The Hamptons might seem exclusive from the outside, and honestly, parts of it are. But if you've actually spent time there, you know the real reason people keep coming back isn't just to see who's lunching at Nick & Toni's or to catch glimpses of billion-dollar beach houses. It's the unlikely combination of places that sit right next door to each other. One minute you're having a casual breakfast at an old-school diner with linoleum counters and cash-only crumb cake. Later, you're sipping rosé at a vineyard, sitting at a picnic table next to someone with a Birkin bag and someone else still sandy from the beach. That combination of laid-back and luxe is what gives the Hamptons its unique charm. But finding the real magic isn't about going to places just because they're trendy or you've seen them all over Instagram. It's about knowing the spots that actually deliver, whether they're upscale, casual, or somewhere perfectly in between.
The Hamptons aren't just one town. They're a series of villages strung together along a single road, each with its own personality—and each worth knowing on its own terms. From end to end, the drive can easily take an hour and a half. You might find yourself in Montauk, eating pancakes in a fishing village that feels charming midweek but transforms into a full-blown festival on weekends. Or you might stop in East Hampton, with its big brand-name stores and famous faces but also pockets of classic, old-school charm. Sag Harbor, once sleepy, is now bustling, lively, and full of energy year-round. Southampton might just strike the perfect balance, blending upscale designer shops with casual local favorites.
This guide isn't the Hamptons according to everyone else. It's Bethenny’s personal roadmap: the places she truly loves, goes back to every year, and always recommends. These are spots you'll actually look forward to, from brunch places worth waking up early for to dinners you'll still be thinking about after summer's long over.
Dinner Spots
Crow’s Nest (Montauk)
Crow’s Nest is Bethenny’s kind of place. Bohemian, earthy, a little sexy. It just has that something. She swears by their kale salad, and the spicy margaritas never disappoint. But the hummus is hands down the best in the Hamptons. Don’t question it, just order it.
Sag Harbor Pizza (Sag Harbor)
Brick-oven pizza, meatballs, pesto, focaccia, and bolognese. Sag Harbor Pizza is exactly the casual dinner spot you need after a day on the beach. Not fussy or pretentious, just great pizza that keeps everyone happy.
Sant Ambroeus (East Hampton)
Bethenny calls Sant Ambroeus “expensive shit that’s worth it,” which pretty much sums it up. Their pasta pomodoro is amazing. Yes, you’ll wince a little when the check lands, but every bite is worth it.
Tutto il Giorno (Sag Harbor)
Stylish but not stuffy, Tutto il Giorno is exactly where you go when you want to dress up a bit and maybe spot a celebrity or two while enjoying really good Italian food. It’s trendy for good reason and has a fun atmosphere that still feels comfortable.
Nick & Toni’s (East Hampton)
Nick & Toni’s feels like a classic Hamptons institution because it is one. It’s upscale Italian but in a comfortable, lived-in way. Go for special occasions or just because it’s Friday and you deserve it.
Duryea’s (Montauk)
If you’re craving seafood and sunset views, Duryea’s delivers both effortlessly. It’s popular, yes, but still feels laid-back enough to enjoy yourself. Waterfront dining as it should be.
Brunch & Breakfast
Candy Kitchen (Bridgehampton)
Candy Kitchen is Bethenny’s favorite kind of old-school diner. They have her whole heart. Think crumb cake with a crumb topping bigger than the actual cake, perfect omelets, and grilled chicken salad if you’re feeling virtuous. It’s cash-only, laid-back, and Bethenny loves the people-watching: you’ll see "a billionaire sitting next to a plumber," because everyone goes here.
Topping Rose House (Bridgehampton)
Bethenny’s breakfast pick is the avocado toast here. Not basic: basil, seeds, coconut oil on top, served alongside soft scrambled eggs and crispy potatoes. It’s cozy yet refined, and exactly the place she and Bryn love spending mornings.
Carissa's Bakery (East Hampton)
Weekends at Carissa’s mean fresh pastries worth lining up for. Locals know to arrive early because when they're gone, they're gone. If you’re after the best bread and croissants in town, Carissa’s is your spot.
Estia's Little Kitchen (Sag Harbor)
Estia’s is the cozy farm-to-table breakfast place you always hope to find. It feels like a hidden cottage serving dishes made from whatever’s freshest that day.
Pierre’s (Bridgehampton)
Pierre’s has brunch down to an art form. It’s a French bistro, elegant but relaxed, where people-watching and croissants go hand-in-hand. Brunch here feels special, no matter how many times you’ve been.
The American Hotel (Sag Harbor)
B thinks this old school hotel might have the best breakfast in Sag Harbor. The dress code is strict (for men, that is) and they need to figure out their almond milk problem, but the lobster omelette? Excellent.
Desserts & Sweet Treats
BuddhaBerry (Sag Harbor)
Bethenny says BuddhaBerry is “overkill” but people love it anyway—herself included. It’s candy heaven, dessert paradise, everything-you-can-think-of on frozen yogurt. Just lean in to the excess. It’s the Hamptons, after all.
Sundaes on Main (Bridgehampton)
Sundaes on Main is the new classic ice cream spot with a special candy room Bethenny compares to "the Hermès back room." It’s playful, upscale but not snooty, and exactly where you’d take your kids or just yourself when you want something sweet and fun.
Sip ‘n Soda (Southampton)
This classic ice cream parlor feels frozen in time in the best possible way. Milkshakes, sundaes, ice cream floats—they’re all as good as you remember. Sip 'n Soda is exactly the kind of nostalgic spot you always wish your hometown still had.
Drinks & Cocktails
Wölffer Estate Vineyard (Sagaponack)
You know that rosé everyone loves in the Hamptons? It’s probably from Wölffer. This vineyard is beautiful, relaxing, and exactly right for spending an afternoon sipping wine and forgetting about anything stressful.
Sunset Beach (Shelter Island)
Sunset Beach feels effortlessly glamorous. It’s the perfect spot to sit with cocktails and watch the sun drop into the water. DJ sets, great views, and people-watching included.
Dopo La Spiaggia (Sag Harbor)
Dopo La Spiaggia is the spot to grab cocktails when you want something stylish but not uptight. It’s trendy and busy, but you’ll still want to stay there all night. Comfortable and chic in equal measure.
Farm Stands & Grocery
Farm & Forage (Southhampton)
Bethenny calls Farm & Forage "savage" and the "most insane gourmet market," and honestly, she's not exaggerating. This Southampton spot has incredible chicken salad, VIP melons, and prepared foods gorgeous enough to pass off as your own. Japanese milk bread, amazing matcha, croissants that taste like they've gotten a deep-tissue massage—it's all next-level delicious, and a little bit extra, in the best possible way.
Sagaponack General Store (Sagaponack)
This place is exactly what you want from a charming Hamptons farm stand. Fresh veggies, breakfast sandwiches, cinnamon rolls, flowers—pick up what you need, or what you didn’t even realize you wanted.
Amber Waves Farm (Amagansett)
Amber Waves does organic produce incredibly well. It’s exactly where locals go when they’re cooking at home and want to keep it fresh and seasonal.
Pike Farms (Sagaponack)
Pike Farms is a seasonal favorite that's fresh and reliable. It's uncomplicated and exactly what you picture when you imagine picking up local produce at the beach.
Balsam Farms (Amagansett)
Balsam Farms always delivers. Lots of produce, homemade pies, and easy prepared foods make it a go-to for locals. It’s always worth stopping by.
Shopping
TWP (Sag Harbor)
TWP is exactly what classic Hamptons style should be: elevated staples you'll wear summer after summer, not trendy but timeless.
Suzie Kondi (Amagansett)
Suzie Kondi’s beachy loungewear feels like you're not trying too hard, even if you kind of are. It's where you shop for weekends that involve more relaxing than running around.
Bro Denim (Sag Harbor)
Bro Denim isn't trying to reinvent your whole wardrobe. It's just the spot in Sag Harbor for those perfect jeans you end up wearing all weekend and easygoing tops that always work. Think relaxed, effortless pieces that still manage to feel special.
Warm NY (Amagansett)
Warm NY is like stepping into the home of someone who’s effortlessly stylish, only you actually get to buy everything. It’s fashion, home decor, and elevated beach vibes all at once, a Hamptons shop that feels perfectly curated but still welcoming.