Neighborhood
explore montauk
The best of Montauk doesn’t shout.
A few of our favorite spots, coffee in the morning, hike in the afternoon, fish tacos by the time the sun’s going down.
left hand coffee
The best cup of coffee in town, no question. Locally owned and roasting since 2015, with blends named after surf spots and beans sourced from countries that know how to ride. The shop’s small and gets busy, but the lattes are worth the wait. Local tip: grab a bag of beans to bring home — the Ditch Plains roast travels well.
Ditch Witch
A food truck parked at the second lot at Ditch Plains since 1994. Bagels, breakfast wraps, egg sandwiches, and the kind of strong coffee that fixes a slow morning. Cash works best. Local tip: order, walk fifty feet, eat with your toes in the sand. That’s the move.
bird on the roof
Recently taken over by a young Montauk local and reimagined without losing the bones. Pancakes, soft scramble toast with avocado and burrata, and the kind of breakfast that gives you a reason to stay sitting for an extra cup of coffee. Local tip: get there early on weekends — the regulars get there earlier.
Air + Speed
Surf shop, board rental spot, and unofficial visitor center for anyone trying to figure out where to paddle out. Stuart and Catherine Foley have been running it since 1996 — boards, wetsuits, beach cruisers, and honest advice about which break suits your level today. Local tip: ask about board rentals by the day if you don’t want to commit to a full lesson.
shadmoor state park
The 2.3-mile loop along 100-foot bluffs is one of the prettiest stretches on the East Coast — clay cliffs, weather-shaped hoodoos, WWII bunkers, and views of the surfers at Ditch Plains below. Parking is free, the trail is easy, the light is best in late afternoon. Local tip: take the Roosevelt Run path to the right for the fastest route to the ocean.
the whalebone shop
Born in Montauk, released to Earth. A purveyor of “finely printed things” — their bi-monthly magazine, soft tees, hats, and the kind of beachy-but-considered goods that make for great gifts you’ll want to keep for yourself. Local tip: the magazine back issues are worth flipping through even if you don’t buy one.
- To Eat At
- To Hang Out
- To Explore
- Water
