A contender for all around best restaurant in the Hamptons, the lobster pasta and lobster roll are absolutely killer, but don't turn your back on even simple stuff like their chopped salad, either. The food is good enough to make the somewhat cheesy digs charming. And know the system: reservation line opens for same-day-only reservations at 4:15 PM sharp.

This unmarked Mexican joint is a little bit insidery and the food is a little bit mediocre, but the setting is fantastic. The drinks are strong and the big screen TVs are always tuned to sports, which make it a great place to have tacos and watch a Saturday afternoon Yankee game.

Clam Bar is the truth. The post-beach lobster roll with fries and a beer is the reason we come to the Hamptons.

It can be punishingly sceney during high season, but there is a reason Nick & Toni's is so hard to get into. Pastas are consistently great, but so is the rest. And if all else fails, there is no disappointment in store from the fried zucchini chips and a roast chicken.

Known for the “Rowdy Burger,” this French bistro has been a favorite of locals and out-of-towners for quite some time now. The atmosphere is low-key, the beer selection is solid and the menu is varied enough that everyone can find something they like.

We don’t know what we like more about this restaurant, the food or the décor. The Scandinavian cuisine is consistently good, but it’s hard not to let the expertly curated photography that hangs on the walls steal your attention. Even the bathrooms are fun to look at.

If you can tolerate the less-than-ideal parking situation and cramped quarters, you’ll be rewarded with some of our favorite baked goods on the East End. Their pies—especially those with the crumb topping—are always a crowd favorite.

The Hamptons are chock full of high-end restaurants for your to get your grub on, but only 1770 House’s downstairs tavern is an absolute must. It’s an intimate atmosphere with low ceilings, antique exposed beams and a truly killer burger.

If craft beer is your thing, Southampton’s Publick House should probably be on your to-do list. Though they lost their long-time brewmaster before the season, his replacement promises to bring the same quality to his buzz-inducing suds.

When Charlie Marder and his wife, Kathleen, opened this garden store more than three decades ago, could they have foreseen a future in which they'd traffic in trees larger than some in Central Park? No matter. If gardening speaks to your soul, you'll want to speak to the Marders.

A throwback to the days of five-and-dimes, this store is filled with amazing, nostalgic-but-worthwhile rainy day things like puzzles, Scrabble, butterfly nets, sewing kits, rope bracelets, Radio Flyer wagons and penny candy.

Some will undoubtedly question the Tuna’s inclusion on this list, but if you’re looking for a drunken good time, you really can’t beat Montauk’s only oceanfront bar. New for this season: They added a bar on the second floor so you can actually, you know, see the ocean. Pro tip: You may want to reconsider wearing designer duds if you’re planning on a visit. They don’t call it “sloppy” for nothing.

Andre Balazs’ Sunset Beach may get all the press, but 18 Bay is the spot you really need to hit up if you’re looking to sample Shelter Island’s best cuisine. The $50 tasting menu changes weekly (sometimes daily) depending on what’s available at local markets.

Parking may be an issue, but there’s a reason why this beach is always packed: It’s absolutely gorgeous. If you’re looking to avoid the crowds, we recommend going early in the morning when it’s generally empty. It’s not very often that you get to enjoy one of the nicest stretches of sand in the country all to yourself.

While Montauk’s musical offerings have been on the rise the last few years, there’s really no beating The Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett for live tunes. The smallish venue packs some truly killer acts and has a sound system to match. Bon Jovi has been known to perform unannounced on more than a few occasions.

Some may rave about the Palm’s steakhouse classics, but our beef-loving vote goes to Bobby Van’s in Bridgehampton. Not only is their filet mignon enough for two people, but they’ve got a lunch menu that’s worth checking as well. And if you’re there on the weekends, they also offer French toast and pancakes…an excellent cure for the common hangover.

One of the remaining bastions of old Montauk, this run-down but charming hotel is on the market for just under $15M. Better make your way here for sunset drinks before this tradition slips into the past and you find yourself looking at another cocktail list with $18 mojitos.

Sure, parking here is a headache bordering on dangerous, but there’s a reason why Cyril’s Fish House is overrun every weekend during the summer months. Namely, their signature drink: The BBC…Bailey’s Banana Colada. Just make sure to look both ways when crossing Montauk Highway.

While Sag Harbor’s Conca D’Oro topped our reader poll for the area’s best pizza, we’re huge fans of the slice being sold at La Capinnina in Wainscott. Sadly, they don’t offer delivery and getting in and out of the parking lot can be tricky, but trust us, it’s worth the trip.

While we enjoy a good summer blockbuster as much as the next, our love of film takes us to Sag Harbor’s theatre over and over again. Featuring limited release movies, the small, run-down theatre is a must for anyone who considers him or herself a cinephile.

From the owners of the Red Bar Brasserie is this more casual dining option near Agawam Park. Solid food, nice atmosphere...you can't ask for much else.

If you've never been, we highly recommend checking it out this 16-acre sculpture garden/nature preserve/art installation. It's definitely worth the $10 ($8 for seniors) admission price.

This is THE best dive bar in the Hamptons. End of story. Go there after 2am for the most interesting mix of people you're likely to see east of the canal.

For an area known for the quality of its seafood, there aren't many decent sushi spots to be found...save for Water Mill's Suki Zuki. The service could be better, but the food is worth the wait.

For a while, locals were worried that the Bay Street Theatre would have to leave its home on...well...Bay Street. Fortunately, the landlord was amenable and the Sag Harbor institution is slated to remain for the next decade. In the off season, look for their dinner and a movie deal with The American Hotel...one of our favorite prix fixes in the area.

Here in Springs, north of the bustle of East Hampton proper, artist Jackson Pollock and his wife, Lee Krasner, set up shop. In the summer, this legendary homestead is usually open to the public on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, but check hours before making the trek.

There are fresh fish markets across the East End... and then there's this truly remarkable spot, nestled among the Napeague dunes. Amidst the rotting industrial warehouses, chicken coops, and man-made pools, you'll find some of the freshest fish to be had anywhere.

The lines can be long and the prices high, but the sandwiches, baked goods and drinks make it all worthwhile.

To avoid another situation like the one Indian Wells has been facing this summer, we’re keeping the whereabouts of this stretch of sand to ourselves. It’s serene, offers some truly gorgeous sunsets, and is generally devoid of people. Montauk? Amagansett? Easthampton or South? We’ll never tell.