Baskets of fried clams and Peconic Bay scallops, steamed lobsters with lemon, and no-fuss burgers with classic toppings and fries populated the traditional menu of Greenport’s once short list of restaurants. A decade ago, few places, if any, were open in the veritable offseason. By the time the Chowder Pot Pub closed its harborside doors after more than three decades of serving this conventional local fare, Greenport’s dining landscape had begun to slowly change as new and young chefs found their place, offering their own interpretations of seaside culture through creative plates. Flavorful, smoky broths replaced white wine and garlic in steamed mussels. Organic and biodynamic greens became main ingredients, and fish found a new home in everything from tacos to pâté. The Frisky Oyster was the first restaurant in recent memory to offer fine dining in the village, bringing an almost-Hamptons vibe to a fisherman’s town. Seafood-inspired small plates, elevated dining experiences, gastropubs and specialty coffee shops and cuisine found their way east, shifting Greenport out of its storied sleepy seaside town paradigm into a full-fledged dining destination. Its evolution has been fast-tracked as several new restaurants ready to open their doors this summer season.

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