntington. 631-351-3446. storyvilleamericantable.com
Cajun food has a long and storied history in the United States. Created in the deep swampland of Louisiana, the spicy dishes have invigorated the people of the South for generations. Lucky for us, Long Islanders have access to this amazing fare at Storyville American Table in Huntington. They serve not only the standard NOLA food: jambalaya, barbecue shrimp and veal grillades, but specialties that defy expectations in authentic Creole/Cajun entrees. These dishes need to be experienced to be fully understood! So good! Of course, to win the top spot in this highly competitive category, the service, decor, and overall experience must be truly exceptional as well, and Long Islanders have resoundingly declared “Yes, it is!”
2015: Long Islanders Voted Storyville American Table Best Restaurant on Long Island!
Storyville American Table 43 Green St., Huntington. 631-351-3446. storyvilleamericantable.com Cajun food has a long and storied history in the United States. Created in the deep swampland of Louisiana, the spicy dishes have invigorated the people of the South for generations. Lucky for us, Long Islanders have access to this amazing fare at Storyville American Table in Huntington. They serve not only the standard NOLA food: jambalaya, barbecue shrimp and veal grillades, but specialties that defy expectations in authentic Creole/Cajun entrees. These dishes need to be experienced to be fully understood! So good!
2014: Long Islanders Voted Vincent’s Clam Bar in Carle Place Best Restaurant on Long Island!
1. Vincent’s Clam Bar 179 Old Country Rd., Carle Place. 516-742-4577. vincentsclambar.com 2. Rachel’s Waterside Grill 281 Woodcleft Ave., Freeport. 516-546-0050. rachelswatersidegrill.com 3. Peter Luger’s 255 Northern Blvd., Great Neck. 516-487-8800. peterluger.com
2013: Long Islanders Voted Vincent’s Clam Bar in Carle Place Best Restaurant on Long Island!
1. Vincent’s Clam Bar 179 Old Country Rd., Carle Place. 516-742-4577. www.vincentsclambar.com 2. Rachel’s Waterside Grill 281 Woodcleft Ave., Freeport. 516-546-0050. www.rachelswatersidegrill.com 3. Peter Luger’s 255 Northern Blvd., Great Neck. 516-487-8800. www.peterluger.com
2012: Long Islanders Voted Vincent’s Clam Bar in Carle Place Best Restaurant on Long Island!
1 Vincent’s Clam Bar 179 Old Country Rd., Carle Place. 516-742-4577. www.vincentsclambar.com 2 Rachel’s Waterside Grill 281 Woodcleft Ave., Freeport. 516-546-0050. www.rachelswatersidegrill.com 3 Peter Luger’s 255 Northern Blvd., Great Neck. 516-487-8800. www.peterluger.com
2011: Long Islanders Voted Peter Luger’s in Great Neck Best Restaurant on Long Island!
1. Peter Luger’s 255 Northern Blvd., Great Neck. 516-487-8800. www.peterluger.com 2. Vincent’s Clam Bar 179 Old Country Rd., Carle Place. 516-742-4577. www.vincentsclambar.com 3. Smokin’ Al’s 4847 Merrick Rd., Massapequa. 516-799-4900. www.smokinals.com
2010: Long Islanders Voted Vincent’s Clam Bar the Best Restaurant on Long Island!
1. Vincent’s Clam Bar 179 Old Country Rd. Carle Place 516-742-4577 www.vincentsclambar.com 2. Ciao Baby multiple locations. www.ciaobabyrestaurant.com 3. Vittorio’s Restaurant & Wine Bar 184 Broadway, Amityville. 631-264-3333.www.vittorios.biz
