Baked, grilled, or raw — East End seafood is all objectively good. Yet fried seafood may be what truly reels you in — the crispy texture of the coating, the rich flavor courtesy of high heat, the layers of seasonings — whatever catches you in its delicious net is valid.
Some Hamptons and Shelter Island restaurants serve it low-fi on paper plates, others allow takeout and still other restaurants let diners dig into light, flaky filet in upscale but unfussy settings. Regardless of where the tide takes you, rest assured that you can drift in for some of the best seafood in the region at these nine Hamptons and Shelter Island restaurants serving fantastic fried fish.
Jerry and the Mermaid, 469 E. Main St., Riverhead, 855-445-3072
Diners clamor for the soft shell crabs — a rich and delicate dish served with remoulade, rice pilaf and local veggies. It’s a summertime dish only, though, but a fried combo with shrimp, clams, scallops and flounder is available year-round. There are also the calamari, served “traditional” with marinara or with crispy banana peppers. And? A little birdy let us in on a secret: There’s a “locals’ only” version of the calamari that isn’t on the menu but is available to those in the know (which now includes you). The crispy little fish are served with banana peppers, baby arugula, shaved veggies and tossed in Jerry’s Thai chili glaze and sesame.
Jerry and the Mermaid’s popular fried Thai chili calamari is a house fave, as are all their swimmy, crunchy specialties. (Photos courtesy of Jerry and the Mermaid).
Captain Jack’s on the Coast, 1109 Noyack Road, Southampton, 631-204-5877
Southampton’s lone waterfront restaurant is a coastal capital in terms of vistas and menu offerings. Wednesdays are a true feast for fried fish fanatics — come for heaping baskets of golden-fried flounder, shrimp, scallops and clams beside signature Old Bay fries and house-made tartar sauce. Golden-fried calamari and a fried flounder sandwich are offered all week long, and kids can always dig into fried shrimp portioned for smaller bellies and hands.
Bostwick’s Chowder House, 277 Pantigo Road, East Hampton, 631-324-1111
This casual seafood joint with indoor and outdoor seating, which operates into the fall, has a generous number of fried seafood dishes to choose from. Fish ‘n chips made with Block Island cod and tangy tartar sauce, batter-fried shrimp and fried oysters are among the options served alongside fries. The guppy menu also features a kid-sized version of the fish ‘n chips and a fried flounder dish. Motor on over — Bostwick’s Chowder House plans to stay open through Veterans’ Day in 2025. (Call to confirm off-season hours.)
LUNCH Lobster Roll Southampton, 32 Montauk Highway, Southampton, 631-283-3460
The original Amagansett restaurant is seasonal, but its Southampton outpost remains open year-round. Fried seafood is all over the menu — jumbo shrimp breaded and fried, crispy clam strips, and a lightly breaded filet of flounder are a few options sure to leave your taste buds reeling (in the best way). A giant basket of popcorn shrimp is simply crispy-crunch perfection and comes with a side of ‘slaw.
Commander Cody’s Fish Shoppe, 41 Smith St., Shelter Island, 631-749-1851
An understated gem on Shelter Island, Commander Cody’s Fish Shoppe has plenty of (fried) fish entrees. Go big with a whole platter full of clam strips, scallops, shrimp and flounder, or opt for homemade lump cakes. Fried options aplenty on the appetizer menu, too — clam strips and oysters? Yes and yes. The market also has local fish that you can take home to bread and fry to your version of perfection.
Oakland’s Restaurant, 373 Dune Road, Hampton Bays, 631-728-6900
This fish-focused joint, featuring an open-air bar and outdoor seating with waterside vistas, also boasts a cozy fireplace designed to keep you warm during late- and early-season dinners. Lightly fried calamari starts a meal on the right foot (fin?). Come for lunch and sink teeth into a fried flounder sandwich slathered in tartar sauce and served with fries. Adventurous young diners can also order fried flounder off the children’s menu. Heads up: Oakland’s (figuratively) sunsets for the season on Sunday, Oct. 26.
Out of the Blue Seafood, 252 E. Montauk Highway, Hampton Bays, 631-728-3474
This fresh seafood market and restaurant is all about the freshness, not frills. A variety of fish can come broiled or fried, including scallops, shrimp and flounder. Fried calamari makes the appetizer menu, or diners can get a basket of fish ‘n chips served with coleslaw. Guests can also shop the market for the centerpiece to their own wow-worthy fried dinner creations.
Clam and Chowder House at Salivar’s Dock, 470 West Lake Drive, Montauk, 631-668-6252
This family-run dockside eatery is loved for its sprawling outdoor eating space and bumping live music. The seafood also slaps. On the lunch menu, the fried fish sandwich with tartar sauce, lettuce, tomato and onion is straightforward and flavorful. Fish ‘n chips with tartar sauce and fries are available for lunch and dinner. The restaurant generally says “The End” in early October — kind of. It generally re-opens for Halloween and New Year’s bashes.
