The North Fork is an idyllic destination on the East End of Long Island in New York state, and the perfect weekend getaway from New York City. When I lived in New York City, I spent most of a summer on the North Fork for work, and also spent a weekend enjoying the North Fork’s wineries and restaurants. This itinerary for a weekend on the North Fork includes some of my favourite things to do on the North Fork, including dining at the renowned North Fork Table, visiting wineries like Bedell Cellars, Lieb Cellars and McCall Wines, visiting charming Greenport and KK’s The Farm.
This North Fork itinerary is designed for two nights, but you could also very easily make your trip to the North Fork an overnighter.
Wide open spaces, farms and wineries and a handful of exceptional bars and restaurants make the North Fork a perfect spot to come up for air, while living in New York City. It’s also a much more down to earth and affordable alternative to the Hamptons!
My experience on the North Fork
I spent a lot of time on the North Fork one summer when I lived in New York City, for the re-opening of North Fork Table & Inn. I was the Director of PR & Marketing for JF Restaurants, Chef John Fraser’s fine dining restaurant group, that renovated & re-opened North Fork Table in the summer of 2020. It was one of the most amazing restaurant openings I’ve ever worked on!
Most of my time spent out on the North Fork was at the restaurant to prepare for opening & to handle media events and visits, but I still managed to squeeze in a few days of enjoying the wineries and scenery that the North Fork has to offer. I’d love to return to the North Fork when I return for a visit to New York City, it’s such a special corner of New York, and there’s so much to explore!
Where is the North Fork?
The North Fork is on the East End of Long Island, 75 miles (120km) east of Manhattan. The North Fork is a 30 mile peninsula, and runs parallel to the South Fork, which is where you’ll find the Hamptons. The North Fork starts east of Riverhead, and the main town of North Fork is Southold, which includes the charming, historic village of Greenport.
How to get to the North Fork
Self driving to the North Fork would be ideal, so you can get around more easily over the weekend. However, you can also catch the Hampton Jitney (a bus service) to the North Fork, and this is what we did on our trip. I caught the jitney to the North Fork dozens of times that summer! On our weekend trip to the North Fork, we relied on Ubers and a driver for the day we went to the wineries. I can’t recommend the driver we booked, as it was a terrible service but if you go through a reputable driving service I’m sure you’ll be fine. This driver was recommended by someone I worked with, I don’t think you’d find them online.
Where to stay on the North Fork
The best areas to stay on the North Fork are Greenport and Southold, which are two of the main villages and the most charming areas to stay.
Greenport
Greenport is a well-preserved fishing village, and is the liveliest town on the North Fork. You’ll find lots of accommodation options in Greenport, including luxurious hotels like The Mendhaden Hotel and Hotel Moraine. There are also several stylish, budget and mid range inns in Greenport with water views, like Sound View Greenport, The Harbor Front Inn & Silver Sands Motel & Beach Bungalows.
Southold
In Southold, the best ccommodation options are thestylish 4 star accommodation at The Shoals Suites & Slips, the boutique B&B at North Fork Table & Inn.
Friday
North Fork Table & Inn
If you only have one dinner reservation on the North Fork, make it North Fork Table! As I mentioned, I worked for Chef John Fraser’s restaurant group, and was part of the re-opening team. If anything, I’m more critical of the restaurants I work with (professional hazard), but I can honestly say the meal at North Fork Table was one of the best I’ve ever had – and David agrees. The restaurant is housed in a late 18th century home which as a long history of hospitality, serving as an inn and restaurant over the decades since. Today, the beautifully renovated restaurant is warm, inviting and luxurious, alongside a gorgeous patio which is the best spot to sit on a beautiful day. The menu is inspired by the abundance of the farms,v vineyards and waterways on Long Island, and is the perfect expression of the East End.
Make your reservation in advance!
Saturday
Grateful Lee Deli
For a low key, local favourite, head to Grateful Lee Deli for a casual or take out breakfast. Grateful Lee was my go-to spot for a Bacon, Egg & Cheese (BEC) when I was working on the North Fork. So good!
Bedell Cellars
Bedell Cellars is a family owned North Fork Winery, that uses sustainable practices and makes small batch wines. The tasting room at Bedell Cellars is beautiful, and my favourite winery on the North Fork! In the summer, you can enjoy your wine tasting on the deck or on lawn chairs dotted across the lawn, with views straight out to the vineyards. When we visited, there was live music and stalls from local vendors on the lawn, adding to the atmosphere. Wine flights start at $25 and are a great way to explore Bedell wines.
Lieb Cellars
Lieb Cellars is a well known North Fork winery & tasting room, overlooking one of the most picturesque roads on the North Fork, backed by vineyards. At Lieb Cellars you can purchase wine flights, or wine by the glass or the bottle, alongside cheese and charcuterie boards. We sat on the deck and ordered a wine flight and some cheese – one of the most relaxing parts of the weekend!
McCall Wines
McCall Wines is located in Cutchogue, with a small tasting room & sprawling lawn dotted with picnic tables. Your reservation will be for 90 minutes, which is plenty of time to enjoy a wine flight, wines by the glass, and a grazing board. McCall Wines is the most relaxed of the wineries I visited on the North Fork, with a casual and inviting set up, and no tour buses permitted.
The Halyard
Overlooking Peconic Sound, The Halyard is a popular seafood restaurant in Greenport. I didn’t get a chance to visit The Halyard while I was out on the North Fork, but it comes so highly recommended by locals that I feel confident in making an exception, and including it on this itinerary.
Sunday
North Fork Roasting Co
Get the best coffee on the North Fork at North Fork Roasting Co, located on Main Road in Southold. They’re artisanal coffee roasters, and also offer a delicious breakfast menu. You can take a table inside, which has a classic small town coffee house vibe, or enjoy the sunshine at one of the picnic tables on the lawn.
Greenport
Spend the morning exploring charming Greenport, which has the liveliest “downtown” on the North Fork. Greenport is a national historic district, with more than 200 historic buildings dating back as far as 1750. Check out art galleries, cafes and local boutiques, while enjoying some time by the water.
North Fork Food Truck
The North Fork Food Truck is a summer institution on the East End, and does the best hot lobster rolls on Long Island. The North Fork Food Truck pops up on the lawn out the back of North Fork Table every summer, with a beautiful garden and picnic tables. It’s a totally different experience to North Fork Table, so you won’t feel like you’ve visited the same property twice.
KK’s The Farm
Before you head back to the city, visit some North Fork farms which make the North Fork so special. There are several farms which are open to visit or have farm stands, like the gorgeous KKs’ The Farm. Alternatively, catch the bus or drive out to the remote, historic village of Orient, or go a bit further out to Orient Point to enjoy the view.
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