Butler's Flat sources much of its seafood from local fishermen. 

Top Waterfront Restaurants in Nassau County

1. Butler's Flat – Port Washington

This locally-owned, waterfront restaurant sources many of its seafood ingredients from fishermen in the Northeast. Menu items include clam chowder, lobster rolls, fried flounder sandwiches, clams, and scallops. There are also other options, such as cheeseburgers, hot dogs, and grilled cheese, for family members who aren't fond of seafood. Kids should save room for the ice cream cookie sandwich. Butler's Flat is open seasonally, usually opening around Memorial Day and closing around Halloween. 

2. Sonny's Canal House – Baldwin

The waterfront deck at Sonny's Canal House sits on a canal in the Baldwin Harbor. Catch live music on Friday and Saturday nights. Wing aficionados should check out one of the 10 wing flavors. The menu has many Italian favorites, like penne ala vodka and chicken parm, in addition to the seafood options.

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 Enjoy fresh greens at Anchor Down Dockside.

3. Anchor Down Dockside – Seaford

Seafood and steak are the specialties at this waterfront restaurant. Seafood fans should try the pan-seared monkfish or horseradish-crusted salmon. Landlubbers can't go wrong with the New York strip, complete with truffle fries. Anchor Down Dockside is closed on Wednesdays, and hours vary during the week and on weekends. Check the Facebook page for the most up-to-date information. 

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4. Fatfish – Bay Shore

Dine on the Great South Bay. Listen to live music on the outdoor deck or sit inside, where you can still see great views of the bay. Boaters are also welcome to use one of the boat slips to pull right up for lunch or dinner, but boat slips are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The menu is Mediterranean-influenced, and lobster tail can be added to any meal. Don't overlook the dessert menu–with delicious dishes like apple tarte tatin and vanilla bean creme brulee, you'll want to save room.   

5. La Casa Cafe – Northport

La Casa Cafe is celebrating its 30th year, and you'll be hard-pressed to find a restaurant closer to the beach than this one, considering it is directly on it. Have lunch or dinner, then walk directly onto the sand of Crab Meadow Beach. Wear your bathing suit under your clothes to take a dip in the ocean after your meal. La Casa Cafe has a robust menu with seafood, beef, chicken, and even pizza. 

6. La Plage – Wading River

For fine dining, look no further than La Plage. Chef and founder Wayne Wadington brings French-American cuisine to waterfront dining on Long Island. Fresh produce and seafood are brought in daily. Start off the meal with lobster and ricotta ravioli or a pork belly bao bun. Drinking adults can indulge in a jalapeno or coconut margarita. Hours vary during winter and summer months, but La Plage is closed on Tuesdays all year long.

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The aptly-named View makes it feel like you’re on the ocean even when you’re inside.

7. View – Oakdale

Consistently listed in The Knot's "Best of Weddings," View is more than a wedding venue. Guests are welcome to dine waterfront and partake in the seafood raw bar, calamari, risotto, steaks, and more. Live music is played most Fridays and Saturdays in the summer, and boats are welcome to pull up for dockside dining. 

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Every seat in Inlet offers a view of Block Island Sound.

Top Waterfront Restaurants on the East End

8. Inlet – Montauk

Every seat in this waterfront restaurant offers a view of the Block Island Sound. You can also catch a glimpse of the jetties in the Montauk Inlet. The restaurant is owned by six local fishermen with a passion for the ocean and providing fresh fish for diners. Indulge in Montauk lobster, fluke picatta, Long Island half duck, and rib eye, to name just a few entrees. The restaurant is open seasonally.

9. John Scott's Surf Shack – Westhampton

This casual waterfront restaurant has lots of eats for adults and kids alike. There are plenty of seafood dishes, including fish tacos, mussels, clam chowder, and catfish, as well as sandwiches and burgers. The kids menu has hotdogs, burgers, and chicken fingers; all come with fries. Try one of the pies for dessert, like the Rice Krispies pie. 

10. On The Docks – Aquebogue

On The Docks is aptly named. Guests can dine directly on the docks and watch as boats traverse the marina in the Peconic River. There is live music on weekends and boaters are able to pull right into the dock, though you must call ahead. The menu has both seafood and Italian-American dishes. 

11. SALT – Shelter Island

Kids will love the fun and fancy drinks at SALT, all nonalcoholic of course. Order the fishbowl punch, served in a fish bowl with gummy fish. Salt is open seasonally and closed on Tuesdays. Its sister restaurant, PORT, is also waterfront and located in Greenport just off the North Ferry. 

12. Si Si – East Hampton

Besides lunch and dinner, waterfront restaurant Si Si is open for brunch on Sundays from 11am-3pm. The brunch menu includes French toast, steak and eggs, and Mediterranean octopus. Si Si rests on Three Mile Harbor in the EHP resort and is open seasonally. 

Photos courtesy of the restaurants