Lively Long Island Downtowns: North Shore Edition!

When I moved to the 'Burbs' from New York City, it was important for my husband and I to maintain some of our city living and research towns that offered what we loved about our previous lifestyle. We were in search of lively Main Streets, pedestrian downtowns, good restaurants, local shops and fun attractions. Long Island offered us many towns like this to choose from - and we looked at them all, so I thought to share what we discovered along the way, should it help any of you who are looking for more spacious living arrangements but are not willing to sacrifice a social scene!

A two-part series featuring both the North Shore & the South Shore

1. Huntington

Downtown: New York Ave & Main Street

For Brunch:

• Hatch
• The Shed

For Lunch:

• MB Ramen
• Spotlight - restaurant, bar, & art gallery!
• Rust & Gold

For Dinner:

• Mission Taco
• 7 Gerard
• Prime Steakhouse

Attractions:

• Paramount Theatre
• Revue Bookstore - sadly closing their doors on 9/30/21 after nearly 45 years at their current location
• Heckscher Museum of Art

2. Northport

Downtown: Main Street & Woodbine

For Brunch:

• Tim's Shipwreck Diner
• Copenhagen Bakery

For Lunch:

• Brew Cheese
• Ritz Cafe
• Feed & Grain

For Dinner:

• Salted on the Harbor
• Skipper's Pub
• Maroni Cuisine

Attractions:

• John Engeman Theater
• Sand City Brewery
• Cow Harbor Park - live music in the Summer, Farmers Market Summer - Fall, playgrounds, picnic areas

3. Port Jefferson

Downtown: Main Street & East/West Broadway

For Brunch:

• Nantucket's
• Port Bistro & Pub

For Lunch:

• The Steam Room
• Slurp Ramen
• Billie's 1890 Saloon

For Dinner:

• Fifth Season
• Barito Mexican
• Wave Seafood & Steak

Attractions:

• Explorium Children's Museum of Science & Engineering
• TheatreThree
• Port Jeff Brewery

4. Garden City

Downtown: Franklin Avenue & Seventh Street

For Brunch:

• Small Batch (at the Roosevelt Field Mall)

For Lunch:

• Seventh Street Cafe
• Garden City Bistro

For Dinner:

• Waterzooi
• Revel
• Plancha Tapas and Wine

Attractions:

• Cradle of Aviation Museum
• Long Island Children's Museum
• Hofstra University

5. Glen Cove

Downtown: Glen Street, School Road and Forest Avenue

For Brunch:

• Henry's Confectionery
• Glen Cove Diner

For Lunch:

• The Downtown Cafe
• American Café

For Dinner:

• Asian Fusion
• La Bussola
• Riviera Grill

Attractions:

• Glen Cove Theatre
• Garvies Point Craft Brewery
• Glen Cove Salt Caves
• Garvies Point Museum & Preserve

6. Greenport

Downtown: Front Street and Main Road

For Brunch:

• Bruce & Son
• Noah's

For Lunch:

• 1943 Pizza Bar

For Dinner:

• Claudio's
• Frisky Oyster

Attractions:

• Fireboat Fire Fighter Museum
• Kontokosta Winery
• East End Seaport Museum