5 Roslyn, Long Island Restaurants Worth The Drive
4 min read
Roslyn’s best eateries range in style from quaint-looking cottages to bouncing bars and steakhouses.
The restaurant scene in Roslyn, a town in Long Island, New York, is sizzling. Yes, really. Situated just 40 minutes from the city, this upscale sliver of suburbia is full of destination-worthy restaurants. Think sultry spots with excellent food, buzzy vibes, a good looking, designer-clad crowd and lines of luxury cars pulling up to the front and greeted by valets.
Here, a list of some of the best restaurants in Roslyn that are definitely worth a trip out of the city. We can’t travel the world, but we can get to Long Island.
Meat is king at Prime 1024, where delicious cuts like this Tomahawk steak are a sight on almost … [+]
Located right on Northern Boulevard, this Italian steakhouse specializes in both Italian fare and Americana. Don’t miss the glamorous space with high ceilings and muted tones with accents of gold.
The menu features recognizable eats like chicken parmigiana and fried calamari, but the meat is definitely where it’s at. Pick from a selection of steaks and chops like 16 ounce New York sirloins or 18-ounce Filet Mignon, or the massive 48 once prime porterhouse that is supposed to be shared, but that’s really a suggestion. Also on the menu are fish plates like grilled swordfish with pepperonata and salsa verde or pan-seared Branzino with fingerling potatoes, fennel, onion and mint, plenty of pasta, 12-inch pizza pies, and a raw bar. Prime 1024 doesn’t skimp on spirits either, sporting a large cocktail, beer, and wine selection. Try the 1024 Asteria made with vodka, St. Germain, lemon and grapefruit juice, and Prosecco.
Mediterranean seafood at Limani comes with a presentation as pleasing as the taste.
Owned by the same restauranteur just up the street from Prime 1024, Limani is a Greek boite that’s a see-and-be-seen spot any night of the week. While Prime has a few fish dishes for the picking, it’s the main attraction at Limani, with seafood selections like skewered swordfish with grilled peppers, tomatoes, and lemon potatoes or sashimi yellowfin tuna with sesame crust and sautéed spinach.
Similar to how Prime 1024 serves steak to share, Limani does the same thing with fish. The Fagri, flown in fresh from Greece, and the Black sea bass, from Rhode Island, are meant for two and simply grilled and topped with olive oil, lemon and capers.
The space itself becomes darkly lit at night, giving it a warm and inviting feel. That feel continues onto the cocktail menu, with mixtures like the Mediterranean Mule with Figenza Fig vodka, Pomegranate juice and lime juice, ginger beer and served over ice or The Odyssey with Ciroc coconut vodka and just a bit of pineapple juice.
A Long Island rendition of the famous NYC name, Il Mulino brings the same great quality city slickers know, the only difference being the location. With it’s much-recognized Italian theme, expect classics like the linguine with a spicy seafood sauce, salmon with wild mushrooms, garlic, and broccoli rabe, or grilled veal with roasted potatoes and half racks of lamb with a delicious Dijon glaze. Skim the cocktail menu too, with some blends unique to the Long Island location like the Make Your Mark with Makers 46, Carpano, and orange bitters or the Summer Smoke with Creyente Joven Mezcal, Skyy watermelon vodka and basil simple syrup.
One of the more hip and booming spots in Roslyn, Toku is an Asian fusion spot with a sleek, modern feel both inside and out. The dark and sultry décor lends greatly to Toku’s reputation for having a banging bar scene, featuring a multiple page-long list of everything from wine and beer to sake and Japanese whisky.
But while the party scene may be a big draw, let’s not overlook the food: the menu includes Asian-inspired dishes like Wagyu steak frite with soy pear jus and sweet soy marinated skirt steak with wok sauteed bok choy. The menu is much more than just that, varying with Asian classics like noodles, sophisticated rice and seafood dishes (think the kinds you’d find in an Italian restaurant with an Asian twist) or, if you should desire, forgo all of it and dine on finely crafted sushi with dozens of different rolls to choose from at the sushi bar.
Dishes at Thyme are made with local produce, and are incredibly fresh all year-round.
Featuring relaxing views of Roslyn’s pond, this multi-level boite gives off a calm and cozy vibe as soon as you lay eyes on it. Inside, you’ll find New American plates made with fresh ingredients from local farms that the restaurant works closely with. With an ever-changing menu based on the season, expect a mix of dishes like pan-roasted free-range chicken with tri-color potatoes and pinot noir reduction, a seafood “paella” jumbo shrimp, mussels, clams, scallops, chorizo, and saffron risotto in a lobster tarragon broth, or a small number of varied and delicious burgers to name just a few.
Right now, check out the winter fireplace menu, featuring a seared tuna or miso salmon bowl. Of course, peek at the drink menu and sip on a Thyme Sangria or the Thyme Gimlet with Hendricks gin, fresh lime and pear juice, and muddled thyme.
