My Top Recommendations for Montauk

I have a tiny bit more to share from Nantucket but I hit pause on that this week to share about our time in the Hamptons this summer! I kicked off my Hamptons posts earlier this week with this perfect preppy dress and gave y’all a sneak peak of today’s post yesterday here. As I mentioned here, my aunt and uncle live in Sag Harbor in the summer and it is one of my great joys that I get to visit them every year!

Sag Harbor is without a doubt my favorite town in the Hamptons but I do always have fun jumping in the car and exploring all the other towns and neighborhoods because each one if distinctively different than the rest. During summer 2015, Sarah and I lived in New York City and had a summer share house in Montauk with a bunch of friends so Montauk definitely holds a ton of memories for me. I’m excited to share my top recommendations for Montauk in today’s post! xx

Rain Jacket / Top (old – similar) / Jeans (also love these and these) / Purse (also comes in red gingham, navy, white, and light blue) / Shoes (old – similar, similar, similar, similar)

First, a little about our Montauk day and what I wore.

The weather was finicky this day as you can see from the blue skies and then the rain jacket (and increasingly frizzy hair) I wore later in the day. A yellow rain jacket is such a fun yet classic piece to have in your closet that I can’t recommend one enough (I also love this rain jacket!). No matter where you live, there’s always a time and place for a rain jacket! Also, I embraced the bright yellow of my rain jacket this day and decided to put together an ensemble composed of primary colors with this comfy red and white stripe tee (old – similar) and this adorable blue and white gingham purse (also comes in red gingham, navy, white, and light blue).

I wore some of my favorite white jeans (also love these and these) to complete the look. I can’t get enough of the high waist and the front buttons! This outfit was perfect for a day of lunching at Duryea’s, checking out the waves at Ditch Plains, climbing to the top of Montauk Point Lighthouse, and shopping around the town of Montauk. P.S. Duryea’s has the best lobster cobb salad in the world!

My Top Recommendations for Montauk

Where to Stay in Montauk:

My top recommendation is Gurney’s Montauk. The hotel is beautiful and it overlooks a gorgeous beach that is dotted with the hotel’s now iconic daybeds. The hotel boats delicious restaurant options including Scarpetta, The Beach Club, and Tillie’s. The spa is also the best around the Hamptons! P.S. Pro tip: book your stay at Gurney’s through Sarah for lots of added value and a potential upgrade! Another one of my top recommendations for where to stay in Montauk is Ruschmeyers.

Ruschmeyers is the place to stay for more of a rustic chic vibe (it was originally built as a summer camp in the 50s). The Mediterranean inspired restaurant is delicious and the cocktail bar is packed at night on the weekends. My last recommendation is Hero Beach Club. Just steps from the Beach, this hotel will make you feel more relaxed than you’ve ever been in your life. The whole atmosphere is beachy + serene.

Where to Eat in Montauk:

Without a doubt, The Crow’s Nest is my favorite restaurant in Montauk. Expect a long wait but never fear, you can enjoy cocktails by the fire pits and watch the spectacular sunsets while you wait to dive into the blue crab tagliatelle (my favorite dish). P.S. you can also stay at Crow’s Nest. Duryea’s is the place to go for lobster – lobster rolls, lobster cobb salads, and more! You’ll love sipping rosé on their lobster deck overlocking the water (this is where we ate this day!).

Another favorite dining option of mine for lunch or dinner is Navy Beach. I love the seafood menu, the blue and white nautical decor, and the outdoor picnic tables + daybeds to sip and eat on. Tacombi is a wonderful spot to head for laid-back Mexican food. Yes, it’s the same Tacombi from New York City but their Montauk location is my personal favorite (another favorite more local Mexican option is The Hideaway)! Lastly, for coffee, head to Bluestone Lane! Other notable mentions that are 100% worth checking out: Joni’s, The Gig Shack,  Surf Lodge, Scarpetta (as mentioned under where to stay), Ruschmeyers (as mentioned under where to stay), and The Montauket.

What to Do in Montauk:

There’s more to do in Montauk that just eating and drinking. I love to spend a bit of time shopping around the town at Cynthia Rowley, the Candied Anchor, and all the local t-shirt stores for oversized Montauk tees and baseball caps. For live music, catch at show at Surf Lodge on their own private little beach (p.s. you can make a brunch or dinner reservation to eat at Surf Lodge before too).

I have a thing for lighthouses so I always think a visit to Montauk Lighthouse is worth it. I highly recommend climbing the 137 stairs to the top for wraparound views of the end of Long Island (p.s. it’s the oldest lighthouse in New York and was commissioned by George Washington!). If you’re a surfer, then the beaches for you are Ditch Plains and Turtle Cove. If you just want a beach day without the surfing, then head to Montauk Point State Beach or Hither Hills State Beach.

Rain Jacket / Top (old – similar) / Jeans (also love these and these) / Purse (also comes in red gingham, navy, white, and light blue) / Shoes (old – similar, similar, similar, similar)

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Photography by Edwin Eversole