The Best Places to Shop, Eat, and Stay in the Hamptons This Summer

Ah, the great allure of heading “out East.” If you’re unfamiliar with the term, it describes the Manhattanite ritual of exiting the city and heading to the Hamptons for the summer. We trade rooftop bars for beach days, Cava bowls for lobster rolls, and Soho shops for Amagansset spots. Yes, it’s hyped, but there’s a reason New Yorkers sit in hours of traffic and pack themselves like sardines on the LIRR come Friday afternoons.

I have a few friends visiting to see what all the commotion is about, so I put together a 48-hour itinerary filled with some of my favorite spots to eat, shop, and stay. Much like you, dear reader, my friends are fashion girls who like to see the cutest places a town has to offer, and the following list is the perfect introduction to the Hamptons (in my opinion, of course). Scroll down to see my itinerary and shop for your perfect out East outfits.

Unless you plan on eating Taco Bell, prepare to spend your money on food. If you thought restaurants in the city were expensive, just wait until you see the price of the lobster pasta at The Crow’s Nest (4 Old West Lake Dr, Montauk, NY 11954). Full disclosure: I think it’s totally worth it. In addition to the most delicious farm-to-table food I’ve ever eaten, The Crow’s Nest has beautiful views. For quick spritzes and shareable pizzas, Moby’s (341 Pantigo Rd, East Hampton, NY 11937) is a great lunch or dinner spot. Finally, for the yummiest sandwiches, pastries, and desserts, Carissa’s is a must. The restaurant has three locations—East Hampton, Amagansett, and Sag Harbor.

Sorry Airbnb, but I’ll forever be on team hotel with charming options like The Montauk Beach House (55 S Elmwood Ave, Montauk, NY 11954) available to me. It’s nestled between the downtown scene and the beach; has not one, but two pools; serves delicious food; and even hosts live music and parties. You can lie by the pool by day and party by night, which is exactly what heading out East is for.

Much like the restaurants, the shopping is expensive but worth it. Jewelry from Love Adorned (156 Main St, Amagansett, NY 11930), cozy sweaters from Jenni Kayne (10 Amagansett Square Unit A, Amagansett, NY 11930), unique vintage finds from Deep Blue Vintage (129 Main St, Amagansett, NY 11930), and handbags from The Row (216 Main St, Amagansett, NY 11930) are my go-tos—and they’re all within walking distance.