Weekend Getaway: A Surfer’s Guide to Montauk

Who says you can’t surf New York? (Photo: Instagram @JamoWillo)

For decades, Montauk was the sleepy fishing and surfer town out on the very tip of Long Island’s South Fork, a quiet alternative to the more happening towns of the Hamptons.

In just the past five years, Montauk has been woken up. And for better or worse, the beach village is now a summer hot spot for New Yorkers looking to escape the concrete jungle of Manhattan for the weekend.

To get to know the real Montauk, we went to surfer Jamo Willis, who is also the owner and creative director of the restaurant Harbor. Here are his picks to eat your way through Montauk and the neighboring Amagansett:

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For lunch, head to Moby’s, Amagansett: Moby’s is an unbelievable restaurant that serves everything from wood-fired pizzas to all-natural green juices to delicious Sunday brunch dishes. Try the one-of-a-kind summer squash pizza and the brunch menu avocado toast (crowd favorite). Moby’s has great food and a laid-back atmosphere that is excellent for any occasion.

341 Pantigo Road, East Hampton

Toaster making the most of the waves on Ditch Plains beach. (Photo: Instagram: @JamoWillo)

For delicious nachos, head to La Fondita, Amagansett: If you’re a burrito fan then look no further than La Fondita. With the best burritos in the Hamptons, La Fondita has mastered bringing incredible Mexican dishes to the beach. Jamo is a regular here and always makes sure to get the Nachos Supremo with extra fiesta dip (you will be addicted once you try it). The avocado burrito is definitely a close second favorite.

74 Montauk Highway, Amagansett

For sushi dinner, head to Zakura Japanese Restaurant: When you need a sushi fix, go to Zakura Japanese for the crispy and spicy tuna rolls. With refreshing and delicious sashimi, you can’t go wrong with anything on Zakura’s menu. Every sushi enthusiast out there must try Zakura Japanese!

40 Montauk Highway, Amagansett

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For a glass of wine at sunset, head to Montauket in Montauk: Montauket has the best sunset views in all of Montauk by far. With the amazing location and chilled vibes, this restaurant-hotel is the perfect spot for enjoying live music and excellent seafood dishes. The pan-seared crab cakes and fresh fried flounder sandwich are too good to be true when paired with the unforgettable view.

88 Firestone Road, Montauk

A more inexpensive alternative to most of Montauk these days … a picnic on grounds overlooking the Block Island Sound. (Photo: Thinkstock)

For a picnic, head to Montauk Point State Park: Just keep driving until you hit the ocean and you can have a picnic at a spot that feels like the edge of the world. There are plenty of hiking trails with beach views and through dense wilderness. Surf fishing is a popular activity here, and you won’t want to miss seeing the famous Montauk lighthouse, the oldest in New York State, commissioned by George Washington himself in 1792. Grab yourself some takeout, a bottle of wine, and make a whole afternoon of it.

2000 Montauk Highway, Montauk

This roll gets a giant thumbs-up. (Photo: Jo Piazza)

For the best lobster roll of your life, head to Gurney’s, Montauk: You’ll find lobster rolls at nearly every restaurant in the Hamptons. The secret to Gurney’s roll (and what makes it the best) is very simple. They add a hint of Sriracha to give it a little extra kick.

290 Old Montauk Highway

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For a cocktail and some dancing, head to Surf Lodge: Besides Harbor, this is an awesome place to go to and relax after a long beach day. Jamo has been going here for years and the owners are like family, so Surf Lodge is definitely a Hamptons standout to him.

183 Edgemere St., Montauk

For a post-surf nosh, head to Ditch Plains:

What could be better than a cool food truck situated right on the beach with coffee and food to satisfy your post-surf session hunger?

40 Deforest Road, Montauk

Have a night to remember … and takeout you will never forget. (Photo: Instagram @JamoWillo)

For dinner, drinks and a lot of fun, head to Harbor and Booby Trap: This is obviously Jamo’s top restaurant in all of the Hamptons. He created Harbor as a fun, laid-back place to remind him of home. Jamo envisioned Harbor as a place where guests can come dock their boats for the day, play bocce, drink rose, and stay for a delicious dinner with all of their friends. They’re open every Wednesday to Sunday from 4 p.m. until late, so those late-night beach-goers can head on over, grab a bite from their very own takeout stand, Booby Trap (open until 5 a.m.), and dance to ’90’s and hip-hop music from the live DJ.

440 West Lake Drive, Montauk

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