More Outdoor Dining for Families on Long Island

(Photo courtesy of Bayside Clam Bar and Grill)

Last year we gave you a list of great places to eat outdoors with your kids. Here are still more great places:

One of the great pleasures of summer is eating alfresco, and Long Island has a plethora of options to fulfill that desire. I started out thinking I would include five of my favorite locations, but as I began talking with some of my mom friends, they all had suggestions that I felt deserved inclusion as well. All of these restaurants are family-friendly, and several also offer entertainment nearby or on site. The water is a common theme for most of these selections, as they feature gorgeous views, allowing you to feel like you’re on vacation, without having to travel.  

Bayside Clam Bar and Grill
300 Bayview Ave., East Islip
631-277-9100
Located at the East Islip Marina, this is a relaxed family restaurant where you can enjoy views of Fire Island and the bay. Kids' meals come with Tater Tots and a Popsicle, while adults can enjoy the signature twin lobster roll. It's open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and you can view the menu here. Adult entrees average $22, while children’s meals are $8. The restaurant features live entertainment, but patrons can also enjoy the free town concerts throughout the summer.

Beach Hut
Cedar Beach
Ocean Pkwy, Babylon
631-321-0813
Other locations can be viewed here.
Located at many beaches, the Beach Hut is a fun place to eat when you’re at the shore.  Each location features a full service ice cream parlor and is literally right on the beach.  Entrees range from $10-$20 and feature many kid friendly items.  You can check out their menu here.  The Town of Babylon has free concerts all summer long, which adds to the experience.

Bocce Beach
Ocean Beach
Fire Island
631-583-8100
Ocean Beach is a summer oasis for many Long Islanders, and this is a nice spot to relax and watch people coming off the ferry, trailing the signature Fire Island red wagons. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, and entrees are $30 for adults and $10 for kids.  Here are the lunch menu and dinner menu.

Bubba’s Burrito Bar
513 Main St., Islip
631-650-6333
Modeled after the many burrito eateries that line the West Coast, this is a fun family spot with delicious food. Our favorites are the veggie quesadilla and fish tacos, although you can see the comprehensive menu here.  Afterward you can enjoy some homemade ice cream at Coyle’s, which is next door.  Bubba’s is also going green, so all of its takeout containers are recycled and compostable!

Dockside Cafe
301 Bergen Ave., West Babylon
631-321-5217
The best feature of this restaurant is that it rests on a dock and you and your kids can enjoy watching the boats come and go as you eat.  There is a children’s menu, and adult entrees are around $15. The restaurant opens daily at 11am and begins serving dinner at 5.

Gosman’s Clam Bar
484 West Lake Dr., Montauk
631-668-2549
Whenever we’re in Montauk, this is one of our favorite places to go.  Located adjacent to Gosman’s, this is a more family-friendly version of the same great food.  Right in Montauk Harbor, the location can’t be beat and even picky eaters can be satisfied, as they’ve recently added peanut butter and jelly to their kid’s menu.  Prices range from $2.95 for a hot dog to $14.95 for softshell crab, but most patrons are looking for the lobster, which can be prepared any way you like. The complete menu is available on the sidebar of the site.  Everyone can enjoy soft swirl ice cream at the end of the meal.

Kasey’s
23 North Park Ave., Rockville Centre
516-766-5049
Despite the fact that this place touts its nightlife and cocktails, this is actually quite a family-friendly place during the week and features rooftop dining, which is a lot of fun. You can get some tasty American fare and delicious cocktails as well.

Lighthouse on the Bay
854 South Wellwood Ave., Lindenhurst
631-991-3370
Featuring covered outdoor dining, tables with umbrellas, and now a rooftop lounge, this restaurant has several ways to enjoy eating outside. The staff is great with kids, and prices are reasonable. It’s also a lot of fun to watch the boats and Jet Skis as you dine. The menu can be viewed here.

Nicky’s on the Bay
South Clinton Ave., Bay Shore Marina
Bay Shore
631-206-3311
Featuring breakfast, lunch and dinner, Nicky’s is a family favorite.  This location has outdoor seating located by the spray park and often has live music.

Louie’s Oyster Bar and Grille
395 Main St., Port Washington
516-883-4242
Louie’s is a little more pricey than some of the others listed, with entrees ranging from $30 to $60, but the view of the NYC skyline and Long Island Sound is unparalleled. It also features gluten-free and vegetarian menus, which is a unique feature among this list.

Singleton’s Salsa Shack and Singleton’s Seafood Shack
Tobay Beach
Ocean Pkwy, Wantagh
516-826-4231
You do not need to be a resident of Oyster Bay to enjoy these two beach restaurants; there is a separate parking area for their customers, which is open to the public. As these eateries are located right near the spray park and mini-golf, the kids will have lots to do, including just playing in the sand while you wait for a table.

Surf’s Out
Bay Walk
Kismet, Fire Island
631-583-7400
This restaurant is just a short walk from Robert Moses’s field 5 or within steps of the Kismet ferry. Although it has grown and become a little more upscale since my first visit more than a decade ago, this is still a local favorite featuring a range of culinary delights. My husband still stands by his statement that the fish sandwich is the best item on the menu, but you can see the rest of the offerings here.  The kid’s menu entrees are $13, while adult items range from a burger for $16 and fancier entrees up to $60. This is a great spot for lunch after a morning at the beach.

The Steam Room
4 East Broadway, Port Jefferson
631-928-6690
As a kid, this is where my parents used to take me to enjoy some fried food and fresh air, while watching the Port Jeff ferry come and go. It has not changed a great deal since my childhood, which is exactly why my daughter enjoys going there now. The menu has expanded somewhat. This is a fairly inexpensive family restaurant that lets you enjoy some gorgeous views and then the fun of walking through Port Jeff Village.

White Cap Fish Market
120 Main St., Islip
631-581-0125
Dining on the deck is the best option, so you can enjoy watching the boats. The menu is quite comprehensive, including a raw bar and sushi, but my friend’s son still opts for the simple and delicious flounder with lemon.