The North Fork has a number of communities where clusters of eateries thrive—the village of Greenport, in part because of the large population restaurateurs have access to, arguably tops. But there are smaller locations with standout places to eat as well. Mattituck, smack in the middle of the North Fork with a population of just more than 4,000, has its own culinary ecosystem driven by local products. It’s centered around Love Lane, but Main Road also has a smorgasbord of options.
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Lombardi’s Love Lane Market
image: facebook.com/LombardisLoveLaneMarket
Continuing the tradition of the Lombardi family, which runs Mamma Lombardi’s, Villa Lombardi and Lombardi’s Market in Holbrook, Lombardi’s on the Bay in Patchogue and Lombardi’s on the Sound in Port Jefferson, Lombardi’s Love Lane Market offers rustic Italian food that comforts the soul. Favorite market items are the handmade specialties like fresh mozzarella and sausages. It also has a selection of pizzas, paninis and flatbreads. Lombardi’s Love Lane Market even caters for weddings and special events. Phone: 631-298-9500 | Address: 170 Love Lane Click to taste
Love Lane Kitchen
image: facebook.com/LoveLaneKitchen
No visit to Mattituck is complete without a stop at this now-iconic cafe, where diners can get everything from lemon ricotta pancakes with berries and Vermont maple syrup to a lobster roll. The sandwiches are to-die-for. Try the Cuban panini with house roasted pork loin, ham, swiss cheese, dill pickle, mustard and garlic spread on focaccia bread. During the heat of the summer, it’s always jammed on weekends, especially after noon. There’s a reason for that. A lot of other people also wanted to get their Love Lane Kitchen fix. But it should be easier to get a table now that the unofficial end of summer has arrived. Phone: 631-298-8989 | Address: 240 Love Lane Click to taste
Magic Fountain Homemade Ice Cream
When it’s time for ice cream (and when isn’t it, really?), Magic Fountain is the place to be on the North Fork. Aside from oodles of homemade ice cream flavors, it offers a selection of sorbets, yogurts, custom cakes, pies and more. Pick from a plethora of ice cream toppings to make your dessert perfect. Phone: 631-298-4908 | Address: 9825 Main Road Click to taste
The Iron Skillet
The seating is limited at about 16 people and the American restaurant is only open for dinner Friday through Sunday, 4:30-8:30pm (other times by prior arrangement). But repeat visitors to this cozy, 150-year-old farmhouse say it’s a home away from home. Some items, such as the boneless New York strip steak, full rack of braised baby back ribs and the 1/2 rack of American or Australian lamb need to be pre-ordered. Patrons swear by the soups and especially the strawberry shortcake. Phone: 631-298-1235 | Address: 730 Love Lane Click to taste
The Village Cheese Shop
image: facebook.com/pg/TheVillageCheeseShop
Pick up specialty meats, cheeses and other provisions such as spreads, vinegars and crostinis for a picnic in the local vineyards, or stop by the in-house cafe for fondues, cheese plates and sandwiches. The service is spot-on, and so are the offerings. Phone: 631-298-8556 | Address: 105 Love Lane Click to taste