Every summer, the Hamptons restaurants gets a new crop of arrivals that instantly become part of the scene. This year, though, the arrivals feel bigger than usual — with downtown favorites heading east, old spaces getting major overhauls, and a handful of buzzy collaborations already drawing crowds before July even starts.
In Sag Harbor, one of the season’s most talked-about Hamptons restaurants is Babe’s, the retro-inspired “diner” from husband-and-wife duo Julian Cavin and Martine Langatta alongside music executive JonnyShipes. By day, the restaurant serves elevated comfort food — think tuna melts, pancakes, stacked club sandwiches, and thick milkshakes — inside a nostalgic, all-American dining room. At night, it shifts into more of a supper club, attracting a crowd that skews fashion, music, and downtown Manhattan on a weekend away.
Around the corner, Miracle has taken over the former Vin Sur Vingt space on Main Street. The latest project from restaurateur Michael Nolan, this cozy neighborhood spot leans into warm lighting, strong martinis, and reimagined comfort fare with a slight English pub feel.
Montauk, meanwhile, continues its evolution from laid-back surf town into full-blown social destination. Talya, which first launched at Ruschmeyer’s in 2023, has reopened this season in a new beachfront location near Bounce Beach. The Mediterranean-leaning restaurant from chef Geoffrey Lechantoux serves mezze, seafood, grilled meats, and cocktails designed for long dinner that often turn into late nights.
Lechantoux is also behind Maison Close, the French Riviera-inspired concept opening at Southampton’s Capri Hotel after building a loyal following in Soho. The restaurant nearly opened in Montauk several summers ago before a fire halted plans just days before launch, making this East End debut especially long awaited.
Another major arrival is Alba Spiaggia at Montauk Yacht Club from Prince Street Hospitality. The waterfront restaurant is already positioning itself as one of the season’s premier sunset reservations, pairing coastal Italian dishes with sweeping marina views and a crowd that rarely leaves after dessert.
Bridgehampton also welcomes Nourish by the Roundtree, which has opened in the former Arthur & Sons space with lighter fare, wellness-focused dishes, and an all-day café atmosphere.
East Hampton is seeing plenty of movement too. Lion’s Nook Bar & Grill has taken over the former Rowdy Hall and O’Malley’s location in Parrish Mews, bringing updated pub fare and a more polished neighborhood feel to the longtime local address.
Beyond the restaurant openings, several hospitality brands are creating summer experiences of their own. Dorsia is bringing its coveted Summer Series back to the Hamptons with a calendar of exclusive dinners, chef collaborations, cocktail events, and members-only experiences that tap directly into the East End’s social scene. Goldbrew is also making its presence known this season, popping up across workouts, wellness events, and beach gatherings with its functional coffee blends geared toward focus, energy, and recovery.
A few other arrivals are already generating serious buzz. Jean’s Beach is bringing downtown fashion-world energy east for the summer, while Dopo Il Ponte adds another stylish Italian option to the mix, and PopUp Bagels has officially landed in Westhampton after becoming one of New York’s most sought-after carb obsessions.
Then there’s Dante at the Pridwin on Shelter Island, where the legendary New York aperitivo bar is taking over the iconic waterfront hotel’s cocktail program for the season. The result is exactly what you’d expect: spritzes, oysters, sunset cocktails, and a reservation list that’s already becoming difficult to crack.
And yes, Popeyes is officially part of the Hamptons conversation this summer thanks to its unexpected collaboration with the Surf Lodge. The fast-food giant is serving its famous chicken tenders in a Surf Lodge-exclusive Chicken Tender Tower designed for groups, alongside signature dipping sauces and smaller-format boxes throughout the season. It may be the most unlikely partnership of the summer — which is exactly why everyone is talking about it.
Taken together, this summer’s arrivals feel less like a typical seasonal shuffle and more like a full reset of the Hamptons dining scene. The old standbys are still there, but this year, everyone seems to be chasing something new.
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