Mussels can be made in a variety of different ways, but they’re good no matter what. And not only that — they’re fun to eat too. Pretty much every seafood restaurant on Long Island serves up this shellfish as an entree, so it’s hard to choose which one does it best. But Long Islanders did, so that means you’ll have to try the Best Mussels on Long Island to see if they made the right choice.
2024: Long Island Voted Grandpa Tony’s Best Mussels!
Grandpa Tony’s
101 Althouse Ave, East Rockaway
(516) 799-8669 – grandpatonysli.com
For the uninitiated, Grandpa Tony’s Wood Fired Pizza is much more than great Italian food! This popular restaurant traces its robust and authentic cuisine to Italian immigrants who came to Long Island in the late 1800s. But, in addition to being known for hearty portions and fresh ingredients served in all their old-world favorites, Grandpa Tony’s has some of the freshest seafood around with various specialties including mussels in red or white clam sauce, calamari, baked clams, blackened tuna and lobster ravioli. In addition, the restaurant features a roster of daily specials focused on everything from chicken and pasta to of course their famous pizza. Come visit Grandpa Tony’s for the very best traditional Italian cuisine where a passion for cooking makes every dish perfect.
2023: Long Islanders Voted Spiro’s Restaurant & Lounge Best Mussels!
Spiro’s Restaurant & Lounge
4 Patchogue Dr, Rocky Point
(631) 744-4100 – spiroslounge.com
An appetizing plate of steamed mussels is exactly what’s needed to kick off the fine dining experience at Spiro’s Restaurant & Lounge in Rocky Point. Its mussels are carefully steamed in a wine white sauce with garlic and olive oil and are best paired with a glass of white wine. Owner and executive chef Spiro Karachopan has spent the last three decades providing simple, high quality cuisine that tastes amazing and serving portions the way they should be at Spiro’s and its sister restaurant Sea Basin. It’s truly not surprising that Long Islanders have gravitated to Spiro’s for the opportunity to indulge in the freshest and mouth watering mussels on the island!
2022: Long Islanders Voted Grandpa Tony’s Best Mussels!
Grandpa Tony’s
101 Althouse Ave, East Rockaway
(516) 799-8669 – grandpatonysli.com
Grandpa Tony’s is a traditional Italian restaurant in East Rockaway that has won in 10 different Best of Long Island 2022 categories, so you know this place takes its food seriously. Among many of its other dishes, fans of Grandpa Tony’s rave about its mussels. These classic Prince Edward Island (PEI) mussels come as an appetizer to share with the table and can be served with a red or white wine sauce. Grandpa Tony’s mussels are also in the seafood fra diavolo dish, which also includes clams, sauteed calamari, and shrimp in the restaurant’s spicy fra diavolo sauce. Regardless of how you order them, the mussels are beyond satisfactory, and you’ll surely be craving more!
2021: Long Islanders Voted Spiro’s Restaurant & Lounge Best Mussels!
Spiro’s Restaurant & Lounge
4 Patchogue Dr, Rocky Point
(631) 744-4100 – spiroslounge.com
An appetizing plate of steamed mussels is exactly what’s needed to kick off the fine dining experience at Spiro’s Restaurant & Lounge in Rocky Point. Its mussels are carefully steamed in a wine white sauce with garlic and olive oil and are best paired with a glass of white wine. Owner and executive chef Spiro Karachopan has spent the last three decades providing simple, high quality cuisine that tastes amazing and serving portions the way they should be at Spiro’s and its sister restaurant Sea Basin. It’s truly not surprising that Long Islanders have gravitated to Spiro’s for the opportunity to indulge in the freshest and mouth watering mussels on the island!
2020: Long Islanders Voted Popei’s Clam Bar Best Mussels!
Popei’s Clam Bar
451 Middle Country Rd, Coram
(631) 696-4029 – popeisclambaronline.com
Crack em open and savor what’s inside — the best mussels on the Long Island are found at none other than Popei’s Clam Bar. Since 1991, Popei’s has been the top spot on the isle for delicious seafood, and their savory mussels continue to keep customers coming back for more. Popei’s casual but vibrant atmosphere makes enjoying the shelled, chewy delights all the more fun. In the summer, patrons can enjoy their mussels with great drinks and live music at the outdoor Tiki bar, and in the colder seasons, the feast continues indoors. Popei’s is known for their generous portions, so come hungry!
2019: Long Islanders Voted Vito’s Ristorante & Pizza Best Mussels!
Vito’s Ristorante & Pizza
91 Forest Ave., Glen Cove
(516) 759-1366 – www.vitospizzany.com
Vito’s Ristorante began with a couple that set out on a journey from Sicily bringing only their hard work ethics and family recipes and made their way to Brooklyn, NY. With hard work and perseverance, they opened the doors to their first pizzeria in 1982 on Avenue L in Carnarsie which quickly became a staple in the community. Ten years of service, two pizzerias, and three kids later, they moved the family out to Long Island where they opened their third. This is where their son began to learn the trade, studying his father’s every move. He is now beginning my own journey in Glen Cove using Nonna’s recipes and working side by side with one of Brooklyn’s finest, his father. They look forward to making Vito’s Restaurant & Pizzeria one of Glen Coves favorite eateries.
2018: Long Islanders Voted Popei’s Clam Bar Best Mussels on Long Island!
Popei’s Clam Bar
384 North Wantagh Ave
Bethpage, NY 11714
(516) 822-9169 – www.popeisbethpage.com
Their menu is as deep as the ocean. Popei’s Clam Bar is a seafood wonderland with a little something for everyone–even if you prefer turf to surf. But the mussels earn this award for Popei’s, served in a bucket with red or white wine sauce. The other shellfish never disappoint–the crab legs, lobster, calamari, and shrimp are especially delicious. Popei’s generously portioned dinner specials make sure you won’t go home hungry. There’s a great kids menu for the “little skippers,” too. But make sure Junior doesn’t get full before trying your mussels marinara!
2017: Long Islanders Voted Fattusco’s Gourmet Pizza Best Mussels on Long Island
Fattusco’s Gourmet Pizza 1019 Fort Salonga Rd., Northport. 631-651-9777. fattuscos.com Although Fattusco’s Gourmet Pizza offers a wide selection of delightfully delicious Italian dishes, including pizza (of course!), baked ravioli, and lasagna, the mussels in their zuppa di pesce are absolutely divine. Cooked with a whole lot of love and precision, seafood lovers will rejoice with every bite, leave with full bellies, smiles on their faces, and plans to return as soon as possible. Also the winner of the Best Jarred Pasta Sauce on Long Island, Fattusco’s has proved it is the go-to place for authentic Italian mussels, too!
2016: Long Islanders Voted Waterzooi Belgian Bistro Best Mussels on Long Island
Waterzooi Belgian Bistro 850 Franklin Ave., Garden City. 516-877-2177. waterzooi.com Having served more than 2.5 million pounds of mussels to date and still counting, Waterzooi Belgian Bistro knows a thing or two about how to prepare and serve these marine bivalve mollusks. Presented in a large, steaming cauldron, accompanied by frites and patrons’ choice of specialty mayonnaise (there are a ton to choose from), Waterzooi sets the bar for quality mussels and then surpasses that standard—transforming every meal into a celebration! Don’t forget to pair those tasty critters with some premium Belgian brew for a truly amazing dining experience!
2015: Long Islanders Voted Waterzooi Belgian Bistro Best Mussels on Long Island!
Waterzooi Belgian Bistro 850 Franklin Ave., Garden City. 516-877-2177. waterzooi.com Waterzooi Belgian Bistro provides an extensive menu of mussels, served in a steaming cauldron that you can either share or devour by yourself. There are more than a dozen huge portions of Moules Pots, mussels served with frites and mayonnaise, to choose from here, from their namesake Waterzooi mussels, covered in a smoked salmon, creamy tarragon champagne broth, to the Oreganato mussels, made with lemon, white wine and toasted breadcrumbs. Pair them with Belgian beer for an unbelievable meal.
2014: Long Islanders Voted Waterzooi Belgian Bistro in Garden City Best Mussels on Long Island!
1. Waterzooi Belgian Bistro 850 Franklin Ave., Garden City. 516-877-2177. waterzooi.com 2. Vincent’s Clam Bar 179 Old Country Rd., Carle Place. 516-742-4577. vincentsclambar.com 3. Harbor Crab Company 116 Division St., Patchogue. 631-687-2722. harborcdrab.com
2013: Long Islanders Voted Waterzooi Belgian Bistro in Garden City Best Mussels on Long Island!
1. Waterzooi Belgian Bistro 850 Franklin Ave., Garden City. 516-877-2177. www.waterzooi.com 2. Vincent’s Clam Bar 179 Old Country Rd., Carle Place. 516-742-4577. www.vincentsclambar.com 3. Fattusco’s Gourmet Pizza Pasta & Panini 1019 Fort Salonga Rd., Northport. 631-651-9777. www.fattuscos.com
2012: Long Islanders Voted Waterzooi Belgian Bistro in Garden City Best Mussels on Long Island!
1. Waterzooi Belgian Bistro 850 Franklin Ave., Garden City. 516-877-2177. www.waterzooi.com 2. Vincent’s Clam Bar 179 Old Country Rd., Carle Place. 516-742-4577. www.vincentsclambar.com 3. Mamma Lombardi’s 400 Furrows Rd., Holbrook. 631-737-0774. www.mammalombardis.com
2011: Long Islanders Voted Waterzooi in Garden City Best Mussels on Long Island!
1. Waterzooi 850 Franklin Ave., Garden City. 516-877-2177. www.waterzooi.com 2. Vincent’s Clam Bar 179 Old Country Rd., Carle Place. 516-742-4577. www.vincentsclambar.com 3. Mamma Lombardi’s 400 Furrows Rd., Holbrook. 631-737-0774. www.mammalombardis.com