A Montauk Regular's Guide to the Best Spots

Welcome to Like a Local, our travel series where writers share how to spend an ideal weekend in their favorite hometowns. This time, Alexis shares her go-to itinerary for a perfect day in Montauk.

For the past eight years, I’ve spent at least part of August in Montauk, and it’s become a highly-anticipated and much-needed break from life in Brooklyn. And while Montauk isn’t necessarily known for its restaurants—let’s face it, none of the towns in the Hamptons are—it is entirely possible to have a day that’s both delicious and beautiful in the town that’s been nicknamed “The End” for its placement on Long Island.

The town has changed a lot, even before I started visiting, and now, for better or worse, it’s an influencer haven of sorts. Montauk has fully cemented its status as a go-to place for New York beach goers who are seeking not-so-quiet luxury, and in some ways, parts of the once-sleepy fishing village are still holding onto the down-to-earth, surf-centric vibes it was known for.

And with that in mind, you can still find gems. Not hidden gems, but spots you’ll want to tell your friends about.

Where to Stay

There’s a new hotel in town, Offshore Montauk, and it’s relatively affordable compared to the other options you’ll find in Montauk. The hotel has a cold plunge, sauna, red light room and pool—ideal for squeezing in moments of relaxation before or after spending time at the beach.

If you’re looking for more of a splurge, Marram is a great option. Built from the remnants of a former motel, Marram debuted in 2019 with a tranquil aesthetic that mirrors its wellness philosophy. It has personal tarot consultations, singing bowl ceremonies, meditation sessions at sunset, and astrological readings. It’s not your typical experience, but it’s fun.

Eating In Like a Local

Fresh seafood is the name of the game in Montauk, so be sure to take advantage of that when you’re visiting. Pick up fish to cook at home at Gosman’s Fish Market and treat yourself to some fun Japanese goodies at Maguro Montauk, the new Japanese market in town.

The produce in Montauk is fantastic, too, with the farmers market popping up in town every Thursday from 9 a.m to 2 p.m with a lot of North Fork farmers in attendance. It’s the perfect place to load up on fresh fruit and vegetables. Think the biggest bunches of basil you’ve ever seen and more tomatoes than you could dream of.

And if it’s not a Thursday, grab your produce at Balsam Farms. Get a bag of dried apricots and a bag of dates, too—trust me. They’ll ruin apricots and dates for you forever, in the best way.

Balsam has a little market in town, but if you want the full experience, head to Amagansett and visit the original farm stand. It somehow feels simultaneously trendy and quaint, which is really just the perfect encapsulation of the Montauk experience.

Eating Out Like a Local

When it comes to eating out in Montauk, I always opt for sushi. If you want to set up a little picnic on the beach, grab a blanket and a tuna poke bowl at Maguro, and you’re set. The beach entrance closest to Maguro actually leads you to a little area that has a picnic table, so if you’re not into eating on the sand, you have options.

If you’d rather go to a restaurant, The Bird is a fantastic and reliable spot that serves impressive dishes like blue crab claw with brown butter and snap peas. They’re open for brunch and dinner, and they get extra credit for having trivia on Thursdays and a speakeasy on Saturdays.

Shark Bar is also a strong option, with hits like their tuna poke bowl—Montauk is famous for their tuna—and perfectly juicy oysters to start. If you feel like diving into dessert, get their homemade Snickers bar. I also love Naturally Good, the health food store in town. This summer, I completely fell in love with the Mediterranean Chicken Wrap. With grilled chicken, pepperoncini, feta, cucumber, tomato and dill, it’s just absolutely perfect.

For a fun brunch that feels like more of a scene, go to Hole in the Wall at Surf Lodge and order the Seafood Tower if you’re with a group and want to lean in. And Duryea’s is famous for its Lobster Cobb Salad, which is pricey, but worth it if you absolutely love lobster and want to eat a delicious salad by the water.

For pre-dinner drinks, Crow’s Nest is touristy, yes, but also great for a reason. The view and ambiance is the main draw here, and during golden hour, it’s unmatched.

And when you want a wild dinner that feels indulgent, check out Mavericks Montauk, known for both surf options like grilled oysters and tuna tartare and turf options like Iberico Pork Skirt Steak and Prime New York Strip.

Taking Advantage of the Scenery

Try to see the sunrise at the Montauk Point lighthouse. Yes, I know it requires waking up very early on vacation, but it’s worth it. Trust me. Watching the sun come up over the Atlantic from the easternmost point of Long Island is magical, and there likely won’t be big crowds. Bring your own coffee or grab one at Joni’s afterwards.

And while the beach is obviously the place to be, as much as I love Montauk, I’m not the kind of person who likes to sit on the sand all day. I usually have a few hours in me, tops, so I try to get movement in when I can. Sometimes that means grabbing a bike and biking around Hither Hills and sometimes it means heading to a class at New York Pilates on Montauk Highway. The classes are pretty hard, and with the windows open and a location nestled between a pond and a beach, it’s easy to feel connected to nature.

Montauk is expensive, and there’s no doubt about that, but it can be whatever experience you want it to be. If you want to lean into the influencer culture, spend $400 on dinner and document every moment, you can. But it can also be a place where you walk to the beach and enjoy a fish sandwich. And that’s the beauty of it.

But above all, don’t overschedule. Leave room for unexpected moments like a conversation with a fisherman at Westlake Fish House, the detour down a random beach path or the extra hour spent watching the waves and looking out for whales. Those are the moments that make you feel like you’ve actually touched grass.