Gift cards have something of a bad rap for being uncreative—and maybe one to Starbucks is. But Long Island restaurant gift cards allow family and friends to eat, drink and be merry after the calendars flip to Jan. 2. Give loved ones the gift of a delicious night off and out at one of these favorite eateries.

Melting Pot, Farmingdale

For the couple that has everything except for time to sit down and eat, gift an interactive dining experience complete with fondue. At Melting Pot, guests can indulge in four-course meals that include cheese fondue, salad, an entrée and chocolate so good it will result in weeks of conversations (and a second reservation—because suddenly, they’ll have time for chocolate). Go

CowFish, Hampton Bays

The jumbo buffalo shrimp at CowFish comes with Danish blue cheese and chives. image: facebook.com/cowfishhamptonbays/

This popular Hamptons restaurant is open year-round, offering diners a chance to eat out east without the traffic. Don’t expect a ghost town when you pull into CowFish’s parking lot right by the marina. The Iron Skillet Cookie, a gooey house-made chocolate chip cookie topped with ice cream and caramel sauce, draws people from north, south, east and west even in the off-season. Go

Prime: An American Kitchen & Bar, Huntington

Known for its gorgeous views and outdoor dining during the summer and off-the-charts surf ’n turf year-round, Prime: An American Kitchen & Bar has a cozy vibe come winter. The indoor dining room, complete with a fireplace, has a lodge feel perfect for warming up with that special someone. The intimate vine room, which showcases hundreds of wines behind the glass, is a vino-lover’s paradise. Go 

La Volpe Ristorante, Center Moriches

This eatery transports guests to old country Sicily with wood-fired pizzas, an interior that resembles a Tuscan villa complete with a single flower on every table and a staff that’s as welcoming as an Italian grandmother. No trip to Italy is complete without a bottle of vino or two, and La Vole Ristorante’s wine list is known to be as generous as its portions of pasta. Go 

Limani, Roslyn

The Kolokithi, thinly sliced and lightly fried zucchini and eggplant served with kefalograviera cheese and tzatziki sauce, at Limani. image: facebook.com/limanirestaurant

When the weather gets frightful, a Mediterranean escape seems delightful. But if your friend is already talking about how she’s going to burn all her frequent flyer miles on a trip to New Zealand next summer, treat her to a night out at Limani in Roslyn. The elegant mosaic-tiled interior and crisp-but-comfy white seats allow guests to feel as if they’ve jetted off to Greece for the evening. Diners are even able to pick the fish they’d like to eat—which yes, includes lobster, though general manager Franco Sukaj highly recommended the grilled octopus to Pulse this year. Go

Del Fuego Tex Mex Kitchen & Tequila Bar, Babylon, Patchogue and Saint James

No false advertising at Del Fuego: the Tex-Mex is so good, it’s on fire. image: yvonne albinowski

Del Fuego proves that “casual and rustic” should not eliminate a restaurant from date-night possibilities. And it doesn’t take too long for this restaurant to make a hell of a first impression—the tortilla chips served in lieu of bread are crisp, warm and taste even better with guacamole. You will want seconds. For an unexpected sweet taste opt for the shrimp tacos, which come with a roasted corn salsa that adds a little sugar where one might expect spice. Go 

Cooperage Inn, Baiting Hollow

Head out to wine country image: facebook.com/cooperageinn

’Tis the season for brunch and Cooperage Inn does Long Island’s favorite meal right. Think delicious, generous portions of pancakes and banana bread pudding that taste like they’re fresh out of mom’s oven. The elegant but comfortable Victorian setting and friendly staff conjure the quaint vibes that have turned the North Fork into a destination. Go