NYC's 5 Best Restaurants For Dining By The Beach
What, no summer house? You don't have to leave the city for the Hamptons or the Jersey Shore to enjoy dinner with a waterfront view. From Coney Island to the Rockaways, there are lively boardwalks lined with restaurants offering delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner options. By Sarah Shaker.
Related: Best Places To Buy Swimsuits In NYC
Related: 5 Best Beaches In New York City
Coney Island's Place to Beach is a casual, beach-themed Mexican restaurant and bar offering an outdoor dining experience across the bustling boardwalk from Coney Island beach. Soak up the sun on their cabana-style patio and full-service bar. The patio turns into a dance floor at night with live DJs and bands performing weekly events all summer long. Start yourself off with fresh guacamole and chips or golden-fried shrimp served with a spicy chipotle mayo. Get into the spirit of the boardwalk with the Chipotle Burger with waffle fries.
Related: 5 Best Hotel Culinary Experiences In NYC
Call it the Hamptons for the hipster set. Partygoers can get a taste of the East End nightlife without hopping on the Jitney by heading to Playland Motel. Much like a beach getaway, there is sun, sand and fun to be had. This summer, Playland Motel teamed up with Daniel Cipriani (Lodge, Urban Rustic and The Cookout at Rockaway Beach Surf Club) to provide tasty and eclectic menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner, including chicken and waffles on their breakfast menu, and the baja fish tacos on their lunch and dinner menus. If you'd rather share, try the small plates menu featuring items like clam fritters and Rockaway Beach nachos. Wade in the inflatable pool or play a few rounds of ping-pong or cornhole with your crew for a full day of summer fun.
Related: 6 Best Ways To Beat The Heat In New York City This Summer
This authentic Ukrainian restaurant is a classic in Brighton Beach. The recipes were passed down from the owner's grandmother, with specialties like a heaping bowl of Borscht, Vareniki (Ukrainian handmade dumplings) stuffed with cabbage, meat or cheese and the fall-off-the-bone Glechik Stew beef served with pan-fried potato vareniki. This family-style cafe is great for a leisurely lunch or dinner when spending the day at Coney Island or Brighton Beach.
Related: NYC's 6 Best Rooftop Bars
You can expect a "beach" feel at Beekman Beer Garden at South Street Seaport. Kick back in a hammock or lounge chair while sipping on a craft beer, challenge friends to a game of ping pong, pool or foosball while taking in the gorgeous view of the Brooklyn Bridge. With an array of concerts and parties, there's always something happening on Pier 17. Dine on casual eats like barbecue or burgers for a backyard cookout vibe by the water.
Related: 5 Best Places To Celebrate National Oyster Day In NYC
Open May through September, Lobster Joint's Rockaway Beach location is serving up lobster and crab rolls to hungry beachgoers. What better way to enjoy a day on the water than to dine on delicacies from the sea? Try one of their combos for a delicious meal deal, like a lobster roll with a pickle, chips and a drink. There's a larger menu available at their Lower East Side and Greenpoint locations for those looking for even more seafood delights.
Sarah Shaker is the founder of the blog Bright Lights, My City.
