The North Fork

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Beyond the outlets of Riverhead, the concrete suddenly gives way to farmland studded with picturesque colonial towns. Oh, and did I mention you’re now on a Wine Trail? Drink up and enjoy the view.

EAT

Cutchogue Diner off Rt. 25 in Cutchogue

North Fork Table & Inn

Southold. This used to be one of the finest restaurants on the North Fork, but it’s under new management as of 2020. They kept the food truck in the parking lot, and gussied up the picnic area, but the food isn’t as special. (No more posole and freshly baked cookies!) Still need to try the restaurant itself.

Blue Duck Bakery

Southold. Wonderful bakery.

North Fork Roasting Co.

Southold. Best coffee on the North Fork.

Cutchogue Diner

Cutchogue. Classic diner in its gorgeous 1941 original tin building.

Love Lane Kitchen

Mattituck. Excellent spot for breakfast or lunch.

Lombardi’s Love Lane Market

Mattituck. Amazing Italian market and deli — bread, fresh mozzarella, sauce, fresh pasta, Italian meats, sandwiches.

Magic Fountain

Mattituck. Ice cream parlor with an intimidating array of flavors, on Rt. 25. Always try their seasonal flavors. Love their peppermint stick during the holidays!

Hallock’s Cider Mill

Jamesport. Incredible apple cider doughnuts, cider, baked goods and jam. This is where you should buy your gifts for family & friends on your way home. Also they sell clam chowder? Sure.

Woodside Orchards

Aquebogue. Cider tasting room with fresh apple cider doughnuts and pies. You can also pick apples here in season.

◐ Snowflake Ice Cream

Riverhead. Homemade ice cream in fun flavors like Peanut Butter & Jelly and Peconic Swamp Thing. Get whatever is their special flavor of the day!

◐ Barrow Food House

Riverhead. We’re obsessed with this place and get it every time we are driving to or from the city. I love the seasonal salad with duck confit on top. Fried chicken sandwich is also perfect. So is the roast beef sandwich. Lots of local beers on tap.

◐ Briermere Farms

Riverhead. Farm stand with the best pie on the North Fork. They have 30 varieties with everything from apple crisp to lemon meringue.

BEER

A flight at Greenport Harbor Brewery

◐ Greenport Harbor Brewery

Greenport & Cutchogue. Greenport Harbor Brewery expanded their operations and built a huge brewery and tasting room in an old mechanic shop, with over 10 beers on tap, snacks and a giant backyard. Get the fried pretzel with beer cheese.

◐ Moustache Brewing

Riverhead. Great beer, plus they have a ton of special cans on offer.

Crooked Ladder Brewing

Riverhead. Another great local beer.

Jamesport Farm Brewery

Jamesport. Large, open tasting room in an old barn. They grow some of their own hops and grain out back.

Others to check out: Long Ireland, North Fork Brewing Company

WINE

A glass of Sauvignon Blanc overlooking the bluffs at Kontokosta Winery

◐ Kontokosta Winery

Greenport. My personal favorite — a truly beautiful vineyard, with some very delicious wine to boot. Walk to the edge of the field behind the main tasting room for a spectacular view of Long Island Sound, and Connecticut beyond. I recommend the Sauvignon Blanc and Rosé. No outside food allowed, though they do sell snacks like North Fork potato chips, cheese and crackers.

One Woman Wines

Southold. Tiny, friendly tasting room on the edge of their vineyard. Cute and rustic.

The Old Field Vineyards

Southold. One of the oldest vineyards on the North Fork, with a cozy, farmhouse-feel — complete with chickens! Try the Commodore Perry Merlot. You can bring a picnic. Also, a warning that it’s small and easily overwhelmed, so don’t show up for a tasting with a large group.

Croteaux Vineyards

Southold. Since they specialize in rosé, this place is VERY popular on a summer weekend. Like, line out the door popular. Come early or visit in the off season.

Lenz Winery

Peconic. Known for their Gewurztraminer. A favorite of the limo tours, so come early, or avoid on a summer weekend.

◐ Sparkling Pointe

Southold. Sample sparkling wine in a modern and airy (and oddly Brazil-themed) tasting room, or relax in the backyard in one of their many Adirondack chairs. Cheese plates are available.

Osprey’s Dominion

Peconic. Very casual, with picnic tables and corn hole. The staff are very friendly and have a heavy pour. Only thing to watch out for is that this one gets hit with limo tours, so you might want to avoid it on a summer weekend.

Corey Creek

Peconic. Bedell Cellars’s smaller tasting room. More intimate, with a lovely view of the vineyard.

Bedell Cellars

Cutchogue. One of the biggest wineries on the North Fork. Huge tasting room and patio. Decent wine, but more of an impersonal feeling.