Along with changing weather, fall brings a new season of flavors and aromas. Our local establishments are ready to share warm foods for the cool days of autumn. Whether you’re dining out or picking up takeout to enjoy at home, find something every night of the week.
These eateries are part of our Island Directory. We list them here alphabetically.
1. Isola
Favorites include brick oven pizza and chicken parmesan, and new this fall: balsamic Brussels sprouts, burrata gamberetto and seasonal fish, steak and chicken specials. Fall cocktail options featuring warm spirits include a Black Manhattan and an Old Fashioned. Chef Gail offers weekly dessert specials and cakes.The spacious interior remains at 50 percent capacity with additional outdoor seating, weather permitting under heat lamps. Call to reserve your table.
- Open, Tuesday to Thursday 5 to 9 PM, Friday and Saturday 5 to 10 PM
- Closed, Sunday and Monday
15 Grand Avenue | 631-749-9036 | Menu or order online
2. Juice Bar Café at Dering Harbor Inn
Enjoy an autumn view of the harbor and a juice, smoothie, nitro brew coffee, or Moroccan pastries at the newly renovated café and juice bar at the Dering Harbor Inn. On Saturdays, Bouchre Dramé creates authentic Moroccan couscous and lamb, chicken or vegetable tagine for takeout by advance order only.
- Open, Monday to Friday 8 AM to 8 PM, Saturday and Sunday until 2 PM
13 Winthrop Road | 631-749-0160 | Menu and order online
3. Marie Eiffel Market
Order dinner specials such as Crescent Farms duck leg confit, bouillabaisse, Peking duck, organic gluten-free fried chicken or marinated roasted chicken as well as Marie’s classic beef bourguignon, lamb tagine and salmon stew. Call ahead so your meal is ready at your desired pick up time and be sure to shop ahead for nights when you don’t want to cook. Specialty coffee and breakfast are available all day. With lunch, try a hearty soup like mushroom, carrot ginger or chicken; keep extras in the freezer so they’re always handy. Fresh fish is delivered Thursdays; purchase by the pound or have Marie prepare it. Call for catering services or platters to go. Expedite service by ordering online. Sidewalk and dockside seating available.
- Open, Thursday to Monday 7 AM to 5 PM
- Closed, Tuesday and Wednesday
184 North Ferry Road | 631-749-0003 | Order Online
4. Ram’s Head Inn
The Ram’s Head Inn will be staying open through December 2020 in response to the extended high season the East End is experiencing. The restaurant has new specials with dinner service starting at 4 PM, and live music 6:30 to 9:30 Friday and Sunday. On Monday, the restaurant hosts Industry Appreciation Night with 25 percent off menu items and happy hour prices for beer, wine and cocktails. A new “Fall Fly Away” campaign provides a taste of authentic European cuisine from different regions: Brazil, October 15 to 20, and Germany, October 22 to 27. The children’s menu now features fillet of salmon and chicken breast as well as old favorites like chicken fingers and buttered pasta. Kids meals are $14.95.
- Open, Thursday to Monday from 4 PM
- Lunch, Friday to Monday 11:30 AM to 3 PM
- Brunch, Sunday from 11:30 AM to 3 PM
- Closed, Tuesday and Wednesday
108 S Ram Island Drive | 631-749-0811 | Menus
5. Shelter Island Pharmacy
The Soda Fountain at Shelter Island Heights Pharmacy offers delicious breakfast and lunch everyday plus Monday and Thursday dinner specials. Takeout only, but sidewalk seating is available. Breakfast classics include any version of an egg sandwich imaginable and outrageously good home fries. Autumn lunch specials include comforting favorites like grilled cheese and tomato soup or a pastrami Reuben. Dinner specials change with the season with items like savory meatloaf, chicken parmesan and stuffed flounder. See menus at the counter and call in orders before 3 PM for pickup at your convenience from 3 PM to 5 PM. Follow the Soda Fountain on Instagram to see the dinner menu.
- Open, 8:30 AM to 2 PM Monday to Saturday, Sunday 8:30 to Noon
19 Grand Avenue | 631-749-0445 | Take out only, call to order
6. Shelter Island Slice
The delicious pizza at Shelter Island Slice has surpassed all expectations since the new restaurant opened earlier this year. For the fall, Slice introduces a student lunch special — two cheese slices and a soda for just $6.50. Follow Slice on Facebook for pizza specials like Mexican pie with a drizzle of avocado cream or sausage, broccoli rabe and garlic pizza. Don’t miss the gluten-free cauliflower crust option or a grandma pie when you want to mix it up. And pasta dinners are served starting at 4 PM.
- Open, Tuesday to Sunday, noon to 9 PM
- Closed, Monday
3 North Ferry Road | 631-749-9292 | Order online
7. Stars Café
In addition to the regular menu for breakfast and lunch, fall specialities at Stars Café include hot cider, pumpkin lattes, homemade apple cider doughnuts and delicious soups. An extensive soup menu features six varieties per day including mulligatawny, butternut squash and Pepe’s chili con carne. On the shelves find homemade jams, whole bean coffee and biscotti. New this season are artisanal breads including ciabatta, sourdough, and whole grain variations from Bread Alone Bakery and Eli’s Bread, plus Star’s own freshly baked baguettes. Phone in your order for quick pickup and dine inside with limited café seating, or enjoy the sunny sidewalk seating, weather permitting.
- Open, 6 AM to 4 PM
- Closed, Christmas Day
17 Grand Avenue | 631-749-5345 | Menus
8. Vine Street Café & Market
Fall brings flavors to the Vine Street Café restaurant menu and the return of the plat du jour with items like pastrami spiced baby back ribs with soy-mustard BBQ sauce. Dine in or take away. Shop the Vine Street Market for your favorites. New specially prepared items include black bean and bacon soup, and butternut squash and Milk Pail apple soup; smoked halibut paté; and green tomato or cranberry chutney. The market is also now carrying spicy honey products from Bee’s Knees, a Brooklyn producer; a Maine seaweed from GimMe; and Kom-batcha, from a Sag Harbor brewer. If you’re planning ahead, Vine Street Café is open the night before Thanksgiving as well as Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
- Open, Thursday to Monday 5 PM to 9 PM (to 10 PM Friday and Saturday)
- Market, Thursday to Monday, noon to 9 PM
- Closed, Tuesday and Wednesday, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Super Bowl Sunday
41 South Ferry Road | 631-749-3210 | Reservations, menus and order online
