4 Best Restaurants in Shelter Island, Long Island

Fish doesn't come any fresher than at this waterfront resturant, where it was most likely caught that very morning off the Pridwin's boat by owner Richard Petry and his son Gregg. In 2014 Peruvian-born chef de cuisine Varon Barrio joined chef Marcel Iatoni to create a fresh new menu, adding specialties such as casusa, a layered potato, avocado, and shrimp dish, and the citrusy ceviche. It's not often that you see octopus as a main course—here it's served over mushroom-Manchego quinoa. "Kids Movies," most nights from 7–9, allow parents to enjoy a romantic dinner while their children enjoy supervised fun. Wednesday's cookout night, a family party and Shelter Island institution, includes live music, and Sunday brunch is served with a samba and soul soundtrack. Reservations are suggested for both.

Locavores will love this place for its credentials in sourcing ingredients only from local suppliers, but they'll also enjoy an upbeat yet relaxed dining experience. A four-course chef's menu—including four different antipasti, handmade pasta, a choice of entree, and dessert—is built around local, seasonal products and changes every Wednesday. "Hyper-local" seafood antipasti may include black sea bass crudo with salt-and-pepper cucumbers and green coriander or fried Long Island squid with chilies and mint. Meat, including grass-fed New York strip, comes from nearby farms. Even the flowers on the tables are local. The wines come from near as well as far, and artfully crafted cocktails are made with organic syrups. Outdoor dining is available on the porch.

Converted out of a vacant boatyard, this fun and vibrant spot on picturesque Chase Creek was the brainchild of two Shelter Island "summer kids," Keith Bavaro and Alison Bevilacqua. The nautical-themed restaurant utilizes the most local, freshest seafood available for its raw bar, delicious fish tacos, and some Hawaiian-influenced dishes. Out back, locals and tourists mix it up at the Shipwreck Bar (Thursday–Monday), a converted 1928 scalloping ship on land. In summer it's an outdoor party with fresh cocktails—try the Whale Killer, made with local Sag Harbor Rum—lawn games, and live music. Boaters can dock at the Island Boatyard and walk up to the restaurant and bar; day passes are also available for non-boaters for use of the pool, lounge area, and shower facilities.

Husband-and-wife team Terry and Lisa Harwood create casual but sophisticated dishes, and their staff provides exceptional service. Diners can savor daily specials and staples such as steak frites, miso-glazed salmon, and Montauk black bass. Simple yet elegant, the interior features pale walls, exposed beams, white tablecloths, and light streaming in through the large windows. In warm weather you can dine alfresco under tiki lights.