Southampton isn’t only home to a summer social whirl and escape for the denizens of Manhattan for the summer period bookended by the weekend holidays of Memorial Day and Labor Day, it’s one of New York state’s oldest settlements. Rich in history, Southampton is also quite the entryway to the modern Hamptons–Bridgehampton and Easthampton— as well as Montauk and Sag Harbor.
Here are some of our memorable insider picks for your next Southampton getaway.
Southampton Inn
Escape busy airports, annoying flight delays, and problematic travel bans by planning your next getaway on beautiful Long Island, NY. Within walking distance of this award-winning inn, you’ll find beaches as beautiful as Spain’s Costa del Sol, hiking trails reminiscent of Germany’s lush Black Forest, and historical sites as fascinating as the UK’s Stonehenge.
And, if it’s a fun-filled getaway you seek, you can be sure to find it at the charming Southampton Inn, which offers numerous activities and attractions, such as bike rentals to ride through the beautiful estates, farm stands, historical sites, ocean surfing, hiking trails with abundant wildlife and great local village shops. One note: Before you explore the beauty of Southampton, be sure to enjoy a delicious breakfast at Southampton Inn’s restaurant, Claude’s.
As the winner of numerous awards, including “Best Breakfast,” “Best Hotel,” and “Best Wedding Location,” Southampton Inn is a warm and welcoming haven with an exemplary reputation that is richly deserved. Celebrate the art of pure relaxation, indulge in a romantic rendezvous, or enjoy precious time with the entire family–Southampton Inn has everything for the discerning traveler.
91 Hill Street, Southampton, New York
631-283-6500
SouthamptonInn.com
Union Cantina
After a successful soft opening last summer, Union Cantina has quickly become the highlight of Southampton’s social and culinary scene. The modern Mexican eatery, designed by Southampton Social Club owners Ian Duke and David Hilty, sits in the iconic Bowden Square, and is open all year round. Working alongside award-winning Executive Chef Scott Kampf, who has been featured on Food Network’s “Iron Chef America,” the trio continues to bring innovative Mexican cuisines to Southampton throughout the year.
This Mexican hotspot serves lunch and dinner, as well as Saturday and Sunday brunch featuring 2-for-1 brunch cocktails. Guests craving Mexican with a spin will enjoy the Mexican pizza topped with black beans, heirloom tomatoes, black olives layered over a Mexican cheese blend, sour cream, and pico de gallo. From the taco menu, the Langosta—with fresh lobster, pico de gallo, fresh avocado, and lime poblano cream—is a customer favorite. The Truffle Queso offered on the quesadilla menu features sliced black truffles in a decadent six-cheese blend. And don’t miss the Deconstructed Enchilada, a Union Cantina specialty worth every bite.
Indeed there are variations suited for all appetites here, including the Marinated Aracherras (skirt steak), the Robalo Rayados (striped bass), the Picante Camarones (spicy shrimp), the Pollo Tirada (pulled chicken), and Vegetales (vegetables). For dessert, indulge in Churros with Nutella dipping cream or the toasted coconut Tres Leches Cake.
The restaurant sits behind the 400 Rabbits Tequila Bar, which is reminiscent of a prohibition-era speakeasy. Bartenders mix fun favorites for diners that perfectly complement any meal. The tequila bar carries 100+ types of tequila, producing a unique signature cocktail program and an extensive tequila menu consisting of sangrias, punches, and frozen drinks.
Union Cantina’s festive atmosphere incorporates both the sleekness of the Hampton’s high society with the rustic beauty of Mexican culture. The dark woods are balanced by the bright cerulean colored walls, and are also decorated with Mexican artwork. Union Cantina is the hotspot all year round for festive dining, live music, and A-list celebrations!
40 Bowden Square, Southampton NY 11968
631-377-3500
UnionCantina.net
Southampton Social Club
This season, Southampton Social Club (SSC) returns to set the bar for a season of dining, drinks, and dancing to which others aspire. As the preeminent fine dining supper club in the Hamptons, Social Club continues to set the standard for hospitality.
Noteworthy for the upcoming summer are Executive Chef Scott Kampf’s cuisine and his dedication to the classic farm-to-table cooking style, as well as the new seasonal cocktail program featuring new refreshing libations and the integration of a classic social beer garden concept to SSC’s outdoor area.
On a weekly basis, the entertainment will reach a crescendo with live music and DJs performing together to create an undeniably brilliant sound and vibe. Boasting an exquisite interior dining room, South Beach-style cabanas, and beautifully manicured outdoor gardens, Southampton Social Club continues to put the capital S in Social.
256 Elm Street, Southampton, NY 11968
631-287-1400
SouthamptonSocialClub.com
75 Main
Under his stewardship, restaurateur Zach Erdem has transformed Hamptons’ summer dining staple 75 Main into a year-round hotspot. Erdem reinvented the Southampton eatery, combining the classic style of the Hamptons with the enticing elements of New York City nightlife. With a unique array of dishes, 75 Main unites Italian, Asian and Caribbean influences, and is open for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. Some celebrity guests include Leonardo DiCaprio, 50 Cent, French Montana, Sarah Jessica Parker, Scott Disick, and Kim, Courtney, and Khloe Kardashian.
75 Main Street, Southampton, NY 11968
631-283-7575
75Main.com
T-Bar at Kozu
Erdem has also teamed up with veteran restaurateur, Tony Fortuna of T-Bar Steak & Lounge, for Kozu’s second season. The menu, designed by Fortuna, features signature dishes from T-Bar Steak & Lounge, as well as showcases classic Kozu menu items. Aside from the delectable dishes, the chic décor also attracts diners to the restaurant’s elegant atmosphere, which features dark wooden floors and white walls covered in colorful artwork by Raphael Mazzucco. Fresh flowers add a sense of luxury to the restaurant, as do the scorched ash tables in conjunction with rich hues and soft lighting. The large outside patio, which seats 150, offers additional dining space “al fresco” during the summer season. After dinner, check out Kozu’s night club, Kozu Lounge, open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday with renowned DJs from around the world. The venue also encompasses boutique Hotel ZE, and has attracted such celebrity diners as Nicky Hilton, 50 Cent, Amber Rose, O.T. Genasis, and Hugh Jackman.
136 Main Street, Southampton NY 11968
631-619-6660
75MainGroup.com/
AM Southampton
After all that dining, dance the night away at Erdem’s and entrepreneur Richie Hosein’s venture of the season, AM Southampton. This nightclub hotspot features custom graffiti artwork on the walls, a lineup of world renowned DJs, and special pop-up shows by the Box NYC on Sunday holidays throughout the season.
125 Tuckahoe Lane, Southampton NY 11968
AMSouthampton.com
Hampton Hills Country Club
Hampton Hills Country Club is one of New York’s best kept secrets—and its members like it that way. Hampton Hills is located in the middle of a 2,000-acre pine and oak tree preserve in Westhampton Beach. The wooded setting allows members to escape the rush of the city in favor of peaceful competition against a challenging golf course. Get ready for the U.S. Open 2018 at Shinnecock Hills right down the road.
County Road 31, Westhampton Beach, NY 11978
631-727-6862
HamptonHills.com
By Elizabeth Darwen
