Waterfront Dining in Nassau County

One of the main draws of visiting and living in Nassau County is the area’s proximity to the water. While you might head to Long Island for the plethora of activities you and your friends and family can partake in on or near the water, you must not neglect the most important activity of the day: eating. When hunger calls, don’t go to just any restaurant in town. Stay close to the views of the beautiful waterfront and find a spot that gives you unparalleled access to scenes of the water. Not only will you enjoy the warm breeze from the shores and stunning ambiance but you’ll savor a delicious meal. Here’s our guide for the best waterfront dining in Nassau County.

Catcher’s Fish House – Located on Freeport’s Nautical Mile, Catcher’s is the go-to spot for a more upscale meal on the water. The restaurant places an emphasis on fresh, locally caught fish, but the menu also includes steaks, pastas, and sandwiches. Patrons can enjoy both indoor and outdoor dining or cozy up to the dockside bar, and those coming in from the water can even score transient docking. 

Nunzi’s by the Water – A little off the beaten path, this newer neighborhood gem overlooks a boat marina and boasts both indoor and outdoor seating. Many locals have dubbed it as the best restaurant in Freeport. Open for weekend brunch, lunch, and dinner, the restaurant serves both seafood and Italian classics. 

Pier 95 Restaurant & Marina – Located just a stone’s throw away from the Nautical Mile, Pier 95’s menu features dishes with a Portuguese and Mediterranean flair. The restaurant overlooks the Hudson Canal, as well as the marina and nearby marsh grasses, giving diners a breathtaking view to accompany their meal.

Butler’s Flat Clam Shack – This seasonal shack is located in Capri Marina West on Manhasset Bay and everything you eat or drink here is sourced specifically from the Northeast. This casual eatery is quintessential summer in New York, with classic offerings like clam chowder, lobster rolls, fish tacos, and seafood platters.

Nino’s Beach – Located right on the bay, Nino’s Beach offers boats a seamless dock and dine experience. The upscale menu features everything from grilled octopus and baked clams to house-made pasta and pizza. The restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating, with panoramic views of the water that can be seen no matter where you sit.

Dirty Taco + Tequila – Although Dirty Taco + Tequila has locations throughout the Island, its Port Washington outpost ranks supreme thanks to its views overlooking the water. For something a bit different than your typical seafood joints in the neighborhood, this restaurant fuses LA-style tacos and Asian street food for tasty and inventive bites like Korean short rib tacos, miso cod tacos, and barbacoa chicken quesadillas.

Cooper Bluff – As Oyster Bay’s only waterfront bar, Cooper Bluff is the place to go for a good, stiff drink. The waterside outpost has an array of spiked slushies on its menu, as well as potent signature cocktails. And while the drinks are really the draw of the place, if you need to dig into something more substantial, there is a food truck on property that serves items like burgers, lobster rolls, and spicy cauliflower tacos.

Anchor Down Dockside – Watch the boats whiz by at this casual Mediterranean eatery, located conveniently on the water, allowing captains to park their boats right alongside the restaurant. Serving up seafood, chops, steaks, and more, there’s certainly something on the menu here for everyone. 

Smuggler Jack’s – One of the few restaurants with year-round waterside dining, Smuggler Jack’s has a heated patio for the colder months, along with a fireside dining room and heated igloos. Here you’ll find an array of American cuisine on the menu with options ranging from crabcakes to blackened mahi mahi.

The Boat Yard – A lively spot to dine during the warm months of summer, The Boat Yard is always serving up delicious fare right along Tobay Beach. Check out their calendar of events, as there is often live music and shows to entertain patrons. Options range from power bowls to tacos to pizza.

Five Ocean – There’s nothing quite like dining on the beach and Five Ocean’s location right on the boardwalk can’t be beat. To top it off, the food here is nothing to write off, with options like whipped feta, little neck clams, and herb-roasted monkfish. 

Shakes & Shuckers – For a real local feel, this boardwalk-based beach concession is a great place to get some grub when you just can’t be bothered to stray too far from the beach. Order up one of its many iterations of hot dogs, a hot seafood soup, or cool off with a hand-spun ice cream shake. Or, if you simply want a snack, there are plenty of those, too.

Gatsby’s Landing – A little different than other restaurants in the area, this one sits overlooking a pond, giving you views that are no less stunning than the surrounding bays, and somehow even more calming. Choose from a selection of salads, shrimp cocktail, duck, or even one of their many pastas for a well-rounded dining experience. 

Thyme – This cozy restaurant also overlooks Roslyn Pond, offering visitors a rustic ambiance and intimate atmosphere. Using fresh ingredients, Thyme offers hearty home-cooked fare, like warm baked brie with apples, seared diver scallops, and miso-glazed salmon bowls. In addition to everyday lunch and dinner, the restaurant is also open for weekend brunch.

SALT – Come for the views and stay for the lively vibe. This restaurant, located right on the water, has plenty of both indoor and outdoor seating, and boaters can pull up right along the dock and jump aboard the dock to dine. Everything you could want adorns the menu here, from coconut shrimp and zucchini and eggplant chips to seafood risotto and chicken and waffles. 

Fabio’s – Hit up this family-style restaurant if you’re feeling particularly hungry. Ample portion sizes will keep everyone at the table satisfied, with Italian classics like veal parmigiana, chicken scarpariello, and Frutti di mare. Fabio’s is located right on the waterfront, with outdoor and indoor seating for you and your loved ones.