Canal Cafe

We came here unplanned and turns out to be a very lucky find! Highly recommend those planning a day trip to Montauk from the west to stop by as your lunch stop. We had the Lobster Rolls (the smaller option is enough for two!) and clam chowder, and the Little Neck Clam. All were in the Excellent ranking. The waitress was extremely friendly and attentive.

A beautiful day on East End. Decided to hit Canal Cafe for lunch. Atmosphere was perfect. Bright sun.. lots of nice boats.. great food and a staff that is so accommodating and friendly. Isha (spelling!?) was just incredible and smiled the whole time and was very attentive. The whole staff works well together. Love this place!!

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Canal Cafe, and it was an unforgettable experience. The highlight of my visit was the lobster roll, which was simply divine. Generously filled with succulent, fresh lobster, perfectly seasoned, and served on a buttery, toasted bun, it was the best I've ever had. The setting was charming, with a relaxing ambiance and friendly staff that made the experience even more enjoyable. Canal Cafe is a must-visit for anyone looking to enjoy exceptional seafood in a delightful atmosphere.

If you’re looking for a lobster roll DO NOT COME HERE If you’re looking for shredded overpriced lobster salad on a ciabatta roll (with barely any lobster meat and tons of filler) this is your place!!! I was speechless when the “lobster roll” arrived for $44

Def gets crowded so prepare to wait as reservations are not accepted. outside is where you wanna be! fresh seafood and the large lobster roll is truly large - enough for two of us to share. it comes on a rectangular ciabatta roll. don’t love that they use plastic forks (from an environmental and experience perspective). service was adequate:

Nice restaurant on the water overlooking a Marina. Casual dining.

Was passing through and stumbled upon this Gem of a restaurant. Indoor and outdoor seating looking out over the marina and inlet. We ate at the bar. Andy made the best margarita I've had all summer. The ahi tuna poke was incredibly fresh and tasty. Loved the shrimp tacos. Our only disappointment is that we don't live closer to become regulars

This is a local establishment offering some local fare, like clams, and orher seafood. The place is small and can get busy, but have a drink and time will pass by quickly. Service was good and then they'd forget about us intil we summoned someone, and then they'd be back on track. The salad was a little wilted. The guacamole was delicious and the chips were crispy. The clams in broth were yummy. The bread is good and hot! We had a good time.

Friends brought us to this cute little restaurant on a marina. It was dark, so we couldnt appreciate the view. There is also extensive outdoor seating when it is warm. The restaurant is teeny, maybe 8 tables. Our party of 4 was accommodated by pushing two high top tables together, sparing us a long wait. Our waitress was perky. Had my first toasted lager, which was excellent. There's a regular menu of burgers, sandwiches, lobster rolls, etc.... There was also an extensive specials menu. My wife and I tried the Moroccan salmon. It was excellent- cooked perfectly on a bed of couscous with vegetables. The yogurt sauce was very tasty. Our friends had shrimp tacos and a salmon burger. They were fighting over the fries. The only minor negative is that the restaurant uses disposable plates and cutlery. What a great find! We are looking forward to dining there outdoors next spring.

Quaint restaurant on the canal at Shinnecock. Service is excellent, very friendly and authentic employees. The lobster roll is very good served on chabbatta bread , very fresh with crispy fries on the side. A bit pricey at market price but the quality is good. The wait for outside was 30 minutes so we are inside at the bar which was fine. The bartender was sweet and professional. Will definitely return . Worth a visit

Be prepared to wait for a table Our party of 4 needed to wait 30 minutes for a table.. We had a pleasant walk around the marina during our wait. The cocktails are adequate. The Grilled Tuna Sandwich was very tasty. The French Fries were crispy and quite good. The service was attentive.

Love this place and the people who worked there. You meet amazing people there. We love the bar and the bar tenders, Aiesha, Jennifer, Andy, et al.

My wife and I love this place. While the lobster roll isn't traditional (it's lobster salad on ciabatta) it is among the best on long island. The large is enough to fill you up without an appetizer or the fries it comes with. My wife enjoyed her steak sandwich. Beautiful views of the canal and boats even from inside tables. Friendly and attentive service. Only 2 credit cards can be used at a time for the bill.

We pulled up around 1pm this past Friday. We were greeted nicely and were seated after a 5 minute wait. All tables were occupied. Sat outside with my wife and mom. For appetizers we had the calamari and the steamed little neck clams special. Delicious. Clam Broth was awesome and was served with fresh ciabatta bread for soaking up the broth. For lunch we had two orders of shrimp tacos and the ahi poke bowl special. All fresh all delicious all gone. Terrific lunch with great weather and atmosphere.

Dinner for 2. No reservations taken. 1 hour wait for outside table, inside no wait. App bang bang shrimp deep fried w tangy sauce - ok 6 pieces. Main dishes shrimp tacos good and tuna ponzu very good. Dinks x2 each, no desert bill $150 w/o tip. It's the Hamptons in the summer!

Love going on a beautiful day and sitting outside! The lobster salad is seriously large and delicious!

Cute location and great view of the water! Service was friendly. Food was yummy and reasonable priced.

Great dinner at the bar. Bartender was lovely. She had had a very long busy day and was very friendly and upbeat. We will certainly be back.

Nice space, atmosphere. Kinda mailing it in on the food tho. Used to be great in that area, but can use a reset.

Best lobster rolls on the Island! Very popular busy restaurant with excellent service. Do not follow Waze directions- it drops you off across the water. Instead follow directions to Hampton Watercraft Marina- it is located just behind the marina. Indoor and outdoor seating.

Hostess (Olivia) extremely rude. Would not seat us because she wanted a bigger party. Let her know health reasons prevented me from dining indoors. But she could have cared less.

This is a hard table to get -- but once you eat here you'll understand why. Canal Cafe's waterfront seating and fresh seafood forward menu inevitably draw crowds out here in the Hamptons. If you're coming during summer, show up about an hour earlier than you're planning to eat and be prepared to wait. Don't shy away at an opportunity to eat inside or even at the bar -- you can still see the water from almost anywhere you're seated inside. The cocktail menu here is different and inventive. The Bad Hombre might be the best drink I've ever had -- it's tequila based served with a piece of candied ginger on a stick. The menu here is casual, serving sandwiches, appetizers and specials which I always end up getting. On my last visit, my mom and I started off with the mussels in a Thai curry sauce, which was the perfect mix of spicy and sweet, along with New England Clam Chowder that I think might be the best in all of the Hamptons. For mains we both chose a special off the menu - she got a soft shell crab BLT and I had the lobster pasta special. Both were mindblowingly good. I guess I have to say it - this place is a little pricey but again, we're in the Hamptons. Hope you brought those deep pockets. Saw some reviews comment on bad attitudes here but that has not been my experience at all thankfully. Everyone's been friendly and welcoming, especially at the bar!

The fries were AMAZING and some of the best I have ever had. But most of the other dishes were pretty bleh. The better dishes were the beer battered shrimp and steamed clams. The lobster roll was a little odd being on ciabatta bread. The clam fritters were pretty terrible. We took a slice of key lime pie home and it was a little too sweet for us. We also liked the mock cocktail mojito - it was very refreshing. Re wait, we came as a party of two on a Saturday over memorial weekend around 5/5:30pm and got seated after a ten minute wait. Enjoyed that there was an outdoor dining option overlooking the bay. It was a little chilly but I bet it would be nice on a warmer day. Over all, average food but was a little disappointed with some of the dishes.

Such a cute place on the water. Great for salads, burgers and drinks. Daily specials are delicious!

The food was excellent with very good service during a very busy lunch hour. The only down side is that all the outdoor tables were taken so we sat inside. Suggest expanding dining tables to the area where there are people waiting for a table at the picnic benches.

The Lobster rolls are absolutely phenomenal. You need to go to Maine to get anything close.

I went to this restaurant a few days ago. I ordered the mahi sandwich. It was very tasty and I really enjoyed the bread that it was on. The fries that accompanied the sandwich were also delicious. I ordered a margarita which was just okay. I expected a bit more for a $14 margarita. It seemed that it may have been made with mix which is not my fave way to make a marg. Our waitress was super friendly and helpful. To note, they do have a kid's menu. There were kids in our party and they had grilled cheese. Another option for kids was fish and chips. I forget what the 3rd kids option was. Ambiance is also great. It's right on the water with great views. Overall, great spot but expensive.

Located in a marina with waterside dining (including tables for take-out orders - dog-friendly). Best lobster rolls eh-ver. Served on warm ciabatta rolls instead of those pasty potato bread hotdog rolls. Insane. With fries that are thick, crisp and utterly irresistible. Throw in the other delicious entrees including seafood tacos plus a stocked bar serving super-refreshing umbrella drinks and you've got a destination eatery. Vibe is informal and super-friendly. We stop in whenever heading east or west on Rt 27. Do NOT miss this place!

Lobster roll. What more can I say. I'm sure there are other things that deserve praise but the large lobster roll with 6 oz. of lobster was one of the best I've had. And I've had a lot of lobster rolls. Easy ambiance, deck overlooking the canal. A little had to find if you don'a know the are because it's in a boat dock parking lock. I drove in by luck and asked a passer by where the restaurant was and as she pointed, I looked up and it was right in front of me.

First, the view is great, and so is the service. The ambiance is very casual and fun. which is a plus. The prices are very reasonable, too. My friend had the mussels and pronounced them the best ever! She loved the spicy broth. I had the lentil soup from the specials menu. It was some of the very best I have ever had, and I am a lentil soup devotee. This was very fresh, with obviously freshly chopped veggies. The only thing was the small portion size. Please put more soup in that small bowl!!!! My main course was fish and chips and it was very good and fresh. (I had just eaten some very bad fish and chips in Montauk the day before, so this was a welcomed relief!) For dessert, we both had the key lime pie, and we really enjoyed it, skipping the whipped cream. The lemonade was generic and not freshly squeezed. But that was a minor point. We have dined here before, and we will definitely go here again. No reservations, so plan accordingly!

What could be better than sitting dockside in the Hamptons on a Saturday? All aspects of the experience were excellent. Particularly the service and care taken by the Wait Staff. The young women were meticulous. Food was enjoyable. My only complaint was with the House Salad. I can never understand how a salad can be served without a tossed dressing. Dressing in a plastic cup on out of a bag greens is a waste of a Chef's talent. There was nothing special in that house.

Omg, the food here is amazing and one of the best places I been to in a while. The view alone is amazing but the food just adds something special to this place! Great food - can't beat the location . The best part was the wait staff fun & full of energy. The steak taco's where out of this world and cooked to perfection. I am a very picky eater and the steak was not fatty and just superb all around and very flavorful. Great place. Bartenders are awesome! Good happy hour. Food is delicious. Chips and guacamole are a must, Beautiful location with excellent waterside ambiance. Delicious seafood menu with a great selection of drinks. Great views and the staff is so friendly. The food is so good and great selection of good food. Highly recommend if you are in the are! You won't regret it.

Decided to swing by here with friends while looking for a place to eat on the 4th of July weekend. The actual restaurant itself is in a marina which is pretty cool and compliments the overall experience and ambiance. It is literally right on the water. However, Initially I wrote the Canal Cafe off as a simple, bar-type food establishment, but am incredibly glad those expectations were far exceeded. We started at the bar while we waited for a table and were met with a friendly staff who kindly proceeded to serve us drinks and then sit us. Our waitress was incredibly kind and very personable. She made the experience much more enjoyable and welcoming. For appetizers my friend and I shared the fried oysters and clam fritters. After ordering both off the recommendation of the waitress (who told us that she would cover the bill if we didn't like them) I was delighted by how good each was. Both dishes were breaded wonderfully, seasoned nice and actually tasted far better than what I was expecting. For dinner I decided to get the Tuna Ponzu special with no idea as to what I was possibly getting myself into. I can confidently say that it was one of the best meals I've ordered whilst out in Quogue by far. The interior is filled with spicy noodles and wrapped with ahi tuna, topped with seaweed and tobiko with a ponzu sauce on the side. It was absolutely delicious and a highlight of the night. I had friends asking every second if they could try it. However, there was one thing that was making me scratch my head the entire night. I was super confused as to why all of the delicious food was served on what looked like lunchroom-esque paper plates. After asking the waitress she informed us that because of their vicinity to the water, standard plates and silverware weren't allowed so they simply opted for disposable things. None of that even matters one bit as Canal Cafe clearly knows what they're doing. I suppose I've been accustomed to too many restaurants that are simply looking to cash in on the influx of people driving out east for the summer and paying exorbitant prices for mediocre food; so Canal Cafe being quite the opposite was a breathe of fresh air. I will definitely be back soon.

The lobster roll was absolutely delicious and the french fries was scrumptious. Everything was lovely. We had a wonderful afternoon.

Ok, the lobster roll was incredible, along with the clam fritters. I didn't care for the hostess -- she looked me up and down and was very very rude. But the bartender and the food made up for it! Also, definitely get the small size of the lobster roll (it's a substantial portion) and their fries are excellent too. The wait can be long, so I suggest popping in to peek at the bar -- you might find yourself a seat (or two) and skip waiting in line, if you're willing to dine there.

No reservations so get there right when they open or be prepared to wait as it fills quickly. Amazing view of the marina, great menu, and great service. Came here with a group of 4 based on other Yelp wife recommendations and was glad we did. The hostess was a tad abrasive, but all of the waitresses were great. Max 2 credit cards for splitting the bill.

Food and service were (mostly) good. Plastic cutlery. Maybe there's a reason for this but it's a major turnoff. I didn't appreciate the secret up charge on the cocktail. Ordered a "G&T" and they used premium liquor without asking for an extra $4 charge. Kind of spoiled an otherwise nice visit.

Wonderful, local in season haunt. Terrific menu with many selections to choose from. I recommend without exception.

Food is average. Poor service. Staff were not friendly, even rude. The draw here is the view but that's about it. Not worth it, IMO.

We have passed the marine and Cafe many times via the waterways and happened upon it while driving through Hampton Bays. We should have known it was good just by having to chat with two separate parking attendants upon entering the lot. Many shady, waterfront and patio tables available. Walk up and order via window one, when you are buzzed for ready, go to window two, easy as can be. Plenty of seafood and landlover options. We had chicken sandwich and burgers and fries. Everything was hot, delicious and plentiful. Full bar and soft drinks. Very nice presentation and packaging for to go. Look forward to another visit soon. Enjoy!

Excellent atmosphere and very friendly service. The tuna special along with their traditional lobster roll were exceptional. Bloody Mary's to start while we waited were also supurb. Great spot for lunch on a nice day!!

Went in for a girls late lunch, we started off with three cocktails, two specialties (tea thyme which is a perfect elegant spiked tea with Earl Grey local honey and lemon) and a classic (G&Q). As an appetizer we got the clam fritters which were hot fresh and delicious!! The entrees ordered were the fried chicken sandwich, pulled pork sandwich (important to mention that this is a special and they might not always have it) and a grilled chicken pesto sandwich. All of the sandwiches were served on a delicious fluffy ciabatta and with fries. Everyone loved their meals and the prices are very standard to the hamptons! Not too expensive but not necessarily a cheap easy meal. Bridget was our server and she was a walking ray of sunshine on an overcast day! Definitely brought good vibes to our gloomy day :). Will be coming back

Best lobster roll on east end of Long Island ‍‍ Oyster poor boy is top shelf‍‍ How can you improve the best quality is next to impossible at the Canal Cafe

Gotta tell ya. I've reviewed this place prior to Covid, and rated it well. No more. This place is still in full Covid methodology. No table service. Totally inconvenient window & pickup ordering. Terrible. Honestly-not worth it. Go elsewhere.

Great food and view. We like dining outdoors here even off-season and when it's chilly out, as long as the skies are clear. Such a nice vibe and friendly service. Have never had a bad meal.

We called ahead because a member of our group has celiac and needs to eat a gluten free diet. On the phone twice (we called once and by BIL called but we called to confirm) and we were told that they had gf bread and the sweet potato fries were gluten free, not the regular fries. Cool or so we thought. Turns out that the fries are not in a dedicated fryer so that was a huge disappointment. Bread wasn't terrible but nothing to write home about. Decent ambiance for what it is.

I came to canal cafe last weekend on a rainy day. There was ample outdoor seating and the dock with boats and yachts were right in front of the Cafe which was super cool. The food here was hands down best of all the food we had during our Hampton trip. We kept talking about it...the lobster roll, the fries, the beer battered shrimp. Like everyday about the beer battered shrimp. We kept singing and reminiscing over that one particularly haha. Even talked about it today, how we have to revisit on a nice sunny day like today. And hence why I remembered to write this review. Definitely recommend this spot to travelers heading to the hamptons! Im pretty sure the locals are already regulars here.

Outdoor Dining Review: Now I finally know why the Canal Cafe Lobster Roll is so famous! Located on The Shinnecock Canal, this restaurant has gorgeous views mixed with a cool ocean breeze. Large parking lot. The lot is shared with the marina parking. They have valet at the marina but didn't for the restaurant when I went (Sunday). The lot attendants were very helpful showing us the way to the cafe parking. There are plenty of outdoor tables. Some in the shade, some in the sun. Lots of people were pulling up on their boats to get food. The service was quick and incredibly friendly. Due to COVID, all orders are takeout. There is no table side service at this time. Everything was served in takeout containers which I didn't mind. They have water stations near the tables if you get thirsty. The prices are a bit high but not surprising due to the location. $32 for a lobster roll is the most I've ever paid thus far. I will say, I left being very satisfied with the food and service, so this restaurant is totally worth the $. Drinks were in range of other restaurants. I had a Bad Mamba which was very tasty. The food was absolute deliciousness! Everything served exceeded my expectations. I will be reviewing what I tried: -Lobster Fritters: Definite order! The only way to describe these is to compare them to hushpuppies with lobster added. Came with 10 little fritters & an incredible dipping sauce. Would share between 1-2 people. 5 out of 5 stars -Smoked Fish Dip: (Special) Comes with North Fork Potato Chips. Yes I've lived on Long Island all my life, but this is actually the first time I've tried smoked fish dip. Wow I was missing out for the longest time!! The smokey flavor was delicious and the fish had a similar texture to tuna but less dry. I would 100% order this again. 5 out of 5 stars -Lobster Roll: As I said above, this is the most expensive lobster roll I've ever had. The ciabatta bread was so fresh, and the lobster salad was exploding out of my sandwich. Huge pieces of meat! It's definitely a fat lobster roll, very delicious. It came with fries & coleslaw. The fries were delicious but I could leave the coleslaw next time. 5 out of 5 stars -Grilled Steak Sandwich: Beautifully marinated and cooked flank steak served on fresh ciabatta. The cheese was melted to perfection and the onions heightened the dish. This sandwich came with fries & coleslaw. 5 out of 5 stars This restaurant is a perfect place for a relaxing & delicious meal! I felt right at home here! Overall, bravo Canal Cafe!

Food was great! Service was quick and friendly and the atmosphere was great! Right on the bay with boats and great views

2.5 for me. The dishes all really sound amazing on the menu but is so very disappointingly lacking in flavor once you get it. The jerk chicken sandwich was a total fail. Not a hint of that spicy kick you expect from traditional jerk, spices rubbed onto a chicken breast that is cooked to death till it's desert dry. The steak sandwich has a good portion of meat in it but again the overall sandwich just lacks. Their mussels in Thai curry are decent though. I think this place is just popular because there just isn't another option in this area of the canal so they can get away with serving mediocre food. Sadly I'll return because it's convenient to our vacation home but will mainly stick to their burgers, fries and drinks unless they revamp their menu.

Never disappoints! Food is light and tasty, drinks are yummy and staff always nice. I love the view and there's always parking spots.

Going to a restaurant/cafe that has a simple menu and yet has anything and everything you could want is something I can always appreciate and this place has got it. Your seafood classics with some great chicken and steak options as well and at pretty reasonable prices as well. I love the views of the water too, makes for a great night out with some friends! The service was good too - our waitress checked on us regularly and was super nice. I'll be back again this summer!

Service great. Tasteless seafood. Sat inside was ok. Outside is next to a parking lot on water!

I first came to Canal Cafe 12 yrs ago. I was in heaven, beautiful view, friendly staff, and amazing lobster rolls. Unfortunately that is no longer the case. I'm sorry to say my visit last week will be my last. Between the waitress who could barely hide her distain and the overpriced lobster roll that shared little in common with the one that I had fallen in love with from years ago, it was not the same restaurant. I remember their lobster roll as overflowing with chunks of lobster, lightly dressed with mayonaise. The sandwich that was served to me last week had some kind of gloppy mess inside that was supposed to be lobster meat. It was truly an unidentifiable protein inside the sandwich. Maybe this is an example of cost cutting but nevertheless I will not be returning. It also doesn't explain the waitress who totally ignored us. We watched as groups of diners who sat down long after us were able to order food, be served, finish eating, pay their check, and leave well before we were even served our meal. So sorry to say this is not the Canal Cafe that I used to know. I will not be returning.

Loves this place! Great food, perfect view of the marina & you can never go wrong having a meal here. They get super busy in the summer, plan on waiting.

Love this little gem. It is a stand just dockside to a marina. Beautiful And peaceful surroundings. We ordered the grilled Mahi mahi sandwich and the fried po' boy oyster sandwich. You go up to window #1 and order, they give you a beeper when your food is done. Within 5 minutes the beeper went off. Then you go to window #2 for pick up. Both sandwiches came on a baguette roll. Each came with crispy French fries and a side of coleslaw they were big delicious sandwich's . They had umbrella covered picnic tables. Facing the marina. As of now they do not have indoor dining. They d have a big takeout business too. All the food was cooked perfectly and came out hot. Definately a must try if you are in the area of Hampton bays.

The lobster roll is still excellent!! But what happened to the size????? Really!!!! It has shrunk by 30%. OK the price has gone up- inflation- but don't hit me on both ends.