There’s something to be said about strength in numbers — humans are meant to live in communities, after all. Yet, sometimes, you have to pour into No. 1 — yourself — so you can show up better for your people. For some, that may mean a Netflix and chill alone kind of day (perhaps with a favorite, snuggly pet). But solo time doesn’t need to be spent in solitude. Around the Hamptons, there are restaurants, shops and activities that welcome a party of one with open arms.
Throughout the next few months, we’ll share a dream itinerary for solo days around the South Fork. Next up: East Hampton.
East Hampton Village’s pristine, soft-sandy beaches, shops and restaurants draw crowds, especially during the summer months. Its stunning natural light has made it a hub for artist studios over the years, too, including those of Jackson Pollock, Lee Krasner and Roy Lichtenstein.
While the contemporary version of East Hampton hosts bachelorette parties and retirement BBQs aplenty, there’s also swathes of spaces and places to put on your me-day itinerary. From walking along season-spanning sandy shores to a coveted table at a celebrity-lauded restaurant, here are ideas for enjoying a solo day in East Hampton.
Breakfast and coffee at Carissa’s Bakery
Carissa Waechter opened the Carissa’s Bakery’s flagship location on East Hampton’s Pantigo Road in 2017 with the simple goal of making and breaking bread with the community. Carissa’s Bakery, long renowned for its European-style breads, has since expanded its offerings to include cakes, sandwiches, and more in an airy and casual setting. The bakery has also expanded to Sag Harbor and a smaller satellite outpost on Newtown Lane, which is open on weekends during the off-season. Whether you opt for the original or Newtown Lane outpost, starting your morning with coffee, pastries and perhaps fresh-bread to go at Carissa’s — a 2025 James Beard Foundation semi-finalist for outstanding bakery — is akin to waking up on the right side of the bed.
221 Pantigo Road, East Hampton, 631-604-5911 or 68 Newtown Lane, East Hampton, 631-527-5996
It’s baked goodies galore at Carissa’s Bakery. (Photo credit: Doug Young)
Take a mid-morning stroll…
East Hampton’s Main Street is a retail therapy paradise. It begins at the London Jewelers’ East Hampton shop, located at 2 Main Street. On the other end, you can engage in an adult Easter egg hunt at the LVIS thrift shop, where slow fashion and vintage finds are always in. If a beach is more your scene, Main Beach is a summertime hub for live tunes and sunbathing. But the waves provide a peaceful soundtrack to a me-day any time of year.
…Or find your nook
A little rain or chilly temperatures need not spoil your solo trip around East Hampton. The East Hampton Library is a stately gem. Curl up with your own book or start one from the library’s vast collection (and check it out if you have a library card from anywhere in Suffolk County). It’s also a hub for Long Island history – artist Thomas Moran’s Biographical Art Collection calls the East Hampton Library home. Peruse original pen-and-ink, pencil and watercolor sketches or see artifacts from a real-life historical thriller. Artifacts related to the Culper Spy Ring, which aided George Washington during the Revolutionary War, are also part of the library’s collection. History buffs will get blissfully lost in the trip down memory lane.
159 Main St., East Hampton, 631-324-0222
Grab a casually delicious lunch at John Papas Café
This locally favored restaurant, with two decades under its belt, serves up Greek-American dishes in relaxed digs. John Papas Café’s homestyle recipes include a crispy falafel pita dressed in a creamy tahini sauce, as well as a Greek salad topped with grilled chicken. But there’s no rule against going Tex-Mex at a Greek restaurant — it’s your day, after all. The steak quesadilla served with John Papa Café’s lauded hand-cut meat gives you a taste of one of the joint’s signatures.
18 Park Place, East Hampton, 631-324-5400
Head to a local market in the afternoon
Your childhood family vacations may have included at least one trip to a gift store. Hit the smorgasbord jackpot at East Hampton’s new Gathering Marketplace, a collective of small, local makers and artisans selling their wares under one roof for unique, can’t-find-’em-anywhere-else items.
82 Park Place, East Hampton, 631-644-2423
And if you’re interested in small-business shopping of an edible kind, a stop at local institution Round Swamp Farm will fuel the rest of your day. A dream started by Carolyn Lester when she opened her first farm more than five decades ago, this local institution continues on with her family. From Claire Olsweki’s fresh-baked banana breads to Shelly Schaffer’s namesake lemonade (now institutions in their own right), you can also find a variety of items to flex your home-chef skills, such as locally grown produce, jams, jellies and oils, as well as fresh-baked and to-die-for chocolate chip cookies.
184 County Road 40, East Hampton, 631-324-4438
Dine at Nick & Toni’s
Getting a table at this decades-old Italian restaurant during the peak summer months is like finding a needle in a haystack. While Nick & Toni’s is still popular post-Tumbleweed Tuesday, it’s generally easier to nab a seat (though the spot is a popular one for holiday celebrations). A solo-day friendly perk? You can reserve a seat at the long wooden bar if you want to mingle during your me-time (or learn a thing or five from the bartender). Simple yet elevated dishes worthy of consideration include soul-warming honeynut squash with green lentils and raisins, as well as wild mushroom risotto.
136 N. Main St., East Hampton, 631 324-3550
Stay the night at LDV at The Maidstone
Honestly? Even the most relaxing me days can get exhausting. Consider extending your time alone and in East Hampton by spending the night at The Maidstone. The boutique hotel is set in East Hampton’s historic district and a stone’s throw from local beaches. The 19 rooms, cottages and suites are individually decorated, offering a bespoke and intimate feel. Bonus: It’s pet-friendly, should your “me-time” also include bonding with your furry one.
207 Main St., 631-324-5006
