Pastry chef Tracy Obolsky’s Rockaway Beach Bakery is in a league of its own for delectable scones, danishes, sticky buns and an out-of-this-world egg, bacon and cheese biscuit sandwich. In Arverne, the reimagined, Moroccan-Israeli inspired Claudettes pairs classics like shakshuka with fresh-pressed juices. Tacos are also aplenty: Pico offers coastal Mexican; the retro-vibed Super Burrito serves Mission-style grub, the Baja-inspired Tacoway Beach has an enclosed courtyard; and along Shore Front Parkway, the new aptly-titled Toc on the Rock food truck.
On Beach 108th, grab beach-ready deli sandwiches and wraps at Boardwalk Bagels. A few doors down, Happy Jacks Burger Bar is a convivial clubhouse for cocktails, bar bites, and its namesake burgers. A backyard table at Sayra couples niche wines with tapas-style bites, while the open-til-the-wee-hours Connolly’s Bar—run by Locals Collective surf-and-cafe folks—is known for its potent frozen pina coladas. Meanwhile, uptown, the locally-loved Harbor Light Pub remains a timber-clad mainstay for cold pints while Rogers pours an unbeatable Guinness.
Along the boardwalk are coveted concessions: the neon-green Rippers on Beach 86th slings grass-fed burgers with cold suds; Beach 96th is home to Seany Pizza whose wood-fired pies are requisite (the classic margarita with fresh basil is aces); Edible Island’s poke bowls and Washed Up Cafe’s bang-up, post-surf breakfast burrito. And Brothers on Beach 106th doubles a hip mainstay with healthy smoothies.
Just across the Cross Bay Bridge is Broad Channel—a slender-and-spirited 20-block island community. Here sits Adrienne’s, a polished new waterside gem with Italian-ish fare. Those arriving by boat (slips are first come first serve) beeline to a deck dotted with striped Amalfi-esque umbrellas, buzzy spritzes, and live tunes. To eat, assorted raw bar delights—oysters, snow crab with miso butter—are followed by artichoke arancini and a sublime made-in-house spaghetti with clams. Don’t miss the cheesecake either—it’s a secret family recipe. A few minutes away with only a few tables, the newish Hooks Pizza is an unassuming mom-and-pop with great slices, fresh pastas (try the pesto linguine), handmade cannolis and a summer beach pop-up
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Where to stay in Rockaway Beach
Opened in 2020, the six-story, art-savvy Rockaway Hotel, designed by Morris Adjmi Architects (also of Brooklyn’s Wythe Hotel) has 53 beach-chic rooms and longer-stay bungalows with kitchens and teak furnishings. This is an uber-friendly, full-service hub—you’ll find a happening pool scene with cabanas (think seafood towers, champagne and frozen Aperols), a pop-up wellness studio with yoga; and a petite subterranean spa hosting Dr. Gross facials and a CBD Herbal Bliss Scrub with a 50-minute massage; there’s also an infrared sauna.
The all-day Cafe by Claudette has iced coffee and healthy to-go’s: strawberry and labneh smoothies and cookies made with rose water. Margies—the hotel’s airy, sea-foam blue eatery—serves raw bar platters, handmade pastas, and excellent large format steaks and prime rib night on Tuesdays. For drinks, opt for the cult-classic, tequila-based ‘Shark Bite’ made-to-order by a trio of veteran bartenders (Connor, Ryan and Eddie). And, come sunset, ascend to the rooftop for bubbles, elevated bites and silhouetted Manhattan views—or toast the Atlantic Ocean from your room’s private balcony. After all, that’s why you came to Rockaway.
